a day in the life

my story begins at lunch........i typically feed van lunch in only his diaper since he is learning how to use utensils and it's just much easier to clean up. avocado, cheddarwurst and blueberries were on the menu today and van did a really good job of eating most everything on his plate with the exception of the avocado he got all over his hands, mouth, belly, legs and diaper.

so after i wiped off all his green body parts i decided the best thing to do would be to remove his diaper before he tries to rub avocado all over our sofa. i take off his diaper and as i am throwing it into the garbage i glance over as my child is peeing on the kitchen floor!!!! my yelp must have given him a shy bladder because he stopped midstream and i had just enough time to scoop him up and take him out onto the deck. yes i took my naked baby onto the back deck.........

i then ran into his room to grab a fresh diaper (the deck is safely gated and not with a baby gate but a tall & large door) and what do i discover as i come around the corner?????

ummmmmm.....yeaaaa........van was having a poo on the deck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yet AGAIN i ran to scoop him up and take him into the bathroom where i sat his little tush on the toilet so he could finish his business. didn't go over so well - i think he was afraid he would get sucked into the toilet so i tried to wipe his bum with toilet paper. only he clenched his little butt cheeks so tightly together that the toilet paper got stuck and yes i got poo on my hand (eck).

well the only thing left to do was plop him into the tub for a little rinse off. he didn't like this much either but it needed to be done. i got his diaper back on finally and walk outside to get the hose to rinse off the deck and.......

the poo was gone!!!!!! GROSS!

on a lighter note: derek and i went to kiawah island for the weekend to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. we had a lovely time of relaxing on the beach and even had a little night out on the town. i wish i could say that we slept in but we were both up around 6 both mornings! we drove back sunday and had the whole family over for mother's day and it was such a great time that i didn't get any pictures. just a cute little video of cole that i will upload for my next post.

thank you mom for being the first person to embrace me as i entered this world and for loving me more than anyone ever could. for all the lessons you've taught me, for knowing when to hold on tight and when to let go. i am who i am because of you and your love. i only hope to be half the mother you have been and if i can do that i know i will have succeeded. i love you with all my heart.

thank you momma utsey for raising such an amazing man. for loving me like a daughter and for being a true friend. i am blessed to have you in my life. i love you so much.

skittles - i truly admire watching you as a mother. you are so in love with cole and it's so neat to share this journey with you. you are doing a wonderful job. love you lots.

being a momma to my little man has been the most rewarding job. and i say job because it takes skills (not those kinds of skills D); skills you learn along the way from trial and error, late night phone calls to moms and friends, story-telling at playgroup and even sometimes in the grocery store line you get unsolicited "advice" from a stranger. it's a hard job but i have never felt so full of love as when van squeals in delight when he sees me and runs to hug me so fast and hard that he topples us over. so thank you sweet van for all you've taught me and continue to show me each and every day. i love you to the moon and back. forever and all ways.

thank you to all the beautiful mommies that give me support, love and friendship. it really does take a village!

p.s. as i was trying to find pictures to post i quickly realized how terrible i have been at getting family pictures. SO beware of our next family gathering and bring your A-game, i'm taking tons of photos!! MUAH!