Terrible Two's?

There are many myths you learn about when you go into this parenting business. One is 'morning sickness'. Don't get your panties in a twist - I'm not going through it and luckily I didn't when Nathan was on the way. I'm just sayin', it's one of those things that has a bad name since it's rarely only a 'morning' thing, or so I've heard. But there is something else I do know about first-hand and that's the 'terrible two's'. It's not true that it's at two years old that kids get difficult. It's happening now, at 18 months. The kid is a maniac!

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Nathan is a good kid. He's loving and happy and is very into hugs and kisses and he always goes to bed and he naps and he eats and all that good stuff. But there are other things he does not excel at during this time. Like, sitting still. The kid, as I said, is a maniac. It's like there is a bomb in his butt and if he goes less than 55 mph he will, indeed blow up. So he keeps on moving. We made the mistake of going out to eat tonight and we were reminded of why we haven't done that in a while. Actually he wasn't this out of control last time we went out. But he was this way when he and I flew to NY last month. Good LORD this kid is active! He does not like being confined to a restaurant booth, let alone mommies lap for an hour and a half. I have to say, I have learned to have patience, at least on the outside, because of this airplane experience. But it doesn't mean it's not hard to not yell at the kid who is throwing ketchup, mustard and sugar packets at the booth next to us. And so we attempted to eat, keep peace, entertain, contain flying food and hurry the hell up and go. Ah, relaxing!

He does have other qualities that are redeeming - it's not how he says "no" all the time (although it is mostly said at appropriate times). It's how he walks around saying "botball" (football) all the time (on the TV or not). It's how he loves to play around in the car and pretend to drive. It's how he looks in all his new big boy clothes. It's how he loves to kiss everyone, out of nowhere and on command. It's how he's learning new words and the names of our family; how he gets excited when he sees Gigi; how he waves to people on the street; how he wakes up and asks for "gilk" (milk) then runs to the window saying "woof, woof" in anticipation of seeing the dogs next door. It's how he says "momma" and "dada" when he misses/ wants one of us. Thank goodness for all his wonderful ways. His trying ones are so exhausting!

Mouse in the House

Last week we had a mouse in the house. One morning we found a half-eaten piece of chocolate. I dismissed it thinking it must have been Nathan being a sneak. The second morning I found the same thing. I thought this strange. Thinking a little more, and looking over at Nathan eating dinner at that moment, I thought it was much too clever for even him. He's not a neat eater and when he wants something he makes it known. No evidence on him? Yeah right. Leo tried to convince me, though, that it must be Nathan! I gave in but I was not completely convinced. We decided to put another piece of chocolate out but on a higher shelf in the pantry - one Nathan definitely could not reach. The next morning - another piece of my dove dark chocolate destroyed. Game on.

We set a trap that night and went to bed. The next morning. Empty trap. I was secretly happy to not find a dead mouse first thing in the morning but also pissed this stupid rodent was still out there - somewhere! The next night we moved the trap. The first time we left it on the shelf where the scene of the crime took place. It was so much work to get back up there apparently. So we set it right at the foot of the pantry to make it nice and easy. We added peanut butter AND chocolate for good measure. Again, we set the trap and went to bed.

I had drifted off to sleep but Leo woke me only 30 minutes after we went to bed and said he heard a distinct snap. We got up to discover a little tail sticking out of the trap. GOTCHA! Gross. Yippee. But gross. We disposed of the little . . . uh hem . . . rodent. And so I was feeling much better.

Apparently the popular opinion is that if there is one there are several . . .

Tonight I was in the bedroom watching TV and Leo was in the Living Room watching football (don't you love our togetherness around here?) and Leo called to me. He would not call to me across the house and risk waking Nathan for no reason. I came in to see his standing on the couch. Haha.This makes me laugh knowing why now. He said he saw a mouse. Alarmed and no longer sleepy I put on some pants to deal with the situation. Using Nathan's little flashlight I looked where Leo saw #2 and there he was, under the table. He managed to get into the underside of the table and into the drawer. Leo opened the drawer and actually saw him inside. I was on top of the table and Leo was to the side and we tried to scare him out (colander in hand to catch the little . . . uh hem . . . rodent). He ran. We ran. We missed him. Ggrrr . . . Like I was going to get any sleep!

Leo was tentatively standing behind the couch scanning the area. And spotted him. #2 ran behind the TV towards the fireplace. There is a space under the gas fireplace (that will soon be covered up) that he was able to run into. A light didn't find him and we have no idea if this could possibly be a real egress or just a hiding space. We set the trap and put it in front of the fireplace. I had said to put it near the pantry again. But Leo logically said "but this is a different mouse". So obviously he has different motives!

While standing around, with the light off to encourage him, while sitting here blogging actually, we heard the snap. Gotcha #2! He found his way in and we had to listen to his little feet kick before he finally died. Oh god that was awful. And kinda funny. We're surprised he came out with so much activity going on instead of waiting until after it was dark and quiet in the living room. But I figure he must have been hungry.

So now I feel a little bit better - there was no way I was sleeping well if #2 was running around. But now I'm curious about his friends. I have people coming over for an Uppercase Living Open House tomorrow evening. I'm hoping there aren't more hungry ones waiting in the wings. I don't think I'll sell much with a mouse running under the feet of my guests.

End of Summer

Summer seems to be coming to an end and I'm not sad at all. When you're a kid of course it's sad - back to school and all. But as an adult it means other things. Like nicer weather. Being in NC this cooler weather and break in humidity may be a temporary event, but I will take it either way. It allows me to enjoy the outdoors waaaaay more and I feel more productive. Just this weekend I power-washed the house and spent time in the yard doing things I put off for the last two months. Nathan and I took a walk this morning to a nearby neighborhood park too - something we also haven't done in a while due to the instant melting factor. 

End of summer also means closer to the holidays which means Autumn decorations. I know this is a super geeky thing to be excited for but think about this - I have a new house to decorate! Yipee! I have more stuff than I care to admit and now I think I have place to put it all. I can't wait! 

Soon, we will also get to wear new clothes. Well, Nathan will. We have several outfits he's never worn and have had since his birth. We also did a little shopping up in NY so he's well stocked - I think - as the coolness settles over us and we need long-sleeves, pants and sneakers. I'm in the market for new flip flops personally. You really can wear them eight months out of the year down here!

End of summer this year also means it's closer to meeting the new little Kepler. Baby Kepler is due to arrive towards the end of October and we can't wait! We will most likely be making a care\ trip up there to meet her when the time is right. I can't wait to hold my little nice in my arms and see one of my little brothers be a daddy. A most spectacular event - don't you think? There are so many things to look forward to as we leave summer behind us and move into the Fall.