Some Quick Takes

1. Daily occurance: Kevin and I standing in the driveway, shoulders hunched in despair, staring at our totally weed infested lawn. Clover, crabgrass, and poky things aside, part of me feels a bit bad for begrudging dandelions their place. They are a very sunny yellow. That hue in a daffodil or day lily is very becoming but God help me if I'll tolerate it in a dandelion in my grass. I think the most discouraging thing is the hardiness of that sunny weed-flower. I know we could spray some serious chemicals or hire Tru Green, but with a dog and more importantly, a toddler who loves to play in and yes, sometimes even eat dirt and leaves, chemicals don't seem to be a wise an option. Our best solution now is to dig them up...one.by.one. If anyone has another non-caustic solution, let me know. We'd be happy to entertain other ideas.

2. A friend of mine just gave birth to identical twin boys this morning, sans Cesarean. Awesome. After having a long and difficult labor myself, with one baby, I have to give her some serious kudos. Her labor was induced and was over 24 hours-that means no eating and not a whole lot of sleeping. I really am just so proud of her. Birth stories for moms can be likened (on some level) to scar stories for little boys. You probably wouldn't want to re-live it, but it is something that really bonds you with other women. However, I think women win out over little boys because the result, a precious little baby (or babies!), is a very gracious gift compared to a scar.

3. Kevin is running the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati this weekend. (We'll have to ask St. Clare of Assisi for some intercession because thunderstorms are in the forecast!) One of my favorite parts of marathon spectating is seeing the city we travel to-Boston, D.C., Chicago...but I'm not sure how much I'll see in Cincinnati since there isn't a really sophisticated public transportation system and there aren't a lot of loops in the route. But, we have some reservations at a highly rated Italian restaurant. Mmmm...carb up!
We are making the trek without Monica, which I think will feel a bit odd. Both Kevin and I have left town with her staying with the other parent, but this is the first time she'll be without either of us. It's only one night, and I know she is in fabulous hands. I think it will be tougher for me than for her in the end.

4. Bathroom humor begins at a young age, apparently. Kevin taught Monica to say "Toot, toot!" when she, or anyone else for that matter, lets out some gas. We'll be sitting at the dinner table, she'll let one fly, exclaim "Toot, toot!", and dissolve into hysterical laughter. I had no idea she'd be that interested in flatulence at 18 months. From my experience with other kiddos and let's be honest, adults, she'll be laughing at gas for many years to come.

Happy Earth Day!

"Building up a culture of life is the single most important way to build a culture that respects the environment.” -Brian Burch, President of CatholicVote.org Education Fund

The Bony Baby Complex

I have a confession to make. I have a serious complex about doctor appointments...Monica's doctor appointments that is. Since she was a few weeks old, Monica has been on watch for appropriate weight gain. I won't get into all the details, but she is a small fry, and this is the one span of time in human development when thunderthighs seem to be culturally preferable to a leaner, beanlike look. I say "seem to be" because, in reality, childhood obesity is a serious and growing issue in America and even infants can be obese. Yet, how many people do you know walk up to a skinny baby, pinch their skinny legs, and say, "Look at those precious bony legs! I just want to eat them up!"

Intellectually, I know that Monica is really healthy. She's on track in all areas of development; we are doing our best to give her extra calories in her still-milk-free diet, she eats regular meals, and we never refuse her food within reason. But when your last three well-child exams have included a handout about children who "fail to thrive," you may begin to second guess yourself and your kid.

Tomorrow is the big 18 month appointment and I've been giving myself pep talks for it by rehearsing what I will say if the failure to thrive info is handed to me again. As Kevin said, it's time to just tell the doc and nurse that we are doing our best and can't help our kid's genetics or the fact she can't have a lot of high calorie foods and that there are times when all she will eat is potato doused in ketchup. Lord help us; we do our best.

All of you parents out there with bony-legged toddlers, hats off to you. Even without the "yummy" thighs, your children are beautiful and precious.

Update: The doctor appointment went well! We did not receive any information on failure to thrive dietary recommendations nor any weight-related chastisement. And, we will soon try to start Monica on some whole milk yogurt. Kind of a big deal for this kiddo who has been milk-free for over a year! All in all, no Bony Baby worries were necessary.

Hang Up and Drive

Can you form bad cell phone habits in toddler-dom?

If so, we should nip this in the bud.

He is Risen! Happy Easter Friday!

Easter ain't over yet! It's an 8 day celebration! Happy Easter Friday to you all. May you have true and lasting joy in the Risen Jesus.

A Blessed Good Friday to you all!

Good Friday Prayer
O Jesus, Who by reason of Thy burning love for us
hast willed to be crucified
and to shed Thy Most Precious Blood
for the redemption and salvation of our souls,
look down upon us here gathered together
in remembrance of Thy most sorrowful Passion and Death,
fully trusting in Thy mercy;
cleanse us from sin by Thy grace,
sanctify our toil,
give unto us and unto all those who are dear to us our
daily bread,
sweeten our sufferings,
bless our families,
and to the nations so sorely afflicted,
grant Thy peace,
which is the only true peace,
so that by obeying Thy commandments
we may come at last to the glory of heaven.

Amen.

Triduum!

Tonight is the beginning of Triduum (three days), which refers to Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil/Sunday celebrations. These are truly some of the best and most grace filled days of the year!

It was seven years ago that Kevin and I were confirmed in the Catholic Church, and these have been 7 years of rich blessing. Even in the midst of the current media frenzy and scandals, we continue to have faith and remember that God is in charge and leading his Church on.

Enjoy these high holy days, really entering into the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This is the pinnacle! After all, "Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments."