Ode to Cloth Diapers

The original Family Garden Day.

March 23, 2014
28 months, 4 days

I have just completed my last load of cloth diapers.  The very last load for my dear son, Colter.  I have folded them up and packed them away with the rest of his wee little things.  And someday, God willing, I'll get to pull everything back out and revel in the fact that a child can be so small.

6 months old...almost 2 years ago!

Today is a celebratory day.  My 28 month old is officially too big for diapers - he can use the potty.  Yes, the occasional accident and nighttime diapers (disposable, thank you very much) are still in use but for the most part we've graduated.  The cloth diapers are too bulky for my little man now that he has learned the joys of "UNDIES!"  Can you blame him?  Watching him trot around the house in nothing but his tighty-whities brings me a joy I have never before known.

This about sums up my child.

There was a time when diapers hung in the backdrop of our photos on a regular basis.  And that cute, massive diaper butt waddled around the house.

Colorful backyard.

Somewhere around 15 months..in the dead of winter.

For now, I say farewell to the cloth diapers.  Sleep well tucked away in a bin in our garage.  Until next time...

Goodnight, sweet diaper butt.

On Call

March 13, 2014
Almost 28 months

Rush Hour at the Canyon

I'm the wife of a National Park Service Paramedic, SAR (Search and Rescue) guy, and Firefighter.  Which means I live, eat and breathe the happenings of Grand Canyon National Park. A fire? A motor vehicle accident? A heart attack? Somebody lost on the trail? I am one of the first to know.  News spreads like rapid fire in a small, tight community like ours.

Baked good are also shared in the neighborhood.  We baked banana chocolate chip walnut muffins.  Colter is an excellent taste tester.

It's 2:30 am. And for the second night in a row I am up at this hour watching my hubby donning his uniform to take on the task of caring for those who call 911 at this hour.  Tonight happens to be a woman in labor with her fourth child. This has the possibility to be good.

The sound of his phone ringing always makes me jump no matter the hour.  It's inevitable that I won't be falling back asleep anytime soon.  That's what you get when you live where you work. The EMS (Emergency Services) Station is a half mile away.  CJ's never really off duty.  I can think of a handle of times off the top of my head where my husband has been called into work on his day "off".  I suppose that is why we often leave the Park on his "off" days.

I suppose that's the fun of it: working in an industry that never sleeps.

Me? I hear Colter cooing in the other room after the roar of the truck as it pulled away. It's likely I'll have to rub his back and let him know Daddy had to go to work. My son knows this routine all too well. He just likes to be sure he wasn't left behind.  Can you blame him?

My first, "Hey, Mom!"  Moment.

I let Owen out of his crate and he curls up against my legs. We've been here before. I bet he secretly enjoys when Dad leaves in the middle of the night- this dog would never pass up an opportunity to snuggle for a few hours.  80 pounds of dog sure takes up a great deal of our queen-size bed.

As my heart rate slows back down after the heart wrenching volume of the ringing set it off (someone forgot to turn the volume down....again), I'm saying a little prayer that my hubby gets to assist in the delivery a healthy baby tonight. I suppose you may think that's a bit odd. It's all part of being on call. If you're going to drag my man out of bed, it better be for something worthwhile. Call me jaded. That's just the truth.

Though he may not admit it at 2am, in CJ's 8 years as a medic he has always wanted to deliver a baby.  So despite 2 hours of sleep last night and 3 hours tonight, he'll take the call.  And hope that's it is worth it.

A little slice of heaven from my kitchen window.

Meanwhile, I'll write a blog on my iPhone and pray for sleep to overcome me.

Overcoming Sickness

March 5, 2014
2 years, 3.5 months

The one and only Route 66

It's been a month.  I got Mono.  Yes, I must be in middle or high school.  No, I haven't been kissing random people.  For some reason or another I just got Mono.  And Strep.  It was brutal.

While I had the Kissing Disease and didn't know it, I worked 4 days out of 6, climbed in Joshua Tree and skied in Park City.  When in Rome...I even managed a trip to the ER.  I suppose all that didn't really help the healing process.  It's safe to say I'm glad I didn't rupture my spleen. 

Climbing in Joshua Tree...it had been too long!

Tearing it up in Park City.  And feeling like poo. 

Free lift tickets from our babysitter?  Priceless.

My first trip to an ER in 30 years. Can you see my lymph nodes bulging? ;)

It seems to me that I am just about over this whole sickness thing.  Done being sick.  It's official.  No more illness in the Malcolm family for 2014.  I won't let it happen.  (Though I vaguely recall saying the same thing about a year ago and 2013 was probably our worse illness year to date.)

Colter hanging out by the fire at Jacobs Lake.

But a shout out to my amazing husband and my incredible parents who helped out tremendously during the thick of it.  It appears that everyone else has gotten away without the disease, thank goodness.  I don't think I could handle another dose of it in my house.  Enough is enough.

Best. Dad. Ever.

So now I'm on the "Cleanse".  Probiotics are my best friend after two nasty antibiotics.  I'm hydrating like a champ and getting all the nasty narcotics (you can only imagine the throat pain...) and other ridiculous medications out of my system.  I'm rather thankful the weather has been warm - I'm using the environment to lift me up as well.

It was really a great trip though....Joshua Tree to Vegas to Park City and HOME.  2500 miles in about 8 days.  That's about standard for the Malcolms.  I just wish I had been a bit healthier.  You'll notice there are hardly any pictures from Park City.  That would probably be because I couldn't move, let alone take pictures.  Except of course for one glorious afternoon of skiing.  I wouldn't take it back for anything!

Colter gets on the rock.

Love my boys. So proud.

Puppy loves.

Camping.  Malcolm style.

Playing in Joshua Tree National Park.

In Vegas, before the sickness took hold, hanging out with JJ, Chris and Catherine.

 

 

 

 

Dad took Colter out for an evening sled - the hill is deceivingly firm, slick and FAST.  Colter had a blast.

Expectations

February 2, 2014

26.5 months, give or take a day

It dawned on me as I was wallowing in self pity while washing the dishes: sometimes we (I…) set unrealistic expectations.

Laying fresh tracks.

It probably didn’t help that the Super Bowl game was a total buzz kill.  Really folks, I watch football maybe one day a year.  When I do?  I want it to be something to write home about – touchdowns by both teams, overtime, gnarly injuries….you know, a real nail biter.  I want the “wow factor”.  Alas, no.  The game isn’t even over yet but I’m back home and pretty sure I can predict the rest of it.

Adorable snow lover.

And I suppose it didn’t help that this week I started potty training.  My son wet himself twice in a period of 3 hours while next door watching the Super Bowl.

Which brings me back to expectations.  I expected my beautiful little 26 month old boy to manage his needs during the game – with minor prompting from his mother, of course.  I expected that he would be able to do this among the chaos of 3 other children, 8 adults, 2 cats, a dog and a rather large tv booming down upon him.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  Damn.

My boys keeping an eye out.

We’ve had a great week of potty training – Colter started peeing in the potty right off the bat.  No prompts needed.  Pooping in the toilet started a few days after that and today he wore undies to church without having a mess.  I was patting myself on the back.  I am a Super Mom.  You need your child potty trained?  Listen to me because I know what I’m doing.

So I guess you can say I was feeling a bit cocky.  I should have known better.  I should have known my child’s needs a little better.  Can I really expect that Day 5 of potty training should entail total chaos in another person’s house?  And that my 2 year old should be able to navigate that and pee in a silly little Baby Bjorn potty? Super Mom thought yes.  Reflective Self-Pity Mom is thinking twice.

While I play Julia Child, Colter plays buses and airplanes.

I admit I left the party rather peeved.  I was being juvenile.  It’s cool.  We’ve all been there at some point in our lives (or multiple points).  I was annoyed with my handsome son who really had done nothing wrong.  In fact, he was the perfect little boy.  He played with the other kids nicely.  He ate a few cookies.  He tried to go pee on the potty without throwing a fit.  He sat on my lap and snuggled.  What more can a mother ask for?

The take home message? Some days you just need to let go and put a diaper on.

Our first cross country ski of the season! I swear in my previous life
I was an Olympic skier...I'm just sayin'...

*Side note:  My computer is not letting me upload photos. ARG.  I promise once this resolves to bombard you with adorable photos of my precious two-year-old.  Until then, you'll get not so nice pictures from my phone.*

Victory

January 13, 2014
6 days until 26 months


Colter and I have had a rough go of it the past week or so.  I blame it on the lack of snow.  Or the down after Christmas.  Or sleep deprivation.  Perhaps it's just because I have a two year old - and he has been really good at being that recently.


Naptime and bedtime is just plain exhausting for me.  I know he needs to sleep.  He doesn't know.  Take today for instance:  my son was running wildly around the house making a noise that sounded something like "Psss" every few seconds.  Then he would crash and fall and yell, "Oh no!  Crash!".  Repeat.  He pulled his kitchen stool into the room next to the futon (which we have laid out like a bed for book reading).  He then preceded to climb on to the futon and make a spectacular jump off.  I admit, he is a grand jumper with the most fantastic landings.


I digress...


This continued for the better part of 15 minutes.  At which point I decided that my current tactics (calmly explaining that it was time to read a book and take a nap) weren't working.  I did what any logical mother would do:  I laid down on the futon and closed my eyes.


I felt like a tigress waiting in the grasses for her prey.  I knew he would eventually come to me.  'Tis the nature of the two year old.  I relished my two minutes of peace and then...


I pounced.  I pinned him down, changed his diaper and coaxed him for a few minutes of "Goodnight Moon".  We were a few pages in - a picture of... the cow jumping over the moon.  And three little bears sitting on chairs (please notice we have yet to start saying "Goodnight" to anything). At which point he looked slyly my way and pronounced, "Milk?" I couldn't hold it in any longer.  I busted out laughing.  And he did too.


Off to the kitchen we went.  Poured some milk (with Colter holding the straw because God forbid he doesn't) and meandered back to the futon.  Where he decided it was more fun to jump than sit and finish reading the book.  I'll spare you the details: 10 minutes later, 2 tantrums, another book and a rock on Mama's lap and the boy was curled up in his crib and half way to dream land.


Victory.


Back in mid-July, my 16GB SD card lost itself (as they would say in the lovely language of espanol).  The contents were all the pictures from late May through mid-July - at least 500 photos of canyoneering adventures, gardening, technical rescue training and my Dad's 75th birthday party at the Canyon.  You can imagine how distraught I have been.


So it lost itself.  I hate to place blame on a wee little child.  So innocent, so sweet, so...toddler-y.  I've searched high and low for this silly little card - from the recesses of the couch to the depths of the toy bins.  I've had no luck.  Everyone swore it would just "show up".  I have not been to hopeful.  I spend day after day with Colter who has the habit and fitting things into the small of places.  For example, a few days ago he placed his Lego gas hose into my floor room heater.  That hose took a good 30 minutes to remove (or else have my house burn down...).  A few weeks back he stuck this plastic piece of "water" for his matchbox car fire station set into the lock hole in my dishwasher.  Gone forever.


Needless to say, the thought of the SD turning up has been wiped clear from my memory (besides the occasional heart wrenching pain when I think of trying to recreate a 2013 Photo Book with 3 months missing).  I try not to think about it when Colter begins to annoy me.  It's just not worth wallowing.


This morning as I sat catching up on a few emails, my toddler played quietly by my side at the printer (I know, I know.  I like to think of it as an "advanced" toy.  Don't tell CJ.).  He caught my attention as he started telling me that it was broke (Oh, lovely, Heather.  Your husband is really going to be happy about this one).  I looked down and he was trying to close the top portion where paper feeds in and out for copying or faxing.  He was right - it wouldn't close.


What's really odd is that the printer has been opening and closing for as long as we've had it.  No problems - ever.  Until today.


I reached my hand under the 1/4 inch slot to feel around for what might be blocking it from closing.  I pulled out a rather dusty SD card.  As I turned it over to see what card it was, my heart lifted and there were a series of "Hallelujahs" and "Oh Praise Gods".  I think I even managed a high-pitched squeal of some sorts.  16GB.  In fact, I really couldn't believe it.  I reached to my computer and ejected the other 16GB card.  Two 16GB cards.  It can't be!  I plopped into the computer and called my husband, "You are NOT going to believe what I just found!!!" "Um.  No. Really?  It can't be!"


Victory!


In the words of Napoleon Bonaparte (who I do not often refer to for inspirational parenting quotes), "Victory belongs to the most persevering."  Thanks, Napoleon. You are truly an inspiration to Mothers everywhere.

The Gift of Time

December 29, 2013
2 years, 1 month & 10 days

A Christmas Eve dunk.

Somehow, among the chaotic bliss that is a house full of Malcolms, I was given the gift of time.  Thirteen bodies, 4 dogs and countless germs, I've had more time to myself the past few days than I've had in a long, long time.  I'm relishing it.  Perhaps, just perhaps, it's the start of something new.  After all, the New Year is only a handful of hours away.

To be perfectly honest, since we left for Alaska almost 4 months ago I feel like I have been constantly in "go" mode.  Packing, unpacking, repacking....journeying tens of thousands of miles in 4 months is fun but also a wee bit exhausting.  I wouldn't change it one iota.  When I have these precious moments to sit in bed, alone, listening to Pandora through earphones and typing on my computer (which I have been longing to do for weeks now), I feel so utterly and completely blessed.

Alaska, Sedona (three times), Mission Viejo (three times), San Diego, Ridgecrest...All since September 2.  I suppose we Malcolms get around.

Grandma and Grandpa rule.

Jumping waves with Uncle Dave.

As I sit here tonight, I feel the change of pace creeping up on me.  Sitting.  Reading.  Blogging.  Not packing.  Not unpacking.  Just being home.  It sounds splendid.  At least until 2014 ;).

A year ago today, Colter wasn't walking yet.  He wasn't talking.  Today he can run, jump and play with his older cousins.  He desperately tries to keep up with them - the youngest still 4 years his senior.  It's amazing to see him hold it together all day long.  He's a determined little man.  Running to Mama only when it is high time for a nap, I'm proud to say he is quickly becoming the loudest Malcolm yet.

Keeping up with the cousins.

Poppy and the grandkids...all 9 of them!

If you had told me ten years ago my son would be a rambunctious, loud, hyper child, I probably would have laughed.  I can't imagine a child any other way now.  He brings out the extrovert in the most introverted soul.  No one can resist a good laugh when he chimes in to join his cousins in fart noises. 

Open wide!

I am thankful that he loves the beach.  He loves the snow.  He loves trains.  He loves trucks.  He loves cookies.  He loves his family.  On most days, he loves his Mama. 

Scoping out some barnacles.

My little Patagucci Man.
 

Trucks. Enough said.

Tonight?  Tonight I am thankful for a few moments of peace and quiet.  That near the end of a beautiful year, I have time.  Time.  A small four letter word that can be so fleeting in my daily life.  But not tonight- tonight I have time.

Here's to an epic year - to the one that was and to the one that is.  A very happy New Year to you and to yours!

Just Me and my boy.

"Balk balk balk"

November 8, 2013
11 days until 2!

I really and truly love toddlers.  They are little, innocent people walking the earth looking to discover (and destroy) anything they can get their hands on.  At this stage in the game, they start communicating more effectively (50% of the time...).  Their interpretation of life is just extraordinary.  As CJ asked me the other night, "Wouldn't it be funny if we could remember what our minds were thinking when we were two?!" 

He loves airplanes and helicopters....Grandma draws them and he colors them in.

This morning seemed to fly by.  It is a blur of Super Mopi, Honey Nut Cheerios, play dough, the market and one ravioli-infused t-shirt.  I have managed to somehow get dinner in the crockpot (Eggplant Parmesan) and Colter has only been asleep for 30 minutes.  If all goes well, I should have at least another hour of peace. 

WOOHOO!

Colter cracks me up.  He exhausts me.  He makes me want to be a better mom.  He makes me laugh.  He makes me cry.  He makes me want to scream (and, sadly, I do on occasion). He makes me stop and listen.  He makes me run.  He makes me wonder.

Our little monkey.

The other day he wanted a peach.  So I sliced up some peach.  Then he wanted me to peel the skin off.  I peeled the skin off.  Then he wanted the skin back on.  I don't know about you, but I can't do that.  My mother never taught me that trick.  Which means my beautiful little 23 month old threw a tantrum.  My girlfriends tell me that toddlers think we are Superheroes.  Today was the first time my Bubba realized that I am not a Superhero.  I hope tomorrow I can prove him otherwise.

This morning all Colter wanted to do was sit up on the kitchen counter and play with play dough.  For, like, an hour.  Those of you who know my child know that sitting in one place is not his forte. I washed dishes and he played.  It was a peaceful time.

Legos and a salad spinner:  what else could you possibly need?!

I needed to go to the market.  It's cold out.  I can only tell you that by the time we managed to get my 23 month old in all his gear, it'll be Spring.  The lure of Super Mopi won out and we made it out the door.  Thank heavens.  (By the time we finally got outside, it had warmed up significantly and the layers had to come off...)

Super Mopi!

Colter brought me a bag of fruit snacks just before dinner the other night.  I told him to put it "back" please.  He looked at me with this quizzical look.  He took the bag and held it on his back.  His look was priceless.  Just like that he learned there are two definitions to "back".  So cool.

Fun with finger painting...

We sat down to dinner the other night - a yummy pineapple sesame chicken that Grandma had brought.  I handed my son some chicken and said, "Here you go, Bubba, eat your chicken.  Yum yum!"  He took it, looked at it for a second, then started "balking" like a chicken.  At the dinner table.  I burst out laughing.  Now every time before he puts a piece of chicken in his mouth, he makes a chicken noise.  Mental note:  don't invite any vegetarians over to dinner any time soon.  Some people may get offended by his quite realistic chicken noises.  I'm just happy he eats chicken.  Feel free to "Moo" when you eat beef too, buddy.

So darn cute.