The claws come out.

Both of my kids were blessed with birthmarks on their faces. Mc came out with BRIGHT red splotches on her eyelids, a "stork bite" on her forehead (to match Mark's) and a ring around the side of her nose. They used to be more pronounced when she was younger but have faded over time and unless she is hot or in full fledged tantrum mode, they are almost non-existent.

Kingston however, wasn't born with his. At about 4 months, a dark little patch started to manifest on his forehead. It got darker and darker with time and now, is just part of our little boy. Something that I never notice or even give a second thought to. A few times people would ask what had happened or if he had fallen but, those comments faded and again, it became just one of the charming characteristics that make up Kingston (his bright blue eyes, his teensie little teeth and his killer smile).

Until Monday.

I think as parents, we spend our whole lives trying to figure out how to protect our kids from other kids. I learned that really, sometimes the worst offenders aren't the inquisitive kids on the playground but rather, those full grown adults that have no filter. Alex had taken Kingston to Petsmart to prowl the alluring cages of all things creepy crawly. A woman, who I can only assume was buying kitty litter for the  "cat lady" hoard that awaited (I can make these stereotypes because she was mean to my kid right?), approaches Alex and proceeds to point out "Oh, it looks like he has an owie.", "What happened?". Alex responds, as would anyone who doesn't really start a conversation based on some one's difference in appearance, "Nope, it's just a birthmark". This woman, who obviously is lacking social skills, responds, "Oh, how unfortunate". EXCUSE ME? Even as Alex relays the story, I can feel my blood start to boil and begin rehearsing all the things I would have said had I been there to snap back:
"How unfortunate you never learned any manners"
"What is more unfortunate is that my kid can hear you and so can I"
"It's unfortunate that you felt the need to open your mouth"
"Let's try this again. Except next time, walk by and say nothing. It's better that way."
"It's unfortunate that talking to cats all day has turned you into a person that can no longer interact on an appropriate level with actual human beings"

My heart just broke for my little boy. Now, this won't be the first time and I know it's not the last but my sweet two year old boy was defenseless and probably in his own oblivion watching the lizards as a woman labeled him "unfortunate".

Lesson learned. Kindness is something we need to teach and bottom line, someone being different is far from being "unfortunate". And if you ask me, this kid is sheer perfection.

Take a walk on the wild side.

I purchased this darling water color @ the Vintage Whites Market this weekend with both of my children in mind. It goes without saying that both of my children are strong willed and maintain a certain level of independence  that can be both wonderful and alarming. They are the epitome of "wild and free". This statement rang even more true this weekend.

The usual Sunday after church routine is lunch, Kingston nap, me nap, Mark & Mc watch TV/play. I snuggled in for my pregnancy induced coma and assumed the schedule would continue. The home phone rings. Rings. Rings. Then my cell phone. Home phone again and I answer. Barely coherent, my neighbor a few houses down tells me that Mckinley has showed up and that we too, should come down because everyone from the ward is there having food/visiting the Smith's who were in town from TX. Wait, what? I run in, wake up Mark and he heads down to bring her home.

I hear the crying from two houses down as they get closer to the house. Mckinley with her fleece scarf, mismatched boots and dress walking back to the house knowing that she is busted. She was sent to her room after a talking to,  and eventually, she decided to take a nap too. Mark and I just sat, amazed at the thought process of our kid.

She had apparently made her way down there, mind you, house full of people we know from church, and said "My mom and dad are asleep, so I came to hang out." Now, first, it was mostly alarming. My five year old kid tromping down the street, an easy target for some creeper to come and snatch her up. Second, your mind moves to the thought of all these people saw your kid rolling solo, ragamuffin style to come and play, and how we look as parents. Lastly, in an odd sort of way, it is kind of empowering as a parent that your kid has some independence (I say "some" very loosely). She wasn't afraid and she didn't even give a second thought that she had a friend's house she felt comfortable going to.

I read an article about how, from birth to teenager-dom we want our kids to listen to us, and resist the urge to assert their own will power but then one day, expect them to make choices on their own- to just shift from being passive children to street savvy, Type A adults. That isn't really fair. So, after nap time, with no mention of past transgressions, we played, and tucked our kid into bed- full well knowing this is just the beginning of those "Wait, what?" moments that undoubtedly wait for us tomorrow, and the next day and the next.

Blink.

Here we are- 21 weeks. When I was pregnant with Mckinley, it felt like FOREVER until I was out of that "food baby" stage and really looked pregnant. This time, through minutes, hours, days of barfing and being sick, I am half way there and felt like I missed the moment when I went from regular jeans to maternity pants.

We are having a baby in July. Another baby. It's weird, this time, #3, it seems SO overwhelming. Bottles. Crib. Recovery. The cold, hip sensation from the epidural. Not sure if it is because it is all so fresh from Kingston or that now, I really know what to expect, but I am nervous. There seems like so much more to do. A total reshuffling of our lives.

I also feel like we are certifiably insane for booking a trip to Disneyland in September. A two month old at Disneyland isn't ideal but, people do it and, in the end, I don't want to miss that precious window with my other two kids.

No turning back now. I like to look at the remainder of my pregnancy in days, 133, versus weeks, 19. It makes me feel like I have more time figure out how to manage life with only two hands.

outnumbered.

Mark has done the impossible. Another heir to the Williamson throne.To be honest, I had always had a feeling it was a boy. As strange as pregnancy dreams are, I dreamed that I developed an app that would shine a really bright light on your belly and you could see the sex of your unborn baby like looking through a lit up balloon. It was a boy then, and two ultrasounds later, still a boy. 

The most surprising thing for me was Mark's reaction. He was thrilled to be having another boy, but it was the thought of Mc being our only girl that sparked a different reaction than I had anticipated. He got a little nostalgic for all things little girl and it kind of sent me into a panic about frilly dresses, curlers, bows, and all things "little girl" that won't be making their way into our house this time around-this is it. I had wished for a boy, and I think Mark had too but secretly, I am going to miss the hair bows, the teensie mary janes and massive expanses of girl clothes at the Target.

Another boy. Can't wait to see his little face.

Sandy Eggo 2014

I have become a firm believer that scheduling a vacation in January is the only way to survive the rigors of the upcoming year. It was something to look forward to after holidays and before the seasonal depression is in full swing. We had a GREAT vacation! It was nice to wear sandals and capris and to really reconnect with the kids (read: not be more than two feet away from them for 7 days straight).

First plane ride for the Ston. He did....well, as good as to be expected from a 2 year old.

The condo was right on beach and within walking distance to lots of good food, a CVS and a grocery store with a Redbox. We had enough room, a view of the sunset and an excellent breakfast place right next door.

We went to Sea World on Friday and were surprised at the lack of crowds and the one Shamu show daily. The weather was overcast and really nice to be outside so we stayed the whole day but NOT without leaving the park with the pink stuffed dolphin Mc had been eying since we arrived.  I think that "Blackfish" for sure had impacted the quality of the shows- not nearly as cool as I remember when the trainers were in the water with the Orcas. Still, a fun day. The kids couldn't get enough of touching the sea stars or the rays and loved the Beluga whales.

The pink dolphin

Granpa had the luxury of a scooter while in the park but kids on the lap got us busted by the Sea World police.

Next up was the Mormon Battalion Museum and Old Town San Diego. We were fortuitous to be there on the actual day the battalion marched into San Diego in 1847 so we saw a parade (more like 40 people walking by after we waited for 25 min), dressed like pioneers and enjoyed the sunshine. There was a "Whale Festival" that lured us in under the pretense of "free family fun" but in the end, was a glorified Farmer's Market. On the plus side, that brought us to Anthony's Grotto for lunch. We did have dinner in Old Town and then after sat and watched a live Mariachi band that played a mean Santana rendition on the electric violin and that rounded out the evening.

Us in our pioneer garb. Mc makes one cute pioneer. Panning for gold and the crew.

Sunday we headed to Cabrillo National park to see if we could use our "noculars" to spot any whales. We were there for quite a while with no such luck but did see the oldest lighthouse in San Diego and had a nice picnic lunch in while the kids played in park that probably belonged in West Valley and NOT a ritzy neighborhood is Cali.

An unfortunate part of the trip was Mark and G getting sick. We planned to head to the aquarium that day but decided to make it a beach/hang out at the condo close to the toilet kind of day. The kids didn't mind- I think Mc could have spent every single day in the ocean.

We attended an Automotive Museum, visited La Jolla Cove to watch the lazy sea lions, walked down the beach, had gelato, found seashells, played a few feisty games of Phase 10, woke up every morning thanks to the children @ 6 am,  and really enjoyed being away from the snow and smog that waited for us in Utah.

The aquarium. The exhausted traveler. Riding the oldest Carousel in San Diego & the Automotive Museum.

A "cow"ch. The sunset. Watching the Belugas at Sea World.

Mc at the statue at the Midway.

I think the beach days were the best days. Right before we went home the tide was super high and washed up a lot of cool things. Mc was in heaven. Definitely a beach baby and fearless. A man tried to bring a starfish in for her in his wetsuit, we found sand dollars, shells, crazy seaweed and tried to keep Kingston from rubbing sand in his eyes. I think once in the ocean was enough for him- he mainly stayed and played in the sand. I loved watched Mc get so excited about being in the ocean and running from the waves. Grandma was an excellent sport and spent a lot of time being her "partner" as the waves rolled in.

Daddy and Mc on the beach.

Sea Port Village provided a day on the Seal Boats (Duck Boats). Kingston was really excited about that part but, oddly enough, five minutes into the tour he conked out and woke up right as we got back to ask, "Are we going to go in the water?". Missed the whole tour. Good thing he was free. Mc slept a while too but was up in time to see the Sea Lions and the dolphins.

The green dinosaur next to Mark was Kingston, asleep.

And then there is this guy. Not every day you see a dude running his bike to the ocean. This guy rode his bike from New Jersey to Mission Beach, Cali. Took him four months! Pretty amazing. Cute dude with orange painted toenails and a desire to ride across the country on his bike, "just because". I put on actual pants that day. I think that counted as an accomplishment.

Grandma and Mc.

G & Chris, thanks for inviting us! We had a great time and loved spending time with you! The kids still want to ride in "grandma's car"and ask about how grandpa's foot is doing. You guys were troopers. Nightly you braved the off-schedule children at dinner with patience and love :)We love you! Thanks again!

One day you're in, the next you're out.

Lately, Mckinley's existence revolves around those who will be in attendance at her birthday party...in October, 2014! Almost daily, we are discussing what presents she will be getting and the guest list. It seems that the birthday party has become akin to a living Will for a 90 year old lady. At any given moment, I will be removed from the list (for asking her to clean up her room, telling her the nightgown she is wearing is not outside attire), re-added and Kingston (poor kid), he has never made the cut. It just got me thinking about where this phenomenon came from. How does a five year old little girl decide that a Birthday Party is the epitome of inclusion and that she can strike fear into the hearts of others as she declares, "Fine, you are NOT invited to my birthday!"? Keep in mind, this kid has had ONE birthday party in her whole life and she was three. It hardly included the grandeur she has conjured of bounce houses, oodles of friends and Hello Kitty lip gloss party favors.  Alas, tonight will be attending a party for a friend from preschool. She carefully selected a gift and came down at the crack of dawn this morning saying, "I am all rested up for Teegan's party."

We live and die by the birthday party. I live for the excitement that comes daily in knowing whether or not I will actually be allowed to attend the party I will be paying for.

Miss Sass.

ChristNEWYEARSmas

Christmas was almost a month ago and here I am just updating the blog. Awesome. I was a failure at taking pictures this year- oh well, there's always the video. The kids slept until 8:00, whipped through their presents in 15 minutes and the morning commenced with the busyness of the day. We headed to Mary Ann's for heart attack casserole, G's for lunch and Mom's for more eating and what we lovingly call our "Second Christmas".

Christmas Eve was a little more exciting this year. We knew we wanted to tell our families that we are expecting kiddo # THREE! Yep, we're nuts. The Ellison Christmas party usually concludes with a talent portion- usually kids singing or playing the piano but I decided to share my talent, "Mark and I made a baby. Due in July!"- Mary Ann and Grandma Irene's face were priceless. We told my family after our white elephant exchange and it is always a good time to see Mimi get so excited. It was nice to tell everyone just to feel less awkward about leaving the room due to an offensive smell and now having a reason to look like death warmed over all day, every day.

Mark and I both took the two weeks between Christmas and New Years off and it was divine. We (meaning I) got lots of naps, we saw "Frozen", went to breakfast, Fat Cats, stayed in our jammies one whole day,  did puzzles, went to dinner with the Williamson siblings, and just enjoyed chilling with no agenda on the horizon.


New Years we partied it up with Dave & Marianne, the Petersons, Mary Ann and Grandma Irene. Busted out some Just Dance, Guitar Hero and the usual 9:30 "midnight" countdown to ring in 2014.


The highlights:
1) Mc opening her coveted "soup case" and filling it with all the goodies of the day. We still pack it full every day of things that she thinks she will need when we head to San Diego next week (pictures, a robe and toys.)
2) Kingston rocking out to the song his excavator plays.
3) The hybrid bike Mark picked out for my present- nothing like an 8 month old preggo lady riding a bicycle! Can't wait!
4) Hearing Mc's feet shuffle to the kitchen to see the milk/cookies were eaten and then running downstairs yelling, "He came! He came!"
5) Once again being reminded that being with family and having small kids make the holidays the best.

Christmas Eve Jammies

Before the carnage

Kingston and the excavator

The packing begins.

Mc's favorite cheetah outfit.

Princess cape for Disneyland from Mimi.