Wiggly Baby

There are a few phrases that I hear all the time when it comes to Frankie.

The first two aren't too different from what you hear about most babies: "He's so cute!" and "He looks like the Gerber baby." I recently learned that there is a name for this effect: Kindchenschema - which is a baby's ability to basically grab hold of and take over peoples' brains with his extreme cuteness before they've even consciously registered the fact that they are looking at a baby. Very interesting stuff.

Another phrase I frequently hear about Frankie is "He's hard to hold!"

Frankie might be our most active child yet (I hope I am wrong in this). He likes to be on the move and he is very good at getting anyone caring for him to help him in this pursuit. He's so squirmy that a few times I have gone to get him when he wakes up to find that he has wiggled his way right out of his diaper - only one of those was poopy. If he does prove to be even more physically adventurous than his older siblings, I could really use some extra prayers!

And now for some Kindchenschema:

To anyone who might ever see a jewelry-making kit with something like 10,000 little beads and think, "Elena would like this!",

Please keep in mind the following:
1) She has 3 younger brothers, one who is very good at dumping things and one who is very good at putting everything in his mouth
2) She's not particularly neat herself
3) We have hardwood floors
4) Those hardwood floors rest upon an old and extremely crooked foundation
5) Beads roll. And they do not care where you try to direct them with a broom - they will roll where gravity dictates. In every direction possible. With every sweep of the broom.

Can you guess what I spent the morning doing?

Going out with kids

Directions on how to get to Grandma and Grandpa's, which is 2.5 blocks away, for a "quick" visit with a baby and a 3-year old:

1) Decide to visit the great-grandparents after supper
2) eat supper, but save the dishes for later because the baby is awake and happy
3) change the baby's diaper, put extra diapers in stroller
4) notice that 3-year-old has no pants or shoes and will need those before we leave
5) put baby in stroller so you can run in and grab the clothes quick
6) take baby back out of stroller when he arches his back and refuses to get in
7) Help 3-year-old into stroller as he just decided not to ride his tricycle
7) head to car to get a baby carrier so you can strap the baby on and push the stroller with 3-year-old
8) realize the car is locked because 3-year-old kept sneaking in earlier and leaving on the headlights
9) go back into the house for the car keys
10) go back out and get the baby-carrier out of the car
11)  bring keys back in and strap baby on
12) take baby off again when he cries and fights being in the wrap
13) realizing he must be hungry, feed the baby quickly before you leave
14) lie baby down when he falls asleep for a nap
15) take advantage of his sleep time and get those dishes done afterall
16) take the rare opportunity to go to the bathroom without anyone needing you
17) finally put 3-year-old's pants and shoes on
18) get 3 year-old back in stroller
19) 3-year-old will then change his mind and go back to his tricycle
19) go in to get baby who has just conveniently woken up
20) notice it's gotten late enough to be slightly chilly out
21) go back in to get sweaters
22) try to put the baby in stroller again now that he has been feed and rested
23) strap baby on instead as he is still groggy and not ready to be put down
24) finally head out, pushing the empty stroller in case you'll need it later
25) after 1 block, stop and move squirming baby (who no longer wants to be constricted in the carrier) into the stroller
26) Arrive at grandma and grandpa's house about 1 hour after starting out

That's is pretty much what happens every time I leave the house. This happens to be a recent example, and I was lucky to avoid any unexpected diaper changes or snack requests in the middle of the process.  Plus the weather did not require either bundling up or sunblock application, both of which would have added at least 20 minutes to the process.  I'm also lucky that Charlie is (usually) extremely patient and was happy to keep himself entertained by singing at the top of his lungs through most of the above.

I don't miss much from life before kids, but I do sometimes wish I could just walk out the door with nothing but my purse and keys (if that). I also miss being able to go out for a walk after dark on warm summer nights....

Here we are on the way to Grandma and Grandpa's (about to ride off the sidewalk):

Touché

Seth: Charlie, don't play with my headphones.
Charlie: I can.
Seth: No, you can't. I don't want you to break them.
Charlie (putting the headphones on): I won't!
Seth: You don't listen very well.
Charlie: I can't. I'm wearing your headphones.