Eighteen Months Old

I can't believe my boy is 1-1/2! Everyone warned me that time would fly . . . and it is!

We've had a fun month. Lots of pretty weather, so we've been getting outside as much as possible. We attended an Easter egg hunt at a local park, which was lots of fun. They had a "2 and under" category, so Cooper didn't have a lot of tough competition. He got lots of loot!

We aren't doing the "Easter Bunny" (or Santa Claus, or any of those things), but I did get him an Easter basket. He loved it!

Here he is, dressed for church with some of his Easter goodies, including a bunny from Grambo (my mom).

We didn't have our usual family egg hunt this Easter because it just wouldn't have been the same without my brother and his family, but we did have my parents and some friends from church over for our traditional Easter dinner: homemade pizza.

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In other news, I have to give my testimony next Thursday night at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting. I'm pretty nervous about it; I'm just not a speaker, but I feel like God is calling me to do it. I'm trusting Him to get me through it.

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Otherwise, life is good, and, as always, I am very thankful.

In My Defense

I have been involved in a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group this year, which I have really enjoyed. Each meeting is a time of fellowship with other moms and includes a presentation of some relevant topic.

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This week's meeting was self-defense class. It was really fun! We learned a lot of techniques for keeping ourselves safe.

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The first thing we all need to do is to try to avoid making ourselves a target:

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- Be aware of your surroundings. Look around before getting out of a car or leaving a building. Wearing earphones or talking on a cellphone lowers your awareness.

- Be prepared. Have your keys in your hand when leaving a building. Try not to have your hands too full so that you couldn't use them to defend yourself.

- Some of the tips were obvious: lock your doors (at home and in the car), park in well-lit areas, etc.

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He then showed us some ways to physically defend ourselves if anyone does attack us. We practiced them with others in the group.

Only use offensive techniques if absolutely necessary. If you hurt someone, you will make them mad and more likely to retaliate, but here are some tips, if you must use them.

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Use the palm of your hand rather than your fist (you'll have a greater chance of hitting your target) and hit him square in the nose. It doesn't take a huge amount of force to break someone's nose and cause a lot of pain.

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Other target areas are the solar plexus (stomach), groin, top of the foot, or hitting both of his ears with the palms of your hands. Use your hands, knees or feet and use as much force as you are able to.

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We practiced hitting a board that broke in half if we hit it hard enough. I broke it on my first try.

I encourage everyone (men or women) to take a class like this if you ever get a chance. It was fun and I learned a lot of new skills which I will hopefully never have to use, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Seventeen Months Old

This past month has been a wild one. Cooper and I have both been sick a lot. It seems like every time I put him in a nursery somewhere, he picks up a "bug" and then gives it to me. We're both well right now, though, and the weather is getting warmer, so maybe we're done with it all for a while.

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We celebrated my mom's birthday earlier this month with a little family gathering. Cooper did his part by eating some cake, something he was quite happy to do.

We've had our share of "toddler tantrums," especially when he isn't feeling well, but I guess that's normal. It makes the smiles all the sweeter.

He's becoming much more aware of things, understanding most everything we tell him and recognizing things that are familiar. He LOVES to push buttons (light switches, garage door, elevators, etc.) He's full of antics too, like balancing a pie plate on his head.

I'm still recovering in some ways from my miscarriage, but the beauty of springtime gives me new hope and reminds me that life goes on. I have much to be thankful for.

To My Baby in Heaven

They told me yesterday what I already knew
Though I had prayed it wasn’t true.
The ultrasound proved you were no longer there.
All I could do was sit and stare.

My mind began to wonder why –
Why did you live? And why did you die?
Why did God give you, then take you away?
Before you got to run and play?

I don’t even know if you were a boy or girl.
Would you have worn a baseball cap or had long golden curls?
Would you have liked singing or reading or sports?
Or studying science or building forts?

I wanted to hold you and be your mother,
To watch you play with your dad and your brother.
I wanted to love you and watch you grow.
There are so many things I’ll never know.

I won’t see you when you’re two or seven.
I’ll never hold you ‘til I’m in heaven.
I look forward to meeting you once I get there
Maybe then I’ll understand what now doesn’t seem fair.

Am I selfish to want you here with me?
To long for something that isn’t to be?
You were spared the trials and pain of life,
But I would rather be holding you tight.

I look out and see the daffodils bloom
And mourn that you are no more in my womb.
I have to believe that God knows best,
Though why this happened, I can only guess.

Sixteen Months Old

Wow -- how time flies! I've been nearly a month without blogging. Chasing a toddler keeps you busy!

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Not too much new to report for this month. Cooper is growing and changing every day, learning new things (and sometimes getting into trouble). We love him though, and we're learning to parent as we go, trusting God to teach us the right way to do it.

It's wintertime, and we've had our share of illnesses: stomach virus (Cooper and me) and now RSV and croup for Cooper. But this too shall pass. Spring is just around the corner. I'm looking forward to getting outside with him more so we can explore the world together, as I experience things anew through his eyes.

He is developing a love for animals (especially cats, it seems, much to Don's dismay). We have several books with animals in them that he carries around and looks at over and over, pointing out his favorites. He is learning to make some animal sounds too.

What a boy. What a joy. We are so thankful to be his parents.

Fifteen Months Old

Our baby boy is fifteen months old now. It has been a fun month, with lots of new adventures. Of course, this month included Christmas, which brought its own kind of fun.

We have had a few pretty days recently, and made the most of one of them by going to the zoo with a friend of mine. Here she is with Cooper on the merry-go-round.

He is feeding himself pretty well now. Well, sort of. You may note that he has a spoon on his tray, but it didn't get put to much use. Oh well.

He LOVES to read, and constantly brings us books, handing them to us and then putting his arms up for us to put him in our lap.

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Every day brings new things: new words, new skills, new experiences, or just a new understanding of how things work. Mom and Dad are having to learn as we go too, for new challenges are arising (did someone say toddler tantrums?). All in all, though, life is good and, as always, we are very thankful.

Nash Checks In

Hi. It's your old friend Nash again, checking in, as I like to do from time to time.

There's not too much new for me to tell. I still miss my dog-sister Dasha. Life just isn't the same without her. My dog-cousin, Lexie, came to visit at Thanksgiving, and we had a good time playing together. Here we are, both hoping for a bite of turkey (and yes, in the end, we both got some).

The family treats me well. Even the little guy isn't bad. He gets a little rough sometimes, but Mom and Dad always remind him to be gentle. Every now and then I have to growl a little to prompt them.

I feel like one of them for the most part, but sometimes I feel different, like when they all go someplace together and don't take me. We did all go for several nice walks over the Christmas holidays, while my dad was off of work. That was fun.

And speaking of Christmas, they didn't forget me. I found this dog in my stocking on Christmas morning. This picture was made that day. I have mostly destroyed it now.

I'm hoping for at least 1 good snow here before the winter is over. I always love playing in that.

Well, I guess I'll close. Happy New Year to everyone. I'll try to stop in again before too long.