Ian's Little Joke

A couple of weeks back, we went down to Hilton Head to register Matt for his half marathon and have dinner. Here's a funny moment that I've been meaning to write about because it highlights Ian's maturing speech and humor.

Dinner was in a restaurant that I wasn't quite sure would even be kid-friendly. It just looked too nice for kids. Moms, you know what I'm talking about! But they did have a high chair and the kids were beautifully behaved through the whole meal. Even Zoe, who usually attempts a crazy escape at some point mid-meal, sat contentedly until we were all done.

I'm not sure if this happens to everyone with kids, but we usually have a few people walking by comment on the cuteness of the kids or the redness of Ian's hair. However this particular night, the amount of commentary was crazy! So many different people passing by had something to say!

As we walked out of the restaurant, we were stopped one more time by a couple sitting together near the entrance. "I just HAD to tell you how proud I am of you guys for bringing your kids out! They are such well-behaved children! Good for you! Oh, and such a cutie..." (etc., etc.). I really do like talking with people, but I guess I was just tired at that moment of being like a traveling exhibit. Such sweet people, and such wonderful comments, but as we were leaving Matt and I almost simultaneously came to a conclusion...

We were the only young couple there with kids! (And all of the people commenting were observably older than us).

"Matt, I think I figured out what tonight was like. It was kind of like visiting a nursing home. You know, when the old people are so excited to see little kids because they never do?"

"The food was a lot better, but yeah, I was just about to ask: where are all the kids?"

Ian was paying attention, and interjected with an amazingly observant, "All the kids ran away. They just ran away."

Matt and I nearly died laughing. Ian certainly is growing up and adding humor to our lives! And this is another reminder that kids are ALWAYS listening, and understand far more than we give them credit!

We tried asking Ian why they ran away, but he only smiled at us with his adorable mischievous grin. He was enjoying his little joke. :)

Everyone should run on base!

Ok, so usually these posts have to do with the kids...but this is "Gayler FAMILY Updates" after all! :)

This past week, I ran in the quarterly "5k Fun Run" on Parris Island. My first formal "race" after Ian and Zoe!

It feels so good to be running again, I truly had forgotten how good it feels to have feet pounding on the pavement! Yes, I am one of those crazy people that thinks running is FUN! (Even though the hard work to get to "fun" is sometimes challenging!).

I will be honest with you...I really wanted to quit in the first 10 minutes! It was so motivating at first to hear the formation behind me singing cadences. "Run, run...there's nothing to it!" Then...everyone else had passed me (this was a very small race on base). A white van passed me by, and I thought the pace van had even forsaken me! Then there was the fact that I was only one of two women out there (which was motivating until she passed me too, LOL). Just at the moment when I figured maybe I would walk some (I was still struggling to get my rhythm), the female recruits started running by me...with Drill Instructors urging them along.

The Drill Instructors have my eternal respect and admiration. To truly appreciate what they do, I know you have to walk in their shoes (or under the Smokey as it were), but I have had the opportunity to watch them for quite some time on base. DIs are a rare breed. They physically and mentally push the recruits in a way that no other person would be able to...by personal example. They run back and forth in a seemingly tireless pursuit of forming excellence in the group of young men or women they are training. The lessons they have to teach are learned through blood, sweat, and tears, and they push others on when they have even given up on themselves. I could continue with many words with the sacrifice, commitment, and dedication of these role models! But, my point is that their mere presence for me is inspirational and motivating!

At any rate, as I felt the urge to quit, the DIs were running by, shouting motivation at the recruits. Wow, just what I needed! At a moment when I felt especially inclined to drop pace (and perhaps turn around), a DI turned to briefly glance my direction and shout, "IT'S NOT MY FAULT YOU STINK!" (not really at me, right? That was for the recruit!) and she used a different word, but I don't like to use it! But, oh how this brought a smile to my face and quickened my feet. So true, nobody can control my destiny but me...and if I'm going to let a little discomfort get in my way of success, it's not saying much of my character! Phillipians 4:13!

So, I finished the race still RUNNING. I may have been the very last one to cross the finish line, but I achieved my goal. One foot in front of the other!

My first ever 5k was completed 8 years ago, and I completed it in 31:30. As exciting as running again is, how much more exciting it is to know that I am even faster this time! My finish time today was 27:32.

I was rewarded with a second place overall trophy (female). I'll treasure this as a monument to dedicating myself and pushing myself. I can take it with pride because I know I pushed myself!

From 02.2010 - MISC

Isn't it great that the trophy is bigger than Zoe? And Matt must comment on it every time he passes it. :D

Thank you first and foremost to God, whose blessings make such an endeavor possible. He is my reason for everything, my All in All. And to Matt, who pushed me on every day before this. I can't even form the words to express the magnitude of his own personal example and motivation for me personally. Thank you second to Ian and Zoe...meeting me at the finish line today was amazing! And Ian informed me, "You did a BIIIIIG job running mommy. Biig job! You gotta 'rophy. Good job!" Can I cry now? LOL.

Thank you to all those who gave me daily support and encouragement.

Thanks to those who organized the race! Beaufort is an amazingly beautiful place to run!

Thank you to the DI who shouted the right words at the right moment. You all have my heartfelt gratitude for what you do EVERY DAY.

You see, running is bigger than any one person, that's why it's so amazing! Did I mention I think EVERYONE should do a run on base?! Some motivating stuff. Semper Fi!

This isn't the last you'll hear of my running news. Beaufort Twilight 8K here we come! :)

The Most Amazing Show on Earth!

Today we made a simple run to the store, and although it was quite frustrating at some points...I couldn't help but laugh at our circus on wheels.

Ring One: Ian in the back of the cart, whining that Zoe keeps hitting him on the head. For his next act, he will commence "biting" and licking the hand every time it reaches back.

Ring Two: Zoe in the front of the cart, hitting Ian on the head. For her next act, laughing hysterically at her brother while trying to climb backwards (head first) over the seat.

Ring Three: Mommy pushing the cart, trying to maintain order with friendly reminders that mouths are only for talking and kissing...children need to remain on their bottoms at all times, and the screaming (even though it is happy screaming) is not appreciated by me OR everyone else staring with annoyance in our direction.

For our final act, Ian will "accidentally" kick his shoe off, narrowly missing an elderly woman...and Zoe will manage to get herself out of the seat restraint and be headed butt first out the leg hole.

To all of those who are standing around gaping at our show, I am happy to inform you that the circus will be back again in a few days. Due to the popularity of our act, tickets will now be required. :)

Better Than an Alarm Clock

I was off to bed, but I noticed something in our bedroom...one of Ian's books. Almost every morning, Ian opens his eyes and quietly reads a book in his bed while he slowly wakes up. He doesn't get out of his bed until we come get him, often after he starts calling for us. (And sometimes Zoe and Ian will play/talk to each other from their beds for nearly an hour...we encourage this!). But most of the time, all is quiet on the monitors until Ian actually speaks. He is so quiet with the turning pages, I don't always wake up just when he does.

But over the weekend, his book of choice was an Elmo book with sound buttons. I have opened my eyes and laughed every morning as I hear the silly sounds coming from the book, signaling Ian is greeting the morning with his daily ritual.

I have to admit, I'll kind of miss not hearing the little beeps, whistles, and cartoony voice. It was so much better than an alarm clock! :)

Chasing Cheerios...

Today was an amazing day, full of activities that are pretty much "normal" for us, but somehow combined to make today special. I love how being at home with my kids allows even day-to-day routines grow into special adventures sometimes.

But first I have to write about this morning. It started out as a challenge, a really big challenge. Both Ian AND Zoe decided that they would "gang up" on me and cry about every 2 minutes over especially frustrating details. For example, Zoe cries because she dropped her block, Ian wants to be nice and picks the block up for her...but Zoe wants to be picked up so she throws the block back on the floor. Ian cries because Zoe didn't want his help. Hooray, both of them are crying again.

After almost an hour of constant crying, I felt the frustration and irritation leaping up inside of my chest. This sudden surge of emotion first clenched my jaw, and then began to ball my fists up (so I didn't yank my own hair out!). Honestly, I don't remember what I even asked God...it might have been along the lines of, "Why me?" But I received a supernatural zapping of patience. (Thanks, Erica for giving me this terminology, it explains times like these perfectly). I say it's supernatural, because it certainly was not anything of my own doing. We have had mornings like this before, and they turn into days like...Well, I'm sure you can relate.

Anyway, I know that I also thought to myself that I had the choice to get irritated that my kids were crying and in less-than-fun moods, OR I could just find it funny. After all, when played out with the right lighting and music...this COULD be a scene from a sitcom, or a funny movie. It certainly was not drama or tragedy material. (It wasn't even scary-movie material. Really! No knives, and they are much too cute to scare anyone). Yes, these kids and their antics were definitely straight out of a comedy.

So with my new found resolve at happiness, I smiled and picked up the smallest screaming child and hugged the other child with my free arm. Aw, how sweet. A few pats on the back and order would be restored.

Oh, but my children did not share in my epiphany. Order wasn't really changed at all, just my attitude. I was on cloud nine for about 10 minutes until they were both screaming again...

We went through a couple bouts of this (frustrated, deep breath, calm, frustrated...), and I felt my anger level starting to rise again. A changed attitude is great, but it doesn't do anything for the noise level or the headache. Or the inability to get even the simplest tasks completed. Sigh.

Really, it was a challenge because it tested my commitment. Was I really going to let a bad start and some tears change MY mood from upbeat to depressed? (Every 10 minutes even). Would I let outside influences dictate my actions in a negative way? Other days the balance has fallen far over to the side of negativity! I know if you are a mom, you can relate to this feeling. Sometimes, the drama of your children is a powerful vortex of doom. (They do have those in some comedies).

I battled within my thoughts at each new bout of screaming. Then it was time to get ready for the day's activities.

I gently set screaming Zoe in the crib with a few books to read. I firmly sat screaming Ian down on the bath mat in the bathroom with a magazine. I took a 15 minute shower in blissful PEACE. It turns out that apart from each other, everyone was able to calm down and enjoy themselves!

After the shower, Ian stood up and said, "I'm ready to be nice now." (And I didn't even ask him anything OR tell him anything either before I sat him down or after I got out of the shower!) You know I didn't have to work at THAT smile!

I had to REALLY work at my happiness this morning. I think I do work at it a lot, but I often give up at some point. But not today. I guess that's why I'm blogging about the whole psychology behind it: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 was a victory for me. I conquered a huge battle with negativity!

It really wouldn't have mattered if Ian had miraculously changed his attitude or not, but maybe this is proof that a truly determined-for-the-best attitude CAN be contagious...even to the littlest people.

So, here's my first happy dance of the day. :)

I won't get into really boring details about all the rest of the days activities (maybe you're already half asleep reading about my "Battle Against the Preschool Mom's Vortex of Doom." (No, I will not hold my breath for movie rights or syndication). But, I hope you enjoy some memorable highlights of the day:

*At the MOPS Meeting, Ian clearly had a little "crush" on one of the little girls. Ian has played with other little girls his age, but seeing him look up with his head cocked to the side with such a smirk of admiration was SO cute!

*We treated the car to a automatic car wash. I highly recommend this "field trip" to any mom! Ian was transfixed and asked one million and three questions about each part of the wash. Zoe's head lifted ALL the way out of the car seat and she looked like an owl as she followed the sprayers going towards the front of the car and back again. I was highly amused by their reactions, and remembered the first time I took Ian to the car wash. Cheap thrills!

*Getting stuck in traffic waiting for the tree cutting crew to clear branches from the electric lines, we had a front row seat to yet another cheap thrill. Ian was bright eyed and happy as can be to watch the little man in the bucket truck going up and down. Getting lost and going down the wrong back road has its advantages.

*The library will always be my favorite place. I can only hope the excited smiles of my kids as we walked through the doors today are a foreshadowing of how much they will love the world of books as they grow. Ian melts my heart because he chooses one book at a time and savors each one, turning each page totally engrossed. He would happily sit in the library for hours, I'm sure. Zoe cracked me up with her "little old lady" walk, speeding up and down the aisles of books squealing and pulling books down (waddling with her butt sticking out behind her). She too loves to flip the pages back and forth, but was really enjoying shelves and shelves to pull apart. I remember Ian doing the same thing. Oh wait, he still does...only now he'll at least read every one he pulls down. :)

*At the grocery store, Ian and Zoe sat together in the little car cart (the kind that is underneath the shopping basket). It made me so happy to watch the backs of their little heads and hear their happy noises as we were shopping. Ian even SHARED HIS SNACK with his little sister (putting it in her mouth, as it was little crunchy pieces of cereal). They only lasted 10 minutes together before they drove each other nuts, but hey...gotta start somewhere!

*Speaking of driving each other nuts...on the way home, Ian was complaining, "MOOOOOOMY, Zoe 'AAAAHing' me!!!" Here we go! The cliche brother and sister whining has already started! I'm sorry Ian, but at this stage it's still pretty humorous. Better start practicing your "ignore" skills NOW!

*Zoe has her first pair of shoes! She wants to walk around everywhere we go now, and floors are gross. We got the flexible sole kind that is really like a pair of thick socks. The transition from socks to foot wear was highly amusing! Zoe first stared at her feet while taking a few steps. Then, she "cruised" between two stable objects a few times, watching her feet as she walked, as if testing her ability to walk again. Next, she got down on all fours, and shook her feet behind her alternately (think, dog/cat stepping in something and trying to shake it off). I hope she will repeat this performance again, because it needs to have video!

*I got the title for today's blog because the last two stops, both kids were eating Cheerios and I realized we were leaving trails wherever we went. Raising these wee ones really is chasing down cheerios a lot of the time. :)

I guess that's about it for now, it's time to do the nightly routine...but first, one final happy dance for the day. WE NOW OWN BOTH OF OUR CARS! Today marked the very last payment on my car (Matt's car was paid off last May). I'm so proud of Matt and I for achieving this milestone and can't wait for the next step on our way to being debt free. It's really exciting!

I'm so thankful God gives us the ability to choose happiness, and didn't program a bunch of robots. Robots would never be this good at chasing cheerios anyway. :)

Snow way!

I can hardly believe it...last night there was snow in South Carolina! Beaufort, South Carolina, to be specific!

Of course, it started coming down just AFTER we put Ian down (yet just BEFORE his little eyes had closed). But in this family, sleep will hardly take priority over a new and exciting adventure, will it? (Only for the littlest people, like Zoe, that missed their nap that day and passed out practically dead to the world).

We didn't plan the day like this, but we went from this:


To this:


In less than 12 hours! Quite humorous, don't you think?

As you can see from the huge grin on his face, Ian had no trouble waking up to enjoy the falling flurries! The most precious moment of all was only moments after really processing what was happening, he lovingly turned to make eye contact with both of us and said, "I LOVE snow!"


Ian's steps for "How to Enjoy Snow" would look something like this:
1) Run around in circles with a huge smile on your face, in an ever-widening arc around the yard,
2) Chant, "It's snow! It's snow!" or "Snow! I love snow!"
3) Randomly squeal and shriek in excitement as snowflakes touch any part of your body,
4) "Catch" snowflakes by opening your mouth very wide while running with your arms flailing randomly about,
5) Repeat from step 1. :)

Matt was there the whole time to share in the joy of the moment with us, bathrobe and all! It makes me so happy to see what a good Daddy he is to his kids! It was like all of us were kids again, sharing in Ian's excitement!

(For those of you that know Matt well, you know this is a big deal to see him making such cold temperatures look so "cool" and casual...LOL).

We even knocked on our neighbors door (their son is a month older than Ian), and had fun partying in the snow with their company too! Part of what made the night so exciting was hearing the shouts of joy from all corners of the neighborhood as kids (and adults) were having fun in this rare Beaufort occurrence!


Eventually, it was time to head inside. Ian stopped running around in circles and with rosy cheeks tramped into the house. I know that he had dreams of the snow, because when he woke up the next morning the first thing he said was, "Mommy, I gonna build a NO man!!" with emphasis.

Rewind just slightly (since Ian did sleep in until 10am!), Zoe and I headed out first thing in the morning for her to see the cold white stuff for the first time.

Zoe's first reaction to the snow was ambivalent. In fact, a somewhat contented expression even crossed her face at first...


That was soon to change as we got down to the level of the snow to explore closer. She feigned a lack of curiosity (she does this quite often, content to let someone else check it out for her first), and tightened her hold on my arm.


I scooped up a little handful of snow to let her touch it, because I could see she would NOT be happy if I just plopped her down in it. She humored me, and reached out tentative little fingers...


...and, I have never seen a baby this young do it, but she ROLLED her eyes at me! And, she heaved a big sigh and retracted that little hand in a very firm statement. "Mother, I do NOT like snow, and don't EVER make me touch it or get near it again."


I didn't listen, and when Ian finally woke up, I decided to try again. Sometimes, little people just need extra time to process things. But Zoe had not changed her mind in only a couple of hours:


She did think about it for a moment longer when brother was next to her on the blanket,


but at this moment in her life, she does not care for it. At all.


In fact, she was a little mad at me.


At least her brother cares and listens to how she feels. When I was trying to snap a picture of both of them on the blanket in the moment she seemed content, Ian informed me, "Mommy, Zoe can't want snow. She can't like it. Pick her up, Mommy. She can't like it."


Pardon me for my snickers of amusement. I know one day Zoe may decide she likes the cold white stuff, but I can't help but think, "That's my girl!" I love the looks of snow, but 10 minutes quite satisfies my curiosity. I don't like building snowmen, or making snowballs, I like to look at how pretty it is from under my warm blanket.

Special thanks to Ian for showing Mommy that snow can be tremendously exciting...even more than any amusement park! :)

We made one teensy snowman, which Ian promptly picked up, "Mommy, da NOman want on da road, not on da NO!"


We made a couple other snowballs (that I intended to be snowmen, but Ian corrected me), "This da NOman, this NOT a NOman, Mommy." I asked him what they were, and he never gave an answer. It was very cute how he lined them up!


What I will remember most about this beautiful episode of February 2010 is Ian's electric pursuit of snow. It's all melted now, but yet another memory is saved!



It's such a blessed experience getting to know my children through their experiences. I will never take for granted how different each of them has been created, and how wonderful it is to celebrate their uniqueness! Most importantly, how exhilarating it is to be present with the ones you love...to soak in the sensations of every moment. :)