Random thoughts for a Friday

So I learned another important lesson this morning and it was a bit painful for me...

Lesson # 362 in Raising Children: Don't let your toddler wear her BRAND NEW cute shoes to play outside (this was not intentional, I just forgot she had them on).

(picture: me trying to apply black scuff-remover...to no avail)

No sooner did she get out of the car from our errand but she ran to her bike and took off down the driveway and skidded to a stop (much to my horror) in her new black mary-janes. Not only are they scuffed, but the "pleather" ripped and peeled off. I have to admit for a moment I wanted to cry. The look on Brenda's face confirmed how much the situation sucked and we both had a mournful moment at the "loss" of the cute shoes.

However, the (painful) reminder was a good one; that they are just shoes, and kids will be kids, and I should have known better. (But all you moms can sympathize as you know shoes are not cheap!!)

Anyways, on another (random) note; I am loving this weather!! Yesterday I got down on my hands and knees and planted a bunch of mums which I do every year since they never come back.

So this morning after the shoe incident Brenda and I were watching the kids run around the yard and admiring my planting job and Brenda commented about her love-obsession with my beach grass. (I think she's told me about 20 times now how much she loves it) So...of course she had a camera nearby and she wanted to "hug" the grass and get a picture. She is weird, but that is why I love her and it helped take my mind off the ruined shoes and put a smile back on my face. Here is her and I giving my landscaping some love...

You gotta love nice weather, good friends, and tall beach grass...TGIF!

Being a Mom means...

NEVER eating a hot meal and being lucky if you can eat it sitting down.

Always forgetting at least a 1/4 of the items on your list that you meant to get when you're at the store...even with the list right in front of you.

Constantly thinking you smell either poop, pee, or spit-up.

Taking no more then 20 minutes (including a shower) to get ready in the morning (if you're lucky), all while at least one child hangs on you, constantly asks you questions and/or brings you things, or sits at your feet

Being responsible not only for your children, but for your husband- who at times seems like a child- especially in the cases of packing to go somewhere, planning and/or preparing meals, and picking up after himself.

CONSTANTLY reminding your children to say "please" and "thank-you" in their whiny voice - instead of just demanding and whining.

Feeling like you spend a 1/3 of your day picking up miscellaneous objects in places they shouldn't be; i.e: socks in the tub, sippee cups under the couch, toys in the training potty, marbles in your infant's crib, etc.

Constantly answering the question(s); "why", "why", "why".

Spending nap time zoning-out in front of the computer when you "should" be doing a million other things because it makes you feel somehow connected with the outside world and a little more human.

90 years ago yesterday...

My grandma Cornelia "Connie" Huizinga was born! And yesterday we got together with the majority of my mom's side of the family to celebrate.

She brought along her next door neighbor and friend Dorothy and it was so cute to sit and chat with them while they sipped their "one glass" of wine and surveyed all the crazy great-grand kids running around. It was a long fun day of food and fellowship. Raegan fell asleep almost as soon as she got in her car seat on the way home which is a rarity.

As we were driving home I was thinking about what it would be like to live 90 years and to see my children's children having children! I almost got teary! It struck me that if I lived that long it would be the year 2065. Yikes! I can't even imagine what life will be like then...but how cool to be able to have 10 great grand kids like my grandma has! Amazing.

Trying to get two exhausted kids to "pose" and smile...

Sydney being festive in her hat

A party is never complete without party hats!

Thig Warmers

No I did not misspell the title of this post..in our house fat baby thighs are referred to (endearingly of course) as "thigs". Raegan had the fattest thigs ever and I just couldn't get enough of kissing and squeezing them. We're still working on Syd's thigs - she is a bit of a peanut still, so she is not quite up to par in the fat-baby-thig department, but we'll get there...

Anyways, this rant about fat baby parts has a purpose. I was at a baby shower this morning (for my dear friend Jeanne) and discovered that they make leg warmers for babies called "Baby Legs"!

OH MY GOODNESS....if I had known they had these when RG was little I would have bought stock in them. HOW STINKIN CUTE!!!

So of course the first thing I'm doing now that I'm home is looking online to where I can purchase such things. Basically I googled "Baby Legs" and came up with several websites. Grandmas...if you are reading this - HINT HINT! (just kidding, sort of) I can already picture fat baby rolls stuffed into cute multicolored leg warmers underneath a dress or long shirt...I think I'm drooling.

Okay, so this was not the deepest post of the year but I had to pass this on to all my mama friends. If you have a baby with fat "thigs" I think these are a necessity to keep them cozy this winter!

The 'writing on the wall'...

I'm feeling a bit humbled and yet excited today as I announce my latest venture. It's not that I don't have enough to keep me busy at home, but I felt like I needed something "else". Something to fill the "void" that I have distantly felt ever since quitting a full-time career to be a full-time mom.

A year ago if you'd told me that I would be joining the ranks of other mom's doing the home party business I would have laughed. But since stumbling upon this new company I am suddenly eating my words and very excited to be a part of it!

Introducing: Uppercase Living

I'm thankful to have two great mentors in this venture which is going to be quite the learning experience I am sure! I'm also very thankful for the constant encouragement of both my husband and friend who both said "This looks awesome, and you will be great at this!" There is nothing like hearing that kind of encouragement! It also helps that I think the "product" is extremely cool and I LOVE finding new things to decorate my house with! I simply can't wait to get started with this new business and already I've had quite a bit of excited "buzz" from friends about this company and the products...

Again, I'm reminded to 'never say never'.

Everything goes in the mouth

Except Cereal!

So, being a second time mom I have a little more courage this time around and decided to try giving Sydney cereal at 5 months. I started Raegan at 6 months only because I think I was "afraid" of trying something new and she was sleeping great and nursing great so I figured, why rush it?

Well, Sydney has been a completely different story with all of the above so I don't know why I thought that trying cereal would go so smoothly.

Basically every spoonful that makes it into her mouth comes right back out with her tongue and she even turns her head away from the spoon when I offer it. Unless I let let her hold it and then she will suck on the spoon but spit out the cereal. Of course!

Maybe it's the fact that I'm trying Barley first (Sara I know you're laughing right now) per recommendation from two sources who said it can be less constipating. However it looks better then the rice and is mixed with breast milk so I can't imagine that it tastes that awful to her!

Oh well...after dealing with my FIRST (two year old) picky eater I am now more relaxed and ready to persist with the "10 attempts before they like it" program. As my friend likes to say 'she's not starving!' so I know she'll figure it out eventually. And she looks pretty darn cute with cereal on her face anyways!

Never say Never

Honda Odyssey Kreider

Taffeta White Exterior, Ivory Leather Interior

Delivered: September 5, 2007

Welcomed home by Brad, Bradi, Raegan & Sydney

I'm proud to announce the arrival of a new addition to our family! Two years ago I scoffed at the idea of ever driving a minivan - and then I had kids.

Driving off the lot yesterday I couldn't help but have a huge smile on my face and since then I have found many "unnecessary" errands to run just so I can pile the kids in and drive it!

Other then the obvious bonus of it being and smelling like a new car, my two favorite perks are the remote control doors (both Raegan and I smile every time they open and close with the click of a button) and the grocery bag hooks in the trunk space. LOVE IT!! Did I also mention the 15 cup holders throughout, 6 storage compartments (just in the front seats alone!), built-in retractable sun shades, and the ability to seat up to 8 people and STILL get a double stroller and groceries in the very back? I could go on and on!

Maybe I don't look as "cool" anymore driving around town but you can sure bet that a small part of my life is now MUCH easier and more enjoyable!

Oh, and if you know of anyone who's in the market for an SUV we've got a 2004 Mountaineer that's up for sale!

The Last Hurrah in "1,"

Our last big weekend of the summer was spent up in Onekama, MI with friends and we had a great time! I got a kick out of all the t-shirts I saw printed with:"1,". Apparently that is how they try to be funny up North. It never dawned on me to say Onekama any other way then "Oh-neck-ah-ma", but enough people must pronounce it incorrectly as "One-comma" to warrant making a souvenir t-shirt...
Anyways...we had a nice time catching up with old friends, eating tons of junk food, laying in the sun, watching our husbands ski & wake board, and lounging by the campfire at night. My Aunt & Uncle's cottage was a perfect location for all of us with our small kiddos. The beach was literally right outside our front door (with the water shallow enough to wade out in), and a park and ice cream shop were within a 3 minute walk. What more do you need on vacation?

I think the "best" part of the whole weekend though, was the last morning when we took the boat out to Lake Michigan. After an entire summer of begging and pleading, Raegan finally ventured off of her towel and not only took a long walk with Daddy on the beach but SAT in the sand and played with the sand toys! A HUGE milestone for our timid beach-hater, and she did it very unceremoniously and with little fanfare. She suddenly announced that she wanted to take a walk and promptly left the towel as if she'd done it all summer. Typical Raegan.

Now it's back home, back to reality, and the sad thought that summer is pretty much "over". Which was especially evident when we headed to the playground this afternoon and it was all but deserted. So Sad!! Goodbye summer...we will miss you!!!