June 15, 2012

For Perspective	Bedtime Conversations
I went to a mother's gathering today with other homebirth moms. When I got there I saw two moms with little boys who looked about the same size/age as BC. But wait, these babies were sitting up. Unassisted. They had head control and everything. Hmmmmm... Come to find out the two baby boys there were 6-months and 7-months. BC is 7-weeks.  People always tell me what a big baby I have but until yesterday I didn't have much to compare him to. Amy's baby SJ is a big'un too so seeing them side-by-side doesn't seem odd. But yesterday... Oh my. BC was as long as the other boys and 3lbs shy of their weight. Yowzah.  At 6-weeks BC was 24 1/2 in. long. When I told my good friend and former roommate MM that she said, "Your baby is almost the length of my inseam. For perspective." Perspective, indeed. ~M	“Dad!”  I heard the scream as we were all settling down for the night. It seemed the discussion in version 3.0 and 4.0’s room had gotten a bit heated.  It’s not uncommon for those two to find themselves in intense discussions when they finally lay down for the night.  In fact, I’ve made it a point to use the “SJ needs me” excuse often and send dad to handle bedtime.  I mean, who wouldn’t choose snuggles with a little one who looks lovingly at you and smiles every time you catch his eye over bantering boys. They remind me of my sister and I sharing a room as kids.  One night she’d be offering to pay me to sleep on the floor and the next we’d have the most wonderful conversations dreaming about our futures together.  Memories that are very dear to my heart. “What’s going on boys,” dad said in his deep it’s bedtime voice. “Dad, Josh wants to be a hobo when he grows up!” “A hobo?” “Not a hobo, Ben! A famous hobo!” Those two crack me up! ~A

June 14, 2012

Stay	Coffee
Stay young and anywhere-sleepable. Reside in a place where we first met And let me love you always. Let me tell you stories and sing you songs, make your eyes shine and cheeks grin. Stay young and rest easy and sound. Know that life is for the taking But must be taken slowly. Let me rub the soles of your feet and kiss the top of your head until it's too high to reach. Stay young and always my child. ~M	“Will you teach me to make coffee?” version 3.0 asked one day.   “Why do you want to make coffee?” “The baby wakes you up a lot in the night and I can make your coffee for you in the morning so when you get up it will be ready” he said with that amazing smile. I taught him to make coffee.  This morning I smelled the most glorious smell coming through the house.   This is how SJ and I were greeted with the first cup.  Best coffee ever! ~A

June 13, 2012

Tradition	Here We Go
We drove down to Mooresville, IN today as we do every June 13th. It’s our wedding anniversary, you see, and every year we go and take our picture at the spot where we said our vows. This year marks number 3 and our family has expanded by one, making us a unit of 3. How fitting. ~M	Back at online training today for SW Service Solutions. Definitely didn't have it together.  Felt totally off balance. Not sure I’m ready for this. Oh well… here we go! ~A

June 12, 2012

Fluff	Words
I've got a problem. I've got a fluff problem. For those of you not up on the lingo, "fluff" = cloth diapers. My problem is, I'm completely addicted. I'm addicted to the relative cheapness, the Eco-friendliness, the better for baby's skin-ness, and especially the total cuteness. Bright colors and adorable patterns cover my baby's bum and makes him look like one of those big-booty baby windup toys. You know, the ones that crawl with a "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" of the pink bottom. Cute. Ness. And thus my addiction. I simply adore the adorableness of fluff. Yes, cloth diapering is a bit more work and a lot more laundry but worth it for all of the good (see above). I've got a friend who bet me I will give up the fluff in lieu of sposies ("sposies" = disposable diapers) once BC starts eating solid foods. She thinks the solid food waste will be a big enough of a turn-off that it will trump my love of fluff. She's gonna lose that bet. For, you see, I'm addicted. And addictions don't end when the shit gets stinky. ~M	I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but at some point I became offended by language.  Yes cursing, but also negative toxic speak.  I’ve always been the peacemaker so maybe that has something to do with it.  Or, maybe as a result of my past, it’s the subconscious fear of what can happen when that kind of ugliness starts.  I heard there’s a new study showing that cursing can release tension and might be beneficial to your health.  Yeah, punching someone in the face can release tension too, but I’m not sure it’s good for you. I had the opportunity to speak to my husband on the phone on his lunch break and in the background I heard quite possibly every curse word out there.  “That’s how it is on the jobsite,” he reminded me.  Everyone sounded so miserable and I know he is affected by negativity all day long, so it doesn’t seem good to me at all. This got me thinking about when and why people curse or aggressively speak. The obvious: to express an emotion: anger, discouragement, frustration, depression, a bad attitude or even excitement and happiness. Growing up in an environment where it is common language.   To fit in.   To make an intellectual point stick.  Yes, I believe a strong word can be used to make a good point when needed (ie: my co-blogger’s careful use today). Sadly it seems the negatives of number 1 are the majority.  There was an incident recently at a local congregation where a wee little one was spewing out hatred and the congregation was cheering that small child on. He wasn’t dropping “f” bombs but it was judgment and hate.  He learned that from the adults in his life, all of whom I have a few choice words to share. Everything in my life boils down to what kind of an example am I being?  Is it one of positive influence and self control?  Trust me my kids have seen me mad and they know that anger, frustration, discouragement...etc are emotions we all experience.  It’s about how I express those emotions that matters.  I doubt I will ever feel okay with SJ or any of my kids cursing or certainly spewing out judgment and hate.   Words have power! Out in the world my kids have heard and are going to hear a lot of toxic talk but they will know that words have power and you have to use them wisely.  ~A

June 11, 2012

Truth	Five
Went out without my little man again today as duty called. The thing I've come to realize, being a new mom, is that other people don't care nearly as much about the fact that I'm a new mom as I do. In fact, most people don't care at all - don't even know that I am. Of course that's true but it still feels odd to me. It feels odd because being a new mom has made me an entirely new me. I feel different. Because, in truth, I am.  When I go out without my son the people who don't know me are none the wiser. They don't know that I'm a new mom, or any kind of mom. They can't see how my life has been irrevocably changed; that I am both softer and stronger, wiser and more ignorant than I was two months ago. They don't know.  When I go out without my son the people who do know me ask after him, oo and ah over his picture, and politely query as to how I'm feeling. But they don't stand, as I do, in amazement.  When I go out without my son everywhere I go I want to say, "Hold on. Let me just stop for a moment and speak some truth. I am a mom. I have a son - a little person who grew inside of me for nine months, who I birthed and am raising the best way I know how. He's a miracle, really. He's teaching me so much about life, laughter, and love at first sight. I care for him and love him in a way that I wouldn't have thought possible before. I am a mom." But I don't, of course, say that. I just go about my day, smiling contently at the knowledge I hold in my heart and get back home to my son as fast as I possibly can.  ~M	Five… Wow… Do you know how many times I have heard the joke, “You do know what causes that, right?”  For the record, we are fully aware.  My husband’s typical response to that is, “Yes, and apparently we like it.”  Being parents is what I am certain he is talking about for those of you thinking otherwise.  J Today I had all five of my children home and before they all scattered again to their various activities I asked them to help with some housework.  One by one they pitched in and then it happened, I heard giggles and belly laughs one after the other.  Not much cleaning was taking place, as throughout the house I’d find versions 1.0 and 2.0 horsing around (as my Mamaw would say) with versions 3.0 and 4.0.  All housework had ceased for fun.  Even SJ would giggle as they ran by. Sweetness! I gathered everyone into the front room and snapped this shot.  I sent the picture off to Dad with a comment saying, “We love you Daddy!”  I sure hope it helped him get through another exhausting workday.  This picture made my day better for sure.   I couldn’t stop looking at it.  Five… Who knew?  Five, Thank God! I am so madly deeply in love with each and every one of them! ~A

June 10, 2012

Hands	Ducky Love
"We have the same hands." "You're right. We have exactly the same hands." ~M	This is a picture of SJ holding on to his ducky blanket.  My daughter took it in the van when we were driving today.  He looks so peaceful holding on to it and he is already so in love with ducky.   I have a feeling ducky will provide comfort, joy, snuggles, laughter as well as be unconditionally loved by SJ for years to come. This weekend has been quite a roller coaster ride emotionally.  From participating in my 28-year-old nephew’s wedding to reconnecting with a young man who means the world to me and is currently going through a separation.  Both of these young men are wonderful guys who have had a rough go of it and are doing the best that they can.  I have watched both of these young men grow up and love them unconditionally.  This weekend it was humbling that, in their time of need, they felt safe coming to us for much needed support.  It became a weekend full of laughter, tears, joy and sorrow. As I look at my children, who are growing up so quickly, I want to protect their hearts, but I know that isn’t realistic.  They will inevitably experience heartache and trials.  As they do I want them to hold on to us like SJ holds on to that ducky.  I pray that they know they can always come home to unconditional love where they will find comfort, joy, snuggles and laughter! ~A

June 9, 2012

Tip #2	Response to Tip #2
Okay. Two words: Nose Frida. Wait. Now that I think about it, it might only be one word: NoseFrida. Well, regardless if it's one word or two, take note. This thing is amazing. What is it, you ask? It is the hot new must-have baby item! It replaces those horrible, hard to clean, one-suction-strength-fits-all bulb syringes that the hospital gives out (apparently?). The concept is ingenious in its simplicity. One end goes in baby's nose, the other end goes in caretaker's mouth. Caretaker sucks (gently or more forcefully, depending on need) and out comes the boogies. Before you grimace in disgust, rest assured there is a little filter to keep suckage from going into your mouth. The Swedish folks who invented this little gadget thought of everything. It works extremely well. See, so far my one mommy neurosis happens to be cleaning BC's nose. I hate, absolutely hate seeing boogers in my little guy's nose. The NoseFrida is my saving grace. Highly recommended for all new parents - neurotic or not! And just in case you're wondering yes, it does work on your own nose too. ~M	That is all! ~A