Because of you.

Because of you I became a mother--a little sooner than expected, but I became a mother nonetheless.

Because of you I learned the true meaning of prayer and just how strong I could really become.

Because of you I learned how to change a diaper, apply the right about of Desitin, and how to proper apply baby powder without a cloud of white covering you and myself.

Because of you I learned the value of sleep. Oh how I miss sleep and waking up at ten in the morning--but I must say, I have now witnessed some very beautiful sun rises.

Because of you I now have a pocket full of "firsts"--first giggle, first tummy roll, first steps, first words, first kiss, first "I love you..." the list could go on.

Because of you my purse has morphed from a bag that once held the daily essentials of lip gloss, keys, movie tickets, iPod, text books, pens, and gum to a sea of graham crackers, diapers, melted crayons, dum dums, helicopters, wipes, and crushed cheerios.  

Because of you I found pleasure in late night cuddle sessions. You wispy breathe and hot body are small reminders of your father and all the little things that you have inherited from him.

Because of you I learned that dinner's out require crayons and an iPad and that no dinner outing is complete without drawing lots of kites, balloos, cakes, helicoppers, and the occasional shrek (yes, I've mastered drawing shrek).

Because of you I've learned the truthfulness of unselfish acts and giving ones self for another being.

Because of you I've learned that any adventure to Target requires at least a bag of popcorn and a red n' blue Icee.

Because of you, my Mom became a grandmother. I would like to say I'm one of her all-time greatest achievements, but I think you may have beat us all. Oh how she loves you.

Because of you I now appreciate her even more. Motherhood is hard. so hard. And now I have the smallest understanding of what she went through. You helped to open my eyes, B.

My baby boo. You run, you jump, you never ever ever stop and you won't stay off my kitchen counter. You laugh hysterically and talk all the time. You know your way around my phone and iPad like you are the love child of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. 

There is never a moment where you are not saying you ABC's, pointing out numbers, or noticing every shape. You are so smart and your laughter is contagious to anyone you meet. You may not know it now but you have such a large heart and your love for everyone around you never ceases.

For having such a scary start to live you have found a way to make up the difference. You're smile, your eyes, you fiery red hair, and oh those long eyelashes will be the death of me someday. But for now you are mine and because of all these things and more I am so blessed that God let me be your Momma.

***

Happy Mothers to all you fine ladies out there! And a very special and heart felt Mother's Day to my own Momo and mother-in-law, you're the cream of the crop and I love you .

Learning the alphabet...

There is something to be said about a young child and their innate ability to soak up knowledge like a wet sponge. A few months ago I posted this cute little video on Facebook showcasing Brecken's alphabet skills. After the video was posted I got a number of questions on how he learned letter recognition out of sequential order.

Quite frankly, I can't take the credit. Brecken is obsessed with books and drawing so any knowledge that he has gained he has learned all on his own. His drive for knowledge makes this lady one proud Momma, I'm sure we can all agree that when our children finally master a skill or task it is kind of like having them win a Pulitzer Prize. I too, gush over my own child's achievements, which I think is an A+ perk of raising little hellions.

;)

So here's the skinny with a small this disclaimer. This post is in no way meant to... dare I say brag? Because I really felt like I was entering no-man's land when it came helping my son. As parents we were so worried about Brecken's learning because of multiple factors working against him--premature, boy, high rate of autism, delayed hearing and speech, we knew we needed to be extra cautious and mindful about his learning. Because of his slow start with his verbal communication  we basically created a learning environment that was tailored around his specific needs--and hopefully our somewhat "tried and proven" method can work for you as well if your child is struggling to speak or learn their alphabet too.

Initially, Brecken was having a difficult time talking, in part to tubes being put in his ears when he turned one. Because of his difficulty in hearing during his first year his speech was delayed. Our initial reaction was to start speech therapy, but after hours of discussing our options we decided to give him until the age of two to catch up.

His second birthday came and went and his was still not speaking coherently to the depth that the doctors wanted. While speech therapy was still an option we decided to spend more time focusing on his speech at home, with the hope that a change would occur. During this time my cousin turned me on to a PBS cartoon called Super Why.

Not only did Super Why engage Brecken and catch his attention for a complete twenty minute period, but it also taught him the alphabet basics, sounds of letters, word recognition, and rhyming. It was a win-win for both of us--I was able to get household chores completed while Brecken watched a show that was actually educational.

After some point soon after his choice of books also began to change. We moved away from the hardbound cardboard baby books to beginning reader books such as Dr. Seuss's ABC's. Before I knew it I had bought additional copies to put in the car, my purse, and in his room. His toy of choice turned out to be a book which was great, but required me to be reading to him constantly. After a long day where it seemed like I had read for eight hours straight I decided that while I loved that his was learning I needed to get additional materials that would allow him to learn on his own as well.

Thus alphabet flashcards entered our world. In the beginning I would quiz him and go through each letter in chronological order, soon after I realized he would say the letter of the next card before I flipped it over. At this time I began to shuffle the cards and voila he began to recognize individual letters.

Now we spend less time with the flashcards and more time writing. During the day I will often roll out butcher paper across the counter top where we will draw letters, number, shapes, and random objects for Brecken to name. Not only we were practice on the counter, but bath time has also turned into "picture time" where I will draw helicopters, balloons, kites, shapes, cakes--you name he has asked me to draw it.

Today, he has now mastered the entire alphabet to the point the "V" is no longer "movie" and "W" while no longer "double woo woo" has now become its own sentence..."double woo wooo woo woo woo." Yeah, he really likes "W." Colors, shapes, numbers, and object recognition have all been mastered through the same process---which has turned out to be constant repetition. We practice learning in the grocery store, in the car, during bath time, on the IPad, and at home--we've basically turned Brecken's entire world into an environment where he is constantly learning.

As a parent I've found that by cultivating learning into our lifestyle we've enabled Brecken to find within himself a desire to learn--a quality I hope he will continue to exhibit throughout his life. My best suggestion to anyone who is wanting to start to learn the alphabet is create an environment where they are hearing, seeing, and writing the letters constantly--whether it be through an educational television or flash cards an environment needs to cultivated that allows them to learn through multiple avenues.

Thanks for stopping in and if you have any tried and proven methods that have worked I would love to hear about them as well!

As a special treat here are a few of our favorite learning tools. And make sure to come back tomorrow to see my favorite IPad learning apps for toddlers.

1//Alphabet Flash Cards

2//Alphabet Foam Mat

3//Shape and Color Blocks

4//Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?

5//Washable Bathtub Crayons

6//Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles

7//Sidewalk Chalk

8//Dr. Seuss's ABC

9//Alphabet Wooden Blocks with Pictures

10//Super Why!

Candy-Like Pancakes...

Happy Saturday friends.

It's kind of like Groundhogs Day around here--Hunk is fishing (as usual) and we're meandering around the house watching Shrek, reading books, and eating lots of healthy food. 

Punk kept asking for cake for breakfast. I obliged and gave him sprinkle/powder sugar/syrup/chocolate chip red n' blue pancakes. It may actually be less healthy than cake...

He didn't object.

Any big weekend plans in your neck of the woods?

The sun is out and not a cloud in the sky so we're thinking the sprinkler and a pack of popsicles will be in our future, come by and join us if you want

;)

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

peace.

around here.

It's been warm. So warm, in fact, that we have been taking every opportunity to bask in the sun. Brecken has found the hose with its' many nozzle options to be his new best friend.  He'll squirt the tree, truck, grass, street, neighbor's cat, and then occasionally throw one my way just for fun. He's a sneaky fella.

Saturday was no different. We spent lots of time out on the lawn--however, it wasn't nearly as enjoyable. We power raked our entire yard, a task we thought would only take an hour or two, obviously the joke was on us. We finished ten hours later. Six truckloads of dead grass marked a day that I thought would never end.

I really wish I would have taken a picture of our yard while John was powerraking because it resembled a freshly cut hay field (a clean up task that should never be done by hand). 

;)

Soon after the job was finished and all the tools were put away the contractions started to set in and they haven't seemed to stop. Regular intervals of seven minutes.If you need your lawn clean let me know because this baby needs to come out now.

Joking. No, really.

Popsicles and Tic Tacs

Yesterday my oh' so favorite pregnant neighbor and I braved the crowds and ventured to a local grocery store for the "Grand Re-Opening." A heavenly place for two pregnant women--lots of samplers, food at ridiculously cheap prices, and no husbands to say "do you NEED that?"

Just two pregnant chicks and baby enjoying oober amazing sales, great shopping, and lots of eating--all.at.the.same.time.

What could be better?!

Brecken was our navigator as we perused the aisles. He would point and gasp at all the boxes and items, yelling out frantically if he knew the name of a certain food. Luckily my heart was sympathetic for him so he managed to score a bag of Popsicles and a box of orange tic tacs--heaven in his eyes.

I haven't had the heart to tell him yet that the Popsicles were actually for his Momma...

;)

Do you have any grocery shopping rituals? Do you take your munchkins? Or is it a solo retreat to re-energize? Please tell--it's more of a rat race adventure in this home

;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Independence.

John and I decided early on that we wanted to tailor our parenting style in a way where Brecken could learn how to do things on his own--without us hovering over him.   

We never baby proofed our house (except for the chemicals) so he would learn boundaries, we taught him how to go up and down the stairs before he was ten-months-old, we showed him where to find snacks in the cupboard, and we even taught him how to turn on the television by himself (big mistake).  

John once joked that if we were to leave him home alone for a week he would survive.

I didn't find his life or death scenario amusing.

Even with the vast amount of independence we have given Brecken I am still the kind of mother that gives him my undivided attention for hours. Whether it be reading books, practicing the alphabet, coloring on butcher paper, playing outside, or building towers out of blocks.

While I have truly loved every minute with Brecken, I have slowly begun to wean myself from the amount of attention I give him. It's been difficult--and heart wrenching.

 And with my ever growing stomach it has become even more difficult to pick him up, so I am often left hovering over him while he cries because there is only so much lifting I can do before I pee my pants. 

true story.

I keep telling myself that each day will get easier.  

hopefully I'm right.

One big change towards being more self-sufficient has been our morning routine.

After Punk wakes up I allow him to sit on my bed and watch a movie while drinking some milk. In the past I would lay in bed and cuddle with him. Now I use this time to shower, start laundry, get dressed, and make breakfast--basically I try to get all the crap done that we mothers never have time to do because our kids our wreaking havoc on our lives.

Although it may seem like I am just replacing myself with the television it has been a large step for us in creating some much needed independence.  

But independence does have it's boundaries with a two-year-old.

A few days ago I was sitting in the kitchen working on etsy orders; I assumed Brecken was sitting quietly in my room watching a movie. 

He, however, was not.

Quiet is usually code word for trouble in our house.

Brecken's new infatuation with pens included drawing beautiful masterpieces on our bed sheets, bed skirt, duvet cover, dresser, and all over himself.

Independence is now coming at the cost of my sanity (and my linen closet).

Heaven help us all because the next step towards independence starts next week with potty training.

Let's just hope he doesn't find any permanent markers between now and then.

;)

365 Project: 30.31

 Day 30//  The only baby proofing I've done in our house has been a latch on the cupboard below the kitchen sink so Punk can't get into my cleaning supplies.

We dismissed the gate idea because he started to go up and down the stairs at nine months.

We didn't put safety locks on the doors, or a slip-proof mat in the bath tub, and when we tried to put rubber bumpers on the doors so he wouldn't smash he fingers he just found those to be the best chew toy ever.

I left my house nicely decorated because I wanted him to learn boundaries, and he has done well, except for one item-

The typewriter.

He will pound away on it for hours. Then last night he did the unthinkable...he pulled the ink strip out of it. Black and red everywhere, on his clothes, hands, couch, myself, even the typewriter.

The quote that I have sitting in the typewriter has finally lived up to all of its hype-- "Take your place. Make your mark. Live your life."

Well, he has left a mark now.

Day 31//  Remember how I mentioned that Punk wasn't sleeping through the night?

I couldn't take it anymore, so in a moment of desperation I asked Hunk if he would  convert Punk's crib to a toddler bed. Yes, my son has still been crib.

So if he did get up in the night maybe by some miraculous chance he would just play in his room without crying.

So he converted it, and I nearly cried with excitement.

Punk jumped with excitement over the new bed trampoline.

We knew it wouldn't be easy keeping him in their because let's be honest--my kid is on some natural form of crack that keeps him going ALL day long.

ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY LLLLLOOOOOOOONNNGG, folks.  all day.

Five minutes after putting him to bed we heard the "ping. ping. ping." of his piano.

We opened the door to find him banging away he had a look of pure satisfaction over his new sense of freedom.

After two hours of playing this fun little game where we would put him back to bed, and he would immediately get up again and play with his toys he finally fell asleep...until four ;)

After a short rendezvous of cuddling in his bed in the wee hours in the morning I finally went in this morning to find him still asleep.

Heaven help us all, now that he can run free at night.

Ever wonder what my usual attire consists of these days...

 Here it is, residual left over mascara from yesterday is for your enjoyment as well.

The robe. Oh the robe.

Hunk and my sister bought me this lovely when I was on bed rest in the hospital with Punk. I often feel like the purple Periwinkle People Eater when wearing it.

If you want a real treat try driving by our house early in the morning--Hunk is usually wearing this robe to take out the garbage...control yourselves I know it's too hot of am image to handle.

;)

Some days.

Some days I wish I had a little girl.

Pink. Ruffles. Bow ties. Curly Hair. Accessories. Frills. Glam. Soft whites. Dainty Feet.

But then I remember that while I may not have a girl I have a boy that is o.k. with satisfying his Momma's girl cravings--until his Dad demands that I remove all clips from his hair.

;)

In other great news. Happy December!

I am a little late welcoming in the new month--but we didn't fail in celebrating it!

Hunk cut down a tree (kinda), we went to a Bozeman Christmas Stroll, witnessed the Bobcats win a playoff game, watched an amazing Christmas Devotional by the church, and pulled out all the lights and glitter.

My camera would have also participated if I knew where my battery charger was at....blasted.

We are also on the hunt for (another) Christmas tree tonight. When Hunk cut down the first one it was so cold (-14) that day that as he was dragging it back to the truck the limbs started to snap off.

Charlie Brown is usually the style we go for every year, but I decided that I wanted something a little more perfect (with all branches attached) this year.

So we are going to attempt the Christmas Tree Hunt again tonight. Wish us luck!

He's two.

Happy Birthday Boo!

I can't believe today you turn two.

I still remember the day we found out we were pregnant with you; your Daddy cried, I was in shock. Earlier that day we had both just graduated from college with our Masters degrees and ironically it was also Mother's Day.  I thought my life was just beginning to only find out that I was now going to be a mother.

Pregnancy was hard.

I was sick everyday. I lost weight. I threw up a lot. I slept a lot. When I got admitted to the hospital at 27 weeks I secretly was hoping you would arrive early. At 30 weeks the doctors said that if you didn't come now there would be a chance that neither of us would make it. You see you Mom's liver and kidneys were starting to shut down and I was in a great deal of pain.  

The doctors didn't want to wait for your Dad but I begged them to wait two hours so he could drive back to the hospital. I didn't want to do it alone.

When you were born it took 28 minutes to revive you. Your Dad was scared; I was calm and peaceful. He thinks I was this way because of the medicine, I say Heather Father was watching over both of us.

I was naive back then, I imagined that even though you were a preemie that we would take you home by Thanksgiving and that you would be our tiny bundle of joy to share with friends and family for the holidays.

Little did I know that we would spend weeks in the hospital, months in Denver, half-a-year on oxygen, and over a year at weekly doctor appointments.

Today, I look at you and see a miracle. No longer in need of oxygen, no longer fragile and small you are a perfect little boy.

The day I found out I was pregnant with you I want you to know now what I didn't know back then, my life really hadn't started until you.

I have now replaced my career, clean clothes, orderly house, sleep, sanity, and free time with something better.

Now I have you.

Right now you are running around the kitchen with a helium balloon in one hand and a sausage pancake dog in the other. You are gabbing on about something that I can't understand, but I know you are happy and I know that this is right where I am suppose to be.

Someday when you read this I want you to know that I have learned so much from you.

You've taught me how to earnestly pray.

You've taught me that Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us.

You've taught me that even that smallest spirits have the largest hearts.

You've taught me what a contagious laugh sounds like.

You have taught me what it really means to have unconditional love for someone.

You've taught me how to let loose and let things get destroyed. 

And most importantly, you've taught me how to be a mother,I will always be in debt to you for this gift.

I love you, Brecken. 

Love, 

Hozzy (I wish you would call me Mom...FYI) 

Hello Fall, Lets be Friends.

In the past I have held on to summer like it was my long lost boyfriend--love it everyday, hate to see it go. you get the point.

haha.

This year however, there was a small piece of me that was desperately craving the crisp Fall air. 

So when the first snow finally hit the mountains I tore into our winter boxes with a vengance pulling out mittens, cable knit sweaters, uggs, and flannel sheets. 

I also started making soups, canning the garden, and adding hot chocolate to my morning regiment.

Now, my house  has been infiltrated with the smells of ginger Scentsy candles, homemade chicken noodle soup, and fresh baked zucchini bread--and for the first time in a long time I am loving everything about Fall.

Even with the brisk weather here Punk has still be taking in as much of the outdoors as possible.

Shoes: Crocs, Pants: Gap, Vest: Target, Flannel Shirt: Gap, Yellow long sleeve: Old Navy, Beanie: Walmart

We have this amazing trail that runs all the way around our subdivision so he can run and run and run without having to worry about cars.

 I'm not joking. He likes to run.

 He also has become very interested in his environment. Yesterday, he spent the good part of an afternoon picking all the dead dandelions. He would run and scream as all the seeds went flying away into the sky.

He kind of reminded me of Rosebud, the last Basselope, (which is one of my all time favorite books. ever.)...

It was cute to watch. The joy and fascination in his eyes reminded me of why I became a Mom.

It's kind of nice to have those little reminders now and then.

 Yesterday, we also got to help Hunk's family clean up the garden at the farm. There is the whole other side of Punk that comes out when he is outside--he is able to let go and just run and play, fall down, get up, chase the chickens, grab the cat, he just doesn't stop and the whole time he is laughing and jabbering on hystarically.

we also gave him ice cream. Do I need to say anything more about his new trick?

;)

Oh yes. And we have a winner of the Snowcones and Lollipops Party collection.

#9 Vanessa. Congrats Girl! Send me an email so we can hook. you. up.

Strawberries would have been a better choice...

Last night Punk decided to wake up at 1:30 by three I couldn't handle the the toes on my neck, the drool on my arm, and the butt pressed into my face so I staggered out of bed to make him a bottle. As I opened the fridge door he came running around the corner (in the dark) at that exact moment and ran straight into the fridge door.

I knocked my kid out. He laid there quiet for about 15 seconds. I checked to make sure he was alive then I went back to make the bottle before scooping him up off the floor and putting him back in his own bed.

Anyone want a kid at night?

In other great news I was craving strawberries this morning, but instead I decided to eat an entire bag of Reese's Chocolate Chips by myself.

Holy Hannah someone please come save me.

It's big and it's bulky...

....and this is in no relation to my butt. Just so we all have that clear.

;)

 

Little fact about me--I am not a list maker. I feel that in order to be a list maker I would actually have to check off  tasks.

I get distracted easily, that reminds me of this one time...

joking.

I do, however, write lists when I want a very unproductive day to feel like I have been a busy bee working to accomplish lots of tasks.

Roll out of bed: check

Stumble into the bathroom: check

Wipe off make-up from the night before: check

Close windows: check

Feed the Punk: check

Change his diaper: check

Brush teeth and hair: check

Change another diaper: check

Then at the end of the day I look back at all the checks and I feel so productive.

It's oh so gratifying, try it, I dare ya!

However, there are days when I have to actually write a list that requires me to get out my sweats and leave the house.

These tasks are usually the ones at the bottom on my to-do list that never get checked off for at least a month.

Today's list included all those big and bulky tasks that I had been avoiding for the past month.

One of the mandatory tasks included a haircut for the Punk.

I took him to a salon that specializes in cutting kids hair.

I needed a professional to tame the Donald Trump locks on his head. 

Not zesty my friends, not zesty. 

The ladies at Cowlicks were rockstars. He sat still for ten minutes.

Ten WHOLE minutes. I don't get that--I don't even get to enjoy a shower without him peeking his head in with a look that says, "What cha doin'?"

Yeah, they got him to sit still and be quiet.

It was heavenly.

And to top it off I got the stylist to take a picture of me with the newly clean cut Punk. Still not quite sure if I like this picture, my eye is wonky and the green wall looks like we should be getting ready to give the weather report for the 6 o'clock news.

This picture is very reminiscent of another picture...yeah, Hunk's turn is next.

HA!

And if you are wondering his shirt says, "Bears love people-they taste like chicken!"

Gotta love Montana!

really?

Punk was being really quiet which is always a scary thing.
And then I heard a muffled cry.
I searched high and low.
Under the bed,
In the basement,
By my bed.
In his closet.
You know all the places that he seems to get drawn to.
Then I thought maybe the noise was coming from the kitchen.
So as I opened up the lazy susan door this is what I found.
Really, do I need to say more?

Who wants Punk for a day? Any takers?

A little too much...

I took on a little too much this week and usually when that happens it comes back to bite me in the bum cheeks.

Speaking of bum cheeks I went to the chiropractor yesterday because my pants have felt like they were hanging to one side. I should have known it would turn out bad when I used a coupon (cut out of the newspaper) to visit this (will remain nameless) establishment.

As the chiropractor performed his voodoo medicine which consisted of me holding viles of minerals to my chest, he ran his hands up and down my body mumbling, "liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, mumble. mumble. mumble." Then he had me raise my hands and squawk like a chicken.

jokes.

Once he was finished with my examination, he said, "Your lady parts aren't working right." My response, "Well, that's lovely." I would usually pay my GYNO for that type of consultation...

End result. My pants are still hanging across my left bum cheek.

Anyway.....

I took on a lot this week.

I have had a few emails asking me why all my lovelies in my farmers market booth aren't up for grabs in my etsy shop.

Answer:

I have been so busy trying to restock for the farmer's markets every week that I haven't had time to make duplicates (yet). I also decided that I would take on an additional third farmer's market every week so I am now scrambling just to shower regularly (shaving has become optional).

;)

But I pinky promise that as soon as farmer market season is over I will stock the shop with all of my lovelies. Including my oh so favorite rufflers!

So while there is no tutorial or divine words of wisdom today I will leave you with this...

My massive amount of laundry that is puked stained because Punk has found it necessary to puke on every single item of clothing today, as well as every couch cushion, every bed, every rug, and every inch of his momma's body this mornin'.

My mantra. 

I think laundry breeds on it's own... 

butts, birds, and swings...

Yes, they all have something in common.

Today, I replaced crappy bums with bare bums, lots of sun, hungry birds, and hystarical laughter while flying through the air on the swing with my Punk.

This afternoon was a special treat because we got to hang out by the pond near the place I lived in college. This place brings back lots of memories, some sad, some happy.

I learned how to iron clothes (properly) here.

I made my first turkey here.

I cried over boyfriends here.

I met Hunk here.

I learned how to unthaw pipes here.

I had sleepovers here.

I had my first Hawaiian Christmas tree here.

I paid my first rent here.

I found myself here.

I got proposed to twice here (both by Hunk).

So this place is kind of special and I hope that I can now start new memories here with Punk.

shirt: downeast basics, circa 2010 necklace: spunky junky

I want him to remember flying through the air.

I want him to remember bouncing across the trail in his stroller.

I want him to remember to ignore the signs and still go ice fishing with his Daddy.

I want him to remember that this is where his Dad proposed to his Momma.

I want him to remember feeding the noisy geese and ducks...

I want him to remember that all the scraps and bruises he got will always be signs of all the fun he had that day.

 And when he is not on the swings and feeding the ducks I want him to look back and cringe at all the naked pictures of took of him today, because...

Punk is happiest when he can run around with his bum and man business flowing in the breeze. He is also prone to pee on the sidewalks, I am fine with that until he tries to play in the puddle he created...

*blehk*

But these are all memories that I would love us to remember!

 

Photos edited using Vignette for Android. Actions: Velvia, Instant transfer 1

FYI...tomorrow is the last day to win the Ultimate Body Applicator Skinny Wrap!

The end.