THE PAGE IS RIPPED OUT!

Wouldn't it be nice if they sent you home from the hospital with a parenting manual? The manual was foolproof, error proof and promised 100% satisfaction guarantee or you could send them back or get an even exchange?

No, none of us wants to send our children back, but there are day when we wonder how things are going to turn out. I feel that this "manual" I posses has a few pages ripped out. The pages that explain the following:

• How to get your child to listen.
• How to get your child to stop arguing with you.
• How to get your child to sleep through the night.
• How to get your child to eat more than his 5 basic food groups--milk, hot dogs, string cheese, bananas, and cereal.

Are your pages missing too?

Here's how I rationalize that I'm doing the job the best I can and they won't be messed up someday. When I holler, I hear my mother's voice. I believe I turned out fine, so I must be doing things correctly. My own mother's voice being projected from my own frightens me, but also provides comfort. I once thought that she had it all wrong--putting clean clothes in the wash wasn't a problem. I wasn't being disrespectful when I talked back, I was de-fending myself. My room wasn't a mess, she could vacuum around all the clean clothes on the floor just as well as I could--but I was too busy. Huh? With what? I wasn't watching too much tv--I didn't need to get outside and play. She was a waitress. My waitress.

My all time favorite complaint of my mother was when she threatened to change her name. It always confused me why she wanted to do that. Now I know. Mom. Mom! MOM. MOM! MAAAAAAM! Only to be told when responding. "Awe, nothin."

What I didn't understand was my mother's manual was missing pages too. She was in the process of writing her own.

I wouldn't change it. Some days being MAAAAAAM! is the toughest job in the world. Those days I feel that I've failed, and wished I could have done better. But there is greater satisfaction in those tough days. Once the kids are fast asleep and the house is quiet, the reward of recharging my batteries seems so much better. Then we start again the next day--some days are a repeat of the day before, but more often than not, they are better.

So my mom's manual to raising children is now complete. It would be really easy if she just handed it over to me. Instead, she watches me write my own. Mine is far from complete, and I am sure there are going to be a few pages that I'd like to delete. Thus far, my chapter titles include, Kids are not robots. Kids can't be controlled. Kids can be difficult to understand. Kids love to test limits.

However, I just have to remember to "stay the course" as Scott tells me and to love them endlessly. They won't be babies for long, or even pre-schoolers for long. One day we'll be able to see that we parented well by writing our own and not following someone else's manual.

$99-$1.75=$97.25 to go

Have you seen this?

If you have not seen this or even heard it as you walk through Target lately, consider yourself lucky. It's all Henry talks and dreams about lately. On Monday when he got home from school there were a few "kid" friendly pieces of mail--Highlights and a Fischer Price catalog. I left them out on the counter for Hen to look at when he got home. What I expected was an excited little boy who would look through the toys and set it aside like everything else. What I didn't expect was for him to find this BigFoot Monster and spend the next 48 hours obsessing about it. For the first few hours it was begging, followed by whining. Finally, an action plan was created. If I could earn $$ then I can buy this monster.

REWIND:

Every cent Henry had found lying around in the last 6 weeks has been spent at the Target dollar section, with the exception of a few quarters at the YMCA vending machine, I know a bit counter productive. No matter how much we talk about saving the money, he insists on spending the money.

FAST FORWARD to PRESENT TIME

For the past 48 hours, I have not had to peel him away from the vending machine at the Y nor did we have to even look through the dollar section during our grocery shop.

He's all about save, save, save.

He's all about How can I earn some money.

He's all about What jobs can I do for you?

He's all about independence and You've showed me how to do this, now I can do it by myself.

Yesterday afternoon he had to watch this DVD episode: Berenstain Bears Trouble with Money. He wanted some ideas for jobs (he no longer refers to them as chores.) The bears do several jobs and set up several stands (lemonade, flower, honey) in effort to earn money for Air Bear Jackets. As they earn money the annoy their parents because they expect a quarter for everything. They annoy their friends because they no longer want to play. In the end, they earn enough money for the jackets, but use the money to buy less expensive jackets and then host a party for their friends.

I'm not expecting a party.

I'm not expecting to take out the trash for a while...

or needing to match socks for weeeeks!

I'm expecting he'll talk about this BigFoot Monster for a long time.

(He is his father's son and his grandfather's grandson.)

(I'm hoping he forgets about BigFoot.)

I invision this BigFoot being played with for an hour then being dumped like a lot of other toys.

But every boy deserves to dream, and I don't want to discourage but encourage. I believe in planning and carrying a plan to the end if it's something you strongly desire. So I'll find jobs, refuse to refold laundry, and help my boy achieve his dream.

a year of firsts

a first night

a first week

a first month

a first bottle

a first smile

a first giggle

a first sleep-through-the-night

a first roll-over

a first crawl

a first pulled-himself-up

a first furniture walk

a first word

Today my little man turns 1, and is a day of celebration. I've enjoyed the first hour of my day snuggling and playing on the floor with Harrison, relishing in the fact that he's here. I am grateful that I have this day to celebrate with my child.

Reflecting back on a year ago, we were just beginning our day of induction and waiting for a healthy arrival of a baby. I am still so very grateful of Sherry and the greatest gift she has given our family. On the day of Harrison's birthday, I journaled all day about everything that was going on around me. The one line I wrote, over and over was I can't believe she's doing this for me. The amazing quiet strength she had that day never ceases to amaze me. She's beautiful from the inside out. Today in my heart, I celebrate Sherry and what she has done for me.

At the moment, Harrison and I wait for Henry to awake. We have no big plans during the day today, but I'm feeling moved to let the boys decide something fun to do together this morning. The only plan I have today is to celebrate Harrison!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy! I love you!

Fall, A time for Change

Happy September! This is a long one. So if you don't have your morning coffee or if you are running low, go get filled up. I'll wait...

I feel like the Minnesota weather went from hot and unbearably humid to brisk in the blink of an eye. I have a feeling that a hot day or two isn't unreasonable to expect yet in this great state, so I am mentally preparing myself that our fall preview is just that, a preview. Yet, I've embraced this invigorating weather because it's refreshing. AND! I love the change in wardrobe. I love to wear shorts and long sleeves, pull out my favorite black sweats (shhh....I've worn them for 3 days in a row, taking them off just long enough to wash on Sunday morning) and sport the sweaters. I am a sweater girl at heart. I own maybe 2 sweatshirts, and they are both grey.

I also really love our annual trip to the apple orchard, Minnesota Harvest. I'm really bumming a bit knowing that they are closing at the end of the season. Guess they made a financial commitment to sell the land to developers a few years ago and this is their farewell season. Apparently they've already sold a lot of things so it's mainly just apples this year. In years past we love the petting zoo, hay rides and drooling over the bakery items. Not sure what's there, but the paper article made it sound like a "ghost town." There are plenty of orchards, but this one was so close to our house and we really enjoyed what it had to offer.

I'm really excited to take out the fall decor that I have, but I'm not going to do so yet. Like I said, I think we're in for a couple hot days yet. When I pull out the pumpkins and goblins and dump my potted plants, I want fall to be here to stay. I have the itch to decorate with every seasonal change. This time, I am focusing on my mantel in the living room. It's a mess. Here take a peek.

It's seriously an eye sore. I need to update some of the photos in the frame and find a new home for the frames. I heard from that Nate guy who appears on Oprah that your home is a reflection of who you are and where you have been. Well, this is a mess. It would tell you all that I've been no where but collecting videos. Because what you can't see very well is a partial collection of our dvds on the left. I have two scenic pictures in frames (I guess those pictures reflect our trip to Italy. I forgot that I once did adult things. I even got engaged there. I should tell you that story sometime.) that should be hanging on the wall but Mr. Harrison likes to pull them down. This is the best spot that I can find that he can't reach...yet.

Have I mentioned that he's been climbing everywhere! If there isn't a stool to boost him up, he will cleverly find something to drag over and help him get his job done. I try my best to shower when he's napping, but if he's not, I lock him in the bathroom with me. One day last week, he boosted himself up on the toy container onto the toilet. It was there that I busted him trying to lift himself up onto either the toilet tank or countertop, I forget. I couldn't believe my eyes! He's also figured out how to open the gate at the bottom of our steps. Now, not only do we have a gate, but we also have an ottoman blocking the gate entrance.

NO, he's not wearing a dress, I just forgot how much work it is to button all the snap on pant legs on a squirmy wormy baby. I like to think I pick and choose my battles. This one I like to frequently let him feel he's won. The poor babe gets told no an awful lot these days. As he's climbing, he's trying to reach for things that are not his--my phone, the computer, Henry's stuff (it seems to always be Henry's stuff--I hear a lot of Hey Mom, watch my stuff. Don't let Harrison get those, okay? Shortly followed by frustrated sounds of ehh ehh ehh whhhaaaa!!! as Harrison attempts to check things out), remotes--things that he sees everyone using and he'd like to try too.

This weekend we visited the state fair. We haven't been there in a few years and this year we decided to make the trip. We've befriended this lovely couple at church that are retired (for the most part) and own The Old Mill at the state fair. So that was the sole purpose of going to the fair. We made that our first stop, and sadly I didn't take any pictures of this highlight, but we got a ride and a behind the scenes tour of the mill. Best of all, we got to meet John and Marna's children who live out of state. John is the man who always gives Henry a quarter after church. Actually, for a long time now, he has increased his donation to a dollar. Henry loves John's high fives and Marna's sweet hugs. We love John and Marna because they appreciate chatter and movement of little ones during church.

(Speaking of church, we received a letter in the mail this weekend that our pastor of 12 years is being sent to another parish next summer. I am really bumming as he is just a wonderful person who was played such an instrumental role at such a difficult time in our lives.)

We didn't eat much (fries, pickle on a stick, and root beer) at the fair--hard to believe, I know. But we did spend some time playing games.

We were not a winner of one of the huge stuffed animals (I really wanted Henry to win one. Scott said we actually did win because we didn't have to drag one of them around the fair.) This was actually the highlight of our fair experience...

the giant slide!!

Another big change around here. My hair. I likely! I have been obsessing about hair these last few weeks as search for a new do. The more I looked, the more I realized everything looks the same. I am so over the stacked in the back or angled toward the front. I look back and I had that cut when I was in the hospital with Henry. That was almost four years ago! I am told short hair is in, but really, I'm waiting for the new style to accompany the trend.

I literally was nauseous while Jean was cutting my hair. I was trying to figure out if it was the fact that I only had coffee in my stomach or if it was because I was actually cutting my hair off. I worked all summer to sport the ponytail and didn't know if I was ready to cut it off yet. However, I know that I am a short haired girl. I have be s-t-rugglin for months, feeling blah with my hair. Knowing all along that I was the short haired girl trapped under all that hair.

Here's me with bed head this morning as I write this entry.

Oh yea, I turn another year older too this week. Today, actually. Looking forward to this "surprise" my sister is bringing over tonight. I think it might be sweet tasting with a creamy texture. We had babysitters on Friday night. They made this "MOM" cake with the boys. Isn't that sweet? They're the best!

And this little stinker turns 1 on Thursday.

That's it for now. Enjoy this blustery day if you live in my neck of the woods.

Jen

Elmer's Glue is good for your hair

I am just so pumped today! Last night's activity officially marked the highlight of my summer! For the past 4 summers, I can recall the highlight of each summer.

2007--my disbelief as I stared at a positive pregnancy test in the middle of NYC

2008--riding as a guest passenger with and Eden Prairie police officer/neighbor/friend

2009--waiting for Harrison to be born (which I keep reflecting back to this week because the little squirt turns one next week! Last year at this time, Henry & I spent the week at Sherry's house waiting...and waiting...and waiting

and....

drumroll please....

2010--LADY GAGA!

All I have to say is amazing! I was still dancing this morning in my jams with the biggest smile on my face. The music was awesome because she writes her own lyrics and promises her fans that she will forever do so. I lost track of how many wardrobe changes she made last night, but I think it was around 12 times. The 24 year old has a rockin' body! She's the only girl on the planet that can walk around in her bra and underwear like it's formalwear. She has some of the friendliest fans I have ever encountered. Why shouldn't she? She sent some of the most empowering messages about letting yourself be free and unashamed of who you are. I tried to remember things verbatim as she was saying them but I honestly can't remember. But I do know that if she walks into a bar, she has promised to buy us all drinks.

Here's a little fun Stacey and I had before the concert started. We found as many crazy dressed people that we could spot on the way to our seat. Here's a few of our favorites. Sorry for the dark pictures, I took them on my phone and they didn't transfer well to the computer. Here's our version of "Where's Waldo".

Where's Stacey?

Yea, I'm not so crazily dressed, but here's a pic of us.

Umm...Stacey isn't in this picture. And that's a flower covering her eye. I'm not sure how she could see where she was going.

This is our favorite group! The chic in her bra has beer cans doubing as rollers.

Granny in an animal print (quite) revealing dress. But she was definitely rockin' it.

This dude was working for Virgin Mobile and Stacey filled out like 1,000 ballots with the hope that we would get a call from Gaga during the show and be invited backstage.

AND GUESS WHAT?!?!? WE didn't WIN!

We sat next to Steve and Ben. What's with the lab coats, guys?

Alright, now what would a Greatest Gift post be without a few pictures of my little stinkers. Earlier in the day yesterday, Harrison kept blending in so well with his toys, I actually took these pictures with the whole idea of "Where's Waldo"

Where's Harrison?

And he's most recently learned to cry/whine to get what he wants. Here he was not happy with Henry. I'm trying to ignore the cry/whine thing lately with the hope that it will die down a bit.

Let's just say it was short-lived. We live for these kind of smiley moments at the Polman household.

Hope you had a great Wednesday! I'll leave you with one final thought...

rah, rah, ah, ah, ah, roma, roma, ma, ma, Gaga, oh, la, la