Lessons Learned

Just a few lessons I've learned today. And I've only been awake 4 hours!

Lauren's lessons:

1) Embarrassingly enough, I learned today that I have very similar reactions to finding a huge, dead spider as I do when I encounter a huge, live spider: a bloodcurdling scream & running away. I even run when it's dead because what if it's only pretending?? How do I know this? Let me preface this explanation by asking you to google "wolf spider" so you can see what is sharing our living space. I'm not talking about itsy bitsy spiders, although I've been known to let out a girlish yelp when I find those as well. Currently the apartment we're staying in while our house is being built is full of wildlife. Sometimes it feels like we're living on the set of a Discovery Channel reality show. This morning, as I dutifully began my first round of straightening up for the day, I discovered a surprise waiting for me under a large pack of diapers. A huge, smooshed, spider. Naturally, I screamed. Jacob came running, asking, "What, mommy? What?" I don't want my sons to be a sissy like me when it comes to bugs, so I lied, and said something to the effect of "I thought I saw something." I know you're impressed with my quick thinking. I had to give myself a motivational speech before I was able to pick up the dead spider. After 3 failed attempts, 6 crumpled up paper towels that were so thick, I could barely get a grip on the thing, and two horrified, full body shudders later, the corpse made it into the trash...which was then immediately taken outside. I HATE spiders. So I guess the lesson to be learned from this is to leave the squished spider under the pack of diapers, and let Jeff take care of it when he gets home. :)

2) Jacob will ask for a bologna & cheese sandwich at any time of the day. Even 9 a.m. Apparently there is no wrong time to eat this delicious meal.

3) When Alex raises his arm during feeding or turns his head to the side, it means "Stop shoving food in my mouth or else." If the feeding continues after the fair warning, his ninja reflexes will counter by knocking the spoon out of my hand & send it flying across the room. Naturally, whatever was on the spoon (in this case, applesauce), will also spill in every place imaginable. I will also find applesauce behind his ear and on my ankle.

4) In order to have clean dishes & silverware, I have to load the dishwasher. This method is much easier than selecting a dirty spoon or bowl from the sink & hand washing it.