Gender Game

My senior year in college in North Carolina, I took a course on feminism. It was easily the best course I took in college because of it's relevancy and usefullness in my life. It focused on gender roles in our society and gender categories. I'm often reminded of this course, especially these days in having children...specifically boys!

Fast forward to today. Picture this scene:
Colin and I dashed out to do a few errands (Logan was home napping while Morg was working). While out, I spontaneously decided to go get my toes done, Colin in tow. In the salon, buckets of colorful nail polishes were all around and of course Colin was drawn to them and excitedly showed me every color. Meanwhile, the lady told me to "pick a color" and of course Colin immediately asked if he too could pick a color. Flashback: 1993, Feminism 301. Do I deny him? Do I go ahead? UHHH, I really don't like this moment. I quickly go with my gut and agree (but did encourage the orange, greens and blue paint colors).

In a nutshell, it made me really sad to be put in that position of choice: To squash his excitement and creativity, or go ahead with the fear he might be teased. When I heard the nail lady say "Oh like girl", a defensiveness and protectiveness came over me and before I could even think, I snapped "He's 3. It doesn't matter. He is having fun!" Luckily the other 3 women in the salon gave a smile to me, and a smirk and a shake of the head to the ignorant lady.

When we got home, Morgan told him his toes were cool. And tonight, so did our friends. I'm sure this is only the beginning of many similar situations, but today was eye opening. Ultimately, I didn't care. And Colin clearly didn't... We had a fun time together!

Tub Time

After a spontaneous swim get together tonight with our good pals, we put all four of the little ones in the bathtub and what a sight it was! 4 babes (Two 3 year olds and two 1 year olds) splish splashing around and complete chaos...which cracked us mamas up! We managed to get all 4 soaped down and cleaned without any slips in the tub... but not before the 2 big boys began egging each other on, laughing and saying "my toes are jacked up!" (actually wrinkled from the water). It was a comical...and a very fun night!

13 Months

Lo Lo's...

Last month on this day was your birthday and you were cautiously and tentatively taking steps and would ker plunk onto your bottom regularly. Days after your birthday something shifted and by the time we returned from our vacation to Oregon 1st week of July, you were practically running from room to room. Your frankenstein type walk has evolved to a very confident walk and crawling is practically a thing of the past. You LOVE to go outside and point with a grunt towards our yard all day long. When you ARE outside, you are so in heaven. You love swimming with papa and Colin and are becoming a water baby more and more with each passing day. We are nearing the end of our nursing and I am so happy we have had this time together. You are such a healthy boy, and I feel my bond so strongly with you. I know this is largely because of our precious nursing time. And I am also comfortable in knowing your independence is growing and you are now ready for next steps.
I am enjoying you so very much, and each part of our day together is so very special, rounding out with the cuddles and rocking in the darkness each night. I just can't get enough...

Love, Mama

Batter up!

Yesterday felt like such a classic Summer Sunday... We started the July morning off with swimming and relaxing in our wonderful backyard and pool, then the babes took a snooze, and then onto The Storm (minor league local team and affiliate of The Padres) for a baseball game complete (for our family) with gardenburgers, popcorn and lots of cold beverages to beat the summer heat! The kids couldn't get enough and it was an awesome family day. Although, I'm still unsure if Colin enjoyed the game or the popcorn more...?

FOOD!!!

Once again, we are in awe of some of the major differences between our boys. Now that Logan has 5 teeth and is even more physically active; walking from room to room, he is eating EVEN MORE! He devours food and loves the act of eating. It's so hilarious to watch how he chows everything in front of him - his favorites being avocado, tofu, gardenburgers, blueberries and raspberries. And boy can he make a mess!

Colin is more picky, eating only because we require it. Typically, we have to offer an incentive (you can play once you eat 5 more bites of....)to get him to eat. He lacks interest in food and would rather be swimming, playing, reading, really anything, other than eating (unless it's his favorite treat of a fruit leather). :) They couldn't be more different and that keeps child rearing perpetually interesting!

Roadtrip!

We returned last night from a wonderful (and dare I say moderately easy)roadtrip. This trip might go down in my books as one of my favorite vacations because it included life long friends with my 20 year HS reunion, special times with Grammie, Dave, the chickens, Uncle Steve, Auntie Tay Tay, Cousin Keaton and other Oregon family, and concluded with our own little family's vacation as we made our way back down home with visits to Sonoma and Monterey.

We are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our life, and I feel exceptionally lucky to have these 3 boys who brighten my smile every day!


Lovin' the chickens!!




High School Reunion Activities!!






Special moments...









Sonoma & Monterey...