We are entering into a new phase in the Perfect household. Now when you ask Colton a question he will answer you with either a yes or no. Even if it doesn't necessarily require a yes or no answer.

"Can you say Granny?"

"Yes."

"Did you poopie?", This always gets a NO.

So today as I was getting ready to leave for work I asked Colton, "Would you like to go outside and play?"

"Yes". (Of coarse.)

Then he went into his room and brought me out his shoes and sweatshirt. I do believe my mouth dropped to the floor. He perfectly understood what going outside meant. Not just in words, not just go out the door, he knew the requirements.

This just keeps getting!

There is a Comedian in the House

This morning as I was getting my soon to be 1 year old dressed, I asked him to put his legs in his shorts. Something we have done every morning for about 3 weeks now. He started out just letting me show him how and within a few days was lifting his legs up for me, then a few days later putting his feet through the legs. Smart boy.

Even smarter boy

As I asked him to put his legs in his shorts this morning however, he leaned forward and stuck his arms through the legs. He sat up and waved his arms, with his shorts on them, all around. He laughed uncontrollably as he did this.

My 1 year old actually tried to play a joke with momma.

As I laughed, I cried.

Favorite Whole in the Wall...Maybe Baby

Last night we decided to order sausage rolls from our favorite local "hole in the wall"-our prebaby favorite "whole in the wall".

I wanted to spend time with my brother before he takes of for his ARMY Leadership training, 50 days in Seattle. After several 3 way phone conversations we decide to order sausage rolls and gather at my brothers pad. We were looking forward to some of our favorite food, drinks, and games. We didn't have to worry about the kiddo, he could come along, play, eat, and sleep.

My husband ordered 4 specialty sausage rolls. I would pick up the kiddo on my way home and then stop at the pizza joint.

The only problem is that this favorite yocal local is a bar. Yes, a bar. I park, get the kiddo out, and lock the car. I enter the establishment and walk up to the front counter to get my carryout order. The waitress promptly and rudely let's me know that "This is a bar, YOU CAN"T BRING A BABY IN A BAR". It suddenly dawns on me, I have my 1 year old in a bar. It is just the front entrance, I am technically not at the bar. I just want my carry out.

"Well, can I just get my order so that I can leave?"
"You can't have a baby in a bar"
"Yes, you said that, can I just quickly get my carryout and go?"
"Your gonna have to take him out to the car and come back"
"Ummm...No, I will not leave my baby in the car and come back in. Is there a manager?"
"You can't bring a baby in a bar."
"You've explained that, I actually could have paid for my order by now and left. Is there a manager?"
"Just a moment" She goes to get the bartender.

Bartender, "I am sorry but You will need to go drop off the kid and come back."
"If I am leaving, I will not be back to pick up my $45 worth of sausage rolls. Ridiculous, I could have had the order and be home by now"
"Then we will not allow you to place another carryout order."

At this point I am sweating, Colton is getting antsy, and I just really want to leave. I am also thinking, "well since you are all so obviously the brightest bulbs in the box, what will stop me from ordering again under a different name and having my husband pick them up."

Did I get the carry out order? Yes.

Is there a lesson here? Probably. I am still pondering the event. I am thinking that being a momma now, things have changed. Things are no longer as simple, things take more time, more planning, more help. And, in a moment, without notice any sort of planning can go right out the window and be, "just that simple".

This afternoon I talked my mom into watching the little feller for me while I attended a meeting. I asked Shane to pick up Colton on his way home, because Colton was ON HIS way home. Shane comes home with no Colton in sight. You see Shane talked my mom into keeping him a while longer and bringing him to us.

It suddenly dawns on me, this is the first time I have been home without the kiddo. I wasn't sure which chore to conquer first and maybe if I worked really fast I could finish all the deeds I had been putting off for months. Dusting, washing floors, getting into the corners, washing windows, cleaning out the fridge, pulling weeds and fixing the flower gardens, sweeping the porch, changing sheets, sweeping the furniture, and the list goes on. I was the cleaning Nazi.

Then it hits me, why didn't I just relax?

Am I Really a Mom?

Last night I tucked in my 10month old son and headed off to bed myself. He had himself all whopper jawed and cornered in his crib. I straightened him out, put the blanket over him, and patted his bottom. As I walked to my bedroom I was thinking "I don't feel like a mom."

I don't feel like June Cleaver or Carol Brady. I don't feel like Samantha Stevens or Caroline Ingalls.

I don't get up at the butt crack of dawn and make pancakes, eggs, and have juice on the table. Lord knows my husband doesn't cheerfully come into the kitchen for breakfast as he kisses me good bye. I don't stay home all day doing laundry and house work. I don't have neighbors or relatives popping in all day long. I rarely have dinner ready before 8pm.

I am not only cranky in the morning, I am down right scary looking. I in no way look ready to conquer the day, sexy, or put together. My husband for sure knows not to kisses my morning breathe coffee flavored mouth and vice versa. I also work all day and ma tired when I get home. Because Colton is only up for another 2 -2 1/2 hours, I definitely do not want to clean or cook, I want to PLAY.

What is a mom supposed to feel like?
I feel like I love Colton more than anything else in the world. He is the love of my life.
I feel like watching him play.
I feel like listening to him laugh and watching him smile.
I feel like listening to all the sounds he makes as he is discovering words.
I feel like watching him discover grass, sticks, and stones.
I feel like watching him discover new flavors.
I feel like being the recipient of his hugs, kisses, and lovin'.
I feel like spending the majority of my time with him.
I feel like giving him the best of me.

All though I still feel like myself, I also feel a new overwhelming urge to give more than I receive.

All That I need is the Air That I Breathe and to Love You

Being a first time mom I feel that there are 2 different scenarios that can play out when he is sick.

1. I wait a day to make sure he is really sick. Who wants to be the mom that takes the kiddo into the Dr for every little sniffle.
2. Take the kiddo in for every sniffle.

I opted for scenario number 1.

My son had a 102 temperature and an ear infection. I should try to be mom #2.

I stayed home with the little feller today. When he wasn't fussy, he sat with me in the chair all cuddled up in his lovey. He was content to sit and watch TV and be loved by me. He would look up at me every so often. Missing was the joy and happiness from his eyes. It was replaced with an even better reward, a look that said, thank-you mommas for loving me.

That's all I need in life.