My Baby

One Year Old and Oh So Proud!

Both of my babies (I use the word baby loosely here) have the same cry. Last night I heard the sound I so dread, the "Heh, heh, heh," stoccato waking cry coming from my childrens' bedroom. I stopped listened, ready to spring into nightly emergency action, but I, the mother and expert on both of these little beings, could not discern which child had woken. I waited. Listened again. But still could not decide. Just another sign telling me that Seth is not a little baby anymore.


I have been trying to deny that this was happening -to believe in my heart that his recent birthday (last Saturday) was simply a day of celebration and NOT the milestone of passage into toddlerhood. There have been lots of clues reminding me that his babyhood was winding down. There were baby steps, then lots of steps. His newfound word (and obsession) - dah, dah, dah (translation: dog). His clinginess and stranger anxiety. His ability to climb right over the back of the couch. But most striking of all - his sheer will and determination when he wants something.


This was evidenced last night at dinnertime as we participated in the nightly dinnertime guessing game. The game is simple. He whines. I jump and run trying to guess what he wants. I put something on his plate. He cries, throws whatever I have provided onto the floor and the whole thing starts over again. So after doing this for a while last night, I gave up on guessing and sat down to eat (ignoring Seth's pleas to appease). He continued whining and pointed to my plate.


I offered him tortellini. No Thank You, he expressed by throwing it on the floor. Green Beans. Nope. Potatoes. Out. A bite of applesauce. Definitely not. Then I must have had a bit of inspiration. I handed him my fork (okay, probably not the best item to give to a 12 month old, but I was desperate). He smiled, took the fork and began using it to pick at the bits of food that were left on his plate.


He was even more delighted when I gave him a small bowl full of Oatmeal baby cereal and a spoon. He globbed spoonful after spoonful into his mouth (and onto his hair, arms, down his shirt, all over his nose, etc.). By the time I was finished eating, he had almost finished the entire bowl. He looked at me and smiled proudly as if to say, "See Mom. I am big."

True enough. But in my heart, I responded, You might be big, but you're still my baby.

Sweet Reunion

Perhaps there is nothing better for me about a trip home than watching my children interact with their grandparents. Nobody loves my children like their grandparents do. It is a special treat to spend several days in their homes as they take special care to spend time with the kids and spoil them with lots of love and attention.

Grandpa Winward introduces Seth to the dog.

Cuddling up with Grandma winward at the end of a long day

Grandma Budge is always taking pictures. At Trisha's wedding she handed her camera to Trevor while she was in the reception line and gave him specific instructions - "Take pictures of the grandkids."

Katelin and Grandpa Budge greet each other after eight long months

Definitely out of the Groove...

One of many things we missed about being home.

We are home and it feels oh so good. I have missed the Texas springtime, my heavy comforter, my computer screen, and everything good about this little place where my family currently resides.

We are sick. Katelin is in recovery but poor little Seth is miserable. I have become the human tissue in his behalf. I feel so bad for him that I won't even complain about it.

We are adjusting to the routines of normal life. Bedtime battles are in full swing. I cannot adjust to the time change. And I didn't even shower today. I can't remember the last time that happened. (A daily shower keeps me from falling into depression). Most of all my children are unsure what to do now that they aren't being showered with attention from Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. How we will miss all of them until the next time.

Floating over clouds

I didn't fly on an airplane until I was twenty years old. It was a day of anticipation, and excitement. I savored the newness of that day. Watching the world below. Sitting and chatting with a stranger. Seeing the comings and goings of so many people and dreaming of my destination.

I've flown many times since that day, until the energy and buzz of the airport has become ordinary. Second-hand. But today was different. In spite of several flights Katelin has taken before, she absorbed each moment of the day -- observing, watching, wondering.

I want to remember her enthusiasm. To memorize her face and her words.

"Is this our plane?"

"I think we're flying."

"This is so fun."

I want to remember the way she studied and asked about the safety information packet. The way she waited anxiously for each snack, each drink. The way she enjoyed her special pillow and blanket. The way she said, "Blast off!" when plane started to rise.

I enjoyed the day with her. We watched through the small airplane window as the cars below grew smaller and smaller. We talked about flying through clouds and then we gazed in delight at the piles of puffy white stretching below us. I felt, just a little, like I was flying for the first time.

Interestingly, Seth actually was.

Travel Anyone?

Boulder, Colorado - Summer 2008

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go... We are heading to Utah to celebrate our fifth wedding anniverary. Oh, and attend my sister-in-law's wedding. Trisha and Brad love us sooo much they actually planned their wedding on our anniversary. Granted, we haven't yet met Brad, but I'm pretty sure that's why they decided to wed on March 6. I suggest that day as a wedding day to anyone. It has brought us much happines.

We are excited for the wedding. Excited to meet Brad. Katelin is thrilled to wear her special dress for the wedding and her crown of flowers as a little flower girl. It should be a blessed event.

We are also excited to visit with family, to let our parents spoil our children with love and attention (and gifts from the dollar store). I'm looking forward to meeting my newest niece, Madi, and seeing for the first time since their birthday my 7 month old twin nephews - Jack and Leo. I'm going to put this stressful day of packing behind me. I'm going to ignore the fact that I am living out of a suitcase. I'm going to embrace the nights of sharing a room with my constantly waking children. I'm going to take a lot of deep breaths and enjoy my time with family. And maybe I will even blog. Or not.

And He's Off

Seth took his first step back in early January, but seems to have finally mastered his skills the last couple of days. We are almost as proud as he is. Here he practices his skills while visiting the San Antonio Temple last Saturday.

I'm Celebrating.

Trevor's form of a celebration!

I'm celebrating today. Two reasons. First of all, I hosted my LAST Modbe "Boutique" on Friday and will send back all of the clothing samples Modbe lent to me. It's boxed up and ready to go. Whew. It feels good to clear something out of my life.

Second, I just completely emptied my e-mail inbox. This is an unusual thing for me, but I'm committed. There's just no reason to have 400+ e-mails hanging out. It just doesn't make sense.

And speaking of clearing things out of your life, read what this guy did. Pretty interesting stuff. I'd love to try it, though, I'm not sure if 100 would be my magic number. Just the idea of only having what you need seems so freeing...