Murals and Manly Mayhem

When we were waiting for Jr. to come, I told Jeff that he could pick the room color since I wasn't a boy, and maybe wouldn't know what a boy would like to have in his room.  Jeff picked out a bright green color, crayola green, actually.  It was almost unbearable in the sunlight and cast an eerie green glow out into the hallway.  But, once the room was filled, it became comfortable and oddly soothing.  It started off as a kind of a "Go, Dog Go!" theme, with dogs and race cars.  I was even able to find dog and race car fabric for his bedding and curtains.

He was quite happy with all of this until his sister was born and he started ripping off the race car wall decals.  I tried to move them around, put them up higher, but it was no use.  He wanted them down.

"Why did you rip your cars down?" I asked thinking it just had to do with feeling grumpy over having a new sister.

"I can't like it anymore," Jr replied as if it was totally no big deal.

All those hours of thought and planning, and in two short years, he didn't like it.  We worked so hard to find items that would last into little boyhood and not just be for babies.  But my son had other ideas.  He liked trains and animals.  So, up went a beautiful Noah's Ark poster given to us by Em's friend Jerry.  Apparently, it was in his room as a baby.  And in came a train table, and a Thomas Tank Engine pillowcase.  So, now his room is like every other kids room.  A conglomeration of favorites, a chaos of toys, a bed that rarely stays made.  When the girls were little this drove me crazy, but now, being older and hopefully a little bit wiser, I know that this too shall pass.  In the blink of an eye, I will wonder where the time went.

When he started reading "Goodnight Moon", he loved that he had a great green room.  We would read it and he would laugh that he was going to sleep in his great green room.  Score one for dad and the room color.  He also loves to point out that he doesn't have a telephone, nor a red balloon. But on a good note, he does have a comb and a brush, and knows that a bowl full of mush should really stay in the kitchen.

The other day, the great green room took on another transformation.  Em came in yelling that he was drawing on the wall.  This was a surprise to me because he only made a few marks on the wall as a toddler, and then understood that  crayons and paper were the best match.  I went in prepared to be angry when I saw a big, 4ft tall, 3 ft wide rendering of myself.  The step stool was next to the wall, and a crayon was still in his hand.

"What did you do that for?" I asked.

"It's you mama," he said.

"Why did you draw me on the wall?"  I asked, still eyeing myself in mural form.

"Because now I don't have to miss you at night,  I can see you on the wall if I feel scared."

Ok, now tell me how a mom is supposed to be mad at that?  Jr had been having some nightmares and was coming in for a hug every couple of nights for the last few weeks.  I dropped the scrubby sponge in my hand and told him he could keep his art there for a few days.  It's been a week.  No nightmares.  No getting up.  I think cartoon mom might have to stay on the wall a little longer.

I have some really big eyes in this photo.  Better to see you with my dear....... And the big ring around me is either a halo, because I'm such a saintly mom, or it's a jump rope.  Somehow, I'm thinking the odds are leaning towards jump rope.  Or maybe it's my aura.  Who knows?  

Anyhow, I had to tinker with this photo so that you could see the red crayon on the bright green walls.  It was worth the effort.  Now, at least, when I scrub this off the wall I will still have a reminder of when my boy was little and just a drawing of me made things better.  It's a blessing to be loved so much by someone so special.  

Last night, was a hotter night than it had been in a while.  After his bath he got into his undies, and I told him to find some pajamas.  And this is what he said to me:

"No, I'm just gonna wear my tummy, and my legs."

He went to bed in his undies.  He said goodnight to me and glanced over to the cartoon on the wall.  All was right in the great green room.  

Blessings and sweet dreams to each and everyone of you reading this.  

Cruisin' on a Sunday Afternoon

Well, we really couldn't have asked for a more lovely weekend here in San Diego.  Hubby and I were blessed with a day away from the kids, and we were more than ready to get out on our own for a few hours.  We had 9 child free hours with which to converse, laugh, and smooch every now and again.  Most of it was spent driving, but that's beside the point.

We took the '51 out to Chula Vista for the "Cruise for the Cause" car show and blood drive.  Now, I know you are thinking, ooh how romantic.  Maybe it's not extremely romantic, but it is loads of fun.  We had to leave Ramona at 6:30 to get there in time to park the car before the entrance cut off, so much of our time was spent driving, and waiting in line.  Once we were there, we were parked in the middle of Otay Towne Center Mall.  If you have never been there, it has a really nice atmosphere and some unique stores.  Then we got to walk around and meet other people with the same kinds of cars. The men folk talk car talk, and the women chit chat and agree that the men could have worse vices than cars.  I actually think that Jeff and I might have met out future selves there.  We came across this couple that was so much like ourselves, but twenty years older.  It was a trip.  We enjoyed talking to them.

Now, on to the photos:

This was definitely my second favorite display of the day.  This beautiful  car had a carved head that was a little larger than life hooked to a stuffed body.  My photo didn't do it justice.  Fun, cool, beautiful car.  

But my favorite display of the day was definitely this:

Now there's a good looking man and his car!  Jeff has worked so hard on this car, and if you saw it from when we first brought it home, you would be so impressed.  I would show you a before and after pic, but like  idiots, we never took a before photo.  It's a work in progress,  we drive it around and enjoy it for what it is; a classic piece of Americana that is slowly morphing into a custom car.  I am so proud of all the work that Jeff has done on this car, especially since he has done it all without any expensive metal working tools.  Just patience, time and love.  Pretty cool, huh?

We had a great lunch and took this photo after:

We had to laugh over this one.

Anyhow, a wonderful day was had by us, and we enjoyed each others company.  After 19 years, it's a blessing that we still find each other interesting and fun.  Jeff is certainly my favorite person to have playtime with.  I'll take a date with him any day! 

Fishes are Wishes

When Ems was about to turn four years old, we asked her what she wanted for her birthday.  She said, "Fish".  She wanted a big tank like her friend had, with lots of colorful fish.  We had fish before and I wasn't too excited about having to take care of a tank again.  I asked her why she wanted fish so badly, and she said, "because, fishes are wishes!"  Needless to say, we added a tank and some fish to our house.  These fish made the move with us, and we maintained the tank for many years, until we were down to just one fish.  Finally, we put the tank away.  The phrase "fishes are wishes"  is used in our house to acknowledge something really good.  We also use it for things we want to get or do, but can't have.  Like if we want a new car, but can't afford to get one, we say, "if fishes were wishes."  Crazy, I know.  But these things evolve in a family, and it has become one of our quirky sayings. We all enjoy the beach and sea life, and living in such a dry area, we were feeling a little sea creature deficient.

Last Sunday we made a wonderful trek out to Birch Aquarium.  Little Kitty Kat had never been to an aquarium before, and I thought it would be neat to take her and Jr. to see some sea life.  Jr. had been asking for days if we could go see the sea horses.  Not wanting to spend a small fortune on Sea World, we thought we would go and see what Birch looked like after all these years.  I had been reading online about their new additions, and lets be honest, the price was right.  Adult tickets are $14 a piece, kids 3-17 $9.50, and with two coupons to get a kid with adult admission, it turned into a cheap outing.  Ems went with us too, Kitty Kat was free, so we were all there but Lecibug, for only $28 dollars.

They have so many wonderful tanks there at Birch.  Jr. couldn't contain himself, and he ran from tank to tank in awe of the beauty contained within.

Kitty Kat was so excited to see the fish.  Big J was carrying her so that she could see over every one's heads, and so we wouldn't lose her in the dark in the crowd of people.  He said, "You have to hear this!"  I leaned in close and Kitty was repeating over and over again, "OOOOOOH........Fish! Fish!"  She loved them so much.  I tried to record her little voice saying it, but it was drowned out on the recording by the echoes of everyone else.  

Onward to the next room, and Jr began asking where the sea horses were.  He was on a mission to see sea horses and the whole outing wouldn't have been what he had hoped for if we couldn't find some.  I never put much thought into the fact that the logo for Birch is a sea horse.  I was just looking for an outing that wouldn't cost a small fortune.  So, we turn the corner, and not only are there sea horses, there's a whole room of sea horses.  All kinds, large, dwarf, you name it.  All the stars of the sea horse world were there, and in so many colors.  Jr. was ecstatic.  

See the tiny sea horse in the bottom of the tank?  Pretty cool, huh?  Jr. sure thought so.  There was also something that I have never seen, or maybe I have and was not paying enough attention.  Have you ever heard of a Sea Dragon????  I hadn't and I was in awe.  They are the most delicate, amazing sea creatures.  I tried to get a good picture, but I was using my cell phone.  Check it out:

Look right in the middle of the plants....

So, after the sea horse room, and the tide pools, Jr. thought it just couldn't get any better.  Until we went to the outside play area.  They had a wonderful set up about energy and motion.  One display was about the power of water to move things, and how you can increase or decrease this power by blocking or releasing water.  Water, boats, and other little boys to play with...what could be better?  (For Jr. that is..)

When I asked him later what his favorite thing was, he couldn't decide between the boats, and the sea horses. Kitty Kat continues to talk about the fish.  I think she would love to go see them again.

Em's was quiet most of the time.  She was a little tired and maybe wasn't up for the trip out that day.  I think she enjoyed seeing the fish.  I highly reccommend Birch Aquarium.  For the price, it was worth it.

A good time was had by all.

On the way home, my husband reminded me that we still have our large tank in the garage.  I think that the kids aren't the only one's who enjoy the fish.  I admit I'm a sucker for them as well.  After all, "Fishes are Wishes!"  

Many blessings to you all, and may all of your wishes come true. 

Birch Aquarium:

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

Coupon for Birch

http://sandiegan.com/coupon/Coupon-BirchAquarium.html

Breastfeeding is a Blessing

This post is in honor of World Breastfeeding Week, which is occurring  Aug 1-7.

I have had so many wonderful moments with my children and some of the best memories in my mind are those quiet moments with my infants tucked in the crook of my arm, snuggled in close, with their tiny little face attached to one of my breasts.  With the first child, I was so concerned with covering up my breasts, as if anyone saw them it would be akin to seeing me completely naked.  I didn't want to go out anywhere, because what if the baby needed to eat and there wasn't a place to get away from people?  What if I put a blanket over the baby, and it fell off, and GASP, people saw my breast?  What would they think?

Well, now it seems so silly.  What would people think?  They would think that I was breastfeeding a baby and the blanket fell off.  Duh.  But my worries and concerns really originated with my own attitudes that I carried about my breasts.  When I was a teen I just wished they would go away.  It seemed as if they were always getting attention that I didn't want.  I wished they were completely flat and unnoticeable. (And honestly, back then they were pretty flat and unnoticeable, but that was not how I saw it.)  When I found out I was pregnant years later, I wasn't sure if I was going to breastfeed.  After all, I didn't really like my breasts, and I was afraid that breastfeeding was just going to bring attention to them that I didn't want.  I watched with horror as my A's turned into C's and then into D's almost overnight.  And I didn't even have milk yet.  For someone who was already uncomfortable with her breasts, the new growth kind of freaked me out.  Thankfully, I discussed my fears and issues with a lactation consultant before Alicia was born.  She assured me that I might like breastfeeding, and that many women find they come to love and appreciate their breasts once they are able to use them for their intended purpose.  So, I gave it a go.  And all these years later, I am so glad I did.

Attitudes have changed incredibly since my first breastfeeding experiences 14 years ago.  At the time, it was even hard to find nursing bras.  My breasts were so large that I had to special order nursing bras from a company which assured me they would be shipped discreetly, as if I had something to be ashamed about.   It wasn't like I was ordering something illicit, I just wanted a bra to fit my newly milk filled boobs. 

Finding a bra wasn't my only problem back in those days.  It was also hard to find information.  Although the internet was up and running, it wasn't the same as it is today.  No, instant responses.  You might have waited a half hour for a page to load.  I had no one to turn to for information.  Neither I, nor Jeff was breastfed, so our moms couldn't help with advice or encouragement.  I was exhausted from giving birth, and I wasn't sure if a baby was supposed to nurse that often.  I knew I had a lot of milk coming out, it was after all, leaking everywhere.  But I continued to be told by well meaning people that "it's not quantity, it's quality".  In other words, if you made quality milk, your baby wouldn't want to feed so often.  It made me anxious, and nervous.  I had no faith that my breasts could provide for my baby.  Thankfully, when I was about to give up, my Aunt Sharon called that day to find out how we were doing.  An experienced breastfeeding mommy herself, she was able to ask me a few questions.  I will always remember her soft voice over the phone telling me, "You are doing just fine.  Don't stop.  It will get easier.  It's sounds like you are doing really well."  I don't think I ever told her what a difference her words made.  It was her encouragement which allowed Alicia to continue to be breastfed.  And sometimes encouragement is all a newly breastfeeding mother needs.

Now, fourteen years later, I have noursihed four children.  The littlest of which still continues to this day.  I have no problems whipping one out in public, and can do so calmly and causually without anyone knowing. I have made peace with my breasts a long time ago, and I am proud of my ability to nurture and feed my children.  And while I know that breastfeeding isn't for everyone, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to feed all of my children.  Breastmilk is a blessing for sure. 

BREASTFEEDING "FACTOIDS"

• Human milk has been shown to kill cancer cells in a laboratory dish and has been used in oncology.
• Mother’s milk has immune properties that can deliver a particular antibody in response to a new germ in the baby’s environment.
• No two mothers produce identical milk.
• Mother’s milk is uniquely suited to meet her baby’s nutritional needs.
• Breastfeeding decreases the incidence of dental cavities and the need for orthodontics.
• Up to 50% of the iron in human milk can be absorbed by the infant, as compared to 10% in cow’s milk, and 4% in iron-fortified formulas.
• Adoptive moms, grandmothers, and yes, even men have been able to lactate for an infant.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The more months a women breastfeeds over her lifetime, the greater the protection.
• The amount of fat in a mother’s milk varies from feeding to feeding and from week to week. The fat content of the milk changes even during a feeding.
• Mothers of premature infants produce milk that is higher in protein and other nutrients than milk produced by mothers of full-term infants.
• Breast milk contains stem cells.  

Pretty amazing stuff huh?

"Milk is a side effect of love." 

Christina M. Smilie, MD

I also have to give credit where it is due to Heather Cushman Dowdee for the breastfeeding art.
Find her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mama.is.comic

B.Y.O.B!
(Bless your own B(.)(.)Bs)

A Million Words or Less about Alicia

When Alicia started the eighth grade, she came home with her first assignment for English class, and low and behold, the assignment was for me.  I had a week to write a million words or less about my beautiful daughter.  I am posting it here because I think it bears reprinting.  

            Alicia was born on a clear, bright day on the 20^th of May in 1997.  She arrived a full three weeks early, much to the surprise of the doctor who told me just days before that I still had plenty of time to prepare for her birth.  Her early arrival doesn’t surprise me now at all.  If it is one quality that Alicia has, it is a need to be punctual.  The phrase “fashionably late” does not exist in her world.  She arrives early for school, and youth group.  All of her assignments are completed long before they are due.  Many a night has been spent helping her finish a project that I assumed was due the next day.  Upon completion, I would find out that it was due the following week.  She reached all of her developmental milestones early as well.  From walking to talking, writing to reading, she was always ahead of others her own age.  She is the embodiment of the phrase, “Why wait for tomorrow, for what you can do today”.

            Ever since she was small, Alicia has loved books.  Her father and I spent so many hours reading to her that we could recite books in our sleep.  To this day, I can still recall word for word of “Jessie Bear, What Will You Wear?”, while her father is forever imprinted with “Go, Dog Go!”.  Her love of books made her enamored with the printed word.  She could write and spell her name at two years old.  I will never forget taking her to a mommy and me class.  The first day the teacher spelled her name wrong on her name tag.  She said, “A-L-I-C-I-A spells Alicia.  This name is wrong!”.  Shocked, the teacher changed her tag.  She still loves books and spends her vacations and summers devouring novels.  Her well worn favorites adorn her bookshelves in her room.

            Alicia’s name is the Spanish version of Alice, and that is the pronunciation that she prefers.  Many doctors, dentists, and teachers have pronounced her name “Alisha” and she quickly corrects them.  Now, 13 years old, she has resigned herself to the fact that many people will say her name wrong.  Her friends call her Lecie, a name she called herself as soon as she could speak.  A select group of friends call her Momoko, after her favorite Japanese character.  Her younger brother and sister simply call her “sis”.

            Music has always been an important part of her life.  Ever since infancy, there has been music playing in her room.  It may have started with Baby Mozart and Sesame Street, but it continues today with an Ipod filled to the brim with every genre of music you could imagine. Her favorites are Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and Owl City. 

            Her love of music led the way to dancing and singing.  When she was young, she took many dance classes and still loves to dance today.  She enjoys taking part in the after school dance program at OPMS. Alicia is my songbird.  She loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. She has also been in choir since elementary school and this will be the first year that she won’t participate in choir.  I will miss hearing her beautiful voice perform.                      

            Alicia’s room is the “tech department” of our house.  I joke to her grandparents that she was born with “plug and play” technology.  Anything that lights up, plays music, computes or snaps photos falls into her domain of expertise.  Just the other day I remarked how I wished I could put a photo from the computer on my cell phone.  A look of pity washed over her face as her fingers sailed across the keyboard at lightening fast speed.  Two seconds later, my phone chirped that I had a message.  There was the photo I wanted.  Sometimes I think I will find a USB plug at the end of one of her fingers.

            The one thing that Alicia is most interested in is Asian culture.  She has always loved Asian cuisine, and was able to use chopsticks appropriately without ever being shown.  She watches television in Japanese on the internet, listens to pop music from Japan, and pod casts that teach Japanese.  Her favorite is Japanese anime.  She reads manga books translated into English.  She has her own blog about the different anime cartoons, and is always drawing her version of manga, which are beautiful girls with big doe eyes.  Her favorites are Tokyo Mew Mew and Ojamajo DoReMi.  In the long term, she wants to visit Japan when she is older.  In the short term, she is looking forward to going to ComiCon with Ariel next summer.  Many friends don’t understand her tastes, but I am proud that she finds her own interests and doesn’t care what others think.

            Always the social butterfly, Alicia has many friends at school and church of varying ages.  As a Facebook regular, she keeps in touch with school friends, friends who have moved out of state, former teachers, and long distance family members that we usually only see at Christmas. 

            I can always count on Alicia to help around the house.  She is an amazing big sister to her three siblings.  She is patient, kind and loving with them.  She has helped to change diapers, even the stinky ones, and we all know how gross that is!

            How do you sum up such an amazing girl in a million words or less?  It’s hard, but here it goes….She’s bright and funny.  Beautiful and photogenic.  Her eyes sparkle when she smiles.  She has an infectious laugh and a crazy sense of humor that the  two of us share.  She looks like her father, talks like her mother, but is entirely her own unique person.  Flaming hot Cheetos, Three Musketeers, and the occasional Vanilla Frappacino from Starbucks are her favorite treats.  She will eat anything but green vegetables.  Pork ribs, Sheppard’s pie, Chinese food, and cheesecake are her favorites.  She is the queen of Wii Fit and holds all the #1 rankings in our house.  She’s a Taurus and sometimes can be a bit bullheaded.  She has a fiery temper, but is fiercely protective of those she loves, including her friends.  She has strong hands and gives the world’s best foot massage.  A go getter, she works hard to achieve whatever she wants.  A natural born leader, she will undoubtedly be the CEO of her own corporation.  Without a doubt in our minds, her father and I know she has a bright future ahead.  We see her for exactly who she is:  an incredible girl that we are blessed to be able to call our Daughter.

           

            

Creativity At Work-Homemade Finger Paint

Both Junior and Katie have been feeling kind of creative lately.  Katie has been getting the hang of crayons and is much easier on them than her brother, who thinks he needs to apply a ton of pressure to make them work.  He also loves painting, but we have painted so much lately that we had used up all of our supplies.  So, I decided that I would try to make some finger paint myself.  This is what we came up with and it worked out just fine, if I do say so myself!

Our Homemade Finger Paint:

2 cups water
2 cups flour
Food coloring

Sift the flour into a large bowl.
Slowly pour the water in with one hand while stirring with a whisk in the other hand.

Then sort the mixture into old baby food containers, or yogurt containers.  Add food coloring, mix well, and "voila" instant finger paint.

We found that this paint works pretty well for pictures unless it is put on too heavily, then it cracks.  But hey, it's good cheap fun.

While they were excited using their fingers to paint at first, they asked for their paintbrushes back.  But they had a good time making their creations.

Katie's Fingerpaint and crayon mixed media art!

All, in all I was blessed to have a little time with the kids quiet.  And I was blessed to still have this big paper that Lori Tipane gave me when she moved her classroom.  It's awesome for painting and drawing.  

Blessings to you all and many happy creations!

We're Godparents Again!

Today was a most special day for our beautiful nephew Ethan Smythe.  Not only is he our nephew, but he is now our God Son.  We love him so much and we are honored to be his God Parents!

Gracie with her little brother Ethan

We are blessed to be God Parents again, and so blessed to be the God Parents of these wonderful children.