See these balloons? They look deceptively big from the picture I took. In reality, they are about the size of kiwis (and I could make all kinds of inappropriate jokes about that). I'll save those jokes for another day. But I will leave you with the fact that there are about 16 balloons in that bag. The other 50 or so - ended up exploding in my face. But I pushed forward like a "#1 most dedicated mom" should.
The fun lasted about 3 minutes until they were all popped. Those were $1 store balloons for a reason!
Interesting how life’s events continue to be orchestrated in ways that are beyond me. Fitting that this first birthday after Heather's death falls exactly on Memorial day. 25 on the 25th – this year I also turned 31 on the 31st. Happy “Golden“ Birthday Heather!
(yes I have a mullet and am missing like 8 teeth at once in this picture)
I still remember some very specific things surrounding her birth.
I was 6 1/2 years old. I remember the exact street we were driving down when I told my mom that I thought we should name our baby Heather. She obviously liked the idea and it stuck.
Turns out, the name fit her perfectly. The meaning of the name “Heather” is “Heather” – the shrub. But if you read a bit about that little shrub it was meant for Heather. For those of you who knew the number of struggles and trials she faced throughout her life you will understand why. A quick excerpt:
God asked the heather the same question that he’d asked the
others. "Will you go and grow upon the hillsides to make
them more beautiful?"
The heather thought about the poor soil, the wind and the
rain - and
wasn’t very sure that she could do a good job. But turning to God she replied that if he wanted her to
do it, she would certainly give it a try.
God was very pleased.
He was so pleased in fact that he decided to give the heather some
gifts as a reward for her willingness to do as he had asked.
Firstly he gave her the strength of the oak tree
- the bark of the heather is the strongest of any
tree or shrub in the whole world.
If you watch her slideshow, you can visually see how some of those trials life affected her - after surgeries, different medications at different times, and finally cancer.
I remember the night she was born – our neighbor and my parent’s best friend, carrying us from our bed’s to his house in the middle of the night.
I remember the first week she was home. I can still see the little black umbilical chord on her tummy – and I thought I would be helpful and change her diaper. Turns out it was a bad idea. I got the diaper off and her back end shot out like a firehouse – covering walls and sending me ducking for cover. My mom asked me not to change her diapers anymore.
As I walked out of my room to write this post, I looked on the floor and noticed a book that my mom bought me when I was 6, probably to prepare me for Heather’s birth. My kids must have brought it up from the basement.
The book was called “Chuckie”. It was about a blond little girl with a mom with red hair (just like me), and the arrival of a new baby at their house. I think my parents thought I needed some extra prepping, since the last time we had a baby – I pushed her in her carrier off the kitchen table. (hey – I was 3). The book was one of my favorites and has my name scrawled on the inside front page in my 6yo penmanship.
Now here I am, 31 with 3 kids of my own. My oldest is 6 ½ and just welcomed his 2nd baby sister to our family. Just like I did 25 years ago.
I ask my kids this all the time, and then I follow up with telling them all the things I love about them. Today I asked the question to both my 5yo and 6yo -
Here were there answers:
6yo - "Yeah, I can read, I'm very smart, and I'm so lovable!"
5yo (exasperated) "Yes I know! Because you keep telling me!"
Thursday night at about 2:30 in the morning our new microblogging feature TodaysMama Connect went live! It was a momentous little moment . . .and then I went to bed . . .
For those of you not familiar with microblogging, Twitter, or Facebook status updates - it is basically sharing a post, a thought, or an update in 140 characters or less. It's quick, it's easy and it's addictive!
I just started on Twitter back in November and it has been an incredible networking and social tool for me personally and for my business. But for many of the moms today there doesn't seem to be a relevant reason in their minds to participate in something like Twitter. So we went about to lauch a service that would make microblogging relevant to the everyday mom and their daily lives.
What you'll find on TodaysMama Connect is a place where moms can talk to other moms both in their local region and beyond. A place where moms can follow their favorite local businesses and national brands. For instance: their local zoo or children's museum or their favorite local restaurant. And it's a great place for moms and women to connect on common ground through GROUPS! (my favorite feature).
We hope that we've launched a tool that cuts through some of the noise and connects moms with the people and information they need. Consider it a mom powered search engine!
Check it out, register, and enjoy! We'll continue to make refinements and add features along the way.
Also check out a post from the WSJ yesterday. AND a big thanks to all the mamas who joined in on Twitter last night via #todaysmama! It was an amazing night!
We’ve got something new to share – an online community where moms can gather and CONNECT.
We’re rolling out the welcome mat on our new social network -Connect.
Consider this our “open house”! Sign up and share what’s happening in
your world, 140 characters at a time. Follow other moms to read their
messages and join groups to share ideas, tips and comments on a common
theme.
What would an open house be without a few goodies? We’re giving away one of our favorite gadgets – Flip Ultra Camcorders. To enter to win simply sign up for Connect, post and include “#flip” in your comment.
Example: “I’ve got two cute kiddos and I’d love a camcorder! #flip”
Our featured blogger last week was "Creative Organizing" - I look at the pictures and sigh . . . and long for that level of organization at my house - but sadly I'm a long ways off! The good thing: she's got lots of really simple ideas and tips to get it done.
I haven't even checked out the album yet but I digging the name of it all ready! Our managing editor Erin has never steered me wrong on her music selections. Check out the latest music review on MamasMix!
It's like the house takes a deep breath. My husband has the two older kids, the baby just fell asleep, the house is (relatively) clean, and the sun is setting on our West facing house - bringing in my favorite warm light through the front windows of our house. In the background I hear the washer and dryer humming along and I feel like I'm taking the best nap - even though I'm awake.
These quiet moments are rare -- but my favorite! Somehow it reminds me of being little - the house would be clean, the dishwasher running - and my mom would be taking a catnap on the couch and the house was still.
