A Tale of Oatmeal, Doctor Visits and Cupcakes

The kids and I are having a low key weekend here at home. Curtis left early Friday morning for his first LPL event with my mom. His own mom, sister, aunt, and cousin are at the conference too, which is very fun.

I had low expectations for yesterday, but it actually had many high points. For example, when Jackson was eating his oatmeal he randomly said, "Mommy, does this oatmeal make my heart dirty?" What a weird question, right? I said, "No, oatmeal doesn't make your heart dirty, but do you know what does?" Then he answered by giving an example of something he gets in trouble for. We had a great conversation about sin making our hearts dirty and what we can do to make them clean again. He brought it up several times throughout the day. It's amazing to see evidence that God is working in his little heart.

Annabeth was scheduled to get her second (regular) flu shot in the morning, but I had to call first and make sure they hadn't run out of the vaccine. It took me forever to get anyone on the phone. I guess we have the H1N1 flu (also known as the hini/hiney flu in our family) to thank for that.

I'd known for a while that Jackson somehow missed getting his second Hep A shot, but I was in denial about having to schedule that appointment. Then we got a note from his preschool that he needed it asap or else. Dern! So I added him to the appointment with great dread in my heart. *I'm used to baby/toddler shots, but Jackson wasn't conscious of what was going on the last time he got one. Let me tell you, I was not excited about having to deal with this. It also was my third doctor visit in 9 days and it started storming a few minutes before we had to leave.

We were finally in the room and the nurse asked me which kid was going first. Jackson had figured out that he was getting a shot, but he wasn't even as freaked out as I was. I seriously started to feel like I was going to pass out because I was so nervous for him, which is ridiculous. I had Jackson go first so he wouldn't see Annabeth get hers and get scared. He had to lay back on the table and the nurse had me hold his hands. I made him look at my smiling face and I kept saying, "See how hard you can squeeze my hands!" He was smiling and laughing until she stuck him. He jumped and said, "Ouch!" That was it. No crying or drama. He was immediately distracted by the yellow crayon band aid she put on his leg. He did great. Hopefully we'll have a repeat of this x4 at his four-year appointment, but I won't count on it. It sounds dreadful. Annabeth went next and she was quite dramatic. Bless her heart.

Then it was off to the grocery store because we were all out of baby food. The kids were very good. I got Jackson two new Matchbox cars because he had done so well at the doctor's office. For the rest of the day we just chilled. At 3:30 it was pretty dark outside and it felt like bedtime should be getting close. The afternoon dragged on and on. I made supper and then Jackson and I baked cupcakes. We had a lot of fun doing that together.

Once the cupcakes were ready, Annabeth was already in bed and it was just me and my little man. He was standing on a chair I'd pulled up to the kitchen island and I was standing across from him, leaning on the counter. We unwrapped our cupcakes and partook of the white, sprinkled goodness together. It might have been my favorite mommy moment with Jackson so far - staring at each other as we enjoyed what we made together, pointing and laughing at the icing on each other's face. It was one of those sweet times that you know you'll tuck away forever.

Bedtime soon followed and I got to sit down and enjoy my recorded episodes of Say Yes to the Dress. Have y'all seen that show? It's my new favorite.

Jackson woke me up while it was still dark outside and that was when I missed Curt the most. He always goes out to the living room and sleeps on the couch while Jackson watches cartoons.

It's finally cool outside as of this morning. Praise the Lord! It's gray and soggy and I feel unmotivated to leave the house. Actually, I really want to go to a plant nursery and buy some cute stuff for my porch, but I think it would be impossible with the kids. Today may be one of those days when just getting my hair washed and dried is a plus.

*I know the topic of vaccines is controversial among parents, but it's not my intention to start a discussion about it.