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'.

Funny Things Said

Luke:

As I'm trying on a frog costume - "You're getting all greened up, Mom."

As we're getting ready for movie night to explain why he's turning off all the lights - "It's a movie theater! The light will come from the TV."



Erica

At lunch at St. Paul's (after Luke sang in church) - "I smell sum-din. It's Grandma's beer." Uhm, I think you mean coffee.

He's Four?!?!

All of the sudden, he's just not a little boy anymore. He's gotten taller and smarter and bigger...he's just, well, older. I remember his birth vividly - fast labor, very quick delivery, and there he was. He was so darn cute - no mushed up face or cone head or any of that. Just so doggone cute.
His arrival added so much joy to our family. He was a content, happy baby. And, he made it easy to move from 'man to man' to 'zone' defense since Mom and Dad were outnumbered.


I was a neurotic first time mom with Alex, and Julia brought a whole different set of worries. But, with Luke, I just enjoyed every minute. Maybe that is why he is such a happy little boy that simply loves life. Or, maybe God knew just what we needed, and he sent Luke. Whatever the case may be, he sure adds just the right mix of love and laughter to our family. Maybe Alex wouldn't always (usually) admit it, but we sure are glad he's a Rosner.

After all, where else would we get these kind of pure joy smiles?

And, can you believe it...those boys do have at least a little bit of brotherly love.

So, Luke, thanks for being you - our jabber-jawing, sweet-smooching, trouble-seeking, mess-making, good-sleeping, joy-finding middle child. We love you and don't know what we'd do without you!

Happy Birthday, Lukie!

Seizure Free Day - Hurray!!

Over the last week or so, Julia's seizures have been worse. We had nothing to explain it - she seems to be recovered from her sinus infection and healthy otherwise. And, we're back to the 'magic' medication combo that worked wonders late last fall. So, we were stumped. After 6+ years of challenging seizure activity, you would guess that I would be used to this guessing game. But, whenever her seizures act up, I get a knot of stress in my stomach. It just hangs there and casts a cloud over me.

Then, today came like a breath of fresh air - an entire day with no sustained seizures. Just a few myoclonic jerks, but nothing like the last few days. She woke up in a great mood, stayed in a great mood all day, was more active and excited than she has been in weeks - just a happy day. Even a couple of cat naps that did not end with a seizure. The knot in my stomach is loosening a bit.

I am hoping and praying and hoping and praying that this is not an isolated day, but instead will become the 'normal' for her.

Whose Toes are They?

Yesterday, while Luke was putting on his sandals, he said, "I'm trying to get my toes in just the right place, but they keep wiggling around." So, that makes me wonder - who is in charge of the toes?

Today, the boys ran in the sprinkler and played with the hose. When I told them they could spend the afternoon doing that, they were so excited. Luke said, "You are so nice, Mom." What is it with kids and water...it never gets old for them. It was fine until Luke got me soaked...I guess it was a good excuse to get into my jammies at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Six Words

A little while back, I read a book where people gave their 'story' in six words. So, here's mine.

Too much worrying ruins nearly everything.

I've come a long way, but I still need to obsess less and relax more.

Routines and Sleep

Number one lesson learned during Week 1 of summer vacation - do not stray from routine bedtimes for more than a day or two. If you do, you run the risk of crazy, crabby kids. Last week was busy, especially for Alex. Monday - Great America, Tuesday - Sleepover by Grandma and Grandpa, Wednesday - Ducky's Birthday, Thursday - Start of summer school and Complete Meltdown, Saturday - Another Complete Meltdown and Sleepover at Jacob's, Sunday - Yet Another Complete Meltdown. Poor kid was so out of whack, we made him take a nap on Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday might be the worst day in my parenting history. Alex and Luke were at each other even worse than usual, the lawn service came so we couldn't go outside and Julia had a monster seizure in the middle of it all. Deep breath in, slow breath out, repeat. I thought Aubrey was going to make a run for it. But, she held on, the boys were bribed into a little bit of peace with a promise of a trip to visit the Hanus boys, Julia stopped seizing and went to dozing...we made it. Matt came home, got the vibe of the house and gave the kids bathes before dinner so we could put them all in bed by 7pm.

We did have fun at the Hanus', though. They have a four-wheeler (I rode with Alex after Cheryl did), a golf cart, baby chicks, a big play center...we definitely need to go back on a day when the kids are not crazy-tired.

Moral of the story - kids need sleep. You can skip sleep to have more fun for a little while, but if you do that too often, you ruin all the fun.