#0049: Kitchen Dance Parties

There's this song. And I'm sooooo not "with it" that I have no idea how uncool or old or lame this song really is, but it is A HIT at our house. It comes up on our iPod and everybody climbs down off of their bar stools, racing to turn it up. We play it loud. We sing it loud. Then, we dance. We march. We high step. We spin circles. We slide. We wave our arms. We clap our hands. We laugh. We grin. We play it again! We turn it up louder. We stomp our feet. We shake our tail feathers. We laugh and smile. We follow the leader. We make faces. We play it again!
It's a good time. This song is our favorite, but there are several others that receive the repeat treatment from us. There are others that are almost exclusively played at high decibels.
I love this time. Sometimes it's only as long as the song itself. Other times, it's an out and out dance party. Every time it's fun! It's fun when everyone is doing their own thing and laughing hysterically at ... I don't even know what their laughing at ...just the pure joy of moving??? I don't know!
I remember dancing in the kitchen with my mom and siblings. As soon as we heard "our song" or "his song" or "her song" or whoever's song on the radio we'd yell for everyone to get in there- their song was in the radio and we'd turn that knob around! Great fun. Great memories. Great exercise! A great way to let lose and be yourself!... unless you have a picture window in your kitchen. Then it's a great show!
I love kitchen dance parties! But I don't discriminate! I love livingroom dance parties, office dance parties, garage dance parties… but I'll save those for reason numbers 4,965, 249, and 2,001.

5 Surprising Things I Love About Being a Mom

1. Nursing my baby

I’ll be honest, I was not looking forward to breastfeeding. I didn't think about it or try to learn anything until about a week before my baby was born. I knew I wanted to breastfeed since it is better for him, better for me, and we’d be together just about all day, everyday, but I just dreaded it. I thought “yeah I’ll give it a whirl, but if the going gets tough, then I’m done!” I thought it would be hard (and it was). I thought it would be painful in the beginning (and it was). I also didn't like that I would be the only who would be able to feed him during the night (and I am). BUT, I didn't expect how much satisfaction I would get from nursing him. It is amazing to me that he has been getting his nourishment from me alone (and the good Lord) ever since pregnancy. I enjoy bonding with him and seeing his little smiles after his tummy gets filled up. I’m glad I didn't give up in the beginning and that I’m able to do this for him. My prayer is that I’ll be able to continue.

2.      Night feeds

You may be thinking “Night feeds?! Are you crazy? You’re telling me like waking up in the middle of the night, every single night to feed a crying, impatient baby?” Well, of course I would LOVE a full night’s sleep! Sometimes when he is up earlier than I thought he would be or up again, I think “Ugh, already? Maybe if I just lay here he’ll forget his hunger.” He never forgets. It’s hard to think logically at 3:00 am! I knew having a baby meant a lot less sleep than I was used to, but I didn't anticipate how hard it is night after night of interrupted sleep. Somehow, I’m still able to function. I do consider myself lucky because my little guy usually only gets up once a night to eat. He’s also recently begun fighting sleep, so my husband sings to him and walks him around until he falls asleep. I enjoy night feeds because I can’t help but have my heart softened and melted a little when he’s all sleepy and snugly after he’s done eating. Sometimes it’s all I can do lay him back in his cradle instead of snuggling with him! It is precious.

3.      Stranger’s Comments

Before my baby was born, all I had really heard was how strangers will make rude and snide comments to you in the grocery store, Dr’s office, or anywhere else they feel entitled to. Nobody mentioned that sometimes strangers can be very encouraging people who we run into during our everyday errands. For example, my first grocery shopping trip with my baby was going great, or so I thought! I remembered my reusable shopping bags, my grocery list, and was pushing a cart with a sleeping baby through the store. Mom of the year! And then it happened… I plowed my cart full of groceries right into a Ritz cracker display, knocking over probably a dozen or so boxes of crackers. I was looking for a rock to hide under when all of a sudden a sweet, older lady (on oxygen no less!) helped me pick up all of the boxes and said a few nice words. Another example, I went to Hobby Lobby with my baby. I was unsure of how his carseat would fit in their carts, so as grabbed my cart I quickly shot over to the nearest aisle to figure it out without putting on a show for everybody in the checkout lines. As I was working to figure out the best way to load the carseat, I felt a stare from someone behind me. I turned around and saw a lady at the entrance of aisle. I apologized for being in her way and started to move, but she said “it just doesn't want to go in there, does it? Here, let me hold your cart while you load him.” Yes, for every helpful person, there are probably 5 rude ones, but I am so encouraged by the helpful ones! When my kids are grown, I hope I can be a help to a young momma in the store as well.

4.      Taking my baby church

 I mean, really, how much do I “get” out of the lessons? Between changing an explosive diaper, feeding, calming a crying baby, or just wrestling with one, needless to say I no longer get to sit peacefully through a sermon. Also, sometimes it feels as if we've just ran a marathon to make it out the door to be there (somewhat) on time or our little man is grouchy on Wednesday nights because by the time it’s over it is his bedtime. But all of that is worth it! It is so worth it! I love how my baby puts a smile on an elderly woman’s face. I love hearing stories from parents about when their kids were babies. I love the sweet words they say to my husband and I. Even if I don’t hear every word the preacher says or get to follow along with him in my Bible, I am encouraged by the brotherly love and kindness I receive when we meet together.

5.      Diaper changes

Yes, I do love changing my little man’s diaper. He’s getting to the age where he is all smiles as I sing him a silly song or blow on his tummy. I was surprised at how much you bond with babies just by changing diapers. Obviously when you find out you are expecting a baby, you know you’ll be changing a lot of diapers. It can become as monotonous as brushing your teeth if you let it, but I believe if I serve my baby with a smile on my face, it not only makes him a happier baby, but it makes me a happier momma. Who doesn't like to see a big ol’ baby grin look up at them?

Why I Don't Need Adult Interaction

We've all heard it. Maybe you have even said it. "I wanted to go back to work because I just really needed the adult interaction." Or "adult interaction is really good for me." I'll admit, when I worked full time and before I became a mother, I was worried I too would be one of these "adult interaction" types. I had been working since I was 15 years old, so I was concerned I would miss “going to work” each day.

When I was working I enjoyed most all of my co-workers. Although we all worked independently in the field most days, we would also ride along together or communicate by phone or email on a fairly regular basis. I talked with one co-worker in particular almost every day. I enjoyed her company and thought we'd keep in touch (as much as you can with a newborn baby!) after I left. She called me one day about a month after I'd quit. I couldn't believe how negative she was about her job and life in general. I couldn't wait to get off the phone with her...luckily my sweet baby started crying, so I had an excuse to cut the conversation short! Ha! 

What had changed? I used to enjoy talking with her. It wasn't her that had changed. It was me. When I was working I was surrounded by complainers and negative people. I didn't realize how infectious bad attitudes are! I became so calloused to the problem that I didn't even realize it was a problem! After I left I was suddenly only surrounded by my family, my church family, and my friends; people that are loving, encouraging, and positive. I'm no longer thrown into the world and all of its negativity on a daily basis. I don’t want or need the world’s “adult interaction.” I want the kind that encourages me as a mother, wife, and helps me walk closer to Christ. 

While it may be true that my voice is constantly more high pitched now from babbling with my baby and I don't have lunch breaks with friends or co-workers (some days I'm lucky to get lunch at all!) anymore, now I get to choose the type of adult interaction I want. Now it's easier to create a warmer, more welcoming, Christian home for my husband to come home to each night. And this makes reason number 348 that I love being a mom!

# 0048: Acting Jobs

The other night, after bedtime, the kids were getting pretty loud. There was a lot of banging on walls, yelling, screaming, singing, things falling on the floor… 
Well, I marched up there. 
We're usually pretty laid back about bedtime. The kids lay in their beds telling stories, reading books, talking and we really don't care, but on this particular night, it was just crazy! When things are that crazy, every one's to blame, but this time the culprit totally gave himself away with his loud, loud, so insanely loud and distinct voice.
I pushed open the door, planted my hands on my hips, and a very stern, "SETTLE DOWN!" was on the tip of my tongue. 
But as my mouth flew open all that came out was air. The room was quiet. 
One child lay in her bed, covered up, eyes wide open looking at me and then at her sibling... the loud one (the one who was most definitely repeatedly body slamming Mickey Mouse into his race car bed not five seconds ago)... She looked at me again. Then him. Then me. Then him. 
Her brother was snuggled up, under his Cars blanket, head on his pillow, eyelids closed just right. A pleasant look was upon his face.
I couldn't help but be impressed. 
It looked good! The covers, the eyes, the facial expression.
That boy didn't move a muscle! He didn't even turn up a corner of his lip! 
I let him know I knew he was awake. I went on with a few words about settling down, being quiet, etc. all the while this young actor was filling the role of Sound Asleep Boy #2 perfectly. 
Now that's acting, folks! Acting!... Right here! Llive! In my own home! We're all just witnesses to this timeless art and there I am walking out on it.
I didn't hear another peep.
I don't know what got into him that night, but it was truly an inspirational performance. I love the theatre. I love improvisation. I love a good acting job. Especially one I don't have to get dressed up for!

Hard Workin' Baby!

Hard workin' babies are reason #0047 I love being a mom! Somewhere between crawling and walking babies get real ambitious. They become very task oriented. It's like they have a to-do list.

And what's on their to-do list?
Oh, it's very necessary stuff! Don't bother them about it. When it comes to their to-do list they are aaaaaaalllllll business! Outta the way!- BABY ON A MISSION! They conduct their business in a very busy business-baby-like manner; quiet; concentrated; determined; focused. The wheels are turning in their heads, hands are put to work and eyes are fixed on the prize!
What is going through their heads? Well, here's a sample: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. DVDS. OFF. OF. HERE (the shelf). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
Here's another sample: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. BOOKS. OFF. OF. HERE (the shelf). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
And another sample: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. CLOTHES. OUT. OF. HERE (the clothes basket). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
Another sample: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. BOXES. OUT. OF. HERE (the PANTRY). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
Another One: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. REMOTES. OFF. OF. HERE (the couch). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
Another one: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. SIPPY CUPS, PLATES AND BOWLS. OUT. OF. HERE (the Lazy Susan). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
There's more: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. TUPPERWARE CONTAINERS. OUT. OF. HERE (the cabinet). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).
Last one: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. TOYS. OUT. OF. HERE (the toy box). AND. ON. HERE (the floor).
One More: MUST. GET. ALL. THESE. PAPERS AND CORDS. OFF. OF. HERE (the desk). AND. DOWN. ON. HERE (the floor).

It's a long list...
So, what do I love about all these mini disasters?
I just really love watching the little tornadoes, I mean businessbabies. It's hilarious to me. I love to see their stick-to-ivness when tackling a job. I love to hear that little relieved sigh when they finish pulling everything out onto the floor. I love to see them sitting back with a sense of accomplishment in their mess and quickly moving on to their next project. I love how predictable they are; first the office, then the living room, then the kitchen, then their sibling's room...
I don't always love picking up, but that's okay- there's more to love!
I love scaring these hard workers with a, "HEY! What are you doing?" and hearing that little squeal, seeing that smile and watching them crawl away from their work site as fast as possible, looking back to make sure I'm chasing them.
Some might think our house is always a mess because of # 0047 (it is, but that's not why). Some might think it's never too early to discipline.
I think that babies need to be free to explore their own homes safely. I think that I don't like getting bent out of shape, following someone around saying, "No!" over and over again. I think I'll choose my battles. I think I'll let babies be babies and enjoy them while they're babies doing their baby things.

I love this little guy's work ethic! Even on vacation he's all business!

# 0046: Thought Processes

I love to see thought processes in action! I love to see those little wheels turning. I love to see my little kids putting the peices of this world together. I love to see them figuring things out for themselves all by themselves!
It's fun when they're babies and you're watching them just trying to grasp and pull a toy out of a basket. It's fun to see the look of accomplishment on their faces when they can finally bring it to their, of course, mouth and soak it in slobber.
It gets more interesting, though the older they get. I love to see the results of how their little minds have built block towers and houses, bridges and roads. My little girl loves to draw and make things out of paper. It's fun now to see her draw her plans out for her projects and then execute them.

Last winter, the kids played in a cardboard castle their grandma had gotten them for Christmas. They colored all over it and dressed up in their costumes. Then, they started fiddling with the drawbridge. Pretty soon, my daughter was asking for some string, then some siccors and tape, but no help. Before long she was calling me into the livingrootm to uwatch her let down and close the castle door just by pulling the string from inside.
It's so cool to see you kids figure things out completely independently. After all... “Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein

# 0045 When Babies Cry

"When babies cry?!!?!! What the-! Is this gal CR@ZY?!?! Is this mom off her her ever-lovin' rocker?" 

Is that what you're thinking as you read # 0045? I know... I know... I must be tripping on Valium (can you trip on Valium??? I don't know drugs...)...

"Crying babies? SERIOUSLY!?! How 'bout 'Getting kicked in the face by a mule'? Is that going to be # 0046?"

I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out before I start typing the %$#@!&*^i%$ words for you. Maybe I should say crying newborns... would that be better?

The last couple times I've had a baby I've looked forward to hearing that first cry. I love that long awaited sound. You feel that little person kicking you in the ribs, squirming around, pushing out on your belly for so long. Those last few weeks you are so anxious to meet this little person that's been developing inside you since before you even realized it. You've been wondering what this little baby will look like, but before you see him or her you hear them! Well, that's how it worked for me anyway. I heard that cry before I saw them. Like one last teaser before you lay eyes on God's 9 month masterpiece.

I love that first cry and the ones that follow for another reason. Lungs. Healthy lungs. My best friend had a premature baby and I remember her barely developed lungs being the feature everyone was most proud of; impressed with; excited about; relieved with. How did they know right away that this preemie's lungs that had only 28 weeks to develop in the womb were alright? That cry. That first little cry.

Let it out, babies! Stretch those healthy lungs! Let us know you're here!

This is their first form of communication. It's all they have to work with right now. I love those first cries and the ones that follow.
It's the ones at 4 am that I may now be so sentimental about.

Three Ways to Enjoy Potting Training

Potty training... It is sooOo-oOOOoo dreaded by so many people. Some of us would like to just drop our kids off at a potty training clinic some afternoon and pick them up all ready to go in big kid underwear with no accidents. Or better still, a pill or shot- yes, that's the ticket!- a potty training immunization! Brilliant!
We've been potty training our boy over the summer and I have to say it has gone sooooooooo much better than what we anticipated! It has been a good time. Yes, you read that right. No sarcasm here. It has been a pleasant experience. 
I was so stressed out about it. 
DREAD-DING IT. 
Scared to death. 
Now, I feel like I'm ready for the next one! Not only that- I'm getting a sticker for the back glass of my car: "AIN'T SKEERED....... of potty training"!

Why did it go so well for us? Well, every kid is different and if every kid is different, certainly every parent is different. My boy is certainly different than my girl, but maybe I'm a different parent than I was just a few years ago.
I've gained more experience and maybe some more patience. It's amazing what more patience can do! If I could gift wrap patience, I'd give it away at every single baby shower! Anything worth while takes time and work. Time and work requires some sort of process and working through a process requires patience. A college diploma- it takes time and work to go through the four year process of getting one, but it's usually worth it (unless you chose one of these majors).

I have loved this potty training process because of these reasons:

1. The process: 
Remember that Muppet's song, "Movin' Right Along" from The Muppet Movie (1979)? The lyrics go "Getting there is half the fun, come share it with me"? I'm not saying I enjoy cleaning up pee. I don't. I'm saying that I enjoyed seeing him "get it". I enjoyed seeing him light up when he made it to the pot in time after having not made it to the pot in time. 
Everybody knows that when you're potty training a child it's really the adult that's being trained... at first anyway. It's the adult that is setting the timer, making the lemonade, grabbing up the child, racing him or her to the pot. The adult is quitting in the middle of a task, running thru the house, carrying, pushing, pulling, dragging a toddler to the bathroom. All this and the baby gets the prize! The process is WORK with set backs and few successes, but if you look at the big picture (of lemonade) you can see that each soaked pair of panties, every puddle on the floor is one small step closer to success. They've got to have those accidents, those failures to know what it feels like, what they don't what to do, to know how great it is go in the pot with no mess at all! 
Life is a process and we couldn't get anywhere without the process! I loved watching my son go thru this process.

2. The Praise and Prize: 
Finally the successes! Every book you read will tell you to go heavy on the praise, really make them feel good. Sometimes when you see the pee in the pot and those proud little faces you could just burst! Scooping up those bare bottoms, dancing around, HALLELUJAH! What a moment- the praise just flows like... lemonade... and you're ready to buy a pony in celebration. Do the books really even need to stress this? I'll say it again, potty draining is WORK and draining for all involved- emotionally and physically. It wears you out so heaping on the praise is a great release for the parent and does the kiddo more good than we know. 
Potty training: what a great opportunity to show your kid how proud you are of them; what a great opportunity to them to show how proud they are of themselves! What a great self esteem builder; they CAN DO IT all by themselves!
But, what's that? Maybe you've got a boy and just because he makes it to the pot in time doesn't necessarily mean you don't have a mess to clean up (I guess this is why people say boys are harder to train than girls). Maybe this is where the praise gets tricky, you have to be excited that they made it even though you still have to clean up a mess anyway. There's extra training that goes into boys because of their parts. Sorry. You still gotta be excited that they could recognize the need to go. The tidiness will have to come later...
The celebration at our house doesn't end with a good job and a hug. We've got prizes. Lots and lots of prizes. Not just an M'n'M. We like to give them stuff that they're really into rigt then. I would never ever in a million years potty train around Christmas (waaaaay too much going on) and I wait till well after their birthdays, so I don't mind giving them some extra nice gifts. It's really better than Christmas, no baking, no wrapping.

3. The Success: 
You never want to speak to soon. I don't anyway... but that day you realize, and your kiddo does, too, that they have arrived. They get it. They wear big kid underpants everyday now and it's awesome. They are trained. It's like they realize you trust them. Every time they go now they are so proud of themselves. 
We are on the other side now! It was an exhausting week or two, but I love seeing my kids feel proud of themselves. I know we're just talking about potty training, but still what a great gift you can give someone when you teach them to do something on their own!

Kermit: Movin' right along in search of good times and good news,
With good friends you can't lose,
Fozzie: This could become a habit!
Kermit: Opportunity knocks once let's reach out and grab it 
Fozzie: yeah!
Kermit: Together we'll nab it,
Fozzie: We'll hitchhike, bus or yellow cab it!
Kermit: Cab it?

Both: We're movin' right along
Fozzie: Footloose and fancy-free
Kermit: Getting there is half the fun, come share it with me.
Both: Movin' right along 
Kermit: We'll learn to share the load
Fozzie: We don't need a map to keep this show on the road

Kermit: Hey, that song is sounding better, Fozzie.

Kermit: Movin' right along
We've found a life on the highway
Fozzie: And your way is my way
Kermit: So trust my navigation

Fozzie: California here we come, the pie-in-the-sky-land
Kermit: Palm trees and warm sand
Fozzie: Though sadly we just left Rhode Island
Kermit: We did what?!
Fozzie: Just forget it.

Both: We're movin' right along 
Kermit: Hey LA, where've you gone?
Fozzie: Send someone to fetch us, we're in Sasketchewan!

Both: We're movin' right along 
Kermit: You take it, you know best
Fozzie: Hey, I've never seen the sun come up in the West?

Fozzie: Movin' right along
We're truly birds of a feather
We're in this together 
Kermit: and we know where we're going
Fozzie: Movie stars with flashy cars and life with the top down
Kermit: We're storming the big town
Fozzie: Yeah, storm is right-- should it be snowing?
Kermit: Uh, no, I don't think so...

Both: We're movin' right along
Fozzie:Do I see signs of men?
Kermit: Yeah, "Welcome" on the same post that says, "Come Back Again."
Both: We're movin' right along, 
Fozzie: nice town!
Kermit: Footloose and fancy-free
Fozzie: You're ready for the big time
Kermit: Is it ready for me?

Both: Movin' right along
Movin' right along
Movin' right along
Movin' right along

# 0043: Waiting on Trains

We like things our kids like. That's pretty simple. When they are into Mickey Mouse, guess who's reading up on Walt Disney? When they're into super heroes, guess who also has a sudden interest in the super hero movies? When they're into trains or butterflies, guess who's constantly on the look out for anything remotely pertaining to trains or butterflies? It's not hard. It's not a sacrifice. It's just part of relating to each other in a family.
My kids love trains. Most all kids love trains. Anytime there is a little train around- we are in line, waiting our turn, and wavin gat the other kids already on! Yes, we will pay any amount of money for a redicuoulsly short ride on anything that remotely resembles a train! So, when we see a real train in town- a big train- we stop. Of course, everyone stops. We're required by law...

Cars are backed up down the road and we're late for school, but those little necks in the back seat are craned and they're eyes are wide. I love to look in my rearview mirror at the gawkers in my back seat. I'm happy to stop for trains. The longer the better! Pretty soon we'll all be counting cars and guessing how many there will be by the time the last one rolls by.
I know that not everyone loves waiting on trains, but there's always at least one car (most likely a minivan) full of little people who are lovin' it! That looooong train that is taking up the road might very well be the topic of discussion at dinner that night.

Back on Track

June- July- August- Labor Day- aaaaaaaannnnnnd summer's over. It flew by as it always has since the summer I first realized it was summer.
It was a busy summer for us! One potty trained, one in school, and one baby boy along for the ride. Not busy in the sense that we were gone all the time or getting a lot marked off the ol' to do list (or blogging), but hello!- did I mention the potty training and the school sending and the baby raising?
That didn't leave a lot of time for blogging and I didn't make time for blogging.
I tried to take notes of what to blog about when I finally did get back to the keyboard. Over this summer break I've realized that I do need to keep track of all the good things in life. Otherwise it feels like I'm wading through mud! I need to keep all those seemingly, small, daily blessings in the fore front to remind me that "the little things matter immensely!"

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."    Philippians 4:8