Airport Security

Security lady: You are allowed to have Breast Milk.

Me: I do have it.

SL: They will just have to see it.

Me: It's in my breast.

SL: (stunned silence)

Vacation

We are back from Arveragus' first vacation. Though his whole life is a vacation right now isn't it. The hardest part of returning to LIFE, for me, is cooking.

Since getting back three days ago I have cooked. . . rice. That's it. Cereal, coldcuts, salad, even (gasp!) store bought bread have been on the menu! I don't even think the rice counts since the electric rice cooker did the work!

Will post pics soon.

Weird Name Stories

Arveragus does have a unique name. I have noticed a generation gap in the reactions. Boomers generally are cool on it, Gen-x-er's love it.

My Mom giggled for a week every time she said it.

A card I got referred to him as "Arveragus"--like it's a label, not a name.

English majors love it. "Is that from Chaucer?"

Our priest told the parishioners what a great name it is at his baptism

The Moms who visit my midwife's website love it.

What will we call him?

Arveragus! Arveragus! Arveragus!

Another month passes

My two month old is abundant and smiley! And loves the new sweater--blue, not pink!

Breakfast Conversation with My 3 Sons

John Henry: How many days till we leave for Utah?

MoM: It's 10 days. Do you want an egg and toast?

JH: 10 days! I should pack!

Thaddeus: JAM! JAM! JAM!

Mom: No it's not time to pack. Here's your toast Tadeu.

JH: Are we taking a plane?

Mom: Yes. Here's your egg and toast.

Tadeu: I wanna go on a space ship. Space ship MAMMA? I want BIG JAM.

Arveragus: WAHHH!

Mom: We have to leave soon. Everyone eat. (Picks up baby to nurse).

JH: Should I pack!?!

Mom: Not for Utah! For church!

Tadeu: Space ship? We gonna ride a space ship?

Mom; Yeah--a spaceship to church. It's leaving soon. (starts to wrestle 2 year old into clean clothes).

Arveragus: WAHHH!

Tadeu: NO MAMMA!

JH: I'm hungry.

Mom: Your breakfast is in front of you!

JH: Oh. Didn't see it.

Tadeu: (drops toast on floor) WICKED HARD!!

Mom: Climb down and pick it up, Taj. Here's more Jam. (wipes up jam on floor while nursing baby.)

Everyone ready to leave?

Arveragus: WAHHH.

Peace Peace

I am re-committing myself to maintaining inner peace throughout my crazy days. This photo is my inspiration. The peace of a sleeping toddler and kitten. They are both so soft, so easy to kiss and cuddle, and so different from their rambunctious wakeful selves. Family life is a lot like that. The rambunctious exterior needs to be grounded by a peaceful interior. The interior life of the family is the relationships between the individuals. John and I work at having time with each of out children, and eachother. A simple shopping trip can become mother/daughter time for the girl I invite along. A trip to the dentist for one child becomes a field trip including a picnic lunch and buying summer sneakers. Helping Dad clean the yard becomes father/son communion. And so it goes. Grasping the chances we get to build up the communal inner peace.

But today I'm working on my individual inner peace. Acknowledging that I need a strong center to meet the needs of these beautiful children with grace and love. I am pushed to my limit sometimes, but look forward to the chances I'm given to build that peace in order to love.