I'm pretty sure he's trying to kill me

And see how happy he is about it? It has been a trying week to parent this 2 year old. He has been a bit bipolar. It's either a screaming rage over me torturing him with things like putting on clothes all the while testing everything I say, or insisting on being attached to me. And by attached, I mean me laying on the couch with him on top of me and his hand on my throat. Grabbing my throat is his comfort move. He's like a mobster who will shower you with love, but makes sure you know he could take your life at a moments notice. Despite the implied death threat, I usually find this move endearing. This has worn off, at least for this week. My neck needs to recover It may also have lost it's appeal because I am yelled at or whined at, with not much in-between all day. I HATE whining, and am low on patience for it. He put himself in "time out" this week, so maybe some of my discipline is somewhat sinking in.

Our other fun issue besides the separation anxiety, and the rage, has been the sleeping. I'm pretty sure he's hit the terrible two trifecta. It started when we got home from Nashville. He would be up 2,3,4 times a night. I went with it for a while thinking he'd get over it, but this week I had to be mean mommy. Henry has never been a great sleeper, but we had established a routine of him going to bed at 7:30, waking up around 5, sucking down a bottle of milk (don't judge) and then going back to sleep until 6:30 on a good day, 7:00. This week when he started crying at midnight, I went back to my sleep training ways of putting him back down. I was sweet about it. Then it got to "lay down, close your eyes, I'm not coming back in here." This seems to be working better. Perhaps this is why he is so clingy. He has to make sure I still love him in the morning.

The saying "God made them cute so you won't kill them." has been uttered on several occasions this week. Here's hoping next week will be better, and all in all it could be much worse. He still has me laughing, pulling out my hair and bandaging my neck, but still laughing.

pretty bird, pretty bird.

On my way to San Diego, my car decided to overheat.  It turns out cars need water.  While taking my car to my most favorite and very talented mechanic, aka dad, my car decided not to repeat it's angry condition.  We drove up PCH in our attempt and stopped at the Bolsa Chica Wetland Preserve.  It was a peaceful little retreat.  Check it out if you get a chance.

Lily hearts Elsa

 Baby Elsa loves siamese cats.  Or, if she doesn't she better start because she will soon be outnumbered by her 2 siamese brothers.  Liv's beloved Lily Mae(formerly named Miss Karen) passed away earlier this year.  I'm pretty sure Lily was preparing to be a good sister because the socially inept cat was extremely sweet to Henry the last time we saw her.  I know Lily would love Elsa to have a pretty little dress, I'm just the conduit. And there was a swiss dot dress at Old Navy that with a bit of tailoring was perfect for little Elsa.
  

Originally, this was a 3T blouse. I took in the sides and shortened the straps.  The smocking on the top of the dress has metallic gold/bronze thread.  I had never embroidered with metallic thread, it certainly puts up a fight!  After untangling many knots, I finally got the hang of the unruly thread.

Lily's little love note lined the inside to protect sensitive skin from those unruly knots.

It turned out pretty cute in the end. I can't wait to see it on her.

We sure do love this little one!  Henry asks about her on a daily, sometimes hourly basis!

the og kids

Our pups aren't quite as spoiled as they may have been before H bomb, but they are still living large.  We love our kids.

Banjo 5, Gigi 7, Kane 12

I can pedal!

Henry has mastered his tricycle! He's now a pro and riding around like a crazy man.

Mary, Mary quite contrary.

This has been my green thumb summer.  We started all of Henry's favorites C's, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and carrots.  Tomatoes, kale, dalias, strawberries, spinach and assorted others are also in the mix.  I have been experimenting with transporting our kale, which was growing like crazy!   So far it seems to be taking to it's new home.  We'll see.  Henry has been helping to find the wiggle worms, and moving them to a less wormy area.  It's been fun to watch all the progress, and the kids are always willing to help.