Emanuel Gets A Haircut!

After two years of growing the "fro" Emanuel finally got a haircut. He and Albert were driving to the recycling center in Belleville to recycle some soda cans (this is one of the ways the boys make a little bit of pocket change while doing something responsible for the Earth) and he asked "Dad, can I get my haircut?" He said the fro was getting too time consuming and difficult to care for. I have to say, I loved the fro, it was very unique and very "him" but I also must admitt, I really love being able to see that beautiful face, and honestly, the fro had become messy and uneven and he didn't devote the time needed to keep it up, so its probably for the best that its cut. He can always grow it back if he decides to do so later. The only regret I have is that had I known he was going to have it cut, I'd have asked him to see if it could be donated to a charity such as "locks of love" Although, I'm not sure it was long enough for that.

The difference in appearance is amazing, though the tough part is that from behind, I now have trouble telling if I'm talking to Emanuel or to Brandon! I need to see their faces to tell!

Well, as I said last night, today is Monday, so something interesting would happen. Well, Monday didn't dissapoint! At around 3:30 a.m. Brandon came to our room, howling in pain (this is no exaggeration...he was literally howling). He had a stomache ache. As I woke up to help him, I discovered that I too, had the same stomach ache. We laid there together in agony, both of us, with Albert up and trying to comfort us both! Brandon threw up all over our bedroom floor so by 3:45 I was scrubbing carpets. As sson as I finished, Sydney was awake for her bottle. By this time, Brandon, now relieved of his stomach pains, had curled up on my side of the bed. Exhausted and cranky, I found a spot at the foot of the bed (my own bed!) and curled up between Albert and Brandon's feet (much like a dog!)

Today is also potty training boot camp for Brice. We r eally dont suscribe to the whole "Pull-ups" philosophy (I feel they are just overpriced diapers) so we usuallygo cold-turkey with our babies. Although I think we did use diapers at night for someone..maybe Jackson...maybe Brandon...I'm not sure. Anyhoo, the way it works is this...we ran out of diapers...we simply arent buying any more. Alas, the day we have no diapers in the house for potty training purposes....Brice gets the aforementioned stomach virus and has filled up three pairs of underpants with...the runs. He is currently in for shower #3 of the day.

Also, he is fairly strong willed and isn't pleased with the new expectation that he use the bathroom like the rest of us. When I explained this morning that he would need to go potty in the toilet (and beleive me, he understands, it's not like we haven't had many "practice days") he told me quite frankly "No." When I repeated that he would need to "potty in the toilet" he again stated, very matter-of-factly "No, I potty in my pants." And so far...he's been true to his word.