Hatch

Has there been a good post about Hatchie lately? I cannot recall one, so I'll throw one in the mix. (I actively worry that I will die and that the kids will count their individual posts and find out who had the most, therefore deeming that person the favorite. If you read this, dear children, I love you all the same.)

But Hatch.  William.  Holy $&@?. Where did he come from?! (Rhetorical question. He's my dad, but miniature.)

We joke about him being so bad, but really, he's not.  He listens and follows directions quite well.  He is a saint in public.  We can take that kid anywhere. But at home...

At home, he is a tiny leprechaun.  He is sneaky and naughty.  He does the weirdest things...paints the vanity with my foundation, sprinkles coffee grounds across the kitchen floor, steals my socks by the handful and hides them.  He's a prankster.  He can be mean.  That tiny baby bites!

But Holy Moley, he is cute.  Have you seen him? He's incredibly short (the size of the average 18m old), quite chubby and round, but very, very fast. He giggles and snorts and squeaks.  He can speak in full, detailed sentences, but leave you to believe that he is incapable of verbal expression when he wants. He will play you for all he is worth and he will win.  I promise you.

He is clever.

He is funny.

He's so warm and snuggly.

He will win you over.  Watch out.

His favorites:

Color: green
Food: granola bars
Toys: his "bees" (pillow pets) and all things Wolverine
Meal: breakfast
Movie: The Lego Movie
Song: Started From The Bottom (censored--don't judge)

He's Wee Willy. He's absolutely wonderful, if not for having to swat him away from time to time. Good God, we love this kid. 

Year of Adam

I made it my New Year resolution this year to date my husband.  After all, seven years, four kids and lots of other major changes can take a toll on one's relationship.  It can become routine.  It had become routine, and not at all bad, but with room for improvement (always).

(And do you know what? Dating your husband is kind of awesome.  Also, it reaps all sorts of benefits, like out-of-the-way favors and tokens and love notes.  Who doesn't love a love note...er, text? I sure do.)

Enough of that.  Let me tell you why I wanted to date Adam:

1.) He has given me everything I ever wanted.  The kids, the job, the life...all because of Adam.  (He could have kept the dog.  We love each other now, but that was a long time coming.) I could stop here.  But there is more.

2.) He never complains.  Never.  He can work six 16-hour days in a row, get three hours of sleep, drive six hours to get home to see us for dinner and get back to the grind again.  And he never complains.  (Me? I complain.  I work three 12s in a row and you bet that everyone I know will know about it.)

Adam > Me.

3.) His work ethic is second to none.  Clearly.

4.) He never tells me no.  Truthfully, I don't ask for a whole lot in terms of actual "things," but I have high expectations.  He may not always keep up with chores like I do, but if I have a grand idea to improve things, to get the kids on track, to revamp our finances/lifestyle/way-of-life, he always says, "Sounds good" or "Great idea!"

5.) When I am in a place where I simply cannot be rational, he is. He always is.

6.) His laugh. Enough said.

7.) He's the best kisser on the planet. (Sorry, kids, that you have to read that. Take this as a lesson, though. Marry a good kisser.)

8.) He's a great example for our kids. He shows them how to be respectful, how to be a team player, how to love with all of your heart.

9.) He has the perfect body temperature. Sharing a bed with him is sublime.

10.) He's smart. And kind. And super-funny. And he loves me, too. 

He's simply wonderful. I mean that. He drives me up the wall at least half of the week, but he's simultaneously the best person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Nauseated yet? (Sorry about that.) Yay, Adam! 

Mornings.

It's been one year and a few days since we moved up north to the 'burbs.  Aside from the fact that we've now seen all four seasons in our home and feel 100 times more settled, here are some reasons why this week in February was better than the same week last year:

1.) I'm not deathly ill.

2.) We finally figured out where that beeping noise was coming from.

3.) I'm not finishing up my first trimester and vomiting daily.

4.) We have a new family member!

5.) I know where the closest and cheapest grocery stores are.

6.) We talk to the neighbors.

7.) We've made our way through most of the boxes in the garage. Sort of.

8.) I was stuck here sans Adam, but this time, I had TV and Internet.  And more than a mattress on the floor on which to sleep.

This year ruled! Here are the boys this afternoon in front of the not-so-new homestead.

Happy Friday, friends.  

Patrick's Birthday

Three posts about Pjew's sixth birthday! Excessive? Perhaps.  But birthdays are awesome and this one was his "Golden," so let's just roll with it.

His birthday was the best day ever (his words, not mine.) Not only did we hit up Hooters with Uncle Justin and Grandad for some wings and...chocolate milk, we surprised the kids with a family trip to see The Lego Movie (with Patrick's pseudo-sister and cousin, Nina), where they got soda and candy and popcorn. (This was a huge deal, and sugar crashes came later.)

Patrick was (as always) loved on by both families, got lots of phone calls and FaceTimes from some energetic peeps, and glowed from the inside out for days.  His birthday presents strayed from the Lego/Superhero interests of  past birthdays to the science/history/explorative interests of the now.

(It was perfect.  Thanks to everyone for making our not-so-little guy feel so special.  In the process, you made us feel special, too.  You guys are awesome.)

Check out some photos.

Patrick at Six

After a special birthday breakfast of Funfetti pancakes and bacon, we sat down this morning, February 5th at 10:15am, on the sixth snow day of the winter, for Patrick's annual birthday interview.  Here is how it went:

1.) How old are you going to be this year?
Uhhh, six.  Six.  Six years old.

2.) Do you know when you are going to be six?
February sixth.

3.)  How does it feel to be almost six?
Um, happy.  Because I want to be six.

That's it?  Yeah, I'm happy.

4.) How will your birthday be? 
Good.

Just good?  Uh-huh.

5.)  How do you think the weather will be on your birthday?
Cold.  Cold.  Cold and snowy.  Because there is only one more day to go and it's cold and snowy right now.

6.) What is the most important thing you have learned in life so far?
To treat people nicely. To be a good person.

7.) How do you think you are different than you were a year ago?
I'm different because I'm almost six.  I don't know.  Maybe I'm still a little smaller than Gavin? (Gavin is Patrick's cousin, two years older.  Gavin's birthday is very close to Patrick's and every year on Gavin's birthday, Patrick gets upset with me for not having him first.  He really wants to be as old, or at least as big, as super-cool older cousin.)

8.)  What is your favorite thing about yourself?
I play really good with my brothers.  Do you know where my clay is?

9.) Yes.  I'll get it when we're done.  You are in kindergarten this year.  How do you like it?
It's good.  I like it.  I like to see my friends and play with them.  I would like to say one thing about my friends.

What's that one thing?  I don't know.  I just did say one thing.  Remember?

10.)  Who is your best friend?
Vinnie, Landon, and Zee.

11.) What is one thing you like to learn about?
About my family.  You guys are nice to me.  Sometimes when you're mad at me, still nice.  If you spank me, you're still nice.  If I get a time out, still nice. (Sweet.)

12.) Is there anything you would do to make school better?
No, not really.  I like it fine.

13.) Tell me about our family. 
Um, our family is good.  And we're nice.  And you all love me so much.  And I think my mom is beautiful because she gives me nice stuff. (He's playing me. He really wants his birthday presents.) 

14.) What do you like about being a big brother?
I like to help my brothers when they are sad.  Like, when they fall down, I try to help them up.  And I like to play with my sister and stuff.  What?

15.) If you had a whole day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
I don't know.  The zoo or something?  I'd take my brothers. 

16.) What is your favorite song?
My favorite song is, "What Does The Fox Say?"

17.)  What is your favorite movie?
Legend of the Guardians

18.) What is your favorite book?
I don't have a favorite one, actually.  I like Army books.

19.) What is your favorite toy?
Batman stuff.  Just Batman.  Like all things Batman.

20.) What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be...a police.  Wait.  Did I say police?  Yeah, that's right.

21.) Do you think you will ever get married?
Yeah, I will.  I told you not to ask me the married question.

22.) How old do you think you will be when you get married?
Twenty-five.  That's a good age.  That's if I find a good one.  Woo woo!!

23.) What have you learned about girls this year?
I just like them.  I haven't really learned about them yet, though.  I like that they are pretty. 

24.) What is your favorite food?
Pineapples!  (This is true.  Fresh pineapples.  And those suckers are kind of expensive.)

25.) What is your favorite candy?
Ice cream.  That's a candy.  It's my favorite treat.  But I really like Skittles, too. 

26.) Are you scared of anything?
What? No!  I'm not scared of anything!  I'm a tough boy.

27.) Is there anything else you would like to say?
No, thanks.  I'm okay.  I'd like to play with my clay right now. 

I Believe

I found this post in my "Drafts" folder on 2/4/14.  I have little recollection writing it, have no clue when I did, but felt like it should be published anyway. 

Adam and I were talking last night about how we have an innate sense of faith; that we sometimes just know things, mostly because we rest our faith in them. 

I believe that one day, you boys will come home from college, walk in through the garage with your bags (and probably your girlfriends) and hug me so hard that you will pick me up (and I think about this all of the time.). 

I believe that you will one day sit around the kitchen table and tease me for how ridiculous I am, just like we did (or do) to my own mother.  (Sorry, Mom.)

I believe that we are probably going to have our rough patches. (I'm looking at you, William.)  I also believe that you all were born with good hearts and good senses and we will get through them if you remember that.

I believe that having you kids was the best thing that your Dad and I have ever done.  Even when you drive me crazy, I love you more than you will probably ever know.

I believe that your Dad and I worked as hard as we could as often as we could to make sure life at home was happy. 

I believe that our little family has been blessed since the beginning and that there really are people looking out for us (and I believe I know who they are).

I believe that people are inherently good.  I hope that you'll believe that, too.

I believe that I have made some mistakes, none that I am especially proud of, but some of those mistakes are the reason we're all here together now.  I believe that we're all part of a much grander plan than we realize.

I believe in God.

I believe in our family.

I believe in each one of you kids, in all of your unique and special gifts, in all of your abilities to change the world, and...

I believe that one day, in small ways or in big ways, you will.

I believe that there are no people in this entire universe who can make me as happy as you all do.  I believe that we're going to have lots of happy holidays together.  I believe that we'll welcome in the neighborhood.

I believe that I'll eventually be the shortest person in the house.

I believe I will love you all with my whole heart for my whole life until there just isn't any love left at all. 

This.

To My Son On His 6th Birthday

Dear Patrick, 

In three days, you will be six.  You probably know by now that I love celebrating each new year with you and that I don't mourn the passing of your childhood.  As a child myself, I loved growing up.  I imagine you do, too, and so I am excited for you.  I really am.  By the time you read this, I hope I have made myself clear on that.  This year is a bit different, though.  You're not just a bit taller, a bit funnier, full of a larger vocabulary, kind-of-the-same kid.  You're changing.  And now, as excited as I am for you, I am also a bit sad for me.  

You've heard your birth story a hundred times.  You've heard it three times this week.  I've played it over in my own head at least ten times since the beginning of the month. When you were born, I became a parent.  In a way, a new me was born, too. We started a new journey together, and for that reason, you will always be special.  You changed me.  You made me a new person.  You made me feel the joy of parenthood, of taking care of others.  You made me go to nursing school.  You made me work in pediatrics.  You shaped my life.  You did.  You're six.  And you've drastically changed my life...and others.

You don't know yet how special you are.  I do.  I know your soul in a way that I cannot put into words.  Your newly-acquired attitude, the small chip riding on your shoulder, the sharp tongue that just showed up, I can see what it's leading toward.  I can see how you are developing into a strong, independent, free-thinking man.  It's happening way faster than I imagined, and I am as proud of your ambitious nature as I am frustrated with the present-day disposition.  I know you think that you know it all.  I know that you think I am over-bearing.   I imagine it's only going to get worse.  And I will get mad.  And you will get mad.  But when you and I both call a truce, when we sit down to read a book, when you let down your guard and giggle that giggle I know so well, when your cheeks flush pink with happiness, when your eyes light up like your soul just turned itself on, I see you in there.  I know you're the Patrick I met nearly six years ago.  You're the one who is destined for such great things, you cannot even fathom them yet.  And you're starting to turn into that guy.  And I can be okay with that.  In a few days.

Right now, I can still smell your neck the night we brought you home.  I remember the lighting in the living room when you cried for hours because I hadn't the sense to dress you warmly.  I remember the first time I left the house with you (Leeney came because I completely lost all sense for a few days).  I remember the outfit you wore on your first Valentine's Day.  I remember you as a baby.  My baby.  And, as I got to know you then, I knew you were special.  I know now more than ever.  

Keep your spirit: It spits fire and enthusiasm.

Keep your voice: Ask lots of questions.  Introduce yourself. People love you.  

Keep your humor: Your laugh will make your soul bloom.

Keep that wit: Seriously.  Your smart friends will get it.

Be gentle.  Be humble.  Be patient.  Be understanding.  These things will take some work, but they will make your life extra special.

You, son, are the very root of my heart.  When you grow, it grows.  I'm proud of who you are becoming.  I am proud of who you are.  

You are our favorite Patrick John Edward.  You're our favorite oldest son.  You are the first best thing that has ever happened to us.

We loved you then, we love you still.

Always have, always will.

Happy (almost) birthday, Pjew.

With my whole heart,

Mom

Mom Just Isn't Fun at All

I have been itching to update this blog. I really want to be 100% honest- I don't want to give an inaccurate depiction of how we live, and the last post needed an update. The weekend has passed and it's now Monday morning, so here it is. Prepare yourself to deem me neurotic or just completely dull.

I was so proud of myself for letting go of my own hang-ups and driving forces on Thursday. I had a great night with the kids by myself. Awesome. I was high on life.

But my free spirit didn't even last until the wee hours of the next morning. I couldn't do it! I lost sleep over it. I can't be that person. I spent the morning rushing around like a crazy person trying to get a grip on my to-do list. It was a mess. (Adam was a good sport, though, and kept me going. Let me tell you later about what a good team-player he is. Need a reality check? Find Adam.)

I try. I do. But it looks like Mom just can't have fun like Daddy does. It takes all types to make the world go 'round, I guess. Sigh.

BUT, here I am owning it. If you needed to feel better about yourself this morning, there you go. You probably just realized you are more fun than I am. You're welcome. :)

❤️