Cute New Sayings

Alexandar is increasing his vocabulary daily, adding sometimes 5 and more words a day. Benjamin has several new sounds that are sounding more and more like words.

But yesterday does top all of the "where did that come from?" things Alexandar says. In the afternoon, he started replying to everything he would answer yes to by saying "yessir" and today he has added "no sir." Now, when I lived in Georgia, I would talk like that all the time, but we live in the north and people look at you funny if you say that. I would really love to know where he heard that and what caused him to start saying it, but there is no way a 2 year old can tell you that information. It does not matter to whom he is speaking, but every time he would say yes or no, it now ends with a "sir."

Another adorable thing he was saying the other day concerned cookies. Now, I'm not a big one on letting the kids have a bunch of sweets, but I had some rice krispy treats and let the boys share one. The step stool was out in the kitchen for some reason or another, and Alexandar was standing on it by the counter. Grandma was over as I had been working as was just home for lunch and was out in the living room. Alexandar has a bite or two and starts literally shouting, "I wuv cookies, Gamma. I wuv cookies, Gamma." It was the the cutest thing.

Going Crazy

My ramblings tonight stem from a status message on Facebook, reading something along the lines of "I think I just might go crazy today!" My comment was, "I've been there for a few days now... it's not so bad, just have to learn to enjoy the white padded walls!" (little did you know, Rachel, that you would be the inspiration for my blog!) So as I re-read it tonight, I got to thinking.... (probably a bad idea) how many of us moms think on a regular basis that we might go crazy? I'm guessing the number is right around 100%. But as I smiled at my comment, I began to ponder, would it really be so bad going crazy, and if not, what would make going crazy such a possible option. So, I have begun to compile a list of Pro-Reasons For Going Crazy!

1. Someone would be changing your diapers, for a change!

2. Everything would be white, tidy, and neat.

3. No more millions of loads of laundry each day.

4. When you drilled or spilled your food, you wouldn't be required to wipe it up.

5. No one will blink twice when your voice takes a higher pitch and you start talking "baby talk."

6. You are so used to being around children all day that life will not seem as if it has changed at all... you can even have the same conversations.

7. When you repeat yourself over and over again, people will just smile and nod.

8. You'll be put to bed at a regular bedtime and may even be given a sleeping pill so you don't wake up until morning!

9. Your roommate (pre-crazy state, this would be your spouse) will be just as crazy as you and won't think anything of your off the wall remarks.

and finally....

10. You get to throw a fit and your food on the floor when what is being served is not something you enjoy.

So really, stay-at-home mom's..... would it be so terrible to go crazy? I'm thinking, probably not. =)

On the Job

So I have now been officially working for just over a month now. I am spending a little more time away from home than I imagined, but it's still not too bad. What I really enjoy is on Tuesday afternoons I take the boys to playgroup, but I am getting paid to be there and mileage reimbursment for the 22 mile trip, one way. The boys are getting used to grandma being there and mommy leaving, so that makes it easier to get out the door when I don't have two boys who are whiny because mommy is leaving them. And the bonus is, I really enjoy my job!!! I only am in the office for a few hours each week, I'm driving around to meet with clients, so I don't have to stay in one spot for very long and I really enjoy my clients. They come from a much different background than I do and even teaching in a classroom, I would not come across these parents very often because they wouldn't be the ones at the school all the time. Not saying that in a negative way, but these are the parents that weren't given a chance to become educated and they have to work very hard for what little they have. At first I thought I wouldn't know what to say to be able to help these parents, but just in the few times I met them and just listening, areas for improvement jumped right out at me. Not that I feel that I'm an expert by any stretch, but that I will be able to help them succeed. In just the few weeks that I've been working with clients, I have been very humbled, moved to tears listening to one woman's story, and felt so blessed with what we have. I've always been on the other side where I see how the child comes into the classroom and try to meet their needs there. I am finding it more empowering to be working with those parents because as a teacher, you can try everything you know, but if they don't have the support system at home to back up that child, your efforts can oftentimes be fruitless. By being able to be on the other side, I am still a strong advocate for the child, but can do more to help everyone become successful. It's truly a blessing.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin

I can't believe my baby is 1 today. Officially, at 1:51 this afternoon, he turned the Big One. He entered this world weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz. and we'll have an appointment in a week or so to see what he weighs in now as, but I'm guessing right up near 25 lbs.

We had a doctor's appointment scheduled for the 31st, and considered inducing, but I wasn't entirely convinced I wanted to do that. Around 3 or 4 AM, I woke up a little and some lower abdominal pains, but I rolled over and went back to sleep. Around 5:30 or 6, I got up to take a shower and still felt kinda blah and had some pressure, so I called my mom and after discussing how I was feeling and what was going on, she confirmed that I was in labor and that we needed to get going. We drove an hour down to the hospital while Papa stayed with Alexandar. There was a big snow storm predicted for the day, and it was snowing as we were driving. Contractions continued to get closer and closer as we drove. Once arriving and the nurses had time to examine me, they broke my water and not too much longer, I started to push. The nurse found that Benjamin's head was face up instead of face down and as I pushed, he turned it sideways and refused to budge! I was given the option of waiting it out or going to a c-section. Since there wasn't any trauma at the time and I didn't want for that to happen, I chose the c-section. A few hours later, Benjamin arrived.

Now, we had much discussion on him name, let me tell ya! We still had not yet decided on a name at the point. Once he was born, he just looked like a Benjamin to me and Martin comes from Shawn's grandfather's middle name.

My boy has changed so much! He was walking by around 10 months, he says a few words the cutest being "all done" which he does actually say at appropriate times! It is pretty adorable too when he says "ni-night" when I'm rocking him and tell him to go "ni-night." He is an explorer, a mama's boy, and watches everything big brother does and tries to copy him, quite successfully many times. He also has a sense of humor and thinks it is great fun to take Alexandar's pacifier out of his mouth first thing in the morning, or to scurry down the hall before someone catches him and take it out of brother's mouth while he's napping. Benjamin is my morning child, and would prefer to go to bed around 6:30 or 7 and get up around 7. This is why he considers it so hilarious to take brother's plug in the morning, and Alexandar is simply not a morning child at all. Oh, I absolutely adore my boys.

Benjamin, you are mommy's sweetheart. I know God has amazing things planned for your life and I hope you live your life to the fullest and rise to reach your full potential. I love you.

Battle of the Wills

Have I mentioned my son is extremely strong- willed? This would be Alexandar, of course. Here's the latest in our challenges with our son. On Sunday, we turn on the Christian music on TV (we have digital cable) and have that on as we are getting ready. Well, Alexandar did not want to have that on, he wanted to watch a cartoon. He gave me the " 'mote" and when I said no, we were going to listen to music, he proceeded to throw himself on the floor and holler. Mommy and Daddy decided to give him a time out, where he continued to pitch a fit. He refused to say he was sorry, and screamed instead so the time out escalated to sending him to his crib. After a few minutes in there, I went back in to ask him if he was ready to say sorry, have him milk and breakfast. He reached up him arms, said "Mama, sowwry" and continued on with his day in a compliant and happy mood.

Monday, however, presented more battles.

I have debated the whole eating struggle. When he was starting to eat table food, he ate whatever we were having, no problem. Now he seems to have more of an opinion and is lately, refusing all types of pasta, which had always been a staple with him. However, now I'm not sure if I should just make whatever we are having and if he doesn't want it, he doesn't eat.... or should I have him sit at the table and insist he tries one bite?? I don't mind asking him what he would like and making a healthy choice for lunch. Breakfast always goes well.... I don't mind making him a bagel if sister is having cereal.... no biggie. Anyhow, at lunch on Monday all he would eat were green beans. After two good sized helpings, he wanted more but I figured that was plenty of green veggies for his little system in one day and tried to get him to eat macaroni and cheese. Just one little piece. I think he would like some things he won't try if he'd just taste one bite. I made him sit at the table and he intermittently cried and sat him protesting silence. While he carried on, I was able to put Benjamin to sleep through the fit and then tried to work with Alexandar on just trying one little piece. Well, while sitting on my lap after carrying on for approximately 1 1/2 hours, he fell asleep.

Who won that battle? Hmm, I don't think anyone did. I don't know what I would have done differently, but I figured once I had insisted he take a bite, I shouldn't back down and give in to the fit. I think some more reading on raising a strong-willed child is in order!

Reflections of '08

As I sit here in my kitchen with just the Christmas lights on and a cup of coffee (not for effect, but I'm not ready to be awake, but am anyway) I am wondering where this whole year went. Last year at this time, I was 8 months pregnant and we still hadn't chosen a name for our little boy, Alexandar was just a little over a year old. I know every parent asks "where does the time go?" and its true. I now look at Benjamin and am realizing I still see him as a tiny baby that needs someone to do everything for him. In reality, he is walking everywhere and perfectly capable of getting into just as many things as his brother did at his age. Just yesterday I was putting groceries away and Benjamin is very interested in the food (that boy can be in the back of the house and if I try to sneak a little snack, he has this 6th sense that food is around and comes out to investigate, not kidding!) and pulls open the drawer full of fruit and starts pulling oranges out. Since he's keeping occupied and not screaming to eat, I just let him go. He manages to get 4 or 5 out on the floor and then decides that the trash looks like a great place for this orange balls he has discovered do not taste so great. Yeah, he tried biting into the peel. Next thing I hear is the sound of something hitting the trash bag. Fortunately, I had just put a new bag in and was able to save the orange, but I then decided to close up the fridge before he found something breakable inside to play with.



My point with that story is that Benjamin is quickly leaving the baby stage and plowing fully ahead towards "toddler-hood." He can sleep through the night, he understands no and listens, he quickly learns new toys and how they work, he's starting pushing his trucks and tractors along the floor instead of just in his mouth, and everything that is a bowl or similarly shaped gets put on his head for a hat. I am so blessed that I call this treasure of a child "my son."



I've never been much of one for making a large list of resolutions on the first of every year, mainly because in a few months, they are long forgotten and seemed silly. However, I'd like to try and make a few this year and maybe by posting them, it will remind me to keep up with them.



1. Say "yes" to more things. I like to have household rules and order, but there are times when I could relax them a bit. Not to say that I never say yes, just that I could do it more.



2. Read my Bible more frequently.

3. Do more for others.

I think I'll just stick with 3. It's a good number... not to overwhelming but should be just right.

Happy New Year... May 2009 be one of the best years yet!!

So much has happened!

If you can't tell by how long ago I last blogged, it has been super busy around here. Thanksgiving was also Shawn's birthday, then one week later, Alexandar turned 2. We had his party at the church (a truck/tractor theme) with just family. I've been out Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, and just spending quiet time in the evening with Shawn after the kids are in bed. On Alexandar's birthday, I also had a 2nd interview and kinda sorta officially started working last week. Since I don't yet have all the passwords and such, my first "assignment" was to look at the website and familiarize myself a little. So, I made a pot of coffee, snuggled up in my robe and sat on the couch looking at my Christmas tree while I was paid for my first hour of work. What a fantastic job!! Certainly not all of my hours will be that relaxing and comfortable, but I'm glad I can choose to do so.

Christmas was wonderful!!!! Not because of the gifts received (although Shawn did a fantastic job with my new camera... thank you!!) but because we were able to have all of our family around. With our difficult schedule with Isabelle, my mom asked around to see if everyone would want to come to St. Louis instead of over to Flint (which is about 2 hours away). They understood the situation with Izi and everyone was willing to make the trip! Because of the 20+ people coming, my mom and I sat everything up at the church.

Jon set up the Wii using the projector, so we had a huge screen. Everyone stayed late and seemed to enjoy themselves. This Christmas I was so content and just in the holiday spirit. I said I didn't want anything and really meant it. I even tried to spend all our Christmas money on everyone else, including paying for the person behind me at McDonalds, which was quite a thrill!!! I seriously was so excited to do that and once I did, I could hardly sit still in the car, it was so much fun. However, Shawn did find a way to still get me something, but it is such a useful thing and I can take better pictures and will be posting quite a few, I'm sure!!

I didn't get pictures of everyone at the fireplace like I wanted, but I did manage to get our little family. After trying 3 times, I figured this was the best we were going to get, but I think it turned out pretty cute anyway. Don't worry, I'm not neglectful of my son... he just refuses to wear socks for any length of time. If I put them back on, they are off in just a matter of a few minutes so some days I don't even bother. If he does manage to leave on his socks all morning, they most certainly are removed when he takes a nap because heaven forbid that he actually wear socks and sleep simulataneously. He would also go mostly nude if I allowed him. What really makes me laugh is that he may prefer short sleeved shirts, no pants or socks, but he loves to play while sitting on top of the register! I did manage to get one of all 3 kids looking at me. We tried to distract Alexandar with Nana's cell phone, but that's all he looked at, then Benjamin and Isabelle were more interested in that than the camera, so this is the best we can get for their ages. Still quite cute!

Benjamin started walking on December 15th and now that's all he wants to do. When he falls, he'll stand right back up and start walking again rather than crawling. He also loves to get into my tupperware cupboard and try and put all of the containers on his head for a hat. Yet, when you try and put a real hat on him, he rips it right off. He's so much fun and growing and changing every day! Speaking of which, he's now up from his nap and if Mommy doesn't pay attention, he'll walk right on back to his bedroom and wake brother up!