Saturday, March 20, 2010

Happy Birthday, "Doss" / "Joshwa"

Josh turned 26!
We helped him celebrate at Joey B's! 
Cole got "Doss" a balloon to celebrate. 
However, Cole did most of the balloon celebrating.
Cole also found himself at the bar for the first time.
...and he tried his hand at the video poker machine.  (not really, don't call DCFS)
Josh-wa is very loved. 
Happy Birthday, Josh!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Self Awareness

Closing in on thirty, I have spent a lot of time thinking about "who I am" and learning about that.  As a momma, I have found a new level of confidence and self awareness. 
I am Cole's mom.
I am Derek's wife.
I am a friend who wishes she had more time to give to gal-pals.  I have found my friendship groove for now though. AND, I am eternally grateful for times that I get to unwind, debrief, and commune with girlfriends.
I am a daughter and sister and I wish my family was closer in distance.  I am brought to tears with my gratitude for this family.  There are no words... 
I am a hard worker and I have a job that fills me up - - and wears me down many days. 
I am a home-body.  I love to be home and nesting, relaxing, spending quality time with my boys.
I get too anxious about stuff.  I need to unwind, be mindful, live in the present, etc.  I am a work in progress.
I know that 'who I am' can change.

Cole is becoming aware of himself too.  
He can make silly faces.
He can argue and assert his wants and needs. 
like requesting PBJ for every meal.  doesn't always work out - but he's learning to ask for what he wants.
He is learning how to potty.
 He is learning how to use manners to get things he wants 
PBJ is more likely when request is "May I have a PBJ please, Mommy?"
He is learning to be flexible.
and try new things for dinner - - with lots of encouragment from Mommy & Daddy
He is learning about his family.
 talking about his grandparents when they are not around.
He is learning that his family loves him like CrAzY
and he is learning to show his love through hugs, kisses, strokes, and words of love and comfort
if Mommy is showing signs of stress, he rubs my back and tells me "it be okay"

He's also learning things about himself like....
spitting is funny, 
silly faces make people laugh,
being silly is fun.

I've got his back.
I am his mom.
I love him.

Little Mister Mischief

In the upper shelves of Cole's closet you will find the "good" books. These are gifts from family and friends, books from Mommy's childhood, and the special, nice, books that we don't want torn up. These are the books that I "control," (Cole laughs in the face of my need for control) the ones we read at bedtime or when Cole has a special book request.

I guess Cole has been eying these.  I guess he is pretty clever too.


Here is the face of success.  And, here is the face of a little boy who got "busted" and is trying to "cute" his way out of trouble.
Lucky for Cole, this mama loves creative problem solving. I can only imagine where this creativity will take us.