Cash, Cashy, Cashman, CashCash

I might have forsaken this blog, but I'll be darned if I am going to forsake my youngest and ignore him on his third birthday.

We can ignore that it is two days past his birthday and that I haven't even wrapped/given him his birthday present. (Bonus points, though: I did buy it back in December, so that has to balance out somehow.)

I am going to be honest. I feel like Jeff and I trash talk Cash a lot. I worry that people think we just don't like him because we use adjectives like "naughty", "loud", "strong-willed" a lot and repeatedly. But let me be clear: we do like him. A LOT. In fact, we actually love him veryveryvery much.

In honor of my baby turning three, I am going to share some positive things about him:

1. He is a great hugger. He puts all of his energy into squeezing hard. None of this half-assed side-way hugs or the hug where a little kid offers you his head in your leg...When you ask Cash for a hug, he gets a running start and crashes into your legs, locking his arms tight around you.

2. He loves babies. When he sees a picture of a baby, he gushes over it. His favorite thing to do is look at my Facebook when I am looking at baby announcements. When he meets a baby, he is fascinated and deeply in love.

3. He is always on the look out for adventure. He will try most foods. He hasn't met a bike that is too big. The bumpier the ride the better. The more dirty he can get the better. The more noisy it is the better.

4. He idolizes his older brother. It's a good thing B is such a good influence because Cash thinks the world revolves around his brother. They hug when B gets off the bus from school, Cash sits with him if B is sad, and Cash allows his older brother to comfort him when he is upset.

5. He lets me have my silly rituals. When I take him in to the sitter's in the morning, he let's me carry him in, whisper silly things in his ear, and only when I am ready he will run off and have his fun. He can be very attune to what people need. Sometimes I think he knows that I need him to be a baby a little bit longer.

6. He loves to make people laugh. He has many different silly faces, voices, and gestures. He has this goofy laugh that sounds like Kermit the Frog that gets me every time.

Happy birthday, CashCash!! We love you.

Confessional

1. I have an odd obsession with paper towels. After washing my hands I will dry them with a paper towel, and if it's after work I will take my make-up off with it, and/or I will start wiping down the counter or kitchen appliances with it, and I won't throw it away (just in case), even though I know I will start my OCD process over again the next time I wash my hands.

2. Basically, I know and will sing along with every TV jingle. My favorite is Lerner and Rowe (is the way to go, call 977-1900...)

3. I FB search people who are in the news. People who do bad things, not like athletes or celebrities.

4. I know way more celebrity gossip than is healthy for one person. I don't really believe anything, except for the most farfetched stuff because I believe people are REALLY that weird. For example, I think Will and Jada are double bearding for one another.

5. I don't think the fact I set my alarm early just so I can enjoy hitting my snooze button is weird, but I do think it is weird that I set it an hour before I have to get up. I like hitting my snooze THAT much. It's probably the high point of my day. (I also have two alarm clocks.)

Maybe that doesn't make me super weird, but it makes me feel better to share. 

Cash baby, a letter

I was going through draft blog posts. I found this one and for the life of me I can't remember why I didn't post it. Probably because life becomes exponentially busy with a new baby. 

I feel bad, because I often feel like B has more to reflect on--I mean, I address it in this letter.

So, Cash, I am sorry. I hope you don't think there isn't much here for you because we weren't thoughtful, just think that it's because we were busy enjoying you.

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Dear Cash,

I hope someday you have a chance to come back and read through this blog and happen upon this letter. Wherever you are in your life when you read this, whether you are a teenager or have kids of your own, I hope you know how loved you are. If there is something I want to succeed at with flying colors, it is making sure my kids know they are loved.

I know second born babies feel like they wander around in the shadow of their older siblings, but there are many things that are special about you. First of all, you made me really appreciate being a mom. I know that might seem odd since I was a mom to your brother before you, but you made me slow down and appreciate each moment of being a mom. When your brother was a baby I couldn't wait for the next stage or milestone, I didn't take the time to live in the present. I have adored watching each and every step in your growth. Thank you for teaching me the present is the best time.

You have such an incredible disposition. You are a great mix of sweet and laid back, punctuated by endearing bursts of energy. You are such an observer, too. You have no problem sitting back, watching all the action, and learning from it. You picked up on so many things quickly, from eating to sitting up and so on.

*******************************************

Omagawd. I love this little boy so much. This letter brings back so many memories and makes me appreciate him so much more. Which is nice, because even though it is an hour and half past his bedtime, today's Cash is singing to himself whilst starting out his window, undoubtedly freaking out the neighbors. 

2012 Christmas Pics

Here are some of the pics that didn't make the cut on our Christmas cards. Our friend Julie did an amazing job. Check her website out here.

Election Eve shenanigans

"Tell Mom what we were just talking about," Jeff said.

Immediately my interest was piqued, especially because Jeff eyed me with his, "Wait for this shit" look.

With all of the seriousness he could muster, B looked me straight in the eye and said, "I want Mitt Romney to vote for me."

"You mean you want to vote for Mitt Romney?" I corrected him.

"Yes. I want to vote for Mitt Romney."

"Why?"

"Because Obama is ugly and bad. My friends told me so," he said. I admired his firm resolve in the conversation--he even had a little furrow in his brow.

"Hmm. Any other reasons?" I asked.

"No, but my teacher told us we should talk to our parents about who we should vote for and why." I was immediately thankful for his teacher's intervention; I can only imagine how far Kindergartners would have taken this.

We chatted for a couple more minutes about why it's important to vote and why people vote for certain candidates. Then I explained why I voted for who I voted for. I told him when he was old enough he should vote for who he wants to vote for, but he needs to be open-minded and listen to all of the issues, not just the ones his friends--or even his family--think are important.

I am not going to lie. This conversation was a much bigger deal to me than it was to him, as I am sure he has already forgotten about it. I also had to carefully choose my words so it didn't come out like, "Your friends are assholes and they are in Kindergarten. They don't know what they are talking about."

Halloween 2012

B informed us for weeks he wanted to be a Transformer, because "that's the best costume ever!"

The morning after we purchased his Optimus Prime costume he told me as we were getting ready for school, "Actually..." (Anything he says after starting with "actually" is usually annoying.) "Actually, mom, I really want to be Wolverine, because that is the best costume and everyone knows that."

This is one of the reasons I am not a fan of school. I have to hear the opinions of all his classmates and buddies.

Cash didn't have a choice with his costume. I happened to be hitting some thrift shops and I found his costume. I knew he would actually prefer not to wear a costume, but in our home you don't roll out to TOT without a costume. You want candy? You better have a costume, say trick or treat and thank you. It's how we do.

Unsurprisingly it took us ten minutes to wrangle Cash into his costume and another thirty minutes convincing him he wanted to go to strangers' homes and ask for candy.

We were able to get these pictures with the aide of candy bribes and promises of more candy. Thank god Christmas is coming up because candy bribes are only usurped by Santa bribes.

Disneyland!

Well, hello again, blog. It's been so long that I fumbled with my password. Oops.

I definitely need to document Disneyland pictures. We didn't do any traveling this summer in preparation for this big trip. It was B's first time!

Jeff and I don't believe in taking kids on vacations they won't remember; we agreed B's first time at DL would be at least 5 years-old. This also meant that Cash stayed home, which made it that much more special that B had us all to his self.

We have been planning this trip all year, but keeping the details a secret from B. We only told him, "Sometime when you are 5 we will go to Disneyland." This prevented us from the incessant begging, questioning, and reminding associated with an upcoming event. The night before we left we told him we were going on a plane to California the next day. He was convinced we were going to San Diego (the only place he remembers from CA), so we gave in and told him about DL.

The whole trip was a bit of a whirlwind: we flew out super early in the morning and flew home three days later very late. But it was all worth it. We had a great time!

Day one:

We stayed awake at the airport by taking ridiculous pictures.

Then I realized it would be a lot less "hands-on parenting" if I just gave him the phone. 

We had to get his 1st Visit pin. 

By far, our favorite picture. We did Space Mountain first. Poor Bug was freaked out (it was scary for Halloween) and practically deafened by the speakers. 

He had to drive at Autotopia. I have never been so sure the car would jump the track.

After naps we met up with our good friends, Vern and Laurie, and they showed us around California Adventures.

Whilst in line for the Cars ride it broke down. They us these golden passes for the next day.

We ended the night with cotton candy and the CA water show.

The second day we decided to start of at California Adventure. It was a lot more fun there than I thought it was going to be. Thank you Dews for giving us great tips on rides!

Bradley felt the need to pose for every.flipping.picture.

Hot daddy.

The perfect DL shirt for Jeff. I found it at Target for $6. 

I felt bad for my parents after this trip. They didn't have phones to pacify us. 

The Cars ride at CA is amazing and worth the wait in line.

So is the Toys 3D arcade game.

The Dilbecks like to pose.

This is our only normal picture.

He often complained about how much we embarrassed him. 

We had to convince him the ferris wheel would be fun. We were in one of the swinging cages, so every ferris wheel will be disappointing for the rest of his life.

And one with Dad.

I am not big on the "side entertainment"--but I am a big old slut for the show Phineas and Ferb. I hate that my kids don't want to watch it all day long.

After naps on this day we headed back to Disneyland. We ended our second day on B's all-time favorite ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I was happy to hear Space Mountain didn't ruin him on roller-coasters forever.

Our last day in California we decided to spend the whole day at Disneyland. Bradley was emphatic he wanted to go back on Thunder Mountain and we had a Magic Morning pass to use, so we thought we'd work some magic with Fast Passes.

Can I tell you, I was totally disappointed with the lame Magic Morning? There is nothing magical about them cramming you into small sections of the parks with thousands of other people, since they don't actually open the park early. We'll sleep in next time.

Anyway, it was sprinkling a little bit, but nothing disastrous. We started in Fantasyland. Once the park opened we were able to hit Thunder Mountain, Toontown, etc. etc. We even got B to go back on Space Mountain--but it didn't mean he enjoyed himself anymore. Ah well--one ride out of dozens.

It must be the 80 year-old man in him, but this kid loves merry-go-rounds.

Overall, he wasn't impressed with Mickey's house and was unclear why Jeff and I thought it so cool.

After doing the Haunted Mansion a few times, B decided he was okay with Jack Skellington. 

Our big splurge of the trip was eating lunch at the Blue Bayou. I love this place!

We flew home late Thursday and though we were so exhausted, we had some fabulous memories to hold on to.

It will be some time until our next trip. Disneyland has become so expensive--at the end of this summer they hiked ticket prices. We hope to take both boys back to San Diego this summer for some beach time and Sea World.

Hopefully I won't continue to suck at blogging and that summer trip is the very next post after this. :/

The last time we went out to dinner.

September-ish 2012

Don't let these faces fool you. This was the night we gave the other patrons at BJ's a healthy dose of birth control. For all my complaining about screaming kids, karma hit me with a screamer. Cash loves to express himself at the top of his lungs. And B is the weird kid that always has to pee. Actually, he is just fascinated with bathroom facilities.

Does someone want to come over and make us dinner?

Chatty Cashy

Once upon a time we didn't think Cash would ever talk. We knew all our work with speech evals and therapy would end with us wishing he'd shut up. I fear that day is upon us.

Honestly, it's a blessing, though. The boy was so frustrated that he couldn't communicate that he acted out a lot and attained a seriously bad rap. He is much more manageable and receptive now. He still screams and has yet to decipher the concept of an "indoor voice", but talking is talking.

Cash's new found speech skills mean...
- he is able to incessantly ask for yogurt. "GOGURT, PEEEEAASE!!"
- he observes our (apparent) poor housekeeping skills. "EWWWW, POOOOP!!" and "UHOHH, DIRRRTY!"
- he points out all busses. "I see a BUSSS!"(x10, even if you acknowledge the effing bus.)
- he requests his favorite song. "MONKEY?MONKEY?MONKEY?" (Beastie Boys "Brass Monkey")
- he demands his favorite show. "CAIIOOOOOOUUUU!!!" (ughhhh. He likes Caillou.)
- he knows how to get out of time-out. "Sowwy. Sowwy. I am sowwy. SOWWWYYY!!"

We have a long way to go, but progress is being loudly made.

Bradley goes to Kindergarten

I have been eyeing this day for over a year. Everyone did marvelously! Best of all, Bradley is stoked to go back to school. In fact, he says he wants to go to school everyday forever. Nerd.

We had to get a picture of the backpack so he could show Mrs. Moya, he said.

*ahem* and Cash.

My handsome men.

He is clearly done with pictures by this point. 

With his friend Cayden.

He was excited to see us when he got to school. Then he promptly ran away to the playground.

We had the idea he was big for his age. Totally shattered in line.

He was so excited to get on this bus in the morning we couldn't get a picture. I was READY when the bus arrived.