Happy

I've been spending a lot of time, lately, both with Mustang Boy, and thinking about MB. And other children, too. I'm noticing, that for the most part, they are pure joy.

This is what I mean.

Unless he's super hungry, or doesn't feel good, my kid wakes up, see's me, and gets that big, goofy baby grin on his face. He smiles and laughs through most of his day. He smiles for just about everyone that crosses his path, and especially if they'll make a funny face at him.

When he's in his "command module", he explores, plays, watches a little television if it's on, and has a good time, until he's tired, or hungry, and ready to be liberated.

Sure, he has his cranky days. We recently survived his first winter cold. (Me having the same cold at the same time made that quite a challenge).

But, for the most part, he is so happy.

So

What's wrong with us?

Are WE that happy? And if we aren't, WHY?

I know. I know. We grow up. The weight of the world comes down on us. The economy. Supporting ourselves and our families. Bills. Jobs.

Blah blah. The list goes on, as we adults are well aware of.

But I contend that we CAN be, and should be happy, like the babies are happy. And spread that joy.

So, I'm going to be doing that, or, rather doing the best I can to do that. To start each day with a smile on my face, and happiness in my heart.

Just like my son :)

frustration

Its hard for me to admit, but,

I'm frustrated.

Not all the time. Not even 50% of the time. But time.

MB has entered this phase where when he wants ANYTHING, no matter how major, (like food) or minor (a position change) he squeals and hollers like a howler monkey.

Doesn't matter what time it is. 5:30 am, or noon. He just goes from 0-60 in less than 2 seconds. And if it doesn't happen quickly enough?

Look out.

Boy has a temper.

He is also still cute, laughing and babbling, but the howler monkey?

Ugh!

I'm sure what's not helping is that both he and I have a head cold. I think thats why he has woken us up before 4 am every day this week with his howler monkey demonstration. He feels like crap and wants to be on one of our chests instead of anywhere else.

I've had my hair pulled, my eyes poked, little fingers that try to go up my nose and in my mouth. I'm covered in spit up and snot. (his, and mine, sadly).

I know, I know. I signed on for this. I'm the Mama.

I love him like crazy

but the howling has to stop....

Lets Review, shall we?

As I sit back and look at 2011, my mind is just kind of boggled.

Seriously. I kind of feel like I really hit the bucket list jackpot, somehow. Except, some of the things that happened weren't necessarily on my bucket list?

This year I have maintained a pregnancy, and NATURALLY given birth to a healthy baby, (the intrathecal that never happened WOULD have been on my bucket list...)

In doing that, I've survived 2 separate hospitalizations, one for my back, one for the baby :)

I finally, with the help of 2 good MD's, figured out WHAT was going on with me, causing pain and misery. Sure, being diagnosed with RA wasn't really what I wanted to happen, but, I know how to treat and deal with it, and am doing so much better than I was!

My family is thriving, the baby is growing more every day, and MG is doing well.

AND last but not least

for a beautiful Christmas morning surprise, MM asked me to be his wife.

(and I OF COURSE said Yes :)

So my year has been stellar, really, and I know that 2012 is going to follow suit....

Happy New Year Everyone.....

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours :)

and now for something completely different

As I was trying to fall asleep the other night, I was doing something I frequently do when insomnia rears it's ugly head, I was reciting song lyrics. For some reason, my mind went to the Eagles song "There's A Hole in the World". (that looks funny written out. ha!).

Anyhow, that song, though repetitive, contains one of my favorite lines ever written, probably:

"they say that anger is just love disappointed".

And suddenly, instead of reviewing lyrics, I was thinking about anger and love, and I decided that whomever "they" are, they are right!

Then, I started considering other song lyrics, and what I thought were some of the better, more meaningful ones. My mind ran the gamut, from an oldie called "You Don't Own Me", to Country, because MM loves the lyric "Bubba hollered out, 'reckless, hell! I hit just where I was aiming!'". So many things to choose from,

and then I fell asleep.

So, now I want to know from you (few) readers, what is your favorite, meaningful song lyric?

really?

So, I discovered something interesting last night. Or more, read an interesting article.

Apparently,

We are supposed to have Mustang Boy bottle free by the time he is a year old. To do this, we get him a sippy cup at around 6 months old, and let him hold it and play with it. When he can hold onto this well, we start filling it with water, or other appropriate beverages to his age. Then we start substituting it for bottles he would get during the day time hours, until he isn't using bottles anymore.

All this, before he's even a year old? Really?

The article(s) that I read were going on and on about bottle rotted teeth, and childhood obesity when you let them keep the bottle too long.

Now, it's not that I want him going to kindergarten with his bottle in his Star Wars lunch box or anything, but I hadn't really given that much thought to when the right time is to switch him to other containers. So far, I've been going by instinct, and pediatrician advice over when to do major things, like feed him solid foods, ect. I think having no bottles by the time he is 12 months old is kind of pushing it though. But he might surprise me.

So, people with kids, how did you know when it was time to faze out the bottle? And how old were YOUR kids?

playing catch up

Thanksgiving did not disappoint! Well, except not having MG there with us... but I guess we have to share :(

We went to visit my parents, and middle sister, her husband and their kids were there. She is the one with 3 boys of her own, and right now they have a foster son who is 2 weeks older than Mustang Boy. We are for sure making up for the years when mostly girls were born to the family :) (at one point, there were 6 girl cousins, and one, lone, boy....)

To say it got noisy at times is an understatement. Along with the noise came all the stimulation, and voices, and arms that wanted to hold MB. He did really good for a long time, but, after MiMi got picture happy, he had an epic crying meltdown, and it took both MM and I to rock him to a much needed nap. He just isn't used to all the people, stimulation, and attention... He woke up smiling again, and we now have a plan to try and make the Christmas visit less stimulating for him. I am aware of the fact that he's going to need to adjust and adapt to the situations, but right now? He doesn't understand that, and his fresh little brain is only going to take in so much stimulation, even if that stimulation comes with love.

My RA is still acting up somewhat on me. I am moving a lot better, and functioning with a lot less pain, but I still feel it in many joints. The medication I'm taking for it is a little scary for me, too. Im taking a low dose of a chemotherapy drug, weekly, and that is frightening. But, I feel okay, so I have to believe that its working. I feel a whole hell of a lot better, actually. So I go with it, and try not to think too much about it. It will be with me for the rest of my life, so, accepting it has to happen, and I have to move on.....

alright. I'm off to clean a long overdue fish tank. (So overdue, I have someone who is really going to clean it for me while I "help".)