Cluck

Caleb has this new thing where he clucks his tongue to get our attention. When we cluck back so does he. It can go on for quite awhile. We got it on film while he was eating his cereal before bed. Please excuse the shaky hand. (It wasn't me filming!) He also loves to just stare up at us. He does it all the time while I nurse him and he was doing it to Dave last night while Dave read him a bedtime story. You'll notice the hand grab too. Once he has our hands he is pretty set against letting go! In fact he will fuss if we are holding his hand and let go while he is falling asleep. We are working on getting him attached to a lovey instead of our hands.

Thoughts for a Monday

For all those moms out there. May we always remember how blessed we are. Caleb you bring sunshine to my life!

Small, But Valuable
Written By: Jennifer Jackson 10-10-2007 Categorized in: What I've Learned from Being a Mom "Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, not small, but valuable. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?”

Meg Ryan's character says that in a moment of contemplation in the film You've Got Mail. I think we all feel that way about our lives at some point or other. Every day is predictable, each routine is rote, and we tend to do very little that is divergent from "the norm." My life is like that. Small, but valuable. I wake up in the morning, take my 19 month-old son, Ian, to the bathroom, I shower, get dressed...we eat something, we play, clean up, play, and clean up some more. Ian takes naps and sometimes I do, too; we play outside, talk to the neighbors, play and clean up again, make dinner, watch television, read, talk with my husband. While the order of these activities may change, you can almost predict my day using a checklist.

The girls I grew up with are well into their careers by now--with multiple academic degrees, prestigious corporate positions, and their feet firmly planted on the fast-track to six-figure incomes and support staff of their very own. Conversely, here I am--also educated and well-equipped to meet hushed corporate and academic quotas for women and minorities--at home with my son and up to my elbows in antibacterial soap, scrambled eggs, sunblock and Dr. Seuss.

So why do I do it? Why do I choose to spend each day having my most important decision deal with what to make for dinner or how long to let Ian play outside before making him wear a hat? Why do I choose a life without 15-minute breaks, sick days, annual Christmas bonuses or assistants?

I do it because I love it. While my pay may not include a 401k plan or stock options, my life pays invaluable dividends. While some people may think my blogs are a self-indulgent means to parade my son's accomplishments and adorable mug across the internet, my place as a wife and mother takes the front-seat in everything I do--so it's inevitable that my role as mother also becomes my role as e-mother.

My life appears small. But it's valuable. That makes it a big deal. And while it may not be a big deal to many people, it's a big deal to me--and to my husband, and especially to Ian. My list of beneficiaries is limited, but I know that the influence of a mother is limitless. So I try to do the best I can--I'm not perfect. I slip up a lot. I lose my patience. I lose my keys, my cell phone, Ian's sippy cups and my measuring spoons. My house is sometimes messy, and it often takes me a day and a sink full of dirty dishes to remember to empty the dishwasher. The laundry doesn't always get folded, and there are days when I don't shower until the afternoon--and more often than not, I need to sweep up Cheerios from the kitchen floor.

I also don't think I'm all that unusual or remarkable.

So here's to all of you "ordinary" people that live "ordinary" lives. There are lots of you in my life that I love and admire--because you deserve it.

Here's to small, but valuable.




CHALLENGE: Next time you start feeling like your life is "small," remember the phrase "Small, but valuable," and stop any negative thoughts from entering your mind. You are the only one who can consistently remind yourself how valuable you really are

On the Night You Were Born.

Thank you Auntie Ellie (Caleb's Godmother) for this beautiful book she gave him for Easter. I have read it to Caleb more times than I can count. I may have even cried while reading it. Every single time I read it to Caleb I am reminded of his sweet presence in our life. Our beautiful gift given to us from God. And I am sending out a big congrats to our friends who were blessed with twins on Friday. This book is for all the very special little ones who bring joy to the world.

On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "Life will never be the same." Because there had never been anyone like you ever in the world.

Well, that's just a teaser for this wonderful book! I may be adding more pages in later posts.

Stretches

Just some stretches before bed, and a little taste of the toes of course!

As Cute as Can Bee

Just Me and My Dad

Happy 6 Months Caleb Lincoln!

You are such a happy baby boy. You love the sound of your voice and could coo and babble away the day if we let you. You love to touch our faces and love squeezing our hands while you are trying to fall asleep. If we pull our hand away you get upset. You are such a cuddle bug and love to be held close to Mommy or Daddy as we lay in bed. Your favorite sleep position is flat on your back with your hands sprawled out to the side. You love playing pat-a-cake and any finger game. You could sit for a long time and entertain yourself with your talking penguin and book that sings. We love you so much Caleb. You bring us so much joy and laughter!
You weigh 30lbs and are 29 inches long.