My baby is almost 4!!

Where did all this time go? Although Liam's terrible two's started much too early and stayed much too late, I believe he has really turned the corner. In a month he will 4 and he is changing every day (for the better) in little ways that I can see. Is it possible that now, once again, after two very tumultuous years, I'm falling in love with my little peanut all over again? He is the sweetest little boy. Hugs and kisses me all day long, tells me he loves me all the time, blows kisses at me when I drop him off at school (I know this will change so now I'll just relish in it), and at night when we put him to sleep.

His teacher could not be more pleased with him and the changes she's seen in the past year. From this shy little boy to now a little boy with friends, who uses his words, is bossy at times, more self-confident. I couldn't ask for more. Except more of the same.

I have to admit, we are a very tight unit in our home. It was evident the other day as the three of us somehow found ourselves, one after the other, in the shower together, playing basketball after a day out in the yard. Sometimes I wonder if we are too close and whether or not it would have been good to adopt. But now finally feeling some consistently good behavior from Liam we are finally feeling relieved. I'd be too afraid to take that risk and mess things up for any of us and watch him slide. At least I can admit that we don't want to take that risk and we are okay with that. Even at the expense of giving up my longtime hopes of having a family of four. I am slowly making peace with it. And while not all there yet, I am truly lucky to have what I have - a wonderful, truly happy marriage to the love of my life, my soul partner, and a child that loves me affectionately every day. To not consider myself truly lucky would be spitting in the face of the universe. I am a happy momma.

Stained Glass Class

Four weeks ago I started taking a stained glass making class. It has been something I've wanted to try to see if it was a hobby I'd want to pursue long term. After four weeks I can say I do. I thought I'd want to only do it in a class and I wouldn't do it at home, but after a couple of weeks I couldn't wait to the next class. So I am sad that my last class will be this Wednesday and the intermediate class won't be offered again until November. So I will start doing this at home. I will have to get materials (which will be greatly less expensive than Jay's). We couldn't afford two expensive hobbies. But it will be nice to have a little shop alongside Jay's in the garage.

While it is not as dangerous as I thought, cutting glass is a science. It has taken me three weeks to learn how to "hear the sizzle" in the cutting. But breaking for my little hands is harder, so I use the pliers. I guess I don't trust myself yet to either break it right or to not cut my hands in cutting the glass. I have ended up with sliced thumbs due to grinding rough edges and cuts due to carelessly handling the glass. I will be learning to solder this week and I'm excited.

I already have so many projects in mind - Buddhist mandalas, prayer flags, architectural pieces for my oddly shaped windows. But first things first, I have to finish my piece and bring it home this week. I am very excited.

Playground for Liam

I continually am astounded by the love of my life, Jay, in so many ways. Where do I begin? The amazing love for his little boy propelled him to think of building him a playset in our backyard. Of course, because my husband does NOTHING on a small scale, he took it upon himself to use a computer program, Sketch Up (the creativity and ability to learn anything), to draft a beautiful plan for this playset. It included two, two story towers, a bridge that joins them with swing set underneath it, a long, professional slide, climbing walls, internal ladders, and more. Three months later, he has amazed me again by actually having built three fourths of it. Every weekend and practically every night has been spent building it (which leads to my love of his determination, love, and perseverance to seeing something through- not to mention the quality he values most- being a man of his word). And can I say that the playset has already exceeded my expectations. As he always does. Liam said, "Mommy, that is not a playset, that's a playground." That sums it up. His craftsmanship and the seriousness to which he brings to everything he places his hands on further brings beauty and grace to our lives. I am ever so spoiled to have him in my life every day. I never have and never will take it for granted. I am a lucky, lucky woman!!

Books I've Read

Books Read (2008-Present):

Fiction

1. Breakable You by Brian Morton – 07-26-09
2. Olive Kitteridge: Fiction by Elizabeth Strout – 07-18-09
3. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer – 06-19-09
4. The Year of Pleasures: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg - '09
5. Open House: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg - '09
6. The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg - '09
7. The Knitting Circle: A Novel by Ann Hood - '09
8. The Killing Game (Eve Duncan) by Iris Johansen - '09
9. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
10. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
11. Looking for Rachel Wallace by Robert B. Parker
12. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
13. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
14. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
15. Belong to Me: A Novel by Marisa De Los Santos
16. The Beach House: A Novel by Jane Green
17. Second Chance by Jane Green
18. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
19. The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
20. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
21. The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
22. The House on Fortune Street: A Novel (P.S.) by Margot Livesey
23. The Condition: A Novel (P.S.) by Jennifer Haigh
24. Night and Day (Jesse Stone) by Robert B. Parker
25. Perish Twice (Sunny Randall) by Robert B. Parker
26. Spare Change (Sunny Randall) by Robert B. Parker
27. Now and Then (Spenser) by Robert B. Parker
28. Stranger in Paradise (Jesse Stone Novels) by Robert B. Parker
29. High Profile (Jesse Stone) by Robert B. Parker
30. The Heretic's Daughter: A Novel by Kathleen Kent
31. Run: A Novel by Ann Patchett
32. Family History: A Novel by Dani Shapiro
33. On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
34. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
35. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel by Lisa See
36. Sister of My Heart: A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
37. Vine of Desire: A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
38. Queen of Dreams by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
39. Arranged Marriage: Stories by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
40. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
41. Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry
42. Starting out in the Evening by Brian Morton
43. Still Life by Louise Penny
44. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
45. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
46. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
47. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
48. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
49. The Writing Circle by Corinne Demas
50. The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell
51. The Summer We Fell Apart by Robin Antalek
52. After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell
    

Non-Fiction

1. Raising Your Spirited Child Rev Ed: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
2. Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child : Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries (Paperback) by Robert J. MacKenzie Ed.D.
3. The Pocket Parent by Gail Reichlin
4. Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool by Hal Edward Runkel
5. The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them by Elaine Aron
6. Between Parent and Child: The Bestselling Classic That Revolutionized Parent-Child Communication by Dr. Haim G. Ginott