Our Nana

I have this wonderful woman in my life and her name is Nana.
(at least that's what she goes by in my house).

She has come to my rescue more than once.
But happened to this past weekend as well.

She's my kid's grandmother.
My mother.

She's sweet, giving, selfless, thoughtful, busy (does a million things at once--which is a mom of course), a great actor (plays a great kitty or dog), superb storyteller, cleaner, medical expert, food spoiler know-all, straightforward, truthful, wise woman.  (I might have left a few others out.  Seriously.)

This weekend was a great bonding experience for the two of us.*
For more than one reason.

The biggest was around bath time Sunday night.
 
While she was giving Clayton a bath, I noticed her singing the "Splish Splash" song to him.  I was floored!  Ummmm because....yeah, that's the song I sing to MY kids!  It was strange for me to think that I subconsciously remembered that song.  And was NOW singing it to my OWN kids.  There were a few more moments this weekend that made me think that I am MUCH more my mom as a mother than I thought.  But I guess that makes sense.  We learn how to be mothers from our own mothers. 

I think my mom realized this this weekend as well and came to her own realization.  I may be far off on this.  But as I was making baby shower invitations for a friend, my mother looked over at me and told me she was extremely proud of how I turned out.  As if in that moment, she realized all her time, energy, love, and job as a mother had turned out pretty great.  And she could visually see that in what I was doing and how I was acting.

And this gives me hope.
For those days, I feel worn out.  Run down.
Not the best mother to my kids.

I can look back on this moment, and realize that the little things don't really matter.  It's the WHOLE picture.  And to look at my brother and I and realize that my mother (whom I'm a lot alike) raised some great kids (not to brag or anything--you know what I mean) makes me feel pretty great about the job I'm doing as a mother to my own kids.

As I sit her typing, with Clayton half asleep in my arms (no clue how he is actually sleeping with my arms moving due to the typing), I'm ecstatic about this huge revelation.

I love you mom.  And I truly appreciate everything you do and have done in my life.
I would not be the person I am today without you by my side.
Thank-you.

P.S.  Did you hear that mom? Even though I don't remember you taking me to the beach EVERY day or all the activities you planned for us, I still subconsciously remember things. And they are carried out in my daily life as a mother. So, don't you worry. All that time and energy WAS worth it:o)  Love you!

*And we have another bonding weekend coming up in a few weeks when I go to a crafting weekend with her.  Where she is going to teach me how to sew. I don't know who's more excited:o) My lovely mother or ME!


Top 10 for the Week:

10.  Privacy.  Gone.  Yeah, I REALLY wanted to take a bath this week.  Privacy?  What's that?  It seems once you have kids everything goes out the window, which includes taking a leisure, soothing, relaxing bath.  Who knew?!?!  Nothing like taking a bath with a 2 and 4 year old trying to watch you.  The things we do as parents.

9.  Bowling Night.  A few weeks ago, I ran into a fellow bowler widower.  We took it upon ourselves to claim Bowling Night as our own FUN night with our kids.  It has been a blast.  Her kids are a bit older than mine (I had her sweet daughter last year in fifth grade) but they get along great!!  And it gives us women time to chat about anything and everything:o) (cooking being our go to).  Instead of normally dreading Tuesday nights, I find myself looking forward to them!!  Such a blessing!!

8.  Virus.  Mal  had some random virus this past weekend.  NO clue what it was that took over her body.  But she did not eat for two days.  Which if you really know my daughter--this is a HUGE deal for her.  In fact she even turned down a happy meal.  Yes, folks.  You know it's bad when...She is pretty darn close to being back to her normal self.  The over three hour nap yesterday helped quite a bit!  Nothing like having a sick kid.  Makes you feel awful and makes you worry nonstop. 

7.  March.  Makes me happy.  Even though there are a few more inches of snow on the ground, we are on the down slide of this winter.  Thank goodness!!  I am ready for some warmer temperatures so we can head to the playground and just BE outdoors.  PLEASE.  Soon.  Mal even commented this week how March (yes, she said March) was definitely a LION:o)

6.  Whole Foods!  Just found out the other day that there is a Whole Foods going in on Grape Rd in South Bend.  Which is only like 45 minutes from us!!  And right down the road from a high school friend of mine (which haven't visited in years...and now that she has a Whole Foods next door...yeah, I'm that person! Sorry Susan).  I also just heard a Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in going up in Grand Rapids.  It's about time!  Seriously!  With all my food sensitivities I'm really excited to have more options that are more reasonably priced.

5.  More cooking.  Kale chips (need to work on those), Nomato sauce (which was a HUGE hit with my hubby!), GF apple cinnamon muffins (yummy).  It's amazing what you can find on the Internet!!Still plugging along at recipes and enjoying every minute of it!!:o)

4.  STUCK.  Literally.  So, umm...how do I say this.  The kids and I were headed home from library this week and I had to pull over to firmly talk to them about their behavior in the car (seems to be an extremely huge issue right now--anyone who might have suggestions on how to fix this, please send me an email, message, whatever).  Well, that day also happened to be a bit warmer, which was causing the snow to become quite slushy.  After our discussion, I tried to pull back onto the road and realized that I was actually STUCK.  Luckily, my SIL was driving by on her way home from the library as well, and was able to put on the gas, while I pushed.  Lesson learned.  Watch where I am pulling over.  There is no way I'm giving up the lectures:o) 
 
3.  Malloryisms.  Taking off of #4...about a mile from our home on this SAME trip and after minutes of silence from both of them, my dear daughter decides to get all sweet on me. 

Mallory:  "I'm glad you're home Mommy." 
Me:  "What do you mean?"
Mallory:  "I'm glad you are staying home with us."
Shocked look ME, "Me too honey."
Mallory:  "When I was a baby, I wanted you home.  I dreamed about it all the time."

Then of course there were tears streaming down my face.  For SO many reasons.  Being stuck.  Being home.  Being not home.  Having this moment.  Yeah, I was mush.  But I good mush, I suppose.  She also shocked me in the library that same day.  Clayton was standing on his cushion seat (which is not allowed in library) and Mallory tells the librarian "He doesn't always understand things."  Well, the librarian didn't hear her so asked her to repeat.  Mal actually thought she said something wrong and I had to coax her into repeating it.  Seems I must say this quite a bit to her:o)  At least she gets it, right?!?!

2.  Clayisms.  Busy but getting more disciplined.  He's much more aware of the rules and structure of how things work (except for standing on the cushions in library--or does he know?!?!).  It amazes me what he WILL do if I ask him too.  His new words this week:  puppy, doggy, Tipper.  He LOVES popcorn and fruit.  Will sit and eat two big bowls of popcorn and want more!  He also has been a bit cranky lately.  Wasn't sure what it was until I looked in his mouth and saw TWO teeth coming through!  Explains the chewing on everything and his sudden mood change.  Still enjoying taking him to HIS library time.  He loves it too.  Sitting in my lap majority of the time because he can and there's no one there to share it with.  He's a trooper too, doing whatever Mal wants him to do.  I'm waiting for that to change.  But he is SO her sidekick.  It's cute.  And he just adores her and her busyness.
 
1.  Nana to the Rescue!  Now, I was spoiled this weekend.  Jay left Saturday morning and I was extremely lucky to have my mom come down until Monday morning (my dad came for the day on Saturday).  Between the kids and the house--I don't think I'd be in such high spirits or in such a great mood if she wasn't there.  A BIG THANK-YOU to her and all her help. 

Well, it's midweek and this should have been done days ago.
But you know how things go.
It's done now.

Hope you are enjoying your week!
Until next week,
Take care,
Mrs. Newell