I think every parent experiences a moment of shock and awe when you realize your baby can talk, and isn't even really a baby anymore. Of course there are the first words, which are so exciting to hear, but I'm talking about when they start to string words together and form coherent sentences. Lately it seems like Cbear's language has exploded and she's talking all. the. time. It's hilarious. I had a moment the other day when we were being silly eating grapes and I said, "oh, I like it!". Cbear piped up, "I yike it too!" I know that really doesn't seem that significant but to her mom...well, I felt like she was the smartest kid ever.
So, both for your reading enjoyment and for my own documentation (her baby book is sitting on the shelf...sadly not getting filled out by me) here's a compilation of my favorite Cbear-isms so far.
-Instead of "excuse me" when she needs to get by, Cbear just yells, "beep beep!" That's what I want to say to people who won't get their carts out of the way in Wal-Mart aisles.
-Her new favorite phrase is "goodness gracious, honey!"
-Following a large diaper blow out by Jellybean, "excuse you!" or sometimes she just points and says, "poopin'".
-I gave her a taste of my grapefruit the other day. She ate it and said, "yucky orange."
-She apologizes to herself if she gets hurt, i.e. falling down or bumping her head- "I sorry!"
-I'd had my fill of cartoons so we were watching a sea turtle documentary on netflix. While watching baby turtles scurrying across the sad toward the ocean, she dropped down on all fours imitating them and exclaiming, "turd runnin', turd runnin'!"
-Her FAVORITE thing is to be chased. She's still figuring out pronouns so sometimes she'll start to walk away, look back and say, "chase you?" when she wants me or daddy to get her.
-I don't really get much alone time...when using the bathroom the other day, she backed up to me and asked, "sit on yap?" (lap). Um no, please let me wipe first.
-Cbear has a doll named Sweetie Pie (who she calls "pee pie"...cracks me up every time) and lately she's starting to play pretend. Like we'll just be sitting in the living room and she'll say, "Pee Pie crying! Sad!" and run to her room to soothe her.
-She's also given her doll to someone, pushed her into their chest and commanded, "eat!" just like she's seen mommy nursing Jellybean.
-She makes Sweetie Pie do things she's not supposed to abd then scold "no ma'am!"
-Cbear likes to wedge herself in somewhere and say, "I'm stuck!"
-Occasionally she'll just break into song while playing. And it's usually a random combination of "Jesus loves me", "Twinkle, twinkle little star" and the ABC's. As in "Bible so...twink twink lil sar...what you are...T, R, E!"
-She's answered the question, "what do you want for breakfast?" with the response, "roni cheese?" (macaroni and cheese) and another time, "tookies?" (cookies). (I said no to both).
-Cbear was getting a stern talking-to from daddy after hauling off and smacking Jellybean for no reason. In the middle of this, she giggled and pointed to his mouth saying, "bubbles!". Daddy really had a hard time keeping a straight face during that particular scolding.
-She can count to eleven. And she will do it out of the blue!
-Sometimes there are no words. Jellybean has figured out how to "talk" and she and Claire have excited shrieking competitions. I can't wait until they can have conversations for real; now that will be entertainment!
More to come, I'm sure...
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
You know you're a mom if...part deux
I thought of more...more awesomely crazy things we all do as moms. Here ya go:
-You voluntarily hold out your hand and let kids spit things into it. ("What's in your mouth? Is that food? Let me see! Spit it out! Spit it out NOW! We don't eat rocks.")
-You get ridiculously excited about things like new shampoo or lotion so you can "pamper" yourself.
-You've justified looking like a train wreck yourself because, "at least the kids look cute." (They may, in fact, be covered in peanut butter and Cheerio dust, but they still are cute.)
-You no longer try on clothes before you buy them, because how in the world are you supposed to do that with one baby attached to you and another performing contortionist moves to get out of the stroller?
-You've actually bought clothes at Wal-Mart (without trying them on) to avoid the above mall scenario.
-You have given up on the above scenarios and do all your shopping online. In the middle of the night.
-You don't eat at fancy restaurants but still feel the need to apologize in advance for the mess your kids will create while at a "family friendly" restaurant. Also, you feel that any eating establishment with CARPET is just asking for it.
-Any and all activities must be scheduled around naptime. If this doesn't happen, you're sure the world will implode.
-You can no longer remember your own birthday thanks to mommy brain, but can still recite "Guess How Much I Love You" and several classic Dr. Seuss books in their entirety from memory.
-You are interrupted no less than 57 times while simply trying to eat a sandwich.
-When you enter a store, everyone is well-groomed and content. When you limp out an hour later, you are a disheveled hot mess, the toddler looks like she's been in a post-apocalyptic battle over crackers (because you thought it would be a good idea to give her a snack) and the baby is screaming like she will end you if you don't get her out of the car seat this second. You also suspect the toddler was leaving a trail of cracker crumbs Hansel-and-Gretel style to find your way back to the car just in case mommy has totally lost it and forgotten where she parked.
-Instead of New York Times bestsellers, you now read mommy blogs from your phone while rocking your baby to sleep.
-The sweetest sounds in the world are gurgly goos from the baby and squeals of delight over something simple like chasing your toddler. And the blissful silence when they are both asleep.
-Every once in a while you have a spectacular moment where you stop and stand in awe of the toddler singing "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" to the baby to stop her crying when you couldn't get to her fast enough. And it's awesomesauce.
-You voluntarily hold out your hand and let kids spit things into it. ("What's in your mouth? Is that food? Let me see! Spit it out! Spit it out NOW! We don't eat rocks.")
-You get ridiculously excited about things like new shampoo or lotion so you can "pamper" yourself.
-You've justified looking like a train wreck yourself because, "at least the kids look cute." (They may, in fact, be covered in peanut butter and Cheerio dust, but they still are cute.)
-You no longer try on clothes before you buy them, because how in the world are you supposed to do that with one baby attached to you and another performing contortionist moves to get out of the stroller?
-You've actually bought clothes at Wal-Mart (without trying them on) to avoid the above mall scenario.
-You have given up on the above scenarios and do all your shopping online. In the middle of the night.
-You don't eat at fancy restaurants but still feel the need to apologize in advance for the mess your kids will create while at a "family friendly" restaurant. Also, you feel that any eating establishment with CARPET is just asking for it.
-Any and all activities must be scheduled around naptime. If this doesn't happen, you're sure the world will implode.
-You can no longer remember your own birthday thanks to mommy brain, but can still recite "Guess How Much I Love You" and several classic Dr. Seuss books in their entirety from memory.
-You are interrupted no less than 57 times while simply trying to eat a sandwich.
-When you enter a store, everyone is well-groomed and content. When you limp out an hour later, you are a disheveled hot mess, the toddler looks like she's been in a post-apocalyptic battle over crackers (because you thought it would be a good idea to give her a snack) and the baby is screaming like she will end you if you don't get her out of the car seat this second. You also suspect the toddler was leaving a trail of cracker crumbs Hansel-and-Gretel style to find your way back to the car just in case mommy has totally lost it and forgotten where she parked.
-Instead of New York Times bestsellers, you now read mommy blogs from your phone while rocking your baby to sleep.
-The sweetest sounds in the world are gurgly goos from the baby and squeals of delight over something simple like chasing your toddler. And the blissful silence when they are both asleep.
-Every once in a while you have a spectacular moment where you stop and stand in awe of the toddler singing "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" to the baby to stop her crying when you couldn't get to her fast enough. And it's awesomesauce.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Mommy needs a time-out...
It's been one of those days...one of those weeks, really. The kind that makes me want to lock myself in my room with half a gallon of Braum's chocolate almond ice cream, some good reading material and favorite movies and just be alone. We're all getting over nasty stomach bugs (except Jellybean, who escaped it thank goodness!). We're tired, stressed and the house is a wreck. Cbear has been super whiny since she doesn't feel good and Jellybean must be going through a growth spurt because she's been waking at night to eat again. I had grown really attached to 6-8 consecutive hours of sleep at night. I can't do anything around the house because someone always needs held or my full attention. All of this made today somewhat...challenging. I mean, I love my kids to death and I'm so grateful I get to be here with them every day, but crap, sometimes the stay-at-home mom gig is rough. We survived though, as always, and as I type here in bed with everyone else in the house asleep I'm able to regroup and laugh about it instead of cry (which, incidentally...Cbear always laughs at me when I cry...not sure what she thinks is so funny?). I've assembled a (true) list of what it's really like to be a stay-at-home mom. Enjoy!
You know you're a stay-at-home mom if:
-you consider eating the rest of the Mac and cheese and yogurt from your toddler's high chair as a decent lunch for yourself.
-you take great measures to get everyone dressed and fed so you can get out of the house and without fail, someone poops and/or spits up all over the place the minute they are buckled in the carseat.
-the great question of your life is what activity (or non-activity) to engage in during naptime. You don't want to make the wrong decision and squander that precious time.
-you have eliminated black tops from your wardrobe because they show spit-up stains so badly or worse, you're beyond caring about this.
-all you really want in life is to go to the bathroom by yourself.
-you have to make a conscious effort to lower your voice an octave when speaking with other adults.
-just about the time you think you absolutely can't take any more, your kids go to sleep and you just watch them in awe thinking about how beautiful and angelic they look.
-when you actually get the chance to go out with your husband sans kids, you have difficulty relaxing and enjoying yourself because you hope they are doing okay with the sitter.
-you have forgotten what it's like to not have someone else's bodily fluids on you.
-nothing grosses you out anymore and you have little tolerance for others in this area (like husband gagging when changing a dirty diaper).
-your favorite hobby has become showering because it's the only time you're alone.
-you have creaky spots in the floor memorized and walking down the hall during naptime is a little like navigating a minefield.
-you are an expert multi-tasker...for example you can draw a snowman for your toddler on a magna-doodle upside down and left-handed while nursing (true story). You can also fix lunch like this.
-you consider turning on PBS and sprinkling Cheerios around the house and just letting the kids fend for themselves for a while.
-you find yourself using baby sign language in everyday conversation.
-you don't work out anymore because you figure chasing a toddler counts as cardio and carrying a baby is like lifting weights.
-you thank God every night that your kids are healthy enough to drive you nuts.
-nobody can make your kids smile and laugh like you can and you get paid for your efforts with sticky kisses. It makes all the daily struggles worth it. :)
You know you're a stay-at-home mom if:
-you consider eating the rest of the Mac and cheese and yogurt from your toddler's high chair as a decent lunch for yourself.
-you take great measures to get everyone dressed and fed so you can get out of the house and without fail, someone poops and/or spits up all over the place the minute they are buckled in the carseat.
-the great question of your life is what activity (or non-activity) to engage in during naptime. You don't want to make the wrong decision and squander that precious time.
-you have eliminated black tops from your wardrobe because they show spit-up stains so badly or worse, you're beyond caring about this.
-all you really want in life is to go to the bathroom by yourself.
-you have to make a conscious effort to lower your voice an octave when speaking with other adults.
-just about the time you think you absolutely can't take any more, your kids go to sleep and you just watch them in awe thinking about how beautiful and angelic they look.
-when you actually get the chance to go out with your husband sans kids, you have difficulty relaxing and enjoying yourself because you hope they are doing okay with the sitter.
-you have forgotten what it's like to not have someone else's bodily fluids on you.
-nothing grosses you out anymore and you have little tolerance for others in this area (like husband gagging when changing a dirty diaper).
-your favorite hobby has become showering because it's the only time you're alone.
-you have creaky spots in the floor memorized and walking down the hall during naptime is a little like navigating a minefield.
-you are an expert multi-tasker...for example you can draw a snowman for your toddler on a magna-doodle upside down and left-handed while nursing (true story). You can also fix lunch like this.
-you consider turning on PBS and sprinkling Cheerios around the house and just letting the kids fend for themselves for a while.
-you find yourself using baby sign language in everyday conversation.
-you don't work out anymore because you figure chasing a toddler counts as cardio and carrying a baby is like lifting weights.
-you thank God every night that your kids are healthy enough to drive you nuts.
-nobody can make your kids smile and laugh like you can and you get paid for your efforts with sticky kisses. It makes all the daily struggles worth it. :)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Home sweet home/Welcome 2012!
This past weekend we packed up the girls and headed to the wilderness (okay, maybe not exactly "wilderness" but there are an awful lot of winding dirt roads to get there!) to ring in the new year with friends. And although we all had a great time riding 4wheelers, shooting, hiking (as much as you can with a few kids in tow), playing games and eating too much, I have to say that I was super excited to get home last night. Apparently I'm getting to be quite the homebody in my ripe old age of 26 (not that I ever was one to go out and party...that's not really how I roll). But I think back to our college days and how Clint and I lived out of suitcases pretty much every weekend during that time...now it's a major ordeal just to go somewhere for the day (whether it be to visit family or our outing to the aquarium last week, which I didn't get a chance to write about but went about as expected with a toddler and baby...) much less to spend the night somewhere. I can think of two reasons- 1)we have our own home now (not just a rented place) and 2)a certain couple little kiddos. So the following are the top reasons home is now where my heart is:
1) Diapers! Even though I'm a cloth enthusiast, it annoys me that half our luggage consists of pee/poo catchers. Oh, and my diaper sprayer isn't portable. Not to mention the herculean effort to have all the diapers clean at one time and ready to be packed...I used to be really good at having them clean, folded and put away...but since Jellybean came they have taken up permanent residence in a laundry basket and I grab them as needed...we go through them too quickly! So yes, that gets on my nerves, but not enough to buy disposables.
2) Nap/bedtime. This isn't a problem for Jellybean, as long as she can snuggle and have a pacifier she will fall asleep anywhere...CBear is more particular. As in, she will ONLY nap at home in her crib or in the car if she's really tired. This drives me insane because it means there will be a battle if we are somewhere other than home in the afternoon. I'm sure people think my child is undisciplined, but I promise that 99% of the time she goes down for a nap at home happy as a clam. Anywhere else, she's kind of a monster. Bedtime is easier than naptime, but still makes my blood pressure rise wondering if she'll go to sleep well or not.
3) Toys. Bringing sufficient entertainment for the kids without feeling like you're moving in and taking up residence somewhere is a delicate balance.
4) Food. As much as I try to get CBear to eat what we're eating, sometimes you just need to have her favorites on hand...for her we don't go anywhere for an extended period of time without cheese, fruit, cheerios, crackers, milk, etc.
5) My own bed...this one is all me. I've become quite attached to my own pillow, blankets, and bed and sleep great when I'm snuggled up in them.
6) Discipline. Is it just me or is it easier to correct your children without an audience? I get all self-conscious and end up either being too permissive or too strict, depending on the situation.
7) My home is toddler and baby-proof (pretty much) so I can relax for a minute without worrying that they'll get into something they shouldn't.
Even though I do love being at home sometimes you've just got to get out and be among people...and then come home and take a vacation from your vacation!
On another note, happy new year and welcome to 2012! I never make resolutions (I'm aware I lack the necessary stick-to-it-iveness to bother with them) but I do enjoy reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the possibilities a new year holds. These past few years have been full of changes for our family including moving (twice!) remodeling an old home and deciding to move to a less high-maintenance one, having CBear in 2010 and Jellybean in 2011, job change, new town, finding a new church family and starting new friendships. It's been quite a roller coaster ride, but I think I'll be okay if 2012 is a little less exciting than the past couple years. I'm looking forward to simple things like a little more family time, becoming a better mom and wife (I'm a constant work in progress), pursuing a few of my own creative interests and figuring out my purpose where I'm at right now...how to share God's love "for such a time as this". Happy New Year!
1) Diapers! Even though I'm a cloth enthusiast, it annoys me that half our luggage consists of pee/poo catchers. Oh, and my diaper sprayer isn't portable. Not to mention the herculean effort to have all the diapers clean at one time and ready to be packed...I used to be really good at having them clean, folded and put away...but since Jellybean came they have taken up permanent residence in a laundry basket and I grab them as needed...we go through them too quickly! So yes, that gets on my nerves, but not enough to buy disposables.
2) Nap/bedtime. This isn't a problem for Jellybean, as long as she can snuggle and have a pacifier she will fall asleep anywhere...CBear is more particular. As in, she will ONLY nap at home in her crib or in the car if she's really tired. This drives me insane because it means there will be a battle if we are somewhere other than home in the afternoon. I'm sure people think my child is undisciplined, but I promise that 99% of the time she goes down for a nap at home happy as a clam. Anywhere else, she's kind of a monster. Bedtime is easier than naptime, but still makes my blood pressure rise wondering if she'll go to sleep well or not.
3) Toys. Bringing sufficient entertainment for the kids without feeling like you're moving in and taking up residence somewhere is a delicate balance.
4) Food. As much as I try to get CBear to eat what we're eating, sometimes you just need to have her favorites on hand...for her we don't go anywhere for an extended period of time without cheese, fruit, cheerios, crackers, milk, etc.
5) My own bed...this one is all me. I've become quite attached to my own pillow, blankets, and bed and sleep great when I'm snuggled up in them.
6) Discipline. Is it just me or is it easier to correct your children without an audience? I get all self-conscious and end up either being too permissive or too strict, depending on the situation.
7) My home is toddler and baby-proof (pretty much) so I can relax for a minute without worrying that they'll get into something they shouldn't.
Even though I do love being at home sometimes you've just got to get out and be among people...and then come home and take a vacation from your vacation!
On another note, happy new year and welcome to 2012! I never make resolutions (I'm aware I lack the necessary stick-to-it-iveness to bother with them) but I do enjoy reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the possibilities a new year holds. These past few years have been full of changes for our family including moving (twice!) remodeling an old home and deciding to move to a less high-maintenance one, having CBear in 2010 and Jellybean in 2011, job change, new town, finding a new church family and starting new friendships. It's been quite a roller coaster ride, but I think I'll be okay if 2012 is a little less exciting than the past couple years. I'm looking forward to simple things like a little more family time, becoming a better mom and wife (I'm a constant work in progress), pursuing a few of my own creative interests and figuring out my purpose where I'm at right now...how to share God's love "for such a time as this". Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)