A tribute.

A week from today, this smart, handsome and confident little boy starts kindergarten. I'm so proud of him.

 

Among other things, he tells me he can't wait to play on the playground, pick out his lunches and learn from his new teacher.

The key word there being "new," because he's had a teacher for the last 5 years and she is wonderful. Beyond wonderful, in fact. It's funny that most of my emotions around Alex going to kindergarten aren't centered around what he's going to; they're focused on what he's leaving.

I've raved more than once about how incredible Mrs. Davis' Daycare is, but it's also important to acknowledge that it's so much more for Alex. For Joe and me, it is a place where we knew he was safe, he was learning, and he was growing. But for Alex, it was his world. It's where he made his first friends, and learned how to BE a friend. It's where he learned to read and write his name. It's where he learned how to wash his hands and to be polite. He was encouraged to pray before meals, to honor our country and respect all people.

Aunt Jane (and yes, even Uncle Tom) have been much, much more than "just a daycare" for us. They're part of the village that has helped to shape and mold our Alex into the smart, creative and eager boy that he is. And for that I'm eternally thankful.

The wonderful news is that this isn't "goodbye" to our Aunt Jane, because Miss Harper will still be at Mrs. Davis' Daycare. I've half joked that she can stay there until she goes to College, but each day the idea sounds more appealing.

Reality sets in.

I'm starting to get all hormonal & emotional about how ENORMOUS Alex is going to seem once Harper gets here, so I did the obvious thing and started looking back through his pictures. Bad idea, Kristi. Bad idea.

Alex, fresh out the womb:

Happy FIRST birthday!

Happy SECOND birthday!

Happy THIRD birthday!

Happy FOURTH birthday!

 

Gah. Nostalgia. But, like I said in my birthday letter to him, I wouldn't have time move any faster or slower. It's perfect just the way it is. But if anyone is curious, 2 was my favorite.

Three becoming four.

All I've ever known as a "family" is three. Just the three of us: Mommy, Daddy and Alex.

Our world is centered around this awesome, tiny human who has thoughts and ideas and let's be honest is his own little opinionated 40 year old. But soon, almost too soon, that world is going to change in a big way.

And it's not that we're not excited about it or embracing the change and everything that will come with having this new thing in our lives. This new pink thing that will be her own, tiny human with her own thoughts and ideas and if she's anything like her Momma she's going to have some real opinions at age 3.

Because we are. We're real excited. All of us. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to miss these last magical four years of it being just our threesome.

Every night when I turn all super mega creepy Momma as I check on him and stare at him and kiss him and re-tuck him in before I go to bed, I take a little tiny moment to myself and just freeze the moments of the day in my mind, knowing that soon there's going to be this new thing in our lives that will get the other half of my attention, the other half of my energy, and the other half of my tucking in time.

My Mom tells me that she was scared, too, before she had me...and then again when she had Kyle. That you have this overwhelming feeling of "where is the extra love going to come from?" or "where will the extra time come from?" But she also reassures me that it does. It just does. And that kinda like magic, when bV arrives it will be just like she's always been here, part of our magical little foursome.

My squishy faced & sleepy little lover boy. Sigh.

Four. My oh my, FOUR.

This is typically the one post a year that Mommy bloggers get all sentimental and "wah wah wah it goes so fast." Guess what? Not me!

Every single minute of this kid's life has been so awesome. Especially the giggles, and even the time outs. Because when those are over, I get a hug and a kiss and an, "I'm sorry, Mom. I love you, Mom."

Alex, next to your Dad, you are my very best friend in all the world. I love hanging out with you and I love when you teach me things, like why everything is better dunked in ranch and which "constructions" are best for which job. To steal a quote from a friend of mine, you are the best parts of me and your Dad, but in a mini version.

I love when I see little sparks of him in you, like when something must be done in such a certain way and with such precision. I'm so proud of you when you accomplish things. And I love when I see little sparks of me in you, like this morning when we woke you up with a birthday song and you pulled the covers back over your head declaring you wanted "Five more minutes of sleeping because it's so soft in here." That's me, and it makes my heart so happy.

And then, amidst the sparks of your Dad and me, you are totally, 100% your own little person. You are getting so good at trying new and adventurous things--like the big balance beam at gymnastics or conquering the biggest slides at the park. You love to watch "The Machine Show" ("How It's Made" on the Discovery Channel) and probably because of that love of how things work, you also love to build Legos and play with trains and cars and trucks. Pretty much anything that moves.

You LOVE to sing, and you are so good at it. Right now, our favorite song to jam to in the car is Francesca Battistelli's "This is the Stuff." You call it "The Key Song" and I love that. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I love to roll down the windows and sing loudly and dance so silly with you in the car. Other people look at us like we're crazy and we just laugh and wave.

Your laugh...oh, your laugh. I swear your laugh could end all the world's problems. It comes right from your toes and sometimes you stop breathing just for a second because it's so big. You get this twinkle in your eye and the tiniest little dimple on your left cheek. I kiss that dimple a lot.

Alex, I have loved every minute of being your Mom. Because you know what? YOU made me a Mom and that's such a cool thing. I can't wait to watch you turn 5 and  6 and 7 and 8 and see what you do and learn along the way. You're going to do great things, kid!

All my love and then a little more,
Mom

Moments.

Like anyone else, my days are made up of little moments all strung together to make a bigger picture. Sometimes, I think we all look past the little and ordinary things, expecting greatness to come only from the biggest, loudest moments.

Lately, I've been trying really hard to quietly be more appreciative of the little things. More specifically, how they collectively fit into the bigger picture and shape my life, my moments, my memories. Like these:

"Here, Poppi. I will help you with your zippers."

I've become quite the Mommy expert in GeoTrax building, thankyouverymuch.

"Two dudes, doin' dude teeth brushing."

Evening snuggles are the best!

He was telling Aunt Jane about pudding on Monday, so on the way home he asked if we could make some that night. How do you tell this face no? So of COURSE we made pudding and it was YUM.

My treasure box.

The 5 year anniversary "traditional" gift is wood (snicker, snicker). And in addition to the gifts Joey got me (more on that later), he had some special help with a gift from Alex.

He asked Aunt Jane if they could do a wood craft that day, and boy, did she deliver. This was my first legit "Mom cry" over a handmade present.

The world's greatest treasure chest.

The back of the lid and bottom of box.

Oh, I know! Isn't is just the BEST? I keep all my most precious treasures in it, and it will probably go down in the books as one of the best things he's ever made me. I love how there's a bigger jewel in the center of the lid to help remove it...and I can just picture how careful he was with his little tongue stuck out, gluing all the rest of the sticks and gems in place.

And look at how good he's getting at writing his name! *sniffle*

Today, I choose...

To laugh at the rain.

To celebrate life.

To smile much.

To count my many, abundant blessings.

To kiss my sweet Alex.

To hug my loving husband.

To happily remember my precious tWIPs, who were due today.

______


Here's to new beginnings.

I am my Mother's Daughter.

"I am a true believer in that you don't truly appreciate your Mom for all she is until you become one yourself. I welcomed Alex into the world in 2009 and only then did my head & heart understand a Mother's relentless, never-ending, uncompromising love. I am a piece of her..truly the best of her...and for that I am thankful. I love you, Mom!"

Click here to vote for us in Vera Bradley's Facebook "Letters to Mom" contest!

P.S. - I was limited to 140 characters for my entry...but I could type for days about the admiration, respect & awe I have for my Mom. To use a Grey's Anatomy-ism, she's my "person."

Because when you run out of creative things to write, you just post old pictures and let everyone 'ooh' and 'aah'.

 Baby Kristi.
I am delicious.

 Halloween...maybe 1985 or 1986?

I look so amused. 

 Once a diva, always a diva.

With Grandma Neveau.

I miss her all the time.

The original Kardashians (Kelli, Kristi and Kyle)

with our Momager.

Kelli's costume, while awesome in theory,

was a logistical nightmare.

This is why everyone says Alex looks just like Kyle.

BECAUSE HE DOES.

Time travel.

I was looking through my old cell phone pictures when I was supposed to be paying attention in a meeting yesterday and came across this one:

This was one of the most perfect mornings of my life. My Mom took it back in November when we were visiting Kelli, David and Samuel. We were having a lazy morning, just lounging and playing with our boys. Just minutes later, Alex climbed up and joined the party and the three of us read whatever riveting child literature Samuel was obviously studying in this moment. Sometimes, life is just perfect.

It's How You Live.

I needed a pick me up of the Costco-size variety today...and as it usually does, music had a big role in amping up my disposition. "How You Live" by Point of Grace was just played on XM 32. ::taps toes:: If you've never heard it, I encourage you to download it - it's a super catchy song with a great message. Here are some of the lyrics (just the ones I find to be particularly uplifting):

Wake up to the sunlight

With your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress

Use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

Let it all out

You won't regret it

Lookin' back from where you have been

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live

So go to the ballgames

And go to the ballet

And go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children

Dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night

Tonight I think we'll take Alex for a walk (gorgeous day!), order pizza and eat it on the good dishes. And did someone say Shamrock Shakes on the way home?!? Maybe we'll even have a dance party to bad 80's music in the kitchen and drink that expensive bottle of wine we've been waiting for a reason to open. Who needs a reason? Today is AWESOME - that's reason enough.

Do something extraordinary today, will you?

And if you're version of 'extraordinary' includes entering fab giveaways, take a mosy on over to Hey?! A Mom Can Dream! to enter her giveaway for a Glow Girl coupon organizer. Also, check out this post for a great CSN Stores giveaway. You're welcome.

Resolutions.

Lame. Cliche. Whatever. I'm hopping on the bandwagon.

If I can get 3 of these done, I will be pleasantly surprised with myself. Nothing like being an overachiever, eh?

• Create a FB page for Alex. It's funny and weird. And yes, you should friend him. In related news, when did "friend" become a verb?
• Fit back into my skinny jeans. Admitting an actual number goal is just tragic.
• Try Indian food. Kelli swears it's the most delicious thing on the planet.
• See more "boy" movies. Also categorized under: "Be a more awesome wife." 
• Top my 2009 BDBC free crap total. Totally doable.
• Be an audience member on Ellen. If I can get greedy, I would prefer it to be during her '12 Days of Giveaways'.
• Keep Jake from digging up all my flowers in the spring. Or find a way to get rid of him altogether.
• Go on a glorious vacation with just Joey. The beach misses me.

I'm not sure how 2010 can possibly be better than 2009. I mean, think about it: in the last year I've gotten a new sister (Jill) and a new brother (David). I've also survived pregnancy and childbirth (barely) and came out the other side with a super awesome kid who makes my life better in every way. I'm still wickedly in love with my Joey and couldn't be happier with the life I've been blessed with. Yes, you may all now gag at my sappy moment. 

Happy New Year! Now back to nursing my hangover...

So Blessed.

Today is another rare sentimental post. I'm feeling overwhelmingly blessed, mostly because I realized this morning how much I truly, truly have to be thankful for. I have my Joey, my WIP, my family and friends, a job, a place to call home and despite these cankles, my health.

Last night while I was at Bible Study, Joey went grocery shopping to fill our very bare cupboards. When I arrived home, there was a bouquet of pink gerber daises (my fave!) and the nicest, sweetest card...all for no special reason. AND he baked cookies!

Yes, those are Oreos you see in the background. They're reduced fat, so that has to count for something, right?

Back to the blessings...I read stalk a perfect stranger's blog called Heir to Blair. She had a miscarriage not long ago, but is pregnant again with a healthy babe in ute! She writes weekly letters to Harpie Jr. (her version of WIP) and I always cry when I read them. Since I'm a writer by trade, I know it's not uber cool to steal someone else's work, but I'm feeling the need to have a chat with my little buddy...so here is my letter to WIP:

My dearest little WIPpersnapper,

Until I met your daddy, I don't think I actually knew what true, unconditional love was. Being married to him is just awesome - he makes my life worth living...and he also gave me YOU! How cool is that?!? He and I have the sort of relationship that I hope you can find someday when you are 45 and ready to marry a nice, sweet girl. Well, I guess that is when Mommy will be ready...we'll revisit this topic again when you're 18, ok?

I imagine that when you finally get here, we will learn a totally new style of love. All of the moms I know tell me of a "mother's love" and how it's this sort of enigma that you can't describe - that it will just wash over me the second they lay you on my chest. I can't wait for that moment, and I hope that I can describe it accurately when it finally happens.

Daddy and I are on pins and needles for you to come out and play. Just the other night, he was lamenting about all the fun things he can't wait to do with you. He's really, really excited to buy you your first baseball glove, so even if you don't exactly love the sport, please pretend to for his benefit, mmkay?

We wonder a lot what you will look like, but there are a few things we can be sure of. You're going to be a hairy little guy and will most likely have to start shaving at 12. Sorry about that. You'll probably also have a ghetto booty, but don't worry - chicks totally dig that. I imagine you will be a creative thinker like your daddy...the two of you will make up wild, wild stories that will have me rolling out of my chair someday.

We can't wait to take you to the French River, to the Zoo, to Chicago, to Disney, to Comerica Park, to Meijer (we love going there...it's weird, but you will love it, too), to the playground, to Dairy Queen and to all of our other favorite places. We'll even take you new places that we can all discover together.

But most of all, we can't wait to take you home. It's all ready for your arrival...you're going to LOVE your new room. It's definitely a step or two up from the Hotel Mommy you've been snuggled up in the last 9 months.

All my love...and even more,
Mommy

P.S. - I realized yesterday that BOTH of your Grandmas drive convertibles. Seriously...you are such a lucky kid!

My Happy Place.

Last night's class was actually relatively normal. I don't have any silly anecdotes to share, as both Joe and I were on our best behavior...and Miss Priss barely gave me a second glance.

We learned about different pain medications (I took copious notes), Cesarean birth and other rare but emergency birth situations. Then we pulled out the pillows and yoga mats to practice more breathing techniques and labor positions.

I'm pleased to report that we weren't the ones giggling through the breathing exercises this time - it was totally another couple. Love them!

The labor positions were actually kinda neat to practice. It wasn't cool watching perfect strangers propped up on their husbands all spread eagle (isn't that what got us in this situation in the first place?) and it was even WEIRDER watching Madelyn do them. I believe I've mentioned her weeble-wobble-like stature before...but she was surprisingly very limber. Go fig.

We also did some really cool visualization/relaxation techniques, and while I usually find things like that to be a bunch of mumbo jumbo, I really enjoyed myself last night. Madelyn had us all close our eyes and relax as she talked us through experiencing our "happy place" with all five senses.

She started by telling us to go to a safe place. And with no rhyme or reason I was instantly in my Grandma Neveau's kitchen. She passed away a few years ago, but was as vividly present in my mind as she's ever been. (Which is SO weird because my sister has been experiencing some of the same weird "Grandma is here" moments lately.) Anyway, I was sitting at her kitchen table and she was wearing her kitchen coat and open-toe slippers. She smelled of smoke and soap and was standing at the stove, like always. I could even feel her rough hands and raspberry kisses on my cheek. My Grandpa was there, too (he's still alive) and was smiling and laughing and talking at an unnecessarily loud decibel.

Again, I usually think this kind of stuff is hogwash and silly...but I was somewhere else entirely last night and it was so very cool. I certainly hope it works in a month or so when I would probably rather die than continue with labor pain. Help me out, Grams, will 'ya? :)

Showered With Love.

The shower on Saturday was an absolute blast. It was thrown with lots of love by Grandma Joette (my mom) and Grandma Susan (Joey's mom). The men were our servers for the afternoon - so not only did we have some nice eye candy, they worked hard, too! :)

As only my luck would have it, Mother Nature also decided to drop a big, fat snowstorm on most of Southern Michigan that same day between the hours of noon and 3 p.m. Please note that the shower was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., so the worst of the snow dumping was during prime guest driving time. Honestly, there wasn't a FLECK of snow on the ground at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Friday was quite possibly the most gorgeous day we'd had in a long, long time. Le sigh.

Come to think of it, it just might be my karma. I graduated from college in April of 2005 and the same thing happened that day...and it was APRIL!

Despite the snow, we still had a great turnout. Only about a dozen people couldn't make it because of the storm - and to the people that braved the weather and STILL came, THANK YOU!! It was so fun to have you there to celebrate our little WIP.

The decorations were perfect. The food was delish. The dessert was scrumptious. Have a look for yourself (click on any image to make it larger):



PROOF! I snapped this one at about 11 am - 2 hours before the shower was slated to start. And it just kept snowing and snowing and snowing and snowing...



The "baby Kristi" picture board. I was even a diva back then.



The "baby Joey" board. You cannot look at his board and my board and tell me I'm not going to birth the hairiest little monkey you've ever seen. Poor kid will be shaving at 6.



The tables! It was so perfect that the church had blue table settings already!



The food table - blue and fabulous. (It was even more fabulous once the delicious food was on it.)



Pinning Joey's "boutonniere" on him. It was a picture of WIP's 3D ultrasound. Totally staged.



Proud Mommy and Daddy.



Joey and I with my parents. Note the polka-dot theme.



Joey and I with his mom, Susan. (Wow...I look enormous.)



Joey (hilariously) demonstrating his favorite Daddy accessory - the Bjorn. I'm relatively certain he will NEVER take it off once WIP is born. Well, at least until the kid no longer fits in it. Haha - can you imagine him carrying the little dude into preschool in that? Or maybe even to 8th grade basketball tryouts? :) Or auditions for the school musical...we'll be encouraging parents.



Me showing off a HAND MADE freakin' awesome diaper bag from my cousin, Lauren. She's so talented it's unreal. She also makes purses and other crafty, fabulous things. If you want her info, leave a comment or shoot me an email! She can custom make something to match your taste and style! (Isn't it cool how she made this to match WIP's room? I LOVE IT!!!)

Joey showing off one of the gifts I bought him - it's a onesie that says "Weepublican." Despite your political affiliation, it's totally cute.

Joey proudly showing off one of his favorite gifts. It's a bib that says "Future Pike." It was a gift from his fraternity brother and best friend, Mike. There was also the cutest little polo shirt with their Greek letters embroidered in it. Can you picture little WIP wearing it, popped collar and spiked hair? P-I-M-P!

Yippie skippie! Our stroller/carseat travel system!!!

Dessert! Petit fours with little baby booties on them and sherbet...with a baby! :)

A big thank you, again, to everyone that was able to make it and for all of the lovely gifts. We are so, so blessed to have such an amazing support system of family and friends as we bring a little life into this world. We can't wait until he's here to share with everyone!! Like they say, it takes a village. :)

Miracle of the Moment.

Today I've decided to get a bit sappy. Forgive me, it's the hormones. Ask anyone in my family - I'm usually quite snarky.

Anyway, I was jamming to my iPod yesterday, trying my darndest to avoid the real world (read: work, chores, to-do lists, etc.) and Steven Curtis Chapman helped to snap me out of my trance. His song "Miracle of the Moment" was ringing in my ears and the chorus really caught my attention. Mind you, I've listened to this song approximately 82 billion times on other occasions, but this time was somehow different.

The chorus goes a little somethin' like this:
So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment

That line - there's a wonder in the here and now - really jostled me. (Ok, I really just wanted an excuse to use the word 'jostled'.) I mean, how often are we just buzzing about our days, trying to clean the house, get the groceries, cash the paycheck, pay the bills...and we're forgetting to stop and see the miracle of the moment that God is putting right in front of us? It's kinda like the "stop and smell the roses" cliche, but instead of just sniffing a weird little flower, you actually take a moment to thank God for creating that rose, giving it the ability to grow and multiply and for using it to make His Earth a little more beautiful. See the difference?

Today I'm remembering to thank God for all my "miracles of the moment." Most notably, my husband, my WIP, my family, my friends, my job and my health. But aside from all those big, obvious things, there's little things in my every day life that I'm so, so thankful for...so take a moment in your busy day today and be thankful for one of your miracles of the moment.

A little musical inspiration

Those who know us know that music is an integral part of our life together. We're actually quite famous for our ridiculous road trips, and even from the beginning, our iPod playlists were what got us from Point A to Point B in one piece. In our first year together, we logged trips to the northernmost point in the UP (Kristi and Charles' wedding) and even to 300 miles north of Toronto (Mark Smith's cabin)...and it was the crazy sing-a-longs and showtunes (much to Joe's dismay) that made the ride so easy and fun.

Well, I've been listening to music lately with what some might call a "mother's ear." I like the sappy, emotional songs that have lyrics about love, miracles and happiness. Cheesy, I know...but I can't help myself!

I recently bought the new 33 Miles CD, 'One Life.' It's been the most popular CD in my car, proven by the fact that it only took me about a week to memorize all the lyrics. Yes, all of them. One week. (I still can't imagine what all the people next to me at stoplights must think...crazy girl singin' and rockin' all by her lonesome...)

I'm getting to my point, I swear.

Although in my professional musical opinion the entire CD is brills, there is one song in particular that I love, love, love. It's called "I Loved You Then" and is about God's limitless, neverending love. He loves us always despite our human failures and sin...He even loved us before we were born!

Because both Joe and I were raised with that same kind of love from our earthly parents, we can't wait to shower our own child(ren) with the same limitless, amazing love. It's actually incredible to think of the similarities between the love Our Father has for us and the love that "reglular" moms and dads have for their children, isn't it?

Anyway, the chorus of this song drives me to tears nearly every time I listen to it. I listen to it from the perspective of a mother's love for her child, and I sing it to WIP every time it plays. Every word is so perfect. Take a look for yourself:

I loved you then.

I love you now.

I will love you tomorrow.

When this world breaks you down, I will give you strength to stand.

Look to me; take my hand and just believe...

Before this day ever began--I loved you then.

The lyrics are beautiful, but the melody and piano track are what really drives it home for me. I don't think there is a way to put the song on this blog-er-roo, but if I can figure something out I'll post it. (Tips, anyone?)

Joe and I are even thinking about getting a custom wall graphic for above WIP's crib that will read, "Before this day ever began, I loved you then." I'm sure the nursery design will change a million times before April, but it's one of our ideas.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone. Head to a cider mill/apple orchard in your area...eat doughnuts and support Michigan businesses! :)