Nate's Antics

Three words describe our little "Nater Tater": busy, busy, BUSY! I'm doing my best to limit him to only one video in the excersaucer a day and that is HARD! If I want to get anything done I have to put him among toys as deep as I can (so as to make it difficult for him to climb over them) then run to do my task before he catches me or finds something to get into before I can replace him to his safe spot with the toys. Does this make sense? Just imagine this: I'm unloading the dishwasher and Nate is sitting on the rug in back of the kitchen surrounded by toys and a few feet away from "danger zones." I place him on the rug, run to the dishwasher to unload a couple of dishes, keeping a constant watchful eye on him while he makes his way either to (a.) the shoe bin in efforts to chew on our dirty shoes, (b.) pull to a stand on the garbage can to watch the lid swing, or (c.) knock the broom down to bang the dustpan on the floor and check for any lost cherrios. All of these activities are much more interesting to him than the HUNDREDS of toys that we have in our house. I got smart the other day while cooking supper and gave him a real pot and spatula, he played with those on the kitchen floor for a good 10 minutes. I remember doing this with Mae (but she wasn't nearly as busy if I remember correctly), I would give her something from that drawer in the kitchen that we all have with the odds and ends cookware (garlic press, measuring spoons and cups, mixer attachments, etc...) She would play with those kinds of "toys" while I cooked our entire meal. She was intrigued.



Anyway, like I was saying Nate is busy. His favorite toys other than the shoes, broom, dustpan and garbage can lid are the garbage can liners in the bathroom and beside the changing table (they make a very fun noise!) and Mae's mini-potty (isn't that lovely?!). Obviously he never actually gets to play with these things but he sure does try over and over and over throughout the day. I'm not one to completely, to the letter baby-proof the house, or contain the baby in playpens or with baby gates. I do enough to make it count (shut doors, cover outlets, remove obvious dangers) but mainly I just watch the kids to make sure they're safe. I know this phase will pass with Nate and if I just remove all the things he shouldn't touch or if I completely baby proof so he can just do whatever he wants, how will he learn limits? Eventually he'll grow tired and bored with the everyday items in the house, but for now he's discovering new things with his new-found skills of crawling and cruising. I do enjoy (and laugh at) what he's discovering about his abilities and surroundings. It's amazing to see this once, not-so-long-ago immobile infant turn into a mischievous, busy little toddler.

Strawberry Fields Forever

We picked strawberries last week for the first time this year. The strawberry field at Washington Farms is massive and abundant with ripe, red, juicy strawberries. Mae LOVES strawberries and I'm searching for plenty of recipes in order to use the bucket full of fruit we brought home. I've realized while loading up our pictures from the farm that I have similar pictures from last year.

Mae last year.............................and this year.

Nate last year..........................and this year!

Also, there are a few trips such as those to the strawberry field that repeat year after year. In a way, I guess we've started our little traditions...

pumpkin patch in the fall,

baking cookies and trimming the tree where each ornament has a story at Christmas,

planting flowers and puddle jumping in the spring,

picking strawberries and blueberries in the summer...

These aren't big, expensive affairs but they mean a lot. It doesn't take a vacation or a lot of money to make fun, memorable experiences for a family. In fact, in some cases it's just taking the ordinary, everyday moments and turning them into something bigger and better. By doing these things year after year, I can see a parallel comparison of how much Mae has grown and matured over the past year. Last year it was difficult to keep Mae from stomping through the strawberry patch. She wanted to eat the fruit that had fallen on the ground, and mush it all between her fingers. This year, she understood only to pick the red berries, not to step on them on the ground, stay on the path, and that we have to wash them before we eat them. We're making progress! Maybe next year she'll actually be able to understand that those strawberries come from the little white flowers and before that they are planted in the ground as seedlings.

I want to keep up these traditions to ingrain the good memories in our kids. I think by doing things over and over (and taking lots of pictures and looking at them often!) they will most likely have a memory that will stick forever.

Precious Child

Just for the morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream out and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you're going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how your were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and scream inside they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight, I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day.

--Author Unknown

Licking the Spoon

Do you recall when you were small, Mom baking in the afternoon?
Those special treats were made complete if she let you lick the spoon. It seemed so good, and Mom understood, it was a taste of what was to come. Those little bites brought much delight - each savored on your tongue. That time is gone, but thoughts live on because of Mom's love and a plain old spoon. The tables are turned, and I'll use what I've learned. The years pass by so soon.

Now, I'm all grown with kids of my own, and it seems to be quite an honor To call each one and to see the fun that it brings my son and daughters. With eager feet, they'll race to beat, as if the first one there can grab it, But, I open the drawer and dip in two more. There's plenty for each to have.

Friend, God's love is a delicacy from above - like a bouquet of flowers in full bloom. His lovingkindess He shows is timeless - just think of His Word as a spoon. Come taste the splendor, so rich and tender, given free for you're His child and adored. Rush in and savor, there's no sweeter flavor. Praise Him for He is the Lord! Lift your voices high, and your hands to the sky. Exalt Him and seek His way. Make a run for the spoon - morning, night and noon. Worship in His holy array.

Abide in His Word, and heed what you've heard, for He's promised His best is to come. His Kingdom must reign. He's covered each stain. Long for the return of His Son! He's coming again, though no one knows when, I pray it will be real soon. Beloved, hold fast, and with the trumpet's blast, may we each be found licking the spoon.

It's my prayer -- Donna Hauntsman

Springtime

Mae is the perfect combination - she loves to be a girl and play dress up, have tea parties, take care of baby dolls, etc... BUT she also LOVES to play outside. She loves to make a mess, loves to eat and loves, loves, loves to play in the dirt. Yesterday was a good opportunity for Jon and I to get some work done in the yard (soft dirt for planting) so we suited Mae in her rain boots and coat to let her puddle jump and dig in the dirt. Nate was taking a late afternoon nap while we were outside. I know he and Mae will have so much fun when they're old enough to really play together. Mae already wants to include him in everything and treats him like a friend (even the part about not wanting to share) and I can hardly wait to see them laughing and splashing together next spring.

We had a great Easter this year, no trips to the ER like the previous two years in a row. Jon, however, woke up with the stomach bug that had been passed around our house and barely made it to church (which would've been bad because he was playing lead guitar for the choir that morning). He was even feeling better by lunchtime to enjoy a nice Easter meal. He did miss the kids opening their Easter baskets, but I got it all on video for him to watch later. My favorite part about them opening their baskets was how excited Mae was to share the experience with Nate. When she saw the two baskets lined up in front of the fireplace like stockings at Christmas she exclaimed, "Look Nate!" as she put his basket in front of him. She preceded to show him everything in his basket, giving it to him one by one, before she opened her own. The thing she was most excited about in her basket was a pair of sparkly pink flip-flops and when she saw them she immediately wanted to share her joy and excitement with Nate. He didn't seem to care as much about the flip-flops as she did since he just kept on drooling over his Easter eggs. I think Christmas should be really fun this year, Mae is really starting to get into holidays and surprises. Nate will get there soon, he'll probably still be more interested in the packaging. Below is one of the videos I took on Easter morning, remember to turn off the playlist at the bottom of the page.

I always try to be honest, open and positive while blogging. It's really like therapy for me to write out my thoughts and to dissect my day, or week depending on how often I'm able blog. It's also helped me seek out those little moments throughout my day that welcome me into motherhood time and time again. Everyday, small moment that still leave me in wonder that I'm a mommy. Cuddling with Mae and Nate in my lap, watching Mae attempt a new task and helping her work through the frustrations that might bring, seeing Nate learn to crawl and feed himself, and the list goes on. When you're a stay at home mom you don't necessarily have a daily task sheet that you can mark off throughout your day and then have someone come behind you to check your work. It's not a job that has promotions or pay raises. In fact, the tasks only get harder, the rewards become fewer and demands increase as you have more children. This isn't sounding very positive, but the point I'm trying to make is that a mommy can find those rewards, that joy from small everyday moments...even if it's just a minute long tickle-fest, or one second cuddle from a busy toddler, a kiss on the check (muffled by a pacifier) when Mae climbs in our bed at 2am, and the list goes on. Mae and Nate are growing at lightening speed and I want to savor and hold these thoughts and moments in my mind forever. Always thinking of our future, but also holding onto the present.

"It's not like we're going to wake up tomorrow and they're going to be three. Tomorrow they're just going to be one day older than they are today. [That's just how we have to look at it so it doesn't become too overwhelming]." -Kate Gosselin

Toddler 'Tudes

Mae is developing in every aspect - physically, mentally, emotionally, etc... She's also developing a little attitude of her own. She's practicing already for her little teenage looks she'll give us when we embarrass her or tell her she can't go out on a school night (or any other night if Jon has anything to say about it!). I think I've even see her eyes roll in the back of her head when I told her not to jump on the couch...
I need to capture these moments on film in order to have a more well-rounded image of Mae at two years old. She's stubborn and testy...she'll stare us down when we tell her to do something in order to say, "Well, what are you going to do if I don't listen to you?" She's really testing us lately to see if we're going to follow through with what we say. We do have high expectations for her, but the majority of what we expect are safety issues: To come to us when we call her, for her to stop running when we tell her to stop (especially in a public place). I'm wondering if she will always test her boundaries...I'm expecting to be in this for the long haul and for her to constantly question our authority at least through the teenage years and perhaps into college. Right now I'm thankful that testing her limits only includes jumping on the bed, bouncing a ball off of Nate's head and coloring outside the lines (that's not really testing her limits, but in her world that's pretty important). I'm good with preschoolers, pretty understandable with school-age kids, but when it comes to teenagers I'm pretty clueless.
I caught glimpses of The Doctors and The View on ABC this morning. Both shows focused on "Secret Lives of Teens."Here are the links to their topics today:

http://abc.go.com/daytime/theview/recaps
http://thedoctorstv.com/main/show_page/212

I didn't watch either show in their entirety so I'm not sure of the total content, nonetheless it's daunting from what I was watching. I'll have to go to my brother and his wife (the youth pastors) to get the "low down" (do they say that anymore?) on what's up in the world of teenagers when we reach that point. Today I'm going to color, read "Hide and Seek Little People on the Farm", and enjoy Mae wanting my constant attention. I'll be begging for her attention in a few years...