what a ride

This is already a 5 month old blog post! WOW. i have like 10 of these.... stored up as drafts.. as i hash out something in writing at one point, never finding the time to come back and proof read, grammar check etc.  So today i thought i'd just post this one... one that never made it to publish... but reading it i thought what the heck.... imperfect is me and my crazy life that i love these days... so why not post it!

It's just natural that when your second little baby comes along, they don't get just the same amount of attention as the first.  And its true your energy is divided, still caring for the first too.  And that first little child has to learn to share you.  For River, he laid "claim" on daddy, in some way feeling like I'm now mommy to the new baby who needs milk probably seems like constantly.  But he still seems to understand that I love him just as much.  And somehow he doesn't really seem to hurt at all because as this little sister becomes a little person who he worries about every morning, every cry, and laughs with and shares with he seems to know without even understanding, that his little sister made his life so much better.  Its true that most pictures involve you both now, so solo pictures of this second little baby Mercy aren't as many.  But still are many.  And while she is doing all her 'firsts' and your heart is so full of love and joy, your oldest is still doing so many new things too.  While she is sitting up, he is saying words.  Every day is an adventure. And while I wish i could give every bit of attention to both of you. I can't .  But my little girl wakes up earlier every nap time, and we get time just us.  And she often is up later, waiting standing up in her crib wailing until she gets just a few more cuddles and passes out.  Her huge 2 teeth grins, her absolute delight in my face, and constant looking for my gaze tells me she is not lacking.  Yet, here on this blog. its just for her.  Because there still is time for just her.  Apart from her and him.  Apart from the family time.  Time I give just to her. Little Mercy Belle.

Brand new

taken by Lisa Landrie

taken by Lisa Landrie

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

7 Months

8 Months

Mercy Belle is just about 9 months old. Where has this time gone to?

Conversation with a 2.5+ year old

I just wanted to try to start capturing some conversations that are happening around here.  I love probing River's little brain, and listening to his stories and seeing how great his imagination is and all the learning he's storing up inside there.
I wanted to write out some of these so I can see the changes as time passes.  Because it seems like just yesterday he was only saying "ball" 5 million times a day.

I pull up to the university today to run in and pick something up.
River: "mommy, what is this place?"
Me: "this is where I went to nursing school. Its called the university"
River:"i want to go there.....now"
Me: "you can go to university when you are older"
River:"k"
Me:" what do you want to be when you get older River?"
River:" I want to be a I want to be a DINOSAUR when i get older"
Me." O wow, that's pretty cool.  But what do you want to do for a job?"
River: " I want to work"
Me : " Well that's good! What do you want to do for work?"
River: " I want to dig"

And there you have it.  The world could always use more digging I'm sure.

And the proceeds to tell me a story " mom there was a little birdie on that tree and then it jumped and flew over to that tree and then flew away and the snow dropped down. squeal!  " well i love hearing about the birdies that i often don't even take the time to notice at all.

Just a rant for today

In Touch Magazine..... Two thumbs down today for stupidity.  Could have been a little more creative with the latest issues cover page.  We all know the divorce of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is big news.  But the title  "Suri forgetting about her mom already?" Is WEAK.. Lame!!.... It angered me at the Safeway till today.  Mostly because I'm a sucker that occasionally buys these garbage magazines.  But come on.  A 5 year old girl going swimming with her dad and maybe to disneyland is not going to cause her to forget her mom!!!! Get a life In TOUCH .......  

I get a good feeling

Things that have made me happy lately

#1) Take out pizza in the park.  Glow sticks.  Dancing with the kids and smiling till our faces hurt... Rocking out to Micheal Franti at the jazz festival. A definite summer highlight. Sharing it with great friends too.

#2) A girls night out to an outdoor Feist concert.  Great atmosphere.  Catching up with so many people.    Walking around without worrying about my kids.  Seeing my cousins. Our jazz festival is awesome. And so are oma and opa for babysitting.

#3) The forestry farm.  Its amazing how much more River gets out of the zoo in just a year.  Making animal sounds, climbing fences, listening and soaking up my commentary and then repeating it all back to daddy later.  Brain working faster than words can speak. "Bears! Walking in Circles! Roar! Lions! Baby Scared. Daddy Lion! Cougars! Eat you! Monkeys! Swinging on ropes! Jumping!" The stories and excitement made me so glad to go.  A play day with Brady. Kristy.  And having the most happy content baby girl to just watch and enjoy the ride.

#4) Picnics in the park

#5) Reading books before nap time

#6 Trying out new recipes.  Pesto beef/lamb stuffed portabella mushrooms with asparagus. I like

#7) Enjoying a beautiful new kitchen.  I wouldn't choose anything differently.... and that feeling is almost better than the kitchen. Regret sucks

#8) Evening walks.  Watching buskers and having bus stop ice-cream as family

#9) Finishing my first 5k race.  No stopping.  Goal met.  and then some.  Personal best. Doing it with my sister in law.  Enough said.

#10) Mercy sleeping through the night.  Occasionally.  And when she doesn't... My one button coffee machine makes me happy. And tastes soooo good.

#11) meeting friends new babies and seeing growing bellies.

#12) dreaming many dreams with my love.

#13) Amish Cinnamon bread

#14) anticipation of summer ahead

When it comes my turn

Doesn't this song just make you feel good inside..... Want to play guitar and sing around a campfire... maybe ill do just that.  Cheers to Canada day and a hot long weekend.... and being young at heart. cuz i'm getting old... but I'm not old yet..... gonna be THIRTY soon! and i don't feel a day over 20 :)

David Myles has a gem here. a little jig.

David Myles - When It Comes My Turn lyrics

I'm getting old but I'm not old yet
I'm already worried that I might forget
How to laugh, how to love
How to live, how to learn
I want to die with a smile when it comes my turn

I don't want to get weary, don't want to get bored
Don't want to get tired walking down this road
I've seen that happen so many times
I just want to believe that it still worth trying

But I know that it's easier said than done
And I ain't no different than anyone
I worry about my money, got bills that I can't pay
I swear I'm more like my father every day

Maybe I'll start bowling, maybe I'll play bridge
Maybe I'll join a band with my own grandkids
I don't care if it kills me, I'm gonna do what it takes
To keep some warmth in my heart and a smile on my face

A snowman named frosty

A warm warm winter's day. How lucky were we. Melting snow everywhere. Who knew the day we picked to build a snowman would be the last chance we would get? The first snowman was kinda a big deal. (although River would rather have shovelled all day instead. I have to pry that shovel out of his hand every morning I am trying to go somewhere) Daddy got to name him. Of course it has to be Frosty. Ok so the "man" is Frosty. The wonderment of a child as he discovers melting eaves troughs, shovels snow and sees birds and planes makes a regular day outside totally fulfilling. As i went to get my shovel I heard a blood curdling scream and I came around back to see our snowman had melted and fallen over. All I made out was "man. down". through tears. pretty accurate I'd say. I said we needed to report this to daddy at once. He marched on inside the next second and did just that. And Chris acted as though this was the most critical news ever reported. He inspected the scene and deemed it an utter tragedy. What a good daddy. It was quickly forgotten until we decided to dig through the snow for his parts a few days later with grandma after marching through puddles. How quick the seasons change. Now puddles are all the rage. I love life with my toddler.

sweet little peach

T H I S S W E E T L I T T L E P E A C H I S 5 M O N T H S O L D T O D A Y

M Y O M Y