Alligator Roll Advice

I sincerely appreciate the advice for how to handle the diaper/clothes changing "alligator roll" (very fitting description 3B, 2B, 1B) but this is how the something to hold strategy goes over in our house.  Lol 

The Fun and the Not So Fun

I took great measures to make sure the grocery store balloon was secure onto the cart but didn't think about it coming loose from the balloon end!  PC and I were too busy choosing bagels and yogurt to see it happen or the look on LB's face, which I'm sure would have been pretty funny.   

This pulling up business has me stressed out!  LB has had some rough tumbles lately.  He has started pulling up on lots of things that do not support his weight and, if we're not within arm's reach, down he goes.  I try to act calm and cool with each fall but I am not cut out to be an actress!  There is a reason it's called hard wood floors, my poor baby's head:[   

 

Diapering and changing clothes has become quite the challenge these days.  LB flip flops around all over the place and sometimes I give up and off goes a (happy) little naked LB.  I asked my sitter and MIL about this behavior and they have told him a stern "no" and the little stinker is an angel for them.  So, I tried that.  Evidently I don't speak the right kind of "no" language.  Whew!

Am I the only one in blog land with a 10 1/2 month old who has never slept through the night?  We keep waiting... and waiting...

Lately I have been trying to organize LB's pictures from his first year to give them to a high school student who is interested in video to turn them into a DVD/slideshow for Christmas.  I am so excited about it but going back through the maternity pics to the birth to these precious past months has been emotional to say the least.  Especially when I found songs I wanted to go with each category... Mi.racle by C.eline D.ion and The D.ay B.efore Y.ou by Rascal Flatts... gah, instead of a box of popcorn I will need a box of Kleenex to actually watch the thing when it's done!

Then I start thinking about Thanksgiving and a ONE year old and Christmas... Blessed and I've said it here time and time again but I mean it... beyond grateful!  Even with the lack of sleep:] 

Getting in front of the lens

A co-worker/friend passed along this article to me recently.  She said it's so true and something she wish she had read years ago when her boys were little.  It's about the mom staying in the pictures.  If you haven't read it yet, it's worth your time.  It really struck a chord with me.  Here we are nearly 12 months into our little guy's year of firsts and I am in a handful of pictures, always feeling the need to be the one to get the picture or to have at least partial hair and makeup in tact.

So when I woke up to the sound of the camera for the picture below, I was fussing at PC.  "Gah... delete that... no makeup, hair is pulled back in a mess... " and he said "but y'all look so sweet together."  I'm glad he didn't listen.  Who cares?  This is how we spend at least half of the night and when our little guy finally starts sleeping through the night, or in a big boy bed, this picture will hold a treasured memory.

And this one.  We're introducing new foods and some don't agree so well with LB's tummy.  This is him with an upset tummy and I just want him to know that I am right there.  My arms wrapped around him, telling him I love him and that I'm so sorry his tummy hurts and I wish I could make it better.

If I hadn't handed the camera over for this, I would have missed the best kiss ever.

From here on out, I am getting in front of the lens and making my best effort to capture those moments that yell "mom is right here!"  And moments that tell a story of how much I love being LB's mom, even if it's not always picture perfect.  

Our Family

For years I have attempted to maintain a level of anonymity here because PC and I are private to a fault.  I also really don't want to share my dysfunctional ovary woes with just anyone IRL. 

But last year those dysfunctional ovaries produced  2 good eggs and I gave birth to 1 super sweet miracle baby, thanks to modern medicine & prayers.

And I can also picture everyone on the blogs that I read the most and truly appreciate that you share so many aspects of your life with people you've never met.  Frankly, it becomes frustrating not always being able to place a face with a name.

Plus I turned 36 yesterday and know there are more important things in life than worrying about any IRL stalkers who are interested in my infertility. 

So there's no time like the present.  The seriously about to kick some butt cowboy PC and his trashy saloon girl Miss Mac and their little outlaw LB are coming out to say hello and that they had a blast this weekend going out of town for a little family adventure.  :]  

Where did the baby go?

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite L.ittle G.olden B.ooks was Where Did the Baby Go?  I have somehow held on to it and it now sits on LB's shelf.  It's a story about a little girl who finds a picture of a baby and asks her mom where she can find this baby.  She looks around the house and finally tries on a hat, smiles in the mirror and realizes that she is the baby in the picture.

 

 I have thought about that book several times recently because I have been asking the same question!

Where did the baby go that once laid in the crib and looked so tiny?

Now we have lowered the mattress because our little baby started turning the monitors on and off!

Where did the baby go that was so excited about seeing a ball?

Now we are running to grab cords and "save him" when he gets stuck behind furniture from chasing a ball!

Where did the baby go that used to ride around in his car seat in the stroller caddy?

Now he looks like such a big boy riding around in a shopping cart!

Where did the baby go with the gummy grin?

Now he has a grin with 3.5 teeth!  (side note:  .5 front tooth has been m.e.a.n :( and please excuse the rice cake crumbs) 

Where did the baby go that had to have pillows under his feet in the Jumperoo?

Now his feet easily touch the ground!

Where did the baby go that needed me the entire bath time?  

Now he needs lots of play time without me (although I am cheering from less than 1 foot away)!

Wow, it feels like LB is growing and changing so much that it won't be long until we are getting ready for school!

Geez, mom!  Quit being so sentimental... I like doing big boy things!  

And some expressions never change:]