Back Burner

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my husband.  Maybe it’s because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, or maybe because he just deserves to be thought about. In retrospect, I’m more in love with him than ever before, but (there’s always a but) I feel so undeserving. 

I have Brent. I have him forever and I am ohsograteful.  Since baby it’s been four months of can you’s, will you’s, and do you mind’s. Can you get me a drink? Will you turn off the light? Do you mind not eating dinner because I forgot to cook it for the third night in a row? These types of things. He answers every single one of them with a yes dear and a smile.

He’s been put on the back burner.  Unintentionally of course, but it happened. And through it all, he’s a man of pure grace and patience.  He knows his time will come.  I am struggling to find the balance between mommy and wife, and yet he seems to be so sure of himself. When all attention went to Lilly, his focus stayed right on me. I’m his princess, he says. It’s true; I most definitely feel like his princess. While I’m looking into the eyes of our child, he’s staring at us both.  His love shines so bright.  I want to be more like him. 

He dances with me in the kitchen. He starts tickle wars as I fall asleep. He sings to the radio with me. He works hard and plays even harder.  And most importantly, he loves us with all his heart. And it shows.

We laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night.

Nothing new is sweeter than with you.

And in the streets we’re running free, like it’s only you and me.

Gee you’re something to see.  

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

Craftaholic

Being a stay at home momma has it's advantages and disadvantages.  For one, it killed my social interactions and our income took a nosedive.  Minor details, right? But all thanks to my hubs hard work and a new group for Bridger Valley Mommies, it's all smooth sailing from here. One other main advantage? I can craft to my hearts content.  

Here's an example or two..or nineteen.

                 number made: 5                                 number made: 2

  

 number made: 3

bird helped on this one

 number made: 4

   number made: 12 sets                          number made: 6

necklace charm all handmade except the feather

And I'm getting just a tad excited for Valentines Day

Happy crafting fellow mommies.

or dads.

or single folk.

or folks with no kids.

whomever, actually. 

Trade

We traded; the bird and I did.  

See, since I was 15, I've needed my wisdom teeth pulled. And ten years later I finally mustered up the guts to do it.  So I scheduled the surgery and penciled in a week for recover at my Mommas house.  Everything went great;  I don't remember a dang thing and Lilly bounced down the halls with her Nana as they waited.  I expected a week on the couch eating my fair share of pudding and ice cream. Instead, we went out for chicken wings and french fries the next day.  Easy-peasy.  

Not so easy-peasy? Bird on drugs. Since we didn't get the no boob milk for you memo until after the surgery, we tried our luck with formula and a bottle.  That kid impresses me everyday with her ability to catch whatever I throw at her. She took to it like it was no big deal. It made our midnight snacks a little difficult, but we survived. 

What did we trade? Teeth.  I lost four and Bird gained one.  Sure enough, Saturday morning, an extra guest made an appearance. Bird's first tooth, on the bottom right to be exact.  It's a pretty big deal around here. 

So, four days after the surgery I can finally justify my "week of recovery".  Between my regimen of Lortab, Ibuprofen, and amoxicillin, a horrible case of nausea hit.  No joke, even facebooking would make me nauseated.  Woe is me. So while I kept to myself on the couch, here is a recap of the bird happenings. 

1. Woke up next to Nana. It was going to be a good day from the start.

2. Shared some bananas with Papa.

3. Cruised around in my automobile.  

4. Cruised around in Nana's automobile, with no particular place to go.

 5. Spent the evening hanging out in my Jonny Jump-up.

 6.  Ended the night curled up with Papa, Jack-Jack, Allie, and Toby. Can you guess who's who?

Month Four

All of your clothes say 0-3 months.  In fact, everything so far has been “0-3 months”. Every milestone, pair of socks, and carseat settings can fit into 0-3. And now all of the sudden, you’re four months old.  What do I do with a four month old? 

A sudden and accidental swing at a toy has now become intentional grabs at your Papa’s nose or big reaches for my cup of coffee. You are so good with your hands.  I love watching you grow and learn. First it was your entire fist in your mouth and now you can pinpoint your pointer finger right into your mouth. You’re so sassy. Everything is done with intent now; every smile, cry, laugh, stare and grab.  

Christmas was spectacular with you, especially the wrapping paper. You scored a toy or two, pretty cute outfits, books, and boxes of diapers. All of which you could care less about because you had paper. But dad and I surly appreciated it all. Next year will be yours Bird.   You gave dad and me a pretty cool gift as well. You rolled over, the day after christmas. You always keep us guessing. Nana was there to see it. And when we cheered and yelled for you, you cried.  I guess were a little more excited than you were.  

You didn’t do as well with New Year’s.  You kinda pooped out on us around 9:00. It’s okay, we kissed you anyway.  

You have a Jenny Jump-up.  We haven’t used it until now because your head didn’t reach the top and your feet couldn’t touch the ground. But now...now you are the jump-up extraordinaire. We discovered your love for jumping when just sitting with us was no longer acceptable.  Everything was about standing up and moving those little legs of yours, and move they do. You are so strong.  You go absolutely crazy in that thing.  Jumping all over, swinging, and laughing the whole time...until you hit your head. Then it’s no fun and time for mom to come get you. You’re a champ when you hit your head...trust me, I’ve whacked it on enough things by now for you to be used to it. Sorry about that Bird. 

You are the biggest love. Nothing makes me happier than the smile we both get when we see each other.  Rather it’s after nap time, date night with daddy, or entering a room, your bald headed toothless smile gets me every time.  

So now, your clothes are either too tight or too big.  You play instead of sleep.  And the introduction to bananas is going well...very well. What a month, my big girl, so long baby bird, and hello silly Lilly. 

Sidelines and Shout Outs

2013 crept in before I could even say happy new year.  Actually, I feel that way with the entire year of 2012.  It was the most eventful uneventful year yet.  It was full a lot of first. A lot of pregnancy, an adventure or two, and a little baby.  2012 had a lot to be thankful for. Our entire family (both sides) graduated into parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles and anything of that sort.  I spent the summer on the sidelines while I watched everyone else ride rollercoasters, horses, and bikes. September was my glory month though. And instantly September turned into January and then all of the sudden my predictable newborn turned into a rumbling and bumbling baby. 

Since D(elivery)-day, our life has gone from late party nights to early morning feedings, from one suitcase to two, due to the bird and all her accessories. It’s gone from adult conversations to baby babble, from two love birds to a full.  

So to recap the unlimited love and appreciation from our friends and family, here’s a couple of shout-outs.

Grandma, for her ability to tap into and embrace my creativity and supply whatever I may need.

Momma, for answering her phone every time I call…which averages about three times a day.

Cal, for covering my ambulance shifts when I don’t consult my calendar…ever.

Sholly, for holding the bird so I can vacuum. 

Grandpa, for humoring my craft ideas and doing it ALL for me.

Mooder, for her dryer and excitement to see us when we show up at the backdoor with loads of laundry.

Dad and Jake, for accepting the constant “girl talk” of pregnancy, babies, and all that entails.

Poppa, for learning how to make baby sounds to go along with his growls.

Hillary and Andrea, for a life time of friendship and differences and combining all of our lifestyles into one big smorgasbord.

Sadie, for reassuring me runny noses don’t require ER trips and even though we’re moms doesn’t mean we can’t party like it’s high school.

And Brent, for letting me cuddle on your lap, filling my day with “I love you” texts, and making the best grilled cheese sandwiches.

2012 didn’t have any what if’s or how come’s.  I learned long ago to outgrow my pettiness and embrace the quote “it is what it is”.