I used to think having more children meant dividing my love. How could I ever love anyone as much as my Joshua? I thought having another child would mean splitting my heart in two. That my first born would have to share his love with his sibling. I was so wrong. My heart didn't instantly split in half, each side for each child, my heart GREW. In fact, my heart has grown 4 times over. 5 if you factor in the plunge I took when I feel deeply in love with my one and only.
One thing, I've learned, does NOT expand and grow. It is inevitably divided. Never stopping, not even pausing, forever running.
Time.
When I stop and really think about time, and how much has passed since first giving my heart and soul over to another being, I am almost overcome with pain. How did it go so quickly?! Even though while going through it I felt I was doing the best, and making the most of it, there's so much I would do differently now. There's so many times I wish I could go back to when Joshua fit so comfortably and cozy in my lap. He is so quickly outgrowing me that holding him is painful. Both physically and emotionally.
I just want it back.
I want him to always be my little baby boy but time is cruel and each day he grows more and more into a preteen. I see less and less of my boy and more and more of the future man he is becoming.
It has reminded me to cherish these days with Grayson. To baby him with all I have and have no regrets. And even in doing so I almost feel guilty. Do I cuddle Grayson more than I did Joshua? Most certainly not! But I cuddle him more than Joshua NOW. Who is to say Joshua doesn't want my cuddles? He hasn't said! Even if he is heavy, and boney, and can't comfortably fit into me like he once did, I vow to get more cuddles. Until I am denied them.
I didn't know that watching your babies grow up would be this hard. But it is. It is one of the most painful heart wrenching things to go through. Yet NOTHING has ever, or could ever, make me feel so proud. Watching our children grow is the very definition of bittersweet.
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Showing posts with label kiddos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kiddos. Show all posts
Too long...
I can't believe I have gone this long without blogging! I feel like I've hardly documented Grayson's second year at all. :( How sad that makes me. I have, however, been capturing his life and the oh-so-many changes in photos at least.
My kids are awesome. They always have been, and I'm pretty sure they always will be.
Joshua is about a month away from graduating from the 5th grade. This kills me. KILLS me. He's only months away from being a middle schooler. I look at Grayson and I just think of Joshua, and how he was at this age. I still feel like Joshua should be so little. He crawls up into my lap and there's hardly any room. "What are you going to do when you don't fit anymore?" I asked him sadly the other night. "I'll always fit mom, and if I don't, when I'm big enough, I can hold you." Talk about tear-jerker! I just wish I had a time machine. I would get more hugs and cuddles and kisses in. I would just soak up more of him. Time goes by too quickly. We spend too much time worrying about things that don't matter. I want time back that I will never have.
He's still young enough that he likes me to lay down with him at bedtime. We talk, and he plays with my hair. {Just as he has done since he was an infant, nursing.} I asked him last night if he would always want me to lay with him. For the first time he put a time limit on our little tradition. He said when he's 15 or 16 he probably won't want to me lay down with him anymore. I fear that time will come sooner. But I hope that time NEVER comes. I can honestly see myself driving to his house one day, and curling up next to him. I guess only time will tell! lol
Hailey has started gymnastics and is just amazing. I knew she was a natural. She just has a little gymnast body. But I never really had anything to compare her to. Now I do. And now I truly know how awesome and amazing she is and can see an awesome and amazing future in this sport for her! Her VERY first class, she blew me out of the water. She was SECOND BEST in her class. Second only to a girl several years older with experience. And there was even a move my Hailey could do that the older student couldn't quite yet do! Talk about proud. I called everyone I knew on the way home and just beamed. I love watching her every week learn more, do more, and get better and better. She loves to show people her "tricks". She has mastered the back bend into a bridge and can flip over. I'm so excited to see where she takes this!
She is growing up so much too. I discovered this year that I can no longer buy her clothes. She's reached the age where she prefers to pick out her own clothes. Even though she likes my input, and for the most part like my style, she likes being able to pick the colors, etc. of what she wears. Sometimes I feel like she's 8 going 16. She can be so sassy. But then a sweet side to her comes out. Especially with her baby brother. They still have a special bond that melts my heart. I don't think it will ever go away. I certainly hope not.
Leah, oh my sweet Leah. She absolutely loves preschool! I only have one more year with my sweet Leah before she starts kindergarten. :( I will still have her Monday and Fridays anyway. I don't think I'm ready for her to be gone all 5 days. I don't see how I will ever be ready for that. :( She's my sweet baby. She's so sensitive, loving, and caring. She can bring out the sass at times, but really, she's just sweetness. She's my little mama for sure. She has an Itty Bitty Baby Doll that she's named "Lisa", and she takes care of that baby so well! Every time we go anywhere she buckles her in. It's precious. She "feeds" her and "nurses" her and changes her little diaper. She says when she grows up she wants to be a mommy like me. She wants 5 or 6 kids. lol I hope she is blessed as I have been! I can certainly see her being a wonderful mama!
Leah has gotten the gymnastics bug as well and I HATE that we can't put her in until she's older. I feel like she has so much potential that we are wasting by not getting her in. She is SO insanely flexible and talented! She can already do a perfect cartwheel, and is very close to perfecting a back bend into a bridge! She can lay on her belly and bend her head back and touch her toes! It's crazy! This summer we're going to work on riding a bike without training wheels, and reading. I feel like she's behind in reading because she misses the cut off by 8 days, she's older than everyone in her class and always will be. :( She's not able to identify all of her letters and I really want to work on that. She's so smart I know once we start working on it she'll have it in no time!
Grayson is growing too fast for my liking, just like all my kiddos. I find it so hard to believe he's so close to two. I'm not ready for him to be two. I'm not even fully able to accept that he's ONE! I've delayed so many things, feeling like it's keeping him a baby, but I know it's all going to come to and end eventually whether I want it to, or not. He's still nursing. I know that shocks a lot of people. But believe me when I say, I COULD NOT CARE LESS. I won't even go into the health and emotional benefits of it all. But it's been an amazing adventure for us. I worry it's going to be so hard on the both of us when the end comes. I've always been holding off on his first haircut. Some days he has a beautiful head of blonde curls. But most days he looks like a little surfer toddler. Some days he looks like Einstein. I love his hair. I LOVE it. I'm so not ready to cut it. But sometimes I see boys his age looking all sharp with their big boy cuts and I wonder if I'm depriving him of a cool hairdo! But then I remember he's a toddler and doesn't care. And also, he's freaking ADORABLE. With, or without a hair cut.
His birthday is just two short months away. For a couple months I began collecting ideas and planning a "Book" birthday. This kid LOVES books. We read ALL day. And night. All the time. He just loves to read and listen to stories! But recently, he's become obsessed with monsters. His favorite app on the iPad is a book called "Even Monsters Get Sick", he loves a book we have about hungry little monsters, and also he loves Monster's Inc., so now I'm torn. I don't know if I should do Monsters or Book! I'm running out of time to make a decision!
G is crazy smart. He is a little parrot and repeats any and everything. He can talk SO WELL and pronounces even hard words well. He's so funny too! He can say all of his ABCs, and can count to ten with help. We're working on counting to 20, and also working on his colors. He's had his first serious boo boo that needed glue, and it was so funny listening to him tell the story. "Running, kitchen, drawer, hit it, OW." He's working so hard on putting sentences together! He's still a crazy picker eater. It's hard to get food in the guy. But when he likes something he can eat SO MUCH! Technically he can start preschool next year. So I could have middle schooler and my BABY in preschool. But he's my last, so he's staying home with mommy until pre-K! {I want him to go at least one year to get ready for kindergarten.} I will have fun teaching at home until then.
So there's a little update on my babies! Time just flies by and they grow and change so fast! I need to do this more. Thank goodness for cameras!
My kids are awesome. They always have been, and I'm pretty sure they always will be.
Joshua is about a month away from graduating from the 5th grade. This kills me. KILLS me. He's only months away from being a middle schooler. I look at Grayson and I just think of Joshua, and how he was at this age. I still feel like Joshua should be so little. He crawls up into my lap and there's hardly any room. "What are you going to do when you don't fit anymore?" I asked him sadly the other night. "I'll always fit mom, and if I don't, when I'm big enough, I can hold you." Talk about tear-jerker! I just wish I had a time machine. I would get more hugs and cuddles and kisses in. I would just soak up more of him. Time goes by too quickly. We spend too much time worrying about things that don't matter. I want time back that I will never have.
He's still young enough that he likes me to lay down with him at bedtime. We talk, and he plays with my hair. {Just as he has done since he was an infant, nursing.} I asked him last night if he would always want me to lay with him. For the first time he put a time limit on our little tradition. He said when he's 15 or 16 he probably won't want to me lay down with him anymore. I fear that time will come sooner. But I hope that time NEVER comes. I can honestly see myself driving to his house one day, and curling up next to him. I guess only time will tell! lol
Hailey has started gymnastics and is just amazing. I knew she was a natural. She just has a little gymnast body. But I never really had anything to compare her to. Now I do. And now I truly know how awesome and amazing she is and can see an awesome and amazing future in this sport for her! Her VERY first class, she blew me out of the water. She was SECOND BEST in her class. Second only to a girl several years older with experience. And there was even a move my Hailey could do that the older student couldn't quite yet do! Talk about proud. I called everyone I knew on the way home and just beamed. I love watching her every week learn more, do more, and get better and better. She loves to show people her "tricks". She has mastered the back bend into a bridge and can flip over. I'm so excited to see where she takes this!
She is growing up so much too. I discovered this year that I can no longer buy her clothes. She's reached the age where she prefers to pick out her own clothes. Even though she likes my input, and for the most part like my style, she likes being able to pick the colors, etc. of what she wears. Sometimes I feel like she's 8 going 16. She can be so sassy. But then a sweet side to her comes out. Especially with her baby brother. They still have a special bond that melts my heart. I don't think it will ever go away. I certainly hope not.
Leah, oh my sweet Leah. She absolutely loves preschool! I only have one more year with my sweet Leah before she starts kindergarten. :( I will still have her Monday and Fridays anyway. I don't think I'm ready for her to be gone all 5 days. I don't see how I will ever be ready for that. :( She's my sweet baby. She's so sensitive, loving, and caring. She can bring out the sass at times, but really, she's just sweetness. She's my little mama for sure. She has an Itty Bitty Baby Doll that she's named "Lisa", and she takes care of that baby so well! Every time we go anywhere she buckles her in. It's precious. She "feeds" her and "nurses" her and changes her little diaper. She says when she grows up she wants to be a mommy like me. She wants 5 or 6 kids. lol I hope she is blessed as I have been! I can certainly see her being a wonderful mama!
Leah has gotten the gymnastics bug as well and I HATE that we can't put her in until she's older. I feel like she has so much potential that we are wasting by not getting her in. She is SO insanely flexible and talented! She can already do a perfect cartwheel, and is very close to perfecting a back bend into a bridge! She can lay on her belly and bend her head back and touch her toes! It's crazy! This summer we're going to work on riding a bike without training wheels, and reading. I feel like she's behind in reading because she misses the cut off by 8 days, she's older than everyone in her class and always will be. :( She's not able to identify all of her letters and I really want to work on that. She's so smart I know once we start working on it she'll have it in no time!
Grayson is growing too fast for my liking, just like all my kiddos. I find it so hard to believe he's so close to two. I'm not ready for him to be two. I'm not even fully able to accept that he's ONE! I've delayed so many things, feeling like it's keeping him a baby, but I know it's all going to come to and end eventually whether I want it to, or not. He's still nursing. I know that shocks a lot of people. But believe me when I say, I COULD NOT CARE LESS. I won't even go into the health and emotional benefits of it all. But it's been an amazing adventure for us. I worry it's going to be so hard on the both of us when the end comes. I've always been holding off on his first haircut. Some days he has a beautiful head of blonde curls. But most days he looks like a little surfer toddler. Some days he looks like Einstein. I love his hair. I LOVE it. I'm so not ready to cut it. But sometimes I see boys his age looking all sharp with their big boy cuts and I wonder if I'm depriving him of a cool hairdo! But then I remember he's a toddler and doesn't care. And also, he's freaking ADORABLE. With, or without a hair cut.
His birthday is just two short months away. For a couple months I began collecting ideas and planning a "Book" birthday. This kid LOVES books. We read ALL day. And night. All the time. He just loves to read and listen to stories! But recently, he's become obsessed with monsters. His favorite app on the iPad is a book called "Even Monsters Get Sick", he loves a book we have about hungry little monsters, and also he loves Monster's Inc., so now I'm torn. I don't know if I should do Monsters or Book! I'm running out of time to make a decision!
G is crazy smart. He is a little parrot and repeats any and everything. He can talk SO WELL and pronounces even hard words well. He's so funny too! He can say all of his ABCs, and can count to ten with help. We're working on counting to 20, and also working on his colors. He's had his first serious boo boo that needed glue, and it was so funny listening to him tell the story. "Running, kitchen, drawer, hit it, OW." He's working so hard on putting sentences together! He's still a crazy picker eater. It's hard to get food in the guy. But when he likes something he can eat SO MUCH! Technically he can start preschool next year. So I could have middle schooler and my BABY in preschool. But he's my last, so he's staying home with mommy until pre-K! {I want him to go at least one year to get ready for kindergarten.} I will have fun teaching at home until then.
So there's a little update on my babies! Time just flies by and they grow and change so fast! I need to do this more. Thank goodness for cameras!
New Chore System!
We just implemented a new chore system here in the Renwick household!
These are daily chores and they each have an opportunity to earn up to $.34 a day. Blue chores are worth $.02 a day and orange chores are worth $.05 a day. The blue chores are "mandatory" chores like brushing their teeth, making their bed, minding mommy & daddy, etc., all things that should be done regardless, but the system helps make them fun! The orange chores are more traditional chores, things that help around the house like sweeping the floors, wiping the counters, etc. They're age appropriate things that help them learn responsibility and also encourage them to do their part of housework.
We had a sticker chart implemented before that they just grew bored with, and to be honest I got tired of having to print off new sheets every month, buy more stickers, etc. I'm sure they will grow bored with this system at some point, but I will just come up with something new to do. ^_^ {I have a few ideas in my "arsenal".}
I actually got the idea from a Chick Fil A kid's meal bag! It had a summer "bucket list" with summer activities on the clothes pins. I thought it would be neat to do with the chores! I picked up little mini pins and buckets at Hobby Lobby and I think all together I spent maybe $5.
Before bedtime every night they will count out their pins in their bucket and get paid for the day. They all have jars that they keep their money in. Soon I plan on teaching them how to split up their money 3 ways. For spending, saving, and sharing.
We had a sticker chart implemented before that they just grew bored with, and to be honest I got tired of having to print off new sheets every month, buy more stickers, etc. I'm sure they will grow bored with this system at some point, but I will just come up with something new to do. ^_^ {I have a few ideas in my "arsenal".}
I actually got the idea from a Chick Fil A kid's meal bag! It had a summer "bucket list" with summer activities on the clothes pins. I thought it would be neat to do with the chores! I picked up little mini pins and buckets at Hobby Lobby and I think all together I spent maybe $5.
Before bedtime every night they will count out their pins in their bucket and get paid for the day. They all have jars that they keep their money in. Soon I plan on teaching them how to split up their money 3 ways. For spending, saving, and sharing.
February 2012...a little review...
February FLEW by way too quickly. The older I get the more time flies. I don't particularly like that.
Here is February in a nutshell {in no particular order}:
• G was sick with fever a LOT, what was thought to be teething was actually a virus • We took an AWESOMELY fun day trip to Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville. It was 45 minutes away but SO worth it! The kids had a blast. • On top of G's virus we battled the sicks all around this month and went at it with a full arsenal of meds. • We got new "grown up" furniture for our bedroom from Ikea and did a master bedroom makeover! • I colored my hair a new fun, young color. {Ha, after vowing to accept my grays...} • Three words: girl scout cookies yum! Okay four words. • It was FINALLY warm enough to play outside this month with G! The trampoline is like a supersized playpen. • We redid our messy and disorganized office/craft area and got new Expedit shelves from Ikea. Looks SO MUCH BETTER! I love them! ^_^
Hailey and Leah both went for haircuts. It was Leah's FIRST haircut!! • Leah got her ears pierced this month too officially going from baby girl to big girl. :( • I celebrated my 27th birthday on the 27th! • I gorged on cupcakes and was spoiled with an iPad from my love. • Grayson started eating real food and cruising more and more! • Mel took the older kids to a hockey game and I stayed at home with the two littles. • Both Leah and Hailey got knocked out with yucky tummy bugs. • Leah knocked one of Hailey's teeth out!
And THAT is February in a nutshell ya'll! I'm looking forward to what March brings, as longs as it's not more sicks. ^_^
>>> I was inspired to do this post by one of my FAVE bloggers turned bloggy friend Joni from Six Cherries on Top. She's an a-muh-zing mom of 6 and I'm totally jelly of her skills. Visit her and say hello!!! <<<
PS Joni shared in her post about the awesome photoshake app and it is what put together the collages for me. SO EASY!!!! Thanks for sharing mama cherry!
• G was sick with fever a LOT, what was thought to be teething was actually a virus • We took an AWESOMELY fun day trip to Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville. It was 45 minutes away but SO worth it! The kids had a blast. • On top of G's virus we battled the sicks all around this month and went at it with a full arsenal of meds. • We got new "grown up" furniture for our bedroom from Ikea and did a master bedroom makeover! • I colored my hair a new fun, young color. {Ha, after vowing to accept my grays...} • Three words: girl scout cookies yum! Okay four words. • It was FINALLY warm enough to play outside this month with G! The trampoline is like a supersized playpen. • We redid our messy and disorganized office/craft area and got new Expedit shelves from Ikea. Looks SO MUCH BETTER! I love them! ^_^
And THAT is February in a nutshell ya'll! I'm looking forward to what March brings, as longs as it's not more sicks. ^_^
>>> I was inspired to do this post by one of my FAVE bloggers turned bloggy friend Joni from Six Cherries on Top. She's an a-muh-zing mom of 6 and I'm totally jelly of her skills. Visit her and say hello!!! <<<
PS Joni shared in her post about the awesome photoshake app and it is what put together the collages for me. SO EASY!!!! Thanks for sharing mama cherry!
A Journey Through 2011
With April came my first delivery of cloth dipes! I was SO excited. It was crazy how I would play with them, organize them, over and over, I loved them and couldn't wait to use them. My mom celebrated her birthday as well as my niece and we all ate at Hailey's fave Nakato's. Since Hailey's birthday dinner was a bust due to mom's medical emergency, Hailey got to celebrate her birthday with her Mamaw and cousin! We celebrated a great Easter together as a family, but on the downside I was diagnosed with gestational diabeetus and said goodbye to sugary foods and carbs for the next several months.
May was HAWT. Summer hit with vengence and this pregnant mama was NOT loving it. I was pretty miserable in May. My love affair with Pinterest began this month. I found Pinterest, signed up, and 3,500+ pins later, I'm STILL head over heels. I celebrated my 9th Mother's Day, finished up my first quilt, and pined for sweets. May also marked the last few weeks of school! {I know the pic says last day, but I was wrong...oops!}
My last month of pregnancy, June, was probably the SLOOOWEST month of my life! I honestly mostly spent June laying around being pregnant and awesome. And miserable. Don't forget miserable. But obviously it was my favorite month of all 2011. I met my baby boy! And what an amazing little boy he has turned out to be! I lay awake all Wednesday night of the 29th, and most of the morning of the 30th, getting minimal sleep, I was too excited! At 7:30 surgery began, and Grayson came into this world at 7:47am, forever changing our family!
July was spent falling in love with G! We were all smitten. We couldn't keep him to ourselves forever though, so we had a "Meet the Baby" party when he was 2 weeks old. My cloth diapering journey truly began, my camera was put back to work full-time as I soaked up G's newborness, he had his newborn session with the amazing Dimples and Curls Photography, and I kept it easy, healing from surgery. We spent the month going back and forth to the hospital to see my brother in law, Tom. The last day we saw him was July 30th, Grayson was one month old. We said goodbye to Tom that day never imagining it would be our last farewell. He passed early morning July 31st. The hardest day of 2011.
August was spent remembering Tom. First at his small memorial service here in NC, and then in PA for a celebration of his life. It wasn't all sad though, we celebrated Joshua's 9th birthday! There was also the first day of school for Joshua and Hailey, so there was back-to-school shopping and preparations.
Before we knew it, it was September! September brought Leah's 3rd birthday, and VERY FIRST day of preschool! It also brought lots of firsts for G as he turned 3 months old by months end.
October FINALLY began to bring cooler temps and my fave season of all, FALL! I baked and cooked a ton in October, making lots of yummy food and sharing my recipes along the way. I got a wild hair and chopped my bangs, and did a little mini session with G as he hit 4 months old. We ended October with Grayson's first Halloween, trick-or-treating, with a gangster, angel, monkey, and dragon. :)
With November came Grayson's first Thanskgiving and lots of big achievements for our littlest man! I did a mini session for Hailey and was able to capture some beautiful shots of my gorgeous girl. Ye old blog got a new look too this month, and I tried spending the month being thankful for something each and every day. Will it be terribly awful if I mention the premiere of Breaking Dawn Part I? Yes? Okay, then I won't mention it...best of all though, we traveled to PA to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Renwicks. It was delish. Sad to spend our first holiday without Tom, but nice having our family be together.
The final month brought us a 6 month old! {How is that possible?!} December is becoming one of my favorite months. Getting our tree, decorating for Christmas, spending the holiday break with my kids, and of course Christmas is becoming more and more magical. We introduced an elf that the children named Thomas who brough hi-jinx all month. We celebrated Grayson's first Christmas, Mel's birthday, and of course New Year's Eve all with those we love most. The year ended with an amazing month for sure. Oh and last but not least, I got my iphone, which I LOVE! ^_^
Thankfulness 1-9
For the first time, in a long time, I'm really enjoying just living life. Waking up to Grayson's amazing smiles. Laughing at Leah's one-liners, melting at Hailey's kindness to her baby brother, having great conversations with Joshua about anything and everything, baking yummy treats, sewing, crafting, spending time with my love, my husband, and my love, my Lord, spending time with friends, even if it's just to walk, life's been good to me lately.
A lot of friends on Facebook are posting, daily, things they are thankful for, for the month of November. {You know, Thanksgiving and all.}
I'm behind by 9 days, but it's never too late to be thankful! I'm going to catch up on those 8, and continue to add something each day.
Some days, when I'm having a particularly shitty day, it would be nice to look back at 30 things I was/am thankful for. Kind of a "Shut-up and get over it, look how great you have it!" sort of thing. So, here we go...
1. I am thankful for Halloween for reminding me just how much I love Butterfingers. I mean, seriously, they're delicious. The only bad thing I can say about them, is how badly they stick in teeth! But their peanut-buttery goodness wrapped in chocolate totally make up for it.
2. I am thankful for generous children who share their Halloween candy with their parents. Especially when they share with me, their mom. Especially when they share their Butterfingers.
3. I am thankful for answered prayers, and a an awesome report from Leah's orthopedic specialist. Seriously, the doc said WORD for WORD exactly what I prayed for. That's a God thing folks. And incredibly awesome.
4. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. I get to do things like watch Wizard of Oz in my PJ's on rainy days, make breakfast for lunch, and having dinner leftovers for breakfast, and most of all, I get time with my babies that I never had when I worked.
5. I am thankful for my mom for passing on her craftiness to me. Not so much the talent, as just the thirst for craftiness. I can make stuff! Not good stuff, but stuff none-the-less.
6. I am thankful for CraigsList.Yea, I went there. Short on cash and need groceries? Sell crap! CraigsList has helped us sell stuff fast and get money for food and gas recently. {Hey ya'll, $ is tight!}
7. I am thankful for cloth diapers. G has been battling a yeast rash, leaving him in disposables because of creams and such. I'll tell you what, I HATE these things. I could seriously do a whole post on it. And I probably will. {Because yeast can be a nightmare and I've acquired some great tips and info.} I miss G's fluffy butt terribly.
8. I am thankful for Diet Coke. Especially when it's cold. It's so bubbly and delicious. I just love it. That's all.
9. Today is November 9th. The 9th thing I am thankful for today is my church. Like 99% of the time, I feel like I don't have any friends. But today I met with my Life Group and I felt like, wow, maybe I really do have friends! These ladies pray for me, for my kids, they share with me, and allow me to share with them. I love that we have these groups to make friends and grow closer to one another. Today, I don't feel so alone, and it's because of my church. They're smart enough to put together things like "Life Groups". Thanks church!
What are you thankful for today?
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A lot of friends on Facebook are posting, daily, things they are thankful for, for the month of November. {You know, Thanksgiving and all.}
I'm behind by 9 days, but it's never too late to be thankful! I'm going to catch up on those 8, and continue to add something each day.
Some days, when I'm having a particularly shitty day, it would be nice to look back at 30 things I was/am thankful for. Kind of a "Shut-up and get over it, look how great you have it!" sort of thing. So, here we go...
1. I am thankful for Halloween for reminding me just how much I love Butterfingers. I mean, seriously, they're delicious. The only bad thing I can say about them, is how badly they stick in teeth! But their peanut-buttery goodness wrapped in chocolate totally make up for it.
2. I am thankful for generous children who share their Halloween candy with their parents. Especially when they share with me, their mom. Especially when they share their Butterfingers.
3. I am thankful for answered prayers, and a an awesome report from Leah's orthopedic specialist. Seriously, the doc said WORD for WORD exactly what I prayed for. That's a God thing folks. And incredibly awesome.
4. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. I get to do things like watch Wizard of Oz in my PJ's on rainy days, make breakfast for lunch, and having dinner leftovers for breakfast, and most of all, I get time with my babies that I never had when I worked.
5. I am thankful for my mom for passing on her craftiness to me. Not so much the talent, as just the thirst for craftiness. I can make stuff! Not good stuff, but stuff none-the-less.
6. I am thankful for CraigsList.Yea, I went there. Short on cash and need groceries? Sell crap! CraigsList has helped us sell stuff fast and get money for food and gas recently. {Hey ya'll, $ is tight!}
7. I am thankful for cloth diapers. G has been battling a yeast rash, leaving him in disposables because of creams and such. I'll tell you what, I HATE these things. I could seriously do a whole post on it. And I probably will. {Because yeast can be a nightmare and I've acquired some great tips and info.} I miss G's fluffy butt terribly.
8. I am thankful for Diet Coke. Especially when it's cold. It's so bubbly and delicious. I just love it. That's all.
9. Today is November 9th. The 9th thing I am thankful for today is my church. Like 99% of the time, I feel like I don't have any friends. But today I met with my Life Group and I felt like, wow, maybe I really do have friends! These ladies pray for me, for my kids, they share with me, and allow me to share with them. I love that we have these groups to make friends and grow closer to one another. Today, I don't feel so alone, and it's because of my church. They're smart enough to put together things like "Life Groups". Thanks church!
What are you thankful for today?
Halloween 2011
The Gangster
Don't cross him, he'll take a bat to your knee caps.
The Angel
Don't let that sweet smile fool you, that halo's hiding devil horns.
The Monkey
Ooo-ooo-eee-eee such a cute little monkey.
The Dragon
Rawr might mean "I love you" in dinosaur, but it means "CUTE" in dragon.
The Gang
our week in phone pics
i haven't done one of these in for-ev-er!
i went without my usual templates and such and just went with a good old photo dump of pics....
{a} Joshua's A_W_E_S_O_M_E shark-surfboard {b&C}Hailey killing time at the doc's office {d} Leah ready for her 3 year well child check {E} NEW DIPE! {f} chillin' with sissy {g} zzzzz {H} G's turn for a well child check {i} smelling his paci {J} he's handsome {K} cheeeeeese {L} OUT like a light
i'm linking up with the fabtastic amy from a good life!
clean out your weekly phone pics and link up! ^_^
brianne.renwick{@}gmail{.}com
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i went without my usual templates and such and just went with a good old photo dump of pics....
{a} Joshua's A_W_E_S_O_M_E shark-surfboard {b&C}Hailey killing time at the doc's office {d} Leah ready for her 3 year well child check {E} NEW DIPE! {f} chillin' with sissy {g} zzzzz {H} G's turn for a well child check {i} smelling his paci {J} he's handsome {K} cheeeeeese {L} OUT like a light
i'm linking up with the fabtastic amy from a good life!
clean out your weekly phone pics and link up! ^_^
Snot Sucker!
3 out of 4 of my babies are sick. We're talking coughing, snot dripping noses, sore throats, swollen glands, you know...all the good stuff. I am sucking the nastiest junk out of Grayson's nose that no person should ever in their life have to see. I hate sucking his nose out, because he hates it. I'm just ever-so-thankful that kids hit an age where you no longer have to assault their tiny nostrils with a snot sucking syringe of doom.
Amongst the big huge ginormous world of interwebs I have come across an alternative to the evil nasal syringe. When I first saw this device I thought for sure it was some sort of a gag gift. There was no way this was an actual thing people use. But no. This thing is for real. People use it for real. And I've even seen mom bloggers RECOMMEND it!
I'm speaking of this little gem:
This is the Nosefrida Baby Nasal Aspirator. A real-life snot sucker. You stick the nose part in your wee ones nose, and the tube in your mouth. And you suck. You suck the snot out of your babies nose. YOU suck it. Not a syringe, your MOUTH, sucks your babies SNOT from their nose.
I can't stomach it.
It's actually supposed to be a great thing. Doctor recommended, even fellow mom recommended. Like I've said, I've seen mom bloggers suggest it to other mom bloggers. I'm not knocking it. I just couldn't do it personally. Based on the fact that the snot sucker comes with filters I'm guessing there is some sort of mechanism to keep the snot from actually entering your mouth. But I still couldn't do it. It's completely a mental thing.
Mr. Evil Bulb Syringe will work just fine for me.
Could you do it? Could you physically suck the mucous from your baby with your mouth? Don't get me wrong, if there were no alternative, I'd go to the ends of the earth for my baby, but there is an alternative. What are your thoughts?
Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!
Amongst the big huge ginormous world of interwebs I have come across an alternative to the evil nasal syringe. When I first saw this device I thought for sure it was some sort of a gag gift. There was no way this was an actual thing people use. But no. This thing is for real. People use it for real. And I've even seen mom bloggers RECOMMEND it!
I'm speaking of this little gem:
I can't stomach it.
It's actually supposed to be a great thing. Doctor recommended, even fellow mom recommended. Like I've said, I've seen mom bloggers suggest it to other mom bloggers. I'm not knocking it. I just couldn't do it personally. Based on the fact that the snot sucker comes with filters I'm guessing there is some sort of mechanism to keep the snot from actually entering your mouth. But I still couldn't do it. It's completely a mental thing.
Mr. Evil Bulb Syringe will work just fine for me.
Could you do it? Could you physically suck the mucous from your baby with your mouth? Don't get me wrong, if there were no alternative, I'd go to the ends of the earth for my baby, but there is an alternative. What are your thoughts?
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A look into August 2011...
I feel like I never, or at least rarely, share photos anymore. I don't participate in the Before and After blog hop on Thursdays anymore, or any other photo sharing link-ups really other than an occasional Wordless Wednesday, and maybe even a Shutter Love Tuesday, or Paper Mama Photo Challenge entry.
I've actually gotten a lot better at getting my camera out. Babies grow up so fast, I don't want to miss a single cute moment with Grayson! I only wish I snapped more of the older kiddos. Anyhow, I thought I would share some of my most recent faves.
Grayson getting kisses from Aunt Kay Kay. He LOVES kisses! They get him smiling almost every time.
My handsome boy, I just love that face!
My gorgeous girl, with her crooked little smile! She's growing up too fast, I feel like I'm having a hard time catching up...
I love this look. As soon as he saw what was written on the box, he turned around and gave me this sly little smirk over his shoulder.
Hailey is the BEST big sister! She is the biggest help. She makes everyone nervous, except for me. She's GREAT with her baby brother.
Joshua and his guitar have been joined at the fingers since he opened it. I actually have to force him to do other things. He has no idea what he's doing, yet has this remarkable ability to make his random strumming pleasing to my ears.
He seriously loves his guitar!
Speaking of growing up so fast, this I can't believe. Look at that handsome, mature face! He's going to be a heartbreaker in a few years. Even going through this awkward time with losing teeth, growing big teeth, and being skinny as a rail he's gorgeous.
Lastly, the cutest little burrito in all the land. He loves bring wrapped up super tight, but hates the swaddle technique, so I literally have to just roll him in a blanket. It's hilarious, but works every time.
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Real, genuine, Zzzz's
I am somewhat scared to announce this to the world...but...
Grayson slept all nigh last night.
Did you get that?
No?
GRAYSON SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT!!!
Is that not the most fantastical and amazing thing you've ever heard?! Okay, I know everyone really doesn't care in the slightest. Probably. Seeing as how they don't have to nurse a vampire raccoon baby that lies awake all night. And to be honest, can I really complain when all he does is lay there? I mean, he only fusses a wee little bit. I was getting sleep. Just broken, light, and terribly unsatisfying sleep.
With the first day of school rapidly approaching {Um, speaking of which, where the hell did you disappear to Mr. Summer? Hm?} we decided this was the week to get the kiddo's back into school mode. 6:30 means bath, pajamas, teeth brushing, books, and finally bed. All by 7. We're working with Leah, trying to get her ready and used to the schedule for when she starts preschool next month. {*sobs* My baby girl is going to be a preschooler.} I decided if we're getting 3 out of 4 kids on a schedule we may as well throw Grayson in the mix and get him schedulized too. Not on the same schedule though. I'm going to do what works for me since I'm the all mighty provider of nutrition and nourishment. G man's schedule will be bath, lotion/massage, cuddle time and nursing, and then bed. Well, after the first night of said schedule he slept seven hours. SEVEN HOURS! Not just any seven hours though, we're talking SEVEN HOURS THROUGH THE NIGHT.
I woke up at 6:30 to his grunts and fusses and rooting and hand eating. He was starving I'm sure. {Kid probably didn't know what that hungry feeling was!} Do you want to know something amazing awesome to add to the already awesomeness?? The cloth diaper he wore? Didn't leak. Not even a little bit. Not even a hint of leakage. This diaper was holding, and holding STRONG. {For those that want to know? It was a bumGenius elemental, their awesome one size all-in-one.}
As if seven hours wasn't awesome enough, we woke, we ate, I feeding him, then the girls and myself, and then we went BACK to sleep until 9:30!!! It was too good to be true, yet it was. I'm not entirely sure if that would be considered sleeping in, or a nap. Because I mean I was up and eating and even did some dishes and our normal morning routine.
Either way, I felt awesome today. And I'm praying and dreaming and crossing my fingers that it wasn't some random fluke thing and that we will have a repeat of said events tonight. I feel like it's a lot to ask, and really having two nights in a row would feel like winning the lottery right now, but it's not going to stop me from hoping!
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Grayson slept all nigh last night.
Did you get that?
No?
GRAYSON SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT!!!
Is that not the most fantastical and amazing thing you've ever heard?! Okay, I know everyone really doesn't care in the slightest. Probably. Seeing as how they don't have to nurse a vampire raccoon baby that lies awake all night. And to be honest, can I really complain when all he does is lay there? I mean, he only fusses a wee little bit. I was getting sleep. Just broken, light, and terribly unsatisfying sleep.
With the first day of school rapidly approaching {Um, speaking of which, where the hell did you disappear to Mr. Summer? Hm?} we decided this was the week to get the kiddo's back into school mode. 6:30 means bath, pajamas, teeth brushing, books, and finally bed. All by 7. We're working with Leah, trying to get her ready and used to the schedule for when she starts preschool next month. {*sobs* My baby girl is going to be a preschooler.} I decided if we're getting 3 out of 4 kids on a schedule we may as well throw Grayson in the mix and get him schedulized too. Not on the same schedule though. I'm going to do what works for me since I'm the all mighty provider of nutrition and nourishment. G man's schedule will be bath, lotion/massage, cuddle time and nursing, and then bed. Well, after the first night of said schedule he slept seven hours. SEVEN HOURS! Not just any seven hours though, we're talking SEVEN HOURS THROUGH THE NIGHT.
I woke up at 6:30 to his grunts and fusses and rooting and hand eating. He was starving I'm sure. {Kid probably didn't know what that hungry feeling was!} Do you want to know something amazing awesome to add to the already awesomeness?? The cloth diaper he wore? Didn't leak. Not even a little bit. Not even a hint of leakage. This diaper was holding, and holding STRONG. {For those that want to know? It was a bumGenius elemental, their awesome one size all-in-one.}
As if seven hours wasn't awesome enough, we woke, we ate, I feeding him, then the girls and myself, and then we went BACK to sleep until 9:30!!! It was too good to be true, yet it was. I'm not entirely sure if that would be considered sleeping in, or a nap. Because I mean I was up and eating and even did some dishes and our normal morning routine.
Either way, I felt awesome today. And I'm praying and dreaming and crossing my fingers that it wasn't some random fluke thing and that we will have a repeat of said events tonight. I feel like it's a lot to ask, and really having two nights in a row would feel like winning the lottery right now, but it's not going to stop me from hoping!
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the little things.
Just a few little things that I want to remember from this time:
Leah- She's just a few months shy of 3 and at that age where everything she says and does is just hilarious. This kid LOVES dancing. She will dance to anything and everything. Commercials, jingles, background music in movies, even "sad" music. If she hears a tune, it moves her. Literally. She loves watching any sort of dancing on TV as well. I love her "moves", I melt and crack up all at the same time! Leah is my most cuddly kiddo of all. She still loves being held and cuddled, and is constantly telling me she loves me out of the blue. Some things I just don't want to forget {cute or not} from this time:
•She and Mel go back and forth, "I love you", "I love you too", "I love you three", four, five, etc. Lately she has started saying, "I love you seven" out of the blue.
•After a HELLACIOUS grocery store trip, Leah later came up to me and apologized! I was shocked and SO in love with my thoughtful little girl!
•"Yes it are."- Yes it is. and "No my not!."- No I'm not.
•"I'm not a kid! I'm a Leah!".
•"You don't have to be so bossy!" {Complete with an eye roll.}
Hailey- My valley girl. The other day in 100% valley girl accent she declared: "Kay Kay is soooo beatiful." Complete with a hair toss and then a lengthy explanation on how she {Kay Kay} does her make-up so perfectly. Hailey is just a girl's girl. She's 6 going on 16, and I'm not really liking that. We're already struggling with clothes and what's appropriate and what's not. I hate this fight, and honestly don't know where she gets this idea that showing skin is not only okay, but "cool". We're trying our best to nip it in the bud now. I hate how self conscious she is. Although when I tell her how beautiful/gorgeous she is, she smiles and says, "I know.". That? I love. I want her to always feel that way. But she's starting to complain about "hairy legs" and how her legs are "bigger" than her friends. I hate this. It's hard to remember she's a rising first grader and not 5th grader. I want my little girl to stay a little girl! It's seriously enough for me to rethink public school. I'm also in disbelief that she's a RISING FIRST GRADER. She has {nearly} completed her first year of school! She has done AMAZINGLY well this year. I'm blown away by here reading and only wished she enjoyed it as much as her brother and I do. Some things I don't want to forget from this time:
•"I know it's a boy." Hailey SO called it! She new Grayson was a boy and wasn't afraid to tell anyone and everyone. She would often say she hoped for a girl, but knew it was a boy anyway. Sure enough, he turned out to be all boy.
•Leah fell asleep on the floor in the living room. "Does she have a paci in her mouth?" I asked Hailey. "Yea, she does." She answered. "Huh, I wonder how she got that...". Hailey's response? "Maybe a paci fairy flew in and put it in her mouth." And this wasn't a cute little idea from the imagination of a 6 year old. This was a sarcastic, cheeky, smarta$$ answer! Complete with side-eye. I couldn't help but laugh. {And feel stupid.}
•On scabs in the shower: "When you get in the shower God heals it, it goes up in the air. It's invisible when it goes up in the air, that's why you can't see it. He makes it invisible."
Joshua- My oldest is SO incredibly encouraging and thoughtful! Joshua is definitely going to be a humanitarian when he grows up. Once he told me that he hopes to go to college and get a great paying job so that he could afford to buy a truck, fill it with blankets, clothes, and food, and deliver things to the needy. He also said he wants to volunteer to build shelters for homeless. My boy seriously has a heart of gold. Pure gold. He doesn't have a mean or hateful bone in his body. I can't even begin to convey how proud of him I am. He was on A/B honor roll the ENTIRE year this school year. THE ENTIRE YEAR. He also completed his first year of EOG testing with 3's and 4's. Seriously blows me away. This is all while facing OCD and ADHD, challenges he has faced and fought through since the beginning of Pre-K. Some things I don't want to forget from this time:
•While helping me cook dinner one night, I asked him to retrieve a jar of mushrooms from the cupboard. "What are these for mom?", he asked nervously, I was busy reading a recipe, and scurrying around collecting ingredients and didn't answer right away. "Mom? What are the mushrooms for?", again, in my own little world, muttering under my breath each ingredient, I delayed answering him, finally, "Mom, I'm getting concerned...". That stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't help but laugh.
•At my nieces preschool graduation last week he started cheering, clapping, and whistling loudly as the preschoolers collected their diplomas. He didn't start doing this until after his cousin had collected hers. "What are you doing love?" I asked. "Brinley had so many people cheer mom! They all deserve that, I'm just encouraging them.". {Talk about heart meltage!}
•"I don't have a whole lot of friends mom, but you know what? That's okay, because I've got two AWESOME friends. Jesus and God. They'll always have my back. Huh mom?". That they will my boy!
•He gives the BEST massages. Seriously. I'm not just saying that. It amazes me. I've had adults try and give my shoulders a rub and he blows them out of the water. It is truly a gift.
I can't believe that in a few short months I'm going to be the mom of a newborn, 3 year old, 6 year old, and 9 year old. How did this happen??? I seriously vow to start doing this more, and writing more about who they are in these years where they are growing and changing so quickly!
All I can say is that I'm over the moon in love with my kids and have to give myself a pat on the back because they are AMAZING and I made them. They are beautiful perfection, so incredibly funny, intelligent, and caring. All of them so.
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Leah- She's just a few months shy of 3 and at that age where everything she says and does is just hilarious. This kid LOVES dancing. She will dance to anything and everything. Commercials, jingles, background music in movies, even "sad" music. If she hears a tune, it moves her. Literally. She loves watching any sort of dancing on TV as well. I love her "moves", I melt and crack up all at the same time! Leah is my most cuddly kiddo of all. She still loves being held and cuddled, and is constantly telling me she loves me out of the blue. Some things I just don't want to forget {cute or not} from this time:
•She and Mel go back and forth, "I love you", "I love you too", "I love you three", four, five, etc. Lately she has started saying, "I love you seven" out of the blue.
•After a HELLACIOUS grocery store trip, Leah later came up to me and apologized! I was shocked and SO in love with my thoughtful little girl!
•"Yes it are."- Yes it is. and "No my not!."- No I'm not.
•"I'm not a kid! I'm a Leah!".
•"You don't have to be so bossy!" {Complete with an eye roll.}
Hailey- My valley girl. The other day in 100% valley girl accent she declared: "Kay Kay is soooo beatiful." Complete with a hair toss and then a lengthy explanation on how she {Kay Kay} does her make-up so perfectly. Hailey is just a girl's girl. She's 6 going on 16, and I'm not really liking that. We're already struggling with clothes and what's appropriate and what's not. I hate this fight, and honestly don't know where she gets this idea that showing skin is not only okay, but "cool". We're trying our best to nip it in the bud now. I hate how self conscious she is. Although when I tell her how beautiful/gorgeous she is, she smiles and says, "I know.". That? I love. I want her to always feel that way. But she's starting to complain about "hairy legs" and how her legs are "bigger" than her friends. I hate this. It's hard to remember she's a rising first grader and not 5th grader. I want my little girl to stay a little girl! It's seriously enough for me to rethink public school. I'm also in disbelief that she's a RISING FIRST GRADER. She has {nearly} completed her first year of school! She has done AMAZINGLY well this year. I'm blown away by here reading and only wished she enjoyed it as much as her brother and I do. Some things I don't want to forget from this time:
•"I know it's a boy." Hailey SO called it! She new Grayson was a boy and wasn't afraid to tell anyone and everyone. She would often say she hoped for a girl, but knew it was a boy anyway. Sure enough, he turned out to be all boy.
•Leah fell asleep on the floor in the living room. "Does she have a paci in her mouth?" I asked Hailey. "Yea, she does." She answered. "Huh, I wonder how she got that...". Hailey's response? "Maybe a paci fairy flew in and put it in her mouth." And this wasn't a cute little idea from the imagination of a 6 year old. This was a sarcastic, cheeky, smarta$$ answer! Complete with side-eye. I couldn't help but laugh. {And feel stupid.}
•On scabs in the shower: "When you get in the shower God heals it, it goes up in the air. It's invisible when it goes up in the air, that's why you can't see it. He makes it invisible."
Joshua- My oldest is SO incredibly encouraging and thoughtful! Joshua is definitely going to be a humanitarian when he grows up. Once he told me that he hopes to go to college and get a great paying job so that he could afford to buy a truck, fill it with blankets, clothes, and food, and deliver things to the needy. He also said he wants to volunteer to build shelters for homeless. My boy seriously has a heart of gold. Pure gold. He doesn't have a mean or hateful bone in his body. I can't even begin to convey how proud of him I am. He was on A/B honor roll the ENTIRE year this school year. THE ENTIRE YEAR. He also completed his first year of EOG testing with 3's and 4's. Seriously blows me away. This is all while facing OCD and ADHD, challenges he has faced and fought through since the beginning of Pre-K. Some things I don't want to forget from this time:
•While helping me cook dinner one night, I asked him to retrieve a jar of mushrooms from the cupboard. "What are these for mom?", he asked nervously, I was busy reading a recipe, and scurrying around collecting ingredients and didn't answer right away. "Mom? What are the mushrooms for?", again, in my own little world, muttering under my breath each ingredient, I delayed answering him, finally, "Mom, I'm getting concerned...". That stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't help but laugh.
•At my nieces preschool graduation last week he started cheering, clapping, and whistling loudly as the preschoolers collected their diplomas. He didn't start doing this until after his cousin had collected hers. "What are you doing love?" I asked. "Brinley had so many people cheer mom! They all deserve that, I'm just encouraging them.". {Talk about heart meltage!}
•"I don't have a whole lot of friends mom, but you know what? That's okay, because I've got two AWESOME friends. Jesus and God. They'll always have my back. Huh mom?". That they will my boy!
•He gives the BEST massages. Seriously. I'm not just saying that. It amazes me. I've had adults try and give my shoulders a rub and he blows them out of the water. It is truly a gift.
I can't believe that in a few short months I'm going to be the mom of a newborn, 3 year old, 6 year old, and 9 year old. How did this happen??? I seriously vow to start doing this more, and writing more about who they are in these years where they are growing and changing so quickly!
All I can say is that I'm over the moon in love with my kids and have to give myself a pat on the back because they are AMAZING and I made them. They are beautiful perfection, so incredibly funny, intelligent, and caring. All of them so.
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