Outdoor Adventures

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the air is filled with the fresh smell of yesterday's rain, and spring is officially in the works. Looking back, spring is a beautiful time of year, but I always found it trying due to my allergies. And summer was far too hot. Fall was definitely my favorite season. And all of a sudden, that has all changed. Sun means going outside and running around at the park and going for walks and playing with the water hose; in summary... fun! My daughter squeals in excitement as she explores this new world for the first time, my son runs in gleeful abandonment and I sit back and thank God for the beauty all around me. Not just nature at its best, but the beauty of my children enjoying it. Who could ask for anything more?

It is amazing how having children changes you. I have never been much of an outdoor person, but who could deny a boy with his thumb in his mouth, his kee-kee bundled up in his hands, and his face an expression of sheer anticipation as he looks out the window, "ou-siiii mama??" "pak? wak? (park and walk)". I have even discovered the perfect way to avoid tantrums and running away from mama... the stroller. No, I don't confine my son to sitting, instead, we pack Selah up and Caleb pushes the bar at the bottom while I push the bar at the top. That way he is helping mama, he walks a whole lot faster then he does when he can stop and look at EVERYTHING that we go by, and he is safe from running around. Perfect indeed. I never go anywhere without the token fruit snack (the bribe for leaving the park without collapsing in a bundle of screaming tears) and off we go. Never far, my little guy tires out pretty quick. But each time we go to the park he gets a little braver, and I have to run a little faster to keep up with him. Caleb has always been very very cautious. He didn't crawl until he was sure he could do it. No flailing for him, no army crawl. He would wait and watch and then one day, he just did it... perfectly. Same with walking. Slow and steady, and very cautious. I must admit, it is a quality I admire as a mother because of course, I am cautious with my children. I don't mind that he doesn't want to climb walls and scale mountains, it means less chance of my heart stopping and we are all happy. Well, that is very quickly changing. He is not always cautious, only until he is comfortable, and then he goes from one extreme to the other. For example, he would never go down the slide except on my lap. So far so good. Now he goes up so fast and down so fast that I can barely run to the front to catch him again. And that is not the worst part. He goes to the tall metal twisty slide and climbs up, barely making it up without falling, and down he goes. Be still my beating heart! All this while Selah crawls and begins eating gravel. Oy vey.

In summary, I don't just "put up" with being outside for the sake of my children, I truly have begun to LOVE being outside with my children. When you are watching everything from the eyes of a child, who couldn't begin to enjoy the simple pleasures of the outdoors? And the best part? I think my allergies, which I have suffered from my WHOLE life (to the extent of being on an inhaler) are gone. I still sneeze here and there, but somehow being pregnant twice through the spring and being unable to take my usual cartload of drugs has helped me. Who would have thought? Maybe the drugs don't help us, maybe they just make it all worse? Anyways, I am sure I will still have my days, but maybe it is just God's way of helping me enjoy the outdoors even more. And who am I to complain?!?!?!?!

And now dear reader, I have to get ready, for this day is a gift I am not about to waste sitting on the computer! Happy travels!

My morning addiction

I have come to the drastic realization that I only write on my blog on mornings on which I have a coffee. And as I have been trying to cut caffeine from my daily diet, my blog has been sadly lacking. However, this morning I caved in (having just bought my favorite creamer, I couldn't resist) and made myself just a "small pot" to get me through the morning. Ah, I forgot how enjoyable a simple cup could be. To some people, coffee is just a "fix". They become addicted to the caffeine (don't worry, I was an addict to), and can't make their morning right without it. There is nothing wrong with this, however I have reached my own conclusion. After going through "caffeine withdrawl" for a couple days, I was cured. But the problem does not lie in the physical need, as it does for some, instead I realized that for me, I am completely emotionally addicted to this, life's little pleasure. Tea just doesn't cut it, trust me, I have tried. It has to be the drug-induced, teeth-staining, heart-stopping pot of black stuff or else my heart is just not in it. I don't do a whole lot for myself, who could with two mobile little munchkins under 2????? A shower is a rare-occurence, a shower in PEACE is almost non-existent. I don't wear makeup, I don't waste my time with my hair. I wear sweatpants and baggy shirts (it's a good thing my husband likes the frumpy look or else I would be feeling very sorry for him! :)) and stay locked in my house talking "baby talk" allllll day long! But this, my ritual cup of coffee, is for me. I can be racing after kids and have to heat it up 20 times, but it is so creamy and steamy, and each little sip, I feel a sense of indulgence. And with that indulgence, I am ready for my day. Who knew? So, dear reader, I am addicted to coffee. Not physically, at least not yet (this is my first cup in a week), but emotionally. Which I suppose is far, far worse. And I simply cannot bring myself to forgoe this one step of independance that I am allotted.

I was going to write an update on my family, but I think I will leave it at that. My thoughts on a cup of joe. What better to write about????

Information Overload

As a new parent, or at least I still consider myself a new parent, I am constantly buying and reading new literature on the greatest and latest "child rearing tecniques". I mean, I knew having kids wouldn't be a walk in the park, but there are days I feel at a complete loss! And I mean COMPLETE! Having written on this subject on a number of occassions, I won't bore you with the gory details, but the reality is that just when I get something under control, something new comes up that throws me for a loop. And so I read. Selah, being my second, is easy. Not that she is an easier baby than Caleb, but I guess it is not foreign territory to me anymore. I have an idea of what to do and it really is easier the second time around. Caleb, on the other hand, constantly has me jumping. There is no rest when I am wondering what happened to my sweet little boy and where this little terrorist has come from! Ahhhh! So, I resort to buying more books. "What to Expect in the Toddler Years," "See how they run," "To train up a child," Child rearing videos, magazines on parenting... etc. And then I ravage them for information on the terrible twos, and eighteen to twenty-four month olds, raising BOYS, whatever I can manage to get my hands on. Is it normal to be completely housbound due to my son's newfound ability to completely humiliate me in public????? Oy vey! And yet, I am learning. Each new book I read, each article I see, gives me new perspective as I constantly re-evaluate my parenting tecniques. The only problem, is that just when I decide on something, I read something else that changes my perspective once again. And I feel guilty, or someone looks at me with judgement in their eyes and I wonder to myself: "am I being too hard, too soft? What am I doing wrong here." And once again, it is back to the drawing board. Oh, the days when he was quiet, and cuddly, and stayed where I put him. Oh well, for now, I survive. One day at a time, one mistake at a time. Trying and trying and trying again until I find some method that works, if only for a time before I am once again forced to go back to the drawing board yet again. Here's to raising toddler boys!

Tired, oh so tired!

How are the Spooners? We are doing well. And by well, I mean SICKER THAN DOGS! I, miraculously, am fine, but the whole rest of the family seems to be under a cloud of incessant sickness that never ends. We found out the Caleb and Jonathan had the Norwalk Virus, which lasted over a week for both of them. Finally finished with that, we thought we were getting better when Selah spiked a fever (which she has had for three days now), no other symptoms though, so we innocently assumed that it was merely teething. The same day that Jonathan announces he is feeling better, he starts to cough... and now has a full-blown bronchial infection... Caleb is a WRECK and I don't know why, something is obviously still bothering him, although he has no fever and shouldn't be teething. Then, there is Selah. Yes, yes, the fever. Well I have been taking her out assuming that all is well, when this afternoon... hello! She is covered in bright red dots. Whoops! Where did those come from? Roseola, baby measles (possibly why my son is so fussy????).

I have no idea where we picked up all this sickness, we have hardly left the house, but somehow it is here and I am getting so tired of dealing with it. Well, at least I don't have it. I guess it could be worse. Other than that, we just plug along. This morning I am singing at an event (not really sure how that happened) before I rush back home to take care of my ailing family. Jonathan goes back to work, which I must admit, I am looking forward to a bit. Back to a semblance of routine. Now I just have to figure out why my son is getting up at 6am every morning and acting like a train wreck. Ahhh, to be back home where I have HELP on days like these! Until next time!

A Covert Operation

Silence. Ahhh, my mind floats and concentration evades me. Where am I? I don't care. All I know is that the house, yes I believe I am in a house, is quiet and peace prevails. Wait a minute, peace? My calm and blissfully ignorant state of mind is shattered as I come upon the rapid realization that something is elementally wrong with this picture. I have an 18 month old, nothing should ever be quiet. Frantically, I pull myself out of my hazed stupor and proceed to search high and low for my busy little boy. "Caleb!" I call out, nothing. I search his room, the toys sit in wild abandon, mocking my futile efforts. "Caleb, come to mommy!" The bathroom... perhaps he is playing with the toilet paper! Running in that direction, I come upon definite signs of his presence, but my son is nowhere to be seen. The toilet paper has mysteriously been emptyed off its roll and haphazardly discarded into the toilet; which upon closer examination, now has the appearance of being hopelessly clogged. Yup, he was here all right! I close the door behind me to ensure no more damage ensues and continue looking. Selah's room is next, but the door is still closed, and she is still sleeping. No signs of toddler trouble here. The living room is empty as well. Cautiously arriving at my last resort I slow my pace and very carefully peer into the depths of the kitchen... nothing? Wait, that cannot be! There is no where else in this little house for him to hide! And then I hear it... "crinkle, crinkle, crinkle," he has to be here somewhere. Upon closer examination, I see my little monkey... under the table. He has geniously discovered his "potty candy" from the bathroom, and retreated to his hideaway to devour it in utter secrecy. Aha! Carefully assuming my "stern mommy" face, I step into the kitchen with my hands on my hips. "Caleb, what are you doing?" I watch as my son goes absolutely still, obviously under the misconceived impression that if he doesn't move, I can't see him (has he been watching too much jurrasic park with daddy???). As I begin my descent to his level, my ingenious son quickly realizes his precarious situation, and hastily shoves the remaining stash into his mouth. From here, he looks up at me apologetically as he preforms the sign for 'sorry' in a most convincing manner. I, being the all-knowing mother, have seen this act one too many times and proceed to lovingly and strictly direct my son towards his appropriate punishment. Afterwards, he grins up at me and runs away, mouth still brimming with candy. I sit down on the couch with a sense of wonderment. For despite doing all the right things, I have the uncanny impression that my son has just won the: "Battle for the candy." Oh well, there's always next time right?

Family Life

Well, I figure an update is in order, considering I haven't written in about a month. One month, a short amount of time, and yet in the lives of young children, an eternity. For a good portion of this month, we were vacationing... which one might define as going to a new place or somewhere warm for a memorable family experience. We, the spooners, define it as going to visit family. Whoop-de-do. And yet, still memorable and enjoyable. We packed up on the 11th, and came home on the 21st. From there, we had one night to do laundry and repack before we went with Jess and Andy to the states. What fun! How is it that when considering going somewhere, my common sense goes out the window????? "We will stay in hotel for a couple of nights! Won't that be fun????" NO! HOTEL BAD.... NOT FUN! What was I thinking? Two kids in the same room as us, screaming and wailing from being in the car? Oy vey. Needless to say, it was actually not that bad. We went to Spokane and I was able to get most of the kids' summer clothes (albeit no cheaper than I would have here in Canada, but hey, it was something new) as well as cut off all my hair. All right, not all of it, but a good portion. I got a good visit in with my sister, and got to see a long-lost friend that I haven't seen in 6 years! All in all, a profitable trip. And if I am learning anything about children, it is this:
You can let them control your life. Never leave home. It really is easier that way. Stick to the routine. Everyone is happy. OR... you can do what you want to do. Make memories. You won't really remember the sweating, panicking, hopelessly trying to soothe and pacify... all you will remember is the picture... a smiling, happy family! Oh please, let this be true?!?!?!

Needless to say, we came home from all this travelling exhausted and... wait for it... sick (of course). Our house is now officially heaped with clothes, laundry, suitcases, and toys. But we are home. Home, home, home. Now all I need to do is get busy and find a place for all these new arrivals to the spooner household. Oh wait, there is not place for them! Hello mess, goodbye order. As for the kids, what can I say? Growing like weeds, cliche I know, but so true. My little girl has officially graduated from an infant, to a moving and groving baby. She has changed so much in the last month, I hardly recognize her. She used to play strange with ANYONE other than me, gone. She is the happiest baby on the block. Pass her off to complete strangers, and she has a grin for all of them! Is it wrong to be a little bit sad? She now has two teeth, nursing is a joke... all she wants to do is take me with her as she explores her whole new world. She is so close to crawling, can move forwards, backwards, and turn herself in every which direction... in other words, MOBILE! Sniff, when did this happen? Caleb, on the other hand, is my steady man. He tries any word you say, walks, runs, and his newest acheivement... jumping (he barely leaves the ground, but I swear the kid thinks he is flying!). He loves to dance, and if you have ever watched Elaine on Seinfeld's dance moves, you will know his style. Very similar. Don't ask where he learned to dance like that! He is our sicky right now. He has never had the flu before, and I must say, I am definitely more sympathetic with the flu than when he has a cold. I have changed his sheets and outfit 8 times in the last day and half. And now my husband has started. Vitamin C, here I come! He has all four of his eye teeth, FINALLY! Hallelujah!

Well, that is our family in a nutshell, for now that is. I would love to continue writing about the crazy events of our everyday life, however now that the kids are sleeping, my job begins. It is now or never... and the suitcases are in desperate need to be emptied. So, wishing you all a happy end to your week... Spooner out.

The ultimate parent

What a week! What a month really. Filled with screaming children, tantrums, spontaneous tears, whining, fussing, kids pulling at my legs, etc. etc. etc. And I am loathe to remind myself that this will be the next 2 (at least) years of my life. If there is anything my short experience at motherhood has taught me, it is that there is no right answer. Every child is different, every parent is different, and every situation is different. But this does not stop me from being overcome by the "mother guilt" every once in a while. Take my son for example, this teething thing is becoming the excuse of the century, and I now have no idea what to do. Is he really teething, or is he just over-tired, perhaps I put him to bed too early, or maybe he had a bad dream. Do I give him tylenol, or am I just over-drugging a kid that doesn't need it???? And round and round I go. Then there is my daughter, an even bigger enigma. I feed her, and feed her and feed her, and still she wants more. She is not gaining as much as she should and so I have doctors breathing down my neck to switch to formula. That is all fine and dandy for them, but my little girl wouldn't dream of letting a bottle or the wretched taste of formula anywhere NEAR her queenly little mouth. Oh dear, now what? I feed her solid food twice a day and try to rest and drink lots of fluid to increase my milk supply... it is an ongoing, continuous, constant case of nerves. Is she getting enough? What do I do? How can I increase my milk? etc. etc. etc.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a mother, and I suppose if it didn't come with challenges, I would get bored much to easily. But that doesn't stop me from being bombarded with the question I ask myself EVERY DAY..... what now?

My dear husband hears a squeak out of our children and the first adoring words out of his mouth are: "what do they want?" As if I would know. I must admit that I have been known to throw my hands up in the air, and walk away, adamately declaring, "I don't know, you deal with it." This is a wonderful approach to my temporary lack of sanity, until minutes later I hear my children still crying and my husband standing in the same spot as he has NO idea what do do. Sigh, mom is back on the job. I suppose I will never get to renounce my duties. I will always be the one with the "collossal answer", even when I feel as though there is no answer. And so it is that I find myself time and time again calling out to God for answers. It is with great regret that I admit that he is often my last resort, and because of that, I believe that I miss out on much wisdom. However, he is always faithful to me, and even if the answer to my question is "go with your gut" or "trust me" or simply "do nothing, wait" there is always an answer, if I simply seek it. And so,dear reader, I am not a perfect parent, FAR FROM IT! But I get my tips and tricks from the best parent there is, and it is through Him that I will press on to my goal.

Happy parenting!