why Jaimes and the giants

Some perspective on the "little" sticks. At age 5 1/2 Eliott (now 7 1/2) was 45 inches tall (he's now 52 inches tall). At age 5 1/4 Shia is 46 inches tall. At age 4 1/4 Dov is 44 1/2 inches tall. So remember all those times I have said Shia would be the smallest of the three? I'm not so sure of that. Remember all those times I have said Dov is a giant? I stand by that conclusion. Every time Shia grows an inch, Dov grows an inch and a half. According to webMD based on their heights and weights (and mine & Alan's height) E&S are expected to be 6ft2in. D is expected to be 6ft3in . Alan was 6ft when he turned 12. Now you know why this blog is called Jaimes and the giants. I am already in a panic about how I will pay for all of their food when they are all in high school.

2013 QUOTE-able Giants

Eliott -

"Eliott: "cowboys should always be nice unless they're bandits""

"Eliott: "mom, the only reason I watch Diego is to learn animal facts so I can stump you""

Jaime: "Eliott, what do you want to do during spring break?" 

Eliott: "maybe we could discover things and wonder about them, and then after we play video games we could do some bird watching""

"Eliott: "a lot of people want to marry me, but I have a lot to think about. I mean there's only one me and I have a lot on my mind""

"Eliott: "I would think about marrying Brooke if she buys me a Nintendo D'S. she's considering it""

"Eliott: "I'm not calling that movie "jack the giant slayer" instead I'll call it "something freaky to scare parents"""

"Eliott: "mom, I have to ask you something... How come even though I don't like Justin Bieber my mind keeps singing all of his songs? It's like my mind likes him even though I don't.""

"Eliott: "at PE today the 6th graders were outside in the rain doing an experiment. Then they heard thunder and they were screaming like little girls. It was hilarious""

Eliott: "Mom there are 8 things you don't know about me yet" Me: "Well, what are they?" Eliott: "I'm not going to tell you them all at once."

Eliott: "Life is just not the same when you are away mom"

Shia - 

"Shia: "no Eliott, I can't be a monkey. Monkeys like bananas and I don't like bananas. So it's not possible""

Dov -

Jaime: "Dov, her mom says she really likes you. I guess she thinks she's your friend" 

Dov: "well she's wrong mom""

Group - 
Remember I'm talking to a 4, 5, & 7 year old when you read this). 
Dov: "which of us came out of daddy's belly?" 
Me: "none of you because mommies carry the babies" 
Shia: "mom, if a boy marries a boy, can they have a baby?" 
Me:"they can if they adopt" 
Eliott: "what if a girl marries a girl?" 
Me: "they would probably need to adopt" 
Eliott: "why?" 
Me: "well, you need a boy and a girl to have what you need to make a baby" 
Eliott:(thinking) "oh... Like a chicken does" Me: "let's talk about something else"

Wow, he's 4

Yesterday, my baby turned 4. It is hard to believe how fast time flies and what a joy and somewhat challenge he has been. For most people that know us, it is no secret how Dov entered this world. He was an "accident", an "oops", a "pleasant surprise", a "story to tell grandchildren", and the cliches go on and on. What I prefer to call him is a a force to be reckoned with. Dov was an IUD baby and if you don't know what that means, it means that he had a 99.9% chance of not being conceived and I will tell you that for those first 5 weeks of "sickness" I was in the .01% of the population that believed I wasn't pregnant. I can still close my eyes and see myself sitting on the floor of the OB/GYN next to an umbrella stroller with my then 4 1/2 month old second born in tears listening as a doctor told me I was already 8 weeks pregnant. I will also never forget being told that once the IUD was removed, I would have a 50% chance of losing the baby. Well, we all know the answer to that. The last four years has proved the importance of being open minded and Dov has made me a better, more flexible person and mother. Happy 4th to my littlest man.

2012 QUOTE-ables

Eliott: (upon reading a story where the mom wears heels and makeup) "that's just not you, mom"

Eliott: "my sticker says 'Magnificent'. I've always wanted to be magnificent."

Eliott: "mom, I'm making my tooth more wiggly by banging it on Shia's forehead" ...um

Why is Dov not in a costume you ask? He is wolverine's dad, therefore he only needs a claw.

: "Shia, why are you wearing only one sock?" Shia: "I wanted to have a pugged leg, you know, like a pirate"

: "Dov, what kinds of animals come from eggs" Dov: "Yoshis come from eggs" (thank you Nintendo)

Eliott (while watching Olympic volleyball Ita vs Brz): "I don't like Italy, but I do like Italian dressing"

Shia: "my brain is having trouble getting stable"

Dov: "When are we going to have a little brother?" Me (with a chuckle): "Sorry baby, you are the little brother"

Jaimes and the ???

"I'm off on a rocketship prepared for something new, I'm off on a rocketship ecstatic with the view, I am scared of the things that are coming and I want for the things I don't have, cannot stand to be one of many, I'm not what they are." ~ GUSTER

I often say that I can come up with a Guster quote for any time, place, mood of my life. Today is another one of those days. Today, I sent Eliott (age 6) to first grade, Shia (age 4.5) to Pre-K and Dov (age 3.5) to school. Today was Dov's first day ever.

What does this really mean? Well, I can use the quote above to break it down:

"I'm off on a rocketship prepared for something new" - I'm isolated today. I'm a stay at home mom, with no one to mom. Granted, it's only MWF from 8-3, but let's face it. For at least 4.5 years I have had at least one kid with me at home every day. I can't remember the last time I sat in this house alone. But, on a positive note, I am / was prepared for this and I am working hard to fill up my time.

"I'm off on a rocketship ecstatic with the view" - I'm so happy for my children. Eliott rode his bike 1.33 miles this morning (the first time ever) and hugged me goodbye with a big smile on his face. Shia went to class for the first time in months without needing that extra push and Dov just said see ya later Dad. I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I am scared of the things that are coming" - I'll admit, I'm nervous. I'm afraid I'll be bored. Alan's afraid I will be bored. BUT, I will also admit that I'm afraid I won't be bored. Weird, I know.

"and I want for the things I don't have" - I want to have a clue which direction to go with my life. I don't have one.

"cannot stand to be one of many, I'm not what they are" - I like to think that what makes me "likeable" is that I'm different. I have opinions, I go against the grain, I play video games and like super heroes. I'm genuine, but realistic. I don't need you to like me, but I'm glad that you do. If I stay a traditional stay at home mom in 2012, does that make me one of many or one of few? If I choose a career, does that make me one of many or one of few?

I guess time can only tell. Looking forward to 3pm when I become Jaimes and the giants again.

Happy first day of school Houston area.

He speaks!!!

Here sits a 15 month old Dov, binky in mouth and I wonder, will he ever talk? My question is quickly answered as I watch him slide the binky to the left side of his mouth and say Kirby (our dog's) name clear as day.

This week alone I have heard:
Block
Cookie
Water
Kirby
Roar
Mama
Dada
Bye bye
Car
Cracker
Diaper

Dov's first steps

Dov Takes 5 steps 3/8/2010

No more Daytime Television for Mommy

So today, I had a few minutes to myself (or so I thought). Eliott and Shia were playing with their BatCave nicely in the playroom. Since they were busy, I decided to turn on the TV and have a date with General Hospital. I got through most of the show without incident. The kids were having a great time playing batcave and goofing off in the papasan so I just continued on.

If you are familiar with GH, there is a current "love triangle" between Lucky, Elizabeth & Nikkolas. There is also a flirtation going on with Olivia & Sonny.

With 20 minutes left, Nikkolas and Elizabeth were arguing about needing to tell Lucky about their love (Nikkolas and Lucky are brothers).

With about 5 minutes left, Eliott came back into the room. He wanted to watch "an Elie show". I told him, 5 minutes. At that point, there was a heated argument on the show between Olivia & Sonny.

And this is what came out of my son's mouth:
"Mommy, I think that guy was mad because she said she wanted to marry his brother"

Quotes of the day by the Stickler Boys

I am using this posting to follow Eliott's quirky statements. I will continue to post to this spot whenever he says something to crack us up. (which is so very often!)

Fall 2009 Quotes

"Shia, I told you I am a trained professional"

Eliott: "Mom, I need you to tell me who to marry" Jaime: "Eliott, you should decide that on your own, when you are older".
Eliott: 'but mom, there are so many girls to choose from, I don't know who to pick. and they all keep asking me and i don't know what to say"

"Mom, I love you...can I have a banana?"

"Mom, that Shia, he sure cracks me up."

"Mom, here's a hamburger, I promise it is Kosher. Everything in my restaurant is Kosher."

Eliott: "Mom, stop looking at me"
Jaime: "Why? Because you are picking your nose?" Eliott: "No Mom, because you need to watch the road when you are driving so you don't get us in an accident!",
Jaime: "Stop picking your nose"
Eliott: "Mom just stop looking at me!"

Jaime: "There will be no Superhero show until the room is clean, boys."
Eliott: "Mom has a point, Shia, let's clean up".

Winter 2009/2010 Quotes

Eliott: "Mom, I finished my snack, I would like some Goldfish"
Jaime: "It will be a minute"
Eliott: "Why Mom?"
Jaime: "Because I have garlicky hands"
Eliott: "Mom, just wash them off first and then you can bring me some Goldfish"

Eliott's ultimate quote of Disney vacation
Nammie (my mom): "Eliott, you are very smart"
Eliott: "Nammie, I get that alot"

Eliott's response to thunder mountain railroad: 'now that's what I'm talking about!'

Eliott: "It's bad that Mr. Jeremy shaved off his beard. I liked it."
Alan: "Did you like it when I had a beard"
Eliott: "No Daddy, just Mr. Jeremy. I don't like it on you....but I still love you though"

currently, Yo Gabba Gabba characters are singing a song called "Be nice to everyone"...
Eliott - "Shia, do you hear that song"
Shia - blank stare
Eliott - "Shia, you need to be nice to me"

Eliott -"Mom, when I am a parent, I won't live with you anymore. But I will come over sometimes with my kids so you can play with them"

Eliott - "Mom, when I grow up, I want to be an airplane pilot. But I won't work every day, because I will want to spend time with my family"

Random Waitress @ Ruby Tuesday - "Is Santa Clause coming to your house this week?"
Eliott - "No"
Random Waitress @ Ruby Tuesday - Blank Stare
Eliott - "I celebrate Chanukah"
Random Waitress @ Ruby Tuesday - "Well that's cool because we get one day of presents and you get seven"
Eliott - "Actually, there are 8 days of chanukah"

Jaime: "You're right Eliott, you stumped me"
Eliott: "Mom it wasn't me, it was my brain."
Eliott: "Mom, what does spoil your lunch mean?"
Jaime: "It means you are eating too many goldfish and so you won't eat your sandwich and won't be hungry when we get home"
Eliott: "But mom that's not true, I'm always hungry"

Eliott: " dad, I think hulk is made of gas and spinach"

Eliott: "Mom, why do you keep reminding me of the same thing over & over"
Jaime: "Moms just do that some time"
Eliott: "Well Mom, I remember so please just only tell me once"

Eliott: "Do cows make chocolate milk?"
Jaime: "No, they add the chocolate later"
Eliott: "What, doesn't it come out of their butt?"

Eliott: "Mom, when I finish college I will get married. Then I will be a dad. I think I will be 26, is that ok? I know you were 24. How old was Daddy?"
Jaime: "You get to decide who you will marry and when...after college. Daddy was 22."
Eliott: "Well...maybe I will be 24 then, but definitely ... not 22"

Eliott: "Will we see the ballerinas today"
Jaime: "Maybe"
Eliott: "I don't want to see them"
Jaime: "Why?"
Eliott: "Because they were staring at me"
Jaime: "Maybe they thought you were cute"
Eliott: "I don't want them to think I'm cute"
Jaime: "Why?"
Eliott: "Because I don't want to marry any of them"

Spring/Summer 2010 Quotes

Eliott: "pizza hut makes the best pizza; I heard about it on television"

Eliott: " Shia, Dov & I are all going to the same college" Jaime: "that's nice Elie but you don't have to" Eliott: "yes we do because we all need to stay close together"

Thank you Oprah Winfrey's Nature special LIFE for comparing that bullfrog to a dead-beat-dad. You prompted Eliott to turn to me and say "Mommy, is daddy a dead beat dad?"

Eliott: "Shia Phinn Stickler don't do that", Shia: "I'm not a Phinn Stickler"

Eliott: "Mom, I am glad we are back in Texas because Texas has Sonic. It was not as cool to have to go to Dunkin Donuts everyday. It's just not the same"

Eliott: mom, Shia said gaga poops.
Jaime: eliott, who do you think he learned that from?
Eliott: from like a bad guy or something ... I haven't said that in like 7 weeks.

Shia: "my dog Kirby-boo is wittle"
Eliott: "it's not about size Shia, it's about how they learn"

Eliott: "mom, why are there worms in my drink?"
Jaime: "where?"
Eliott: "you know, those little white things floating on the top"
Jaime: "those aren't worms, those are pieces of lemon that make your lemonade fresh (pulp)"

Jaime: " eliott, after Phineas and Ferb come upstairs and play toys"
Eliott: "mom, lame-o"

Eliott: "When I have kids, I will come visit you every Monday, but you have to get up early, is that ok?"

Eliott: "ha, ha Shia, Dovie just took you down"

Eliott: "it's summer, it's not supposed to rain in the summer"
Jaime: "it does in Houston"
Eliott: "rain sucks"

Eliott: "mom, you can't control what you create"

Shia: "my chicken nugget looks like a seahorse...mommy I just bit it's nose off"

Shia: "mommy the sun pooped on my carseat"

Eliott: "I am putting deoderent on before Bella and Julia get here so I smell boyish"

Eliott: "I don't like girls anymore"
Jaime: "Really, Elie, what about Bella & Julia or Maddie & Lizzie"
Eliott: "well I like them, I just don't like new girls"

Eliott: "mom, can I have a banana?"
Jaime: "no the bananas are still green"
Eliott: "oh great, rules again. mom you always make the rules. when can I make some?"

Eliott: "mom, did you know Burger King has Twilight toys? You need to go there and get one for yourself"

Eliott: "my bicycle is a girl and I named her girl. Now when I go fast and need to slow down I say easy girl"

Eliott: "mom, don't worry, I'm just being old fashioned"

Eliott: "mom, Shia has poop"
Jaime: "no, he doesn't, I just changed him"
Eliott: "you're kidding momma"
Jaime: "no, I'm not"
Shia: "momma you're kidding, you're kidding momma"

fall 2010 quotes... Eliott turns 5

Eliott: "it's nice to see our old friend Chilis (the restaurant), isn't it Shia?"

Eliott:"mom when you see a wombat, don't stay wombat stew. He'll turn into wombat stew" Jaime:"I'm not likely to see a wombat" Eliott:"well when you go to africa and
you see one remember what word you're not supposed to say"

Spring 2011
Shia:"mom can we go to the robeo (rodeo) and look for a yellow cowboy hat?" Me:"sure, on Sunday" Shia:"but mom, make sure it's not a yellow cowgirl hat cause I'm a boy"

Eliott: "Shia do you want to go to outerspace when you grow up?"
Shia: "yeah"
Eliott: "well be careful cause you may get sucked into a black hole"
Jaime: "Elie, don't tell him that"
Eliott: "but mom, he may well get sucked into one"

Eliott: "I just want to make the world happy"
Dov: "me too mom"
Shia: "I just want to make the god happy"
Eliott: "I know what to do to make the world happy"
Jaime: "what Eliott?"
Eliott: "you'll see when I do it"

Shia: "daddy, mommy is the one that makes the rules"

Song on the radio: "I like dirt and it likes me"
Eliott: "mom, that song is about Shia because Shia likes dirt and dirt likes Shia"

Alan: "Can I go camping with you this weekend?"
Shia: "No, we don't need you. Mr. Jeremy will be there"

Summer 2011
Eliott: "I don't know what to pick for dinner" Shia: "Eliott say Freebirds"


Today at school Eliott wrote me a story: "I love mom. Yes I do. Mom is cool. Mom loves trapezoids (spelled correctly) and me."


Eliott: "my legs hurt when I bend them" Me: "maybe you're growing" Eliott: "I don't want to grow" Me: "you new to grow. The taller you get the more rides you can ride at Disney world"


Eliott: "Mom, I think I look perkier than I did earlier"


Eliott: "mom maybe when I get my Harry Potter wand it will really work. I think I belong in the magical world"


Dov (while pretending to be Captain America and watching the Avengers): "Dad, who keeps hitting me on the tv?"

Dov doesn't get enough "play"

So having two kids back to back was hard. And remembering that you need to "spread the wealth" between 3 kids is even harder! When we go shopping and get little goodies, I often don't even think about buying something for Dov. And lately, I have noticed that I don't take nearly as many pictures or videos of him as I do the other two kids.

Here he is, he is already 7 months old (the size of an 18 month old) and time is really flying. So my goal moving forward is to be better about filming my 3rd kiddo. Afterall, he was certainly a miracle.

Halloween was a pleasant surprise

So for 2 years now, it has been impossible to get Eliott to wear a costume or go up to a house and trick or treat on his own...

Not 2009.

This year, Eliott stayed positive and actually had fun with a holiday! He was excited to wear his costume (and wore it to 2 separate events). On halloween, we went to a family-oriented party and trick or treated with friends. Eliott went off with his friends and we didn't see him the rest of the night! Alan and Dov had to chase after him with the wagon.

This made it easy for me to spend some time with Shia. Every always worries about the middle child! Shia LOVED halloween. We held hands and slowly walked from house to house, pointing out pumpkins and say Boo for every ghost or Bet for every bat we saw. At each house he said "treat" and "thank you and ba-bye".

Battling the need to eat the candy was easy too (with a little help from Yo Gabba Gabba's "Too much candy's gonna make you sick, too much candy's going to make you so sick"). We have been able limit Eliott's in-take to one per day (when he remembers).

Eliott's Harem

On Saturday morning, Eliott and I had a very interesting conversation.

**He was very upset** Here is how the conversation went:
Eliott: "Mom, you have to tell me who to marry?"
Jaime: "Elie you have plenty of time to figure that out. You can decide when you are much much older. Mommy didn't meet Daddy until she was 20, so you have plenty of time"
Eliott: "But mom, there are so many girls to choose from and then all want to marry me. I cannot decide which one to marry"
Jaime: "Eliott, that's ok, you will decide much later, you don't have to decide now"
Eliott: "But mom, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings"

Shia - future rockstar

So how does a 19 month old with 2 parents that have ZERO musical talent know what a guitar is, how to say the word guitar, and understand the concept of a microphone?

I am baffled

Picture Day

Today was picture day for the Stickler 3. Our expectations going in were very low. We have done pictures every late Summer/early Fall since Eliott was little.

Two years ago, Eliott - age 22 months - would not put down Doggie (his lovey) and when he did, you could so of still see Doggie hiding behind him in the pictures.

Last year, Shia was 7 months (and relatively cooperative), but almost 3 year old Eliott REFUSED to smile.

So this being the first studio shots of all three, we weren't expecting much...we were pleasantly surprised.

Eliott did smile - followed directions - and even wanted to go first. He did put his foot down when asked to hold Dov up or allow Dov to lie on his back, but Dov is heavy so we understood.

Shia, who is never camera-shy basically stared into space and refused to smile... never thought he would be the difficult one.

Dov was happy Dov and cooperated probably better than Shia did last year.

It ended up being a relatively pleasant experience.

So maybe we will continue the tradition of passing down the "picture dress up" shirts each year if it is going to go this well.

Dovie can clap?

I am just not used to the speed of this child! First, the combat crawling started this week and now all of the sudden he has gone from sitting up for 10 seconds to sitting up for minutes at a time. They were not lying when they said that with each child, time moves much much faster. I thought things were fast this time last year with Shia, but Dov is just moving TOO fast. Did I just say that?

This video is proof that Dov and Shia are going to be great friends, but also proof that Dov is becoming the "runty" twin instead of the "irish" twin he actually is!

He somehow just today discovered his hands, that they clap and open and shut. So cool!

Shia as Spider-man

This week Shia has learned two new actions:
1. Dancing - If you ask him to dance, he sways from side to side. He also has decided that it is fun to stand up in the bathtub and dance while repeatedly saying Dan' Dan' Dan' (dan = dance)
2. He has learned to "fly". See attached video...

The Superhero Saga continues

Not much to say, but if you ever wondered when the Superhero fettish seems to begin, it is around 6 months. This picture was taken this morning (at 6am).

Cheerios vs Puffs

We have been feeding Dov, who is now 5 1/2 months old cheerios for about a week. With Eliott, I think we waited until he had 4 teeth which would have been at 9 months old. Shia had 6 teeth by 4 months so I was less concerned about his eating abilities so he also started cheerios early. Dov only has 4 teeth. He seems to really love cheerios and also rice krispies so this weekend I bought him a container of those baby puff things. What a disaster! He kept choking on them. I can't figure it out... he can eat the "big kid" food fine, but cannot seem to eat the "baby food". We will not be buying anymore puffs. He will just stick to cheerios and rice krispies which I think is the cheapest option anyway!

Big Kid Bed week 2, what's next? Potty Training?

This morning a very interesting thing happened. I was working in the laundry room (because I have neglected laundry for about a week), and Shia came over to me. Usually he likes to help me put laundry into the washer or dryer.

Today was different. He came in and was tugging on his pants and pull-up. I thought oh great, another poopy diaper to change, but upon checking, he was dry. Then he walked across the hall (2 steps) to the bathroom and started to open the door. Brilliant mother that I am, I put two and two together that he was asking to go potty.

Sidenote: This is not the first time he has asked to sit on the potty, but we usually just do it for fun. Nothing evers comes out of the experience, but a good laugh.

Today, again no pee, but today was different. Right after he got off the potty he wanted to brush his teeth. He started to brush, looked at the potty and then peed all over the bathroom floor.

Now some people would be upset about the pee on the floor. I am choosing to look at things another way.
1. he knew he had to go
2. he asked me to take him to the bathroom
3. we need a different potty seat because he is uncomfortable

Eliott potty trained at 2 1/2 exactly. Shia will be 1 1/2 in 2 weeks. We'll see...

My firstborn turns four

Four years ago, I was a wife, but not a mom. I was waiting patiently for the hospital to call us and say what time my induction would start. Alan and I were both excited, but nervous. Would we have a girl or a boy? Would everyone like the names we had chosen?

Here we are now and I have a totally different concerns. I wonder if I have been a good mother and if Eliott is growing up to be kid I know he can be.

He is smart, funny, and a little bit quirky. He is afraid of thunder, but fears no superheros. He is an excellent big brother (95%) of the time.

Only time will tell I guess.

Eliott's 4 year old stats:

43 1/2 inches

43 pounds

Favorite Marvel Superhero - Ironman

Favorite DC Superhero - The Flash

Favorite TV show(s) - Wipeout, Phineas & Ferb, SuperWhy

Favorite Color(s) - Yellow & Blue