The Fringes of Two

Trey is almost 22 months old, and has already begun the infamous terrible two syndrome. For the most part he's a pretty awesome little kid, and doesn't give us too much trouble. There are, however, the few times when he really kicks things into gear to make us truly grateful for his "seasons" of obedience. Trey has a lot of personality, and is extremely smart. Tonight we learned that he knows how to cover up things that he has done wrong.

Holly and I were getting ready for a meeting tonight while Trey and Claire Kate entertained themselves in the bedroom. The Wild Man was tickling Sister when I wandered into the closet. After a minute or two, I could hear Holly in her "I'm trying to be stern and not laugh where Trey can see me" voice. I asked what happened and Holly relayed that Trey had used his baby sister and a pillow as a ladder to climb up higher on the bed. When his feet became firmly planted in her stomach and chest, she began to cry. Trey was unfazed by her tears until he heard mom's footsteps coming to check on them. At this point he quickly jumped off of her and stuck her pacifier in her mouth to cover up the fact that he did it. 

Yeah, this should be fun in the years to come. He's not even 2 yet!

Dueling Floaters

Tonight was one of those nights where I was gonna be a great husband. I let Holly go to Walmart by herself, which I have found earns me MAJOR brownie points. While she was grocery shopping I was gonna surprise her by having the babies bathed and ready for bed with a load of clothes already in the washer and the trash out to the street by the time she got home. I came in and everything was right on schedule. I put Trey and Claire Kate in the tub, and they were clean. I ran to their room and got Trey's pajamas and diaper, then ran back to check on them (at which time I had to tell Trey to quit pouring water on sister's face). Then, I ran back to their room to get all of the same stuff for Baby Girl. As I re-entered the bathroom, Trey said, "Uh oh Daddy doo doo!" I looked and there by the drain of the tub was a man sized stinky. Claire Kate, not to be outdone had managed to work up a little carrot colored doo doo of her own. Hers however was piled up on her bath hammock. This, by the way, is the first time they have ever both pooped in the tub at the same time. I paused. What do you do first in this situation? In all my years of schooling and growing up, this had never been addressed. Now I faced two babies under two in a steaming pool of their own feces. I did what any man would do in this grave situation. I walked out of the bathroom. I closed the door. I walked over to the cellphone and frantically searched for Holly's number. 

"Where are you?" 

"In the check out line." 

"Crap!" I thought as I hung up. "I will have to face this on my own!" So I got Trey out and laid him on his towel. I grabbed the wet wipes and speedily cleaned the hanger on from out of his behind and put his diaper on him. I instructed him, "Trey, listen to Daddy. Stand right here. Daddy has to clean Sister up and you don't have your pajamas on." He looked at me with a smile and a quick chuckle as he said, "Sisty doo doo."

I got CK out and cleaned up. She had cakes of baby lotion on her as I slathered her into her pajamas. Trey was then given the same quick and mostly thorough treatment. As I walked them out of the bathroom I noticed Holly coming in the door. By the time I got them settled down she had already cleaned the tub, took out the garbage, unloaded the groceries, and washed and dried 3 loads of clothes. It was like magic! How she does this day in and day out so effectively I will never know. One thing I am certain of, I won't soon forget the night Trey and Claire Kate treated me to a game of dueling floaters!

Valentine's Edition of Barnicles of Beardia

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Tonight, Claire Kate was a little fussy when she was getting her night snack. Holly scolded her for her unfavorable disposition, and she stared at Holly...and stared. For about 5 minutes she stared. I tried talking to her, but she wouldn't break her glare. It was hilarious. Primarily because, not only is she the spitting image of her mother, but she acts just like her! That is similar to a story I heard Holly's mom tell before. When Holly was small she had to get a shot. When the nurse injected the needle, Holly didn't cry. She just stared at the nurse with a mean look on her face, the same look her daughter gave her tonight. 

It makes me happy in my heart!

Caption Please

Please write a caption for this photo. Haha! I love it!

An Unexpected Gift

It started just like any other night. Between 10 and 12 every night we go into the bathroom as a family and either Holly or I get in the tub with the babies.  The other helps out by bathing Trey while Claire Kate soaks. It's a great method. Tonight I agreed to get in the tub. Holly had just finished bathing Trey and was getting him lathered up with lotion, dressed, and ready for bed. I was holding up my end of the bargain by washing Claire Kate. I pulled my feet up to sit her elevated on my lap as I put the shampoo on her scalp. I got the soap and began the process of scrubbing her down. That's when it happened...

She sharted! 

On me!

Outfit Destroyer

Claire Kate doesn't go to the bathroom like a normal person. She holds it in for days, and then unleashes the fury. EVERY time she goes Number 2 we have to soak her clothes because her stinky ruins her outfit. You probably don't care to know any of this, but she leaked out onto two outfits today, and it's a real pain!

Daddy's Girl

From the minute that we met, there has been a special connection. When she was a few days old, the sound of my voice would make her stop crying. Nobody gets the smiles that I do, and she talks like crazy when I hold her. She is a big time Daddy's girl! This is one of the grins I get every time she can see me. What a spoiled rotten angel. I can't wait to watch her grow. 

Claire Kate

My Baby Girl is 2 months old!  How did that happen already? She's starting to really pay attention and smile at me. If I wasn't wrapped around her finer already, when she flashes that smile at me, I melt. I'm really gonna have to watch myself as she gets older. I remember when Holly and I were going through pre-marital counseling one of the things our counselor said was, "Strong fathers make moral daughters." I reckon there will be plenty of time to be strong. For now I'll just enjoy eating out of the palm of her hand.

Family Dance Night

Trey getting down to some Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Claire Kate working out her sweet Air Drum Skills to AC/DC.

My Daughter...James Spann

Let me say from the beginning that I think my Baby Girl is absolutely beautiful!  I know one day she will look at this and be so upset with me for posting it, but I intend on being one of those dads that thrives on embarrassing his kids.  Anyway, Claire Kate has a perfect horseshoe bald pattern on top of her head.  It's sweet!  She even has a little Rogaine patch up front on top.  We have nicknamed her James Spann, because she shares his hairstyle...perfectly!!

Changes Part 2

This blog is a follow up to this one.

I could not have dreamed of things adjusting as naturally as they have.  I realized today that it's already to the point that I don't remember what life was like before Claire Kate.  Trey has taken to his "tister" so well.  He never acted jealous, although he did check on her from time to time with this look in his eyes like, "is she still here?"  All in all, I would say it's been pretty awesome becoming a family of four.  

I would like it to stay that way for a little longer than 15 months this time around!