I am Thankful for...

I've always wanted to do a series of blog entries centered around photography.  I follow other blogs of wonderful people who have displayed tremendous talent and I'm very inspired to do my own collection of entries centered around the warm, loving feelings that Thanksgiving brings.

Beginning tomorrow, I will be taking photographs of the things in my life I am thankful for.  It's a reminder for me, that I am a lucky girl, and it brings to light the things that drive me each day.

Happy day everyone!

Date night!!!

I did it!  I went out and found an amazing babysitter that I completely trust and I know she'll do well with our active little guy.  So this is the very first night we're leaving our son with a person other than a close friend or family member!  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.

We've been talking about our sitter for a few days now and Johnny is super excited for her to come over tonight!  He's even got his bath done and spiffy Batman jammies on already!

So call me anal or paranoid, but I was a sitter once and I would have LOVED a little more info about the child's day, his or her routine, and things he/she is and isn't allowed to do.  So I typed up my own friendly little list of things about Johnny.  I'm sure many parents out there have done the same... what do you put on your info sheet?

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea...

Today we said goodbye to our adorable temporary foster placement.  The bubbly, happy 2 year old was in our home for almost two weeks.  Luckily, a home was found that could continue her care AND also care for her 1 year old sister.  I was lucky enough to meet the new foster mom and I am certain these little girls are in great hands.

The last two weeks have been a strong eye-opening experience.  Johnny has been in our home for just over 10 months.  It is extremely obvious to my husband and I that our little guy is NOT ready for a foster placement at this time.  I did not know this prior to the placement.  In fact, the first 2-3 days were amazing!!  As the days went on, however, a new and different Johnny showed himself.  We're talking hitting, kicking, screaming, pushing, defiance, and all kinds of behaviors that neither my husband nor I had seen before.  I was seriously worried.

Our son was suffering from major stress.  He was unhappy, he was regressing, he was very mad inside, and the two of them could not be in the same room together without an adult at close watch (and ready to help the kiddos work through a problem).  I was nervous for her, and worried about him.  This was so unexpected, yet I'm glad I am now aware of the issue.

 

I am confident that with time, and more LOVE and attachment work, we can help Johnny to be a great big brother and to be comfortable with more children in the house, but I definitely learned a lesson here.

When I play with and observe these young children who have been through so much in their early years, I am amazed at their strength, their love for all people around them, and their huge, innocent smiles.  I am honored to hold one of those children close every night.

I Think I Can, I Think I Can...

I'm not gonna lie... this has been a rough week.  A test to the patience, the heart, and the mind.  However, we're staying strong and truly enjoying our new addition to the family.

Hope everyone is having a pleasant week!

A sensory tub with dry rice and beans: great for stress relief!

Even through difficult times... gotta keep on smilin'!

Last minute trip to the pumpkin patch with just me and the kiddos proved to be a great afternoon.

+1

So sorry about the lack of posts lately-  I truly think about my blog constantly, but LIFE has taken a turn towards Busytown...  My hubby and I recieved a wonderful foster placement two days ago and we have been working hard in our home to make her feel comfortable, while making sure our Johnny is also comfy with the situation.  Things are very much in the air right now with our new little one, but she is doing great and I think really enjoying her time here.

Anywhoo... please forgive my sporadic style and know that I will have much more to say once my  mommy schedule is back in place!!  :)

Craziness! Pure Craziness!

What a week!  It's been one of those "sit and read a parenting book, go for a run, take deep breaths, worry worry worry, everyone's totally off-schedule" kind of weeks, you know the ones!

Luckily, I have a stack of motivating and positive books, an amazing husband, and an although sick and exhausted, still hilarious and animated child.

Books piled next to me RIGHT NOW:

  

Although I haven't been able to frequent the gym like I had planned, I have been found rollin' down the road with my Johnnny in the stroller.  The weather has been amazing and I always feel great when I stay active.  Here are some pics from the week so far:

Yes! That IS a "J!" and YES Johnny wrote it!!! 

A reminder for me to slow down and enjoy life's little pleasures.  While on a run, I paused and let Johnny out to romp and climb around... perfect photo op.

I just love the old homes and barns scattered around Humboldt.

Although crazy and a little off-schedule, looking at these pictures and thinking about all of the great moments we've had... the week wasn't all that bad.  I hope everyone else is enjoying their family, community, and environment as well  :)

The Potty Pirate!

I believe The Potty Pirate may be showing up to my house in the next couple of weeks...

Check this out!!! Had to post about it!

We'll see how this pans out... stay tuned for a report!

Potty trained or not... I am in love  :)

Adventures in Babysitter Hunting

So, after having Johnny in our home for almost 10 months now, Terry and I are feeling like a babysitter is a great idea. Also many adult activities have come up in our near future.

So, why does getting a babysitter stress me out?

I had babysitters as a child, heck! I WAS a babysitter! I was a GREAT babysitter.

I know a few things about my relationship with Johnny and my "mama bear" attitude around him...
1.  Trust issues... who is this new person in my home and do I let her close to me?
2.  Abandonment issues... where are my parents going, will they come back?
3.  Unpredictable behaviors... like I said, we've been lucky enough to have Johnny for 10 months, but that's ONLY 10 months! We are brand new parents! Sometimes I have no clue how he will react to things.

I want Johnny to be happy.  I DON'T want him to worry about wether we are coming back, or to imagine we would let strangers in our home to care for him. I want him to know he is loved and that we will ALWAYS return.  

What I can say with confidence however, is that Terry and I need to "date." We need to flirt, we need to talk about adult subjects, watch adult movies, and just take a break from the oh-so-different world of parenting we have recently entered.

A happy couple are happy parents, and this is the base of a happy family.

And so the hunt continues.  Do I call the couple of girls who have offered as friends? Or do we interview and find a couple sitters that are strictly babysitters- I think I could keep more of a professional attitude towards this group. Hmmmm... any thoughts?  First babysitter stories? Please share!