Mommy's Hero

Somehow a big, green frog found it's way into our house (this is Florida after all). Good thing my big, tough son was here to protect his Mommy. (You know I'm really not looking forward to the day when he thinks it's funny to TORMENT his Mommy with frogs.)

"Don't worry Mommy, I've got the situation under control!"


"Take that Frog. Who's the tough guy now?"


"There Mommy! I showed Frog who's boss and he won't be bothering you anytime soon!"

Shopping online is going to be tough...

...considering the fact that I'm pretty sure we have now been blacklisted by UPS. I LOVE to shop online. I find super deals and nothing tickles me more than to save money. It's rare that I buy anything in a bricks and mortar store anymore and if I do it's because I've done the research and know that it can't be bought cheaper any other way. But thanks to my two year old, I'm incredibly worried that one of my favorite pasttimes may have a new layer of complexity.

Friday afternoon I was cleaning up the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Of course Hayley was at the door in a split second and started yelling, "Mommy, a boy." It was definitely loud enough for the "boy" to hear. By the time I got to the door, the UPS man was almost back to his truck and I opened the door to pick up my package. One of our neighbors was also out for a stroll on the sidewalk in front of our house. Before I could get back inside, Chatty Cathy followed me out onto the porch and started frantically waving and yelling, "Goo bye dump truck." Only as you know, dump truck sounds like dumb #%@*. Mortified, I tried to get her back into the house as quickly as possible which only made her even more determined to make sure the "dump truck" heard her yelling "good bye." I'm absolutely certain that our neighbor heard her. I'll have some coffee and cold beverages ready for when child services shows up this week. Most importantly though, is how do I make amends with UPS? I've thought about writing an apology letter and trying to explain to our nice delivery man that "we" do not think he is a "dump truck." But I'd absolutely hate for him to have actually not have heard the flurry of Hayley obscenities and then be offended when I inform him of what he missed. This parenting business IS stressful!

Daddy had to emcee a retirement ceremony on Friday (unfortunately it wasn't his), so he had his dress uniform on and we were able to get a picture with Hayley. Too bad Little Todd had already gone to bed for the evening or I would have had all my favorites in one picture... my favorite man in uniform, my favorite cussing daughter, and my favorite little baby boy!

Twinkle, Twinkle

Here's one guy I WOULD NOT kick out of my bed for eating crackers! Todd, Hayley and I had breakfast with a good (and patient) friend this morning. On the car ride home, Hayley began singing. She's been singing for several weeks now, but I've never been able to figure out exactly WHAT she was singing. However, it was very clear today... a familiar tune at last! (Don't mind the vacuum, ladders, and utter MESS in our house. Brian and I started a home improvement project last weekend that is carring over into this coming weekend. After all, a home improvement project wouldn't be a true Roberts' home project if it didn't take longer and cost more than originally planned!)

Saggy Pants

There has been a lot of talk in the news about cities cracking down and banning saggy pants. I'm all for these bans, because after all, I've never been real excited about the prospect of explaining to my young children why a grown man has his pants around his ankles. As we sat in the Denver airport, waiting for our plane last week, we watched one of these "fashion forward" gentlemen (I use that term loosely) walk by. Hayley turned to Brian and in a loud voice said, "Wook Dad-dy... awww, poo poo pants (as she pointed at the fashion offender)." Guess I won't need to explain that to her after all...

Back to the Grind

It's been the usual eventful week and Hayley excitedly went back to preschool on Tuesday. She's definitely enjoying her two days a week there and seems so much more grown up each time I pick her up. She's earned stamps for being good and seems to understand the order and structure of school now.

I've mentioned before that Hayley is a quick study. She pretty well takes in whatever I tell her on the first go round. Now whether she does what I ask is a whole other issue, but I am sure she "gets it." We have bedtime rules that Hayley will recite before each nap (more like non-nap) and bedtime.
1.) Don't kick the wall
2.) Don't pick your border (those lovely animals that Brian and I spent HOURS pasting to her wall... gone! Little stinker!)
3.) Stay in bed, close your eyes and go to sleep.
4.) Love your Mommy and Daddy
I usually have to go in and tell her at least once a naptime to stop kicking the walls. And when I go into tell her that I usually see a flash of light as she yells, "Oh, no" and bolts across the room to her bed with a handful of picked off border. Yep, she gets it. She's just a rebel.

So apparently in her mind Hayley has created school time rules that she has begun reciting on the way to school each day. In the car I will ask her what she thinks she will do at school for the day. I usually offer up:
1.) Going outside and playing on the playground
2.) Singing songs
3.) Saying the Pledge of Allegiance
It's at this point that Hayley takes over with:
4.) "Obey" (Yes, Hayley, easier said than done I know. At least her heart is in the right place!)
5.) "No kwyin' boys." (Those darn little boys... they just can't follow the "No Kwyin' in Preschool" rule.)

Speaking of boys... Todd is one step closer to becoming a man. Upon our return from Denver, Todd took it upon himself to drop his dreamfeed. I think all the "what a little chunk" comments must have gotten to him. So, we now say goodnight to our big boy at 6pm and don't see him again until 7am the next morning. It's freeing to be able to go to bed whenever we feel like it. Because Brian and I? We like to be spontaneous, to live on the edge... you know, bed at 8:30pm one night and (gasp) 11pm the next! (Gosh, times sure have changed!) But, it's kind of sad to say goodbye to another baby stage, especially this time around when we know how fast our little boy will change.

Todd is 5 MONTHS old today! Here is his comparison picture to Hayley at 5 months. Don't mind his hair. The wind and humidity that we're receiving as a result of Hurricane Ike has wreaked havoc on Todd's hair. What's a guy to do?

Denver Trip

We just returned from an all too short trip to Denver. We had a wonderful visit and two very successful plane rides. In fact, I was complimented in the airport and on the plane by several people on how well behaved my children were. Moi???? Hurricane??? Don't worry, I won't get overconfident. I'm pretty sure a completely mortifying, public tantrum is right around the corner. My little girl likes to be sure to keep me well grounded.

The Guys (and Hayley... fitting)


G-Grams and Todd (G-Grams is 90 years old! Have I got great genes to look forward to or what???)


Apparently Todd crossed Hayley's imaginary line on the couch!


A trip to the Denver Zoo


Hayley had the best view in the house of all the animals!


Hayley and Grandpa on the zoo train


Todd was worn out after the zoo


Obviously, Todd had hair issues in CO. Get this kid some product!


Mimi and company


Getting ready to return home


Apparently the Mile High City agreed with Little Todd as he FINALLY cut those two bottom teeth that have been giving him fits for weeks now. He's now moved on to seeming incredibly bothered by his two bottom side incisors where his gums are swollen. Poor little guy. Hayley never seemed bothered by any teething and one day a tooth just magically appeared. Apparently Todd is bearing the brunt of pain for them both.

The kids are resting up today. They were happy to be back home in their own beds and were worn out from traveling, but definitely miss the activity and people at Mimi and Grandpa's house.

Politics?? In our house? Nah!!!!

She's wise beyond her years...

Preschool - Day 2

Hayley seemed excited enough to be strapping on her backpack again this morning and I worked HARD yesterday to make her take a nap so she wouldn't be overtired today. I felt good as we had an uneventful drive to school and Hayley seemed to be in a good mood so I was optimistic that today she would wow Ms. Colleen and Ms. Nicole with her angelic qualities. When we got to her classroom, her teachers had prepared a First Day souvenier for all the children and placed it in their cubbies. Sweet, isn't it?


I'm thinking "this" probably is what Ms. Colleen and Ms. Nicole were thinking would have been more appropriate.




And POOF! There went my confidence and my optimism for the day. Nothing like a little reminder of what my Hurricane is capable of to make me hit my knees, humble myself to God, and pray for mercy.

Pick up for Sprouts is between 12:10 and 12:25pm. On the first day of preschool, I arrived at about 12:15pm as I didn't want to seem like that maniacal parent that was ready to swoop in and rescue my child at 12:09pm. You know, I was playing it cool, like Todd and I had a big morning out on the town. But when I arrived at 12:15pm, Hayley was THE LAST child still in the classroom. I felt bad and I'm sure by that point Ms. Colleen and Ms. Nicole were ready for Hayley's mommy to arrive. I brushed it off as the first day and that's why everyone picked their child up at the strike of 12:10pm. So today, I played it cool again arriving at 12:15pm. Once again, Hayley was the last child left in class. Don't these parents have places to go and people to see in the mornings??

Fortunately when I arrived, Hayley's teachers told me she had a good day. She didn't throw any fits when they transitioned activities and didn't display her will the way she had last Thursday. She was smiling and happy and I didn't see an ounce of tear stain on her face. I was instantly relieved. That was until Ms. Nicole mentioned, "Hayley really liked her snack today." (Uh, oh... I was hoping to let the wrath of Hayley's appetite go unnoticed until September when the kids started staying for lunch.) She said that she and Ms. Colleen were utterly shocked when Hayley wolfed down her snack before the little boys next to her had even taken a bite of theirs. They said that Hayley is the tiniest child in the class so they figured she'd just play with her food and not really eat. Little did they know, eating is SERIOUS business in Hayley's book. You don't mess around. And so Hayley took it upon herself to begin teaching those little boys one of life's lessons... you snooze you loose fellas! After snarfing down her own graham cracker, Hayley went after her neighbors'. Ms. Colleen and Ms. Nicole explained to her that the napkin is her own space and they replinished her napkin with more snacks. I did let them know that Hayley is a strong eater and that I did feed her a big breakfast (3 eggs, a cup of yogurt, a piece of toast, and raspberries to be exact) and they said it was no big deal. But... don't worry fellow moms, day 2 and between my child consistently being the last to be picked up and the fact that it looks like I only feed her once a week I'm pretty sure I'm out of the running for the Sprouts Mother of the Year award.

We arrived home just in time for Hayley to swallow down an entire pb&j sandwich, large banana, milk, and grapes.

We're headed to Colorado next week. I sure hope Mimi gets the memo to stock the fridge!

Sunday Night Fever

We spent our afternoon today working on Hayley's first homework assignment. Dare I say that I was completely unprepared for homework in preschool, much less homework on the first day!! I'm feeling a little uneasy... I sure do hope this is "A" work.

Working on her creation!


The finished product... Tah dah!


Of course Todd did what he usually does and supervised his sister.


Todd Travolta in Sunday Night Fever... I know, the resemblance is uncanny!

Hayley's First Day of Preschool

Little Miss Hayley was rearing to go for her first official day of Preschool this morning.


Her new backpack


Powering up with a good breakfast


Todd was very supportive of Hayley's new endeavor


Heading to the car


Daddy walking Hayley into the school


A quick stop for a picture with Mommy and Todd


Getting settled in her classroom




She seemed a little overwhelmed when we first got there and I have to admit, it was VERY overwhelming with all the children and parents trying to take video and pictures of their little ones. In typical Hayley fashion though, she wanted nothing to do with us once she got to the classroom and didn't even notice when we left. My child has never displayed even an ounce of separation anxiety which can be tough on a parent's confidence. I mean, I "think" she likes me??!! Guess she's just more of the independent type.

When I picked Hayley up at noon, she looked hungry and tired. Her teacher told me that they played with shaving cream, had circle time, outside time, and an overall GOOD time! I got Hayley back out to the car and we were half way home before she finally opened her mouth to say anything. I asked her if she had fun and she said, "my goodness." Then she uttered something I couldn't understand and exasperatingly said "oh, my goodness." My goodness? That has been Hayley's quip du jour lately. Yesterday I was running the food processor and Hayley came out of her room with her hands on her hips and exclaimed to me, "my goodness." When we arrived at preschool this morning and Hayley saw all the parents and children (and chaos) she said, "oh, my goodness." The fun thing is the expression she uses when she says it. So, I'm guessing that her day was fun, full, and a bit overwhelming. She's now in her room taking a siesta... a rarity for Hayley lately. Yes, I think we're definitely going to like preschool!

I think I'm gonna need some chocolate to get me through this.

There's going to be some extra moisture around these parts and flooding is quite possible. No, I'm not referring to Hurricane Fay, but I am referring to a hurricane. MY little hurricane. I think I am a certified lunatic.

I have been SO excited for Hayley to begin preschool. I have WONDERFUL memories of preschool. To this day I can tell you that David and Matthew were my two best friends and we played Dukes of Hazzard nearly every day. I fondly remember the school administrator, Mrs. Christianson, who used to call me her little sunshine. I can remember the best tasting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that the lunch lady used to make for all of us. I can remember all the fun crafts and activities that I so loved to do, especially finger painting with pudding. I remember being chosen to play Goldilocks in our preschool play Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Obviously, my acting career did not go any further.

It's not easy to find preschools here for children that are two, but it's all these great memories that I have from my preschool days that have encouraged me to do all I can to find a place that I feel Hayley can have some of the same experiences. My social butterfly NEEDS to be around other kids. She loves to learn and she needs to be stimulated. While preschool is intended to be just for Hayley right now, Todd also needs some one on one time with just his Mommy.

I've had Hayley on the Sprouts waiting list since before she could walk. I love the school, she seems completely comfortable there and I've heard nothing but great things from other parents. In fact, I've really been looking forward to having a couple hours twice a week to just bond with my little boy. So why is it that for the past three days I've been in tears just thinking about dropping my little doll off for school on Thursday?

The 2008 Roberts' Olympic Games

We spent the weekend hosting our own Olympic Games. Inspired by Michael Phelps, little Todd decided to take up swimming. Obviously, Todd does not quite have the same metabolism as Mr. Phelps. In fact, I'm concerned that by the looks of things, I may need to start shopping for a "Bro" for little T.R. before long.

"Maybe I'll take up diving."

"On second thought, perhaps I'll give speed boat racing a shot."


It should come as no surprise that Hayley prefers to compete in track. Sprints, to be exact. She was definitely enthused after watching some of the women's hurdles and decided to create her own indoor track out of my kitchen.

Todd's Dreamfeed

One of our favorite times with both Hayley and Todd has been their dreamfeed. With Hayley, it was the only time that we got to just hold and snuggle her without her screaming at us to be put down. With our snuggler Todd, it's just some extra time to examine all the features of his cute little face and give him some additional love. Dreamfeeds have been a very successful undertaking in our house. Apparently both of our children have the ability to eat while sleeping. If Todd follows in Hayley's footsteps, he's going to be a good eater and my grocery bill is going to be atrocious.

Before bed, we ALWAYS take a bath

Perhaps it is time for bigger pjs

What a life

Todd at 4 Months

Hayley and I took Todd to the pediatrician today for his four month checkup. My big boy weighed in at 14 pounds, 8 ounces and 26 inches long which puts him at about 50% for weight and 75% for length. He seems SO big to me that I was surprised that he didn't weigh more. Of course after having Hayley who has been such a skinny little peanut, any baby with a roll or two seems huge to me. Todd got a clean bill of health and we were on our way.

Hayley and Todd, each at 4 months


On Saturday we attended a third birthday party for our good friend Luke. Hayley had a ball. She LOVES to play at Luke's house because Luke has cars and trucks and all sorts of things that little girls dream about... well, at least OUR little girl.

Coloring Lightning McQueen

Another party animal

The toy of the day... the race track!

Going Bald and Eating Crow

I haven't posted in awhile because I've been busy pulling my hair out. Literally. Suprisingly (and somewhat debatable), Hayley is not the cause of my hair loss as I get to chalk this lovely symptom up once again to pregnancy hormones. I'm not sure if it is because this was my second pregnancy, or because I had a boy, but every pregnancy symptom was magnified in comparison to my pregnancy with Hayley. So of course, this lovely post-partum shedding is twice as bad as after I had Hayley. It looks like two blond gorillas had a cage fight in my shower every morning and at this rate I figure I'll look like Mr. Clean's long lost twin (minus the shiny floors) by the end of the month. Don't get me wrong... I love, love, LOVE Todd and Hayley. However, I'm really just not at all a fan of the whole process of getting them here.

I've spent the past week wracking my brain about appropriate discipline methods to use with Hayley. Perhaps I should have thought about this BEFORE I had children, but back then I was too smart to ever believe that "my" child would ever need to be disciplined beyond a timeout. You know, "my" child will NEVER throw a screaming fit in public. "My" child will never run around out of control. "My" child will never tell me "NO" in a bratty voice. But now? Now my life pretty much consists of eating crow (when I'm not pulling my hair out). That child you hear throwing an absolute tantrum on aisle 2 and whose mother must have absolutely no control? That would be me. Two is such a lovely age and I'm sure in twenty years I'll see some poor soul who once knew everything too but now has a screaming toddler and I'll snicker, knowing that I did my time. But right now, my wounds are fresh and that doesn't comfort me much and it certainly doesn't solve my two year old's discipline problems. Right now I'm relying on Amazon.com for that. Instead of sitting back and getting the chance to read something that "I" would like to read before bed each night, I will now begin reading "1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children" and "Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child." My book report will be forthcoming.

Cautiously Optimistic

I think the earth must have fallen off it's axis. BOTH of my children are currently napping and my non-napping almost fourth month old took a TWO hour nap this morning. Now I won't go so far as to say that my sanity is returning, because even if my little angels took perfect naps everyday I would not consider myself sane, but I sure am a much happier mommy with two napping children. And to what do I owe these sudden naps? With Todd, it's just plain good fortune and perhaps getting out of whatever crazy baby stage he was going through. But Hayley? That's taken more than a little snake charming on my part. After constantly catching Hayley out of bed with two or three shirts around her neck and swimming in a pile of books, I've accepted that it is necessary to hide every possible thing Hayley could find interesting during naptime. Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled over her love of books, but the 3pm grouch is going to be the death of me if I don't get this child back in a napping habit.

Speaking of books... I'd like to publicly thank my good friend Alisson for sending Hayley the book "Puppy Love" for Hayley's birthday. It has definitely contributed to Hayley's obsession with dogs and has quickly become one of Hayley's favorite reads as she talks about "Puppy Wuv" constantly. Especially when we are out in public and she sees a dog. She yells, "Wook Mommy, a puppy. Awww... puppy wuv!" Nevermind the quizzical look I get from the dogs' owners, I think Chloe must have sent out a doggy S.O.S. because the dogs get the look on their face like, "no way am I going near that child."

Nothing wrong with a little child labor to wear her out!

Forces Aligned

Todd has been on this earth for almost 15 weeks and already he and Hayley are conspiring against me. They both have decided to go on nap strike. I'm quite certain that this turn of events is going to cause me to lose my ever-lovin' mind.

Hayley has always been an early adapter of the whole "less naps are more" philosophy. She went down to one nap a day long before her other playmates had eliminated their morning naps and I was okay with that because her afternoon naps were consistently two plus hours long. She's always been a good sleeper, had a six to seven o'clock bedtime, and I can count on one hand the number of times she's woken up in the middle of the night since the age of 6 months. Granted, the amount of energy that Hurricane expends certainly explains her (and my) need for sleep. Shortly after Todd was born Hayley decided that afternoon naps weren't near as much fun as playing in her room during her supposed naptime. And now, she apparently has told Todd what fun life can be with NO naps during the day.

I'm a BIG fan of Dr. Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" book. Until this point, all of Hayley's sleep habits have been spot on with Dr. Weissbluth's guidelines. But I'm feeling incredibly misled. Dr. Weissbluth led me to believe that I would be Hurricane free for 2 hours every afternoon until Hurricane reached the ripe old age of at least three. This is not so. And I am so sad that I could cry. When exactly am I supposed to feed my Internet addiction now?

Todd's napping habits are a whole other issue entirely. He absolutely refuses to nap for any period in excess of 20 minutes. I've tried EVERYTHING and have resigned myself to grasping at the hope that he'll grow out of this and into the nap pattern that I expect him to have. I will say that Todd's strong resistance to the idea of napping has definitely opened my eyes to the fact that he may not be quite as laid back as I think. It appears that this little fella may have a temper on him. Hayley just may have met her match.

I'm Gonna Brag

Kudos to my incredibly conscience and overachieving husband who was recently named 2007's Outstanding Financial Management Officer for the United States Special Operations Command. You can rest assured that your tax dollars are being managed wisely at SOCOM. Brian's brother and sister tell a funny story about how they once visited Brian at Fort Hood during a sweltering Texas summer. Upon entering Brian's apartment they couldn't help but comment on the lack of air conditioning, to which Brian responded, "I try to save money. Usually I just lay real still." Is it any wonder I fell madly in love with him? He's obviously my soulmate!

I'm still trying to decipher the authenticity of this picture. Brian likes to tell me that really, he's part of "The Unit." You know, he just masquerades as an Army bean counter to cover his true identity of top secretive operative for Delta Force. I'm pretty sure he's making it up. If his hair starts getting long and he doesn't shave for days, then I'll start to worry.

Beginning to "Sprout"

Today we visited Hayley's "soon-to-be" preschool for a morning playdate. We had the opportunity to meet the children, parents, and teachers for her class. Judging by the size of the tantrum Hayley threw when it was time to leave, I think she's going to like preschool. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this, but my daughter? My daughter is NOT what you would call a wallflower. I truly believe that God blessed me with Hayley in an effort to challenge my comfort zone, because me? I am a wallflower and I prefer to go about my business unnoticed for the most part. Yep, I'm perfectly happy to just blend in with society. But blending? That's just not going to happen with Hayley in tow. Well, at least all the preschool moms know exactly who I am. I'm Hurricane's mommy... God bless me.

I'm excited to see how Hayley will develop over the upcoming school year. I am operating under the assumption that she doesn't get kicked out of preschool, and yes, I know what happens when one "assumes." There are nine children in Hayley's class. Six boys and three girls which is the perfect class for my non-prissy daughter. As Hayley's two female classmates played house this morning, Hayley was over with the boys trying to steal their trucks. I was in the corner P-R-A-Y-I-N-G that Hayley didn't tell those little boys what it was she wanted. (Sprouts is a Christian preschool and I'm pretty certain that Hayley's terminology for truck would be immediate grounds for expulsion... have I mentioned that she's now fascinated with Dump TRucks, which Hayley pronounces as Dumb ***** and Fire TRucks? It ain't pretty.) Needless to say, we will be having daily pronounciation lessons from now until school starts.

And behold, a miracle has occurred. In a stroke of pure luck, I was able to get a picture of Hayley and Todd TOGETHER. Yes, I mean both in the same picture. Todd is performing "The Superman" pose. We do this same position in my pilates class. Todd is well aware of the value of a strong core. Lock up your daughters... this beefcake comes with a six pack.

Todd at 3 Months

Today Todd celebrated his three month birthday! He's come a long ways in three months and we've been enjoying every second with him. For the most part he has mastered sleeping through the night and for the first time last Wednesday morning he woke up just talking (rather than crying) at 6:45am. He's close to rolling over and absolutely loves to grab anything within his reach. He really is just the sweetest little thing and loves to have long conversations with his Mama. He's absolutely fascinated by Hayley and Chloe... yes, he seems to have great affection for the females in his life! Daddy makes it home in time to give him a bath each evening and I think it is the part of the day that Todd most looks forward to. He still absolutely loves his baths and getting his silky mane washed.

Here's Hayley and Todd at 3 months. Todd wants you to know that he is secure enough in his manhood that he doesn't mind sitting in his big sister's pink chair.