"A Day Late and A Dollar Short, But Hey, Who's Counting?"

There are two days during the year that I tend to get overly sedimental on. It's not that I scratch these dates out on my calendar with huge sad faces to remember the day is to suck, it just happens. No matter how good my intentions are I seem to remember the date the moment I open my eyes. I find that strange since most mornings I can't remember what day of the week it is.

This weekend was my Grandmother's 89th birthday. Well, what would have been her 89th birthday. No matter how much I tell myself that of my two days this is the happier of the two, I still carry a small lump in my throat until I finally fall asleep at night. Even though in theory I celebrate this day, I mourn it as well. Truth is I miss the woman and feel very cheated that we aren't sitting around eating some cheap box cake from Krogers with a large load of candles on it. I wish I was taking video of my kids clapping to "Happy Birthday" on her lap. I'd love to buy her the most mushy card Hallmark had to offer. I wonder what that would be like.

As this day passes I know the next one nears. Thankfully it's not until snow starts to fall that it starts to swallow me whole.

I'd love to give my Grandmother on large, loud,  Happy Birthday from myself and my children. Even though you have passed you are loved, missed, and cherished each day.

This is my son earlier this week. It's amazing isn't it? Wait, you don't understand why? Let me enlighten you... I never taught him how to push around a car. In fact, I never even showed him the huge drawer of cars we own in the playroom. His sister was looking for something and just happened to hand him one and walk away. Are you starting to get my drift? He innately knew exactly what to do. 

Somehow both my children have caught on to gender specific activities and ran with them. My daughter figured out princesses without me. I was never a huge fan of the whole Disney princess line. I always thought they were dorky. I never liked Mickey Mouse novelties, not even as a child. I remember when I was little thinking it just wasn't for me. Kellan's love for the rodent was all on her own. Now Colin has a love for cars and trucks without my mapping out how to get there.

That amazes me. The first time I saw him drag a car across the floor I had chills. That first morning he played with that car from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Kellan and I sat on the floor for over an hour with him faking crashes, parking them in his Little People car garages (which were cousin Riley's. Again, not me), driving them across the floor, rolling them to each other, and making motor noises. He LOVED it. He was in his own little form of heaven on Earth. I've never seen him so excited. He's never really latched on to any specific toy or catagory of toy until now. People have started to ask me what I think he might like for his first birthday and at first I really didn't know. He didn't have any real likes. Now? I have a laundry list of things I know he'd enjoy. It almost gives me a sense of comfort, like now I know my son.  I'm not guessing what I think he might like anymore. It makes me happy. He makes me happy. I'm diggin' him even more :)

Just Another Milestone to Scratch Off the List...

I've known my son had wings sticking out the sides of his head for some time now. I've had them pointed out to me more times than I can count. "Gee, thanks, I see him every day and never noticed", right? I knew he needed a haircut, I just didn't want it to be this soon. But with his first birthday pictures coming up and a wedding to attend this weekend, I gave in and finally took him. 

My heart sank the moment he was finished. He did an excellent job holding still all by himself. He smiled continuously through the whole ordeal. I wasn't worried one bit that he'd cry and scream. But when I saw him for the first time with his "big boy" haircut I was taken off guard. He seemed to have grown in those five minutes he sat in that chair. He looks so darn handsome. He melted my heart before and somehow he melts it even more now. 

Just another milestone to scratch off the list....

"....And Mio Is The Place, Yo!"

Last week my sister Emily and I headed up to our family's cabin in podunk Mio, Michigan to have some getaway fun with our kids. Let me tell you what... you CAN have fun with 3 adults, 5 children and 2 dogs in a one bedroom, one bathroom cinder block cabin by the river! Other than becoming mildly obsessed with the card game Skip-Bo (which is a whole other topic of conversation due to it's intense mental and strategical thought when playing with my brother-in-law Ron), I came back more relaxed then when I left. I'd say that's a winning outcome, right? Score. Here are some photographic highlights:

P.S. I would TOTALLY post the AWESOME picture I captured of all the kids jammed into the one stall shower all naked and soapy, but I am not one for "soap on a rope". If you see me, I'll be glad to show you in person. But I will put pretty stickers over winkies first....

An End To A Great School Year

Today is Kellan's last day of preschool. Although part of me is relieved that I don't have to truck it to the island for a few months, a big part of me is so sad for her. When Kellan started in September she was a special acceptance. Instead of being 3 by December 1st, they let her come in at two and a half. Although it didn't seem like a big deal at the time, I came to realize what a huge disadvantage it was for her. All the other kids in her class where a full year older than her. For months she didn't really seem to make any new friends. My heart used to ache when I'd spy on her and see her all alone. Over the past few months her "briends" have been so good to her. I've watched friendships blossom and I have nurtured them to the fullest of my ability. She talks about them every day and can't wait for the next day of school. 

So why so sad? Kellan will be repeating the 3's again. All her friends are moving up to the 4's. She won't see her friends anymore and I won't see their parents. They're my friends too. Telling her this is her last day with them and kissing her goodbye ripped my heart in two. I realize it's just preschool, but those kids really are bonded. I know she's going to ask about them over the summer. I know when she walks in to her first day next year she'll expect to see them and instead be jarred by all new faces. Hopefully she will see it as making more friends and not new ones. That's all a Mommy can hope for.

Happy 10 Months Little Booger Fart!

(and remember.... we had a deal. You are to stay like this forever. 

And ever.)

Defying the "Little" in "Little Dude"

My precious little chunk-a-monk has decided to be a big boy this past week. Last Thursday he started crawling, Friday he popped his top front tooth and learned how to dance. Saturday he popped the one to the right of that. Sunday he popped the left front tooth. Today he fancies the crab walk.

It hit me like a ton of bricks this afternoon that he's almost 1. ONE! My last little baby is exploding into a big boy. My kids bleed Miracle Grow. If I only knew the secret to reverse that effect and keep them tiny. I love my son. I'm not looking forward to the day where Mommy is no longer "cool" to snuggle and hug. The thought literally takes my breath away.

Well Hello Blogspot, I Finally Got Somethin' For Ya

It occurred to me the other day that it's been a REALLY long time since I had blogged last. To be honest, I really haven't had anything major happen accompanied by photographic evidence for me to share with the world. Until tonight. Let me get you up to speed:

I LOVE to scrapbook. It's therapeutic relief, an adrenaline rush,  and major stress all at the same time. I love a little time alone letting out creativity in a positive outlet. I get a rush when I create something I'm happy with. I get frustrated, stressed out, and just down right pissed when a page doesn't go my way. But, I absolutely love it and don't get to do it often enough.

Except for this week. This week has been jammed packed with the hobby like you wouldn't believe. I was appointed a project for Kellan's school to make both her teacher and the teacher's aide scrapbooks to spotlight all the children enrolled for "Teacher Appreciation Week" gifts.. My front room looks like little elves threw papers and stickers and punchers and glue sticks EVERYWHERE. It's been a mess. And the whole time I've been working on it I've had a set of pretty little blue eyes watching me. 

So this afternoon I had to make my second trip to the scrap store to grab more supplies. Kellan found her niche in this store. She picked out a few supplies of her own to use at home. I set her up on my table and away she went. I can officially announce that Kellan has created her first scrapbook page. It's a huge honor for me. She genuinely did a beautiful job. I'd have her help me any day, and I plan to. Her page is now her title page in her special book.... (Uh, that's a BIG deal!)

Throw Your Hands Up And SHOUT!

Have you ever had a moment where something so minuscule, yet so infinitely important all at the same time, took your breath away? Today, I did.

At 7 months and 21 days old, Colin said "Ma-ma". If you even knew what I've gone through in this amount of time you'd understand how much it made my heart melt. 

To be honest I haven't seen my son much lately. I've been in bed recooping from a Cholecystectomy from hell. I was finally starting to truly enjoy my son (after months of colic), and frankly, was really happy to be doing so. I have missed my kids so much these last two weeks and worried about losing some closeness with them. Hearing my little Nugget say my name has made the last two miserable weeks suddenly disappear. 

Got 'em!

Colin has now popped another tooth today and I still have yet to document the first. For being an overly obsessive recorder and scrapbooker, I sure am being such a bad Mom. But alas, I finally got a photo....

 

P.S. Ignore my fingers.

Just To Brighten One's Day...

We Hit A Big Milestone!

My Nugget popped his first tooth!

At 6 months, 29 days old, Colin popped his lower front left tooth.

It's not so easy getting a photo of a little jagged tooth bud, but as soon as it becomes visible on camera I'll post that son of a gun as fast as possible!

In spite of being late: Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

The year 2009 has been are very hard year for me. I've seen laughter, pain, joy, sorrow, and confusion. I've been up and I've been far down. I have questions that I will never get the answers to. I've seen the best souls taken and the worst grow stronger.


Despite it all, I am thankful for a few things this year. Most of all I'm thankful to have my kids. They mean the absolute world to me and nothing less. In July I was blessed with the birth of my son, Colin. Despite having 7 months of crazy pregnancy hormones and 5 months (and counting) trying to understand them, I wouldn't change it for the world. Sure, my little man cries and cries and cries until I'm on the brink of tears. I'm tired and a little worn, but his smile alone melts me to the floor. At 6 months old, he finds sneezing hilarious. He is starting to sit up on his own like a big boy. He's even starting to sleep through the night most nights. He has the most kissable toes like his sister. And boy, is he a chunk! He's so handsome and I love him to death.


Kellan is growing into a beautiful, wonderful, confident little girl. Although I still try to sneak in some cuddle time with her like she were still my little baby girl, she has gotten so big. She has become the best big sister to her baby brother. She adores him every waking moment they have together. She started preschool with the big kids in September and it's made a world of difference. The child that never left my side is eager to start circle time on school days. She makes the most beautiful projects for Mommy to hang up at home. She's confident in all that she learns. She's made new friends. She was invited to her first real birthday party that wasn't for one of her cousins. In fact, she's been to three. Not only was that a learning experience for Kellan, but Mommy is now learning the true meaning of being "Kellan's Mom" and seeing where I fit in the outside world. She's potty trained. The child that I thought for sure would leave college in diapers now picks out her own big girl panties. She's starting to have a sense of humor and create her own jokes. She says the word "booger" clearer than ever. She loves to have her nails painted at all times, and if you call her she'll show you her pretty toes through the phone.


My resolution for 2010 will be to find myself again. Although I'm confident in my abilities to be a mother and carry out my duties as such, I need to find who Allison is again. Only time and patience will tell.