Human Nature

What is it about humans nature to want what someone else has? This question arose as I was thinking about this post and the story behind the sunglasses. It started with a fight. A fight over a fireman's hat. This hat has been in our closet since Jay was four. That is a good two years before Luke was ever born. He has never been the least bit interested in the fireman's hat, that is, until Hank was wearing it. Then it became Luke's quest...his "must have!" He would stop at nothing to get that hat! First, he tried taking it right off of Hank's head. Have you seen Hank? He is a good six inches taller than Luke. He has not one, but two older brothers, that he is constantly fending off. Luke didn't stand a chance. Now this hat, that Hank was starting to lose interest in became his most prized possession! Suddenly an old, beat up, plastic fireman's hat was something of great worth and no other hat would do and there was a real problem in my living room!

Initially, this post was just going to be a funny story about how Luke is in a phase where he only wants what another child has. It occurred to me that this is not just a phase in toddler-hood but true for any age. Well, maybe every stage of life, I don't know, so far in my thirty-something years it has been true for me. And the more I think about it, I really think it is what drives the world.

Kids:"Mom, can I have a DS? Isaac has one."

Teenagers: Oh, boy this is really true for them, I mean really, the pants around the middle of the hiney with the underwear sticking out? Need I say more?

Women: "Oooooh, I love your bag, where did you get it?" (the list is endless here too)

Men: Sees a gang of Harley riders and goes off into a distant stare, dreaming and wondering if it might be possible...

I think the best example of it, for women, is Oprah's Favorite Things! Oh, how I hate that show! (I don't use that word lightly and forgive me for this little tangent). One show, one hour, she goes on and on and makes this big "to do" about all HER (very expensive) favorite things and gives them away to her audience. People scream and cry and lose their minds over a pair of stretchy pants. And all I can think is, "I want those pants. Oprah says they make every hiney look great. I want my hiney to look great too...where can I get a pair?" NOWHERE!!! Every store that ever carried them has sold out in an hour flat and is on back-order for three years! I can't watch that show and quite frankly I can't watch Oprah at all anymore because it makes me sick. Okay, my 37-year-old temper tantrum is over.

As for men, it is the Superbowl. How much does a commercial cost during the Superbowl? Some ridiculous amount. Just to show us what someone else has so we will want one too.

We all do it. It is human nature. Toddlers are just more honest about it.

The problem was resolved with sunglasses. Thankfully, I had two pairs.

Two Peas in a Pod

Friends Award

My new Aussie blogging buddy, Liss (A Memory Forever), named me for this fabulous award on her blog a few days ago. I was so surprised and completely honored that she thought my blog was worthy of a "Friends Award." And she even wrote the nicest things about me and my blog.

Friends Award Rule: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award

So, I hereby award the Friends Award to the following friends:

Consider the Lillies: Britiney is a good friend of mine and I truly enjoy her blog. She has a nice mix displaying her art, stamping, and sharing her personal life. I enjoy seeing her cards as much as photos of her three precious boys. Britiney shares her faith and she makes me laugh.

Familia Hanson: Nayibe is another good friend of mine. I admire her tremendous courage for giving up many of her possessions and taking a huge leap of faith by moving to Columbia with her family on a quest to adopt a baby girl. It hasn't be easy but she chronicles her experiences with joy and a great sense of humor. And when you visit her blog you get to hear great Spanish Praise music!

Macie Days: Of course I HAVE to include Macie Days! Katherine is my sister and best friend. She started me on the whole blogging thing. I visit her blog daily to see what my sweet niece is upto and into. Katherine has so many precious videos and again, a great sense of humor. And she makes me laugh.

Six Peeps: This blog belongs to my brother...a tremendously talented photographer and a very funny guy. I think he started blogging even before Katherine. He has certainly been an inspiration to me as a photographer and has taught me most of what I know about the art. I just wish I had an ounce of his creativity. And he makes me laugh.

Texas Trio:This is a new blog but one that I am sure will take off! This blog started with Madison who is only seven weeks old. I look forward to seeing more cute photos of my sweet niece and hearing of their adventures as a new family.

The Young, The Restless, and The Mom: Jennifer is another good friend. I enjoy her blog and her no-nonsense approach to mothering. Her blog is a completely humble and honest account of her experiences mothering two young boys. And she makes me laugh.

Of course I would give this award right back to A Memory Forever. Liss is a very talented photographer and seems to be a very vibrant and fun mom! She too has a great sense of humor and makes me laugh. Maybe some day we'll meet for drinks.

Win-Win

Nick J. REALLY wanted to get Luke ready for bed. Change his diaper and everything. Luke often gives me a hard time getting dressed. But for some reason he completely cooperated with Jay. I would say this a is a WIN WIN situation! And Jay's new job!!!

Sweet Madison

I just returned from a heavenly trip to Texas where I got some great bonding time with my sweet niece, Madison.

A date with the boys...

Saturday, it was cold outside. Last week's little "heat wave" had melted all the snow. The boys were going a bit stir crazy...and so was I. I've had enough movie watching and Wii playing to last the rest of the year. So, I took the boys to Ceramica and of course, brought my camera. Going through the photos was eye-opening. I understand there is a six year difference in age between my two boys but these photos reveal their personality differences as well. Check it out...

Nick

Luke
Nick
Luke
Nick

Luke

Nick

Luke

Nick

Luke (he is obviously over his "no messy hands" phase)

Nick

Luke

Little Thrills

We've recently experienced a little "heat wave" which has melted most of the snow that had accumulated over the past month. All that remains are the teeny, tiny, mounds that were built up from shovelling the driveway. But apparently, that's enough...

Luke

Luke will be 23 months tomorrow, marking the last month I can refer to his age in months. Unless I want to be one of "those moms" who can't accept the fact their child is getting older and continues to name their age by months instead of years. "Luke? Oh, he is 239 months." There is a very good chance I may be one of "those moms." My heart aches a little when I see how big he is getting...it is a weird feeling though, mixed with pure joy.

He is all about his big brother." Whatever Jay is doing you can be sure Luke is right there along side trying to do the same thing. We fittingly call him "ditto." Here Jay is doing his homework and there sits Luke, doing his too.

Brushing teeth and acting silly? Ditto.
Sledding? Ditto.
And Jay is a great big brother and a good sport.

Yesterday, in an attempt to teach Luke his colors I brought out the finger paints. He, however, didn't like the feel of the paint on his fingers so it became just ordinary painting. Every color is green.

"Luke, what color is that?" (me pointing to the blue)

"Gee"

"Luke, what color is this?" (yellow)

"Gee"

"Luke, what color are your boots?" (red)

"Gee"

"Luke, what color are my boots?" (black)

"Gee"

"Luke, what color is the broccoli?" (green)

"Gee"

"YAY!!! GOOD JOB!!!! You are so smart!!!! The broccoli IS green!!!"

Besides green being his favorite color, his favorite books are Good Dog Carl, Carl Goes Shopping, Sit Truman and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight. He loves goldfish crackers "fishies," lollipops "pop-pops" and "cookies." He tolerates and will eat almost any fruit and some vegetables. Occasionally he will devour a hotdog but mainly he is a carb person, loving cereal, cream of wheat and pasta. Luke LOVES animals, especially dogs. His favorite show are movies. He loves Wall-E and Nemo and could watch them over and over if I let him. He still plays with his cars in the window and is presently doing so. He's precious!

Luke has reached the stage of wanting to do everything himself. He puts his boots on all by himself and takes his coat and sometimes pajamas off, all by himself. I went to check on him one night and he was completely out of his p.j.s but thankfully still wearing a diaper.

Luke is compassionate and loving. Any sign of distress (especially in his big brother) and Luke is right there with a hug. He is THE BEST cuddler! He still sucks on the middle two fingers of his left hand but will pull them out if we ask him too...but only for a moment. His new-found talent is sucking his middle two fingers and picking his nose with his pointer...this is a habit we are working very hard to break. He is very independent. He throws away his own trash and gets his own snacks and water...and is proud of himself each time. When he spills his water, he goes into the pantry, gets a towel, wipes up the mess and puts the towel back in the pantry.

Well, here he comes, red (or green) boots on with his pajamas wanting them tightened, fingers in his mouth. I will sign off here and go play with my baby before he turns into a little boy. Okay, okay, I know...he already is...