Mothers

After last weekend with the girls, I've been really thinking about the different mothers that are in my life and how they have influenced me. Every woman mothers differently. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't. But overall, we respect their choices because most women do the best that they can for their children. The mothers I know are unique in so many ways, and I can't express the amount of respect I have for each of them. These are my moms--each giving me a little to strive for, a person to love fully, and a woman to admire immensely...

• A sister who has been handed more than her fair share but always seems to see the glass half full. A woman who I had to promise that her young children would know her if anything happened after she was diagnosed with cancer. A woman who trusted me to do so.
  
• A friend who struggles with infertility but adopted the cutest baby boy who was meant to only have her for a mom. A friend who let me be a part of the journey--something I'm not sure she realizes how much I appreciate.
• A friend who listens to my complaints, offers her own, reassures me that I'm doing okay, and allows me to give her the same confidence.
• A friend who told me that once Oprah is on, it's okay to have a beer or a glass of wine. I have spent many a day knowing that we were sharing a drink called motherhood.
• A sister-in-law who pumped for over 9 months after her daughter wouldn't nurse. There is no way I would have done that, but I sure as heck admire her determination.
• A friend who is paralyzed from the waist down but didn't let that stop her from having a child and hopes to add to her family.
  
• A mother who has thought of her blended family as only a family. A woman who doesn't count blood when thinking of her grandchildren. A mother who did what she thought was best a long time ago.
• A friend who does crafts and projects with her kids all of the time. A mother who wasn't in a rush to send her kids to preschool. A woman who always thinks of someone else. A mother who throws an amazing shower/party/gathering with ease. Our Martha Stewart.
• A mother who sends a gift for Lilah with such selflessness, who offers something to someone she barely knows. A woman who should sell her talent, but instead only wants to give it for free. I think of what she's teaching her boys and get a little green with envy.
• A friend who mothers her dogs like I do mine. She doesn't have children yet, but if that's in her future, she's already good at it.
• A friend who found a way to make a little bit of money while being a stay-at-home mom. A mom who isn't afraid to try her luck at selling the bows she makes. My friend who still likes to play.
  
• And finally, my mom. A woman that I continue to learn more about each day. A woman who sacrificed to raise her children. A woman who can manage money better than anyone I know. A woman who admits maybe not everything she did was right, but she doesn't regret what she did. A mother who never tried to be a best friend to her children which allowed us the closeness that we have today.

There are many more moms out there that have made an impact on me. That's the beauty of motherhood, I think. We make impacts in the smallest ways. We give ourselves completely, unselfishly, and lovingly. We give to our children, our spouses, our extended families, our friends. We do the best we can; yet we are our own biggest critics. Luckily, we have each other, and that alone makes us better mommies.

Cheers to MOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Double stroller time

Noah looks like a giant in the stroller, but he likes riding with Lilah

I just can't stop taking these pictures.

Easter at the lake

My family spent Easter weekend up at the lake again this year. My parents asked Landon to join them for a few days (which he thoroughly enjoyed), and then the rest of us went there on Saturday to spend the day hunting eggs, enjoying the outdoors, playing bocci ball, and grilling out some yummy food. Here are some pics from our fun time there.

My silly booger bear.My brother-in-law (wearing that shirt just to make us mad)Dad and WoodyGrandma and LilahAunt Edie giving Lilah a big ol' kiss!Jason and I being sweet and lovey. Too bad he has his eyes closed....and then we were being sillyHannah and JasonThe grandkids
My brother & sister taking Noah to the playground
(I love this pic.)
My much older sister, Sally :) "The Four Little Boys"
Davis (7 1/2), Landon (5 1/2), Matt (5), Noah (2 1/2)

Should we claim him?

When I looked back to see if Landon had fallen asleep on our trip back from Alabama, I saw this...

Why the bike helmet? We have no idea.

LA, baby!

A couple of weeks ago, we headed to LA--Lower Alabama for those of you not familiar with the lingo. Jason's grandparents live there, and we have not seen them in years. We joined Jason's mom, stepdad and his brother's family for a great weekend. It was such a relaxing day. We don't get to hang out with Nathan, Jennifer, and Addison much, and we had a really great time with them. Granddad was so happy to have us there, and Jason and I both agreed that we missed him way more than we realized. Grandmother had a stroke a few years ago, so unfortunately, she wasn't able to be with us through most of the day. However, she was able to see her great-grandchildren, and I think that made her happy. My little Noah was fascinated by her and kept going into her room to blow her kisses. I hope it warmed her heart as much as it did mine. Granddad said to me many times to cherish the kids now because it goes too fast, and you never get that time back. I have to admit that most days that's hard to live by that advice, but I've stepped back a couple of times since then, hearing his voice in the back of my mind. Thanks for the reminder, Granddad.

Granddad playing with Lilah

Debra with two of her granddaughters.
Jason with his grandfatherFour generations
Our niece, Addison

My Baby's Blues

Small victories

Yesterday I started "formally" potty training Noah. He's been going in the potty here and there for the last few months, but yesterday was the day that I said no diapers (well, besides overnight). Although he did use the potty a few times, he had two wet pairs of underwear and a wet pull-up (which was at the gym, so I wasn't there to encourage him to go). The last few weeks have been a bit trying for me. I don't seem to have enough time to do anything, and yesterday I hit that brick wall of defeat. I wasn't sure I was going to have the energy to potty train this little boy, and to be honest with you, I wasn't sure I cared. Then came my small victory. I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready (post-self-pity-crying-fit), and Noah came down from Landon's room in a hurry. He was holding his little underwearless self and running to the bathroom. He got there in time and peed in that potty like the big boy he is. I felt hope at this time but still had a feeling that I would find those undies upstairs wet as can be. When he finished his business, I asked him if his undies were wet. He replied with a sweet "no", but that really doesn't mean anything when it comes to Noah. So, we went and found those little Diego underwear, and lo and behold, they were DRY! I picked up my 38 lb baby and spun him around and around-a deserved victory dance for the two of us. It came at just the right time because not only did I want to give up on potty training, I was giving up on me. That little pantless boy made me realize that what I'm doing isn't a total waste. Contrary to what it feels like most days, I am making a difference in their lives. It was a small victory that allowed me to wash the underwear he wet in about an hour later without complaint.

Today has already been better. He has not wet in his pants at all and even went potty at the gym twice. He did give me a #2 treat in a pullup at the gym, but he had not wet. He just woke up from his nap, and he was dry. I'm proud of him even though I know we have a long way to go. This potty training isn't easy for any of us, so I'm taking it one step at a time.

Here's to dry underwear and small victories!

Noah, Noah, Noah

Although I've known for a while that Noah has little fear, his daily antics still surprise me. For example, the day I went into his room to see what he and Landon were doing, and I caught him midair doing a belly flop from the top bunk to the bottom one. Sigh...

Last week, I walked into his room to put his laundry away. I expected him to be fast asleep since he was put to bed an hour or two prior to this. However, this is what I found when I glanced over at his bed:


I figured he had gone into the little cubby below his shelves, but he wasn't there either. Good news was that he was fast asleep. The bad news was that he was on the top bunk.

The ladder was not down-we keep it on the top bunk to avoid him going up there. But my Noah had climbed up there via the desk with his pillow and blanket and proceeded to tuck himself in. We found Mickey Mouse on the desk. I guess his hands were full, and he couldn't get his buddy up there with him. Jason's response probably sums it up: "This kid is going to give us a heart attack."

A few days later, we made our first trip to the ER. Noah had fallen in the bathtub and cut open his chin. We're not exactly sure what happened. His story was that he was "climbing the tree (garden tub) like Diego". He received three stitches. Not surprisingly, he was a brave little guy. He was done crying within minutes of getting hurt and had no problems at the hospital. We're pretty sure the ER nurses will be on our Christmas list within the next year or so.

Her Mother's Daughter

Put down the phone. No need to call DFCS. She didn't have any. She's just fascinated by the bottle.