Just another day at work! The crash test dummies, Vince and Larry. I love it! :)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
One
My littlest baby turned one today.
Amazing. :)
She is so different from her brother. I guess that's fitting - she's her own person, so why should she be the same as Landon? From the very beginning, she carved out her own place in this family and has firmly planted herself. I'm watching her grow into a beautiful flower.
When she first came home, we were thrown for a loop. We were used to doting on one child, and suddenly now we had two. Landon was wonderful with her - loved her from the start - but we could tell he was confused about Mommy not tucking him in or helping him as much as usual through the day.
Justin and I were not sure how to parent two children. I mean, it was obvious that he would care for Landon and I would care for Kelsey, at least at first. I was nursing, so it was just like that. But, I missed my baby boy, and Justin wanted to care for his new baby girl. I remember sitting in the chair in Kelsey's room. Landon was standing in the doorway. He wasn't crying, but he just looked so sad because Mommy wasn't tucking him in. I made sure to find some time after that to tuck him in, even if it was quick before I had to run back to Kelsey.
It took a long time to find our "new normal." Slowly, we did find it. We transformed from a family of three to a family of four. That transformation definitely didn't happen overnight, but today, I cannot picture us without Kelsey. Our daughter. Landon's little sister. Tormentor of the cats (Xena is so patient). Drama queen. Diva. The most beautiful girl in the world.
When she was born, she was fussy and difficult. It took us awhile to get her diagnosed with silent reflux. Before then, people kept telling me to just let her cry. She was called a brat, even spoiled. I was told that I was making her act that way because I gave in to her too much. I knew that those people were wrong. I'm so glad I followed my instincts, because once she was diagnosed, treated, and allowed to sleep in a wedge at daycare, she became a different baby. Still a drama queen, of course, but a much more reasonable one. And I have the satisfaction of knowing that I didn't fail my baby and allow her to be in pain.
One of my favorite "Kelsey's Mommy" moments is when she sees me after we've been apart for hours - be it the morning or after a day at daycare. Her face lights up and she usually lets out a little giggle or squeal of delight. Now that she's walking, she stands up and walks over to me, but when she's around a foot or two away, she just throws herself into my arms without walking the rest of the way. I usually have to catch her before she hits the ground.
I love watching her with her brother. I catch glimpses of them holding hands in the rear-view mirror when they are in their car seats. Landon shares animal crackers with her. She laughs at him, at just about everything he does. He "helps" her, constantly. Sometimes his help hurts, but he always does it in kindness. He takes his role as Big Brother very seriously, and I know that any males in Kelsey's future will have to deal with him as well as her Daddy.
I love seeing my husband with a little girl. He is so good with his babies... so loving, caring, tender, and genuine. He has the patience to sit and teach them things that I get frustrated trying to explain.
I love our family with a Little Sister. As much as I loved our family of three, I don't miss it. Kelsey Rowan has been a beautiful addition - perfection. I'm not saying she's always easy or that there haven't been times of chaos or frustration. There most definitely have, and will continue to be. That's life, though. Her smiles, laughs, and peek-a-boos make it all worth it.
Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Girl. I'm so glad you joined our family.
Amazing. :)
She is so different from her brother. I guess that's fitting - she's her own person, so why should she be the same as Landon? From the very beginning, she carved out her own place in this family and has firmly planted herself. I'm watching her grow into a beautiful flower.
When she first came home, we were thrown for a loop. We were used to doting on one child, and suddenly now we had two. Landon was wonderful with her - loved her from the start - but we could tell he was confused about Mommy not tucking him in or helping him as much as usual through the day.
Justin and I were not sure how to parent two children. I mean, it was obvious that he would care for Landon and I would care for Kelsey, at least at first. I was nursing, so it was just like that. But, I missed my baby boy, and Justin wanted to care for his new baby girl. I remember sitting in the chair in Kelsey's room. Landon was standing in the doorway. He wasn't crying, but he just looked so sad because Mommy wasn't tucking him in. I made sure to find some time after that to tuck him in, even if it was quick before I had to run back to Kelsey.
It took a long time to find our "new normal." Slowly, we did find it. We transformed from a family of three to a family of four. That transformation definitely didn't happen overnight, but today, I cannot picture us without Kelsey. Our daughter. Landon's little sister. Tormentor of the cats (Xena is so patient). Drama queen. Diva. The most beautiful girl in the world.
When she was born, she was fussy and difficult. It took us awhile to get her diagnosed with silent reflux. Before then, people kept telling me to just let her cry. She was called a brat, even spoiled. I was told that I was making her act that way because I gave in to her too much. I knew that those people were wrong. I'm so glad I followed my instincts, because once she was diagnosed, treated, and allowed to sleep in a wedge at daycare, she became a different baby. Still a drama queen, of course, but a much more reasonable one. And I have the satisfaction of knowing that I didn't fail my baby and allow her to be in pain.
One of my favorite "Kelsey's Mommy" moments is when she sees me after we've been apart for hours - be it the morning or after a day at daycare. Her face lights up and she usually lets out a little giggle or squeal of delight. Now that she's walking, she stands up and walks over to me, but when she's around a foot or two away, she just throws herself into my arms without walking the rest of the way. I usually have to catch her before she hits the ground.
I love watching her with her brother. I catch glimpses of them holding hands in the rear-view mirror when they are in their car seats. Landon shares animal crackers with her. She laughs at him, at just about everything he does. He "helps" her, constantly. Sometimes his help hurts, but he always does it in kindness. He takes his role as Big Brother very seriously, and I know that any males in Kelsey's future will have to deal with him as well as her Daddy.
I love seeing my husband with a little girl. He is so good with his babies... so loving, caring, tender, and genuine. He has the patience to sit and teach them things that I get frustrated trying to explain.
I love our family with a Little Sister. As much as I loved our family of three, I don't miss it. Kelsey Rowan has been a beautiful addition - perfection. I'm not saying she's always easy or that there haven't been times of chaos or frustration. There most definitely have, and will continue to be. That's life, though. Her smiles, laughs, and peek-a-boos make it all worth it.
Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Girl. I'm so glad you joined our family.
365 Photo Project: Day 116
Standing at the base of the building I work in, looking up toward the sky...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 114
No special photo today... just a snapshot of the kids baskets. The Easter Bunny is really tired this weekend (from Kelsey's birthday party). So tired, in fact, that the Bunny forgot to get stuffed toys to put in the baskets! Oh, well, Kelsey ate a Peep and Landon could care less about anything except candy, anyway. :)
Saturday, April 23, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 113
We had Kelsey's first birthday party today even though her birthday isn't until the 26th. She really really enjoyed the cake!
365 Photo Project: Day 112
These didn't turn out as well as I'd have liked, but yesterday I made these cake pops for Kelsey's birthday party. It was a labor of love. ;)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 111
Technically another Metro shot, but not inside the station. This is on the looooooooong escalator, going down and looking back up at the street.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 110
I think it might be teething that has her sticking her tongue out so much, but whatever it is - it's cute!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 108
I heard the ambulance coming and hurried... managed to get this shot and thought it was cool because the ambulance is blurred, showing the hurry it was in to get to wherever it was going.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 107
My sweetest girl hasn't made an appearance in my 365 recently. I swear a half a second before I pressed the shutter, she was looking at the camera. :)
"Fragon Tales and the Wild Things"
We have a song, Landon and I. It is a song that I have sung to him since he was only a few months old. I remember another mother talking about how her older son knew the song and how it melted her heart to know that she had made that song into a memory. I wanted the same for us, and I set out to find the perfect song.
It didn't take me long.
I chose "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" by the Dixie Chicks. I recently heard a version by Radney Foster and just found out that he originally wrote the song for his son, and the Dixie Chicks covered it. The words are just perfect. I started singing it to him while snuggling him to sleep or when he was crying inconsolably. Singing to him became one of the quickest methods of calming him down when he was worked up. The song was usually what I chose to sing to him.
The first time he recognized it, he was around 9-10 months old. I had taken Landon to Parents' Night Out at daycare so I could have some "me time". Justin was working that night. I picked Landon up and brought him home, and he was screaming as I changed him for bed, overtired and past his bedtime. I didn't know what else to do, so I started singing the song. He instantly calmed down and started listening to me... and even smiling! I felt like I had succeeded - I wanted our song to be special, and he was already showing me that it was.
A year or so ago, he was becoming more and more verbal, and started talking about the song. He asked me to sing to him at night. If I tried to sing the song during the day, or if the song came on while my MP3 player was playing in the car, he told me that that song was only for bedtime. It was so sweet. He also once interrupted me while I was singing it and told me that he's not a baby anymore. That made me sad, but luckily it was short lived and he went back to enjoying our song.
The other night, he asked for me to sing it. It took me awhile to figure out which song he was talking about, though, because he asked for "Fragon Tales and the Wild Things." I finally realized that he was referring to the first line of the song... "Dragon Tales and 'The Water Is Wide.'" I started singing it to him, and he relaxed, smiled sleepily, and hugged me. When it was over, he said, "I love you, Mommy."
I think I've succeeded. :) I'm working on the same thing for Kelsey, but she's not quite the snuggler Landon was, so I'm not sure it will be the same thing. Her song is "Lullaby" by the Dixie Chicks. I'll keep working on it.
It didn't take me long.
I chose "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" by the Dixie Chicks. I recently heard a version by Radney Foster and just found out that he originally wrote the song for his son, and the Dixie Chicks covered it. The words are just perfect. I started singing it to him while snuggling him to sleep or when he was crying inconsolably. Singing to him became one of the quickest methods of calming him down when he was worked up. The song was usually what I chose to sing to him.
The first time he recognized it, he was around 9-10 months old. I had taken Landon to Parents' Night Out at daycare so I could have some "me time". Justin was working that night. I picked Landon up and brought him home, and he was screaming as I changed him for bed, overtired and past his bedtime. I didn't know what else to do, so I started singing the song. He instantly calmed down and started listening to me... and even smiling! I felt like I had succeeded - I wanted our song to be special, and he was already showing me that it was.
A year or so ago, he was becoming more and more verbal, and started talking about the song. He asked me to sing to him at night. If I tried to sing the song during the day, or if the song came on while my MP3 player was playing in the car, he told me that that song was only for bedtime. It was so sweet. He also once interrupted me while I was singing it and told me that he's not a baby anymore. That made me sad, but luckily it was short lived and he went back to enjoying our song.
The other night, he asked for me to sing it. It took me awhile to figure out which song he was talking about, though, because he asked for "Fragon Tales and the Wild Things." I finally realized that he was referring to the first line of the song... "Dragon Tales and 'The Water Is Wide.'" I started singing it to him, and he relaxed, smiled sleepily, and hugged me. When it was over, he said, "I love you, Mommy."
I think I've succeeded. :) I'm working on the same thing for Kelsey, but she's not quite the snuggler Landon was, so I'm not sure it will be the same thing. Her song is "Lullaby" by the Dixie Chicks. I'll keep working on it.
Dragon tales and "The Water is Wide"
Pirates sail and Lost Boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight Moon, we'll find the mouse
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
God bless Mommy and Matchbox cars
God bless Dad and thanks for the stars
God hears, "Amen" wherever we are
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
Pirates sail and Lost Boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight Moon, we'll find the mouse
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
God bless Mommy and Matchbox cars
God bless Dad and thanks for the stars
God hears, "Amen" wherever we are
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels' wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
Saturday, April 16, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 105
Landon has parent involvement at daycare yesterday. We played ABC Bingo and painted picture frames!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 104
I was munching on animal crackers on the way to work and was being silly after I parked. This was taken on my passenger seat. ;)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 100
Part of our daily routine... the brushing of the teeth! Justin or I always brush them first and he sometimes takes a turn after I am done.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 97
This was an accidental photo... it is some greenery beside me as I walked along a sidewalk. I'm feeling under the weather so I didn't feel like getting a different shot when I actually liked how this one turned out with the one little branch in focus.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 95
I was just playing. Liked the photo and wanted to make it look like it wasn't real.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 93
We went to Einstein Bros Bagels today after we bought some new books for the kids at Borders. Landon had a pepperoni pizza bagel and ended up with quite the messy face.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
365 Photo Project: Day 91
This is the wall at work near my desk. Each frame is one of NHTSA's campaigns.
4 Steps for Kids
First There, First Care
Click It Or Ticket
Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine
Over the Limit, Under Arrest
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