Liam's Newborn Pictures

I took Liam's newborn photos a little over a week ago.  I felt rushed to do it because every week he looks so different to me.  When I look at the difference between his one week photos and these, I can't believe how much he has grown.  I blinked and he went from being a precious wrinkly little newborn to a cooing, alert, precious one month old.  No one prepared me for how quickly this would all happen.

The last time...

Today I went out to lunch with my good friends Becky R. and Becky B., along with our children Miles, Liam, Caleb, and baby soon-to-be-named. :)  Becky B. was telling me about a note she read on Facebook concerning motherhood.  She went on to mention how we go through life celebrating firsts:  First smile, first words, first steps, etc., but how in the meantime we don't really realize the last time anything happens.  This has been on my mind ever since I left the restaurant.  Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.  Someday Miles won't want me to hold his hand walking down the stairs - someday he won't even want me to come down the stairs!

When will be the last time you wake up at night and need me?

When will I no longer be the only person that can comfort you?

When will be the last time you need me to kiss you head when you bump it on the doorjam?

When will you no longer need to kiss me goodnight?

When will you tell me that I don't need to read you stories before bed anymore?

When will you stop sitting on my lap?

When will you stop thinking I'm funny (although I know I'll ALWAYS be funny)

When will you stop walking with your hands behind your back like you have a secret surprise stashed back there?

When will you stop saying "UhOh" 25 times a day?

When will you stop running to me when I walk in the door?

When will you no longer need me to take care of you?

I know that these aren't things that we are programmed to dwell on...and for that I am thankful.  It is just too heartbreaking to think about.  However, these thoughts that that conversation today reminded me to embrace these things that seem so trivial now.  So tonight when Liam wakes up to be fed at 3 am I'm going to remember that this doesn't last forever.  And when Miles walks into my room at 5 am with his stuffed bear and monkey I will take a photograph with my mind....hoping to remember these moments forever.

Liam (one month)

Miles (18 months)

Like Father, Like Son

Yesterday at breakfast I noticed how much my son resembled his father..... it's like neither of them want to talk during breakfast. :)

Valuable Footage

Okay, so I've been trying really hard since I've been home to capture two things on video for the blog...Liam smiling - which he does often, and Miles getting caught being ornery. Both occur multiple times throughout the day, so you would think that they would be easy to capture. For example....if there is ever a silent moment in the house I immediately look for Miles. If he isn't in his room reading books like an angel (which really does happen) then I know that he is either

A.) Sitting/standing on the office chair at the computer with his hands poised over the keys waiting for me to walk in so that he can start banging on the keyboard as hard and fast as possible (this is also applicable for the printer and/or laptop).

B.) Peering over the edge of Liam's bassinet with his hands poised over Liam waiting for me to walk in so that he can steal Liam's pacifier and make a run for it.

C.) Standing at the top of the stairs to the basement with a handful of dogfood waiting for me to walk in so that he can throw it down the stairs.

All of these happen multiple times throughout the day and apparently require an audience - namely ME.

Well, today for some reason it was impossible to capture any of these on video (to use as a reference when Miles gets older and denies ever giving his mother a hard time). Nor could I capture Liam smiling, which he has been doing since Christmas, and does so often these days.

Instead, what you are going to see are two different videos. The first capturing Miles, sweet as can be, riding his rocking horse and the second of Liam just looking really content and pleased. If you could do me a favor and mute your computer while watching the Liam movie I would really appreciate it. The baby talk is a little out of character, but usually effective 90% of the time for a guaranteed smile. This was the other 10%. Oh well, you can just admire how alert he is. :)

Budding friendships

This weekend my college friends came out to visit and we had a lot of fun talking and just hanging out.  We also had a lot of fun watching the boys play and interact (when they weren't all diving for the same toy.)  It is cool because Jack, Roman and Miles are all within four months of each other in age.  We will have so much fun watching them grow up playing together, as well as any other additions that join our crew.

Kimberly reading to Roman and Miles while Jack and Miles play on the stairs together.

Miles, Roman, and Jack coloring together on the floor.

More pictures from Christmas and a terrible case of Cabin Fever

I wanted to include some photographs from the Fisher Family Christmas since I haven't gotten to do that yet.  We had a lot of fun getting together last week with the entire family for a few days, and Liam LOVED being held continuously.  I don't think Dustin believed me when I told him we wouldn't need the monitor because we would never need to put Liam down, but of course I was right.  (Story of my life.) :)

Miles with his new truck from Matt, Amy and the Boys.  He LOVES it!  Liam with his Great Grandma Kennell.

All of the Fisher Boys - that's a lot of testosterone we have to look forward to.

Wyatt holding Liam and Lincoln holding his favorite baby - Charlie!

Miles opening gifts.

According to my title I'm going to write about Cabin Fever.  However, I really don't think that the worst has come yet.  The boys and I haven't left the house in days.  That is not like me, and apparently it doesn't really fit in with Miles' plans either.  Everytime we have a visitor he tries to hold their hand, walk them to the door, and then make a run for it - barefoot and all.  He's a sneaking little guy. :)

Yesterday Miles and I decided to build a fort under our dining room table - okay maybe I decided, but Miles was totally on board.  :)

I just remember how much I loved making forts when I was little with my brothers, and my parents would even let us sleep in them overnight.  It was definitely fun - for Miles.  For me it was sweaty, uncomfortable, and maybe just a little fun when I saw how much fun Miles was having.

Here Liam is enjoying the fort also!  You're never too little for some fort fun.

Two great feats - Miles is balancing his cup on his forearm and I'm doing my best to fit underneath a dining room table.  (This was much harder than I remember for my early fort making fun.)

Overall it was fun, and made me appreciate the fact that I get to stay home, even if it is for this short amount of time.  It also made me realize that I really do have a long way to get back into shape.  Apparently lugging around a baby doesn't give you quite the workout I assumed I was getting all along. :)

More snow expected for tonight and tomorrow - who knows what we'll come up with next....maybe we'll actually go outside and get the mail!

The "T" List...

This list is all about my recent discoveries, and things I love....A lot like the "O" List (www.oprah.com), but WAY more practical....




1.  New Rug.  First I'll start with my snazzy new rug.  Recently when my mom came to visit she explained to me that getting rid of my trendy, cute, old rug would really simplify my life.  The problem was that although incredibly cute, and given to me by my own mother, it shed more than any pet I've ever owned.  It might work well in a home that doesn't have animals walking all over it, and babies running on it, dragging little wool hairballs throughout my house (now my sister-in-law isn't going to want it), but for our crazy household it was a disaster.  If I actually vacuumed everytime that I SHOULD have, I would have been vacuuming everyday.  I knew this when I took it from my mom (it was the same reason she got rid of it), but it was just too cool to pass up.  HOWEVER, I've found a rug that I like just as much, and I've had it for four days now and haven't had to vacuum because it yet.  PLUS, it has cool roads for Miles' cars and trucks to drive on.  I got it on Overstock.com and it was here in three days!

The Before Rug

The After Rug

2.  Mylicon.  This is a totally new discovery to me, and something that I'm sure all seasoned moms already know about, but to quote my friend Lara, "this stuff is liquid gold."  Last night after fifteen minutes of crying Liam stopped in 30 seconds after taking this stuff.  PLUS, it says its safe to take after every feeding (although we only use it at night).  I hope it's right. :)

3.  Kiddy Rocking Chair.  Who doesn't love homemade things?  Especially if they are made for you by your own grandfather.  This year for Christmas my grandpa made all of his grandchildren with children these cute little rocking chairs.  We have a big family, so it was A LOT of rocking chairs.  Then, on top of that, my grandma painted all of them.  

4.  Homemade Hat and Mittens.  Speaking of homemade gifts.  My friend Kimberly sent me these super cute hat and mittens for Liam before he was born.  I love them and have gotten tons of compliments on them.  I thought she had ordered them from somewhere, but come to find out, she made them herself.  She is so talented.  I told her she should start selling them, so if you would like to order a pair, just contact me.  (Kimberly we'll talk finders-fee later:))

5.  Liam's New Vibrating/Rocking Chair.  He LOVES it and it is somewhat stylish.  'Nuf said.

6.  Mennonite in a Little Black Dress.  You should definitely read this if you are a woman, Mennonite, and own a little black dress.  Actually you should read this witty memoir even if none of the above apply to you.  It made me laugh out loud because her parents remind me of so many of my friends parents, (I guess mine are too progressive to fit the Mennonite mold??)  and she even mentions Goshen!  

7.  Homemade Quilt by MonaLeisa.  I ordered two of these for the boys because they are funky and fun, yet also stylish at the same time.  Get yours at her Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/monaleisa.  We love ours.

8.  Light blocking curtains.  Glaring sun and snow forced me to get these in order for Miles to even consider laying down for a nap.  I can't believe how dark they make the room.  

9.  Cute baby-wearing husband who fixes lunch for you while you're writing on your blog.....Sorry, you'll have to find your own. :)