Where I Come From?

Erica has developed a new fascination with where things come from. She's moved into areas I'm not sure how to explain to a 2-year-old (especially with her interested 4- and 8-year-old brothers listening closely to my answers...)

Q (Erica): Where do cows come from, Mommy? A (me): Their mommies.
Q: Where do chickens come from? A: Eggs.
Q: Where I come from? A: Silence (with me hoping she would move on to something else since I don't have a quick answer for this one.) The silence did not work.
Q: Talk to me, Mommy! Where I come from? A: From my belly. Her response: No way! I not live there. That not my home. I not fit in there. Me: Yes, you did fit in there when you were a baby. My belly was really big. Her: No way. I fall down and get hurt (meaning that she would fall out of my belly.) Me: Don't worry. The doctor made sure you were okay and she didn't let you fall.

Time to change the subject! But, she does now believe that she came from my belly. And, she'll tell anyone who asks.

The Nativity Tea Party

Here's a Christmas story you may not have heard before. Today, Erica was having the tiniest tea party using the parts of the Playmobile Nativity set. No, those are not gold, frankincense and myrrh...that's a teapot and milk. And, did you know the set even comes with a princess crown and magic wand. Oh sure, the original intent may have been for the regal king to use it, but now it has new purpose for the 2-year-old princess in our house.

At least she knows the baby's name is Jesus.

The Great Diaper Decisions

I have probably logged over 10,000 diaper changes - (4 kids x 1055 days in diapers each x 5 diapers a day)/2 parents changing diapers = 10950. At a minute per diaper change, that's over 180 hours of my life changing diapers...more than a solid week of time. That is both amazing and just a wee bit depressing.

Thank goodness my last baby has found a way to make diaper changes fun, funny and new. For her, diapers are a fashion statement. The 'who' on the front of the diaper is of great importance. In our house, the 'who' is one of the Sesame Street characters. So, the game can go a few different ways. 1 - Mom picks the top diaper off the top of the pile, keeping the identity of the 'who' hidden from Erica. Then, Erica has to guess who it is. Sometimes Mom gives clues (he's orange with blue hair...ERNIE). 2 - Erica pulls out every diaper from under the sink and hunts for one of her favorites. And, who are her favorites you ask? That would be either Zoe, Cookie Monster or Big Bird. 3 - The most sophisticated version of the game - Erica asks who is on Julia's diaper so that they can match. Or, even better, both girls are next to each other getting diaper changes, matching diapers and the who on the front of both is Zoe. Now, that is sisterly bonding.

No matter how the game goes, Elmo is always on the back.

Okay, I agree - all of those stinky diaper fumes have gone to my head, and I am that much closer to being totally nuts. And, yes, I do need to get out more. But, sooner or later (and I'm hoping for the sooner), my baby will be potty trained, and our little diaper game will be over. So, I'm smiling while it lasts.

Maybe we have a Pampers commercial here...

Conversation with Luke

Here's what was going through Luke's mind today during mass:

"Mom, when I grow up, my name will be 'Dad'."

Long Pause

"Well, I want my name to always be Luke...Luke Dad."

Another Long Pause

"And, first I have to get married."

Yes, Luke - you should get married before you have those 8000 boys you keep talking about.

His other vision for his future. His name will be 'Grandpa,' and Erica will be his 'Grandma'.