Choosing

I'm sitting at the library typing on a computer named Carle. I tried to sign in and use the computer named Happy. That didn't work. It is fitting, really. No one would accuse me of being happy this morning.

Of course, I have no reason to not be happy. I simply started responding to life's little inconveniences in a grumpy manner. It was my choice.

Now, I have four more minutes before my time on this computer is up and I need to log off. And, when I do sign off, it will be a sort of turning point in my day. I'm going to choose to be happy for the rest of this day. And yes, I do realize that I've set myself up to be tested.

So, when the children break something or stain something, I will choose to not let it ruin my day. Because it will happen.

Nap time will be too short and dinner time too messy. My choosing grumpiness won't make any of that change.

Deep breath, and here I go!

I Will Try

My Sweet Baby Jane,

Just moments ago, I put my finger in your mouth to look for teeth. I fully expected your mouth to be the same as it has everyday for the past seven months. You can imagine my surprise when I felt a tooth! That tooth is another sign that you are growing healthy and strong. I'm so grateful.

Yet, I must confess that my first instinct was not to celebrate another step in your journey. Rather, I the emotions I experienced were bittersweet. I had tears in my eyes.

You see, with the exception of a few sleepless nights, I've enjoyed each and every moment of this first year. Your first tooth served as a reminder to me that it will be over all too soon.

Then, I watched you crawl into the kitchen this evening as I loaded the dishwasher. My eyes grew misty.

Baby girl, please don't think for one minute that I'm not proud of you. I couldn't be more proud. And, to think that our family is experiencing this for the third time, well that only makes it more special.

Jane, I promise I will try to smile when you take your first step and say your first word. And when all those other firsts come along, I promise to do all I can to make sure you know just how proud I am of you. But, should I fail and tears come before my smile, please know that you are loved and your mama is so very proud.

I thank the Lord for the blessing that is your life.

I love you little one.

Mama

Busy

Earlier tonight, I realized that my mom or my sister might soon ask why I hadn't posted anything lately. Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words...



I spend quite a bit of my day chasing this little one. She is usually crawling over the baby toys I've given her in order to reach something more interesting like the dog's tail or a power cord.


I believe this picture foretells of what life will be like around here for the next several months. I love how she has a look on her face that says, "I didn't do anything."

Of course, the big kids are always into something. They have the best time together. Except when they don't.

They always keep me laughing. This little guy knows how to have fun. He also knows how to make his mama worry. He tends to act before he thinks.

Yes, these three little ones are certainly keeping my hands full these days. If you'd asked me a couple of months ago if it was much different having three children, I would have said no. Jane is such an easygoing baby. She was content to watch the world go by. The key word in that sentence is "was." Now, she seems to be saying, "Look out world! Here I come."

Life is certainly busy. So naturally, the old blog has been quieter. I suppose that is how it should be. As you can see from the pictures, it certainly isn't from lack of material that I haven't written more often.

My hands are most certainly full. But, my heart? My heart is near bursting with the joy of this life.

The Money Guy

"Oh, that is something we do with Daddy," is something I can frequently be heard saying.

It is usually my response when my children want to do something particularly messy or active. I suppose you could call me a bit lazy. I like to think of myself as helping my children foster a wonderful relationship with their father.

Anyways, my children really like money. I can understand that. They are particularly fond of coins. They like to carry them everywhere. And, every now and then they actually put them in their piggy banks. We have a bit of work to do in order to teach them the value of a dollar.

Unfortunately for my older children, we no longer allow them to play with coins any old time they'd like. We just can't risk the coins lying around on the floor with our baby girl now crawling and perfecting her pincer grasp. Though, apparently two-year-olds can eat money.

Of course, this new money policy hasn't stopped Ann and Chris from asking for money. So, now when they ask, I remind them that they can only count their coins and feed their piggy banks when Daddy is at home. "He is the Money Guy," I say.

This morning, Chris was carrying around his empty wallet. It wasn't long before he asked me for money. Ann chimed in with, "Daddy is the Money Guy."

Curious, I asked her what I am.

"You're the Cleaning Girl," she said.

It's hard to argue with that while your hands are still wet from washing dishes.

Sisters of Seven Months

I love watching these two love on each other.

This picture reminded me of an earlier post. Rereading that reminded me that little ones change so quickly. I'm looking forward to watching their relationship grow.

Ann and Jane, I love you!

Just a Typical Conversation

Tony: "That sounds like a question for mommy."

Me: "What does?"

Tony: "Ann wants to know how mermaids have babies?"

Ann: "Yeah, how do mermaids have babies?"

Me: "Oh, they probably just lay eggs like fish."

Brain Dumping

Really, I tried to come up with a better title. I promise, I did. However, I kept coming back to "Brain Dumping" and it pretty much suits what is about to follow. Don't say I didn't warn you. It will be random.



Not long ago, I stopped blogging for a week or so. I expected it to be hard for me, but it wasn't. I missed it, sure, but I also realized how I had been at the computer a little too much. Since that time, I was finding it harder and harder to actually come up with something to write about. I wasn't even blogging in my head throughout the day. And, someone please tell me I'm not the only one who does that. Please.



Anyways, I realized the other day, as I was doing dishes, that I was once again blogging in my head. I hope that is a good thing. At least I enjoy it. It also helps me keep my composure when my little ones do something that is particularly trying for me. I figure it will eventually make for a good post and then all seems well. Well, I still have to clean up the mess, usually bodily fluids of sorts, but at least my attitude is better about it.



So, there have been several posts that have been running around in this head of mine. I fear they won't leave me alone until I post them. However, new things keep happening all the time which I want to record.



What to do? What to do?



I know, have a brain dump. I'll be able to get out little snippets of all those stories that have been floating around in my head and then move on.



Well, it seems like the perfect solution to me.



Now, I'm guessing no one but my mom and husband have made it this far, so I hope you two enjoy.



In no particular order:



Ann was somewhat of a bug catcher this summer. Her tool was a cute little "Bug Bungalow." She was usually on the lookout for something to put in it. For weeks I thought about posting how funny it was that the only things she'd caught all summer were a dead fly and a slug.



Fall is by far my favorite season. It isn't even officially here yet and I'm still loving it. It does nothing to offend me. It is full of fun holidays and beautiful leaves. It can truly do no wrong. Even the gray skies don't bother me. Really, I could go on and on about Fall, but that probably isn't necessary.



Lately, I've become quite fond and possibly a bit consumed by budgeting, clipping coupons, etc. There are plenty of great blogs dedicated to that, so no need for a post by me. But, you may want to check out this site.



MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) started on Monday. I'm volunteering on the steering team and really enjoying it. It is completely out of my comfort zone which is good.



I'm hoping to get back into crocheting this fall. However, writing "back into" is probably a tad misleading since the only projects I've completed to date are two scarves and one cell phone/eyeglasses case. And, really who wants a crocheted cell phone holder? Not I. It currently resides in the children's dress-up bin.



I don't want to embarrass one of my children. But, for the record, may I say that I am very tired of a certain child sticking hands inside of said child's diaper and then trying to wipe it off. Needless to say, the poo is being wiped in random places around the child's bedroom. Yuck!



Sleep. I miss it. However, I realize no one wants to read about my lack of sleep.



And, I think that will be it. I feel better already. Oh, there could be more. But, at the risk of those things being either more trivial or more disgusting, I will stop now.



However, I saved one more thing.



Jackie at Our Moments, Our Memories gave me an award.






I'm truly honored. She is one talented writer. She can make anything interesting.
Her daughter is adorable. If you've never been to visit her, you are truly missing out. Thanks so much, Jackie!

I'm going to have to send this one over to Rachel at Badgers on the Loose. From the first time I visited, I was hooked. Her stories about life with her daughter and husband are simply wonderful. Be sure to visit and you'll want to check out her archives for pictures from her daughter's fairy birthday party. I'm making sure Ann never sees them so that she has no expectations for her own four-year-old bash. (Read cupcakes and a balloon or two.) Unless, of course, Rachel wants to plan Ann's birthday party. Seriously, head over there, you won't be disappointed.

Now, that does it. My brain is officially "dumped."

Happy Wednesday!

Boys

This morning, as I watched out the window, I noticed a neighbor boy jump over the fence and head into his house.

About the same time, my two-year-old son came up to me. I pulled him into my lap as I alternately dreamed about what he'll be like as a young man and wished he could stay little forever.

Then, as we cuddled, he let out a huge belch. I chuckled and realized that no matter how old he gets, some things will probably never change.

The Best

How did I end up so blessed?

What kind of husband/daddy goes out on his birthday to buy a copy of The Little Mermaid, and then requests that his wife wrap it and give it to him? He does this because he knows his little girl has been wanting this movie for a long time.

Then, he acts surprised when he opens the gift. He tells his daughter that he sometimes likes kids movies. And, of course she can watch it with him.

Only the best kind of daddy would even think to be so sweet. Somehow, I'm married to him.

Happy Belated Birthday Tony! Thanks for all you do for our family.

You're the best!

I couldn't resist adding this picture. Ann was more than thrilled to help Daddy celebrate.

Seven Months

Sweet Baby Jane,

You are getting so very big! You are seven months already. This month has brought so many changes for you.

You started the month only nursing. Now, you have tried rice cereal, bananas, avocado, apples, and squash. You can also eat Cheerios with the best of them.

An even bigger change has been that you can move. Yes, it's true, you are crawling. Well, perhaps crawling is a bit of an overstatement. However, you do scoot around on your belly and manage to get wherever you'd like to go.

You continue to be a very patient and easygoing baby. Yet, you can make your opinion known. A few days ago, you were lying on your grandpa. Once you saw me, you started making noise until I acknowledged you. As soon as I looked at you, you gave me that grin you are known for, and it melted my heart.

This month revealed your love for all things power cords. I do believe you will soon become accustomed to hearing the word "no." And, for the record, your brother and sister are very good at keeping you out of trouble. They let me know the moment you are in harm's way.

One other thing you've fine tuned this month is your little pincer grasp. You can pick up Cheerios which is great. You can also pick up odds and ends off the floor. That isn't so great.

Today, as I sat down to nurse you. I noticed you had something in your mouth. It turned out to be a small rubber band we use to pull up your sister's hair. You will certainly keep me on my toes. It isn't easy keeping small things off the floor with two other small children in the house.

Jane, you continue to be a constant source of joy in our family. Even in the middle of the night when you aren't feeling well, you give your Daddy or I big grins. Your happiness is contagious. It is truly a gift from God.

We love you sweet one.

Until next month...

Some Days

I shouldn't have been surprised.

I was just sitting down to write a post that could be appropriately titled, "One of Those Days." Of course, I was holding the baby because she has been unusually fussy. (Remember the title I was going to use?)

Anyways, it seemed fitting that the baby would spit up all over me just as I sat down at the computer.

I try to not to make a habit of wishing my days away. I am so very grateful to be home with my little ones. However, I will say that some days I watch the clock a bit more than others.

Maybe I need to change my clock's batteries; those hands are moving rather slowly today.

Making History

Now, this should be a post about my sweet little baby girl being 7 months old. However, that will have to wait until tomorrow. She'll only get cuter anyways.

Today, at the Yes, and So is My Heart household, something happened that has never happened before.

Brace yourself.

I beat Tony in a game not once, not twice, but five times! Those five times were all in a row. In fact, he has yet to beat me.

We played this. Have you ever played? It is quite fun and just a tad addictive.

Okay, this historical moment is now documented. I should stop writing about it now or I might look like I'm bragging or something. It would be similar to doing something like walking up to Tony every hour or so and reminding him that I won. Five times! Not that I would do that or anything.