One Year Ago . . .

I lost over nine lbs of baby in one day,



and became a true believer in love at first sight.



I may not be able to grow an herb garden in my window,



but I sure can grow a baby!

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." -Rajneesh
I understood this quote more fully after becoming a mother. My perspectives, goals, values, and standards were all sharpened and focused on that day. Every emotion and experience was enhanced. Where I lived, what I wore, or what I drove became trivial and superfluous next the joy I received from my son. The very walls around me could have crumbled and I hardly would have noticed.
Little Emerson Maxwell learns something new every day, and yet continues to teach us more than he will ever know. His excitement and zest for life is a great example for everyone.

Happy birthday Emerson. I don't know what I did to be lucky enough to be your mother!

Look Out Fisher Price

Give your child one of the greatest toys and hours of fun!
Instructions:
1. Empty cardboard box of its contents.
2. Put the cardboard box on its side.
3. Show the child the two opening entrance flaps (some may need a toy placed inside the box for encouragement or luring).
4. Customize box by cutting small opening or window as shown above.
5. Sit back and watch your child enjoy hours of imaginative and creative fun!

Pillow Talk

When I was younger I used to dream about the romantic things my future husband and I would talk about as we laid our heads down on our pillows after a busy day. Last night one conversation led to another until we got into a deep discussion regarding the character and traits of one frightening puppet of a television show from our childhood. We were trying to figure out the purpose and story behind Miss Lady Elaine Fairchilde of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
This conniving and manipulative woman was so retched looking that we both remembered her as a witch. I can’t imagine anyone not at least feeling a little uneasy when she popped her giant, sausage-like red nose over the wall. What was she doing living in that museum anyway, curator of a freak show? Why did "she" feel it necessary to attach "Lady" on "her" name anyway? Does "she" confuse anyone else? The clip below is a great example of just the kind of naughty thing Lady Elaine Fairchilde was always up to. It is long, so you can stop it half way if you need to. You might get caught up in a nostalgic moment as I did and end up watching the entire thing.
The more I think about the residents of Make-Believe Land, I think a few of the cast members could have a psychological analysis. As crazy as she was, maybe Lady Elaine was just the type of revolutionist the land needed against the staunch dictator King Friday. She WAS gutsy enough to deface him on his narcissistic little dolls he created of himself. Did you notice how the timid little Prince Tuesday always seemed terrified of him? I saw another clip where Lady Elaine actually tried to convince the little prince that his parents were going to divorce and it was all his fault! He ran away from the castle to live with Daniel the Cat in the clock. I'm not making this up!
I can’t believe how different these little shows seem now that I view them with the eyes of an adult. What happened?