HE DID IT!

I am bursting with pride today. My baby boy has taken his first steps. I am so proud of all the hours of therapy and exercise and hard work, both within our family and with our therapists.

I didn't catch the big moment on film, but I was able to coax him into taking one baby step a couple of times for the camera. I'm SUPER SORRY that this is sideways. Uncle Matt, I need your help!!!

P.S. How cute is Emerson singing "Bingo" in the background?

P.P. S. Please ignore the basket of laundry that needs to be folded. It's actually part of the living room decor around here.

It's off to the races now. Way to go, Pete!

at the lake

 

We just got back from a few days with family at the lake. Both kiddos loved being out on the boat. Emerson could not get enough of tubing. And while I didn’t get any pictures of us at top speed, she was really tubing this year. Like, fast. Even Pete got in on the action. Can’t wait to get back up there later this summer.

A side note; I just got a new computer (cue the Hallelujah music!), and have a feature that allows me to write blog posts and add pictures from my photo editing program. This is the first time I’ve done it and I’m curious to see how it looks.

93

This is going to be a random one, so bear with me. I've been mulling it since Sunday, and I still can't get through the fog in my brain to make it make sense. But I'm going to give it a whirl.

Pete is learning how to walk. This involves a lot of hunching over on my end and steadying his wobbly body by placing his little hand in mine. He's gaining confidence every day, and he even took his first teensy tiny shuffle of a step all alone on Sunday. He trusts me completely, and doesn't even bother to look to see if I'm ready for him as he thrusts his hand in mine to take off. When he's holding on to me, I can feel his readiness, his increasing strength, and his eagerness to master this difficult skill, all with the touch of his hand in mine.

On Sunday, I also helped another family member as she took some slow, wobbly steps. Jeff's grandma is 93, and doesn't move around a whole lot anymore. She was in her wheelchair on the patio, and as the sun beat down on us during the day, we suggested moving into the shade. Jeff's parents have a lovely pond with big, old oak trees surrounding it, and it was the perfect place for Grandma to hang out. But, this involved getting up one step. I didn't realize that she was so unsteady on her feet, but she was ready and determined to do it. With Jeff on one side and an aunt right behind us with the wheelchair, I helped to steady her as she took teensy tiny shuffling steps towards that one stair. She trusted us completely, and I was struck in the moment at how strong and frail she was all at the same time. Her skin, as you might imagine, is wrinkly, but her hands are so soft and could tell some amazing stories and teach important lessons in sewing, crocheting, and playing cards.

It was her strength that struck me the most. She looks like this tiny weak thing in her chair, but she has a lot of fight still in her. There was never a doubt that she'd make it up that step.

I know that there are many comparisons made between growing up from infancy and growing old. On Sunday, I couldn't help but see the irony of the youngest and the oldest Girlings and their desire for mobility.

funny face

{I love, Love, LOVE this face}

you need this!

In an effort to maintain our sanity this summer and not spend every sweltering hour staring at the boob tube, I checked out my local library's parent resource section. That's where I came across this little book.

Well, it's actually a quite large book, with some 400 pages. And they're all brimming with amazing, awesome, easy ideas to entertain {and dare I say, educate!} your kiddos without plugging in. You use items found around your house (like balls, socks, hula hoops, office supplies, etc.) Some of the ideas are quick, and some will take more time. And there are both independent and parent-led activities in here as well, so you may even get a second of ME time as well. After reading just a few pages, I had about 100 sticky notes tabbing terrific ideas. I'm going to have to get my own copy.

One of the things I like best is that it's broken in to age categories, and it goes up to age 10 or so. So there are great ideas for both Emerson and Pete, and it will grow with them as well. And it's easy to take an idea from the book and modify it to meet your kids' needs. This one will be used often through the years, I'm sure.

pea pesto recipe

Here's a great recipe for a pesto sauce made from green peas. I use it on pasta, chicken, fish, pretty much everything.

Most of the time, I cook without measuring the ingredients. I'm giving approximations here, but tweak it to match your tastes.

Combine in a food processor or blender:

1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 or 2 cloves of garlic
juice of one lemon
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

That's it. It takes longer to wash the dishes after than it does to make the sauce. But it's SOOO good (and really pretty too!) It's the perfect complement to food from the grill this summer.

Bon Appetit!

my sweet girl

Here's a conversation between myself and Herself yesterday.

E-"Mama, I'd like to play Mickey games on Papa's computer"

Me- "Papa has his computer with him at work, Big."

E- "Well, how 'bout we use your computer?"

Me- "Oh Babes, my computer has been acting up lately and I'm not sure it will work for Mickey games."

{Side note here. My computer's hard drive is full. Like, totally, completely full. I've been moving things around and deleting podcasts left and right, but it's really, really slow. Sometimes being online is physically painful. But I'm making do right now until I have the cash for a new one.}

E- "Mama, I think you need a new computer."

Me- "You're probably right, Big, but I don't have any extra money for a new computer right now."

Pause for a few seconds while Emerson ponders.

E- "Mama, I have an idea. You can use some money from my piggy bank to get a new computer. That would work."

Me- {fighting back tears and beaming with pride} "Thanks, Big. That's so generous of your to offer. I really appreciate your generosity."

big news

Doo ta da dooooo!! Doo ta da dooooo!!! (That's me tooting the horn, in case you aren't getting it.)

Emerson, my "I'm a boy, I don't want to be a girl, I don't like princesses, I'm allergic to the color pink" kid watched a Tinkerbell movie today.

And she loved it.

I'm a happy Mama tonight!!!