reunited...and it feels so good

Mired in the hellhole that is my daily life, tonight, at 125am, trying valiantly to impose order. Moving a scant 9 weeks from now to a home we have not yet identified, with 5 years of stuff, tenants moving in, a honey-do list 10 items long, I bend the toys to my will.

My sleepless Teddy is on the floor next to me, the real twins, Ellie and James lay upstairs, slumbering with Daddy, that trio of snorers, while Sleepless and I toil on. Two years ago now, I sealed the toys in plastic. Two flowers, a pot, a worm. I had never hear of Melissa and Doug, nor Chugginton, nor Swiper. "Boots I can see. I know he's wearing boots but whats his name?...WHY DOES SHE KEEP SAYING BOOTS???!!!"

Later I found the fourth flower but alas, it was too late. Or I was too ambivalent. For two long years this flower has haunted us. Doing nothing but float in the random assorted toys toybox, a shoebox really because I seldom allow any disconnected toys in the house. Dear daughter has the same blocks, the same rattle music makers, the same books, all in their labeled compartments. She's four. Oh god, really? Do we really never get new toys??

Early intervention came for James. "He's social, highly in fact" they nodded encouragingly. "But he doesnt reach for toys. Doesn't close his hand around a cheerio. Doesnt follow a toy when dropped."
'Oh' I nodded, asif mentally taking notes. Not effecting concern but far less concerned then one might imagine.
Upon husbands arrival.."You know, we really should have thought to give him toys."
Whhoops.
So out came the flower pot, new bins labeled, a small tiny playroom coopted, a duaghter pushed out, her three or four labeled boxes still in plce, elbowed behind swings, jumpers, a double playpen.

It's been about 6 weeks now. He's reaching for toys. The eating is still off, the muscle control... but he reaches some.
And tonight.
For the first time in two years? The reunion tour.
As I placed them in absently, recognition dawned and I felt a surge of joy...like finding a ten in your pocket.
One, two, worm, FOUR.
Together again at last.
What goes around comes around.

Welcome back flower pot and compadres.
Nice to see you again.

Your Cheating Heart

what passes for excitement in our house:
my husband calls me from florida. vibrantly enthusiastic.
"what's up?"
Him: "I love the gps on this thing..." His new cell phone. "I forgot to pack deodorant, tshirts and razors. Basically everything. It's taking me to Target. It found a Costco.."
me: "Awesome" up to me knees in shit, stress and diapers, hands in the sink. "that's awesome" absently.
Him: I know. I found the hotel, went to the store. It's great! Gotta go"
Hangs up.
Hurrah for him.

Home, about 3 days. I'm doing laundry. I reach into the pile , sift, and feel a thick, soft white. "Not a blanket" flashes through my mind, followed by "Oh, new tshirt. Heh, nice."


Upstairs.
Folding.
Putting away.
Listening to chatter of bedtime books.

Me: folding shirts into drawer... "You know, new tshirts, 8 days away.... This has all the hallmarks of a lifetime movie where you are having an affair.."
Him: What?
Me: You know, new underwear. I motion to the tshirts. When guys have affairs they buy new underwear.
Him: Completely straightfaced. "Yeh. That's exactly what happened." followed by "you know all the ladies love the Kirkland."

I think...

...it's absolute bullshit to teach toddlers to put on their jackets by laying the jacket on the floor and then flipping it overhead. Complete total utter disrespect for the clothes.

A tisc, a task, a woman in my bask(et)

Dear WaMB,

thank you so much for stopping to talk today. How I appreciate dropping my daughter off at preschool with a scant three hours to myself, heroically doing a Market Basket run versus PeaPod simply to prove that I can, and spending an inordinate amount of time politely listening to you.

Oh how I longed, when I left my bed this morning, to run into you with your unsolicited advice!

And YES how I appreciate your sage words of wisdom "Enjoy it now, it only gets worse" My goodness, I wish you were at my wedding "You are never going to love him this much again, dear" would have been your toast.

But to get back on topic, THANK YOU! It hadnt occured to me to enjoy my children. And yes, I am lucky. I am aware that some people "cant have any".

Just to clarify though, I'm fairly certain my husband would have been happy with either outcome but yes, two boys are what we have. So he wasnt thrilled that he "finally got boys" nor will my daughter be relegated to the role of "princess" but how kind of you, oh random one, to stereotype my family for me.

I'm so glad that when we parted... a full 10 minutes was it? - later I was able to leave you with the following...

YOU: "oh, he has no socks! his feet must be FREEZING"
ME: "Yes, that's because I don't love him as much as the other one"
YOU: tittering nervously "Oh, that little cough, poor thing."
ME: "yes, and thats because I take him out with no socks."

Farewell, oh Mother Of All Knowing Market Basket Mother. Thanks for the chat.