I now find those words haunting me. I realize that I had no grounds to make those statements or think those statements because, back then, I had no actual experience. As a mom of three I have learned one valuable lesson...................if you think your kid won't- he will. If you think she can't-she can...................and if you think they would NEVER- because they have been taught better- Oh! They WILL! And they do. Usually when your back is turned, when you are on the phone or somehow otherwise distracted.
Now, I know that kids are kids. And I want them to be kids and explore and discover and figure things out. I also don't expect my home to look like a picture in a magazine (at least not during the hours of 7am and 10pm LOL!!) However, I do find myself envious of those people who have a beautiful, well-kept, well-decorated house AND children. Children who seem to have been born with a certain gene to respect and a knowledge to leave nic-nacs alone, not use curtains as Super Hero capes (while still attached to a curtain rod) and who seem to have super glue on their little bums until dinner is finished and their hands have been wiped clean.
Now, I LOVE my children and I would NEVER in a million years trade them or their personalities and traits. I just think my kids are.......... maybe.................a little more curious and daring than those nic-nac friendly kids I know.
Because as much as I would love our bedrooms and home to look like this..................
Our rooms seem to ALWAYS look like this.................
A few weekends ago Marc and I were up pretty early on a Saturday and all of the kids were still asleep in their rooms..............we thought. I kept smelling something hot and convinced myself it was probably the coffee pot or the college student next door trying to fry eggs during a hangover. After my first cup of coffee the smell seemed to be stronger. So, like a hound dog I went through the apartment with my super sniffing powers and found that the smell seemed to be coming from Bella's room. I opened the door to see Bella quietly playing in her kitchen and smoke rolling from her lamp!!!!!!!!!!!!! I yanked the plug from the wall and went running to the kitchen with smoking lamp in hand. My curious Bella had laid her pajamas on top of the bulb, all curled up in a ball.........................
The bulb ended up busting as the plastic cooled and shrunk and the Strawberry Shortcake pjs??
Well, let's just say I never appreciated the term "flame resistant" more than I did that day.
I was pretty shook up the entire morning. Our apartment wreaked of burnt plastic and the kids got a very long lecture on fire safety and know now that they are not allowed to play with lamps. Bella's lamp- just to be safe- will not be returning to her room.
And then we have Monday's events. We had purchased an armoir for Kyle to keep his clothes in since his new room doesn't have a closet. Monday the kids were in his room laughing and seemed to be having a good time so I went to check on them. Now, most mothers know there are two times that are red flags- when you know you better stop what you are doing and go check on your kids. #1 When they are extremely quiet and #2 When they are laughing and squealing.
When I walked into the room, I was floored! I had to leave the room, count backwards and go back in. What I found was two little monkeys swinging from the last remaining door on the armoir.
What happened to the other door, you ask? Well......................
Yeah. I don't think this requires an explanation. And I think it goes without saying that the two little monkeys had to sit on time out for a very long time. Which, for them, is 15 minutes. Long enough to finger paint the table and the walls with their peanut butter sandwiches. 
She loves to watch everything and everyone around her..............just soaking it all in.
She is teething and has mastered the skill of shoving almost her entire hand in her mouth.
She is happy and fun and smiles almost all of the time. She squeals and jabbers and makes a lot of noise. She is still trying to master sitting by herself and she is getting there.
I had her to the doctor for her well-visit last Friday and she weighs 15 pounds and 8 ounces which places her between the 75th and 90th percentile amongst her peers. She is also 26 7/8" long which puts her OFF the growth charts!!! The Dr did detect a heart murmur but with the way she is growing and developing they are not overly concerned. We will continue to monitor it regularly and she should out grow it by the age of two.
What happened to the other door, you ask? Well......................
Yeah. I don't think this requires an explanation. And I think it goes without saying that the two little monkeys had to sit on time out for a very long time. Which, for them, is 15 minutes. Long enough to finger paint the table and the walls with their peanut butter sandwiches.
These are the things my kids get into almost every day. I clean up one mess while they make another. I guess looking at it from a positive perspective I could say that my kids have great imaginations and impeccable motor skills. They are, after all, learning.
As for Cali..............well, she is still innocent and well-behaved. But I think as soon as she learns to walk and swing she will be right in there with the pack of wild monkeys!!! I know that will happen sooner than I think. She is FIVE months old today!!!!!!!!! Five months already!
She loves to watch everything and everyone around her..............just soaking it all in.
She is teething and has mastered the skill of shoving almost her entire hand in her mouth.
She is happy and fun and smiles almost all of the time. She squeals and jabbers and makes a lot of noise. She is still trying to master sitting by herself and she is getting there.
I had her to the doctor for her well-visit last Friday and she weighs 15 pounds and 8 ounces which places her between the 75th and 90th percentile amongst her peers. She is also 26 7/8" long which puts her OFF the growth charts!!! The Dr did detect a heart murmur but with the way she is growing and developing they are not overly concerned. We will continue to monitor it regularly and she should out grow it by the age of two.Happy Birthday Cali!!!!!!!
~Heather:)
