Twenty Things a Mom Should Tell Her Son

TWENTY THINGS A MOM SHOULD TELL HER SON

1. Play a sport.
It will teach you how to win honorably,
lose gracefully, respect authority,
work with others, manage your time
and stay out of trouble.
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone
for the sexual relationship,
so don't take something away from her
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you
to the dishwasher, oven,
washing machine, iron,
vacuum, mop and broom.
Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully
and don't ever start a fight,
but if some idiot clocks you,
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.
Forever is a long time to live alone
and it's even longer to live with somebody
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.
This includes her having a successful career
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.
Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts"
is because they're "private".
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely.
My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother
because I might be missing you.

From - Love Quotes - 16quotes.com

Christmas Morning

We all got up and put on our new Christmas pajamas.  Yours said "Baby's 1st Christmas."  They were a heck of a $1 score at Value Village!  Dylan helped you out by opening your presents for you.

Chistmas Eve 2012

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Jones' house tonight.  Your Dad remembered a picture of him in Grandpa Jones' stocking so we decided to stuff you into it as well.  You are just too darn cute.  

Grandma and Grandpa invited some of their friends to join us.  We sat around, told funny stories, and ate wonderful food.  You got lots of attention and passed around!

Grandpa Loren's stocking!

Grandma was so happy you weren't fussing for once while she held you!

Two Month Check-up

Cannot believe you are already 2 months old!  You are healthy and appear to be pretty happy.  Your weight today was 13 pounds 15 ounces and you were 23.75 inches long.  Both of those numbers put you in the 75th percentile.  Your head circumference was 41.3 cm and put you in the 90th percentile...why are we not surprised ;)  You and I seem to have the nursing thing down and you're growing great!  Love you.

We Pray for Children

"We Pray for Children" by Ina Hughes

We pray for children
Who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
Who like to be tickled,
Who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,
Who sneak Popsicles before supper,
Who erase holes in math workbooks,
Who can never find their shoes.


And we pray for those
Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
Who can't bound down the street in new sneakers,
Who never "counted potatoes,"
Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead in,
Who never go to the circus,
Who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children
Who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
Who sleep with the cat and bury goldfish,
Who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money,
Who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink,
Who slurp their soup.

And we pray for those
Who never get dessert,
Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
Who can't find any bread to steal,
Who don't have any rooms to clean up,
Whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
Whose monsters are real.

We pray for children
Who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
Who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
Who like ghost stories,
Who shove dirty clothes under the bed,
Who get visits from the tooth fairy,
Who don't like to be kissed in front of the car pool,
Who squirm in church and scream on the phone,
Whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those
Whose nightmares come in the daytime,
Who will eat anything,
Who have never seen a dentist,
Who are never spoiled by anyone,
Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
Who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children
Who want to be carried
And for those who must,
For those we never give up on
And for those who never get a second chance,
For those we smother.
And for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind
enough to offer it.

We pray for children. Amen.

Smiles and a Dimple

Not sure how I'm going to get a picture until you do it consistently but I wanted to share with you that you are now smiling!  I think it's still mostly associated with farting but it's so darn cute when you stop nursing to look up at me with your gummy grin.  I'm also pretty sure you are going to have at least one dimple - on your right side.  Your Grandma Colleen and I love dimples so I'm excited to see it!  That gummy grin melts my heart and nearly brings tears to my eyes.  Thank you so much for being here with us!

Hangin' With Tia Medina

Tia Medina came with us to Seaside this week.  She is so good with kids and kind.  She even watched you and Dylan while your Dad and I went out to dinner on our anniversary.  You were too easy on her though...you slept the entire time we were gone.  You even slept through her and Dylan coloring, squealing and making a fort out of a big roll of Kraft paper she brought.  I got some pictures of the two of you the next morning right before we went to the beach.  

I Guess We Know Where Grandpa Jones' Hair Went

This is your hair after a bath; all curly and cute.  Looks an awful lot like what Grandpa Jones' used to look like ;)

Thanksgiving Day 2012

Today was low key.  Grandpa Bud had to work part of the day so your Dad and I took you and Dylan mushroom picking.  It's really too late in the season and we only found three chantrelles but it was a nice walk!  Your brother loved the mud puddles.  Can't say that I blame him.  I still love them, especially on my bike!


I love being able to share these kind of things with you and can't wait to share more!

PS The blue blob in the center of my chest is you in the front-pack! 

Crappy cell phone pics cause I forgot my camera...but you get the idea!

Coffee Break with Auntie K

You and I met Auntie K at the coffee shop for a little break.  Dylan and your Dad stayed at the house and had waffles.

Helping Make Oatmeal Muffins

I'm not sure you're a huge fan of this chair but you seemed okay this morning sitting on the counter "helping" Dylan and I make muffins.  You weren't crying at least and you were included in the fun!

Just Because

Baby Shower-ish

Auntie K was thoroughly convinced you needed a baby shower.  I wanted to wait until you were here.  We did that for one with Dylan and I think it's more interesting for folks because they actually get to see the little blob.  We decided we probably shouldn't call it a "Coming Out Party" or an "After-Birth Party"...although I did find that a little funny.  Guess that's my black humor streak for ya!  Maggie at Grand Vines let us use her space and Annie made some wonderful decorations along with Christy.  The chocolate torte was to die for.  I'm constantly grateful for the wonderful people we have in our lives.  You are already so well loved!

Four weeks!

I cannot believe you have been in our world for four weeks already.  You are such a sweetheart.  And, you are growing so quickly!  Your Dad weighed you tonight and you were 11.8 lbs (with your clothes on).  Unbelievable. 

Everyone asks me how Dylan is doing with you.  I never quite know how to answer...other than to tell them you are the first thing he looks for in the morning and gives you kisses daily!  Well on the way to wonderful, loving brothers.  Thank you for joining us in this wacky journey called life!

Welcome to Planet Earth

Laura made you a beautiful quilt and sent this postcard with it when we got it in the mail.

 

First Halloween

We were going to put you in the giant pumpkin your Dad carved this weekend but I forgot and when I looked at it today it was moldy so I guess you dodged a bit of a bullet there!  We took you and Dylan to Deepwood Estate this afternoon for their Halloween/Fall celebration thing.  Tried to take a picture of the two of you together...you weren't terribly interested.  Barely got a picture of you by yourself ;)

Your shirt says, "This is my costume..." and Annie Potter made the hat!

Your Two Week Check-Up

Auntie Kim was sick so we saw someone else in her office today.  She was nice too.  You weigh 9 lbs 2.5 oz, are 21 inches long, and have a head circumference of 37.5 cm.  These all put you in the 75 percentile.  They also did the PKU test.  I made your Dad go so he could hold you.  It seems like an incredibly mean thing to do to a little baby!  But, as your Dad kept telling you, it's for a good reason.

You Too Are a Government Statistic

The first piece of mail your brother ever received was his social security card.  Turns out that was the same for you.  Not sure if this is a positive or negative statement on our government...but it does kind of freak me out!

Pressing Cider Self-portrait

You really are in this picture...you just can't tell ;)  We were watching while Daddy and Uncle Mike were pressing apples.  It was cold and rainy that day!

The Two of Us...Just Before You Were Born

You were born on Unity Day or some such thing.  Basically, folks were posting pictures on Facebook standing in unity against bullying.  So I had Christy take this picture at work so I could post.  Little did I know, you would be born less than 12 hours later!  How cool is it that we have a picture of us together, with you on the inside, on the day you were born?  Not my finest picture but definitely a fun one!

One week down...many more to go!

This isn't the greatest photo...just used the little camera deal on my laptop.  But, it gets the point across.  I can't believe you are a week old already!  It went by so quickly and yet, it feels like you've been a part of our lives forever!

Grandma Colleen's Thoughts on Being Here

Bringing You Home

I really dislike hospitals.  So much so, that I'd rather get discharged at 11 pm the day after you were born then stay the rest of the night.  Plus, the hospital beds don't fit me very well and hurt my back.  But...the hospital really prefers you have a name for the baby before you leave. 

Your Dad and I both take naming a baby very seriously.  So seriously, that at 1 am we still hadn't figured out a name for you!  And, we were tired and cranky to say the least.

I finally told the night nurse we were going to play stupid, take the paper work home, and bring it back later.  The lady who does the paperwork called twice the next day before getting a hold of me.  We learned that in Oregon you have a year to name the baby but she needed the paperwork to declare a live birth.  She really wanted it back!  

Rather than continue fighting, Grandma Colleen ran interference and we came up with your name.  Almost seemed harder than giving birth ;)  But, we both love your name (while I realize you may decide to be called something later).  And, the paperwork lady was happy.

Your Birth Story

Every baby has his or her own birth story; each is unique just like the baby.  And, I love yours!  Because your brother was early, I was having a hard time not be anxious/hopeful that you would be early.  You did not disappoint.  Today is Saturday evening as I write this.  

Wednesday, I went to work like normal and felt fine during the day; other than being tired.  But, I've been tired for what feels like months.  Came home, by bike by the way, and discussed potentially applying for a new job with your Dad.  He left for a study group for the class he's taking and Dylan and I were hanging out.  Around 6 I started feeling yucky.  Made dinner for Dylan but didn't really feel like eating myself so I just had a couple of slices of cheese.  

The yucky feeling was a lot like I felt when I went into labor with Dylan.  And, it seemed like it was getting worse.  Dylan had been playing at the park with Grandma Bonnie and your Dad made him a fort out of your car seat box and let him color it with markers.  Needless to say, he needed a bath!  I wanted to take one too.  So, I went ahead and put Dylan in the bath and called Grandma Colleen to tell her I thought I might be in labor.  Then, Dylan watched Curious George while I took a bath.  

I was starting to get a little nervous that your Dad wouldn't get back from the class in time.  Plus, Mary across the street, was at a meditation class and I knew she wouldn't get back until after 9 and she was supposed to watch Dylan for us.  Luckily, your Dad got back a little early.  I had all my stuff packed at that point and suggested to your Dad that I was probably in labor ;)  We called Marnie just in case and she told us if Mary didn't get home, she'd come sit with Dylan.  Then, I called Kathleen and explained what was going on.  She rushed right over!

A little after 9, I noticed someone was home at John and Mary's so I called again.  Mary had just gotten home and came over.  Kathleen got here at the same time so we left for the hospital.  I called Grandma Colleen again and let her know we were on our way! 

If you get to the hospital after 9 you have to go in through the emergency.  They wheeled us through the halls with a nurse running ahead with an emergency packet in case we didn't make it ;)  The nurse in triage checked me and said, "You're not going anywhere."  I thought she meant anywhere in the labor.  Then she said, "Your 5-6 cm dilated and your water sack is bulgy!"  That's when we realized she meant I was definitely in labor.  

They took me over to the delivery room, got me ready, you and I got in the tub and labored for a bit.  My water broke in the tub during a contraction.  It literally felt like some sort of explosion!  They promptly got me out and dried off.  Something about not having the baby in the tub!  I pushed and you came out about 15-20 minutes later, if that!  We were at the hospital less than 2 hours. 

I think you and I make a great team.  As soon as I offered you the breast you went to town with a beautiful latch!  And, you nursed for something like an hour and a half or so.  Quite impressive.  

I had thought these last few weeks that you were for sure longer than Dylan.  Maybe it was the being 16 days early but you were 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long.  Almost identical but just an ounce less and an inch shorter!  Thank you for helping to make it such a quick and smooth labor. 

Pictures taken at the hospital by Auntie K!

Day One

From Kim Heggen's cell phone.  Toys from Gma Colleen.