Married for 48 Hours

I think it could be a reality show. That's about how long Scott are together each week. And into that 48 hours we must crunch everything the normal married couple accomplishes in 168 hours: love, fights, business, kids, relaxation, long talks, little quibbles. Ours is an ADD relationship on Red Bull. If we argue, we don't have time to stay mad at each other. Messages and 'to do's' must be rattled off rapidly like a secretary with an impatient boss. Cuddle sessions have to be scheduled. Sure we talk on the phone during the week. I update Scott on how many times Sawyer has pooped in the toilet or how cute Arden looked when I picked her up from daycare. We share a few of the highlights from our own days at work. But, we rarely have the energy for long phone conversations. It's definitely not what I had in mind when I said "I Do," but that's the thing about marriage: You never really know where life is going to take you. All you can decide is who you want as your copilot. Even if it's only for 48 hours.

p.s. The photo is circa 2002, when we still thought we were "just visiting" Virginia.

The $5 Discount

Any regular follower of this blog, or my life, may well be aware that one of my worst fears about the prospect of motherhood was potty training. Prior to agreeing to the whole 'let's pull the goalie' plan, I first made Scott swear in blood that he alone would fully potty train any and all children that might result from a 'score' on his part. We already had a similar pact involving all things dead, decaying and defecating in our lives. Mice, rotten food, dog crap all over the living room – these things rested entirely within his domain. I posses a gag-reflex so sensitive that a mere early morning whiff of day-old dishes can send me into a whirl of retching.

But then, Scott took this new job, leaving me to potty train the toddler alone. Five months after first embarking on this quest, I got a note home from school a few weeks ago that Sawyer is officially "Potty Trained." That means a weekly reduction in rates of $5! Okay - not that exciting really, but I could have framed and hung that note on the wall, thrilled as I was about it. (Why didn't I save that note?)

Okay, the Jelly Bellies helped. And the toy trucks. And the puzzles. And the Buzz Lightyear Underoos. I certainly didn't have one of those children of playgroup legend that takes his diaper off one day and never uses another. I relied heavily on bribery. And ultimatums. We've had our share of setbacks these last few months. But, I haven't used a nighttime diaper on Sawyer in a week, and he's dropping the kids off a the pool like a champ. I think we're over the biggest hurdles at least. So cocky am I feeling over the whole thing, I'm ready to start potty training Arden!

Same time, same place, three years, one kid.

A Very Happy Unbirthday

My aunt and uncle came down for the weekend from Albany. After reading on this blog about Sawyer's love for parties (and the time he didn't get a cupcake at school), Great Aunt Bonnie decided to throw everybody an "unbirthday" party - a la Alice in Wonderland. She bought eight of the most decadent cupcakes she could find and built the party up all weekend. Sawyer didn't eat a regular meal for three days he was so excited (my aunt has that affect on him.) I do believe the party was everything my aunt imagined. Sawyer was thrilled. We were all a bit shocked when he chose the coffee-liqueur cupcake over the gigantic green icing cupcake. Ultimately, he ate some of both. We've probably corrupted him forever, broken all the rules. But it was so worth it. The party concluded with a white elephant gift exchange and two children so wound up it took another three days to bring them back to earth.

George Washington's Birthplace

I went to George Washington's Birthplace and all I brought home were rocks and sticks.