Five Wonderful Days

I'm sad to be writing this post, because it indicates the end of five gloriously wonderful days in which Caleb and I had Daddy all to ourselves.  No first job.  No second job.  Daddy was never out of our sight, except for once, when he went to check the mail.

Bliss.

I love it when life slows down, and we can forget the hectic chaos of Brian's job- the stress of being a music teacher.  Though I truly did miss seeing my family this Thanksgiving (my heart still hurts over it), it was a wonderful stress-free few days of enjoying each other's company without the hassle of traveling with a toddler (and not to mention packing).

Brian had to shovel three times to clear us out of the driveway.  He did two shovels on Wednesday, when the storm came upon us, and one Thursday morning.  It was still coming down pretty good, but not as bad, and it tapered off by noon.  By this time, we thought it best to stay home, not knowing the condition of the roads.  (Two months after Brian and I were married, we got stuck on the side of the road coming home from NJ during a freak October snow storm.  That experience, and waiting to be rescued in a cold car, was enough to make me never, ever want to travel in any kind of snow again.)

I did some Black Friday shopping online, since I couldn't get out to any stores... really, we are so far away here, it isn't even worth it.  I'm probably 90% finished with my Christmas shopping, and the majority has been purchased online.  In fact, I think the only things I've actually got in store were three little things for Caleb.  I'm glad that I'm mostly done so I can enjoy the season without feeling stressed about all the things I still have to get.  I decorated the week before Thanksgiving, so all that is left to do is go and cut down our Christmas tree, bring it home, and decorate it!

So, the old routine begins again tomorrow.  Brian will be heading out the door early, and Caleb and I will feel his absence keenly.  But, oh, it was a fun few days together!  The countdown to Christmas break begins!

A Thankful Thanksgiving & a Change of Plans

We were supposed to travel this Thanksgiving, but a foot of snow that barreled its way through here yesterday kept us home.  We haven't gone anywhere since last Christmas... it is a bone of contention around these parts.  Brian comes from a more laid-back family, and I guess I come from a family of worry-warts.  As much as I wanted to see my family... terribly... I dreaded traveling with our boy and all the drama that would bring (ie:  no sleep for all).

The snow made the decision for us, so I scrambled last minute to throw together a decent meal.  For the record, I had never cooked a Thanksgiving meal before today.  Brian and I will most likely never host Thanksgiving since our families live elsewhere, and since we are in the minority, we have to go to them.  I bought a just-under five-pound turkey breast this past Monday, and it turned out to be just right for us.

Aside from using every pan under creation and dealing with the mess that such a meal creates, I thought my dinner turned out pretty successful.  Even though my turkey was small, I managed to create a delicious gravy from it, which I didn't even think I'd be able to do.  (No extra cooking stock required, folks!)

I did miss my mother's apple pie though, terribly.

I had planned on doing some Black Friday shopping with my dad and sister, but they'll have to find the bargains without me this year.

Regardless of the losses, it was a wonderful day.  While it was rather strange to spend the holiday here by ourselves, it was a peaceful, simple day with much to celebrate.  As we look forward to the coming Christmas season, it is good to take a moment to reflect on all that God has given us- so much more than we could ever deserve.  I have a husband that I love and a little boy that steals another piece of my heart each day.  My purpose in life is a glorious one- to love and serve them with the best that is in me.

Here are some photos from the day!

Caleb Updates

Caleb just turned 18 months last week, so I thought I'd share a few things about what's going on with him these days.

1)  All of the sudden, he isn't so bored any more.  He used to be.  He is sick of his current toys.  (I am, too, by the way.  His Christmas presents are mine also, since I get down on the floor and play with him.)  Caleb is having so much fun getting into my cabinets, drawers, etc.  He has been doing that for some time, but more so.  He figured out how to open the Lazy Susan, and he loves grabbing things out of there.  He knows he's not allowed to take things out (other than the peanut jars- for whatever reason, sometime ago, he started playing with those).  If he starts taking items out, I tell him to put them back, and he does.

2)  He knows how to turn the stereo on and off, and he can stop the dvd player, too.  In fact, when he wants his Veggie Tales on, he will turn the stereo off, thus my cue to get his show up and running.

3)  He still isn't talking.  He babbles, but he has said no words clearly yet.  At his last doctor's appointment, of course, they got all worried and thought we'd better save him from doom's day, and they quickly recommended that we take him to be evaluated.  We will see.  We might follow-up on their recommendations if things don't change, but we aren't panicking.  Kids don't always have to follow a schedule.  Brian and I are both confident he will be a talker in time.

4)  Caleb is still tall for his age.  In fact, now that winter temps are upon us, and he and I are both in full winter gear, I am having a terrible time trying to carry him in and out of the house.  His winter coat slips against my coat, and I lose my grip on him.  Combine that with one arm needs to be free to shut and lock the door, hold onto the railing if there is ice, and open the car door.  He almost slipped from my arms today, and I was exhausted by the time we reached the car.  How in the world do I get through the whole winter like this?  I have a feeling we'll be staying in A LOT.  It just ain't worth it!

5)  As with all little boys, Caleb loves his Daddy.  When I hear Brian coming home, I say to Caleb, "Daddy!", and he comes running over to me, wanting me to pick him up so we can greet him at the top of the stairs.  Daddy is his hero, I am sure.

Help From a Friend

About a month ago, I wrote this post about all the pressure a mother has in this chemical-filled world today to make a healthy environment for her family.

Our friend Sarah took pity on me, and scooped up this overwhelmed little bird, and took me under her wing.  She wrote me the kindest e-mail, telling me that she, too, had been there, and while giving me a few tips, encouraged me to take ONE. THING. AT. A. TIME.

She went even further than just an e-mail, and offered a visit.  Doug and Sarah live two hours away, so this was more than generous.  They brought their girls, and we all had a fun time visiting.  It was especially nice for the old college chums (Doug, Sarah, and Brian) to be together again.

Sarah very generously gave me some of her supplies:  the herbs you see above (and she put them in the jars for me also), a Kombucha mushroom, some soap nuts, shea butter,  and zinc oxide.  She also brought me an herb dvd, which teaches about the basic herbs and their uses.

Now, I'll just confess right now that I won't attempt to do any new research until the new year (can I say that Christmas shopping is enough to deal with right now?), but I am so grateful for the tips she gave me and for these herbs.  In the new year, I'll be taking a look at the dvd she gave me and start trying to figure out how to use some of these things.

Sarah's visit was like a breath of fresh air, which I really needed.  In today's world, it is such a challenge, because our country has put so many chemicals into just about everything:  food, medicines, detergent, cleaning products, etc. that it is a wonder we all aren't walking around with a disease.  I have been so bogged down with things I've read on various websites, that my brain was about to explode at one point.

I'd like to include here something she wrote to me after her visit, because it brought me such great comfort, and it is far better than anything I have to say:

Rest easy.  God is most certainly in control of everything...our health, our children's health.  We do the best with what is in front of us and leave the rest up to Him.  This includes or ignorance of things in times past.  A friend of mine was lamenting over the years of processed foods and hydrogenated oils she was putting into her children (and herself).  She rested in the fact that she was doing what she thought best (what the Dr.s were telling her) and that God would be gracious in protecting them.  That faith gave me comfort and encouragement in my own past decisions.  God doesn't expect us to know everything right off the bat.  He would much rather see a family eating all kinds of junk, yet happy, joyful, and living for him than and up-tight, stressed-out family who is eating and living "healthy."

Thank you, Sarah!  I am so grateful... now prepare to be peppered with questions in the new year ;)

The Comfort of Routine

I don't know if I ever gave much thought to routines before having a little one.  Certainly, everyone has one to some extent.  As a working woman, I got up the same time, drove to work the same time, taught classes the same time every day, etc.  After I got married, and before I had Caleb, I didn't work, and I could enjoy doing things as I pleased, when I pleased.

After Caleb, that all changed.  After we got past the early months (those precious, wonderful months when he could have slept through a hurricane and a tornado combined), it was clear that routines had to be established and followed.  Different things formed at different times.  The bedtime ritual was the all-important one in this house.  As he began to eat more solids, meal times became more defined. And on it went to include nap time rituals (which was a terrible battle!), and so forth.

It brings me such satisfaction when we put Caleb down at the end of the day, knowing he is safe and warm in his crib, all tucked in after stories and prayers.  On the nights when Daddy is home, he is covered with kisses from us both, and I don't think he could ever doubt for one second that he is infinitely loved.

I read an article just the other day that surprised me.  I didn't even know they existed, but apparently, 24-hour daycare centers are on the rise.  Parents are finding themselves working more irregular hours, and sometimes have to cart their children out at all hours, leaving them to sleep at daycare rather than in their own beds.

Something is just plain wrong about that.

Now, I'm not trying to judge anyone, especially the single parent who has very limited choices.  The article referenced a child psychologist, and while I'm not a fan of secular psychology, this person went on to say how unhealthy it is for the child, who thrives on the comfort and predictability of routine.  Forgive my elementary school thought here, but, well, "DUH!"

I don't do everything right as a mom.  I make mistakes and some days I feel like the worst failure. However, I felt just a little better about myself after reading this article.  My boy is not just someone I parent a few hours at the end of the day.  He's with me and alongside of me each day.  I am watching how he is growing by the minute, and even though I'm with him all the time, I still am shocked by how much he has grown.  He's my little companion- where I go, he goes.  There's no daycare for him, or some lonely mat to sleep on- far away from me- put to bed by people he wouldn't even know at first.

I will put it right out there that being a stay-at-home mom is not as easy as it looks.  In fact, it is the hardest thing I have ever done!  But I wouldn't put my boy in daycare for all the money in the world. I'd rather live in a shack with him by my side, than in the fanciest house on the block, only to leave him to be raised by strangers.

At the end of the day, he knows he is loved.  And I can go to bed and enjoy my rest, knowing that!

*Note:  The above photos were taken last Friday, 11/14, on Caleb's year and a half birthday!  Can you believe it?  I can't!

Full Circle

I purchased the above outfit that you see Caleb wearing, for my nephews Matthew and Nathan.  (Of course, I purchased two.)  The funny thing is that I bought it when I was pregnant with Caleb.  Brian and I had gone home to NJ to spend Thanksgiving with my family, and I went Black Friday shopping with my parents and sister.  (Which was so much fun, by the way!)  We got out early and hit the stores, one after another.  Brian stayed at my parents' and enjoyed sleeping in!  

The shirt says, "Cool Like My Auntie" and I snatched the outfit up for the boys as soon as I saw it. It is funny that now it has returned to me, and I am no longer just an aunt, but a mother, and now my sister is the aunt of my own son.  

I didn't realize when I was buying it that the babe inside of me at that moment would one day be wearing it.  Life is funny, sometimes, and beautiful, sad, and sweet, all at the same time.

Odds & Ends: Random Blog #2

This is one of those posts in which I'll say whatever updates come to mind, and they probably won't be related at all.

1)  Caleb is finally shifting to one nap a day.  When I posted about this a few weeks ago, I made a liar out of myself.  It was a miserable fail, and we went back to two naps for a bit.  He was kind of in flip-flop mode, where some days one nap was not enough, and two was too many.  The last time I got him down for two naps was last Tuesday, so I think we are pretty settled on one nap.  The downside:  I have to avoid car rides during the old nap time, or else he will fall asleep in the car, thus preventing him from falling asleep at his new nap time.  For now, I am trying to run errands EARLY, at about 8 a.m. or so, for the time being.  Obviously, I can't do this forever, but until his body clock gets a bit more rescheduled, I'm trying to avoid the car at his former nap time.

2)  I've been contemplating how much of a whirlwind it is, raising a child.  I can scarcely believe that one year ago at this time, I was still lugging him around in his car seat carrier!  It can be hard to keep up as a parent with the many, many changes.  One difficult thing is the schedule that constantly shifts. My day revolves around Caleb and his needs, and my day looks different now than it did a few months ago!

3)  I have been REALLY tired lately.  I can barely keep my eyes open trying to read a few minutes before bed.  I set my alarm at 5:18 each morning.  (Why 5:18?  5:15 feels too early, and 5:20 is too late.)  I try to beat Brian to the bathroom so I can quickly wash my face, and then I proceed to get dressed before Caleb gets up... and he gets up EARLY.  Today, I think he was up at 5:25.  He rarely sleeps past 5:45.  So even on the weekends, I never sleep in, and this is starting to wear on me.

4)  I am looking forward to Christmas, but I am sort of dreading all of the shopping.  We have no major stores here.  (What can you buy for people at Walmart for Christmas, other than a few stocking stuffers?)  I plan to do a ton of online shopping, but even that is difficult to do with Caleb around.  (He constantly needs my attention, so spending hours online looking for gifts is not really going to work in his presence.)

5)  Caleb is getting VERY bored these days.  Poor guy.  I hope he can hold on until Christmas and he gets some new toys.  I try and try, but I think we have played with his current toys to death.  His attention span is so short, and even if I bring out a new pot to bang around, the novelty only lasts for a couple of minutes.  I even have an e-book titled, "101 Independent Activities For Toddlers and Preschoolers", but most of those ideas are still too old for him (ie:  involve things he could choke on, etc.)

6)  Yesterday, Caleb went with me to vote at 8 a.m.  Someone commented as I was carrying him into the firehouse, "Getting him trained early!"  I'm not sure he learned much, except how to ward off a member of a running candidate's camp, desperate for last-minute voters.  I very swiftly and decisively, and politely, I might add, told them to get lost- without using those words, of course!  (They were still there at about 3:45 when Brian went to vote- this time giving out pizza!  The candidate lost, and lost big!  So much for all that pizza!)

7)  I finished cooking dinner at about 12:50 this afternoon.  I always like to work on dinner during Caleb's naps, so I can do so without interruption, and he used to nap from 2-3:40 or so.  Now that he is napping at noon, I moved my dinner prep early as well.  It's a good feeling to know that dinner is already made!

8)  Not that you need to know this, but I am desperate to clean underneath my kitchen sink, and I am trying to figure out how to do so with a toddler and a cat underfoot.  (I can wait for Caleb to go down tonight to do it, but that pesky cat is still here.)

9)  Speaking of the cat, I'm sure the ASPCA would have me arrested for how I treat this creature.  No, I don't beat him, but I have squirted him with the water bottle more times than I should probably admit.  It is not my fault that he wants to get into EVERYTHING, no matter how many times he has been told, in no uncertain terms, not to.  Brian and Caleb love him, so don't think he is entirely neglected or unloved.

10)  Brian and I officially became members of our new church a few weeks ago.  It is the first time as a married couple, that we became members together of a church, and for me- ever.  (My former church in NJ did not have membership.)  We are happy to have a fellowship with which to serve and learn and grow.

That's it for now!  Hope you are all having a great day!