Lucky

I posted a picture on Instagram today of Charlie at the doctor's office and within a half an hour I had comments from my mom, two aunts, and grandmother.  This isn't a rare occurrence, in fact I've come to expect it, but for whatever reason tonight it gave me pause.  I was suddenly overcome with gratitude for how blessed I am to have such wonderful family in my life.  It's easy to step out into the world every day knowing that whatever happens in life I have the support of such amazing family.  My grandmother is turning 80 years old this summer and we're all venturing to Estes Park, CO to celebrate.  We are so lucky to be a part of a family that loves spending time with one another.  It's going to be a fantastic weekend.  It's nice to be reminded to give thanks:-)

Here's the pic from today.

Bedtime blogging

Things I don't want to forget: Today Charlie asked me to hold him like a baby. Yesterday he pretended to be leaving the house and said, "bye bye mama. See you later. Love you." Every morning he makes sure Rick doesn't forget to get his own smoothie after making his. He gets me a spoon for mine and reminds me to drink my coffee (as if I need reminding!) My new favorite time of the day is between 6-7pm. Charlie shouts "covies!" and we jump into my bed and spend time cuddling and playing iPad games with our drink of choice. His knowledge of letters is already baffling to me. While reading a book to himself he saw the letter "c" and whispered "c for Charlie". He loves saying "thank you" and "ummmm" while thinking hard about something. Every color is still blue despite all my efforts to teach him otherwise:) Tomorrow is his first soccer practice with Daddy. Sweet dreams.

Toilet Journal

At my MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group today a counselor spoke about "Sanity Savers" in parenting.  I loved a lot of what she had to say, but the advice that stuck with me most was the idea to create what she dubbed the "toilet journal".  As a mom, we rarely have a moment to ourselves.  I am well aware that my blogging frequency subsided after becoming a mom, and I only found time to write this at 10:00 in bed on a Friday night:-)  What I really wanted to do was go to bed and catch 15 more minutes of sleep, but alas her advice reminded me of the importance of journaling.  She said that she kept a journal behind the toilet (gross) the only place she found solace by herself in a house of three young boys.  And there she would write about her day (the good, the bad, the ugly).  These entries were often stories about her boys including the time she found her middle child drinking the toilet water.  Yum!  Her boys are now teenagers and savor every word in their mom's journal.  She even remarked how in the case of a house fire everyone was instructed to save the toilet journal.  Her son is graduating from high school next year and she plans on making him an album of pictures combined with the various stories she told about him growing up.  This reminded me of the importance of taking a moment to jot down the funny things Charlie says and does throughout the day.  Sometimes I get bogged down in having to find a poignant purpose to my blog entry.  What am I learning? Sharing? Expressing? Who  cares?  Those entries are great when I have the time and desire to sit down and write them, but just as important are the little moments I share with Charlie throughout the day.  I hope he is able to look back at this blog (not think I'm crazy) and laugh at all the adorable, ridiculous, horrifying, wonderful, hair pulling moments we experienced together.

Today's Moment;
After falling asleep in the car on the way home from MOPS (a mere 10 minute nap) Charlie decided that was enough rest for one day.  After 45 minutes of screaming in the crib he found himself lounging on the couch with me while the girls slept.  He is a lover of the pacifier and as he lay there sucking, I looked over and watched him remove the paci and stick his index finger in his mouth.  A smile broke out across his face.  "What are you doing?" I inquired.  He laughed and replied, "Mo, mo" (more) and proceeded to move on to the next finger and the next.  I watched his mind work as though pondering the reason why one would choose to suck a thumb.  He tested each one of those fingers like Goldilocks testing the Three Little Bears' porridge giggling throughout the whole experiment.  Finally, after exhaustive research he returned to his one and only love, his pacifier.