Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm going to take a few minutes to write while my sweet husband cooks our brunch. The girls are expected to arrive soon from their time away at the hotel. We enjoyed a nice mass with just Henry and Vivian. They did okay. On Easter the masses were absolutely packed. The 7:30 am one let out as the 9 am church goers attempted to fill the building. We agreed that Robbie would drop me off with the three bigger kids to secure our pew, while Robbie parked and brought the baby inside. We had to stand around as the parishioners left the church, then we slipped into a side door and made our way to our usual seats. A few minutes passed as Robbie tried to find a parking spot in the congested lot. Finally, I looked over my shoulder and saw Robbie approaching. The girls saw him too. "Where's VIVIAN?!" I worriedly asked. The look on my calm, cool, and collected husband's face was priceless. He never looks panicked, but that day his face registered shock and concern. He'd left her all alone in the van. He rushed out to save the baby, and we girls giggled in our seats. The people behind said, "That must have been a very funny joke." We shared Daddy's mishap, and they got a chuckle too. The really funny part of the story is that Robbie found Vivian just hanging out in her carseat sucking her thumb with her blankey. She wasn't the least bit upset. I've said again and again that Vivian is the best baby I've ever had. This seals the deal. She's so easy going. However, during that mass Robbie wore a tie. Something came over baby Vivian, and she kept attacking Robbie's tie knot with her little fingernails. She acted kind of crazed with her tenacious grabs, and Robbie looked at me as if to ask, "What is wrong with our baby right now?" Luckily, such moments are rare.

Henry on the other hand always keeps us hopping. We attended a Saturday evening mass a month ago, and he slipped his hand quickly up the back of Olivia's skirt and lifted it higher than her bottom. Her panties flashed the people sitting behind us, and for once we weren't seated in the second to last row of the church. Olivia wanted to sink into the floor, and she wanted to take Henry with her. She was not pleased with him, but she saw the humor in the situation. I think our eyes were as big as saucers. Robbie has been busily planting flowers and vegetables for me as a Mother's Day gift. Henry managed to step on the front and center flower plant in the bed, and Robbie was very frustrated. Everything had been measured and planned, and my son snapped it to the ground.

When Dad and Jane joined us for Olivia's 2nd Holy Communion the Sunday after her sacrament, I asked them to help me by getting Henry from the Children's Church room. Apparently, he backed into the corner of the room, cried, and wailed, "I want my MOMMY!" He didn't want to leave with them, and the mother volunteer teacher asked, "Who are you?" "I'm Julie's dad," he said. My brother was there too, and they somehow got Henry out of the building. He has been attached to me to a fault lately. He cries whenever I leave him, and there is no talking him out of his fits. He will even flip out when I run five minutes away to grab the girls from dance class while he's with Robbie.

Henry sometimes amazes me in a wonderful way. My little guy was given a Lightning McQueen wrapped gift box on Tuesday from Dad and Jane. He slept with it, carried it around the house, held it in the van, and sat with it in the house for days. He was told he could open it on his birthday, and he knew his birthday had not arrived. On the morning of May 6th, his whole family entered his room to sing Happy Birthday. He looked so incredibly happy. Once we finished our song his first words were, "May I please open my present now?" Luckily, he found a CARS book inside. He was really thrilled.

On the morning of Henry's birthday he told multiple people at the grocery store where we picked up his CARS cake that he was the birthday boy. He can be pretty charming with those big baby blues. One lady gave him a high five and wished him at least another 97 happy years. I thought that was the nicest wish. He can retire his flannel CARS PJs until the weather turns cool again. He received some new springtime PJs, and he happily wore them. He has new slippers like his big boy friend Owen too, and that made his day.

Vivian took her first steps on April 23rd. Her whole family witnessed the event, and we clapped for her excitedly. She can pretty much run with her baby stroller walker, but this weekend she took many baby steps. Her feet are tiny, and her steps really are baby steps. They are quick and close together. She can take five steps and travel one foot. It is very funny. She also claps for herself after she walks. We taught her to do so, I suppose.

Well, many hours have passed since I saved this draft. I had a lovely day with my family. Robbie's from scratch blueberry pancakes and eggs with fresh ingredients were amazing. I got a nap and an hour or so to tool around the Plaza all by myself. I snuggled and read to my chldren at bedtime. I love my children. I cherish my husband. All is good in my little world. I'm blessed with good women who received my Mother's Day wishes, and I hope their day was lovely too.