Never Know What to Expect

For past 24 hours, Hannah and Luke have both been taking us by surprise  - saying and doing things unexpected and out of the norm.

These two are the epitome of a brother and sister relationship.  They are either lovey, dovey - playing together, trading trinkets, sharing toys, reading stories at bedtime or the total opposite...talking over each other, bickering, not letting little brother in her room, not sharing.  Can't quite figure out what makes them tick.  But it's an interesting dynamic - and thankfully there are more good moments than bad.  We just never know what to expect!

Yesterday as we were going about our morning routine and we are getting ready to load up for preschool when Luke asks me, "Mom, what are you going to do all day?"  Before I could answer he says (yes, he's into asking questions he already knows the answers to), "You are going to use the washing machine, watch TV, drink coffee and change Ryan's diaper."  I chuckled...mostly right yes, but I like to think my trip to the gym, errands and other household chores count for something.  I guess it's developmentally appropriate that he starts to make a connection that life goes on when he's not there.  :)  Later that afternoon, on the way to pick up Hannah from school, I guess he had a picked up a ball point pen in my car.  As we are driving, he says, "Uh oh!  I made a mark."  Not paying attention (and not turning to look behind me), I give a half-hearted response and say, "Did you draw on the car?"  He says no so I say, "That's OK" not really thinking anything of it.  But as soon as Hannah gets in the car, she sees the damage...

and I hear her little high pitched voice say, "Luke!  What is that?"  I turn around and see he has scribbled all over both legs. I ask him why he did that. He said he was drawing a picture for Hannah.  I proceed to give my lecture on pens and markers are only for paper and tell him he can not use pens or markers for a while.  Then he says, "Well, Ryan did it."  Then Hannah jumps in with her commentary and later I hear, "Well, I was drawing a picture for Daddy."  And then later, "Well, I can still use crayons." As Michael pointed out to me the other day, Luke is starting to tell white lies and we are talking to him about why it's important to tell the truth.  Smart though, that he tried to blame it on baby, who was sitting next to him.  :)  Although very out of character for Luke, it was funny and a reminder that he's growing up and will push the boundaries.

So this morning, my alarm went off at 6:30 and a few minutes later I wander sleepily into the kitchen.  I could tell Michael wasn't home from the gym yet, so I went to start the coffee pot and work on Hannah's lunch.  In our house, Michael gets Hannah ready and off to school in the mornings and I do the boys' morning routines.  Luke and Ryan usually always sleep until 7:00 or 7:30.  Hannah always wakes up at 6:25 and watches a show until 7:00.  As soon as I push the 'grind' button, I hear sweet baby noises coming from the playroom and I look up to see Hannah holding Ryan, who was only in a diaper. That woke me up quick.  My first thought was why the baby monitor didn't wake me up.  My next thought was how long have they all been awake?  Everyone appeared fine, so I go upstairs and Hannah explains that he was crying so she got him out of bed, put him on the changing table, changed his NASTY, STINKY POOP diaper, and then got him some stuffed dogs to play with.  She said he was crying a lot and she didn't want to wake me up.  I was quite impressed, but not being fully awake, I couldn't quite figure out how to handle this situation - should I be grateful for taking care of her brother and commend her thoughtfulness for letting me sleep or upset that she did this without permission?  She could have dropped and hurt him.  The crib is very tall and even I have to use a stool to reach over and get him.    Ryan probably weighs 22 or 23 lbs now so I know she had a hard time lifting him over.  Anyway, I decided to thank her and I let her know next time she needs to come get me.  I went in the nursery to examine the evidence.  PJ bottoms were in the crib, a little bit of yucky on the changing pad, and dirty diaper was wrapped up and in the diaper pail (just had to remove it for the outside trash).  The only thing suspicious was a wet spot on the carpet.  She claims he wasn't changed on the floor so who knows?  All things considering, not bad.   Reminds me of the time last summer when she woke up and made breakfast for herself and Luke before I got up.   When she makes up her mind to do something there is no stopping her.  :)  

What is that saying?..."Always expect the unexpected."  Good to remember.