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How do you know??

Ok veteran moms...how do you know when your child is sleepy??? I'm dying here! Every time I think I know my son and can read him, he throws me a curve ball!

He used to be the BEST napper. I'd just put him in his crib and he was out like a light in minutes. No, scratch that, seconds! Not the case anymore. I put him down when I think he's sleepy and for up to an HOUR he'll babble and squeal away. When I come in to check on him, he'll be swinging from the rafters like a little monkey and having a grand ol' play time. Yes, it's all absolutely adorable when he's happy, but this cute play time always ends with him being over-tired, over-stimulated and screaming for an hour which leaves me wondering if I should:
a. give up on the nap and just deal with an over-tired and exhausted child for the next hour and a half (and risk the next nap being even worse) or
b. keep at it for God-knows-how-long and risk being in the position of forcing him to sleep when he's not sleepy (because remember I'm not a 100% sure he's sleepy right now).

After an hour of 'play time' (where I'm coming in every five minutes to pry him off of the side of the crib for the 100th time, lay him down and say "it's time for a nap.") and an hour of exhausted screaming (where I'm trying to comfort him and/or let him cry depending on how much patience I have left for this whole process), I'm cooked, he's cooked and I'm left wondering if I'm really cut out for this whole mom-business.

Admittedly, we follow a schedule, but I'm totally aware it is in a state of transition right now. We're in the process of going from three naps per day down to two. It's a loooong process that takes a few weeks/months and during that time you just kinda have to play it by ear. Some days he needs a third nap and some days he doesn't. Did I mention I hate these transitional phases?? I mean, life just runs so much more smoothly when I can refer to the almighty clock. I know what a lot of you are thinking, "that's not really parenting if you are just going by a clock!" But it's not that simple. Even when we're right on schedule, I still have to remain flexible...the clock is a guide. Every day naturally has wiggle room, and I still have to stay cognizant of any cues - like if he is sleepy, hungry, etc. But, for the most part, once he's on his schedule, you can almost set your watch by when he gets sleepy, hungry, etc. And, yes, I'm absolutely one of those moms that thinks children thrive when they have a steady routine, but this post isn't about debating the pros and cons of parent-led vs. child-led parenting...

Back to the topic at hand...a transitional phase, like the one we're in, almost always goes hand-in-hand with milestones and growth-spurts. And this almost always means there is a shift not only in the schedule, but also in his cues! It's because he's growing mentally and emotionally as well as physically and the way he communicates naturally changes during this time.

So when I'm supposed to be 'playing it by ear' and reading him the most, I don't have his nice reliable cues to read any more, I'm having to figure out new cues. It's like being handed a brand new child every few months and being told "ok, figure this kid out!"

So, how do you know? How do you know when your child is sleepy?? Because I used to know, but now I have no earthly idea.


On the up-side, this will all be my mom's problem for the next 24 hours. For the first time in 6 and 1/2 months Mr. C and I are leaving the baby with someone else over night for a much needed break. Pray for my mother. Little C really needs his Grammy R and I'm worried after she has had him for 24 hours she will resign from the position. Also, please pray for me because at the first real taste of freedom I might just drive to Mexico and change my name...

My Wednesday 'Happies'

HEB - Went to our neighborhood store last night in search of unsulphered dried apricots and organic, wheat-free teething biscuits. Two items impossible to find just about anywhere except Whole Foods and...you guessed it, HEB!

Stargazer lilies - We bought some before the Thanksgiving festivities and they are still beautiful. Plus, I had forgotten how amazing they smell!

Other mommies - they keep me sane and have become some of my best friends. I love our Wed get-togethers.

Coffee - Caffeine. need I say more?

Breakfast - Now that the little C-man has a place to eat other than smack-dab in the middle of the kitchen table I can actually eat this meal while he's eating rather than scarfing a handful of cereal straight from the box between diaper changes.

Music - for some reason my ipod has just been collecting dust lately (maybe because I haven't darkened the door of a gym in 2 months?), but I recently fired it back up and it's amazing how it keeps the day hoppin' along.

Frank Sinatra - His lovely voice has been dominating the aforementioned ipod, and his crooning is the perfect soundtrack to these pre-holiday weeks. Plus I feel classy listening to his music even when I'm up to my elbows in, well, even when things get messy.

Pony tails - The mommydo is finally long enough to put up! I know, I know. I was trying to get away from them with the short hair cut, but I hated having to fix it every day. I'm loving how I can just yank it back and go now. Needless-to-say, I rock the p.t. all day, every day.

Schedules - we have strayed away from our typical routine, but I'm bound and determined to get us back on track because I'm able to handle the inevitable curve balls the C-monster throws my way much better when I at least think I have my act together.

Mr. C - He may not be into blogging, but that's ok because he's just flat out amazing in every other way. Perfect example? I went to bed early last night and left a pile of laundry on the couch...woke up this morning and it was gone! He folded and put it away. Oh how I love that man!

And of course,
This little guy :) - He's pulling up now and babbling "da da" all the time (has no idea what that means yet, so there's still hope for "ma ma"!). He didn't pull up here, but he was so cute I had to post it anyway

Dear Santa,

Do you remember me? I came with my mom and dad to see you a few weeks ago at the mall...

You must remember me. I was such a good boy, I didn't cry at all even though I visited you after I had been at church for a whole hour! You will definitely remember my friend Caroline. She came with me and wore the prettiest Christmas dress you ever saw!

See, here's Caroline and her mommy...


I know we talked about a few things I needed for Christmas, but I had no idea you would visit early (or look so much like the Fed Ex guys!). I guess you must have known how badly I needed a proper place to eat because you brought me a much needed high chair just before Thanksgiving. It was so thoughtful of you to come early so that I would have a place to sit around the Thanksgiving table.

The high chair you brought is extra special too - it will grow with me for as long as I need a special place to sit/be restrained during dinner.



I must have been an extra good baby this year, or Mom must have told you how I've already started to outgrow my infant car seat, because you also brought me this fancy new convertible car seat.



Thank you so much for the wonderful presents and for coming early! I don't need another thing for Christmas, but if you (or someone you know of the grandparent variety) insists on getting me something else, Mom has been complaining to Dad that I'm outgrowing my pj's and could use some new zip-front footed pajamas in size 9 month/6-12 month.

Also, I'm pulling up like a big boy now!



Mom is sure I'm going to take off walking before my first birthday. A pair of soft soled shoes that stay put with velcro, like these pedipeds, would be a great help for when I am ready to take my first steps.



I also am always losing my socks. Mom just can't seem to keep them on my feet now that I've outgrown her favorite Faded Glory brand socks she bought me at Wal-Mart. I guess I'm ready for the same socks in 6-12 month sizes :)

I'm very excited about my first Christmas...or at least my mom and dad are very excited for me.

Hope you like chocolate chip cookies!

Love,
CSC (and Mommy)

It is finished.

Unbutton your pants, pop an antacid and unpack the Christmas lights. Yes, in the blink of an eye, my favorite holiday has come and gone once again. Christmas is wonderful, Halloween is loads of fun, Easter is great, but Thanksgiving is, and will always be, my fave.

There are no presents, it's not overly commercialized, it's just a day to pause and give thanks for our many, many blessings.
It makes me mad when I see people skip over this great holiday too. I walked into Pier One back in October to be greeted by ornaments, trees and twinkling lights. Jeez! I love Christmas as much as the next gal, but respect the turkey folks!

This year we had a lot to be thankful for and we had two opportunities to celebrate little C's first Turkey Day with both my family and Mr. C's. Two celebrations stretched into three days of family, fellowship, fun, football and of course wonderful food. I was in heaven!

We ate WAY too much and got a chance to catch up on DVR recordings and some much needed sleep. All-in-all it was the perfect week/end (with one exception involving the BCS rankings...), and as sad as I am to see my favorite holiday finished, its passing means Carter's first Christmas is right around the corner!

With a mouthful of food and a naked baby in the high chair, we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

It was time for a facelift

C'mon In!

Hope you like the new layout. With the acceptance that the blog is mine more than the mister's, came the freedom to make the page a tad more me :)

Our blog isn't the only place that's received some sprucing up. We recently finished our dining room and entry...well ALMOST...I'd love new light fixtures, hardwood in the dining, an area rug and a runner, etc., but I'm sure I'll be tweaking things for the rest of our time in this house. We've paved the way, though, and it's a much improved first impression.

'before' and 'after' shots:

It was just that simple! Ha! Anyone who talked to me during this little project knows I'm kidding. Regardless, I'm glad it's done, and just in time for my favorite holiday.

We've moved!

Correction, I've moved...I mean who are we kidding? My better half is about as interested in contributing to this little project of mine as he is following international soccer!

Anyway, for the sake of practicing a little web-safety I've tried to add some anonymity to the blog by removing our surname. With as many pictures and stories as I've posted, I'm sure if anyone REALLY wanted to stalk us they could; but because I know there are far more interesting people out there, I'm not going to edit any previous posts to remove names. Going forward, however, we'll just be a C-Family...me (Mrs. C/mama C), the mister (Mr. C/papa C/C-man), and of course the little one (little C-man/ baby C/ C-monster). You get the idea :)

With a new title, I decided I needed a new (and correctly spelled!) domain, so you can now find us here (http://combinedaverage.blogspot.com/) hope that doesn't throw everyone off too badly and destroy any 'following' I've created (LOL - yea right..I'm sure I can just call the three people that read this blog and let them know :)

The story behind the title? Well, it's kind of a throw back to a previous post I did (very late at night so forgive the melancholy/over dramatic tone) about what I want to be when I grow up. In a world where we are all about extreme living, pushing boundaries, and being the best, I feel that the beauty in living a simple life has become overshadowed by a universal desire to be 'special'. In reality, though, an average life IS a beautiful thing.

Bestselling author Michael Neill says it better that I ever could with the following story...
Have an Average Day

I encourage you to follow the link, but if you don't have time to read the article, the moral of the story is, enjoying the ordinary is extraordinary, and a series of seemingly average days can have a profound positive impact on the world.

So with that, I wish all of you an average day!