The following three posts I wrote awhile back in my notes on facebook. A friend of mine had blog books made and I love that idea so I want to have all my postings in the same place when I get our blog book made. So if you have read these just skip this post, if not, enjoy!
July 15, 2009 - BEING A MOM
Ok, so I am missing my blog...I think there are so many things that little Miss Priss "Claire" does that are noteworthy. So I am offically making this my new 'private' blog/journal. Hello! if you are a first time reader and 'welcome back' if you have been missing 'The Wade House'!Claire is just over nine months old and is learning her way around the house more and more each day. Last night Daddy 'Nick' padded to fireplace and I put the adult beverages in a hard to reach place. Childproofing the house is an everyday activity around here! There are so many things that I would have not even thought of (thank you 'What to expect in the first year") that need to be done.I predict we could have 'walker' in a matter of weeks. Good thing? or Bad thing? But seriously, I can not believe Claire is old enough to be walking! People always say time flies and as you get older time flies faster, but I think that time has sped up times 10 since Claire came into the world. New moms if you need a good cry go listen to 'It won't be like this for long"...it gets me every time!I am so thankful for my little Claire. She is so happy and such a joy. However, I have a new found appreciation for my little one. There have been a few tragedies happen over the past couple weeks. Two concerning infant babies and the one concerning a new engaged couple with their whole lives ahead of them. Dreams have been washed away and futures changed. My heart has been heavy for the all the families involved. Ever since hearing the news of the babies (both different Little Rock families and the tragedies unrelated) I am a 'new mom'. You will NEVER hear me complain about waking up several times a night, or walking Claire around the house until she falls asleep (no matter how tired I am, or my back or feet hurting). I just look at my little girl and I am thankful for every second....feeding her, bathing her, changing her, watching her crawl, hearing her laugh, hearing her cry, watching her fight going to sleep, or even getting mad at me because I said 'No'. I just have to stop and think that being a MOM is perfect. There is no difference of good and bad....it is all just perfect. It is being a MOM. So as I hold Claire a little tighter and love on her a little more please keep these families in your prayers....and remember to hug your kids more often, tell them you love them, and be thankful to them (and to HIM) for letting you be their MOM!
July 26, 2009 - EVERYTHING CHANGES
As I was in route to Malvern from Magnolia earlier this week, a song I had not heard in awhile caught my ear "Where were you" (I think that is the name) by Alan Jackson. Hum, hum...where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?....As we all know "that September day" changed the world we live in, changed everything. Just as people were going about there daily routine, they blinked....the future changed. How many people were effected "that September day"? How people have that day marked as a day that changed everything? Claire will only know "that September day" through stories, the same way I know about Pearl Harbor and other future altering historical days. We all have our days that change life as we know, some are the same as everyone else's and some are unique and insignificant to others. Of course I remember where I was on "that September day"...at the U of A trying to decide if it was safe to go to class. Yes, I went but very cautiously and very attentive of my surroundings. It was such a surreal day. As the wheels on the car continued to spin so did the wheels in my mind...what are my "everything changes" days? the day my dad accepted a job in a town I had never heard of, Arkadelphia, at the time I confused it with Philadelphia; the day my parents joined the majority (52%) of the population and opted for the single life...again, the days when I was burying my childhood friends, (there were too many young deaths for the small town of Arkadelphia), the day I walked onto the campus of the University of Arkansas....LET'S CALL THOSE HOGS, the day I walked down the aisle and married my lifelong love, and, drum roll please, the day the most amazing, incredible 'little miss everything changes' entered the world...."everything changes" day was October 7, 2009. I was told so many times that a baby changes everything. I think the only 100% true advice for new parents, it is guaranteed that your life will change. Some of the change you will expect, some of the change comes out of nowhere. Oh, how life has changed since "that October day"? I wish I would have documented my days before Claire's arrival....what in the world did I do...with all that time??!! I remember starting my days with Good Morning America...now it's Baby Einstein. I think my house was quiet a bit cleaner...but who cares if all my laundry is done or if the dishwasher is unloaded. I used to run errands during lunch...now I have "chore hour" this is when I make a sandwich at the house and do a little house work. Our dogs were inside, couch dogs that used to be my kids....they live in a nice outside pen now. TV shows???....are my favorites still on the air??? I honestly have no clue....but the truth is I don't really care. My only use for a TV these days is for the weather and of course Baby Einstein...and don't forget WonderPets! Although I might not remember exactly what I did with my life a short 9 months ago I know I would not trade everything changing for anything. Sometimes change is good....no, sometimes change is great! Everything has changed but talk about a surreal feeling....words just can't describe "that October day"....and everyday thereafter!
July 26, 2009 - A DAY IN THE LIFE
Most of you are wondering how in the world I found time to write two volumes in one day? Since Miss Claire only scheduled a 20 minute nap this afternoon she was ready for her bed at seven, no this is not the norm. You see the thing is, this is the second time I have typed volume 3...I hit a button and delete it all went and no going back!! Oh well! Baby Claire this is for you, when you are all grown up and want to know what you were like when you were a baby I want to be able to read you all these stories.Your day starts around 7:15 and you watch Baby Einstein while Mom gets dressed, then it's your turn. Then it's off to daycare...make sure we have the bottles, the daycare bag, Mom's purse...and of course, the breastpump! Check! Off we go! You talk to Mom the whole way to school! You love your teachers and they love you! There is no crying when I drop you off, just smiles! You generally take two bottles and a jar of baby food while at daycare. You take two naps during the day that vary in length, but that's ok. When we get home you want to go let the dogs out to play...this makes you very excited and when you get excited you move your arms and legs really fast, like you are trying to fly and kick at the same time. It is pretty cute! After we come inside to play...you love your daddy but you are very much a mommies girl and you always want me to play with you! You are getting braver every day, no walking yet, but you like to stand with "no hands". So, we play...your new favorite thing is looking out the window and talking to the cat...or should I say yelling! You are sure to let us know when it is dinner time...two jars of baby food and some graduate snacks, later you are ready for your bath! You love, love, love bath time and always have; however, bath time has turned into a "No mam" session...Claire do not drink the water, do not stand up in the bathtub, do not put your fingers in the drain...despite getting told "No mam' you still love kicking and splashing away. By the way, when I say "No mam" that little smile of yours turns up side down. It breaks my heart but I am glad you understand what I am saying. After bath time, we play a little more, get things ready for the next day, watch our movies...or should I say your movies. Some nights you fight sleep and some nights all it takes is your bottle and your out. Speaking of bottles...you tried formula/breastmilk mixture for about a week and would not drink your bottles and were cranky and fussy. So, mom figured what the heck only 10 more weeks until whole milk time! You still get up once if not twice during the night to check on Mom and Dad. We are ok...no need to check on us...but you are so sweet for doing so! Then, the morning rolls around and we do it all again!This is a day in the life of Claire Wade at 9 1/2 months old!
August 28, 2009 - IT CAN WAIT
10 years??? Really??? This year marks 10 years since the first major milestone in my life…the year was 1999 and the motto “Save the Best for Last” was ringing in my head as I walked across the stage to receive my high school diploma. I felt so accomplished and could not wait for the summer of no responsibilities to begin and to start my college days!! I had been waiting my whole life for this day, right? As I reflect on the years gone by, I remember being the six year old that could not wait until I was old enough to ride the bus home by myself, I remember being the nine year old that could not wait to be a Greyhound cheerleader, I remember being that 13 year old that could not wait to drive and that 15 year old that could not wait to graduate from high school! The “cannot waits” never end. Why is that? Maybe because I am a goal-oriented person? Maybe because I am such a planner? Or Maybe because that’s the world we live in….always looking forward and what is the quickest way to get there? We live in such a fast paced world and it’s getting faster every day. Why? What is wrong with slowing down and living for today….in the present, here and now!Flashback….10 years ago….I cannot wait to pledge a sorority, graduate college, plan my wedding, feel a little baby kicking inside me….and so on!!! Flashback….one year…...I can’t wait to have little Claire, for my Claire to crawl, to walk, to take dance class, play t-ball or learn how to water ski…but the truth is I CAN WAIT and I want to wait. I have found a new sense of living since Miss Claire has come along. Once these days are gone I won’t get them back…I do not want to wish these sweet baby days away. As I try to move away from the days of looking to future and always waiting for tomorrow I am learning to savor every daily moment. I know the day will come when I yearn for that little head resting on my shoulder, or those little hands tugging on my pants as I wash dishes, or the day when my house is so quiet I would love for nothing more to hear the patter of hands and knees speeding across the living room. I know all of you have said it before “I can’t wait until_______” but the truth is you can wait and you should. I realize I write a lot about the little things in life…but those are the things we all need to be reminded of and those are the things that matter. So here’s to a small challenge…If every “little thing” in life was represented by a penny and you put a penny in a jar for every little moment you savored would you die a rich woman or a poor woman? The rich woman truly enjoyed life and the small things that matter…the poor woman probably had savings accounts and college funds but did she truly appreciate all her days and the “little things” in life?....planning for the big things while overlooking the little things? Our babies are only babies once, even though we are their mothers for a lifetime. Be thankful the next you are waiting in the carpool line, laying out school clothes, or even changing a dirty diaper. Cash in those dollar bills for some pennies, start filling up your jar and see just how “rich” you are 10 years from now! I am hoping to be a millionaire by the time my 20 year high school reunion rolls around….I hope you are too!!!
