To all the Moms, Happy Mother’s Day!
Archives For Love
“Mommy, watch. Mommy, watch.” I heard as I was filling my dinner plate and heading to the table. There Eli was, so focused as he stabbed the pasta and scooped it into his mouth. He looked up to make sure that I was indeed watching him and his eyes were filled with pride and excitement as he waited for me to respond. I of course let out a proud squeal as I told him what a big boy he was. It wasn’t that long ago that I was having to spoon feed him all of his meals. How incredibly fast these little ones grow up!
Eating his breakfast like a big kid!
Later that night Eli was playing with his Phineas and Ferb action figures. He began lining up all the characters and naming them one by one. “Candace, Phineas, Ferb, Bella, Mertz” (Yes Bella and Mertz are his shortened versions of the character names but it completely counts.) Then he pulls out Perry the platypus (for those that do not watch the show he is the family pet as well as a secret agent.) He holds it for a second, looks at it and then casually says “platypus.” Wait, what did he just say? Chase and I started laughing. How awesome is that? He knew to call Perry a platypus! It really does amaze me at just how much their little minds absorb. Never would I have thought that all those times of watching the show that he would have picked up on the fact that Perry the platypus was just that… a platypus. The little minds of our children are far bigger than we could ever imagine! Every day he learns a little more, each new days brings more words, longer sentences and a little tiny human that will carry on a conversation with me. I sit here and think back to the days before Eli could actually communicate with words and it feels like forever ago, yet just the other day, all at the same time.
The other thing that really shocks me is that people other than Chase and I understand his words! You know how for such a long time in the early toddler years your child will see you talking to someone and they will chime right in. When they are done the other adult smiles, looks at you and then asks what they said because mommy knows the toddler language. The day that Eli was able to say things and I wasn’t asked what he said, wow that was weird. How did my little boy grow up so quickly? While this new stage reminds me of how quickly he is growing it also brings about a whole list of other joys. There is nothing like the way my heart melts when I hear the excitement in his voice as he discovers something new and yells out “Mommy, watch!”
Christmas might be over but we are still celebrating all that this time of year can bring… family members visiting, naps in the middle of the day, snowy mornings, the glow of the fireplace,
Just a little excited to open his present!
game nights and new toys scattered about the house. Right now it is quiet in the house. Eli is taking his nap and Chase went to see The Hobbit with his parents. I gladly stayed behind to get a little “me” time. So what do I choose to do during my free time? Laundry and writing, what a good combo, right?
This Christmas was a little different though, not only was it my first one since being diagnosed but Lupus also made an appearance! That’s right, I was in a flare up! I went to bed Sunday night and tossed and turned all night aching and then Christmas Even morning my flare was in full swing. I have to say it was pretty upsetting to feel like poo during all of Christmas. I had my usual hip, knee and back pains, along with fatigue. But this flare was different, I had a new symptoms… my ankles were so achy I could barely stand to put weight on them. So with that I found myself on the couch with a heating pad around my ankles. It was definitely a little disappointing. I even got a little emotional about everything on the drive home. I didn’t want to be a downer let alone spoil anyone’s fun. But, then I think back to the last couples of days and think about how incredibly blessed I am! Not once during my flare up did I have to worry about cooking, doing the dishes or any of the clean up. The amazing women in our family took charge as I rested on the couch. And speaking of that… no one cared that I was sprawled on the living room furniture! I may have felt bad but I didn’t want to miss any of the excitement that Eli was having over his new toys! And let me tell you he was having a ball! I can still picture his face as he was opening presents!
When I think about the past few days all I feel is gratitude. I might have Lupus and sometimes it might make an appearance on a special day that I so badly wished it wouldn’t. But, my God has given me more than I could imagine! He has given me the love and support of my amazing family! I don’t have to let my bad days define me! Instead I can take joy in knowing that on those bad days God has given me people who I can turn to for help. Wow, what a blessing that is!
Lately Eli has been extremely enjoying the show Phineas and Ferb. If you haven’t seen this show you honestly should… it’s pretty entertaining. Phineas and Ferb are two brothers that find creative ways to spend their summer vacation all while their sister tries to “bust” them but fails because every time their mom comes to see what the boys have invented it somehow disappears. It really is a great cartoon for the entire family, we all enjoy a good episode. So with Eli’s new favorite show that we have embraced at our house I thought that I would share a few life lessons that came straight out of Phineas and Ferb.
- Have Determination. Phineas and Ferb’s sister Candace is constantly wanting to “bust” them and show her mom what crazy invention the boys have made. She never succeeds, the invention is always gone when their mom comes to see what Candace is talking about. You might be wondering why the inventions are gone, well typically it has a little something to do with Perry the platypus stopping Doofenshmirtz’s evil plans, but hey that’s another story. No matter the defeat every episode Candace is determined to “bust” her brothers.
- There’s an adventure for everyday. “Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today.” This is what Phineas says just before they begin their crazy adventure for the day. No time is wasted, they look at each day as a chance to have fun and make everything exciting.
- You are never to young. “Aren’t you a little young to….” It never fails that Phineas and Ferb create a fantastic invention that is wild, crazy and always requires them to order parts/products. Each time the delivery person always says this quote and the boys reply “yes, yes we are.” Just because they are young means nothing. There is no stopping them from “locating Frankenstein’s brain!”
- Go big or go home. Never settle for the simple and easy. If it can be done to the coolest, most highest quality, top notch of standards then by all means that is just how we roll. For example why would you just make a tree fort when you could make a robot tree fort!
- Never underestimate the power of a platypus (or any pet really). Perry the platypus isn’t your ordinary family pet, he is also a secret agent. All I am saying is never underestimate the power of a pet… they understand more than you think. When my Lupus is giving me a flare up and I am in pain my dog Lucy seems to know this and always wants to cuddle up next to me and never leave my side.
- Through thick and thin. Phineas and Ferb drive Candace crazy but at the end of the day she loves her brothers and they love her, even if she is constantly high strung and seeking every chance she can to get them in trouble. Plus, Candace always partakes and enjoys each crazy invention.
- Be Inclusive. The boys always include everyone in their crazy adventures, their sister, her boyfriend, their friends and the neighborhood bully. You never know the power of including someone else in your adventures!
- Don’t aim to small. Dr. Doofenshmirtz is an “evil scientist” who fails miserably at his attempt to take over the tri-state area. What evil character in any story actually aims for something other than the world?
- Don’t miss the adventures. The mom in the story misses every invention. Candace manages to get their mom to the scene just as the gadgets disappear. Don’t be the parent who misses out on all the adventures, jump in and enjoy the crazy fun instead of only hearing about it.
- Don’t include the Self destruct button. With every evil invention that Dr. Doofenshmirtz has he never fails to include a self destruct button. Typically this is how Perry the platypus will defeat him. How many times have we used a self destruct button on ourselves?
If you haven’t watched this show clearly now you know that it is a great show and you should watch it, “Ferb, I know what we’re gonna do today!”
I love having a son! There is nothing like the excitement of mommy’s little boy! Having a boy means the house is constantly a playground, superhero capes are a must have and playing outside in the dirt is not an option. And I love every minute of it! Lately Eli has been wearing his superhero cape practically non-stop. In fact we took his wagon and went for a walk to get some ice cream last night and he wore the cape the entire time. Everything is an adventure when you wear a cape, even Braum’s ice cream! He loves to put the cape on and scream “ready, set, go” and then you see him take off running through out the house. It brings a smile to my face every time! Eli is also a big fan of playing outside. He can be spashing in his little toddler pool or running around chasing the dogs, no matter the case he is never ready to come inside. Everything is truly an adventure for him and watching his excitement makes me just as excited!
Being a mom to a boy is awesome, they always know just how to make their mommy’s heart just melt, which is probaby part of where you get the phrase ”mommy’s little boy.” For me, its always when he gives me that precious smile of his and sweetly says “mommy, mommy, mommy…. I love you!” There is nothing more precious!
