"There's just something about a little boy"

When I found out that I was pregnant with a little boy, girlfriends kept telling me, "You're going to love having a little boy.  There's just something about a little boy." It's not that I didn't believe them, but I have two little girls who I think are the cats meow.  And I was thrilled to be having a boy, but I would have been thrilled to have three girls, as well.

But then my little buddy was born.  And truth be told, I am enamored with all of my children.  I sat for hours and kissed them as babies and I still do.  I kiss Marin and Emilie every chance I get and for as long as I can get away with before they say, "Maaaaaahhhhhhmm!"  I think all of my children are delicious little munchkins.  But there is something about that little stinker John when he smiles at me.  I told Jason that I want to go in the corner and kiss him until my lips can't kiss anymore.  Jason thinks this is totally bizarre.  Which I get.  But you know what, people are right.  There is just something about a little boy.

Mother's Day 2014

We arrived home from Disney World at 3am on Mother's Day.  Though the kids slept in the car, Jason was cashed.  I woke up with John and Marin around 7:30 and took them on a short walk.  Marin picked a dandelion bouquet as a present for grandma and me.

Then we headed to the golf club for Mother's Day brunch.  It was very lovely and a perfect day.  A special way to spend with our family.

That afternoon we enjoyed a quick visit from Auntie Molly and Uncle Bri, who were in town, and then headed to Lake Holiday to Uncle Reed and Aunt Jeanie's.  Emilie and Marin went fishing and Emilie caught her first fish (and kissed it!).   We  loved spending time with Jake and Katy and GG and OG, as well as all the Martin cousins.

It was a perfect day.  Being mommy to these three sweeties is the very greatest joy in life.  Even more than I ever thought it would be.

What's the Deal With....

Sometimes when I am going about my motherly duties, it hits me. What's the deal with that?! So I ask you....

What's the deal with crib sheets: Why are they so hard to change? You need a degree in engineering and a medal of patience to get those suckers on. Last time I changed Marin's bedding I literally broke a sweat. And I know the mattress needs to be tightly fitted to the crib frame to be safe, and that bumper isn't doing me any favors either. But jeezaloo- changing the crib sheet is a doosie!

What's the deal with diaper rash: Last week Marin had it so badly that it seemed like Jesus Himself couldn't have cleared it up. I'll spare the non moms the details, but those who have rounded this block before know what I mean when I say that I blame the fact that she's teething. Luckily a recommendation from a mommy friend for Triple Paste applied as thick as butter, for about 5 straight days of constant application, did the trick.

What's the deal with potty talk: When did it become standard issue to mention Marin's rear end and rash issues all in one small sentence. I'm so sorry, Marin. That's just the normal glamour of mommy talk.

What's the deal with designers: I heard on the radio the other day that to boost shoppers moral (and likely, their pocketbooks) designers are cutting sizes bigger. So yesterday's 8 may now be a 6. What the heck? I thought I was losing weight, and here it turns out to all have been a lie? I am officially back on the ice cream.

Whats the deal with Target: Love Target. Bust how is it completely impossible to return to your car having only bought what you intended?! When I walk through with Jason he has to tell me to put my "horse blinders" on so I look only ahead and do not deviate from what we went in to purchase. That is seriously hard. I'd like to send this letter: "Dear Target, you are genius; I love you. Dear Target CEO, you are genius; I hate you."

What's the deal with the ABC's: Why are the ABC's sung to the same tune as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which is also the tune of Bah, Bah, Black Sheep? Were song writers really that short on material all those years ago? Another thought: How old are those songs? A million? I wonder how many children have sung the ABC's? I mean think about that for one minute: My Grandma is 92 and she for sure sang them. And I imagine that her mom taught her, and did so because her mom sung them to her! Did you follow that? Anyway, that tune has seen some things

What's the deal with weeds: I could spend an entire day, sun up to sun down, pulling weeds (from the roots, the way my dad taught me), and all be darned if those suckers aren't right back there and then some in what seems to be the very next minute. Is my yard some sort of steroidal breeding ground for yard venom? Those suckers grow like crazy. The irony here, of course is that in the meantime I am all but breastfeeding the actual plants try to keep them healthy. We recently transplanted some peonies that I considered quietly singing to the other day to try to inspire them to grow.

What's the deal with Hallmark: Have you seen Hallmark's new mother's day commercial? I have seen it three times now and I have sobbed a little bit each time. I love the idea of keeping Marin's little cards in a sweet little box to look back on as the year's pass. I hate the fact that that means she's going to grow up and one day (wait for it- heavy sigh) leave me. (note: If you clicked the link above, my apologies for the bad recording- its the only one I could find on you tube.)

I wouldn't change life one bit. But sometimes you just have to stop and wonder, "What's the deal?!"

Tuesdays with Marin...

I have mentioned in past posts that Tuesday, the day I work from home, is my favorite day of the week. It is undoubtedly a jam-packed, never-sit-down, never-stop-moving, kind of day, but that's the way I like it. And I love that I get to be with Marin from sunrise to sunset. Tuesdays with Marin are very special days.


Here's a glimpse at what we do:

We enjoy our morning coffee together (water for Marin).


We walk to Graham's for ice cream!



We go to the park!


We share snacks. Yum!


We take wagon rides with Norah to meet Daddy at the train.



We help in the yard and make a stage on top of the topsoil, where we sing our favorite songs!


We read lots and lots of books!



We play ball and run in the yard!


Marin shows off her daredevil tricks- I tell her "no, no Marin. Sit on your bottom, please", but she just waves to me with both hands and yells "Iiiiiiiiii!" like she's in a circus act. She thinks this is soooooo fun and is so proud of herself!


And, oh yeah... in between all that, I make phone calls, answer emails and attend conference calls. But Tuesdays with Marin are the best. If only there were more than one Tuesday a week.