Constant Beginnings

I thought I'd start something new on this blog of mine. I've explained over and over the purpose of my blog or at least one purpose. However, there is a much bigger purpose than just to give friends and family near and far a sneak peek of our daily happenings. That purpose is to document for my children the love and wishes I have for them. I suppose a diary of sorts, but instead of disclosing my deep dark thoughts, I'd present my children with little life lessons. Things that help make the world go round. Things that are a bit too big for them to "get" now, but maybe years down the road, they can look back and know that I was truly trying to be a parent. So here it goes...Little Life Lesson #1--Graciously Accepting Gifts (Just in time for Christmas!!) When people give us gifts . . . in any way shape or size . . . we are to accept them with gratitude. Not always because we necessarily love what they're giving us, but because they thought enough of us to give u...

We have sugar cookies coming out our noses around here. i was in the Christmas spirit on Saturday and realizing that we aren't getting to my parents' house until Christmas Eve, I got in a cookie making frenzy. I whipped out the Sugar Cookie recipe--I hate, hate, hate making them, but love, love, love to eat them--and doubled it not really thinking about how many cookies it would actually make. Low and behold, hours later...I was staring 13 dozen cookies in the face as they waited to be frosted. Agh! That is a lot of cookies. Anyway, I frosted some Sunday and finished the job last night. Claire wanted a cookie, so I gave her a Christmas tree covered with green frosting and red sugar. She loved it, of course, what kid wouldn't. An hour or so later, we gave her a bath only to discover her little body covered in red dotlike rash. We racked our brains trying to figure out what it could be, but came up empty. Last night it was more of the same. I sent some cookies to daycare for ...

Mya hanging out. Claire talking on her "phone." Claire waiting patiently. Cooking. Okay, this is Claire saying "cheese," but it looks a bit "cheesy." Chris being patient. We were all done with our Christmas shopping for us and I even bought the kids' gifts from my parents. Pretty impressive. In fact, much of the shopping was done before last week, which is a first for me. I am typically a last minute shopper. Of course, I am not in charge of buying for my parents, which is really the reason why I not running to the mall as we speak--thank you Lisa! Anyway, my Mom called to tell me about an AWESOME find. She found a Step 2 kitchen complete with a light that works, a cash register that also works, bakery counter, stove, refridgerator, microwave, sink and food/dishes/cooking utensils for an incredible price. We couldn't refuse, so we made a quick trip last night to Worcester to pick it up. It was perfect. Chris worked steadily and put...

No one is really "getting" Christmas. We talk of the presents under the tree and what may be inside, but Claire doesn't really understand. that being said, we decided to have a little taste of christmas last night. It was fun. We carried on our tradition of decorating a gingerbread house (we started that last year when I brought one with us to Baltimore the weekend we met Chris before he was set to leave for Iraq. However, that night was drama filled as i was busy calling credit cards, banks and talking with the police to report my stolen wallet as Chris attempted to work on our house.). Claire enjoyed the festivities. She immediately understood what we were doing and began tasting everything. It was great. Our carpentry skills have plenty of room to grow as the roof slid off shortly after we were done. Oh well. Mya liked watching, but wanted in on the action. Soon after, we moved over to the tree. Mya began nibbling on the presents. She was taken with the bows ...

Claire is a well-spoken, funny little thing. I find humor in nearly everything she says. Here are some notable comments: --We had our first ground covering snowfall Saturday into Sunday. When she awoke on Sunday, she and I looked out her window. She was definitely taken with the white stuff. Claire ran to Chris who was still in bed saying, "Daddy, Daddy, thew is no evew weh. I don't beweive it!" --Claire is still constantly asking what or whom everything is. There was a random person walking on the street and I told her it was a man. I then proceeded to tell her that Daddy was a man. She told me "no" that Daddy was Daddy. Duh! She does seem to understand that I am a girl, but is again, very clearly in denial about herself, saying "I'm not a giwuh, I'm Claiw." --We walked into daycare on Friday. The first thing Claire says to Maureen--"Miss Mauween, I wike yow scissows." hint hint. She still does not have visitation to the scissors ...

today our prayers were answered. since mya was a few weeks old, she has had cafe au lait spots on her back and under her left arm. on their own, they are nothing, but they are one symptom of a disease called NF. this is a major disease--cysts form, learning disabilities, vision difficulties, etc. our pediatrician has never been very concerned as mya is doing well and there isn't anything that can be done at this point regardless if a diagnosis is made or not. she did recommend a referral to a pediatric dermatologist to get an initial check, so the monitoring process can begin. after a long six month wait, that appointment was today. dr. burnett was awesome. she was patient, answering each and every question, explaining Mya's birthmarks (which are considered 'segmented cafe au lait macule'), the connection to NF and one other potential disease (mccune albright syndrome). currently, mya shows no signs of either disease and is exhibiting normal growth and development. ...

Claire enjoyed her first fluffernutter sandwich this morning. She was a bit hesitant to try the  New England delicacy, but succomed to it's goodness. It was a hit.

I am thankful. Very thankful. As we embrace Thanksgiving, I find myself thinking of the gifts in my life. Life is far from perfect--marriage is difficult, motherhood is trying and successfully blending the two is the ultimate challenge, but I wouldn't change a thing. God has a plan for each of us, which has given me faith to push the bad and focus on the good. I have an incredible family who will tell it like it is, supports me in ways I didn't know I needed, and drops everything and anything to help me. Chris is a great husband and partner. We work hard on our marriage, working to be a team, and maintaining focus on our future goals, Our marriage needs constant checking and adjusting, and although it could probably use more attention than it is getting in the midst of our craziness, Chris and I have successfully established our team. We work hard to provide a united front to our children, make decisions as a couple and prioritize our togetherness as a family. W...

Chris left for DC on Monday only to head to Ohio on Tuesday and return home on Wednesday. After spending a week and a half alone this month, I am ready for him to be home for awhile. However, I do not have any power as he is scheduled to leave again in a couple of weeks. I ordered a new blog design. Kathy at the Modern Polka Dot does an amazing job, and I cannot wait to see what she has made just for us. Claire experienced her first little bout with the flu. It was a long night filled with crying, fevers and vomitting, but she seems to be on the mend after a few hours of cuddling and princess fruit snacks. Behold the healing power of Princess fruit snacks. They are awesome :) Chris, being the petri dish that he is, has managed to catch another bug. He, for the fifth time this fall, is congested with a sore throat. He is off to get his crazy medicine again despite my urging to get a real medicine. I am enjoying the smell of sweet potatoes roasting in the oven. I may be crazy...

my recent thing as i try to find that perfect gift for everyone on my list is to do so without sending us to the poor farm. one way i've managed to do a bit of saving is by following a few great blogs. stretchingabuckblog.com thefrugalgirls.com 2 great sites that have helped us save a bit... UP movie for $2--reg. $15 Tag reading system for $19.99--reg. $39.99 i love a good deal almost as much as I like winning.

Christmas is huge. It is tied to many, many fabulous traditions and memories from my childhood. I love, love, love Christmas. Everything about it has me smitten for the occasion--sparkly lights, glitter, blown glass ornaments, Christmas carolers, Snow Villages, the angel collection, snow, cold weather to curl up under a blanket, candlelight service, Christmas carols. All of it. I. love. Christmas. We've lived here four years and the ornaments and beautiful Snow Villages that Chris and I have eagerly purchased in anticipation of our future Christmas' together have sat in their boxes, untouched. Let's face it. We have a crazy life. Crazy busy, crazy chaotic. We travel to spend Christmas with my family every year. It is our one holiday with them. I get so excited at just the thought of seeing my parent's BEEEAAUUTIFULLLL tree--entirely full of blown glass ornaments or Hallmark treasures with a TON of lights. It is gorgeous. The rest of the house...

A flash of white, a bit of skin, could it be--Papa's twin?? claire stripped down to her tighty whiteys tonight. not sure what the appeal, but she enjoyed prancing around in nothing but her little undies and boots. it was pretty much adorable.

 Wow, I can't believe i am writing this post already--6 months?? really?? in some ways it feels like just yesterday we were snuggling Mya in the hospital and in other ways, it feels as though she's been here forever. she is such a little blessing. mya has had quite an eventful month. she's had her first taste of rice cereal, rolled from her back to her front and not long after that, began to sit independently. she is on a roll. my friend alison told me about her son, who is the same age as Mya, loving the johnny jumper, so i picked one up. mya really likes it too. i think it gives her a sense of freedom being able to move sde to side vs. just up and down. she still likes the supersaucer as well as her baby einstein activity mat. she enjoys sitting in the bumbo for short periods of time, but much less than claire did. mya continues to be in love with her big sister. i mean head over heels, completely smitten with her. in mya's eyes, claire can do no wrong. she can bump...

i knew this time would come, but didn't expect it to be at the age of 2. i am not sure what we expected, giving a 2 year old a scissors. i guess i got wrapped up in the greatness of claire holding the scissors CORRECTLY and even opening and closing them to actually CUT, that it got the best of me. i know, jessica, you are impressed, right?? i mean, she's 2!! pretty good. anyway, we have a mantra of sorts at our house..."we only cut paper, not sophie's tail, not mya's toys, not the wrapper of the crayons. we only cut paper." (all things that she has attempted to trim). obviously, claire failed to receive the message as she. did. it. she cut her hair. i could have died. we have worked so hard on growing out her hair that she has never had a haircut. until tonight. luckily, the damage wasn't too bad. no, there won't be a flowergirl with a mohawk walking down the aisle at jessica and nate's wedding, but claire does have a few little bangs. what a kid...

Ok, Chris didn't think I should post this, but this is a journal of our life with kiddos. I am trying desperately to document the cute, funny things, so I must include the following. Chris is pretty private at least in one aspect of his life. From the time Claire was born, he wouldn't change his clothes in the same room as her, let her into the bathroom while he was using it not to mention showering. Anyway, Claire is constantly asking what things are, much beyond basic objects--telephone poles, satellite dishes, etc. She has also asked many questions about body parts. When I nurse Mya, she thinks I use my tummy to feed her. Fine with me. Claire moves on to Chris and points to his nipples and asks what they are, to which he responds, "those are Daddy's nipples." Great. Now she is ever so consistently pointing out "Daddy's niffles." Very cute. She has gone a step further to identify these on Mya as well as herself. She asked me just last night what th...

I have a thing for dressing my kiddos in the same outfits. I love it. My Mom and Dad brought these adorable outfits for our girls when they visited this summer. They are so cute--both the outfits and our girls. Thanks Mom and Dad!                              eeeww...get away.                        you. will. like. this.

mya rolled from her back to her tummy on sunday. i noticed for the past few weeks she'd roll onto her side, so i am not convinced that this weekend was in fact her first time. however, we've been so focused on improving her torticollis and the asymmetry of her head by keeping her upright that we may have prevented her from rolling around. oh well. she is making up for lost time. the girl automatically rolls right over, which is kind of funny as she doesn't really like being on her tummy all that well.