Dear Bradeon,
I can’t believe that you are 5 years old today. I can remember when you first came into our lives and how much you’ve grown. You are a very thoughtful, insightful, caring and loving son/brother. You are a big helper whenever you are asked to do something and you are very reliable. You are very well mannered and sensitive at times.
Your favorite toys are legos at the moment but you like matchbox/hot wheels cars, your optimus prime you got last year for your birthday, and various other materials. You are very imaginative with your toys and generally use all of them during a weeks time. This year you graduated from dupulo legos to the real deal. Although we are constantly finding the little parts all over and in Jillian’s mouth. You also got magna tiles and some science experimental stuff. We took you to legoland and you picked out the racers set. It was a wonderful day.
I made some cupcakes for your birthday that we shared with some homeschool friends and then we came home to play. Your dad came home from work and we sang happy birthday. You wanted to blow out the candle again, so we sang to you twice.
Your favorite food is milk. You always want a “baba” instead of eating something but you do love candy. Not a lot of candy--you do like good things in moderation. Your favorite color is blue.
On Sunday, we will be celebrating your birthday with your friends and relatives. All of your cousins will be there and your grandparents. We’ve hired someone to bring in some animals for you to view and learn.
It was a fun year watching you grow and see how much knowledge you have gained from the prior year. We are homeschooling you and you are doing amazingly. You love for us to read books but you are trying to read on your own. You know all of your letters and most of the sounds. You love to count and can count to 100 (maybe even further if I ask). You don’t quite like to write yet. Drawing and writing are not your thing. You do like to trace your fingers on the letters with me while I make sounds as to how they should be drawn. You can spell your name and know your address. You are very smart young boy and are almost as tall as me at 5. I keep telling you by 10, you’ll be taller than me and can help me reach things in the top cabinets.
I love your spirit, you seem to have an old one. I see a lot of myself in you and am really proud. We want you to be successful at whatever you decide to do in life. We are here to give you the tools and wisdom to do so.
We love you so much and can’t wait to see how the next 5 years turn out.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
How did my mother do it?
Today I was trying to do many tasks and while I was in the kitchen, Jillian pulled up one of her push toys and proceeded to climb on top. She was trying to get something off of the counters. One of the boys pushed the toy in the kitchen and she decided to use it to her advantage. I said wow, how did my mother do it?
The boys were not much climbers. In fact, Braedon has to be coaxed into climbing things that are intended for him to climb! Sebastian is more adventurous but not like Jillian. She’ll try to get up on everything and I’m constantly keeping an eagle eye on her to keep her out of harm’s way.
Unfortunately, my mother is unable to tell me if my siblings or I were this ambitious or how she handled this situation. I know there were times my mother was the single parent as my father was out fighting the Vietnam War during 2 tours of duty. She had to manage 3 kids by herself.
This then leads me to a discussion I was having with my husband about raising our kids. I sometimes question the ideas we have about raising them and if we are doing right by them. Should we being doing this or that? What if we didn’t do this or that? I never let my children see me doubting my parental abilities but I do often wonder.
I afraid there will come that day when we get into an argument and they question me about my parental style. So I have decided to write this now as they are young (5, 3, 1.5) to let them know the sacrifices we have made to have them in our lives.
Here are the many things we wanted to give you:
I decided to stay home and not work to be able to teach you everything I know and more. Your father worked long hours but played with you every second he could. I breastfed each one of you and lost many many hours of sleep so that you can be nurtured throughout the night. When you needed to be cuddled, snuggled or just needed someone with you for comfort, we always said yes. All of the many games we made up and played like goodluck on the bed, tag, hide and seek, baseball, or you can’t make (get) me. For all the baba’s you needed throughout the day and night. I took you to museums, zoos, Legoland, arboretum, park, and other special places so you could experience everything. Sometimes we would just take our bikes and ride around the town.
I admit to you now that I’m not the best parent but I can state that I’m doing the best that I can to give you the best life has to offer. So when it’s your turn to ask how did you do it? I’ll simply say: I just did it. I know I can always use this motto to help me get through the toughest days and hope that tomorrow will be better.
To see you smile, laugh, play and learn is all that we ever envisioned when we decided to have you.
We love you and always will……
The boys were not much climbers. In fact, Braedon has to be coaxed into climbing things that are intended for him to climb! Sebastian is more adventurous but not like Jillian. She’ll try to get up on everything and I’m constantly keeping an eagle eye on her to keep her out of harm’s way.
Unfortunately, my mother is unable to tell me if my siblings or I were this ambitious or how she handled this situation. I know there were times my mother was the single parent as my father was out fighting the Vietnam War during 2 tours of duty. She had to manage 3 kids by herself.
This then leads me to a discussion I was having with my husband about raising our kids. I sometimes question the ideas we have about raising them and if we are doing right by them. Should we being doing this or that? What if we didn’t do this or that? I never let my children see me doubting my parental abilities but I do often wonder.
I afraid there will come that day when we get into an argument and they question me about my parental style. So I have decided to write this now as they are young (5, 3, 1.5) to let them know the sacrifices we have made to have them in our lives.
Here are the many things we wanted to give you:
I decided to stay home and not work to be able to teach you everything I know and more. Your father worked long hours but played with you every second he could. I breastfed each one of you and lost many many hours of sleep so that you can be nurtured throughout the night. When you needed to be cuddled, snuggled or just needed someone with you for comfort, we always said yes. All of the many games we made up and played like goodluck on the bed, tag, hide and seek, baseball, or you can’t make (get) me. For all the baba’s you needed throughout the day and night. I took you to museums, zoos, Legoland, arboretum, park, and other special places so you could experience everything. Sometimes we would just take our bikes and ride around the town.
I admit to you now that I’m not the best parent but I can state that I’m doing the best that I can to give you the best life has to offer. So when it’s your turn to ask how did you do it? I’ll simply say: I just did it. I know I can always use this motto to help me get through the toughest days and hope that tomorrow will be better.
To see you smile, laugh, play and learn is all that we ever envisioned when we decided to have you.
We love you and always will……
Monday, September 13, 2010
Beloved Bjorn
I’m not sure how or where I first heard of the Bjorn but when I became pregnant with my 1st child it seemed like the latest in baby boutique to wear your child. So I did a lot of research and bought the “active” baby blue Bjorn on Ebay. The package arrived on a Monday and unknown to me, my 1st would be born that next morning. Perhaps this was a sign of fate? I remember riding the bus home and reading the Bjorn box stating you could wear your baby and breastfeed (later I realized that isn’t a possibility).
Well I never realized how much the Bjorn would be an integral part of mine and my baby’s life. I remember that as soon as I could wear him, he went in and loved every minute. I could cuddle and snuggle him wherever we went. When he was fussy, I could put him in there and instantly soothe him. Once I felt comfortable that he could face forward, a whole new world opened up for him. This lasted for almost a full year because he then began to walk and no longer needed to be carried.
When my second baby arrived, he instantly went into the bjorn. Although it wasn’t equipped with an infant insert, I bundled him up with a blanket and gently placed him inside the pouch. It was a great way to bond with him while we were out and about with his older brother. Again, I wore him all of the time. We never took the car seat out of the car. I always transported him via the Bjorn. As my 2nd began to get heavier, the Bjorn seemed to have started to wear on me.
As my 3rd child came along it was a no brainer for me to use the Bjorn. But either my body was failing me or the Bjorn was failing, I wasn’t able to wear her as long of a time as I had the others. Now keep in mind that I was also carrying around 2 other children and my stamina was low especially with a newborn. I dismissed the aches and pains and swore by my fabulous find.
The Ergo: I had been introduced to this carrier 1 year prior and I wasn’t convinced of its all mighty power. As my back continued to ache and friends encouraged me to get an Ergo. I resisted until I found one on sale for a price no one could pass. When it arrived I was in awe and saw the 3 different positions you could secure your child. Once I felt my daughter was old enough she went on the back and wow…..what a relief. I even breastfed her while walking her around in it. Amazing.
Poor Bjorn was resting in the basement for about 6 months when someone inquired if I had one for sale. I thought to myself why are you saving this? If you know of a product my superior, why would you hold on to it. So I had decided to sell my beloved baby blue Bjorn. I proceeded to tell this strange my life story with the Bjorn and how sad I was to let it go. But that her child would really enjoy it and so would she.
I had a tear in my eye as I let it go. Many fond memories were flying past and luckily have a few snapshots as evidence that I held them in the Bjorn. The new owner emailed the day after and informed me of how much her baby loved being in it. I almost felt like a pet owner whose cat had a litter and giving one of the kits to a new owner.
Bjorn: I’m glad you went to a new home where you will be loved once again and taken out on a daily basis. You had a wonderful life with the Joneses and will be fondly remembered. Thank you for being a nurturing part of my children’s lives.
Well I never realized how much the Bjorn would be an integral part of mine and my baby’s life. I remember that as soon as I could wear him, he went in and loved every minute. I could cuddle and snuggle him wherever we went. When he was fussy, I could put him in there and instantly soothe him. Once I felt comfortable that he could face forward, a whole new world opened up for him. This lasted for almost a full year because he then began to walk and no longer needed to be carried.
When my second baby arrived, he instantly went into the bjorn. Although it wasn’t equipped with an infant insert, I bundled him up with a blanket and gently placed him inside the pouch. It was a great way to bond with him while we were out and about with his older brother. Again, I wore him all of the time. We never took the car seat out of the car. I always transported him via the Bjorn. As my 2nd began to get heavier, the Bjorn seemed to have started to wear on me.
As my 3rd child came along it was a no brainer for me to use the Bjorn. But either my body was failing me or the Bjorn was failing, I wasn’t able to wear her as long of a time as I had the others. Now keep in mind that I was also carrying around 2 other children and my stamina was low especially with a newborn. I dismissed the aches and pains and swore by my fabulous find.
The Ergo: I had been introduced to this carrier 1 year prior and I wasn’t convinced of its all mighty power. As my back continued to ache and friends encouraged me to get an Ergo. I resisted until I found one on sale for a price no one could pass. When it arrived I was in awe and saw the 3 different positions you could secure your child. Once I felt my daughter was old enough she went on the back and wow…..what a relief. I even breastfed her while walking her around in it. Amazing.
Poor Bjorn was resting in the basement for about 6 months when someone inquired if I had one for sale. I thought to myself why are you saving this? If you know of a product my superior, why would you hold on to it. So I had decided to sell my beloved baby blue Bjorn. I proceeded to tell this strange my life story with the Bjorn and how sad I was to let it go. But that her child would really enjoy it and so would she.
I had a tear in my eye as I let it go. Many fond memories were flying past and luckily have a few snapshots as evidence that I held them in the Bjorn. The new owner emailed the day after and informed me of how much her baby loved being in it. I almost felt like a pet owner whose cat had a litter and giving one of the kits to a new owner.
Bjorn: I’m glad you went to a new home where you will be loved once again and taken out on a daily basis. You had a wonderful life with the Joneses and will be fondly remembered. Thank you for being a nurturing part of my children’s lives.
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