Nothing To Do With You

What do you do when your child wants absolutely nothing to do with you? I know at some point, little girls get really attached to their daddies, but this weekend was the icing that has really stung at my heart. You carry these little beings in your belly, bond with them for those nine long months, nurture them and watch them grow. Then all of a sudden, they cannot do a thing without their daddy by their side. I guess I'm still good for the potty breaks - as only mommy can take me to the girls restroom...Oh and don't forget about getting the milk and all that fun stuff. But just to hold her and put her to bed - nope. It has to be dad. I do have some hope that my son will be that attached to me when he gets a bit older. For now, the only solace I have is putting him to sleep each night and watching and hearing my daughter with her daddy for the night-time routine.

Day of Birth

As I reflect on a solid 365 days since our son's birth, I'm reminded of just how wonderful life has been with my two gifts from God. Each day they bring new challenges, and each moment is cherished or thoughtfully considered. Today of all days, we got stuck in the worst traffic jam on our way to school and work. Roo even lamented that she was "ready to get to school." After an hour on the road to get just 12 miles, we made it to the school in time for them to start their breakfast. Ironically, I drove by the hospital where both of my kids were born and thought about that moment when I was wheeled in and prepped for my c-section to have Wyatt's day of birth. I didn't have the same labor stories as most mothers would have. Instead, I had a scheduled appointment and had very little fanfare associated with this birthing process. We checked in, got settled into the room, got prepped and drugged, and before I knew it, I was hearing the sounds of our little baby boy. The bundle of joy has profoundly changed my life, and each day is better with him in it. I couldn't be more blessed with both of my beautiful children, healthy, happy and safe.

Tonight as I put him down to bed, I was reflecting on this past year. The anguish, the tears, the nights of frustration, but especially the laughter, the giggles, and the overall joy that he has brought to our lives. We really thought we got the best of God's grace when Roo was born...or that she was a once-in-a-lifetime gift. Little did we know that much more was in store for us.

I'm thankful for today. A simple reminder of how life began as a parent, and how it will forever be changed permanently for the best.

Nighty Night

For the past few nights, our son has been pitching a fit when he is put to bed. We knew all along that some point, he would just have to cry it out...and thankfully he's been able to do that. Sure it's hard to hear him scream and say mama when he wants you - but I toughed it out and tonight was quite interesting. After his bottle, he just wanted to just play. I'm sure it had all to do with the sugar fix he had for dinner - which was right before bed time. He devoured the banana-apple-berry-walnut bread I had made the night before. Of course he ate that with his dinner of homemade vegetable beef soup and cheesy texas toast...I had no doubt that he wouldn't be ready to turn in, but boy was he funny. He sat up, stood up and just yammered away. When I told him it was night-night, he would lay down for a second and then just started talking and saying mama. When I stepped closer to the crib, he would put his head down and just talk. It was so cute, I wanted to just pick him up. Thankfully I didn't and left the room when he was still wide awake talking. After about 10 minutes, he decided he would do his usual crying fit and in less than 10 minutes after that, he was out. How did he grow up so fast? His first birthday is fast approaching. I don't know if I will be ready for when he blows out his candle.

Shopping Excursion

The usual Target run today was quite the unexpected wrath of tempers. Roo decided she didn't want to get into any cart and fought with me the whole time as I tried to wrangle one out of the line. After she lost that battle, screaming and crying, she decided to kick off her shoes and scream right there by the entry way. As I tried to get her to put her shoes back on, another mother with three little girls in tow (all in their shopping cart), walked by laughing. I wasn't sure if she was laughing at me, laughing at the situation, or laughing at how she probably dealt with a situation so similar with one of her kids. At any rate, after she got her shoes back on, we marched right back out to the car and immediately drove home. I left her with her daddy and Y and I proceeded back to the store. Unfortunately, the little bugger was so tired and he of course fell asleep. I couldn't go back home again, so I dragged him out, still fully asleep and put him in the shopping cart and whirled around Target as quickly as I could. I did have to wake him up to get him buckled in, and boy was he a trooper. As we left the store, I turned to him and said, "See, when you are a good kid, you get to have a little fun shopping with mommy. Don't be like your sister." He smiled, like he understood what I said, and we went home for his nap. I think the blow-up was partially my fault, as Roo was quite tired, and it was their lunch/nap time. But how the heck was I supposed to get my errands done if we didn't leave the house at that time. Oh the struggles!

Peanut Butter Jelly

My daughter did the cutest dance and song today when she asked for a peanut better and jelly sammich. It was pretty much the rap song that played on the radio a while ago - but she danced and giggled while asking for the PB&J. I love her innocence and sweetness when she thoroughly wants something. Her smile lights up her face and truly warms my heart.

Cry Me To Sleep

So for a while now, we have been rocking our little boy to sleep. He'd usually get done with a bottle and just about roll over, all cuddled up in my arms. Since we've switched him to whole milk and a sippy cup, things have been quite different. In fact, last night, he was inconsolable for several hours. We finally just put him in his crib and let him cry it out. He stood for a while, then knelt down, then succumbed to the dreariness of his tears. He fell asleep around 3 a.m. Boy was he a tired munchkin in the morning.

Tonight, I thought I'd give him some extra TLC. I figured he'd be dog-tired from a full day of school and even a shorter nap. We did our usual and I gave him his milk. He didn't drink but a couple of ounces and just seemed ready to jump out of my arms. So I put him in the crib and within 10 minutes, he had cried himself to sleep. I was like, WOW. Was that all I needed to do to get the boy some rest?

I know you all think that sounds so exceptionally cruel, but realizing that he can soothe himself to slumber makes me feel sort of proud. We certainly didn't help feed that pattern, but he has found a way to do it on his own. Maybe this parenting is easier than I thought? Nah.

First Birthday

In just a couple of weeks, our baby boy will be celebrating his first birthday. I sort of feel unprepared for this. I guess maybe the second kid always gets shortchanged, or maybe we try to celebrate all of his moments somehow, so another day with cake and such isn't such a big deal? On the one hand, we could throw a big shindig with a bunch of our friends and their kids, but will that make his birthday memorable for him? On the other hand, we can have some cake with our immediate family and just let him play with us. Either way we go, I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it. At least I hope so. If I can get all my ducks in a row, I can probably put together a fun little party. Maybe I am just too exhausted to do what I need to do. Nine days to decide. Will he know the difference? He won't, but I know I will.

Where's My Body?

You know during pregnancy, women often question whether they will ever get their bodies back. I can honestly say with me, the answer is hell no. As hard as I work to get it back to where it was, I just don't think it's going to happen. I think I eat pretty well, and I exercise as religiously as I can - but things have just shifted and moved in places that aren't going to bounce right back. It's frustrating to try on something that you used to wear - and love...

I'm glad my body was able to withstand the months of stretching and nurturing for my little ones, but there are days when I would gladly take back that youthful body that didn't sag, wrinkle or pudge. Alas, the body that once was, will never be again.

Milestones

I was just reading an article that talks about how parents are neglecting their second and third children...and I got to thinking, I think I'm in that boat too. Does that make me a bad mommy, or a seasoned one? Certainly, after Roo, we learned quite a few do's and don'ts...and we are much more relaxed with Y than we ever were with our first one. But I don't know if you necessarily call it neglect.

Take for instance the fact that we stocked up on baby formula and as we got closer to his first birthday, we ran out. Do we go out and buy more, or just start feeding him the good ole whole milk? Of course we shift him to the whole milk! To top it off, we even took away his baby bottles. Sure, it was a bit different for him, but I don't think we shortchanged him. If someone had told me that Roo could have started that a few weeks earlier than her first birthday, I would have said cool!

What we learned from Roo was that each child will reach his/her milestone differently and at varying paces. Roo didn't have any problems shifting to whole milk, or going away from her bottle. Doesn't seem to be bothering Y either. So, why does it bother me a little bit? Maybe because the reality of our little baby escapes each moment he reaches a new milestone. Or maybe the fact that this baby-shop is closed for good? Who knows. I certainly do enjoy not having to wash or make bottles anymore. I think that's a great milestone to achieve!