On August 21st, Brandon and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. It is always hard to really "celebrate" when such great events happen mid-week, especially when B's summer calendar is filled to the brim with several youth events or meetings of some sort. But, we were able to get-away without any kiddos in tow, a monumental event for us, the Friday following our big day. We had been planning a great dinner date and then a romantic stay overnight in a Seattle area hotel.
This special grown-up night out has been looooooong overdue. While I have been away from Alex for nights here and there (Christmas shopping weekend with my mom while I was pregnant with Cade, Cade's birth--does that even count!-, youth retreat weekend after Cade's birth, a couple slumber party nights with Nana and G-pa) I have not been away from the little man overnight since his birth. Now before you rush to conclusions, it wasn't because I couldn't emotionally handle leaving him, it was just because the boy was nursing or waking up in the night and well, I didn't have many signing up for that kind of babysitting. Needless to say, sweet little busy boy sleeps like a champ and is now, in many ways, the best sleeper in our home!
It seemed so easy, so simple to carry our one small duffle bag, free of toys, diapers, wipes, sippy cups, fishy crackers, portacribs. In a strange way it was really liberating. Knowing the kids were already well into a comfortable deep sleep at Nana and G-pa's, made it all the more relaxing and enjoyable.
It was fun to have adult discussions, laugh at all the little things our kids do to make us laugh, and enjoy each others company. We also enjoyed talking about where we were exactly 8 years ago and how quickly that time has passed. How blessed we are, how beautiful our lives.
We relished being able to sleep in (can't even remember when I did that last!) all the way until 8am! It was glorious! We treasured getting ready in the morning while sipping our fresh lattes. We cruised the bookstore to finish off our trip.
On the way back home to pick up the kids, I smiled out the window at the passing trees that lined the freeway. How rested I felt, how ready to tackle a new day, how blessed I was-- for my husband and all he does to provide for our family, and for my 2 precious, and might I add adorable, kids. It's really hard to imagine life without any of them. And to think, it all started 8 years ago. I love you guys!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Mind Full of Questions
I took the kids to a local park this morning for some playtime. We actually haven't been to this park in quite awhile. It's nice because it's quiet, peaceful and beautiful. It has a pond with a walking trail all the way around it. Yesterday Alex was itching to pick some blackberries, too. I thought this park would be great. All along the walking trail at said park are plentiful blackberry bushes LOADED with tasty, ripe berries. We filled her bucket up and occassionally she would offer Cade some of her precious berries. Momma had to pick for him, constantly putting more on the stroller tray. MORE! MORE! he would sign in baby sign.
On the way home out of the blue, my precious Alex asked a most unusual question. Not unusual for her to ask something, but just unusual because of the nature of the question. "Mom, why doesn't Cade sleep with a pillow?" I giggled to myself. Just funny she would be thinking about such things.
On the way home out of the blue, my precious Alex asked a most unusual question. Not unusual for her to ask something, but just unusual because of the nature of the question. "Mom, why doesn't Cade sleep with a pillow?" I giggled to myself. Just funny she would be thinking about such things.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
18 Months and counting!
Dear Mr. Cade-
I am really still in denial about the fact that you are now one and a half years old. I have these moments where I feel like the doctor just put you in my arms and other moments where I look at you and see 100% pure, little boy. My how you've grown so much in these last 6 months!
It is really hard for me to summarize YOU. You are just one busy little fellow, enjoying the mess of things, the thrill of the chase, the challenge of our "no's." You have this cute and clever, but all the while, mischievous determination, in you. If you hear no, that must mean yes to you. I spend most of my day getting you down from things, taking things away from you, moving gates to restrict you or comforting you because of some meltdown usually over one of these things. Gone are my days of sitting down to read emails, or really, read in general, while you are awake and at play. It is just too dangerous to allow you to be on the loose.
Just the other day, I ran upstairs to grab something real quick. And I mean really quick. When i came back downstairs, you had managed to open the dishwasher, climb into, sit on top the open door and pull out the silverware (thank goodness there were only butter knives!). I had to giggle at you sitting there inside the dishwasher, licking a dirty spoon, smiling up at me knowing you weren't supposed to be in there.
You still sleep like a champion, and I THANK YOU for that. I am often so tired at the end of the day, it is a relief to be able to easily wind you down. You have also developed a love affair with your blankie (aka "baby") and the minute I put it on my should you lay your head down and close those precious brown eyes.
I buckled down and finally got you a professional haircut. You weren't too sure about the lady coming towards you with scissors in hand, but the minute she gave you that lollipop, you were in love!
You did awesome on your first plane ride to CA, enjoyed your first visit to the happiest place on earth, and have cut your last 2 teeth, giving your mouth a complete set of chompers!
You are still my little peanut, now with a big-boy haircut! I love you to pieces, temper tantrums and all, you are still 100% adorable!
Love,
Momma
I am really still in denial about the fact that you are now one and a half years old. I have these moments where I feel like the doctor just put you in my arms and other moments where I look at you and see 100% pure, little boy. My how you've grown so much in these last 6 months!
It is really hard for me to summarize YOU. You are just one busy little fellow, enjoying the mess of things, the thrill of the chase, the challenge of our "no's." You have this cute and clever, but all the while, mischievous determination, in you. If you hear no, that must mean yes to you. I spend most of my day getting you down from things, taking things away from you, moving gates to restrict you or comforting you because of some meltdown usually over one of these things. Gone are my days of sitting down to read emails, or really, read in general, while you are awake and at play. It is just too dangerous to allow you to be on the loose.
Just the other day, I ran upstairs to grab something real quick. And I mean really quick. When i came back downstairs, you had managed to open the dishwasher, climb into, sit on top the open door and pull out the silverware (thank goodness there were only butter knives!). I had to giggle at you sitting there inside the dishwasher, licking a dirty spoon, smiling up at me knowing you weren't supposed to be in there.
You still sleep like a champion, and I THANK YOU for that. I am often so tired at the end of the day, it is a relief to be able to easily wind you down. You have also developed a love affair with your blankie (aka "baby") and the minute I put it on my should you lay your head down and close those precious brown eyes.I buckled down and finally got you a professional haircut. You weren't too sure about the lady coming towards you with scissors in hand, but the minute she gave you that lollipop, you were in love!
You did awesome on your first plane ride to CA, enjoyed your first visit to the happiest place on earth, and have cut your last 2 teeth, giving your mouth a complete set of chompers!
You are still my little peanut, now with a big-boy haircut! I love you to pieces, temper tantrums and all, you are still 100% adorable!Love,
Momma
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Words
I remember not too long ago, really, it seems like yesterday, when Alexandra, then 16 months old, began to speak whole-heartedly. She had this clever way of communicating, which seemed like sentences from the very beginning. She would point to things and tell us what they were, what sound they made or tell us what she wanted to eat. Counting in English and Spanish, knowing her ABC's in song and sight. Her little miniature voice, so sweet and so clear. We always thought she was VERY verbal, even as an infant. Today, now 3 1/2, she is still a little chatterbox. Just the other night, Brandon and I had to laugh at how exhausted we felt after listening to her tell us everything, about her day, about what we are wearing, about "rememberings" of things we've done or ever done, of well, anything. The girl has the gift of gab. Along with this gift, comes sweet and tender moments, ones that make you fully appreciate her ability to communicate so wonderfully. The "Momma I love you so much" never gets old.
Once you have child number two, so they say anyways, you have to not compare. You can't compare your first to your second, expecting the same milestones to be reached at the same time. Expecting them to learn the same things the same way. I am still learning this. They also say that boys are so different from girls. I think I'd have to agree.
My sweet little Cade was such a different baby than my Alex. He was more mild mannered, calm and was a good sleeper from the start. Along with this mild infancy, came a short fuse, a strong determined character and a temper. This temper is becoming stronger and more visible to us the older he gets. Now 18 months old, he still has such limited vocabulary-- something frustrating to him and to us. It is not that he doesn't understand or talk, for he clearly does. He is just not nearly as verbal as his sister was. I am often surprised at the things he does understand, almost like he is reminding us that he knows, he just can't say it back. He talks with his mouth closed most of the time. You can hear little words being said, held in behind those cute little lips and heart shaped tongue.
To me, this has become "normal." His throaty discussions are a regular part of my day. I listen and respond when he communicates like this to me, because most of the time I have an idea as to what he is trying to say. But, I suppose to those not regularly around him this type of communication is funny. Today when I picked him up from the nursery after Sunday School,the worker joking told me what she thought Cade would make a great ventriloquist!
Once you have child number two, so they say anyways, you have to not compare. You can't compare your first to your second, expecting the same milestones to be reached at the same time. Expecting them to learn the same things the same way. I am still learning this. They also say that boys are so different from girls. I think I'd have to agree.
My sweet little Cade was such a different baby than my Alex. He was more mild mannered, calm and was a good sleeper from the start. Along with this mild infancy, came a short fuse, a strong determined character and a temper. This temper is becoming stronger and more visible to us the older he gets. Now 18 months old, he still has such limited vocabulary-- something frustrating to him and to us. It is not that he doesn't understand or talk, for he clearly does. He is just not nearly as verbal as his sister was. I am often surprised at the things he does understand, almost like he is reminding us that he knows, he just can't say it back. He talks with his mouth closed most of the time. You can hear little words being said, held in behind those cute little lips and heart shaped tongue.
To me, this has become "normal." His throaty discussions are a regular part of my day. I listen and respond when he communicates like this to me, because most of the time I have an idea as to what he is trying to say. But, I suppose to those not regularly around him this type of communication is funny. Today when I picked him up from the nursery after Sunday School,the worker joking told me what she thought Cade would make a great ventriloquist!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Whoa
Whoa. Yes, I am still trying to actively blog, but things have been crazy over this a-way. And yes, I am trying to pretend that my now 18 month old baby is not really 18 months old today! Once I am over the shock, I'll be able to post his momma letter. Until then, just know I've been swept away playing house, wrestling or playing catch-- :)
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