Stories to Tell Simon's Prom Date Volume I

Actual text message the husband sent yesterday while I was at work.

I go in to check on a napping Simon, and see this:  The neck of his shirt pulled down to his waist.  His pants pulled down to his knees.  His diaper removed and on the floor.  His sheets soaking wet.  Simon soaking wet.  And fast asleep.

That boy loves nothing more than to take off his diaper while he's "napping".

Sunday Fun Gangsta Style

I taught my son how to hold a gun tonight.  A little part of me died when I did it.  He was very good at church today except for one episode so for a treat I took him outside after dinner.  We brought sidewalk chalk and squirt guns.  I put him in his swing and gave him a squirt gun showing him how to hold it and squeeze the trigger.  The whole time I was hoping he wouldn't think of the squirt gun as a gun.  He swang and we squirted each other.  He had some interesting grips on the thing and eventually ended up pointing it backwards so he could squirt himself.  We laughed and had a blast but my mind did wander once or twice to when he's a little bit older and if he should encounter a real gun.  How soon do I teach him about the dangers of guns?  How do I help him see the difference between a pistol and a squirt gun?  For now I'll just enjoy this innocent time when we can go outside and be silly and have fun.

He's Two!

I'm not much of a party planner or thrower.  But after the year he's been through, Simon deserves a party, dangit.  I thought I'd keep it simple, a little pot luck picnic thing at the park.  I'd order sandwiches and got squirt guns, bubbles, and Frisbees.  Of course we got a late start.  Our morning consisted of Skyping with Grandma and Grandpa, eating cinnamon rolls while watching cartoons, and opening a present whenever he got really cranky. 

I went to pick up sandwiches but they were at a different HEB down the road.  It wasn't so horribly far, but at noon on a Saturday the traffic was pretty bad.  Blaine went to pick them up and got back just in time to see Simon dive into this pond thing at the park.  I was right behind Simon chasing after him but was pretty worn out from the heat and the hills and several trips to the car.  I screamed for help and fished him out but we were both pretty shaken up.  Between the sandwiches and party goods getting there late and us recovering from the incident, things dragged on a bit too long and he was cranky and ready for a nap.  The squirt guns didn't work.  I guess no one was interested in bubbles or Frisbees.  I ate a few bites of food while catching up with my sisters-in-law, helped him eat cake, opened presents and got him the heck home.  For supper we had KFC and he was beyond ready for bed again so no dessert. 

I love my boy dearly, but I reckon next year we'll keep it even more simple.  Here's hoping this year goes better and next May we can avoid the BWD.

Rain

Simon woke up wet calling for mama at 1:00 this morning as he is wont to do.  While daddy was changing his bed we went out to the dining room, opened the blinds, and looked at the rain.  There was even thunder and lighting.  Rain is sort of a rare occurrence and a thunderstorm even more so.  I got to explain the thunder and lighting to him.  We've already talked about how the rain gives the trees and grass a nice drink.  I love a thunderstorm an awful lot so it was a sweet thing to be able to stand in the dark holding my boy experiencing it.  Thanks for waking us up, Simon.

2

Two years ago I checked into the hospital.  Two years ago I had no idea what lay in store for me.  Two years ago I was knocked out by some pretty amazing drugs.  Two years ago I would have paid real money to get that kid's foot out of my ribcage!!!!!!!

One year ago my parents were about to come up to celebrate a first birthday.  I'm so glad we had that day of no worries so we could enjoy it.  We had no idea what was about to transpire.

This year we celebrate all that we have survived.  And we have survived.

Me*  (*artist's rendering)