On to the point of this post. So, I have recently been spending a great deal of time talking to Liam about being a big boy and how he can snuggle mommy to go to sleep at night (as opposed to nursing- his favorite sleep association). Liam’s typical response to this conversation is, “I don’t want to be a big boy. I’m a baby. I nurse ONE more time.” This carried on for about a week. Last night, I found myself exhausted and WAY TOO pregnant to be comfortable in any kind of nursing position. So I simply said, “Not tonight,” when Liam asked. He accepted my response {gasp}, and rolled over and went to sleep (after much tossing and turning). Tonight… he didn’t even ask. And with the help of a little white noise (thank goodness for iPhone apps), he quickly drifted off to sleep.

Weaning this time truly is bittersweet for me.

[Disclaimer: I am not at all opposed to the concept of tandem nursing; I just don't think it's for me. I would go nuts wondering if the little one is getting what he needs. I remain a huge advocate of extended nursing.]

Our sweet, sweet Liam is turning 2 on Tuesday. He is such an awesome part of our family. We all love Liam… his cute little actions, his developing vocabulary, the “night-night love” he passes out so willingly, his sense of humor, his smile, and the funny expressions he makes on demand.

We had a small birthday celebration with family and friends Saturday morning at Torrence Chapel Park. The weather was perfect, and the birthday boy enjoyed the special attention (and the cake and the balloons). Liam’s current favorites include anything construction-related. So, he was excited to see diggers, dump trucks, cement mixers, and rollers on his balloons, plates, cake, etc.

Mostly because I am getting old and will not remember these things next year, I want to share a little about Liam’s personality as he approaches age two.

Liam…

• loves his mommy
• loves his Jack, his Ep-ba (Emma), and his daddy
• likes to pretend-talk to Jo-Jo (Jocie) on the phone
• loves all things construction, often saying, “digger, dump truck, roller, flatbed, cement mixer” repeatedly
• likes privacy when he poops (says “back” or “stay” to whomever is in the room at the time)
• copies everything we say
• is always willing to give love
• likes Bob the Builder, Caillou, Tigger & Pooh, Little Einsteins, and Nursery Rhymes
• says “Mine!” a lot
• says “Night night!” when he is ready to go to bed
• loves music (especially Laurie Berkner, Roger Day, Lady Gaga, and Black Eyed Peas)
• likes to dance
• has a sense of humor
• enjoys reading books and going to the library (his current favorites include Jazz Baby, Good Morning Digger, and There’s a Wocket in My Pocket)
• enjoys eating yogurt (“gurt”), crackers, noodle bowls, grapes, fruit mash-ups, and waffles
• loves to play outside
• loves bubbles, water, and sand

Hmmm… I wonder what he will be like at age 3?

For what I realize is that I am content with my life as is. No… not content… happy. There was a time when I wanted to advance in my field. To be a full professor. To research and teach and write. And as the years went by and our family grew, those dreams began to fade. And now? They’re really not there anymore. And that’s OK with me.

Each day I am thankful for my life’s work.

And one day, when my little ones are not so little anymore, maybe then I will find another dream to chase.

[Me: "Open your mouth, Liam"]

Postscript: I should add that I am thankful for my husband who would gladly trade places with me so that he could be a stay-at-home dad.

… when the kids are little.

… and we are all here. In this house. Together.

You know what… I think she might be right.

It seriously seems like yesterday that my little sister and I were packed into the back of the family station wagon arguing over who got which pack of fries (DON’T touch MY fries! Hey, that ONE better be from YOUR bag!). Flash forward 25 years and look at our girls. They do so love each other, and it is simply the sweetest thing ever.

Sometimes I blog just to post cute pictures like this one.

… and this one. (Wonder what these two are saying?)

This growing up/growing old thing is crazy. My head sometimes spins from the sheer speed of it. And if I am feeling this nostalgic, I can only imagine how my parents must feel. And my granddad. Their memories and stories (of long ago) remind me to savor this time with my own kids. To relish in their simple pleasures. And to love them, love them, love them. {squeeze… hug… kiss… repeat}.

So we did.

We breastfed (a lot). We co-slept. And, we carried our babies. {In our arms}.

Yet sadly, babywearing was not part of our daily parenting groove with Emma Kate or with Jack. We had a Baby Bjorn knock-off that we never used and a bulky ring sling whose instructions I must have read a gazillion times. Neither carrier was easy. And, there was no one around to model babywearing, to show how easy and awesome it can be for baby and mommy (and daddy).

Then, along came baby Liam. And before he was born, I boldly proclaimed… this baby will be a sling baby. And, this time around, I will be a sling mommy.

Photo credit: Miss Dawn Buchanan

I kept that promise.

And, I have loved every minute I have carried Liam. My ring sling is my go-to option for snuggling Liam close and keeping him happy and safe.

Sadly, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is going after the one baby item I consider so essential to parenting this time around. Due to three tragic infant deaths associated with one type of carrier (bag pouches), the CPSC is considering recalling all types of soft baby carriers. Thankfully, the BCIA (Baby Carrier Industry Alliance) is putting forth a call to action to unite babywearing parents and to make the case for why babywearing is safe for babies and an important choice for parents. And, Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing is asking parents to share their stories and link up to encourage babywearing.

Regardless of the CPSC’s stance on carriers, I will continue to blissfully wear my baby. I just hope that all parents have this choice in the future.

Have you ever seen anything this cute? As if these squishy little thighs are not cute enough on their own, now they can be spiffed up with BabyLegs!

Conversation this morning with dear hubby went something like this…

No, dear, these are not leg warmers on your son, they are BabyLegs. “Well, he looks like a flashdance baby to me.” Oh, Daddy, wake up and smell the cuteness!

{Look at the squishy place where baby Liam’s thigh meets his BabyLegs. Must squeeze now.}

You can find these cuties online at BabyLegs.com. The versatility of BabyLegs is amazing. They can be worn as warmers, tights, or even socks. And, one size fits all! The patterns and colors are oh so cute (they even offer holiday prints). What sold me (besides the obvious cuteness)? BabyLegs make diaper changing easier, and they protect the sweet knees of my little crawler.

Shhh… don’t tell hubby, but I have a plan for incorporating more BabyLegs into Liam’s fall wardrobe. They will be the perfect accompaniment to onesies (my favorite baby wear).

Today it’s raining inside my heart (just a little). What’s going on, it’s nothing life-changing. Just the accumulation of muddy puddles of uncertainty. And I feel like I am standing here without an umbrella.

But,

It’s time to embrace the rain (life). Soak it in and move forward with purpose.

It may be raining, but there have been a few rainbows in my day.

Talking to my almost 2-yr-old niece Jocie on the phone (about birthday cake, of course!). Watching Liam catch rain this morning. Stopping to take pictures of Emma Kate and Jack before school. Making plans with dear hubby to be more social (online, that is). Listening to 80s music on Pandora (and watching Liam dance). Whew, that’s a lot of little rainbows. Maybe this day isn’t so cloudy after all.

I could buy them all the toys they desire (I couldn’t really), but I promise they wouldn’t be as happy with Legos and Wii games and what-nots as they are with collecting acorns. Yes, acorns. I love this. At Mawmaw and Pawpaw’s, Emma Kate and Jack collected a large paper bag filled with acorns. And they were oh so excited to bring them home. Currently the acorns are scattered on our front porch. Apparently, they serve as a form of currency. (This is much better than the original plan they proposed: to collect acorns for a brother-sister acorn fight).

Happy birthday to my sweet mother who turned *ahem* older (and wiser) today. We were so happy to be able to spend a little piece of your day with you. I love that my children beg to stay with the two of you. You must be much cooler than you give yourself credit. With or without a yard full of acorns.

Happy

Birthday

Liam