Mommyhood

Life doesn't seem to slow down. like ever.  There are things going on from sunup to way past sundown. I do my best to do it all with a smile, patience and a little bit of grace togetherness.  It doesn't always come out the way we intend it to, but what's that saying?  God laughs at our plans.

* I've been staying up far too late recently. I find myself needing moment(s) to myself to escape everything else and watch one flippin show that has nothing to do with anything. I want/need to laugh, to cry, to feel something in someone else's life that has absolutely nothing to do with anything for one hour. That hour just happens to come after the 10 o'clock news.

* Tim's shingles are lingering.  They aren't full born shingles anymore, and all things considered he's been able to manage the pain really well. However, he did not find it at all entertaining, nor did he understand what I meant when I said, "well at least it was you and not me".  I had to go on and explain that life would be a little difficult if "mommy had shingles" and then he made me feel bad because I basically said that Mommy was more important than Daddy. My bad, that's not exactly what I was saying.

*  When you take your kids furniture shopping, do it carefully. Plan your route. Decide which stores you really want to attempt that kind of an adventure in. When you're worried about the store and even more worried about your kid, take food to keep them busy, but remember you only have as long as that food lasts and whatever you do - don't choose messy food.

*  Lately when we leave Cameron we've been telling him that we're going for "a run". Usually this works for him and he knows I'm coming back. I'm beginning to notice signs that he's starting to realize that I'm not being completely honest. Do you think it's the fact that I'm not wearing running clothes or the fact that I don't come back sweaty that gives it away?

*  I've recently begun a tradition with Cameron that stems from long ago moments with my Grandfather, something that makes me smile every time we hug.

*  We carved and painted pumpkins. It was glorious. It was funny.  It was family. and I loved every minute.  What's even better is that we say goodbye to the pumpkins every morning when we leave for school and Cameron makes sure that we say goodbye to Tucker's pumpkin in particular. He's a riot. Yes, you read that right we have a pumpkin for Tucker; 5 pumpkins in all - one for every member of our family.  and no I didn't roast any seeds, that would be far too crafty and resourceful.

*Therapy comes in all forms, sort of like God. You can find hidden magic in all sorts of things if you take the time to let your shoulders relax and take a minute.  Here's to taking a minute when I have them, grabbing the camera when I need to but also knowing when to put it down and just soak it up.  That's what Mommyhood is all about - or so I'm learning.

*  Oh and before I forget: I have to say it somewhere -- I've still got it.  I might be getting older, my body might have jiggly bits and sag more than I ever knew was possible, but I've still got it! I can dance, I can sing (horribly), I can have fun and I can still be a good Mom.  I may never have it all together, to be honest I hope that I don't -- what would be the fun in that, but as long as my family and I can find something that resembles a dance floor and find our rhythm, life is good.

Priceless Relationships: Peas & Carrots

As parents, Tim and I each have our own way of doing things and then we have the way that we do things together. Cameron definitely knows who he has in his sights when he's got an agenda.  

It doesn't take long for a relationship to form and for your children to figure out where and how they fit around your little finger. (Disclaimer: Payton is too little for this post to really be about him yet. Of course he does and will have his own ways too, but this post is mostly about Cameron.  No hard feelings.)

Cameron knows our looks, knows our laughs, our worries and our testing moments. He knows our sarcasm and our discipline. He knows when we're serious and when we're not. Well, for the most part. And if he doesn't, he's trying desperately to learn them and copy them (quickly) at every possible moment.

Lately though, I've become very aware of who Daddy is in his eyes and who I am. There's such a difference.  The sillies that they share on a daily basis make me laugh from the other room as I sometimes eavesdrop on the two of them.  They are so much alike.  They both have a tendency to push the limits at inopportune times, when they're relaxed and watching something (like TV) they sit in almost the exact same positions.  I mean let's be honest, he already knows how to charm the ladies - they're obviously cut from the same cloth!

Seriously, see for yourself -- just take a peek!

They are far too much alike.

There are moments that Cameron turns to look at me when he doesn't like what I'm telling him and he acts as though he hasn't heard a thing I've said.  There's this smirk; he is just waiting to see if I'm gearing up to battle or not.  I know that really he's hearing my voice, but choosing not to listen to the words that are coming out of my mouth.  I gotta be honest, the feeling of looking at your child and knowing exactly what your Husband put his Mom through as a little boy is very creepy. The intensity of this statement is sure to haunt me for the rest of my days. I cringe for the days when there's a conversation that starts like this: "Ok, please be honest, which one of you took the beer out of the fridge."

You're right, I need to get more of a history lesson from my Mother-in-law to really know what I'm in for.  I know Tim's version, but I need both sides to this story before I find myself in shoes that I've never walked in before.

One day, when they've reached the appropriate age, I will smile at the two of them sharing a beer and still having this priceless relationship; Peas & Carrots.

Happy Fall Y'all

We're taking full advantage of Fall. Soaking in every last glimpse of sunshine and the remnants of summer that continue to linger in the highs and lows of Texas heat.

We're visiting new Pumpkin Patches, taking adventures on new roads and learning how to sit up tall.

We're doing our best to combat the teeth that have changed sweet Payton's cry. He's gone from a soft little grumble when he's upset to a full on "I'm P*SS*D" scream lately. I think he might have 5 teeth by the end of the month, we'll see though.

We're making Payton laugh. Because when Payton laughs, the whole world laughs.

 PS. Please excuse my chins in the next clip. I'm serious.

   

We're cleaning out closets, trying to stay organized and making too many trips to The Container Store in the process. How does a kitchen go to sleep clean and wake up messy?

Oh and did I mention we're battling Tim's case of SHINGLES?!?!  

I asked him if I could write a blog post on it with pictures and he denied my request. He says it's gross and that no one wants to see pictures of it. Let's just say that he's a Trooper (with a capital T) and for once he went to the doctor in speedy time and didn't wait until something got worse. and it could have gotten a lot worse.  It's a little difficult to explain it to Cameron, but so far we're managing.  Fingers crossed and prayers that we're on the downward slope and that we caught it fast enough that it won't linger on for too long. 

Here's hoping that your Autumn is starting off with more laughs and less shingles!

Dear Nugget

Six Months? Excuse me? Uh, did I hear you right?

I'm not sure if you realized it or not, but you are 6 months old. That means that you are half way through your first year.  HALF WAY!!!

Wahoooo! Not to rush you, but to say that I'm excited is an understatement. I feel like the moment you  start sitting up on your own begins a whole new world for all of us and baby that moment is right around the corner!

You love your time with your Daddy. The two of you watch sports together every night while I get Cameron ready for bed.
Your brother makes you laugh like no one else can.
You are so patient and so easy-going. I mean SO patient and SO easy-going.
You like food.
I'm afraid you like your thumbs better though.
You have a tooth! Just one little spike so far, but there's another one ready to break through.
You are so long tall.

I'm not naming names, but someone recently asked me if it was bad to say that you are a cuter baby then Cameron was. Don't rub that in his face when you're older. He's still your big brother and can whoop up on you whenever he wants to.

You like watching cartoons, but you don't often get to pick which ones.
You can make your way off of a rug or a towel in no time flat.
You kick your legs in excitement during bath time.
You think it's hysterical to be tickled on your belly when you're naked.

Those  baby blues (eyes that is) are here for good. Boy do they twinkle.

Everything goes into your mouth. That won't change.

We have to stop calling you "baby" all the time. It's hard not to though.
The spit up still happens, but I feel like it's getting better or slowing down at least.
You've started to notice your dog, Tucker, more lately. Your facial expression when he comes close is adorable.

My all time favorite thing, is that you've started to come read books with Cameron and I at night. The bond that you two have and how excited your big brother is to share these moments with you makes my heart melt.

We love you Payton and we can't imagine what life would be like if you weren't here to observe our silly ways and make us smile more than we ever thought we could. We hope that you're very laid back personality sticks around forever and that you know just how much you are loved every minute of every day.  This one extraordinary life that we are given is such a gift and we are so lucky that our children can extend that gift into one incredible lifetime.

We love you to the moon & back!