Bye Bye Boobies

No more breastfeeding at casa Altenberg, and I'm not coping well.

While Nate was in the hospital, he was so sick, I couldn't nurse him. Then, I was the one too sick to nurse. By the time he came home, he had decided he was ready to wean. Oh, we gave it a go for old time's sake, but within 24 hours, he had decided he was permanently done.

And here I thought weaning my last born would be some grand ordeal, some slow letting-go of each other... but no, he's just done. No long goodbye, no crying or whimpering. At 13 months, my little man is off the boob. And I'm broken up.

Breastfeeding my boys has been incredibly rewarding. In earnest, I consider it one of my greatest accomplishments. For those of you who haven't tried it, it is not an easy thing to do. It can be painful and difficult, and it requires patience and a tremendous amount of self sacrifice. It also provides so many quiet, intimate, precious moments with your little one, snuggling in the rocker, laying in the bed, watching him drift off to sleep or tug at your hair. Nate always tried to stick his hand in my mouth, and he would pull off the boob in laughter at his little game.

Anyway. Life is changing. They're growing up fast. I know the weaning is a good thing; I should be happy it came so easily. I have more freedom now. I'm no longer the only person who can get the boy to bed.

So, bye bye boobies and bye bye baby. Hello Natey, my little man. I'm glad you're independent and secure and ready to be a toddler. Still, it's hard to let go. I will miss having a baby in my house.

Little Shop

Who doesn't love Little Shop of Horrors? Seriously, the music is awesome, the play moves fast, and the plant EATS people. Blood, severed limbs, a singing flytrap, a crazy dentist- it's a young boy's dream. I took Luke to see a local production recently, and he went crazy. He's still singing the title song, and every night at dinner, he assigns us our roles. If Luke's not proclaiming himself to be the plant, Audrey Two, then I often find that Suddenly Seymour is standing beside me... this theater mommy couldn't be more proud!

The Newest Obsession

These are The Imagination Movers, and Luke is a major, major fan. We have all their songs, and watch them every morning on TV.


They pretty much rock. Hits include Clean My Room, The Snackin' ABC's, and the classic Seven Days A Week.


Fresher than The Wiggles, I personally favor Mover Rich, pictured here, bottom left. He plays the drums. Luke, however, likes Uncle NidKnocks, a neighbor of the movers, who is known for being dreadfully boring.

We can't wait for the Movers to come in concert!!!

Our Valentine's Day

Dear Natey,

Our Valentine's Day was not what I had hoped it would be. Daddy was set to return in the evening from Arizona, and just as we were about to walk over to the store so we could get the Valentine's Day food and decorations, you threw up all over the living room. After an hour or two of this, I knew you needed some extra help, so I called Kiki to come get Luke, and you and I headed to Emergency.

In the hospital, you were a real trooper. You danced when your Bumpa sang to you on the phone, played peek-a-boo with your auntie's, and you loved smooshing your face up on the plastic around the crib. You watched a whole bunch of TV. You bonded intimately with your Daddy, who never left your bedside.

Four days later, you are home again, but still healing slowly. For several hours after coming home, you were really, really mad at me and wouldn't come near me. I'm so sorry I couldn't be with you in the hospital, but Mommy got really sick, too, and I couldn't take care of you. It seems now that you have forgiven me, and I am grateful.

I thank God that you are okay Natey. I love you so much little man. Happy belated Valentine's Day.

xo

Mommy

The Love Affair

"Mommy I'm gonna marry you."

"OK, but what about Daddy?"

"He can marry someone else."

We've had this conversation at least ten times. Last night, though, was the tops. My friend Amanda was over waiting for our Girl's Night Out to begin. Luke was on the toilet doing his business, and he started shouting for me. I go in and he motions me down to his level. He whispers, "Your friend is very beautiful."

"Amanda is very pretty, you're right."

"She's more beautiful than you mommy."

Gulp, "You think so, huh?"

"Mommy, you should take your hair down and put on your purple dress and then you will be even more beautifuller than her."

OK, so she was already decked out, and I was still in my sweats, waiting to get dressed until the kids were down for the night.

"Yes! Good idea." I said.

"Wipe me. I will help you and zip you up and do your beautiful makeup."

We wrapped up his work and started mine, and when we were done, I was in a Prom dress with costume jewelery, and he exclaimed, "MOMMY! You look like a princess- you are SO beautiful now!"

Then I put my little love down to bed, and slipped into some jeans and a sweater. Although I changed the attire on the outside, all night I felt like a princess.

Brotherly Love

I'm hopeful that we've turned a corner in brotherly love. We still have bad days, but all in all, Luke has been gentler with his brother. The biggest problem is that when Luke gets a little rough, Nate LOVES it! I try to scold Luke, but he always protests, "But Mommy! He likes it!! He's laughing! See..." and he demonstratively pushes Nate or squashes him, or chokes him or whatever torture he was inflicting... and it is without fail met with laughter and glee from little Natey.

Maybe boys will be boys, I don't know. This is probably one of those things I simply will never understand because I'm a girl. I do know that Luke is improving, and always talks about he much he loves his brother. He even made him a special Dora valentine, without any prompting from me. And I can tell you that there is nothing that Nate loves more than his brother (well, he loves Molly and his guitar nearly as much). When Luke is not home, Nate is searching for him all over the house, "BraBra! BraBra? BraBra!"

Siblings are definitely special, so here's a shout out to my two sisters, whom I could not live without. Sorry I called you "Beaver" when you were a girl, Jamie, and for all those times I read your diary. You are a beautiful woman with amazing talent. And Lindsey, sorry I told on you for smoking and drinking (well, actually, I'm not sorry for that- you were too young!) but sorry for whatever other wrong I may have done you- no one makes me laugh harder than you. I LOVE my sisters.

Electric Avenue

We now have two electric toy cars. The green John Deere was gifted to Luke by our dear neighbor Ralph, whose grandson had outgrown it. While we are grateful for the gift, it is a serious accident waiting to happen, especially since Luke seems to prefer driving it in reverse.

The second red car was Luke's, and now belongs to Nate. It's not really electric, but you wouldn't know it by looking at Nate's hair. He would get in out and, in and out, and we would all laugh hysterically as his hair would stand on end each time. Click on the pic for the optimal view. :)

Let's Go Fly A Kite

A few weeks ago, the weather was perfect for flying our kite. Luke and Daddy sat out front for an hour or so, watching it dance in the wind. I'm STILL singing Mary Poppins.