Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son
Please pardon the dust and be sure to let me know if you see anything that you think looks funky, have suggestions for additional changes or ideas for elements I should add.
I’d also love to hear what you think of the new design and if you are a faithful reader and have a blog of your own, I now have my very own badge. 🙂
A special thank you to Alissa at Simple Sweet Design for all of her patience and creativity.
The best is yet to be.
This Friday marks my one year blogoversary and to celebrate, I have asked my three favorite readers to guest post this week.
The first is your aunt Leah, who shows up here once a month or so and shares her wit and wisdom.
Leah has her own blog, LA ‘n’ LA.
Dear Lucas,
I believe there is one thing that your mom may love more than your daddy, me and even you and that is her beloved blog, Letters for Lucas.
Yes, she sure does love her blog and has surprisingly found the time to post just about every single day. Not to mention, she now has over 100 followers! That’s a lot of people checking up on her (and you) daily. So, where does she find the time to blog? Well, fortunately you occasionally will take a mid-morning nap and of course go to bed delightfully early – around 7:30. This leaves her just enough time to clean up after YOU, catch up on some TV or watch a movie with your dad and then sit down with a glass of wine and blog.
She always has things to say. Sure, it’s not always all about you and what new and fun things you are doing, sometimes, it’s just about her and what she is currently interested in. I really think/hope you are going to absolutely adore reading her blog when you are older. I hope you know how lucky you are to have a mom who is keeping track of your life this way. I wish that your Grandma Adams had done something like this for us when we were growing up but then again, we didn’t have blogs or even the Internet back then. I know, it was a crazy and different world! Ha ha! : )
Your mom has certainly inspired me and my blog. I definitely would not have even started my own if it hadn’t been for her. She is always encouraging me to write. When our parents died, one of the first things we did was go to a bookstore and buy journals. At the time I wasn’t sure how writing would help me deal with my grief, but I took that purple journal and began writing that night. Immediately, it felt so good to put on paper how sad and alone I felt. Then, a couple nights before their memorial service, I read out loud to her what I wrote and that felt even better. I think this is why we both enjoy blogging so much. We get to explain how we feel and share our worlds with strangers, who are now friends, read it. Often times, we learn that we are not alone. I suppose it’s human nature to want to be understood by others.
Your mom is a great writer and really makes you feel connected and interested in her subject matter. She may think that this is a crazy idea but she should really consider being a professional writer. I love how her writing style is just like the way she talks. Seriously, it’s like she is sitting right there next to you having a conversation with you. How many people can really do that?
Congratulations to your mom on her 1 year blogoversary! May she continue her blog with the same excitement and enjoyment that she does today. And in her now famous last words, “the best is yet to be”.
I love you, LMW.
Your Aunt Leah
Thanks, Leah. I do love my blog and I’m glad you are enjoying having one too. Writing is like therapy.
The best is yet to be.
Three years ago, I married my partner, lover and friend.
In just three short years, we have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
A month and a half after we got married, my father-in-law underwent heart surgery for a congenital heart defect. He made it through with flying colors and today is better than ever, but this was a very emotional time for us as newlyweds.
A month later, both of my parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning while living and working as educators in Tunis, Tunisia. My husband was amazing during this, the saddest and most confusing time in my life. He took my younger sister and I under his wing and helped us plan a double funeral, a trip to Tunisia and navigated us through countless decisions regarding their estate.
During this time I could not give him what he gave me and I will forever be grateful. He listened and held me and encouraged me to do whatever I needed in order to adjust to my new “normal”.
While I walked into walls for nine months trying to keep my wits about me and a career I loved, we decided that the best thing for me to do would be to leave my job as a marketing manager to focus on my grief, settle my parents estate, spend time with family and start planning a family of our own.
With hope in our hearts, just 10 months later, we welcomed to the world our son Lucas. Our pride and joy and new reason for living.
In three years, we have made our house a home, taken wonderful trips together, cried together, laughed together, fought like cats and dogs, grown stronger as a couple and as individuals and made two three. We recently suffered a miscarriage but are slowly, but surely bouncing back stronger than ever. I can’t wait to see what our future holds.
A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. – Paul SweeneyI am so lucky to have found this incredible man to go through life with. A man that makes my toes curl and my blood boil; makes me laugh, makes me think and forces me *kicking and screaming* to be the best version of myself. He is a wonderful father and a good person.
I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate everything you do for me and us and I love you. Happy Anniversary, Todd. xoxo
The best is yet to be.
A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. – Irish proverb
I haven’t posted in a few days. I have a lot to say, a lot is floating around this brain of mine, but the only thing on my mind is the fact that I’m not pregnant anymore. I couldn’t even get my Friday Flip Offs together, and I live for that!!
Last week went from bad to worse. I will spare you all the details, but it ended last night with a visit to the ER.
I’m on the mend, but sad.
I know it is completely normal for me to feel this way and I know it will pass, but my mind is a litany of negative thoughts and I can’t seem to shake them.
I’m trying to carry on as usual, but it’s easier said than done.
I’m trying to carry on as usual, because I have a 13 month old and he needs me as much as I need him.
Unfortunately, Lucas’ dad had to be out of town for a few days last week, so my sister was here and helped out immensely. She knows me well and is great with Lucas. I don’t know what we would have done without her.
Like most people, when trying to feel better emotionally, I turn to retail therapy, drowning my sorrows in Cabernet, pouring my heart out in my journal or blog, or watching too much bad TV, but sleep has always been my favorite way to escape.
None of it really helps, but crawling under the covers and disappearing for a while is a good place to start.
My son’s smile is another brilliant light at the end of this dark tunnel and lastly, there’s time…. time to heal, time to mourn and eventually time to try again.
Thank you for all of the support, good thoughts and virtual hugs last week and for commenting on my post Miscarried. As usual, I put myself out there in a very real and honest way and the feedback was sincere and heartfelt.
The best is yet to be.
Real Life Moms is a social Ning group lovingly created by Surviving Little People and is for real moms who are out there living life, raising children the best they know how and trying to see the world (and parenthood) with a sense of humor.
It’s a great place to go to ask questions, share stories, photos and connect with other real moms just like you.
I am thrilled to announce that this week, Letters For Lucas is featured as a Real Life Moms Blog of the Week! I love that I actually have readers out there and appreciate SLP for choosing me!
The best is yet to be.
I was a little apprehensive at first when one of the editors-in-chief (Natalie of Mommy of a Monster (I Mean Toddler) and Infant Twins) asked me to write a guest post for the fabulous, not to mention new and improved mommy blogging community, Our Mommyhood. It was a lot of fun and I’ll do it again, given naps and bedtime happen in this house exactly when I want them to. Ha ha, that’ll be the day!!
Without further adieu, please enjoy Disillusions and the First-Time Mom and let me know if you can relate, think I’m crazy or just being a little too honest?!
The best is yet to be.
Leah, my sister and fellow blogger (LA ‘n’ LA) has awarded me with the ‘”Your Blog is Fabulous” award because as one of my three faithful, day-after-day readers and commenter’s she thinks I deserve it.
Most days I do too, if I do say so myself. I’m not a skilled writer by any stretch of the imagination, but this blog has been a very very VERY good thing for me as a new mom (since Lucas just turned one, how long can I get away with calling myself a new mom? More on that later.) and has kept my psyche in check. It is my outlet, I am thankful to have it and appreciate all my readers and their comments. I excited to share this with Lucas someday.
I haven’t even gotten to the fabulous part yet!
Unlike with most blog awards, I don’t have to do a darn thing in order to accept it,(i.e. share seven things about myself with you) aside from pass it along. Easy!
I’ve given my friend Coreen awards before and I feel as though she is still worthy. If you aren’t reading her very funny, very smart and very insightful The Adventures of Captain Fussypants, Little Miss Squeak & Caleb the Wonder Dog, you are missing out! Coreen just added a beautiful new baby girl to her mix and now has even more to share. She also just revamped her blog and it is super cute.
However, if you are still interested in learning some facts about me, check out my previous recognitions here.
Thanks, Leah!
The best is yet to be.
While I could have done without the cheese ball karaoke version of Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman” in an Abu Dhabi nightclub, I was there opening day and loved almost every minute of this over the top fun romp. It was great to catch up with my favorite NYC gal pals, not to mention gush over the incredible fashion.
There were a couple (okay, one) of tender moments too, like Miranda and Charlotte bonding over how tough it is to be a mom. Their conversation actually brought a tear to my eye because I could SO identify!
If you are a fan of the series and enjoyed the first movie at all AND can suspend your judgments for two and a half hours and just enjoy it for what it is, go see Sex and the City 2. BUT, before then head over to The Life of a Suburban Princess for an awesome Sex and the City giveaway, a very cool pink tote with famous quotes from the series. Good luck, everyone!
The best is yet to be.
We had a big, furry, delightful house guest for the weekend and no, I’m not talking about Elmo… thank God! Many words come to mind when I think of Elmo and ‘delightful’ isn’t one of them, but that’s another topic for another day.
No, our furry guest was a beautiful Weimaraner named Winston (I Might Secretly Be A Dog Person), my favorite dog on the planet.
Although the two of them have met before, Lucas and Winston are definitely still in the “getting to know you” phase of their relationship, as evidenced by these photos:
Winston wouldn’t hurt a fly and was very tolerant of Lucas’ poking and prodding. It was really fun to watch the two of them together and imagine what our lives might be like with a four-footed friend around permanently.
I spent the weekend calling Winston Lucas and Lucas Winston and it got a little chaotic at times, but Winston is such a joy to dog sit and in almost every way, a hell of a lot easier than a toddler!
Before I sign off, I am very excited to report that my blog has been reviewed on Blog Brew Review, a very cool blog dedicated to reviewing blogs. With so many blogs and so little time, this site is a wonderful time saver! Please check it our when you have the time.
A special thanks to Natalie (Mommy of a Monster (I Mean Toddler) and Infant Twins) for writing such a nice review. 🙂
And last but not least, to all the brave men and women, who serve our country, who have served our country, and those that have given their lives, and to all of their families, God Bless you… and thank you for fighting for our freedom. Happy Memorial Day to everyone!
The best is yet to be.
I am finally doing something that my friend Natalie over at Mommy of a Monster (I Mean Toddler) and Infant Twinshas been encouraging me to do for a while now; enter Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.
This meme is hosted by Mama’s Losin’ It each week she offers different prompts to chose from and you write about the one you picked, hence tapping into your more creative mommy side. So, here goes nothing!
Prompt #2: If you could do your wedding over again, how would you do it?
I was fortunate enough to have the gift of a wedding re-do and this time with the right groom!
My husband and I have been married for three years this August and like most brides, whenever I think about our wedding day, I feel all warm and happy inside. It was the perfect day.
My second wedding was exactly what I had wanted the first time around: small, intimate and all about the two of us and our love for our closest family and friends.
Since I had been married before and could care less about having another big princess/fairy tale-type shindig with everyone I have ever (or in some cases never) met as guests, we decided to keep it simple, yet elegant.
It was held in our home and we invited 40 guests (27 were in attendance).
You’d think with such a small gathering at home, planning would be a cinch.
Not the case.
All of the typical wedding planning frustrations over menu options, scheduling conflicts, budget constraints and discussions about cake flavors and invitation wording existed, but we had fun planning this amazing party and would both do it again.
We hired our favorite restaurant to cater, help with service, set-up and clean up. We hired a local Spanish guitarist to perform, rented tables, chairs, linens and glassware and asked a friend of a friend to make our cake. Champagne, beer and wine were purchased at Costco and I ordered my dress on Nordstrom.com. I was shocked when it actually fit, which has never happened to me before… EVER! It was the dress I was meant to wear.
One of the sweetest moments was when my sister sang an impromptu solo of “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and I love that after the cake was cut, our living room turned into Dance Party U.S.A.!!
Nope, I honestly wouldn’t change a single thing…. Okay, there was the sweaty photographer that we had my mother-in-law ask to leave shortly after dinner was served. To be fair, there just wasn’t enough for him to shoot. We stayed in the same location and he had the same three dozen guests as subjects.
I was pleased with his work and here are three of my favorite moments he captured:
Second changes are pretty rare and I count my lucky stars that I was able to have this one.
The best is yet to be.
