Something Icky

This morning I woke up at 6:45 to Carter hitting me on the knee. "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" He said. Startled, I sat up and asked what's wrong. "One of the cats did something icky on the floor."

That's it? Here I was thinking Bella had seriously hurt herself or something. I told him I'd take care of it later, I just needed to sleep a little longer.

About a half hour later, I finally woke up and went to get the kids. I stumbled sleepily into their room and then...*SQUISH* stepped squarely into a pile of what can only be described as disgusting cold cat ralph.

I looked over at Carter who was laying in his bed, propped up on one elbow with a slight smile on his face.

"I told you so, Mommy."

Touche, sir. That you did.

Goolay Goo

...or is it spelled Goulez Gous? I'm not sure. Either way, it is the new term du jour at our house. Bella was standing in front of the refrigerator, pointing frantically saying "I want goolay goo!" Totally perplexed, I let her say it about 20 more times, thinking I would eventually figure out what in the world she wanted. I couldn't. So, I moved on to the next step: guessing. I started pointing to things.

Do you want milk?
No
Do you want cheese?
No
carrots?
NOOO!

I was getting nowhere, fast. Finally, I figured out that "goo" must refer to some type of juice. (If you're at all familiar with Bella-speak, you'll understand that this is not much of a leap)

Do you want apple juice??? (I'm getting frantic now because she's getting more and more agitated by the second)
NO, MOMMY, NOOOOO!!!!
Finally, I spotted it: there in the door, a container of ORANGE juice.

Is this what you want???
Yeah! Yay goolay goo!!!

I poured her a cup of goolay goo. She took a long sip, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and said "Ahhhhhhhhh....I LOVE goolay goo!" (a moment highly reminiscent of my last post)

So that's our new word here. We use it all the time now. I find myself looking for excuses to work it into everyday conversation. You should try it. It's the coolest new word since 'fetch'. (I know, I know. Stop trying to make 'fetch' happen.)

I'm thinking this one might just catch on though.

The Sweet Tooth Conquers All

We have been trying to get Bella to say I love you for a long time now. It always comes out "I....you!" Lately, we've evolved a little bit. I tell her "I love you, Bella." She replies "I you too Mommy." Getting closer...

And then the other day we introduced something completely new to her: jelly beans. She popped one in her mouth, her eyes got really big and she looked at me and said "I LOVE jelly beans!"

Really?!

You can't say I love you, but you can say I love jelly beans.

I see how it is.

Fountain of Knowledge

A few days ago, Carter and I were sitting on the couch, watching the science channel (a favorite pass time at our house lately). He turned to me and asked, "are there things that you know that you haven't told me yet?" I though for a second, then told him "yes, there are probably things that I know that you don't, but you're still young and you've got lots of time." He considered this for a moment, settled back deeper into the couch and said, "ok, I'm ready. Tell me EVERYTHING you know - especially the stuff about science. Start with what you know about dinosaurs."

He laced his fingers behind his head, put his feet up on the couch and just waited. I told him the great thing about science is you get to discover your own knowledge and he gave me that look that says "nice try. Now start talking." Oh well. Kindergarten, here we come...

Surviving Two

I've sunk to a new low. I'll admit it.

In my attempts to teach Bella a little empathy and break her of this hitting streak, I have been tried many different things.

I have tried being stern, but she usually just parrots me and then breaks into a fit of giggles.

She's even tried to put me in time out a couple of times.

So, yeah. I was desperate. It has been getting to the point where I was hesitant to take the kids on play dates because she always ended up making the other kids cry. Finally I took my cue from her.

One day I was getting after her for one thing or another and she started doing this mock pouting thing. It was almost effective, even. I thought, ok, two can play at this game.

Later that day, I told her to put her toys away and she turned to me and screamed "no no, Mommy! Shoo" and then she gave me "the hand" and started swatting at me. I stuck out my bottom lip and pretended to cry. I knew it was a lame move, but somehow it worked. She came running over and threw her arms around my neck and said "it's ok, Mommy." This was progress. The word sorry is still not present in her vernacular, but the sentiment is there.

Later on, there was a similar situation and I pulled out the pouty face again. This time, she ran over and patted me comfortingly on the shoulder and said "Mommy, I'm two."

Is that an apology or an excuse? Not sure if that's a step forward or back...

Wish me luck. I'll need it.

Bruddah-ly Love

We have been pretty excited about Bella's ever-widening vocabulary as of late, but nothing has brought a smile to our faces more than her finally being able to address Carter as "Bruddah."

Yesterday, Carter crawled into bed with us around 6 and fell back asleep. At around 7, I woke up to the sound of Bella calling from their shared room:

B: Where Bruddah go? Where Bruddah go? (then cupping her hands around her mouth like a megaphone as I'm entering her room) Bruuuuuuuudaaaaaaaaah....

Me: Brother's in my room

B: I want Bruddah (picture her best pouty face, chin resting in her hands, arms propped up on the side of her crib)

I pick her up and carry her into my room where she proceeds to throw herself at Carter.

We were worried when we moved them into the same room that they would fight and get annoyed with each other quickly. But on the contrary, they seem even closer lately. There have been several times when I have been driving down the road and have looked in the rearview mirror to find them holding hands in the back seat. I have a sinking feeling it won't always be like this, but I plan on doing everything I can to document this lovey dovey phase to remind them when they're teenagers :)

Two-Year Old Logic

Tonight Bella was sitting in her high chair biting her fingernails. I told her to stop. She closed her eyes and continued to bite her nails. It took me a second to realize the logic in this: If I close my eyes, I can't see you. Therefore, You can't see me doing the thing you told me not to do.

Brilliant.

I think I should try that next time I get caught doing something I shouldn't be doing. Do you think it would get a person out of a speeding ticket? "I'm sorry officer, but I'm surprised you could even see me. I was speeding with my eyes closed..."

Maybe that only works when you're two. I don't think I'll test it.