One Year

My baby,


The moment they put you into my arms, I knew you were mine, forever. You reminded me of your sister, yet had a look or your own. You were chubby, and squishy and new. You were a good baby and we learned about each other in those first few days. Your spastic, uncontrolled movements consistent with those of a newborns, quickly became controlled, purposeful movements, and you were determined from the beginning to move. But then again, you had to, to escape the nonstop bombardment from your siblings. But it was apparent in your look that you adored them. You had to see what they were doing, and had to laugh at their antics.



Which brings me to your smile and laugh. It is so contagious. I asked your big brother what he liked most about you and he told me-your laugh. It is so sweet and content. You love to flash so many others that smile of yours. I had a guy tell me in church he was excited we sat in front of him for the second week in a row because he loved to see you smile at everyone.



You are a busy little girl. I knew it from the time I tried to contain you on my bed with pillows and you managed to escape them at only 4 months. It has been a race to keep up with you since. You were one speedy crawler and have now turned into a drunken speedwalker sailor. It makes us all laugh to watch you amble about. You try to get going so fast, but more times than not, slide into first, safe as always. I am sure you learned to be so fast so you could escape the unrelenting grasp of your big sister.



You are a charmer and a sweetheart. I love how your big brother refers to you as his "little sweetheart". He sees you and says, "Hi sweetheart" without fail, he calls, "Come here sweetheart", and you come. But the problem is, you have melted all of our hearts and have learned to be all of our sweethearts. Your heart is tender and you have a concern for others. It makes you upset to see others cry and you always want to reach out to them and give them a hug. It is amazing that at a year, I can see such characteristics in you already.



We have been through a lot together. You have defnitely been my most challenging baby, but have taught me that with patience and understanding I will and can endure. I can't believe that you, my baby, are already a year old. You have brought such joy and happiness into my life. You have touched us with your sweet spirit and have blessed us with your presence. To the years to come. . .much love, your Mom.

A Birthday Preview

So Secure

I try. I really try. But I just can't seem to get the hang of these things. Bobby Pins. I will try and try again to use them. I have used them before and I know I can be successful, so I have at them again. Ten minutes later, still no luck. Twenty minutes later, I finally decide to throw the towel in. I don't understand why they are called "So Secure". They sure don't make me feel secure in my hair doing abilities, or in keeping my hair secure. I feel like I should be able to throw them in my hair in one minute, but it never, never happens. I put them in and my hair pokes out at funny angles or the bobby pin slips out the second I put the bobby pin in. I try opening them to put them in, doesn't work. So I try to slide them in, even worse. But, I don't give up easily, so I go back after the 20 minutes to try again, just a few more times. I have conquered before, so I will again. I think I should learn my lesson and just throw the things away.

The Rat that was NOT a Cat.

As we left yesterday morning to head off to Kid 3's surgery at 5:30 in the morning, my husband saw something moving in the gutter in front of our house. After pointing it out and both of us making an assessment we decided it was a RAT. A HUGE UGLY HAIRY RAT. We were both so shocked that we even turned the car around to find the little creature again and see where it was heading. It just hung out in the gutter and wasn't very afraid of us. I told a few people in the neighborhood and they weren't so convinced and kept asking me if was a cat. Unless cats have a long skinny hairless tail, it definitely was a RAT. I didn't know we had them here in Utah like that, not to mention in my own front yard. I am only disappointed in the fact that I didn't get a picture, but then again, maybe not.

Tubes

It was definetly time to give in and get my little one ear tubes. She did great and we were out of there about 30 minutes after the procedure. She is sleeping alright and eating great and even hearing things I know she wasn't hearing before. After the 8th ear infection and countless numbers of sleepless nights, I am hoping for more uninterrupted sleep and a happier baby. I hope my expectations aren't set to high. Only time will tell.

The Bunny that Kept On Hopping

I have to admit that the Easter Bunny didn't come to my house growing up. I have asked my mom about it a few times and she said every now and then he brought a basket or something, but I don't remember it. I can remember dyeing eggs and hiding them ourselves throughout the house and then trying to find them. I am pretty sure a few times we found a random egg months later hidden remotely behind some book or decoration. I don't remember ever using kits, I think we would make our own with food coloring and vinegar. Having said this, I don't know what the Easter Bunny is supposed to do. This year he was a little late. The weekend started with the city Easter egg hunt. It was very crowded and fun. They had age divisions for 2 and under and then 3-5, etc. I took Kid 3 to the 2 and under and sat her there and let her try to figure out what she was supposed to do. I was shocked to see other kids make out of there with baskets overflowing. Yeah right. It makes me laugh to watch parents, I mean the kids, fly through the hunt so quickly and aptly. The next day we headed to church and after I was trying to get some pictures of the kids in their Easter clothes. Being the mean mom I am, I quickly hurt Kid 1's little heart and had a hard time getting him to smile after I asked him to stop moving. We then dyed some eggs after we all took a much needed nap. All this time the kids kept on asking when the Easter Bunny was coming. They had it in their head that little bunny footprints would mark the way to the eggs or basket or whatever they were hoping for. We then went to grandma and grandpa's and participated in yet another Easter egg hung, but this time the adults could join in. We escaped with a few movies and some gift certificates to a few of our favorite restaurants. This is my type of hunt. Since we didn't get home until late we decided that the Easter bunny would have to come in the morning. I was a whole day late!!!! Then, to top it all off, we didn't even hide our eggs until the next night, somehow mysteriously while I was cleaning up dinner, the Easter bunny snuck upstairs to hide the eggs. The kids were excited he finally found our house. And I decided I either need to learn how to do Easter right, or just not do it at all.

Flyin Follow-up

I have been shocked to learn that there are many of you out there who have gave "flying" a try and even know what I am talking about when I say Flylady. I must say, I have tried a few things, but I don't put on my shoes. I don't like to wear shoes, so why would I want to wear them in my house. I may have to figure something else out. It must be time to go swish and swipe, or hit one of my hot spots, gotta run.