25 Rules for Mothers of Sons
Inspired by a Pin I've recently seen about "rules for dads with daughters," I went searching for a similar list for moms with sons. This search was mostly fruitless, so I was inspired to write my own Rules for Moms with Sons. Granted, my list will not be conclusive and may not be entirely uncontroversial. So agree, or disagree, or take with a grain of salt - but I hope to inspire other moms who are loving, and struggling, and tired, and proud, and eager to support the boys in their lives. You are the most important woman in his life, his first teacher, and the one he will look to for permission for the rest of his life. From "Can I go play with them?" to "Should I ask her to marry me?" Its a big job, but as the mumma, we're up for it.
25 Rules for Moms with Sons
1. Teach him the words for how he feels.
Your son will scream out of frustration and hide out of embarrassment. He'll cry from fear and bite out of excitement. Let his body move by the emotion, but also explain to him what the emotion is and the appropriate response to that emotion for future reference. Point out other people who are feeling the same thing and compare how they are showing that emotion. Talk him through your emotions so that someday when he is grown, he will know the difference between angry and embarrassed; between disappointment and grief.
2. Be a cheerleader for his life
There is no doubt that you are the loudest person in the stands at his t-ball games. There is no doubt that he will tell you to "stop, mom" when you sing along to his garage band's lyrics. There is no doubt that he will get red-faced when you show his prom date his pictures from boy scouts. There is no doubt that he is not telling his prom date about your blog where you've been bragging about his life from his first time on the potty to the citizenship award he won in ninth grade. He will tell you to stop. He will say he's embarrassed. But he will know that there is at least one person that is always rooting for him.
3. Teach him how to do laundry
..and load the dishwasher, and iron a shirt. He may not always choose to do it. He may not ever have to do it. But someday his wife will thank you.
4. Read to him and read with him.
Emilie Buchwald said, "Children become readers on the laps of their parents." Offer your son the opportunity to learn new things, believe in pretend places, and imagine bigger possibilities through books. Let him see you reading...reading the paper, reading novels, reading magazine articles. Help him understand that writing words down is a way to be present forever. Writers are the transcribers of history and memories. They keep a record of how we lived at that time; what we thought was interesting; how we spoke to each other; what was important. And Readers help preserve and pass along those memories.
5. Encourage him to dance.
Dance, rhythm, and music are cultural universals. No matter where you go, no matter who you meet - they have some form of the three. It doesn't have to be good. Just encourage your son that when he feels it, it's perfectly fine to go ahead and bust a move.
6. Make sure he has examples of good men who are powerful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity.
The examples of men with big muscles and a uniform (like Batman and LaMarr Woodley) will surround your son from birth. But make sure he also knows about men who kick a$s because of their brains (Albert Einstein), and their pen (Mark Twain), and their words (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), and their determination (Team Hoyt), and their ideas (The Wright Brothers), and their integrity (Officer Frank Shankwitz), and fearlessness (Neil Armstrong), and their ability to keep their mouths closed when everyone else is screaming (Jackie Robinson).
7. Make sure he has examples of women who are beautiful because of their brains, their determination, and their integrity
The examples of traditionally beautiful women (like Daphne Blake, Princess Jasmine, and Britney Spears) will surround your son from birth. But make sure he knows about women who are beautiful from the inside out because of their brains (Madame Marie Curie), and their pen (Harper Lee), and their words (Eleanor Roosevelt), and their determination (Anne Sullivan), and their ideas (Oprah Winfrey), and their integrity (Miep Gies), and fearlessness (Ameila Earhart), and their ability to open their mouths and take a stand when everyone else is silent (Aung San Suu Kyi).
8. Be an example of a beautiful woman with brains, determination, and integrity.
You already are all of those things. If you ever fear that you are somehow incapable of doing anything - remember this: If you have done any of the following: a) grew life b) impossibly and inconceivably got it out of your body c) taken care of a newborn d) made a pain go away with a kiss e) taught someone to read f) taught a toddler to eat with a utensil g) cleaned up diarrhea without gagging h) loved a child enough to be willing to give your life for them (regardless if they are your own) or i) found a way to be strong when that child is suffering...you are a superhero. do not doubt yourself for one second. Seriously.
9. Teach him to have manners
because its nice. and it will make the world a little better of a place.
10. Give him something to believe in
Because someday he will be afraid, or nervous, or heartbroken, or lost, or just need you, and you won't be able to be there. Give him something to turn to when it feels like he is alone, so that he knows that he will never be alone; never, never, never.
11. Teach him that there are times when you need to be gentle
like with babies, and flowers, and animals, and other people's feelings.
12. Let him ruin his clothes
Resolve to be cool about dirty and ruined clothes. You'll be fighting a losing battle if you get upset every time he ruins another piece of clothing. Don't waste your energy being angry about something inevitable. Boys tend to learn by destroying, jumping, spilling, falling, and making impossible messes. Dirty, ruined clothes are just par for the course.
13. Learn how to throw a football
or how to use a hockey stick, or read music, or draw panda bears (or in my case alpacas), or the names of different train engines, or learn to speak Elvish, or recognize the difference between Gryffindor and Slytherin, or the lyrics to his favorite song. Be in his life, not as an observer but as an active participant.
14. Go outside with him
turn off the television, unplug the video games, put your cellphone on the charger, even put your camera away. Just go outside and follow him around. Watch his face, explore his world, and let him ask questions. It's like magic.
15. Let him lose
Losing sucks. Everybody isn't always a winner. Even if you want to say, "You're a winner because you tried," don't. He doesn't feel like a winner, he feels sad and crappy and disappointed. And that's a good thing, because sometimes life also sucks, no matter how hard (as moms) we try to make it not suck for our kids. This practice will do him good later when he loses again (and again, and again, and again, and again.....) Instead make sure he understands that - sometimes you win - sometimes you lose. But that doesn't mean you ever give up.
16. Give him opportunities to help others
There is a big difference in giving someone the opportunity to help and forcing someone to help. Giving the opportunity lights a flame in the heart and once the help is done the flame shines brighter and asks for more opportunities. Be an example of helping others in your own actions and the way your family helps each other and helps others together.
17. Remind him that practice makes perfect.
This doesn't just apply to performance-based activities (like sports and music) but also applies to everything in life. You become a better writer by writing. You become a better listener by listening. You become better speaker by speaking. Show your son this when he is just young enough to understand (that means from birth, folks - they are making sense of the world as soon as they arrive), practice trick-or-treating at your own front door before the real thing. Practice how you will walk through airport security before a trip. Practice how you order your own food from the fast food cashier. Practice, practice, practice.
18. Answer him when he asks, "Why?"
Answer him, or search for the answer together. Show him the places to look for the answers (like his dad, or grandparents, or his aunts/uncles, or his books, or valid internet searches). Pose the question to him so he can begin thinking about answers himself. Someday, when he needs to ask questions he's too embarrassed to ask you - he'll know where to go to find the right answers.
19. Always carry band-aids and wipes on you.
especially the wipes.
20. Let his dad teach him how to do things
...without interrupting about how to do it the 'right way.' If you let his dad show and teach and discover with your son while he is growing up, some day down the road (after a short period of your son believing his dad knows nothing), he will come to the realization that his dad knows everything. You will always be his mother, but in his grown-up man heart and mind, his dad will know the answers. And this will be how, when your son is too busy with life to call and chat with his mom, you will stay connected to what is happening in his life. Because he will call his dad for answers, and his dad will secretly come and ask you.
21. Give him something to release his energy
drums, a pen, a punching bag, wide open space, water, a dog. Give him something to go crazy with - or he will use your stuff. and then you'll sorry.
22. Build him forts
Forts have the ability to make everyday normal stuff into magic. Throw the couch cushions, a couple blankets, and some clothespins and you can transform your living room into the cave of wonders. For the rest of his life, he'll be grateful to know that everyday normal stuff has the potential to be magical.
23. Take him to new places
Because it will make his brain and his heart open up wider, and the ideas and questions and memories will rush in.
24. Kiss him
Any mother of sons will tell you that little boys are so loving and sweet. They can be harsh and wild and destructive during most of the day. But there are these moments when they are so kind and sensitive and tender. So much so that it can cause you to look around at the inward, reserved grown men in your life and think, 'what happens in between that made you lose that?' Let's try to stop the cycle by kissing them when they're loving and kissing them even more when they're wild. Kissing them when they're 2 months and kissing them when they're 16 years old. You're the mom - you can go ahead and kiss him no matter how big he gets - and make sure he knows it. p.s. (this one is just as important for dad's too).
25. Be home base
You are home to him. When he learns to walk, he will wobble a few feet away from you and then come back, then wobble away a little farther and then come back. When he tries something new, he will look for your proud smile. When he learns to read, he will repeat the same book to you twenty times in a row, because you're the only one who will listen that many times. When he plays his sport, he will search for your face in the stands. When he is sick, he will call you. When he really messes up, he will call you. When he is grown and strong and tough and big and he feels like crying, he will come to you; because a man can cry in front of his mother without feeling self-conscious. Even when he grows up and has a new woman in his life and gets a new home, you are still his mother; home base, the ever constant, like the sun. Know that in your heart and everything else will fall into place.
http://studerteam.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-rules-for-mothers-of-sons.html?_ft_qid=5693992309559830135&_ft_mf_story_key=10150450636590229&_ft_filter=live&_ft_substories=3&_ft_fbid=300494449987867%2C298979043472312%2C164517383653512&_ft_c=m&m=1
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Happy Birthday Alexander
Dear Alex,
You are six years old today! No longer are you my chubby little baby. No longer are you my ornery little toddler. You are now my tall, thin, kind-hearted, sometimes short-tempered big boy.
You are in Kindergarten. You absolutely love school. You are learning to read. You can add and subtract. You go to karate where you demonstrate amazing focus and self-discipline. You are very loyal to your family. You are so excited to meet your baby brother in just a few weeks. You torment your sister as only a big brother can. You protect your sister as only a big brother can. You struggle with who is boss around here. (NEWS FLASH- I AM). You are too smart for your own good. You are sensitive and thoughtful and frustrating! You are independent. You dress yourself, take showers on your own, and like your privacy. But when no one is looking you still love to be sweet to your mom! A few weeks ago, you gave me the best compliment ever. You told me you thought that I did everything perfectly as a mom! It was the best thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you!
You are such a boy! You love anything electronic, especially my iPhone. You still love to say bathroom words. (I am still waiting for you to outgrow that one). You love to push your limits. You love to be goofy and make people laugh. You love to dance. One of your signature moves is smacking your own behind while you are dancing. YOU think this is hysterical. Sometimes we butt heads because I am not into your “boy humor,” but don’t worry Isabella thinks you are hilarious!!
I hope you have had a very Happy Birthday my sweet boy. Starting a week ago with your Mad Science Party and then this morning your family party, A Pirates of the Caribbean brunch. I love that you are my son and know how to rock a theme – you are wearing your Pirates of the Caribbean shirt and even have on pirate underwear! Six years ago everyone camped out in the waiting room of the hospital for hours and hours and hours waiting for you to come into this world. Today your family joined to celebrate the amazing kid you are today!
I have a picture of you hanging in the sunroom from our trip to Disney this year. You are laughing out loud. It is the perfect picture of you. On the frame is written, “You Make Me Proud Everyday!”
And you do! I am so proud to be your Momma. I love you will all my heart. I hope God blesses you everyday of your life, because the day you were born He blessed me in in the most amazing way...I will spend the rest of my life thanking Him for the gift of you…my first born.
Love, Momma
You are six years old today! No longer are you my chubby little baby. No longer are you my ornery little toddler. You are now my tall, thin, kind-hearted, sometimes short-tempered big boy.
You are in Kindergarten. You absolutely love school. You are learning to read. You can add and subtract. You go to karate where you demonstrate amazing focus and self-discipline. You are very loyal to your family. You are so excited to meet your baby brother in just a few weeks. You torment your sister as only a big brother can. You protect your sister as only a big brother can. You struggle with who is boss around here. (NEWS FLASH- I AM). You are too smart for your own good. You are sensitive and thoughtful and frustrating! You are independent. You dress yourself, take showers on your own, and like your privacy. But when no one is looking you still love to be sweet to your mom! A few weeks ago, you gave me the best compliment ever. You told me you thought that I did everything perfectly as a mom! It was the best thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you!
You are such a boy! You love anything electronic, especially my iPhone. You still love to say bathroom words. (I am still waiting for you to outgrow that one). You love to push your limits. You love to be goofy and make people laugh. You love to dance. One of your signature moves is smacking your own behind while you are dancing. YOU think this is hysterical. Sometimes we butt heads because I am not into your “boy humor,” but don’t worry Isabella thinks you are hilarious!!
I hope you have had a very Happy Birthday my sweet boy. Starting a week ago with your Mad Science Party and then this morning your family party, A Pirates of the Caribbean brunch. I love that you are my son and know how to rock a theme – you are wearing your Pirates of the Caribbean shirt and even have on pirate underwear! Six years ago everyone camped out in the waiting room of the hospital for hours and hours and hours waiting for you to come into this world. Today your family joined to celebrate the amazing kid you are today!
I have a picture of you hanging in the sunroom from our trip to Disney this year. You are laughing out loud. It is the perfect picture of you. On the frame is written, “You Make Me Proud Everyday!”
And you do! I am so proud to be your Momma. I love you will all my heart. I hope God blesses you everyday of your life, because the day you were born He blessed me in in the most amazing way...I will spend the rest of my life thanking Him for the gift of you…my first born.
Love, Momma
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Alex's Science Birthday Party
Last Saturday, Alex's birthday celebration started with a boom! We had a bunch of his buddies over for a MAD SCIENCE party. The boys were entertained (and educated) with science experiments. They changed a liquid to a gas, "tasted" homemade soda, and washed their hands with bubbles. For the grand finale, the boys helped launch a rocket. Then they all had a great time running around the yard, singing Happy Birthday, and eating fun "science" food.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
The past few weeks since my grandmother died have been so hard on me. This is usually my favorite time of year. But this year, I have a heavy heart. I miss her so very much. I have a picture of her and I on my desk. I look at our smiling faces and her hand on my face, and I know I need to be brave. It is what she would want.
And although she is no longer on this earth, she is in my heart because as my cousin Richard said so beautifully, I was her heart. She was so proud of me and the family I have built. So I will be strong for her. I will not let her down. I will not focus on what I have lost, but rather the values of love and family she instilled in me and all of her family. And I know I have so many things to be thankful for this year.
I am thankful for my friends. They have been a tremendous support during this difficult time in my life. I am thankful for my family. We are blessed to have one another, and we have been there for one another in a way I know would make Grandma Mela proud.
I am thankful for my beautiful children. I am thankful for Alex and how smart and diligent he is in school and karate. And I am thankful that he is such a sensitive soul - he is wearing Grandma Mela's cross around his neck and says he likes that it is by his heart so he can always remember her and show her respect. I am thankful for Isabella who is the happiest, most imaginative little girl. I love that she gets so excited when we spend the day together. She always says, Girls' Day! I am thankful for how they both are so excited for their new baby brother to get here. My belly gets countless hugs and kisses everyday. I am thankful I have only 10 weeks of this pregnancy left!! I can't wait to meet my new little baby boy. I am thankful for my husband who carried up many many bins of Christmas decorations and baby clothes from the basement tonight without complaint. I am nesting in a big way lately, and he loves me enough to humor me.
Tonight we all cuddled in Isabella's bed and read our Thanksgiving books. Alex said he is thankful for everything he has. Isabella said she is thankful for her fam-a-wee (family) and Snow White. I am thankful for how much they love one another, their mommy and daddy, their cousins, their grandparents and their aunts and uncles. I am so thankful and proud that I am the Mommy of two kids with such strong family loyalty even at their young ages...
And I owe it all to the example set by our big, crazy, amazing family. Because... "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -Anthony Brandt
And although she is no longer on this earth, she is in my heart because as my cousin Richard said so beautifully, I was her heart. She was so proud of me and the family I have built. So I will be strong for her. I will not let her down. I will not focus on what I have lost, but rather the values of love and family she instilled in me and all of her family. And I know I have so many things to be thankful for this year.
I am thankful for my friends. They have been a tremendous support during this difficult time in my life. I am thankful for my family. We are blessed to have one another, and we have been there for one another in a way I know would make Grandma Mela proud.
I am thankful for my beautiful children. I am thankful for Alex and how smart and diligent he is in school and karate. And I am thankful that he is such a sensitive soul - he is wearing Grandma Mela's cross around his neck and says he likes that it is by his heart so he can always remember her and show her respect. I am thankful for Isabella who is the happiest, most imaginative little girl. I love that she gets so excited when we spend the day together. She always says, Girls' Day! I am thankful for how they both are so excited for their new baby brother to get here. My belly gets countless hugs and kisses everyday. I am thankful I have only 10 weeks of this pregnancy left!! I can't wait to meet my new little baby boy. I am thankful for my husband who carried up many many bins of Christmas decorations and baby clothes from the basement tonight without complaint. I am nesting in a big way lately, and he loves me enough to humor me.
Tonight we all cuddled in Isabella's bed and read our Thanksgiving books. Alex said he is thankful for everything he has. Isabella said she is thankful for her fam-a-wee (family) and Snow White. I am thankful for how much they love one another, their mommy and daddy, their cousins, their grandparents and their aunts and uncles. I am so thankful and proud that I am the Mommy of two kids with such strong family loyalty even at their young ages...
And I owe it all to the example set by our big, crazy, amazing family. Because... "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -Anthony Brandt
Friday, November 11, 2011
Dear Grandma Mela,
You called us your “kiddies.” We called you “Mam-ma, Grandma, Grandma Mela." You made the sign of the cross on our foreheads and said “May God Bless You.” And now every night I do the same for my kids and they say it to each other. You never tattled on us when you babysat even when we were rotten. I looked forward to sleepovers on Plumbrook Court. And Sunday dinners at your house. And Christmas Eve. You always made Christmas so special. We were the luckiest grandkids – we even got Christmas Eve gifts! And the best cookies in the world. They were always unveiled after our wonderful dinner of sausage and peppers and lasagna. You were at every birthday dinner. You always had to see us on our actual birthdays! I will never forget our trips to Nutley or our beach vacations in New Jersey and Ocean City. You used to love to sit on the porch at night and listen to the ocean. (And I remember when Alex was a baby, he sat on your lap on the beach and you fed him a peach!! A random thought I know, but one I will never forget).
And we grew up. And you were still there calling us your kiddies. You celebrated our graduations and danced at our weddings. And held our babies. I still remember coming home when Nicki was in labor with Sophie and you were sitting at the kitchen table timing her contractions. In every picture I have of you in recent years, you have a great grandbaby in your arms. They brought you so much joy. As you always said, “I just such a kick out of them!” And they loved their Grandma Mela. Alex is already calling you his angel and is praying to you! He learned in church that you can pray any time of the day, so he said that he knows anytime he wants to talk to you he can…not just at bedtime. He is wondering if you are getting free ice cream in heaven. And he told me he will never forget you. He wants to put a picture of you in his room so he can always see you.
When I told Isabella you were in heaven, she said, “Grandma is in heaven with Jesus. I wish we could take an airplane to see her.” Me too, sweet girl. Me too.
And don’t worry about Poppy. We will do our best to take good care of him. Alex told me the other night that he had a good idea. He said, “We can go visit Poppy every couple of days. Remember Mom, when we would always go to their house?” Yes. I remember. Eating pizza, drinking wine and Anisette, trying to drink coffee (you always made it so strong), and then eating candy…reeses and green leaves. You loved having us there. You would always clean the floors so the babies wouldn’t get germs when they were crawling around. Sitting around your kitchen table chatting will always be one of my fondest memories.
I know without a doubt you are in heaven with your mom and dad and your sisters and brothers. I am sure you are playing poker. Hopefully you are having better luck then you always did in Atlantic City. I know you will always be looking down on all of us. But I want you here. I am really not sure how I am going to live without you in my life. I miss you so much already. I want you to hold my new baby in February and bless his forehead. I promise to tell him all about you, and I will tell him about all the times you made the sign of the cross on my belly and said, “May God bless you.” And I will tell him how the last time I saw you, you put your hand on my belly and said, “I love that belly.” You loved him before you even knew him, and I will make sure he knows it. And one more promise – I will always hold you in my heart and never forget how much you loved me – I am so blessed to be your oldest grandchild and to have had you here with me for 34 years. I love you Grandma Mela. May God Bless You!!
And we grew up. And you were still there calling us your kiddies. You celebrated our graduations and danced at our weddings. And held our babies. I still remember coming home when Nicki was in labor with Sophie and you were sitting at the kitchen table timing her contractions. In every picture I have of you in recent years, you have a great grandbaby in your arms. They brought you so much joy. As you always said, “I just such a kick out of them!” And they loved their Grandma Mela. Alex is already calling you his angel and is praying to you! He learned in church that you can pray any time of the day, so he said that he knows anytime he wants to talk to you he can…not just at bedtime. He is wondering if you are getting free ice cream in heaven. And he told me he will never forget you. He wants to put a picture of you in his room so he can always see you.
When I told Isabella you were in heaven, she said, “Grandma is in heaven with Jesus. I wish we could take an airplane to see her.” Me too, sweet girl. Me too.
And don’t worry about Poppy. We will do our best to take good care of him. Alex told me the other night that he had a good idea. He said, “We can go visit Poppy every couple of days. Remember Mom, when we would always go to their house?” Yes. I remember. Eating pizza, drinking wine and Anisette, trying to drink coffee (you always made it so strong), and then eating candy…reeses and green leaves. You loved having us there. You would always clean the floors so the babies wouldn’t get germs when they were crawling around. Sitting around your kitchen table chatting will always be one of my fondest memories.
I know without a doubt you are in heaven with your mom and dad and your sisters and brothers. I am sure you are playing poker. Hopefully you are having better luck then you always did in Atlantic City. I know you will always be looking down on all of us. But I want you here. I am really not sure how I am going to live without you in my life. I miss you so much already. I want you to hold my new baby in February and bless his forehead. I promise to tell him all about you, and I will tell him about all the times you made the sign of the cross on my belly and said, “May God bless you.” And I will tell him how the last time I saw you, you put your hand on my belly and said, “I love that belly.” You loved him before you even knew him, and I will make sure he knows it. And one more promise – I will always hold you in my heart and never forget how much you loved me – I am so blessed to be your oldest grandchild and to have had you here with me for 34 years. I love you Grandma Mela. May God Bless You!!
Monday, November 7, 2011
3rd Trimester
Wow! 27 weeks down. 12 to go! Yikes. 12 weeks sounds like a long time. I can't believe I have to be pregnant for almost 3 more months. I know it will go by quickly with the holidays coming up...Thanksgiving, Alex's birthday (yes, he thinks it is a national holiday), Christmas.
Been going to the doctor once a week. Measuring right on. Heartbeat nice and strong. He is a mover. He seems to be doing somersaults in there. He gets the hiccups all the time - no joke. Several times a day. Excited for next week. I have another sonogram. Can't wait to see him again.
My c-section is scheduled for February 1st. I am praying for no snow this winter!
Alex and Isabella are beside themselves with excitement. They have both felt him move. They kiss my belly. Alex hugs me and thinks it is funny that his arms do not reach around me. ha ha. Real funny! Isabella went with me to the doctor and heard his heartbeat. Each of my pregnancies has been so special, but I think this one is most special because I get to experience it with them.
I can't wait to meet my little man. But as uncomfortable as I am, I am cherishing this time. This will probably be my last baby. I sit every night and just enjoy feeling him move. And even though I am over most things about being pregnant, that is the one thing that never gets old.
Been going to the doctor once a week. Measuring right on. Heartbeat nice and strong. He is a mover. He seems to be doing somersaults in there. He gets the hiccups all the time - no joke. Several times a day. Excited for next week. I have another sonogram. Can't wait to see him again.
My c-section is scheduled for February 1st. I am praying for no snow this winter!
Alex and Isabella are beside themselves with excitement. They have both felt him move. They kiss my belly. Alex hugs me and thinks it is funny that his arms do not reach around me. ha ha. Real funny! Isabella went with me to the doctor and heard his heartbeat. Each of my pregnancies has been so special, but I think this one is most special because I get to experience it with them.
I can't wait to meet my little man. But as uncomfortable as I am, I am cherishing this time. This will probably be my last baby. I sit every night and just enjoy feeling him move. And even though I am over most things about being pregnant, that is the one thing that never gets old.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
First Lost Tooth
No, it wasn't Alex who lost a tooth today. It was Isabella. About a year and a half ago, she fell and chipped her two front teeth. We have been to the dentist 4 times, had it x-rayed and everything looked fine. Last week I noticed she had a blister on her gum and took her back to the dentist. They x-rayed it again and gave me the news that her front tooth would have to come out. I held it together until we got outside and then lost it. Isabella said, "Mommy. Stop crying over my tooth." I just couldn't help it - my poor baby girl.
All week long we have been talking about being brave at the dentist (more for me than her) and how the tooth fairy is going to come to our house and leave her money just like on Yo Gabba Gabba. Alex offered to let her use his special lost tooth pillow (that was daddy's when he was little). He also offered to go back to preschool and be in her class just in case anyone made fun of her.
This morning, we headed to the dentist. She climbed in the car, breathed the silly gas and held perfectly still. She was the model patient. Daddy and I were nervous wrecks.
An hour later we were home watching movies. Pop came to visit. Nana is on her way. She got some Lalaloopsy dolls for being so brave. Her best friend Kaitlyn surprised her with balloons, a card and some ice cream - just what Dr. Kohn ordered. (Thank you, Ms. Sarah).
A little while ago, she came into the kitchen. "Momma, I looked in the mirror."
"What did you see?" I asked.
"A princess."
Here she is, my beautiful, confident, happy princess with her new smile.
All week long we have been talking about being brave at the dentist (more for me than her) and how the tooth fairy is going to come to our house and leave her money just like on Yo Gabba Gabba. Alex offered to let her use his special lost tooth pillow (that was daddy's when he was little). He also offered to go back to preschool and be in her class just in case anyone made fun of her.
This morning, we headed to the dentist. She climbed in the car, breathed the silly gas and held perfectly still. She was the model patient. Daddy and I were nervous wrecks.
An hour later we were home watching movies. Pop came to visit. Nana is on her way. She got some Lalaloopsy dolls for being so brave. Her best friend Kaitlyn surprised her with balloons, a card and some ice cream - just what Dr. Kohn ordered. (Thank you, Ms. Sarah).
A little while ago, she came into the kitchen. "Momma, I looked in the mirror."
"What did you see?" I asked.
"A princess."
Here she is, my beautiful, confident, happy princess with her new smile.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
It's a Boy
Baby Boy,
Since the moment I found out I was carrying you, I wondered day and night if you were a boy or a girl. Well today at the ultrasound you were more than happy to show us that you are all boy!!! You are so cute…you were all curled up and comfy in my belly. I hope that means you are going to be a cuddle bug. We called all your grandparents and aunts and uncles to tell them that we were having a baby boy.
Then off to the store I went. I bought blue balloons, a blue stuffed monkey, and a little brother onesie. I picked up Isabella from school and told her the news. And then when Alex got off the bus we put the onesie on the bear and the look on his face when he realized he was having a brother was priceless!! He is going to be such a good big brother to you. He has already promised to teach you math when you turn 4. And he also said that he wants to go look through all his books and give you some and he will read them to you when he learns to read. And Isabella is going to be like another little mother to you. She tells me that she will hold you and rock you.
Since the moment I found out I was carrying you, I wondered day and night if you were a boy or a girl. Well today at the ultrasound you were more than happy to show us that you are all boy!!! You are so cute…you were all curled up and comfy in my belly. I hope that means you are going to be a cuddle bug. We called all your grandparents and aunts and uncles to tell them that we were having a baby boy.
Then off to the store I went. I bought blue balloons, a blue stuffed monkey, and a little brother onesie. I picked up Isabella from school and told her the news. And then when Alex got off the bus we put the onesie on the bear and the look on his face when he realized he was having a brother was priceless!! He is going to be such a good big brother to you. He has already promised to teach you math when you turn 4. And he also said that he wants to go look through all his books and give you some and he will read them to you when he learns to read. And Isabella is going to be like another little mother to you. She tells me that she will hold you and rock you.
I can’t believe we still have a little over 4 months until we meet you. But when it is cold outside it will warm in our home because baby boy you will be here – and our family will be complete.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Big Day for My Big Girl
Today Isabella started 3 Year Old preschool. When we got to school she smiled as we snapped pictures of her by the “Chestnut Grove Tree.” Then it was time to go to her classroom. She put her tiny hand in mine and looked up at me. “Momma, you are going to stay with me?” I held back the tears and told her that no I wouldn’t be staying but she is a big girl and will be fine (but would I?) She wouldn’t let go of my hand. She might as well have been squeezing my heart. I kissed her and said a quick goodbye knowing she was in good hands. I held back my tears until I got into my car. I cannot believe she is already in preschool. As I have said so many times before, the years are going by so so quickly. I want her to stay my baby girl. I kept busy this morning and looked forward to seeing my girl at 12:30. When I picked her up she was sitting in her cubby with a huge smile on her face. She had a great morning.
We went home, had a snack, changed clothes and then we were off to her first ballet class. She was too cute in her pink tights, ballet shoes and tutu. When we picked up Alex from the bus stop she showed him all her new moves!
What a day!
We went home, had a snack, changed clothes and then we were off to her first ballet class. She was too cute in her pink tights, ballet shoes and tutu. When we picked up Alex from the bus stop she showed him all her new moves!
What a day!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Alex's First Day of School 2011
For almost six years, Alex has been mine. For all his days, I have been his caregiver, his teacher, his playmate. Yes, he went to My Gym, and to camps and to preschool. But the majority of his day was spent at home with me. Today that all changed. Today was a day that we have been talking about all summer. Today was the day that Alex got on the bus and smiled and waved as his daddy and I cried behind our sunglasses. Today was Alex’s first day of Kindergarten.
I can’t believe that he is old enough to go to school all day every day. I am one big conflict of emotions right now. I am so excited as he starts this new chapter in his life. He is going to learn so much at school. But I am so sad that he is no longer going to spend his afternoons with Isabella and me or be able to sleep in like a teenager. This morning she told him, “I am really going to miss you Ally.” And my heart literally broke. I still see him as my baby and I can’t believe he is no longer my baby, or a toddler, or even a preschooler. He is a school-aged kid. I want to rewind time. I want those years back when he was mine… all mine.
Today when I picked him up (did I mention he was only gone half day today? I might really fall apart tomorrow when he goes all day) he was so happy. He had such a “great day” (Mrs. Bensen’s words). I asked him how the bus ride was and he said, “I started to cry, but I was able to hold my tears back. And then I realized they were just tears of joy.” Then I asked, “Did you say, ‘I miss my Momma?’” He said, “No. But I was thinking it in my head.”
Well , I spent my whole morning thinking “in my head” how much I missed you. You may be a big kid now but as far as I am concerned you will always be my smiling, silly baby boy (even if you only allow me to say it when we are by ourselves). And even though I have to share you with teachers and friends in my heart you will always be mine all mine.
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