So...thankful poems

Thinking that Thankful Poems will become a tradition in our home.
I am so thankful for these treasures.
I am also thankful for my camera, blurry pictures and all.
I am so thankful to be able to document these precious years.

So...headband pics

Here is one of the headbands I made a little while ago.

Still don't have pics of the kiddos' bands. I made theirs with only one braid.

One of these days I'll get pictures up of theirs.

I always love finding things I can do with left over scrap material.

These are perfect.

So...more thankfuls

To add to my thankful list, I am thankful for:

1.) washable markers. The kiddos LOVE to coloring. Second Daughter especially loves to color on her body. I don't think any further explanation is needed as to why I am thankful for washable markers.

2.) extra blankets and warm slippers. Husband sleeps with a fan blowing directly at us all year long.

3.) friends. Friends that will come to the midnight showing of New Moon with me. Friends that will come over for Thanksgiving. Friends that want to set up playdates with my kiddos. Friends that I can be me around. Friends that I love to talk to.

4.) my sister. I am so thankful that I have a sister! She is my best friend and the person that I can call, anytime of the day or night, to talk about anything. There is never any judgement about anything I say or do. She is completely honest with me when I am being unreasonable.

5.) seat warmers in my car. Leather seats get very cold.

6.) Husband. I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am for him. He amazes me everyday and I feel so lucky that he loves me.

So...Should, Could, Would

Should, Could, Would

I could fill my days with should-do's
And I would only feel worse
About how much better I could do
If I would only do all the things
I know that I should do.

If I thought of the things that I do do
How much happier I'd be
To know all the things that I can do
Instead of the should, could, would-do's
So much more good would that do.


Poetic Asides PAD Chapbook Challenge:
"Should ______."

So...My lines

February 2008

My Lines

As a mother of one, I did everything.
That's how I wanted it to be.
I didn't want to miss one second.
I wanted to do everything and so I did.
I never felt overwhelmed or overworked.

My second child came.
My expectations remained the same.
I wanted to be a mom that did evertying.
I didn't want to miss one second.
I wanted to be a mom full of love and patience.
I wanted to be a mom in control.
I wanted to do it all.
I wanted to handle it all.
I wanted to be the rock that kept everything together.

As a mother of two I discovered there were lines.
I thought my tolerance level was higher
And that my breaking point was farther away.
I learned where my lines were -
When to let things go,
When to share responsibilities.
I learned that I couldn't do it all.
I learned that being a mom
Is learning to find balance
In my life
And on my lines.

Poetic Asides PAD Chapbook Challenge:
poem involving lines

So...on our walls

Massachusetts Sis-Inlaw took our family pictures when we were out there last August.
I LOVE these pictures of the kiddos and they are hanging in our kitchen.

If you live in MA, or are ever out there visiting, and are looking for someone to take some shots of your fam, you should give her a call.

Visit her website.

So...I don't handle rejection very well

**disclaimer: if nursing babies makes you uncomfortable, do not read.**

My plan has always been to nurse my children for 1 year.

First and Second Daughters stopped nursing around 8 months.
That was when I stopped being able to make enough milk for them.
That was when they preferred the bottle.
It happened naturally and we just went with it.

Third Daughter is 8 1/2 months old.
So far, things have looked like she would continue nursing untl 1 year.
Third Daughter has 5 1/2 teeth.
First and Second Daughters didn't get teeth until they were 10 months old.
I never had to worry about nursing toothed (is that a word?) babies.

The other day Third Daughter bit me.
It hurt.
A lot.
I gasped when it happened and pulled away.
Third Daughter started crying a very sad cry.
I touched her lips with my finger and said, "No, no! Don't bite Mommy."
She cried some more.
She finished nursing with one eye staring at me the rest of the time.

The next time she nursed, I reminder her not to bite.
When I put my finger on her lips and said, "No biting," the tears starting flowing again.
She remembered me scolding her last time.
She decided she didn't want to nurse.

Now, every time I go to feed her, she starts crying and arches her back.
She doesn't even try.
I guess we are officially done.
It makes me a little sad.