Motherhood | Page 16 | Minivans Are Hot

Methinks it’s time

August 23, 2010 by Kelli

A little over seven years ago we installed a crib in a little bedroom in our home. In seven years that crib hasn’t moved. It’s been warmed by three tiny people and has rarely seen it’s sheets stand cold. Sloan stayed in the crib until he was a little over two years old. I was pregnant with Tia and we decided to move him out of the crib a little early, anticipating a long adjustment period to his new, big boy bed.

He never climbed out of bed once. And wouldn’t for many months to come. And I regretted transitioning him so early.

Tia wasn’t two yet when Landon was born and the plan was for her and Landon to share a room with him sleeping in a pack and play and her in the crib. Little did I know that he would be the noisiest sleeper on planet earth and Tia would start climbing out of her crib the second we brought Landon home therefore throwing all of my well laid plan out the window.

We put Tia in a big bed in the hopes of keeping her from breaking her neck as she spilled over the side of her crib each day and, for the most part, she transitioned easily. She never came out of her room, but we would often go in to find her laying between every shoe and toy she owned.

And then there’s Landon… My free spirited child tasted freedom for three weeks this summer when he slept on an air mattress in Florida. I won’t mince words – he was a nightmare. Putting him to bed made having a root canal sound fun. And when we returned home, I gladly plopped his little behind back in his crib and did the happy dance out of his room.

It’s never occurred to him to crawl out. And I’ve threatened the other two with their lives if they show him how.

“I’ll tell Santa and the Easter Bunny if you show him how to climb out and it will be a slow holiday season for you guys…”

But the thing is…*sigh* Here’s the thing. The poor child appears to be ready to transition to a big kid bed. Sleeping has been a bit of an issue in the couple of weeks since we’ve been back from vacation. He is scared in his room (we’re going to buy a night light today) and is waking up through the night and, in general, seems to be restless.

And suddenly the idea of taking the crib down has caused panic of massive proportions in my heart. So much so that I’ve wondered if we should go ahead and have another baby just so I don’t have to take down the crib.

That’s just crazy talk…

So we are slowly, but surely, plodding toward the task of disassembling the crib. I’ve already warned Lee that I’ll probably blubber inconsolably, then I’ll need a stiff drink (or five) to get through the process. We likely won’t pull the trigger on this until the end of next month because with Lee and I going out of town for ten days, I would feel terrible leaving our parents with the task of getting that child to stay in bed at night. It would be cruel and unusual punishment for them, and I won’t do it. No I won’t. I’m not gonna do it. I’m not taking that crib apart!

Plus, I’m (clearly) just not ready. I’m not ready to say good bye to babydom and I’m not ready to deal with the mischevious little fox that is my third child.

I will survive this milestone, right?

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Landon, Life, Motherhood Tagged With: kids and bedtime, mommy is crazy, Motherhood, taking down a baby crib, transition to a big kid bed

A blogworthy path

August 19, 2010 by Kelli

When I started this blogging thing a few years ago, I had no idea what blogging really was. And I didn’t get it. It seemed like a terrible waste of time (and it sometimes can be) and I didn’t see how it could be interesting at all for someone to read about my life. I mean, my life isn’t much to brag about.

Then Tia ate Landon’s umbilical cord.

I realized right then that I was going to need some support in this motherhood thing because if I didn’t have people to laugh with I might cry, or you know…vomit.

As I delved deeper into the world of blogging, I somehow found myself a part of a blogger’s guild, where I got to know some wonderful people, like Dana, creator of Mamalogues and radio talk show host extraordinaire. Or Gregg, who is hysterical and fun and has a multitalented family. Or Melody and Lisa who would ultimately become my partners in the joint venture that is STL Family Life. And many other wonderful and interesting people along the way.

Most recently I’ve joined forces with the St. Louis Women in Media group to develop more of a community among St. Louis women in all aspects of media, be it traditional or online social media. There is so much to learn and there are so many interesting people to meet! I love it.

It’s been a fun journey, this blogging thing, and I feel like I can finally call this my job, if you want to call it that. I’m sitting here in my pajamas with a cup of hot tea, so you know…

I confess that sometimes I have a hard time taking seriously the notion of blogging as a career. But I’m not really a blogger so much as a writer who has found a voice in the online world. I’m okay with that. Because it lets me develop my craft in my pajamas with a cup of hot tea.

Right on.

Blogging has given me a confidence in my writing that I didn’t have a few years ago. The people I work with are so encouraging and so quick to build others up, and it’s been an honor to work alongside them. Blogging has also afforded me some fun opportunities. From book editing to public speaking on writing to free swag that comes in the mail, like chocolate. Sometimes my job can be yummy.

Last week, I was contacted by Janice from 5 Minutes for Mom where I do a bit of contributing. The subject of the message said, “Do you want to go to new orleans?” Fast forward to this week when I received my itnerary in the mail for an all expenses paid trip to New Orleans next weekend where I will take part in a Katrina rebulding commemorative project alongside hundreds of volunteers, celebrities (pleasebebradpitt, pleasebebradpitt, pleasebebradpitt), and families who are still in need of help and repairs. The project is being head up by Rebuilding Together and Fifty for Five and their aim is to repair and renew fifty homes in five days in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans.

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I am extremely excited and equally nervous, mostly because I have no idea what to expect. But I look forward to a new opportunity and to stretching my wings a bit. For those who know me well you know that being alone in a crowd of people I don’t know and being expected to talk, conduct interviews, take photos and essentially make my presence known is scary for me. We’re talking so far outside my comfort zone it might as well be a different planet.

Lucky for me I’m good at faking it and pretending I’m comfortable.

That’s what she said, that’s what she said!

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

So inappropriate.

So that’s what’s happening next week. I leave in the middle of the night on Thursday (actually it’s a 6:00 am flight, which is practically the middle of the night) and I will be back on Saturday night late. I am really, really excited and honored to take part in this event and to be able to use my skills in writing to document it. This little hobby of mine is providing great life experiences while still allowing me to pour time and energy into my family, which is my first passion. I’m feeling immensely blessed.

Now I just have to figure out what to wear.

Oy.

Filed Under: Blogging, Life, Motherhood, Random Tagged With: 5 Minutes for Mom, blogging as a career, Fifty for Five, Motherhood, Rebuilding Together, writing

This I Pray

August 18, 2010 by Kelli

With first grade in full swing, I’ve found myself impressed this year more than ever to be bathing my children in prayer. This is something that I’ve always known was important, but if I’m being honest I’d confess that I haven’t been faithful in daily lifting them up. But for some reason, this year, I can’t really brush aside or ignore the need to send my son out under the protection of God who is able to keep Sloan in ways that I cannot.

I pray that Sloan is a light among his peers. I pray that he is a bold leader. I pray that he is an encourager to others and a helper to his teacher.

I pray that Sloan has fun. I pray that he laughs often, learns much and finds joy in each and every day.

I pray that Sloan will be strong in the Lord and that he will be filled with wisdom as he grows into a young man of stature.

I pray that waking up in the morning gets less painful every day.

I pray that his relationship with his brother and sister doesn’t suffer despite the fact that he will be absent seven hours a day. In fact, I hope that the separation makes them appreciate each other more.

I pray that he never forgets how deeply he is loved and that he can always seek refuge in our home.

Most of all I pray

that he always remembers

he’s under the watchful eye and faithful protection of a God who never slumbers. (Psalm 121)

I pray that this first grader has the best first grade year and makes memories to last a lifetime.

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Life, Motherhood, Sloan Tagged With: First Day of School, First Grade, Sloan

A Mom Is Born

August 17, 2010 by Kelli

TODAY IS THE DAY!!! JOIN US STARTING AT 11:00 FOR THIS UNIQUE VIRTUAL BABYSHOWER. DETAILS FOR HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE AND WATCH ARE RIGHT HERE! This is a sticky post, which means it will remain at the top of my page until after the August 25th event. Don’t forget to tune in for the Mom Is Born virtual baby shower honoring Channel Four’s Virginia Kerr. I’ve listed all the information on this exciting event in this post so you can read more about it and I even have the UStream link up so you can tune in! I hope you enjoy yourself.

Filed Under: Family, Motherhood Tagged With: A Mom is Born, My Mommy Manual, Virginia Kerr, virtual baby shower

Ice Cream Surprise

August 16, 2010 by Kelli

*update – if you’re having trouble with the video constantly stopping and buffering, click on the numbers in the bottom right hand corner. I don’t know what they mean but if you click it it should change from 360p to 480p and then the video should play without stopping. At least that’s what worked for me. I think it has something to do with pixels, but I dunno really…

I got this idea from my friend Nicole a few months ago.

We put the kids to bed early last night. Sloan stomped and groaned and bemoaned the fact that the summer is over and school is starting and “why won’t you let me stay up and enjoy my last night of summer – WAAAAAAHHHH!” About five minutes after laying them down, we went into their room and flipped on the light (only to find them both sitting up in the same bed…so much for them actually going to bed) and told them we wanted to go get some ice cream.

“Would you like to come with us?” we asked.

Their reactions were priceless. And you can see them for yourself.

*a quick disclaimer: Lee got a little ahead of me and flipped the kids light on before I had the camera going so I missed a little bit of their reaction. Bummer.

I think my favorite part of the video is when Lee begins talking about third nipples (nubbin’s) and Sloan starts laughing so hard he almost wets his pants.

Welcome to crazy town. So glad you came. Leave your shoes at the door…or leave them on. Whatever. We talk about third nipples. You can do whatever you want.

Have I mentioned lately I love my family?

Yay for the Ice Cream Surprise!

And now I’m off to shower so I can take Sloan to school to meet his teacher. I’m taking my kid to meet his first grade teacher. I’m taking my child to his elementary school where he’s going to be spending the entire day at school. I’m having a panic attack while I think about taking my kid to see his first grade class.

I’m feeling old.

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Landon, Lee, Life, Motherhood, School Tagged With: Dairy Queen, Ice Cream Surprise, Kids, Kids and Ice Cream, Kids are Funny, Summer's End

untitled

August 12, 2010 by Kelli

A conglomerate of all that is rolling through my head. You can hardly contain yourselves – I know it.

– I got to go to a wine bar last night with a group of beautiful, successful working women and discuss writing and reporting and what it means to be a woman in media. It was relaxing and fun and I met new people, made new contacts and discussed the possibility of a new freelance gig. All around I had a great time. And then I went home and watched So You Think You Can Dance and envisioned myself being able to actually dance and not just bootie shake. Then I went to bed.

– School starts Tuesday. At the beginning of this summer I was actually really thinking about homeschooling. I enjoyed having the kids home and I liked not having such a rigorous schedule.

Um, yeah. That’s not gonna happen. It’s laughable even, if the thought of it didn’t make me want to cry. I can’t wait to greet Routine with a gigantic hug and kiss next Tuesday. I might even make her cookies and invite her to come share my bed.

– Tomorrow I have to leave my house a little before 5:00 am to catch a flight to Dallas. I don’t know why I always choose the earliest flights possible, but for some reason I do. The plus side is I get to see dear friends when I arrive and I will spend the weekend catching up with some of the people who hold sweet, sweet pieces of my heart. I am very excited.

– There is a book that I need to write and I’m scared. I’ve needed to write it for seven years now, but for seven years I’ve been scared. It’s a personal book and I have been plagued by self doubt. I’ve pushed it aside and made myself to believe that I’m not the right person for the job. And maybe I’m not. But if I don’t do it, I’m not sure anyone else will.

I feel like I have the angel and devil characters sitting on my shoulders. Only in my mind the angel character is a small girl with pigtails and mistmatched clothes. In fact, she looks a lot like Punky Brewster. And she keeps telling me things like, “You can do it,” and “Think of how this would honor those around you,” and “Man your hair looks good today.” Okay, not that last part. But it would be awesome if someone would whisper that in my ear daily.

The devil character is on the other shoulder and he’s a fat, sweaty man with a long knotted beard and a hairy chest sitting in a recliner eating cookies and chips. He yells in my ear too. He screams things like, “You’re not good enough!” and “There’s no way you could possibly pull that off in any way shape or form!” and “Nobody’s gonna want to read that!” And everytime he yells at me, flecks of sour cream and onion chips smack me in the chin.

*sigh*

Have I mentioned I have an overactive imagination?

In all seriousness, I really am trying to get past this crippling fear. I hate being held back by something so lame. The very fact that I am so scared makes me think that I probably am supposed to do this. But it’s going to be hard and it’s going to take work and I don’t want to mess it up. So we’ll see.

– The kids are watching a Star Wars movie (shocker!) and are consequently having a light saber fight. It’s getting out of hand. I should step in and stop it, but it’s making me laugh a little bit.

– The St. Louis heat has taken me by surprise. It’s unbearable. Which begs the question, why do we not live in Florida? If we’re going to endure this type of heat, there should be the option of a beach close by. Just my own personal opinion.

– The kids really want to go swimming today, but I have a lot to do so I’m not sure if it’s the best idea. On the other hand, it’s 412 degrees out and nothing but sitting in a pool sounds appealing. So we’ll probably go swimming. Or maybe we won’t. I’m feeling a little flighty this morning. What? You could tell? Oh…

– I need to work harder at speaking russian with the kids. I really struggle with this. We’re pouring time and energy and money into lessons to help them learn so by me not working harder on conversation with them I’m really doing them and myself a disservice. On the other hand, it’s really, really hard to speak russian to them when they all gang up on me and they’re all different levels and my language just isn’t good enough to accomodate them all. So I’ll keep doing the best that I can.

– Okay, the light saber fight has gotten out of hand. I hear wails. It’s probably time to step in and put a stop to it. Or is this one of those situations where I’m supposed to let them work it out on their own? That’s the more appealing option because it lets me sit on my behind a little longer. But I don’t want to be one of them there lazy parents so I’m going to head out.

– Did I mention that school starts Tuesday?

Filed Under: Blogging, books, Family, funny stuff that happens, Kids, Motherhood, summer fun

He needs to stop growing…like, yesterday

August 10, 2010 by Kelli

It has become a bit of a tradition for me to take Landon to a quiet section of Clearwater beach and take a few pictures of him. Because we usually go to Florida in July, this means that I have gotten a nice sequence of pictures of his growth. And after looking at them, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to find a way to slow down time or maybe even stunt his growth, because dangit, it’s just moving way too fast.

Remember when he didn’t do anything but eat the sand?

THEN - He was 7 months old and enjoyed immensely the taste of sand.

Six months

This year he wanted to do nothing but roll in the sand.

Remember when he liked to lay on his belly and feel the cool sand and water on his body?

He still likes to do that, although at two and a half I thought it might be inapporpriate to do so naked.

For some reason he still likes to show crack at the beach.

Landon, or Captain Sassypants as I’ve taken to calling him, has changed a lot in the last year. He is speaking full sentences, has developed a love for potty words, is a total goof and is falling comfortably into the role of the “free spirit.” He’s happy and funny and always good for a laugh. We recently got his hair cut much shorter than I anticipated and while it looks cute, I must confess that I’m not crazy about it. It is far too serious a haircut for such a crazy little boy.

Mostly, though, I just wish he’d slow down. I see no reason for him to grow up so quickly. I keep telling him that and he continues to defy me. We’re gonna have to do something about that…

Six months

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Landon, Motherhood

A Mom is Born: Let’s Celebrate!

August 5, 2010 by Kelli

On August 25, My Mommy Manual and KMOV are hosting A Mom is Born. This is a virtual baby shower with a cause! Using the transition into motherhood as a platform, A Mom is Born will raise funds for the Missouri chapter of The March of Dimes while also celebrating new life. This is only the second virtual baby shower and this year’s celebrant is Virgina Kerr, the anchor of Channel Four’s early morning program, Awake.

Becoming a new mom can be daunting and overwhelming. I remember well being pregnant with Sloan and walking the aisles of Babies “R” Us, thoroughly terrified. What would I need? What would I want? What if he was permanently and irreversibly damaged because I chose the wrong sized bottle nipple?! Gah!

So I did what any self respecting, hormonal first time mom would do – I sent a mass email to every mom I knew asking for advice. It saved my life, that email…okay that might be a little dramatic. It did save my sanity, though. And those mom friends have continued to pour into me and reassure me along the way. So now it’s my turn (and yours!) to pay it forward and share your bits of mom wisdom with a new mom to be.

There are several different ways to participate in this exciting event. The first is to simply attend. You can watch a live stream of the shower online at www.MomIsBorn.com. There will be opportunities to interact with Virginia and the shower hosts via a live chat room. Viewers (guests) will also learn how to personalize a Holding Hands bracelet. This bracelet is a sweet gift for all expectant mothers to wear during labor and delivery as a reminder of the support that she has from her closest family and friends.

A limited number of Holding Hands bracelets will also be available for purchase online with a portion of the proceeds going to The March of Dimes. You can also donate directly to The March of Dimes via the Mom Is Born website.

The virtual shower will be filled with fun, laughter and wisdom as other mothers will pass on pieces of wisdom to Virginia. You can share your own tips or advice on the website prior to the shower and earn an entry into the Raffle for that day. Raffle prizes have been generously donated by the shower sponsors: Build-a-Bear Workshop, Kolcraft, Goodnite Rooms, Pixie Posie Photography and the venue sponsor, Overlook Farm.

Overlook Farm is also offering an amazing special for all moms. From now until October 15, which is when Virginia’s baby boy is due, you can spend a relaxing night in one of their luxurious inns for only $125/night. All you have to do to receive this rate is become a fan of Overlook Farm on Facebook. If you mention the virtual shower on their fan page, you will be entered to win a Girl’s Weekend getaway for four where you can unwind on their 200 acre farm, relax in their greenhouse hot tub, explore their many gardens, or enjoy a glass of wine as you watch the sun set over the Missouri River Valley.

Not a bad deal, if you ask me.

No matter what, I hope you’ll take the time on August 25 to tune in to this special and unique virtual shower. To find out more information, or to submit your piece of mommy wisdom and be entered to win the Raffle, visit http://www.momisborn.com You can also participate by donating to The March of Dimes through the PayPal button provided below.

Maybe we can all convince her to go ahead and buy a minivan. After all, we know what they are, right?!

Webcam chat at Ustream

Filed Under: Blogging, Life, Motherhood Tagged With: A Mom is Born, Holding Hands Bracelets, KMOV, Motherhood, My Mommy Manual, pregnancy, Virginia Kerr, virtual baby shower

The Photo Session

July 27, 2010 by Kelli

They’re so cute. Seriously – I’m not sure how it is that I bore such adorable children. But adorable they are.

See?

Oh wait, no…that’s not the right photo. Hang on…

That’s more like it…

Or how about this shot?

Wait, wait, wait…

That’s not the photo I was looking for.

Much better.

Okay…so the photo shoot didn’t go exactly as planned. I did, however, snap a couple of decent pictures of all three as well as a few individual shots. I also fed them pancakes (yes, I bribe my children into letting me take their picture. I’m not ashamed) and I let them hunt for seashells.

All this before 9 am.

Her hair is nearly white. The cuteness is overwhelming...

He's playing air guitar. Of course...

OMG! Freckles!

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Kids do the darndest things, Landon, Motherhood, Sloan, summer fun, Tia Tagged With: Kids in Clearwater Florida, Pictures in Florida, summertime

Weekend Favorites

July 26, 2010 by Kelli

I am in total vacation mode. I cannot think long enough to put together a coherent sentence most of the time (because I’m relaxed, though I have admittedly had a few Margaritas, an amazing Sweet Tea Mojito and some wine…not all today, of course…Sigh. Never mind.)

My point is – blogging and writing are not on the top of my list. That’s a good thing. I needed the break. But I feel bad – like I’m letting my readers down (all ten of you). So I’m sorry. Not so sorry that I will promise to regale you with witty tales of our beach days, of coures, but sorry nonetheless.

Ahem.

The weekend was fabulous, but went by far too quickly. Lee arrived Wednesday night. We celebrated our anniversary on Thursday with our kids. We went to the beach, we swam in the pool, we ate dinner out with my parents where Sloan got to experience his first grouper sandwich (it was bigger than his head and he managed to finish almost all of it). Later that night we snuck away to our favorite spot on Clearwater beach where we sat next to the firepit and watched the sun set whilst drinking the aforementioned Margaritas.

Bliss.

We took a boat ride this weekend, we swam a lot, we relaxed, we tried paddle boarding for the first time, we attempted to kayak on the paddle board together only to realize there was no way we were going to make it without becoming shark bait, we played games on my mom’s ipad and proceeded to fight over it because we all wanted to play something different, we took naps – we vacationed.

Then Lee went home and we all cried. But the kids and I have another week and a half here and we have plenty of fun in store – including a trip to Busch Gardens. For now I will leave you with a few photos because I’m so tired that my eyelids are waving the white flag and my brain is threatening to implode.

I hereby give you – The Weekend.

The kids played ball with my dad who they call "Boss."

Lee and I played kissy face on our anniversary, thoroughly grossing Sloan out.

We've done a lot of jumping into the pool. They're starting to get crazy.

They are diving, flipping, twisting and turning into the pool. The only thing they haven't tried is a back flip. I'm okay with that.

Lee spent a significant amount of time flinging them into the air.

One of our favorite things to do with the kids is take them to The Sand Pearl at sunset. Lee and I sit by the fire and the kids run around in the sand with glow sticks. A massive lightening storm foiled our plans the other night, but after the storm was over we walked down to my parent’s dock to see this spectacular sunset.

Pardon my beach hair. When I'm down here I refuse to dry my hair or wear makeup.

Since Landon was so little the last time we came here, it’s been fun to watch him rediscover Florida. He is a fish, refusing to get out of the water every time we swim. He loves the sand and has found a particular fondness for chasing seagulls. All around he’s having a blast. The only glitch is bedtime. He still sleeps in a crib at home. Here, he’s on an air mattress in the same room as Sloan and Tia. He seems to think that bedtime is party time every night.

We spent Lee’s last morning with us at the beach where we made new friends, swam and dove for Sand Dollars. Sloan and Tia each collected five or six. They are now sitting in a bucket of bleach so that we can paint them and turn them into Christmas ornaments.

Paddle Boarding. This is good fun.

And finally – Lee found this on the ocean floor while diving for Sand Dollars. It’s not exactly buried treasure, but it gave us all a good laugh.

Lovely.

One more thing – Clearwater is on the Gulf side of the state. And there is not a drop of oil here. But their economy is hurting. It’s very sad. So if any of you have a trip planned down here that you’re considering cancelling because of oil, please don’t! It’s gorgeous down here and the water is perfectly clear. Just wanted to throw that in.

Happy Monday.