Mother's Day 2012

Making cards for Grandmas

The Best Mom...my wife

I have come to love Helena even more as I see her nurture and raise my two children. I'm grateful for her patience with them, but mostly her love. Helena is completely selfless when it comes to them.

I often forget that Esme is only 6 months old and continues to wake up once or twice during the night. I forget because Helena silently goes to her, feeds her, and puts her back to bed without a peep and never complaining. I remember her taking breaks from a long day and expect her to be up in her room taking a nap. Many times I’ve caught her just lying in bed playing with Esme instead, which to her, is the best treat she could have. Her lovely voice says it all, if any of you have heard her talk to or about either of our kids.

Eli will be 4 before we know it and he’s starting to be a handful. In Helena’s busy schedule, she still finds time in the day to play with him. This morning for Mother’s Day breakfast, her idea of a treat was to have one-on-one time with Eli making breakfast. Both of them really enjoyed it. She’s always referred to Eli as her buddy because they do everything together, even take care of Esme.

I admire most in Helena is her love for my kids. She would rather be spending time with them than anything else. That’s a big reason why she has the hobbies she does. She is into photography so she can have professional pictures of the kids growing up. Her main topic on the blog is the kids. Her other main topic is her craftiness with felt, sewing, and the like. Most of those projects have to do with things she makes for either Eli or Esme.

Thank you for being the best mother Helena. Thank you for your sacrifice in bringing them into the world. I love you very much and appreciate your hardwork and selflessness. Besides nurturing them, you put up with me and I know that’s a lot. I’ve told you before and I’ll always believe it: Going to work everyday to pay the bills and put food on our table is nothing in comparison to what you have to do every day. You tidy, teach Eli about the world and the Gospel, give the kids naps, make sure they have a good schedule, prepare 3 homemade, healthy meals a day, keep the house clean, run errands, blog, make handmade crafts for gifts, clean up after a messy husband, clean up after a 3 year old, change diapers, and a myriad of other daily tasks that I'm too dense to know about. I would think a stellar mom is one who is willing to do a few of those things. You do it all. I couldn’t trade places with you because I know I’d fall short. I love you and hope you know that through word and action this Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day Helena!

With love,

Brian

Sickness Should Start With A "T"

I wish it was an April fools trick

It has been two days of tissue, tea, and tylenol. Eli's got two personalities- medicine working and medicine wearing off. Extreme sweetness and whininess switching off. I'm trying to apply more of that patience you hear about when becoming a parent.

You see, if you asked Brian to change one thing about me (I know, this is getting serious), making me more long-suffering and cheerful while caring for those actually suffering would top the short list. His mother's past pampering is making me look bad. I'm actually quite sympathetic, but the whining gets to me. And since it is impossible for children and men (my only housemates) to not complain while sick, I must be the one to change.

I do feel bad for the little guy. I'm also sad about the timing. Right now I should be at the opening of the new, closer Food Co-Op. Tomorrow is Brian's mission reunion. Saturday is easter egg hunt day AND when 3 of our favorite people are supposed to be coming over, including Emi, for fun and fabulous food. And this morning, we finally got some substantial snow. Just after moving here I decided it was my favorite, walking to class in the morning after a good snow, before the sun comes and it still delicately blankets the trees. I've always wanted to take pictures of it. And Eli forgot about his aversion to the cold and actually requested to go outside. So much for snowballs and snow shots.

Okay, I'll stop with the alliteration and complaining.




On a positive note. Esme hasn't shown any signs of sickness, Eli's finally learned to sneeze into his elbow, we have yummy chili to warm up with, and even loads of chocolate cookie dough in the fridge. My Swiss grandma believed whole-heartedly in the healing properties of chocolate.

Goals Of A Stay At Home Mom

Soon after I had Eli, a friend visited because she heard moms are bored and lonely. Lonely? ehh... sometimes. Bored?... never.

In the past I remember being completely unproductive one day and intensely busy another, like making a 5 course dinner or sewing for 10 hours. Things have evened out, maybe since we got rid of cable, apparently watching cooking and design shows isn't the same as actually cooking and crafting. Lately I have a mental check list to keep days balanced and fruitful. Wow, I just counted them- 7! I could make a connection to a certain Mormon author, but won't. Okay, here I go. And posting more often isn't one of them, don't worry.

Wear something presentable. For sure by the time Bri comes home. It's messy business taking care of a family, so I usually stay in sweats all day unless we head out, which I only have energy to do once or twice a week with two kids. Since I'm not into make-up and time-consuming hair, I could at least not look like a lazy bum when my husband gets home.

Clean something. Beyond the dishes and general tidying. Like laundry, the floors, or a bathroom if I'm feeling extra-motivated.

Cook something. I know, I know. I love to cook, so this shouldn't be hard. But I do have TWO kids now and we are often tempted to eat out, but a new budget should keep us in check. I must plan ahead, prep early, and work quietly during nap time.

Make something. If I work on projects a little each day, I'm less tempted to ignoreeverything/one and go craft crazy to get a project done. I've learned to work 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there and still get things done without leaving Esme to cry and Eli to be stuck to the TV.

Teach something. My main job, right? Sometimes I just sing the ABC's with Eli or go over his lesson from church, other times are more hands on with learning how plants grow or how to peel a carrot. Although, I realize he's always learning, like how to act when he's frustrated. It's usually an aggravated sigh, much like my own. Or chewing out Bri under his breath when he finds something out of place... now he's teaching me something, about myself.

Do something fun. Sometimes I feel like a nag, "finish your food, pick up your toys, be quiet..." Nothing makes Eli happier than someone pushing trains with him or playing hide and go seek. Today it was Esme chasing (via me) the squealing boy around the house.

Learn something. This one is new today. I'm pretty much the opposite of a book worm, but I like browsing craft, cooking, and now photography blogs. I've been meaning to read a book by this guy, so I'd better start.

They seem like simple things, but I think they each stand for something bigger.

Thank You Esme

(Almost 3 Months)

I love my quiet time with Miss Mae. Thank goodness for nursing. The rest of the time I feel like I should pay Eli attention, clean, prep for dinner, sew something, squeeze in a shower, or I have a post on my mind. Can't you just stay happy in your bouncer for a couple more minutes?

But she's only awake 8 hours a day, if that. And she will only be a baby for so long.

I now see that I should be glad my little girl dislikes the bottle and that noisiness distracts her from eating. I just realized I enjoy that she requires a sit in the rocker in my quiet dark room.

I get to hold my baby and worry about nothing else.

I get to sing her songs and rub her fluffy little head and squishy cheeks.

I get to inspect her little hands and pudgy feet, hoping I can always remember them as they are now.

I get to tell her how lovely and sweet she is and receive lovely, sweet smiles in return.

I get to feel like I'm accomplishing the most important thing all day, without lifting a finger.

Because I am. Thank you Esme.