Time moves too quickly

Recently, while visiting with a friend who has several school-age kids, I noticed how quiet her house was. I asked her where everybody went, and each of her kids had taken off to a different friend's house. Everything was completely still---very unusual, to say the least.

It struck me how few years it will be before Elijah is not going to want to hang out with his mom anymore---it's going to happen faster than I could imagine!

For the last few days, perhaps because he's been getting over a cold, or because our routine is slowly becoming normal again after the holidays, Elijah has been much more clingy and in need of Mama. Even when he's playing by himself, he just wants to know that I am there. Completely out of the blue today, he came over and smiled, gave me a big hug, and kissed me on both cheeks.

He is 17 months old, as of yesterday.

Or, he will be playing, and every now and then, will run in my direction, into my arms. I dread the day when that is no longer a favorite game of his! I'm sure he will never stop needing my presence or my hugs, but I am so thoroughly enjoying this current stage. (Of course, it occasionally is a little too much, like when I can't eat breakfast while Daddy watches him, because he knows I'm still there and starts calling out, "Mama? Mama?? MAMA!!")

So my friend's growing-up-too-fast kids were a reminder that I need to continue enjoying every moment. To be fully present whenever I possibly can. To put off the things that aren't urgent or important and BE with Elijah (put off housework: CHECK!). And my goal for this year is to figure out that balance a little better: how to put things off to spend time doing the important stuff, and still figure out how to get to the growing to-do piles in a way that doesn't stress me out.

Today we watched a friend get married, and as her dad gave a toast at the reception, it was as if Elijah's next twenty years flashed before me. This, God willing, will be me someday, standing by my child as he enters another new phase of life. It will be me, sending him off to start his own family.

Ok, rewind...back to today. Enjoy today, enjoy today, enjoy today!

My favorite memories from...today

Today was a really normal day. And it was awesome! I can't even explain what made it a good day. Just lots of little things that, when added together, made for a wonderful day. Such as:

After Elijah woke up, he wanted lots of hugs. We had a nice breakfast together, he ate everything I offered him (he's been going through a slightly picky phase, so this was nice), and he played nicely by himself in the high chair for long enough for me to eat and clean up.

My wonderful husband, who was sleeping in a little bit, then watched Elijah for an hour while I went back to sleep. An extra hour of sleep was an unexpected gift. While I was sleeping, he then prepared our dinner (in the crock pot). Another nice gift.

Elijah played happily until lunchtime, ate a decent amount of food, and was finding joy in using a spoon successfully. Such a simple thing, and he clearly thought it was cool that he's improving.

After lunch, I asked him if he wanted to play some more, or go straight to naptime. He laid his head down on my shoulder and held on tight....clearly wanting a nap. Unusual, but he has a little cold and played HARD today. :) We grabbed his teddy bear, and I got one very long hug before naptime. Ahh....then it was MY naptime. Again. Two naps in one day! Yay.

After finding that his laptop wasn't working (not nice), I got the nice surprise that he was coming home early since he couldn't get any work done.

Just before Daddy got home, Elijah was still in a cuddly mood, and then after that, initiated a game of "run into Mommy's arms." Over and over. He would run away, then turn, grin, I'd fling open my arms, and he'd run to me with a huge smile. I don't think it gets much better than that! This is one of my favorite things about being a mom.

After Daddy got home, we continued the game, this time with Elijah running back and forth between the two of us.

Then laughter ensued when I went to get a snack (I forgot to eat lunch): With Elijah on my lap, I started eating a tortilla. Elijah grabbed it, sneezed all over it, took one bite, and then put the tortilla down. I don't want it now! So I let him eat it. That's one way to steal mom's food, I guess!

Mmm, I want some!

How much of this can I get in my mouth at once?

Mom: "You're so cute."

Elijah: "I know."

We ended the day with a family trip to Target, a yummy dinner, and bedtime.

A totally normal day. Average. Didn't do much. And yet, it was great. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Being Called "Kiddo"

There's an older gentleman I know who always calls me "kiddo" when he sees me. "How ya doin', kiddo?" I think it's kind of funny. If it was anyone else, this might bother me. But it made me wonder, how old would I have to be for him to stop calling me that? Is it a compliment (he thinks I'm younger than I really am) or something he says to everybody (under age 60)? Now that I have a "kiddo" of my own, this is particularly funny.

Speaking of my kiddo, here's a recent photo. (This is right after his very traumatic first haircut!)

So long, warm weather. We will miss you.

I am coming to terms with the new, very fall-like weather we are having. I am looking outside at some very sad-looking trees and wet pavement. I love the fall color when it's warm and sunny, but somehow on a day like this, everything just looks dreary.

So, in light of my displeasure at the current scene outside, I am posting some pictures from our last trip to the park. It was a glorious, sunny day, and Elijah was exploring, and getting quite dirty in the process. For some reason, he also wanted to crawl down the sidewalk instead of the grass.

I'm hoping for just a few more beautiful days! I think he will have a blast once the leaves have fallen from the trees. He still tries to eat leaves, and once there are thousands of them to choose from, he just may not know what to do.

I just pulled out all of the long pants and long-sleeve shirts, ready for fall. E has also outgrown his previous size, so it's very convenient that I only have to switch his stuff out once this month! Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that he will stay in this size all winter, so I don't have to find cold-weather gear in the next size up. (Side note: I went to an awesome children's sale on Saturday and found several great bargains, including a snowsuit. Normally I would buy an extra size up, but I couldn't pass up the deal...so, little dude, please don't have a massive growth spurt until AFTER the snow is done falling, whenever that may be!)

Video from Today

Today, I awoke full of energy, which for me, a non-morning-person, is very rare. I got up, got some things ready for Elijah's breakfast, and then got him up when he awoke. Did the whole routine, and had some fun play time.

The energy has continued throughout the day, for the most part. You wouldn't know it by looking at my home, but I've been able to get a lot of things done today. We had another fun time this afternoon, right before his nap time, and I managed to catch our new game on video. When I don't have a video camera in my hand, I get a LOT more laughter out of him...possibly because I can be a bit crazier, move a bit faster, etc.

I also love hearing him say "Mama." I'm sure there will be a day when I'll hear "mommy, mommy, mommy" eight thousand times and be annoyed by it, but for right now, the sound of it makes me deliriously happy!

So, I'm amazed that I was able to shoot, edit and post some video all on the same day! Here it is.

Up, dressed and reading the mail

Our morning was a bit of an adventure...I didn't notice the, um, mess when I got Elijah up this morning. I got the sippy cup and he was drinking milk before I noticed that my arm felt damp. That can only mean one thing. Sure enough, his sheets were a mess, as was I, and for all I knew, every part of his body. I got him in the bath, and went on from there. By breakfast, I was pretty tired! I don't know why he's not sleeping right now; it's nap time, he's in his bed, and still talking to himself and yelling now and then. He looked so sleepy, but this is looking like it might be a one-nap day. Oh, well.

Time for some coffee!

Hi!

Moving things out of reach

Guess who discovered he can pull papers off the fridge? I had to
quickly move everything to higher ground.

In the children's book section:

Cute book with a very eye-catching title!

A Boy and His Car