I Always Get The Screamers...

Breckin discovered his vocal cords a long time ago. He would coo and babble...squeal with delight. It was all so precious. However, it has progressively gotten louder and louder. And more ear-piercing. I mean, it's like nails on a chalkboard.

Last night we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant. We love to go there because it's a great atmosphere (and they make the best Morga-ritas) and it's always pretty loud in there so if you have kids, they can be somewhat loud and it's hardly noticed by the other diners.

Breckin is super-sweet. He laughs and laughs...squeals...he's just soooooo happy. (I hardly take credit for that, I claim he's that happy despite me) It's just his natural disposition. So immediately when I sit him in the high chair, he starts laughing and pounding his hands on the table...he was just so crazy-excited. Maybe he feeds off the energy around him. But then he started letting out the screams...screams that if you heard them, you think he's upset rather than happy. And they were blood-curdlingly loud. We definitely got some stares of disapproval from nearby diners. But what could I do? He wasn't upset and needing consoling...he was just deliriously happy...how he is most of the time. I tried some ssshhhh-ing...but he just thought it was funny. This is Breckin. Breckin the Screamer.

This is not my first time dealing with a "screamer". Tanner first started his loud squealing around 4 months old. Same thing...just happy and excited. And again, it was a scream that sounded like he was upset...so people eating near us at restaurants think they got stuck sitting by a crying baby...but that was not the case. Tanner is 5 now. And he is STILL loud. He's also a non-stop talker. Yeah, we're officially a freakin' circus in public...never a relaxing moment. My whole pregnancy I had hoped that Breckin would be more mellow...because Tanner was already a lot to take...to add another to the mix? Scary. But here I am...Breckin is 10 months old...and there's no signs of him quieting down any time soon.

This is what I get for having boys. I may not have a quiet moment for the next 18 years. It's like a sentence (and I still don't even know what I did!) At least they're adorable and sweet...and in the meantime, there's always red wine (or Morga-ritas).

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

So I was outside today cleaning up my dog's "business" as Tanner was playing in the yard. He starts casually saying, "Momma, Momma..." to get my attention. I don't look up from what I'm doing, but still say, "What?"

"I found a rat."

I look up at him, and he is holding a dead baby rat IN HIS HAND! (Likely killed by Dakotah.)

So I do what any mother would do...

I scream.

And then I yell for him to drop it immediately! Poor kid must have thought he was in trouble by the way I was reacting. I then tell him not to touch ANYTHING with his hands as I rush him inside to wash his hands and face with Lysol soap. Then of course feeling yucky myself just from having seen it, I wash mine too.

Of course I calmed down quickly to let him know that he wasn't bad, but that I only freaked out because rats carry diseases and can make us sick which is why I rushed him to wash his hands. I also let him know that he is not to ever pick up a dead animal again - he is only to tell Mommy or Daddy about it so we can get rid of it.

So as I went back out to finish picking up after the dog, I was thinking to myself...only would a mother of boys have to deal with this. Sure, a 5-year old girl might TELL you there is a rat and point it out, but she would have never actually picked it up and brought it to you.

Oh, and as for the dead rat that he dropped in our backyard, yeah, I had to scoop it up with the pooper-scooper and drop it in the bag with the rest of the dog's "business".

Top 10 Tuesdays: Reasons Why It's Good to Be The Princess

Well, it's no secret that when I became pregnant with Breckin, I had hoped for a little girl (I seem to remember being quite open about that). Although I think I still might want a little girl someday (though for now my shop is closed until further notice), I do have to admit that it really is so wonderful being a mommy of boys. Here are the top 10 reasons I love to be a mom of all boys and the life of a princess mommy is not too shabby:

10. Two words: Momma's Boys - boys love their mommies soooo much and it's so nice to feel so loved.
9. A lot less drama in the teen years. Less dramatic in general. I provide enough drama for one family and I don't need anyone stealing my thunder.
8. I do not have to compete for my hubby's love - I am the only girl in his life.
7. The mother/son dance at their weddings.
6. Not having to pay for their weddings.
5. When they get to a certain age, daddy can take them to do "man" stuff and mommy gets a lot more girl time (translate: "me" time)
4. Boys are naturally more tough and less likely to cry when taking a fall. A lot less fragile in both mind and body.
3. Not having to worry so much when they start dating. I will naturally worry a little, but for much different reasons.
2. Statistics show mothers and daughters argue way more than mothers and sons.
1. Their wardrobes will cost exponentially less to maintain throughout the teen years. Since I don't have to pay to upkeep a girls' wardrobe and beauty, I will have more to spend on mine! :)

"There's a special place in Heaven for mothers of all boys." -Unknown

Blog Renewal...and a little Blogger's Block

I have "revamped" this blog to basically put both the blogs I had going in the same place rather than two separate blogs. So Smith Beach Babies and Fit and Fabulous Mommy are no more. Introducing: Princess Mommy - Once a Princess, Always a Princess. I worked out this title because I just had my 2nd son...and it's no secret that early on in my pregnancy I was hoping for a girl. But alas, I am a mommy of boys and I have to learn to live with that (though their sweet faces make that part pretty easy). So what happens to a mom when she doesn't have a little princess? She gets to STAY the princess...FOREVER! I'm not new to this role as princess because I also was the only girl out of the three kids my parents had, so let's just say I'm pretty good at it by now and I think I can continue to handle it. I'm fairly sure I provide enough estrogen for one household as it is.

I have been pondering how I will post in this blog going forward. I love to write and I love making people laugh. I hope my witty and sarcastic sense of humor will shine through my posts - I hope to even offend some readers...yes, I'm that sarcastic. But it's all in the name of good blog writing and to stir up some interest and comment banter (yes, feel free to comment on any of my posts!) If you think you can handle it, please become a follower. So you know, I just like to keep life light-hearted and find the humor in things...being a mom, it is especially important. I would go absolutely crazy if I couldn't find a way to laugh at the utter chaos that is my life. But I wouldn't have it any other way...my boys (including my husband) are my everything. So I hope you enjoy my little anecdotes about my life as a mommy...and as the princess.

Unfortunately for tonight, I've been struck with a little Blogger's (Writer's) Block...but I thought I would at least introduce the new and improved blog. Enjoy!