Retirement Sounds Great

People talk about the terrible two's as if they are something horrific and gets better when the child gets older. Um, I'm still waiting. Age 4 is going to drive me insane. The crying and the whining over absolutely nothing. The falling apart when I finally raise my voice after I told him to stop doing something 5 times before that. The attitude that says, "I don't need you, I'm 4," followed by, "Mommy, I'm done on the potty, come wipe me." I'm retiring. Oh wait, that's right, I can't.

Don't tell me it gets better because I'm on to the people who say that. It's better relative to something else and they don't tell you what they're comparing it to. Nails on a chalkboard? 3-hour lecture? Hearing "Mommymommymommymommymommymommmymommymommy," should be a form of torture used on suspected terrorists. No one can withstand the relentlessness of the constant "Mmmmoooommmmyyyyy."

But when it's good, it's so good. He'll tell me he loves me to Jupiter and back. He's great with his brother when he's not teasing him. He's very conscientious and is going to save the world from errant plastic bottles. He uses words like "actually" and "frustrating" correctly. He loves to read and has been practicing tracing his alphabet all summer.

So, when the desire to put him outside with the skunks becomes overwhelming, I have to remind myself he's a pretty great kid. Nothing beats him crawling into bed with us in the morning and laughing with him while I play with his curls. And while he is currently running around in nothing but his dinosaur underwear demanding I give him something to eat RIGHT NOW, I know we'll laugh about something in a few minutes and it will be better. Until the next tantrum and then the skunks better watch out because their stinkiness has nothing on the attitude of my lovely elder child.

An Angel named A.

Another little boy is in heaven way too early. Pray for A.'s family. They knew this was coming but that doesn't make it any easier. A. was such an amazing fighter, living way longer than any of his crazy doctors said he would. And his mother is an awesome example of how to never give up hope. You'll be missed, A. Even by those who never got to meet you.

wow

It seems as if there isn't much to say if I don't have anything to complain about. ;) Tater is awesome. He's walking every where! No more scooting for this child. He is off! He's doing so well; we never could have imagined being here even a year ago. He's blessed. We're blessed. It's great.

We've had a busy summer so far without doing much at all. Leeda and her boys came for a week in the beginning of June and Mr. A and I were able to get a much needed weekend away to Atlanta for a Braves' game/our anniversary. Leeda is pretty awesome herself the way she likes to come and torture herself for our sake. 4 boys are no easy feat. I had a taste of it here and there and it isn't for the faint of heart.

We go to Birmingham on Thursday to see a new urologist and hopefully schedule a surgery he needs. We want to get all surgeries out of the way! We're having way too much fun to slow down for stupid things like surgeries and such.

We hope everyone is doing well. Toser says to tell you all that naps are for the birds and staying outside all day is the way to go!