Lets train

...he fixes things for me. After analyzing routers, modems, browsers, ISPs [by the way, I have no idea what any of these things are] he saved the day.

It was the stupid modem from the internet company. I KNEW it was suspicious when the [very late] dude brought it in.

So my loving hubby called them, stood in line, and demanded that they switch ours out. And voila~it works!!

He's a keeper, I tell you. And now onto some catch up posts...

In the following paragraphs everyone should allow you to prepare obtain important personal reference contingent on inspection of current articles Potty training my 3 year old likelihood controversy mainly because a lot of consumers in which are trying to find this kind of. around a blueprint Acquiring most people apply various google guidelines visuals that happen to be strongly related to Potty training my 3 year old .

Pictured previously mentioned it is easy to download and read and even keep the item into your computer system disk drive to make sure that in case you want it might be right used quickly. Potty training my 3 year old will be the essential in your case which wants to connected subject areas. For that reason many of us needed your gumption to get together your data just for the luxury of this tourists. Take note of all of our webpage this enables you to find more articles linked to the particular keywords and phrases

Potty training my 3 year old - that will help cultivate the interest of your prospects also are incredibly to help make this site. developing products you can released will we try on a later date for you to seriously have an understanding of soon after reading this article write-up. Eventually, it's not necessarily some text that need to be designed to persuade you will. although a result of the disadvantages connected with dialect, we're able to basically show typically the Potty training my 3 year old topic together these

My neighbor and also my cousin are both expecting their first babies. Sigh. I get a teensy bit Mother Hen-ish when interacting with first time moms because I have a serious soft spot in my heart for them. It's probably because it's ridiculously special to transition from zero to one. Indescribable, really. I can't help but smile when I think of the journey they are about to encounter.

But I severely dislike when seasoned moms tell newbies things like 'just wait' or when they try to one up and scare the soon-to-be-mamas with their stories. That helps nobody. They know it's going to be pretty monumental when they enter into motherhood and navigate the choppy waters of infancy.

Actually, I don't know what it will be like for them. I have no idea how their transition into motherhood will happen, but I know that it's going to be big. And probably awesome. And definitely challenging. But so worth it. So freaking worth it.

I started to get all nostalgic and purposefully read this post the other day: the one I wrote when pregnant with Truman, full of worry and uncertainty and a little bit of humor to get me through the unknown. I was twenty eight years old and pregnant for the very first time, on the cusp of something so gigantic that it was difficult to grasp the enormity of it. 'It' being motherhood. Gigantic, indeed. So abstract back then, and pretty much mind blowing to think that Truman, Cecelia, and Porter didn't exist at that point. Oh, how I would love to answer those questions and worries to my former self. But then again, I definitely don't have all of the answers, even 5+ years and three children later.

I can honestly say that I barely comprehend what life was like before having kids, as being a mom can be all consuming for me (and a lot of other women out there, I'm sure). It's not a bad thing, really, and I don't feel like I've lost myself in the process of becoming a mother. But T, C, and P are definitely the biggest focus of our lives right now....what on earth did we do with our time before kids? (answer: work, exercise, sleep, blogging. I think that about covers it). I am not the same person today as I was in 2009. I still don't have a freaking clue what I'm doing, what to expect in the future, or how to kick butt at this motherhood thing, but at least I do have some life experiences under my belt as M-O-M.

And so...

Dear Julia of 2009:

Carry on with the researching of baby gear, the meticulous internetting in relation to All Things Baby, the worrying, the wonderment. Continue to invest so much of your mind-space in the business of becoming a mother. But just know that you have no freaking idea how much your life is about to change.

I don't say that to scare you, or to make you roll your eyes at this haggard, experienced mom. Trust me when I say I don't have all of the answers. I know you assume that a mom of three probably has the motherhood thing figured out, but you'll soon learn that moms are human and constantly evolving with the ever-changing offspring. Still mostly clueless but a little less than pre-kids.

That baby you are carrying will rock your world, in the best way imaginable. He will be your greatest joy, along with his someday-siblings. You will come to know the highest of highs and the lowest of lows of life and as a mom. Molding little lives is not for the faint of heart, my friend. But in those brief moments of clarity, when you can step back and breathe and really come to terms with how incredible your job is as a mom. You'll understand that it's worth it. I cannot stress this enough.

All of the cliches are annoyingly true. It really does pass by with a blink of an eye (sort of). Babies really don't keep. Labor really is beyond any pain you could possibly dream up. (Worth it!) It really is the greatest love you will ever know. It really does feel like your heart is walking around outside of your body. Being a mom really will bring you to your knees like nothing you could imagine. You really will be so sleep deprived that you might consider donating body organs in exchange for a solid eight hours of the good stuff. Kids really are expensive. And they really will be the best thing that's ever happened to you. You won't want to trade it for the world.

Also, you will get gray hairs, wrinkles, have pancake boobs and a totally different body once you are a mom. I find it hilarious that you deem your bump as 'big' right now, because baby number two and three will make your first time bump seem like small potatoes. Yes, the superficial side of you will have to adapt with this new role in your life. But your body will also do things that will make you so proud, such as grow, feed, and comfort your babies. Those babies will share your body with you for awhile. Your body will do a great job, so cut it a little slack, alright?

See that guy over there, the one on the couch watching TV with you (or whatever)? You think you really love him now, and that you really know him better than anyone else, right? He is going to be a super hero dad. When you see your children look at that man you married, with their innocent and proud gazes, you'll get weak in the knees all over again for him. I guess you always knew he'd be a good dad but you couldn't have predicted how becoming their father would make you love him more than ever.

I know you are worried about being the perfect mother. Guess what? You won't be perfect, not even close. But you will be enough of a mom for these kids. They will forgive your lack of patience, overlook your mistakes, and continue to gift you with priceless 'I love you, mommy, you are the best mommy ever's. One of those phrases will trump ten hundred frustrations, which is good because there are a lot of frustrations as a mom.

There is also a lot lot heartache. You know that pit in your stomach you have right now? The automatic sense of WORRY that started with the positive pregnancy test? Yeah, that never ever goes away. Moms worry about their kids always, so you better get used to it and figure out a way to conquer that worry so you can still enjoy motherhood. You will love these kids so fiercely that you'll do anything to protect them. The big bad world can't be avoided, though, and neither can heartache. You'll try to prevent their pain but sometimes you just can't, and *that* is the hardest part of being a mom.

So continue your incessant hunt for the perfect car seat/stroller/high chair. Keep daydreaming about what it will be like to be a mother. And yes, get all of the sleep that you can. Go out to eat with your husband. Travel more. Live it up, girl. That freedom of spontaneity will be something you yearn for in the years to come.

But just know that my current self wouldn't want to go back to those early mom days, either. I'm content with our journey, Julia of yesteryear. I'm happy to be on the other side of those initial transitions. They were special but so is today.

You are going to be just fine. Hang on during the ride of your life, lady. These first few years have been incredible, and journey has only just begun.

Here's to many more transitions. More moments that move me to tears. More frustrations that make me question my abilities. More of it all, of this crazy thing called motherhood.


Christmas cards in 2009. Such babies, on the cusp of something great.

Dear Cecelia,

Oh, little girl. Where do I begin with you? I wrote your big brother a post recently explaining that I feel pulled to profess my love for each of you. I don't want you to ever question my thoughts on the subject, even though I'm sure you can read between the lines of your 72 posts on this blog. Your dad and I think you are kind of a big deal and you clearly think that about yourself sometimes, too;)

You are turning two years old in a few more weeks and I totally spaced on writing your twenty-three month blog post. This is the first time that's ever happened for me in my four years of writing monthly posts for my two children--sorry, my middle child! So instead of summarizing what you are doing at this age, I will just wait until you turn two for the details of Cecelia. Right now I want to focus on the details of my feelings about you being our daughter.

I wrote another post to you a few months ago which was similar to this one, and have mentioned your feisty personality many times. You are Cecelia and we wouldn't change anything about our sweet girl. I don't think we knew what we were in for when we saw those pink balloons, because we didn't understand what it would be like to raise Cecelia. Not just a daughter, but YOU! You have more spunk, sass, opinions, and emotions tied up in your tiny body than we could have known....along with more compassion, innocence, and a sense of humor that just won't quit. You exhaust me in the best way possible, CC. Sometimes I joke with your daddy that you either hate me or love me, depending on the minute. He always rolls his eyes at me as if to say, 'You know your daughter loves you all of the time.'

I suppose we do have a special bond as 'the girls of the house' and I am absolutely ecstatic to share in more stereotypical girlie memories with you. Our first mani/pedi date, back-to-school shopping, getting your ears pierced, fixing your hair and teaching you to embrace your red curls, figuring out makeup application (together, not my strong suit), talking about boys and best girl friends and how they are both amazing and can be tough, too. I look forward to all of this and more with you, sweet CC. I love having a daughter and I love having you as my girl. And if you want to do none of those girlie activities with me, that's fine, too. I'm totally down to follow your lead with your own personal interests. I secretly hope you are a bit of a tomboy like me but your love for tu-tus makes me think I might have a diva on my hands.

But beyond the typical female experiences, and mother/daughter bonding activities, I look forward to being your role model as your mom. Don't get me wrong, it's a HUGE responsibility and I am nowhere near perfect, something I'm sure you will realize as you mature. It's alright if you don't want to be just like me when you grow up. But I promise to do my best to show you that girls can be assertive with their goals, happy in their own skin, confident in their choices, and humble when they make mistakes. We can be both caring, compassionate and gentle combined with being strong, determined, and level-headed. Just like I told your brother in his letter, I want nothing but the best for you in life. I hope you are content, driven, well-adjusted, and that you truly enjoy life as much as you do right now nearing age two. Because, oh, you sure do love life. Your trusting innocence is another quality that makes me want to cry sometimes. Don't ever change, Cecelia. You inspire me to be a better person and a better mother for you and your brothers. You are simply the best.

When we found out we were expecting your baby brother, I started to worry about you getting lost in the shuffle, stuck in the middle, or that you'd struggle to stand out between your brothers. Very quickly I realized that it's impossible to ignore our Cecelia and you will be the perfect filling to the boy bookends of our family. A CC sandwich with two protective and adoring brothers----yes, I think that will suit you just fine.

So never forget that I love you. Sometimes I can't even form a sentence that properly represents my love for you, so I just keep on writing and rambling in a meager attempt to capture my feelings about my daughter. The bottom line is this: God knew exactly what he was doing when he placed you in our lives, and we are so honored to be your parents.

Even if you hate my guts someday, think I'm the lamest mom ever because of my rules, or that I'm embarrassing when I gush about you to my friends/the internet, I know that someday you will understand the love I have for you as my daughter. After all, I could have never understood how much my own mother loved me until I became a mom myself. For now I will cherish your hugs, your sloppy kisses, and even the licks to my nose when you pretend to be a doggie.

I love you forever, Cecelia. Unconditionally.



xoxo
Mommy

Blogger is being a little skank tonight and took approximately 5 minutes to upload each picture. Why does it have to be such a finicky little baby sometimes? Anyway...

This post is about dancing. I don't get the pleasure of gracing the dance floor very often nowadays. But when I do---usually at one of the numerous weddings we attend---watch out. A few glasses of vino and I become a regular Chris Brown. Why are you laughing? I'm serious, in my own head I'm a very good dancer. But in real life my friends tell me I only know one dance and that would be the infamous "Booty Dance." It mostly involves me squatting down to get eye level with my friends, then shaking my rump in a fit of liquid courage. It's extremely sexy, let me tell you.

I'm one of the lucky ones in the world to have these entertaining images captured in photos. Very expensive photos taken on the most important day of my life: my own wedding. Now I really don't know what got into me that fateful night because I wasn't extremely intoxicated or anything, so I'm going to blame it on the euphoria felt when surrounded by your bestest friends and greatest family on the happiest day of your life. That, and the fact that I got to hand select some of my favorite "booty shaking" songs prior to the big night. Gotta love D.J.s who listen to their brides:)

So without further ado, I present to you just a tiny fraction of obscene grinding pictures from our wedding. Trust me, there are countless others that didn't make it into this post mostly because of Blogger's attitude problem. I tried to steer away from my commonly selected shots for knot bios, myspace, facebook, etc but they all get jumbled together in my head sometimes. Enjoy!



And now for the real reason for my post: Chris Brown. I am obsessed with his dance moves. I watched his VMA performance multiple times while slightly drooling. I just figured out how to post a You Tube video on my blog and decided you should probably watch Chris break it down. After that, you'll need to watch "Live in Color" from America's Best Dance Crew. Their little routine is what caused my severe hip injury. Just watch the last little bit when they squat down low. You'll understand my pain.