Every Little Boy

Every little boy should feel thick grass under his bare toes and warm sunshine on his face.

Every little boy should fly his own airplane through the hallway, around his room.

Every little boy should experience the love and warmth of man's best friend, a loyal pup who will eat his veggies for him and lick away his tears.

Every little boy should have a favorite book that is read to him time and time again.

Every little boy should know that each grandparent comes with an inability to say no.

Every little boy should splish and splash until his hands and feet are prunes and the suds have all disappeared.

Every little boy should be surrounded by those who love him.

Because Together?

Is Better.

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Brica is focused on making products for families that give you the time to enjoy the little moments. This post was inspired by their motto Making Together Better for a chance to win a sponsorship to the Type-A Parent Conference. Brica can be found on Facebook or Twitter.

Our Baby Camera Review

When we first found out that little man was joining our family I didn't give too much thought in baby monitors. We registered for a nice audio monitor that had a long-range with two receivers and I never looked back.

That is until Jackson started falling asleep on his own (and throwing parties in his nursery).

And Kris started back work.

And we finally got brave enough to leave little man alone with sitters.

And we left the dogs with pet sitters.

And my mom moved in with us and I wanted to be able to check in on her.

All were reasons that we wanted to be able to "see" inside our home and our basic baby monitor was no longer a solution. Then I discovered Our Baby Camera. Our Baby Camera is a WiFi monitor that works with iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and PC. It connects to your home network using WiFi or hard wire. When you are at home you can watch the feed from any computer or Smartphone connected to your network.

Away from home? You can look in on your family from anywhere you have an Internet or cell phone connection. It is as easy as opening an app on my phone! Secure login and passwords keep your video private and secure.

At night the camera changes over to night mode and sees in the dark so you won’t have to turn the light on and wake the baby.

Of course the camera is only part of the deal. Setup and support is INCLUDED! Their support team was on a phone call or video chat no less than five times with me because my router is from 1995 and had to be brought into the current decade. Don't worry though, the camera comes with instructions so easy that even I could install and setup.

Our Baby Camera is really opening up the security market to everyone. I mean, I can't afford an outrageous security camera installation! I know we will continue to use it for different things as our family grows.

They can be found on Twitter and Facebook. Say hello to Phillip and tell him I sent you!

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I was given a Vi-20W camera from Our Baby Camera to test. All opinions are my own; I don't review a product that I didn't use myself and enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday: Kissey, Kissey

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My mom's transiton into a nursing home went surprisingly well. We miss her and I am dealing with a lot of worry and guilt but I am taking it a day at a time.

"We Don't Hit!"

It happened suddenly.

Little man reached out for the bowl. Water bowl? Dog food bowl? I can't even remember which this time.

I had it.

I saw red.

My hand reached out, swatting him on the bottom.

Once.

Swift.

Jackson's first spanking.

He looked at me, questioning, surprised. I had never touched him with anything but love before.  Mama's hands were for hugs, high fives and happiness, not for hurt.

His tears rolled down his cheeks, piercing my heart.

"This is not the kind of parent I want to be," I thought.

"How can I look my son in the eye and tell him 'we don't hit' when I hit him?"

Jackson's last spanking.

Abandoned

It has been three months since my mother moved in with us and I became her constant care taker. Some days it has been a struggle. Yes, I am struggling.

Struggling with watching my mother slowly lose herself.

Struggling with my lack of privacy.

Struggling with my exhaustion.

Struggling with my guilt.

Struggling with my anger.

But mostly? I am struggling with the feeling of abandonment. Three months ago my family insisted that we remove my mother from a bad environment. (For the record, I agreed that my sister needed a break and it was no longer the right living arrangement - for either of them for various reasons.) Everyone was right there when they made the decision. Everyone was right there offering themselves for whatever I would need.

But since then? Not so much.

I know she is MY mother. I know she didn't choose to have this disease but in this last week I have asked for help from four different family members and only one came through. My sister had someone over at her house every other day. (I do live an hour and a half away from everyone though.)

I miss my little family of three. I know I'll miss my mom when she's gone. It's a terrible catch-twenty-two.

But I still feel abandoned.

Edited to add: My mom has finally been approved for the Choices program. (A state program similar to hospice that gives patients nursing home placement while paying 100% of the bill.) We will be moving her into a home this weekend.

Wordless Wednesday: Jump Around

Student Becomes Teacher

I couldn't catch up. Laundry, dishwasher, cooking. As soon as I started one task, I found a toddler wrapped around my leg or heard my mother's voice in my ear.

I may have raised my voice. I may have asked them both to hang on.

I did raise my voice. I did ask them both to hang on.

I was a bad Mama. I knew it and I couldn't stop it.

The laundry needed to be folded and put away; another load was waiting. I didn't have time for blocks or reading books.

I may have chosen my phone over "The Very Busy Spider."

I did choose my phone over "The Very Busy Spider."

I was a bad mama. I knew it and I stopped it.

The next tug I felt on my leg made me pause. 

My perspective changed when I got on his level; it always does. I suddenly had time.

I thought I was supposed to be the teacher?

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Linking up with Mama Wants This and These Little Waves for Memories Captured.

One Just Like Him

He bobs around me - scanning the room to find your face. He doesn't need to be in your arms but he always checks that you are near.

He comes to me when he's hungry; I gladly fix his meals.

He comes to me when he's hurt; I gladly hold him while he cries.

He comes to me when he's tired; I gladly turn out the light.

But you? You are whom he watches, listens to and learns from.

When I tirelessly practiced sign language to no avail and he first signed 'bath'? He mimicked you.

When I worried that he didn't point or wave 'bye' by his first birthday and you pointed up? He mimicked you.

When I feared him falling from the bed you scooted him around and said 'feet first'? He mimicked you.

One would expect me to be jealous; but, I am proud. Proud to have a little man so similar to the first man I love.

One just like him.

Wordless Wednesday: Shades

Wish You a Cup

Just like that the holiday weekend had come and gone.

We are not a very religious family in practice but there is something about Easter that just screams new beginnings. With each new beginning comes hope, love and yes, even faith.

They come in some expected places - these words.

Tucked in nicely between two of your favorite people, gluing your whole world together.

And some not-so-expected places.

Sneaking in there between Great-Aunt hugs and cousins who are learning the meaning of sharing. Every one's expression in that photo sums up life and new beginnings quite nicely: some of us dive right in grabbing away while some of us hang on stubbornly. I hope this new season has our little family diving right in.

Our religion? Is the faith that Poppy will always have fresh shortbread cookies on hand for any grandchildren or even great-grandchildren that make themselves comfy in his faithful recliner.

His stories? His life experiences? His good nature? They are our family's scripture, one that has raised four children, 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren without fail. Poppy just has so much hope that it is hard not to believe - in something.

I believe in laughter and in not taking life too seriously.

I believe in curiosity and hunting for the good stuff.

I believe in white blankets spread out on green grass and afternoon naps in the shade.

Whatever you believe, I wish you a cup that runneth over and a little extra whip cream on top.

Stomach Bugs to Swimming Pools

The stomach bug killed us.

Killed us dead.

D-E-A-D.

For 24 hours Kris and I were incapacitated. (Why is it not illegal for both parents to be sick at the same time?) Of course we still had little man and my mom to look after. It was miserable.

We set up camp in different rooms so no matter where Jackson wanted to play, there was adult supervision. We didn't move unless you count running back and forth to the bathroom. I won't get into detail - I am sure you can figure it out.

We ate cereal for dinner and fruit and veggies straight out of the fridge. We didn't change out of pajamas or shower or wash up. Pretty sure there were tears from everyone but we survived. (The 12+ hours of sleep might have something to do with it.)

And then? Our pool opened up and the sun broke us out of our prison.

So, I am still here hanging on and recovering. Hope the sun is shining for you my friends!