Life gets busy
I’ve neglected my blog.
It has been more than six months since my last post and I don’t have a good excuse beyond the same old song and dance – “Life got busy.”
After my last post, I gave myself permission to take a break from writing on here. This time away was meant to help me decide if I wanted to continue to blog, and if so, in what direction I wanted to take this blog.
Part of me still wants to use this spot for telling family stories, yet as Little Dude gets older, there are more and more things that I find I am hesitant to share with everyone. Some stories are best shared just with immediate family or very close friends. But there are still other stories that can be shared – I just wonder if I still have the passion to write about them.
Another part of me has wanted to evolve this blog into more of a combination of my life and interests – focusing more on things outside of this family. But a lot of what I have to share can be summed up in 140 characters on Twitter, and I think a blog like that should not carry my family names.
So here I am, more than six months later, and I still haven’t decided what to do with this blog…
Any ideas?
Fifteen years
Fifteen years ago, I was just turning 21 and still in college. Some coworkers and friends had taken me out to celebrate, so I found myself bleary-eyed and exhausted about this time of night/morning (3 am).
Once again, 15 years later, I’m bleary-eyed and exhausted. But so much has changed.
Instead of partying with friends, I’m responding to a middle-of-the-night call from a little guy who is crying and coughing so hard that he keeps choking – croup or an asthma attack.
After getting his cough to settle down (a dash into the cold, then a visit to the steamy warm bathroom, as well as a puff from his inhaler), we snuggle on the couch. Once he is back to sleep and I’m satisfied that his breathing sounds much better, I carry him back to his room and tuck him in.
Fifteen years ago, I think one of my roommates tucked me in and made certain I was feeling okay.
So much has changed in fifteen years. Back then, it was all about me. Now, it is all about him. And I like it this way – croupy cough and all.
What more can I ask for on my birthday, even if it is spent taking care of my sick little guy? It just means I get to spend extra time snuggling him, which is better than any gift I could have dreamed of 15 years ago.
In the corner
It appears we have communicated well, when it comes to consequences for not-appropriate behavior (AKA what happens when someone is naughty).
This is Nicky. Nicky is a treasured stuffed puppy belonging to Little Dude.
Nicky is in the corner – one of the same corners we have used for time-outs for Little Dude.
Nicky was put in the corner by Little Dude, after Nicky repeatedly went under Little Dude’s Cozy Coupe (picture of a Cozy Coupe here, if you aren’t familiar with this best-selling vehicle), so for not listening to Little Dude (and he gave him many warnings), Nicky was sentenced to some time in the corner.
Little Dude also brought Nicky to me, asking me to tell him why that was naughty to fall under the car, and how he could get hurt.
I think Nicky will be listening in the future. (I hope, or I may be devising a seat-belt system so he doesn’t fall out again!)
Three
Getting pregnant took forever and was filled with many struggles.
And then nine months seemed to drag – filled with excitement to meet him or her.
Just over four months to go, at this point.
Then he arrived, and we knew it was a “he!”
The days and nights were filled with feeble attempts to get sleep. Frequently, we would pass out from exhaustion, while holding our new “Little Dude.”
He would only sleep when he was held – preferably in a slightly upright position, or while laying on his stomach, on top of one of us.
We wondered when he would outgrow this stage and begin to sleep in his own space.
But then, within the next moment, we missed our little snuggle boy. Because we realized pretty quickly that he changes and grows as quickly as:
Three.
The train table he received from us, for his birthday.
Happy birthday to my three-year-old! We love you and are so proud of you. Thank you for filling our lives with happiness, challenges, love, curiosity, laughter, and so much more. Now stop growing so quickly.
And the best present is…
Happy new year!
In honor of the recent holiday season, I thought I would do a quick run-down on some of the holiday gifts we received, gave or saw others giving and receiving…
- First off, for my tech-geeky friends, I received an iPod Touch to replace my ASUS, from the Hubby. It was much-needed, and I have to tell you, I love it! I have not liked my ASUS for quite some time, as depending on how it was held or set down, it would reboot completely. Yes, maybe it was dropped one too many times, or handled by the toddler a few times, but still, my Palm Pilots all lived longer lives. Also, I decided I hate the Windows Mobile operating system. Yes, I’m still a PC girl, but going from the Palm OS to Windows Mobile OS was just clunky. The new iPod Touch was so nice – and I’ve found so many helpful (and some fun) applications. I’m in PDA heaven at this point. (Please feel free to recommend your favorite apps to me!)
Bye-bye ASUS!
Hello iPod Touch!
- Next, I received a PedEgg from my Mom. I actually wanted one after having way too many friends tell me it works. Disgusting? Yes. Does it do the job? Yes. Seriously happy with the thing, and slightly disturbed by it, too. I love USA Today’s quote about it: “It’s both fascinating and revolting at the same time: a cheese-grater-like device that shaves skin off feet to make them softer, smoother and better looking.” That about sums it up.
Disgusting, yet wonderful...
- Third up is the Snuggie. Okay, I didn’t get one, but I did talk to several friends who received them. At first, they made some snide comments about these “gag gifts,” but now, a week after receiving them, many of these same friends are raving about them. We’ll call the Snuggies (and the knock-off brands) a sleeper gift – shunned at first, but appreciated later. (Maybe I should request one next year? Hmm…) I do have to laugh since I remember growing up in a house with a “Snuggle Sack.” These were popular in the late 70s and early 80s, and were essentially sleeping bags made to allow your arms to stick out, when snapped in the correct configuration at the top. History repeats itself…
Somehow, this picture feels 1970s-ish to me...
- My fourth favorite Christmas gift for this year? Socks. Yes, you read that correctly. Is there anyone out there who wouldn’t appreciate a nice, new, warm pair of socks? I was showered in socks this year – both dress and casual, and it made me so happy! Just be warned about one thing with socks, though. Don’t buy the off-brand kind for anyone else, unless you wear them and like them. There is nothing worse than uncomfortable socks that stretch-out the first time you wear them.
- As for my last, but definitely not least favorite gift? Family time. It is actually my “favoritest” gift of all. For me, Christmas is about the family. Being together, treasuring each other and just building memories. Yes, we do celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in my family (I’m a Christian, and it is a holiday to celebrate the birth of our Savior.), but it is still about celebrating that meaning together, and treasuring all the blessings we have received.
Our little family, just prior to attending the 11 pm church service on Christmas Eve night.
Now bring on 2010!
As for us, 2010 began with our living room being converted to a very large and busy train depot. Great fun is being had by all.
Yes, these are still decorating our living room floor as I type this.
One last note. In one week, my not-so-little-dude will be three. THREE!?!?!?!?! Where does the time go?
Almost three and charming as can be...
How are you spending your new year?
Disclaimer: These recommendations are based completely on my experiences this season. I have received no gifts (monetary or otherwise) to give these honest opinions.
Merry Christmas 2009
Winter Wonderland 2009
The real snow began falling just a couple of weeks ago, leaving us with a world covered in white.
Happily, this means we will most likely have a white Christmas, as I don’t see the temperatures warming up anytime soon.
Excited by the snow, I made certain Little Dude was equipped with two items he would need to have fun in the fluffy white stuff.
New snow pants, and a larger sled. He was thrilled by both, and as you can see by the pajamas, decided to practice his sledding technique that evening, indoors.
Sadly, by the next morning, this was Little Dude.
Still in his sled (under all of those blankets), but sicker than sick. It started with general misery and sleeplessness, which progressed to the icky tummy and technicolor burps, and then turned into a lovely cold/sinus thing, accompanied by what was either a horrid mouth injury or canker sore. Basically, the kid felt yucky and we spent several night consoling him as he would wake in pain/discomfort.
And he continued to feel yucky through the Hubby’s birthday.
Thankfully, he did begin to perk up a bit. Enough that we went and did this.
Not only did we pose with the trees, we actually brought that one home!
And it was a good thing we brought Uncle R along with us, because Little Dude and I let Uncle R and the Hubby do all the work with the tree. Little Dude and I just “stomp, stomp, stomped” through the snow – “like elephants,” per Little Dude, since he was fascinated with the sound of the crunching snow and the HUGE snow drifts – and picked out the lovely tree.
So now, a week later, we finally decorated the tree today. And began placing gifts around said tree. (If you don’t see your gift, we still have more to wrap! But then again, maybe that bag of coal is for you…) Also, I love that my tree is decorated so heavily in one spot. It was a riot to let Little Dude put up a huge bulk of the ornaments.
A little bit of shopping left to do, lots more gifts to wrap, a few more cards to write and send and maybe we’ll try to make some Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve. Otherwise, we seem to have our preparations under control.
Lightning McQueen and some of his friends, Snoopy, Woodstock, some Christmas Mice (which could pass for “Rodents of Unusual Size,” due to their size compared to the figurines), a train and an airplane have been visiting our Nativity scene. It is so nice to see them getting involved in the true meaning of Christmas. (Although I am concerned that the stable is beginning to look like a garage – maybe Little Dude is trying to share a modern version of the Christmas story?)
How are your Christmas or other holiday preparations going? (I know I feel behind compared to last year…)
Another year has gone by…
Happy birthday, Hubby.
Another year has slipped past, and today we celebrate you. With our not-so-little dude being sick, I can’t guarantee a song like last year, but I do hope today is a special for you. (Thank you for picking up the cake fixings, since I was too scattered to do it on Thursday, and Friday brought us the not-so-fun, very sick boy day. I promise to have a birthday cake made for you!)
I love you and Little Dude loves you. (Even Supercat loves you. Maybe he’ll bless us with no cat puke for your birthday!) Have a very happy birthday.
p.s. Make a huge deal out of Little Dude’s card. He was pretty proud to work on his letters on that card, with some guidance from me.
Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for:
- the health, love and security of my family.
- my job, especially when so many people are still struggling to find work.
- the freedom we all have to have, practice and share in our beliefs.
- my extended family and friends.
- our house, which is warm and safe.
- our cars, which are mostly reliable.
- more than enough food.
- our ability to share some of our blessings with others who are going through tough times.
- so many other things, I doubt I could list them all.
For Thanksgiving, my wish is that all of my friends and family are able to focus on everything happening in their lives – good or bad – and that overall the good moments will outweigh the bad, and that everyone will have something for which they can give thanks.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday! Remember, all families have their quirks, and the best way to enjoy the holidays is with a lot of humor. And on that note, here is my humor for all of you. (I love the Muppets and I love Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Loved this video.)
From our family to your family, happy Thanksgiving!
RC, the Hubby and Little Dude (sorry, did not take Supercat to the photo session)
*Small disclaimer, which I know Vered, blogger at MomGrind, will appreciate. Yes, this picture has been slightly altered. Circles were removed under everyone’s eyes since it appears we were a family of night owls the night before the photo session. See almost every other picture on this blog if you want to know how we look every other day.
A note to my son
My not-so-little Dude:
You amaze me. Every word you share, every emotion you express, brings me a moment I wouldn’t exchange for the world.
Your smiles and cries. Your cheerful cooperation and your temper tantrums. I love it all.
The other night was a difficult night, full of tantrums, tears and trouble. Last night, you were once again my kind, cooperative kid, full of hugs, kisses and sweetness. Because you did so well, we spent time just snuggling on the couch, rather than heading to bed right away, and it so reminded me of all of the nights you slept on my chest or Daddy’s chest, when you were a baby.
Back then, the only way you would sleep longer than 20 minutes was if one of us were holding you. Now, you are moving and grooving in your sleep, and seem to prefer your own space.
What you don’t know about the other night, when you were sent to bed early, was that I still found time to snuggle you. Since I hate ending the night on a bad note, I tiptoed into your room after you had fallen asleep, picked you up – blankets and all, and rocked you for a while. I reminded myself that the bad times are usually when you are having trouble expressing your feelings or understanding the rules (or you just want to find a way around those rules), and that many times these tough moments are just as frustrating for you as they are for us.
These trying times never last for long though. Although you have always been my serious and studious little boy, your sense of humor and comedic timing is increasing. Even when you are in trouble, you frequently have to work to hide a smile at something you find funny, or because you don’t like to see us mad or sad, and are waiting to share a happy thought with us.
And your smiles? Oh sweetie, your smiles involve your entire face and body! When you smile, your entire being is happy and it shows.
Your talking is nonstop these days, too. You don’t speak in sentences, you speak in paragraphs. And your grammar, and grasp of the English language in general, continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
You don’t just share refrains to the songs, you sing entire songs. Not to mention the fact that you are now making up your own songs to tunes you already know – and many of them are hilarious! (I love that you do this, as my sisters and I did this all the time, while growing up.)
The other night, you surprised us. It turns out you have been paying attention in church and when we’ve talked about The Lord’s Prayer, as you recited it for me – and it was almost perfect! Along with that, I love how you thank God for so many of your friends and family before you go to bed.
Simply put, you are wonderful, we are beyond proud of you, and you are so loved.
Love, your “Mommy, mommy, mommy”
p.s. And yes, no matter how big you get, you are always my baby. And my monkey. And my snuggle-puppy.
p.p.s. That family picture was taken on our recent family vacation, on the shores of Lake Superior. Hope to share more pictures later.
(Thanks to my bloggy friend Gina, who always writes beautiful notes to her son, inspiring me to always find the good during even the most trying parenting moments.)
