Let the Wild Rumpus Start

Team Dodson is adding a player. Draft date TBD, hopefully just inside of '09.

We're thrilled (and terrified, all at once!)

Jedi Mind Trick

We may have to start calling D Obi Wan. After asking me for something several times--during which time I keep saying no--she starts saying "Alwight, alwight" over and over with a little grin. At first I thought she was conceding, but then realized she was saying that in anticipation of (or to get) me saying that. So I finally asked her.

Example: She wants me to read more books at bedtime.

D: "Mommy read one more book. Please! .......................................Alwight, alwight."

Me: "Dylan, are you saying alright because you understand we aren't reading any more books or are you saying that because you think I'm about to say that and read you more books?"

D (w/ a saccharine smile) "Because I think Mommy is going to read me more books!" (in characteristically Dylan lyrical way with a very high note on the end).

Am I that much of a freakin' pushover?!

PTI

Walking in their room after listening to them chit chat for 30-40 minutes instead of napping.

Me: "Why aren't you sleeping ladies?"

C: "Because we're talking about band-aids."

(Here they are outside Gymnastics class).

Desperately Seeking Dylan

Another classic D ensemble (her new favorite shirt...a red shirt Kallie bought her when she went to Italy. And yes, that's a firehat on backwards). I think it looks like an 80s rapper (ie. Jazzy Jeff) while Andrew thinks she looks like Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan. (she's decided, btw, that her favorite colors are Red and Blue, while C remains loyal to pink). And one funny story. The other day we had to get andrew a pillow. They wanted to go to a playspace we go to afterwards but it was late. But since I'd said we would I agreed, only on the condition that they PROMISED to leave when I asked and PROMISED to take a good nap (I know, SUCKER!) They kept saying "Yes, yes Momma" and then C from the back of the car says "So is it a deal Mommy?"

Finally, here's a pic of them saying good bye to Kallie (their first babysitter whom they adore) before she moves to San Diego :(

You 'da Man

We have a tradition in my family that we rip on each other in our Christmas cards. Odd, I realize, but it is usually all in good fun and it makes for some great laughs on Christmas morning (not to mention that it can be really interesting to see how new comers respond). I just read one of the books my brother Daniel gave Andrew for Xmas (The Nine) and the card from Daniel was still in there. It reads:

Andrew's Resume
Duke '99
Harvard '04
Married an older woman at 27
Had two kids before 30
Well....the first two sound smart.

Aside from the fact that it makes me laugh every time I read it, the reality of it does keep me up at night sometimes. Maybe it is the Catholic in me, but I definitely harbor some guilt for making Andrew a father (of two no less) so early. But when I look at pics of Andrew with his girls, I start to think that maybe he should be the one thanking me for giving him the two greatest little bundles of fun (most of the time).

In all seriousness, Andrew, you are an incredible father and I am so lucky you chose me. I married you for many reasons, and if I'd known you'd be a fantastic father too I'd have married you even sooner. Your rookie and sophomore parenting years have been pretty impressive....can't wait to watch the next 60. Happy Father's Day.

(Warning: LONG video.... I did it with the main character in mind and figured he wouldn't mind watching 8 minutes of pictures of him and his kids. Y'all might feel differently however :)---That and the pics aren't completely in order...we're going for the 80/20 rule.)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Maybe...

...it is because my babysitter is gone all week and I've been mom 24/7 for what seems like A LOT the past 4 weeks. Maybe it is because D walked up and poured half a glass of water on the center of my keyboard yesterday (while I watched horrified in what felt like slow motion..."Nooooooooo!"). Or maybe it is because Hawaii--and travel in general--is ALWAYS something I crave. But today I think the three of us all felt it, so we watched this video over and over this am (btw, it is long, and not much happens : )).

Slump

Yes folks, I think it is fair to say I'm in a slump, a blog slump that is. I just haven't had the motivation. Not sure why and hoping it ends soon. That being said, I'm missing lots of memories, so I'll try to make this one a "catch up."

• Today C/D wanted to wear "ladybug barrettes." I said we didn't have any. C runs into the living room. I hear her 'typing' on my computer for a few minutes and talking to herself in a sing song way as she did it. She comes running back in the room and says "Mommy, I ordered the ladybug barrettes online! (pause) And UPS will bring them eventually." No joke, word for word.
  
• I took C/D to the zoo last week. It was one of those days when I could just sit back and enjoy the simplicity of a two year old. They had the BEST time riding the train through the (crappy) SF zoo. And getting to ride the carousel too, was the icing on the cake (I'd talk about the animals, but at the SF zoo there isn't much to talk about). It is so easy to make a two year old content and that day I just got to enjoy being the guardian of their happiness. Frighteningly, when Andrew asked C what animal she rode on the carousel, she said "the UPS bunny" (it was brown).
  
• They are learning the concept of manipulation. When I tried to get D to eat her spinach tonight she told me she couldn't because "there are nuts in the spinach" with a mischievous grin (they know they can't eat nuts yet). If C wants D to take something she'll use my line and say something like "The book misses you Dylan." It is like watching myself.
  
• "Because I love you" or "Because you love me" is becoming a very solid reason for anything and everything. They often like to hold each other's hands crossing the street instead of each one holding one of mine. C will often say "I want to hold my sister's hand" and if D balks she'll say "please....because you love me Dylan!"


• The hot weather we've been having has led to some "special treats." I LOVE giving my kids dessert. I totally admit it, I do. C/D have each had two ice cream cones in their lives, and they are two of the best memories I've ever had. They are silent, focused, enraptured, and COMPLETELY content. I know it won't be long before I can't be in complete control of their happiness, so what the hell, I'm gonna live it up now. Here they are enjoying a chocolate milkshake.



• If C think either A or I are upset about something she'll walk up to us and in her most empathetic voice ask "What's the matter sweety?"
• We spell their names for them in bathtub crayons to get them into the bath. If you ask D how to spell her name now she'll say "D-Y-L-A-N" really fast. Of course, if you ask C how to spell her name she'll say "D-Y-L-A-N" really fast. Then D will start whimpering and say "She's taking my D-Y-L-A-N."
• We went to Texas for a week and the girls had a great time. Sadly, I hardly took any pics. Biggest highs: jumping off the starting blocks into the pool, playing in the kiddie pool and the slipnslide (so nice to have hot weather), their first baseball game. Only low is that the girls now have a bizarre fear of seaweed after seeing a lot of it on the beaches. : )
• Andrew's high school friends are doting uncles to C and D and it is so fun to watch these guys at the mercy of the playtime demands of two little girls. They are completely spoiling them because they always come bearing gifts. Here's C in the Astros cheerleading uniform from Uncle Todd (damn me for not getting a pic of them together).


• A got home late the other night because one of his flights had mechanical trouble. I explained that to the girls before they went to bed. He got home at 9pm and for some reason C and D were STILL up. So I made him the sacrificial lamb and he went into their room. Here is what I heard:"Daddy your airplane broke!""Daddy you had to take it to the airplane doctor!""Daddy they don't give shots at the airplane doctor.""Daddy you fixed it with tape.""I think the airplane got stickers."
• D has picked up on the fact that she can 'pretend' to be C. Yesterday she started saying "I'm Charlotte" and then grinning. I started to play along. Only problem, C wants to be C and no one else. She kept running up and saying "NO I'M CHARLOTTE." So for most of the day we called Dylan "Other Charlotte."
• A new favorite game is to "Go to work." Here's how it goes, usually starting with D: "I am going to work. I need my brown pants! I'm getting my computer. I need a shirt. Ok, now I need some hot coffee. I'm going to work!.......I'm back! I had a scone treat and I worked soooooooo hard."
• Today we went to the beach and the girls had kinda runny noses and it was a little windy. At one point I hear C cry out in annoyance. I asked her what happened. She said, "My snot got stuck in my hair!" Nice, very nice.
  

My apologies for the silence and the continued lack of videos. Hopefully I'll be more inspired soon!

DWF

From Andrew:

I've come to accept that C &D are likely not the next Mia Hamm or Jenny Finch. They seem to be more interested in watering the baseball tee like some sort of deformed flower rather than take hacks using the perfected swing I've taught them. While I haven't given up hope on baseball and soccer yet, they have recently become very interested in a much more refined sport. Yes, the Dodson Wrestling Federation is in full force and effect. Molly obviously has seen it much more than I have, but I was introduced to their wrestling efforts last night. After I came home, I was trying to get some work done in the living room. C & D came in to see what I was doing and generally wreck havoc (they get lots of joy out of banging on my keyboard while I'm trying to crank out an email). After they realized that I wasn't a willing participant at that moment, they went into full DWF mode. It started with D bear hugging C from behind. I tried to encourage her to use the sleeper hold, but she didn't quite get it. Despite how rough they are with each other, they're giggling the entire time. It is so much fun to watch them play and interact with each other. The DWF is really the first time that they've been physically interactive with each other.

Anyway, despite how neat it is to watch, it also scares the s*it out of me. Last night's session ended with C (aka Superfly) leaping off the top rope (aka our ottoman) and body slamming D, who was lying on the couch. I thought all hell would break lose, as C's form and technique in executing the maneuver were flawless and, at least with Superfly Snuka, the move always ended in defeat for the opponent. However, D seemed to love it, laughing hysterically.

While we're going to have to keep an eye out to make sure they don't start breaking chairs over each other's back, it's encouraging that they've at least taken to one sport. So what if they're more inclined to be Chyna than Mia Hamm?