Last night, at bedtime, I told J he could have 2 minutes of snuggling. Snuggling rounds out the very elaborate bedtime routine. Ok, I take that back, one last kiss/hug, one more sip of water, and one last trip to the potty round it out. But snuggling is supposed to be the end.
I cuddle in with him and rub his back for a minute. I start to pull away.
Mama, that was just 1 minute. Now we need the second minute. This is just the second minute starting, ok??
He certainly knows how to delay!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sweet baby, er, big boy James?
At bedtime, I always sing a song or two for James. Typically, it's Twinkle, Twinkle as he stares at the most amazing invention for getting kids to sleep ever, his twilight turtle. Tonight he also asked for "that cowboy song", also known as Sweet Baby James.
He has heard this song probably a million times, for obvious reasons, so he's no stranger to the lyrics. Tonight, he stops me mid-song "no Mama. I am not Baby James. I am Big Boy James. Sing that!"
He has heard this song probably a million times, for obvious reasons, so he's no stranger to the lyrics. Tonight, he stops me mid-song "no Mama. I am not Baby James. I am Big Boy James. Sing that!"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tips on Tuesday
You don't have to wear sweatpants in the snow. You can just wear reg'lar pants. 'Cept if you wait till it gets really cold and really snow, then you can wear sweatpants.
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You can't let milk get cold. You need to freeze it so that you can drink it later.
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You can't let milk get cold. You need to freeze it so that you can drink it later.
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Day in the Life....
of us!
For my first Monday Map, I am cheating. I thought it might be fun to show you what a day in our life is like.
My day starts at 6:45 when J wakes up. He climbs in bed and pretends to go back to sleep. Usually this means a bit of thrashing about, lots of talking, and questions about watching TV. On this particular day he fills me in on a bizarre story:
"I forgot to get a Barbie for Emmy. I just needed to get one, but I forgot. And Emmy really likes Barbies. Plus, Buzz Lightyear Big is not here. Just Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the Zurg. But not Buzz Lightyear Big. He's just not anywhere. Do you know who I am, mommy? I am Buzz Lightyear. Then I'm Jamers. But really, I'm just Buzz Lightyear"
This is all said within about 1.2 seconds, with no breaks in between, making it really hard to keep up. And where did he learn about Barbies??
We get dressed and go downstairs for some breakfast. Since it's a school day he won't eat much. He gets too excited to go to school. But on a normal day, he loooooooves breakfast.
8:40 and it's time to wake Buggy. I hate this part, and here's why....
It's a cold day, so I bundle them up and load them into the car.
Time for carpool.
By 9:07 I am out of the carpool line on my way home. I feed the Bugster, eat my own breakfast, and we play.
At 10:30 Buggy takes a nap, while I work a bit. He wakes around 11:40 and it's time to go get J from school.
We get home about 12:15. On the drive home, J fills me in on his day. Apparently someone threw a block at him. Then it's time for lunch (yes, that's a pickle with a PB&J...my kid likes strange things).
Followed closely by naps.
I work while they nap. This is followed by an impromptu grocery run, as I've found a recipe online I want to make for dinner. Yes, we've just been to the grocery store the night before. But I am so not good at thinking ahead. I'm pretty sure we single handedly keep this particular location open. No adorable pictures of the 2 of them in the shopping cart because, well, I have enough trouble keeping track of my purse. So instead you get a boring picture of the grocery store.
I would like to take a moment to gush about my love for my van. I am able to fit sooooo much in there. And the kids are nice and cozy!
Daddy gets home and J has a snack (he mostly never eats dinner), while mommy reads the internet recipe and cooks dinner.
The boys all play in the dark (?) office. I'm pretty sure it involved the use of a flashlight and lots of yelling and running around.
Then it's that blessed time of night.....bedtime!
And that's a typical day! Sometimes more exciting, and surprisingly sometimes less.
For my first Monday Map, I am cheating. I thought it might be fun to show you what a day in our life is like.
My day starts at 6:45 when J wakes up. He climbs in bed and pretends to go back to sleep. Usually this means a bit of thrashing about, lots of talking, and questions about watching TV. On this particular day he fills me in on a bizarre story:
"I forgot to get a Barbie for Emmy. I just needed to get one, but I forgot. And Emmy really likes Barbies. Plus, Buzz Lightyear Big is not here. Just Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the Zurg. But not Buzz Lightyear Big. He's just not anywhere. Do you know who I am, mommy? I am Buzz Lightyear. Then I'm Jamers. But really, I'm just Buzz Lightyear"
This is all said within about 1.2 seconds, with no breaks in between, making it really hard to keep up. And where did he learn about Barbies??
We get dressed and go downstairs for some breakfast. Since it's a school day he won't eat much. He gets too excited to go to school. But on a normal day, he loooooooves breakfast.
8:40 and it's time to wake Buggy. I hate this part, and here's why....
It's a cold day, so I bundle them up and load them into the car.
Time for carpool.
By 9:07 I am out of the carpool line on my way home. I feed the Bugster, eat my own breakfast, and we play.
At 10:30 Buggy takes a nap, while I work a bit. He wakes around 11:40 and it's time to go get J from school.
We get home about 12:15. On the drive home, J fills me in on his day. Apparently someone threw a block at him. Then it's time for lunch (yes, that's a pickle with a PB&J...my kid likes strange things).
Followed closely by naps.
I work while they nap. This is followed by an impromptu grocery run, as I've found a recipe online I want to make for dinner. Yes, we've just been to the grocery store the night before. But I am so not good at thinking ahead. I'm pretty sure we single handedly keep this particular location open. No adorable pictures of the 2 of them in the shopping cart because, well, I have enough trouble keeping track of my purse. So instead you get a boring picture of the grocery store.
I would like to take a moment to gush about my love for my van. I am able to fit sooooo much in there. And the kids are nice and cozy!
Daddy gets home and J has a snack (he mostly never eats dinner), while mommy reads the internet recipe and cooks dinner.
The boys all play in the dark (?) office. I'm pretty sure it involved the use of a flashlight and lots of yelling and running around.
Then it's that blessed time of night.....bedtime!
And that's a typical day! Sometimes more exciting, and surprisingly sometimes less.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Mixin' it up!
I've decided to change things a bit. It gets harder and harder to remember to update. And since I really like having this online journal (both so that I can remember and so that the kids will one day be able to read about their childhood), I've been brainstorming some ideas to make myself keep this current. So, starting tomorrow, each week will be a bit similar. It will go a little something like this:
Monday Map: details of our plans for the week.
Tips on Tuesdays: J is chock full of advice lately. What better way to share it with the world ;)
Wordless Wednesdays: I think that's pretty self-explanatory, but just in case, it will solely be a picture or pictures.
Thursday 10: either something funny in 10 words or less or a list of 10 things.
Funny Friday: something funny from 1 or both of the kids.
Additionally, the goal is to stay current with other comments made by J, and one day soon, O.
Monday Map: details of our plans for the week.
Tips on Tuesdays: J is chock full of advice lately. What better way to share it with the world ;)
Wordless Wednesdays: I think that's pretty self-explanatory, but just in case, it will solely be a picture or pictures.
Thursday 10: either something funny in 10 words or less or a list of 10 things.
Funny Friday: something funny from 1 or both of the kids.
Additionally, the goal is to stay current with other comments made by J, and one day soon, O.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
One minute ago
I've been thinking a lot lately about how quickly time goes by.
This time last year I was anxiously counting down the days until O was born. I was begging time to fly by. Please put my baby in my arms, let him be here, safe. I spent my days waiting for the future, blaming my exhaustion and physical discomfort for not living in the now.
I always hate admitting this, but J spent a lot of time in front of the tv. I had always, since the day he was born, been that mom that constantly entertained. I loved thinking of new things to do with him, new places to go. Just an afternoon at the park would brighten his entire day. I swore things would change once the baby was born.
Then O was here. And life was much more complicated.
I love that newborn phase. The sweet baby sighs, the soft, wrinkly skin, the body that curls into a tiny ball still trying to figure out why he's not contained anymore, the way they sleep anywhere and love to be held. I spent J's newborn days just staring at him. Marveling at the miracle that he was. Anyone who knows me will tell you that my absolute favorite thing about having a baby is the naps. Baby naps are the best. J and I would curl around each other and sleep for hours. Matt would come home from work to find us sleeping on the couch, or J passed out in my arms while I read a book. My 3 months of maternity leave with him were the best 3 months of my life (ok, ok, other than that first month when he was in the hospital).
But with O, there wasn't any time to spend admiring him. I was learning to nurse, and juggling another child who needed help adjusting. Somehow my plan to love every minute of those early days disappeared. I focused on who was sleeping when, did I feed them both, when was the last time he got a new diaper? It started to take an hour just to gather everything necessary to get out of the house. And my plan to start taking J fun places disappeared too. I thought If I can just get out of the newborn phase things will start to be more fun. And sadly, I'll confess again that J spent more time in front of the tv.
I felt badly. And talked to some friends. I was reassured "it's normal while you're adjusting" and somehow forced the mommy-guilt (which, if you ask me, is the worst kind of guilt imaginable) aside.
So I've found myself wishing for the future. I keep thinking when O learns to walk things will be more fun. They can play together, climb the jungle gym at the park, they can chase each other in the backyard, go swimming in the summer, and learn to be best friends.
Last night O woke up much earlier than usual. Matt and I were actually still awake, watching tv. We glanced at each other. Both of us were dreading this. Why was he awake? He would never go back to sleep! This night was going to be terrible. Since Matt is the one who always sleeps with O if he wakes in the night, I figured it was my turn to go hold him. So I reluctantly climbed the stairs, walked into his bedroom and picked him up. He was visibly exhausted and extremely upset about something. I started to rock him. He started to relax. He did that little hiccup-sigh. You know, the one where they start to transition from crying to calm. That little hiccup-sigh never fails to break my heart.
And as he relaxed in my arms it dawned on me that I was missing the little things. The daily joys of every day life that make everything special. There was my sweet baby, snuggled tight against me, sucking his chubby little thumb.
I marveled at his baby cheeks. Those cheeks get comments everywhere we go.
I marveled at that soft spot between the head and neck, where the hair is soft and fuzzy, where he always smiles if you nuzzle him.
He fell into a deep sleep and his thumb popped out of his mouth. I marveled at that hand. The sweet little fingers that grab Matt's face, on both sides, when he comes home from work as if to say "Hi daddy, I missed you and I love you".
His little mouth smiled in sleep and I melted. That little mouth has just learned to say Mama. He never misses an opportunity to yell for me now that he's figured out I'll come running. During the day it's exhausting. But at night, in his sleep, I missed that wonderful word.
I've lived a lot of my life waiting for the future. Even as a child I couldn't wait to grow up, get married, have kids of my own. Now that it's here, I still keep waiting for the future. Crawling, walking, teaching J to swim, that Disney trip we're planning for October, the list goes on and on.
Thankfully, my little Buggy reminded me last night to enjoy the NOW. Focus on the day to day beauties that this world holds because I'll never get these moments back. So today I vow to do that. And I'm getting started with a list of the wonderful things I love about my life.
I love....
the way J always asks if he can match Buggy.
the way J never, ever fails to brings toys to O whenever he sees him sitting on the floor.
the way Buggy will only take a nap if it's in my bed (that is a comfy bed. And yes, I'm aware the SIDS police would arrest me).
the way J always says "picture me!" whenever he sees the camera.
funny faces.
watching them play together.
that my big boy is such a trooper and a constant reminder of everything I have to be thankful for.
that little thumb sucker. *sigh*
the rare commodity that is a snow day in Georgia.
big blue eyes.
babies that can't figure out how to sit back down from a standing position.
Valentine's pancakes, made with love.
the way my wonderful, loving husband will always drop what he's doing to play with our boys.
I found this quote that really hit home for me and I thought it was a fitting way to end this post.
Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.
This time last year I was anxiously counting down the days until O was born. I was begging time to fly by. Please put my baby in my arms, let him be here, safe. I spent my days waiting for the future, blaming my exhaustion and physical discomfort for not living in the now.
I always hate admitting this, but J spent a lot of time in front of the tv. I had always, since the day he was born, been that mom that constantly entertained. I loved thinking of new things to do with him, new places to go. Just an afternoon at the park would brighten his entire day. I swore things would change once the baby was born.
Then O was here. And life was much more complicated.
I love that newborn phase. The sweet baby sighs, the soft, wrinkly skin, the body that curls into a tiny ball still trying to figure out why he's not contained anymore, the way they sleep anywhere and love to be held. I spent J's newborn days just staring at him. Marveling at the miracle that he was. Anyone who knows me will tell you that my absolute favorite thing about having a baby is the naps. Baby naps are the best. J and I would curl around each other and sleep for hours. Matt would come home from work to find us sleeping on the couch, or J passed out in my arms while I read a book. My 3 months of maternity leave with him were the best 3 months of my life (ok, ok, other than that first month when he was in the hospital).
But with O, there wasn't any time to spend admiring him. I was learning to nurse, and juggling another child who needed help adjusting. Somehow my plan to love every minute of those early days disappeared. I focused on who was sleeping when, did I feed them both, when was the last time he got a new diaper? It started to take an hour just to gather everything necessary to get out of the house. And my plan to start taking J fun places disappeared too. I thought If I can just get out of the newborn phase things will start to be more fun. And sadly, I'll confess again that J spent more time in front of the tv.
I felt badly. And talked to some friends. I was reassured "it's normal while you're adjusting" and somehow forced the mommy-guilt (which, if you ask me, is the worst kind of guilt imaginable) aside.
So I've found myself wishing for the future. I keep thinking when O learns to walk things will be more fun. They can play together, climb the jungle gym at the park, they can chase each other in the backyard, go swimming in the summer, and learn to be best friends.
Last night O woke up much earlier than usual. Matt and I were actually still awake, watching tv. We glanced at each other. Both of us were dreading this. Why was he awake? He would never go back to sleep! This night was going to be terrible. Since Matt is the one who always sleeps with O if he wakes in the night, I figured it was my turn to go hold him. So I reluctantly climbed the stairs, walked into his bedroom and picked him up. He was visibly exhausted and extremely upset about something. I started to rock him. He started to relax. He did that little hiccup-sigh. You know, the one where they start to transition from crying to calm. That little hiccup-sigh never fails to break my heart.
And as he relaxed in my arms it dawned on me that I was missing the little things. The daily joys of every day life that make everything special. There was my sweet baby, snuggled tight against me, sucking his chubby little thumb.
I marveled at his baby cheeks. Those cheeks get comments everywhere we go.
I marveled at that soft spot between the head and neck, where the hair is soft and fuzzy, where he always smiles if you nuzzle him.
He fell into a deep sleep and his thumb popped out of his mouth. I marveled at that hand. The sweet little fingers that grab Matt's face, on both sides, when he comes home from work as if to say "Hi daddy, I missed you and I love you".
His little mouth smiled in sleep and I melted. That little mouth has just learned to say Mama. He never misses an opportunity to yell for me now that he's figured out I'll come running. During the day it's exhausting. But at night, in his sleep, I missed that wonderful word.
I've lived a lot of my life waiting for the future. Even as a child I couldn't wait to grow up, get married, have kids of my own. Now that it's here, I still keep waiting for the future. Crawling, walking, teaching J to swim, that Disney trip we're planning for October, the list goes on and on.
Thankfully, my little Buggy reminded me last night to enjoy the NOW. Focus on the day to day beauties that this world holds because I'll never get these moments back. So today I vow to do that. And I'm getting started with a list of the wonderful things I love about my life.
I love....
the way J always asks if he can match Buggy.
the way J never, ever fails to brings toys to O whenever he sees him sitting on the floor.
the way Buggy will only take a nap if it's in my bed (that is a comfy bed. And yes, I'm aware the SIDS police would arrest me).
the way J always says "picture me!" whenever he sees the camera.
funny faces.
watching them play together.
that my big boy is such a trooper and a constant reminder of everything I have to be thankful for.
that little thumb sucker. *sigh*
the rare commodity that is a snow day in Georgia.
big blue eyes.
babies that can't figure out how to sit back down from a standing position.
Valentine's pancakes, made with love.
the way my wonderful, loving husband will always drop what he's doing to play with our boys.
I found this quote that really hit home for me and I thought it was a fitting way to end this post.
Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
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