15 posts tagged “parenthood”

I just want to congratulate my friend Teri, her husband Troy, and their two sons Austin and Cody on the birth of a brand new and healthy baby boy, born today, named Dillan Avery.

Teri, as soon as you get home and can sit properly, we're all expecting pictures of the little one! Better yet, you rest, lay down with the baby and have Troy post the pictures!

So damn happy for ya!

How do we celebrate when my best friend, Christina (the one I grew up with and went to school with) comes for a visit? We go to Chuck E. Cheese's! 

We eat pizza. We win 455 tickets. We claim a rubber grasshopper, ball and flashing seizure making toy as prizes! We take pictures. We have a blast.

William is a year and a half now. He's still a baby but he's starting to act, look and be more of a child - a kid. It's been wonderful watching him grow, change and become the adorable little guy he is, but at the same time, it makes me sad because he's growing up so fast. Sometimes I want him to stay my little baby forever.

He has teeth now. He talks a bit. He runs. He's starting to try the doorknobs and with all this activity comes accidents. Lately, my son has been reverting back to his smaller days, when he was but a wee one, a baby. He'll have a spill and he'll get hurt and where does he come? He comes to me. He also makes sure to grab his blanket and have me wrap him up in it, hold him, sing to him, baby him, comfort him and make it all better.

I can't help it. I just have to. I know I can't coddle him every time he falls or gets hurt, but when he comes to me with those big, round, teared-up eyes of his, I can't say no. I know there will come a day when he'll get hurt and he won't come to me. I know there will come a day when he'd be too big to fit in my lap anyway. While he's little like this, it's just something I must do.

When did my son become a year and a half? How? How does it happen so fast?

He's growing up before my eyes and it breaks my heart. Yet at the same time, my heart sings for him. He is his own person. He has his own future to forge, many miles to walk and new things to discover.

This time last year William was learning to crawl. This time last year I could still fit him in the crook of my arm and hold him while he sucked down a bottle. Now he is turning into a little boy. He doesn't drink bottles so mcuh or like babyfood anymore. He likes cherios and pizza. He walks and runs! He doesn't like to be held. He wants to go-go-go! And nothing can stop him.

I took William to the park a few days ago. It was kind of spring day here in California where the grass is vibrant green, tulips are popping open, and the trees are in bloom, budding with new life.

We came into the park and I stopped the stroller under a very special tree we often visit. I let him out and he walked for what seemed like miles through the grass and trees. I couldn't believe how sure-footed he was! He just kept on going, far past our tree and stroller, and pretty soon I realized how tired I was.

While he was insistant on running and going non-stop, I had to sit down and it was then I knew I wasn't a kid anymore. Not even a teenager! I don't have his energy. That was perfectly okay though...because just watching him run through the grass with that smile of his was enough to make me beam with pride and forget the fact I'm not as young as I used to be.

He was so happy that day. I swear, I never saw him smile so big. He laughed for what seemed like no reason at all and I found myself laughing right along with him, and trying to catch my breath too.

I had to run ahead of him to get many pictures. He's that fast, but get pictures I did and I captured a very precious moment, one I will carry with me forever.

William had never seen a dandilion before. He was running along when all of a sudden he stopped in his tracks and went "Ohhhhhhhhhhh!" I noticed his shadow stretching across the grass and the knowledge he has his own life struck me then, as it often does. He was staring at the dandilion, so intrigued. He stooped down and he met the flower, face to face, observing it from all angles.

I picked one and blew on it, sending its petals falling and blowing in the wind. He laughed and he too tried to blow on another dandilion not far away. Of course he couldn't quite figure it out - but he will. He will figure it out. He will do many happy things.
 

 
 

I want to congratulate a friend of mine here on Vox.

Ana and her husband have been fighting to become mother and father for six long years. Fertility problems have led them to the miracle that is modern medicine and now, six years of hoping and wishing have finally come to a happy end - she is pregnant!

Ana, I know I've said it before but you are such an inspiration to me. And not just to me, you're also an inspiration to women, to femininity and to nurturing, to hope ... and to life.

I've watched you write about wanting to become a mother and your struggle to become pregnant from my computer screen, in my home. Many times I cried with you and laughed with you and often, I couldn't help but identify with what you were going through as I have gone through similar things, in a way, in the struggle to become pregnant and the dream of being a mother merging into a two--line, positive test result of tears of joy, long wished for, happiness induced reality.

Those who know me well know my son is my miracle and the fact he is here truly is a blessing and a gift for me. And now, those who know you will know what this means to you too. Others will see you in all your glory, beautiful and woman to the fullest, as you chose to be, as you carry the life within that you fought for. You really are an inspiration to me, and to women.

I know that you will be the best mother. I can't think of a more deserving woman than you. You have finally made it. Just think, in a few days a heart beat will form. Move time forward to a few months from now. Life resembling you and your husband will be snuggled in your body, safe and warm, waiting to be born - because you and your husband love each other and fought for this this dream to come true.

I have a poem for you.

Congratulations to Ana and her husband on their long awaited pregnancy and miracle.

 

If you were told you could relive a moment in your life, which would you choose?
Submitted by Slight Diffusion.

I'd go back to when my son William was born.

I would relive his birth again and again, if I could. On that October night, as labor pains wracked my body, I'd look into my husband's eyes, to see again, the love and admiration he had for me. I'd lay in labor and welcome the pain over and over - just to reach for my son as he was born, and hear his first cries hit my ears once more. There is no sound so sweet as the sound of becoming a mother.

I'd hold him in my arms again, still wet, as his hands grasped for me, as the air on his skin, the breath of his lungs and the sights of this world welcomed him. I'd stare at his face and marvel, trying to commit to memory just how sweet and small he was.

I'd touch his soft, wrinkled skin. I'd listen to his cries, coos and hiccups.  I long to hear these sounds again. They were the most beautiful and pure sounds ever to grace my life.

I'd run my fingers through his soft, wispy newborn hair. I'd let his tiny fingers wrap around my one finger once more, before they grew. I'd watch my husband hold his son for the first time, with the look of pride and honor upon his face that made me swell with love.

I'd visit this moment, no doubt, because it was the happiest, most beautiful and cherished day of my life.

My one year old baby William, came out of his room tonight with his "cooking pot." It came with the kitchen center he got for Christmas. In it, he had some bibs from the laundry bin in his room. My husband said "look at that." And I said "Oh, how cute. He's totally got a plan. In his mind, he knows what he's doing."

"He's cooking bibs!"

William smiled at me as I said these words. His eyes were full of sparkles and his little hands were lifted to his chin in satisfaction of the praise he was receiving.

Then I told my husband, "earlier today, he was teasing the kitten with a toy. He would run it back and forth across the couch and laugh each time the kitten tried to paw at the toy." My husband laughed and smiled, shaking his head. It's funny how children amaze you sometimes in the smallest ways.

As I was telling my husband about our son's cute moments he missed while he was out working, I looked over at my baby again and he was still looking at me, with those sparkles in his eyes shining brighter than before...

William was beaming.

He knew I was talking about him. He was so proud. He was so happy. His pride and happiness of hearing me talk about him, filling his little "self-esteem tank," melted my heart and I just couldn't help but sweep him up and hug him.

I am proud of him, he amazes me. William is my little miracle and he always will be, no matter what he does.

Christmas was wonderful!
I hope everyone on Vox had a wonderful holiday too.

Santa was so good to my son, William, this year! Not only was he immensely spoiled and showered with gifts from family and friends... but apparently Santa didn't forget to check his list (several times at least) regarding William.

He made out this year...
BIG TIME! Let's just say...
Matthew and I had to rearrange his room to fit it all!

On Christmas Eve, Matthew, William and I spent our day at Matthew's mother's home for the afternoon. All of Matthew's siblings came and we ate, laughed, talked about the outrageous costs of health insurance, computers and trucks. Then we all opened many wonderful presents.

Matthew's mom gave us these heat wraps that she made herself out of flax seed and really, really soft towels. She also gave me an awesome cookbook. Sh also gave William a wooden rocking chair. I gave everyone my cookies, which they loved!

Later that evening we went over to Matthew's dad's and we had a White Elephant gift exchange there, which was so fun. Matthew and I came out with a Cars DVD.  Matthew's family showed William in toys of course.

Then, we ate an amazing dinner of home-made prime rib, Ham, mashed potatoes, and all kinds of Christmas goodies. It was delicious!

Later on, we played a game called Loaded Questions, divulging our inner-selves to each other in a totally hilarious guessing game. That was a blast! Then we loaded up the car with William's presents and finally drove home around midnight, exhausted from having fun.

And of course, it being Christmas Eve, we had to get William in bed as quickly as possible because Santa was coming!! Matthew and I watched A Christmas Story ("you'll shoot your eye out kid!") then we set out cookies and milk for Santa and before we went to bed, we had one last look at the tree, glowing beautifully, in our dim-lit living room.

...And then sometime during the night Santa came!

We were so tired from all our festivities on Christmas Eve, we all slept in until 10am on Christmas morning. We woke William up and walked him out to the living room to see the surprise waiting for him.

"Santa came, William!"
we told him, pointing at the presents under our tree to show him. William put his hands on his face, looked at all the presents and said "woowwwww!!"

We laughed and of course, I went scrambling for the camera as William dove into the pretty wrapped packages from Santa, friends, family and Matthew and I.

An hour passed and hundreds of digital pictures later, we all had our presents opened and William was playing happily in a sea of toys and crumpled up wrapping paper.

William opened all kinds of presents from Santa, family and friends. Somehow Santa JUST KNEW William has an obsession with spatulas, dish washers and kitchen ware, so... he gave William his own kitchen center! Now he can cook his own play food, in his own pots and pans, with his own forks and spatulas!

Matthew gave me the new Swiffer Vacuum cleaner, some recipe books, trinkets and candy. I was able to order a few things with a gift certificate I received on Amazon.com! I gave Matthew some flannel pajamas, socks, boxers, the Roto-Zip saw, and a Lego Train set that he's been wanting since he was a kid.

It was all great.

So after we cleaned the mess of paper up and all the boxes from the toys, we watched our Cars Dvd and ate dinner. I  made a ham dinner, with mashed potatoes, gravey and stuffing. I got one of those famous Honey Baked Hams from the online store. It was so good!

Then we took naps. All three of us and slept like babies. I was honestly exhausted from having too much fun and playing with William and his toys! Not to mention all the family gatherings wiping me out.

I'm kind of glad Christmas is over now because life can go back to normal but at the same time, I'm also kind of sad it's over because it was such a wonderful year for us and a truly amazing Christmas. It's an exciting few days, leading up to Christmas, with all the build up of it. Then suddenly it's over and life resumes. It's good normality go forward again but it's sad the magic of Christmas is over so suddenly.

Time flies by so quickly. There's the New Year to look forward to. I've already made my plans and resolutions. That blog is yet to come, but come it will... and soon.

 

Oh, the ache. My back hurts so bad!
But who cares? I don't! It's Christmas! (almost)

I've been stooped over my kitchen stove, counter tops and table for two days solid! And my body is paying the price. I have been up early in the morning, working late into the night, not getting to bed until 1-2am, all for the sake of Christmas cookies, tradition, holiday spirit and giving.

I made about 355 various sorts of cookies, including Christmas sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, caramel pecan sandies, and frosted almond drops. I also made six pounds of milk chocolate and semi-sweet fudge. Let me not forget to mention the peppermint crunch cupcakes.

Yes, I really did make 355 cookies! I counted them.

I am so domestic it's unbelievable. Yet, I am proud of myself for being that way. I plan on giving away every single cookie except for a plate for Matthew and I, and for Santa when he comes (wink wink).

Who does this anymore? Who  bakes like this and makes sure every family member, friend and neighbor has a box of assorted Christmas goodies? Grandmas mostly? Not even the soccer moms have time for that. Some people still make time for this lost art and tradition.  I'm proud to be one of those people.

Well, I'm bragging and I know that but, I don't care! I did a good job! I'm proud of myself. Let the domesticity shine down upon me. I love being a wife and mother on Christmas. It's great. I mean for God's sake, I was baking and frosting into the night, all for the sake of tradition, all to make my friends and family smile and enjoy something sweet.

 

I don't want an award, I don't want anything in return. I just simply look forward to the smiles and thanks I will receive for baking all these sugary, sweet goodies.

I'm sick to my stomach from sampling though. I'm sick to my stomach from frosting. My fingers and hands feel like they  have gone through a cheese grater. My back hurts like a mother fucker. But it's okay! I had so much fun. It's accomplished. I am done.

All throughout the day and night of Christmas Eve and Christmas I will also be thinking of my family, back home in Washington State, my sister and nieces in Montana and my friends scattered all over the world. I miss my family back home a lot and I know they miss me too. I've spent eight Holiday years away from them now. I wish they and my friends afar could taste my Christmas cookies.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and Matthew, William and I will be going to the in-laws (my in-laws, Matthew's family). We'll go see his mom first, and his grandma. Then we'll mingle over to his dad's house. Then we'll come home, late at night on Christmas Eve, pop in How The Grinch Stole Christmas and cuddle up together, the three of us with hot chocolates.  

Then it will be time to prepare for Santa to come! It's special this year! It's William first Christmas for real! For the first time as a mother and parent, I will I read to William The Night Before Christmas and afterwards, we'll set out cookies for the jolly man (wink wink). Then we'll tuck William in bed, so he can dream of sugar plums and shiny wrapped packages.

Finally after Santa comes and does his magic, Matthew and I will have one last look at the tree, adorned with lights, ornaments and well worked for, hard earned gifts. Then we'll go to bed. Or at least try to. I think our son will sleep better than we will! Oh the excitement!

Peace and joy to all on Earth. Merry Christmas.