What's in a title?

I am really not all about titles. I think they are presumptuous when used in daily conversation. For example: "Sir Elton John" - his title of "Sir" is a bit rediculous on lots of levels. But, titles do hold importance when it comes to things like blogs. I think this one started out about lessons from Toby to me and lessons from me to Toby, but I think this is morphing into something else; consequently, I am left with 2 choices - either change the title or start talking more about lessons. I think Mom blogs are great, especially for posterity, but maybe what I am struggling with is that this blog title is so specific that it leaves little room for anything but "lessons."

Maybe a better title would allow me the freedom and creativity to write whatever's on my mind. Maybe a title like "Life in rural New England," or "Life as a Child of God, Pastor's Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Cousin and Friend." Now that would encompass ALL my titles outside of work (I think). But like I said, I'm not into titles. I saw a show about a guy who could/would only eat french fries and he called his blog "The Fry Guy" -- now that's a great and descriptive title. Which leads me to contemplate - what am I known for. Certainly not anything like that, thankfully.

So far, I'm thinking "Hodgepodge," because it means a mixture; however, I've also seen it as a consfused mixture - which would be a really bad title. I wish Brian, my wordsmith, would wake up since he would know just the right word. I will wait for him to wake before changing the title of this blog. I am open to suggestions as well. :)

Now that's a good one...

This morning, Toby came in to snuggle and I was going to check the weather report, but got distracted by a show on the Food Network. It was "Alex's Day Off," and she was making a grape and olive oil cake. She prepped it and put it in the spring-form pan and said:

"Now you take your cake and very carefully, carry it like you would a small child, and then you open the door and gently put it in your oven."

Toby said, not knowing how hard we would soon be laughing:

"You put your child in the oven?"

Brian, who I thought was sleeping, and I were laughing so hard, for about 5 minutes. It's this kind of sweet, innocent question that I love to hear from Toby. He's hysterical - and yet has no idea!!!

Ah, the things my kid says.

Back Tracking

I am kicking myself for not keeping this blog going. But, you can't go back, so I'll keep going.

Here's some of Toby's latest muses:

T: "Mom, let's go on the playground."
Me: "No sweetie, there are some big kids on there now."
T: "It's OK Mommy, they won't rough me up."

"Mommy, you and Daddy are the best in the whole world. No, the entire universe."

I'll keep adding to these as I remember them...but now, I'm sleepy and can't think of others to write.

Up so early!

So I'm just not able to sleep and landed here. It's been way too long since I've recorded any of Toby's growing up and I wish I could remember all the funny things he has said in the past few months but there are too many! So, I'll do a recap of our summer trips.

In June, we were blessed by Brian's parents with a trip to Niagara Falls and Lake Ontario, NY. I could have moved there - it was so beautiful. Toby calls it "My Agara Falls" and when he sees a picture of any waterfall - big or small - he says -

"Look Mommy, MiAgara Falls. We went there and we went to the Canadian side."

We stayed in this fantastic B&B in Fairhaven, NY - right on the lake. It was a great vacation! Here are a few pics. from our trip with Grandma and Grandpa.

First time on a train! Toby loved this - especially since he "gets the yuckys" (carsick) when we drive anywhere with any curves in the road. Our train left from Albany, NY and 6.5 hrs. later we were in Niagara. After 4 hours Toby said "I don't want to be on the train anymore." I offered for him to watch "Cars" and we were good for the rest of the time. I'm now a huge fan of train travel.





This one's on the "Maid of the Mist" (of Bruce Almighty). We were soaked from the mist of the falls - and it was fantastic. Toby would tell everyone how he got wet on the boat.




The Mighty Falls from down below. We went 100 ft. (?) down an elevator to the "Cave of the Winds" and walked below the falls. The catwalks (next pic.) go as close as you can get to the base of the falls. The last section you can go up to the "Hurricane Deck" - Brian brought Toby up and he loved it - and so did we. Seeing Toby enjoy nature the way he does is a joy.







That's us in the evening on the Canadian side. I hope we can go back again and spend more time there. Perhaps next time we won't have to be detained by border patrol before we get back to the U.S. side. It was beautiful!

Singing

Today Toby was singing a new song. It was very cute and very high pitched. It went something like this:

I'm sorry that I disobeyed. I'm sorry that I disobeyed Mommy and Daddy. I don't talk to you that way. I'm sorry that I disobeyed.

He is a sweet boy, really! He's been in his room singing and playing and -- maybe -- cleaning something up for about 1/2 an hour now.

I love him.

While Mommy was away

This past weekend I attended my 20th High School reunion. It was a fabulous time wiht some fantastic women. While I was away, Brian took care of Toby. Here are a few quotes/tales from their time together.

On Saturday, Brian took Toby to the beach at the lake. On the way out he fell and said

Ouch, I'm having a rough day. The only thing I want to do is go to the beach and not get any ouchies.

Then, on Sunday, there was an "incident" of sorts at church. Ugh! Toby got wet and then sandy so Brian was called to change him (not sure why) and while he was attempting to find another pair of pants (none could be found), Toby had to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, he wanted to go on a tree. Now, this is ok at home, but it's not ok at church/school. Toby proceeded to pull his pants down and run outside yelling:

I want to pee on a tree.

Apparently, this lead to much screaming, a lot of "no Daddy, no" and an early car ride home. When they returned home, Toby said he was sorry for disobeying and sinning and prayed that God would forgive him. Then, he fell asleep with Daddy for a nap.

When I came home I was greeted with the biggest, hugest, longest, strongest hug I've ever had from my little boy.

Toby's Mother's Day Card

Here is an example of the card I made for my Mom from Toby.

Make a Smilebox free ecard

My Sweet Little Boy - for posterity...

Last night, Toby came out oh so quietly from his room saying “I pooped.” But this time the look on his face was different. And then in the dim light of the hallway I saw that he was holding out his hands. After confirming what I dreaded to be true - yes, he had tried to take off his nighttime diaper himself - that his hands were dirty and well, you can do the math here, we both got cleaned up and my son got changed, he finally fell asleep at 10pm after I held him for awhile.

Oh boys are so sweet - even when their hands smell like poop!

I love you Toby Bear...