Communication Improved

Rece learned to tell us what he wants in a way that is much more subdued than screaming, as seen in previous entry.




The strange noise in the background is my 270 pounds worth of dogs having themselves a drink.

A year with Rece

Jason and I have now lived with Rece for one year. And I guess I should say, Rece has lived (tolerated) Jason and I for one year.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, this entry will be written to Rece.

Rece,

I love you. Three simple words that say so much. I feel obliged to start this letter with those words because they are so true. With every fiber of my being, they are true. Sometimes I look at you and my heart swells up and I can actually feel it becoming too big for my body and it hurts. So I squeeze you and kiss you and hug you and tell you I love you and then I feel a little better. (just a little).

I also feel obliged to tell you that sometimes life with you is hard. It's important for you to know this. It's important for you to know that sometimes I want to quit, but it's more important for you to know that I don't quit.

You should know that sometimes I would rather be reading a book or shopping or cooking than sitting on the floor rolling a ball to you for the one hundredth time, but you should know that I still roll the ball to you.

Because, Rece, that's part of what love is. Giving up anything and everything for the one you love. Even though it is hard, there is nothing (NOTHING) that could make me give it up or even go back and change anything.

It's not all hard. Sometimes...no, MOST of the time life with you is sweet. Life is delicious and quenching and satisfying. (I may be hungry while writing this.)

And funny.

Rece, you make me laugh more than anyone. With just a look, you can have me in tears.

I love the little conversations we have now that make no sense whatsoever, yet at the same time, I totally understand every word that was said.

I love your way of entering into a room with a big smile on your face like you haven't seen me in years.

Looking into your eyes makes me understand what is meant when they say a person has an old soul. There is wisdom in your eyes and at the same time pure joy and innocence.

Not a person has met you that didn't like you right away. You are going to bring happiness to many people in your life.

When I am away from you, I miss you. When I am with you, I am complete.

I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Your daddy and I love you.

Communication

Rece is learning how to let Jason and I know what he wants. This video is one example.

Doubting Thomas

For all you who doubt...
Here you are: the proof.


Yes, my house is a mess. I like to refer to it as "lived in."
And you are correct, Rece is not wearing pants. Would you, if you had a choice?

Hi!

Yesterday was a big day. Everything was the norm: leave work, break the speed limit to get to Rece, walk in the daycare, watch Rece do his jazz hands when he sees me, pick him up...and this is where things change. I look at Rece and say "Hey Bud." Rece looks at me and says "Hi!" What what WHAT? "Did you just say hi? Did he just say hi to me?", directed towards the daycare peeps. "Hi!" He said it again. Oh my little dude is so cute! The word "hi" never sounded so amazing.
I asked the daycare people..."do you think he is actually saying hi?" They said, "oh, he has been saying that for a while." Ouch! That hurts.
Anyway, the rest of the night was spent saying "Hi Rece, Hi Rece!" He is probably so annoyed by Jason and I.
I love him!

Milestones

Rece now has 4 teeth and I think a couple more about to pop through. His first tooth (on the bottom) came through on his 6 month birthday, October 16th. This is a milestone that deserves to be mentioned in my blog about Rece. So there it is...to remember for all time.
Milestones! When you become a mom you get so obsessed about these milestones. When did he roll over? When did he sit up? First smile? First solid food? (speaking of, what is with the obsession with babies and solid food? There is an obesity epidemic in our country people! It starts early!) Lickety split...(you know what I'm talking about Em:) )
As a mom you start to get defensive about these things. You start to worry. Here's the facts...all these things will occur NO MATTER what you do. A baby will smile without his mom begging and begging (and begging and begging.) A baby will roll over without the little nudges provided. A baby will swallow that infamous rice cereal when he is good and ready. These things come naturally.
A mom has milestones too. They are a little harder to accomplish, but still rather naturally occurring. They can be so painful, but so rewarding to learn.
Here they are:
The moment I realized that spending time with Rece is soooo much more important than having a clean house.
The moment I realized that what works for one child, does not work for my child...and that's ok.
The moment I realized that the more I relax and take things in stride and with a sense of humor, the easier being a mom is.
The moment that everything I said about motherhood, before I was a mother, was judgemental and naive.
The moment I realized how important family really is.
The moment I realized I can't control anything and I never will.
The moment I realized that female intuition really does exist and I should trust it.
The moment I realized that my time is not really my time.
The moment I realized that being selfish is no longer an option.
The moment I realized that pediatricians know nothing about breastfeeding...unbelievable...but true.
The moment I realized that I really could function on no sleep.
The moment I realized that my relationship with my husband is just as, if not more, important than the one with my child.
The moment I came to terms with my striae (look it up) and learned to accept them as beauty marks.
The moment I realized just how important those Kegel's really are.


I think that with these milestones, just as with Rece's milestones, there will be times of regression.

It's all a normal part of growing up.
It's all a part of being a mom.
And I love it!

I wonder what they are saying.
Rece:"What are you looking at?"
Asia: "What are you looking at?"
or
Rece:"You're big!"
Asia: "You stink!"
or
Rece: "What are you?"
Asia: "What are you?"
or
Rece: "Hey Asia, let's look really cute for this picture Nana wants to take."
Asia: "Sure thing, buddy!"

Whatever they are saying to each other, it was definitely a priceless moment.