"I like your T, Daddy!"

Isaac and Daddy were playing on the floor earlier today. Nate's shirt came up a little in the back, revealing his tattoo, which is a cross. (Yes, I'm sure some of you are shocked that Nate has a tattoo. . . that's another story, though!)

Isaac, who has had to have seen this a million times, said, "I like your T, Daddy!" He was so excited about his compliment.

And then he lifted his shirt up in the back and asked, "Mommy, do you like my T?"

Mommy's response . . . "NO!"

Move the gate. . .

We had some friends over for lunch today. They have a 3 year old, Caleb, and a 10 month old, Abigail. Caleb and Isaac were playing "cars" behind the couch, and I had set up the gate so that the babies, who were all playing on the floor, would not disturb them.

After a few good minutes of playing, Isaac stood up and said, "Mommy, I need you to move the gate for me. I need something."

I said, "Okay, what do you need?"

Isaac responded, "I need. . . I need. . . I need to hug that baby." He was pointing at little Abigail.

We all got a good laugh out of that, and Abigail did get that hug. . . and then some!

Sharing

I was sitting on the couch earlier this evening. My glass of watered-down Cherry Coke was on the end table next to me. Isaac ALWAYS asks for a drink of my pop. He will beg and plead, telling me, "But I really like that kind." Every once in awhile I give in, but not too often. All that kid needs is a few mouthfuls of sugar. . .

Anyway, tonight, he asked for "some of that," pointing to my pop. I told him no - it was "yucky." (It really was no good - all of the ice had melted and it would have been no good.) A minute later, he brings me his water cup and gives it to me, telling me, "You can have some of mine." It was so sweet. And he insisted until I took a sip of his water.

Still didn't give in on the Cherry Coke, though. . . much to his dismay!

Honey

I call Isaac "Honey" at times. I do. Never though I would, but I do.

Tonight I had the kids outside, but it was close to "clean-up time." I needed to give baths and get the babies to bed. Nate was at church playing basketball, so I was on my own in getting it all accomplished. So I said to Isaac, "Honey, it's about time to clean up. We have to go inside."

Isaac was in the garage, and I heard, "Honey, I don't want to go inside yet!"

Still cracking up. . .

Watch what you wish for - - - you just might get it!

I try to take the kids out for a walk about every day. I put the babies in the double stroller, and Isaac usually rides his bike. The bad thing is, Isaac rides SO SLOWLY. It takes us FOREVER to get around the neighborhood. Sometimes I will just make him walk, too, so we can move a little faster. But, I really want him to learn to be comfortable on his bike. Well, on our walk yesterday, I thought I'd motivate Isaac a little bit. We would have a race. He was "Lightning McQueen" and I was "Chick," who is McQueen's big rival. . . (I'm referencing the Disney/Pixar movie CARS in case you don't know who I'm talking about).

Well, now Isaac rides so fast that I can barely keep up with him and have to tell him to slow down! And he flies by me saying, "Ha ha ha. . . you'll never beat me now!"

I think I may have crashed and burned here. . . or maybe I just need to be in better shape so I can keep up with him!

Just in case you ever wondered. . .

Isaac usually goes potty downstairs in our powder room. We keep a MagnaDoodle and some books in there for his entertainment. Isaac calls the MagnaDoodle his "drawing thing."

According to Isaac:

1. The "drawing thing" is for peeing.
2. The books are for pooping.

Like I said, just in case you ever wondered. . .

It's okay for Mommies to lie. . . sometimes. . .

Here are some appropriate times for Mommies to "lie" to their children:

1. Tooth Fairy

2. Easter Bunny

3. Santa Claus

4. When you're out on a walk in your nice, quiet, suburban neighborhood and you spot a dead cat next to a mailbox. . . it's okay to tell your very inquisitive 3 year old, "SHH! The kitty is sleeping!"

Oh Isaac. . .

• Awhile back Nate, Isaac, and I were in the basement. Nate and I were watching the US Open Tennis Tournament. It was early on in the tourney, so I didn't recognize the girls playing. One gal wasn't doing so swell, and I made the comment, "Wow! She's really stinkin' up the place." Isaac, wanting so badly to participate in the conversation said, "Yeah, that's DISGUSTING!" Nate and I could not stop laughing.

• The other day, I asked Isaac to "do me a favor." Olivia had dropped a toy behind the dresser/changing table, and I knew Isaac could easily reach it. He gladly complied. Then he looked at me and said, "Mommy, can you do me a fever? Can you move this chair over here?" I said no because it was not a good place for the chair to be, but a few seconds later, he asked me again, "Mommy, can you do me a fever?" Pointing to some baby toys that HE had placed at the bottom of the stairs, he asked, "Can you pick up those baby toys and put them in the basket, please?" It was so cute. I probably did end up picking up the toys. . . always do. . .

• Isaac wanted to wear his new "colts outfit" (see my other blog for the picture) to school today. When we were getting out of the car at school, Isaac was so excited and said, "Mommy, Miss Amber is going to LOVE my Colts outfit!" His Daddy is so proud that he's so into fashion. . .

• And my favorite, the other day we were in the kitchen. I had a box of the babies' cereal out. I typically buy the Gerber brand of cereal, so of course there is a picture of the Gerber baby on the front. Isaac saw it and said, "Look, Mommy! It's JESUS!" So cute. . . (Isaac thinks of and relates to Jesus as Baby Jesus most of the time).

No cape. . .

So Isaac informed me at dinner tonight that I am not SuperMommy because I don't have a "black thing back there" (in his words as he indicated that I do not have a cape).

But somehow he is SuperIsaac because he does, indeed, have an (imaginary) cape. . .

It's a wonder how his imagination works amazingly to his advantage!

Obedience

I have been talking to Isaac a lot about what it means to obey and what it means to disobey. We've talked about how it makes Mommy (or Daddy) happy when he chooses to obey, and it makes Mommy (or Daddy) sad when he chooses to disobey. I've also pulled the Jesus card and have talked about how it makes Jesus happy when Isaac obeys us, but it makes Jesus sad when he doesn't obey us. Bad SuperMom, I know.

Tonight Isaac was, well, choosing to disobey. So I reminded him that it does not make me happy when he disobeys.

Then Isaac said, on his own, "Sorry, Mommy!" I thanked him for his apology and told him how nice it was.

A few seconds later I heard, "Sorry, Jesus!"

AW. . .

Little does Isaac know how happy he just made Jesus (and Mommy). . .

Ooh. . . what have I done?

The other day I took all 3 kids out shopping for Nate's birthday gift. The babies were in their stroller, and Isaac was walking next to me. He was starting to wander away a little bit, so I gave him a big warning. . . and I'm thinking I may have done some psychological damage! I told him that he needed to stay right beside the stroller because I didn't want him to get lost or have a stranger take him. Ooh. I know what you're thinking. That's bad. . . Well, it worked that day, except the whole time we were walking around, Isaac was saying, "Where's the stranger?" and "The stranger can't take me, Mommy!" I was sort of hoping that he would forget about it, but he mentioned it again yesterday. He heard someone cough in the parking lot and said, "Oh, that's a stranger!" I've created a monster!

I have started talking to Isaac about what he should do if someone he doesn't know asks him to go with them. . . which is okay, I think. He should know about this. . . and I think he is old enough to understand it as I am presenting to him in an age-appropriate manner. I wasn't going to use it as a warning anymore, though. . .

And then today happened. . . we were all at Babies R Us shopping for a new car seat, and Isaac kept running down the aisles. I was growing so tired of it, that I told him he'd better "Come here!" Then I bent down and said, "You need to stay next to Mommy and Daddy. I don't want a stranger to take you, and I don't want you to get lost!" I can't remember exactly how I worded it, but it sounded a lot better coming out of my mouth at the time than it does as I type it and read it to myself!

But the kid didn't budge from my side again. . .

Psychological damage, I know. . . and you'd think a SuperMommy would be able to control her 3 year old better, huh?!

Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. . .

I have been trying to teach Isaac that when he wants something from me or needs to ask me or tell me something, he only needs to say "Mommy" one time.

What I used to hear: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. . . "

What I hear now: "Mommy!"

Mommy: "Yes, Isaac?"

Isaac: "I said it one time!"

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Daddy's birthday is coming up on the 31st. Isaac and I were talking about it the other day.

Mommy: "What should we get Daddy for his birthday?"

Isaac: "Cake!"

Mommy: "That's a good idea. What else should we get him?"

Isaac, thinking hard: "CHEESE!"

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Already a Biblical Scholar. . .

Crystal told me this story. . . we all got a good laugh from this one!

Isaac, Vinny, and Crystal were reading Bible stories, and they read the story of the Biblical Isaac and Abraham. Crystal was showing him in the picture that the boy's name was Isaac also. At first Isaac laughed and said, "No, I'm Isaac!" So, Crystal explained that both of their names were Isaac. Then he pointed to Abraham and said, "And that's Vinny!"

Note: I have confirmed with Crystal that the picture was NOT one of Abraham (a.k.a. Vinny)preparing to sacrifice Isaac. . .

What a smart boy!

Isaac was trying to tell Caleb what not to do the other day during lunch. . . and so we had a little discussion about WHO is in charge at our house. Here is a summary of how it went:

Mommy: "Isaac, you are not in charge. Mommy is in charge and Daddy is in charge."

Isaac: "Daddy's not in charge. He's a boy."

Mommy: "Boys can't be in charge?"

Isaac: "No. Just girls are in charge. Mommy is in charge, and Olivia is in charge."

Hmm. . . maybe I am doing something right. . .

The Name Game

When Isaac was at Crystal's house the the other day, they were talking about names. Crystal asked Isaac what he called Olivia, and he said, "Olivia." She asked him what he called Caleb, and he said, "Caleb." Then Crystal asked what Daddy called Olivia. Isaac gave her a list, including "Sugars." She asked him what Mommy called Olivia, and he told her, "Livi."

Then she asked him what Mommy calls Caleb, and Isaac responded, "Caleb Anthony Haugh!"

Well. . . I can't say I haven't done it. . . the whole "full name" thing. . . but I can say that Isaac has heard "Isaac Nathaniel Haugh" much more than Caleb has heard his full name!

Oh boy. . .

Just what do you say to this. . .

Disclaimer: This post contains the words pee-pee, poo-poo, and penis. If you are already offended, quit reading now. . .

Isaac was finishing up in the potty this afternoon, and he began talking about how Elmo goes pee-pee and poo-poo in the potty. (He has a video and a book about going potty - both starring Elmo).

I said, "Yes, that's right! He does!"

Isaac responded, "But Elmo doesn't have a penis!"

By golly, he's right! Elmo doesn't wear clothes, and it is quite obvious that he does not have one of those. . .

If you have an suggestions on how to explain that one to Isaac, feel free to let me know!

Conversation at the Park

Little girl to Isaac: "Will you be my best friend?"

Isaac: "Yes!"

So cute!

Then the little girl ran off and asked someone else the same question. . .

Oh well!

Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da. . .

The babies are babbling like crazy now! Their favorite consonant sound is the "d" sound - which leads to a lot of "dadadadadadadada." I know they aren't saying "Dada" for Nate - as a speech therapist (and a reasonable person) I know this. . .

But it wouldn't really hurt my feelings too much if they were saying, "Dada," and here's why:

• When they're saying "dadadadadada," I can look at Nate and say, "I think they want YOU to change their diapers/put them to bed/feed them/etc. . . "
• I also know from experience that even if they do say "Dada" before they say "Mama," they'll be saying "Mommy" the rest of their childhood. . . especially if they are anything like Isaac. . . I hear "Mommy-Mommy-Mommy-Mommy-Mommy" in my sleep these days!

Big News

You know it is BIG NEWS if it makes The Mail Journal, the small-town newspaper of my hometown. My parents brought a paper to us this weekend, and we got a good laugh out of this one. We think Ellen or Jay Leno need to know about it. . . they'd get a good laugh.

This was under the Accidents/Incidents section.

• Sunday, 8:15 am. EMS Lane. . . Driver: Miller, 66 (I won't put his whole name in, poor guy. . . ) Miller reported driving in a convertible when a bird pooped on his passenger's leg. Miller then looked for a towel in the vehicle, and the vehicle ran off the road, striking a parked pontoon boat trailer, two mailboxes, and a waste container. Damage up to $5,000.

Bet his insurance company loved that story!

He's officially "gone". . .

It has happened. Officially. I knew it would happen, but I just didn't know when. . . Nate is totally, completely, one hundred percent SMITTEN with Olivia. Those of you who know the Haughs know that the Haughs produce males. Nate's father was one of 3 boys. Nate is one of 3 boys. On the Haugh side, 3 out of Nate's 4 cousins are boys. For years there were only Haugh boys until Madi was born 7 years ago! When we got married, Nate pretty much told me I could kiss my chance at having a little girl goodbye because Haughs produce males! He was always okay with that, having grown up with only boys and being a little clueless about girls. . . but I still hoped for a girl one day. I remember his Uncle Todd (who has the only other girl on this side of the family) telling Nate that having a little girl is great and that if he had one he'd be wrapped around her little finger. . . I also remember Nate saying, "Nah. . . not me!"

Oh, but it has happened. Sure, Nate loves Caleb and Isaac just the same, but when he comes home from work he looks at Caleb and says, "Hi Squirt!" Then he looks at Olivia and says, "Hi Sweetie," only it sounds more like "Hiiiiiiiiiiiii Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeetieeeeeeee." (Can't quite figure out how to emphasize how he says it.) He's gone. . . far gone. And it's even worse when she's wearing a cute little outfit.

I wouldn't be fair if I didn't say this: She is totally gone, too. Her eyes light up when she sees her Daddy, and the girl knows how to use those dimples to her advantage.

Boy are we in trouble. . . but it sure is cute to see it all going down!

For those of you who knew Nate growing up and in high school, I promise you I am telling you the whole truth. . . and nothing but the truth. I wish I could video tape it for you all! I can just hear Kelley and Denise chuckling right now - and maybe giving a little (ahh) sigh!

Watch what you say. . .

Isaac decided that he was going to be a puppy today when we got home. So we spent the evening dealing with extra panting, barks, and all around doggy behavior. During dinner, we had to threaten a "time-out" for something (can't remember that now). . .

Little Isaac then said, "But I'm a dog, Mommy!"

Mommy responded, "Then I'll have to put you in your crate."

BIG MISTAKE!

The rest of the night, Isaac is saying, "Mommy, lock me in the crate. Lock me in the crate!"

Oh good. I hope he goes to school and tells this story tomorrow!

Recent "Isaac-isms"

• The other night when I was trying to get out of Isaac's room at bedtime after our little routine, Isaac said to me, "Mommy, I need to tell you a question." So cute. . . and such a staller!
• Tonight Isaac had been in time out, and I said to him, "You need to go tell Daddy that you're sorry." So Isaac walks up to Nate and says, "You're sorry, Daddy!" Had to laugh!
• The other day at Crystal's house, Isaac asked his pal Vinny if he wanted to learn some complex words. . . and then proceeded to teach him what some complex words were. If you ask him what they are, he will tell you all about silent e. It's amazing what he soaks up.

Can't wait to see what else is in store for us and little Isaac!

2 words

"Borrowed" this from my sis-in-law - I like doing things like this. . . Here goes. . .

1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen counter
2. Where is your significant other? on treadmill
3. Your hair? a mess
4. Your mother? friend, shopper
5. Your father? friend, golfer
6. Your favorite things? twins, Isaac (and I have to cheat and add naptime)
7. Your dream last night? can't remember
8. Your favorite drink? cherry coke
9. Your dream goal? write books
10. Your hobby? blogging, reading
11. Your fear? losing people
12. Where you want to be in 6 years? wife, mommy
13. Where you were last night? at home
14. What you're not? size 4
15. Muffins? cinnamon streusel
16. One of your wish list items? swimming pool (dream on)
17. Where you grew up? Syracuse, Indiana
18. What are you wearing? capris, shirt
19. Your TV? not on
20. Your pets? Oliver, Chloe
21. Your computer? good enough
22. Your life? busy, blessed
23. Your mood? bummed, tired
24. Missing someone? yes, already
25. Your car? Honda Odyssey (LOVE IT)
26. Something you're not wearing? shoes, socks
27. Favorite store? bullseye - SuperTarget
28. Your summer? work, fun
29. Like someone? of course
30. Your favorite color? red & more
31. When is the last time you laughed? tonight, Isaac
32. When is the last time you cried? yesterday, today

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T LEAVE YOUR PURSE AT MY HOUSE. . .

1. If you live miles and miles away, I will have to mail your purse to you.
2. You will ask for me to OVERNIGHT it to you because you will want your purse back as soon as possible, which is understandable.
3. I will have to go to the post office in the morning since you will want me to OVERNIGHT your purse to you.
4. I WILL HAVE TO TAKE ALL 3 KIDS TO THE POST OFFICE!
5. I don't like to take all of my kids to the Pendleton post office because there is not a ramp! (Technically there is, but you have to go to the back of the post office, go up the ramp and then ring a little doorbell. Then the postal worker has to run back and forth to complete your transaction . . it is really for people with physical handicaps, not SuperMoms.) The post office is also right on the main street in Pendleton, so it also scares me to have a baby carrier in each hand causing me to have very little control over Isaac.
6. But. . . I am SMART! I get online and look up all of the post offices that are nearby. I see there is one at the Meijer in Anderson! Great! I will go there! I need to pick up a few things anyway!
7. I go to Meijer, 3 kids in tow. The babies are in the shopping cart and my darling 3 year old is on his hands and knees playing with the wheels of the shopping cart. . . oh goody!
8. The first brainiac at Meijer takes my package and immediately asks someone to trade her because she has no idea how to mail a package. ??? Brainiac #2 takes over. He processes the package and is trying to figure out which special slip needs to go on it for NEXT DAY DELIVERY. Brainiac #3 comes back from break. Now she is actually a real brainiac because she tells brainiac #2 that Meijer cannot guarantee next day delivery. . . UGH! A little frustrating since the US Post Office website lists Meijer as a POST OFFICE!
9. So - I ask her to tell me where the closest post office in Anderson is. She gives me directions. It really isn't close at all. . . but we'll try to find it.
10. Um. . . SuperMom did not bring the stroller, so there really is no point in going to the Anderson post office when the whole point in avoiding the Pendleton post office was due to the fact that it is not stroller-friendly.
11. I drive back to town, calling Nate because I am so frustrated. Is there ANY way he can get home from work by 5 so I can just go to the post office when he gets home? Nate is having a horrible morning at work because 3 employees called off. Probably can't get home before 5. . . back to square 1 again!
12. I decide that if there is a parking spot right in front of the post office, I will go ahead and mail the package.
13. There's a parking spot! I give Isaac a huge lecture on how dangerous the cars are.
14. I get the babies out - one on each arm - and threaten Isaac that he'd better stay by my side. The carrier + baby combo easily weighs over 20 pounds, which is why my arms don't jiggle as much as they used to! I guess that's a good thing. . .
15. OOPS! I need to get the package, too. . . but I don't have another arm or two to carry it.
16. My very strong 3-year old gets to carry the package.
17. My arms are burning by the time we get in the post office. Isaac's must be, too, because he is grunting as he walks up the steps with the package in his hands. The package weighs in at 3 pounds, 9 ounces. . . (My goodness, what exactly is IN this PURSE?!) I mail the package. Time to go back out.
18. Isaac is threatened once again to stay beside me. . .
19. We all make it back to the van in one piece.
20. I decide that I cannot come up with a quick lunch before Olivia's physical therapist arrives, so we get McDonald's! I needed that big McD's Coca-Cola after this excursion!

This is lovingly dedicated to my wonderful mother, who left her 3 pound, 9 ounce purse at my house on Sunday. . . Love you, Mom!