This old rocker

My Memere has this rocking chair in her house. It's been there for as long as I can remember. I have so many memories wrapped up in that rocking chair.  Snuggles, stories, comfort, having my ear tickled... I can visualize exactly where that rocking chair sits. The light that hung above it, the picture of my Memere and her 17 brothers and sisters (in black and white) hanging on the wall.

That chair represents more than just a chair, its a childhood of love.  I grew up in a family (both immediate and extended) that never hesitated to demonstrate love and care.  I was often sick as a child and would go to Memere's during the day because my parents both worked. Memere would set me up with some yummy food, tuck me in with a blanket and we would snuggle while watching Young and the Restless! (yes I know brilliant tv viewing for a child! Lol we all have our weaknesses don't we.. Memere is no exception!)

As we both got older - I got bigger and her legs became weaker.. but she would still pull me up on her lap sometimes and rock with me :)

I have a rocking chair now - in Jude's room. After only 9 months, I already have a slew of memories wrapped up in that chair.  Memory #1. Mommy and Jude (less than 2 weeks old) sitting on the floor in the nursery watching Daddy put the chair together! :)

As Jude grows, my hearts cry is that this rocking chair will become for him what my Memere's old pink rocker is for me. A symbol of unconditional love and comfort. No matter how much my Memere had to do in a day, she always would stop and rock with me. You know the squeaks that a rocker makes as it goes back and forth? Sometimes, i can hear, "I love you" like little breathy sounds at each creak.  A rocking chair of love.

May you all take time to rock your children - knowing those are memories that will travel a lifetime.

Little arms reaching...

Hands down - best feeling in the world - is when my son reaches out his pudgy little arms asking for Momma to pick him up. WOW.. Arms wide open, eyes adoring me... love at its purest form.  I pray that my son will always look at me that adoringly. Now most of you Momma's to older children will tell me to enjoy it while it lasts - and I am, but is there a way to have my baby boy grow to be a big boy and still reach out his arms to me (even if its metaphorically).

I was at a Pampered Chef party (how many ppl LOVE pampered chef?) a few months back, and the consultant was sharing a story with me afterwards about her 19 yr. old son.  She said that when he was a boy, she would always read to him, and one of their favourites was the Robert Munch, "Love you forever".  In the story (for those of you who've never read it... you NEED TO), the author repeats one verse over and over;

"I'll love you forever, 

I'll like you for always, 

as long as I'm living 

my baby you'll be."

At the end of the story it changes slightly and its the baby all grown up now singing to his mother. And he sings;

"I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My Mommy you'll be"

It's really just the sweetest story. So this consultant is sharing about how they brought her 19 yr old to college for the first time. They were getting him set up in his dorm room and she was just a wreck. She said her stomach was in knots and she hadn't been able to eat all day, because her baby boy was leaving home.  I can imagine her agony.  Well it came time to leave and she could barely make it to the car from her emotions. Her son walked with her and kept telling her he was going to be fine.

Well just as she was about to say goodbye her son pulled her in his arms and whispered in her ear.

"I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living 

My Mommy you'll be."

Obviously she started to cry, I was crying as she was telling me this story.!  Imagine your 19 yr old son remembering this story from his childhood and saying this to his mother.... She obviously cultivated a relationship with her son over the years that brought them to this point.

I think to myself - what kind of relationship do I want to have with my son 19 years from now? I want him to still look at me with those blue blue eyes that say to me, "Momma you are my world!" Ok so maybe one day I won't be his whole world anymore (let's be realistic) but to still have a relationship of deep love and connection.  

Perhaps it is my naivete or inexperience talking - but I believe that open arms connection is fostered now.  It's like the story of the little boy who was always asking his daddy to play, and daddy was always too busy, until the little boy became an adult and his dad was now older and asked to spend time with his son, but now the son was too busy for the dad. (that story is just heartbreaking)

So my goal is that now - I will always take him in my arms when he reaches out for me, and later when his reaching is a little different, not so much the snuggle he's looking for but he reaches for me to watch him play soccer, learn the new riff on his guitar, or help him figure out his math problems.  Each reach needs to be responded to.  So that he keeps on reaching.

I challenge each of us today - despite our busy busy lives.... the housework that is calling our names, our tired bodies just wanting to relax and watch a show... if your child is reaching for you - don't forget that if you reach back now - he'll/she'll continue to reach for you forever.

That's all for today. I hope you and your family enjoy this beautiful summer day.

Mommy serves baby cat food.....

Have I told you about my son?  The boy who'll eat anything and literally everything!  If that child so much as senses that there is food nearby of which he is currently NOT partaking - you will know about it! HE LOVES FOOD.  My son has two loves, two things that will make his little arms flail and the happiest giggles and gurgles to emit from his little (or not so little) body... FOOD and his Praise Baby videos.

Obviously, I am well aware of my son's love of food - but until today, I didn't realize just how far he'd go to eat whatever was near at hand.

SO - this morning I'm in the kitchen tidying up, Jude is on the floor happily playing with a water bottle (please don't judge.. he HAS toys, he just seems to like water bottles more!)  I had finished in the kitchen and needed to gather some things in the living room. Rather than disturb his play I decide to just leave him where he's at and finish up in the living room quickly.

A few minutes later, I hear some weird sounds coming from the kitchen and my son (and my cats for that matter).  I go into the kitchen to inspect and find this.

Preparing himself a snack of cat food!

Clearly he is a starved child!

Jude happily enjoying his 'cat food' snack that he prepared for himself.

Molly is trying to rescue her food from the 'cat food' robber!

That's right! My son decided that apparently I was holding out on him and not giving him delicious cat food!  So he helped himself. As you can see my cat Molly is trying to get in there to protect her food but Jude is a formidable force to reckon with when it comes to food. Long story short - Molly never did get to rescue her food!

SO to all my Mama friends - what food/non food has your baby snuck behind your back!?

Some Mommy's have a hard time because their child is picky.. I think I may be eaten out of house and home! :)

Happy day my friends - praying you get to eat more than cat food today!

Notice he is ONCE again filling his face!!!!!

PS - after a couple photo opps (I really couldn't resist!)  my baby ended up here.

Judge the Mommy

So  I was reading this article a while back about how Mommy's are their own and each other's worst enemy.

In an age of choices... we are reduced to judging based on our personal parenting choices. For example; Research (conclusive research that is clear and evidenced based) can be found and spouted to back every sleep theory under the sun.  And so what is the result?  One Mother determines that Ferber's 'cry it out theory' is best for her  - while her Mommy friend down the road determines that Dr. Sears has is right with his theory on baby sleep and parent attachment and is going to use his methods. What should be a simple case of choice, each parent determining in their own right what works best for their home, turns into a Judging session.  Whether silently and behind the other mother's back - "Can you BELIEVE Suzie? What kind of mother allows her child to just cry!" or even better when the judgements are delivered in sly and underhanded modes - "I just COULDN'T let my child cry.. I'm just too tenderhearted and that would just hurt too much. But whatever works best for you..."

Why do we do it to each other?  Why do we constantly judge one another's parenting strategies?  And don't sit there reading - thinking (oh I NEVER do that... )  you do... I do... we ALL DO!  As the article I was reading went on - it pointed out one fact that I had never really considered before.  We judge others because we are so insecure in our own parenting decisions.  By judging others, pointing out their faults we feel that we DO measure up as parents .. because at least we never do that!!!!  And more importantly.. its just the Mommy's (for the most part) why is that?  Think about it. If a child goes to school with an unhealthy lunch, what do you hear? "what kind of mother sends her child with just this for lunch?"  Right? Note here that you instantly think of whom? THE MOTHER! Dad's are never judged with that same pen are they?  Even today, where the average family is made up of a full time working Mom and Dad, Mom's are still carrying the burden of raising the kids. If they mess up - it's the Mom's fault, if the child is mouthy - it's the Mom's fault - if they child disobeys, acts up in school - clearly Mom is not doing something right.

In my opinion, it's time to give yourself a break and realize that you're not alone as parents! There are two of you (i realize that often there is one absentee parent) to share the burden.  So Mom's if you have a partner in your life, lean on him!  Don't put all the pressure on yourself to raise perfect little people, to dot all the 'i's' and cross all the 't's'. NEWS FLASH you are human! :)

I believe that the first step to ceasing the whole judging cycle we Mom's play starts at home. Stop judging yourself. Stop comparing everything you do with what your friend does with her child. (whether you come out the winner or not!)

The other day I was chatting with some friends about parenting strategies and one lady said something that I thought was profound, she said, "I think its sad when a parent makes a parenting choice that goes against their intuition simply based on what other's are doing."

Mama's - you have been given a blessing and a huge responsibility - your children.  And noone will stand to account for how you raised your child other than you - SO make your decisions based on what you feel is best - don't compare yourself with others and GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! :)

I apologize for my ranting tonight...

To all the parents out there who read my blog - I wish you all a wonderful judgefree day tomorrow.
Enjoy being the best parent you can possibly be. And remember at the end of the day - your child will remember one thing - how much he/she was loved.

Goodnight friends

here's a point on the side of cloth diapering!

Ok - for all my goings on about the difficulties in cloth diapering.. I now share a story that is in favour of cloth.

As you all know - I frequently have what I call disposable days.  I think to myself, 'Self! you need a break so crack out the disposables!' however, what often happens (as though in some way I am being punished for forsaking my cloth) it backfires on me... LITERALLY!

The ONE thing I have NEVER had to deal with when cloth diapering is the explosions up the back.  I used to think that was just apart of diapering because my nephews are notorious for 'poop up the back'.  I never realized that that was an issue that, for the most part, was isolated to disposable diapers.

On one such sunny afternoon, I was indeed having a disposable day. We were have a big bbq, friends/family, and I just didn't want to have to be conscientious of diaper changes.  So I threw Jude into a disposable diaper (now before you disposable diapering Mama's get up in arms - granted I do use cheap disposables because why would I pay top dollar for something I rarely use - so I will hesitantly admit it is slightly possible this wouldn't have happened with a oh say a Pampers deluxe model!)

So there we are outside enjoying life. My son is sitting happily in his bumbo (LOVE the bumbo)  and eating his supper as we eat ours.  After a time, he starts to get fussy. I try distracting him, playing with him, talking etc. Nothing is working. So I go to lift him out of his bumbo chair, he has his back to most of the others at the table (who, I must add, are still eating) and surprise!  RIGHT up the back.. All over the bumbo. That child has succeeded in pooping out of his diaper, shorts, and onesie!  I heard quite a few gags :(.... So I try and quickly grab him and move him out of line of sight, as my husband goes to wash up the nasty bumbo chair.  Jude and I head into the house for a diaper change. But here's the thing. When the poop is all over the back of him where the heck do I lay him down!!!!!  As I take a few milliseconds (that feel like eternity - its like the intense part of a show in slow mode) to ponder what the heck I'm going to do, I finally say, 'forget it' lay him in his poop on the change table.

NEXT its taking the clothes off without getting the stuff on me or on my child's head! K. Has anyone see that movie Life as We Know it? - IF not you HAVE to see it.. but there's this one scene where Katherine Heigle and Josh Duhamel are changing the babies diaper. http://movieclips.com/AeHp-life-as-we-know-it-movie-changing-diapers/ It's hilarious - THIS is how I'm feeling at this moment. I want to pull out the gloves, mask and kitchen utensils to do what I have to do.

In this moment - I realize, the only good thing about disposables is you don't have to wash them. Had he been wearing a cloth diaper - yes it would have still been nasty. BUT the nastiness would have been contained! My friends would have been spared during their meal (which I'm not sure anyone enjoyed all that much after we left!) and most importantly I wouldn't have ended up needing a shower (along with my poo covered child)

So to those of you Mama's considering cloth heed my words (POOP UP THE BACK = NASTINESS!)

:)  Here's wishing you all a backfree day :)

and the stellar parent of the day award goes to....

Have you ever stopped at the end of the day and wondered how your child made it through the day let alone you?  Have you ever questioned your ability to be a good parent? Have you ever coined yourself Stellar Parent of the year?

I only have a 9month old.. so I have yet to experience the hard parenting of disciplining a child - but i have friends... and I watch them to learn how to be a fair but not lenient parent.. from what I can see - its hard work!  Hair pulling, wrinkle creating, stress inducing hard work!

So at the end of the day - when you're dripping from the effort of your endeavors to raise little people - what keeps you going?  I think its the laughter - the adoring eyes - the tiny little hands wrapped around your neck saying, "Can I tell you a secret? I love you!"  It's when my nine month old says, "Mamamamamamma" and reaches out for me to pick him up.

And its the stories that we share with one another... for instance - on Father's day my 7 yr old nephew was asking my brother why there wasn't an uncle day - and where Father's day came from. As my brother is explaining my three year old nephew - who's been listening intently to all the special day's in the year being listed; Mother's Day, Grandparent's day etc... pipes up and says  'I wish there was a Zayner Day!"  :)

What makes you laugh and remember how blessed you are on those days you've had NO sleep, no time to yourself and you've spent all day dealing with ALL forms of poop?

I love snuggle time. At the end of the day, when Jude is super tired and just wants to snuggle with his Momma.... no matter how long the day has been, those moments are wonderful.  Right now, as I type Jude is crying (he has been fighting going to bed lately) I go in every few minutes and reassure him that I'm here and I love him.  But it always seems like he cries harder when I leave- I sure don't feel like a stellar parent though when I let him cry too long... it's heartbreaking.

Who really does deserve the Stellar parent award anyway?  My sister and I laugh together as we joke about one stellar parenting move after another... we tease but the bottom line is this:  you love your children, you do what you feel is best for them - you make mistakes - ABSOLUTELY! - But anyone who puts their children's needs before their own, any parent who takes a moment to ask if they're doing a good job is in my opinion the BEST parent out there!

So today I would like to offer the award for the MOST STELLAR PARENT to - YOU.
keep up the good work.

Formula time!

For those of you that have not been able to nurse for as long as you may have wanted (or even you Mama's that chose formula feeding over nursing for your own reasons)  you will have most definitely encountered the world of bottle feeding.  Trying different formula's, bottles, warming systems, washing/sterilizing systems.  Traveling systems!  I would love to hear what you've found to be the best for you and your child.

For us - my favourite (and my son's :)) is the PC Organic. My classic line when I dried up early was, "If I have to give my son crap its going to be the best crap out there!"  (Please don't be upset Mama's who FF by choice - I was just heartbroken when I was no longer able to continue nursing)  So in that vein, I of course wanted to give him organic. I started with the My Baby Organic.  But for those of you who've used this brand, its freaking expensive!  I even went so far as to email the company asking them for a way to buy in bulk at a discount... or something!  They were VERY unhelpful and this put a sour taste in my mouth.  I went shopping.... :) AND discovered (thanks to my Nutritionist friend who is all so wise) that the PC brand of the organic formula is EXACLTY the same as the My Baby. There is not one ingredient different, they are even listed in the same order!  For $10 less a can. Can you believe it!?  We very quickly switched brands and my son didn't skip a beat he loved it.

I admit I only tried two different kinds of bottles because we found one that worked great very quickly. WE started with the born free.  Isn't it funny how things change from when you're pregnant and dreaming to when munkin arrives and you're doing!?  I was ADAMANT that I would only use glass bottles with my son.  LOL.. I really didn't like the glass in the end... I now use the Playtex brand. I love them. Easy to clean - light to hold so it promotes self feeding and they help safeguard from ear infections.!  All in all - love them :)

How about you?

Let's talk about Sophie

Sophie, Sophie, Sophie... how many of us have bought into Sophie?  I did! Everyone raved about Sophie the giraffe... how she was the best teething toy out there... so worth every single penny (and she costs quite a few pennies!)

So for Christmas this year - my little boy got his very own Sophie (which my sister decided was a lamo name for a boy's giraffe and promptly renamed him Jax!)  Now don't get me wrong - Jax is very fun, he squeaks and is easy to clean... an all in all great chew toy!  My friend's puppy especially loves Jax! :)

But is he worth the going rate? What is it $20 (on average?)  I bought Jax off of Amazon for $13 so much less :)  Would not any other chew toy be just as effective?  I don't know, because I have Jax and not another... but what are some of your thoughts?  Now if you can get your Sophie/Jax for a reasonable price then absolutely go for it!  :)

Word of caution - when Jax is washed in the dishwasher... his squeak is broken! (as my brother learned the hard way - consequently breaking his son's teething squeaker!)

.....wonder if I could be sued for renaming Sophie publicly!......

Social Skills 101

Ok - so the other day I was talking with a friend and bemoaning some of the insensitivity's that have spilled from the mouths of people... oh people..  I wonder how many times someone has been deeply hurt because another person spoke without thinking.  In all fairness I wonder how many people I have deeply hurt because I spoke without thinking.  I think my most favourite is this, "Are you pregnant?'"  "Nope, I'm just fat." I really love to speak clearly in response to some of these types of questions.. Because you tell me, if you asked or insinuated that someone was preggers and she responded with, 'I'm just fat'... tell me that you wouldn't think about three times first the next time you wanted to ask someone that question? I feel part of my mission in life is to protect the next guy/gal from insensitive remarks.

IN fact - I think people should have to take a social skills course before being released into the wild.  Seriously. Can you imagine how much nicer life could be if people knew how to interact?

Someone once said that the things that bother you the most about others are generally things you don't like about yourself. SO for our first lesson of the day - take an honest look at the way YOU interact with others... what do you think needs to change?

Mundane in the Miraculous

Recently I was in a financial seminar and the speaker led off his talk with a practical example.  He said this short phrase that caught my attention: Mundane in the Miraculous. He then went on to give the example of the miracle of life - children. Our babies ARE our little miracles. And with our miracles come the mundane of changing poopy diapers, washing bottles, clothes, towels, sheets, diapers daily.  The mundane that can often seem larger than life. All we can see through our gritty sleep deprived eyes. There are days/moments that we can lose sight of the miraculous.

Sitting here with my precious boy now as he giggles hysterically at his baby praise video - I can see clearly what a miracle I have been given.

My prayer today for myself and all of you my friends, is that we can see clearly our own miracles in our lives, whether it be our children, our jobs (because in this economy it is a miracle that anyone has a job!), our homes, our dilapidated vehicles, our health... Let our eyes be open to the miraculous despite the mundane.  Let our thoughts and words reflect our thankfulness ... Instead of saying "I just did a wack load of dishes! How is this kitchen dirty yet again!"  how about we say "Thank you Father, that we have enough food to dirty these dishes three/four/five times a day."

Rejoice in the mundane tasks that speak of the miracles in our lives.

Tips on diapering

WARNING for the weak of stomach... and the men!: - this blog IS about diapering fiascos! 

Although my son is only 81/2 months old I have been having diapering fiascos for over 7 yrs. Why? Because I have nieces and nephews .. :)  AND I am a super fabulous Auntie who is willing to change diapers.  Case in point - one day when my three yr old nephew was a baby, my sister and I were in the states shopping - he needed a diaper change and she was busy trying on new clothes. SO I graciously brought him out to the car to change him and allow her a few moments longer to shop.  To create a more vivid picture; It was a beautiful summer day and I was wearing a white sundress (ahh my affinity for white strikes again).  So there we are in the Walmart plaza parking lot. Z is on the seat  - I lean over and open his diaper... Z looks at and projectile poops ALL over my white dress!!!!!!  While I'm freaking out and trying to wipe off the mess (or at least the majority of it) that precious boy decides to help me wash off the mess by peeing all over me!  There I stand, laughing (because at this point what else can I do) covered in total nastiness while my nephew lays on the seat smiling at me.  (Please note to this day he remains a ripster!!!)

So you would think after such incidences that I would have developed amazing diapering skills .. no?  That's right .. NO! 

Remember how I told you that my son is a world class poopster? Well I think that I am a world class messter of diapering. (Yes I do enjoy making up words. One day you will see a new dictionary on the market written by yours truly).

So here's my current story of the day. AND my tip.

Tip #1 - ALWAYS expect the worst when changing a diaper. Don't think to yourself, 'Self, there's no odor and no oozing, this clearly is just a wet one and it will be fast and easy."  By doing this you set yourself up for the following:

I went upstairs to change my son. No odor, no oozing.. so I figured this change would be a snap! (Mistake #1)  I laid him on the change table and whipped open that diaper (Mistake #2). I was greeted by foulness!  Gagging I reached for the wipes... ONLY to discover that I hadn't restocked my cloth wipes! 

Tip #2 - Make sure you have WIPES nearby before you open the diaper.

OH NO... groaning and still trying to hold a squirming infant down with a half open poopy diaper, I reach under the change table to locate my stash of disposable wipes.... I come up empty... RATS NO this cannot be happening.. THEN the unbelievable happens. I sneeze. NOW some of you know me and the volatile potential of an Erin sneeze.  When I sneeze I do it right.. ...... there I am eyes watering from the both the smell and the powerful sneeze I just emitted, one hand holding the diaper closed (don't ask me why i didn't just re snap it.. in the moment I wasn't thinking) the other hand trying desperately to reach the closet for some wash cloths to at the very least wipe the mess all over my own face! (how's this for a nasty picture)  J is laughing at me the whole time (wonderful son that he is).  I managed to grab a few wash cloths (dry mind you) I sop up some of my mess, then proceed to wipe up my son.  Just as I finishing up, thinking "phew got through that one" I go to move the dirty diaper without looking properly (Mistake # 3) AND in goes my finger directly into the mess... ARRRHGHHGHGHG.... (that's me screaming)  What a fiasco.

Tip #3 - Watch where you reach.

All to bring me to the following conclusion - I HATE poop!

So what have we learned today?

• NEVER assume its just a wet one
• ALWAYS make sure you have wipes BEFORE you open the diaper
• LOOK before reaching! - you never know where your finger will land
• and finally in honour of my Wado who is forever trying to teach me how to sneeze - OPEN your mouth while sneezing - it releases the pressure so everything isn't forced from your nose!

That's all today on my tips for successful diapering.  :)

Here's wishing you all a Happy Poopfree day (hopefully!)

Cloth diapering

have i mentioned that we are a cloth diapering home?  well we are.. most days.  I think that I should provide for you an honest review of cloth diapering. Have you ever noticed how cloth diapering mama's go on and on about how AMAZING it is.. about how much healthier their baby's skin is.. how much money they save.. how they're doing their amazing part to save the environment... and most importantly how it's soo easy! lol.. WELL here is my review on cloth diapering.  IT'S Freaking hard work!  It stinks.. its messy ... it costs a lot because a) cute diapers are addictive b) you keep thinking to yourself "Self if you buy more diapers you'll have to do laundry less often" and c) sorry I don't think there was a c... i was just on a roll!

Bottom line... some days I'm just not sure what the heck I got myself into. And on those days that I just can't wash out one more poopy diaper I have what I call 'Disposable' days.  Those are the days that I, without guilt or shame, use disposable diapers all day long. The trouble lately is that I am going on day #4 of Disposable days.. yikes... Do I like cloth diapering? Absolutely.. I think! lol...

Can I tell you about this magical tool that cloth diapering Mama's are told will make their lives better?  A diaper sprayer. It's this nifty cord thingy with a sprayer that attaches to your toilet so you can spray the poop vs. rubbing in the toilet bowl.  Doesn't that sound fanfreakintastic?  I thought so. And so a diaper sprayer was installed in my bathroom.  Guess what?  it sprays.. it sprays EVERYWHERE!!!! ughhh... I have tried to lower the spray's power thinking that would help but nope... it sprays.. all over my feet and since my shower curtain hangs conveniently right beside the toilet I am forever washing it out because I am convinced it isn't just water that's spraying but also particles of poop..... sigh....

This is what I'm convinced of. Disposable diapers were invented because cloth diapers are a lot of work, and slightly disgusting. UNFORTUNATELY they were not created in such a way that the environment wouldn't be destroyed, babies skin wouldn't become rashy, and yes I have read all the research on how babies who wear disposables have been found to have some cancer gene or something in their skin.... sigh....

Bottom line: I will continue to be a cloth diapering Mama because I do see the benefits.. but I will not lie and say it's sooo easy!

I will say this - the only times my son has "pooped up his back" has been when he's been wearing a disposable! Yeah one for the cloth diapering team! :)

K - here is my memory lane poop story....

So one day not too long ago my son and I were sitting on my bed playing. He was clad in one of his over the top adorable cloth diapers (for all their cons nothing can beat the adorability of cloth diapers).  To set the stage - I have a white bedroom. Pristine white duvet, shams etc.  and purple accents. Very fresh, pretty bedroom (my husband LOVES me for it!)  so there we are laughing and tickling and have a wonderful time. I went to stand up my son and noticed oozing green stuff pouring from the side of his diaper... NOOOO!!!!   I yelled and leaped from the bed (baby in arms)  Please note that in leaping from the bed with him in my arms meant that that oozing mess was now all over me as well... At the time all I cared about was my bed... That child managed to saturate my duvet cover, duvet, sheets AND MATTRESS!!!!!!!  I did tell you earlier that he is a world class poopster right?  oh man... I have never been sooo grossed out in my entire life. I'm pretty sure Wado got a call that day saying "We need a new duvet, duvet cover and sheets NOW.. possibly a mattress too because I cannot deal with this."

Needless to say both myself and the little peanut went straight to the shower to rid ourselves of the nastiness...

I was successful (if that word can even be used here) to clean my bed... To a casual observer my bed is still white. But I can see where the stain is. Pristine white is a colour of the past :(  My sister in law has always told me to enjoy my white (its my favourite colour) because one day I would have kids and would never be able to keep it white.... I think she cursed me!

The next few days were most definitely Disposable days! Can you blame me?

Well - I hope you weren't reading this while eating.. if so you have my sincerest of apologies.

That's all the poop stories for today!  :)  I'll tell you about all the mishaps of diapering and winding up covered tomorrow.

For now my bed is calling my name :) My less then pristine white bed that is....

Here's to the hopes that we all will have a messless day tomorrow :)

And if you're a cloth diapering Mama.. forgive me for my brutal honesty today.. I shall not give up no matter how hard it becomes. :)

a little bit of this and that

So in keeping with my first post in which I promised you I'd go back a little and start from the beginning.. here it is!

I was born on Nov 9 ... just joking.. I know that MY beginnings are not quite what we're all hoping for!

SO my little peanut was born Oct 6, 2010.... just 81/2 short months ago.. ALTHOUGH.. those 8 1/2 months when he was inside me didn't feel quite that short! lol.. Perspective really is an amazing thing.  After horrid labour (really though who has had good labour? AND if you HAVE had a great amazing wonderful labour experience.. PLEASE keep it to yourself! :)) my lil gapher entered the world.  In that moment I think I decided only children were the way to go! lol...

In the hospital he uttered not a peep... no crying nothing! And in our new parent naiveté Wado and I declared our boy to be perfect... (he doesn't even cry!)  oh boy... isn't the newness of parenthood wonderful in that you really have no idea WHAT is coming :).... My wonderful son saved all his wails for the privacy of our own home... (perhaps he wanted to continue with that 'perfect' image in front of others.) The next four months were a daily scramble of what is wrong with him! Did you feed him? YES... does he need to be changed? NO I just changed him. Rock him, bounce him, burp him... try rubbing his belly... maybe its gas... oh boy... Am i painting a familiar image for you? I remember a friend of mine saying once " I didn't want to throw my daughter out the window... I wanted to JUMP!" lol... oh  the joys of the early days.
And yet my mother would comfort me with.. it won't last forever. If he just wants to be rocked then rock him. Don't worry about a clean house or food on the table. SHOWERS? A thing of the past. Just snuggle and snuggle and snuggle some more.
At the time... when you're head is ringing with crying it sure does feel like forever doesn't it!  I remember one day my husband came home from work and I met him at the door with our son in his car seat. I wouldn't even let him in the house... i handed him the carseat and our boy and said, "GO! I need at least one hour of not hearing any crying!"  Bless his heart, he did just that! :)

But at some point, that all changed. My sister in law is forever telling me to write things down cuz i'll forget... and I have :(  forgotten that is.... SO this blog is also to help me remember! My way of writing things down.

Now I do believe I DO have the perfect child! lol yeah right.....

Today has been all snuggles b/c he has a fever and is not feeling all too good.  I love it when he's in his snuggly moods because the more active he gets the less he seems to want to snuggle until one day he'll be like my 7 yr old nephew who doesn't want any hugs and kisses... :(  For the time being i'm still his entire world and I surely love those adoring eyes that look at me and say, "Momma. how I love you."

Forgive me for my rambling - not sure if i'm indeed doing the whole blog world properly (are there rules to this?) In any case.  That's it for today. Off to do more Mommying. (yes its a word)

In the blink of an eye

In the short 4 weeks that I have been getting to know my son - I have discovered one thing. The answer for everything is “Honey I think he’s hungry.”  He could have LITERALLY just finished eating and whimper and my beloved will look at me with concern in his eyes “ Do you think he’s hungry?” !!!!  NO no I do not think he’s hungry. That child is so full he’s oozing milk from the sides of his delightful little mouth! I understand though. Its the feeling of helplessness. Oh do I now understand. Holding a crying infant that has been fed, changed, clothed and is warm but who continues to cry.  Helplessness. Not knowing what to do - how to help - what’s even wrong. Nothing soothing him.  My latest attempt at dealing with my own feelings of helplessness have resulting in convincing myself he cries because he likes to hear the sound of his own voice (not completely unlikely with me as his mother! ) The reality is though - there are times and will continue to be times, that I will not be able to meet his every need.  Even as his mother (heaven forbid!) A good lesson I think we all need to remember. That feeling of helplessness. In our weakness HE is made strong. Already in 4 short weeks I have prayed over my son that My Heavenly Father would comfort him, and touch him as I had no clue what to do. And HE IS FAITHFUL. In your own areas of helplessness - when there is a problem and you are simply helpless to know what to do - maybe its a financial crisis - a loved one in pain. you in your own strength can do nothing. Remember then the One who hears our cries and will never leave us or forsake us.  God alone is able to meet every need. Trust that HE is NEVER helpless and lean on His strength.


I was looking through past things I've written and came across this short entry.  wow does that ever feel like a century ago. how much time has changed things - one my son no longer cries incessantly (Praise you Father!)  In remembering this though, it brings to mind something EVERY parent loves to say to new parents... enjoy them now - cuz they grow up soo quickly. And in each moment - well it just feels like its going to last forever. I can remember (my memory isn't THAT far gone) how exhausted, frustrated and tired I was in the beginning.  Feeling like I would never sleep again.... now my son is nearly 9 months old! Such a big boy, naps and sleeps for the night all by himself.... Then tonight, after I put him to bed he simply would not settle down, so I went upstairs, took him from his crib and snuggled with him in the rocking chair. That darling child laid his head on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep. How many books do we as parents read that tell us to never rock our child to sleep..heaven forbid that we and they should enjoy that unique feeling of closeness.... I won't lie I continued to rock my baby boy for a long time this evening. For a while I simply gazed at him and adored every feature upon his lovely face. Then I rested my head, closed my eyes and just rocked with my boy.  To the writers out there that discourage this - shame on you!  Or maybe its pity I feel ... pity that in your desire to maintain schedule and consistency you miss the beauty of rocking your baby.  To all my mama friends... Rock your baby if that's what they need. (ok maybe not every night.... ) but still... in the blink of an eye, i'm looking back to when he was 4 wks old and I felt completely helpless to ease his tears.... and now... ahhh time passes too quickly.  


Goodnight dear friends.  I pray that you and your little ones enjoy sweet bonding.

and so the day begins

Goodmorning my friends;

I have decided that I really need to invent some sort of job in which a person can sleep until whatever hour of the morning he/she so chooses and not be regarded as a sloth.  When that happens I will most definitely pass along my newfound wisdom! Until then, here I, and I imagine all of you, sit rubbing my eyes.  The funny thing about my blog title is that a) I don't know how to make coffee (that is to say, each time I DO make coffee it tastes simply wretched) and b) I really don't actually LIKE coffee. Wado says I like cream and sugar with a little bit of coffee... AND YET, whenever I wake (or don't fully wake) feeling like I've been hit by a mack truck, well I want a coffee. Maybe it's the idea of coffee that I want perhaps on some psychological level just holding a cup of hot coffee does wake me slightly. Regardless of the reason, this morning I REALLY could use a cup of coffee... unfortunately my husband has already left for work and there is no coffee for me... :(  I wonder if holding a cup of hot water would do the same thing!

To my absolute pleasure - my son slept from 11 pm last night until 8 am!  What a good boy... I should be feeling ready to conquer the world.... I think I may be broken, irreparably and no longer able to function on any amount of sleep.  Whoever said that once you become a mother, you get used to functioning on no sleep lied!

Have I mentioned that I take care of twin 3 yr olds?  They are really great kids (thankfully, because twins are a lot of work - especially at 3 yrs old!!!)  they are here, bouncing off the walls - I wonder when it happens that you lose all that energy and become... tired?

Well I think this morning calls for pancakes and hot chocolate. Yes I do believe that if anything will kick me into gear that's what it will be! SO I'm off to whip up a batch of fluffy homemade pancakes. Hopefully this will get my brain back to functioning and then I will begin to dig into my memoirs (of all of 5 months!) and tell you the tale of how my little family came to be!

So - if you too are struggling with morning today - then I hope you have either the opportunity to hold a cup of warm if not disgusting coffee OR to indulge in some pancakes and hot cocoa :)

Until a warmer and fuller belly then my friends.

A little beginning

I can't even begin to count the number of times Wado (my husband) has told me - you really should write a poop blog... all the while laughing hysterically as I recounted the Poop fiasco of the day.  You see my beloved son is a world class poopster! Truly - I have never met such a phenomenal little man.. you would think that such a small little peanut would not be able to produce what he can... this coupled with my incredible genius for fouling up diaper changing and winding up covered... well it produces quite a great deal of laughter from my husband.  You should know that I am usually NOT laughing at the time... :(  all this to say, it got me thinking that maybe someone would like to share a laugh or two at my expense. If anyone can relate to needing a good laugh to release frustrations at the end of the day it is me :) SO while I don't think it would behoove me to write each and every day about poop.. because let's face it that's just a tad disgusting, I will make every effort to regale you with my (and my son's) escapades of the day. And if by chance this helps you laugh and think to yourself.. YES I can do one more day of this tiresome "Motherhood gig" i've got going on - then my day will be fuller for the sharing :)
As I write my precious lil peanut is in slumber land. I really should be joining as tomorrow will arrive all too soon, however I sit here and write because after a long day my brain needs time to unwind.

Possibly I should begin at the beginning, so over the next few posts I will attempt to bring you up to speed and recount of few stories of the past :)  Maybe I will be the only one reading but it will be fun to go back and remember :)

So for now, have a great night. I hope your little ones allow you rest this night and that in the morning you will feel refreshed and not crying out for your cup of coffee!

Until tomorrow then, my new friends.