stands for:

:number of years we have celebrated Drew's birth.

:number of years we have called ourselves parents.

:number of years (and many more to come) we have used car seats, high chairs, bibs, swings, bouncy seats, strollers, slings, baby tubs, diapers, wipes, cream, bubble bath, bulb syringe, rectal thermometer, little potty, tummy medicine, teethers, rattles, swaddlers, diaper bags, onesies, footed pj's, board books, flap books, squishy toys, furry toys, toys that make noise and light up, blocks, wooden animals, wooden rings, wooden food, schleich, playmobil, eric carle, winnie the pooh, beatrix potter, mother goose...and so much more I am sure.

But this year *6* feels like it is really moving into it's own direction. Leaving the "baby" things behind and progressing so quickly my head is spinning. We are in a whole new stage, which means times awaiting will no doubt be exciting, scary, fearful, wonderful, adventurous, frustrating, trying, joyful, tearful and full of learning. It's going to look like school, reading, math, world view, God's point of view, recorded history, loving & reaching out to others, showing forth the Gospel through our life, pulling your weight, giving up for others, leadership, travel, experience, try, fail, try again, bond, connect, communicate, feel, figuring out, dealing, waiting. All the while learning that balance of freely being a child while taking on the necessary responsibilities. Even though most days I get into my groove and easily loose sight of the sensitive nature of being a parent, these are the [pause] moments of life that bring back the reality of what's real, what's happening right here and right now, and remembering that every single word, action & decision on my part has a direct reaction & influence on our children. Sobering is what it is. Why do I so easily forget?

OK. And on the lighter side, I'd like to remember 6 things I didn't have as a first-time mother just 6 years ago---and not sure how I'd do without them now:

1. A Bumbo Chair.

2. Robeez crib shoes.

3. Method products.

4. A Sling.

5. Sophie, the giraffe.

6. A Blog.

(ok. and practically speaking, a dvd player in our van)

*what secret weapons have you added to your parenting arsenal over the (weeks, months, years)?

ps. due to the fact that I didn't have a blog at the time of drew's birth, I am pondering posting his birth story. just to warn you...

pps. one of the things I hope I ALWAYS remember about Drew on this birthday was that he split his first birthday check with his brother because he felt bad Jack wouldn't have any money to get a new toy. how sweet is that?

taste

I have always had it as a goal to wait until my baby hits the 6 month mark before introducing the line of cereals, one at a time. I blame it on a radio blurb that I heard as a first time mother that was speaking about introducing babies to food before 6 months could increase the risk for food allergies. Of course, being the somewhat seasoned mother that I now am, I know both sides of the spectrum. I know mom's that have started the rice cereal with their 4 mo. old and never had a problem. I also know mom's that waited till the very last possible moment to deliver that first spoonful of ground rice goodness and their baby was a few months later diagnosed with this or that allergy (which does run in the siblings). So even though I have known both sides, I am a creature of habit. Like when my high school anatomy teacher (probably jokingly) said that if you eat all the right foods, you really don't need to take all those vitamins. And I am quite sure that that is the reason why I have resisted taking vitamins over the years(though so much better now with 3 pregnancies and 3 kids under my belt). Those little blurbs stick in my head.

Needless to say, Mr. Caiden has not started the slurpy rice cereal yet. He is actually so ready to "dig in." I can see it in his eyes when we're eating. It is on this week's to-do list for him. So don't worry, I am not starving my child. I am a tad concerned about food allergies since he's had continual patches of eczema for the past 4 months, so I am just being cautious. But even though this week marks having 6 years of motherhood experience in my favor, I am still amazed at how very different I have been at each child's stage in comparison to the others. And how I am continually changing as I learn and grow and how the industries and products are ever changing at our fingertips from one child to the next.

So, all this to say, that Caiden has actually already tasted the following: cream cheese frosting, pea pods, popsicles, ice cream, and I am sure there is something an older brother slipped in while mom wasn't looking. Isn't it so hard to resist that little curiosity sitting on your lap while everyone else is stuffing their face!?

Curious as to what you first introduced to your little one and when.

biscotti love

love it when you find the perfect combo of tasty & healthy. and when you find second hand, hand-made pottery.

fresh

SPRING IS IN THE AIR.

Happy March.

And welcome to a month of polaroid favorites.

I only wish I really had a polaroid camera.

That, and an old typewriter.

But this will have do for now.

And probably will have to for ever.

TODAY, for nearly an hour we played with playdough that smells like limes. The green, organic kind that is off-limits to mixing with other colors. Drew did a stick-puppet show with his, talking non-stop for 4 1/2 minutes. Jack mixed, rolled, smushed his over and over again. Quietly with concentration and great intention. They are so different. It is so therapeutic when we are all moving in the same direction at the same time, even if it is in our own way.

Found out friends are coming in on wednesday. My heart flipped. Not sure if it was because I am so excited or because I at once realized how very much I have to do. It's the Gouge's. We haven't seen Dave in 8 years, when we were in the apartment our first year married. Now he is married and they have a little girl who just turned one.

My, how time has flown.

[five months]

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

:::::::::::::::::::::a poem [of sorts]:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[1.] bundled baby in the sak

[2.] cuddle time with brother jack

[3.] in my bumbo, being cute

[4.] holding hands with mom to suite

[5.] my very favorite sophie friend

[6.] this mask, my mommy I defend

[7.] sad, this sickness to defeat

[8.] my loafers have outgrown my feet

XO

Lots of catching up to do on this blog of mine:

but thought I'd take a special post to sneak in some lovin'.....

And the real question is (which still stands undetermined in our house): which letter stands for the "kiss" and which letter stands for the "hug" in XO???