5 YEARS!!!!!

May 31st was our 5 year anniversary.  I seriously cannot believe that.  Time needs to SLOW DOWN!!!    How am I 30!? ....with 3 kids!? ....and have been married for 5 years!?!?

I swear I was living in my little one bedroom apartment, bartending at Old Chicago, and sleeping in until noon just a few short months ago - not YEARS, and MANY years ago!!!!

I don't think anniversaries are suppose to be hard to swallow but for some reason knowing that our wedding was 5 years ago is just freaking me out!  Luckily, the last 5 years have been amazing.  Luke is truly my soul mate.  We have made a wonderful life together with 3 beautiful children and I am happy.  Very happy.

We spent the day with our littles - a picnic and playing in the park.  We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner and were in our jammies watching a movie on the couch by 9:00 - perfect.

A little trip down memory lane - 

Anniversary Fun with our Littles

Sign Language

Teaching babies how to sign is so cool.

I liked the idea of it with Wyatt and Hazel BUT it seemed like a lot of work and after about a week of trying, I gave up.

When we first found out Clay had Down syndrome and started meeting other families that would part of our new world, I was blown away watching their littles sign.

"Typically" speech delays and Down syndrome go hand in hand - so I was determined to teach Clay how to sign.

I think a lot of toddler tantrums stem from frustration.  Frustrated with not being able to communicate.

Signing does not always have to be learning the actual American Sign Language sign.  If Clay makes a gesture indicating what he wants and I understand it - we are successfully signing.

I first started teaching the signs for mama, dad, and more.  Wyatt and Hazel soaked up the information in no time - along with several other signs.

Clay took us by surprise.  He does not sign any of those words - but he SAYS them!!!!!

Well, yesterday I got my "ah-ha" moment - Clay signed milk, while I gave him is bottle at nap time, and "I don't know???".

You know!?!? ...that put your hands up, tilt your head, and say "huh?" motion.  He did just that!

Watch and see!

Happy Mama's Day!!

This year my Mother's Day was extra special because Wyatt and Hazel really wanted me to have a great day.  

They made cards for me, sang me "Happy Mama's Day" songs, and asked me about every 20 minutes. all. day. long. if I was having a great day!?

I did have a great day!  We went to the Safari Park and ate cheeseburgers and ice cream for lunch.

Best of all.  I took a THREE hour nap.  It was amazing, just like my wonderful little family.  

I am one lucky mama.

My Dream Come True

So, I have pretty much always wanted to be a "soccer mom".  You know that mom that totes the kids around all day to preschool and dance class.  Lunches at the park.  Art projects in the afternoon.  I now know that "that" mom also hasn't showered in 2 days and is counting down the minutes until bedtime but I love it just the same.

Wyatt's preschool class went on their first field trip yesterday and I got to tag along.  I loved every second of it.

Wyatt held my hand with no embarrassment and was so proud to have his mom there.  I know these moments are limited as he grows into those "I am too cool for my mom in public" years so I was really treasuring each little hand squeeze and big smile sent my way.

And of course Wyatt had a few star moments.  When the class was asked what their favorite fish was....while sitting in front of your common goldfish, betas, etc....Wyatt yelled out "sperm whales!".  He then followed it up with, "I had a fish once but it died.  Right, mom!?"

Teaching me about the birds

Petting a snake! 

We have a stander!

Clay pulled himself to standing 3 time today - not in his crib!

He did it with such confidence.  Like, "this!!!???"  "No big deal!!!???"  Much in the same way he just sat up one day, after countless HOURS of me trying to encourage it with no luck. 

The boy operates on his own schedule.  Must be the Tiedeman genes.

Well this is new!

This is the third time I have found Clay standing in his crib!

I have not seen it happen in action, nor has he pulled himself to standing anywhere else....yet.

I am not sure what crazy moves he is using to pull this off but I think the days off him only being a path a destruction at floor level are quickly coming to an end.

God help us all!

Oh Parenthood

This is a hilarious article on parenthood that I can relate to on many levels...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-wiens/let-me-be-the-one-who-says-it-out-loud_b_3209305.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

A little preview...

"There are people who say this to me:

"You should enjoy every moment now! They grow up so fast!"

I usually smile and give some sort of guffaw, but inside, I secretly want to hold them under water. Just for a minute or so. Just until they panic a little.

If you have friends with small children -- especially if your children are now teenagers or if they're grown -- please vow to me right now that you will never say this to them. Not because it's not true, but because it really, really doesn't help.

We know it's true that they grow up too fast. But feeling like I have to enjoy every moment doesn't feel like a gift, it feels like one more thing that is impossible to do, and right now, that list is way too long. Not every moment is enjoyable as a parent; it wasn't for you, and it isn't for me. You just have obviously forgotten. I can forgive you for that. But if you tell me to enjoy every moment one more time, I will need to break up with you."

I couldn't have said it better myself! 

Smart Cookie

Okay, so I have to admit.  When Hazel was born I really didn't think that she would be - could be - as smart as Wyatt.  

Wyatt is just smart - book smart.  He knew all his ABC's, colors, and numbers at like 2 with not a lot of teaching on my part.  He has a memory like an elephant (yes, elephants have good memories.  I even googled it to make sure.)  He has always loved books and learning.  

Hazel is free spirit.  She likes books now but didn't get in to them until later.  She prefers to play, create, destroy...

But I was wrong.  She is SO smart.  Manipulative, conniving smart....and she is pretty.  That makes for a deadly combination!

Here is one example -

Last night Grandma Nancy brought over May Day baskets for the kids.  

There were treats in them and the kids had not had dinner yet.  

Of course Wyatt wanted to eat all the treats, so I told him he could pick out 4 because he is 4 years old.  

Hazel comes over from across the room and says "Me 6 so I get 6 treats!"

It is hard to argue with kind of thinking...and I would like to think she get those brains from her mama!