Picking up where I left off

I stopped writing over a year ago. So much was going on, and I felt like I had to document it all, but it was so overwhelming that I just abandoned the task completely. But then I remembered why I blog: to preserve my memories of my children. And they're doing such amazing, hilarious, sweet, inspiring things. I'm afraid if I don't write them down somewhere — and I'm not writing them down anywhere right now — then I'll forget them later, when I really want to remember them.

So I'm just going to pick up where I left off, without filling in any blanks, and just jot down what's important to me on a daily basis.

Today Benjamin is 6 months old. I can't believe how quickly time has passed. The nice thing is that I feel like, this time, I've really enjoyed his babyhood. With Isaac, my firstborn, I was so stressed and worried about whether or not the choices I was making were the "right" ones, that I sometimes forgot to cherish every little moment, and they passed so quickly.

With Ben, I'm not stressed, and I'm not planning his every developmental milestone months before it happens. So much so that I didn't even take a photo of his first bite of solid food (sweet potatoes). I've taken pictures of him eating (bananas today, in fact; his first meal was last saturday) but not his first bite. If I hadn't taken a photo of Isaac's first bite of real food, I would have felt guilty for months.

Anyway, Ben's 6-month checkup was today. It was a stressful time, with Ben crying all the way through his OMT and his shots. But, in the end, it was Isaac who had a meltdown.

I was feeding Ben a bottle before we left, and Isaac kept trying to poke the place in his thigh where he got a shot. I told him over and over, every which way I could think, not to poke Ben's shot.
"Do you remember what it feels like when you get shots?"
"Yes."
"Does it hurt?"
"Yes."
"Do you think, if I tried to poke you in the place where you got your shot, it would hurt?"
"Yes."
"Then you can't poke Ben's shot. It will hurt."
"But I want to."
In the end, I had to threaten him.
"If you poke Ben's shot, you can't have a sucker."
He poked Ben's shot, then proceeded to scream and cry and bed for a sucker.

He has an outburst like that at least once a day. But, for the most part, he's such a sweet boy. He's been working on asking for things nicely. So, when he wants something, his first request might go something like this: "Read this book, Holly."
Sometimes I'll tell him: "Can you ask nicely?" Other times, he'll correct himself. "Mommy, please read this book, please."

We've also been trying to remember to say our prayers before bed. Tonight we prayed together, and then I asked Isaac if there was anything he wanted to tell God or say thank you for or ask for. He said he wanted to ask for candy and say thank you for TV. I told him he could tell God whatever he wanted. Later, I overheard him:
"Dear God, thank you for the TV. Amen.
"Dear God, thank you for books. Amen.
"Dear God, thank you for my water. Amen."

To-do lists

I know it's a little late for resolution talk, but that's OK — because I don't do resolutions. At the start of each year, I compile a list of resolutions and then fail to keep any of them. Hell, I don't even remember what 2009's resolutions were.

The thing I am good at, however, is the to-do list. I thrive on lists, and without my daily to-do list, I'm at a loss. So here are my to-do lists, both for this year and for "someday."

Things to do this year:
1. Start exercising.
2. Save more money.
3. Pay off the car.
4. Budget for art.
5. Develop a plan of action to finish my bachelor's degree.
6. Eat fewer processed foods.
7. Manage time better.
8. Live more with less.
9. Be a good mom.
10. Volunteer.

Things to do someday
1. Go back to school. Finish bachelor's degree and get an MBA. Think about going further.
2. Buy a nice camera. Take a photography class.
3. Build a deck.
4. Build a garage or shed.
5. Plant a garden.

Wish me luck!

140 Characters

I was late to the Twitter party, but when I signed up a year ago, I totally fell in love with it. I use it mostly professionally, connecting with sources and getting story ideas, but I also use it to inform all 850 of my followers every hilarious thing Isaac does.

Here's what you missed in December:

Isaac's new step stool has a cubby hole. In it today I found his Chuck Taylors, a pair of panties and 5 tampons.

Isaac has learned how to shake hands. He's been shaking my parents' and my hands for about 30 minutes now.

http://twitpic.com/vqobb - I thought playing in the snow would be fun. It was not.

My kid is on track to spend all but 12 minutes of his toddler years in time out.

http://twitpic.com/vll7s - Look, ma! No hands!

Isaac found out tonight that Max does not like bananas. He does, however, enjoy french fries.

Fist time Isaac hasn't cried when I dropped him off at day care!

How to make your own wrapping paper. (You will need: butcher paper, finger paint, a willing toddler and patience) http://tinyurl.com/y97l29y

Is it sad that my dog has TWO Christmas sweaters? Maybe just a little? Oh well.

Funny how things work out

In August of 2008 I compiled two lists, one of things I want to do "some day" and one of things I want to do "right now."

I have not done any of the things on my "right now" list, which were mostly things I was passionate about at the time — becoming a postnatal doula, planting a garden, going to church. Things I thought would be easy.

I've accomplished quite a few things on my "someday" list, though. I've begun volunteering. I've bought a house. And, while I'm not rich, I've managed to pay off enough debt and take on enough freelance writing assignments that Isaac and I are comfortable.

So it's funny that I have yet to do any of the "easy" stuff, but the things I thought would be unattainable for at least 10 years... well, they weren't.

Going to start working on my lists for 2010 now...

What a difference a year makes!

Then:


Now:

Isaac dancing/pooping

He is so going to hate me when he is a teenager.

Things Isaac says

NUH! (No.)
Da ta (Thank you.)
Uh oh!
Brrr!
Mama
Dada
Nana (John's mom)
Isaac (Pretty clearly, actually)
Dah (Dog)
Dah (Elmo)
Duh (Duck)
Duh (Duh. I was shocked the first time I heard him say this. I mean, repeat me saying this.)
Hi!
Bah bah! (Bye bye!)
Ah da da (I love you)