Six

This little man is turning 6 today!

I cannot believe it!

He is by far our most cuddly child and loves to be with me at all times.

He LOVES school, just started Kindergarten and keeps asking when he is going to get homework.

If I leave him with a sketch book he will draw for hours.

There isn't a Lego set he doesn't like.

He is fascinated by space.

He has told me that one day he is going to live in Washington DC and be the President.

His second career choice is an Astronaut.

I know he is going to accomplish anything he sets his mind to.

Happy Birthday Middle Man!

And though we are celebrating our little man today, we still hold a solemn place in our hearts for the loss endured on 9/11.  The memories will never go and our thoughts and prayers will never end.

Where You At?

It has been a while since I have given an update on this thing we call "parenting" so I thought I would give it a whirl.

Yesterday the Oldest asked about A-Rod.  With all the Sports Center he watches, I was curious as to whether he would ever take notice of his suspension or look right past it.  It seems he takes it all in and wanted to ask some questions about the whole thing.  It was the first time we have been faced with someone our son looks up to falling from grace and him acknowledging that they did something wrong.    I do wish that we would have brought it up first and next time I will.  If he would not have asked, we would have never had the opportunity to talk about this and we should.  He is 9 in November and the world around is becoming more and more exposed to him.  Time for us to stop being naive about what he does and doesn't see and hear.    

The Middle Man is in one of my favorite stages.  He is in the "Mom, will you cuddle with me?" stage and I LOVE IT.  He loves to just sit with me on the couch and it is one of my most favorite things to do in the morning.  He continues to struggle with his anxiety but he has also come so far that I know it is going to simply be a continued effort for us all and probably always will be.  We have also entered the "every potty word is the funniest word ever and so I am going to say it all the time, no matter where we are..." stage.  Let me tell you.  There is nothing like your son yelling out "butts! boobs!" at a museum.  It is awesome.

The hubby saw a post on Facebook the other day that said, "The Terrible Twos are just a precursor to the Terrorist Threes".  When I spent 2am to 5am arguing with Baby Girl to go back to sleep on Saturday night as she screamed that she was not tired, I would now say WE ARE THERE!  The girl wants it her way and that is the only option right now.  It is pretty amazing how stubborn she actually is.  I will admit, she is a Mini-Me....for sure.  It just gets hard arguing with your three year old self.  On the flip side, when she is not pissed off, she is the sweetest little thing who loves to play dolls, brush my hair and dance like it is nobody's business.  

So there is a little glimpse of where we are.  I swear, no matter how many years I do this parenting thing, just when I think I have got it, I am thrown another curve ball.  That is what makes it so fun though isn't it?  Who wants same old, same old?  That would just be boring.

Five

Happy 5th Birthday Middle Man!

I am still in shock that this little guy is turning five.  It is crazy town to me.  He has grown up in so many ways this past year and has overcome struggles that many young children do not have to face.  He is such a sweet boy and I hope I can keep this "mommy is my favorite" thing going for just a little bit longer (sorry hubby).  I know that they say life just keeps going faster and faster but it would be nice to put it on hold for just a little bit, right?

And though I am will always deem this day a celebration day for my Middle Man, I am very much aware that this is also a day that brings horrific memories and sadness for our country.  Today, all those who lost loves ones are also in my thoughts and prayers.  

He Did It

I have mentioned my anxiety issues a couple of times on the blog (if you missed it, click here and here) but haven't ever mentioned my Middle Man.  While going through my therapy (yep, still going, and I always will, without a doubt), my therapist said that since I have anxiety, there is a high chance one of my children will as well.  The signs that she began to mention described my Middle Man to a T.  Terrible sleep habits, tantrums before school and at the dentist, crying at birthday parties, and basically, constant fears about so many things.  I always say things happen for a reason and I truly believe that my anxiety became unbearable, simply to push me to get help and allow me to open my eyes to what my son was dealing with.  I think otherwise, I would have completely overlooked it and would have just thought he was my "difficult one".


After speaking to a number of doctors, my hubby and I were referred to a therapist who deals specifically with children who have high anxiety.  At our first meeting with him, he actually mentioned that is it rare that he sees 4 year olds as most times, parents do not notice the problem until about 7 or 8 (again, thank goodness I had my own issues and could see it in him).  Because of his age, he felt that the only "therapy" we could really give our Middle Man was to force him to face his fears and help him realize that they were not so scary after all.  This meant allowing him to completely freak out (a.k.a tantrums, crying, screaming, etc.) and never remove him from the situation, so that he realized that once he calmed down, it was not so scary.  Let me say this.  It is REALLY hard being the parent that has a child freaking out and you do nothing, immediately calling upon opinions by other parents that 1. they are so happy that is not how their child acts and 2. how can those parents just sit there like this while he behaves this way?  I know we shouldn't think about what other people think but sometimes it is hard.


Regardless of the judgement, we both committed to doing this and over the past few weeks it has started to make such a difference.  Here are just a few examples.


1. After crying at his first few games of baseball (which mind you, he was SO excited to play), by the end of the season he played all innings and walked away having the time of this life.


2. After 4 years of not getting his teeth cleaned at the dentist, he officially sat through a cleaning this week.  He was extremely hesitant at first but thanks to patience from the office, he did it.  I could not believe it.


3. After coming to our room every single night for as long as I can remember, we began bringing him back to his room each time he came in, talking through what is scaring him and left him to fall back asleep.  The first night we were awake from 12:30am to 4:15am.  Last night, he only came in twice and immediately went back to sleep both times.


These small steps may seem like nothing to some but the confidence that I am seeing in him is incredible.  It is definitely going to be a hard road for both him and us as I know for every step forward there are sometimes steps backward.  That is okay though.  Because every time I see him accomplish something that he was afraid of, the smile on his face is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

The Happiest Place on Earth

As you know from this post, Baby Girl turned two on Friday and we decided to spend the day at "The Happiest Place on Earth".  I LOVE Disneyland.  There is absolutely something magical about the entire place.  Baby Girl had been before but was too young at the time to really take it all in.  This time around, it was completely different.  She was in Mickey Mouse Heaven and LOVED every second of it.  It is always so much fun to watch a little one take in Disneyland for the first time.  It truly is a world of fantasy.

And my favorite photo of the entire day...

Share

What does a fashion blogger's son bring to school for "Share"?

His new summer sandals.

Obviously.

Day Dreaming

Wouldn't it be nice if we could go back to the weekend?  

I mean, doesn't this look more fun than anything you are currently doing?

P.S. This is how we make snow angels in Southern California.

Mellow

There are some moments that rarely happen with three children in the house.  The picture above is one of them.  No one is hitting, wrestling, screaming, jumping on another, and overall, trying to attack.  Three siblings, quietly watching a movie, TOGETHER.  It happens so rarely that I immediately grabbed my phone and took a picture, not knowing when I would ever see this again.  Don't get me wrong, I love the chaos most of the time.  I would not have had three children if I didn't (not sure if you know this but pure chaos comes with three).  But I cannot tell you how AMAZING it is when the house falls quiet for a short period of time, they are all getting along and I am able to simply catch my breathe.  Plus, it is super cute to see them all sitting on the floor together like this, isn't it?  I would love to tell you that this moment lasted HOURS and I was able to read a magazine, paint my nails and make a phone call.  The reality of it is, it lasted until I snapped the picture and then Baby Girl heard the camera, jumped up and wanted to see the photo, middle man wanted a snack and instantly, wrestling began seconds later.  I had just enough time to sit down before I was up again.  Oh well.  Such is life here at our house.

Now that Spring Break has come to an end, we are back to the craziness of life around here.  This week in particular is really busy but with all fun things.  Last night it was a Little League game, tonight I will be attending a VIP Spa event at Burke Williams and Thursday night the hubby and I will be celebrating the one year anniversary of the Brunello Cucinelli boutique at South Coast Plaza.  I will definitely share all the photos with you so keep an eye out!

Strike!

On Sunday my two boys and I attended their school's annual Mother/Son Bowling event.  This was the first year my Middle Man was able to attend too and it was so much fun to spend the day with just the two of them.  Because Baby Girl is still so young, it is not very often that I get alone time with just my boys.  Unfortunately, this is the best picture we got of the three of us...

The only picture where we are all looking toward the camera with our eyes opened and I look like an idiot.  Oh well.  Maybe next year.

I know there is going to be a time when hanging out with me is something that will become an annoyance and I will take a back seat to sports and girls.  I would like to believe that this is not the case, but come on, we all know this is going to happen.  Don't worry though, because they will come back later in life, realize that I am amazing and that no girl will ever live up to their mother.  Wait, I shouldn't be saying this. What I meant to say is that even though life will take our relationship through ever changing paths, I REALLY love the Momma's Boys that I currently have today and I will soak up all these mother/son moments that I get while they are still young.

Hands Off

I must warn you.  This may be somewhat of an inappropriate post, but it must be stated so that other moms of boys do not feel alone.  There, I have given my disclaimer.

My Middle Man has now entered the "if I do not keep my hands on IT, it will fall off" stage.  I think we all know what "IT" is.  I cannot express into words how much I dislike watching my 4 year old walk around EVERYWHERE with his hands in his pants.  School, grocery store, park, home.  It doesn't matter.  If he is awake, there is a pretty good chance his hands are in his pants.  Yes, I tell him that he needs to take his hands out of his pants in public but it is apparently something he cannot control because within a few minutes he is grabbing for "IT" again.  I remember going through this with my Oldest and it seems that no matter who you are, if you have boys, it is inevitable that you will one day find your son infatuated with himself.  And if your son has not entered this stage yet, don't worry, he will.  I feel that it is perhaps like a perverse security blanket to them, providing safety and comfort in this unknown 4 year old world.  That, or they are just fascinated by this body part sticking out of them.  Who knows really what it is.  To all you psychologists out there, do not worry, I am following "the rules" and not telling him this is bad, but simply telling him that if he wants to continue to touch himself, he needs to go to his room.  But O.M.G!  It is just so incredibly awkward that I cross my fingers this phase ends soon as we can return to the "I am certain that IT is NOT going to fall off and therefore can keep my hands OUT" stage.  It cannot come fast enough.  

I know this is only the beginning of "boy issues" and I am not EVEN going to get started with having a teenager.  That is 100% my hubby's responsibility.

Product Review: Hot Tot Hair Products

When I was asked by Hot Tot, the company behind a line of all natural, organic hair products for babies and children,  to do a product review, I quickly accepted.  Mostly because my oldest has the THICKEST, CURLIEST hair ever.  If it gets too long, just think Kramer.  It is incredibly hard to style and keep in place.  REALLY HARD.  Hot Tot told me they think they had just the products to help and sent me a few others to try out as well.  

Hot Tot Styling Gel

This was the product I was the most interested in trying.  I have used it on both my Oldest and Middle Man and tested how much it would take to get my Oldest's hair to listen.  Even though it is a medium hold gel, I thought it did a great job of holding their hair in place all day and did not look like I piled their hair with products.  I have also used this on Baby Girl to help her somewhat existent ponytails.  She has so many baby hairs that simply fly out as soon as I pull it back and this gel did a great job of keeping everything in place.

Hot Tot Structure Whip

This product is more creamy and thicker than the gel.  It was a bit too much for my Middle Man, who's hair is pretty thin, but it worked great on my Oldest.  With how much hair he has, it was extremely easy to work through and style without making it greasy or flat.  It held his hair in place all day, just like the gel.  For thick hair, this is the ideal product to go with but it does work best when hair is wet so I would stick with the gel for dry hair. 

Hot Tot Conditioning Detangler

Since none of my children have long hair yet, I decided to try this product out on myself.  I have used it for a number of days now and I have loved the results.  It sprays on easily, does a great job of detangling and leaves my hair extremely soft once it is dry.  If this product has the ability to make my adult hair feel great, I can only imagine how well it works on hair that has not been colored every 8 weeks for the past 10 years.

Overall, I really liked each product that I used.  The smell was that great baby scent and they each seemed to work really well on my children's hair.  The company prides themselves on using only extremely safe products so that your child can look great without harsh chemicals.  A win-win right?  I will definitely continue using these products on my children (oh yes, and myself).

To order Hot Tot products, visit their website here or find a local retailer near you here.

Disclaimer: I did receive products from Hot Tot for review purposes but all opinions stated are 100% my own.  No compensation was delivered for this review.

Bones

Yesterday the family and I decided to head out of Orange County and go check out the Dinosaur exhibit at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.  I am one of those people who just adores LA and finds every reason to go up there.  This was a perfect one.  The museum is incredible, with some amazing exhibits that all three children enjoyed.  Beyond just the dinosaurs, the boys also loved the North American Mammals and the Discovery Center (though I must confess, my Oldest may have thought it was cooler to see Staples Center on the way up and the Coliseum next door).  It was nice to do something educational over break since we have spent the majority of our time playing sports, video games and eating snacks.  What?!  It is Christmas Break! Now I feel like a better parent (applying pat on the back now).

Does it look like my Oldest is choking my Middle Man?  Yes, yes it does.  

How hard is it to get a picture of all three looking okay?  Apparently exceptionally hard and I did not get one.

The return of the "Angry Anakin Eyes", reference here.

And what was the parents favorite part?  

The wine press in the California History exhibit

What?  Did you expect anything less?

Hey wait.  I did take them to the Discovery Center to see the Star Wars exhibit too.

See, I am super educational around here.

It's a Match!

Yes, I match my children.  But only for holidays!  Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas to be exact.  I know it is lame and completely cheesy but I don't care.  I actually go so far as to have the entire family coordinate.  Not in a Hanna Anderson catalog type of way, but enough that we "make sense".

This is for no other reason than I like the way it looks in photos.  And aren't photos the most important thing?  Also, completely off the subject, you may recognize the above sequined skirt from this post.  It was a fabulous purchase and I highly recommend it, just as an FYI to all of you after-holiday shoppers.  Anyway...

When it was only two boys, matching was an easy task.  One shirt/sweater/whatever, two sizes.  Now that Baby girl is involved, it is slightly more complicated and it usually ends up with me deciding what she is going to wear and then simply making the boys go along with her (obviously, girls outfits completely overrule boys outfits.  It is natures way).  

I know as the boys get older, they are going to be the ones to ruin this.  I think it might be hard to get two  teenagers to wear the same thing.  So, all I can do is indulge in this for as long as I can!

Here are some of our other matching outfits through the years...

Easter 2009

Thanksgiving 2010

Family Photos 2011

Picky, Picky, Picky!

My boys are picky eaters.  Actually, picky is an understatement.  It is more of a “I would rather walk over hot coals than eat what is in front of me” eater.  It is insane. They have even tried the, “I took a bite and it made me gag so bad that I almost threw up” act numerous times (this sometimes involves actually gagging, coughing and throwing up at its most dramatic).  As if forcing themselves to throw up is going to soften me and allow them to have something else.  Granted, it is a good attempt, but apparently they do not know their equally stubborn mother very well.

There was always a slight dislike for certain foods but over the past few months it has gotten much worse.  The other night topped it off when  I ordered a cheese pizza from the new place in town.  They looked at the box, stated that it was not from the normal place we order, and therefore, they do not like it.  Same white cheese, same red sauce, same brown crust, but no, they don't like it.  Are you kidding me?  IT IS CHEESE PIZZA!  What child does not want to eat cheese pizza?  I think that is what gets me the most.  I cannot believe they turn down things that I thought every child loved to consume (i.e. french fries).  It just seems crazy.

Through all of this selective eating,  I continue to stand my ground, usually resulting in them not eating much at dinner (if at all) and getting nothing the rest of the night.  I feel a little bad about this but I am not going to let them think they can refuse something and get something else in its place.  If I say this is for dinner, then it is for dinner.  End of story.  I can only hope this phase ends soon and I can actually make ONE normal meal for dinner without hear the most frustrating words in the world, "I don't like ____ (add any of the 99% of foods)". 

Anyone else have picky eater in their home?  Does it drive you crazy too?

Mommy, Power Ranger and Baby Jesus

This is Mommy and Power Ranger.

They are four.

They are married and have kissed once.

The Baby is named Baby Jesus.

They are going to their friend's wedding.

Power Ranger has a call with his cousins.

It is almost Baby Jesus' Birthday.

If you have any problems with the above, ask them.

They are the ones that told us the story.

On another note, Happy 34th Birthday Hubby!

The kids and I love you a TON and wish you many more amazing years to come!

XOXO

When Old Becomes New Again

I received this bear from my Uncle when I was 5 years old.

I had been asking for a Gund (remember: "Gotta Getta, Gotta Getta, GUND! - so 80's, I know) and I absolutely loved it.  From first grade until probably 6th grade (yes, I know, perhaps a bit old), I slept with it every night as I was a bit afraid of the dark (admittedly, I still am a bit) and he made me feel safe.  

Fast forward 28 years.

My Middle Man has been having a terrible time with being afraid.  He wakes up in the night from bad dreams and then is exhausted the next day, leading into some tough days at school.  The other night, he was so afraid of a bad dream that he didn't want to go to sleep.  I had no idea what to do until I remembered my bear, that was still with us, sitting in my Baby Girl's room.  I told him that I had a magic bear that I slept with when I was little and that he made sure I was never scared.  This caught his attention and I ran to get the bear.  Middle Man was fascinated and slept with him all night.  He is now hooked.

He has named him Magic Beary and he goes to school with us, watches TV with us, and was even there when my son needed to get a cavity filled.

I am so happy that he has finally found some comfort and love that it came from something that gave me so much comfort growing up.  Who knew this stuffed animal would be so important in both my life and my son's.  He obviously is a magic bear.

A Day of Mixed Emotions

How do you tell your son that he was born on the anniversary of one of the most tragic days in American history?  That is right, on September 11, 2007 at 4:00am, my middle man was born and so began the constant comments of "His birthday is September 11th?  Oh....."  I remember being pregnant and having numerous people tell me, "Just don't go into labor on the 11th"...as if I had a choice.  This brings me to now.  Yesterday, when the entire country was mourning the 10 year anniversary of the attacks, my son was celebrating his 4th birthday.  His birthday will always be marked by incredibly tragedy and it will be hard to explain to him the date that he shares.  Even as the news discussed the upcoming day, he would hear it and immediately say "Mommy!  September 11th!  That is my birthday!"  I will never forget where I was when the towers were struck.  And I will never forget the birth of my baby boy.  I will forever feel the mix of emotions on this day as I celebrate such an incredible little boy and mourn the loss of so many others.

The Diagnosis is...

My three year old is currently going through what I would like to call the  "Terrible Three's Bi-Polar Disorder".  I am not sure, but this might be worse than an emotional teenage girl (I will let you know in 12 years).  One minute, he is the happiest kid on the block...

 And then suddenly...

"Angry Anakin Skywalker eyes" (yes, that is what he calls them).  The second he gets mad, these eyes come out, followed by one of the following overly dramatic phrases:

1. I don't love you
2. I don't like anyone in my family
3. I don't like outside, it is not beautiful (okay, I have only heard this once but it made me laugh, I mean, how dramatic are we going to be here?)

And then, a few minutes later, he comes back with "I love you mommy!"

Yes, Bipolar.

Hearing "I don't love you" does not break my heart as everyone said it would, it just pisses me off.  I am not sure where he heard this or came up with it but it is obviously something I don't want him saying.  So, we continue to deal with our emotional roller coaster in hopes that he QUICKLY outgrows this stage.

As a note: Middle Man is a good kid and was such a good sport to allow me to take pictures of his faces.  When asked to show me his angry Anakin eyes, this was originally what I got.....