Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Feed the Ducks?
This is a belated post, but it was so cute that I had to share! When I was in St. Louis a few weeks ago for a quick weekend trip, GiGi and I took MJ to St. Ferdinand park. There is a beautiful pond and fountain with ducks that are usually quite eager for bread. I thought MJ would love this! He is an absolute expert at throwing food. Far more food ends up on our floor than in his mouth. He even takes food out of his mouth and throws it on the floor. He loves feeding Bubba his food, etc. etc. You get the point! So, here we are looking at the beautiful ducks ready to give them a little supper...
GiGi and I tossed a couple pieces of bread in and then gave MJ a piece so he could take a turn. Here's what happened next...
Wouldn't ya know that little stinker kept every piece of bread for himself. It went straight into his mouth each time! The ironic part is that we had just been at St. Louis Bread Co. right before this and were trying to feed MJ this exact bread! Of course he threw it all on the floor. But share with the ducks? Nope, forget it! MJ is hungry. Go figure! :)
GiGi and I tossed a couple pieces of bread in and then gave MJ a piece so he could take a turn. Here's what happened next...
Wouldn't ya know that little stinker kept every piece of bread for himself. It went straight into his mouth each time! The ironic part is that we had just been at St. Louis Bread Co. right before this and were trying to feed MJ this exact bread! Of course he threw it all on the floor. But share with the ducks? Nope, forget it! MJ is hungry. Go figure! :)
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Field of Dreams
When Mat came to interview here, and then returned home to Florida he was quite excited to share that his new potential job was only a 1/2 hour away from the Field of Dreams movie site. It's probably one of his all time favorite movies. Shortly after we moved here, him and MJ went to visit it. He really enjoyed it then, but MJ had just barely learned to sit up and he didn't have anyone else with him to play catch so it was a rather short visit. Just recently he was able to go back with MJ and enjoy it even more. I think this is probably one of every father's dreams (at least any baseball loving father)...
Uncle Jeff came to visit Dubuque, and we figured it would be the perfect opportunity for us to all visit. Jeff and Mat were able to play catch. Luckily it was an absolutley gorgeous day. It was definitely a good time had by all!
MJ loved running around in the field, running the bases, and running away from Mommy! He loves to be on the loose and just toddle around. This is one of my favorite pictures. Just beautiful!
The movie site looks just like you would imagine, but maybe a little smaller and less commercialized than I pictured. It is still a working farm and people live in the house. Unfortunately, it has actually went up for sale just recently. From what I understand the couple still lives there and is ready to retire from farming. Hopefully whoever purchases it will keep it up and running. Uncle Jeff was bummed he didn't have several million dollars to make the purchase. He bought a souvenier instead. :)
Uncle Jeff came to visit Dubuque, and we figured it would be the perfect opportunity for us to all visit. Jeff and Mat were able to play catch. Luckily it was an absolutley gorgeous day. It was definitely a good time had by all!
MJ loved running around in the field, running the bases, and running away from Mommy! He loves to be on the loose and just toddle around. This is one of my favorite pictures. Just beautiful!
The movie site looks just like you would imagine, but maybe a little smaller and less commercialized than I pictured. It is still a working farm and people live in the house. Unfortunately, it has actually went up for sale just recently. From what I understand the couple still lives there and is ready to retire from farming. Hopefully whoever purchases it will keep it up and running. Uncle Jeff was bummed he didn't have several million dollars to make the purchase. He bought a souvenier instead. :)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Dusting off the 'ole keyboard!
I've been in a bit of a blogging slump lately I suppose. First, we were in the midst of the second miscarriage and there is honestly only so much one can post about that, and then immediately afterwards we both did a little bit of traveling. I made a quick trip to STL to host a bridal shower and bachelorette party, and Mat went to Boston for a few days for a work-related conference. Then, once we returned home, Jeff joined us for a few days here in Dubuque. Life has been quite busy, but also quite joyful luckily. The temps are nice and warm, the sun is shining, Mat's summer break began, and all seems to be going pretty well.
June will be a busy month as well, as Mat will be teaching a summer school evening course for the next 3-4 weeks, and I will be working full time preparing and carrying out a Summer Literacy Camp. Then, we'll be heading to St. Louis for my dear friend's wedding and some time with family and friends over the July 4th holiday. We are really looking forward to both having nearly 8 weeks off of work together. We have a lengthy list of projects to complete around the house, but are also looking forward to spending lots of time together as a family!
I was quite spoiled last week! Mat was completely off work, and I was working but coming home to laundry done, meals prepared, the house cleaned, etc. It was NICE! I never thought I would want to work while he stayed at home, but just one week of it certainly made me think otherwise. He made a pretty good stay at home Dad, I must say!
Probably the biggest factor in our recent happiness is of course MJ! He is doing and saying so many incredible things right now, that I don't want to forget any of it! A big part of my blog is knowing that it serves as documentation for me, that one day we will look back on and remember these moments. So, please induldge me while I rant and rave about the latest with sweet Mathew...
* He is cutting new teeth and continues to be an effortless teether. You'd never know he was teething if it wasn't for the little buds that pop through his gums. He's on his 7th, and almost 8th tooth.
*This kid has been a sleeping angel, especially this past week. He seems to have officially transitioned from two naps to one, and what a difference it makes. We had a bit of a time over the last month transitioning. One day it would seem he needed two naps, then the next only one, and so on. But, once we got back from our little trip to STL, it just all seemed to click. He is sleeping about 12 hours at night uninterrupted, and then is taking about a 2-3 hour nap mid/late afternoon. He falls asleep on his own and doesn't fight it all. It's lead to a happier baby, easier planning for our day, and a more routine schedule for all!
*We had church nursery success! When we left him yesterday he was all smiles just playing with the toys. We weren't paged throughout the whole service. :) He was even still smiling when we returned to pick him up after church. Fingers crossed that we're on a roll here.
*MJ is now kissing us like crazy! It just started this week, and I think it is my favorite new skill yet! He makes the "mmm" sound and puckers up and comes towards you. Then, sometimes he sneaks in his forehead and teases you, and instead lets you kiss him. Sometimes we get the real deal though. How cute?!
*This isn't really anything too new, but he LOVES books. Toys are going more and more ignored lately and it's all about the books. In fact most of his little temper tantrums revolve around books, when Mat and I finally need a break from reading book after book. He used to enjoy looking at them by himself, but now he wants to be read to more and more. He brings us book after book and then motions to be picked up in our laps.
*His style of play seems to have changed over the last month. He isn't as independent as he once was. He seems to want us to play with him more often and enjoys the interaction. He adores being outside as much as possible! He likes to just run around in the grass and play in the hose. We bought a sprinkler yesterday that we can set up for him to play outside in the backyard in. Now that the pools are open, we'll be looking forward to taking him there soon as well.
*He isn't talking much yet. Still the basics like "dada" and very rarely he'll say "mama," but his newest noise is making animal sounds. He can "moo" like a cow, "woof" like a dog, and sometimes "hoot hoot" like an owl. So cute, and he knows it! He cheers for himself after the does this. Actually, he cheers for himself for almost everything these days.
*He really seems to be warming up to people. Where he used to shy away from strangers or even cry when approached, he is now much more interested. He likes to wave to everyone that talks to him, smile at people, and clap when people talk to him. He has even held up his hands for random people to pick him up and hold him, although he usually quickly decides he wants down.
*He's climbing full flights of stairs on his own now, although he doesn't really know how to come back down. His walking has developed into running, and of course that means a few scrapes and bumps along the way.
*Eating is our biggest challenge right now. Foods he once loved now seem much harder to feed him. He is constantly throwing food on the floor, spitting it out of his mouth, or smacking it away. He is a great drinker though and loves milk, milk, milk! If you give him some chocolate milk, he'll gulp down the entire cup in about 3 minutes flat. I'm hoping this food phase passes soon, but we shall see.
*The more and more his personality develops, so do the temper tantrums. They are pretty scarce, but when they do happen he arches his back or flails on the ground, or just cries like the world has come to an end. As of now, he has saved them all for home and has yet to do this in public.
Plenty of pictures and updates to come, as I think the blogging slump has officially ended. Now that summer is in full swing, there should be plenty of fun to share!
June will be a busy month as well, as Mat will be teaching a summer school evening course for the next 3-4 weeks, and I will be working full time preparing and carrying out a Summer Literacy Camp. Then, we'll be heading to St. Louis for my dear friend's wedding and some time with family and friends over the July 4th holiday. We are really looking forward to both having nearly 8 weeks off of work together. We have a lengthy list of projects to complete around the house, but are also looking forward to spending lots of time together as a family!
I was quite spoiled last week! Mat was completely off work, and I was working but coming home to laundry done, meals prepared, the house cleaned, etc. It was NICE! I never thought I would want to work while he stayed at home, but just one week of it certainly made me think otherwise. He made a pretty good stay at home Dad, I must say!
Probably the biggest factor in our recent happiness is of course MJ! He is doing and saying so many incredible things right now, that I don't want to forget any of it! A big part of my blog is knowing that it serves as documentation for me, that one day we will look back on and remember these moments. So, please induldge me while I rant and rave about the latest with sweet Mathew...
* He is cutting new teeth and continues to be an effortless teether. You'd never know he was teething if it wasn't for the little buds that pop through his gums. He's on his 7th, and almost 8th tooth.
*This kid has been a sleeping angel, especially this past week. He seems to have officially transitioned from two naps to one, and what a difference it makes. We had a bit of a time over the last month transitioning. One day it would seem he needed two naps, then the next only one, and so on. But, once we got back from our little trip to STL, it just all seemed to click. He is sleeping about 12 hours at night uninterrupted, and then is taking about a 2-3 hour nap mid/late afternoon. He falls asleep on his own and doesn't fight it all. It's lead to a happier baby, easier planning for our day, and a more routine schedule for all!
*We had church nursery success! When we left him yesterday he was all smiles just playing with the toys. We weren't paged throughout the whole service. :) He was even still smiling when we returned to pick him up after church. Fingers crossed that we're on a roll here.
*MJ is now kissing us like crazy! It just started this week, and I think it is my favorite new skill yet! He makes the "mmm" sound and puckers up and comes towards you. Then, sometimes he sneaks in his forehead and teases you, and instead lets you kiss him. Sometimes we get the real deal though. How cute?!
*This isn't really anything too new, but he LOVES books. Toys are going more and more ignored lately and it's all about the books. In fact most of his little temper tantrums revolve around books, when Mat and I finally need a break from reading book after book. He used to enjoy looking at them by himself, but now he wants to be read to more and more. He brings us book after book and then motions to be picked up in our laps.
*His style of play seems to have changed over the last month. He isn't as independent as he once was. He seems to want us to play with him more often and enjoys the interaction. He adores being outside as much as possible! He likes to just run around in the grass and play in the hose. We bought a sprinkler yesterday that we can set up for him to play outside in the backyard in. Now that the pools are open, we'll be looking forward to taking him there soon as well.
*He isn't talking much yet. Still the basics like "dada" and very rarely he'll say "mama," but his newest noise is making animal sounds. He can "moo" like a cow, "woof" like a dog, and sometimes "hoot hoot" like an owl. So cute, and he knows it! He cheers for himself after the does this. Actually, he cheers for himself for almost everything these days.
*He really seems to be warming up to people. Where he used to shy away from strangers or even cry when approached, he is now much more interested. He likes to wave to everyone that talks to him, smile at people, and clap when people talk to him. He has even held up his hands for random people to pick him up and hold him, although he usually quickly decides he wants down.
*He's climbing full flights of stairs on his own now, although he doesn't really know how to come back down. His walking has developed into running, and of course that means a few scrapes and bumps along the way.
*Eating is our biggest challenge right now. Foods he once loved now seem much harder to feed him. He is constantly throwing food on the floor, spitting it out of his mouth, or smacking it away. He is a great drinker though and loves milk, milk, milk! If you give him some chocolate milk, he'll gulp down the entire cup in about 3 minutes flat. I'm hoping this food phase passes soon, but we shall see.
*The more and more his personality develops, so do the temper tantrums. They are pretty scarce, but when they do happen he arches his back or flails on the ground, or just cries like the world has come to an end. As of now, he has saved them all for home and has yet to do this in public.
Plenty of pictures and updates to come, as I think the blogging slump has officially ended. Now that summer is in full swing, there should be plenty of fun to share!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Pictures, Pictures!
Here are all the pictures taken during MJ's 13 month...fun times at home, a trip to Chicago, and a surprise visit from GiGi. It was a great month!
http://keyeswindingroad.shutterfly.com/1502
http://keyeswindingroad.shutterfly.com/1502
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Just Being a Mom
Today was spent just being a mom, and I can't think of a better way to have spent it. Mat made me breakfast, took me shopping for lots of flowers to plant, and grilled us dinner, and in between all that we just spent time together being with our son.
I don't think a Mother's Day will ever pass that I don't remember the many Mother's Days that my heart just longed to be a mommy, and I couldn't help but wonder if it would ever happen. I know there are many women that are still experiencing that longing. I am so incredibly thankful to have this beautiful boy in my life. His smile can melt my heart in seconds. Being a mommy is the absolute best job in the world. Of course it has its challenges and many a trying moments, but it is even better than I ever could have imagined. I never knew my heart could love like this. The old saying about, "You never understand the love your parents have for you until you have a child of your own," is so incredibly true.
Notice my flowers in the background? I had just got done planting them! I love this time of year. :) And, thanks to Steph for MJ's adorable shirt. I thought it was the perfect day for him to wear it!
Even though I was so happy to be with MJ today, it was quite a bittersweet today. Besides missing my Grandma and hearing her voice on this holiday, and knowing that my mom's heart was aching as she missed her, we were also suffering the loss of a second baby. Yes, another miscarriage for us. There's no sugarcoating it...it sucks! One miscarriage was rough, two is even tougher. I don't know how women go through this over and over. It's just draining physically, emotionally, hormonally..everything! The circumstances this time were much different. We had only known I was pregnant for about a week. I knew quite early on that I was pregnant. The symptoms were pretty clear and I just had that feeling. Unfortunately a little less than a week into it, some things were making me really feel like something was just not right. After some blood work we were told the pregnancy was not viable, and sure enough on Saturday I began to lose the pregnancy. Nice way to spend Mother's Day weekend, huh? I am so thankful that it is happening on it's own this time and I will avoid another surgery and the long drawn out timetable that that entire experience was, but the pain is still quite rough. I am faced with many emotions right now, including anger. I won't bother going into it all on here, but we ask for your prayers during this time. Please pray for our strength to heal and move forward. I was comforted by this poem today, and wanted to share it here. I certainly hope it is the truth.
I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today
I asked “What makes a Mother?”
And I know I heard Him say.
“A Mother has a baby”
This we know is true
“But God can you be a Mother,
When your baby’s not with you?”
“Yes, you can,” He replied
With confidence in His voice
“I give many women babies,
When they leave is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime,
And others for the day.
And some I send to feel your womb,
But there’s no need to stay.”
“I just don’t understand this God
I want my baby to be here.”
He took a deep breath and cleared His throat,
And then I saw the tear.
“I wish I could show you,
What your child is doing today.
If you could see your child’s smile,
With all the other children and say…
‘We go to Earth to learn our lessons,
Of love and life and fear.
My Mommy loved me oh so much,
I got to come strait here.
I feel so lucky to have a Mom,
Who had so much love for me.
I learned my lessons very quickly,
My Mommy set me free.
I miss my Mommy oh so much,
But I visit her every day.
When she goes to sleep,
On her pillow’s where I lay
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,
And whisper in her ear.
Mommy don’t be sad today,
I’m your baby and I’m here.’
“So you see my dear sweet ones,
your children are okay.
Your babies are born here in My home,
And this is where they’ll stay.
They’ll wait for you with Me,
Until your lesson’s through.
And on the day that you come home
they’ll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a Mother,
It’s the feeling in your heart
it’s the love you had so much of
Right from the very start
Though some on earth may not realize,
you are a Mother.
Until their time is done.
They’ll be up here with Me one day
and know that you are the best one!”
Thank you to my own mom for the many sacrifices you have made for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, nurturing me, supporting me, and being my best friend. You are amazing, and I am honored to be your daughter.
I hope all the women in my life had a wonderful Mother's Day! :)
I don't think a Mother's Day will ever pass that I don't remember the many Mother's Days that my heart just longed to be a mommy, and I couldn't help but wonder if it would ever happen. I know there are many women that are still experiencing that longing. I am so incredibly thankful to have this beautiful boy in my life. His smile can melt my heart in seconds. Being a mommy is the absolute best job in the world. Of course it has its challenges and many a trying moments, but it is even better than I ever could have imagined. I never knew my heart could love like this. The old saying about, "You never understand the love your parents have for you until you have a child of your own," is so incredibly true.
Notice my flowers in the background? I had just got done planting them! I love this time of year. :) And, thanks to Steph for MJ's adorable shirt. I thought it was the perfect day for him to wear it!
Even though I was so happy to be with MJ today, it was quite a bittersweet today. Besides missing my Grandma and hearing her voice on this holiday, and knowing that my mom's heart was aching as she missed her, we were also suffering the loss of a second baby. Yes, another miscarriage for us. There's no sugarcoating it...it sucks! One miscarriage was rough, two is even tougher. I don't know how women go through this over and over. It's just draining physically, emotionally, hormonally..everything! The circumstances this time were much different. We had only known I was pregnant for about a week. I knew quite early on that I was pregnant. The symptoms were pretty clear and I just had that feeling. Unfortunately a little less than a week into it, some things were making me really feel like something was just not right. After some blood work we were told the pregnancy was not viable, and sure enough on Saturday I began to lose the pregnancy. Nice way to spend Mother's Day weekend, huh? I am so thankful that it is happening on it's own this time and I will avoid another surgery and the long drawn out timetable that that entire experience was, but the pain is still quite rough. I am faced with many emotions right now, including anger. I won't bother going into it all on here, but we ask for your prayers during this time. Please pray for our strength to heal and move forward. I was comforted by this poem today, and wanted to share it here. I certainly hope it is the truth.
I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today
I asked “What makes a Mother?”
And I know I heard Him say.
“A Mother has a baby”
This we know is true
“But God can you be a Mother,
When your baby’s not with you?”
“Yes, you can,” He replied
With confidence in His voice
“I give many women babies,
When they leave is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime,
And others for the day.
And some I send to feel your womb,
But there’s no need to stay.”
“I just don’t understand this God
I want my baby to be here.”
He took a deep breath and cleared His throat,
And then I saw the tear.
“I wish I could show you,
What your child is doing today.
If you could see your child’s smile,
With all the other children and say…
‘We go to Earth to learn our lessons,
Of love and life and fear.
My Mommy loved me oh so much,
I got to come strait here.
I feel so lucky to have a Mom,
Who had so much love for me.
I learned my lessons very quickly,
My Mommy set me free.
I miss my Mommy oh so much,
But I visit her every day.
When she goes to sleep,
On her pillow’s where I lay
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,
And whisper in her ear.
Mommy don’t be sad today,
I’m your baby and I’m here.’
“So you see my dear sweet ones,
your children are okay.
Your babies are born here in My home,
And this is where they’ll stay.
They’ll wait for you with Me,
Until your lesson’s through.
And on the day that you come home
they’ll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a Mother,
It’s the feeling in your heart
it’s the love you had so much of
Right from the very start
Though some on earth may not realize,
you are a Mother.
Until their time is done.
They’ll be up here with Me one day
and know that you are the best one!”
Thank you to my own mom for the many sacrifices you have made for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, nurturing me, supporting me, and being my best friend. You are amazing, and I am honored to be your daughter.
I hope all the women in my life had a wonderful Mother's Day! :)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
"He must be a handful!"
Will the real MJ please stand up? Apparently he likes to switch personalities...at say, the church nursery. Our little guy is one seriously happy dude in my opinion. He is usually all smiles around the house, is great with his babysitter, is wonderful running errands with us, etc. But both our pediatrician and now the nursery workers at church have given us that "He must be a handful!" comment. He makes it perfectly clear that he does not like going to the doctors office. He even cries if he goes into any doctor's office, when it doesn't even involve him. I don't know if he's just associated it with procedures, shots, etc. or what but he hates it. He typically cries from the moment the nurse walks in the room until his clothes are put back on and he's headed to the car. Well, this past weekend we took him to the church nursery. This was the 2nd time for him. The first time actually went well, so we were feeling pretty optimistic. This time though he started crying as soon as I set him down. We were tough though and walked away, and I dried my few tears on the way to our seats. However, about 20 minutes into the church service, our number flashed upon the screen. The nursery workers give you a number so that if they need you to come to the nursery, this is how they "page" you. So, off Mat went and sure enough MJ hadn't stopped screaming. Three other little babies were crawling around on the floor all independently and our little guy was just beside himself...all splotchy and snotty! Mat ended up just staying with him in the nursery rocking him and trying to get him to play, but each time he sat him down he just cried and cried. I don't really know how to handle it. I don't want to give up. It's certainly not realistic to think that we can never leave him in the nursery again. But, it sure is hard leaving him like that and if you have to spend the church service with him in the nursery, then really what's the point after all? I definitely find the humor in it all, but I must admit it's frustrating that others don't always see what I see in my happy, playful little boy. :( Is this just normal separation anxiety and doctor fear?
In happier news, today MJ got to spend a few hours with his babysitter. She took him to the park and then they were having a dance party in the living room when I walked in. It was so cute and he was all hot and sweaty from having so much fun! Then, he took a nice long nap so mama could get lots of school work done. :)
See, he's not REALLY a handful!
In happier news, today MJ got to spend a few hours with his babysitter. She took him to the park and then they were having a dance party in the living room when I walked in. It was so cute and he was all hot and sweaty from having so much fun! Then, he took a nice long nap so mama could get lots of school work done. :)
See, he's not REALLY a handful!
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