Imagination Getting the Best of Us
We have imaginary friends here at the Vernon household.
One is a yellow ghost (in honor of Halloween, I believe?). It’s a baby ghost, in case you were curious. Don’t go on thinking it might be a teenage ghost, for Christ’s sake. And the other is a cat named Victoria. Victoria sits in between Cora’s fingers and if there were a favorite, it would definitely be Victoria. I only know this because Baby Ghost joins us pretty irregularly these days.
The other day, Daddy took on the brave responsibility of going to the grocery store. With both kids. Honestly, for those of you without kids it’s like the fucking Everest of family activities. But he was feeling bold.
Cora now demands those ridiculous car-carts that take up entire aisles as you drive them:
Up top where the kid sits there’s a lot of room. But when you have to put your other child in the basket where the groceries go, the cart fills up pretty quickly. We had loads of groceries to get that day. Kierian was quickly swallowed up by alfalfa sprouts, cereal boxes and chicken breasts. Cora sat in the top part of the cart happy as a fucking clam or whatever the expression is.
As the cart got more and more crowded, Luke decided Cora had to share some of her space. But as he attempted to put a few of the 500 gallons of milk we buy next to Cora, she started screaming and crying: “You’re crushing Victoria!!” In an effort to avoid causing a scene, Luker grabbed the milk. So the poor dear was left trying to control that ridiculous cart with one hand whilst carrying three gallons of milk in the other.
Yes folks, our imagination is definitely getting the best of us. Well, hers of us anyway.
Top Ten…Things I’m lovin’ ’bout Kierian these days
1. How loudly he is always “talking” when awake..
2. When he smiles, how it takes over his entire face, just like Daddy..
3. His Vernon dimples..
4. How flat his leetle head is in the back..
5. How obsessed he is with his hands..
6. Him figuring out this whole sleep thing..
7. How at 3 months he’s blown through his 6 month clothing already..
8. How he drools so much we have to change his shirt three times per day..
9. His adorable laugh..
10. What a happy baby he is..
The Latest in Language Development
Cora’s thoughts on Daddy not wanting to mow the lawn due to heat:
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Ahhh. Luker is finally back. So, so happy to have him home. For him this trip was about getting away from it all and remembering what’s important in life, as well as gaining fresh perspective. But I feel like having him away also gave me an opportunity also to think about some things…
One of my biggest take aways from him being gone is how freaking lucky I am to have the people I have in my life. I seriously feel like everyone from neighbors to family to friends went out of their way to make sure I was cool while he was away.
- Auntie Bryn came all the way from New York City to spend a week with us just chillin’…
Cora is now totally obsessed with her
- The neighbors brought me soup when I was sick
- My Pops watched Cora a handful of times so Bryn and I could hit the town
- Kendra and Joel had us over for dinner and to play more than they should have
- Luke’s Mom came up and helped
- Friends sent texts, emails and phone calls just to check in
It was seriously amazing. I just feel so lucky. Thanks for all your love, it definitely helped make the weeks fly by! So glad Daddy’s Home (Ursher, Baby).
(Sorry, couldn’t resist).
Proud
Well, in just a few days Luker leaves for Bhutan and India. He plans to detach a bit, do trek and possibly if things work out, meet up with our teacher. A “Mini Sabbatical” is what he’s been calling it. I have to say, of all the things I could be proud of him for (believe me, there are loads) taking this trip is among the greatest…
Tak Sang in Bhutan...where he is headed!
I know how hard it is for him to pull away from all he is doing right now to make this happen. Sure, there are tons of reasons why he shouldn’t go and why now isn’t the best time. But is there ever a perfect time?
He and I committed to each other in our wedding vows that we would follow our individual passions even in times when it felt tough. I think so often as couples it is easy to fall into only doing things together and never breaking routine. Yet how can it be possible that two different people could always want the same things out of life? I just don’t buy it.
The best relationships I’ve seen are the ones where both people bring their very best, complete and fulfilled version of themselves to the mix. From what I’ve experienced and observed, dependency and expectation aren’t pretty in the long run.
For me, the way to connect with my truest self only comes when I step outside my daily routine and attachments. The fact that he’s outta here to follow his own passions only makes us stronger as a team and as a family in the long run. It’s inspiring for Cora and me to see him do this.
And so, today I feel proud..PROUD to be in a relationship that supports each of us as individuals, PROUD that he is stepping away from the daily grind to focus on himself and what really matters in life, PROUD that traveling remains a part of our family value system even when it feels impossible, PROUD to be able to support him at home just as he did for me on my last trip…
So, when I come to your house in the next few weeks and ask you to watch my kid or make me dinner, remind me that I feel this way, mmm-k?
How to Raise a Real Man-Mama Moderne
Brie’s expecting a baby boy! With all the excitement of having a second child, there are also a ton of questions swirling in her mind. Girls are pretty comfortable raising girls… but when it comes to boys, how do we raise them to be real men?
CLICK PIC TO READ ARTICLE!
Vernon Family Christmas
Luker and I have never really done the whole Christmas thing. I mean, we celebrate with our families and all, but really the holiday hasn’t had tons of significance for us. Now that we have a kid, we are trying to figure out how Christmas will look in our family.
So we went ahead and did the whole tree thing this year, despite years of protest prior. Nothing fancy, no cutting of trees or anything like that. We just went down to the local King Soopers to pick one out.
Luke took charge; I think getting a tree is a manly thing.
“Show me the biggest tree you got.” Luke said confidently flashing his dimples to the slightly annoyed, aproned, male-store-clerk.
I’m pretty sure the thing was like 10 feet tall, at least 10 feet around. He tied it to the top of the car proudly, and as I shook my head smiling he yelled:”You didn’t marry me cause I went for the small things in life, Honey!“ Now the store clerk was shaking his head too.
It was a total Griswald Moment when we got it home:
Poor Luker, he could barely fit the darn thing through the door. And once he got it inside and in place, it was completely encroaching on both couches on either side. Not a chance anyone could sit down.
Sadly, our dear Luker had to take the tree back. There was no way. We got another one that seems to fit. But unfortunately, the thing is already dead. We may have been a little eager this year. Hell, there’s a first time for everything. Maybe we’ll get it right next year.
On Vaginas
I’ve been trying to get Cora hip to different body parts. She’s nailed ears, mouth, nose, feet, hair, tummy and a few other essential spots. The other day, when changing her diaper, she grazed her business. To which I responded: “vagina.”
Luke was upstairs and heard me. “Ewww!” He hollered from upstairs, “don’t call it that!”
“Well what, My Dear, shall I call it?” I asked from her room.
“Call it privates or something like that.”
Okay. Point taken. Maybe she’s not ready for vagina. Hell, I’m hardly mature enough to use the word. But my mind went back to all the teaching courses I took on health, and how certain buzz words (penis, vagina) need to be desensitized for young people.
I mean what would she think if she grew up thinking her vaj was called “private?” Consider the following (sub vaj where appropriate):
- She’s at school on career day and Joey’s dad is discussing what it’s like to be a private investigator..
- A door is locked shut with a sign that reads private property..
- She meets a nice young man who happens to be a private in the military..
- After a few long discussions, Luker and I decide to send her to private school..
- After working with troubled kids, her mother decides to open a private practice..
Just imagine it.
As for now, I think I’ll stick with vagina with an occasional use of “business” or as my friend Kylie says, “va-jay-jay.”
All I can say is thank goodness we don’t have a boy. I have a whole slew of nicknames for those parts…maybe this post should be titled “On Maturity.”
