The Battery Charge

When we talk about Noah, we often speak in machine language. He is quick to putter out and will often plop his head on our shoulder when he's getting tired, to which my husband and I lovingly reply "Uh-oh looks like the battery is running low."

Today, the battery was fully charged, and I took to opportunity to prove to the world or actually maybe just to myself, that with a little motivation, Noah could accomplish what I have so longed to watch him do.

Watch with me:

Missing a Milestone

When I had Noah, I accepted that there would be some milestones in his life that would be a little bittersweet for me. I thought about how much more advanced he would be, and how difficult that would be to deal with. I never dreamed that 10 months later, I would be puzzled to find out that Noah is actually more behind than Elijah was at his age.

Other babies born in May have long since sat up, my baby boy just doesn't want to. At 10 months old, most babies are crawling, some even walking. My baby seems to be content being immobile. I have to say, it's kind of terrified me as I have really questioned my parenting abilities. Is there something wrong with me?

Last Wednesday 2 of Elijah's therapists came for a home visit, and I reluctantly had to ask for help with Noah. They found that he is behind and that he would need to have a therapist come out for him each week as well. This devastated me.

I don't know why exactly, maybe it's the time that would cut into my week, maybe it's the extra paperwork, the extra stress. Or maybe, if I was really truly being honest with myself it was because I was hoping that for ONCE I could have a normal child. Isn't that an awful thing to even think? But sometimes, it's how I feel.

I'm drowning in doctor appointments, and therapists, and splint specialists, and orthopedic consultants, and surgeries, hospitals, and tests. The last thing I wanted was one more person telling me what to do, and what I was doing wrong.

But when you get down to the real heart of it, there is seriously nothing in this world that I would not do for my little boy. And as much as I HATE to admit defeat, his ability to thrive is so much more important than my pride. I am writing this blog to encourage you, if you're a parent that is little by little watching your baby miss milestones, or at your witt's end with what to do next, don't be afraid to ask for help. It sucks, it's hard, it's real, but your baby is worth it.

Finding the humor in healthcare.

So instead of writing a blog on the extremely controversial healthcare bill that was just passed, I wanted to address something slightly more... silly about it. That would be, people's reactions to it on facebook. Last night when it was passed, I scanned through all my friend's updates and so many of them wrote quite humorous things. Actually, they were trying to be serious, but I found them humorous.

My favorite update would have to be "Great, welcome communism" (I think they meant socialism). While I think everyone is entitled to their own political convictions, I still find humor in the way that people choose to express them. This morning I came acrossed the group " 1 million facebook users against the new healthcare plan." Like O'bama is going to sign into his facebook account, see that there are 1 million facebook users against his bill and suddenly he will see the light and withdraw the bill.

When Obama was elected I took to facebook to see people's reactions. I was susprised to hear theories about the Apacolypse and the End of Days. Now I understand when your guy loses that you're not thrilled, but Obama the anti-christ? I don't know if I'd give him THAT much credit.

I just find it funny how dramatic people can be, especially on facebook. And how, they can be worried about what this world is coming to then 10 hours later update their status about this fabulous pair of shoes they just got. Funny.

The Witching Hour

There is a certain time in the Warkentin home- around 5pm, when everything turns to chaos and I just about want to pull my hair out. It's called "The Witching Hour".

Every family has one, I am convinced. It's when the kids start their meltdown temper tantrums and time-out becomes a permanent home. It's where all the stress and tension of the day snowball into an out of control mess.

That particular time of day is my least favorite. There are a lot of things expected of me as a mom, a wife, a woman during that time. And I am afraid I don't always meet up to standards. Dinner is almost always accompanied by some child rolling around on the floor whining, or another insistant that I hold them. How am I supposed to get anything done?

I don't know, but it's the time of day I find myself asking more times than I should "When is bedtime?"

Don't hate me, but.....

Okay so I am writing this blog in risk of getting seriously made fun of, but.....

I just checked out the new Jason Castro CD and, actually, it's pretty good. Before you judge me, check it out for yourself: Particularly "That's what I'm here for"

http://www.jasoncastromusic.com/album/lets-just-fall-in-love-again/

Erin Thoughts- March 9th, 2010

*My Grandmother turns 80 years old tomorrow, I hope I am as lively as her when I'm 80.
I'm pretty sure I will be.

*I just saw Shutter Island this weekend. It was good. But the one question it left me with is how many years HAS it been since Leo did Titanic? Because he looks like he's aged 20. And not in a good way.

* I admire the old pioneers because I am really awful at hanging my clothes on a line.

*It's the Chinese year of the Tiger, which makes me want to sing "Eye of the Tiger", which makes me want to play Guitar Hero.

*I actually like Windows Vista, somehow that makes me feel like a villain with a long curly black mustache.

*Is there some sort of radio conspiracy in Redding? Did they all get together and mutually decide to ONLY play christian music or country music? What if you don't like either?

*I miss Conan. There is an empty hole in my heart where he used to be. Come back to me Coney, come back.

*I really want a new dresser because mine is broken and therefor is unusable. But I secretly wonder, if I spend the money on a fancy new dresser, will I still keep all my clothes in a pile on the floor?

The End of an Era

If you're from Redding, you know about Discovery Village. If you're a Redding die-hard, you will remember that the summer of 2000 when it opened, it was the most happening spot in town. Anyone who was anyone was there, dressed to impress, sipping a frappuccino or a jamba juice.


10 years later, it is now a desolate area, inhabited only by teenagers and people who need directions back on to the freeway. So naturally, I wasn't too surprised when I heard that Starbucks was closing the Dana Drive store for good. Not surprised, but a little sad.


A flood of emotions came when I heard the news. I thought about the first date I had with Tim, sitting in it's crowded foyer. I thought about how I moonlighted as a barista at the Dana Drive Starbucks, where I slung coffee beans for a year and a half. I thought about how Tim came in with a guitar and serenaded me in front of a huge crowd at Starbucks. I thought about how I randomly ran into a group of Canadians that I knew when I was a kid, just sitting in the oversized chairs. What were the odds?


So many memories surround the Bucks on Dana Drive that I will indeed be tearful when it closes it's doors forever. What are YOUR Dana Drive memories?

One Car Blues

There is nothing more difficult than having one car and a husband who has the strangest schedule.

It means that you have to wake your kids up just to have the car. And after they have screamed in that car for a half hour while you drive to the grocery store to get MUCH NEEDED things, who wants to actually go in? Not me.

Boo one car, I miss the 2 car days.

The Bachelor Night

So I've been watching the Bachelor since I was 18. Ofcourse I took a hiatus over a few seasons, but I've come back to be a loyal follower. Why do you ask? It's not really because I am shallow and like trash TV.

I think it's because the monotony of my week can really get to me. The laundry, the dirty diapers, the constant smell of boy. Monday nights are the worst because you know you have 4 more days left of it. Of course, The Bachelor, like most feminine things, is not tolerated in my house.

So one night Skapes invited me over to watch it and thus: Monday night Bachelor night was born. A whole 2 hours of free time where I can just sit and chat, paint my nails, have a glass of wine... just be a girl. Is there anything more divine? So you see, tonight being the season finale of the Bachelor is a very sad thing. Not really because of the show, but because of my free Monday nights.

Jake- you better make the right decision. Tenley is the ONLY decision. Enough said.