THAT Mom: Advice Needed

First of all, thank you for reading my last post and for the sweet comments. It's a little scary to put something out there that is personal and meaningful when I usually just talk about Charlie and random things, so thank you.

Now, for my mom question. I've been going to the gym about three days a week for a class in the mornings. Every time I have come to pick him, he is ready for his nap and they have put him in the swing where he is either a)asleep (which usually NEVER happens- I swear that boy is so alert that he will not sleep unless it is in HIS bed and dark and quiet) or b) swinging peacefully with eyes half open waiting for mommy to come take him home so he can sleep.

Well today, I went to pick him up and they had him in the swing as usual, but this time, the swing was turned around to face..... a TELEVISION!!!! Do you see where I'm going with this??? He was watching CARTOONS!!! My four and a half month old was watching cartoons. And they laughed, saying "oh he just loves cartoons, he's been watching them for the last HALF HOUR!!!!"
Let me explain to you something about my child. I have already mentioned how he will not fall asleep if there's anything going on around him. He loves moving, flashing lights and colors with sound. The most movement and body turning he has done has been to strategically turn himself to see the T.V., whether its the news, Oprah, or even C-Span if it was ever on in my house, I'm sure! But does he need to be watching it? Can he actually get into a television show at this age???

Here is a picture of him at one of our playdates using his friend sweet little Emily so that he can see the T.V. Do you see it? The blank stare? The mouth hanging open?

I KNOW that kids watch T.V. And don't get me wrong, I love watching T.V. And as a school psychologist, I do not believe that letting children under 2 watch an occasionally television show is going to cause ADHD. BUT Charlie is too young to get into the plot of a tv show. He has no idea what's happening, he's just staring blankly at all the lights and colors moving across the screen! And to let him mesmerize himself like that for 30 minutes??? I cringe.

So what do you think? Do I say nothing, and let them get through the hour of my workout however they can and not worry about it? Or do I make myself into that mom that makes a big deal and says I would prefer if my child did not watch the T.V. for the hour that I'm gone and that they may actually have to keep him entertained in a more creative, interactive way?

Ugh, I think I already am that mom. But please, let me know what you think.

The Blessing of Obedience and 8-28

This afternoon, Charlie, Daisy, and I walked out the front door to get the mail like we do on most days around 3 pm. Today there was an ambulance and fire truck parked in front of a neighbor on our cul-de-sac's house. We know a few of our neighbors just barely, but these neighbors we have never met. They are an older couple that we wave to when passing, but have never spoken with.

When I saw the ambulance, I wondered briefly what had happened, and then the three of us went back inside. Curious, Charlie and I went into our guest room that is in the front of the house. I put him on the bed where he loves to watch the fan and opened the blinds to see if I could tell what had happened across the street. A few moments later, they wheeled the husband out on a stretcher and put him on the ambulance. He was sitting up and awake. Right behind him came his wife, who got into her car and pulled out of the garage onto the driveway, waiting.

All of a sudden, I felt strongly that I needed to go over and speak to her, pray with her. In that moment, I got so anxious, I could hardly stand it. I thought to myself, they're in a hurry to get to the hospital, as soon as I walk over there, the ambulance will pull out and she doesn't want to talk to me, she wants to get there as soon as possible! And, I don't want her to think that I'm a "rubber-necker" just trying to get some neighborhood gossip or something. The thought ran through my mind to pray for what to do... whether to go or stay.

And I felt the Lord telling me to go. Again, I was anxious and just felt like I didn't want to... I searched for a piece of paper and something to write my phone number on and found them immediately right next to where I was standing. I scribbled down my name and number, slipped on my shoes, picked up Charlie, and out we went into the heat of the day. I was shaking as I walked across the street- I know, its silly how nervous I got, isn't it? But, nervous as I was, for some reason I knew the ambulance wasn't going to drive away yet. I knew that I would get to her and speak with her.

As soon as I walked up the drive way, she got out of her car and came to me, tears in her eyes. I introduced myself and Charlie and she did the same, then told me what had happened. He had been outside while she was taking a nap and he fell in the driveway and had been there for two hours. He had heat stroke. Another neighbor had seen him and came over to let her know and call 911. I told her I wish I would have seen and that I was so sorry. She told me he was going to be okay but that he has Parkinson's and falls a lot. I asked if I could pray for her and she said yes. So we stood there in the driveway and I asked the Lord to comfort them and keep him safe. I gave her the paper with my phone number and told her I stay home now and for her to please call me if she needs anything. I walked back to the house, carrying a blessing of obedience and a burden of prayer.

It was such a small thing, and I'm certainly not sharing this story to toot my own horn... this isn't something I do naturally or easily, which I guess is why I was so nervous. We've lived here for three years and have never even met all of our neighbors! Honestly, it was an eye-opener for me.

It's noteworthy to me that this happened on this day, 8-28, a special day for my family. A day when our thoughts turn to eternity... and we long for the day we will be with Him and with her, reunited. This world is fallen, and while we do have glimpses of His glory in this present time, life is hard and sometimes all we can do is hang onto a Hope for something eternally better through Jesus Christ. May we seek His truth and proclaim His glory obediently on this earth until the day comes that every knee will bow and every tongue confess...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Just Because He's Cute...

The Post-Pregnancy Banana Split

One banana, a little (or, a lot of) chocolate syrup, and a spoonful of cool whip. It's pretty much all banana, which means its healthy, right? ;)

Finished!

Since Charlie spent so much of his sick day sleeping, we were able to finally finish the living room painting project! I couldn't be happier with it! It really makes the room cozy and highlights the white accents like the mantle and the art nook...


I'm so glad that's finished... in the process of doing this I've come up with about 5 more projects around the house that I want to start on! Next up... curtains! Will post about them as they develop...

Sick Day

Yesterday, Charlie had his four month well-baby check up and had to have four shots! Not fun. Overall he is healthy and doing well, his weight was in the 75th percentile, and height and head circumference were both in the 95th! But, as a side effect of all those shots, this morning he woke up with a fever. This is his first fever ever, and it lasted pretty much all day. We've been giving tylenol every four hours and he has taken lots of naps. Poor baby, every time he was awake, it was like he wanted to play, but his little cheeks were just so red, and his eyes could barely stay open, and he was radiating heat like a little furnace! I spent much of the day nursing him, and then rocking him to sleep... our first sick day.

Olympic Fatigue and other Random Thoughts

• I have Olympic Fatigue. Definition: Extreme exhaustion and tiredness that results from consecutive late nights of staying up to watch the Olympics. Your eyes start to close and you tell yourself "it's only once every four years!" and you force them back open.

• I am in LOVE with The Nesting Place blog. Her decorating ideas are cute and simple and I feel like I get to read a decorating magazine for free when I read her posts. As soon as I can get myself and Charlie out to the fabric store, I'm planning my very own mistreatments for the bathroom.

• I was finally cleared for exercising this week by my doctor. So I went to the gym yesterday for the first time in about six months. I went to a class called Body Step and it was so great. I really work out a lot better in a class format... and who did I think of to motivate myself when I almost pooped out on the push-ups? Shawn Johnson. :)

• I feel sort of like I'm in Beijing since its raining and I'm watching the Olympics and its raining there too.

• I haven't finished painting my Timeless Taupe, but I'm getting close! I at least got the main parts of the room finished so I could put furniture back in its place and hang pictures. I will post pictures when I'm finished!

• And how could I not have this big post without at least one picture... :)

My {not so little} Project

I have painted nearly every room in the house. I love painting different colors and giving the house a cozy kind of feeling, but until now, our living room, the room we spend the most time in, has remained the blah yellowy-beige painted by the builder. I think I shyed away from tackling this project because of all the arched entryways, rounded corners, mantle, art nook, and windows that make up this space! But this weekend I started and now I have to finish. And I'm already so tired of my living room being in shambles that I'm trying to finish soon. Here are a few pics of the work in progress... the color I'm using is Timeless Taupe in Olympic paint. It's low odor, so there are really no fumes, which is great! The color sort of looks like silly putty when its wet (yeah, I was a little worried when I started painting!!!), but dries to the beautiful color of a Wendy's frosty! Yum! What do you think?

Proud to be an American!

These people make me proud!

We have been loving the gymnastics and swimming, staying up all hours of the night to see who takes the gold. We can't get enough! But today, I saw this, and if you get it, explain it to me, because I just do not get it! An olympic sport?

We're not talking jumping fences and stuff, they're just kind of prancing... hmmm, with a little practice, maybe Daisy and I will make it to the London olympics, ha!

The Picture Game!

Okay everyone, it's time for a new "get to know your friends" post! I was never tagged, but got the idea from someone else's blog... here are the rules: Take all pictures right away (no cleaning up first!!!), and then tag three friends to do it too!

1. Favorite Destination

We went to NYC last summer and had a great time. While I usually think of myself as more of a beach-vacation type person, I loved this trip and think of it fondly as it was the last big trip Paul & I had together before having Charlie!

2. Self Portrait

Sitting in the dining room...

3. What the Kids are Doing

I heart early bedtimes! I have to admit, this is an old picture... he really is sleeping, but it is really dark in there and you know what happens when you wake a sleeping baby!!!

4. My Closet

Okay, no cleaning up beforehand, remember? I have to preface this one with the following: please remember that I am four months- post pregnancy and my wardrobe currently consists of the following: maternity clothes, pre-preggo clothes I squeeze into, and a few new things that are a larger size... all of which are making their home together somewhere in my closet. I often try on old things, hoping they will fit, and when they do not, I angrily throw them down and refuse to hang them up... :)

5. Laundry Room

Okay, this is getting a little embarassing... I guess I have some laundry to do tomorrow!

6. The Refrigerator

... maybe a little grocery shopping too. :)

7. Favorite Room in the House

The guest room/home office (I also love Charlie's room, but ya know, sleeping baby in there right now!)

8. The Bathroom

Recently made kid-friendly...

9. The Kitchen Sink

Whew, got lucky on this one, only a few dishes!!!

10. Favorite Shoes

My new wedge sandals! Love them!

Okay, wasn't that fun? Now I am tagging: Robin, Carly, and Erica! Remember, no cleaning up before you take the pictures!!!

*sorry Carly, just remembered you are currently nomadic! Save this tag for your new house and in the meantime I tag... Erin!

Four Month Retakes

Got some good ones this time!

I think he looks just like me in this one:

"Mom, don't make me take anymore pictures!!!"

Olympic Fun

We really get into the Olympics at our house...

Four Months Old

Charlie is four months old today... yes, already! I can't believe how fast the time is flying... I tried taking a good picture of him today for his month by month frame, and I thought, "I'll put him on his tummy and get a good pic of him holding his head up." Well, I tried, and tried, but could just not get the right pic because he kept doing this:

Can you believe it??? I thought he would never roll over because he just didn't seem close at all and now he's doing it over and over just all of a sudden! My baby boy is growing up. :)

Back to School

The next couple of weeks mark the beginning of that wonderful thing we call "school." It's a cultural phenomenon and if you've been to Wal-Mart, Target, or any clothing store recently, you know that the season is upon us. Teachers and school staff alike are already in preparation mode for the long weeks ahead. Students will follow shortly after, armed with their new backpacks, back-to-school fashions, and bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils (a la You've Got Mail).

I have family, friends, and (former) co-workers all in this preparatory state, marked with both dread and anticipation, longing for summer to last a few more weeks, but ready to get back into their routine, with fresh calendars and classrooms, ready to go (or getting there). I know that feeling well, because it has been that way my whole life. But this year, its different. And its a little strange for me. For the first time in probably 22 years, I am not going "back to school." This will be the first time that I can remember, that my year will not be measured in semesters, and my time will not be measured by class schedules.

I must say, this new life for me is tinged with a little anxiety... there are a lot of weeks between now and Christmas... what am I going to do with myself? How will we fill our time? Will it pass slowly or quickly? Am I going to wish I was back at school, back with my co-workers, having somewhere to get ready for in the morning and adults to talk with regularly?

Don't get me wrong, there is no remorse in this newness for me... rather, I have a profound sense of relief, which reminds me that we have made the right decision for me to stay home with Charlie. It also makes me thankful for the job my husband has, and the willingness he has to work hard at it, even though it's not his dream job, so that I can be at home. I know there are a lot of moms out there who want to, but don't have ability to stay home... so trust me, I am not complaining! Its just this thing I have with change...

As the year unfolds, I know I'll figure things out. (See how I called it "the year" even though the actual year started back in January??) It's the beginning of a new season in my life, and change, although at times scary, is a good thing.

Vintage Momma Designs

Yes I am home and have more pics to share... but first I had to share about my friend Sharla's jewelry designs! Check out some of my favorites from her website:

Here's a pic of the ring I have that she made... I love it and I wear it all the time!!!
If you're interested, her website is vintagemomma.etsy.com ... and oh yeah 5% go to the Haiti Rescue Center and 5% go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation... so what better reason do you need to buy yourself some new jewelry??? Let's shop! :)

No time for bloggin'

After our Alabama/Georgia trip to visit some of my family, we had a mere four days at home (spent helping our friends move and doing laundry!) and then packed up the suitcases again and headed to Spring, TX. I know, not too far, but still required a FULL car of suitcases, stroller, bouncer, dog, pack 'n play, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture! We spent a fun-filled four days with Paul's mom's side of the family, swimming and eating, eating and swimming. I think I'm gaining back all my baby weight. :P Pictures from that family reunion will probably be my next post...

THEN as if that weren't enough time of living out of a suitcase and for Charlie to be completely off schedule and waking up three times a night... Charlie and I headed out Monday morning to San Antonio to visit my family! Our first road trip with just me and him, but he did great, only waking up once when I ran with him into Buckee's to use the restroom... by the way if you have never been to Buckee's, they really DO have the CLEANEST bathrooms around and I held it for about 45 minutes just so I could go there.... well worth it.

My dad was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel yesterday and we came in for his promotion ceremony and reception. It was so great and there were tons of people all so proud. Dad could not have been happier to have his only (albeit noisy) grandson there to show off to all his co-workers that have been hearing about him for a year now!