All Children eventually move on to a new phase.... Nice Article
All My Babies Are Gone Now
By Anna Quindlen, Newsweek Columnist and Author
All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow, but in disbelief.
I take great satisfaction in what I have today: three almost-adults, two taller than I am, one closing in fast. Three people who read the same books I do and have learned not to be afraid of disagreeing with me in their opinion of them, who sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I choke and cry, who need razor blades and shower gel and privacy, who want to keep their doors closed more than I like.
Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom, zip up their jackets and move food from plate to mouth all by themselves.
Like the trick soap I bought for the bathroom with a rubber ducky at its center, the baby is buried deep within each, barely discernible except through the unreliable haze of the past.
Everything in all the books I once poured over is finished for me now. Penelope Leach, T. Berry Brazelton, Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry and sleeping through the night and early-childhood education - all grown obsolete. Along with Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are, they are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages dust would rise like memories. What those books taught me, finally, and what the women on the playground taught me, and the well-meaning relations - what they taught me, was that they couldn't really teach me very much at all.
Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay.
No one knows anything. One child responds well to positive reinforcement, another can be managed only with a stern voice and a timeout. One child is toilet trained at 3, his sibling at 2.
When my first child was born, parents were told to put baby to bed on his belly so that he would not choke on his own spit-up. By the time my last arrived, babies were put down on their backs because of research on sudden infant death syndrome. To a new parent, this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing. Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. Eventually the research will follow. I remember 15 years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton's wonderful books on child development, in which he describes three different sorts of infants: average, quiet, and active. I was looking for a sub-quiet codicil for an 18-month old who did not walk. Was there something wrong with his fat little legs? Was there something wrong with his tiny little mind? Was he developmentally delayed, physically challenged?
Was I insane? Last year he went to China . Next year he goes to college. He can talk just fine.
He can walk, too.
Every part of raising children is humbling. Believe me, mistakes were made. They have all been enshrined in the "Remember-When-Mom-Did" Hall of Fame. The outbursts, the temper tantrums, the bad language - mine, not theirs. The times the baby fell off the bed.
The times I arrived late for preschool pickup. The nightmare sleepover. The horrible summer camp. The day when the youngest came barreling out of the classroom with a 98 on her geography test, and I responded, "What did you get wrong?" (She insisted I include that here.) The time I ordered food at the McDonald's drive-through speaker and then drove away without picking it up from the window. (They all insisted I include that.) I did not allow them to watch the Simpsons for the first two seasons. What was I thinking?
But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs.
There is one picture of the three of them, sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night.
I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.
Even today I'm not sure what worked and what didn't, what was me and what was simply life. When they were very small, I suppose I thought someday they would become who they were because of what I'd done.
Now I suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let them be. The books said to be relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact and I was sometimes over the top. And look how it all turned out. I wound up with the three people I like best in the world, who have done more than anyone to excavate my essential humanity. That's what the books never told me. I was bound and determined to learn from the experts. It just took me a while to figure out who the experts were.
Monday, July 30, 2007
8 Things no one tells you about being a Mom
(Parenting Magazine Aug 2007)
There is no learning curve
You run in circles
You'll feel helpless sometimes
You don't get instant replays
There's no privacy
Your baby will eventually insult you
You have to force yourself to back off
You won't know if you've done a good job for , oh, 20 or 30 years!
(Parenting Magazine Aug 2007)
There is no learning curve
You run in circles
You'll feel helpless sometimes
You don't get instant replays
There's no privacy
Your baby will eventually insult you
You have to force yourself to back off
You won't know if you've done a good job for , oh, 20 or 30 years!
Optimal Feeding
World Breastfeeding Week Aug 1-7
Exclusive breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. A recent review of evidence has shown that, on a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, WHO and UNICEF recommend:
Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life Exclusive breastfeeding – that is the infant only receives breastmilk without any additional food or drink, not even water Breastfeeding on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night No use of bottles, teats or pacifiers Breastmilk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment.
World Breastfeeding Week Aug 1-7
Exclusive breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. A recent review of evidence has shown that, on a population basis, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, WHO and UNICEF recommend:
Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life Exclusive breastfeeding – that is the infant only receives breastmilk without any additional food or drink, not even water Breastfeeding on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night No use of bottles, teats or pacifiers Breastmilk is the natural first food for babies, it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life.Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment.
About Me
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
>
>Not sure but I don't think so
> >2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
>Last week when I was overwhelmed, and yelled at my kids too much and felt bad.
> >3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
> Hate it!
> >4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
> >Grilled Ham and swiss with avacado and a ton of condiments
> >5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
> > Yes, 3, I'm also in the throws of child rearing
> >6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
> >Probably
> >7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
>Yes, when I think quick enough to use it.
8. DO >YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
> Yes
> >9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
> >No, never. I don't even ride roller coasters
>10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
> Grape Nuts trail mix crunch
> >11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
> >I don't have any shoes that tie
>
>12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
> > mentally yes, physically no
> >13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM
> vanilla soft serve with peanut butter sauce
> >14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
> > eyes>
>15. RED OR PINK?
> pink>
>
>16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
> > wish I could relax more
>
>17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
> Jeff and Irene, my mother, and nanny
> >18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
> >yes
> >19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
> summer colored skirt (I'm at work) and gold crocs
> 20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
> >frozen yougurt
>21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
> > a fan
> >22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
> turqoise
> >23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
> >freshly bathed children, the rain, cookies baking, cinnamon
> >24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
> a nurse
> >25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
> Yes :)
> >26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
> > Football, swimming
> >27. HAIR COLOR?
> > reddish brown with foil highlights
> 28. EYE COLOR?
>Hazel green
>>29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
>> Yes, I'm blind and saving up for the laser surgery
>
>30. FAVORITE FOOD?
lobster and dessert
> >31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
> Happy Endings
> >32. LAST MOVIE SEEN
> > Old School
> >33.. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
> peach
>34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
>summer and fall
>35. HUGS OR KISSES?
> Both
>36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
I pretty much like any dessert
>39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
> Who has time to read? I like magazines and I have some books on learning for special needs children that I'm trying to get to, maybe I should get a book on tape.
>40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
>blue dirty mouse pad (at work)
>41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
We went to the beach last night
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
My children's laughter, silence (very rare in my house)
>43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
> >beatles
> >44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
> > Germany
> >45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
> photography
> >46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Bangor, ME
>
>
>
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
>
>Not sure but I don't think so
> >2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
>Last week when I was overwhelmed, and yelled at my kids too much and felt bad.
> >3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
> Hate it!
> >4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
> >Grilled Ham and swiss with avacado and a ton of condiments
> >5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
> > Yes, 3, I'm also in the throws of child rearing
> >6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
> >Probably
> >7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
>Yes, when I think quick enough to use it.
8. DO >YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
> Yes
> >9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
> >No, never. I don't even ride roller coasters
>10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
> Grape Nuts trail mix crunch
> >11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
> >I don't have any shoes that tie
>
>12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
> > mentally yes, physically no
> >13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM
> vanilla soft serve with peanut butter sauce
> >14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
> > eyes>
>15. RED OR PINK?
> pink>
>
>16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
> > wish I could relax more
>
>17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
> Jeff and Irene, my mother, and nanny
> >18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
> >yes
> >19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
> summer colored skirt (I'm at work) and gold crocs
> 20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
> >frozen yougurt
>21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
> > a fan
> >22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
> turqoise
> >23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
> >freshly bathed children, the rain, cookies baking, cinnamon
> >24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
> a nurse
> >25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
> Yes :)
> >26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
> > Football, swimming
> >27. HAIR COLOR?
> > reddish brown with foil highlights
> 28. EYE COLOR?
>Hazel green
>>29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
>> Yes, I'm blind and saving up for the laser surgery
>
>30. FAVORITE FOOD?
lobster and dessert
> >31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
> Happy Endings
> >32. LAST MOVIE SEEN
> > Old School
> >33.. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
> peach
>34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
>summer and fall
>35. HUGS OR KISSES?
> Both
>36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
I pretty much like any dessert
>39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
> Who has time to read? I like magazines and I have some books on learning for special needs children that I'm trying to get to, maybe I should get a book on tape.
>40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
>blue dirty mouse pad (at work)
>41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
We went to the beach last night
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
My children's laughter, silence (very rare in my house)
>43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
> >beatles
> >44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
> > Germany
> >45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
> photography
> >46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Bangor, ME
>
>
>
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The Lightle's in Maine
We had an amazing weekend with our friends. We were so happy that Emily, John, Maddie and Katie could come spend the weekend in Maine with us. We spent alot of time at the beach, and the kids had a blast! Friday night they arrived and we headed over to the beach after dinner and then out for some ice cream. Saturday, Emily and I went out for a much needed pedicure and some relaxation in a downtown spa. The guys and kids stayed home and played in the pool and on the swingset since it was such a hot and humid day. When Emily and I arrived back from the spa we were all set to head down to the beach again, but a thunderstorm quickly moved in. So we put on a movie for the kids and sat out on the front porch relaxing with some drinks and we watched the storm. After the storm blew through, we headed down to the beach again. It was incredible, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was low tide and we took an amazing walk down the entire length of the beach as the kids ran and played in the tidepools and looked for crabs. The sun was low in the sky and a soft breeze was blowing, it was a AMAZING sight. After our walk we headed back to the house for a lobsterbake. We tried the almond-butter Mussel recipie from the Fore street grille resturant and they came out AMAZING! After stuffing our faces, we put the kids to bed and settled in to laugh out loud to the movie Old School. It was such a fun weekend, but it went by way to quickly. The kids all play so well together, and Maddie and Katie are some of the cutest kids on the planet! Not one meltdown. We're looking forward to our next visit!
We had an amazing weekend with our friends. We were so happy that Emily, John, Maddie and Katie could come spend the weekend in Maine with us. We spent alot of time at the beach, and the kids had a blast! Friday night they arrived and we headed over to the beach after dinner and then out for some ice cream. Saturday, Emily and I went out for a much needed pedicure and some relaxation in a downtown spa. The guys and kids stayed home and played in the pool and on the swingset since it was such a hot and humid day. When Emily and I arrived back from the spa we were all set to head down to the beach again, but a thunderstorm quickly moved in. So we put on a movie for the kids and sat out on the front porch relaxing with some drinks and we watched the storm. After the storm blew through, we headed down to the beach again. It was incredible, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was low tide and we took an amazing walk down the entire length of the beach as the kids ran and played in the tidepools and looked for crabs. The sun was low in the sky and a soft breeze was blowing, it was a AMAZING sight. After our walk we headed back to the house for a lobsterbake. We tried the almond-butter Mussel recipie from the Fore street grille resturant and they came out AMAZING! After stuffing our faces, we put the kids to bed and settled in to laugh out loud to the movie Old School. It was such a fun weekend, but it went by way to quickly. The kids all play so well together, and Maddie and Katie are some of the cutest kids on the planet! Not one meltdown. We're looking forward to our next visit!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Goals
Today we had Breanna's transitional "meeting" for preschool. There was certainly a full crowd there, all for MY daughter. 3 case managers, 2 OT, 2 DT, a speech therapist, and physical therapist. Next year she will go to preschool 3 days a week for 3 hours, and have 5 hours of therapy on top of that. It was amazing to see in the meeting the professionals almost "taking over." "There is a human inside there after all that dissecting you do to her," I wish I could say. I think that is my main role in all of this, to bring back the "personal" side of things. I always wonder if I'm doing the best by Breanna, should I ask for "more"? Should I try to put her in a "regular" preschool. Am I taking the easy way out? Am I setting her up for a lifetime of being separated from other kids her age?
My goals for Breanna are so much more than learning to talk. I know things come in baby steps, but honestly and realistically she is not going to be a brain surgeon. I just want her to have friends, and to be able to live on her own and be happy. I know I can never do enough for her, there will always be that one more therapy appointment or activity that I just won't be able to take her to b/c I have two other kids. Honestly, just taking care of Breanna's needs and coordinating everything is a full time job, never mind my other kids, house, husband or job. I can't even fathom how hard things will be once she gets to public school and is just that much further behind her peers. But baby steps, right?
"I know that for a child with Down syndrome, she is doing very well already. But like all moms, I want even more. I want every bit of life I can grab for her. I want to take every second of learning time and make it count. I want to give her every chance to have the life I have always dreamed for her." (DS blogger) To the moon......
Today we had Breanna's transitional "meeting" for preschool. There was certainly a full crowd there, all for MY daughter. 3 case managers, 2 OT, 2 DT, a speech therapist, and physical therapist. Next year she will go to preschool 3 days a week for 3 hours, and have 5 hours of therapy on top of that. It was amazing to see in the meeting the professionals almost "taking over." "There is a human inside there after all that dissecting you do to her," I wish I could say. I think that is my main role in all of this, to bring back the "personal" side of things. I always wonder if I'm doing the best by Breanna, should I ask for "more"? Should I try to put her in a "regular" preschool. Am I taking the easy way out? Am I setting her up for a lifetime of being separated from other kids her age?
My goals for Breanna are so much more than learning to talk. I know things come in baby steps, but honestly and realistically she is not going to be a brain surgeon. I just want her to have friends, and to be able to live on her own and be happy. I know I can never do enough for her, there will always be that one more therapy appointment or activity that I just won't be able to take her to b/c I have two other kids. Honestly, just taking care of Breanna's needs and coordinating everything is a full time job, never mind my other kids, house, husband or job. I can't even fathom how hard things will be once she gets to public school and is just that much further behind her peers. But baby steps, right?
"I know that for a child with Down syndrome, she is doing very well already. But like all moms, I want even more. I want every bit of life I can grab for her. I want to take every second of learning time and make it count. I want to give her every chance to have the life I have always dreamed for her." (DS blogger) To the moon......
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
In a nutshell
Adults need special days too and I'm glad this one was. Josh's birthday went wonderfully! We started celebrating last night, since I was off from work, and took the whole family out to Applebees where Josh could relax and enjoy a nice cold frosty one. This morning was all about homemade cards and presents. Josh got the charcoal grill I gave him over the weekend, but Trevor made him a card which said, "Happy Birthday, I love you Daddy, Trevor." The amazing thing is that Trevor wrote all the letters ALL BY HIMSELF! It was so special and I was so proud of Trevor. Then Trevor wrapped up the grill accessories and book that Jeff and Irene sent in his Power Ranger wrapping paper and gave it to his daddy(Thanks guys, he loved them!).
Today, was all about the cake. First thing this morning, Trevor was rounding up all the candles in the house and counting them for, "daddy's 33 wishes." It was so cute. Then we all headed out to the grocery store to pick out a cake, frosting and decorations. Trevor had all the ingredients picked out in his very own little shopping cart. After we got home and had lunch, we proceeded to make the cake,lick the spoon, lick the bowl, bake the cake, make the frosting, lick the spoon again, and frost the cake, complete with YELLOW frosting decorations (that really didn't work out so well). It was chocolate cake, chocolate frosting just how Josh likes it:) Boy did that cake look homemade! The birthday boy was able to come home just a few minutes early from work to blow out his candles and be sung to. What a fire, with 33 candles! Thank you so much for everyone who took the time out of their busy day to make a phone call to Josh and send him good wishes, he had a great day, and defiantely felt the love you sent him on his birthday:) Pics to follow......
Adults need special days too and I'm glad this one was. Josh's birthday went wonderfully! We started celebrating last night, since I was off from work, and took the whole family out to Applebees where Josh could relax and enjoy a nice cold frosty one. This morning was all about homemade cards and presents. Josh got the charcoal grill I gave him over the weekend, but Trevor made him a card which said, "Happy Birthday, I love you Daddy, Trevor." The amazing thing is that Trevor wrote all the letters ALL BY HIMSELF! It was so special and I was so proud of Trevor. Then Trevor wrapped up the grill accessories and book that Jeff and Irene sent in his Power Ranger wrapping paper and gave it to his daddy(Thanks guys, he loved them!).
Today, was all about the cake. First thing this morning, Trevor was rounding up all the candles in the house and counting them for, "daddy's 33 wishes." It was so cute. Then we all headed out to the grocery store to pick out a cake, frosting and decorations. Trevor had all the ingredients picked out in his very own little shopping cart. After we got home and had lunch, we proceeded to make the cake,lick the spoon, lick the bowl, bake the cake, make the frosting, lick the spoon again, and frost the cake, complete with YELLOW frosting decorations (that really didn't work out so well). It was chocolate cake, chocolate frosting just how Josh likes it:) Boy did that cake look homemade! The birthday boy was able to come home just a few minutes early from work to blow out his candles and be sung to. What a fire, with 33 candles! Thank you so much for everyone who took the time out of their busy day to make a phone call to Josh and send him good wishes, he had a great day, and defiantely felt the love you sent him on his birthday:) Pics to follow......
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Mr. Mom
Today I attended and continuing education seminar for my job, and Josh took the day off work to stay home with the kids. Fun? right? Well, he was just saying a few months ago that he wished he could quit his job and become a stay-at-home Dad. Well, that lasted for one day...today. Lucas is a fussy baby (esp. when his Mom is not around) and needs constant walking, soothing, and stimulation. Well, When I got home -Josh was so tired! It have to admit it was a good feeling having that validation of how hard the job of taking care of the kids really is, and then to go to another job afterward at night, well sometimes is EXHAUSTING! No wonder I feel tired down to the absolute core sometimes:) It's not just me.
Today I attended and continuing education seminar for my job, and Josh took the day off work to stay home with the kids. Fun? right? Well, he was just saying a few months ago that he wished he could quit his job and become a stay-at-home Dad. Well, that lasted for one day...today. Lucas is a fussy baby (esp. when his Mom is not around) and needs constant walking, soothing, and stimulation. Well, When I got home -Josh was so tired! It have to admit it was a good feeling having that validation of how hard the job of taking care of the kids really is, and then to go to another job afterward at night, well sometimes is EXHAUSTING! No wonder I feel tired down to the absolute core sometimes:) It's not just me.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The Yarmouth Clam Festival
Every year we have been meaning to go to this event, but have never made it due to weather or other plans. This was our year-so we packed up the van and headed north to Yarmouth to fight the crowds. We parked and took a shuttle bus to the festival and if you ask me that bus ride was Trevor's favorite part of the day (it was a school bus). When we arrived at the festival we headed straight for the carnival. Trevor's favorite ride was -you guessed it- the giant slide! Breanna even got a turn this time (of course I missed that picture). Trevor also had fun playing some games and he won 2 stuffed animals and a toy Yo-yo. Next we headed over to the food section for lunch. They had everything you could imagine, and the crowd was fierce. I had a lobster roll and Josh had clam chowder and lime Rickeys-they were delicious! We finally found a place to sit down and enjoyed our lunch. By then we were pretty much out of money, so we headed home. It would have been fun to browse the hundreds of craft fair booths, but it would have been too much with the kids. Maybe next year (we'll get a babisitter!). All in all it was a fun day, but we are pooped! Bringing three kids under 5 out and about in the crowds is ALOT of work!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Grief
Something I've learned about life now that I'm a thirty-something. We all have grief at times and I find that it comes in waves rather than being there strongly and then and being over. Like when I see a group of teenage girls, getting their hair done for a wedding or prom and wonder if my little girl will ever get to do those things. There are many things/relationships in my life that didn't turn out as I expected. I've always been a worrier, but so much more now that I'm a Mom to three. What if something happens to one of my kids, my husband, or ME? What if today is the last day we get to spend together. I'm so thankful for this day, there is so much we take for granted. I think of the fact that Nanny will never get to meet Lucas (or his other new cousins). She so would have loved him. I just picture her sitting around the campfire a few years back just playing with Breanna when she was a baby. Pure Joy on her face, that's what I remember....
Something I've learned about life now that I'm a thirty-something. We all have grief at times and I find that it comes in waves rather than being there strongly and then and being over. Like when I see a group of teenage girls, getting their hair done for a wedding or prom and wonder if my little girl will ever get to do those things. There are many things/relationships in my life that didn't turn out as I expected. I've always been a worrier, but so much more now that I'm a Mom to three. What if something happens to one of my kids, my husband, or ME? What if today is the last day we get to spend together. I'm so thankful for this day, there is so much we take for granted. I think of the fact that Nanny will never get to meet Lucas (or his other new cousins). She so would have loved him. I just picture her sitting around the campfire a few years back just playing with Breanna when she was a baby. Pure Joy on her face, that's what I remember....
Three things...
Three Things about me you may not have known . . .
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Three jobs I have had in my life:
>
> > 1. Dishwasher
> > 2. Pharmacy intern
>
> > 3. Pharmacist
>
> >
>
> > Three Places that I have lived: (since I've been married)
>
> > > > 1. Yarmouth,
> > 2. Scarborough x 2 different houses
>
>
> >
>
> > > Three TV shows I like to watch:
>
> > 1. QVC Scrapbooking
>
> > 2. Hell's Kitchen
>
> > 3. Last Comic Standing
>
> >
>
> > > 1> Three places I have been on holiday:
>
> > > 1. Germany
>
> > 2. Turks and Caicos
>
> > 3. Virginia
>
> > >
>
> > > Three of my favorite foods:
>
> > 1. Lobster
>
> > 2. steak
>
> > 3. Pasta
>
> >
>
> > > 1.> Three places where I would rather be right now:
>
> > 1. At the beach
>
> > 2. With my kids
>
> > 3. With my husband and kids
>
Three Things about me you may not have known . . .
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > Three jobs I have had in my life:
>
> > 1. Dishwasher
> > 2. Pharmacy intern
>
> > 3. Pharmacist
>
> >
>
> > Three Places that I have lived: (since I've been married)
>
> > > > 1. Yarmouth,
> > 2. Scarborough x 2 different houses
>
>
> >
>
> > > Three TV shows I like to watch:
>
> > 1. QVC Scrapbooking
>
> > 2. Hell's Kitchen
>
> > 3. Last Comic Standing
>
> >
>
> > > 1> Three places I have been on holiday:
>
> > > 1. Germany
>
> > 2. Turks and Caicos
>
> > 3. Virginia
>
> > >
>
> > > Three of my favorite foods:
>
> > 1. Lobster
>
> > 2. steak
>
> > 3. Pasta
>
> >
>
> > > 1.> Three places where I would rather be right now:
>
> > 1. At the beach
>
> > 2. With my kids
>
> > 3. With my husband and kids
>
Raising Boys
The thing about raising little boys is that they can go from high energy picking at you monster to total sweetness in one millisecond. The other night after Trevor spent the whole day mad at me for removing him from his swimming lesson (for not listening to the teacher), he said to Josh, "where's Mom?...because I miss her." Sweet moments......
The thing about raising little boys is that they can go from high energy picking at you monster to total sweetness in one millisecond. The other night after Trevor spent the whole day mad at me for removing him from his swimming lesson (for not listening to the teacher), he said to Josh, "where's Mom?...because I miss her." Sweet moments......
Sunday, July 15, 2007
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