Fires and odors

Our furnace is out for the time being which means a house that is in the 50 degree range. We should be getting a new furnace on Monday but for the time being we are managing. With multiple layers and blankets and me being a very grumpy wife and mother. I hate being cold. It is why I love summer so much because there is little chance of being cold.

So, we have lived in this house for 5 years now and never once used our fireplace. We were told that the previous owner used it very often and even had a chimney guy come out last year to see if we could use it safely. We were given the green light but no matter how many times I have suggested it, my husband has not been up for building a fire in the middle of our home. We may not be 100% sure that the flue is open but 90% for me is good enough. Especially when I am freezing.

So last night we had a fire in our fireplace. It was very nice. Liam and I had a fire picnic, where we just read books on a blanket in front of the fire. And Evan filled up a bucket of water that was nearby in case things got out of hand. Seriously.

Unfortunately that flue may need some looking at. After a 3 hour fire it began to be very obvious that not all the smoke was exiting out of the chimney as it should. Which has resulted in a home that smells like Evan and I smoked 2 packs of cigarettes last night, each. Yuck.

This morning I was lighting fragrant candles and spraying Oust to neutralize the odor and exclaiming how it really stinks in here.
Liam said, "Did someone poop in here?"
"No buddy, remember the fire we had last night? The smoke from the fire stinks!"
"The fire pooped?"

Oh brother.....

Arrrgghhh!

This potty training thing is the worst. Last week was such a difficult week for Liam. Accidents numerous times throughout the week, with one time in particular at the babysitters where she could clearly see that he had wet himself as his pants were soaked, asked him if he had had an accident, and he said, nonchalantly, no.

Sunday was a particularly challenging day because we drove up to Joliet to meet Ivy. I thought Liam would be able to hold it for a 90 minute car ride but 10 minutes from our exit, he announced that he needed to go and we had no choice but to just let him do his thing in his seat. Luckily, there wasn't enough to soak through his pants and the car seat was spared.

After insisting that Liam try to use the restroom before our drive home we weren't but 10 minutes into our drive when he again announced that he needed to go. This was the moment that Evan told me that he had not been successful the last trip at Aunt Stephanie's. So, the question was what do we do? We were just getting into the horrible construction traffic which meant we were at a stop or going 5 miles an hour and who knew how long it was going to take to get to the next exit. At which point we would most likely be too late anyway.

So, I did what an desperate mother would do (I think) and climbed into the backseat with an empty cup in hand. I figured 'he's a boy and should be able to do this, right?' Well, I explained to Liam what we were going to do, pulled down his pants and prayed that this would work. With a giant grin and a couple of giggles, Liam peed in the cup and I put him back into his seat. Since traffic was still moving rather slowly and we were down to only one lane I think we were able to do this without anyone knowing what was going on.  Well, it's possible that the people behind us thought we were being extremely odd but I'm just going to pretend that they didn't know what was happening.

Did this help us get all the way home dry? Unfortunately not but at least it made a pretty good story.

We now have a potty chart hanging on the fridge with 5 boxes that Liam can put a sticker on if he stays dry all day. At the end of 5 days he gets to pick out a toy, book, get ice cream or basically we will do anything his little heart desires. We need some goals and momma is tired of doing laundry every other day.

The voice of an angel

Liam singing the ABC's

Singing Take me Out to the Ballgame, kinda

As you can see we need to work on Take me out a bit more but I couldn't resist sharing.

I'm so mean!

Last night I got to see 'Chicago' at the Peoria Civic Center with my in laws. Just the girls and we had a great time.

So that means that Evan and Liam were on their own and of course when I called on the drive home I got to hear how amazing Liam was and how much fun they had together.

Since today is my day off I was hoping for an equally fun day with Liam including no tears or tantrum throwing. We were not successful. Surprise, surprise.

Two screaming fits at the Children's Museum here in Normal and after the second one, once he had calmed down. I asked him, "What is your deal? Why are you throwing fits?" To which he replied, "Cause I not getting my way."

Well, at least he knows he's not getting his way or exactly what he wants in that moment. And here's a news flash for you my dear son, get used to it.

I may need to clean out my ears

Today Liam and I were playing in his room with all of his stuffed animals. Liam said, "It's a party!" and I thought he said, "Let's get a keg!"

So I had him repeat himself and swore that he said it again. "Where did you hear that?!?!?! Don't ever say that again! Did you hear that at...." naming numerous kids at his daycare that he maybe would have heard this phrase.

Then Liam said, "No, mom I said Kix, the cereal."

Whew! I better not hear that one ever again! At least if he was smart he would never say that in front of his mother even if he is at a legal age.

A ray of sunshine in our storm of terrible two's

After a week and a half of the most horrible behavior you could imagine from my child, today was an answer to prayer.

He listened, he was calm, he was polite and very well behaved.

So tonight we had this conversation:

M: "I had so much fun with you today at the pumpkin farms."
L:  "Yeah!"
M: "Did you have fun with me? Or just fun?"
L: "Just fun."

And here was a song that he told me that he made up from earlier in the day.
"I got money in my pocket, and I want to go shopping."

And when we went to the library we sat down next to the Elephant and Piggie books.

M: "Oh here's one Liam, do you want to take this home with us?"
L: "I want to read it right now. Oh, this is going to be funny!"


So, glad to have my sweetheart back. Last night I was watching little videos when Liam was a baby and he was cooing and so happy. Evan was making fun of me and said, "Trying to remember what Liam was like when he isn't throwing a tantrum?" Why yes, yes I am. And today I got to have a whole day with him while he was just being a sweet, curious 2 1/2 year old boy. What a blessing!

Love

On Sunday Evan and Liam were playing with each other and Liam said...

"Daddy, you are my best friend, ever, ever, ever."

Even Evan couldn't contain his proud smile when he came to tell me. This boy is so sweet!