Saturday, January 30, 2016
onetwothree
Her breath is hot against my cheek, smelling like Cheerios. She nuzzles in, closer than I thought was humanly possible. Her sticky, chubby fingers grasp handfuls of my shirt, her chest rising and falling with each deep breath. Her stirring slows until she stops completely, finally content with the way her body meshes into mine.
My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest because I know that soon she will be chasing her brothers around the house, too busy to snuggle.
This is important.
Lazy afternoons with nothing but the delicious weight of a snoring baby on the agenda. Squeals from little boys eating gross jelly beans. Countless games of Uno and Candy Land. Watching the same tricks on the trampoline on repeat. Taking note of Halloween costume requests in February. Writing notes from the Tooth Fairy. Kissing boo-boos. Making school lunches. Reading bedtime stories.
This is what I want to remember.
Being a parent, being THEIR mom is more incredible than I could have ever imagined. Experiencing life through their eyes, watching them learn by trying new things, taking wobbly steps and getting to grow with them is a beautiful, messy gift.
And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Have you ever had one of those moments where you meet someone and you just know that they are it?
He's missed work to stay home with the kids. He's taken Jonas to Boy Scouts. He helps them practice riding their bikes with no training wheels. He plays on jungle gyms, goes to school dances, and eats crappy pancakes at school fundraisers. He goes to every single tee ball practice and game.
He talks to them. He asks them questions that make them think. He works on school projects and homework with them. He has discussions about topics that not only are important to them now, but that will help shape who they become.
He helps remember to move the damn Elf on a Shelf religiously.
He believes in the magic of childhood. He holds living room dance parties. He cooks dinner, washes dishes, pours glasses of wine, and draws baths for me when my days are hard.
He plans for our future. College funds, goals, working hard to advance in his career- all for us.
No one has ever loved me so deeply, leaving me with a belly full of butterflies with just a glance from across the room. I never felt that I was good enough to be loved. I never fully understood what it meant to love and be loved.
Then I met him. And I knew.
He's it.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
the one where she retires
After thirty two years of teaching small children, my Mom retired today.
Thirty two years. Thirty one of those in the same school, same classroom.
Her school has always been one of the lowest income schools in the city, which brings along additional challenges. She's personally purchased thousands of dollars worth of Angel Tree gifts over the years for kids in her school. For years she wrote a letter to each new student in her class; hundreds of kids in the area received their first piece of mail from Mrs. Breese. She let kids know that they mattered.
She demanded a lot from her students. Good behavior, listening, and basic manners were expected. Her "teacher look" terrified many a child (or unruly adult) into realizing that someone expected more out of them. She taught kids to realize that their actions mattered.
She made learning fun. Kindergarteners filled the hallways each January during Chinese New Year with their paper dragon and noise makers. They ate with chopsticks, did fun science experiments, and always had a classroom that was decorated with whatever theme they were learning about. She showed kids that learning wasn't limited to books and papers.
She's held students having seizures, bloody noses, and (basically) severed fingers. She's wiped noses, washed hands, and applied sunscreen for students. She let students know that someone would always be there for them.
She's taught the children of her former students. She's taught my friends...and most likely one of your friends, too. She's taught interns and acted as a mentor to her colleagues. She has single-handily impacted hundreds of people in Northwest Arkansas.
You made a difference even when you didn't think so, Mom.
Thank you.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
the one where I'm a total mom
Growing up, I always said I wanted some absurd-when-not-a-fundie amount of children. The number always varied, but was never less than four.
Don't worry, this isn't a "SURPRISE! IRISH TWINS!" post, so y'all can relax (I'm looking at you, Ryan). Three is a great number of kids for our family, and I'm stoked that I get to be the Mom to these three rad kids.
The oldest kid, Jonas, turns six on Friday. I think that the first baby you have always holds a different place in your heart because they're the one that made you a parent. They're the one that you'll probably make the most mistakes with because every single day is uncharted territory. Sometimes you're too hard on them because you want them to be perfect-something you realize isn't possible because they're just tiny humans...and they need grace and space, too.
Jonas is one of the sweetest boys I know. He has the uncanny memory, able to recall things that happened once years ago. He's funny and so, so smart in a way that I will never understand.
The second kid, Noah, turns four in July. When you're the baby of the family for almost four years, you have this way of entertaining those around you. He's seriously one of the funniest people I know...his comedic timing is spot-on. He flips from being incredibly extroverted to hiding behind my legs when around new people. He's affectionate and very opinionated about everything.
And then there is the baby, Tallulah. God, she breaks my heart in a way I cannot begin to describe. The thought of going back to work is unbearable. She's the sweetest little baby, and wants to snuggle with her head under my chin...and I'm more than okay with that.
Being a Mom, being THEIR Mom, has been the absolute best thing I have ever done.
I wouldn't change a thing.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
the one where I'm an expert
Have you ever heard of Klout? If you haven't, don't feel too bad. Ryan introduced it to me a few months ago. Which shouldn't mean much because at least twice a week he shakes his head at me because there's something I'm apparently the last person on earth to know about.
Anyway, www.klout.com let's you see where you rank in regards to influence on the interwebs. Have enough klout, and you get perks (aka free crap). I log in every couple of days to see if I'm eligible for any free stuff, and was pleasantly surprised to see the following:
That's right.
I'm an expert.
In health.
And sandwiches.
It's rewarding to finally be recognized for my strengths, you know?
Thursday, April 23, 2015
the one where Tallulah arrives
We arrived at the hospital for our scheduled induction on Sunday, April 12th around 8:45pm. After getting checked in and settled, we managed to get a little bit of sleep after taking some meds to get it all started.
Sometime at an ungodly hour they started pitocin, and the contractions started to pick up slightly. Our OB came in around 6am and broke my water, and the contractions began to actually be uncomfortable to slightly painful at that point.
And then we just sort of sat there and waited.
I had made the decision pretty quickly after finding out that we were having a baby that I wanted to try to do it without any sort of pain relief. I knew that this would be my last pregnancy and delivery, and I just wanted to experience it all.
When the contractions began to get more intense, I wasn't really prepared on how to distract myself from the pain.
So I sang.
I belted out off-key versions of the Golden Girls theme song, Achy Breaky Heart, and Lean on Me during each contraction.
Until I hit that moment where shit got real, and instead of singing I found myself clawing at Ryan's neck. There was a point where I just looked at him and told him that I had made a huge mistake because there was no way I could do this.
Ryan just comforted me, telling me that I was doing such a good job and that I could do it. He was incredible and such a positive person; I'm so lucky to do life with him.
The doctor arrived soon after, and ten minutes of pushing later, Tallulah was here on April 13th at 10:06am.
And it's been pretty fantastic since then. It's been the easiest recovery, and she is just the sweetest thing. Ryan has fully embraced the new craziness, and the boys love her an awful lot.
Friday, April 10, 2015
the one where I'm in a glass case of emotion
Hi, I'm Wendy and I'm 39 weeks pregnant, having contractions regularly for the past week, and not sleeping more than a couple hours each night.
It's not to be confused with the time I had a breakdown because Ryan said that a shirt would fit me perfectly now because it's 2XL.
Or that time I was so exhausted I just sobbed because I had to take the boys to the grocery store with me alone.
Or that time we watched The Wire, and I realized where exactly Wallace was.
To say that I've been a little emotionally on edge throughout this pregnancy might be an understatement. While I'm sure I was the same way with the boys, I am positive that I absolutely bat-shit insane right now.
I am Ron Burgandy in the middle of his glass case of emotion.
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