Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for a wonderful husband who will be coming home tomorrow.  He's been gone since Sunday and I'm grumpy, exhausted and ready for him to be back.  You really don't realize how difficult being a single parent is until you are in that situation.  This week has been extremely challenging with Neva...dreaming of monsters every night, not wanting to be dropped at daycare every morning, not wanting to go home with me every night...the list goes on and on and on.  I am grateful for the time that we got to spend together, although I had envisioned it quite differently in my head.  Such is life, I suppose.

I had asked my sweet husband to do a guest post awhile ago.  I had no idea how sweet it would be.  Today, I am also grateful for such kind, loving words from him...perhaps when I needed to hear them the most.  It melts my heart every single time I read it. 

Here you go...

Dear Neva,

Being my first blog post ever I thought I would chat with you about the most important thing you should be aware of.  I know, potentially very thought provoking and deep stuff….  Drumroll please…..

Your Mom’s unwavering and unconditional love for you!  

This blog, that your Mom has created, is hopefully something you will come to cherish for the rest of your life.  This is just one small example of how giving and thoughtful your Mom is.  She doesn’t take time for herself and is constantly ensuring that you are brought up in the best manner possible with the best opportunity to accomplish all the goals you will set for yourself later in life. 

I am sure you are, or will be, aware of the things mothers do that make them mothers. 

·        Preparing nourishing delicious food and often they eat it cold due to them tending to everyone’s needs

·        Reading bedtime books in the best motherly voice possible

·        Kissing little ones goodnight and reassuring them that they will greet them in the morning

·        Giving kisses to scraped knees to make everything feel better

·        Gently bathing little ones in the tub

·        Somehow brushing a child’s knotted head of hair without pulling one hair out

·        Giving hugs to help through a meltdown or tough day

All of those items above are fantastic and your Mom accomplishes them in an amazing and special way.  

What I want to make sure you know of are the things your Mom does that are not as easy see. 

·        Gave up personal comfort to bring you into the world in a way that we felt was the best way for you

·        Looks into your eyes with the warmth and care that cannot be described

·        Embraces your every hug, closes her eyes and soaks in the moment

·        Is filled with joy and admiration when you learn a new task

·        Prays for your overall well-being and safety

·        Constantly looks inward toward self-improvement to be the best Mom she can possible be

·        Relishes every moment she is with you and gives you her undivided attention

Every child should know that their mother loves them; you should also know that you have the best Mom in the world!  She will continue to do whatever she can for you. 

So next time you are in the middle of a terrible two meltdown, or later in life when you are having a teenage moment, know that your Mom’s love is unwavering.  She will love you no matter what happens and will be the best example of how to put someone else above your own needs. 

Daddy

Friday...again

I'm not so great at getting these up by Thursday.  Drat.  Story of my life, though...I've always been a procrastinator. But here I am anyways, getting it done. 

I'm thankful for humility.

That may sound odd to some, but I really feel that everyone needs a few humbling experiences in their life to keep them grounded.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a pretty great life.  But I've also had some extremely humbling experiences.  And most people I know are in a similar situation, but I know a few who aren't.  

I know you all know the type who walk around as if their s*** don't stink.  They've had very little negative life experience and everything seems to always go their way.  That's great and all and I would love to have everything I've ever wanted in life, but what does that teach you?

It teaches you that material goods are the most important things in life.  It teaches you that your appearance is more important than being happy.  It teaches you to always expect more from others and be judgmental or rude when your ridiculous standards aren't met.

Humility teaches us to love each other, to be empathetic or compassionate to those around you.  It teaches you to be grateful for things that you've worked hard for.  It teaches you to be thankful for the gifts that you are given, regardless of the monetary value of that gift. 

I don't want people to have to live ridiculously hard lives, but I don't want to watch people get whatever their little hearts desire either.  Everyone needs to be grounded, somehow, so that they can learn to appreciate what is truly important and to really be thankful.

Thankful Thursday...er, Friday

I've seen a lot of bloggers talking about doing "Thankful Thursday" for the month of November and thought I'd jump on the bandwagon.  However, our computer was having some issues last night, so it's just getting put up here today.

I go through phases in life where I find myself wanting.  Feeling like we don't have enough.  We're not keeping up with the Jones' so to speak.  But truth of the matter is, we're pretty damn lucky.

I'm thankful that we have a beautiful home and a roof over our heads.  It's not huge and it's not fancy, but it's ours.  And buying a house in the Roaring Fork Valley is no small feat, so I'm very proud of us for doing this, as well. 

I'm thankful we have a pantry and a refrigerator full of food.  There are many who are not so lucky.  Also?  My husband has an amazing garden which also supplies us with some amazing food for a good portion of the year. 

I'm thankful, also, that both of us having good jobs.  There are days when they don't seem so great, but truth is...they're pretty great.  Eric gets to play.  I get to help people.  During this difficult time, it's just amazing that we both still have our jobs and I am grateful for that.

I'm also thankful that while we are out working these jobs, we have someone amazing to take care of Neva.  She is lucky enough to get to spend the day with Becca, who she LOVES.  And play with friends, whom she also LOVES.

This is just a start...and these are in no particular order.  Stay tuned for more.  I know you're all on the edge of your seats. 

101 in 1001....EPIC FAIL!

When I started this, I was all inspired to be a better person, do better things...then I became a Mom.  Spending time with my family became my number one priority and I have hardly looked at this list since.  But, I have one month to go on my 101 in 1001 so I thought I'd give a quick update.  This all ends on November 2, 2012...so we'll see what else I can accomplish in the next month!  I'm a bit disappointed in myself, now that I read through this list again!

Smarts:
1. Read all of our book club books (all but one of them and NO ONE finished that one!)
2. Take a CMC course  (probably won't be able to complete this in the next month, but I did teach a class...does that count?!)
3. Read 10 books from Time's 100 books  (nope, not done!)

Personal Growth:

4. Create a blog (completed 2/8/10)

5. Journal at least monthly (not going to meet this one!!)

6. Meditate daily for a month  (nope)
7. Write 101 things I like about myself  (started this...got through about #20)
8. Don't say anything negative for 1 week  (let's be honest, this isn't going to happen)
9. Volunteer at CARE  (nope)
10. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen/Extended Table  (nope)
11. Blog at least weekly (have missed a couple on this one!)
12. Find a church and attend once a month  (sadly, no.  Eric works on Sundays and I'm not sure I could do it alone).
13. Do the laundry for a week  (Eric is WAY too good at this, I don't want to rob him of one of his simple joys in life!)
14. 10 random acts of kindness  (nope)
15. 10 nice gestures for 10 nice people  (nope)
16. Floss everyday for a month  (sorry, Dr. B, but no)
17. Go to the dentist every 6 months  (nope)

18. Have a garage sale (done! 5/22/10)

19. Complete a living will  (nope)
20. Send anonymous flowers 5 times  (nope)

21. Write to my Grandma and Grandpa at least every other month (have not done this)

22. Write to my Granddad at least every other month (or this!)

23. Write to my parents once a month (or this!!!)

24. Write to my siblings once a month (ah! or this!)

25. Send someone a care package  (nope)
26. Get caught up at work and stay that way  (am currently caught up, but it doesn't always stick for very long!)

Finances:
27. Donate to a non-profit  (does buying Girl Scout cookies count?)
28. Pay off credit cards  (so close!)
29. Pay off car loan  (mine was 2 months from done and then I wrecked it and bought another...awesome!)
30. Have $*K in savings (don't want to share an actual $ amount)  (nope!)

31. Buy a newer car for Eric (done! 5/15/10)

32. Stick to our budget  (ha! this is an ongoing struggle!)

33. Buy a new couch (done!!  11/10)

34. Buy a Hot Springs pass (done!!  8/4/12)

35. Buy a new camera (done! 5/15/10)

36. Start a college savings account for Baby Brotherson  (sorry, Neva but no...not yet!)
37. Put aside $5 for every goal completed  (nope, but I probably could do it now as I see that I didn't complete very many of these!)

38. Get a raise (at both jobs) (as of 10/1/12, we have gotten a COLA increase at my day job and I am happy to say that I am making some money teaching belly dancing, too!)

Health and Happiness:
39. Get back in touch with good friends, call/write at least one each month  (probably doing better, but still not great)
40. Have a spa day  (a few pedicures and massages here and there, but not a full blown spa day)
41. Have a better skincare routine  (sometimes, but nothing consistent)

42. Go completely organic  (too expensive...and I love me some junk food!)

43. Subscribe to CSA (community supported agriculture) every season  (done...they're no longer doing this and now we have a totally kick ass garden...all organic!)

44. Compost at home  (done!!  12/10)

45. Walk Risa everyday for a week  (sorry, Risa, but no...)
46. Do it again  (see above)
47. Pack my lunch for one week  (totally doing this, I can't imagine paying for lunch every day!)
48. Don't get on the internet at work for a week  (ha!)
49. Exercise 5 days a week for one month (close, but no cigar!)
50. Do it again (definitely didn't make it for 2 months straight!)
51. Be on time to work for 5 days straight  (not sure that this will ever happen!)
52. Do it again (seriously, who does this?)
53. Keep my car clean for a month (getting better at this, but Eric cleaned it out initially so I'm not sure that counts!)
54. Get up in time to eat breakfast at home for one week (nope, I like my breakfast at my desk)
55. Run another 5K (I can hardly run one mile, let's be serious...)

Bellydance:

56. Go to Elevation (completed 4/29/10-5/1/10 and again in 2011!!)

57. Go to another bellydance workshop  (have gone to Elevation twice, but nothing else...yet!)

58. Do a solo - pregnant (DONE!! 7/23/10 and again 7/29/11 minus the being pregnant part!)

59. Make/sew some bellydance gear  (sort of done - embellished my costume for my solo at Mountain Fair on 7/27/12!)

60. Convince someone to start bellydancing  (done!!  6/11)

Crafty:

61. Sew something for the baby  (done!  a quilt!!  8/10)

62. Have professional pics done before and after baby  (not of all of us, but have some great photos of Neva done!)

63. Make a family tree - all sides  (nope)

64. Compile a recipe book (nope, but luckily I have a cousin and great aunt who have done this for me!)
65. Try painting/creating art (does finger painting with Neva count?)
66. Paint pottery (again, no)

67. Make a quilt, no matter how simple  (done!  see above!)

68. Knit a scarf or blanket  (done...for baby Neva!  8/10)

Travel/Adventure:
69. Go on a big vacation - visit another country  (oh, I wish!)
70. Try camping again (nope...whew!)

71. Go to New York  (done...1/11...and it was awesome!!!)

72. Hike Mt. Sopris (nope)
73. Take Eric to see the Grand Canyon (nope)
74. Ride in a hot air balloon (nope)

75. Go sledding  (done...for Eric's 30th birthday!)

76. Take Eric to a musical (I'm not sure this will ever happen!)
77. Try rock climbing again (nope)
78. Try hot yoga (no, but we joke about hot belly dance every Tuesday night as it is 75 degrees in there when we start)
79. Take Eric to a Nuggets game (sorry, babe, but no)
80. Go to a KSU football game (oh how I wish!!)
81. Go to a Chiefs game (no, but we're not really missing anything!)
82. Go to the Lake of the Ozarks (no, but would love to!!)
83. Go to another concert (aside from Music in the Park, no)
84. Go somewhere by train (no)
85. Pick peaches in Palisade (nope, but I drank lots of wine there!)

Suzy Homemaker:

86. Paint the living room  (done!!!!  6/11)

87. Make homemade pasta (nope)

88. Bake a cake from scratch  (done!  for Neva's 1st birthday!!)

89. Turn off cable (done 4/18/10...came back on after my first day home alone with Neva...blaming it on the nursing not going well.  But cable went back of in December 2011)

90. Have a living plant in every room (we're just not indoor plant people!)
91. Purge closet and dresser (we have done this SEVERAL times!)
92. Learn to decorate cakes/cupcakes (don't know that I'm great at it, but have done it for birthdays the past few years!)
93. Get old home videos on to DVDs  (nope)
94. Clean/purge/organize spare bedrooms (we have done this several times, too!)
95. Try 25 new recipes (possibly, but I wasn't keeping track!)

Baby:

96. Document belly at least monthly with a photo  (done!)

97. Do a belly mold (done! 7/3/10)

98. Find amazing day care provider (done! 5/25/10 and again in July 2011)

99. Have an amazing homebirth (DONE!!!!  IT WAS AWESOME!!!)

100. Breastfeed  (doing it!!!  And did it for 20 months)

101. Convince someone else to make a list of 101 to do in 1001 (not yet!)

Go State!

We've been brain washing Neva to cheer for the KSU Wildcats at every opportunity. 

Us:  Neva, what do you say when you see purple? 
Neva:  Go State!

Us:  Neva, what do you say when you see Willie the Wildcat? 
Neva: Go State!

This has gone on for several weeks now and she's getting really good at it!  Last week, she even had all of the other kids at daycare saying, "Go State!"

Recently, after Neva tooted, we asked her what we say after we toot or burp.  Her response??? 

"GO STATE!"

Guess who's TWO!

I don't know how in the world it is possible, but Miss Neva is officially 2.  Don't get me wrong, we've been experiencing the "Terrible Twos" for awhile, but now she is actually 2 years old.  My baby is getting so big.  I got a little emotional last night when thinking about the past two years.  I had no idea how different our life would be with the addition of Neva Mae, but I would not trade it for anything in the world!  She is just simply amazing.  She has made our lives complete and I love her more and more every single day.  She makes me laugh harder than almost anyone I know and can make me instantly feel better with a smile, a sweet compliment or by any one of her hysterical things that she does on a daily basis.  Truly, I couldn't be happier.

On to the birthday girl....We had a great party over the weekend with lots of food, family and friends!  And at Neva's request, it was a turtle party...complete with a turtle cake that I was able to make with the assistance of Aunt Mandy!  Last night, we had pizza and chicken bones (aka chicken wings)...again at her request.  When I asked if she wanted anything else, she said "to eat it".  Good girl.  Yes you can have your pizza and eat it, too.  And at bedtime, she didn't want to sing the usual bedtime songs...but did sing "Happy Birthday" to herself three times before hitting the sack.

She's just a boatload of fun right now, here's some fun things she's up to:

Singing her ABCs..adorable!
Learning to jump - hysterical, I tell you!!
Running, barefoot and calling herself Zola Budd when she does!
Pretending to be a baby, using anything she can find as her "binky" and drinking from a toy bottle.
Potty training, complete with an enthusiastic "Ta da!" or "I did it!" afterwards.
Saying, "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" at bedtime.
Putting Daddy in time-out...and calling him "Daddy Brotherson" or "Eric" when he's in trouble!
The most classic surprised and sad faces that I have ever seen.
Pretending to cry - pretend play is big at our house right now!
Her 2-year molars are coming in and her awesome parents didn't even notice!

She's just amazing...and growing and changing every single day!

23 months

Little Miss will officially be 23 months on Saturday....but I'm going to jump the gun a bit here and tell you what she's been up to.

She loves to dance...or watch Mama dance.  She will say 'belly dance' and starting shaking her hips and doing her slow hands.  She is going to be quite the dancer someday.

She likes to talk on her 'Princess Phone' and call any number of friends and family.  She always asks, 'Ma hi you?'  Which is her version of 'How are you?' ... I hope she never learns to say it the right way.  It is just too damn cute.

Pretending to be a baby is now one of her favorite activities.  We even have to hold her cup for her and pretend it is a bottle.  She will say 'ah goo' just like she did when she was tiny, rather than talking.  And will fake cry.  It's hysterical.

She is trying to jump, which might be the best thing I've ever seen.  Watching someone try to get both feet off the ground at the same time is quite the sight.

She LOVES going to Becca's house.  When she gets told no or isn't interested in what we're doing at home, she asks for Becca.  Hysterical.  And I love that she loves Becca that much.

Swimming is a new favorite.  We have only been once this summer, but she apparently remembered going last summer.  We put some floaties on her arms and she wanted to do it herself...and told us so repeatedly.  She would stick her mouth in and blow bubbles, move her arms, kick her feet like mad and even try to float on her back.  And yes, all by herself.

She loves our neighbor across the street.  If we go outside, she often demands that we go over there.  If she's looking out the window and sees his house, she demands we go over there.  Best part is, he's starting to do the same thing.


She is also super interested in potty training...and has been for months.  She is pretty good about getting on the potty, most of the time...and really enjoys the one mini M&M she gets for going on the potty.  She also thinks her panties are pretty amazing.  I agree.  On her?  They are the cutest thing ever.

She is SO much fun right now.  She fills my whole heart.

A little rant...

I need a second here to go on a little rant...

Don't get me wrong, I love where we live.  But at the same time, this place makes me bonkers.

Let me clear up a few things for you...I don't care what kind of car you drive, I couldn't care less how big and nice you think your house is, I really don't care if you know Mr. & Mrs. Smith but I don't, and I don't for the life of me understand why you think you're so entitled.

I drive a Ford Freestyle.  It's not the nicest car in the world and I don't love it, but it has nice amenities and it gets me from Point A to Point B.  Don't judge me or make stupid comments about my whip. 

Yes, I live in a town home.  This does not make me white trash.  We bought our house at the height of the market, thinking it would serve us well in the long-run.  Turns out, things crashed right after that.  I'm really happy for you that you live in a bigger, nicer house...but I'm not the scum of the earth because of where I live.

I don't care if you know every Tom, Dick and Jane out there.  I am very happy with my group of friends and the acquaintances that I have.  But honestly, I don't care who you know.  I do find it humorous when you question how I might know someone and you don't.  Again, who cares?

Also?  I believe that you should work hard for the things that you have.  Life, and the materialistic crap that means so much to you, doesn't get handed to you on a silver platter.  So stop thinking that you deserve the moon and the stars, just for being you.  Get your rear out there and work for the life and the things that you desire.  Maybe it's the mid western-er in me, but I believe that's how you get the life you want....good old fashioned hard work.

I know there are people like this all over the country, but I have not experienced this prior to moving to the Roaring Fork Valley.  I continue to be shocked and amazed at how much people care about these things.  And honestly, I couldn't care less.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I really don't think so. 

You?  You enjoy your never-ending quest to find happiness.  Just a hunch, but I think you're looking in all the wrong places.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest....I feel much better.

I love you, Neva

I've borrowed this from pinterest.  Neva, this makes my heart ache to read.  I hope you're able to love me as much as I love you when I'm old and gray and wrinkled and saggy and need you.  I love you with my whole heart, sweet girl.

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter."

And just like that...

She's all done nursing.

I went of out town for a few days to belly dance and tried to pump.  After 20 minutes for 2 nights and only getting a few frustrating drops, I decided that I was done. 

When I went to put her to bed my first night home, using a cup of milk instead of nursing, she was not pleased.  She hit and kicked and screamed and scratched.  I apologized and told her that my milk was all gone...and cried.  She drank her milk and went to bed.  I cried some more.  I felt so badly.  How could I take that away from her?  How could I take that time away from both of us?  How could I do that to my baby?????

Good thing is, it's getting better.  She fights it a little now and then, but nothing like those first few nights.  We still get some good snuggling in at bed time, but it's just not the same.  And I feel so guilty. 

Funny thing is, I was getting a hard time for still nursing...and now I'm getting a hard time for stopping.  Amazing how everyone has an opinion, that they just have to share.  Wouldn't it be easier if we just let people raise their babies they way that they want to?  Since when did any of this beome anyone else's business?

I've been watching the reactions to the cover of TIME magazine on facebook for the past week.  Some are disgusted and totally bash that poor mom for her choice to nurse her toddler.  Others are the extreme opposite, supporting her by rocking their own photos of their breastfeeding toddler.  I've even seen some covers created to mock the nursing mom, including one with chicken nuggets on it.  Again, I would ask people...can't we just leave others alone?  Why is it any of our business what someone else feels comfortable doing? 

And then people go off on tangents...vaccinations, circumcision, co-sleeping, crying it out, etc.  The list goes on and on...and on.  And then there's more bashing and berating.  Of people.  Making their own decisions.  Aren't we all adults? 
Since becoming pregnant, I've heard plenty of opinions about what I am doing or not doing.  It makes me crazy, but I've learned to smile and nod...and then do whatever the hell I want!  As a whole, we need to just agree to disagree about parenting.  Everyone thinks they have it figured out, or that their way is the right way...  Seems to me, this world is a pretty good example of the fact that no one has come up with the perfect parenting style. 

I think we're all just doing the best we can.  Let's learn to respect each other for that.

My body, my choice

I know this may come as a shock to you and be totally disgusting to some of you, as well.

Fact of the matter is, Neva is still nursing.  Yes, she's almost 20 months and she is STILL nursing.

I've been told that she's old enough to eat a steak, she doesn't need it.  She's old enough to ask for it, she doesn't need it.  She's old enough to drink cow's milk, she doesn't need it.  While she is old enough to do all of these things, that doesn't mean that my milk doesn't still benefit her.

Google it.  There's all kinds of research being done about how beneficial breast milk is for babies from 12-24 months.  The proof is in the pudding, people.

And besides the research....WHO cares?!?!  This is what we are made to do.  Hundreds of years ago, heck, thousands of years ago, babies nursed for much longer than they do now.  And it worked.  They didn't have formula, they didn't have blenders to make baby food.  And Moms did it and people didn't think it was gross.  Now, do it in public...and watch the looks you get from other people.  I'm not going to lie, I will not nurse Neva in front of anyone anymore because I don't want the judgement...obviously it makes me crazy to just even talk with people about it!

Nursing must have gone out the window with curves.  Thank you, society.  Thank you very much.

Great Day

My day started off great...and I hope it continues this week.

When I walked downstairs, my sweet little Neva looked up at me with big brown eyes and said, "Mommy pretty." 

Seriously?

I don't think it gets better than that. 

Happy Monday.

18 months

Neva had her 18 month check up today..and she is growing like a weed!  She hit 22 pounds (20th percentile) and is 34 inches tall (97th percentile)!  Who does that sound like???  Lucky girl is going to be long and lean, just like her Daddy!  At her appointment this morning she thanked the nurse for giving her the needed shots.  It was the saddest little thank you I have ever heard, but it was absolutely adorable, too.  She got a pony sticker for being a good sport. 

Her vocabulary continues to grow and grow and grow.  We celebrated a friend's birthday over the weekend and she sang "Happy day to you" several times to him and then got some more practice in on Monday, when Elliott turned 2!  She'll get even more practice with that this weekend when head back to KS to celebrate Elliott's birthday!  It is hilarious!  She tries to sing along with me every night at bedtime to Rock-A-Bye-Baby, You Are My Sunshine and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  Adorable!

She LOVES to play Ring Around the Rosie, still, but mostly just likes to say "ashes!" and fall down.  She is totally into coloring and reading books and can keep herself entertained doing these activities forever!  She's also practicing jumping and standing on one foot, both of these are hysterical if you've never seen a toddler practice these activities.  We enjoy going for walks, throwing rocks, using sidewalk chalk, riding our bikes and just being outside in this lovely spring weather!

Our pediatrician warned us this morning about the "Terrible Twos" and justified my thoughts of it actually starting prior to age 2 and pretty much being done by the time kids turn 2.  Good thing, as she has quite a bit of attitude in her tiny little body!  I don't know if there's room for much more in there!!! 

I'm trying to soak up every single moment with her!  She is tons of fun right now and is developing her own little personality, which I totally love seeing!  She's so sweet and funny and will definitely let you know what she does or doesn't want!  :)