"CALEB HAS ONE TOO?" "HOW DID HE GET A PENIS??"
Seth's realization as I'm getting Caleb out of the bath. Gotta love ALL the new discoveries at this age!!!
6/12/2011
3/21/2011
Goodnight Ocean
It is midnight and Mr. Caleb Mark is still up. I just went in his room to check on him. It was dark and I couldn't see if his eyes were open or closed so I leaned in over his crib, peering in to see. Out of the silence came his little giggle...the one that comes from his belly and shows up in his eyes. I wasn't expecting it so it made me jump and then I couldn't help but laugh too. He is a chum, that little guy. He had a late nap so he is struggling to fall asleep and I can relate to that, being an insomniac and all.
I had brought him down stairs around ten, bundled him up in a blanket, and rocked him in the recliner. We discussed the ocean animals and how they are all going night night now. I started with the whales and then he added to the list..."and the sea turtles, and the star fish, and the sea horsies, and the seals"...and on and on even remembering the much too often overlooked sting rays. "Goodnight Ocean," we whispered to each other until he looked sleepy, and I couldn't help but wonder if this would be the last time he would let me rock him.
It is nice when I can have some one on one time with Caleb because he's pretty hilarious and is truly one of the most enjoyable toddlers I've ever come across. He is also one of the biggest cuddlers of all time. What could be better, right? Did I mention that he's super kissable too? Oh. Yeah. Because he totally is and that is what I get to do to his big, soft, dimpled cheeks countless times every day! Seriously, here he is almost three and he still approaches me several times throughout the day to lay his head on my chest, or in my lap, ready to cuddle. Or he will toss a book at me while asking: "read this?" Then we'll get all cozy on the couch and read books together. I think he could look at books all day and not tire of it. After reading him a book only once he will remember the story and will continue to read it to himself over and over throughout the day.
Caleb has kept his "baby ways" well past what Seth did, and I have to say, I don't mind that at all. Lately I find myself holding on ever so tightly to the time line that is pulling my children along it's rapid course, trying with all my might to slow it down.
While rocking Caleb tonight I could not help but notice how his long legs hung over the side of the recliner. I was painfully aware of how heavy he felt in my arms, and although I wished for him to fall asleep right there snuggled up to me, I knew deep down that he wouldn't.
He's too old now.
So I will treasure these opportunities with my youngest. Times when I get to hold him, to sing to him, and to "baby" him just a little bit longer. Oh, how I wish I could bottle it all up and have these moments back again when he is grown but I'm afraid enjoying him in the present will have to do, and most days, that is pretty easy.
His birthday blanket from Nan
At the New England Aquarium
At Fort Pheonix, MA
If this boy does not end up in marine biology or some related field I will be shocked!! He is intrigued and delighted by sea life and it is amazing how much he knows!
At The Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA
I had brought him down stairs around ten, bundled him up in a blanket, and rocked him in the recliner. We discussed the ocean animals and how they are all going night night now. I started with the whales and then he added to the list..."and the sea turtles, and the star fish, and the sea horsies, and the seals"...and on and on even remembering the much too often overlooked sting rays. "Goodnight Ocean," we whispered to each other until he looked sleepy, and I couldn't help but wonder if this would be the last time he would let me rock him.
It is nice when I can have some one on one time with Caleb because he's pretty hilarious and is truly one of the most enjoyable toddlers I've ever come across. He is also one of the biggest cuddlers of all time. What could be better, right? Did I mention that he's super kissable too? Oh. Yeah. Because he totally is and that is what I get to do to his big, soft, dimpled cheeks countless times every day! Seriously, here he is almost three and he still approaches me several times throughout the day to lay his head on my chest, or in my lap, ready to cuddle. Or he will toss a book at me while asking: "read this?" Then we'll get all cozy on the couch and read books together. I think he could look at books all day and not tire of it. After reading him a book only once he will remember the story and will continue to read it to himself over and over throughout the day.
Caleb has kept his "baby ways" well past what Seth did, and I have to say, I don't mind that at all. Lately I find myself holding on ever so tightly to the time line that is pulling my children along it's rapid course, trying with all my might to slow it down.
While rocking Caleb tonight I could not help but notice how his long legs hung over the side of the recliner. I was painfully aware of how heavy he felt in my arms, and although I wished for him to fall asleep right there snuggled up to me, I knew deep down that he wouldn't.
He's too old now.
So I will treasure these opportunities with my youngest. Times when I get to hold him, to sing to him, and to "baby" him just a little bit longer. Oh, how I wish I could bottle it all up and have these moments back again when he is grown but I'm afraid enjoying him in the present will have to do, and most days, that is pretty easy.
His birthday blanket from Nan
At the New England Aquarium
At Fort Pheonix, MA
At The Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA12/20/2010
Christmas...A Birth Story
If you read a lot of "mommy blogs" then you know that there is a lot of emphasis these days to document your child's birth story. Birth stories are just like they sound--the story of your child's birth...or the experience(s), feelings, decisions, and actions that occur during the process of your child being birthed. I have never actually taken the time to write out my boys' birth stories nor did I think it was necessary to write out birth plans for them, though I know a lot of people who would say writing each of those things would be a very good idea.
The children's worship at our church is taught through a process of allowing the children to lead the worship through their wonderings about the Biblical stories...the adults are simply there to help guide and direct these wonderings but the kids are encouraged to ask many questions as they wonder and explore the answers through play and conversing together.
Throughout this advent season I have been thinking a lot about Mary and have wondered if she had thought about a birth plan. I'm sure, like most women, Mary had day-dreamed about having children since she was a little girl. What had she envisioned when when she would think of that momentous occasion happening in her life?
Here are some of my recent wonderings:
I wonder how Mary felt when she learned she was with child? She was young, unmarried, and uncertain of the support she would have from others. More importantly, she was a VIRGIN! Did she question her sanity? Did she go through a phase of denial? Was she completely overwhelmed? Surely, this was not anything like the "plan" she had imagined for her life never mind her first pregnancy!
I wonder how much pressure it must have been to know the important role she played in the redemption of the whole world and how humbling and frightening that must have been for any woman to bear. Especially a woman who is aware of her sinfulness and frailty....a holy woman such as Mary.
I wonder how she felt when Joseph first doubted her and when others judged her and ridiculed Joseph. Would Joseph still love her? Would this bad reputation ruin her? This was certainly not the warmth and celebration one wishes for when announcing their new pregnancy.
I wonder how she felt when she learned she had to travel by donkey, late in her pregnancy, to return to Joseph's home for the census...a foreign land to her. These days it is not advised to travel long lengths of time during the last stages of pregnancy due to risks/complications arising as well as the possibility that labor may occur at a very inconvenient time and location. Did Mary worry about such things? How did she manage to sit upon a donkey while nine months pregnant? Did she bicker with Joseph? Did she have to pee every half hour? Was she sleep deprived? Oh, how uncomfortable, miserable, and utterly terrified she must have been?!? Oh Mary...how did you ever do it?
I wonder if she began to doubt God's provision when they were turned away at the inn. Did she think to herself that the inn keeper surely must be joking? Did she cry out to God to provide or was she in so much pain from the contractions that she did not even care at that point?
When she settled in the barn to have her child did it occur to her that she was lying amongst animals and how unsanitary it must be? Did it smell horrible? Was it cold? Hot? Did she have privacy? Did Joseph even know how to deliver a child or were there others (maybe women) there helping? Was the pain frightening for such a young woman who had not experienced child birth before and didn't know what to expect? Did she wish her mother was there for support like most women do?
After the birth how did she feel? Exhausted? Elated? Confused? Was she hungry...thirsty? There were no pain meds...no nurses...no lactation consultant..no baby books telling you how to do things. And then strange visitors from afar to entertain...in a manger...with animals. As an introvert who likes her privacy I cannot even imagine having strangers arrive during one of the most personal and intimate experiences in my life. Sigh. Surely this was not what she had envisioned as a little girl.
These are the things I wonder. There are many more things I could wonder as I reflect upon Mary's experience as it is so hard to imagine being in her shoes. Mary was human just like you and me. I'm sure she was hormonal, scared, fatigued, and in physical pain and yet she was faithful.
We want to have control when it comes to special occasions and experiences in our lives. We think of these things and plan and plot and arrange to have everything go the way we want them to. At least we try to have control. But Mary put all those plans aside to obey her God and to carry out the most important task she would ever do. She relinquished all control and trusted God to fulfill His promise. I'm sure she asked herself: "Why...why me, God?" I'm sure she was uncomfortable, frightened, and in shock of how things were playing out on the night her son, the Savior, was born. Think about it. Mary was "Some Woman." And Jesus was born on "Some Night." And that certainly was "Some Birth Story." The ultimate indeed.
Today I am rejoicing that Mary was obedient and that our King was born all according to plan!
Oh, and by the way, this is one of the reasons why I always say that birth plans are overrated!
Blessing to you this Christmas! Here is an account of Jesus' birth story...my kids love this!
The children's worship at our church is taught through a process of allowing the children to lead the worship through their wonderings about the Biblical stories...the adults are simply there to help guide and direct these wonderings but the kids are encouraged to ask many questions as they wonder and explore the answers through play and conversing together.
Throughout this advent season I have been thinking a lot about Mary and have wondered if she had thought about a birth plan. I'm sure, like most women, Mary had day-dreamed about having children since she was a little girl. What had she envisioned when when she would think of that momentous occasion happening in her life?
Here are some of my recent wonderings:
I wonder how Mary felt when she learned she was with child? She was young, unmarried, and uncertain of the support she would have from others. More importantly, she was a VIRGIN! Did she question her sanity? Did she go through a phase of denial? Was she completely overwhelmed? Surely, this was not anything like the "plan" she had imagined for her life never mind her first pregnancy!
I wonder how much pressure it must have been to know the important role she played in the redemption of the whole world and how humbling and frightening that must have been for any woman to bear. Especially a woman who is aware of her sinfulness and frailty....a holy woman such as Mary.
I wonder how she felt when Joseph first doubted her and when others judged her and ridiculed Joseph. Would Joseph still love her? Would this bad reputation ruin her? This was certainly not the warmth and celebration one wishes for when announcing their new pregnancy.
I wonder how she felt when she learned she had to travel by donkey, late in her pregnancy, to return to Joseph's home for the census...a foreign land to her. These days it is not advised to travel long lengths of time during the last stages of pregnancy due to risks/complications arising as well as the possibility that labor may occur at a very inconvenient time and location. Did Mary worry about such things? How did she manage to sit upon a donkey while nine months pregnant? Did she bicker with Joseph? Did she have to pee every half hour? Was she sleep deprived? Oh, how uncomfortable, miserable, and utterly terrified she must have been?!? Oh Mary...how did you ever do it?
I wonder if she began to doubt God's provision when they were turned away at the inn. Did she think to herself that the inn keeper surely must be joking? Did she cry out to God to provide or was she in so much pain from the contractions that she did not even care at that point?
When she settled in the barn to have her child did it occur to her that she was lying amongst animals and how unsanitary it must be? Did it smell horrible? Was it cold? Hot? Did she have privacy? Did Joseph even know how to deliver a child or were there others (maybe women) there helping? Was the pain frightening for such a young woman who had not experienced child birth before and didn't know what to expect? Did she wish her mother was there for support like most women do?
After the birth how did she feel? Exhausted? Elated? Confused? Was she hungry...thirsty? There were no pain meds...no nurses...no lactation consultant..no baby books telling you how to do things. And then strange visitors from afar to entertain...in a manger...with animals. As an introvert who likes her privacy I cannot even imagine having strangers arrive during one of the most personal and intimate experiences in my life. Sigh. Surely this was not what she had envisioned as a little girl.
These are the things I wonder. There are many more things I could wonder as I reflect upon Mary's experience as it is so hard to imagine being in her shoes. Mary was human just like you and me. I'm sure she was hormonal, scared, fatigued, and in physical pain and yet she was faithful.
We want to have control when it comes to special occasions and experiences in our lives. We think of these things and plan and plot and arrange to have everything go the way we want them to. At least we try to have control. But Mary put all those plans aside to obey her God and to carry out the most important task she would ever do. She relinquished all control and trusted God to fulfill His promise. I'm sure she asked herself: "Why...why me, God?" I'm sure she was uncomfortable, frightened, and in shock of how things were playing out on the night her son, the Savior, was born. Think about it. Mary was "Some Woman." And Jesus was born on "Some Night." And that certainly was "Some Birth Story." The ultimate indeed.
Today I am rejoicing that Mary was obedient and that our King was born all according to plan!
Oh, and by the way, this is one of the reasons why I always say that birth plans are overrated!
Blessing to you this Christmas! Here is an account of Jesus' birth story...my kids love this!
11/24/2010
11/15/2010
Halloween
As you can see my concerns for Halloween being ruined this year were totally valid.
As usual, I had nothing to worry about Halloween night. It was declared a success by all. The Motrin kicked in giving Seth the strength and energy to run about the neighborhood with his cousins. I have never seen the boy so excited! He loved all the scary props and spooky houses and belted out his "trick or treat" with such pride! He crashed once we got home but boy did the holiday ever live up to all his expectations!
Caleb, on the other hand, did not fair so well. He spent most of the night in the stroller but didn't seem to care much. Besides, why do all that trick or treating when you have a brother that will make sure to get you just as much candy (if not more) as all the other kids? This Halloween will definitely be filed in the "Best Memories" category in my brain.
As usual, I had nothing to worry about Halloween night. It was declared a success by all. The Motrin kicked in giving Seth the strength and energy to run about the neighborhood with his cousins. I have never seen the boy so excited! He loved all the scary props and spooky houses and belted out his "trick or treat" with such pride! He crashed once we got home but boy did the holiday ever live up to all his expectations!
Caleb, on the other hand, did not fair so well. He spent most of the night in the stroller but didn't seem to care much. Besides, why do all that trick or treating when you have a brother that will make sure to get you just as much candy (if not more) as all the other kids? This Halloween will definitely be filed in the "Best Memories" category in my brain.
10/30/2010
Trusting Your Paranoia
I feel bad. And guilty. And sad. On Thursday we had a scheduled play date at the mall with a friend and her baby girl. It didn't even dawn on me until that morning that Halloween was only three days away and that there was a very good possibility that my boys would pick up a virus at the germy play center which would most likely manifest itself in my household precisely 48 hrs. after invading my kiddos bodies...right on time for Halloween weekend. This is how the conversation went in my head as I was driving the boys to the mall:
Paranoid me: The boys are totally going to get sick
Rational me: Well you can't keep them home forever...and how stupid would it sound to tell Kim that the reason you couldn't go was because the kids might get sick. LAME!
Paranoid me: Yeah, but this is Seth's favorite holiday! It's all he's been talking about for 6 weeks (not an exaggeration). You know how miserable he gets when he catches a cold. It will ruin the whole weekend!
Rational me: They're slowly building up an immunity to germs! They don't always get sick. Besides, we've been in the house for 2 days straight (due to weird weather). This will be good for them and good for you! Don't worry!
Paranoid me: Listen to your gut! Just turn around and ensure a healthy and pleasant Halloween for everyone! Why take the chance? And, by the way, yes they do ALWAYS get sick.
Well, we all know what happened and I wish I did just turn around. Both boys have what seem to be bad colds. They are fine, really, just a little more whiny, uncomfortable, and tired. I just feel bad that they will be out trick or treating (we are going no matter what) while feeling sick. They both have fevers but I'm praying it doesn't get worse overnight. We had to miss our church Halloween party today and they will miss church festivities tomorrow. We're also supposed to be celebrating my niece's and nephew's birthdays before we all go out trick or treating so I'm really hoping that still works out!
It's situations like these that make me feel annoyed at myself. What would you have done? I think it is almost laughable for me to have kept my kids home b/c of the possibility that they may get sick but it would've done my kids a whole lot of good to listen to my gut. It was just the mall...not very important at all. Not worth ruining this holiday that they have been eagerly waiting for (Seth has been practicing trick or treating at home...walking around and knocking on all our doors in the house and rehearsing his "trick or treat"). At least Seth is past the stage where he would get the horrible croup with every single cold and we'd have to use the nebulizer. But still.
The Boys with their cousin, Sarah, at The Zoo Goes Boo!
P.S. I am now hearing "barking" from their bedroom. *SIGH*
Paranoid me: The boys are totally going to get sick
Rational me: Well you can't keep them home forever...and how stupid would it sound to tell Kim that the reason you couldn't go was because the kids might get sick. LAME!
Paranoid me: Yeah, but this is Seth's favorite holiday! It's all he's been talking about for 6 weeks (not an exaggeration). You know how miserable he gets when he catches a cold. It will ruin the whole weekend!
Rational me: They're slowly building up an immunity to germs! They don't always get sick. Besides, we've been in the house for 2 days straight (due to weird weather). This will be good for them and good for you! Don't worry!
Paranoid me: Listen to your gut! Just turn around and ensure a healthy and pleasant Halloween for everyone! Why take the chance? And, by the way, yes they do ALWAYS get sick.
Well, we all know what happened and I wish I did just turn around. Both boys have what seem to be bad colds. They are fine, really, just a little more whiny, uncomfortable, and tired. I just feel bad that they will be out trick or treating (we are going no matter what) while feeling sick. They both have fevers but I'm praying it doesn't get worse overnight. We had to miss our church Halloween party today and they will miss church festivities tomorrow. We're also supposed to be celebrating my niece's and nephew's birthdays before we all go out trick or treating so I'm really hoping that still works out!
It's situations like these that make me feel annoyed at myself. What would you have done? I think it is almost laughable for me to have kept my kids home b/c of the possibility that they may get sick but it would've done my kids a whole lot of good to listen to my gut. It was just the mall...not very important at all. Not worth ruining this holiday that they have been eagerly waiting for (Seth has been practicing trick or treating at home...walking around and knocking on all our doors in the house and rehearsing his "trick or treat"). At least Seth is past the stage where he would get the horrible croup with every single cold and we'd have to use the nebulizer. But still.
The Boys with their cousin, Sarah, at The Zoo Goes Boo!P.S. I am now hearing "barking" from their bedroom. *SIGH*
10/03/2010
The weekend where we lose Caleb....twice.
Yesterday we brought the kids to the play area in the mall since it was quite chilly outside and we wanted to get out of the house. Scott and I were sitting on the benches surrounding the play area chatting while of course watching the kids. The play area was very full and brimming with activity. There is a large "tree house" in the middle of the area which provides multiple hiding spots for the kiddos. Perhaps that is why we lost track of our wee little one. When I lost sight of him I just assumed he must be in one of the tunnels or up in the tree or hiding under the steps, etc. It was not until Seth ran up and mentioned he couldn't find Caleb that I became concerned and started scanning the area for him, sending Scott in one direction, while I started searching in another. I circled around the tree, making sure to look up, down, and inside nooks and corners in my quest. Still no Caleb. It wasn't until I saw Scott come around the tree (empty handed) that I felt my heart start to race and found myself having a hard time swallowing. My pace quickened and I started feeling desperate in my attempt to find my child. I was most definitely in a panic. I stopped looking inside the play area and focused my eyes out into the very crowded mall. Thank God it didn't take too long to spot a curious curly haired toddler pushing somebody else's empty stroller around the mall!! I quickly scooped him up, returned the stroller to its' parked spot, and gave my boy the biggest hug of all time! At that time I felt somebody's eyes on me. Another Mom had been observing the drama and commented to me that she had been watching Caleb and if he had started to wander off any further she was planning on putting him back in the play center. I thanked her profusely but felt really embarrassed that I had lost track of my child! I think it had only been 2 minutes that he was out of my sight...and probably 2 minutes of us searching...geesh...guess that's all it takes.
Not being able to find Caleb felt absolutely horrible. Even the wonderful relief I felt upon seeing him was quickly replaced by looming guilt that invaded after everything was calm. The experience was still pretty fresh when we had to re-live all those emotions the very next day! Yup...Caleb took off again!
Not being able to find Caleb felt absolutely horrible. Even the wonderful relief I felt upon seeing him was quickly replaced by looming guilt that invaded after everything was calm. The experience was still pretty fresh when we had to re-live all those emotions the very next day! Yup...Caleb took off again!
This time he wandered off at church. So not as dangerous, per se, as a crowded mall but I still found myself frantic nonetheless. I was using the restroom, so technically it was on Scott's watch but still....what is wrong with us?!? Scott says he saw Caleb lying on the floor playing after sunday school one minute, turned to settle Seth into nursery, came back and the boy was gone! Mind you, our church has a huge basement (where nursery and classes are held) with what seems like 50 doors that lead to 50 different rooms, and with most of the lights usually turned off , it can feel like a fun house maze. There's 3 different stairwells, one of which leading to the main door where people are going in and out of church. Oh! which is located on a busy street, I might add. Caleb has tried to escape out of said door on other occasions so, of course, I am frantically running up and down the stairs calling out for him (as is Scott...who now knows what our little monkey is capable of). We are new to this church, I might add, so it's not like everyone knows us and our children and we certainly are not familiar with the complete layout of the church building. After what seemed like an eternity (5 minutes) a kind lady found him in the upstairs kitchen. She didn't seem too impressed when I poked fun of myself for losing him briefly just the day before! Good grief! I am going to have to be a pretty awesome mom this week in order to redeem myself of such irresponsible parenting!
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