Halloween

Growing up I can't recall ever "trick-or-treating". I have a picture of a cousin and I at about age two in front of my Gram's house with Jack-O-Lantern buckets, but I'm not sure that counts. I do remember bringing home a brown lunch bag of candy from the church's Harvest Festival and taking that to the neighbor's house to count, compare and trade candy with the other kids who did trick-or-treat. I don't know if abstaining from trick-or-treating was a moral decision or not, but regardless of the right or wrong in partaking in this tradition; I loved the Harvest Festival (so I'm not overly disappointed in missing out). There were bales of hay, games, pie eating contests, tickets you could trade in for toys- it was like Chuck-E-Cheese at church! I still remember the Chubby Bunny contests with Pastor Bonner as well as wondering how any of the Norton and Oats girls got any food at the dinner table with their brothers around (making this assumption based on the success rate of the boy's in the pie eating contest). So having never really participated in the festivities associated with Halloween, I don't see anything sad knowing that my kids won't do it either. However, while we never went out begging other people for candy, my Nana was brilliant at making (yes, by hand) costumes for my sister and I (my personal favorite was when we were Cinderella, even though the white popped collar itched like crazy!). We usually had matching costumes, which was nice for me, but I'm sure Hilary was annoyed after a while at her pesky little sister. Well, now it's my kids' turn and their 'nana' (also the same word Em uses for bananas, so I'm not sure it'll stick for my mom or not, so don't get attached just yet) has sent costumes. Last year, Em was a precious little butterfly, and this year, she is a bumble bee (she really knows how to rock the stripes and antennas look). Cooper is going to be an American (hehe, see, he was born in South Africa... okay, really small joke I guess).

My sweet little boy could never scare anyone, could he?!?!

Convention Day

The Baba Indaba Convention started today. Since I wanted to go, but didn't want to fight all of Johannesburg while there, I decided to brave the unknown and go myself with the kids. I got lost, which is apparently my greatest talent (in my defense, only 50% of the streets are labeled with a street name, so it could happen to anyone). It ended up being good that I took the 'long way' though as Em was able to get a decent nap. When we got to the convention center, I put Em in her stroller and Cooper in a cloth wrap that my mom made me last year (I still love the fabric, it's just beautiful). We all had a good time getting free samples, watching the Takalani Sesame (Sesame Street - South Africa) characters (okay, that was more of an 'Em only' enjoyment) and bumping into two ladies that I had met (once). We had to pay an admission fee, but by the time we left, I felt like some of the venders should have paid me because of how helpful I was.

You see, a few gals saw me changing Cooper's diaper and asked about the brand. So I scooted them over to the two booths that import the two types of cloth diapers we use on the kids. The gals then proceeded to check out MY diapers, to see how they'd fared, and ask a ton of questions that I'm sure the vendor could have answered, but these ladies were smart- they wanted the real truth, not just the vendors trying to sell their wares (which made me laugh, literally). There were also four or five different booths with similar fabric baby carriers and yet, I managed to have a dozen or so people come up and ask where I got mine (from my mom's sewing machine) and how much it cost (the fabric, which if I remember correctly, was on sale) and many wanted demonstrations (Cooper and I were more than willing to oblige). None of the booths' fares seemed to have quite as much... versatility, but they were all very happy when I said comments about how much I loved my wrap, or how I couldn't really live without it at this point (Coop wants to be held 24/7 and Em is an exploring toddler- I've gotta have my hands free these days). Overall though, it was a good time and all of us enjoyed getting to pick Daddy up from work. It it wasn't for the spring storm and lightning striking WAY too close to the house this evening, I'd say it was a near perfect day... but I guess that means that God is saving the best for another day- something to look forward to!

The Slide

There is a lack of recreation areas near us (I'm talking within walking distance) and the nice weather (remember, it's spring here for us) has driven all of us into the backyard. We love our backyard, but apparently strawberry, celery, cucumber, tomato and bean plants are all extreme temptations to Emme... who would have thought?! Well, being sick of pointing out things I don't want Em to help "pick" (like Daddy does) and saying "No Em," I decided a distraction would be better served. Enter stage left: small, red and yellow slide.

Em figured out how to do it all on her own and was so proud (this was before the hair cut though).

First Haircut

This is where the picture of Em's first haircut should be....

but as you're going to read, things didn't go according to plan.

It's been almost five months since I last had my hair cut. So, I called the hairdresser who is up the road. She shared that she would be able to squeeze me in today AND Em decided to sleep until 9 am; it was looking like a great day for me. All three of us packed up the stroller and headed up to the hairdresser's. Em only lost her hat twice; which is good, even if she waited to give her signature "uh-oh" a half-block away from where it dropped! (Hey, I'm trying to look on the bright side here) We got to the salon and that was the perfect time for Cooper to start crying (he's been fighting bad gas because of some medication he is on). I tried to calm him, but as many moms will say, there are times when babies just cry. There were two old gals in the salon who seemed to be viewing the situation with a "concerned" look (some would say judging), which didn't help the situation much, but I was just hoping and praying they had kids of their own at some point and would understand.

When it was time for the hairdresser to cut my hair, Coop was still throwing a fit. Before I knew it, one of the old ladies who was waiting for her perm to set scooped Coop up out of my hands, speaking to all the other ladies in Africaans the entire time. Now I'm good at picking up what's going on in Africaans, but this was beyond my understanding. The hairdresser just chuckled and translated for me. The gal was a grandma of 20-some odd kids and had a special 'touch'... which turned out to be right. Cooper was asleep in a matter of minutes and my hair cut was almost done. At this point, I explained about Cooper, the medication, and the gas. The hairdresser immediately traipsed into her house and came out with a teaspoon with sugar and some herb for me to take. I did and let me tell you, it was really bitter! But, I took it, drank some water and went on. Grandma Perm had calmed Coop back down at this point, so we just went back to what we were all doing. As soon as the hairdresser was done with my hair, she instructed me on how I should feed and burp Coop, and also strongly warned me against his "dummie" (pacifier). Now, I understand that people have strong opinions about breast milk or formula, pacifier or none, and a thousand other things when it comes to babies, so I just took it with a grain of salt. I got Coop back and started putting him into his car seat (it attaches into the stroller). Em at this point, got out of the stroller and went to the hairdresser, whom she knows from the gym. The hairdresser asked if she could 'trim' Em's hair (which she asked the last time I got my hair cut) but I told her no because I would need to have a camera for Emme's first hair cut (it's a big deal!). The hairdresser said she understood and then indicated that she'd like to test Em and see if she would be good with receiving hair cut's (you know... for the future). She put Em, standing, on the chair, clipped a towel around and started combing Em's hair, the whole time talking to Em about what was going to happen when Emme came back. I was so happy that Em seemed so comfortable with the whole thing, which was great for when we actually do decide to cut her hair, that when Cooper started crying, I naturally left Em with the hairdresser and went to get him out of his car seat....and by the time he was out, half of Em's beautiful curls were gone.

G O N E ! ! !

Needless to say, I freaked, put Coop back into his car seat, screaming, and went over to Em. There was no point in stopping what was happening because half her head of hair was gone. I tried to catch as many of the curls falling from Em's head. She now has a very "boyish"cut, which in a country that barely recognizes her as a girl when she is dressed in head-to-toe pink, is very tragic. The thing about it is, I realize that "it takes a village," (which many people here take literally) but my village seems to do things differently than other villages! I was totally sad about not being able to get pictures! In fact, I wasn't even wanting for Em to get her hair cut for another year or two (she has very little hair to begin with, seriously), but the day wasn't a total wash. I was upset about Em's hair (I know, it grows back, but not for another 17 months!) and went to the office where I found not one, not two, but three packages from friends and family. We have amazing friends and there is nothing like a package of Lucky Charms or Sesame Street DVDs to cheer this mommy up!!!

Frosted Cupcakes

An amazing thing happened this week.  We were able to acquire a container of Pillsbury Chocolate Frosting.  Now, before any of you start thinking you should go get some (either for yourself or for us) read the rest of the story.  When we were living in the States, I refused to buy frosting of any kind for two reasons:  1) I hate frosting, so why would I waste money on something I couldn't enjoy? and 2) If it is in the house, it will last no longer than 24 hours because my husband will eat the entire container, and then lick it clean.  Armed with this information, I only would buy frosting when I had a specific dessert and there were people coming over to help eat this dessert.  

Well, a few weeks back, I found an amazing looking strawberry "tall" cake recipe, that I had to try.  I fell in love with the butter cake recipe, and knew that there's nothing better than butter cake and chocolate frosting.  So I started looking for a good frosting recipe but I was never able to find all the necessary ingredients (not that they're not in the country somewhere but when you're a baker and all the people around you are cooks, it makes it hard to find certain things).  I was really bummed because I really wanted to make this cake, so when the chance for this $2 thing of frosting came, I jumped up and down all excited. I started thinking of who we could invite over for dessert and coffee and when would be a good time.  Todd, upon seeing the frosting container, immediately grabbed a spoon and was making a bee-line for my blue-topped treasure when I stopped him.  I told him about my 'big plans' for that frosting, and he was off limits, to which I was told (nicely, but firmly) that sharing of the frosting, either in the form of dessert or out of the jar, was NOT going to happen, period.  

So we compromised.  I made my recipe, but made cupcakes instead, so that no 'sharing' of the frosting (or dessert for that matter) would be happening.  

I got to bake, Todd got to enjoy.  It seemed like the perfect arrangement, except the cake recipe apparently didn't translate to cupcakes (why, I have NO idea, but they looked awful and tasted weird... compared to the heaven it is as a cake).  They stuck to the paper (and pan with the few I tried without paper) and were a veritable mess all around.  We did, however, eat them anyways.  We were even 'terrible' parents and let Em, who never gets sweets) have at one of the paper left-overs.  She loved it, of course, but I guess that's to be expected when you have no frame of reference.  Todd didn't have any complaints either except for the work involved having to get the cupcakes out of the paper (he said it was like eating crab legs, which I don't understand, but I'm not a crab kind of girl).  Lani was also thrilled to have so many crumbs to

 clean up.  I was disappointed in the confection, but I like my desserts to be aesthetically pleasing as well as good to the taste, but I guess you can't win them all!  The only one who had no opinion either for or against the cupcake disaster was Coop, who spent the entire dinner and dessert time sleeping!  

One Month!

It's crazy to think that Cooper is a month old today (I started this on Saturday, I promise)... Also crazy to think that Em is almost 17 months old. But this is about Coop. So, I've decided to write about things I've learned in the last month with Cooper and his older sister.

1. If one child leaves most new moms exhausted, two under 18 months leaves you in a state of tiredness that I never thought was possible!

2. Some children want to be changed as soon as they wet/soil their diaper, even if their older sister would never fuss for a diaper change.

3. The amount of diapers two kids goes through is absolutely unbelievable- seriously.

4. If an outfit gets dirty, and needs to be changed, there is a 96.4% chance it will be dirty again within 13 minutes of said change (fact, I did the research).

5. Some children don't like sleep unless being held/rocked/bounced/or otherwise cared for (really glad we got rid of that bouncer/swing thing that Em couldn't have cared less about!).

6. Two kids leave a person tired, did I mention that?

7. Shopping with two kids, when one is sitting in the seat and the other is in the cart in an infant car seat, doesn't leave much room for groceries.

8. Any outing or adventure further than 20 steps from the front door takes at least an hour (generally more) to be ready for.
9. Youth isn't wasted on the young, naps are.

10. They are so worth every second!Sometimes, some men just need their message to be heard. Cooper is no exception!

The 24th

Todd came down stairs this morning and asked what day it was. My heart actually started beating fast because (this was the actual thought in my head) "I know this one! It's Monday, because I had a really bad headache and didn't go to church yesterday so that makes today Monday. AND, Cooper was up an hour early this morning, so I was trying to get things done before the house started to stir and my computer said something about the 24th." So my response to Todd? It's the 24th. With a puzzled look on his face he asked the 24th of October? Which seemed crazy to me so I responded no. Then he looked even more confused and asked if it was the 24th of September. That didn't make sense either, since I had just gotten the gym schedule for the first of October. At this point, I realized that my excitement was all for not and I was totally confused. Sad day. It's like when someone asks you your birthday or your mother's maiden name and you get the answer wrong. Oh well, maybe I'll get it tomorrow...

This picture is from last week when we all went to our favorite local cafe. The waitress knows Em and always has the barista make her a foamed milk in her own expresso cup. Has nothing to do with the rest of the post, but I know how some like pictures!

The Big, Blue Ball

Since Cooper was born, Em has decided that she will speak no new words... as a matter of fact, she's reduced her vocabulary by about half.  I somewhat expected there to be some changes, and this is one of the better 'back tracks' she could have taken.  The one issue with this change for us has been that now anything that even resembles a globe shape is a "ball," so we're constantly trying to figure out if she wants the apple or the orange.  Her favorite "ball" is the large, blue exercise ball that I have.  She likes rolling it, chasing it, and tormenting the dog by rolling or chasing her with it!  Cooper wanted in on the ball action as well, apparently, but he likes to be bounced on it.  Watching the whole scenario play out between the dog, the daughter and the son, with Todd frantically trying to figure out what's coming next, is hilarious to me.  I'm just glad that we have the ball, for the sake of both kids!

Todd was bouncing Coop so that he'd calm down, when Em decided she wanted to join.  So, all three were bouncing when Lani (note the tail running away from big, bad Mommy who would get mad at her for licking/harassing Cooper's soft head) decided that she, also, wanted in on the action!

Coop watching Em playing with the big, blue ball... someday, someday you'll be able to join!