Houston We Have a Walker

Makinley is walking. It has been very exciting watching her confidence increase to take those first few stops solo. There have been a lot of ups and literally downs as she works to master this new skill. She has her eye on the prize. Picking up the pace and trying to keep up with her brother and sister. Just think in a few short weeks she'll have the stride down pat. She'll be moving right along and gearing up for running. For now it's 3, 2, 1 and she's off!

Summer Plans

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. The beach, the pool, cookouts, family, friends and just lazy days. The kids have been out of school for about three weeks now. We've scheduled swim lessons, play dates, family visits and just days where we do nothing if we want to. We enjoy daily activities from finger painting, play dough, dance parties, catching fire flies @ night or just enjoying a evening walk together. We're converting to our 'summer' hours. Later nights and awesome mornings of sleeping in until 8 or later. I have vivid memories of our summers as kids. There were many road trips, train rides, cookouts, pig pickins, and visits to our relatives. As a kid, I loved fun childhood games, going to my book club, skating, swimming, movies, sleepovers, and a variety of sporting activities. I want to extend those same things and more to my children. I love seeing the them explore and enjoy new things. It's also great that a fun day could just be playing in the sandbox or adding to their stick collection in the front yard. The simplicity of chasing bubbles in the driveway or licking the juice from the melting popsicle in their little hands. Nothing beats enjoying days like this and creating awesome memories for years to come.

Bygones

Sometimes you have to revisit situations and make amends.
Make amends with situations, circumstances, people, pasts
and hurts. It may require you to look @ yourself and determine
what things you contributed or perhaps that you should have. Time
heals all wounds and hurts, but sometimes a simple apology
can go a very long way. Owning my part and moving forward.

Makinley turns 1

Our last '1st Birthday" was simplicity @ it's best....cupcakes, candles (well 1) and lots of joy and kisses. My two toddlers (Jalen & Mireya) grabbed their guitars and rocked out a tune they had been finessing all week. I've dubbed them my 'mosh pit' babies. They love all things heavy metal. Don't ask?! The song was definitely an original. A mix of celebration, Star Wars and all things princess. The lyrics will have to be ironed out, but Kinley enjoyed it immensely. It was very hype. She was pretty close to jumping off the ground from the kneeled position and clapping her hands wildly. Watch out folks we may soon have a trio...JM&M.

She's Given Up the Boob

Say it isn't so. My fourth and final little one started exhibiting signs of giving up breastfeeding and just like that she has. I've nursed them all about a year or more. It's time to pack up the girls and move forward in freedom. Hmm a freedom that is bittersweet. Breastfeeding creates such a indescribable bond and connection. I'm definitely going to miss it. Not to mention all the mula we've saved in being the primary source of nourishment. Now it's time to be free to plan outings without fear of remaining on task with a feeding schedule. I'm a pretty open person but I can count on my two hands the number of times I broke the boob out in public. For me it was necessary to feed my children on schedule, but I often ensured it was when I would have the opportunity to do it privately at my own discretion. Don't get me wrong their were days I was caught out there, but quickly opted for a fitting room, family nursing spot or as a last resort the backseat of my mini-van.

It's likely I'll have withdrawals from this awesome experience, but in the end I feel good about the opportunity for that level of closeness and all the good, bad and funny experiences nursing has provided. Trust me they are countless. From what in the world was I thinking to purchase a single 'manual' pump to purchasing the very costly but couldn't live without big kahuna. Then there was latching problems to cloggled ducts to the dreaded and painful mastitis....ugh. Or I'm out in a store and hear a baby cry...oh my. Or I'm so full is anyone's child hungry...I know perish the thought...but in the moment that's how you feel. My children were all very easy to get acclaimated to breastfeeding and I'm grateful. So what's next? The Mom Job I've been hearing about? Can you imagine what nursing 4 kids for over a year can do to the twins? They may eventually need some work or at least a tune up =)

where have you been?

MIA...and with so many things to share. Gotta get back on my writing and blogging grind. Lots of great things have been going on that I want to share....stay tuned.