It Snuck Up On Me

Last Wednesday our daycare provider warned me that a few kids had gotten the stomach bug and had to leave early. As any mother would do, I cringed and prayed and insisted on everyone hand washing like a crazy person. Our family has been healthy all winter long and I was just beginning to think we had made it through the entire season scot-free.

The next morning I was loading Tucker in his car seat to take Mason to preschool when I heard some noises coming from the bathroom. The toilet flushed and Mason came out claiming, "I spit up mom and when Barrett spit up on Melisa's floor he had to go home and stay home all day." My first instinct told me to question his story, however I didn't want to risk it either. Thinking back he hadn't eaten his breakfast very well, he loves school so it would not be like him to want to miss that, and he had certainly been exposed to illness. With only a few minutes to decide, I resolved to let him stay home. After twenty minutes, I could tell he was simply testing his acting abilities. He was bouncing all over the couch and asking if he could go outside and play. I had been played. By 10:30 I had him loaded up and on his way to daycare. I was thankful that he wasn't really sick, however I was a bit frightened that his almost four-year-old mind could pull one over on me.

By Saturday I thought we were all in the clear and then BAM! It snuck up on me. As I was getting ready for bed, the stomach flu hit me like a truck. It was awful and all I could think about was how I was possibly going to get up and nurse my baby when I couldn't even move. Thankfully, Tucker slept a good stretch and I was able to feed him around 4 am and then everyone went back to sleep. Sunday was cold, gloomy and one of the longest days I have had in quite a while. As if all that wasn't enough, we also had to deal with the time change which made everything just weird. Nathan was amazing with the kids and took care of everything so I could rest. I am just hoping that I was the only victim of this nasty nasty bug.

In December, thirteen weeks of maternity leave sounded like forever and then BAM! It snuck up on me. Today is my last day with my little guy at home. I am feeling much better but very weak. The silver lining to my sickness is that I have been doing nothing but snuggling with my sweet baby and soaking up every last minute. I told Nathan that I wasn't going to set him down all day. I really am quite surprised by my feelings. I did not expect to be so sad about him going to daycare. By the end of just eight weeks with my other babies I was ready for change, a new routine. My skill set is definitely not "stay at home mom." Somehow the years and experiences must have taught me to cherish these precious days at home with my newborn. As all the wise ones say, they go so quickly and this time I know I will never again be gifted with these precious moments.

With my third and final baby my emotions really hit me unexpectedly. I know Tucker will be well cared for and that going back to work in my home is ten times easier than going back to an office but for some reason the end of these treasured days has me feeling glum and yet so grateful. These last three months have been some of my greatest days yet and my wish is that in thirty years I will read this post and still be able to feel his warm body resting in my arms.

Bose Bros

Yesterday, Tucker had his first visit to Bose Bros Farms. Papa was beaming as he showed him around.

Here is the work bench, Tucker.

Jason thought you were pretty cute. 

Kelsi had to come to meet you too! 

Uncle Craig thought you looked a lot like Mason.  

Tucker, you are so dang lucky to have these special people in your family. I have so many wonderful memories in that shop and my hope is that you will have some too.

A New Stage of Life

Today is my last day in my early 30s. Tomorrow I will be 35 and will begin a new stage of life. I am not necessarily sad about this realization but simply taking the time to appreciate my past and how much I have learned in my 34 years. I will definitely miss the sense of still being "young" with many exciting milestones ahead of me such as graduation, starting my "real" job, buying my first house, meeting "the one", getting engaged, getting married, honeymooning, being pregnant, nursing my precious baby in the middle of the night. All of these things I have experienced with great joy, however I will never again encounter these precious moments in life.

I look forward with hope that my upper 30s and 40s can be some of the best years yet. I may not feel the tiny kicks from a babe growing inside of me but I get to watch my three amazing children grow into teenagers and young adults. Many say that the adolescent years are very trying years for a parent, but I am convinced that there can be some pretty awesome moments as well. Jentry will be 10 this summer and I am beginning to see a glimpse of what our relationship might grow to be as she matures into a young lady. I may worry and pray for my children constantly but I believe watching them learn and come into their own will bring me a kind of joy I have never experienced.

I have learned a great deal about myself and some hard life lessons in the last 34 years. All of these days will only make the next stage of life all the more enjoyable. I know who I am. I know more of what I like and don't like. I know more of what is important to me and what is not. I am more confident in the skills God has given to me and I know where I need to continue to grow. My fear of missing out is diminishing. I have a sense of security and respect that were not present in my 20s.

The next decade will be busy but I will also become less needed for daily tasks. I will gradually get some minutes back for myself, which will be welcomed with open arms. My children will become more capable of doing real chores. Amen! In the summer, I will sit by the pool with a good book, my one-piece bathing suit and not give a damn about my white spider-vein legs.

Cheers to the next 35 years! May they be filled with a new joy that can only be experienced with age.

A Visit With Granny

Friday I braved 325 miles in the car ...with children...solo. Sounds like self-induced torture, but seeing my grandmother get down on her living room floor and play with Mason and hold baby Tucker for the very first time made every crazy mile worth it. Granny is no longer able to drive to us, so we drove to her.

Mason was worried that Granny Mary didn't have any toys but low and behold she had dug out the toys I played with as a girl, washed them up a bit and had them set out ready for play. Mason was in heaven with the 1980's Fisher Price Camping Set. It was always one of my favorites too.

Granny couldn't find her block set, so she gathered up all the Kleenex boxes she could find. Mason played with them for over an hour.

In an attempt to burn some energy before getting back in the car, Grandma Bose took Mason for a walk. I believe she had good intentions, however she allowed him to jump in puddles which made his shoes, socks and pants soaking wet. As if that wasn't silly enough, he then fell face first into the melting snow. We had to put everything but his shirt in the dryer before we could leave. Granny gave him some silly purple and white striped socks to keep his legs warm while we waited.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a four generation picture, so this photo was absolutely worth the day of travel. I will treasure it for many years to come.

Heart Day

Yesterday was such a fun day. Nothing was super expensive or over the top but I had a great day celebrating Valentine's Day with those that I love.

We started the day of love with chocolate strawberry smoothies for breakfast.

Mason was more than excited to take his emoji cards and suckers to his friends at preschool. Mrs. Mau did such an amazing job helping each little make a "One in a Minion" box to collect their valentines.

Jentry's class held a lunch box auction. Each student was to bring a Valentine's box with a lunch inside. The students could earn love bucks and then use their money to bid on a lunch box. Jentry won her friend Mia's pig. It was so creative and cute.

Tucker and I took lunch to Daddy. Tucker was kind enough to let the two of us eat uninterrupted as he slept through it all. How romantic!

The kids opened cards and gifts from grandparents and we all enjoyed red pancakes for supper.

We ended the day with the "Happy Valentine's Day Little Critter!" book.

Love is just precious.

A Child of God

This little guy has been with us for two whole months now. We are all settling in and finding a bit of a routine... if there's such a thing.

Those smiles!

Daddy claimed that Tucker rolled from his tummy to his back during the Super Bowl. Mommy didn't believe him until he did it again a few days later.

Mommy is excited to have a new laundry assistant but the helper apparently thinks laundry is a complete bore.

Well hello bright eyes!

Lunch dates with mom are the best!

On Sunday, February 11, 2018, Tucker Jack McKenzie was baptized at the Sutton Federated Church by Pastor Mary Scott. What a perfect day! After the service, we celebrated with family at the Legion and invited everyone to our home for coffee and dessert.

 

  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

This Kid

This Kid...

He is charismatic. He is social. He loves people. People love him. He is the star of children's time. He never stops talking. His voice can be heard from anywhere. His questions are endless. He doesn't miss a thing. He is engaging. He is thoughtful. He loves to learn. His eyes light up the room. He owns his mama's heart.