Some day somebody out there will love my lil boy with a passion. And that girl will thank me for this adorable video of her husband as a baby. Someday my lil baby boy may have children of his own and when they are grown they may watch this video of their father learning to count with a HUGE smile on their face. It's a few weeks/months old now, but I couldn't resist. Since taping, Eli has learned to say orange very well, but he calls yellow "lemon".
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Dare ya....
To listen to my new tunes.
Beware-they are all "raina music" as Andy would call it.
Therefore-you may feel sleepy or you may feel relaxed.
But you probably won't be dancing.
Beware-they are all "raina music" as Andy would call it.
Therefore-you may feel sleepy or you may feel relaxed.
But you probably won't be dancing.
Weekend Wrap Up
~Andy took Eli to the grocery store with him while I started dinner. BLISS. Quiet time in the kitchen. I was in my glory. I made homemade chicken & pasta pesto. I used basil from my garden. I had my favorite mellow music on. I was secretly smiling. I missed my boys enough to talk to them twice on the phone. Andy is a great grocery shopper. He always shops the sales and always gets everything on the list and usually at least 1 or 2 surprises.
~New sunglasses for Andy this weekend
~Popcorn for me at the zoo! I shared with Eli (He's definitely a Schneider popcorn eater at heart)
~College friends came to visit. Awesome. Fun to catch up, meet new little ones, see prego belly's and reminisce. A perfect summer Friday night.
~Farmer's market-just a stroll. Didn't buy anything this time around.
~Eli got his new birthday toys out to play today. Pictures to come...big wheel, sandbox and a new big Tonka truck. He also was in and out of his pool, interested in moths and spiders and always...his lawn mower.
~An early morning bike ride with a stop at the park. We found that the neighborhood pool is open. 4th of July weekend is coming up-wouldn't it be classic to spend the day at "the pool"?
~An interesting documentary "Running the Sahara". Anyone see it? WOW.
~Still anxious about work on Sunday nights. Just not ready for the weekend to be over. Moving on......
~Andy (and bailee) talk with the neighbor over the fence whenever they are both outside. I wish I could snap a picture without looking weird. It's just really cool to see him get to know the "neighbors". He also has been hanging out with our other (much younger) neighbor lately and I think it will develop into a closer friendship. They have a new baby!
~Can't believe Summerfest starts next week. I don't think we're going this year but if the bug bites us....maybe we'll do a day trip next weekend. Hard for me because I can't eat (hardly) any of the food and also I can't indulge int he cold Miller Lite. I can't imagine being THERE and not having one.
~Gluten free crepes this am with my boys. Eli had his first Popsicle.
~We finally found the zebra at the zoo. Never knew where he/she lived! Elijah also fed the goats for the first time. And saw a peacock with his feathers spread! The bear was swimming and the monkeys were eating. We rode the train and we all got pooped out. We still haven't gotten grandma barb there.
~I'm vowing to blog more this next week. That's all for now...it was a great weekend.
~New sunglasses for Andy this weekend
~Popcorn for me at the zoo! I shared with Eli (He's definitely a Schneider popcorn eater at heart)
~College friends came to visit. Awesome. Fun to catch up, meet new little ones, see prego belly's and reminisce. A perfect summer Friday night.
~Farmer's market-just a stroll. Didn't buy anything this time around.
~Eli got his new birthday toys out to play today. Pictures to come...big wheel, sandbox and a new big Tonka truck. He also was in and out of his pool, interested in moths and spiders and always...his lawn mower.
~An early morning bike ride with a stop at the park. We found that the neighborhood pool is open. 4th of July weekend is coming up-wouldn't it be classic to spend the day at "the pool"?
~An interesting documentary "Running the Sahara". Anyone see it? WOW.
~Still anxious about work on Sunday nights. Just not ready for the weekend to be over. Moving on......
~Andy (and bailee) talk with the neighbor over the fence whenever they are both outside. I wish I could snap a picture without looking weird. It's just really cool to see him get to know the "neighbors". He also has been hanging out with our other (much younger) neighbor lately and I think it will develop into a closer friendship. They have a new baby!
~Can't believe Summerfest starts next week. I don't think we're going this year but if the bug bites us....maybe we'll do a day trip next weekend. Hard for me because I can't eat (hardly) any of the food and also I can't indulge int he cold Miller Lite. I can't imagine being THERE and not having one.
~Gluten free crepes this am with my boys. Eli had his first Popsicle.
~We finally found the zebra at the zoo. Never knew where he/she lived! Elijah also fed the goats for the first time. And saw a peacock with his feathers spread! The bear was swimming and the monkeys were eating. We rode the train and we all got pooped out. We still haven't gotten grandma barb there.
~I'm vowing to blog more this next week. That's all for now...it was a great weekend.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bad days...
I have realized that there are many different levels of "bad" that a day can be. Some are sort of bad, a little bad, pretty bad, really bad or terribly bad. After today, which I sort of classify in the really-terribly bad day category, I have come to the conclusion that I deal with these days better than a mildly bad day.
On days where I feel like it is 'sorta' bad, I can stay down in the dumps for a long, long time. I dwell on it and can't get over it. But when a day is truly terribly, horrible, no good very bad day....I get over it.
What do you think? Maybe it's the reason behind the day being bad that really matters. Could it be that when things are sorta bad, I was responsible for what was happening? While the days that are terribly bad are just SO bad because it was out of my control? There may not have been anything I could do to change the situation-so after my initial pouting, I'm able to put it on the back burner and move on. It's just a theory.
Otherwise it could just be the plate of nachos that helped me get over my awful, no good, terrible, horrible, bad bad bad day...
On days where I feel like it is 'sorta' bad, I can stay down in the dumps for a long, long time. I dwell on it and can't get over it. But when a day is truly terribly, horrible, no good very bad day....I get over it.
What do you think? Maybe it's the reason behind the day being bad that really matters. Could it be that when things are sorta bad, I was responsible for what was happening? While the days that are terribly bad are just SO bad because it was out of my control? There may not have been anything I could do to change the situation-so after my initial pouting, I'm able to put it on the back burner and move on. It's just a theory.
Otherwise it could just be the plate of nachos that helped me get over my awful, no good, terrible, horrible, bad bad bad day...
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
the kitchen
We're up north. Should I capitalize that-is up north considered a proper noun: Up North? It was a long drive but we survived. Eli didn't sleep a wink. He yelled at trucks, sang songs, danced in his seat, practiced every one's names...etc etc etc.
But now....right now...I'm sitting in the living room catching up on some stuff on my computer because I feel really stressed. But on the other side of the wall stands: Mrs. Roeder (my mother in law), Andy, his brother Matt, his sister Julie and his sister Monica. They are all working on preparing food and games for the wedding shower tomorrow. The chatter is great. I am observing with a smile.
Garlic powder? No garlic salt.
Kosher salt? sea salt? table salt.
Our anniversary is the 13th. Make it 12. No 13. Will that be enough?
Mom do you have a baster?
Where is the flour?
Oh I want to show you my drawings.
Gorgeous!
Here's a picture of the ring.
Get the zip lock bags. Don't forget the plate for the bow/ribbon bouquet.
Don't tell her I said that!
And more and more and more.
The kiddos are asleep (finally at 10 pm!).
There is a large amount of joy that happens in that kitchen when they are all working together.
But now....right now...I'm sitting in the living room catching up on some stuff on my computer because I feel really stressed. But on the other side of the wall stands: Mrs. Roeder (my mother in law), Andy, his brother Matt, his sister Julie and his sister Monica. They are all working on preparing food and games for the wedding shower tomorrow. The chatter is great. I am observing with a smile.
Garlic powder? No garlic salt.
Kosher salt? sea salt? table salt.
Our anniversary is the 13th. Make it 12. No 13. Will that be enough?
Mom do you have a baster?
Where is the flour?
Oh I want to show you my drawings.
Gorgeous!
Here's a picture of the ring.
Get the zip lock bags. Don't forget the plate for the bow/ribbon bouquet.
Don't tell her I said that!
And more and more and more.
The kiddos are asleep (finally at 10 pm!).
There is a large amount of joy that happens in that kitchen when they are all working together.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Raina-remember this...
Dear Raina
Each stage is just that-a stage. A blip. A long moment that may last a few days, multiple weeks, a month, 3 months--but then they move on. Those little guys-they grow and learn and do new things. They don't cry all the time forever. They don't nurse forever. They don't use the nuk forever. They don't need your help walking forever and ever and ever.
I need to remember this the next time you struggle through a stage. This too shall pass. And it will. I might even wish for it back (But I also may not).
What my friends and family say is really true. Things will get better-he will move on.
These days he plays.
He.
Plays.
The exciting part of this is he is playing more and more by himself. I remember dreaming of the time where I could sit for 10 minutes and WATCH him play instead of making sure he wasn't getting into stuff. I wanted to see him being creative and using his imagination. I wanted him to spend putting the blocks together and taking them apart. He is getting good at this. A pile of cars will capture his attention for a time period long enough for me to sort through the mail and go to the bathroom. Bliss! These days I find that if I sit down and play with him-it's ok. He's not yet into telling me where my car has to go, or what my "guy" should say or do (I dread this type of "play"). He's content if I'm helping and playing and building. I know this stage will change too, but right now-I need to keep soaking it in. This is just a reminder.
I don't need to get frustrated-because in fact it is true-this (whatever it may be) will pass. As my sister says, the days are long-but the years go fast. Gulp....
Love,
Raina
Each stage is just that-a stage. A blip. A long moment that may last a few days, multiple weeks, a month, 3 months--but then they move on. Those little guys-they grow and learn and do new things. They don't cry all the time forever. They don't nurse forever. They don't use the nuk forever. They don't need your help walking forever and ever and ever.
I need to remember this the next time you struggle through a stage. This too shall pass. And it will. I might even wish for it back (But I also may not).
What my friends and family say is really true. Things will get better-he will move on.
These days he plays.
He.
Plays.
The exciting part of this is he is playing more and more by himself. I remember dreaming of the time where I could sit for 10 minutes and WATCH him play instead of making sure he wasn't getting into stuff. I wanted to see him being creative and using his imagination. I wanted him to spend putting the blocks together and taking them apart. He is getting good at this. A pile of cars will capture his attention for a time period long enough for me to sort through the mail and go to the bathroom. Bliss! These days I find that if I sit down and play with him-it's ok. He's not yet into telling me where my car has to go, or what my "guy" should say or do (I dread this type of "play"). He's content if I'm helping and playing and building. I know this stage will change too, but right now-I need to keep soaking it in. This is just a reminder.
I don't need to get frustrated-because in fact it is true-this (whatever it may be) will pass. As my sister says, the days are long-but the years go fast. Gulp....
Love,
Raina
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Bad Mom?
Am I a bad mom if a little part of me is sad to see Eli grow up? (Ok-a BIG part of me).
I can't handle all the exciting things he is doing these days. Every day, every hour-it is something new, something more mature-still really cute. Sometimes I read other blogs written by mothers and see how old their young little ones look. I don't want my lil E-bug to grow up to be big enough for preschool, kindergarten or full day school...I'm just not ready for any of that. I don't (yes I do!) want him to be so smart. I don't want him to lose that little cuteness of saying the words just a little wrong or needing help getting in his chair or brushing his teeth. I'm not ready to let him be independent yet. I know there is time for all the neediness that a toddler needs-trust me. And I'm deep down glad for that despite my daily complaints.
He's officially done with the nuk. He had been using it just at night for the last few months. This week, when Andy put him to bed and E-bug asked for it, Andy just distracted him. He never asked for it again. What a success. I've heard so many horror stories and don't get me wrong-I feel lucky, blessed and ecstatic that we didn't have a crying lil boy all night long. But it still made me sad to walk in and see him tucked away in his big crib without a nuk, which isn't so big anymore since he's growing. The nuk made him look just a little baby-ish. And I loved that. The nuk softened him even though he is mostly bones and jabby angles. Now he just looks like a boy. A boy! Not a baby boy.
Now that he's growing up, and we don't have an infant to fill that baby-space in our hearts and minds---I just have this lump in my throat--hoping that life isn't going too fast. Is it? How can I slow down or slow it down without slowing him down? At least we've still got diapers....for now.
I can't handle all the exciting things he is doing these days. Every day, every hour-it is something new, something more mature-still really cute. Sometimes I read other blogs written by mothers and see how old their young little ones look. I don't want my lil E-bug to grow up to be big enough for preschool, kindergarten or full day school...I'm just not ready for any of that. I don't (yes I do!) want him to be so smart. I don't want him to lose that little cuteness of saying the words just a little wrong or needing help getting in his chair or brushing his teeth. I'm not ready to let him be independent yet. I know there is time for all the neediness that a toddler needs-trust me. And I'm deep down glad for that despite my daily complaints.
He's officially done with the nuk. He had been using it just at night for the last few months. This week, when Andy put him to bed and E-bug asked for it, Andy just distracted him. He never asked for it again. What a success. I've heard so many horror stories and don't get me wrong-I feel lucky, blessed and ecstatic that we didn't have a crying lil boy all night long. But it still made me sad to walk in and see him tucked away in his big crib without a nuk, which isn't so big anymore since he's growing. The nuk made him look just a little baby-ish. And I loved that. The nuk softened him even though he is mostly bones and jabby angles. Now he just looks like a boy. A boy! Not a baby boy.
Now that he's growing up, and we don't have an infant to fill that baby-space in our hearts and minds---I just have this lump in my throat--hoping that life isn't going too fast. Is it? How can I slow down or slow it down without slowing him down? At least we've still got diapers....for now.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Translation
Eli is really starting to talk more. I took this video a few nights ago. I thought it was awesome. I've watched it like 5 times. Eli likes to watch it too. Every time I watch I laugh because I want to share it with the world but I know it's not going to be as special to anyone else. And I'm thinking many may not even understand what he is saying. To Andy and I-it is clear as a bell.
Here are some translations for easier viewing:
~His initial jabber to the question "who are you going to go with?" has no explanation.
~yes I do realize I sound like a psycho mom...trying time and time and time again to get him to tell me/us/the world who he is going on the bike ride with
~Around 55 seconds I ask (yes again) who he rides on his bike with and he says something that sounds like "myerr circle". This is his way of saying motorcycle because he heard one outside. He then repeats it 3 or 4 times. So cute to me-his rendition of motorcycle.
~Then he realizes he's on camera---cheese!
~He'll say "love you" to almost anyone. But this makes me giggle because it sounds like he says "love it" instead of love you.
~I ask him who he saw this weekend and he says Kristi-one of his day care ladies-although he didn't see her this last weekend. Then he says "I see jon" (kristi's husband). Then he repeats it again-very confidently: Jon.
~When I say "Baby Sydney?" he answers with House (yes we went to baby sydney's house)
Ok was that too many translations? Was this video even worth it? Andy and I still love it.
Here are some translations for easier viewing:
~His initial jabber to the question "who are you going to go with?" has no explanation.
~yes I do realize I sound like a psycho mom...trying time and time and time again to get him to tell me/us/the world who he is going on the bike ride with
~Around 55 seconds I ask (yes again) who he rides on his bike with and he says something that sounds like "myerr circle". This is his way of saying motorcycle because he heard one outside. He then repeats it 3 or 4 times. So cute to me-his rendition of motorcycle.
~Then he realizes he's on camera---cheese!
~He'll say "love you" to almost anyone. But this makes me giggle because it sounds like he says "love it" instead of love you.
~I ask him who he saw this weekend and he says Kristi-one of his day care ladies-although he didn't see her this last weekend. Then he says "I see jon" (kristi's husband). Then he repeats it again-very confidently: Jon.
~When I say "Baby Sydney?" he answers with House (yes we went to baby sydney's house)
Ok was that too many translations? Was this video even worth it? Andy and I still love it.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
1 hour of my weekend
Was spent preparing this......
Andy thought we were going to a pot luck. Nope. I told him we were set for the week. A lot of my patients want advice for weight loss and cancer prevention. Now your looking at it. I'm a big advocate for veggies. I like them more than fruit (just a preference, not a nutritional value reason). Many patients want time saving tips for weight loss and proper nutrition. I always tell them to take 1 hour out of the weekend and prepare for the week. Ultimately that will save time because
1. Easy to grab -they are cleaned and cut. If you're like me, leaving the house at 6 am does not give me enough time to get out the cucumber and clean and cut it and put in a container. This makes it easy to grab for lunches.
2. You can also use these for breakfast-omelets!
3. Dinners are made easy-stir fry, raw veggies and dip, or veggies and humus, or just steam them.
4. I will not have to dirty a knife or a cutting board ALL week. Amazing.
This encourages me to snack on veggies and I love having a variety!
Also everything you see in the picture above is gluten free. WOW :)
Luckily Andy and I both like different veggies and some the same. Note-the radishes are from our local farmer's market and I don't have to share those with Andy. YUM. I dare you to do this. Do it! Send me a picture if you do. Just 1 hour. Literally-just 1 hour out of your weekend-and you will be saving time AND doing something so good for your body.
1. Easy to grab -they are cleaned and cut. If you're like me, leaving the house at 6 am does not give me enough time to get out the cucumber and clean and cut it and put in a container. This makes it easy to grab for lunches.
2. You can also use these for breakfast-omelets!
3. Dinners are made easy-stir fry, raw veggies and dip, or veggies and humus, or just steam them.
4. I will not have to dirty a knife or a cutting board ALL week. Amazing.
This encourages me to snack on veggies and I love having a variety!
Also everything you see in the picture above is gluten free. WOW :)
Luckily Andy and I both like different veggies and some the same. Note-the radishes are from our local farmer's market and I don't have to share those with Andy. YUM. I dare you to do this. Do it! Send me a picture if you do. Just 1 hour. Literally-just 1 hour out of your weekend-and you will be saving time AND doing something so good for your body.
Almost 2
Dear Elijah,
Today your daddy went golfing and you and I spent the morning together. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to write to you and tell you all about it. I hope that some day, oh say...maybe 30 years from now you may be approaching fatherhood yourself. Maybe as you prepare to be a dad reading this will help you understand just how special being a parent is. But I think (since I'm your mom I can say this) you are not only special, but amazing, charismatic, funny and inquisitive (among other things) and the most fun child to be a mom to.
You sat nice in the jogging stroller while I went for a run. You have not done this since last year. I was a little worried you'd be bored or put up a fuss, especially since you were only rolling around an outdoor track. There weren't squirrels or birds to watch. But you survived without complaining.
We filled up your pool and all morning you said "I wanna poo". I thought you had to go #2. But you were staring out the window at your little pool-dreaming of the splashing you'd do. I told you we had to wait for the water to warm. Meanwhile you ran errands with me, ate breakfast and played trains. You were a very good listener.
Then we headed outside. Oh the joy in your every step. You went in and out of the pool. Your bucket seemed to be super glued to your fingers. You spent a lot time filling it with water from the pool and then pouring it over anything and everything, but mostly all over yourself. You stepped in and out of the pool but never sat down. I looked away for 3 minutes and when I looked back you had poured a bucket of mud into that pool. So...we had to dump that pool (Oh the joy that brought you) and refill it. The water was ice cold again. So, back in and out you stepped. You threw in rocks. You kept "watering" different things. You stayed right by me and the pool, never wandering. I was able to sit and watch you. Bucket in. Pour. Splash. Rock in. Rock out. New rock. ANTS! Such a boy.
These days you let me put sunscreen all over you because that is a sign we are headed outside. I'm dreading the day you wiggle, cry, shout, and run away when I try to put lather you up. Your swim suits from last year still fit you. We have about 10 now because people have given us some and I can't say no at rummage sales. I hope we get a lot of use this summer.
When daddy got home from golfing we took quite the bike ride. You melt my heart. These days you are making sentences (small ones, but yes-sentences). You know how to change your voice if you are asking a question, even if you forget a word or three. The inflection in your tone is so darn cute. "Mamma bike ride?" You love to see air planes, buses, trucks (mixer? dump truck?) and motorcycles. My heart swells when you try to say motorcycle, it comes out as "meer-circle". Back to the point-the bike ride we took brought us to the big blue swirly place-icecream. You haven't done a whole lot of this before but you ate like a pro. We shared a hot fudge sundae you and me. It was so special to me. You had your own big boy spoon and we sat at a little picnic table while the cars drove by. You took spoonfuls that were much too big for you and splattered it all over everything. Once I finally let you just control the spoon by yourself, I saw the real joy in sharing icecream with my favorite almost 2 year old. Thank you for that today. I never enjoyed icecream so much.
~We're back out at the pool now. Daddy went for a little while again. You are so busy dumping water in and out of your bucket and finding rocks I haven't even had to stand up once to help. You are a dream come true of a little boy right now. I am entranced by your every little move these days. I wish that someday you are able to recall these moments you share with me because I feel like there are not enough. I work all day to make enough money for us to get by. NOT to be away from you. All day at work I dream of coming home to play with you. I know you are too young to start remembering "moments", so the most important thing is for you to remember me. To know me. To enjoy me...no matter what age you are. It's the moments that really make my heart pitter patter-letting you control your own spoon, letting you pour water every where and anywhere, stopping everything and building that train track, putting sun screen on you 5 times in 3 hours. See you next weekend for more long, sun and fun filled days together.
Love, Mom
PS Today you napped without a nuk. It didn't kill you or me. Unbelievable. Can we do this?
Today your daddy went golfing and you and I spent the morning together. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to write to you and tell you all about it. I hope that some day, oh say...maybe 30 years from now you may be approaching fatherhood yourself. Maybe as you prepare to be a dad reading this will help you understand just how special being a parent is. But I think (since I'm your mom I can say this) you are not only special, but amazing, charismatic, funny and inquisitive (among other things) and the most fun child to be a mom to.
You sat nice in the jogging stroller while I went for a run. You have not done this since last year. I was a little worried you'd be bored or put up a fuss, especially since you were only rolling around an outdoor track. There weren't squirrels or birds to watch. But you survived without complaining.
We filled up your pool and all morning you said "I wanna poo". I thought you had to go #2. But you were staring out the window at your little pool-dreaming of the splashing you'd do. I told you we had to wait for the water to warm. Meanwhile you ran errands with me, ate breakfast and played trains. You were a very good listener.
Then we headed outside. Oh the joy in your every step. You went in and out of the pool. Your bucket seemed to be super glued to your fingers. You spent a lot time filling it with water from the pool and then pouring it over anything and everything, but mostly all over yourself. You stepped in and out of the pool but never sat down. I looked away for 3 minutes and when I looked back you had poured a bucket of mud into that pool. So...we had to dump that pool (Oh the joy that brought you) and refill it. The water was ice cold again. So, back in and out you stepped. You threw in rocks. You kept "watering" different things. You stayed right by me and the pool, never wandering. I was able to sit and watch you. Bucket in. Pour. Splash. Rock in. Rock out. New rock. ANTS! Such a boy.
These days you let me put sunscreen all over you because that is a sign we are headed outside. I'm dreading the day you wiggle, cry, shout, and run away when I try to put lather you up. Your swim suits from last year still fit you. We have about 10 now because people have given us some and I can't say no at rummage sales. I hope we get a lot of use this summer.
When daddy got home from golfing we took quite the bike ride. You melt my heart. These days you are making sentences (small ones, but yes-sentences). You know how to change your voice if you are asking a question, even if you forget a word or three. The inflection in your tone is so darn cute. "Mamma bike ride?" You love to see air planes, buses, trucks (mixer? dump truck?) and motorcycles. My heart swells when you try to say motorcycle, it comes out as "meer-circle". Back to the point-the bike ride we took brought us to the big blue swirly place-icecream. You haven't done a whole lot of this before but you ate like a pro. We shared a hot fudge sundae you and me. It was so special to me. You had your own big boy spoon and we sat at a little picnic table while the cars drove by. You took spoonfuls that were much too big for you and splattered it all over everything. Once I finally let you just control the spoon by yourself, I saw the real joy in sharing icecream with my favorite almost 2 year old. Thank you for that today. I never enjoyed icecream so much.
~We're back out at the pool now. Daddy went for a little while again. You are so busy dumping water in and out of your bucket and finding rocks I haven't even had to stand up once to help. You are a dream come true of a little boy right now. I am entranced by your every little move these days. I wish that someday you are able to recall these moments you share with me because I feel like there are not enough. I work all day to make enough money for us to get by. NOT to be away from you. All day at work I dream of coming home to play with you. I know you are too young to start remembering "moments", so the most important thing is for you to remember me. To know me. To enjoy me...no matter what age you are. It's the moments that really make my heart pitter patter-letting you control your own spoon, letting you pour water every where and anywhere, stopping everything and building that train track, putting sun screen on you 5 times in 3 hours. See you next weekend for more long, sun and fun filled days together.
Love, Mom
PS Today you napped without a nuk. It didn't kill you or me. Unbelievable. Can we do this?
Friday, June 3, 2011
new favorite word...
I have friends and co-workers with real passions. Some love reading, exercising or running, scrap booking, cooking, watching sports, blogging or being a parent. In the last year I have been struggling to define what my passion is. There are definitely things that I consider important to me. I enjoy doing many things (some of listed above) but there isn't something that I feel obsessed (in a good way) about. Not a lot gets me super excited. I know...I'm not getting to the point. I thought it was food and eating but that has even changed in the last few months.
I have thought long and hard about this. What makes me think? What do I spend a lot of time doing? What do I share with anyone and everyone? Lately my passion has been being a negative person. I could sit and think about all the negatives in my life for hours. I could talk to family and friends about my woes. I can dream of things being better in certain ways. I can pout. Pity myself. Cry about it. Laugh about it. Have a glass of wine because of it. I can take a longer nap so I don't have to get up and face it. I guess I'd say I'm passionate about being negative.
How.
Sad.
How.
Bad.
But I've realized...the one thing that makes me move on, turn my thoughts back the right way is Validation. When I want to complain about something, I don't want to hear how wonderful my life really is (with a bunch of reasons listed) because I know all that. I really do. That's a separate post because I could create a list that goes on and on and on for miles regarding all the blessings in my life, all the good in my life and how it could be so much worse. I don't have that much to complain about. I KNOW IT! It's yucky that I am like this but guess what world? This is me...And it makes me sad. But...BUT! When someone validates my concerns, worries, negativeness-I move on. I change my attitude because I feel like someone finally is understanding and listening (which is the most important part). This means that they are not trying to solve my problems for me or belittling me. I can tilt my chin up a little higher and see the world with a little more color. It's no longer a black and white shabby view. That validation pushes me to have positive thoughts-which is what I need.
This last weekend my brother took Eli on a few adventures of his own. He showed him where worms hid in tree stumps, let him live on the edge by trying to catch hail during a big storm, and took him for 20-30 minutes at the horse races. I didn't hear it too much myself but he must have had quite the conversation with my sister because evidently he validated how tough it is to be a mom with a little guy on the go (and also how tough it is to be a working mom, or a stay at home mom with 3 littles running around). Eli is very independent. He never looks back to check if he is close to family or friends. He is off in his little world and nothing stops him when he is determined. It is hard to take him somewhere and fully enjoy the time. There is guilt if andy is watching him, and if I am in charge I don't enjoy anyone else at the function. It's tiring. To hear my single, currently childless brother validate that it seems hard and exhausting made me so happy. Thanks Uncle Greg. Click here for more details on the validation that I needed this last weekend.
I have thought long and hard about this. What makes me think? What do I spend a lot of time doing? What do I share with anyone and everyone? Lately my passion has been being a negative person. I could sit and think about all the negatives in my life for hours. I could talk to family and friends about my woes. I can dream of things being better in certain ways. I can pout. Pity myself. Cry about it. Laugh about it. Have a glass of wine because of it. I can take a longer nap so I don't have to get up and face it. I guess I'd say I'm passionate about being negative.
How.
Sad.
How.
Bad.
But I've realized...the one thing that makes me move on, turn my thoughts back the right way is Validation. When I want to complain about something, I don't want to hear how wonderful my life really is (with a bunch of reasons listed) because I know all that. I really do. That's a separate post because I could create a list that goes on and on and on for miles regarding all the blessings in my life, all the good in my life and how it could be so much worse. I don't have that much to complain about. I KNOW IT! It's yucky that I am like this but guess what world? This is me...And it makes me sad. But...BUT! When someone validates my concerns, worries, negativeness-I move on. I change my attitude because I feel like someone finally is understanding and listening (which is the most important part). This means that they are not trying to solve my problems for me or belittling me. I can tilt my chin up a little higher and see the world with a little more color. It's no longer a black and white shabby view. That validation pushes me to have positive thoughts-which is what I need.
This last weekend my brother took Eli on a few adventures of his own. He showed him where worms hid in tree stumps, let him live on the edge by trying to catch hail during a big storm, and took him for 20-30 minutes at the horse races. I didn't hear it too much myself but he must have had quite the conversation with my sister because evidently he validated how tough it is to be a mom with a little guy on the go (and also how tough it is to be a working mom, or a stay at home mom with 3 littles running around). Eli is very independent. He never looks back to check if he is close to family or friends. He is off in his little world and nothing stops him when he is determined. It is hard to take him somewhere and fully enjoy the time. There is guilt if andy is watching him, and if I am in charge I don't enjoy anyone else at the function. It's tiring. To hear my single, currently childless brother validate that it seems hard and exhausting made me so happy. Thanks Uncle Greg. Click here for more details on the validation that I needed this last weekend.
3 men in a tub
When I get together with my sister, one of our traditions is to throw all the boys in the tub. The time is getting closer where they may not all fit in the tub so it is a very special time for them. We always try to capture them in their glory-but remain respectful. Uncle Andy did the honors of washing them up and letting them play. I think that is why they are beaming....
If these pictures made you smile...head on over to my sisters blog here and check out her blog post about our men in a tub. She does an amazing job showing the journey these babes have made in the bath tub together. Can you believe this do-it-all-superwoman-mom of 3 is organized to post that? Who is this woman you ask? She is one of my closest confidants yet we are never in a picture together. Always taking shots of each other with the little ones or of just the little ones. This last weekend I demanded one shot of us. Luckily we both look presentable because it may be another 5 years before we show up together.
If these pictures made you smile...head on over to my sisters blog here and check out her blog post about our men in a tub. She does an amazing job showing the journey these babes have made in the bath tub together. Can you believe this do-it-all-superwoman-mom of 3 is organized to post that? Who is this woman you ask? She is one of my closest confidants yet we are never in a picture together. Always taking shots of each other with the little ones or of just the little ones. This last weekend I demanded one shot of us. Luckily we both look presentable because it may be another 5 years before we show up together.
away
We've had some amazing weekends away. We survived the long car rides, spent time with loved ones and ate good! Eli makes himself right at home no matter where we go. He especially loves Aunt Sarah's house. No matter what time of the night we get there, he digs RIGHT into the big wooden track and trains bin. He builds tracks silently until our initial hellos are done and we demand he go to bed. He doesn't sleep long in the morning because he knows what awaits him. He enjoys his cousins "The big boys" and smiles and laughs even if they aren't looking at him. We forgot our suitcase and survived by going on a shopping spree. We played outside, inside, cards and catch phrase. We drank wine and went to the horse races. Eli enjoyed special moments with his Uncle Greg that he doesn't and won't see for a while. Props to everyone-we survived without eating out a restaurant and nobody went hungry and we had meat free, dairy free and gluten free options that were yummy. Oh and we all got some squeezin' time with Miss Sydney! I think I captured some of the joy.... Here are my favorite shots.
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| Uncle Greg showed Eli where the worms live! |
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| pure little boy joy |
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| Liz didn't want to share the sweater or the wine! |
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| Eli fell asleep ON Andy. That hasn't happened since Baby-hood. He slept for 45 min-1 hour during the start of the Indy 500! Everyone else was "starting their engines" while Eli was resting his. |
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| Charley cheering the horses on. I won almost every race-and luckily Charley bet "with me" on one of them and shared the winnings. |
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| The clan-ps please excuse andy's big hairy leg right in front of me. Kinda creepy but really-it's his leg not mine! |
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