Feb 02 2012

baby Jude.

Jude Taylor Richardson

aka “The Baby About Town”

February 1, 2012

7 pounds, 4 ounces

20 1/2 inches

12:32 p.m.

I wish I could put into words how amazing it was for me to be part of Jude’s birth. But there really are no words for the sacred celebration of a new life, are there? It was beautiful and Heather was a champ. If Jude has half of his mama’s charm and spunk, and a dash of his daddy’s wit, he’ll be just fine in this big ol’ world.  Everyone’s doing well and are just as enamored with their little guy as they could possibly be.

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Jan 31 2012

ten on tuesday.

1. I think I missed last week’s ToT post, which is a rarity for me. You’d think I’d have a backlog of good stuff for you this week but, sadly, I don’t.

2. The stuff I do have though is really, really good. Like the “i am a photographer” collaborative project that ClickinMoms members created recently. Have you seen it? For every member submitted image, ClickinMoms will donate $1 to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, through March 31st. There’s still time for you to get involved.

3. You might find me in the video. I’m a little bit incognito though.;)

4. After a months-long process I’ve finally committed to a new logo! I’m over the moon about it. I asked the designer to create something to helped me “grow up” the logo I’m using now and I think he totally hit the nail on the head. I can’t wait to show it to you guys!

5. Today is sweet little Hayden‘s 5th birthday. It’s so hard for me to believe that he entered this world five years ago today. I can so clearly remember when we found out that Amy was pregnant, then celebrating (at Sonic!) when we found out that Hayden was a boy. Samantha, Amy, and I were sitting outside enjoying an ice cream when a group of young teenage boys pulled up near us. They created a raucous (as young teenage boys often do) that ended in some sort of ridiculous yelling about body parts. It was gross. And hysterical. Samantha and I giggled uncontrollably as we teased Amy, “you’re going to have one of those!” Of course, now that we’re all the mother of boys, it seems the joke is on us. Happy Birthday sweet baby Hayden. You’re a treasure.

6. This morning I headed down to the Huntsville Times to help style our regular “Style About Town” feature for the next issue of Spark. Technically this project is Heather’s baby but she lets me along for the ride. =) One the way home I had to drop off some items we had borrowed from a local boutique and somehow I ended up buying a letterpress-inspired side table. I have no idea where it’s going – cottage or home, bedroom or family room – but it’s amazing. I wish I had a picture, but it’s similar to this Apartment Therapy feature.

7. Last week Sarah’s class celebrated the 100th day of school and I found myself smiling back on the memory of my own class of kindergartners who celebrated the 100th day each year with the appearance of Zero the Hero. Remind me to tell you that story sometime when Brent is out of ear shot. It’s involves a sequined cape, an eye mask, poetry, and a boy I love. It’s a good one.

8. Today is the last day of January and I think I’ve successfully made my New Year’s resolutions into habits. That might be a first! My 2012 blog book is well on its way and 8 Minute Abs and Arms are here to stay (although you can’t tell it from my abs OR arms!)

9. The four month cottage move-in countdown is officially on. Woot!

10. And last but not least…WE’RE HAVING A BABY TOMORROW! And by “we” I mean Heather. =) But I’m tagging along with my camera to photograph every bit of it (minus the actual c-section which the hospital won’t allow me in for. boo.) Our entire street is a-buzz with the news of baby Jude’s arrival tomorrow. And I’m going on record with my weight prediction of 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Happy Baby Jude’s Birthday Eve!

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Jan 30 2012

saturday morning view.

Growing up in my house, Saturday mornings meant cartoons and dry cheerios. My sister and I would rise early and help ourselves to a bowl of cereal, knowing that our parents weren’t planning to be up any time soon. Eating in the living room was frowned upon so the chance to perch in front of the TV with a little snack was definitely a treat. We’d settle in for all our favorites – the Smurfs, the Snorkels, He-Man, Scooby Doo, and the like. Sometimes Jem if we were lucky. Can I get an ‘amen’ from all you 80′s babies?

Those mornings sprawled out with my sister have always been special to me. It was an opportunity to practice being home alone, even though we very much weren’t. And we ruled the roost for a couple of short hours. Of course, by the time Gargamel started pulling his stunts I was ready for my mom to get up, but it sure was good while it lasted.

These days, I’m thrilled to give my kiddos the same opportunity. And not just because of the bonding time they have together, but because sleep – sweet sleep! – can be so hard to come by in this stage of life. There’s nothing like sinking a little deeper under the duvet on a chilly Saturday morning, with no where to be but there.

Which was actually not the case on this past Saturday morning. I had a ten o’clock session and wanted to get a 7 mile run in before heading out. So I left my honey snoozing in bed and crept out of the bedroom to find my children snuggled up in front of the TV, cereal in hand…

Except, that’s not what I found.

What I found was even better.

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Jan 25 2012

our giving, growing tree.

The Giving Tree has always been at the top of my list of favorite children’s books. When  I graduated high school the librarian gave me a copy with a handwritten note on the inside that actually made my 17 year old self believe that I might be capable of great, loving things. Or even better, goodness. Funny the power words have. Particularly when they’re used to lift someone up.

We have a tree in our yard that I’m coming to think of as our very own giving tree.

When we moved into this house four and a half year ago, she was just a sapling. And our B-Ro was not even that.

And my, how they’ve both grown. In fact, they seem to keep pace with each other quite nicely. Each year our  sweet tree stands just a wee bit taller, keeping pace with our boy who gets just a bit more daring in how high he’ll climb.

The tendency of this mind I was given is to think ahead. Next year. 5 years. 10. There will falls, scrapes, spills, and broken limbs (hopefully only hers, not his). Maybe one day I’ll even walk outside to see a pair of initials carved into her trunk.

Although I’ll tell you one thing right now,

If it doesn’t say “E.C. + E.C.”,

That tree is coming down.

It may be a giving tree, but it’s no match for a mama’s jealous love.

And while I may be capable of great, loving things, there’s a limit to my goodness.

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Jan 23 2012

the why and the how.

There was a time in my life (not so long ago) when I blogged both to mark the passage of time and to pass the marking of time. Taking pictures of our day to share here kept me present in the moment, while giving my moments an immediate purpose. During those baby and toddler years the “payoff” of motherhood seemed so far away. Sure, there were daily victories, smiles, coos, and warm sticky hugs, but the big payoffs – happy, independent children with praise on their lips for their parents – seemed like light years away. Blogging, for me, became a way to freeze moments in my day and celebrate them. Sharing those moments allowed me to connect with other young mothers who felt my same struggles, grandparents who were there to encourage our journey, and non parents who could see the humor in the silly moments with me. I became hooked on blogging not only for what I was sharing, but for what you were sharing with me.

These days, our kids are home less. Our family is home less. Sarah is in school 7 hours a day, which still seems unfathomable. Ephraim is gone 4 hours each day and we’re running around for much of the remaining three. The fact that I don’t pick my camera up as much as I used to is both a function of time and purpose. I don’t feel the same need to fill the space in our long days at home – simply because we don’t have many long days at home. And when we do, I’m enjoying them – not trying to busy them away by grabbing my camera and documenting every moment.

Sometimes that makes me sad.

But often, it’s thrilling.

As much as I loved being the mother of very young children, I’m relishing this season too. I feel like we’re finally getting to the stage in life that I fantasized about for so long. My kids can dress themselves, feed themselves, play by themselves, but still hold my hand in public and kiss me without reservation. And that’s pretty darn amazing. It came quickly, but only when I wasn’t paying attention. Because when I was paying attention it seemed to creep like the slowest moving sloth.

Lest this sound like a “Dear John” letter to the blog world, let me get on with the work of sharing pictures that have made me smile lately…

I’m certainly not here saying “goodbye”, I’m just musing a bit on the why and the how of this whole blog thing. And the ways it’s changed/changing for me. I’m sticking around though. Cause how else would I remember that for my 4 and 6 year old, everything’s better on a stick.

It’s the little things.

Right?

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