Home (Alone) On the Range & A Revelation
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Marin and I have been home alone for the past 3 days. Matthew is winging his way home from Washington, D.C. as we speak. This solo foray was much, much better than our last one. Last time Matthew was away on business, Marin and I were both sick with the flu. Yes, Marin had a flu shot, 2 actually. Neither took apparently. But, I'm getting off track.
Marin and I have spent the past 3 days doing our normal routine. It hasn't been half bad. He's been to gymnastics, the local bounce house place, out to eat for almost every meal, and done a ton of shopping. Marin is not a shopper. Well, at least not with me (or his daddy). He is rumored to be good as gold on mega shopping trips with his Mimi. I think she might just be being nice and saying that he's good. :)
Marin did score some new duds and a couple toys. He got a V-Tech computer. He's been wanting one something fierce, but I didn't really feel like spending a bunch of moola on something that he isn't really old enough to use and would just bang the heck outta the keys. So, he was elated when he discovered a pu (his word for computer) for $1.49 at a second hand store. I was pretty psyched too. It even had batteries already. You can't buy batteries for $1.49.
We were so happy with his computer purchase that we decided to try our hand at another thrift store. As I was scanning the isles for bargains and Marin was riding in the cart, he yells out "BUGGY". Smart little dude has just spotted a kid sized shopping cart hidden under a rack of clothes. This wasn't some junky, cheap, plasticy thing. This was nicer than the ones they have for kids at our grocery store! It is metal, coated in a red plastic. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. I haven't seen one this nice even in toy stores. It even has real swivel wheels just like a "real" grocery store cart. So, I put the buggy in the buggy and away to the cashier we went. I had 4 people offer to buy the cart from me while we were standing in line. Not a chance peeps, I was gonna pay my $9.99 and get the heck outta there before Marin had a meltdown at the thought that anyone else might buy (or god forbid) even look at his buggy. He's currently napping (he fell asleep on the way home) so he hasn't given it a whirl in the house yet. I'm thinking we'll be off to Wally World to buy some fake food after nap time.
I also wanted to let everyone in on a revelation I've had over the past few days. News flash: I am NOT a baby person. I've thought for years that I was. I've always adored other people's babies, so I thought I was a complete loser when I wanted to pull my hair out with mine. I just couldn't bring myself to love the baby phase. Nor the 1 year old phase. Nor the 18 month phase. But, you know what, the nearly 2 year old phase is something I can live with. Not just live with, but actually enjoy. Yeah, yeah, I know. I give Marin an extremely hard time on the blog (and in person) for being brat-tastic. That also comes with the territory with a toddler. But, it is still a lot of fun.
Instead of just crying and whining, toddlers can ask for food when they are hungry. By name. Toddlers can make jokes to get you to laugh. They also laugh at your jokes. I know, I'd better enjoy that part before he becomes a teenager and thinks I'm lame. :) Toddlers ask questions and love to learn. They come up with ideas on their own and know how to use a vast array of household objects correctly. For example, I was amazed when Marin picked up my hairdryer, said "hairdryer" and then started holding it above his head and making noises just like a dryer. All the affection that you gave your baby pays out in huge dividends when that baby becomes a toddler. Marin hugs, kisses, rubs your back, pats you on the leg, and rubs his nose on yours to give you "nosies" hundreds of times a day. You know if a toddler likes you or not. Thankfully, mine seems to like me. Again, this I will enjoy until he's a teenager. :)
As Marin's birthday looms closer, I find it hard to believe that I've had the company of this little cutie for nearly 2 years. He's becoming such a little person, leaving babyhood farther and farther behind. And you know what, I'm not sad. I feel like I've been climbing a huge mountain and have finally reached the top. And I most certainly enjoy the view.
Marin and I have spent the past 3 days doing our normal routine. It hasn't been half bad. He's been to gymnastics, the local bounce house place, out to eat for almost every meal, and done a ton of shopping. Marin is not a shopper. Well, at least not with me (or his daddy). He is rumored to be good as gold on mega shopping trips with his Mimi. I think she might just be being nice and saying that he's good. :)
Marin did score some new duds and a couple toys. He got a V-Tech computer. He's been wanting one something fierce, but I didn't really feel like spending a bunch of moola on something that he isn't really old enough to use and would just bang the heck outta the keys. So, he was elated when he discovered a pu (his word for computer) for $1.49 at a second hand store. I was pretty psyched too. It even had batteries already. You can't buy batteries for $1.49.
We were so happy with his computer purchase that we decided to try our hand at another thrift store. As I was scanning the isles for bargains and Marin was riding in the cart, he yells out "BUGGY". Smart little dude has just spotted a kid sized shopping cart hidden under a rack of clothes. This wasn't some junky, cheap, plasticy thing. This was nicer than the ones they have for kids at our grocery store! It is metal, coated in a red plastic. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. I haven't seen one this nice even in toy stores. It even has real swivel wheels just like a "real" grocery store cart. So, I put the buggy in the buggy and away to the cashier we went. I had 4 people offer to buy the cart from me while we were standing in line. Not a chance peeps, I was gonna pay my $9.99 and get the heck outta there before Marin had a meltdown at the thought that anyone else might buy (or god forbid) even look at his buggy. He's currently napping (he fell asleep on the way home) so he hasn't given it a whirl in the house yet. I'm thinking we'll be off to Wally World to buy some fake food after nap time.
I also wanted to let everyone in on a revelation I've had over the past few days. News flash: I am NOT a baby person. I've thought for years that I was. I've always adored other people's babies, so I thought I was a complete loser when I wanted to pull my hair out with mine. I just couldn't bring myself to love the baby phase. Nor the 1 year old phase. Nor the 18 month phase. But, you know what, the nearly 2 year old phase is something I can live with. Not just live with, but actually enjoy. Yeah, yeah, I know. I give Marin an extremely hard time on the blog (and in person) for being brat-tastic. That also comes with the territory with a toddler. But, it is still a lot of fun.
Instead of just crying and whining, toddlers can ask for food when they are hungry. By name. Toddlers can make jokes to get you to laugh. They also laugh at your jokes. I know, I'd better enjoy that part before he becomes a teenager and thinks I'm lame. :) Toddlers ask questions and love to learn. They come up with ideas on their own and know how to use a vast array of household objects correctly. For example, I was amazed when Marin picked up my hairdryer, said "hairdryer" and then started holding it above his head and making noises just like a dryer. All the affection that you gave your baby pays out in huge dividends when that baby becomes a toddler. Marin hugs, kisses, rubs your back, pats you on the leg, and rubs his nose on yours to give you "nosies" hundreds of times a day. You know if a toddler likes you or not. Thankfully, mine seems to like me. Again, this I will enjoy until he's a teenager. :)
As Marin's birthday looms closer, I find it hard to believe that I've had the company of this little cutie for nearly 2 years. He's becoming such a little person, leaving babyhood farther and farther behind. And you know what, I'm not sad. I feel like I've been climbing a huge mountain and have finally reached the top. And I most certainly enjoy the view.
