Toddlerhood.....the third time

The past few days have been what I like to call "toddler" days with Anna. I know full well she is not a baby anymore, at 21 months (this week!), but seriously where does the time go? I was talking to a friend the other day and she said, "My kids are growing so fast, I feel like I'm going to wake up tomorrow and be in a nursing home". Sometimes I feel the same way. I know these moments are fast, fleeting and so, so precious, and I'm so grateful I get to expeience every stage as a mommy. I was venting to another friend after church today about how Anna has been giving me a run for my money lately, and she reminded me....."It's just the stage". It was good to hear it from someone who's been there and it sure puts life into perspective. This too shall pass. There will come a day when the house is very clean and too quiet. But for today, here are some glimpes from one of my toddler days.

Signs your baby has turned into a toddler:

She screames to be put down all through worship at church and a well meaning lady looks quizzically at you and asks if she's teething. (Uh, no---she's just almost 2)

You come out to the kitchen to find a drenched toddler and a HUGE puddle of water on the kitchen floor and your toddler is stomping/splashing around in it. (Gotta love the low end water dispensing fridges with no lock on the water dispenser.)

A few minutes after the water incident you come out to find your toddler has squeezed half a tube of toothpaste on the coffee table and is scrubbing it in with her toothbrush and alternately brushing her teeth.

Again, you come into the kitchen to find a plate of leftover carrot cake turned upside down on the floor.

"Say sue" is thank you.

"mine" and "no" are other commonly heard words.

"Come to mamma" is code for "run as fast as you can around and around the van so momma will look like an idiot to all the neighbors watching while she chases you".

She has pen marks up and down both arms from coloring on herself.

She now gives the sweetest (non-slobbery!) kisses and hugs.....and you constantly find yourself gazing at her in awe of the little girl she is becoming.

Defining moments

I just stumbled upon this while sorting through files on my computer. It is something I wrote a few years ago, one of the rare occasions that I "write", but I was inspired to do so, at the time. Reading it again, now, just reminded me of how blessed I am through each of my children. How they each are so unique and have taught me different things. I thought I'd post it......may you mother's be encouraged today as well, in the very important job you are doing!

DEFINING MOMENTS

It had been a long morning. I was in the thick of morning sickness with my second pregnancy. After an upsetting phone call with a family member I was feeling hurt and rejected, not to mention nauseous and hormonal. As I made lunch for my then 18 month old son, Will, I’m sure I was muttering under my breath. We sat down to eat. Will in his high chair, me at the table. I dug into my food still somewhat oblivious to Will. About halfway through my sandwich I looked at him. I was still stewing from the events of the morning and by this point I was tearing up. Will caught my eyes, held out peanut butter covered hands and tentatively said “Amen?” It was more of a question, then a statement. You see, I had forgotten to pray. We had always prayed together before meals. I melted. The tears rolled down my cheeks and my anger was immediately washed away by a simple reminder from my toddler son.

It was what I now call a “defining moment” in parenthood. I had dreamed of being a mother all my life. It was all I ever really wanted to be. I was so proud of my new role, proud of Will and all the things that I would teach HIM. What I failed to realize up until now, was just all that HE was teaching ME. I at last understood why God had blessed me with Will. God was using my child to teach me to trust Him, to go to Him everyday, regardless of my circumstances. God was at work through this little child to capture my heart, to soften me. The Lord was teaching me to be like Will and to quietly say “Amen”.

I grabbed Will’s hands, “Yes, sweetie, let’s pray. Mommy forgot. Thanks so much for reminding me.”

MORE words from Wyatt......

I have to share something Wyatt said a few days ago, because everytime I think of it, it still makes me laugh. We were talking (I don't even remember about what) and I said something like, "no, you can't do that 'cause you're too little". He looks at me and says, "mom, I'm NOT little, I'm 4, and 4 is not little, 4 is MEDIUM". (Wow, I wonder what that makes 30?)

Oh, I just thought of one more....today at my parents house he found a small wasp nest under their deck railing, so Will and I go down to check it out, and when I saw it I was like, "oh, my goodness, it really is a wasp nest", and Wyatt says, "mom, this is no time to panic".

What did we do for entertainment before we had kids??

More of our week in GP: The Illinois River

This is one of our most favorite, little known, and hard to get to spots along the river. It is steep trek down, but that's what makes it so great, it's private and so beautiful. There is a big rock to jump from, and a little sandy beach area. We brought along a fried chicken dinner and cooled of swimming and playing in the river.

Here we are starting a family float upstream, (I was being brave and adventursome) which didn't last long because Anna got tired of it and started crying. We were swimming over to the shore to drop her off with Papa and continue our float when we ran into this little fella.....

For a second I tried to stay calm but the snake was spooked and started swimming out towards me. I pretty much went into hysterics, my heart was beating so hard. After he swam away I declined the offer to continue the "float" :) Can't say I didn't try.

What could be better than eating watermelon piece after piece on the rocks in your swim diaper??

Perhaps, "skinny dippin' " in the river afterwards?? Needless to say she is QUITE the water girl, at this point the sun was going down and the water was quite cold, in fact her lips were looking a little purple, yet she still cried when we got her out.

Our week in GP

We spent last week in GP and Craig helped his Dad build a new Trex deck on the front of their house. Here is the (almost) finished project. They were just putting the rails on for the completed project. It turned out so well. Nice work, guys!

Fun in the Park

Well, we have had a lot going on these past 10 days. It started two Saturday's ago at Wilsonville's Fun in the Park event. My sister-in-laws told us about this yearly even they put on and we all met up there for the day. I have to let you know that if you are at all in the area next August it is totally worth going. It was basically like a fair....they had at least 8 or so jumpy houses/obstacle courses, carnival games with prizes, booths, arts and craft stations and more. They had live entertainment, and this really cool water feature, pictured below. The BEST thing is it's ALL FREE. The only thing that costs is food, but we packed our own lunch and they were giving away free cotton candy at one booth so that was our treat for the day. The kids came home with bags full of candy and prizes and were asking if we could go back next year. So, mark your calendars for the first saturday in August 2008, and maybe we'll see you there!

Here is Will in the middle of the picture running up the tiers of the water feature.
Wyatt and cousin Alissa playing in the water.

WHC

Will just wrapped up his second year of Wildcat Hoop Camp. One morning he was dressed and ready to go standing at the side of my bed at 6:45am, if that's any indication of how much he loved it!

Today his team ended up winning the championship game for his "league" (K-2nd graders). He played against his cousin Halle's team, and let me tell you it was hands down the most intense and physical K-2nd grade game I have ever seen. At one point Will and Halle were on the floor wrestling over the ball! Brooke, my parents and I were practically in hysterics on the sidelines. It was so funny to watch. Will came home with a trophy for the celler dweller competition, two medals and four ribbons. He was absolutely BEAMING with all his awards. It was fun to see him having so much fun, and being so proud of his accomplishments. It was also a good opportuninty to remind him of humility!

So until next year......1, 2, 3, WILDCATS!!!!