Our Big Eater

Drinking from a cup...no bottle or sippy for Claudie.

Enjoying a rather odd assortment of cottage cheese, peas and prunes...

Superman

Our Superman has been having a set of challenges recently -- from biting to having "accidents" -- we are reminded that the path to perfection isn't easy.
That said, when I think of Rhys, I am so amazed by his ability to make friends, to engage with people, to get everyone playing what he wants to play (firefighter), and the way he can work a room. His temperament is intense -- "Hello World - Here I AM!".... and oops, sorry I had to step on you to get there...but I will give you a hug, after the fact... We adore him, of course, and are looking for ways to help him navigate his environment just a touch better. 

Making inroads

Dom and I invited over a few couples with kids on Saturday night for appetizers and general mayhem. While it isn't home - we are starting to make new "friends" here and I am finding much to like about St Louis. Hopefully our fledgling friendships can survive while we figure out our next steps -- where are we going to live, where will Rhys and Claudie go to school, and will I ever find a full-time job and make it to yoga more than once a week?
Time will tell....

Heather and her monsters

Big Finish

We love to dance (great way to burn off calories and energy!).  Rhys is quite fond of showing off his acrobatic skills while Claudia loves to bounce and laugh while Rhys does his daredevil leaps over her...what is not shown is the next scene of bumping and falling. So, enjoy this minus the tears.

The Force

Firefighting - ACT 2.

Let's hope there is school tomorrow for one squirrelly boy and mother.

Polar Bear

Do you see it...? Look closely and you may see what Rhys sees -- he made a mouth, eyes and paws for it today. And we had some progress -- even though he didn't want to walk in the snow -- he was fine to make art with it.

GRRR - said the bear

I make the rules

The ups and downs of child rearing have been apparent this winter. The highs of parenting a 2 and now 3 year old can take a side note to the everyday challenges of convincing a little person that wearing shorts in 20 degree weather is not a good idea or that a favorite DVD must wait until the appropriate time. Of course the upside far outweighs the lack of sleep and test of patience but we must be honest here...

Taking a note from our friends the Nolidans, we told Rhys that we make the rules. He believes us -- but likes to insist that he makes the rules for watching Curious George. He also says that only mommies and daddies can open the fridge, as he is pulling out a juice or another apple. Lately, he tries to "make a deal" by offering to do his jobs (take cups to the sink and put away his underwear) in return for TV time. And, the love of gymnastics continues with requests to take classes at The Little Gym. He asks for playdates with his friends constantly -- and loves nothing more than playing firefighter, crash landing, or castle/dragon.  Rhys allows Claudia a little bit of his sunshine -- more now that we overpraise all of his "good" behavior. 

I wonder what we did before children...we are tired, but love the richness it adds to what could have been a fun, expansive, yet not quite so deep, life. As many parents have noted before, it is the experience that changes you -- that just can't quite be explained until you go through it. So much so for me that I am considering what it would take to become a lactation consultant/post-partum doula. More to come...

Thanksgiving 2010 - by Sara Tegman

Snow Day

Looks like Dulcie is going for a sled-ride....while Mama rests her hands after pumping for what feels like hours...!

Rhys did end up taking the sled down the hill in front of our condo after his babysitter kindly pumped for hours to get this sled 2/3 full and then promptly deflate. Luckily, Rhys didn't know the difference and enjoyed making snow angels and sledding with Dad after a LONG snow day at home.

Claudie thinks that's just grand. 

All keyed up

Claudia is enjoying Rhys' gift from Nanny.

Grandmotherly love

We had a full house of Oldhams over the Christmas holidays to counter balance the Malecs at Thanksgiving. My mom, who wasn't able to come at Christmas, flew over for three days from Mass. while Ed kept the home fires burning and the dog and cat in medicine and food.

Rhys was very excited to have yet another relative in town to shower him with attention and love. And Claudia was very happy to spend time with her other grandmother while her mama did some consulting work.

Nanny and her girl

We look forward to seeing her and Papa at the Three Ring Wedding in June. We love you.

Are you the same?

Rhys recently asked his Nanny (my mother) if she was the same when she was suffering from a cold picked up on the flight over...he was worried that his play-on-the-ground, build forts for me nanny was now a different person. That is a good question.
I have been thinking about how motherhood has changed me or not changed me. I am still the same person, of course, but I have been altered in ways that were unforeseen when I first found out I was pregnant in April 2007. Whoever my children become and whatever they decide to do, I feel so blessed to have been given this chance to be with them.