my life: the kiddo years

I've decided to write a series about my life.  Partly to help whoever reads this get to know me better.  Partly to simply reflect on the years and get to know myself better.  But mostly because I have been reading memoirs lately and wanted to do my own gallivanting down memory lane...

I was born July 7, 1981.  On my due date.  Ever the punctual one.
Looking like a typical, wrinkly, "old man" baby:

What I've heard about what I was like as a baby is that I didn't like a bunch of strangers up in my face,  and I really loved my crib.  What this tells me about myself is that even then I was an introvert.  I liked my alone time, and I preferred to not be overwhelmed by large gatherings.

One-on-one interaction was, and still is, best for me:

I liked being "the baby."

Pretty obvious in this picture that I relished it:

Oh, and in this one, too:

So when I was four-years-old and my little brother came onto the scene, I was none too happy.  Can you tell by this picture?

 I was clearly puzzled as to why this new baby had to come and steal my thunder:

Thus began a childhood riddled with wild, dramatic tantrums and outlandish attempts for attention.

The technical term nice way of putting it is that I was a "spirited child."

I tried to be the funniest, the loudest, the meanest, the most helpful, the most irritating...whatever I could do to get my parents attention, positive or negative.

For example: Here you can see me at little brother's birthday...trying to appear as though I adore him.  I assure you, though I did love him, technically.  However, this feigned look of adoration was a ploy to be in this photograph...and near the cupcakes.

Could he get any cuter?  To this day he is impossible to dislike!

What this all tells me is that I was a jealous one even then.  Not envious - I've never wanted anyone else's life or possessions.  Jealous - I just wanted to keep and protect what I already had.  At that time - it was my status as "the baby."

Looking back now, of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am glad I ended up in the middle.  It motivated me.  Molded me into the hard worker I am today.  I had to pave my own way.  Plus,  I got to have a little brother, who is the most amazing guy. Added bonus: I got to torture, tease, and get him to participate in all my crazy schemes/dramatic productions.  We grew up to be pretty okay with each other:

Besides being a pain-in-most-of-my-family's-butts, I was very imaginative, very creative, and quite bright.  I always tested high on achievement tests, and was praised by teachers for acting, speaking and writing skills.  My worst grades were in math (wasn't interested) and physical education (super klutzy and scared of the ball.)  I was simply not coordinated, therefore horrible at nearly all sports.  Plus, I hated being embarrassed, so to avoid any possibility of public mortification I just didn't try.  Which earned me very few participation points.  Don't I look awkward?

Definitely not an athlete...at least not in any sport involving excessive smiling, or a ball.

I read voraciously.  Whatever I could get my hands on, whether I really understood what I was reading or not.  At 6 I was reading my sister's Sweet Valley High books and also Babysitter's Club under the covers with a flashlight, my favorites.  I'd also sit in my dad's office at the church and read one of his seemingly endless amount of biblical literature. Like I said, whatever I could get my hands on. I loved school.  I was precocious, incorrigible, a leader, an instigator,  and was constantly getting in trouble for my crazy schemes.

I wrote, edited and published my own neighborhood newspaper at the age of 6.  Of course, it was handwritten, and there was only one copy.  But I would knock on all the doors on our block to see if anyone wanted to read it.  I'm sure they loved my exposes on topics like: "why do Anderson's keep their Christmas lights up all year" and "who has the nicest lawn?"  

Once, in second grade, I decided that the entire class should know the technical, encyclopedia Brittanica definition of the term, "sex."  So I read it aloud while the teacher was out of the room.  Sadly, it was not that interesting and certainly did nothing to demystify the word for any of us.   And I got in big trouble from the teacher.  "Greta, what would your father say if he knew what you did?"  I looked her in the eye: "I dunno.  Why don't you go down to his office and ask him?"  I'm not sure if she ever did; however, after reading this blog post, he will know.  Sorry, Dad!  {just remember I turned out alright!}

I loved playing dress-up. "Pretend games" were always my favorite:

when I look at my face picture of me, I see Cormac

Early on I was a performer...a passion instilled by my mother, a former stage darling in high school.   I don't think I was ever actually any good at acting...but I adored everything about it.     The lights, the costumes, the audience...every detail.  My talent was more speaking than acting.  I had a loud, clear voice that carried to the back of the auditorium/church/theater.  Ironically, in church Christmas plays I was always cast as "the angel."  My sister was always Mary.  The sweet, caring soul even then.

I would speak my mind no matter what the repercussions.  You can bet that my dad, a Lutheran pastor, wasn't thrilled by his mouthy daughter's antics.  More than once I was dragged out of church by my mother while my dad was in the pulpit preaching, with me screaming:  "Don't spank me!!!!" I figured, if I was going to go out, it would be with a bang.

I looked sweet...and was sweet, at times...but those oversized geeky glasses and shy smile disguised a big, and often volatile, personality.

I was a handful, to say the least.  My mother would sometimes say, exasperated: "I hope you have a kid just like you someday." Well, my sweet mother, perhaps I did.  :)

Eventually I grew into a skinny, weird, awkward 'tween with braces, more crazy schemes, and crushes on boys.  And the tantrums stopped.  For the most part.

My life: the 'Tween Years...coming soon....yikes... 

g

sometimes...

I can't stop myself from taking photos of each and every little thing my baby does.

I want to freeze frame everything.  See above.

I find it mildly concerning when I get tired at 7pm.  I'm not pregnant.  I get 7 hours of sleep per night.  I only have one serving of caffeine a day.  I take my vitamins.  I eat well.  Why the heck am I so tired???

I want to soak up all of the energy so many mamas seem to have and bottle it so I can chug it down at 7pm each night. 

I decide to take the plunge and try hot yoga this month.   Recently got back into yoga, as  when I lived in MN I went to classes regularly at my gym.   Now I go once a week to a pilates/yoga mix class. I  have always wanted to try the hot version - super excited!    

It really hits me that I have been a mama for seven months.  Wha-what???  

I can't believe how lucky I am when I get four hours on Sundays to do whatever.I.please.  while my trustworthy Hubby takes care of the sweet babe. 

I feel like I never, never, ever want to move/sell a house again.  It is sooooo much work!  This will hopefully our last move for at least 7 years. 

I feel like a really good person when I play around and laugh with Cormac.  Having a baby has made me a happier, kinder person.  Laughing with him and sharing joyful moments together with a baby is something I was definitely missing in my 
life...but didn't know it until now.


How would you finish the sentences above?
g


Linking up to the 'sometimes' series on this sweet blog:

happy, happy seven months!

My baby boy is not perfect, by any means. 

It would be boring if he was. 

For example, now he makes this "stink face" about five hundred times a day...

He has uber-sensitive skin.  The other day I tickled his nose with my {I thought was clean} powder makeup brush, and his nose and area surrounding broke out into a dry, scaly rash.  Any accidental scratches look like he's been knifed.  If he so much as bumps his head on a door {that he is trying to open and shut!} a huge red circle appears on his forehead and lasts for the entire day.

He hates getting dressed.  The boy would stay naked all day...but I tell him that until he has his own house he can't sit around in his undies, er, diaper all day.   So I endure the tortured screams of protest when I try to put his arms through the armholes of his shirts.   I actually find the screams pretty funny.   In turn, he finds it hilarious when I make "po-po" siren noises and announce "naked baby alert!"

He still doesn't sleep through the night.  I have beautiful mama friends whose babies somehow slept through the night since eight weeks.   But Cormac, he still likes to awake after four hours for a bottle.  Sometimes even twice!

Okay, that is it.  That is all I can think of to "complain" about.  Life with Baby is good.

He is crawling now -- so fun!  He prefers to crawl to the following things:  my laptop, vents, doors, towers of blocks that I stack over and over, and, of course water bottles.   Oh, and he loves my toenails, especially when painted bright colors.

He still weighs around 18.5 pounds  - when I had to buy a new size in diapers I nearly wept.  Is that weird?

Still no teeth...but various nights where he {and we} were miserable with teething.

Favorite food is green beans.  Least favorite?  Bananas.

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I will forever remember this photo shoot as 'the one where you had a red, runny nose and just looked plain sick.'  

Luckily, I eventually got a few smiles out. :)

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Whoa...just realized how much his hair has grown in the last couple months.  

I'm never cutting it!

{says the neurotic new mama}

Happy monday, my blog loves!

g

14 days of loves: day 14 {my valentine}

No dinner.  No chocolate.  No flowers.

Better.

Spa Day!

We drove 2 hours to drop the babe off at his Mimi's house, so we could enjoy our daytime Valentine's Date.  Here is me, makeup-free in my sweats, all ready to bliss out:

 Started the morning off right relaxing together with a latte and sweet vday treats!

 I read my book, and Hubby got a paper and did the crossword.  We did this a lot in our former, pre-baby life together. :)

Then it was off to the spa.

Doesn't that sound swanky?

As if we have spa days a lot {we don't.}

Hubby booked us both two services each.

And although we spent the next three hours apart...

it was heavenly.

I took a waterfall shower, 

sat in the sauna,

sipped 'calm' tea,

had a foot scrub,

full-body massage,

more tea,

then pedicure.

Anytime I was asked if I'd like something...sample of lip balm...blue oil on my neck...more tea...

I said:  Don't mind if I do.

Pure zen awesomeness.

Only weird part...this awkward conversation with my masseuse:

Her: When was your last massage?

Me:  Ummmm...seriously I can't remember.

Her: *look of pity* 

Me: Maybe three years ago?

Her: Any recent surgeries or health issues?

Me: Nope. Unless you count having a baby.  If so, then yes.

Her: *uncomfortable stare*

Me: *uncomfortable laugh* 

Her: Any particular area you want me to concentrate on?

Me: Um...pretty much anywhere.  Everywhere. It all needs help!

After another odd look from her

{note to self: don't try to joke around with massage therapists}

 the awkward question/answer period ended, 

and the AMAZING massage ensued.

So, so nice.

Then, famished, we had a late lunch of

sushi and, of course, wine. 

Was a nice change-up from our typical Valentine's dates, before Baby came along.  Much needed rejuvenation for this mama.  And much-appreciated romantic date-time for both of us.

Thank you, Hubby, for loving me so much.  Every day.

g

14 days of loves: day 13 {runaway bunny}

My valentine's gift to Cormac. 

{for his true love should be the written word, right?}

'If you are a gardener and find me,' said the little bunny, 'then I will become a bird and fly away from you.'  

 If you become a bird and fly away from me,' said his mother, 'then I will be a tree that you come home to.'

Yet another children's book to make a mama cry...

these books should come with warnings.

g

14 days of loves: day 12 {the fauxhawk}

Hmmm...

...not really enough hair to rock this fabulous look...

...but at least we tried.  

:)

g

14 days of loves: day 11 {girl babies!}

I have a 'boy baby'...but that doesn't mean I don't love 'girl babies.'

My SIL Jen is having a girl!!!!!  We were so excited to find out last week that there will be a girl baby on Hubby's side of the family.

Little girls are so sweet...have such adorable clothes...sweet, princessy rooms...

I am pretty positive I will never have a girl.  We plan on having one or two more babies...but I am quite convinced they will be boys.  I feel like I was born to be a "boy mama."  I don't mind that boys get dirty, yell, and are physical.  I thought I would looooove baby clothes...but I hardly have had to buy any, and would be totally fine having Baby 2 wear all Cormac's hand-me-downs.  Getting him dressed is not one of my favorite parts of our day together.

I am anticipating a houseful of sports-watching, logical boys.  I envision dirt-covered faces,  adventuring, camping trips, and lots of skinned knees.  Of course, I was a 'girl baby' and I had/did all of these things!

If I am blessed with a girl...of course I will love her endlessly!  I will relish all the girlie things and hopefully raise a strong, smart, down-to-earth girl.

I just have a feeling God put me here to raise boys.  Is that so weird?

Doesn't mean I don't love when other wonderful women in my life have girls....
like my beautiful older Sis.  Her "baby girl" Isabel was my very first niece and probably the most beautiful baby ever....

Then there is my niece Ella...who has the biggest smile and personality a sweet girl can have!

Girl babies are incredibly sweet...

My first ever niece is born!  Probably my first time even holding a baby {at age 24!}

Hubby and Isabel on her first visit to Ohio!

"Gimme five!"  I would be sure to raise a tomboy.

First time holding Ella...so tiny and precious!

I am excited for another girl baby to snuggle!  

I know that Jen will be a lovely 'girl mama.' She will dress her in sweet, dainty dresses and she will be a perfect little angel.  

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

I'll share mine...whenever I finally catch up with these 'love' posts.

Is it okay to blame the baby?  ;)

g