It's all in the moments-

Last week we were out at our favorite little neighborhood pizza place- Brooklyn Height's Pizzeria- it's SO good! Love this place- all the waitresses loooooove them some Kash- they would probably give him free pizza- too bad he doesn't eat any yet. Anyhow- out off the back patio they have a big play ground for all the kids to go crazy in. It's really nice- Mom and Dad can sit out and enjoy themselves while the kids run around and play out their energy.

It was a nice afternoon-some clouds in the sky- but the sun was out. All the sudden- I guess one of those clouds decided to open up and it just started POURING- kids were running in off the playground soaking wet. No idea where this little rain storm came from- but it came.

So sitting next to us was a cute couple and their 2 kids. A little girl about 9-10 months old- Kash was checking her out. And a little boy- probably about 3 years old. I guess the little boy asked if he could go play on the play ground and his mom said yes. Thinking that he would go out on the patio- see that it was raining- and come back inside.
So he ran out on the patio- and ran straight out to the playground! Then he came running back- SOAKED- I mean- water running off of his head- soaking wet. He was crying. He probably thought he was about to get in BIG trouble.

You know what happened next??

The dad marched out there- only he didn't yell at the little boy. He didn't get in trouble. The dad went and played in the rain with him. They ran out together- ran in the rain- played on the play ground- splashed in the puddles- and laughed. When they came back to the patio- they were both soaking wet. It was very cute- so sweet- touching.

I think years from now- that little boy will remember the time that he and his dad went out and played in the rain. What a moment-

Sometimes I think we forget to choose our battles- and we forget to stop and make memories- and life is too short to not play in the rain.

42 things that change when you have a baby-

This is from Baby Center- and I just loved it!

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.


2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. [See a reader's perspective in #22, below.]

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.


And from our readers...

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte *this is my favorite*

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye

7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara
[Many readers begged to differ, saying things like, " I disagree with number 12. My dogs are my additional children," "Nothing about previous babies, whether two- or four-legged, changes when a new miracle comes along," "My dog will never be 'just a dog," and "This is sad to me. My dog is still my baby too."]

13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom

16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona

17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara

18. You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution. — Anon.

19. You have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart. — Brooke&Boys

20. You just plain love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them. — Anon.

21. You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts. — Anon.
22. In response to #2 [above], I'd say that where you were once afraid, you're now fearless. I was always very timid and shy and let myself get walked all over … but now where my kid's concerned, I'll speak my mind and really connect with my inner "b"! — gummismom
23. The support you get from other people surprises you, because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect. — japanese_macaque
24. Nothing is just yours any longer. You share EVERYTHING! — DylanLsMom
25. No matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think, "I've done a GREAT job!" — Anon.
26. You want to take better care of yourself for your child. — Treasor
27. You can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like "ahhh" and "oooo." — littlehulk2008

8 months old-

I can't belive it as I type it. 8 months old- every month I sit and ponder- where did the time go? And before you know it- they are going to be turning 16 and driving cars and all kinds of crazy stuff! So just recently Ciara turned 12, Caleb 10, and now Kash 8 months. (I however have not turned ANY years older- ya know- because of the birthday rules...) Anyhow- I so enjoy- LOVE- being a mom. It is by far the best. thing. ever.

SIZE: I am assuming that he is weighing in at around 16- 18 lbs. Less than 20 lbs for sure- but over 15 lbs- He is wearing a size 2 diaper and size 6-9 months clothing.

I don't know what it is about boys and remotes- but check out how fast he can get to this one!!

NEW MOVES: crawling- lots of crawling- and he does a "one legged" crawl- LOL! it's too funny- sometimes his knees don't even touch and he "crab crawls" around. He also is pulling up on EVERYthing- and I mean everything. Like a pillow- yes he will try and stand up with a pillow- or tuperware- It is also almost impossible to change his diaper- he is SO fast and such a wiggle worm. (watchout Granny- he is quick!)

YUMMY FOODS: Still on purees- but we are introducing "chunkier" purees. Kash has 2 bottom teeth and one top one that is breaking through as we speak. There has been a few fussy days when we can tell his teeth are bothering him. And even a few days when he ran a low grade fever. But with some extra love and an extra goofy brother and sister to play with- we barely notice! We have tried -and liked- avacados, butternut squash, yellow squash, zuchini, carotts, sweet potatoes, peaches, pears, blueberries, apples, mangos, and nectarines. So far the only thing he hasn't liked was the green beans. Which I think we may try again..... got to have something green! He likes to "nom" on cold cucumbers, his teething ring, teething buscuits, and celery sticks.

SLEEPING: We have bath time at 7:30 pm, followed by a bottle, and then to straight to bed. So usually in bed by 8:00 pm- and during the week I have to wake him up at 6:00 am, but on the weekends he will usually sleep until about 7:00 am.

WORDS: he talks and talks and talks! No words- but lots of babbling- Mamama's, Bababa's, and most recently Dadada's. He has also started squealing- with delight- I think. He thinks it's really funny. He will even squeal real loud and chase Gracie around- it's pretty funny.

BEST MOMENTS: I still love to nap with Kash. Each weekend- I try and take at least one nap together. He's such a snuggle bug- I love it! Recently I think we have experienced seperation anxiety. And even though it's not really one of our "best moments" it's sweet to know that he doesn't want me to leave him. And it makes it all that much sweeter when I come to pick him up and I get a HUGE bug smile on his face!

FAVORITE THINGS: Being tickled- he is ticklish on his belly, legs, bottom of his feet and neck. Still really loving bath time- and even loves the dogs water bowl. He likes to stand at the back door and bang on it and watch the dogs. He has a little skateboard that he likes to hold on to and his Great Granny gave him a sock monkey that he loves! Oh- and door stops.I don't know how- but he knows where they are and he knows how to get them off. Then he carries them around with him- he's so smart.

A little nutty-

I love stepping on crunchy acorns!

So if you ever see me aimlessly wondering around a parking lot smiling- it's because I have found some to crunch!

Minute to Win It!

Have you seen this game show? It's SO fun! Guy Fieri- yes the cook- or the Diners, Dive Ins, and Dives guy- is the host. How he went from food to game show hosts- I don't know. I know a lot of things- but this one I just don't have the answer to.
Anyhow- Ciara turned *gasp* 12- twelve- (or in her mind 12teen- I am pretty sure she already thinks she is a teenager) We decided to have a Minute to Win It game night for her birthday party. We had a blast.

So on the show- they come up with all different kinds of challenges- "blueprints" -and the contestants have 60 sec to complete the blueprint to win money- like a MILLION dollars BIG money~! They list all the challenges on the website so contestants can practice before they come on the show.

We changed the rules a little bit-
1. no practice before game night
2. no money for prizes (booooo)

We still had a blast and it was funny watching the kids do silly things- like try to get an Oreo cookie from their forehead to their mouth without using hands.

The prizes- filled with millions of dollars- LOL! yea right!

The food- Ciara's favorites- Mexican Pinwheels

Stuffed Mushrooms- yummy!

Chicken Enchilada dip-

and queso- of course-

GAME #1 BLUEPRINT-

Place 1 Oreo cookie on your forehead. Wiggle the cookie into your mouth with out the use of your hands. (on the show- you have to do 3 in 60 seconds)

ok go!

Hard to do when you are laughing so hard!

No hands!

Get it- get it! almost there!

Winner!!

GAME #2 BLUEPRINT-

Blow up the balloon and use your air from the balloon to knock pyramid of cups OFF the table. All cups must be blown off the table.

I thought some of the kids were going to pass out for sure!

Especially Caleb- he was turning red!

Go girls go!

GAME #3 BLUEPRINT-

Tie a yo-yo around pant loop on the back. Players must swing yo-yo to knock over pyramid of cups on table.

This was one was hard- and dangerous!

watchout for flying yo-yo's

Wade needed protection-

dizzy kids everywhere- LOL!

GAME #4 BLUEPRINT-

Place M&Ms on butter knife and lift it to your mouth and eat the M&Ms- this one was too easy

(on the show you have to make a little lever system- around your ears using string- but we didnt' get into all that)

Focus-

Present time!

New shades

My name is Awesome!

Watchout- new bike!

Yay- onto the cake....

wait a sec.... she is NOT turning 21-

ahhh.... much better-

With a new bike- comes new riders-

the girls-Ciara and her Nanny-

We had a great time. Ciara was so excited that her Nanny got to be there to enjoy the fun! She sure is growing up too fast. But I love every minute- she is so smart, athletic and good at just about everything she puts her mind to. I am proud of the young lady that she is- Happy birthday! We love you!!