Having lived on other sides of the world before we got married, Jason and I are not strangers to needing to be apart, though that doesn't mean we like it. Thankfully, his current job does not involve much travelling and it has only been every couple of months that something requires him to head out of town. And we even got to join him on one of those trips and explore Greece - so we surely cannot complain.
A few weeks ago he was off to Potsdam. He was the first of us to go there so we were a tad jealous. Though he is had very little time to see much beyond the meeting room walls so we weren't too jealous. We will certainly need to head that way on a family trip eventually.
From time to time, I like to try to write up a daily snapshot of life. I happened to have some time to write one from a Sunday morning that Jason was heading out of town so I thought it would be fun to post it for him to read and for the kids to read when they are a bit older so they can get a little peek into Sunday mornings from before they can remember. And when I find myself pining for those days when the kids were little and life was simpler I can indulge myself in memories :). So without further ado...
I woke up this morning to Jason closing the bedroom wardrobe and picking his suitcase up from the floor. He was ready to go, which caused me to wonder what time it was. It was 7am. Did the kids really sleep that long? He needed to be out the door in 20 minutes, which meant I needed to hurry. Since I would be taking the kids to church on my own today, I knew I needed to be ready for church myself before Jason headed out the door (to catch his train) if I hoped to still make it to church on time. I managed to get washed up and dressed before he alerted me that he needed to leave. Hair styling would have to wait (thank goodness for pony tails!). The kids woke up. Perfect timing. Atticus got dressed and waited in the living room for family prayer. Jason got Milayla and we all knelt down together. At the closing of the prayer, Jason handed me Milayla at which point I notice that she had a huge blowout before she woke up. How had we not smelled or seen that? It was not only all up her back, her pyjamas and sleep sac, but also all over Jason's suit jacket. Lovely.
Jason took Milayla to get her out of her pyjamas while I cleaned up his suit. I mused over the fact that Jason ran out of time to get his suit drycleaned the previous week, as that would have made this situation suck all that much more, but I kept my thoughts to myself as I was pretty certain it's not what Jason wanted to hear at that particular moment. After the jacket was cleaned, Jason handed over a poop covered baby, still in a dirty diaper, but now without clothes (thanks), gave us all hugs and kisses then left - very late - to run for his bus in hopes of catching his train in time. We closed the door behind him and Atticus looked at me with his hands on his hips as if to say "And now what, Mommy?". I asked him if he would like to help me get Milayla cleaned up and dressed for church which triggered an exaggerated sigh from Atticus and he informs me that he thinks he would prefer to read books. Wisely chosen.
I got to work washing up Milayla as she chatters away, completely unfazed by the cleaning well underway. I love listening to her chat and sing. I am pretty certain she thinks those are real words she's uttering as her intonation rises at the end as if to form a question. I love the smiles that accompany it. I definitely did not love the clean up though. Atticus came and knocked at the door wanting to know if I can get him breakfast. I mentally kick myself for not thinking to get him some breakfast before I started getting Milayla ready, but promise him some breakfast once Milayla is clean.
Milayla is clean and I go make Atticus some Muesli. He's pretty excited about that. And starts singing about it. I love how happy it made him. Then it was off to get Milayla dressed. Atticus added his two cents from the kitchen as to what Milayla should wear and I chose a dress that coordinates with my skirt. (Yes, I do sometimes find myself color coordinating our family. I figure I better get it out of my system before the kids are old enough to object.) Milayla is already acting very tired and rubbing at her eyes. We sit down with Atticus and read morning scriptures before I feed Milayla. She fell asleep while feeding. I put her into her crib with some clean blankets. When I looked at the clock we only had twenty minutes until we needed to be out the door for church. Where did the time go? I was hopeful that would be all the sleep Milayla needed to make it to her afternoon nap without getting cranky at church.
I scrubbed the dirty clothes and linens. Meanwhile, Atticus finished his breakfast and began calling from the living room for me to come read him a book. My heart ached over the fact that I would much rather be in the living room with him than hunched over the tub scrubbing poop. I leave the clothes for later, wash my hands and go read a book with Atticus. He picked his Thomas book, of course. Some days I wonder if he even remembers that he has other books. We read a chapter. Milayla woke up and I looked at the time. Only 5 minutes had passed. How was that possible? Short nap. Short chapters. I went to get her. She pooped - again. Thankfully, the clean up was at little bit easier that go around. But by the time she was ready to go we were running short on time. I directed Atticus to the toilet and put Milalya in the exersaucer next to me in the bathroom while I washed my hands and pulled my hair back. I ran to the kitchen and packed Atticus' snack for nursery then added it to the church bag. I put the kids into their coats and shoes. We prayed and headed down the stairs. Atticus insisted on holding the celler door open while I pulled out the stroller. Bless his heart. It does make it difficult to fit the stroller out the door with him there, but I am truly grateful for the help as it is easier than trying to do it myself. He is such a thoughtful little boy. Atticus held the building door open for me as well and closed it while I lifted the stroller (with Milayla already strapped in) up the apartment stairs. Atticus climbed in and off we went. Within a few seconds Atticus said we're late and that Mommy needs to run. I walked a bit faster. We actually were running late.
We arrived to church. The kids got their outerwear off and we headed into the chapel. We sat in a different place than we usually do and Atticus panicked, not wanting to sit down (he is a routine kind of kid). I assured him that our new seat is just as good and he hesitantly took his seat giving me a look like I've lost my mind (and I probably have).
The meeting began with the opening song (yes, we made it on time. I love living so close to the church). Atticus tugged on my sleeve. He needed to go pee. Didn't he just go before we left the apartment? I asked him if he could wait and he says yes. We were barely through the first verse of the song before I looked over and saw him shaking his feet which meant he really needed to pee. I don't particularly love trying to take both kids into a bathroom stall so Atticus can use the toilet which meant I needed to find someone to hold Milayla. I looked around and noticed Sofia in front of me. Sofia is happy to help and I said a quick silent prayer that Milayla wouldn't freak out when she saw Atticus and I walking out of the chapel. We got back from the bathroom just after opening prayer and took our seats once more. Sofia asked if she could keep holding Milayla. Milayla gave us a little wave and looked pretty content sitting on Sofia's lap playing with a bracelet and lotion bottle. I obliged them both.
It was fast and testimony meeting. Atticus actually listened to some of the testimonies before he began to look through the Gospel Art Book. Milayla looked back at us every couple minutes to give us smiles and waves before going back to playing with whatever objects she was able to dig out of Sofia's purse. Sofia walked up to the front to bear her testimony while still holding Milayla. Milayla had a look of wide-eyed confusion on her face then she looked out at the congregation and began pointing out things to them. The flower arrangements, the microphone, the eyeglass case from Sofia's purse and how it made a lovely tapping noise when she knocked it against the pulpit. I'm pretty sure she loved it up there. A public speaker in the making?
When they sat back down, Milayla decided she wanted to sit back with Atticus and Mommy. I was pretty happy to have her cuddled back up on my lap. I missed her. Atticus snuggled up to my side. I felt like a million dollars with both kids snuggled in close. It lasted for a few minutes before Atticus began tearing up a picture he drew earlier into extremely tiny pieces and placing them on the bench next to him. I informed him that it was making a mess. So he continued ripping the paper but began placing the pieces in the backpack instead of on the seat next to him. I gave him "the look" which triggered the response "this way mommy not need to clean up". I decide this isn't a battle that I am in the mood for today and let him continue. At least the mess is contained.
The meeting ended and I wondered how much of that German my mind and spirit actually absorbed. I am grateful that the spirit can be felt no matter what the spoken language is, but some days my brain feels completely saturated and is unable to absorb anything else. Atticus asked if Milayla and I could walk him to nursery and off we went. The stream of people asking where Jason is began (and remained pretty steady until the end of church) and so it took us a little while to get to nursery. I sat Atticus at the table in nursery and put Milayla down so I could get his snack out of the back pack. Milayla was off in a flash to play with all the toys. Sadly, she's not old enough for nursery yet, but when the time comes I have no doubt that she will be very excited. After giving Atticus hugs and kisses I whisked Milayla off the floor and out the door. She was really happy about leaving all those wonderful toys behind. She was even happier when she discovered she was going to Sunday School with Mommy. Lucky girl.
We found an empty seat and I set up a barrier on the floor in front of me consisting of the backpack, my purse and the bag of the lady sitting next to me (because that will stop a determined one year old). I laid out a book and a couple small toys along with a little snack. Milayla turned up her nose at all of it, proceeded to climb over my well constructed barrier and headed straight for the piano because that is infinitely more fun that anything that could be in Mommy's purse. I pulled her back and a fit ensued. As I was picking her up to take her out someone behind me made a face at her and she stopped crying just long enough to furrow her brow at him before turning back to me to commence crying once more. Seriously? I stood at the back of the room with her and that seemed to do the trick and I was even hopeful that she would let me sit down again. I attempted and an identical cycle repeated. We stood at the back again until Milayla lost all interest and we headed into the hallway where she gets nonplay time. Once in the hallway I heard Atticus crying. He had been pushed by another child. Getting pushed is a big injustice in his mind and he is not happy about it at all. I peered in the window ensuring that he didn't see me to make sure that he is calming down all right. Milayla tries to open the door determined to rush to her brother's side. I fought the urge myself and waited for class to finish before running to get my bags from Sunday School to make it to the Primary room in time.
I arrived in Primary. One of the girls volunteered to hold Milayla. Sure thing! Atticus showed up at the door as Primary was starting (he was having trouble getting over being pushed) so I sat him down next to me with plans to take him back to nursery after he calmed down. Milayla began acting up and was handed back to me. Both kids were sitting at the front of the Primary room with me and not particularly enthused to be there when Atticus tugged on my sleeve. He needed to use the bathroom. Again. Lovely. Katie offered to take Milayla. I ran Atticus to the bathroom and encouraged him to head back to nursery. He then told me that pushing isn't right and not nice and I assured him that Mommy knows that but that staying away from nursery isn't the right answer. He hesitantly agreed to go give nursery another go. We walk into the Nursery room and they offered him a coloring sheet. He was sold.
Back to the Primary room. Milayla was with someone new and looked quite excited to find her way back into my arms. She was so tired. She draped herself over my shoulder. Sharing time had begun. The kids talked through a tin can phone system. I felt pretty useless as my German is still not up to par to contribute much to the teaching aspect. I feel like I am reminded quite frequently as to how much further my German still needs to go.
The meetings ended shortly there after. A nursery leader came to let me know that Atticus was finishing up his picture in the kindergarten so Milayla and I set off to get him. The smile that stretched across his face when he turned to see us walk in sure made me happy. He was so excited to show us the picture that he had been working on and wanted to make sure we put it aside to show Daddy too.
We were all tuckered out. I ran back to the primary room before I took the kids to the stroller, suited them up and headed out. My mind was racing with all the German vocabulary words that I need to still work on. My German needs to be better. Much better. As we walked out of the building I noticed that it had begun raining. We hadn't brought a rain cover. Or umbrella. Thankfully, it was not heavy enough that the kids seemed to mind. We chatted in transit with someone from church. I made a mental note that we were way overdue to catch up and I need to set up plans. We arrived home just before the downpour started. I made sure to express gratitude in my heart for that little fact and to point it out to the kids so that the kids can see how blessed we were.
I struggled to get the stroller away and two tired children up three flights of stairs. Thankfully, Atticus willingly walked up the stairs today instead of insisting that he should be carried. It's took us a while, and we needed to turn the stairway light (which is on a timer) back on a couple times, but we made it.
The meeting ended and I wondered how much of that German my mind and spirit actually absorbed. I am grateful that the spirit can be felt no matter what the spoken language is, but some days my brain feels completely saturated and is unable to absorb anything else. Atticus asked if Milayla and I could walk him to nursery and off we went. The stream of people asking where Jason is began (and remained pretty steady until the end of church) and so it took us a little while to get to nursery. I sat Atticus at the table in nursery and put Milayla down so I could get his snack out of the back pack. Milayla was off in a flash to play with all the toys. Sadly, she's not old enough for nursery yet, but when the time comes I have no doubt that she will be very excited. After giving Atticus hugs and kisses I whisked Milayla off the floor and out the door. She was really happy about leaving all those wonderful toys behind. She was even happier when she discovered she was going to Sunday School with Mommy. Lucky girl.
We found an empty seat and I set up a barrier on the floor in front of me consisting of the backpack, my purse and the bag of the lady sitting next to me (because that will stop a determined one year old). I laid out a book and a couple small toys along with a little snack. Milayla turned up her nose at all of it, proceeded to climb over my well constructed barrier and headed straight for the piano because that is infinitely more fun that anything that could be in Mommy's purse. I pulled her back and a fit ensued. As I was picking her up to take her out someone behind me made a face at her and she stopped crying just long enough to furrow her brow at him before turning back to me to commence crying once more. Seriously? I stood at the back of the room with her and that seemed to do the trick and I was even hopeful that she would let me sit down again. I attempted and an identical cycle repeated. We stood at the back again until Milayla lost all interest and we headed into the hallway where she gets nonplay time. Once in the hallway I heard Atticus crying. He had been pushed by another child. Getting pushed is a big injustice in his mind and he is not happy about it at all. I peered in the window ensuring that he didn't see me to make sure that he is calming down all right. Milayla tries to open the door determined to rush to her brother's side. I fought the urge myself and waited for class to finish before running to get my bags from Sunday School to make it to the Primary room in time.
I arrived in Primary. One of the girls volunteered to hold Milayla. Sure thing! Atticus showed up at the door as Primary was starting (he was having trouble getting over being pushed) so I sat him down next to me with plans to take him back to nursery after he calmed down. Milayla began acting up and was handed back to me. Both kids were sitting at the front of the Primary room with me and not particularly enthused to be there when Atticus tugged on my sleeve. He needed to use the bathroom. Again. Lovely. Katie offered to take Milayla. I ran Atticus to the bathroom and encouraged him to head back to nursery. He then told me that pushing isn't right and not nice and I assured him that Mommy knows that but that staying away from nursery isn't the right answer. He hesitantly agreed to go give nursery another go. We walk into the Nursery room and they offered him a coloring sheet. He was sold.
Back to the Primary room. Milayla was with someone new and looked quite excited to find her way back into my arms. She was so tired. She draped herself over my shoulder. Sharing time had begun. The kids talked through a tin can phone system. I felt pretty useless as my German is still not up to par to contribute much to the teaching aspect. I feel like I am reminded quite frequently as to how much further my German still needs to go.
The meetings ended shortly there after. A nursery leader came to let me know that Atticus was finishing up his picture in the kindergarten so Milayla and I set off to get him. The smile that stretched across his face when he turned to see us walk in sure made me happy. He was so excited to show us the picture that he had been working on and wanted to make sure we put it aside to show Daddy too.
We were all tuckered out. I ran back to the primary room before I took the kids to the stroller, suited them up and headed out. My mind was racing with all the German vocabulary words that I need to still work on. My German needs to be better. Much better. As we walked out of the building I noticed that it had begun raining. We hadn't brought a rain cover. Or umbrella. Thankfully, it was not heavy enough that the kids seemed to mind. We chatted in transit with someone from church. I made a mental note that we were way overdue to catch up and I need to set up plans. We arrived home just before the downpour started. I made sure to express gratitude in my heart for that little fact and to point it out to the kids so that the kids can see how blessed we were.
I struggled to get the stroller away and two tired children up three flights of stairs. Thankfully, Atticus willingly walked up the stairs today instead of insisting that he should be carried. It's took us a while, and we needed to turn the stairway light (which is on a timer) back on a couple times, but we made it.
I pulled Atticus' lunch from the fridge that I had made the night before. He sat down and ate while I fed Milayla and put her to bed. She was so cuddly that I delayed putting her into her crib a few extra minutes to soak up all those adorable cuddles. Atticus requested a book before naptime. I said yes. I love those extra moments together. It's Thomas. Again. He gave me a big hug and said 'I love you' before I headed out of his bedroom and closed the door thinking to myself; "Yep, I'm a lucky Momma.". And, indeed, I am.
With both kids in bed I had every intention of working on memorizing the Primary songs in German. Or eating something. Or even reading next week's Sunday School lesson in German (it's the only way I ever understand anything in class). Instead I sat down and started to unload the backpack and purse. I opened the backpack to be greeted by a load of teeny tiny pieces of paper and I was quickly reminded of the behaviour that I probably should have stopped during sacrament meeting just a few hours earlier. I scooped up as much as I could in one hand and then started picking up the stranglers. With everything unpacked I sat down on the couch with the Sunday School Student Manual intending to read it. Next thing I know I am being woken up by Atticus running in to give me hugs and kisses - nap time is over.
With absolutely no recollection of when I fell asleep I scooped Atticus up into my arms and gave him a big hug and kiss. As I ushered Atticus off to use the toilet, I said a silent prayer that I would have strength, patience and endless love for the afternoon ahead.
It was Grandpa Hochstein's birthday. We tried to give him a call but were unsuccessful so we set to work making a birthday video. The bloopers got the laughter going quickly. Atticus and Milayla loved being goofy. Once we finally captured a winning video, we played a round of Candyland to calm things down. Though tension rose when Milayla decided that Atticus' game piece belonged under the couch. He was unimpressed. By the time we finished playing the game the afternoon was quickly whittling away. Atticus reminded me that I promised them we would watch some cello videos (also known as the "piano videos" around here, but are more widely known as the Piano Guy's videos). We settled on the couch to watch a few videos on the iPhone. The kids were riveted. Atticus spilled out every single thing he knows about the piano and the cello. It's not very much so I heard each of those items on repeat 3-4 times. I adore how passionate they both are about music.
With the afternoon quickly giving way to the evening, there was some clean up to do, some songs to practice and dinner to make. It was a good day. We missed Daddy. Though we certainly felt his influence and prayers constantly. We made a video to send off to Daddy before bedtime (as Jason would not make it back to his hotel in time to FaceTime the kids). I love technology. I love that it makes time apart so much easier to bear.
We studied a scripture mastery verse together in English then German before I tucked the kids into bed. I was sure to thank them for their cooperation, patience and love for Mommy while Daddy was away. They were awesome. I love them.
Then I was off to tidy the kitchen, prepare for day two without Daddy and await a very comforting evening chat with Jason on FaceTime. It was pretty fun getting to tell one another about our day. Have I mentioned how grateful I am for technology?
With both kids in bed I had every intention of working on memorizing the Primary songs in German. Or eating something. Or even reading next week's Sunday School lesson in German (it's the only way I ever understand anything in class). Instead I sat down and started to unload the backpack and purse. I opened the backpack to be greeted by a load of teeny tiny pieces of paper and I was quickly reminded of the behaviour that I probably should have stopped during sacrament meeting just a few hours earlier. I scooped up as much as I could in one hand and then started picking up the stranglers. With everything unpacked I sat down on the couch with the Sunday School Student Manual intending to read it. Next thing I know I am being woken up by Atticus running in to give me hugs and kisses - nap time is over.
With absolutely no recollection of when I fell asleep I scooped Atticus up into my arms and gave him a big hug and kiss. As I ushered Atticus off to use the toilet, I said a silent prayer that I would have strength, patience and endless love for the afternoon ahead.
It was Grandpa Hochstein's birthday. We tried to give him a call but were unsuccessful so we set to work making a birthday video. The bloopers got the laughter going quickly. Atticus and Milayla loved being goofy. Once we finally captured a winning video, we played a round of Candyland to calm things down. Though tension rose when Milayla decided that Atticus' game piece belonged under the couch. He was unimpressed. By the time we finished playing the game the afternoon was quickly whittling away. Atticus reminded me that I promised them we would watch some cello videos (also known as the "piano videos" around here, but are more widely known as the Piano Guy's videos). We settled on the couch to watch a few videos on the iPhone. The kids were riveted. Atticus spilled out every single thing he knows about the piano and the cello. It's not very much so I heard each of those items on repeat 3-4 times. I adore how passionate they both are about music.
With the afternoon quickly giving way to the evening, there was some clean up to do, some songs to practice and dinner to make. It was a good day. We missed Daddy. Though we certainly felt his influence and prayers constantly. We made a video to send off to Daddy before bedtime (as Jason would not make it back to his hotel in time to FaceTime the kids). I love technology. I love that it makes time apart so much easier to bear.
We studied a scripture mastery verse together in English then German before I tucked the kids into bed. I was sure to thank them for their cooperation, patience and love for Mommy while Daddy was away. They were awesome. I love them.
Then I was off to tidy the kitchen, prepare for day two without Daddy and await a very comforting evening chat with Jason on FaceTime. It was pretty fun getting to tell one another about our day. Have I mentioned how grateful I am for technology?
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