FI-NUH-LEE!!!

EJ finally lost his first tooth last night. It's been wiggly for quite some time, which is just my most favorite part of the whole process (hear that sarcasm?). "Look, Mom. Look how wiggly it is." At least 10 times a day. So, anyway, last night, his Dad was tucking him into bed, and in the course of pulling up the covers, my husband smacked his hand into EJ's face (nice, right?). I guess it wasn't too hard, since he didn't cry (EJ, that is). He did, however, have that wiggly little tooth pop right out. He's ecstatic. He's been waiting "for-eeeeeeever" to finally lose a tooth. It went under his pillow, where the Tooth Fairy (who thankfully had been preparing for this moment) left him a $5 bill. Geeze...inflation! When I was a kid, she only left a quarter! :) The TF did tip me off, though, that all the rest of his teeth are only worth a dollar. She doesn't want to go completely broke!

What we do for our kids...

A friend posted a website she found with hilarious songs to calm your baby (or maybe just yourself!). It got me thinking about the quirky and downright humiliating things we do for our kids (We even had a "Get That Poo-Poo Out" chant...and had to chant it EVERY time Emma Grace went...even in a public restroom!). Since I'm a huge fan of sharing embarassing personal information, here for your viewing pleasure are some songs I used to sing to Elliot.

To the tune of "Rubber Duckie" (you know...the Ernie one from Sesame Street):

Chubby Baby, you're the one.
You make kisses lots of fun.
Chubby Baby, I'm awfully fond of you.

Chubby Baby, joy of joys.
When I squish you, you make noise.
Chubby Baby, I'm awfully fond of you.

HA! Sometimes, I think I'm insane. I also sang (to the tune of How Much is that Dog in the Window?):

How much is that baby in the mirror?
The one with the sweet, chubby cheeks?
How much is that baby in the mirror?
I do think that baby's for keeps!

How much is that baby in the mirror?
The one with the big, chunky thighs?
How much is that baby in the mirror?
I just cannot believe my eyes!

And, not to be forgotten (this was usually reserved for diaper changes):

Smelliot...bum bum bum bum...Smelliot!
You are my Smelliot.
Smelly Elliot.
Little smelly Elliot!

Hahaha...I still sing these sometimes :) Even the older two join in!

Life, Love and Loss

"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

James 4:14b

The Bible says it so well. Our lives are fleeting...momentary...transient. Sometimes, that is a great relief. After all, the trials and angst of this world are also fleeting! However, many times, the concept of this "mist" of life is a painful thing. Nothing brings that home harder than when a life is snuffed out way too early. Friday, just hours after burying her grandmother, a young woman I went to high school with (and friends of my family) and her husband of only one year and 5 months pulled over to the side of the NJ Turnpike. For reasons unknown right now, he got out of the car and tried to cross the interstate. A car travelling the same stretch of road hit and killed him instantly, as his young wife sat in the car watching. A mist. He was only 27. A vapor. What was already a painful time for her just turned infinitely more agonizing. And all we can do is watch (and pray!). Memories inadvertently come flooding back, as with any loss. The initial pain, the grief, the numbness, the denial. My heart grieves for what she has lost...her husband, her best friend. But I also grieve for the experiences she was robbed of...having babies with her true love, buying their first home, those memories she will never get to make.

Life is a mist. We must make the most of what we have, since we never know when our mist will vanish. And now I'm off to pray some more...and hug my babies extra tight.

funny girl...

EG: "Mama, I wanna be a squib (squid)."
Me: "Why do you want to be a squid?"
EG: "Cuz I wanna be in water. Squibs live under the water."
Me: "Okay. Good night, honey."
EG: "Good night, Mama. I love you."
Me: "And I love you, my little squid."

She is SUCH a hoot! LOL

The best Christmas ever?

I'm not sure, but I think this might be one for the record books (at least my own personal "record book"!). This Christmas has been wonderful! My entire family was home...my brother from college in Springfield, MO, my step-brother from Dallas, TX, and my DH, kids and I were all there. My sister is living at home while pursuing her masters, so we were actually ALL together. My kids got exactly what they had asked Santa for (thank God they only asked for one thing each! LOL). They were so excited for Christmas, and their excitement was contagious. Christmas Eve service was at the church my Grandmom attends, which is what we did when I was growing up. We also even went to my Uncle's house after the service, just like old times...but without the tension that used to be there. It was really a perfect Christmas! My grandmother and great-aunt came on Christmas morning to watch the kids open their gifts, and my kids were so patient while waiting on them to arrive! :) I'm so proud of them!!! Here are a couple pics:

My beautiful, precious kiddos on Christmas Eve:

My brothers, sister and me:

Having fun:

Lions and tigers and doctors, oh my!

The more I see of my kids' pediatricians, and the more I talk to other moms with small kids, the more I feel that medicine isn't a science; it's a guessing game. Every doctor you see tells you something different. My two older kids have both had MRSA, as have DH and myself. Each different doctor, nurse, PA...whatever...we've seen has given us different information (and I'd say we've seen at least 12 different practitioners with this). One will tell you to try a certain treatment...the next tells you that treatment is completely ineffective. The same with croup treatments. My kids' pediatricians (and the AAP) recommend hot steam. They advise going into the bathroom and turning the shower on as hot as it goes. Let the room steam up and sit in there on the floor or commode. This has worked for my oldest many times over. He's had croup at least 8 times. Well, wouldn't you know it, someone else's pediatrician told her that steam makes it worse and at best, doesn't help at all. Their advice is cool, night air. *sigh* I don't understand how so many doctors can all tell you with certainty that they know what they're talking about when they all say DIFFERENT THINGS!?! I suppose they're "guessing" just as much as us moms are. :)

Expectations vs. Expectancy

Expectations - something expected; a thing looked forward to, a prospect of future good or profit, the degree of probability that something will occur.
Expectancy - anticipatory belief or desire

Many times, we have expectations for certain events, conversations, situations or even people - how we think things will or should go. Most times, we're disappointed because those expectations are not met. After all, can any person really meet our expectations all the time? We expect a person to respond a certain way. We expect our husbands to do certain things. We expect a situation to be resolved in a certain manner and with a certain end result. However, when we place our own expectations on things, does that leave room for God? Where's the flexibility for God's will to be done? In our minds, we've already figured out how it should be, and we expect it to be so.

As Christians, I believe that we are called to live in a state of expectancy - not expectations. We should be anticipating what God will do in situations...how He will lead conversations...how He is going to move. Instead of putting our own expectations at the forefront of our minds, we should be focused on being a part of how God's will is going to be accomplished in that circumstance. Going into situations with our own expectations will leave us bitter, angry and frustrated. However, if we can approach situations with a state of expectancy, we end up amazed, excited, refreshed and encouraged.