Slowing Down

I just read the following post on one of my favorite blogs, and I feel like it spoke to me. Every word she wrote is so true--why is it so hard to slow down? Cooper isn't always going to want me to sit and play trucks or restaurant or construction with him. He isn't always going to want Mom around to push him in the swing, kick the soccer ball, climb in the fort, or roll in the grass. He isn't always going to want me to hold him for no reason. I need to remember this. Especially now as our lives are about to take a turn with a new baby around. Things are going to be crazy for a little bit, but I need to remember to slow down, soak in the newborn stage with Baby Brother as long as possible and absorb every moment with my growing toddler. I love where below she writes, "God has given me the greatest gift – He has given me ‘now’." How true and how easy to sometimes overlook. Enjoy the NOW now.

From Under the Sycamore...

"Why is slowing down so hard? My To-Do lists have To-Do lists on them. I could fill far more than 24 hours a day trying to get it all done. It will never be all done. There will always be something waiting for my attention. There will always be one more thing to check off. There will always be the things of life screaming at me to get them accomplished. There will always be an unanswered email and a message on my phone waiting for a response. But does it really matter? So, an email goes unanswered for a week and a stranger gets frustrated with me. But if it went unanswered because I was slowing down, not hurrying through life so I can soak up this moment as a mom – a stranger’s frustration seems so small. Yet, I typically choose to answer ‘one more email’ and tell those little ones ‘just one more minute’….yuck.

There will not always be 4 little ones wanting nothing more than my undivided attention. Not the half attention that has one ear listening to their jedi stories and the other ear hearing the beep on my phone. They want me. Their demands can often feel so big and unending, but when I step back….it is pretty simple. They just want their mommy. They won’t always be running crazy at my feet. They won’t always beg for one more story or playing chase on the trampoline. God has given me the greatest gift – He has given me ‘now’. I may fail at a lot of things in life, but being here now with them – I want to get that one thing right. So, today I’ll try again. I’ll fail at it over and over…but I won’t give up. I’ll fight for it because they are worth it. I hope and pray I savor it and live fully in it…..you know the way you breathe in that sweet newborn smell begging God to never let you forget it. I want that intensity to live slow….."

One of Those Days

Today was one of those days. Nothing went according to plan. Nothing. I didn't get anything crossed off my to-do list. Coop went from being sweet, fun and playful to an independent, power-struggling three year old. Mix that with an emotional and hormonal almost nine-month-pregnant mama, who is also battling a sinus infection, and you get one of those days.

When Philip came home from work, I shed only a few tears telling him I needed a break and headed out the door to run a few errands. My intent was to come back home after Coop was in bed. All I could think about was that I need Philip to take over and I needed some quiet time.

However, this was one of those days where nothing went according to plan, so why should my evening go according to plan? I ended up heading home a little bit early because a storm was about to roll through and I didn't want to get caught out in the rain. I started thinking that maybe I would just stay in the car in the carport and wait until Coop was in bed before going inside. I didn't think I could handle any more fussing or bad listening.

But, when I pulled into the carport, I was enthusiastically greeted by a naked jaybird with a blue mouth (from his blue M&M treat from going potty) waving and saying in the sweetest voice, "Mama! Mama! Mama! You're home!!" Well, that was all I needed to forget the exhausting day that we had. I scooped up that naked jaybird and we stood in the backyard watching the lightening, listening to the thunder and feeling the raindrops on our noses. As I helped Coop get ready for bed, I became thankful that the storm caused me to come home earlier than planned. I needed those sweet nighttime moments with my little man.
So, the main purpose for this post? To help me remember to take some time for myself. That's it's ok to take time for myself. And when I think that it's better just to skip out on nighttime and see Coop in the morning...rethink it. The welcome home and the cuddle moments are worth more than anything and can be just the refresh that I need.

Santa Rosa Beach 2011-- Day 6

Day 6 on the beach started out pretty nice, but quickly turned dark and gloomy. Tropical storm Lee was beginning to form out in the Gulf, and we were seeing the effects on our peaceful little beach. Bigger waves, cloudy skies, and the water was churning up the sand, so it wasn't the crystal clear color we were used to...spoiled by...seeing.
Philip went with a fishing guide for the morning and spent several hours Red Fish fishing. There is quite an art to it, and he had a great time learning the technique. He caught one and almost caught several more. He was excited to tell Cooper about the Red Fish and show him pictures when he returned from his morning excursion. And ever since then, Coop says he is fishing for Red Fish, too.
While Philip was fishing, Aunt Betsy, Coop and I headed down to the beach to play, fly a kite and feed the birds. And, let me just say, that Betsy and I are expert kite fliers. Really. We are. Absolutely no issues there. Nope. We knew exactly what we were doing and had zero problems getting that kite up. Really... Really?? Ok, not at all true. Did you know that if there is sand in the pockets of a kite, it's not supposed to be there? It's not there to help weigh the kite down in a certain spot so it flies correctly. Nope. It actually weighs the kite down to the ground. Did you know that if you dump out that sand, the kite takes off like a rocket? Yep. It does. We are geniuses.
Cooper was really excited to hold the kite handle and fly his kite! (We found the best kids kite at the Seaside Kids store!)

The water was a little too rough to play in, so we decided to feed the seagulls. Cooper loved feeding those seagulls this year just as much as he did last year. He laughed and squealed each time they picked up one of his goldfish. He kept telling me, "They love that! They say 'more please, more please'. You see that, Mom?! They love Goldfish!"

The clouds and the approaching storm made for the most beautiful sunset that night. We headed down for a little bit to watch the sun set and to play before going to dinner.

I absolutely loved watching Cooper escape into his own little world at the beach. He would walk around and inspect different things he saw--seaweed, sand crab holes, shells, driftwood--or he would start feeling the sand with such an inquisitive look on his face. This evening he was really interested in drawing in the sand. I watched him for work on this particular picture for awhile and when he was finished, he proudly told me, "Look! I draw a horn!" And sure enough, it looked like the perfect saxophone to me.

Of course we then had to guitar.

And the night wouldn't be complete without some Daddy and Cooper fishing time.

08.31.2011

Baby Brother Update--36 Weeks

We are officially counting down to meeting our sweet little guy! Only four more weeks...eek! When I think back to four weeks ago, we were getting ready to head to the beach. I feel like that was just yesterday, so hopefully, hopefully, the next four weeks will go by quickly. And, actually, as I type that, I realize that really, I want the next four weeks to go slowly, too. Quickly because I'm over being pregnant. Slowly because I want to absorb all my one-on-one time with Cooper. (Who, by the way, is STILL awake right now at 10:45 p.m. I can hear him playing in his bed with his new trash truck. I could go in there, but he's staying in bed at least and being pretty quiet. I can't make him close his eyes and can't blame him for wanting to play with his new truck!)

I had my regular check up and a sonogram appointment today. I was tested, poked, and measured and everything is looking great! There have been no problems with the cord thing I have. They said the blood is flowing as it should through the one vessel I have and baby is growing at the perfect rate, so no worries there. He is right at 6lbs, which puts him in the 46% group. He had his wrists crossed at his forehead today, so I didn't really get to see his sweet face. Only a slight glimpse at an eye socket.

At my 32 week sonogram, we saw a lot of hair on that little head of his! He's gonna be like his big brother in that sense. And, he has nice full lips, also like his brother. He was just over 5lbs, putting him in the 36(ish)% group, so he's taken a leap in growth in the last four weeks.

I'm feeling pretty good overall. Well, kind of. Ok, maybe I'm not feeling that hot. I'm tired. And emotional. And hormonal. And feel huge. And my braxton hicks contractions are starting to hurt. I'm tired of being pregnant...there, I said it. Incredibly thankful to be pregnant, but over it.

Food is still difficult for me. It never sounds good, but of course I have to eat. Fruit, salads, and ice cream make me happy these days. Unfortunately, I eat more ice cream than I should. Mexican food--no thanks. I don't remember struggling with food like this with Cooper. Ready to be back to myself and not feel so picky!

More than anything though, I CAN NOT wait to meet my baby boy.

Santa Rosa Beach 2011--Day 5

Did you know that the beach is absolutely gorgeous first thing in the morning?
Did you know that I loved drinking my decaf coffee on the patio and watch Philip fish while everyone else was still asleep?
Did you know that this munchkin is a great helper in the kitchen?Did you know a maternity swimsuit from Target does not protect your belly from the sun while kayaking?

Did you know that I absolutely love watching these two play in the water and sand together?

Did you know that I can not take enough pictures of this little guy?

Did you know that the beach is the best place to rest and take a nap?
2011
2009
Did you know that Shrimp and Grits Ya Ya make this one happy group?
Did you know this is where we spent all of our time for seven days?
Did you know that I have a future fisherman on my hands?

Did you know that I love this silly beach boy with all of my heart?

Did you know a little pirate takes over the beaches at sunset?

Did you know that pictures of sandy little feet are some of my favorite?

Did you know that I love the beach, I love my boys, and I love the memories that we made?

08.30.2011