Memoirs of a Moorings

Bedtime Battles

"Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds."  ~JoJo Jensen

Bedtime in our household is a bittersweet moment. There's a sweet little baby who falls right to sleep and THEN there's a four-year-old who is convinced that sleep is "boring."  Every. Single. Night. there is an issue: there aren't enough lights on, he's scared, he needs to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed, he's hungry....again, can he sleep with his sunglasses on, he needs juice, water, anything to wet his whistle or he has to potty. While I don't give in, the requests don't cease. Talk about persistence.

With Daddy at work, bedtime duty is left to me and by this time I'm spent and impatient. I've been trying to return to the days when bedtime was leisurely. A story read. Prayers. A talk. Now it's all rushed and I don't like it a bit. I need to chill out..cherish these bedtime moments.

Have any of you moms gotten off track with bedtime? If so, how did you get back on track? What are your tried and true bedtime rituals?

(Baby pajamas-a P.ajama G.ram gift from Natalie--thanks! They fit just right!)

Reflections

“Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.”

Our new little one gets a kick each time he sees his reflection. I love this stage of babyhood.

May this child always like what he sees when he looks in the mirror.

 

Legacy

“We can't all leave a prestigious background or lots of money to visit our children, but we can leave them a legacy of love.” ~Naomi Rhode

I keep this picture of two-year-old Rhyan on the side of the fridge. Wish I could freeze frame that time--so adorable at two. And how quickly two came and left. I leave it up there to remind me of that fact--that our days with our kids fly by so quickly. We have to build a strong influence early or we may never have it.

Been thinking a lot about how these kids of mine will look back on their time with as a mommy. Will I leave a legacy of love for them?

Been thinking a lot about R*andy  P*ausch, the C*arnegie M*ellon professor who was featured on A*BC News recently. He was diagnosed with p*ancreatic cancer--but instead of dying, he's living  and has written a book as a legacy of sorts. What a lovely gift for his young children. I am so looking forward to getting my copy. I keep his update page bookmarked so I can check in on his progress.

Then just the other day I stumbled upon a blog called 37 days. Click here to read more. Basically, she is doing the same thing. Leaving a lasting mark of herself for her children.

So glad for the inspiration to live life like it's a verb and to leave a legacy of love. So I'm going to be more intentional in living life in this moment. Right now. To taking the time to get on bended knee and look these little ones in the face while they talk to me. To play a game on the floor even when my back is aching. To tell them I love them. To hug them and tell them they are a special gift and there is nobody else like them in the world.

We all have a legacy of love to leave!

Can Anyone Help Me Out?

Has anyone read this article in Time Magazine on women choosing caesareans over vaginal birth? Wow! Undergoing major surgery voluntary. Has anyone you know done this? Have you done this? Is this really the wave of the future?

Raise your hand if you have a love/hate relationship with O*prah. Love some of the topics she covers like her recent shows: I Hate My Job Interventions and What Would You Dare To Live Without but why must she constantly interrupt guests and experts on the show? And am I the only one who doesn't get the hoopla about the A N*ew E*arth book?

And please tell me how a kid who jumps wrong on his foot in a jumper, cries like crazy then limps and cringes when he tries to walk on the foot can get back in the same jumper and jump his heart out? That's what my dramatic four-year-old did last weekend when we rented a bounce house for my stepdaughter's birthday. He really seemed hurt and the cry was not a fake one and he really cringed every time he walked on it........until daddy came and wrapped it up and like a miracle all was well. Then he went back to limping on it for two days straight--even at daycare. How is that? Can someone tell me? Am I destined to a future full of drama with this kid??

Just what I needed to hear.

This post made my heart sing.

4 Months and Counting....

Four is next to five, which is next to six, which is half a year.....and oh my goodness, I can't believe that is only two months away.

Every single day, Rhyan asks if the baby can crawl yet. And I am so happy to say no. The crawling months......I am not ready for that. And if this baby is anything like his big brother, he will be walking soon after he crawls. Rhyan was not content to just crawl and was anxious to get going on two feet. And of course all mommys know that once they hit the ground walking that's all they want to do. So I'm savoring these sweet stationary days.

This picture cracks me up...our little butterball baby looking like he's saying "rock out" (notice the fingers) and his big brother making faces as usual.

What our little four-month old is up to these days:

:: He's mastered the use of his hands, including folding them like a he's praying and the batting at toys has turned into grabbing and holding them

:: He is such a great little sleeper, napper and nurser

:: Like all babies he loves to see his reflection in the mirror

:: He has the cutest little sense of humor and laughs at loud at just the right times

:: Rubs his hands on everything to feel it.

:: Can roll over one way when on his stomach

:: Still loves to watch his big brother

:: And is still in the bassinette next to our bed. With an inch of room above his head and below his feet, it's time for him to be transferred to the crib.

A New Breed of Babies

"When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become." ~Louis Pasteur

I am convinced that today's babies come into the world grown--their bodies simply haven't grown up yet. This baby here is so interested in the world around him. And look how he's reading the sale papers with his auntie. What happened to the babies of old who were simply babies?

Makes My Heart Happy: The One Thousand Gift List

"Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for." ~Terry Lynn Taylor

152. My big boy begging for a book (and not a toy) at Target
153. And him understanding that Jesus never dies (just like Mario)
154. Two bright little boy faces scrubbed clean after a bath
155. A big brother eager to help
156. How the baby's face lights up when he sees mommy or daddy or big brother
157. Reading Bible stories before bed time
158. Rhyan asking how to spell God and then recognizing it every time we read stories

159. Lots of interruptions during story time from a curious little mind full of questions

160. My pastor's humble request for prayer that he would feed the flock God's best

161. Rhyan asking if the picture of our pastor on the church bulletin was Jesus. (At least he's asking questions and understands that this is the man who teaches us about Jesus.)

162. A big bag of outgrown baby clothes--this little one is growing by leaps and bounds!

Sweet Bribery

"Don't ask the barber whether you need a haircut." ~Daniel Greenberg

I mentioned here that for my big boy, getting a hair cut is like getting teeth pulled. So all week, I've been telling him that if he got a hair cut today, I'd take him to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream.

Yes, I admit I've resorted to bribery to get this kid into that barber chair.

But look at the results: happy kid. happy mommy!

Gifts Abound

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." ~ Albert Schweitzer

I received a sweet email from Ann over at Holy Experience. A place I LOVE to visit.  She has such an eye for seeing God in the daily. She's the creator of the 1,000 gift list and emailed to let me know that she has started a blog roll of people who are making their 1,000 gift list. Visit her site to be inspired again and again.

And my cutest gift....that dear little baby...is such a self soother and has taken the fist sucking to a new level--the two middle fingers on his left hand. What a gift indeed to watch him grow day by day.