Use your words

I was very focused, searching the library's online catalog for a children's book my father-in-law had been telling me about, half-listening to the kids' chatter behind me. 

Suddenly, Tiernan's voice found its way into my consciousness, "Were you listening to my words?"

"Oh," I snapped back to the present moment. "No, I guess I wasn't. I'm sorry, what did you say?"

What good does it do him to use his words if you're not listening, Mama?

Snuggle Bug

I took a break from making dinner and started wandering around the house, then outside, then back inside, looking for Tiernan. 

He doesn't always know to answer me when I call his name, so I called, "Tiernan? Say, 'yes, Mama.'"

I heard a faint, "Yes Mama."
 
"Where are you?" I asked.
 
"[muffled words] room," came the faraway reply.
 
"Your room?" I asked, heading in that direction.
 
"No--your room," he corrected me.
 
I went into my bedroom, but saw no sign of him. "My room? I don't see you."
 
"I'm heah," said his little voice, coming from Colin's pillow. The rest of him was snuggled deeply under our comforter.

I guess it's been a long day...

Peanut

I don't remember Tiernan's voice ever being as small and high-pitched as Colette's. I noticed it especially when she stood in my bedroom this morning.

"I mant some," she stated. "Low-la."

"You want some granola?" I asked her.

"Ya!" she exclaimed. "I yike ga-low-la. Huh-way."

Date Hour!

Colin and I had the longest uninterrupted conversation EVER, when we left the children with a new babysitter for an hour this evening.

Concerned we might need to start heading back, I asked him how long we'd been talking. He checked his phone and replied, "Fifteen minutes." 

Wow--we really need to get out more.

Love. My. Life.

On a breezy summer Sunday evening, Colin and the kids pick me up from work. It's dark as we drive home with the windows rolled all the way down, Colette fast asleep in her car seat. 

We pull up to numerous red lights next to college students (also with windows rolled down), where I become vaguely aware that the Wiggles are playing full-blast from the CD-player. 

Since Tiernan forbids anyone to touch the volume these days, we do not even try to muffle the sound. Instead, I reach over and take hold Colin's free hand, and laugh.

Avoiding temptation

Tiernan proposes to Colette, "T'mon, Miss, let's doe out back."

[They start heading for the door together, Tiernan holding his baseball glove to his chest]

I ask, "Tiernan, are you going to let her play how she wants to play?"

"Um, lep."

"No hitting," I remind him, referring to an incident that occurred yesterday.

Tiernan, understanding exactly to what I'm referring, replies, "No. I not dunna bwing da bat."

Impromptu Phonics Lesson

Me: "C" makes this sound: C--, C--, C--
 
Tiernan: C--, C--, Why da Tolette-letter make dat sound?
 
Me: That's the Colette-letter and the Caomhan-letter. Can you say, "C-- C-- Caomhan?"
 
Tiernan: C--C--Caomhan.
 
Me: Yay! Now say C--C--Colette.
 
Tiernan: C--C--Tolette!

What am I SAYING?

I spent some time trying to convince my persistent 3 year-old that the Wiggles don't wear their shoes to bed. But what evidence could I provide?

He didn't buy it.

Finally, I resorted to the old standby:
"Well, when you grow up, you can choose to wear your shoes to bed. But not while you're living in this house."