Mommy's Helper

As most of you know, I have a bit of an obsession with keeping my house clean. But, in my defense, I came by it naturally. If you have ever seen my dad's house you would understand. :-)

I think I might be rubbing off on Cole just a bit. Anytime he see's the smallest mess or disarray, he yells "mess", "mess". So, stinkin' cute that boy is!

I bought him first broom and dustpan so he could help me conquer the world. Or maybe just the kitchen!

Being a boy!

Batter Up!

We have had a great few days of weather here in Missouri! I don't want to jinx us by announcing Spring's arrival, but I sure hope the sun and warmer temperatures stick around. After a long, cold and snowy winter, the nicer weather is much appreciated.

I got Cole his first tee ball set and he is really enjoying it. It's so stinkin' cute watching him hold the bat and swing at the ball. He is pretty good for a one year old! :-)

Dad showing him how to hit it

He barely stood still long enough for a picture

Wild Thing!

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Poem by Dorothy Law Nolte.

This poem has been around for years. I even remember my mom having it framed and hung in our house when I was a child. I have a wallet size version of it in my office and when I am having a rough day it is always a good reminder why I do what I do. We only get one shot at raising our children and I try and do the best I can everyday (even though I fail so often)!

If you have little ones, try and love them like there is no tomorrow. They will be grown and gone in a flash!

Mommy and Daddy love you more than anything in this world, Cole!

Big Shoes to Fill

Working Hard

Got 'em, with just a little help from mom.

We sure do love this little boy to pieces, good days and bad! :-)

Here and Now

I often have trouble really appreciating the here and now of life because I am always so concerned about what is to come. More on that later, but for now I leave with you a quote from Dalai Lama:

"The secret of health for the mind and the body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, nor to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."

No more monkeys jumping on the bed! :-)

Independence

Cole has been experiencing a serious desire for independence lately. While this is a positive thing, it can also make for more messes (and headaches) for mom and dad.

Here's an example involving a container of yogurt. And please don't expect a one year old to actually need help getting the yogurt from his spoon to his mouth. Below is the evolution of a tantrum! :-)


1. Yogurt




2. Daddy trying to help Cole with the yogurt



3. Cole clearly in distress



4. Still upset!



5. Was it really worth all that?



Just so you know, I often times DO let Cole have his own yogurt at the table, but it is a huge mess and this particular day we required he let us help him and this is the result.

I will leave you with a happy picture of our spunky child doing a dance with Elmo. Lalalala, lalalala, Elmo's World. Consider yourself lucky if you don't know this song! :-)

You know you have a one year old when...

I made this list right around Cole's first birthday as a coping mechanism for the chaos. As I look at it now I am happy to see that we have made some progress. Of course there are new challenges to replace the old ones, but it is always good to see progress. I know a list similar to this can be made for every age so hopefully I will continue it as Cole gets older. So, without further ado, the list:

You know you have a one year old when:

1. You open your nightstand drawer to put chapstick on only to find the top of the chapstick has been chewed/eaten off. Part of a balanced diet I'm sure.

2. All of your decorations have been moved higher and higher. Apparently this is the new style. In my house anyway...

3. Your toilet seats are always down and your bathroom door stays shut.

4. Your freshly folded laundry is tossed back into the laundry basket during the 2 seconds you walk out of the room to put up other laundry. Or, your helper decides to put the laundry away himself.



5. Your dog's water bowl is constantly getting spilled. I thought this would be prevented by putting it on the back deck, but it spills pretty well out there too.

6. Your closet and bathroom look like Hurricane Rita came through. All this is for a good cause though, a shower is necessary at least every other day.

7. You find a toothbrush in your pantry.

8. You always have a company while using the bathroom. Who needs privacy anyway?

9. Your house suddenly becomes a jungle gym. Are boys born with a climbing gene or something?



10. Your heart is so full of love that you couldn't imagine life any other way!