Luke is 18 months old...TANTRUMS!

I guess I lucked out with Noah because he really never threw tantrums--at all. Don't worry though, Luke has become quite an expert in these last couple of weeks and had by far his best performance today--in public of course--while we were at Panera Bread.

I don't know why I did it, what was I thinking cutting his grilled cheese sandwich into bite sized pieces? If I could only go back... He had shoved one entire half in his mouth and kept gagging it out because he couldn't chew it, so I thought I was being helpful, even considerate. But no, that was the worst possible thing I could have done. The moment he saw what I had dared to do to HIS sandwich it was all over!

There was no taking him outside as we were already in the outdoor seating area. The urban street location left me with no parking lot to run to. I stepped onto the small sidewalk area and let him writhe around on the concrete as people passed by but not even the noise or buses could distract him. We had barely begun eating of course, so I had to try to pack up the food while trying to figure out what would help Luke stop freaking out and fight to strap his tantruming body into the stroller. So much for a nice relaxing lunch. People were very nice about it either offering support, stories of their own children or at least trying to pretend to ignore us instead of giving me the "what is wrong with your parenting skills" look. I thank you all for that small kindness.

I know it happens to everyone--so they say--but, it doesn't do much to make me feel better in the moment. That five minutes felt like five DAYS! By the end of it all we were both crying and sweaty and poor Noah was a scarred witness to the terror. Watching this video at least helps me remember to laugh at the absurdity of tantrums...

Debate Date

For my birthday date night, Mark and I went to dinner and watched the presidential debate--we are so old! It made think of the placemat Noah used to have that had drawings of all the U.S. presidents. One day it just so happened that he was using his placemat and I had the newspaper where there was a perfect sized drawing of Barack Obama--not a cartoon mind you, he was looking very presidential. So we cut it out and taped it on the placemat right next to our current president--who shall remain nameless. We loved it! Sadly we left that placemat in California, but we know it is just a matter of time before Obama is in the White House and on placemats everywhere. Can we just get this election thing over with? :)

Dunkin' Donuts

Who doesn't love a doughnut? Noah loves the chocolate cake w/chocolate frosting, Mark loves rainbow sprinkles, I always go for the chocolate bar. We have recently started letting Luke have the sweet stuff because we can't hide it from him anymore so he will eat anything. But how often can you really eat them? I could probably do a few days in a row, but after that I think even I would crave some grape nuts or roughage of some type. For some reason the doughnut market has been fascinating me for the last few years. In Southern California there were independent doughnut shops in EVERY strip mall/shopping center. I thought, "how can there be so many doughnut shops?" "Is there really that much demand?" Now we are in Boston, the Mecca for Dunkin' Donuts lovers. There are literally 13 Dunkin' Donut shops within ONE mile of our apartment. I can walk to THIRTEEN different stores. Whaaaat? Who is eating all these donuts????? It makes me want to brush my teeth even thinking about it...

How hard can it be?

Apparently pretty hard. I started this blog two and a half years ago. Previously it had three posts. The longest post with the most pictures was written by Mark. I also never managed to give the link to anyone. Oops. So here goes nothing... again.

We are here in Boston--the fifth city we have moved to in our six years of marriage--and I'm inspired by my new surroundings to change it up a little. I'm also feeling the need to think and discuss things beyond pee and poop, quesadillas, star wars guys, and sticks (Noah and Luke's new favorite toys--which by the way works out well for us on our student budget). Mark is in class or studying until late and it is just me and the boys all day, so I need some adult conversation, even if it is just with myself on this blog! :)

A New Year: 2007

The first few months of 2007 have hit us with illness and trial, but now we're back! Better than ever...=).

Mark was hit, first, with a muscle-attacking influenza and, second, Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, which paralyzed half his face and gave him vertigo which made him feel like an Irish man on the night of St. Patty's Day. But, rest, medication, and lots of love from Tracy and Noah and friends and family have helped him recuperate and now he's nearly 100% back to normal, even though Mark was never "normal" in the first place...=).

Tracy, meanwhile, has been the stalwart of the family. She not only took care of Noah, her sick husband, and her baby in utero, but also took over the building managing responsbilities. She rented apartments, saved locked-out widows, protected tenants from Noah-like floods, braved yawping New Yorkers and angry Indians, managed the delusions of well-meaning geriatrics, and all the while maintaining her sanity. She is the rock of our family, and I know Jesus better because I know my wife.

Noah, on the other hand, is a typical two year-old, which unfortunately means he has PMS-like bouts of anger, temper, frustration, and self-imposed isolation (He places himself in time-out when he gets too angry: "I need timeout," he shares). But, he's such a joy when he curls up to his daddy on the couch and brings him book after book to read to him or watches some NBA action with him. Or, when he sits on the counter and "helps" his mommy cook dinner and measure just the right amount of ingredients. He loves his little brother already and hugs Tracy's belly, whispering "I love you's" and "See you soon's" to her popped-out belly button.

Our next little one is coming at the end of March and we're more than excited; Noah will have a playmate and someone with whom to collude his impish mischief. The baby is getting bigger every day and Tracy wears matriarchy like a bejeweled crown. I love the mother of my children and am so lucky to have found a partner in this crazy life journey.

Thank you for all your support and love. We loved Vegas for Christmas and Noah especially loved his new bike. and dressing up in his new suit, "just like Daddy." Thank you Wita and Pete and Uncle Petey for being such great hosts during a challenging time for Mom.

From L.A. With Love, from the Barrionuevo's. We'll be back soon with more adventures from a new neighborhood..=)

technology

so... the time has come. i am finally diving into the digital age--kind of. i still don't--and probably never will--own an ipod or blackberry or whatever may be the gadget of the moment. i do have a cell phone...but i don't use it very well. nice track record, huh? so begins my attempt at staying connected a little better. here are some recent glimpses of life in our neighborhood. :)

glimpses of noah

here's noah on the ginormous love sac mark talked me into buying. it takes up half of our apartment--literally!
i just loved finding noah in this position the other night. apparently he likes to sleep on his knees with his bum in the air and his head and shoulders twisted to the side. i don't know about you, but i would be feeling that in the morning!

not one of his happier moments. maybe he's upset about his hair.