We're getting close...a random post

They got a late start this year, but the magnolias and crab tree blossoms are starting to show their colors.

And although the cotton candy trees don't stay around too long, the green is here to stay.  And after an entire Saturday of rain, the grass is showing off its true colors.

 

Summer is coming.  I'm starting to feel it in my bones. 

The days are getting longer, my grading is becoming a little more lax, and school nights morph into hamburgers on the grill, a big bowl of fresh fruit, and a post-supper neighborhood walk.  

Soon, we won't have to be up before dawn and out the door by seven.  Soon, my nights will no longer consist of the busy, rushed routines of supper, grading, baths, laundry, pick up, then crash, all while trying like mad to be the best mom, best wife, and best teacher I can be.  Soon, my rituals will turn into clothes hung on the line, sun tea brewing on the driveway, and patchwork quilts spread on the grass.  Soon, my days will consist of pools and sidewalk chalk, the smell of sunscreen on warm baby legs and sticky fingers from ice cream cones.  Soon, supper will be served on checkered picnic blankets, and walks will be taken in the moonlight.  It will be my first summer with Cruz, a summer I've waited for since I held him in my arms this fall.  It's gonna be a good one.  

Cruz loves it outside.  He thinks the wind is hilarious and closes his eyes and screams when it breezes across his face.  

 

  
He is amazed at the colors, textures, and sounds.  He loves watching our neighbor boys play outside, and is awestruck when a car drives down the street.  The other night, he even had his first encounter with Harlow, the neighbor's yellow lab, and he survived the slobbery kiss with a smile on his face.  

 

  
And like most little ones, the sights and sounds of the outdoors lull our little one to a peaceful sleep at bedtime.  As the sun begins to set and we begin to lose our daylight, Cruz began to lose his neck...

 

  
It was a busy weekend, but a good one.  We started a graduation marathon this weekend, an opening act compared to the twenty-plus parties we have next weekend.  It's one of the blessings and curses of teaching high school seniors.  One part of me loves these receptions, especially now that we have a baby to take along and woo the crowd.  But the other part of me feels like I'll be seeing evidence of the potato salad, barbecue pork, and oodles of graduation cake for the next week and a half.  

Although Cruz missed his nap today because of the festivities, his personality didn't show it.  He traveled from party to party with us, usually entering in style on his dad's shoulders.  He was a big fan of graduation parties, and a bigger fan of all the cute high school girls that passed him around.  Beau and I laughed at the fact that we probably could have dropped him off and ran some errands for awhile, and no one, including our son, would have noticed.  If he's getting to a stage of separation anxiety, he sure didn't show it tonight!  

 

  
I've been fighting the longest cold in the history of the universe, or at least it feels like it.  And because it feels like the bowling ball that is my head is about to crash into the set of pins pressing against my forehead every time I bend over, I decided to forgo my piles of laundry in the basement.  To be quite honest, I don't exactly know what I accomplished yesterday.  Consider it a practice for summertime, I guess.

Cruz decided to sleep in 'til 8:00 both mornings this weekend, so Beau and I caught up on our new found idea of 'sleeping in.'  Afterwards, we partook in some pajama time before church.  

Look at that hair coming in!  He's gonna be a blondie!

Doesn't he just look like he could pick up and go?

Ready for crawling, ready for summer!  Happy Monday!

Splish Splash I Was Takin' a Bath...

...in the sink.  

It's true Cruz is getting a little too big for his whale tub.  It's also true I've had a mad desire to give my baby a soak in the kitchen sink.  It's the way we used to do it, right?  Well before the whale tubs and baby spas, we soaked our baby bottoms in the same sink we soaked last night's dinner dishes.  It's retro, it's simple, and it's oh-so-cute.

Cruz liked soaking in the sink, and especially liked his bath toys that have been collecting dust in his closet.  His little toes and fingers shriveled up like prunes, and all was happy.

Our Seven-Month Old

Well, we've just about made it.  With just two weeks left in the school year, I am looking ahead to a summer break with my seven-month-old!  Time truly does fly by, and now that the weather is finally getting warmer, it's making me all the more ready to soak up summer break with my growing boy.  And by growing I mean losing his neck and gaining lots of rolls!  

The month started with another doctor's appointment for Cruz, and another round of shots.  His stats were pretty expected: 28" long and 18.2 pounds.  His weight is surprisingly still at the 50th percentile, but he climbed the charts in height...85th!  He's definitely hit a growth spurt since then, however, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's over 20 lbs. by now!  He's an eater!

 

Cruz Man LOVES eating!  Sometimes I wonder if he would ever stop!  This month, we introduced the concept of meals to his life.  He still gets about 3-4 bottles a day, but also gets breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  He loves his cereal every morning, but really loves his baby food.  This month, I started getting a little creative with my recipes, and Cruz has relished being my number one taste tester.  His favorites this month have been green peas, cauliflower gratin, bananas and blueberries, and bananas and mangoes!  I have become obsessive about my baby food and have started stocking my freezer similar to my mother-in-law's pantry.  It doesn't matter that I have weeks of baby food stored in the freezer, every time I use some, I feel the need to make more to re-stock!  I think Beau's mom has three bottles of ketchup on hand at all times!  I guess I'm prepared for a produce freeze at the grocery store!

In addition to his veggies and fruit, Cruz has also started eating Gerber Puffs this month.  I've discovered these are great tools for practicing Cruz's fine motor skills, as it's quite the feat for him to grab one and get it in his mouth.  It's adorably pathetic to watch, and I usually can't stand it for too long before I just help!  His strategy is to grab as many as he can in his little fist, then stick his entire fist in his mouth, hoping to grab one with his tongue.  He's typically successful and is getting better all the time!

Tonight, we went out for supper after a trip to Sam's.  Beau was holding Cruz across the table from me.  All the sudden, he started waving at me, opening and closing his little fist over and over again.  I couldn't believe it and shrieked in delight.  Little did I know, he had a puff stuck to his palm the whole time!  It was nearly dissolved by the time I discovered the reason for his wave! 


Although he hasn't officially started crawling yet, Cruz is becoming more and more active and mobile.  He rocks back and forth, shakes his head back and forth, and pretends he's in his jumperoo when being held.  The simple task of changing his diaper has become a wrestling match; if we don't distract Cruz with a bottle of Aveeno lotion, he's all over the place.  Gone were the days when his changing table served as my safe zone.  We decided to lower his crib this month, and it won't be long before we will be Cruz-proofing everything else in the house!  

 

Cruz also started jabbering a lot more this month.  My favorite is when he exposes his bottom two teeth and does his 'yah, yah, yah.'  I swear he's said mom a few times ;)


Despite Cruz's usually good health, a couple weeks ago we encountered 'Poop Week.'  Monday morning, we picked Cruz up from daycare for what we thought was Post-Easter recovery, or teething.  After four poopy diapers in about three hours, he was exiled from daycare for 24 hours.  Tuesday, I stayed home with him.  Still pooping.  Wednesday, Grandma came to stay with him.  Still pooping.  Thursday, Dad stayed home.  Still Pooping.  And Friday, Grandma came one more day to change diapers and watch the royal wedding with our poop monster.  We never did pinpoint whether he had a bug or not, but we sure got our money's worth of daycare for the week (or not)...

Other 'loves' to add to the list this month???

...still loves his dad's (or grandpa's) shoulders.  He squeals and acts as though he's king of the world.

...Wheel of Fortune.  It's the only TV show he really lets distract him.

...putting his pacifier in his mouth.  taking his pacifier out of his mouth.  putting his pacifier in his mouth. you get the idea.

...his crib!  Cruz still loves his snuggly crib and loves to sleep.  He still loves to snuggle, but also loves curling up with a blankie in his bed. 

 
...his plastic stacking cups.  His Sophie.  Anything paper and anything food.  He had his first taste of ice cream and bawled when I wouldn't give him more.  

...peekaboo.  It's the easiest way to score a giggle.  

...playing with his toys.  He loves his toys and will stay occupied for so long attempting to figure out the capabilities of his contraptions.  

...being outside.  He thinks the wind is hilarious, walks are perfect opportunities for naps, and playing on a blanket outside is the best combination in the world. 

 

 

...the bathroom sink.  I swear he knows what to do with a toothbrush!

...apple juice.  We started giving him a little bit every now and then to off-set his love of bananas.  He guzzles it down!

I have loved this month!  Every new sound, smile, snuggle, and expression are so exciting.  So thankful for our happy boy...

 

Happy Seven Months, Cruz Bennett!

My First Mother's Day

It was a good weekend.  It's true Beau was gone to Chicago for a bachelor party, but he made sure to acknowledge and honor his baby's mama all weekend long.  

I came home to a clean house on Thursday...

And left school Friday afternoon with a box of chocolates, and a box of tulips.  Beau loves sending me flowers that I have to put together myself ;)

And as it turns out, I love tulips.

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out with my baby boy.  It was a wonderful excuse to do nothing but be a mom, drag out morning routines, and snuggle together on the couch.  Although I missed Beau like crazy, it was also fulfilling to get to try things out on my own for a few days.  I have a whole new appreciation for single moms after this weekend!  

Saturday morning, after an early morning breakfast and sudsy bath in the kitchen sink, I packed up Cruz and headed to spend the day at Mom and Dad's.  It's been awhile since I've spent the day at my parents'.  My dad always gets protective when Beau is gone, and Mom was itching for some Cruz time.  It was beautiful outside, finally warm enough for short sleeves and bare feet, and it felt like the perfect day to escape my grade book and catch my breath again.

We picked out flowers...

And listened to Cruz scream in delight every time he passed by an older lady and petunias.

We had a picnic in the car, complete with barbecue chicken, baked potatoes, coleslaw, and Gerber Puffs for Cruz.    


We tanned our toes and played with plastic cups on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, Mom, Dad, and Taylor came and took Cruz and I to church at Orchard.  Cruz hammed it up in church with his Grandpa Curt, but slept through the sermon in this proud mama's arms.  It was special to have my parents there, and as Dad carried Cruz out on his shoulders after church, I think Cruz was grateful for his grandparents too!

(And let's not forget Uncle Taylor...)

After church, I met the family at Applebees for lunch, planted my flowers, and anxiously waited the arrival of my hubby.  

For my Mother's Day post last year, I envisioned a seven-month old baby crocheted to my hip all summer long.  I'd say I got it right ;)

Happy Mother's Day...

...to a mom who...

-is my best friend, my shopping buddy, and would rather help me pick out clothes than shop for herself.

-makes the best chicken casserole.  Ever.

-started buying baby stuff long before there were any grand-babies in the family.  A 'pink' box and a 'blue' box that she continues to stock to this day.

-could spend hours upon hours browsing the children's lit. section of Barnes and Noble.

-is the first person I call after a hard day, a good day, or a in-between day.  Because she just gets it.  

-would drop just about anything to be there for her family.  

-always smells good.

-used to be obsessed with Collin Raye.  

-picked me up off the ground during a devastating senior year of high school, and helped me learn to 'trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.'   

-who trusted me and stayed patient with me during four years of college, some poor choices, and some bad boyfriends.

-who helped me tie ribbon around 200 wooden dowels, sort thousands of pink and green M&Ms, and go on a sunrise peony hunt, all in order to give me the 'pink-and-green' wedding of my dreams.

-can get even the toughest stains out of clothes.  My whites will never be as white as hers ;)

-always cut our sandwiches in four triangles, always set Flintstones Vitamins on the edge of the counter for us, and always made the best homemade mac n' cheese. 

-taught me that I can do all things through Christ.

-taught me that flour-sack kitchen towels are really the best, that nothing beats purple 409, and that an overnight-soak-in-Clorox 2 is key to stain removal.  

-for twelve years, was always there when we got home from school. 

-would stay up very late to help me finish school projects, or study for a test, and would usually wipe my tears when I was stressed and tired.  She never went to bed before we did.

-would drive in a snowstorm on Valentine's Day to the Young Arena in Waterloo so that I could 'meet' Austin from Days of our Lives, and once again, wipe my tears when I wasn't close enough in line to get his autograph.

-is the most selfless woman I know.

-taught me how to be a mama to my little boy.  

-continues to be such an influence in my life, and now, in Cruz's life.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.   

Little Bambino

Last year, on Cinco de Mayo, I was craving one of these...

And this year, I had one.  A frozen, strawberry one that tasted a little too good to be true. 

And this year, I had one of these too.  A little bambino in a sombrero who was ready for a fiesta at the restaurant tonight.  Hilarious.

If you look closely, you can spot Cruz's two pearly whites...



Teacher Appreciation Week...

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  If you asked me this morning what word defined me more between, "teacher," or "appreciated," I would have signed my name and turned in an incomplete quiz much like the reading quiz 'completed' by my 6th period class of sophomores yesterday.  To be quite frank, I've never been so unorganized, so overwhelmed, and so unsure of myself as a teacher.  It was easy when the only 'kids' in my life were a classroom full of 16-year-olds.  Throw giving birth, raising a baby, and balancing motherhood into the mix, and you have an entirely new ballgame.  

And somewhere in this balance, it's hard to remain confident in one, if not all of these very important roles.  

It all started with a bad hair day.  An unmade bed, a skipped breakfast, and a nasty hangnail. 

Okay, not too bad yet. 

My morning classes were anything but engaging or challenging for both parties involved.  Typically, when my students tell me my class goes by really quickly, I take that as a compliment.  Today, however, I noticed my students checking their phones for the time about as often as I checked mine.  I had a lot on my mind, and To Kill a Mockingbird just wasn't one of them.

My precious planning time was lost today due to the Senior Awards Assembly.  As a senior 'advisor' this year, I have supervised, advised, or 'advocated for' twelve specific seniors over the last four years.  It's a big year, as this is the first class I taught, and the first class I've seen all the way through.  Long story short, being a senior advisor involves a lot: organizing graduation rehearsal, helping with yearbook pictures, looking over scholarship essays, writing recommendation letters, presenting special awards to deserving seniors, helping students fill out fafsa forms, agonizing over a senior speech I have been charged to write, and tonight, attending a culminating project by each individual senior, referred to as, 'The Senior Presentation.'  It was going to be a long, 13-hour day at school, and a stroller and smiling baby were calling my name.

After the Senior Awards Assembly, I scooted my way down to the cafeteria to grab some lunch.  About halfway down the stairs to the basement, I realized I was getting a migraine.  I've only experienced the whole migraine thing a couple other times, but it's pretty obvious when you are getting one.  I couldn't see straight, couldn't walk straight, and given an opportunity, I may have started speaking in tongues.  I actually shut my office door for fifteen minutes and laid my head on my desk.  I couldn't read an email, I couldn't stand up, and I couldn't think straight... 

...and I only had about six more hours to go.  

As I watched the Word document files fill up on my desktop and block the sweet black and white picture of my little man, I couldn't help but see a living metaphor in front of my eyes.  The work was clouding my vision of what was real.  My desk in my office is a complete mess, I'm behind on grading by weeks, and I spilled salsa on my new dress.  

I felt defeated.    

And then I snuck away to a senior's presentation.  A senior who I haven't had in class since her sophomore year.  A senior who stuck a picture of me and her friends on her Power Point, and talked about her American Literature class as a defining moment in her high school, as well as her own personal development.  She remembered little things we had discussed in class, movies we watched, books we read, and made connections that allowed her to see her future differently.  She talked about studying the Romantics and Transcendentalists, and realizing that her life could be more than the one-size-fits-all model that is often so beat into the minds of teenagers.  She realized that she had things to say, and what she had to say mattered...to herself, to others, and to her future.  A future that involves writing, an English major, and maybe even English teaching.  

I was transformed.  I realized at that moment that what we do for these kids really does matter.  The careful discussion questions, texts, and activities really do impact kids.  Our 'jobs' make up their worlds, worlds that are so fragile, so vulnerable, and so in need.    

This is what it's all about.  Realizing the impact of what it is we do.  That, makes the piles of papers worth it.  Because someday, my son is going to have teachers.  Teachers that could quite possibly be sitting in my classroom, reading To Kill a Mockingbird, and trying to figure out where it is they belong in this big world of ours.  

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week.

Lensbaby

It's been awhile since I've updated my 101 Things list, and thanks to my hubby, I scored a big one this weekend.  Because Beau is going to miss my very first Mother's Day for a bachelor party next weekend, he decided to spoil me with a brand new lens for my camera.  I guess he figured I'd need something to keep me busy while I'm missing him!  Fittingly called the 'Lensbaby,' I had no idea this thing existed, but I guess I'm finally reaping the benefits of Beau's weekly networking meetings.  He evidently called the photographer in his group about a cool photography gift for me, and he suggested this.  The Lensbaby now has a new mommy ;)

The lens rotates on a unique ball and socket, which definitely takes some time to get used to.  It's not the typical point-and-shoot with auto-focus I'm used to, but I'm slowly figuring it out.  The lens focuses on a tack-sharp 'sweet spot,' and blurs everything around it.  You can control the amount of blur based on the aperture you use.  The cool thing that differs from my 50 mm lens is that depending on where you focus your sweet spot, you can focus anything in the picture, whether it's in the center, the very top, or the bottom left.

See how Beau's face is my sweet spot and the candles are blurred?  This only took about twenty minutes to figure out.

 

 

I spent a few hours experimenting with my new baby.  After about 400 pictures, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it :)