Good Morning, Baby

Sunday morning was like any other morning. I woke up, had a cup of coffee, checked my email and got up to get my little bird as he called down the hall his daily, "Ohhhhhh Mommmmmy!"  I walked to his bedroom door that was shut and suddenly remembered something that was on our agenda for the day.  Putting the toddler bed together for him.  Our junior gymnast has, surprisingly, not tried to climb out of the crib.  It was a matter of needing to free up the crib for my mobile niece that I care for during the week.  He is ready anyway- he thinks he is 2 going on 9 in so many ways.  
So back to the moment in the hall.  It hit me, this is the last time I will go to get one of my own out of this crib.  This is the crib that all my babies have slept in (once they got out of our bed!).  This is the crib I laid next to when my oldest had his seizures and I was terrified to leave his side.  The crib that was barfed, pooped or peed in.  That held little guys with ear infections up all night.  It's the crib that would hold my sleepy little ones as I sang Happy Birthday to them on the morning of their first birthdays.  It's the crib that has been assembled and disassembled 3+ times.  It's the crib that held tiny baby boys as they grew into sturdy toddlers that greeted me with a smile, hug and kiss each day.
I open the door and there is my little bird, smiling and sleepy eyed.  Crazy hair and revving up to go.  It's one of my favorite parts of the day.  This busy boy is so cuddly and affectionate when he wakes up!
But I realize, I have had my time to be a parent of a newborn.  I'm going to travel into a new season of life, just as he is with his new bed and maybe even potty training (!).  Now I get to sit back and watch others go down this path and I have the experience and maybe some wisdom to offer along the way.  I am sad about this milestone, but I am so happy I have had the blessing to enjoy the gift of being entrusted with children three times over.
Now on to saying goodbye to diapers...

She's a Senior?!?1? (#TBT)

I'm not sure when this happened, but my youngest cousin start her senior year of high school this week.  I couldn't be prouder of her.  She is such a smart, kind and generous girl.  And I can't forget beautiful!

Good luck Amanda (AKA 'Manda, Banda, etc.)!

Missing Him (#TBT)

Taken at J's first birthday party. (2005)

Right Now

Right now, I am sitting in a nursing nightgown (although my baby bird is weaned, I still love it).  I'm drinking my decaf with chocolate-caramel cream and thinking how I need to get a shower for our day out.

Right now, behind me is a bunch of pillows and toys from yesterday's "war" and a random undershirt.  I think it's my biggest bird's.

Right now, behind me on the floor there is also a sleepy head on those pillows.  He's talking about making a note so that his Daddy doesn't forget to wake him up early tomorrow for his visit to Daddy's work.

Right now, my baby bird is sleeping in his bed.  Probably for not too much longer.

Right now, my biggest bird is asleep on the couch, hands tucked under his body, just like when he was a baby.  A bowl with Cinnamon Life cereal crumbs sits on the floor next to him.  He turned the TV on to Phineas and Ferb long enough to fall back asleep.

 J thinks I need this device...

Keepin' it real...

I found inspiration for this post on Awesomely Awake:

 http://awesomelyawake.com/noticing-and-appreciating-lifes-messes/

Monster Playdough

I hope everyone had a safe and sane Fourth of July!  Ours wasn't exactly those things, but no one got hurt. :)


The heat was on yesterday at our house, so I needed an activity to get through those afternoon hours that are too hot to play outside and don't involve electricity.


I decided to make some Kool-Aid Playdough for the boys.  I didn't feel like digging up my playdough recipes, so a quick google search led me to this recipe from http://ecocrazymom.com.  It is simple and quick and yields enough for my 3 to each have a small amount.  I might double it next time.  We chose to do grape Kool-Aid, but any flavor would do.  The only thing I had to add to the recipe was a little more flour during the kneading process- it was still a bit sticky.  After it was cooled and ready, I set out pipe cleaners, craft sticks and googly eyes on the table to create monsters or whatever they were inspired to create.  It turned out to be quite funny.

 B's creation

 My personal favorite.  Creepy!

 N's

Stay cool and have a terrific day!

 Homemade Kool-Aid Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid mix
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons oil

Directions:

1. Mix flour, salt and Kool-Aid in a large bowl.
2. Add boiling water and oil, then mix with a wooden spoon until a dough ball starts to form.
3. Once the dough is cool enough to handle knead by hand until you have a nice even color. Hint: Children love helping with the kneading process, it’s a great hand exercise and the warmth of the dough adds additional sensory value!

Take Action!

During the month of March, our One Little Word prompt was to Take Action with our word.  My word is TODAY.  For me, this meant setting a deadline for a project I wanted to finish.  It meant vowing I would take the time (even 15 minutes) a day to spend creatively.  It means I need to utilize those early morning hours when the house is quiet or stay up 15 minutes later at night to get something accomplished for me, not the home or my family.

I am actually going to use this prompt for the month of July.  I am hoping that this idea of intentionally making time every day for my creative side will help me make it a habit. What do you do to stay creative or make time for yourself?

20 Years Ago (#TBT)

20 years ago this past week, I graduated from high school.  While it wasn't the best years of my life, I do have some fond memories of time spent with friends.

I was an average student that didn't work as hard as I could of.  Once I got to college, I got straight A's.  I was not into clubs or sports, but now I enjoy belonging to crafting groups and running.  I was the girl that wore lots of black and pale makeup to go with my Doc Martin's.  Now I'm the mom sporting flip-flops and badges of my little leaguers.  I was the girl ditching pep rallies, not cheering on the cheerleaders and dance team.  I was the quiet, shy girl.  Now I can be shy and quiet, but I have definitely come out of my little shell.  I had terrible skin...well, some things don't change :)

Anyway, I haven't spent too much time reflecting on this milestone, except with the occasional reminder that the big reunion is coming up.  A few times I considered going, but the more I thought and read about it, I realized that is an expensive party for people that really weren't my friends.  Of course with the wonderful invention called Facebook, I have reconnected with those that meant the most to me in that time frame.

No, I don't have the glamorous job, wear designer clothes or have traveled the world.  I don't have a fancy house or had the opportunity to go away to college.  But I did fulfill my dreams of teaching, for many years.  I am a mama and a wife.  Most of all I have love in my life. My home is happy and we are happy.   I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this time with the people in my life that are supposed to be here.  I would probably like to see some pictures or hear a story or two from the party, but I am living my best years so far RIGHT NOW.

My BFF, Shannon and I