Writing Motherhood

I read about this book suggestion on one of the blogs that I follow regularly so, I asked for it for part of my mother's day gift.

Writing Motherhood 

by Lisa Garrigues

I jumped right into it and am enjoying the book and the writing activities... or should I say INVITATIONS to write. It will become part of my own private treasure someday.

Now, as far as writing daily is concerned... I'm not diligent enough to floss daily so, the chances of me writing EVERY SINGLE DAY are slim-to-none.

It will, however, kick-start me into doing something that I love - while capturing my personal handwriting in written form and words straight from my heart. 

Alzheimer's Disease is a HORRIBLE disease; My grandmother was robbed of nearly all of her memories, as well as her ability to understand and communicate. I want my memories to come to life – with words jumping off a page and telling an incredible story. I want my memories to live forever.

Never leave baby unattended

I have decided that when they say "Never Leave Baby Unattended" that the risk is NOT for your child choking, but for them attempting to CLIMB OUT of their highchair! I do realize that there ARE seat belts for a reason, but we haven't had to use them YET. Keyword: yet!

HOWEVER, while Sydney appeared to be enjoying some Cheerios, I stepped into the living room (while talking to Aunt Sue on the phone... happy anniversary, by the way) and had a near-heart attack when I turned back towards the dining room. With an instantly flushed face and palpating heart, I discovered Sydney standing up in his high chair, with one leg already thrown over the side. 

OH MY GOSH!

Instant panic.

Looks like we will HAVE TO use the seatbelt from now on! Little stinker.

• • •

While talking to (Annie) the wife of Mike's boss, she mentioned that we should get together sometime at the mall so that the kids can climb and play in the kid's area. I told her that Sydney is NOT a climber yet and that I would like to keep it that way for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE! She noted that their oldest child had started climbing out of his crib at 10 months. (Oddly enough, their 3-year-old is still in a crib now.) YIKES! I am SO NOT READY for that! 

Our little friend LUCY is found standing on top of the coffee table at 13-months old. EEK, not ready for that either!!!

Once Sydney starts to climb out of his crib, we would have to keep a babygate at the top of the stairs and at the door to the office. Otherwise, we would find him tumbling down the stairs, playing in the litterbox/food bowls OR splashing in the water of the toilet. (None of which sound fun for mommy.) Not to mention, probably have one on the door to his room as well. (Heck, if the kid is going to be a climber, we'll have to put up more than one obstacle for him to overcome, I'm afraid.)

• • • 

I did notice yesterday, while Sydney was playing in his PET YARD enclosure, that he figured out that he can stand on top of his toys now to gain a higher vantage point. Smartie pants... looks like he may eventually be a lot like his Grandpa Olson... skilled and crafty little escape artist.

(I've heard stories about how Grandpa Olson used to escape from his playpen during adult card parties by lifting out the mattress and floor platform - in an attempt to crawl out the bottom of the playpens of yesteryear. It's no wonder they don't make them like that anymore!)

• • • 

All speculation of mischievousness aside, we can be VERY thankful that we have a highly intelligent AND VERY HAPPY, healthy child!

HB Mommy, Sunny days on Sesame Street (photos)

Happy Birthday Mommy! Sure, I will pose in a self-portrait with you. Now, where do you want me to look? Oops, mommy, I forgot to smile! 05.12.10

(For almost every photo we attempted to take today, he would smile AFTER he saw the flash.)

Hi Eddy. Look at this remote I found. Sometimes, daddy calls it his toy. 05.12.10

Here, don't you want to see it? Let me get it closer. 05.12.10

My, those are nice white feet you have, Eddy. Can I feel them? 05.12.10

Oh, you don't like me to play with your feet Eddy? Well, then, I guess I'll have to hold onto your tail instead. Hey, mom... look... I got Eddy's tail! 05.12.10

What a smiley guy! 05.04.10

Sydney LOVES to watch Sesame Street on TV! (He loves watching it on the computer or in the car on long trips, too!) He stands RIGHT IN FRONT of the television, so that he doesn't miss anything. 05.12.10

Mom, what do you want? I'm TRYING to watch Sesame Street! 05.12.10

On my birthday, watching Sesame Street was the closest we got to having SUNNY DAYS; it rained a lot today. This morning, our ceiling tiles arrived - from India! Afterwards, we ran to the post office. Then, we went to go visit Daddy at work so that we could buy light fixtures for the kitchen remodel. When Daddy got off of work, we went to the custom countertop store to order our new countertops. Earlier today, Daddy also called to arrange a date for the flooring guy to come lay our new floors (once Daddy is done installing cabinets.) Daddy hopes that it will all come together before Sydney's birthday. Our new kitchen will be BEAUTIFUL when we're all done!

Mommy (almost) sings the Blues...

Daddy was tired this morning. He turned off his alarm and snuggled back into bed. When he finally woke up, he got dressed and then walked over to kiss mommy. On his way out of the room, he noticed the clock: he had to leave for work in 5 MINUTES!

Each time mommy talked to daddy, she expected him to wish her a happy birthday, but he never did. He even handed mommy a couple of birthday cards out of the mailbox, but STILL didn't wish mommy a "happy birthday". After he worked in the kitchen on leveling the ceiling, ate and showered, Daddy played with Sydney for a little while and then, he climbed into bed. 

After Mommy put Sydney to bed, she snuggled in bed with Daddy.

Mommy asked about his day. Eventually...

Mommy: "Are you tired?"

Daddy: "Yes, but not sleepy tired."

Mommy: "Do you want to join me downstairs for dessert then?"

Daddy: "What kind of dessert?"

Mommy: "Ice cream, I guess."

Daddy: "We had ice cream yesterday."

Mommy: "Oh." (Thinking what I can say next...) "It's not like I baked a cake today or anything." (Thought that might be a subtle hint, but he didn't get it.)

Daddy: "Why not? What were you doing today?" 

Mommy: "Well, I worked on making some cards for Sydney's birthday party." (Another hint.... missed.)

Silence.

Mommy: "Was there anything you wanted to tell me?"

Daddy: "No. Why do you ask?"

Mommy: "You have NOTHING to tell me?"

Long pause.

Daddy: "OH, CRAP! I'M SORRY! DID I MISS IT?"

Mommy: "Almost."

Daddy: "Honey, I'm sorry... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I would LOVE to go downstairs to have some ice cream for your birthday! AND we'll go out for a date on Saturday night after I get off of work."

That sounds nice!

I know he's been SUPER BUSY working long hours, as well as tackling the kitchen as a MAJOR do-it-yourself project - PLUS still wanting to spend a little time (before bed) with his family.

FACEBOOK

Sarah Olson Guard

reports that hubby completely forgot my birthday. After he crawled into bed, I asked if he wanted any dessert: NO. Did you want to tell me anything?: NO, should I? OH, CRAP! Did I miss it? ME: almost. (I still love him to pieces... and will be thankful for my new & improved kitchen.)

Clean sheets and sleep

Last night, Sydney slept for a 12-hour shift and woke with wet jammies and sheets.... again! After his 2-hour nap mid-morning, his bed had to be stripped AGAIN! I'm starting to think that he likes to have clean sheets for every encounter in his crib.

So, following his 12-hour slumber and a 2-hour nap, he decided that he didn't want an afternoon nap. 

Instead, he agreed to a little earlier bedtime.

Hmmm, I wonder if this is a new routine he is attempting to develop? (I also thought that he would give up the morning nap and keep the afternoon one... if only they came with instruction manuals, right?)

At bedtime, I put him in a size 4 overnight diaper... we'll see if this helps to remedy the wetness. (Size 4 seemed HUGE on this skinny little boy though!)

Sleep tight, little man. With clean sheets on your bed, there should be no bedbugs to bite.

Playdate with Lucy: Waterpark fun

This morning, we went to the waterpark for a playdate with Lucy. This was Sydney's second time here and for some reason, he was rather apprehensive today. Lucy, on the other hand, was a waterpark animal! Lucy, approximately 13 months old, was splashing and climbing and having a great time while Sydney was content holding onto his boat and staying close to Mommy or Lucy's mom Kate.

We did go down two of the twirly waterslides. Sydney didn't have much of a reaction, I'm told. (I couldn't see his face since he was on my lap.) He sure looked CUTE in his new swimsuit though! (Deep down, I think he was just plain old TIRED and wanting some milk and a nap; we played for about one hour and headed home for a nap.) 

We'll have to do it again sometime... Mondays look like they are only $5. (I'm guessing that rates will change once the schoolyear lets out.) We sure had fun though! Thanks for playing Kate & Lucy!

First Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2009.... 

how I BADLY wanted to have a baby to hold in my arms, but Sydney held out until the end of the month, teaching me PATIENCE.

Today, we celebrated my first Mother's Day and FINALLY (within the past month or so) I have lost all of that pregnancy weight.

Sydney (and Grandma Olson) brought me some flowers that they had picked while on their walk. (They were a kind that our neighbors used to have in their front yard when I was a kid and the smell of them brought me instantly back to my youth. I'm told that they are Bridal Bushes.)

Our house is ripped up; our kitchen remodel has started. It will be BEAUTIFUL when we're done with it; I'm SUPER EXCITED for that! 

We invited my mom to visit this weekend so that she could play with Sydney while we took advantage of Mike's weekend OFF of work. (Thanks Mom! We know you had fun... we could hear the laughter through the taped-off doorway to the kitchen!)

Yesterday, I helped scrape walls. Today, I helped Mike by loading boards, soffits, and branches (from recent trimmings) into the bed of his truck so that he can make our first haul to the dump (tomorrow). We're unsure why ANYONE would have wanted to add a false ceiling, let alone TWO false ceilings; with the false ceiling and soffits ripped down, the ceiling is SO TALL and makes the room appear SO MUCH BIGGER! We'll just keep plugging away at it... next up is to finish leveling the ceiling so that we will be able to glue our faux tin tiles to it; then, Mike plans to rip up 3" (layers upon layers) of various old floors.

We gave my mom roses for Mother's Day; however, they were in "bush-form" and she had to dig them out of our yard herself. (We had mentioned last year that we wanted to dig them out and she said that she would take them so, we let her take us up on the offer.) ADIOS!... May they flourish in your yard.

Grandpa Lowell took us out to eat for dinner tonight. It felt good to sit down and enjoy a delicious meal with family. Olive Garden was delicious and Sydney was a good boy. Now, with tired bodies and full bellies, we are off to an early bedtime. Sydney's napping was thrown WAY OFF COURSE today and we hope for a solid night of sleep; back to normal routines tomorrow, I hope.

Thanks to Mike, Sydney, Mom, and Lowell for making my first mother's day great! I am SO VERY THANKFUL for the opportunity to call myself a mom! I think it is the BEST JOB IN THE WHOLE WORLD! (It's NOT easy, but it sure is FUN!) I am blessed to have a wonderful husband (who works many hours so that I can be a stay-at-home mom), a great role modelfor motherhood (MOM, you rock!) and an INCREDIBLE little boy!

SYDNEY, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEING YOUR MOM!

Mother's Day gift is a hit... a little early!

Yesterday afternoon, I saw the UPS truck parked in front of our house so, I met the delivery driver by the mailbox. With a smile, he handed me a small box (from Amazon.com) which contained three books (for my mother's day present).

I was excited when Mike agreed that I didn't have to wait until Mother's Day to break the binding and peek inside of the new books. In fact, the book "Writing Motherhood" that started my query in the first place has been gobbled up; I am already on page 84 of it and was excited to start a few of the writing projects suggested inside.

Last year, when I had only hoped for a baby as a mother's day gift, I got a pair of blueberry bushes.

This year, I can enjoy reading outloud from my new book(s) while Sydney nurses in my arms. Ultimately, my baby boy is the best gift I could have ever received.

Standing still, but ironically NOT AT ALL

This afternoon, Sydney and I went to the breastfeeding support group. (Our times are numbered since he will graduate on June 2nd.) We have not been there since 3/31 so, I was curious to see how much our little big guy weighs.

Wednesday, March 31:

19# 14.4 ounces

TODAY - Wednesday, May 5:

19# 14.4 ounces

I went home a little disappointed with the results, but Mike says: At least he didn't LOSE WEIGHT. (Good point.)

I'll be anxious to see what he weighs next time (on May 19th). I'm guessing his activity level (NON-STOP) won't change much by then. For now, Sydney's weight is standing still, but ironically - HE ISN'T!

• • • • • • • • • • •

Tonight, I picked up my photo circles from Walgreen's that fit inside of Sydney's MY FIRST YEAR picture frame (from Uncle Willy & Aunt Sue). It was both AMAZING and SAD to see how much he has changed and grown over the past 11 months. (And how he has gone from a full head of dark hair, to a hairless little bald man, and now - to a nice coating of blonde hair.)

I left the frame on the table, next to Mike's lunchbox, with a note taped to the center (12-month) circle: 

MY

€

IS A

GIANT

PUDDLE

Sandbox fun for Sydney

A month or so ago, I took Sydney to the park after we left the Breastfeeding Support Group. It was a BEAUTIFUL DAY and a few of us moms didn't want to go home yet. At the park, Sydney experienced sand for the first time. To him, it was a lot like BUBBLES; he tried VERY HARD to hold it in his hand, but grew frustrated and confused as his hands were soon empty.

A few weeks ago, we went to Lucy's house to play in her new sandbox. Sydney and Lucy had a great time playing together in her sandbox.

A few days ago, we went across the street to Claire & Lise's house to play in their sandbox. Again, Sydney had a great time.

Yesterday, we put sand in the sandbox (that the previous home owners had left behind) and let Sydney play in his own sandbox. He was having a great time playing in (and throwing) sand. 

All of a sudden, he leaned over and attempted to "DRINK" out of the cup that was filled with sand. Immediately, the "city girl" that I am, shrieked and shuttered at the thought of him eating sand.

Sydney pulls away from the cup, displaying a tongue and face full of sand. Mike and I laughed, but for different reasons... I think he was laughing at MY reaction to the situation rather than Sydney's reaction to the bad-tasting sand. 

Sydney's reaction was oddly quite similar to the day we gave him a bite of cornbread: both dry and gritty.

I'm sure we'll have LOTS of opportunities to photograph Sydney (and his friends) playing in OUR sandbox this spring and summer.

Oh, what fun we will have...

Meet our friend Lucy who lives just a few blocks away. 

Lucy teaches Sydney all kinds of TRICKS. She is a few months older and has started climbing on top of things. She showed him how to climb into and out of the sandbox. She also showed him the grease can hanging from the underside of the grill. (Oh, how fun!)

Dropping hints... for mother's day gift

This afternoon, I printed out a coupon for Borders bookstore, wrote the title of a book on it and handed it to Mike.

He says: What? You think there's some kind of a special occasion coming up or something?

"Maybe one or two." I reply.

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Hmmm, now that I think about it... a massage would be a nice gift, too!

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