Real Life

So I've been catching up on blogs lately and I have to say, most of them make me want to vomit. Is that bad?

Seriously, the majority of the blogs I just read mentioned, quite seriously-- without sarcasm-- how their children are better than everyone else's children. And, of course, how they are better parents than anyone else.

They love it. They never get impatient with their children. They can't understand why anyone would ever want a babysitter just so they could have a *break*. Why would you have children if you didn't want to watch them? (I totally copied that word for word from someone's blog).

REALLY? You never think, "Holy crap, this child is never going to have siblings!" Or wonder why in the world you thought it was a good idea to have a screaming, snotty nosed, teething toddler? You never crave interactions with other adults? You never get tired of having absolutely no idea what, ";ifjadsjhadhflsdjafdkjhadfsjkhl" means when it comes out of your kid's mouth?

I LOVE being a mom. I love watching Caleb learn. I am constantly amazed at how incredibly resilient children are. And I want to have more of them. I'm constantly asked when Caleb is going to have another sibling... wouldn't I like to know!! I would love to have another baby!

But being a mom is tiring. There are days when I cannot wait for Pete to come home. There are days when I cannot wait for Elmo's World to come on. There are days I seriously consider daycare.

I firmly believe that you cannot forget who you are as an individual when you become a parent. Yes, much of parenting requires major sacrifice. But there is a REASON why you are a parent. You have something very specific to offer this child, and that is based on who you are as a person. If you lose touch with your self, what do you have to offer this kid?

Anyway, I probably shouldn't publish this post/rant, but I'm going to.

Mean Mommy, Nice Grandma

One of Caleb's favorite new things is tractors (and trucks). A few weeks ago, Caleb had the chance to sit in a firetruck and it's been a complete obsession ever since. He's also completely in awe of the lawn mower, telling everyone, "Mommy mow grass!". The lawnmower lives in the shed and is often "Night-night" because Caleb thinks he should get to sit on it ALLLLL the time.

I'm usually mean and tell him that he needs to do something else, and this is the reaction I get:





On the other hand, he also has Grandma to make his life perfect. (And my life perfect as a result). Tonight I walked into the kitchen to see this:
Making cookies with Grandma. Not to get all mushy, but I just have to say, I'm so glad I have such a wonderful mother-in-law. Not only did she raise a pretty nice gentleman for me to marry, but the love and tenderness she shows my child makes me teary eyed at times. She's a woman I would be honored to resemble someday. I have a long way to go, but I know where I'd like to end up.

Ok. Mushy-ness over.

The Meaning of Life

Sunny, Autumn afternoons, speckled with the setting sun.

Footballs.

Picking things up when they fall down.

Trying with all our might.

Pure joy.

'Da 'Burgh

Great-Grandma Ford, Caleb and Dad

Over the last weekend in September we had the great chance to visit family in Pittsburgh. Obviously, my family is from there, but Pete's brother also went to school in the chosen city, married a fine lady and settled down there. Last month they had their third child, a "little" boy (8 pounds 10 ounces), Benjamin Lars Knickerbocker. We went out for the blessing and really enjoyed getting to see all the family.


We also had the chance to sneak a visit or two in with my side of the family as well. My sister, Shayla, and her husband were out of town for the weekend, so we took care of the little munchkin while they were gone. It was so much fun to see Dean and Caleb play together (and completely exhausting). Maeli totally assumed the roll of oldest cousin and I was so glad that Caleb had the chance to play with his cousins for the weekend.

Isn't she the cutest thing ever? Yeah, she knows it, too.

So thanks for making it super convenient to see family, everyone! Once our place is a little less under construction, you'll all have to come on this way :)

Survival

You'll all be happy (well, I hope you will) to know that I survived the half marathon. Actually it went pretty well. It was pretty hot there at the end, and LOTS of hills throughout (what's that about anyway?) so by about mile 10.5 I was mentally over this whole running thing, but after a few prayers and being passed by a kid who was seriously 6, I kept going.

My first goal was to finish. My second goal was to finish under three hours. (I like to make goals I know I can make). My third "super stretch" goal was to finish under two and a half hours.

I ran it in 2:07. I'll take it. I'm off to an appointment with a tube of icy-hot.

I've Officially Lost It

I'm running a half-marathon tomorrow. Without the stroller.

I love running with the stroller. It completes me. It makes me think, "Crap, I can't stop now, Caleb will start crying." It's the only thing that gets me to run.

Maybe I'll be walking this half-marathon.

I think this may turn out to be a disaster.