Couple cute/funny Milo soundbites...

"Love you Charlie!" with his face smashed into the cat's side. At least we know he's not allergic.

Mike and I have decided that euphemisms are not always helpful, especially with body parts so we'll just call them what they are. So Milo's sitting on the couch, fully clothed, the other day and he just says, "penis." I reply "Where's your penis, Milo?" He says, "it's hiding."

We're at Red Lobster. After checking out the live lobsters in the tank, a great employee even pulled one out for Milo to see and touch, TomTom passes a lobster tail carcass for Milo to check out. "Cockroach?" he asks. Hee hee, I can't even help myself, I'm laughing out loud. "Cockroach! Wall-e da bug da cockroach!" he yells, grinning from ear to ear (translation: Wall-e's pet bug the cockroach, he's into that Pixar flick now, and he loves that cockroach)

Where do Nana and Booka live?

Happy 32 Handsome!

He'd never tell you himself, and he always makes sure the wait staff knows not to sing to him, but on his day, I guess it's my right to announce to the world that my man has survived one more year. I do say survived because I think esp. this past year may have been a little tough on him. I know I have been. And Milo's into his two's already though his birthday isn't until June. And yet here he is, with a great job, taking great care of his family, setting us up well for the future asking all those questions about saving for college for Milo and the like. Mike is an internalizer, and this is a little tough on me his verbal-tirade-inflicting wife, so sometimes we have to dig a little bit, but he's also so talented and so smart. He has seen much and sometimes calls himself cynical, and maybe that's true, but he is also good and generous. He loves to give nice gifts; now that we have a little more cushion, he gives so generously without much thought. And as we start to formulate the priorities in our lives, who we want to be as parents and role models for our kid, I love that he gives so quietly and effortlessly. He is also the best dad. He loves to take Milo out on an adventure. Whether it's a walk down the street to the park, across town to the "good" park for swings, slides, and flying a kite, or over to the Imagination Station, Mike loves to have fun with Milo. He also loves that Milo loves things like fries and pizza and Chipotle. He gets almost as excited as Milo over things like the moon in his room and building things out of his leggos. Happy Birthday, Mike. Love ya.

Manos Garden...

I've somehow been included in an exciting new adventure. I think sometimes God has a way of answering prayers before you even know how to ask for it. My friend Jackie and I had been looking into getting into a community garden and not having much luck, as most plots were full with waiting lists, far away, or not easy to work with. I happened upon a free garden class at the library downtown here by us, and all of a sudden made a couple of connections. I realized that one of the guys I had been trying to contact about a garden was an expert at the class, and then we started talking, and I'm putting it altogether and he's telling me about a couple of potentials. I gathered his and a few other's information, and left excited and not so scared (Mike's dad justifiably reminds me of my "black" thumb :)

After emailing this guy again, I arbitrarily picked this garden about a mile from me because it was the closest one. He then connected me with the gal in charge of that garden, and after emailing her, she sent back a reply saying they were having a meeting regarding that garden the next day. I scrambled to get my babysitter lined up, everything worked out, so I hesitantly attended this meeting the next afternoon.

I rapidly realized that I was in over my head in terms of experience, and then realized that this was not exactly what I initially thought. I say at a conference table in a house belonging to the botanical gardens surrounded by 4 master gardeners, the seeming main guy, Michael, with the non-profit associated with the botanical garden for a group called Toledo Grows, the gal in charge of this garden, Alison, and it sounded like several other projects, and a couple of other community members who seemed well-versed in gardens, plants, and ...birds? I was a little confused.

Then it starts to come into focus that this garden isn't really established yet, but not only is it going to be a community garden, it's going to be a project that handicapped adults in Toledo will come and work, in addition this woman, Helen who works with these adults, is also in partnership with a birding society at Cornell and they have interest in making this an urban site to watch local fowl. Helen is also in partnership with a corporation that supports this program with the adults and several more so there's various funding options available. Three of the 4 master gardeners are newly graduated from their master gardener's class and excited about taking an active mentoring role in this locations, it's in an interesting location in Toledo highly connected with the arts community, so there's already been a mural painted onsite and this whole group wants to continue this commitment through other art structures or works and in the actual layout of the garden. They have already started in motion the necessary steps to get it on the weekly art walks in the summer. There's another gentleman, Brian, at this table who is a contractor who also works with at-risk kids, kids who have been in juvenile detention and the like, who is on board to build a terraced garden complete with rain collection barrels, all sorts of raised beds, and a rain garden, whatever that is. And then there's Susan, the master gardener who taught the class I took at the library who is also connected in various ways to the local community college and thus has student volunteers available and some funding as well.

All of this stuff that is way over my head is flying back and forth across the table, and I'm watching all this like a tennis match, and then they turn to me. Why am I here? Uh, well, I'd like to try not to kill some tomatoes, maybe some peppers or peas...? Alison graciously steps in and explains that I live in the area and represent the families in the area. Wait a second, represent? I've somehow become a participant in this project that has the power, knowhow, and ability to create this space that will literally change the face of this part of the city. What?

I called my mom, all excited and overwhelmed, and she says that I have to blog about this! And I'm like, yeah, okay, write about how I'm this random, under-qualified, most-likely-to-kill-anything-that-grows stay-at-home mom who's going to try and blend into this group until they realize I'm ruining my corner of their art. But then again... So here's where we're starting, an empty lot with a beautiful mural on one end. And I've even started some tomatoes, peppers and peas from seed. Maybe I can do this. I'll let you know.

Yummy yogurt

Just cute...

Some recent cute pics, nothing in particular...

Better late than never...

I'm behind as usual with this online journal of my family's life. But I am a firm believer in the truth in the title of this post, and so I will continue on. This one actually has dual meaning...

A couple weeks ago, we fully utilized our close proximity of Em and Logan Cotter (Furler) to take advantage of this portal into the Furler family. I've been joking with Em, hoping that she doesn't feel like I use her to see the rest of her family, and I'm hoping that Milo and I have been spending enough time with just Em and Drew to make that real, but nevertheless, we took advantage of them again. First for Sue, now for Sarah, Kyle, and Livy.

Sarah and I are 2 of the middle daughters in this McGurfer conglomerate, so we tended to spend the most time together growing up. Common interests of epic computer games (Kings Quest of course being the favorite) and legos, sealed the deal. Unfortunately as we've grown into adults, we've been far apart geographically and not able to see each other very often, or at all. Crazy enough, or maybe not so crazy as I always seemed to be following her as a kid, we married within weeks of each other, her in July, me in August, and then had our kids within months, Livy born in April, Milo in June. But we haven't seen each other since we've had babies.

Em was a gracious host, and we played together, trying to make friends with each other's kids; I think Livy is still a little wary of this crazy lady, but I'll win her over :) Drew and Livy were on much more similar nap schedules, so it seemed like Milo was often sleeping when they were awake, but we managed some good kid time. The six adults played a game reminiscent of ourchildhood in the Furler household, a great train game called Ticket to Ride, and Sarah smashed all of us. Then, so familiar to me and Sarah, everyone else went to bed, and she and I talked until the wee hours of the morning. Sarah is still the most staunch night owl I know. Most of us in our old age ;), can stay up late, but generally find a happy medium, but Sarah still doesn't seem tohit her stride until about 10 or 11 at night, and is really her best after midnight. It was great though, catching up on each other's lives, laughing and comparing notes as moms.

I've really loved getting to know the Furlers again as adults. I know them because we share history; I know where they come from and where they've been. But it's like starting the next book in the series when we hang out as adults: the characters are all the same, the history is still there, but our characters have continued to grow and change as our families have grown and changed. I will always love Sarah, and she'll always be one of my closest friends, as we add years and kids to our lives. And it's fun to get to know Em as an adult, to catch up on a few thingsI might have missed because I was just a little older, and to see her as a mom and wife, especially as we're both at home with our kids.

Post Note: No idea what's going on with my font and underlining... Maybe it'll just magically be right again on the next post... Hopefully...

Favorite songs...

I hope you can hear this, totally cute... Starts off with the ABCs, sort of. Then moves on to "the wheels on the bus." Next time you see him, we'll demonstrate in person!

For Gaye...

About a week ago, I was starting to unload a clean dishwasher when Milo toddled over. My first instinct was to sternly say "no!" There were sharp things, breakable things, just stuff I didn't want him getting into. But in the split second that I hesitated, I heard my friend Gaye's voice in my head, talking about how kids just want to be an active, participating member of their community, however that looks. Gaye is a Montessori teacher and administrator, and though Milo's a little young for some of the programing, this basic lesson struck me.

I took out all the knives and anything else that I was really worried about, and then asked Milo to hand me the spoons and forks out of their basket. He handed me 2 or 3 at a time, and I put them away in the drawer. I grabbed the bigger, heavier ceramic plates out of the bottom, and then told Milo to hand me the smaller ones. After we finished the bottom rack, I pulled out the top rack, put away most of the mugs and glasses pretty fast, and then handed Milo his plastic sippy cups and tops. He has two drawers at the bottom that he has free reign in, one with tupperware, and the other with his cups, etc. in it. I told him to stack his cups and put them in his drawer, and he did!

Great reminder for me that 1) I don't always have to say "no," 2) I can make chores a fun task for both of us, 3) Milo and I make a great team, and best of all 4) he's not always set on making messes :)

Foreshadowing.... Hopefully...

Caught the boys testing out their musical talents at Nana and Booka's house over Thanksgiving (we're having a hard time getting videos off our camera, so I know, it's a little belated). One thing that I think my parents did a pretty good job with, but Mike's parents did amazing with was instilling a love for music, both listening and creating. I hope that we can gently do the same. I struggle with how best to do this, but as this shows, maybe it's not really up to me anyways... Nana and Booka, thanks for all your support of Mike and his various musical interests!

Grandma Sue Squared...

Milo got some pretty special lovin' all in one week at the end

of January. Yeah, I'm a little behind in this little online journal, don't you judge me ;) We started out with a quick trip to Columbus to visit Em (Furler) Cotter and sweet Drew. Hee hee, he really is sweet, but I laugh because he just loves to grab Milo's hair in his little mitts. I don't think it actually hurts Milo that much, but I think he's generally surprised when this happens; maybe because hair is such a new development for him ;)

Em's mom, and my 2nd mom growing up, Sue, was also there for a visit for Drew's dedication. Though we've pretty much continually been in touch, I haven't seen Sue in years, for sure since before Milo was born. One of the things I cherish most about our unique relationship with the Furler clan is that it never matters the last time we saw them, it's always the same: comfortable, fun, relaxing, and joyous. Sue is my mom's best friend, Al is my dad's best friend, Em, Sarah, and Laura are some of the best friends we McGrail girls will ever know, and though

we have added to our numbers with husbands and kids, these relationships are still the same, maybe a little different as we fill different roles in our lives, but still as powerful and

meaningful. And Em will be Aunt Em to Milo, and Sue will be Grandma Sue. It's just how it's supposed to be, it's right.

A couple days later, we gathered Grammie Kris and hit the road to Iowa to attend Cousin Sarah's baby shower, got to spend some QT with Nana Steph and Auntie Karen while we were in Ames, and then spent a good couple of days with my

Grandma Sue, Milo's great-grandma. Grandma Sue is another tremendous woman. Her house, though new to our family in the past couple of years, is always like coming home. She has a way of welcoming people into her space

that makes you feel like you've always been there and should always continue to be there. I make myself at home, help myself to coffee and cake for breakfast, and then we giggle that I did so. Though she's my mom's mom, there isn't enough years between all of us to really make that feel relevant; she's funny and kind and sweet and sassy, and she loves my kid. Even when he's a brat at her house, she loves my kid.

To my Grandma Sues: thanks for continuing to be instrumental in my life and my kid's life. Love you so much!

Cute Milo-isms...

Some funny things that Milo has been saying recently:

"Opeley" (open it)

"Da-un-too" (that one too)

"Read it daddy... pleez! More prayer pleez! More prayer! Pleez! Prayers!" (asking Mike to read "The Lord's Prayer Book" over and over and over and over and over...)

"maggets" (magnets)

"Bump head!" (whenever anything falls or bumps anything, aka Milo stubs toe, trucks fall off the table, etc)

"legs legs legs!" (when he wants to walk up mommy's legs and body and stand on her shoulders)

"hiding" (his answer to whenever anything is not readily noticeable, aka the moon is behind the clouds, kitties are in the other room, etc.)

"loud" (any noise that is not talking or music)

"tunes!" (when he wants us to turn on his mp3 player; no we did not buy him that, but Auntie Mandy knows how to give the best gifts!)

"winnow!" (he wants to look out the window)

"crabby happy" (if he's still cranky in the morning, we asked if he's crabby or happy; if he's still crabby, he stays in bed; this is generally his answer, both equally, but sometimes he just walks around saying this to himself)

"applesauce" (for both the actual substance applesauce, and for a book of opposites)

"Llama drama" (either when he's picking out books to read and wants to read "Llama llama" or when he's having a little bit of a fit. Because he'd never be a drama queen. Oh wait, that's another one, "drama queen")

He's also counting to 10, sometimes 12, sometimes counting nothing in particular. And we've been working on spelling his name. Right after I told Mike that he could follow my prompting of "how do you spell your name? M..." he'd follow with "I...L...O!!" he decided to spell his whole name, just to prove mommy wrong. I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch, but I'm sure we'll add more later...

*Post-Note*

I just figured out another one that's been plaguing Mike for days. Had no idea what he meant when he was running around saying "baygofaygo"? Yeah, didn't you catch it? That means motorcycle. Duh.

Kinda crabby...

We're having a crabby night, but Milo's enthralled with the camera on the computer, so we started playing around a little...

A good night...

Friday nights are a little weird in the Schroeder household, now that Mike's been working nights, but still kinda great. Not your typical Friday night by most people's standards, but I kinda dig 'em. Tonight, we're waiting for "Header" to get here (Auntie Heather), Mike had a little rest, so he'll be good until at least 7pm ;) And Milo and I have just been having a nice easy day hanging together. If Milo had his way, you would sit and read every book on his shelves to you, then we would build a tunnel out of legos or lincoln logs, then we'd read all the books again. Maybe we'd watch an episode of Mickey Mouse if mom was feeling lazy. He's been in a great mood recently, making it easier for me to be home with him, even when my maternal instincts and unconditional love are not particular potent. Right now, after a great meal where the alien kid asked for a second helping of asparagus, Mike's cracking him up stuffing his stuffed green monkey in his sock-monkey lunch box. It's a good night.

I met someone...

Yeah, not what you're thinking, but still pretty exciting. It's still awkward moving as an adult and trying to build a new network. Really having to put yourself out there, almost like you are dating, but dating to find friends. Which is both easier and worse all at the same time. With dating, at least if the person is a total dud, you can say something like, yeah this was fun, but it's just not working out, and probably never see them again. With friends, it's this weird, I'm needy but not too needy, I'm interesting but not self-involved, you need to sell yourself and check the other person out, and without being too selective as to close doors, but not ending up with a bunch of people who suck you dry of any social energy. And unlike dating, or at least dating when you're without child, you do want to try to find people of similar interests and commitments, ie parents, but that in and of itself is a challenge because you either meet them and get to know their life story in the 8.2 minutes your kid is willing to put up with you after library time, or you have to very deliberately put yourself in situations where these conversations might happen wherever you as adults choose to be, ie work, church, etc.

I haven't had great luck up to this point, but Milo was in fine form after Mother Goose Time at the library today, so we stayed and hung out for a couple of minutes. I struck up a conversation with another mom who also just moved to the area from out-of-state, who is also a stay-at-home mom, and who also does not seem crazy or annoying. We're heading to the zoo this weekend, so I mentioned where we were going, we exchanged emails and phone #s, and I think she might really be a friend. She even introduced me to another one of the moms at story time, and thus the networking begins.

It's so funny the thoughts that chase through my head in all of this: am I cool enough, am I a good enough friend that someone will be as excited about meeting me as I am about them, will we have enough in common to keep us going but be different enough so as not to be boring? Will our kids get along? Does that matter, or will we make them get along so we can hang out? How soon do I email her so as not to seem too desperate, but interested enough so that the newness of our meeting doesn't rub off? Did me not taking a shower this morning cause her to doubt my overall hygiene and thus ruin our chances to be kindred spirits? I think I'm a little paranoid. And in all reality, and maybe this is a sad statement of who I have become, but I really am so happy and feel so blessed with all the kindred spirits I've met in my many moves and travels, that I almost feel like I don't need any more. That I have a great many great friends, they just don't happen to be in Toledo. But as I'm here longer and Milo gets older, I think it's important to both of us to make connections and be social. And if not just for us, but for what we can offer, how we can help and serve. If nothing else, listening to the President last night reminds me to be involved, to be a part of a community that binds together, not isolates.

Gotta laugh sometimes...

So 24 hours after talking about how great he is, Milo proceeded to drench me with one of his squirting bath toys tonight. He got himself too, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't on purpose, but on the other hand...

Then in the free-spirit inspiration of the Rohl boys, I let Milo run nakie from his bath to the living room, giggling like a little imp, and he proceeded to pee on the rug. Guess potty training is quite a ways off. Maybe this just fortifies what I said last night, I'm not sure yet ;)

He's the best he's ever been...

I'm sure every parent says this more than once, but I think I like Milo now more than ever. I will always love him, but recently, he's been whining and crabby and sassy, and I wonder why I'm at home with him and why Mike doesn't understand when I need "mommy time." But these past couple of days, he's been a gem.

He's funny, he laughs, he's creative, he's doing more of what he wants to do and not just what I suggest or make him do. And he initiates and associates. For instance, he'll look down the hall and ask, "daddy sleeping?" Mike's working his 1:30am shifts and goes to bed early in the afternoon or evening; Milo sees our door closed and wants to know where his daddy is. I open the laptop, and he asks "Tom Tom? Grammie go? Header [Heather]? Tom Tom?" because we've been skyping with them as they are missing each other. The other day, we were playing in the living room, and he must have heard something outside our door because he looked up and said "Booka Booka... Nana!" (Larry and Steph were here over Christmas and he was still expecting them to walk thru the door again)

He also wants to smell all flowers. The lego flowers, the flowers in his books, the flowers on the inside of my jacket. I'm not sure when this started, but Mike and I were wondering at this abstract sense. I mean really how do you teach smell? He's grasped the concept of hiding: the

moon hides behind the clouds at night, when he can't find his car, it's hiding. He likes to dance to music, make towers, kiss every one of his stuffed animals, and pets Sally and Charlie (the

cats). He makes friends with everyone, playing peek or saying hi or bye, blowing kisses, yeah, he's a ladies' man... (here he is schmoozin' with Miss Polly)

And I love that I can still make him laugh, whether he wants to or not. I know just where to tickle him and he can't help but crack up. I know how to make Mickey Mouse play peek with him that will always crack a smile. We actually communicate now; he talks to me and I respond or vice versa. He can verbalize what he wants or needs and I can respond, not always the response he desires, but he understands. And he loves to walk, and I really do think he was just so frustrated there for a while when he was still a little uncertain on his newly found feet. Amazing what a few words and some confidence can do.

Maybe I like this time because it's finally just a little easier: he's taking epic naps, goes down nicely at night, is healthy and eating a little better, we're all on a better schedule. Whatever it is, I really like him. I get a big ol' smile on my face when I get to go get him out of his crib. I might just have to go oogle him now...

Christmas traditions...

Mike's parents are coming to us for Christmas, and we're soooooooooooo excited!! Especially because for the first time in a long time, I'm falling back to one of my original loves: special event coordinating. And what better special event than Christmas with Nana and Booka? I've started my lists, things to do divided into 2 sub-lists ofASAP and "by the time they get here," things to bake, things to make, grocery list, and Mike and I worked on the schedule of events, including menus for each day. I know, I know, I'm a little crazy. But I'm excited, and I don't want to forget anything! Plus, I do really think it cuts down on any potential stress or worry when I know what I've got to do, when I've got to have it done, and my favorite, crossing completed tasks off my list.

In and amongst all this, we've started thinking about our own traditions. Which of the Schroeder's do we want to continue on, which of the McGrail's? What will we do differently? So

far, most of our traditions seem

to be centered on food: Steph's

sausage and egg hotdish (this recipe originated in MN, so it will remain "hotdish" though we are now in the land of "casseroles") is on the docket for Christmas morning. French toast fondue maybe Christmas Eve morning from Shirley Bird via the McGrails. And Mike and I love turkey dinners so much, we're looking to establish round 2.

I'm also a sucker for decorations though I'm a little limited in a 900 square-foot condo, so those traditions might wait. I do love my family's tradition of new PJs to open Christmas Eve, and I don't know where this came from, but we always buried a nut in whatever dessert we ate on Christmas Eve, and whoever got the nut in their serving got to "play Santa" and give out all the presents under the tree on Christmas morning. I don't know why that was so exciting, but I distinctly remember Heather always getting the nut and being really disappointed. Christmas Eve service is also on the schedule. I love the evening service with every great carol, the manger scene, and hopefully

candle lighting. I have a warm spot around my heart right now thinking of all those Christmas Eve's...

What are your favorite traditions? What do you remember loving from your childhood? What makes Christmas Christmas for you? Though I must warn you, if you post something I like, I feel I should reserve the right to steal it for our own... :)

One of my new favorite holiday things...

These guys are super talented and make me giggle... They're called Straight No Chaser; have you heard of them?

Generations...

When we were back for about 24 hours in the Cities during Thanksgiving, we were able to see Grandma Julie and Grandpa Milo briefly. From Great Uncle Hooks and Great Auntie Boggy came a set of blocks from the 1920's that we think Grandpa Milo played with when he was a kid. I love that our Milo can have this amazing relationship, even long distance with his namesakes. Sometimes I feel a little guilty that somehow Milo might get special treatment,

but then I see these pictures and see Milo and Julie with cousin Collin, and I know it's all in my head.

Yes, I think Grandpa Milo and Grandpa Larry enjoy and hopefully feel the honor and respect that we intended when we named the munchkin, but I don't think that is any more special that what they feel for Collin, or than what Mike feels for Collin (Collin's middle nameis Michael). All this to say, I am so grateful for the few stolen moments with grandparents and great-grandparents with my kid. I think I feel this significantly more as a parent than I ever felt before. This Thanksgiving there was lots to be thankful for too: we were able to see Great-grandma Weezie, Great-grandma Sue, and Great-grandma Julie and Great-grandpa Milo all in one trip. Sadly missing one dear grandpa and one sweet grandma...