It is nap time on the eve of my return to the real world...and I AM STRUGGLING! This was the summer I spent months anticipating, and in the blink of an eye, it has slipped away! I feel so blessed to have these very special months to devote all my energy and attention on being a mom and all that comes with it, but it is hard to let the time go each year...getting harder and harder as my little guy gets older and so much more fun. I have spent a lot of time the last few days reminiscing on such a sweet summer; flipping through pictures on my phone, scrolling down my Facebook timeline trying to embed all that was so wonderful about these last few months deeper into my memory, so I can take it with me and use it to get through the difficult times that a school year can bring. So, for my last blog post of summer 2013, I will continue the reminiscing and share with you lessons that I have learned over the last two and a half months...
Showering is Overrated...
Anyone who really knows me is probably falling over by this. I am, and have always been, a person that MUST shower ever day. The day just cannot begin without cleansed hair, a scrubbed body, and some shiny new clothes...until I spent my days with a toddler. To him, there is no such thing as mess or dirt. Why let a little roll in the mud get in the way of an adventure right?!? So, when you know your days are going to be spent spralled out on the driveway driving a semi full of trucks to their next location, or finger painting paper...and then maybe one's belly/elbows/knees and you too will be up to your elbows in finger paint as well, the necessity begins to slip away. My new motto...throw the hair up in a pony, brush those teeth, and no one will ever know the difference!
God Bless Whoever Created the "Splash Pad"...
The Splash Pad; it is far more fun than running through the sprinkler, but much more practical than a trip to the pool. This great invention was my saving grace this summer. On the rare occasion that a warm and sunny day rolled around, this was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. Vinnie got the excitement and enjoyment of waterplay, and mom didn't have to battle locker rooms and or pool full of other kiddos to keep things fun and safe.
You want to help?!?...
One of Vinnie's favorite phrases that came out of this summer has been, "Mama, I help?" And for the most part he has been such a great help! When I am cooking in the kitchen, he likes to pull up a chair and take part in the mixing here and the dumping there. When the toy area is littered with blocks and cars, he happily helps and sings the "Clean Up" song! When Jon works in the yard, Vinnie likes to help by picking up sticks and pulling weeds. While sometimes the extra help can mean extra work on our part, we are so happy to have a kiddo that likes to work and is willing to contribute! If he is offering, we are going to take him up on it as much as we can before he realizes what he is doing!!! ;)
How to be a pitcher, Catcher, Fielder, Batter, and other nuances of "B-ball"...
We have an obsession in our house. It is with the game of baseball, and no, it is not Jon's obsession. Vinnie has become completely addicted to the game of baseball and everything about it. Littered around our house you can find an assortment of baseballs in all sizes, "globs" (gloves), 3 bats in various sizes, a Twins batting helmet, a tee, and a slew of Twins or baseball apparel. The moment baseball graces our tv, the batting helmet is on and Vinnie comes, bat/ball/glove, in hand ready to play. Both myself and Jon have spent countless hours engaged in baseball games with our now two year old. AND...the kid can play! After spending time watching all the players both live and on tv, Vinnie's wind-up to pitch is straight from professional baseball and he has a lot of heat behind his swing. If this is what life is like with a toddler who loves baseball, I can only imagine our future!
The Highs and Lows of Living with a Toddler...
Our days are a rollercoaster of emotions. Vinnie wakes up chatting and giggling in his crib every morning but can immediately turn ugly when offered anything but fruit for breakfast. He happily plays with his puzzles and sings the ABC's but runs and hides at the mention of a new diaper. We love chicken nuggets with bbq sauce one day for lunch but two days later are spitting it out. He gives kisses on your eyes/nose/and cheeks and then swats at you for taking the iPad away. I have learned that consistency and communication helps to keep these mood swings at a minimum, but have also found that sometimes there is just no way to avoid them, and some are even necessary for him to learn the expectations of our house and what is right and wrong. Whoever said parenting was easy, had not yet encountered a toddler!
Family Makes Everything better...
Life is not always easy, and Jon and I have learned that this summer. But we have also learned that time spent with family can make everything that much easier to trudge through. We are blessed with amazing parents, siblings, and extended family, on top of a pretty amazing two year old, and when we feel overwhelmed by the trials that we face, we know that we can turn our attention to a game of catch with Vinnie, or call/Skype with those we love and suddenly we feel embraced by love, support, and prayer and ready to tackle every obstacle and barrier that is ahead. This summer has provided us with an amazing amount of family time and we have enjoyed every moment of it. We look forward to a whole lot more extended family time in the not so distant future!
One of my favorite things this summer has been getting Vinnie up from his nap. Squeezing him, still warm from the cuddles of sleep and our silly routines of putting away his Nuk and opening his blinds is always the highlight of my day. They are sweet moments that I know won't last forever. So...as I bid you all goodbye, I will go savor my last of those moments in the summer of 2013. Is it too early to start counting down to the summer of 2014?!? (My what adventures that summer will have ;) )
