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I hate to do this to you all...but I am switching homes for my blog. There were a few reasons that ultimately made my decision. I suppose the first reason is that I started a blog for our Youth Group and the blog site of choice was Blogger. I decided that it would be easier to manage both blogs from one place.
So...please don't lose me! Come to my new blog and be sure to bookmark it right away!!
The new Brownjelo
Come leave me a comment so I know you made it!
So...please don't lose me! Come to my new blog and be sure to bookmark it right away!!
The new Brownjelo
Come leave me a comment so I know you made it!
I've had video of the One Voice performance uploaded since....well, Christmas:) Sometimes Live Journal gives me fits about adding video and I don't really have the patience for that kind of stuff so I just give up. I figured I would just leave the link to the videos if your interested in watching them.
This first one is a clip from "12 days of Christmas". Jessalyn is one of the 'golden ring girls'. These in the back and the one that gets to hoo-la-hoop with her ring. This was one of the biggest "crowd pleasers"...it was fun. My FIL ("Papa") is the Partridge in the end. You can hear Luke on the video saying "thats Papa". Its cute:)
12 Days of Christmas
The next one is "Angels are Rejoicing". Jessalyn is in the middle. Yes, this is actually those three singing this song:)
Angels are Rejoicing
The next one is called "Wonderful One". You will see Kyndal next to Jessalyn...she is just TOO cute! She's Luke's age (3). Her mom and dad are both in it.
Wonderful One
Another one was for the 18 to 25 age group...and it was pretty fun to watch. The main guy of this song is who choreographed the whole performance.
Birthday of a King
This is part of the finale called "Jubilate Deo". It was really good...but long so its not all on here.
Jubilate Deo
(And a disclaimer from the videographer: I had Ethan and Luke on my lap so I was doing the best I could do!)
This first one is a clip from "12 days of Christmas". Jessalyn is one of the 'golden ring girls'. These in the back and the one that gets to hoo-la-hoop with her ring. This was one of the biggest "crowd pleasers"...it was fun. My FIL ("Papa") is the Partridge in the end. You can hear Luke on the video saying "thats Papa". Its cute:)
12 Days of Christmas
The next one is "Angels are Rejoicing". Jessalyn is in the middle. Yes, this is actually those three singing this song:)
Angels are Rejoicing
The next one is called "Wonderful One". You will see Kyndal next to Jessalyn...she is just TOO cute! She's Luke's age (3). Her mom and dad are both in it.
Wonderful One
Another one was for the 18 to 25 age group...and it was pretty fun to watch. The main guy of this song is who choreographed the whole performance.
Birthday of a King
This is part of the finale called "Jubilate Deo". It was really good...but long so its not all on here.
Jubilate Deo
(And a disclaimer from the videographer: I had Ethan and Luke on my lap so I was doing the best I could do!)
My aunt Susie (my mom's youngest sister) has passed away. Yet another victim of cancer. I can't even count the relatives that I have lost to cancer.
I think out of all of my aunts I knew Susie the best. I think geography had much to do with this and the fact that Susie didn't have any children of her own. She pretty much took in all of her nieces and nephews as her own, but I happened to live right down the street. I spent a great deal of time with her. I was always asking to go sleep over at her house and there was also a time (when my mom was in the hospital) that I lived with Susie. I don't know what it was about being there...but it was one of my most favorite places to be.
As I sit here thinking about her I have SO many memories. I think I could go on and on....so I think I'm going to just start listing them.
Random things that come to my mind when I think of my dear Aunt Susie:
~Susie Puppy
~Theodore Daniel
~Fletch and Charlotte
~Her red kitchen
~Heart and Soul
~The remote control race car on top of her hutch (that we were never aloud to play with!)
~Throwing up after she made me try baked beans.
~Her suggestion to name all of my kids "Susan Catherine"...because "its such a pretty name" (even knowing that 3 of them were boys)
~"I feel pretty, oh so pretty"
~Do your ears hang low....do they waggle two and fro....
~Pat-a- cake...so hard that it hurts.
~Using her finger to make the popping noise in her mouth...she could do this very loud.
~Watching The Exorcist and American Werewolf in London on her old Disc player thing...when I was like six.
~Walking to the end of her property..which seemed like the longest walk ever. (it really wasn't..I was just little)
~Christmas Carols
~Always making me eat breakfast..and showing me how good it is to put butter AND peanut butter on toast.
~Helping Gale stack his quarters after work.
~Having a song for everything.
~The guest bed...that had little doors (shelves) in the headboard. For some reason I thought this was the coolest thing ever.
~Helping me write resumes.
~Flea bites (ha ha...I always had flea bites after snuggling with Fletch and Charlotte as a kid.)
~Her rocking chairs...the cool spiraly wooden ones.
~The panda bears in her glass case.
~Hearing her sing in Church....always the loudest voice in the sanctuary.
~All of her funny family stories.
~QVC
~Ebay
~"(pretend snore)....mememememememememe"
~Turkey gobbles on Thanksgiving day.
~Trying to get all of my little boy friends to kiss her on the lips....and was surprised when Ethan Marro planted one on her.
~Making me try on a bra in the store...over my shirt. (oh the horror)
~Many holidays at her house.
~Making her sit through my many 'dance routines' and little shows....she always gave a whole hearted and enthusiastic applause.
~Teaching me how to iron. Susie loved to iron because she loved "the finished product". (unfortunately, I never took on her love or talent for ironing!)
~Deviled Eggs
~Her perfect Christmas tree....white lights, red bulbs, lots of tinsel. (I've done my own tree this way each year since helping her)
~The eyelash lengthener (or whatever the heck it was) in her make up bag. It scared me for some reason.
~Butterfly kisses.
~Eskimo kisses.
~The paper mache giraffe.
~The padlock on her fridge...(because it wouldn't stay shut on its own..although it made for some good jokes about being locked out of the fridge)
This list could go on and on...and maybe it will. As I think of things I might come back in to add more.
I think Jessalyn might have a good list of memories as well. Unfortunately this will be the second time that Jessalyn has had to deal with the death of someone close to her. I'm not sure what the boys will think...but I know that Jessalyn LOVES Susie and will be very sad to hear this news. I had fun teaching Jessalyn "Heart and Soul" on the Piano...and Jessalyn had fun showing Susie on Thanksgiving. Jessalyn also had the pleasure of playing Pat-a-cake with Susie. Jessalyn will probably remember running to the fence at Nana's old house to greet Susie when she got home from work. A nightly visit at the birch tree was a fun occasion for Jessalyn.
I sit here very sad....but yet, I had prepared myself for this. We will certainly miss the liveliness that Susie would bring to any gathering. She was definitely the life of the party in so many ways. We will miss her stories. I am sure now our gatherings will be filled with many stories of Susie...and we will always remember the stories she told. I'm sure that nobody will be able to tell them like she did...but we will all remember!
Most of all...I will never forget every time Susie woke me up in the middle of the night to bring me outside in my jammas to look at the moon. Even in my adulthood Susie has gotten many phone calls from me telling her to go look at the moon. I always have and always will think of Susie whenever the moon is big and bright.
Susie...how we will all remember her.
*edited to say that I told Jessalyn the news this afternoon and her first response was a look of sadness followed by these exact words..
"That stinks. She was SO fun"
I want to think that Susie would be happy to hear that response. I'm don't thinks she would want us to all feel sad...but I'm sure she would like to be remembered as "fun". She certainly will.
I think out of all of my aunts I knew Susie the best. I think geography had much to do with this and the fact that Susie didn't have any children of her own. She pretty much took in all of her nieces and nephews as her own, but I happened to live right down the street. I spent a great deal of time with her. I was always asking to go sleep over at her house and there was also a time (when my mom was in the hospital) that I lived with Susie. I don't know what it was about being there...but it was one of my most favorite places to be.
As I sit here thinking about her I have SO many memories. I think I could go on and on....so I think I'm going to just start listing them.
Random things that come to my mind when I think of my dear Aunt Susie:
~Susie Puppy
~Theodore Daniel
~Fletch and Charlotte
~Her red kitchen
~Heart and Soul
~The remote control race car on top of her hutch (that we were never aloud to play with!)
~Throwing up after she made me try baked beans.
~Her suggestion to name all of my kids "Susan Catherine"...because "its such a pretty name" (even knowing that 3 of them were boys)
~"I feel pretty, oh so pretty"
~Do your ears hang low....do they waggle two and fro....
~Pat-a- cake...so hard that it hurts.
~Using her finger to make the popping noise in her mouth...she could do this very loud.
~Watching The Exorcist and American Werewolf in London on her old Disc player thing...when I was like six.
~Walking to the end of her property..which seemed like the longest walk ever. (it really wasn't..I was just little)
~Christmas Carols
~Always making me eat breakfast..and showing me how good it is to put butter AND peanut butter on toast.
~Helping Gale stack his quarters after work.
~Having a song for everything.
~The guest bed...that had little doors (shelves) in the headboard. For some reason I thought this was the coolest thing ever.
~Helping me write resumes.
~Flea bites (ha ha...I always had flea bites after snuggling with Fletch and Charlotte as a kid.)
~Her rocking chairs...the cool spiraly wooden ones.
~The panda bears in her glass case.
~Hearing her sing in Church....always the loudest voice in the sanctuary.
~All of her funny family stories.
~QVC
~Ebay
~"(pretend snore)....mememememememememe"
~Turkey gobbles on Thanksgiving day.
~Trying to get all of my little boy friends to kiss her on the lips....and was surprised when Ethan Marro planted one on her.
~Making me try on a bra in the store...over my shirt. (oh the horror)
~Many holidays at her house.
~Making her sit through my many 'dance routines' and little shows....she always gave a whole hearted and enthusiastic applause.
~Teaching me how to iron. Susie loved to iron because she loved "the finished product". (unfortunately, I never took on her love or talent for ironing!)
~Deviled Eggs
~Her perfect Christmas tree....white lights, red bulbs, lots of tinsel. (I've done my own tree this way each year since helping her)
~The eyelash lengthener (or whatever the heck it was) in her make up bag. It scared me for some reason.
~Butterfly kisses.
~Eskimo kisses.
~The paper mache giraffe.
~The padlock on her fridge...(because it wouldn't stay shut on its own..although it made for some good jokes about being locked out of the fridge)
This list could go on and on...and maybe it will. As I think of things I might come back in to add more.
I think Jessalyn might have a good list of memories as well. Unfortunately this will be the second time that Jessalyn has had to deal with the death of someone close to her. I'm not sure what the boys will think...but I know that Jessalyn LOVES Susie and will be very sad to hear this news. I had fun teaching Jessalyn "Heart and Soul" on the Piano...and Jessalyn had fun showing Susie on Thanksgiving. Jessalyn also had the pleasure of playing Pat-a-cake with Susie. Jessalyn will probably remember running to the fence at Nana's old house to greet Susie when she got home from work. A nightly visit at the birch tree was a fun occasion for Jessalyn.
I sit here very sad....but yet, I had prepared myself for this. We will certainly miss the liveliness that Susie would bring to any gathering. She was definitely the life of the party in so many ways. We will miss her stories. I am sure now our gatherings will be filled with many stories of Susie...and we will always remember the stories she told. I'm sure that nobody will be able to tell them like she did...but we will all remember!
Most of all...I will never forget every time Susie woke me up in the middle of the night to bring me outside in my jammas to look at the moon. Even in my adulthood Susie has gotten many phone calls from me telling her to go look at the moon. I always have and always will think of Susie whenever the moon is big and bright.
Susie...how we will all remember her.
*edited to say that I told Jessalyn the news this afternoon and her first response was a look of sadness followed by these exact words..
"That stinks. She was SO fun"
I want to think that Susie would be happy to hear that response. I'm don't thinks she would want us to all feel sad...but I'm sure she would like to be remembered as "fun". She certainly will.
- Mood:
sad
It was quite a long time ago when the tagging actually happened (my dear friend over at Have Two They're Small tagged me)...but I feel a responsibility to the blogging world to continue on with this game of tag.
Here goes...
Here are the rules:
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
1. I have to brush my teeth after I shower. There are days when I don't get a chance to shower first thing in the morning...and on those days I obviously still brush my teeth when I first get up, but then when I finally get around to showering I HAVE to brush my teeth again right after my shower or it just feels funny.
2. I go crazy when someone pretends to smoke something near me. My friends and family love to torture me by picking random objects (popsicle sticks, pretzels..whatever might remotely resemble a cigarette) and pretend to smoke them. I will hurt you for doing this. I promise. Josh knows that pretending to "flick" it (as if he is flicking ashes) really sends me over the edge into a fit of rage and always results in me tackling him with intent to hurt him. He loves it.
3. I LOVE to vacuum....and we have all hardwood floors:(
4. I hate having my belly button touched. Fortunately this isn't something that people do to me on a regular basis....but yet is another thing that Josh uses as torture.
5. I'm a "picker". If its pickable I will pick it. My kids are heard running from me on a regular basis screaming "Noooooooo! Doooon't piiiiiiiick iiiiiiiiit!!!!". Its gross. I know. I can't stop.
6. Don't even think about scraping your plate with your utensils. I will take your fork right out of your hand...and possibly stab you with it. Kidding. I might not actually do the stabbing part, but I will likely take your plate of food right out from under your nose.
Its funny. While I was at BICS the president (most commonly known as "PB") used to call me Vesuvius. I am quite calm most of the time and it takes alot to push me over the edge.....but if you push just the right buttons apparently I can erupt quite quickly.
Watch out.
tee hee hee
This is where I am to 'tag' some others....so here you go....
The life of D and A
Sweet and Sour
The Salgas
Jenn's Journal
The Mommy Chronicles
My Crazy Life
Mrs. Haire
Consider yourself tagged!
Here goes...
Here are the rules:
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
1. I have to brush my teeth after I shower. There are days when I don't get a chance to shower first thing in the morning...and on those days I obviously still brush my teeth when I first get up, but then when I finally get around to showering I HAVE to brush my teeth again right after my shower or it just feels funny.
2. I go crazy when someone pretends to smoke something near me. My friends and family love to torture me by picking random objects (popsicle sticks, pretzels..whatever might remotely resemble a cigarette) and pretend to smoke them. I will hurt you for doing this. I promise. Josh knows that pretending to "flick" it (as if he is flicking ashes) really sends me over the edge into a fit of rage and always results in me tackling him with intent to hurt him. He loves it.
3. I LOVE to vacuum....and we have all hardwood floors:(
4. I hate having my belly button touched. Fortunately this isn't something that people do to me on a regular basis....but yet is another thing that Josh uses as torture.
5. I'm a "picker". If its pickable I will pick it. My kids are heard running from me on a regular basis screaming "Noooooooo! Doooon't piiiiiiiick iiiiiiiiit!!!!". Its gross. I know. I can't stop.
6. Don't even think about scraping your plate with your utensils. I will take your fork right out of your hand...and possibly stab you with it. Kidding. I might not actually do the stabbing part, but I will likely take your plate of food right out from under your nose.
Its funny. While I was at BICS the president (most commonly known as "PB") used to call me Vesuvius. I am quite calm most of the time and it takes alot to push me over the edge.....but if you push just the right buttons apparently I can erupt quite quickly.
Watch out.
tee hee hee
This is where I am to 'tag' some others....so here you go....
The life of D and A
Sweet and Sour
The Salgas
Jenn's Journal
The Mommy Chronicles
My Crazy Life
Mrs. Haire
Consider yourself tagged!
February 10, 2003. Yet another day that changed my life. After having Jessalyn I was convinced that I would never be able to love another baby as much as I do her. I spent the entire pregnancy worrying and feeling guilty like I was taking something away from her by having him.
My labor with him was relatively easy. I woke up in the night because Jessalyn had to go to the bathroom and when I put her back in her bed I felt pretty crampy. I had a feeling something was up..since at that point I was 2 days overdue. I went back to sleep and was being woken up by contractions every 10 minutes from about 1:30 am. I was able to sleep in between them until about 4am when I got up to shower. At around 6 am I knew it was the real deal and tried to wake Josh...but he was a lolligagger and didn't want to get out of bed. Jessalyn joined me on the couch while I labored for a while...she would rub my head and say "its ok mama". It was sweet.
At this point the contractions were 100% manageable. My water hadn't broken...and with Jessalyn it broke before labor started. COMPLETELY different feelings. Having water makes it much much easier. I didn't realize that was the difference though and really didn't think I was making much progress. I happened to have a regularly scheduled appt. that morning so we went in to my docs who checked me and told me I was 4 cm and to head to the hospital...he was right behind us. I was so happy with those results because with Jessalyn it took me all night to get to 3 cm..with hard contractions.
When we got to the hospital 10 minutes later they checked me first thing and I was already 7!!! Wow. This was amazing to me as I watched them pull in all the "get ready for baby to come stuff"! The doc broke my water at that point and I immediately felt those recognizable contractions and only had a few more before I felt the urge to push. Unfortunately, I wasn't completely dilated yet and I had to really breath in order NOT to push. That was VERY difficult...and also the only birth out of 4 where I had to try NOT to push. I almost hyperventilated because it was so hard to not push. Finally I was fully dilated and I pushed like twice and he came right out. The whole experience was SOOOOOOOO much easier than with Jessalyn. Her labor was longer and more painful..and more tiresome and I pushed for 3 hours with her. I pushed for about 5 minutes with Ethan.
It really was a perfect birth! I was in love with him immediately. We didn't decide on a name right away. We had a narrowed down list..but when we saw him we just KNEW he was an Ethan. Jessalyn fell in love with him right away and I never felt like there was any jealousy there. She was such a good big sister..right from the beginning.
Ethan had an easy going personality right from the start. He was so easy as a baby...and continues with his laid back personality to this day (which proves to be difficult in some situations). He is such a sweet boy!
Here are some pics to document his 5 years!!!
Just born..
Days old..
First birthday!
Two! (with baby brother Luke!)
Three!!
Four!!
And FIVE!!!
If you want to see something really cute click here. Its a video of Ethans best friends who can't be here on his birthday this year.
And here is a video of Jessalyn and Ethan on the day he was born!
My labor with him was relatively easy. I woke up in the night because Jessalyn had to go to the bathroom and when I put her back in her bed I felt pretty crampy. I had a feeling something was up..since at that point I was 2 days overdue. I went back to sleep and was being woken up by contractions every 10 minutes from about 1:30 am. I was able to sleep in between them until about 4am when I got up to shower. At around 6 am I knew it was the real deal and tried to wake Josh...but he was a lolligagger and didn't want to get out of bed. Jessalyn joined me on the couch while I labored for a while...she would rub my head and say "its ok mama". It was sweet.
At this point the contractions were 100% manageable. My water hadn't broken...and with Jessalyn it broke before labor started. COMPLETELY different feelings. Having water makes it much much easier. I didn't realize that was the difference though and really didn't think I was making much progress. I happened to have a regularly scheduled appt. that morning so we went in to my docs who checked me and told me I was 4 cm and to head to the hospital...he was right behind us. I was so happy with those results because with Jessalyn it took me all night to get to 3 cm..with hard contractions.
When we got to the hospital 10 minutes later they checked me first thing and I was already 7!!! Wow. This was amazing to me as I watched them pull in all the "get ready for baby to come stuff"! The doc broke my water at that point and I immediately felt those recognizable contractions and only had a few more before I felt the urge to push. Unfortunately, I wasn't completely dilated yet and I had to really breath in order NOT to push. That was VERY difficult...and also the only birth out of 4 where I had to try NOT to push. I almost hyperventilated because it was so hard to not push. Finally I was fully dilated and I pushed like twice and he came right out. The whole experience was SOOOOOOOO much easier than with Jessalyn. Her labor was longer and more painful..and more tiresome and I pushed for 3 hours with her. I pushed for about 5 minutes with Ethan.
It really was a perfect birth! I was in love with him immediately. We didn't decide on a name right away. We had a narrowed down list..but when we saw him we just KNEW he was an Ethan. Jessalyn fell in love with him right away and I never felt like there was any jealousy there. She was such a good big sister..right from the beginning.
Ethan had an easy going personality right from the start. He was so easy as a baby...and continues with his laid back personality to this day (which proves to be difficult in some situations). He is such a sweet boy!
Here are some pics to document his 5 years!!!
Just born..
Days old..
First birthday!
Two! (with baby brother Luke!)
Three!!
Four!!
And FIVE!!!
If you want to see something really cute click here. Its a video of Ethans best friends who can't be here on his birthday this year.
And here is a video of Jessalyn and Ethan on the day he was born!
I think Luke is moving in on your girl!
You better get back here and defend yourself!!!!
(And yes, I know I've been "tagged"...that will be my next post!!)
You better get back here and defend yourself!!!!
(And yes, I know I've been "tagged"...that will be my next post!!)
(Yes, this is what they wore to church today...and no, they were definitely not the only ones sporting the Patriots stuff)
Owen is learning to "cheese it" for the camera...
GO PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josh and I don't usually go crazy over V day. Some years we might get something for each other...other years we don't. Neither of us expect anything...and honestly, if he comes home with a candy bar for me I would be completely happy. It was two V days ago when Josh bough me my drums. That was one of the best V day gifts ever and one that gets much use!
I believe last year we bought each other a minivan for V day...or thats how we labeled the purchase of the van. We also said it was Ethans birthday present because we bought the van on his birthday! We like to justify things this way.
This years is another percussion filled V day! Just this morning we ordered my very first Djembe!!!! You have no idea how excited I am for this. This will be such a versatile instrument. It will have many uses thats for sure. I already have a list of songs that we do in Church that would be WAY cooler with a Djembe! Besides..I will be able to play it whenever..right in my living room or wherever else I might be (unlike my actual drum kit).
After researching many Djembes I decided on this one. Its a Leon Mobley djembe..made by Remo. It has all the features I want (key tuning..etc) and it is a signature drum by an incredible hand drummer. You can go to Leon Mobley's myspace here...http://www.myspace.com/leonmobley .
Among the other good things I have read about this Djembe it is also really cool looking....in my opinion....
Leon Mobley Adinkra Djembe
After researching what the symbols we determined that is a pretty cool appreciation of African culture..specifically the Ghana area.
If you go here http://www.remo.com/portal/products/6/15/2
So in like a week or two I will be a proud djembe owner!
I believe last year we bought each other a minivan for V day...or thats how we labeled the purchase of the van. We also said it was Ethans birthday present because we bought the van on his birthday! We like to justify things this way.
This years is another percussion filled V day! Just this morning we ordered my very first Djembe!!!! You have no idea how excited I am for this. This will be such a versatile instrument. It will have many uses thats for sure. I already have a list of songs that we do in Church that would be WAY cooler with a Djembe! Besides..I will be able to play it whenever..right in my living room or wherever else I might be (unlike my actual drum kit).
After researching many Djembes I decided on this one. Its a Leon Mobley djembe..made by Remo. It has all the features I want (key tuning..etc) and it is a signature drum by an incredible hand drummer. You can go to Leon Mobley's myspace here...http://www.myspace.com/leonmobley .
Among the other good things I have read about this Djembe it is also really cool looking....in my opinion....
Leon Mobley Adinkra Djembe
After researching what the symbols we determined that is a pretty cool appreciation of African culture..specifically the Ghana area.
If you go here http://www.remo.com/portal/products/6/15/2
So in like a week or two I will be a proud djembe owner!
A story of frustration and yet a testimony of "the small stuff" at the same time.
Our day started out with a bit of frustration when Jessalyn dropped the birthday present that she picked out for a friend of hers. It was a cute little ceramic frame with paints. She had just finished wrapping it and accidentally dropped it. She was so sad....but we made it better by taking a trip to the bookstore and finding something else for her friends party that was later in the afternoon.
Some of you might remember the troubles that the Malibu gave me before we bought the minivan. We bought the Malibu in 2000 just before Jessalyn was born...it was brand new...it was a pretty sweet ride. It served us well for many years...but within the last couple of years (just after paying of off) it started to give me some trouble. You probably remember my many horror stories of being stranded on the highway with all the kids because the stupid thing just died on me. Its like the X-Files...I'm pretty sure it's the aliens that cause this problem. (kidding. really.)
While pregnant with Owen we realized the urgency of purchasing a bigger vehicle..that is if we ever wanted to go anywhere all together as a family. Since last year I've been driving the mini-van (which I love) and Josh has been driving the Malibu...(herein after referred to as "The Bu"). He drives The Bu EVERY day to work and back and for whatever else he might need it for. It never gives him trouble.
This brings me to yesterday.
Jessalyn was invited to a birthday party. As we were gathering stuff to get ready to leave I realized that my van had been parked in by another car so Josh suggested that I take The Bu. I actually said out loud "Its not gonna break down on me is it?" and he laughed and pointed out that it runs just fine for him. I agree that I am being silly and leave the house in The Bu..and stupidly without my cell phone. I knew this as I reached the lights in town but laughed at myself thinking 'what are the chances that I will need the phone?'.
Here we are driving almost at Moulton Farm and the STUPID BU STALLS. I couldn't believe it! Jessalyn immediately knows what is happening..she's 'been there, done that' in The Bu...and starts crying. "I'll never make it to my party". I assure her that she will make it..just a few minutes late, but that we would get her there.
This is when we cross the street to the nearest house to borrow a phone...to call Josh (who, by the way, is home very sick with the three boys while I run this little errand). The lady is less than pleased that we are there and afraid that her little ratty, snippy dogs might run out the door while we stand on the porch in the freezing cold making a phone call...but whatever. We make the call and Josh says he will pile the boys in the van and come get us.
This is where the testimony begins...
As we were crossing the street back to the broken down car Jessalyn notices that a mom of a friend of hers drove by. We crossed the street and got in the car waiting for Josh to arrive when that particular mom came back to see if we were ok. She was on her way home from dropping her daughter at the same party that Jessalyn was going to. She mentioned that she NEVER goes back home this way but for "some reason" today she decided go this way. She offered to drive Jessalyn to the party..which was very nice since she had just come back from there. Jessalyn was relieved and was able to make it to the party without all the extra drama.
During this time at home Josh was instructing the boys to get their boots and coats on and he was just about to get Owen ready to load in the van when his dad "just happened" to drop by! Timing couldn't have been more perfect:) He stayed with the boys while Josh came out to rescue me.
When Josh arrived he did the usual routine...he crawled up under The Bu and punched the gas tank while I started it and it fired right up. (with his legs dangling out from under the car on RT. 25..but that's another story). He followed me driving Papas car while I promised myself that this would be the LAST time that I drive The Bu...EVER.
Later that day I went to pick Jessalyn up from the party (yes, in the minivan) and she had a GREAT time. Remember me mentioning the birthday present that got broken earlier that day? I mentioned that for a reason. Jessalyn got in the van after the party and was telling me all about it. She then said "Oh mom! You know the present that got broken?!" and I'm like "Yeah?"...and she continued with "Well its a good thing I broke it because she got THE EXACT SAME THING from someone else!!!".
Ahh....God is GOOD!
Our day started out with a bit of frustration when Jessalyn dropped the birthday present that she picked out for a friend of hers. It was a cute little ceramic frame with paints. She had just finished wrapping it and accidentally dropped it. She was so sad....but we made it better by taking a trip to the bookstore and finding something else for her friends party that was later in the afternoon.
Some of you might remember the troubles that the Malibu gave me before we bought the minivan. We bought the Malibu in 2000 just before Jessalyn was born...it was brand new...it was a pretty sweet ride. It served us well for many years...but within the last couple of years (just after paying of off) it started to give me some trouble. You probably remember my many horror stories of being stranded on the highway with all the kids because the stupid thing just died on me. Its like the X-Files...I'm pretty sure it's the aliens that cause this problem. (kidding. really.)
While pregnant with Owen we realized the urgency of purchasing a bigger vehicle..that is if we ever wanted to go anywhere all together as a family. Since last year I've been driving the mini-van (which I love) and Josh has been driving the Malibu...(herein after referred to as "The Bu"). He drives The Bu EVERY day to work and back and for whatever else he might need it for. It never gives him trouble.
This brings me to yesterday.
Jessalyn was invited to a birthday party. As we were gathering stuff to get ready to leave I realized that my van had been parked in by another car so Josh suggested that I take The Bu. I actually said out loud "Its not gonna break down on me is it?" and he laughed and pointed out that it runs just fine for him. I agree that I am being silly and leave the house in The Bu..and stupidly without my cell phone. I knew this as I reached the lights in town but laughed at myself thinking 'what are the chances that I will need the phone?'.
Here we are driving almost at Moulton Farm and the STUPID BU STALLS. I couldn't believe it! Jessalyn immediately knows what is happening..she's 'been there, done that' in The Bu...and starts crying. "I'll never make it to my party". I assure her that she will make it..just a few minutes late, but that we would get her there.
This is when we cross the street to the nearest house to borrow a phone...to call Josh (who, by the way, is home very sick with the three boys while I run this little errand). The lady is less than pleased that we are there and afraid that her little ratty, snippy dogs might run out the door while we stand on the porch in the freezing cold making a phone call...but whatever. We make the call and Josh says he will pile the boys in the van and come get us.
This is where the testimony begins...
As we were crossing the street back to the broken down car Jessalyn notices that a mom of a friend of hers drove by. We crossed the street and got in the car waiting for Josh to arrive when that particular mom came back to see if we were ok. She was on her way home from dropping her daughter at the same party that Jessalyn was going to. She mentioned that she NEVER goes back home this way but for "some reason" today she decided go this way. She offered to drive Jessalyn to the party..which was very nice since she had just come back from there. Jessalyn was relieved and was able to make it to the party without all the extra drama.
During this time at home Josh was instructing the boys to get their boots and coats on and he was just about to get Owen ready to load in the van when his dad "just happened" to drop by! Timing couldn't have been more perfect:) He stayed with the boys while Josh came out to rescue me.
When Josh arrived he did the usual routine...he crawled up under The Bu and punched the gas tank while I started it and it fired right up. (with his legs dangling out from under the car on RT. 25..but that's another story). He followed me driving Papas car while I promised myself that this would be the LAST time that I drive The Bu...EVER.
Later that day I went to pick Jessalyn up from the party (yes, in the minivan) and she had a GREAT time. Remember me mentioning the birthday present that got broken earlier that day? I mentioned that for a reason. Jessalyn got in the van after the party and was telling me all about it. She then said "Oh mom! You know the present that got broken?!" and I'm like "Yeah?"...and she continued with "Well its a good thing I broke it because she got THE EXACT SAME THING from someone else!!!".
Ahh....God is GOOD!
What song does it look like he is singing?? I need a good caption for this one. Help me out.
I'm not dead. I've just been so sick with this torturous sore throat that I haven't really been up to blogging. I am on day 6 of a sickness that is identical to one that Josh had (hmmm...I wonder how that happened?)....and his was over in 7 days. I'm hopeful. I am feeling much better today so I think I must be on the mend.
We are all looking forward to tomorrow. Cindy is having Daniel and Andrew for the weekend and they are all coming here (with Sarah, Mel and Melissa) to hang out with my boys tomorrow. Josh and I are getting kicked out of our house for the day....and yes, being kicked out of the house without the kids is a GOOD thing! Who knows what we will do....but it really doesn't matter, its going to be fun for everyone.
Thats about all I have of interest to post, unless you would like to hear me whine more about my sore throat. I can do that. Really, I can.
....it was like someone was stabbing me in the neck over and over and over again.
Ok, I'll stop:)
Oh, one thing that is good. I was bummed because I was on a good weight loss streak having lost 6 lbs in a week or so. I was running on the elliptical and eating better. Since being sick I haven't felt up to running and my diet consisted of anything that might possibly feel good on my throat. Apparently living off popsicles is a good weight loss plan because I was down another pound:) I'm still on track which is good because I thought I would be taking a step backwards this week!
I really think I probably could live off popsicles. Mmmmmmmm.....
We are all looking forward to tomorrow. Cindy is having Daniel and Andrew for the weekend and they are all coming here (with Sarah, Mel and Melissa) to hang out with my boys tomorrow. Josh and I are getting kicked out of our house for the day....and yes, being kicked out of the house without the kids is a GOOD thing! Who knows what we will do....but it really doesn't matter, its going to be fun for everyone.
Thats about all I have of interest to post, unless you would like to hear me whine more about my sore throat. I can do that. Really, I can.
....it was like someone was stabbing me in the neck over and over and over again.
Ok, I'll stop:)
Oh, one thing that is good. I was bummed because I was on a good weight loss streak having lost 6 lbs in a week or so. I was running on the elliptical and eating better. Since being sick I haven't felt up to running and my diet consisted of anything that might possibly feel good on my throat. Apparently living off popsicles is a good weight loss plan because I was down another pound:) I'm still on track which is good because I thought I would be taking a step backwards this week!
I really think I probably could live off popsicles. Mmmmmmmm.....
"You only meet a once in a lifetime buddy once in a lifetime"
(Begin: Sappiness)
I think I can speak for my entire family when I say this but I think we all found our "Once in a lifetime buddies" in the Keniston family. I think that Josh and I can both say this about H and Kann but I think this is most significant with the boys. Kann and I seem to like to have our kids at the same time...and apparently we like to make boys:) (with the exception of my jumpstart with Jessalyn:))
D and Ethan are only months apart, A and Luke are only months apart and S and Owen are only months apart. This along with the friendship between the parents is a recipe for buddies...but I think with these boys its more than that.
Even at the young age of 4 and 3 these boys show a different type of friendship. The Kenistons have been gone for a few months now and even with MUCH less interaction we get conversations like this one...(just push play)
I think that Luke truly believes that D and A are his brothers....and in a way that he doesn't understand yet Luke is right! I hope that the boys continue in their friendships...even if it has to be long distance...throughout adulthood. I pray that they all continue to be an accountability to each other.
Just between the Kenistons and the Browns there is great potential for SIX amazing MEN in the future. I pray that all of these boys will grow to be the men of God that their fathers are!
(end: Sappiness)
(Begin: Sappiness)
I think I can speak for my entire family when I say this but I think we all found our "Once in a lifetime buddies" in the Keniston family. I think that Josh and I can both say this about H and Kann but I think this is most significant with the boys. Kann and I seem to like to have our kids at the same time...and apparently we like to make boys:) (with the exception of my jumpstart with Jessalyn:))
D and Ethan are only months apart, A and Luke are only months apart and S and Owen are only months apart. This along with the friendship between the parents is a recipe for buddies...but I think with these boys its more than that.
Even at the young age of 4 and 3 these boys show a different type of friendship. The Kenistons have been gone for a few months now and even with MUCH less interaction we get conversations like this one...(just push play)
I think that Luke truly believes that D and A are his brothers....and in a way that he doesn't understand yet Luke is right! I hope that the boys continue in their friendships...even if it has to be long distance...throughout adulthood. I pray that they all continue to be an accountability to each other.
Just between the Kenistons and the Browns there is great potential for SIX amazing MEN in the future. I pray that all of these boys will grow to be the men of God that their fathers are!
(end: Sappiness)
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Between Mystery of the Manger, One Voice and Christmas I feel like I've been running around in a hurry for a month now. Its actually been kind of hard to adjust to having nothing on the calendar...although I can say that it is a very nice feeling.
I haven't uploaded video from One Voice yet but I will say that it was awesome, as usual. Another year of comments like "this was the best one yet" and of course "your daughter is amazing"....things like that:) Jessalyn had so much fun and is definitely in her element when she is performing on stage. The thought of being nervous doesn't even cross her mind. I will try to get video up soon but until then I will move straight to Christmas!
We had a nice day. Since everyone was so tired from One Voice we decided not to cook and to order Chinese. It was nice to have a completely lazy day. We played the DVD version of Family Feud and then Josh and I won at the Newlywed Game (which surprisingly is NOT an easy thing for us to win at!)
We all had fun watching everyone open gifts and of course it was the most fun to watch the kids.
These first pictures are from Christmas with my mom on Sunday afternoon...
The kids opening gifts from my aunt...
Ethan showing off some new toys...
Jessalyn got Hannah Montana hair...she LOVES this!
Owens favorite gift...his tunnel from Nana!
Christmas morning....
Owen frustrated by the nuky's in a package..
Jessalyn and her new CD..
Luke opening his Transformers bowl/plate and cup. (Ethan got a matching set)
The entire second season of the Justice League for both boys...or should I say all THREE boys (meaning Josh too)..
Owen and a big box...
Luke's favorite present...finally a lefty glove!! He always tries to play with the gloves we have here but they are all made for right handed people and he would get so confused. He put this right on and knew exactly which hand it should fit on. He now has fun throwing and catching without having to take the glove off!
And of course...Ethan and Luke's light sabers were a hit for them...but more of a hit for Jake and Josh.
....and last but not least. The award for BEST WRAPPED GIFT goes to....
....KRISTIN!!!! For this work of art...
Now that Christmas is over I am ready for the snow to go away. Unfortunately....I do know what it is like to live in New England and know that we have at least 3 more months of snow......
I haven't uploaded video from One Voice yet but I will say that it was awesome, as usual. Another year of comments like "this was the best one yet" and of course "your daughter is amazing"....things like that:) Jessalyn had so much fun and is definitely in her element when she is performing on stage. The thought of being nervous doesn't even cross her mind. I will try to get video up soon but until then I will move straight to Christmas!
We had a nice day. Since everyone was so tired from One Voice we decided not to cook and to order Chinese. It was nice to have a completely lazy day. We played the DVD version of Family Feud and then Josh and I won at the Newlywed Game (which surprisingly is NOT an easy thing for us to win at!)
We all had fun watching everyone open gifts and of course it was the most fun to watch the kids.
These first pictures are from Christmas with my mom on Sunday afternoon...
The kids opening gifts from my aunt...
Ethan showing off some new toys...
Jessalyn got Hannah Montana hair...she LOVES this!
Owens favorite gift...his tunnel from Nana!
Christmas morning....
Owen frustrated by the nuky's in a package..
Jessalyn and her new CD..
Luke opening his Transformers bowl/plate and cup. (Ethan got a matching set)
The entire second season of the Justice League for both boys...or should I say all THREE boys (meaning Josh too)..
Owen and a big box...
Luke's favorite present...finally a lefty glove!! He always tries to play with the gloves we have here but they are all made for right handed people and he would get so confused. He put this right on and knew exactly which hand it should fit on. He now has fun throwing and catching without having to take the glove off!
And of course...Ethan and Luke's light sabers were a hit for them...but more of a hit for Jake and Josh.
....and last but not least. The award for BEST WRAPPED GIFT goes to....
....KRISTIN!!!! For this work of art...
Now that Christmas is over I am ready for the snow to go away. Unfortunately....I do know what it is like to live in New England and know that we have at least 3 more months of snow......
Sunday, December 16, 2007. A major nor-easter hits New England.....
Sunday morning worship service...
This picture was taken during the second service...there were more who attended during the first service, but not many more!
Oh...and I will admit, my husband and Jessalyn were the "die-hards" of our family. Me and the boys stayed home:)
Sunday morning worship service...
This picture was taken during the second service...there were more who attended during the first service, but not many more!
Oh...and I will admit, my husband and Jessalyn were the "die-hards" of our family. Me and the boys stayed home:)
Today I came around the corner to find Owen doing this...
So of course before I try to save him from either 1) electrocuting himself with the lights or 2) pulling the Christmas tree over on top of him....I had to run for my camera. As I was taking pictures of him being mischievous I started thinking of how often I tend to leave my kids on the brink of danger for a picture. Yes. Its bad.
With that in mind I had a great time this afternoon looking through old pictures to find more examples of this type of parenting...and to my delight I found many.
I couldn't help but share:)
Jessalyn...(these next two pictures were taken on the same day..the day she turned 15 months old was the day she figured out how to climb)...
Then its Ethan's turn...
This is probably my ALL TIME favorite bribery pictures...he will hate me for this when I submit this to his high school yearbook or something!
And then there is Luke...I found it strange that I found the least amount of trouble pictures of Luke and he is most definitely the biggest troublemaker! Although, I should point out that he is only 9 months old in these pictures.
I have to say that I am glad I managed to get these pictures. These are the things we tend to forget about!
So of course before I try to save him from either 1) electrocuting himself with the lights or 2) pulling the Christmas tree over on top of him....I had to run for my camera. As I was taking pictures of him being mischievous I started thinking of how often I tend to leave my kids on the brink of danger for a picture. Yes. Its bad.
With that in mind I had a great time this afternoon looking through old pictures to find more examples of this type of parenting...and to my delight I found many.
I couldn't help but share:)
Jessalyn...(these next two pictures were taken on the same day..the day she turned 15 months old was the day she figured out how to climb)...
Then its Ethan's turn...
This is probably my ALL TIME favorite bribery pictures...he will hate me for this when I submit this to his high school yearbook or something!
And then there is Luke...I found it strange that I found the least amount of trouble pictures of Luke and he is most definitely the biggest troublemaker! Although, I should point out that he is only 9 months old in these pictures.
I have to say that I am glad I managed to get these pictures. These are the things we tend to forget about!
I didn't have my hopes up for any great pictures today...so I am happy with these. The kids were being either uncooperative or silly....
"JELO"
Jessalyn
Ethan
Lucas
Owen (this is a picture for a few weeks ago)
"JELO"
Jessalyn
Ethan
Lucas
Owen (this is a picture for a few weeks ago)
This time of year gets to be extremely busy for us. Fortunately pretty much everyone we see on a daily basis is also just as busy because we are all to some extent involved in the One Voice Christmas production. When I say "to some extent" I have to say that I am actually not involved..but Josh runs the sound and Jessalyn performs in it. This is an awesome thing and I am so glad to be a part of it in any way that I can (even if it means lending out my family towards the cause:) )....but yet it always proves to be a trying time of year. A time that is completely and totally worth it in the end...and knowing that is what gets us all through!
So, that being said....is my excuse for lack of posts on my blog..and also my excuse as to why this post is going to be a random update on what we've been up to that last couple of days:) And as usual, you can expect lots of pics!
I think it was last Tuesday night Josh had an elders/board meeting at Church so I got the kids bathed and in their jammas and we rented (from "On Demand) the Grinch Who Stole Christmas...the Jim Carey version. The kids loved it....and all sat through the entire movie. It was kinda fun to just snuggle up that evening and watch a movie together.
There is no real explanation for this picture...all except for its just so cute I had to share it:)
Friday night was our annual celebration of Hanukkah with the family that Kirsten works for. Every single year we sit and try to figure out how many years we've been doing this...and I think we always come up blank. I know for sure that we've done it since Jessalyn was a baby so atleast 6 or 7 years. Its something that we all look forward to. This year was particularly fun because the boys got right in on the dradle game! We eat lots of Latkas..play Dradles, play in the barn and just have a great time overall! Its fun to share in the traditions that they have during this time of year.
And this is me having a love affair with the Chocolate fountain:)
Then on Sunday we headed over to the Haskins for our last football gathering there before they move! It was a bittersweet time as we all LOVE getting together there. As usual we were greeted with tons of great food and the hospitality is always wonderful!
Oh..and I should mention how much fun it was to watch the Pats SPANK the Steelers!
Aaron and Lacy brought an ice cream ball and the kids had fun helping them roll it around. The ice cream that they made was actually really really good!
Owen and Riley in front of the tree...
The boys looked cute so I thought I would attempt a Christmas tree picture. It was a 'no go'..as they were not in the mood for pictures. Although..as much as they didn't want to be cute, I kinda think these pictures are cute!
When the heck did these guys get so big???
Today Luke bumped his knee and said "I'm ok. I didn't break my leg". The kid cracks me up!
As you can see...life is busy as usual...and that was just a short update on what is going on around here! I have so much more to post, but it will have to wait since it is now time to go get Jessalyn from school.
***I have no idea why these pictures are so big. I'm doing the same thing I've always done and they usually fit perfectly. I will work on fixing this problem****
So, that being said....is my excuse for lack of posts on my blog..and also my excuse as to why this post is going to be a random update on what we've been up to that last couple of days:) And as usual, you can expect lots of pics!
I think it was last Tuesday night Josh had an elders/board meeting at Church so I got the kids bathed and in their jammas and we rented (from "On Demand) the Grinch Who Stole Christmas...the Jim Carey version. The kids loved it....and all sat through the entire movie. It was kinda fun to just snuggle up that evening and watch a movie together.
There is no real explanation for this picture...all except for its just so cute I had to share it:)
Friday night was our annual celebration of Hanukkah with the family that Kirsten works for. Every single year we sit and try to figure out how many years we've been doing this...and I think we always come up blank. I know for sure that we've done it since Jessalyn was a baby so atleast 6 or 7 years. Its something that we all look forward to. This year was particularly fun because the boys got right in on the dradle game! We eat lots of Latkas..play Dradles, play in the barn and just have a great time overall! Its fun to share in the traditions that they have during this time of year.
And this is me having a love affair with the Chocolate fountain:)
Then on Sunday we headed over to the Haskins for our last football gathering there before they move! It was a bittersweet time as we all LOVE getting together there. As usual we were greeted with tons of great food and the hospitality is always wonderful!
Oh..and I should mention how much fun it was to watch the Pats SPANK the Steelers!
Aaron and Lacy brought an ice cream ball and the kids had fun helping them roll it around. The ice cream that they made was actually really really good!
Owen and Riley in front of the tree...
The boys looked cute so I thought I would attempt a Christmas tree picture. It was a 'no go'..as they were not in the mood for pictures. Although..as much as they didn't want to be cute, I kinda think these pictures are cute!
When the heck did these guys get so big???
Today Luke bumped his knee and said "I'm ok. I didn't break my leg". The kid cracks me up!
As you can see...life is busy as usual...and that was just a short update on what is going on around here! I have so much more to post, but it will have to wait since it is now time to go get Jessalyn from school.
***I have no idea why these pictures are so big. I'm doing the same thing I've always done and they usually fit perfectly. I will work on fixing this problem****
This is WAY too much fun...
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=11611180
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=11618512
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=11612283
...beware...if I have your picture you WILL be "Elved"!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=11611180
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=11618512
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=11612283
...beware...if I have your picture you WILL be "Elved"!
On Wednesday the childrens choir "Reach Out" (sort of a mini "One Voice") performed their first production at Interlakes High School auditorium. These kids worked very hard...and it was truly a Christmas Miracle as to how well they did! It was seriously SO STINKIN' CUTE! I will probably continue to post excerpts of this production on here...but I will start with Jessalyns solo which happened to be near the end of the show.
We were very encouraged because we packed out the auditorium that seated 400 people!
(Also..excuse the shaky camera. First of all I was trying to get close enough so you could see her face and not just a big white blob because of the lighting....and you will hear Luke coughing sitting next to me and Ethan squirming around too!)
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
We were very encouraged because we packed out the auditorium that seated 400 people!
(Also..excuse the shaky camera. First of all I was trying to get close enough so you could see her face and not just a big white blob because of the lighting....and you will hear Luke coughing sitting next to me and Ethan squirming around too!)
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
You may have seen this blinkie posted in various places of mine
I attempted breastfeeding Jessalyn, Ethan and Luke. I made it the farthest with Jessalyn...working for almost a month at it, but it just wasn't happening. Without going into the grueling details it was just not going to happen. I quit even sooner with both Ethan and Luke...like before we even left the hospital. It was ok though. All three of them have been healthy and all three of them are smart....and all three of them are cute (oh yeah, breastfeeding doesn't guarantee cuteness:) ). They were happy. I was happy.
Even though I was happy I always had this sense of failure in not being capable of breastfeeding my babies. Through my struggles with them I knew it wasn't for everyone but I promised myself that I would at least TRY to nurse any future kids that I might have. When Owen was born I tried latching him on almost immediately. We were skin to skin..he didn't even have a diaper on. I'll remember that moment forever particularly because he didn't take to it instantly. I thought for sure it was a sign that it was not going to happen this time either. I really wasn't worried....I had in my mind that nursing him would be a 'no pressure' situation. He fussed and fussed...but eventually he calmed down enough to latch on, and the rest is history.
(For the record...the other three un-successful nursers latched on BEAUTIFULLY the first time)
Since Owen I have found myself to be a bit of a "lactivist" of sorts. I never ever think that a mom that breastfeeds their baby is any better than a mom who doesn't....but I am determined to not be worried about where and when I feed my baby. I don't feel it should be necessary for moms to leave the room to nurse their baby. Of course, if MOM would rather do it this way than fine, but they should not feel obligated to do this. I also don't feel it is necessary to cover baby's head with a blanket either. I have found a way to nurse Owen in the most obvious of places without showing one little bit of skin. I've nursed in the strangest places including the soundboard at Church, at dinner and even while beating Slash in Guitar Hero.
In saying all of this you can imagine how bitter/sweet it is for me to be weaning him right now. There are many factors involved in my decision to do this now. One is that he has teeth..and continuously chooses to use me as a teething ring. Not fun. Another is a nagging "milk blister"..again, I'll spare the details but that is even less fun than being a human teething ring. Another is that he is creeping up on 8 months old and I just think it is time.
Fortunately (or maybe its unfortunately) this process is going way smoother than I ever imagined. Owen really could care less..as long as he gets fed he really hasn't shown a preference to how. He still instinctively does the "head tilt" towards me when he's hungry, but if he sees a bottle he is totally fine with it. Actually, I am wondering if he is actually preferring it. It definitely keeps him full for a longer stretch of time (which is proving itself at night..YES!)....and he definitely has to work much less for formula from a bottle.
On my end of things its amazing how I am capable of skipping many feedings a day (in a row even) and not feel engorged. My plan is to take it slowly, but I am surprised by how quickly my supply is diminishing. As of now he gets nursed in the early morning..then gets bottles during they day until early evening when I nurse him again. So pretty much 2 or three times a day he nurses and gets 3 bottles a day.
I suppose I am a bit sad by how quickly its all happening...and in the back of my mind I think I wanted him to reject it all and ONLY want me. But really its all good. I'm happy with how things are happening. I think the hardest thing is not actually the act of nursing him but more so the part of letting my milk diminish. I've been working SO hard the last 7.5 months in keeping my supply up enough to keep him happy. Its like everything I have worked at is for that goal..and now to suddenly be trying to do the opposite seems funny. Its like liquid gold in there and to see it go away seems a little strange.
I am proud of our 8 months. We can hold onto the morning and evening feedings for a bit...so who knows how long it will be until he is completely done. I can say that for the first 7 and a half months of his life I only missed a handful of feedings and I am super proud of myself for that one. I do feel like I've accomplished that one thing that I wasn't able to do and I'm so glad!
I am looking forward to getting my body back to myself again...and maybe one day I'll be able to jog again without giving myself black eyes with my boobs:) tee hee (its funny how goals change during life. In High School I wanted to play womens professional basketball...and now I would be happy to just be able to jog without knocking myself out!).
I will cherish this picture that is hanging on my walls though. My mom painted this picture of Owen and I. I LOVE this.
I attempted breastfeeding Jessalyn, Ethan and Luke. I made it the farthest with Jessalyn...working for almost a month at it, but it just wasn't happening. Without going into the grueling details it was just not going to happen. I quit even sooner with both Ethan and Luke...like before we even left the hospital. It was ok though. All three of them have been healthy and all three of them are smart....and all three of them are cute (oh yeah, breastfeeding doesn't guarantee cuteness:) ). They were happy. I was happy.
Even though I was happy I always had this sense of failure in not being capable of breastfeeding my babies. Through my struggles with them I knew it wasn't for everyone but I promised myself that I would at least TRY to nurse any future kids that I might have. When Owen was born I tried latching him on almost immediately. We were skin to skin..he didn't even have a diaper on. I'll remember that moment forever particularly because he didn't take to it instantly. I thought for sure it was a sign that it was not going to happen this time either. I really wasn't worried....I had in my mind that nursing him would be a 'no pressure' situation. He fussed and fussed...but eventually he calmed down enough to latch on, and the rest is history.
(For the record...the other three un-successful nursers latched on BEAUTIFULLY the first time)
Since Owen I have found myself to be a bit of a "lactivist" of sorts. I never ever think that a mom that breastfeeds their baby is any better than a mom who doesn't....but I am determined to not be worried about where and when I feed my baby. I don't feel it should be necessary for moms to leave the room to nurse their baby. Of course, if MOM would rather do it this way than fine, but they should not feel obligated to do this. I also don't feel it is necessary to cover baby's head with a blanket either. I have found a way to nurse Owen in the most obvious of places without showing one little bit of skin. I've nursed in the strangest places including the soundboard at Church, at dinner and even while beating Slash in Guitar Hero.
In saying all of this you can imagine how bitter/sweet it is for me to be weaning him right now. There are many factors involved in my decision to do this now. One is that he has teeth..and continuously chooses to use me as a teething ring. Not fun. Another is a nagging "milk blister"..again, I'll spare the details but that is even less fun than being a human teething ring. Another is that he is creeping up on 8 months old and I just think it is time.
Fortunately (or maybe its unfortunately) this process is going way smoother than I ever imagined. Owen really could care less..as long as he gets fed he really hasn't shown a preference to how. He still instinctively does the "head tilt" towards me when he's hungry, but if he sees a bottle he is totally fine with it. Actually, I am wondering if he is actually preferring it. It definitely keeps him full for a longer stretch of time (which is proving itself at night..YES!)....and he definitely has to work much less for formula from a bottle.
On my end of things its amazing how I am capable of skipping many feedings a day (in a row even) and not feel engorged. My plan is to take it slowly, but I am surprised by how quickly my supply is diminishing. As of now he gets nursed in the early morning..then gets bottles during they day until early evening when I nurse him again. So pretty much 2 or three times a day he nurses and gets 3 bottles a day.
I suppose I am a bit sad by how quickly its all happening...and in the back of my mind I think I wanted him to reject it all and ONLY want me. But really its all good. I'm happy with how things are happening. I think the hardest thing is not actually the act of nursing him but more so the part of letting my milk diminish. I've been working SO hard the last 7.5 months in keeping my supply up enough to keep him happy. Its like everything I have worked at is for that goal..and now to suddenly be trying to do the opposite seems funny. Its like liquid gold in there and to see it go away seems a little strange.
I am proud of our 8 months. We can hold onto the morning and evening feedings for a bit...so who knows how long it will be until he is completely done. I can say that for the first 7 and a half months of his life I only missed a handful of feedings and I am super proud of myself for that one. I do feel like I've accomplished that one thing that I wasn't able to do and I'm so glad!
I am looking forward to getting my body back to myself again...and maybe one day I'll be able to jog again without giving myself black eyes with my boobs:) tee hee (its funny how goals change during life. In High School I wanted to play womens professional basketball...and now I would be happy to just be able to jog without knocking myself out!).
I will cherish this picture that is hanging on my walls though. My mom painted this picture of Owen and I. I LOVE this.
