Aunt Jackie and Uncle Chris are leaving tomorrow and I’ve decided I’m going back with them to Greenwich. I know… I know… “you can’t even go on a quick trip to the grocery sans Quinn without pointing obsessively to his car seat like your parents forgot him at home” you say? Well…. that is correct, but there’s just not room enough in this suitcase for both of us… and I’m the one who is likely to handle the long trip in a 2×3 box.

Packin up!
Cooper

So… Aunt Jackie and Uncle Chris are in town this weekend and mom had the brilliant idea of going on a bike ride through Golden Gate Park. First, despite how fabulous and fit we all look in this photo, we should note that our parents aren’t necessarily the “outdoors” type (nor the “exercise” type)… but we were willing to get nutty and take on the challenge.

To put it lightly, we completely freaked out.

The poor pitiful souls in the oh-so-cool Haight Ashbury bike shop had no idea what they were in for when we walked (I mean barreled) though the doors of the joint. Cooper and I both absolutely freaked out upon mounting the bike… and if that weren’t enough, we both went into voluntary seizures when it was time to put the helmet on.

Mom all but put is in straight jackets because she “knew (we) would like it once we got rolling.” The cool cats at the bike shop were ready to call child protective services until they realized she nailed it. How do moms know this stuff? It took about 10 seconds of fast riding with mom and dad and we were in heaven. I wouldn’t say we were glowing with excitement, but a very content wave came over both of us and we sat quietly and took in the beautiful trees and air as we breezed through GGP for the first time on two wheels.

And that’s how I roll.
Q-dawg

Yep – you’ve guessed it… we are on lock-down again. Despite the vaccination, little cooper has come down with the chicken pox. Not surprisingly, you would never know it from his attitude. I swear, this little guy can power through just about anything – and still keep a smile on his face.

Thankfully, the doctors say it should be a mild form (given the vaccination), but they think the massive amounts of steroids and morphine he received back in October suppressed the effectiveness of the vaccination. They also say that if Quinn is ever going to get the Pox, now will be his lucky time, though we’re looking pretty good so far. Thank goodness, because he’s not as easy going when he’s sick (takes after his papa)!

Mom (that’s Terra to you)

POSITION FOR:

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis (see photo above)

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this… You pay them! And offer frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Mom is a slaker. She tells us it’s not nice to call people names – especially her on Mother’s Day – but we are using name calling in a last ditch effort to get her to post more often on our blog. She keeps using excuses like FlyingPeas, and getting acclimated to her new fabulous job, and being a mommy… but we don’t think any of those reasons are good enough. I mean, we do all the hard work of writing the posts and doing the photo shoots… all she needs to do is type them in the computer (we’ve yet to learn to type, but it’s our next thing to tackle).

But we forgive her. We conducted a mini Q&A for her on her third Mother’s Day, and this is what we got:

What was your favorite part of Mother’s Day this year:

Hmm… it’s hard to day – I loved it all – the brunch at home, beautiful flowers, mani/pedi and fun in the sun with my favorite boys!

What do you particularly love about me (Cooper) right now?

Other than your healthy lungs, my love? Ok… I absolutely adore how you laugh with your whole body. There is nothing sweeter than that. And when you are sad or scared, you hold your little arms up to be held and lay your head on my shoulder. I also love how you curl your core in anticipation of a tickle. And how you light up each time I walk through the door. Absolutely precious, you are.

And what about that rascal brother of mine (Quinn)?

I love how intense Quinn is – I can already tell what a deep puddle he is. At any given time, his eyes are saying a million things (I call them “sexy eyes” even though I’m his mommy). Oh, and I love how he is a little collector and likes to control where everyone sits by pointing and patting at the desired location. He has such deep love for me – and I feel it every day.

What else is important for us to know on Mother’s Day?

That I couldn’t be the mommy I am to you if it weren’t for your dada. He is such an amazing partner for me and mentor for you.

Any other updates you’d like to provide while you’ve got the floor?

Well, I probably should since a lot of people ask what you guys are up to lately… let’s see… the concept of sharing is not something we’ve mastered yet… nor eating out. You are starting to say a few words… Quinn says mama, baby, bye bye; and Cooper says bubbles, fish, dada. You both love trucks. Cooper is particularly good at puzzles and Quinn is good at cleaning (who knew a broom would be the best “toy” in the house?!). You also both like to kiss, which is super fun for moms and dads.

Happy Mother’s Day, mama.

P.S. Our slacker mom (ok, last time!) is also still working on getting our other blog up to snuff… “soon” she says.