And the adventure continues...

As we approach Mother’s Day, I’d like to share some of the interesting observations I’ve made over my last three years of motherhood. I knew my life would change when I had a child. I didn’t know how MUCH it would change. The world looks totally different through a mother’s eyes!

I look forward to the many lessons my son has yet to teach me, and I look at my own mother, grandmothers, mother-in-law, aunts, and friends with such admiration. I feel like I’ve joined a special club!

- Being a mommy makes you overcome your fears of spiders and begin to eat foods that you’ve always hated in order to show your kids that they shouldn’t be afraid to try something new.

- 24-hour pharmacies are the greatest invention – EVER.

- Motherhood is probably the leading cause of anxiety disorders.

- Everyone should carry diaper wipes with them at all times. They’re so convenient!

- A high speed digital SLR camera is worth every penny.

- The genius at Crayola who decided to put cleaning tips for every product of theirs on the website deserves a huge pay raise.

- Going to the grocery store with your child can be a fun teaching opportunity; going to the grocery store without your child can be a fun vacation.

- Playing with play-doh is incredibly therapeutic.

- When it’s cold enough outside to see your breath, it’s cool to pretend you’re a dragon.

- No matter how gross it is, there is some satisfaction that comes with picking your child’s nose.

- Having a Mary Poppins Dance Party in the living room is a great workout!

- A few funny faces can cure a bad attitude no matter how old you are.

- Nothing in the entire world is better than hearing your child say, “Mommy, I love you.”

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. - Sophia Loren

"OMG, you guys, it's Thomas!"

This past weekend we took our son on a pilgrimage to Greenfield Village. Don't be too impressed with my son's excitement for turn of the 20th century American history...we were there for one reason, and one reason only. T-H-O-M-A-S!!

I have to admit, I love me some Thomas the Tank Engine. I think it's by far the most sophisticated children's program and it has fantabulous morals. When I use the TV to babysit my son (come on, everyone does it, don't pretend) I know I can pop on a Thomas DVD and have no worries. It sure beats the pants off having to explain why Max and Ruby don't have any parents.

Anyway, major kudos goes to whoever thought up the idea of creating a real-life Thomas engine and touring him around to all of the heritage railways around the country. "Day Out With Thomas" is well worth the money for any choo choo-holic.

Even though we had chilly and damp weather, no one could have rained on Liam's parade as we walked into Greenfield Village to see THE REAL THOMAS pass by on the tracks. We stopped by the carousel where they let Liam ring the bell, we got our picture taken in front of the hat shop, we saw the glass blowers, listened to a banjo, and then we got in line to board the train. The train ride itself was a tolerable 20 minutes long, blaring familiar Thomas songs as it went all the way around the village.

Nothing is as thrilling as a parent to see your child full of excitement. I heard one little boy exclaim, "Mommy! This is the best day of my life!" I remember saying the same thing to my parents as we stood outside the gates of the Magic Kingdom when I was three. Music to Mommy and Daddy's ears.




















As a side note, the people of Greenfield Village were exceedingly courteous and accommodating. The grounds were immaculate and beautiful, the food, carousel rides, and Model T passes were inexpensive, and there was enough there to have kept Liam interested even without you-know-who. We plan to head back this summer during our staycation (more on that in a later blog) when we have nicer weather.

Liam is 3!!!

My baby boy is growing up before my eyes! In celebration of Liam's 3rd birthday, here is a brief recap of The Life and Times of Liam Anderson.

Favorite Toy: Play Doh!

Favorite pastime: Digging for worms

Favorite Movie: Finding Nemo (still)

Favorite Character: Thomas the Train

Favorite Phrase: "What you said?"

What you said recently that made us laugh: Daddy told you that he would take you wherever you wanted to go. You said, "I want to go to the Chiropractor."

What you said recently that made us cry: "Mommy, you're beautiful like the clouds are beautiful."

What you've learned recently: How to say the dinner blessing (complete with crossing yourself!)

What you do frequently to get in trouble: Not listening to mommy and daddy

Recent Milestone: Going potty!!

Latest injury: Trip to the ER after eating some medicine that wasn't yours.

We love you, Little Liam!

Reflections of a mom with an only child

My son (whom I love more than anything in the world) was a surprise blessing. Specifically, my husband and I had a “five year” kids plan that was shortened when we got pregnant five weeks after we got married.

Adjusting to the idea of having a child so soon was difficult for me. Yes, we “knew how this sort of thing happens” and we immediately took on the responsibility of our new lifestyle, but there were tearful nights (undoubtedly egged on by raging hormones) where I questioned whether or not I was “ready” to be a mom. I didn’t know if I was ready to lose control of my life and what I wanted to do.

Now that we have our three-year old bundle of energy, I know that I am a good mom. We’re also blessed with an amazing “supporting cast” including grandparents that invite us to dinner and have sleepovers and friends who are insulted when you try to pay them for babysitting.

Finally, it’s fun instead of stressful. My house is (usually) picked up, my closets are not overflowing, we have enough left over money in the checking account to go out to eat every now and then and go on vacation, and I get a solid 8 hours of sleep most nights. My husband, son and I love our lives.

Maybe we’ll only have one child. Why mess with a good thing?

“WHAT!?” Tends to be the general response. (It turns out that people you barely know get incredibly frustrated and angry when they find out that you might only have one child.) “That’s awfully SELFISH!” they say.

Or they’ll say “You want to raise a little BRAT?”

Perhaps my favorite response is “What happens if you die?!” they ask, “Your son will be so LONELY!!!” Yeah, thanks a lot. Nothing makes a mom happier than thinking of what will become of her children if she were to have an untimely death. Perhaps if there were a SIBLING involved. Yes! That’s it! Then my son wouldn’t be sad about me dying. He and his brother/sister could just take over the house and create their own little Lord of the Flies.

When I see the term “only child”, a lot of emotions run through my mind: relief, guilt, happiness, regret, sadness, and the inevitable “more guilt” are only a few. Images pop into my head of a little boy sitting on the swing set all by himself with tears rolling down his cute little cheeks. But I also see a little boy who is able to take piano lessons and go to college without mountains of debt to burden him. I see a little boy who comes home to a mommy who isn’t exhausted, a mommy who doesn’t have to divide her attention, a mommy who isn’t stressed about finances.

There are so many wonderful people who are wonderful parents to more than one child. I just don’t know if we're those people. We haven’t decided yet. Maybe we'll start a new trend: Green parenting?

Happy World Theatre Day!

March 27^th is World Theatre Day and I would like to take this opportunity to write a public love letter to my all time favorite passion!

I don’t think it would be a big surprise to anyone that I was not an athlete in school. I dreaded gym class. I spent recess on the swing set. I played soccer for the obligatory two seasons, and quit when I got hit in the face with the ball. I felt like I wasn’t good at the stuff you were “supposed” to be good at, especially if you wanted to be one of the popular kids.

Then I stumbled (literally, I told you I’m not coordinated) into the world of music and theatre. My entire life changed. I started to become good at something for the first time in my life. No, theatre didn’t make me popular (shocking, I know) but it made me try hard, it made me confident, and it taught me how to treat other people.

Now, fifteen years later, I am still in love. I get giddy when I walk into a theater to see a show, first rehearsals still feel like first dates, and let me tell you there is NOTHING in this whole world like feeling an audience in the palm of your hand. Knowing that all of the hard work has made a difference to your audience. Actors live for those moments.

And the people! Ya know, I've been told that there's no people like show people, and I'd have to agree. I met my husband as well as many of my best friends doing theatre (6 of the 8 people who stood up in our wedding were "show people"). You become so committed to a common goal that you become family. They are the kindest, most open-minded, funniest, and most entertaining people you will ever meet.

If you've never experienced theatre from behind the scenes, put it on your bucket list. Especially, if you live in Midland, where we have one of the greatest community theatre facilities I've ever seen. You will have the time of your life, guaranteed!

My son, the drama queen

I’m not surprised. I’m glad, actually, that my son is turning into a very social little boy. I’m also not surprised that along with his social skills, Liam has a flair for the...dramatic.

He can’t help it with parents who act out scenes from Mary Poppins or play YouTube videos of My Little Ponies singing “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” to try to make him laugh. He’s been onstage three times now…once in the womb (I was playing a virgin...oh the magic of theatre and a good costume designer!) My point? It’s in his blood.

I was surprised, however, with how quickly it all took effect. This morning my son didn’t want to get dressed. Specifically, he didn’t want to put on pants. We explained to him that pants were a necessary part of leaving the house...no dice. We tried everything…distraction, bribery, you name it. It escalated into a full on tantrum…”I WAN’T TO GO TO NANA’S!” he screamed. He was certain that Nana wouldn’t possibly do this to him.

Then...as he was crying (my husband and I were laughing) that little over dramatic child was watching himself cry in the mirror...experimenting with different facial expressions and pitches of crying. Sigh. And so it begins.

Maybe someday, when he’s accepting his Oscar, he will thank his parents for making him wear pants.

We have no idea where he gets it from.

The Land Before Time...

Every night before bed, we sing a song to Liam (or several songs. It's actually my favorite part of the day). When I can't remember the words I usually just make some up. Liam caught on to some of the made up lyrics, and now he won't let me sing it any other way. This is Liam singing the Land Before Time theme song to me including some of the words that I made up one night..."You are the best dinosaur ever" He's a little sleepy and hard to understand, so I'll post the lyrics below.



Don't lose your way with each passing day
You've come so far, don't throw it away
You are the best dinosaur ever (Otherwise known as "Live believing, dreams are for weaving")
Wonders are waiting to start
When we hold on together
We know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As clouds rolls by, for you and I.