Friday, May 30, 2008

I spit on my kid today

For years I've watched seemingly intelligent, civilized women spit on their children in order to "clean" them. I'm appalled by this unhygienic behavior and find it beneath me. I've always said I wouldn't do it to a child of mine. Is it really so difficult to find a washcloth or a Kleenex? Must we resort to spittle as a cleanser? Are we living in the Dark Ages? I think not.

For nearly 11 months, when Reagan was dirty, I've found a way to clean her that does not involve my saliva.

Today as we ran out of the house, she scribbled on her hand with a blue pen. Without thinking, I licked my finger and rubbed the little blue mark into oblivion. Reagan looked at me in surprise, her eyes saying, "hypocrite."

I looked right back and my eyes said, "Get over it and get in the car."

Once we were on our way, the gravity of what I'd just done sunk in. I've crossed a line. Next thing you know we'll be taking Reagan to Wal-Mart at midnight in a dirty diaper. My standards have gone right down the pooper, that's what. And, what really scares me is that I've come to terms with it.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Special Day with Special People


The Johnsons came over to celebrate Reagan's special day with us yesterday. We went out for Chinese food where our girls caused quite a fuss with our waitress. :) Then we came home and dressed our cuties up in matching outfits. They ran all over the yard (note our new fence!) playing together. Such a perfect day!
Check out our pictures on http://www.flickr.com/photos/84389878@N00/?saved=1

Monday, May 26, 2008

Small World, Time Flies

Today Reagan has been with us one day longer than with her birth parents (2 days) and her orphanage (10.5 months).

Last night I literally chased her through the house to catch her for our bedtime routine. She was squealing and laughing the entire time. When we met her, she couldn't even crawl. Yesterday she wore a size 24month dress to church. When we met her, she slipped into 6/9 months clothing easily and some of it was big on her. I put her hair in headbands and barrettes on a regular basis. We've trimmed her bangs twice. When we met her, people mistook her for a boy because her hair was so short and thin. Reagan talks non-stop---sometimes in toddler gibberish, often in completely understandable English. She hardly uses sign anymore because she just speaks her mind without need for it. When we met her, she sat in silence for 24 hours just taking us in, not sure of what to do or what the heck just happened.

All of this is just to say that Reagan has changed so much in her time with us. But then, we've changed, too.

God certainly knew what He was doing when He formed our family. Do you remember that Sunday School song?

He's got the whole world in His hands, He's got the whole wide world in His hands...

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Please pray for the Chapman Family


We send our love, prayers and support to the Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman family in the tragic loss of their daughter, Maria. May God hold them tight and guide them through this most difficult time.

www.stevencurtischapman.com

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

If the SRS comes...

I swear we don't beat our daughter. If anything, we're far too indulgent and spoil her beyond measure. Yesterday, however, my poor kid had a few run-ins with objects more stubborn than she is and she came out on the losing end.

She fell off the swings late last week so she already had a few bruises and a scratch on her nose before yesterday even started.

In the morning she was running away, looking back at me. I was so busy squealing, "I'm gonna get you!" that I didn't have a chance to warn my not-so-graceful child that a wall was looming in her future. Bam.

Then in the afternoon she decided to flip off the bed and hit her face on the foot board. Bam.

This accident was closely followed by her chin smashing into the downstairs coffee table as she tried to escape The Tickle Monster aka Daddy. Bam.

Then before bed she was in our bathroom. She was facing Danny and backed right into the corner of a drawer I'd opened behind her. Bam.

I guess what I'm saying is that mostly Reagan would be fine if her parents would leave her alone but please know our intentions are good and if Reagan can survive us, she can survive anything! When the SRS comes for us, I'm going to tell them how living with us has made her invincible!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Jayhawks visit Ottawa!


Last night, Jayhawk seniors came to Ottawa High School for a charity match against a bunch of Ottawans (most of whom, we know). Reagan got tons of autographs on what is now a very valuable onesie. Danny took over 400 pictures and I did video. Here are a few of the best shots for your viewing pleasure. It was such an amazing night. I get goosebumps thinking about it. Highlights include singing Happy Birthday to a blushing, shy Sasha Kaun (the whole crowd sang, not just me) and having Russell Robinson wish me (not the crowd, but specifically ME)a Happy Mother's Day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/84389878@N00/tags/kubarnstormingtour2008/

Thursday, May 1, 2008

The Evidence


Yes, even in the midst of Invasion 2008, my husband risked death by mauling to take this picture as evidence of our slow-moving thief. Never in a gazillion years would I have whipped out my phone to document the scene. I might have called 911 but picture taking? No, that wasn't on my mind at the time.

Our Nocturnal Visitor and Sleeping Beauty

Two items of background information are necessary to fully appreciate this story.

First, we've been in a losing battle with a raccoon (or perhaps a family of them) for a few months now. They get in our garage and knock over the trash can or steal our cat's food. Poor Autumn. She's learned to eat just as soon as we put the food down because she knows better than to fight the hungry, masked fiends.

Secondly, if we so much as whisper after putting HRH to bed, we hear about it. Her sense of hearing is fine tuned and I swear, she hears the cat snoring and takes that as her cue to holler out, "Mommy? Daddy?" We usually just go downstairs so we can enjoy luxuries like breathing without the constant need to firmly (but oh, so lovingly) shout back, "Go to sleep, Reagan!"

So last night, we tucked our angel into bed with lots of hugs and kisses and hushed good nights. I went out to check on Autumn. Danny was in the office.

When I got into the garage, Autumn was not alone. A gigantic (and I mean HUGE) raccoon was feasting on her supper! I didn't see him at first but I could hear him crunching and smacking. (Did I mention we feed our cats Science Diet? We never had a raccoon problem when we bought them the cheap Wal-Mart brand). I opened the little kitty door to reveal the beast in all his furry glory. Then I screamed and screamed and screamed some more. The raccoon was trapped and couldn't get out because I was blocking his exit. I couldn't move because in my hysteria, I thought he was a badger and I knew I was about to die. Autumn blew herself up as big as she could and then hopped onto my car for safety.

Danny heard the commotion and came running with a broom. I jumped behind him. I was inside the laundry room hitting the button for the garage door to open while Danny was in the garage hitting the button for the garage door to open...thus the door hiccuped up and down and up and down and finally I shouted, "We're working against each other, you fool! Don't touch the button!" I managed to get the garage door open and the raccoon wandered, slowly, calmly out the kitty door to the side. He barely glanced in our direction. Meanwhile, Psalms was inside the house racing to and fro and meowing at the top of her lungs.

Danny and I collapsed in each other's arms after shutting all the doors. We were both panting and laughing nervously.

And...guess who slept through the whole episode?!