2.5

Berkley is officially two and a half!  We met up with good friends to celebrate his half birthday, but mostly the 65 degree weather in January.  Maybe it sounds silly to acknowledge a half birthday, but it is a tradition in the Lintner household and one I plan to continue.  Who doesn't love a reason to smile, celebrate, and eat cake? 

A few more from this weekend

Courtesy of my uncle Carl.  Thanks!

Last weekend in January

A few pictures from this weekend.  Brandon and Berkley had some fun on the easel.  Nan continues to be up 4+ times a night, but is so stinking sweet that it is hard to be upset.  Happy birthday to Uncle Tim!

My girl

Nan is eight weeks old!  See pics of her smiling for her mama.

Steamroller

Berks, Nan and I went to Kangaroo Jacks this morning. It was great to get out with good friends. On the way home we listened to James Taylor. We were in the middle of “Steamroller Blues” as we pulled up to the house. Berkley wanted to finish the song before we turned off the car. If you can envision us – Berkley and I are playing instruments - air guitar (me) and drums (Berkley) - and singing our hearts out. Talk about fun moments with your kids…. Once inside, Nan started to fuss and Berkley with no coaxing said, “Don’t worry sissy, no moon monsters coming. Mama says no moon monsters in house.” I mean, it doesn’t get any sweeter than that, folks.

Henry

Henry came back to Richmond on Sunday. He had been living with my parents in the country for the past (almost) six months. Due to restrictions during my pregnancy with Nan and Brandon’s busy work schedule – it seemed like the right decision for Henry. Henry loves it at my parents mostly because he can run free with his best friend, Bob. Knowing how much he loves Mt. Sidney, my parents, and Bob – I would have probably let him stay… but Brandon was anxious to get him back to Richmond. Given that I am home all day in a 1400 square foot house with a seven week old and a two year old – I didn’t really see the upside to adding a 120 pound dog to the mix…. But nevertheless Henry came back. This week has been full – a nice way to put it – with two year old tantrums and Nan not sleeping well at night. The days have been long and I have been exhausted. Today, Berkley was having a meltdown before school because he wanted me to sit with him and watch an Olivia… but I had to get dressed and get us ready for school (i.e. throw on a on pair of sweats and a t-shirt that didn’t smell and put some goldfish in a container)… I was literally going to be preoccupied for 2-3 minutes. Berkley threw himself on the floor screaming, “you sit down mommy.” Usually I have (what I think is) incredible patience, but this morning (mostly because I was up all night with Nan) I didn’t. I decided to ignore the fit and continue getting dressed. Berkley, realizing he wasn’t getting anywhere, started screaming at the cars outside to stop passing our house and, “making that noise.” He looked at me like – mommy how dare that truck make such a loud noise as it passes our house. You get it. It was chaos. Berks pulled it together by the time we arrived at school and ran into school with a smile - happy to see his friends. Finally – Nan and I had a minute to ourselves before we needed to grab Berks – but my dear friend Henry was looking at me for some exercise and yep – out comes the double stroller and we take Henry on the 5 miles walk we have done for years. It was during that walk that I realized why Henry is so good for me. He gets me outside in whatever elements the day brings and encourages me to exercise. No matter what happens on the walk (if we lose a toy, the kids are screaming, or we get rained on) whenever we get back home - I am a happier person and therefore, a better mom. I forgot how much I missed him and our daily walks together. Thank you, Henry, for your companionship and for allowing me to find time everyday to get out and stretch my legs.

Sunday in Richmond

Dance Party

Berkley, Nan and I had a dance party this morning. Mama was running out of ideas on a cold, dreary Saturday morning. We already watched Mickey, played legos, colored, had a pre"tend" birthday party, and cooked soup by 10 a.m. Luckily John Prine and James Taylor came to my rescue.

Sweet Nan gave me her first real smile today. It was pretty awesome.

Daddy you have coffee too!

Berkley sometimes asks for his daddy to have coffee at the house in the morning.... Today I finally realized why. His daddy has coffee at the house on Saturday and Sunday mornings. On those days we have lazy mornings involving Legos, coloring and pancakes. This morning Berkley asked me, "Daddy has coffee too?" - like is today a day that daddy is home? We wish every morning was a Saturday or Sunday!

A few pics I finally downloaded from my camera from when Bess came to have Christmas with us.

Attachment Parenting

Been interested in "attachment parenting" lately. So much of this makes sense to me...

www.attachmentparenting.org

Me too Mama

Yesterday was a long day. I was working on little sleep and just knowing that Brandon had to work late was making me exhausted. After naps we needed to make a Target run. Berks was full of energy so I decided to let him run up and down the aisles... probably not something that the Target employees loved, but oh well. I ended up pushing the cart (with Nan inside) chasing Berkley in what turned out to be a very fun game that took close to 45 minutes. We were a sight, I am sure, but those are the moments when I really love all that being a mom is...

On the way home, Berkley decided that the Zac Brown song, "let it go" was "his" song... at which point I said, "Berkley you are my best friend." He replied, "you my best friend me too Mama." He has a way of melting my heart. I love that boy.

I love that....

I love that.... those words are constantly coming out of my son's mouth.

He "loves" lemonade or playing hide and seek, but generally he loves most things.  The way Berkley says he loves something though is so special... it could be the silliest thing like "daddy's song" playing in the car or receiving a string cheese as a snack.  It makes me think we should all be more open about the things we love. 

On Sunday I went to the grocery and B watched  both the kids.  They were building legos and Nan was being held by her daddy.  Nan started to get fussy and Berkley turned to her and said, "don't worry sissy - mommy will be home soon."  B said he repeated it over and over again to her. I mean is that stinking sweet or what?

Christmas

A few of my favorites from Christmas.  Santa brought Berkley his skateboard and helmet!  On Christmas Eve night it was just the four of us and after everyone was nestled snug in their beds - Sweet Nan decided to wake at 1,3,4,5, and 6.  It was a "special night" as Raffi says.... "special night and a beard that's white."  Christmas was full and lovely.  We had all the grandparents to Richmond, Brandon's grandmother, Avo, and Carter for Christmas dinner.  B and I were tired after the holidays, but what parent of two young kids isn't?  The memories of Berkley on Christmas morning are ones I'll never forget... Brandon and I love creating memories together in our house during the holidays.... and the memories of cookie baking, christmas tree decorating are ones I'll always cherish.