Go Royals!!!

Today is the KC Royals home opener!!! Not one of the strongest teams in MLB but we can't help but to love our men in blue. I found this picture from last season - I forget how teeny tiny she used to be.

Successes and Failures

What we’re working on:

1. Keeping our diaper bag fully stocked. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been out only to discover we’re out of clean diapers. Or that we used the clean onesie I try to keep in the bottom due to an unfortunate food accident on our last outing. Or the binki…OMGahhh where is her binki?!!?!

2. Caring for a 10 month old. I think this has been the hardest month for us as far as caring for Aliyah. Even though she was more demanding food wise as an infant, she stayed in one spot or was happy to be carried so we could get things done. Now she’s EVERYWHERE and some how has a magical radar that finds the only spots in our “baby proofed” home that could possibly be dangerous (cords plugged into an outlet and pulling on our fairly lightweight dining chairs). We spend all of our time with her chasing her around and trying to redirect her into a better area/activity. She’s incredibly mobile (and crazy fast) but isn’t verbal enough yet for us to understand each other so this is proving challenging for us. We don’t want to be helicopter parents - but right now, we feel like she’s kind of forcing us to be.

3. Changing diapers/clothes. This is another new struggle. Our kid is freakishly strong. Also, freakishly slithery and hard to hold on to. She somehow got it into her head that having to change clothes is an act of torture and she does her best to escape us. I thought I should make a video of what we have to go through to get on a clean diaper and footy pajamas before bed, but after some more thought - I decided it resembled one of those rodeo events where the guy has to jump off the horse, wrestle the calf to the ground and hog tie all of its feet together. Sometimes we both end up crying before it’s all over.

4. Getting beat up. My arms are covered in teeth gum mark bruises, I almost always have a scratch or two on my face, and just this morning I was praying that the head butt she gave me in my sleep didn’t cause a black eye. She’s not maliciously trying to hurt us - it’s just that she has no concept of causing us pain. I think some teeth are coming because she likes to bite down on my arms, my toes, our fingers with her bare gums - but I'll tell ya, it hurts! I’ve tried saying “no” - making a loud shrieking noise - redirecting her to something else - but the simple fact is that she is too young to understand that it is causing us pain and it feels good to her. I don’t know what else to do and I don’t think the “bite her back” suggestion is appropriate for a ten month old. She’s too young to understand what she is doing so at this point, we’re kind of at a loss.

What we’re doing pretty good with:

1. WHAT AN EATER! Aliyah is such a phenomonal little eater! She likes everything. She loves fish, chicken, veggies of all sorts and is doing really well feeding herself. Eating the green leaves in our salads is her favorite. I know this may change as she enters her toddler years - but right now, the kid is eating like a champ and that makes me a happy mama.

2. Finding time for us. Tyler and I decided that we would always make sure to take time for our marriage. We need to get better at utilizing the grandparents we have in town (We know how absolutely lucky we are to have this option). But we do really treasure the time between when Aliyah falls asleep and we head up for bed. We (sometimes) eat a late night snack slowly, we hold hands, we talk, we enjoy each other’s company. We love our girl but it’s really wonderful to have that dedicated time to focus just on each other.

3. Time management - well sort of! We are still coupon clipping, and eating out less. I have taken time to plan out our meals ahead which has helped give me more time with the two people I love most at the end of the day. Tyler is amazing at helping out with the chores and I am getting better at chasing Aliyah and getting work done around the house at the same time.

4. Raising our girl without too much “stuff” - I know we’re really only getting started when it comes to entertaining a growing little mind, but I’m kind of proud that we’ve made it this far with basic, simple toys and LOTS of activities. We are working hard to stay on our path of really hands on parenting - lots of walks, exploring the contents of our kitchen cabinets (A whisk kept her busy for a good 15 minutes last week!), playing music, and changing her scenery often. (Note: I feel like the only exception to the stuff rule is clothing. She’s got a closet full! I can’t seem to pass up a bag full of hand-me-down baby dresses or a sweet hat with ears if my life depended on it!)

5. Learning to be flexible. We cloth diaper - but for overnights and long trips, we use disposables. I wanted to use cloth exclusively but Aliyah can pee through anything at night (even the ‘sposies!) so we had to make adjusments. I said we wouldn’t let her watch tv - but the way her face lights up when she sees sesame street on tv is hard to deny - and so we let her watch from time to time. I adored Sesame street as a kid - what was I thinking attempting to deny my daughter that same pleasure? There are a million examples like this - things that I was so sure I would or wouldn’t do - but we are learning every day that we have to adjust and change as our needs as a family change.

Are you facing some of these same challenges in your family? Where are you succeeding? I keep thinking these lists could flip flop tomorrow - life is so fickle like that - but today I’m admitting our weaknesses and celebrating our wins!

Naked Baby Bum

Here we have the littlest of Inzers partaking in an activity better known as “Let your naked bum hang out” - a time honored tradition in our family for anyone under the age of 3

Jump For Joy

Adding a Badge to my Mama Sash

At times, motherhood is sort of like girl scouts (minus the cookies - darn!). You spend a good amount of your time learning new skills, working on projects, caring for others and experiencing little life lessons that ultimately help you grow as a person.

Each time you master a skill (including cutting tiny finger nails or the perfect combination of singing, swaying and shushing to get your little one asleep) you earn an invisible, but highly rewarding mama badge. By the time you send your children off to college, most mamas are covered in them head to toe.

This past week, Aliyah and I explored cute cafes and small local diners for lunch while everyone else enjoyed the slopes. While eating out yesterday, I was so very careful as to not spill a drop on that fuzzy little head (Pointing to my “eating while holding baby” badge) while we shared a meal together.

But little did I know the opportunity to earn a new badge was looming right around the corner. Aliyah needed a diaper change so I scooped her up and her bag and headed for the restroom. I never know if there will be a changing station so I always pray for a decent sink counter top.

I opened the door to discover a TINY bathroom. It was about 5 feet long and 3 1/2 feet wide. The sink was small enough to fit INSIDE my diaper bag. My only option was the dirty bathroom floor, which I just couldn’t stomach - even with the rolled out diaper pad to put between baby and tile.

So I did a total McGyver move. I squated down and braced myself against one wall, placed the diaper bag on the floor and Aliyah across my bent legs. I changed her diaper while balancing on the balls of my feet and holding her wriggly body in place and I did it all in less than a minute.

You would have think I’d just won the lottery from the smile on my face as I exited the bathroom. I was AWESOME - Gold medal performance.

And as I slipped back into my seat with my clean, dry baby balancing on my thigh, I mentally added the “creative diaper changing” badge to my invisible mama sash.

Tyler has also been collecting several fatherhood (boy scout) merit badges

What's Wrong with this Picture?

Thank you for those who have shared stories. It breaks my heart to hear about little ones getting hurt, but it has eased my worries of Aliyah being scarred for life...

And like my sweet friend Lisa said, it is good to share these stories so that we can learn from each other. Soooo, if you are reading my blog and you have baseboard heaters please use a cover.

photo credit: carlton electric

Also, if and you find yourself with a child in a room with baseboard heating, do NOT keep them busy with a coloring book inches away from the heating unit. UHGGGG!!!

First Visit to the ER (continued)

Thank you all so very much for all your prayers and kind words. We are so blessed by all of you! Aliyah went back to the doctors yesterday so they could make sure she was a-okay. She was in such good spirits that they decided we could drop the Codeine. It takes more than a burned hand to slow this sweet baby down!

The three of us have actually been in Breckenridge, CO on vacation with Tyler's family since this past Sunday. The Inzer family have been coming here to ski/snowboard during spring break each year since Tyler was in high school. I have loved joining in on this family tradition. Even though I will not be snowboarding this trip, I have found a bunch of fun things for Aliyah and I to do during the day.

The Story...

Tyler and I were upstairs in our room of the condo getting ready (I was still laying in bed, actually) while Aliyah was downstairs playing with family. The Culprit:

NOT child proof  :(

A baseboard heater (boooooooo). A head was turned for a second and Aliyah grabbed this to help herself stand up.

I heard screaming and shouts for me to come downstairs. Definitely not the best way to wake up on your first day of vacation. My heart was racing when Aliyah would refuse to nurse (that usually fixes everything). Tyler rushed over wanting to help when I said that I thought we needed to find a doctor. We gathered Aliyah's things and I barely got to brush my teeth before we piled in the car to get to the emergency room at the base of peek 9.

I am getting choked up now just thinking back to the panic I felt that morning and remembering seeing the tears in Tyler's eyes. I knew I had to hold it together at the time because Aliyah would feed off of my emotions and she would be looking to me for comfort - I had my cry when it was all over and my little Ali-gator was curled up asleep in my arms.

She ended up with second and first degree burns on her hand and a new bff...

I feel equally bad for those who were playing with Aliyah that morning. They have really beaten themselves up about it. But this is life... and things happen.

I can't help but think of Aliyah's favorite, Frank Sinatra "I just pick myself up and get back in the race... that's life..." and my sweet aliyah has done just that!

First Visit to the ER

I will fill you all in with more details later. We are so very tired after a long and crazy day. Here is my sweet baby's bandaged (and burned) hand after her first visit to the ER.

She was given a morphine shot at the hospital and has a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine... she is a much happier girl now. We couldn't have been in a better place - The staff did great with Aliyah (and the frazzled parents/grandparent). Aliyah loves her cute pink pig that she got from the hospital which was made possible from local donations (Such a great idea if you are looking for an easy way to give back to your community!!)

She is doing great and on her way to a quick recovery! Thanks for your prayers and healing thoughts.

Spring Break Recap #1

I am loving Spring Break! I know that I am not a teacher anymore and that my current job gives no time off (but the benefits are GREAT)... but enjoying those who do get a spring break has been so special for Aliyah and me. My mom works for the school district, so we had a full week of fun together!

Monday: My mom came to our house. I made waffles for lunch and I was able to clean and do laundry while she kept Aliyah busy

Tuesday: I am SO sad I didn't take any pictures (what was I thinking?!?) We got together with my cousin and set off to deliver caramel apples to all of my mom's beautiful sisters. These girls exemplify what it means to be strong & classy ladies and have been such amazing role models for me growing up.

Aunt Dena showed us her office/desk. Aunt Susie gave us a tour of the brand new post office. Aunt Terri introduced us to the fabulous ladies in her office (what a fun group!!). Aunt Kathy gave us a tour of her new building - such a neat space with lots of character.

It was so great to see what my aunts do each day. This was definitely one of the highlights of my week!

Wednesday: There are so many interesting and beautiful things around this area that I don't even know about! Aliyah, my mom and I explored the nature trails at the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, KS. There were a few paved paths and many wood chip/dirt paths.

Pre-Nature Walk... bathroom self portraits (I have no shame rockin' the visor - total mom move, I know)

We are always up for a wild adventure, so we took this path across the creek:

Beautiful Nature

A Couple of Photo Opts

Thursday: The three of us met up with our very dear friend, Sue for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. We all have so much fun every time we get together!

I am trying to find a picture of Sue in her awesome st. paddy's find... mmm... check back later to see if I can come up with one. Sue is such a special friend (along with the rest of the Still family) - we just love her!

Friday: We couldn't leave out my dad!! We traveled over to my dad's work and took him out for lunch. Before lunch, Aliyah needed to check some emails and make some phone calls...

This week Spring Break #2 - Aliyah and I are hanging out with Tyler, his parents and brother - pictures to come!

O'Baby: The Irish Edition

Did you have on green yesterday? We did!!!

Start things off with some bagpipes

Irish Dancing

Leprechaun

Nap Time

The King & Tyler took math classes together

A Little Drummer Boy

A Little O'Connor

Refreshed

Interesting...

Moving dinosaur & confetti shot out of the chimney

These dogs were well trained - and could do really cool tricks

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

photo credit: jciv flicker

Today the weather is supposed to be amazing!! We will be digging out Aliyah's Christmas dress (it is green with white polka dots) so she can wear it one more time... then we will be joining some very special people, along with the rest of Kansas City, to enjoy the annual St. Patty's Day parade.

We will be celebrating the mister's birthday (with his side of the family this time) again tonight, and he is really looking forward to some corned beef and cabbage. Although, he said he would settle for a Shepard's pie if he had to.

** St. Patrick's Day Symbols & Traditions

Holy Hair Bows!!!

Shoes, bags and hair bows: 3 things I should probably be attending some sort of support/addiction group. I have started making my own clips and bows so this mess of a problem has only just begun. I do enjoy that she still leaves her bows on her head and hasn't realized that she can pull them out of she really wanted - so until then... I will soak up every cute fluffy bow and flower.

This hair accessory organizer is really easy to make! I posted how to make this on Harmony of the Home today... along with a few other ideas I found on how to organize hair bows.

Do you have any tips for organizing a mass amount of accessories?

(I love that my mom uses tacks on the back of her bedroom door to hang all of her necklaces! It really is great to be able to see them all - I should take a picture of her door.)

Sleepy Time

As Aliyah has been growing, so have her sleep positions. I always put her on her back, but she doesn't always stay there... Here are my favorite napping photos

A Happy Birthday Letter

My Dear Sweet Husband,

When I was a little girl, I played make believe.
I pretended to cook and clean and to be a Mommy to my baby dolls.

I imagined a man, a husband. He was brave and strong and very handsome. And he loved me.

It was a dream.

And some might call this dream a silly fairy tale or the immature longings of a girl who loved romance.

But I call it my life.

You are the first to hold me when I am afraid.
You are my encourager when I doubt myself.
You are the one who made me, Mama.

I am not a little girl anymore.
But I can’t help but think of the things I didn’t dream about...

I didn’t dream that I would hear my husband praying for me as I dozed off to sleep.

I didn’t dream that my husband would happily join my side to help fold stacks of laundry.

I didn’t dream that my husband could cheer me up with a twirl around the living-room.

I didn’t dream that my man would be a Sheridan's fairy, delivering sweet treats in my moments of need.

Today you turn 27 years old. And more than anything, I want you to know that I love you more than I ever dreamed.

You are a man among men. You stand out as you lead our family. You are my heart, my life, my best friend, my soul mate.

You are unique and beautiful.
You are a hero in my world.
And you are mine.

Happy Birthday, Husband.

Thank you for making my dreams come true.

Aliyah's Box

There will be plenty of clothes to one day pass down to new cousins and the babes of friends but there will be pieces of Aliyah's closet that will forever remain packed away in a box marked with her name only to be unwrapped on some distant day in the future. Inside is the little green pear outfit we carried her home in from the hospital, Tyler's favorite newborn onesie that he tried to put her in every single day until the bottom snaps no longer touched, her first Christmas dress, and the tiny pink shoes I got for her as soon as we found out that she would indeed be a little lady. And just recently, I picked out a fluffy pink Easter dress that will be added to the box after next month. Such sweet treasures...

Do you have special items from your little one that you have held onto?

One Big Napkin

I have essentially become a human napkin...

A realization I had last night while undressing from a busy day. On my shirt was Aliyah's dinner, a spot where she wiped her nose and 3 different slobber spots from her sweet open-mouth kisses.

It Takes a Village

I am learning to let loose a little when it come to worrying so much about germs from strangers... She’s not a newborn anymore... She’s never had immune issues... And all you have to do is watch the light in her face as she receives attention from new faces to see that the love she is feeling far outweighs the risk of catching a cold.... and honestly, knowing that she is A) fully immunized and B) still nursing has helped me feel more comfortable too.

As I was out attempting to restock our cabinets with food at the grocery store, Aliyah sat smiling in the front of the cart (with one of those germ protector covers on, I admit). The older woman bagging our groceries smiled at Aliyah. She reached out her hand instinctively to brush her arm with her finger but stopped herself. “Watch out, she’s ticklish” I said invitingly and Aliyah grinned ear to ear as she tickled the spot between her neck and shoulder.

I’m overlycautious by nature. My mind will always question "Is this safe? Is this appropriate?" but I’m also learning to weigh the risk against the reward and not let the fear and worry of “what ifs” keep Aliyah from the joy in new experiences - as long as her experiences still include a cart/highchair cover and a dinner mat for the table.

I believe that there is truth in the old saying “It takes a village to raise a child”

Just Another Day at the Wal-Mart Super Center

Aliyah is such a ROCKSTAR... I love that she will keep her shades on. Why ruin a good thing just because we go inside?

Dad pushed the cart and was on Aliyah duty - making sure she didn't chew on the cart - because our cart cover was at home in the wash. I collected a few groceries. All-in-all it was a fantastic afternoon!

Our Bathtub Looks Like Chuck-E-Cheese

We have started converting our office into Aliyah's playroom. The basement belongs to us while Aliyah has pretty much taken over the upstairs. It will be nice to have my sewing machine downstairs, so I can work while Aliyah is napping!

... back to the playroom... I found an great deal on 2 bags full of balls at a local consignment sale. I washed them off in the bathtub along with the cool plastic sandbox our awesome neighbors, Amanda and Keith, gave to us.

I figured a ball pit would be a better use for the sandbox this year so that she doesn't have to listen to me say over and over, "Aliyah, sweetie... don't eat the sand."

Tyler is pretty pumped to have a ball pit too and has loved hiding behind doors, popping out and attacking me with a ball or two. I think Tyler needs a play-date... Austin, Mark, Mojo, Mike??

Outside Adventures

This beautiful weather has me craving springtime real bad. I have been day-dreaming about all the fun things our family will do together this spring... and all that was going on last spring. Can you believe that this sweet dove is creeping up on the one year mark? yowza

Aliyah finally got to try out her very cool new wagon. There are many more wagon rides in this girl's future.

83rd Annual Academy Awards

My mom and I went to an fabulous Oscar party last Sunday! The theme was centered around "The King's Speech" including tea, finger sandwiches, cookies and British trivia. Our friend, Kristi, really knows how to throw a party. A big thanks to Tyler and Aliyah for keeping each other company so I could play dress-up with Grammy:

Not sure if you guys caught this nominee for best picture...

"127 Seconds"

Cute baby cuts off diaper with her binky in order to survive

Baby-Proofing

We are in the thick of whirlwind baby mode at our house. We have a lot of baby-proofing left to do and the way we’re figuring out what needs to be moved or changed is by letting Aliyah loose in our house and seeing where she goes. She’s more than happy to point out to us what decorative vases and items in our home need to be removed or baby-proofed!

As far as products we are using - We love love love This Play Yard. Yes it’s a big eyesore - but it’s the only thing that allows me to make a sandwich or check the mail when I'm home alone with Aliyah. We keep soft blankets and lots of fun toys in it to entertain her. She’s only in it for a small portion of her day but it’s a lifesaver when we need to put her somewhere that we know is safe and babyfriendly. We also likes to get in it with her - Tyler loves to read her books and I play the guitar. It’s so comfy that we’ve been known to get in it when she goes to bed and snuggle up. We have really spiced it up using her links and toys - Exhibit A:

We also decided on this play yard because our stairs are a funky shape and would not work with the typical baby gates. This gate can stretch across the up and down stairs with one go without any problems!

We already have the standard cabinet hooks on our kitchen cabinets we don't want her in from when we were doing foster care. Our goal is to baby-proof in chunks as she becomes more and more mobile. It feels a bit overwhelming to try to take it all on at one time! We are also in the process of ensuring her nursery is completely baby-proof so that she will have a room in our house where she can be left completely unsupervised to play on her own as she gets bigger.