One on the 19th

Our little miracle turned 1 today

Zoom...the time flew.  Oh how he has changed. Buckle up-we have another fast year of Hughie to enjoy!

Thanks for "watching" him grow up on this blog. Stay tuned to find out where these little toes will travel next.

Blogs to come: 12 month review, stats and pics

Cake and party pictures

12 month of striped leg warmers

He's loved. I can't say anymore than that. 

Today

Tonight at Eli's swim lessons we were told to put on our suits but to plan to sit on the side.  This was the first class where Eli would need to listen to the instructor and hold onto the side and wait his turn to show his floating and stroke skills.  The pool Eli has his lessons in is smaller and for kids.  It starts out shallow enough for him to stand but gets deeper at the other end.  I wasn't sure if I he was ready.  We arrived 5 minutes early to our lessons and the kids from the prior were getting out to dry off.  The mom next to us on the bench had her cell phone in hand but put it down to dry off her 2 littles when they were done.  I wasn't really watching her.  Routine stuff right?

In front of me was the lifeguard. He sits in a special chair and has a whistle and a floatation device around his chest.

I didn't hear a whistle.  The first thing I saw was the lifeguard stand up.  The next thing I saw was the mom stand up and stand on the first step of the deep end of the pool.  She wasn't freaking out.  From the shallow end a fully clothed lifeguard dove into the children sized pool and swam so fast. I turned my head to see the little boy fully under the water in the deep end.  His whole head was under the water (he was standing but the water was too deep-completely covering him) and he was reaching his hand towards the surface.  He wasn't bobbing up and down or choking, because he was fully under the water.  Nobody was yelling.  But there was a lot of splashing because the lifeguard from the other side of the room was frantically getting to that boy.  She saved him.

She saved his life.

I can't get the image out of my head.  It was and is completely traumatic to me. I've never wanted to be a life guard and I still don't want to be.  But that woman, short and stout and not looking anything like a Baywatch (Babe) lifeguard DID her job tonight.  She can go home tonight knowing that she dove into that pool in her clothes and saved that boys life. She reacted in lightening speed. I said to Andy on the way home "How was she even watching THAT 1 kid? Because I wasnt and even his mom wasn't."  He responded with "That's her job".  Wow.

Cheers to lifeguard lady.

Happy Valentines lifeguard lady.

I hope you are making more than minimum wage.  I hope you have insurance and benefits.  We need you.  You SAVED a life.  That is more than I can say I did today.

So....I had to move on. I had to send my little in the pool.  And I did. Because I knew there were others like her surrounding this little pool.  I saw this little boy survive and smile and walk away with his towel around him.  I'll see him next week-probably just as daring as he was tonight.  Kids are resilient. Because there are adults there keeping them afloat. 

Eli went in the pool. He sat on the side and waited calmly for his turn.  He even told the teacher "I want to try by myself" and I held my breath and my tears and let my heart beat with pride. 

(I know it costs money, but give your children swimming lessons).

So tonight I squeeze my 4 valentines (Eli, Hugh, Andy, Bailee) a little tighter.  I squeeeeeeeeeze and they squeeze back.

Thank you Lifeguard Lady.

Mail Carrier

When I was little I had 3 dream jobs (Don't worry, they are not the same as my dream job today).
1. Swimming lesson instructor
2. Mail Carrier (Back then I called it mailman)
3. Librarian (Specifically reading books and showing pictures during story time)

Now that I'm a mom, I am lucky to do all those jobs above.
I get in the pool with Eli and I read book after book after book.

But mail carrier...am I a mail carrier?
Yes I am!  I recently bought these ultra cute mailboxes from the dollar section at Target.  I bought one for each boy.  I set it out on the table and during the week before Valentines Day I decided to put a treat in each one every day.  The boys all loved it. (And when I came home from work on Monday there was a mailbox for ME too. I can't believe Andy went and bought one for me!)

When Valentines day is over we will put these mailboxes away and bring them out again next year.  This will keep the excitement of being a mail carrier alive.

So whether you get excited about Valentines Day or you hate the holiday, let me tell you that someone out there is thinking about you and loving you. 

(And as a side note-this is a cute book that Eli and I have read over and over and over-If you have a child under the age of 5, you should see if your library has it):

The Pipe

My blog posts don't lie.  Hugh loves to have his "pipe".
Here's what I mean.

Introducing Mr. Hugh (watching his older brother play in the snow)

No pipe yet....



Theeerrrrrre it is Mr. Hugh

I can tell you are having so much fun Hughie Lou

Look closely in the sunlight....can you see it-still in there!

Don't you dare try to take it from him. 

Just in case he holds a 2nd pipe in his hands.... (See picture above)

He tries it....

Nope...back to the car pipe. But green pipe is relaxed in his hands.  Just in case.

If you look closely...it's still there.  

Addendum and Update

Addendum to my top 10 list...

I reread, after looking at a few other blog posts about top 10 lists.  It's official.  I am removing #8.  I am taking off "watch movies with Andy" and moving that down to #11.  I still do like to watch movies but this was something I was much more skilled at before kids were in the picture. Now I fall asleep during the opening scenes if it's past 7 pm.  So....I am changing it to
#8- Live music.  I love listening to live music. Could be a choir concert, live jazz band at a bar with my parents, could be a solo guitar and singer, could be a huge rock or country band.  Could be a high school concert band.  But I love it.  I specifically like listening with Andy and people watching, but anyone is free to join me.

Updates...on my 2013 goals found here.  It's only been 1 month but here is how I'm doing.

1.  New gluten free recipes: YES! I've been doing this.  I've been much more diligent about cooking and trying new things.  This is such a good goal for me.

2.  Treadmill-yep-doing it. Thanks to my sister for encouraging me and reminding me. Andy and I have also been doing a workout video which is good for different muscles I don't use often. It's also good for a laugh (Shared between Andy and I during).

3.  Live music- not yet!

4.  More water: yes, about a 25% increase.  Some days I push it and increase by 50%. My goal is to double what I usually do.  It's forced but so what...I'm doing it right? 

5.  The only soda IIIII have bought is for Hughie's birthday party we are having.  There was a sale so I bought for the party.

6.  Sleep more- not yet

7.  Pack lighter-trying but not yet proud of this

8.  Garden and farmers market: not yet, waiting on the weather to change-but I did buy bok choy and try that.  Anyone use bok choy in anything other than stir fry? Looking for ideas because it is sold in large bunches. 

9.  10 minutes of clean up: This is awesome. It works. Eli is even asking for "chores" now!  10 minutes 5 out of 7 days of the week.  He now knows how to empty the silverware from the dishwasher. He also can put his clothes in his dresser. LOVE!

10. Andy's goal---I have yet to announce what it is.  It is really hard and I don't feel successful with it yet.  I'm working on it but it's really out of my league (Thanks Andy). 

How are you doing with your goals?

Top 10

A few weeks ago a friend and I were texting back and forth.  I do that now.  I hate talking on the phone. It's such a time suck to me-I just can't do anything while I'm chatting. But while I'm texting you (yes you) I am able to put the phone down after I finish my thought and go to the bathroom, chop the onion, fold some laundry, change a diaper and anticipate what your response will be. Oh how fun! Ok enough about that....I texted my friend something along the lines of "I'm doing this, this and this. 3 of my favorite things to do".  She responded "Funny, none of those rank with me" (or in other words-those aren't in her top 10).  This made me smile huge.  I like this friend, a lot.  But how could she not like my top 3 things?  In turn, she told me 3 of her favorite things.  And although they were things that I enjoyed, I'm not sure they ranked in my top 10.  So I responded "How are we even friends?".  Hopefully she had as big of a smile as I did.  It was humorous to me.
So it sparked me to think of my top 10 favorite things to do.  5 years ago, these 5 things may have been completely different and in 5 years from now I would also expect the list to change.  You can still be my friend even if these don't rank on your top 10 list.  (Disclaimer: these are top 10 things RAINA likes to do, not raina as a mom, or raina as a wife-those are completely different lists-so don't judge me that these don't all include my family.) Interestingly I feel that I could make a top 10 list for each item on my top 10. 

1. Eat  (Top 10 favorite things to eat, top 10 favorite places to eat)
2. Sleep  (Top 10 places to sleep, Top 10 times of the day to sleep, Top 10 types of sleeping positions)
3. Read (Top 10 types of things to read)
4. Take a bath or hot shower (Top 10 favorite shower accessories)
5. Cook (not bake)   (Top 10 things to cook, Top 10 favorite places to cook)
6. Play games (card or board games)  (Top 10 favorite games to play, Top 10 favorite people to play games with --would you make the list? WINK)
7. Blog and read other blogs  (Top 10 favorite blogs to read, Top 10 favorite blog topics)
8. Watch movies with Andy  (Top 10 favorite movies to watch)
9. Travel  (Top 10 favorite places I've been, will go)
10. Talk with small groups of other gals (i.e. bookclub)   (Top10 topics)

What's on your top 10 list?  Isn't it awesome to have friends that would list an activity such as "Take a walk with a friend"--although it's not on my list, I now can't wait to take a real (non-illegal) walk with her.  And I hope to someday partake in all my family and friends top 10 list activities. 

Minnesota Trip

A week ago we were wandering my sisters house with calm hearts but tired minds.  The drive the night before took us late into the night to get to where we were going.  Eli didn't fall asleep in the car until after 10 pm and had to change pee soaked clothes in a bathroom at a fast food joint.  Not our finest hour.  It took us just about 5 hours, but I was so glad we did it. 

I never left the house once I got there.  The closest thing I got to fresh air was the 10 steps in the garage to throw out diapers.  And that is just the way I wanted it.  There was no pressure to bundle up the kids or get in the cold car or get lost in a new town.  I let Hughie wander the house, venture up and down the one step that separates some of their rooms and eat meals in Miss Syd's chair.  Eli just devoured his cousin time.  He didn't have a minute to spend with me or Hughie.

I want to just say Thanks to Sarah and Ed for being amazing hosts.  We always make ourselves at home, even though this time it didn't feel like a spa-with 5 kids running around :).


Thanks to Charley-for showing us his violin skills, showing me his legos, telling me about the black diamond and breaking a sweat during the Just Dance game!


Don't worry Sarah-I told him to make a goofy face.

 Thank you Henry for spending hours and hours and hours with Eli.  Thank you for sharing your toys and your bed.  Thanks for letting me read a book to you and thanks for playing puzzle races with me. 

Thank you Ed for letting us take over your house.  Thanks for picking up Big Bowl for us and driving those extra miles. Thank you for the beautiful, yummy martinis and Just Dance.  Thank you for holding your nephew for a few minutes and reminding us that 5 kids to 3 adults is not that bad!  Oh yeah and thanks for letting (?) me win the ski jump game.

Thank you Grandma Barb for your listening ear, 5 hours there and 7 hours home.  Thank you for helping the kids get in and out of the car, for giving Hugh a bottle whenever needed, for letting Eli sleep in your room with you and playing with them upon demand.  Thanks for giving me snow-driving advice and not napping in the car. 

Thank you Syd for all the smiles. Thank you for napping both days.  Thanks for setting your table, sharing cupcakes and showing joy when you opened your birthday presents (Opens opens!).  Thanks for sharing your booster chair at meals and for spending a moment with me-putting a real diaper on your doll. 

Thank you Sarah for the little get-away for my boys and me.  Thanks for the space and letting us move our sleeping space multiple times.  Thanks for all the gluten free goodies, the just dance competition and the chats.  Thank you for letting my kids just be themselves with your kids.

Oh and thanks to my kids too.  They endured a long car ride and were quite the troopers.  They slept as could be expected.  I had a few stolen moments with each one, dancing with Eli, reading him stories, oh and just giving Hugh a few extra kisses.

Last but not least-thank you Andy.  Between video games with friends and a night out to watch the Milwaukee Bucks play....you cleaned the house, changed the sheets, made gluten free cookies and replaced 3 light fixtures in our house. 

I've only done it a few times but it always boosts my confidence.  I can travel with my boys-but with a lot of support from my family.