Big Brother Quotes

"Santa is going to bring Siena some teeth and a toothbrush!"

"That is my baby sister!"

"Feed my baby!"

"We can't go to school!"

Special Lesson - Spirit of Giving

This holiday season has been extra special, as this is the first yeat that my son has really grasped and gotten into Christmas.

He is just old enough to understand what Christmas means. It has made this Christmas the best one yet... Lil man helped (literally) put up the Christmas tree with his Papa, decorated the tree, helped us to set up the nativities (yes, we have three. Two bear nativities and one traditional nativity. When we were done, lil man said, "We need to go buy another nativity!"). He also was a great helper with putting out the wooden Swiss Christmas choo-choo, stockings and lights. From a parent's perspective, it has been so much fun to talk about Christmas, explaining the significance of certain ornaments, decorations and everything.

Lil man's school has a Toys for Tots drive. This year we took this opportunity to teach lil man about the spirit of giving. We told him that not all little boys and girls have toys and that this Christmas he was going to give a little boy and girl a new toy. He was really excited and took a lot of pride in this idea of giving a child who "doesn't have a train, a train."

The day came to donate the toys. I was a little worried that he would suddenly change his mind and want to keep the toys (especially as one was a Thomas train - which he loves). But, he made us very proud. Without hesitation he donated a toy for a girl and a toy for a boy.

When he got home he told us that he gave a little boy and girl a toy. He said he did this because they didn't have any toys. It was a special moment - a good learning moment.

I feel proud as a parent that I was able to teach such a valuable lesson to my son.

The joy of winter through a child's eyes

All summer long (yes, summer), Lil man has been watching Frosty the Snowman, because what family does not watch Christmas specials all year long! He recently transitioned onto Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (which we've been watching for months). He has taken a special liking to Bumble and also now equates snow to Christmas.



The other day we got our first few flakes of snow. When lil man learned of this, he immediately asked "Mommy, can we make a snowman?" Of course, there was no snow on the ground. He also kept saying "Bumble" as he thinks snow and Bumble go together. So instead, in a rare moment of craftiness, we made snowman out of marshmallows! Lil man had a blast using toothpicks to hold the body together and then smaller marshmallows for the arms and legs. I don't know if he had more fun making the snowmen or eating them! And papa got into it as well, putting my little snowman to shame. He made a HUGE snowman. Who knew that making marshmallow snowman would be such a fun family activity.



OK, now back to the snow... So the first snow came and when lil man found out, he was ecstatic!!! I told him when I picked him up from school. When we were walking out, snow was flying everywhere. Now, here is what was so sweet... I put my head down and tried to dodge the cold snow and lil man did the opposite. He looked up in the sky and directly into the snow - with the biggest grin I've ever seen. He was enjoying every moment of every flake touching his face. And he laughed and smiled. Only the joy a lil one could find from a simple, pure moment. It made me stop and think about life's pleasures.

The entire way home in the car, he talked about the snow - how it was covering the trees, cars and that he was going to make a snowman, snow train, etc. The excitement in his voice was inspiring and could even turn someone who prefers warmer weather, into a fan of the winter season.

The next day, lil man proudly put on his boots and talked about making snowmen and snow trains. When we got to school he ran to his teacher and said, "It snowed!!!" (though of course, she already knew this point, she played along). That night after we returned home, Papa did something very special. He and lil man put on their snow boots, snow pants, coats, scarves, gloves and hats - and they went outside. Of course it was dark, but that didn't stop these two. They got out the sled and Papa pulled lil man down the street to the end of the block. I could only imagine what the neighbors were thinking if they happened to look out at that moment. Two boys sledding in the dark. :) What a special time between a father and son.

Fav Quotes of the Week - 3 year old style

Wanted to share some of my favorite quotes of the week, from little man to his baby sister...

"She has no teeth! We need to buy some from the store!"

"Babies come from belly buttons."

Now quotes between me and my hubby...

Me to my hubby ..."I need a break or I'm going to jump off the roof." Hubby's response to me ... "I don't want that ... I'd have to clean up the mess."

"Parenting is a constant jedi mind trick."

I'm Speaking at BlogWell!

Come and join me in Atlanta for the BlogWell social media conference! I'll be sharing insights about creating and embracing a social media culture. Additionally, I'll be speaking about how to leverage the power of social media to build brands.

BlogWell: How Big Brands Use Social Media11/10/09, Atlanta @ Newell
Rubbermaidhttp://www.gaspedal.com/blogwell

Here's a link to my presentation: http://ow.ly/16vbE7

ConAgra Foods, Coca-Cola, UPS, SunGard, Orange Business Services, Turner Broadcasting System, Newell Rubbermaid, and The Home Depot share case studies in corporate social media. You'll learn how to get started, get past roadblocks, and make your social media program phenomenal -- in one afternoon, for just $250.

Get practical, how-to advice on creating great content, getting management buy-in, educating employees, keeping lawyers and regulators happy, simple and ethical disclosure, and engaging fans. You'll ask questions, discover new ideas, and get answers from people who have been there, done that -- all in four hours.

Presented by GasPedal and the Social Media Business Council.

Reflections

I can't believe how fast the past twelve weeks have gone. Cliche? Yes, but so true.

It is nearing 10 PM the night before returning to work after maternity leave. I'm left reflecting on everything that has taken place over the past weeks. A mosaic of memories, emotions and events that will forever change my life. I will cherish all of them always. For both the ups and downs have made this one of the very best, and most special times of my life.

Reflections...

- Surprise, scared, stressed about having my lil lady so early

- Yearning to hold her and having to wait - but, sooo worth the wait and a moment that I'll never forget

- Joyful that she was healthy and strong, though so small. Perfect little feet, hands, face. So sweet and lovely. Joy of latching on, advancing from each NICU room - another step closer to the door

- Sad to not have her visit my hospital room. Waking every day with anticipation of seeing my beautiful little miracle

- Sad and strange to leave without my baby; empty car seat

- Nervous about how long she would have to stay in the NICU. Making NICU my home, not to miss a minute with my little girl. Wanting her to know that she is loved, absorbing the strength from her mommy's arms. Relieved that she came home in less than two weeks

- Coming home!! The exultation!! A joyous day full of blessings

- Family and friends - and all of their outreach and generosity

- Cuddling at home! Just being home a joy. No commutes to see my lil peanut

- Sleeper smiles, squeaks, groans, grunts and all of the sweet little sounds from my expressive little lady. So much to say, right from the start. Telling us everything in her own way

- How proud I've been of my lil man. What a sweet, loving and caring big brother. Wanting her to reach out to him. Giving kisses and wanting to help. Hearing him say, "my baby"

- Learning what each sound means, playing, singing, talking, cuddling, laughing together

- Amazed at how she has grown - from 3 lb. 15 oz. to 9 lb. 12 oz . (with clothes on)

- Sleepless nights, gallons of caffeine - a warm welcome from my old friend the Chai Tea latte

- Recent emergence of cooing and smiles - moments you live for

- Being home to welcome lil man when he got home. Giving kisses and hugs

- Staking a permanent claim on the couch with lil lady

- Rush of emotions two weeks before

- Sadness, nervousness, anticipation about heading back

- Contentment upon looking back upon the time, grateful for the time, the memories and my little girl

- Love - for life, family, friends and moments to come

- Peace - ready to step back into reality

Favorite Quotes of the Week

"Belly buttons turn into babies." - Three-year-old wisdom

"Parenting is a constant jedi mind trick." - Dad