School's Out for Summer (well, almost)

How is it possible that summer is already here?  I remember being in school dreaming about the long summer days and late summer nights… just simply enjoying the thought of having nothing to do except fun.  Now, being a teacher, the school year seems to fly by (at times). 

Last year this time, I was already on maternity leave.  I had Preston almost exactly six weeks before school was out.   I don’t think I could have possibly mentally prepared myself for that summer.  It was definitely not the long summer days and late summer nights like I remembered them.  The days were long because I learning to be a mother and take care of a newborn, and, as I’m sure you now know, the nights were late because, well, that’s how newborns are.  Last year, I would tell myself, I just can’t wait for next summer- we are going to have so much fun!! 

Now, that summer is here, and to be honest, I am nervous.  I am nervous about being a stay at home mom for 11 weeks (something of which is very unusual to me).  I’m nervous Preston is going to be bored (let’s be honest, I’m also worried I’m going to be bored). I’m nervous he is going to become too dependent on me.  I’m nervous I’m going to become the  stay-at-home that doesn’t get dressed for days (please note I am NOT judging- I think this is ABSOLUETLY necessary at some points- I just prefer to get out of my jammies a majority of the days- not all).  I’m, overall, just nervous. 

I am looking forward to spending quality time with Preston.  I’m hoping to work on things that have been put on the back burner the last couple of weeks because of the excuse, “summer will be here soon and we can work on it then.”  Things such a baby books, closet organization, fit throwing behavior, new night time routines, etc.  I want to make this a memorable summer for myself- not the summer that I was scared to even encounter. 

Because of this, I have already enrolled Preston in “mommy and me” swimming classes for the first two weeks of summer.  I’m very aware that he is in no way really going to learn how to swim in the 30 minute sessions for 7 days.  BUT I am looking forward to hanging with my mommy friends and cute babies for 30 minutes each day.  I’m also hoping there will be an added benefit of some water safety and maybe a little more comfort when in the pool during this time.  (Unfortunately it is an indoor pool, so no sun tan during the lesson).  Aside from the swimming lessons, we also have other play date ideas to go to the aquarium, mall, zoo, Hawaiian Falls, swimming pools, and so much more.  I am blessed beyond belief to have so many friends that have children right around the same age as Preston and are just as eager to get out of the house as me.  In August, we are also planning for Preston’s first plane ride (if only you could know how truly nervous I am about this- I’m SOOOO worried he is going to be the crazy kid on the plane).  We are planning to visit the “Gray” family in Nashville, and we are beyond excited to actually be there- just not getting there!!

So, as I sit here, thinking about what summer 2011 has in store, I’m ready.  Ready for what exactly?  I don’t know, but I’m assuming I’ll figure it out one play date at a timeJ

A Day to Remember: Mother's Day 2011

I have waited my whole life to celebrate Mother's Day as a mother.  Last year, Preston was a mere 2 weeks old, but it still brought me so much joy knowing that I was officially a mother.  This year, well, this year was GREAT!!!  We were able to share the day with some of the most amazing people in my life- and I wouldn't have had it any other way!  Brad and I spent the night before and morning cooking a fabulous (if I do say so myself) brunch for the family... which included: My mom, Greg, Meme, Brandi, Bell, Justin, Candace, Ava, Brad, Preston, and myself!  It was such a laid back day and this will forever be one of the moments/ days I cherish. 

I'd like to point out that it is very rare that we have a relaxed day with all THREE kiddos and close family all around that isn't a holiday...

ohhhhh and to enlarge any group of pictures- just click on it :)

Mother's Day 2011 Emerson Family Photo

Preston and Bell doing a little "train pushing!"

COUSINS!!!

Play gym playing!

Preston was very lucky to have both of his aunts to love on him!

Moms and Babies

We also celebrated Isabella's birthday as she is turning TWO this weekend... CrAzY

While Preston napped, we did a little bubble playing outside on this BEAUTIFUL spring day!

 When the crazy kid got up- we had LOTS of water fun:)

The kiddos: Ava, Isabella, and Preston

The time for some POOL fun!

Preston was a little more into eating blueberries than playing in the pool

Resting because being one is a lot of work...

Sisters: First Mother's Day TOGETHER as mothers... great memories!


The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh

Never Say Never (And this is NOT about the Justin Bieber Movie, though I am a huge fan)!

Before having a child, there were several (honestly, tons) of things I SWORE I would not do as a parent.  It's funny now looking back at my “pre-parenting” self and thinking… oh my, you knew nothing.  I sure thought I knew it all- judging others parenting techniques, asserting my opinion (when let’s be honest it wasn’t always wanted), and swearing to myself how I would NEVER, EVER let that be me. 

A year (well, almost 13 months now to be exact) into this whole parenting thing, I’m pretty sure I’ve broken most, if not all, of my “parenting 101 rules.”  I guess it’s just time to admit, I am in fact not always right and dang it, sometimes you just would do ANYTHING to get a little piece a quiet.

1.        I will NEVER let my child make a ridiculous mess at a restaurant.  UM- as long as he isn’t screaming, he can do basically anything he wants (and you will find me on my hands and knees trying to pick it all up before I leave.)

2.       I will NEVER let my child eat processed food/ dinners.  HA- this one literally makes me laugh.  After both of us work all day long, the last thing I can think about doing is coming home and making some fancy dinner.  I know I am still going to receive some judgment on this one from all of those moms who still live by there “I SWEAR I WON’TS,” but Preston loves him a good bowl of spaghetti-os and freshly zapped turkey dogs, and I would feel terrible taking that away…

3.       I will NEVER let my child sleep in my bed.  WELL- the first 2 weeks of Preston’s life, he slept in his pack in play right by our bed.  The next 2 weeks, he moved in right in between us.  Let me be honest- it was the worst 2 weeks of sleep. EVER.  Trying to not move an inch with 3 humans and 2 dogs was just ridiculous.  THEN my amazing aunt and uncle gave us a co-sleeper that attached to the outside of our bed (basically a pack in play with one side missing).  It was like he was sleeping with us, but had his own little crib.  It is a great invention, and I recommend it to just about anyone who wants to keep baby in there room.   Because I nursed, it was so nice having him so close (i.e. a very sleepy momma didn’t have to actually even leave the bedroom nor remove herself from her bed).  Then, after 5 months in our room (yes, 5 months), Preston moved to his bed.  AND that’s where he has been ever since (don’t get me wrong, in about 3-4 moments of weakness <also known as waking up randomly in the middle of the night and extremely exhausted> I have tried to bring him into our room to sleep.  BUT he just thinks it’s play time, so luckily for me, I have a child that doesn’t want to sleep in my bed just as much as I don’t want him there).  Technically I have “followed” this rule, but there have been several close calls…

4.       I will NEVER let me child watch television until they ask for it (and then it will be limited).  Preston does not watch TV now- he’s too busy to even think about stopping to watch the boob-tube, BUT I am SO looking forward to the day he discovers it and enjoys it!  How soon can this happen?

5.       I will NEVER cuss in front of my child.  I don’t think there is any explanation for this if you know me.  Let’s just say, I’m working on this (and probably will be forever).

6.       I will NEVER not change a diaper because I’m too busy doing something else.  Now let me explain, it’s not like I make him wait around in his mess for hours on end, BUT if he does his business, it doesn’t mean I can’t finish my bowl of cereal or wrap up my facebook stalking before tending to it.

7.       I will NEVER laugh when my child does something “bad.”  Preston’s favorite thing to do when he starts his new fit throwing is to literally throw- anything and everything in his path.  At first, I did laugh.  Now, I’m worried we have a very strong child on our hands that, in fact, could be very dangerous.

8.       I will NEVER drink a glass of wine and then nurse.  Let me just tell you from experience, it doesn’t help them sleep nor seem to have much effect on them at all.

9.       I will NEVER be the parent in the grocery store with the kid throwing the fit.  Well, you can’t control everything a one year old does… and sometimes that is fit throwing.  What you can control, is removing yourself from that situation and getting the heck out of the grocery store as quickly as possible (even if that means we didn’t get that weeks boxes of cereal and skim milk for dinner).

10.   I will NEVER walk away from my crying baby.  Sometimes, in order to stay sane, this is exactly what I have to do.  It’s amazing what a deep breath and some distance can do to your stress level.  REALLY!

11.   I will NEVER buy off brand things for my child.  TARGET brand diapers, wipes, puffs, baby soap, baby lotion, formula, and SO much more are great- and a great price too!

12.   I will NEVER take a rectal temperature.  I know, a little TMI, but to be honest, it wasn’t that weird and you get a much more accurate readingJ

13.   I will NEVER let my child’s baby book be on the back burner.  I’ve worked on it once- when Preston was 6 weeks old.  I have the important stuff written down, tons of pictures, mementos, videos, and all other things that need to be remembered- they are just not put together nicely in a book.  That counts right?

And now- I will NEVER judge another mother or father until I have walked a mile in their shoes.  You never know how you are going to react until you are in the moment.  You can plan it out, you can write it down, you can preach it to the world, but it may not go exactly as you wanted it… and that’s ok.  Being a parent has taught me so much about myself- how to appreciate the person I was and the person I have become.  Every day is a new learning experience…. Should we do this or that?  Is he sick?  Tired?  Hungry?  Why didn’t we do this? How can we do that?  BUT at the end of the day, through all of the smiles and tears, we have somehow survived… together. 

Hoppy Easter

Yes, I know- I am behind times- Easter was almost two weeks ago.  BUT in my defense, a lot has happened in these two weeks (decompressed from the birthday celebration, put together a ton of toys, played with a ton of toys, endured two very long days of TAKS testing with my third graders, went on a field trip (and if anyone remembers they can be exhausting), had a fun girls weekend with Candace and Ava (as Brad and Justin did a little birthday fishing trip with their dad), oh yeah, and lived through a rough couple of days with the kid- who is still fortunately in one piece…

SOOOO without further ado- Emerson Easter 2011!

2 Easter Baskets Each!!

Someone was VERY excited to find new socks in his new cup (I LOVE

how practical the Easter Bunny was this year)!

Someone also LOVED the sunglasses he found in Ava's Easter basket!

The fact that she wasn't even trying to look "redneck" in this picture

makes it even better!!!

P decided to bring an egg to breakfast.

To wrap up the great day, we took a ride in Preston's new wagon from his Sissy- and he LOVES it!