Ch-ch-changes

The more things change ...

Bath time February 2013

the more they stay the same.

Bath time February 2012

Happy Monday!

11 More Things I've Learned

When Milo was just slightly more than 1 year old, I wrote 11 Things I've Learned As a Mom.  Milo is now nearly 2, so I give you 11 more things I've learned as a mom.

1. I can endure one more viewing of a movie or TV show if it makes my boy happy.
2. I can -- and readily do -- share food with my child, even if it's the last cookie in the package.
3. Hearing my son say, "Mama" for the first time was one of the most thrilling moments in my life.
4. Watching my son hit milestones is bittersweet. I am so happy with his progress and so sad that time is flying.
5. Even when I'm impatient, I'm way more patient with my kid than I would have believed 10 years ago.
6. I haven't found -- or made -- any additional time to blog. Despite my best intentions.
7. Boogers are way more gross than poop, pee or even vomit.
8. Even though boogers are gross, I am capable of wiping my son's nose with my bare hand. If I really have to.

9. As much fun as it is to talk to a toddler, talking to other grown-ups on a regular basis is the only way I will stay sane.
10. Dinosaurs are totally awesome ... as are fire trucks, trains and helicopters.
11.  Love for this kid continues to grow beyond what I believed was my heart's capacity.

Daddy Talk

It's all on fire

Today in Colorado, the state is on fire. Currently, eight separate fires are burning in Colorado and it's only the start of summer as of last Wednesday. We have had two days of 100+ temperatures. The significance of that is that it has only happened four times in all of recorded history in Colorado Springs prior to this. Right now the closest fire is less than 10 miles away. The smoke is thick enough to taste. I know that it gives me a bit of a sore throat. I know it affects Pam and it definitely affects the boy. Poor guy is grabbing at his throat. We try to keep him sealed up in the AC while we soldier on but it's tough.

The heat is stifling for us. We are so far away from the fire but really it's right next door. It's almost in my favorite park, Garden of the Gods. It's burning the areas between there and Pikes Peak. It's still uncontrolled. There is a pall of smoke all throughout the city that won't be going away any time soon.  I know it's hard on us through the smoke and the coughing.  I know it's really hard on those who were evacuated from Manitou Springs and the West Side of Colorado Springs.  I know it's hard on the firefighters. It's hard on everybody here. We tried to do our little bit to help. We stopped by Costco and bought a couple of flats of sports drinks and snacks to drop off at Care and Share. I know they will go to the right place.

Man we really need to see some rain here.  

That's what friends are for

I count myself lucky to be able to say I have had many true friends in my life. I have had more than my share of good friends -- the kinds of friends who are always there for you; the kind that you can go months (even years) without talking and see them and pick up right where you left off; friends who don't judge me; friends who laugh at my bad jokes, hold my hand through bad times and help me celebrate the good times.

I have friends I have known for longer than I'd care to admit and love like family. I have newer friends who have been through some rough times with me (and I also love like family). And I have a few brand new friends who have quickly become very near and dear to my heart.

I have a tendency to be protective of my friends. It doesn't matter if they're younger or older than I am, I turn into a mother hen. I often end up trying to take care of my friends. I'm not always good at it, but I want to -- even if that protection isn't always welcome. Funny how some people don't want me to mother hen them. Go figure.

I hope I can teach by example and show Milo what it means to be a friend. I hope he is blessed with the quality of friends I have been blessed with, if not the quantity. I count myself lucky to have had even one true friend.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
--  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday Smiles

Milo's busy morning

Good morning, Mommy!

I think I'll wear this today.

Time for a little breakfast

And a manicure

And he's ready to start his day.

Photo finish

Going through my photos tonight, I came across this picture.

It's not Milo. It's Milo's cousin Spencer.

This is Milo at about 5 months old.

Maybe it's the concerned expression. Maybe it's the chubby cheeks or the button noses. Whatever it is, there's a definite resemblance between those two boys. 

My nephew is now a handsome, smart 18-year-old young man. So, Milo could do worse.

True confessions?

I recently took a survey for a parent magazine/Web site. Part of the survey was "true mommy confessions." Among the list of horrible things I could confess to was watching TV while breastfeeding (using a computer or smart phone while breastfeeding was also there).

So, yes, I must confess to watching TV while breastfeeding. A lot. Milo is nursing practically every two hours. All. Day. Long. Am I really supposed to spend all that time gazing lovingly at my child? True true confession: I spend a lot of time gazing lovingly at my child, but I cannot spend all my waking hours doing that.

"But why not, Mommy?"

I've tried reading while breastfeeding, but it's not all that easy to hang on to a sometimes squirmy 2-month-old and a book -- and turn pages.

I've tried listening to audio books. That works OK most of the time, until I start to fall asleep. Audio books are great when I'm doing chores or exercising. But they can be too soothing when just sitting still.

What am I supposed to do during Milo's feedings? Contemplate what a wonderful mother I am for breastfeeding? Bask in the glow of my womanhood? Fret over all the other things I'm not getting done, like completing the nursery, working out, fixing dinner? How much time can I spend thinking about those things? (Even when not breastfeeding, I have a hard time thinking about those things for very long.)

So, I confess. And if watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" or "Clean House" on Netflix while I breastfeed makes me a bad mother -- you know, as opposed to a mother who neglects or abuses her child -- so be it.

Momma's new shoes

I figure I'll be spending a lot of time in loose-fitting clothes this summer as I try to get my pre-pregnancy body back. Because of that, I decided Momma needs a new pair of shoes -- a pair of not-sneakers-or-flip-flops, cute, comfy, will-go-with-practically-anything shoes.

So, thanks to L.L. Bean and their new free-shipping policy, I found such a pair.

I can imagine these with skirts, shorts, capris, jeans, etc.

And they didn't cut into Baby's college fund.

It's delightful

My good friend over at Grandma's Briefs writes about delight today, asking "When did you last experience delight, by any definition?"

In answer to that question I'll tell you about my afternoon yesterday. Because I am due late April, which falls right toward the end of our tutoring sessions, I decided to take this semester off from my duties as a site coordinator with our local children's literacy center. However, I have acted -- and will act -- as a substitute when I can.

Yesterday afternoon I covered two sessions at one of our library sites. And while I find that particular site coordinator to be a -- ahem -- challenge, the students and tutors at her site were delightful, especially one little girl who couldn't help herself and put both hands on my tummy. "Is it in there?" she asked.

If an adult had done the same thing, he or she would probably have gotten slugged (unless it was a friend who asked first) but this little girl was so cute and so gentle, I couldn't help but be delighted. It is probably one of the sweetest things that's happened to me in a long time.

Naturally, Baby picked that time to be completely still. He'd been kicking and wiggling and squirming most of the day, including early in the morning while I was trying to sleep. But when this sweet little girl wanted to feel just a tiny little kick? Nothing.

I think he just likes being contrary. I can't imagine where he gets it.

The Year of the Rabbit

Today is the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese Zodiac. So my little one, like his daddy, will be a Rabbit.

The Rabbit symbolizes such character traits as creativity, compassion, and sensitivity. Rabbits are friendly, outgoing and prefer the company of others. They also prefer to avoid conflict. In confrontational situations, Rabbits approach calmly and with consideration for the other party. Rabbits believe strongly in friends and family and lacking such bonds can lead to emotional issues.

I'm not usually one to follow the zodiac (Chinese or otherwise) but I find it interesting that Baby will share signs with his daddy. He will also (most likely, unless he comes very early) be a Taurus, like Daddy.

What does all that mean? Probably nothing. If Baby is like his daddy, we will get along well. If he inherits my personality, we will probably disagree on everything.