Sleep

While looking through my unpublished posts I found this... I wrote it sometime in 2009.  Oh how times have changed.

I was reading Real Simple in the sun in our guest room on Sunday and read the best article titled "Good In Bed" written by Julie Rottenberg. (I tried to find it on the internet with no luck.) It is a great piece of writing that made me think it was written about me in certain parts. I'll give you some excerpts:

"Over the years my sleeping habits never changed, but my awareness of the sigma deepened, and I'm ashamed to admit I started lying to cover it up. For instance, if someone suggested meeting for brunch at 10 or 11 on a weekend, I might say, "Oh, I have a bunch of errands beforehand, could we make it later...much later?" (Okay so I don't lie about sleeping in but I often suggest a later starting time.)

"So when I find myself lying in bed on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, plagued with the feeling that I should get up and embrace the day, I do not. Instead, I abandon all guilt and shame, put on my sleep mask, roll over, commit to sleeping, and continue sleeping until I can sleep no longer. I firmly believe that only then, in the deepest of sleep, can true progress begin." (I wish I could do this I generally get up and try to "embrace the day" at about 10 am and then take a nap later.)

She also talks about finding the perfect friend who can sleep later than she does. I am happy to report that Paul can sleep as much, if not more than me. It's great to know there are others who enjoy their sleep as much as me.

Sam at One Year Old

Dear Samoran,

Happy Birthday my little cuddle bug.  You are such a happy sweet little boy.  I'm amazed at what joyful baby toddler you have become.  Your life started out a little rough but you would never know after spending time with you.  I have learned so much this year by being your mom.  I've learned to ask for help.  When you were in the hospital there were many times when I couldn't do what you needed most.  Your nurses were always there to offer help whenever you and I needed it.  When you were still a little baby you were kind of demanding.  Sometimes we'd spend hours trying to find a way to make you happy and I'd just need a little break.   I've learned to slow down.  You have always loved to be held and I have always loved to hold you.  You are the best snuggler out there.  You have taught me to slow down and enjoy our snuggle time.  You have always been a big boy.  I've learned that I need to share too.  I love to hold you but sometimes you're just too heavy and my arms are just too tired.  You gladly go to anyone who is willing to hold you.  I've also learned to sit back and let you lead.  When you were small we worried about you hurting and so we didn't push you to do tummy time.  Once we started you did great, although you didn't always like it.  We know you will do things when you are ready.  I'm pretty sure you could crawl weeks before you really started crawling around.  All you needed was an open family room and some remotes to go after.  You love balls and to throw anything you can get your hands on.  If I get sometimes I'm bound to end up with a ball in my face, so I learned to take a step back.  You also are independent and don't need me to do things for you.  You were the first to hold you own bottle and drink out of a sippy cup.  You also went through your new tunnel when Emily still wasn't so sure.  Lastly, I learned that you are just beginning to grow big and there is still so much to learn from you.  I can't wait to see what an amazing little boy you will become.

Sam you are often serious and quiet but you can be silly and loving.  It may take you awhile to warm up to people but once you do you capture them with your toothy smile and smile inducing laugh.  You are all boy.  You love balls, noise and food.  You are laid back and sometimes cautious.  You are determined and aren't afraid to go for what you want either and you don't let anyone get in your way.  (Even your older sister.)  You are a sweet boy who loves laying on his stuffed animals and snuggling up with a blanket.  I love watching your personality develop.

I love being your mom and I can't wait to see what next year brings.  Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Love,
Mama

Emily at One Year Old

Dear Emmy Lou,

My sweet spunky baby girl, I can't believe you are no longer a baby but a toddler.  I have learned so much from you this year.  You've taught me that I need to let go of my plans.  It was you who decided you wanted out a little early, much earlier than I had hoped.  You've helped me to be positive and look for the best in life.  When it seemed like you and your brother would be in the NICU forever, you decided that you had had enough and took out your feeding tube and never went back.  It was a gift to have you home on my birthday and to have a little glow worm to take care of when I was missing your brother.  We joked that they sent us home with the easier one first, little did we know what a personality you have.  I've learned to be on my toes.  You are a quick little girl and you get into everything!  I'm constantly trying to be one step ahead of you. You've taught me to be protective and when I need to give you a little shove.  There was a time this year when the world was a scary place for you.  Noises were terrifying.  I learned that sometimes it is best to protect you from those scary things instead of forcing you to face them when you're not ready.  You may never be a fan of public bathrooms or automatic flush toilets or having strangers get too close.  I also learned that not everything is scary and that we would never know if we didn't try.  You love to be out with lots of people.  You were more mad about me trying to cover your ears when the cannon went off at the CSU game then you were about the noise.  You love watching daddy's basketball games and the commotion of the crowd.  Lastly, I've learned that there is so much more than I will learn as you grow into a little girl.

Emily you are a bright light in a room.  People gravitate to you and your sparkling personality.  You make everyone smile with your little smirk and infectious giggle.  You are daring, even when I'd rather you not be.  (Like climbing on top of things... I'm worried about the climbing.)  You aren't afraid to fall down.  We rarely need to guess what you want or need. You are sure to let us know.You also can be very quiet and serious.  You like to sit and look at books or to figure out how a toy works.  I love to watch your mind work and grow. 

I can't wait to see what this next year brings.  Happy First Birthday Baby Girl!

Love,
Mama

A Day in the Life- Jan. 5

7:39

8:39

 9:39- No picture all sleeping

10:39

11:39

12:39- First Car Wash!

1:39- Visiting the Free Zoo aka Petsmart

2:39- Tuckered out after Target

3:39- Ahh nap time (for the kids only)

 4:39- A January walk... it was 60 degrees out

 5:39- Playing with a friend... forgot to take the picture

6:39-Dinner out

 7:39- Walking home from dinner... still warm enough for only a long sleeve shirt and fleece jacket

 8:39- Kids in bed and Paul is taking over my Kindle

Miscellany Monday

Another random Monday post...

• I try not to make New Year's Resolutions but I somehow still end up with goals to start the year.  This year my goals are:
• Pick up the house every night for at least 15 minutes.  (The kids are into EVERYTHING these days.  The table is no longer a safe place for things and they put anything they find on the floor into their mouths...)
• Make dinner 3 times a week.  I would love to do it every night but that just isn't realistic, but may become necessary.  Emily is on a baby food strike, for dinner anyways.  She refuses to eat any baby vegetable foods, although she will eat green beans and black beans out of a can. 
• Really do Project 365, I have everything I need since I wasn't sucessful last year.  (The hospital/NICU months didn't make for very good pictures.)
• Other things I'd love to do but probably won't be able to- workout, go swimming once a month and keep up on my grading at work.
• Sam and Emily have everything that they could possibly need/want right now, thanks to a wonderful Christmas and generous hand-me-downs from friends.  BUT I feel like they need a special gift for their birthday in two weeks.  A birthday 3 weeks after Christmas is hard...
• For Emily: An American Girls Bitty Baby-  She is 1 inch shorter than Emily was when she was born and I'm pretty sure her preemie clothes will fit on her.  She won't play with her now but hopefully she'll love her in a year or two.

• For Sam-  I'm still undecided.  I'd love to get him this little car.  When I worked at a daycare the kids LOVED this toy, but he's not quite ready for it yet and we don't really have a place to store it.  There is a push car but from reading the reviews, I'm afraid he might be too big for it.

The other option is a Little People farm. 

•  We're growing teeth like crazy around here lately.  Emily finally has one and Sam is getting his third... we think.
• I was wishing we had more time off before Christmas, but I'm really liking this free time after the holidays.
• Emily is constantly taking things out of containers and putting them back in.  This includes grocery bags, bottle lids, cups, her brother's mouth, your hand...  She is definately learning something new. 

•  Sam loves stuffed animals.  It is so very cute.  He lays his head on them and gives them big hugs.  I'm so glad he took after his mom and her love of stuffed animals.  :-)