A quote from this evening

"I how know to open it by myself"
Jace Pickle Pina-about peeling an orange

At the car wash

Jace loves, loves, love going to the car wash. One Saturday, I took him for breakfast, took him to the train park and finally to the car wash. We had a great day and both were so happy. That evening when I put him down to bed, I asked what his favorite part of the day was. His answer: the car wash. Not the hours at the park, not the special breakfast at Dunkin Donuts, the car wash.

We had to get stop and fill the car up last night and Jace spotted his favorite place on earth. "Please go to the car wash! Please!" How could we say no? And we really needed it.

When we were inside he could not sit still. He said he was so happy!! That makes me so happy too. He loves the spinny things and the big dryer at the end.

It's the little things.

Sasha Fierce

I'm going to speak my mind tonight.

I have 1 semi-functioning, lazy kidney. I shouldn't call her lazy. She has been on her own for 31 yrs now fighting the good fight. And now she's getting tired. I can't blame her. She's like the single mom who's never received child support. I will call her Sasha Fierce. Like Beyonce.

Well, Sasha Fierce decided to be a party pooper this weekend. It happens from time to time. She gets tired and need attention and flares up. Usually in the middle of the night, I think just to make my man tired. Because he's the one who has to take me to the ER or urgent care for treatment for Sasha Fierce.

We were in Yuma this weekend for Aunt Mary's retirement/birthday party. All the closest family was there (all 3,000 of us) having a great time. I was having a hard time with it all. I just wanted to lay down but, Aunt Mary doesn't retire or have a birthday everyday so, there I was, pretending like my only kidney wasn't trying blow up inside of me. Stupid Sasha Fierce.

We of course, ended up talking to a doctor who frankly, didn't know what to do with me and Sasha and said to call my regular urologist during the week.

I don't normally complain about all of this. But, this is supposed to be the best time of my life and my dumb, lonely kidney wants to steal the show. I will go into logistics about why she's the single parent in my body and what's physically wrong with her later. Tonight, I just wanted to vent.

Fine by me

A couple days ago, I blogged about the challenges of raising a 2yr old. Today, I'll talk about the blessings.

We had a great night with the little pickle. I usually spend the majority of my time with him chasing, tickling, or doing other activities that involve too much energy. Last night, he wanted to just talk.

I love, love, love this age! His dad wanted to take him to the store but, he said "No Daddy, I want to stay with Emmy." Fine by me.

I poured myself a bowl of Special K and left the room momentarily. When I returned there he was, in my seat, eating my cereal. I asked if he wanted me to pour him some and he said " I want mine like yours, Emmy." Fine by me.

After dinner we both sat on the couch and just talked. Our conversation was nothing spectacular, just questions like "Where's daddy's other red phone?" "Why does daddy have this phone now?" "Emmy, did you have a red phone too?" "Can I have a red phone?" He just wanted to talk. Fine by me.

These moments are going too fast. I want to take it all in and remember every second. We don't have that much time while they're little. I miss this age already. If he wants to be little forever, that's fine by me.

We have noise in our house again!!!

He's baaaackk!!!

Finally, there is noise in our house again. Jace has been in South Dakota with his Mom since last Thursday and we finally have him back!

We have missed the constant drumming and singing and questions. It's really quiet when he's gone. And, we think he grew another inch.

I would take a picture of our even bigger boy but, our camera is spending time with the Geek Squad at Best Buy. Jace was taking pictures and it the zoomer thingy wont come out anymore.

I am watching him ride his tricycle (motorcycle as he calls it) around the house now. I have missed this scene. Wait, he just got in trouble for trying to let the air out of his bicycle with a screwdriver. I have not missed that. So, it's now officially business as usual for us.

Please, Please, Please, go to bed

No one ever told me it would be easy. I just didn't realize that it would be this hard. What could I possibly be talking about?

Cue scary music...

THE TERRIBLE TWOS!

For a while, I thought we would just skip it. Then, I thought those little cranky moments were it, now I know. We are smack dab in the eye of a terrible twos hurricane. And I'm tired.

Here are a few examples of the Twos.

• The "NO!!!" -This is typically used in public settings as a way to show you who's really in charge.
• The "Back-bending tantrum"- My personal favorite. The child will usually use this punishing tactic on the parent after the parent has denied the child yet another toy, or candy, or anything else the child can't possibly live without.
• The "I wanna sleep in YOU bed"- Our current issue. I can hear the sound of little feet sneaking down the hall now. This refusal to sleep alone can last up to our current record of 1 hr and 45 minutes.

I keep telling myself, It's just a phase and he"ll be three in November. So, I'm hoping on the morning of November 27th, I will wake up to a mature and well behaved three year old and this will all be a memory. Right?

His first fashion show.

A few weeks ago, Jace was asked to participate in Dillard's Children's Fashion Show. We spent the week practicing his walk and his turn at the end of the runway. He had it down pretty well and was very excited for the show.

Of course, I couldn't find my camera that morning but, Jace's mom emailed us some pictures she took. Here's our little model.