The "Sentimental" Mom

Ok, so I'm in my last three weeks of pregnancy and I know I'm extremely hormonal, but I find myself getting really sentimental with my last few weeks of just Collin and me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic to have another child, but I do realize that after this next munchkin comes along, my time with Collin will always be a little bit different, and it makes me a bit sad, in that bittersweet way.

So I thought I should write down some things I would like to say to him about our special three years alone. I know if I told him now, he wouldn't understand, but maybe when he's older someday he'll read this and know how much his mamma loves him.

Dear Collin,

When you came into this world on February 29, 2008, I was scared to death. Being the youngest in my own family, I never had any experience with babies and I was sure I would break you or not be able to figure out what all that stuff I got for my baby shower was to be used for. I'm not going to lie, the beginning was rough. You didn't sleep much, you cried a lot, and definitely spit up on me more times than I can count.

But then something magical happened. One day you smiled at me. Another day you cooed. Then you rolled over. Then you started talking. It was as if each day you did something so cool and so magical that all the hard times were forgotten and I lived for these fleeting moments of awesomeness.



As you got a bit older and started to really become a person, I really felt bonded with you. I loved our funny conversations about what we were doing for the day. I loved when you would snuggle me and call yourself my "snuggle buggle bear." I loved that I would make up songs about you and you would finish the lyrics for me because you knew every word. I loved your hugs where you would declare, "that's so sweet" afterwards. I loved your shrieking giggles when I would find your "tickle spot" underneath your arm.



You truly have been my best buddy these past three years. We hang out every day and play. You run errands with me and know where all the balls and balloons are in Target and the grocery store. You talk to me about what you're scared of and what you love. I've been astounded by your growing imagination in the past few weeks as I've watched you play airplanes and cars. I really do love the person you are becoming.



That being said, I know when little Cameron comes things are going to change. You may not get the full attention you once had, but please know that you are no less loved and I'm still counting on you to be my best buddy as we try to raise this next little one together. I know you will teach him how to wrap momma and daddy around his finger just like you have mastered. I know you will be the best big brother ever because you have such a sweet, caring heart.

I love you, bug-a-boo, and I am so honored to be your mom and for the opportunity to watch you grow up into an adult someday.

The "Pregnant" Mom

I know I've been pregnant before, but I have to say being pregnant while you have a toddler is a whole new ballgame. I'm beyond tired pretty much most of the day and I'm finding it hard running after my little munchkin as he takes off down the aisles of the supermarket.

That being said, having Collin around for this pregnancy is kind of nice. I feel like I have a little buddy to talk about the baby with during the day while my hubby is at work. Oh sure, a lot of times Collin pretends he's not having a baby brother, but most of the time he listens and engages in a conversation with me intently. And it truly makes this pregnancy go by faster. Can you believe I'm in the last 8 weeks? Part of me feels like I've been pregnant forever, but truly it really has gone by pretty quickly. And knowing this is my last makes me want to savor every piece of food that is crossing my lips because I know I'll never eat with abandon like this again.

Here I am at 7 months...and yes, I've been eating well.



But I digress...the real purpose of this post was to talk about some things that people should never say to a pregnant lady. You would think people would have more common sense, but truly here is a list of things I have heard during this pregnancy that would have been better left unsaid.



1) Wow...you're really widening out (This was said by my own father...he claims he thought this statement would make for an easier birthing experience...huh??!!)
2) Are you sure you're not having twins? (Well, I've had like 12 ultrasounds and yes, I'm SURE!)
3) You're showing so early this time! (I guess I'd rather people say this and know I'm pregnant than for them just to think I'm getting fat, but seriously, I don't need to hear it either way...I can see myself, and every day I put on clothing that doesn't fit, I get it!)
4)You look like you're about to pop! or Are you due in a few weeks?(Both said to me when I was only like 6 months along...awesome).
5) Are you going to try for a girl? (I guess I understand this question since this is my second boy...but no...I'm not going to try for a girl...I mean, seriously obviously my husband makes boys and a 3rd child just to have certain gender that's crazy talk...they do realize it could be a 3rd boy right?!)

Ok, so if you happen to encounter a pregnant lady and one of these statements pops into your head, just refrain from saying it out loud. Instead say something like, "There is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman." Yeah, now that's something I'd want to hear!

The "Wannabe Chef" Mom

Ok, so I'm not much of a cook, but every once in awhile I stumble upon a great recipe that I somehow manage to pull off. When my husband asks me to make it again, I know it's a winner. And since it's almost T-Day,




this is the perfect recipe to use some of that leftover turkey. When you don't have roasted turkey laying around, you can substitute canned turkey or canned white meat chicken...just as tasty. These are also great for luncheons or showers. Super easy and they look like you had something professionally catered.

Here's the recipe:
3 oz. pkg. cream cheese
3 Tablespoons butter
2 cups cubed turkey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoot pepper
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon chopped chives/onion (I usually do a bit more...I like the crunch)
8 oz. can of crescent rolls
3/4 cup croutons (crushed)

-Preheat oven to 350.
-In medium bowl, blend cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of the butter (SAVE 1 tablespoon for later...I forget this often) until smooth.
-Add the next five ingredients and mix well.
-Separate crescent dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal.
-Spoon 1/2 cup of mixture into center of each rectangle
-Pull 4 corners of dough to top center and twist slightly to seal
-Brush tops with remaining butter
-Sprinkle some crushed croutons on top
-Bake on cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes. My oven is super fast, so it only takes like 18.

And viola! Here's what they look like:


Seriously so yummy! They go great with a simple green salad. Enjoy!

The "Straight Man" Mom

You know how in great comedy, there's always a "straight man." The one who really isn't funny, but makes the funny one funny?

For example, Laurel and Hardy:



Or the Jon Cryer character to Charlie Sheen's character on Two and Half Men:


Well, I'm that mom. I've never been particularly funny. Oh sure, I get a few laughs when I'm being self-depricating, but that doesn't really count. My own husband claims that when I try to be funny, crickets chirp. Whatever!

My son, Collin, on the other hand is hysterical. Well, correction, he is hysterical to himself. He seriously has one of the nuttiest senses of humor I've ever seen. I know part of it is probably being 2 and a half, but since he comes from two "unfunny" parents, I find it bewildering that he is a crack up. For example, he thought moving this cone at the pumpkin patch was hysterically funny:



Some things lately that I thought I should catalog that he thinks are funny:

1)Asking me what things are that he already knows the answer to. For example Collin says, "What's that?" pointing to a pumpkin. I turn it around (as all good parents should do) and say, "What do you think it is?" Collin replies, "It's a pumpkin!" followed by fits of giggles. Personally, I don't get the joke, but he does this all day long inserting different objects.

2) Telling me the wrong answer on purpose. I ask Collin, "What shape is that doorknob?" Collin says, "It's a trapezoid!" followed by fits of giggles. (I know you're thinking that's kind of an advanced shape for a kid his age, but he just learned it at preschool from a puzzle he was playing with!) I say, "No, it's a circle!" Again more giggles. I suppose this is a variation on the humor of the previous game, but again I don't really get it.

3) Laughing hysterically when I tell him to stop running. Now I realize this one could get out of hand when I really do want or need him to stop and trust me I'm trying to buckle down on the discipline of it, but it does kind of crack me up when he thinks I'm chasing him and he's shrieking with delight.

4) Saying certain words. Collin has what we call a "word of the day," that he chooses to be his funny word. Anytime it is said or he says it, he laughs hysterically. It could be a fun word to say like "zipper" or "trapezoid," but often it is just a normal run of the mill word that for whatever reason he finds hilarious.

5) Hiding from us in the house (in very obvious places, mind you) and then shrieking, "Where's Collin???!!" Like his voice isn't a dead giveaway. Again, the giggle fit follows.

I could seriously go on for days writing about his funny antics. I'm definitely glad he has a sense of humor. And I do love the sound of those giggle fits. But I do often wonder why he thinks certain things are funny, as I'm sure most parents do about their toddlers as well. So, go ahead, post about your favorite comedic kid moment. I'd love to hear about them.

The "Bumpy" Mom

Alright, so I'm four months pregnant, so I suppose it's time to post some "bump" pics. And while I'm gaining weight at a slower rate than I did with Collin (trying to pace myself a bit this time!), I somehow still look larger! Oh well, what can you do? I will post side by side shots so you can compare Collin to Baby #2.

First up, this is me 4 months pregnant with Collin:


Besides the portruding tummy, I look downright skinny in that photo! What happened?! ;)

And here is me 4 months pregnant with Baby #2:


Try to ignore the twitching eye in that photo...must be all that sugar I've been consuming!

And no, I'm just having one...there are no twins in there...just making a good, quality, roomy home for the kid I guess. I know some people think these bumps are cute and whatnot, but I really only think they are cute on other people!:)

Oh well, at least the end result is worth it!

The "Jealous" Mom

That's right, I'm jealous. Not of some insanely gorgeous woman, not of some fantastically rich celebrity, but I'm jealous of my own husband and here's why...

So, I'm pregnant! Yeah! After our miscarriage in May, I am happy to report that I about 14 weeks and things are looking good, despite some early bumps in the road. I'm super excited.

You know what's great about being pregnant? Eating! I am super lucky to not really get sick while I'm pregnant and truth be told I use being pregnant as a sort of free pass to eat without guilt. Oh I know you're not supposed to, but really, this is my last kid and I'm going out with a bang.

When I was pregnant with Collin, my husband was super supportive of my need to eat. He gained about 20 pounds while I put on my 50 and all was well with the world. Here's a shot of myself dangerously close to morbid obesity if I wasn't carrying a child:


But this time???!! Oh no, he's on a get in shape kick. He's eating better, he's exercising multiple times a week and I have to say I'm jealous, even a bit perturbed!

I mean really, can't he wait another six months and then we can both be on the get in shape bandwagon? It is truly no fun to be gaining at least a pound a week while your husband is losing it. Sheesh!

So, while I usually love my hubby, this whole working out thing needs to take a six month hiatus. Ok, I gotta go eat a piece of cake now. I've worked up an appetite typing this.

A "Secretive" Mom

Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love my life.

I have a hottie hubby who has an awesome job that allows me to stay home and live pretty comfortably:


I have the most adorable kid:


I really like my house and the town in which I live.

I've made some pretty awesome girlfriends who share my love of thai food.

On the surface my life looks pretty awesome, and for the most part it is. But there are feelings that I keep hidden. Things that bother me, dreams I have yet to accomplish that sometimes seem unattainable, emotions that seem unbearable at times...and today I found myself thinking I bet we all have these "secrets" that we tell no one. Not even our beloved hubbies for fear they won't really understand.

Maybe I'm too introspective, but sometimes I get lost in these feelings and have to pull myself out of the funk. Oh I'm not depressed or anything like that...I usually get lost in my "secrets" following some sort of event that bums me out or makes me start thinking that even the most "perfect" lives have tragedy and heartbreak. I guess it makes us stronger, more well-rounded people in the long run, but when you're in the moment of it, it just sucks. Sometimes I question God. Sometimes I wonder if God and I can have a "come to Jesus" meeting, but that seems a bit ironic, right?

So, "that mom" fans (all six of you!), do you have secrets too?