~There Are So Many Levels of Child Abuse~

That I really cannot keep track of them all.... but I can describe one to you that I am guilty of:

This past Thursday, Tyler had what we are referring to as "the incident". He had peanut butter... and was allergic. This is a whole other story - this child abuse story is all about Katelyne.

On Thursday, whilst Tyler was in the middle of said reaction, I was frantically calling the doctor and attempting to hear the him while Tyler screamed and Katelyne was running crazy inside. The only logical thing to do was go into the backyard to hear his direction on what I should do next - I was really crossing my fingers for a margarita, but no such luck. In transition of my insideies and outsideies, both kitties and the dog followed. Upon my last entry before leaving for the doctor, one kitty and one dog followed me in - I was unaware of this curious kitty, Sparkle, not returning.

After a trip to the doctor, picking up some simple benedryl mixture and a quiet ride home... things started to simmer down with Tyler. Then it happened: we all realized that Sparkle was, in fact, missing. We looked all over for her - calling for her, shaking treats for her, everything. We finally decided to turn in and file this as "Dr. Doolittle has lost a cat"... (With all of the animals we have - not a bad thing....)

The next morning, Katelyne decided that she was not satisfied with being minus a kitty. So, after much argument and a few tears, I suggested we put out some food in a dish by the back door. She did. And then the abuse started - she came in and sat at the back door, waiting. She got up 2 times, once to run 10 feet away and grab books and another time to run the same distance and grab 2 puzzles.... it was sad.

I decided to divert her attention at about 11:30 with lunch... and then it happened. I was down the hall while she was enjoying lunch and she screamed, "MOMMY! I SAW SPARKLES TAIL! SHE IS BY THE BAR-BE-QUE!!!!!!! COME NOW!!!!!!!!"

I came down the hall a little skeptical. But, she was right... Sparkle was in the backyard. The only thing Katelyne was unaware of was that Sparkle was not going to come in without a fight.

We chased her all over, back and forth. After several trips across the backyard, I could no longer hold my tongue... "STUPID SHIT!!!!", I yelled at Sparkle. Katelyne very calmly looked up at me and retorted, "Mommy, we shouldn't say 'stupid.'", "You're right Honey, I am sorry..." Then we tried a different approach. I handed Katelyne a beach towel and I had another... I instructed her to hold up her towel and when I scared Sparkle her way to throw the towel on her! She was on board with it.... her reflexes had other plans. She is not the quickest in the face of excitement.

Finally, I am guessing out of exhaustion, Sparkle stopped and nestled herself between the wheel well of the trailer, (Redneck? Yes.) so I told Katelyne to walk s.l.o.w.l.y around the trailer to spook Sparkle a little and I would catch her with the towel. She did.... and when she was dead even with Sparkle, Sparkle just sat there - stupid shit. I had Katelyne squat down and pet her, Sparkle let her - stupid shit. So, I decided to walk over s.l.o.w.l.y... I got there and reached in to pet her, grabbed her scruff and brought her inside....

I AM A HERO!! (*Que Indiana Jones theme*)

So, Sparkle is home, Katelyne was not too badly bruised and now no kitties are allowed outside.... *sigh* Sorry Belle.

~How Does Your Garden Grow?~

For as long as she learned how to speak, Katelyne has been asking to plant a garden. Not for eating the vegetables, but I think more so for her own independence - "I did that" sort of independence.

Every year we have seemed to miss the seasonal boat, so this year I was determined to make that happen for her. This morning we headed off to OSH to get our supplies. TO my surprise she knew what she wanted to plant, and exactly what she needed in order to make them grow... at this point I am beyond proud that she is so smart, or she really takes after my side and is just a smart-ass, either way she knows her stuff.

She knew she wanted corn, tomato's and strawberries. I threw in a squash because Tyler LOVES them... she picked out a fence to keep out "critters", the dirt, told me she need "fergaliser" and some gloves.... Princesses are not too keen on getting dirt under their nails ya know...

She did so well and watered everything when we finished. Then we moved onto strawberries that are in a pot on the patio. The only struggle with this was she was devastated they did not have a purple pot... she told the cashier of her disappointment.

~My Theory on Nature vs. Nurture~

In college I took a Psychology class that was structured around the Nature vs. Nurture theory. In short term, this debates concerns the relative importance of a person's innate qualities (nature) versus their personal experience (nurture) causing differences in physical and behavioral traits.

I have seen, first hand, that nature has a strong pull in determining these traits.

I am no psychologist, not a doctor, or a professor, I am a Mom. More specifically, I am Katelyne and Tyler's Mom.

Katelyne is a girly girl in every sense of the word. She is amazing. She loves purple and pink, thinks Tiaras complete any outfit, tutu's can be worn everywhere, dirt on you is just unacceptable and eyeshadow is a must to leave the house. If she falls, you are immediately teleported to a twilight of drama - tears, screams, band aids and lots of hugs...

And, Tyler. Tyler was born with brawn and gusto. Equally, Tyler is amazing. Even before he could walk, he had one speed: GO. He will climb anything, scale the dog, throws everything, push everything and if he falls, he may whimper, but 99.9% of the time, he will literally shake his head and continue on.

As I awake every morning I stumble into the kitchen and make my coffee, on my way back down the hall, usually I am greeted by my little Princess who requires immediate hugs, and kisses and snuggles - I whole-hearted oblige. About 20 minutes later, I change out my tiara and replace it with my hard hat as Tyler wakes... he requires an immediate trip to the kitchen for food and milk. I find myself constantly interchanging my tiara/hard hat daily.... naturally, my children are two completely different beings and that is the amazing part of them both.

I am a proud Mom... I have the best of both worlds and a pretty awesome Hubby to go along with the package. Each day is different from the last, and I honestly could not operate any other way.

~I No Longer have Babies~

...I have a toddler and a PreSchooler... I tried to get a picture of him in his no-longer-a-baby hat, but he was much happier without it on. He even smiled!Who came up with such crappy descriptions anyhow??? I mean really toddler means "I am still dependent on Mom, but I can run from her if I choose" and PreSchooler means "I am on the highway to Smarter than Mom... do you think she'll notice?"

I feel old.

~A New Day~

I just put my baby to bed and will wake up with a toddler... I will have a 1 year old and an almost 4 year old... wow.

These are a few of my favorite pictures of them...

Also, I came across this today, "I should be able to worry about the things that bother me." I am worried that my kids are growing too fast... that bother's me.

I love them so.

~Growing, Growing, Gone~

Today is the 5th of April... if you count days, this time last year, Tyler was about 15 minutes old.He was actually born on April 7th, so I have 2 more days to get my shit together... I am just gobsmacked that my baby is going to be a whole. year. old...

Today is stood up in front of Katelyne and the top of his head was at the bottom of her chin. She is 3 years, 8 months old and well on her way to adopting "I am Tyler's older sister", and abandoning "I am Tyler's bigger sister".

Oh. Gawd.... I think I can feel the pitocin running through my veins again.....

~Tyler's Baptism~

... or as Neighbor Rob called it, "Tyler's certification".

Really such a beautiful day... the weather was perfect and all was easy going. Tyler was such a good boy and was ok with water poured over his head and a strange person holding him in the air!

Really all was easy... we chose our very best friends to be his Godparents and we are rock solid that we will drop him off at their house one day soon! ;-)

Afterward we headed home for cake and drinks with friends and family.... really just a nice day.

Both my babes are just 2 blessings who are now Blessed!

~NHRA! Ashley Force-Hood~

Just as promised in earliers post, we packed it up and headed south for Drag Racing! It is hard to detail all we did while we were there (Grammie and I had extra "baggage" all week) we did a ton of fun things.... we went to the Walley Parks museum, met Ashley Force-Hood, the drag races and swan a bunch too! Here is the photography side of the trip....

~Tyler's FIrst Haircut~

Date: February 2, 2010

Place: Diablo Beauty

Stylist: Auntie Jen

Mommy: A Mess

Tyler: Did really well..... even giving Auntie Jen the "evil eye"

Now he is just a Big Boy *sigh*

~Presidents Day in Lake Tahoe~

For those of you who know me, you are aware that I have had a tad bit of increased anxiety since we had Tyler. Even with this small bump in the road, I have tried to keep the kids lives as normal and functional as possible without holding them back.

So, we packed it up and headed to the snow.... in the snow.... while it was snowing... to play in the snow.... and not get buried in the snow.... or eat yellow snow.... or hit a tree while sledding in the snow... See? No worries! Right?

Katelyne had a blast! She was in outside the minute we got there and only stopped to eat and sleep... (she pooped once, but I think that was from excitement overload!) Tyler, well, let's face it.... he could give a shit because he is 10 months old. But he seemed to enjoy sledding with Daddy and actually LOVED just sitting in the snow watching Roxy and Katelyne run like wild animals!

While I would LOVE to say the trip was all roses and candy canes, I have to be the eternal realist.... Tyler had a hard time sleeping, poor Katelyne was asleep on the floor and I was beyond anxious the entire trip.... just soooo nervous. So, to avoid further dramatic downfall, we headed home on Sunday night at 8 o'clock. In the snow..... damn the snow.

~Racin' Racin' Racin'~

We are planning a trip to the WinterNationals in Pomona this February and are in the process of bubble wrapping the children......

I am unsure if they will enjoy the trip, or even the event for that matter. I do know their Dad and PopPop will - so I guess that is what matters......

Holy Shit! Can you believe how drooly TyTy is?! Wow! Get a drip pan already!