MaMa Bird's Blog

Merry Christmas! It’s a Glade Gift Basket Giveaway!

So, you could say I’m a bit late on posting this giveaway, as the party I attended where we made these gorgeous gift baskets was last month. But, I would say I’m right on time! What better way to start your New Year than with freshening up your home – out with the old, in with the new!

Early in November, Anne Marie of A Mama’s Rant hosted a little get-together, sponsored by Glade, for some of the Denver-area bloggers. We had fabulous hors d’oeuvres, wine and conversation in an intimate setting at the downtown Warwick Hotel. It’s always fun to meet other bloggers who soon become friends online and IRL (in real life)!

We were then introduced to the new Glade Sense and Spray air freshener and set about making our gift baskets. One to take home and one to give away. Your basket will arrive exactly as pictured above. Delivered free by Glade! In the natural woven Ikea basket you will find not only the Glade Sense and Spray in Clean Linen scent and one refill bottle, but a cozy, cream-colored Ikea throw, a purple sleep mask, glass keepsake jar filled with hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips and marshmallows, and a ceramic mug with markers to decorate and make your own! I spared you my own attempt at decorating the mug like other bloggers did, such as Laura from LaLa Girl or even Jen Goode, the professional illustrator who doodles adorable penguins! Crafts aren’t my strong point.

To end the evening there was a drawing for the lovely Gerber daisy centerpieces, and yours’ truly won the biggest one! Danny was surprised when I came home from my Girl’s Night Out with both arms full. He was even more surprised to see how the new air freshener worked. Danny just so happens to be an air freshener connoisseur. We have more kinds of air fresheners in our house than I can keep track of. The plug-in kind, the fan-blown kind and the good old fashioned aerosol can just to name a few. He’s always in search of the latest greatest way to make the house smell great. Is that weird for a guy? Anyway, as soon as he saw how the Sense and Spray worked by use of motion detector to spray only when you walk into a room, he was smitten. A smart air freshener that runs on batteries and dispenses only when needed in just the perfect amount every time? Danny was ready to throw out all the rest. In fact, a few days later he came home from the store with another Glade Sense and Spray for our second bathroom. I was so proud. I only wish he had used the $3 off coupon that came in the box.

To win this beautiful gift basket assembled by moi, just leave a comment below. The winner will be selected at random on Saturday, December 26th, the day after Christmas. Be sure I know how to contact you to let you know you won so I can get your shipping address and you should have this baby by the first week of January!

Good luck!

9 comments December 23, 2009

Give the People What They Want!

Part of Perfect Moment Mondays…

On Saturday night, we had eight of our friends over to join us in watching the undefeated New Orleans Saints play the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints are my husband’s, and several of his friends’ home team. While the Saints flag previously adorned a snowman in October, last night it was hung proudly from our balcony, welcoming all believers in miracles inside.

Reagan gets extremely excited whenever we have guests, and last night was no exception. She was bouncing off the walls yelling “Who Dat?! Who Dat?!” all night to the encouragement of our friends. She brought every toy, blanket and thing-a-ma-bob out from her room to share, leaving them in a pile in front of the television. I could never get her to slow down enough to enjoy the scrumptious meal the rest of us gobbled throughout the evening.

Our friends, Stevie and Jennifer, prepared mouth-watering roast beef Po’ Boys with debris gravy and all the fixin’s!

I made my friend, Amber’s recipe for “Mama’s Whipped Shortbread Cookies” while the game was on. Mmmm… mmm!

And followed that with rounds of Tom & Jerry’s. A Christmas tradition in my home growing up. My parents were pretty liberal about letting us share in this “tradition.” But, only one! Still, one of my fondest memories of my Dad is watching him whip up the Tom & Jerry batter and settle into his La-Z-Boy sipping his hot toddy while watching Christmas specials with us on TV.

Because I spent all night in the kitchen, you can see I didn’t take many photos other than of, well, the food. But, I did notice sometime during the third quarter, when it looked like all hope was lost, Reagan running in and out of our bedroom carrying various gifts I had hidden in my closet and handing them out to all of our guests. I asked her what was she doing as I picked up the presents and returned them to the closet.

“Mommy!” she cried, “People want presents!”

Such the entertainer. She obviously knows what the people want. I quickly thought of the candy canes I had also hidden in my closet. I gave her the box and she happily set about distributing them, a huge grin on her face that became contagious.

If the Po’ Boys, shortbread cookies and Tom & Jerry’s weren’t enough to offset the gloom at seeing the Saints undefeated record broken, I’m sure the candy canes did the trick. And that’s what makes my little girl the “Hostess with the Mostest!”

9 comments December 21, 2009

Surprise! It’s Santa!

Here’s your shot! Santa has decided to pay a surprise visit to your preschool class. You get to sit on his lap first! He asks you “what do you want for Christmas?”

You’ve had lots of time to think about this one. After all, you’ve only visited Santa twice already at his house (Outdoor World). The first time, okay, you were caught off guard. And you drew a blank. The second time, you said “a doll,” because that’s what Mommy told you to say. Because she already bought you one. But, now’s your chance! Let him know what it is you really want!

“A candy cane?”

So nice to know my daughter is easy to please.

8 comments December 18, 2009

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

Part of Perfect Moment Mondays…

Charlie Brown would be proud. After an encouraging suggestion from my friend, Helen, I decided to do a tree this year after all. It may not look like much, but I’ve never been prouder!

When I told Reagan we were going to make her tree, her eyes lit up like Rudolph’s nose. She took one gander at the paint and poster board and wanted at it!

We spent an afternoon painting the tree and all the ornaments and the next decorating the ornaments with glitter glue and sticking them to the tree. Reagan’s excitement at having her very first Christmas tree of her own could not be contained. So glad we got it all on film.

What precious memories this tree will provide. Our plan is to laminate it and put it up every year! Along with our “real” artificial tree of course.

I bought a special nativity musical snow globe that plays “Silent Night” to place under the tree. Reagan tries to take the snow globe with her everywhere. I don’t know if I’ll be able to pack it away once Christmas is over!

Thank you to Helen for inspiring me to create our own family Christmas moment this year that is sure to be a favorite tradition for years to come no matter where we spend our holidays!

9 comments December 14, 2009

Where is Christmas?

How do you explain when Christmas is to a two-year-old? What is it and where does it come?

Right now, Reagan thinks Santa lives at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. We’ve visited him there twice. Beyond that, I can’t be sure what she understands. Except maybe that there is a tree and some big socks involved. Clearly, I have some work to do in the “what is it” department. Thankful that the “Little Drummer Boy” is on today to aid in this endeavor.

Answering “where is Christmas” hasn’t been helped by our choice not to decorate again this year. Between the fact that we’ll be spending most of the holiday in New Orleans with Danny’s family and Danny’s health the past two years and now since his back surgery, we haven’t wanted to add that stressor. And, until this year, we always figured Reagan wouldn’t notice. But, she’s noticing now. It crushed me tonight when she asked in the most innocent, little voice if she was getting a Christmas and a Christmas tree. Did I ever feel like the Ebeneezer Scrooge to her Tiny Tim.

The timing of Danny’s surgery just before the start of the holidays at Thanksgiving was unfortunate, but necessary. No bending, stooping, kneeling or lifting anything over 15lbs for six weeks. There was just no way I was going to be hauling a Christmas tree and boxes of decorations up three flights of stairs, setting up and taking down while watching a toddler all by myself. I tried to be Super Mom at Thanksgiving and am still recovering. Hence, my absence here as well. In case you were wondering. Or not.

So, I answered Reagan that Christmas is at Mawmaw and Pawpaw’s house and that there will be a tree and presents there for her when we get there. It may not be the perfect answer, but it’s one we can build upon as Reagan discovers all that is Christmas. Eventually, she will come to understand that it doesn’t really matter where you are, or if there is a tree or decorations, or presents, Christmas is always with you. Just as God’s love is always with you. And the greatest present we could ever receive is the gift of Baby Jesus on Christmas Day!

4 comments December 12, 2009

Thankful for New Beginnings

While we give thanks for what we have–family, friends, a roof over our heads and food in our bellies—in our house this year, we’re even more thankful for what we’re about to have. Because of what we’ve been given: a new lease on life. Not once. But twice. And when I say we, I mean Danny. Which through transference, also means me. By marriage. Remember that part of the vows that goes “in sickness and in health?” That part of the lease.

The first lease was taken out just over a year ago when Danny was officially proclaimed in remission from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after six long months of treatment. Recovery from treatment ended less than nine months ago, which is when it genuinely felt real. The survival rates for Lymphoma have doubled over the past 25 years because of the advances in chemotherapy, radiation and stem-cell transplantation which give Danny a great prognosis to be able to declare himself “cured” in five years!

The second lease was taken out exactly one week ago when Danny had a fairly new surgical procedure known as Lumbar Disc Replacement. Not your ordinary back surgery. So new, his surgery was played on a big screen in the surgical center auditorium for visiting doctors around the world to watch and learn from. Danny now has a hunk of titanium where one of his discs used to be. In just five more weeks, he will be completely recovered from surgery and able to do things he hasn’t been able to do since his 20’s when he first injured himself. Almost 20 years he has suffered, often out of commission one week out of every month since we first married eight years ago. He’s promised me that the monthly back spasms starting around the same time we got married have nothing to do with the proverbial “ball and chain,” if that’s what you’re thinking. So there.

As happenstance would have it, Danny turns 40 this Friday. The big 4-0. The convergence of his new lease on life with a possible mid-life crisis might have other wives worried. But, not me. I know what’s most on Danny’s mind is the prospect of being the husband and father he wants to be. He dreams of rolling around on the floor with Reagan, tossing her up in the air, teaching her to snowboard and father-daughter dances. He woos me with the promise of taking on additional responsibilities around the house to give me more of a break. Just the idea of Danny cleaning bathtubs and toilets, hanging shelves and laying tile has me all weak in the knees. He throws around tackling my “500-tasks-long Honey-do list” like it’s an aphrodisiac. Tip for all the men reading this: IT IS.

And finally, in just a few short months Danny should be cleared medically by the FAA to return to flying for Frontier Airlines again. We are thankful that this day is so near after two very difficult years of struggling physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Here’s to a bright and healthy 2010!
Happy Thanksgiving!

3 comments November 26, 2009

Stairway to Freedom

This past Friday night we reached a mile-stone in our home. We took a giant step towards trust; embracing the disasters that are sure to result but are now part of grinning and bearing it through childhood. And after what happened just eight months ago, you might think we’re crazy.

With a curious little climber on our hands, a baby gate at the base of our stairs that led to our loft was a necessity. Even before Reagan could walk, she was determined to pull herself up that staircase as part of her daily exploration of her new surroundings. Before she could accomplish that goal, we had a sturdy, steel gate installed that we were sure would keep her safe from harm for years to come. Our greatest fear was the thought of her helplessly tumbling down that staircase and nothing we could do to stop it. On March 15, 2008, our fears were realized.

Reagan was dressed in her comfy, fleece, rubber-footed jammies and giving me a kiss good-night as I sat at my desk working in the loft. Danny was taking her to bed and they were at the top of the stairs as I spun around in my chair to get back to work. The next thing I heard will be forever imprinted in my memory. Danny let out a huge GASP! And then there was a thump, thump, thumpity-thump over and over again as if a watermelon had just rolled down the stairs. Reagan had started down the stairs before Danny could get a hold of her hand and had fallen at the first step. I looked back in horror at what I had just heard. I saw Danny running down the stairs after her. “OH MY GOD!” I don’t remember who said it first. It was after what seemed like the longest pause in history that we heard Reagan, now lying on the landing looking up at us as we rushed towards her, let out a whale that pierced both my eardrums and my heart. I already had the phone in my hand calling “911” as I scooped her up and tried to talk to the dispatcher at the same time. I had to hand Reagan off to Danny to complete the call. My heart was pounding and I know there was fear in my voice as I could hear my daughter screaming for me, “Mommy, mommy!” I couldn’t get off that phone soon enough.

The paramedics arrived within 10 minutes of my phone call, and just after Reagan had finally calmed down and stopped crying. She didn’t seem to mind a bit that there were now six hunky firemen all standing over her asking questions and examining her. She has always adored men. Whenever a man enters our home she immediately warms up to them and has them wrapped around her little finger within minutes. It was no different with the firemen. She was pouring on all of her charm. This was far better than going to bed. Especially the ride in the ambulance to the emergency room. She loved every minute of it. After a few hours of observation, Reagan was released. Not a scratch on her.

Since then, it has been impressed upon Reagan never to walk up or down the stairs without first having a hold of one of our hands. She herself has made sure of this. We recently taught her how to scoot down the stairs on her bottom and this is now her preferred method. However, being the climber that she is, she could now scale that gate quicker than we could stop her. The gate was no longer an impediment to her, only to us as it slowed us down. It was time to get rid of it. Wow. Now there was nothing in between Reagan and our fear of a repeat of the night of March 15th. It felt scary, but also liberating as I watched Reagan holding the gate and Danny unscrew it from the wall. At first, she was troubled by seeing it go. “My gate, my gate!” she cried. It didn’t take long before she realized her new found freedom.

The next morning I was on the phone when Reagan raced up the stairs, relishing the liberty to explore at will. I soon followed after her, the phone still to my ear. She met me at the top of the staircase, a red marker in one hand, the other outstretched at me. “Stop! Move away. Move away!” She shouted. This wasn’t good. I needed to finish up on the phone and see what mischief had been wrought. A few minutes later I was in the loft beholding Reagan’s handiwork. Oh, the horror! We’d been “tagged!” Red embellishments on the carpet, window sill, furniture and as many toys as she could get her hands on. All in the space of ten minutes! I wrestled the red marker from her hand as she tried to continue decorating my office chair. Her little wooden pull-toy train, my biggest disappointment. Here it is AFTER I did my best to clean it up with rubbing alcohol. There have been other mini-disasters since involving Play-doh. But, I won’t go into those now.

Now that Reagan has marked her territory, we are establishing new boundaries. And that seems to be how it is. An ebb and flow of opening gates and setting up new ones. I’m sure we’ll be trying to keep Reagan from scaling those new gates every step of the way too.

7 comments November 16, 2009

Weathering the Storms for 8 Years Now

Eight years ago today, Danny and I said “I do” under a hot desert sun and embarked upon a journey that had already been set off course by the events of 9/11 just two months earlier. Danny was immediately furloughed from his job as a pilot and called to active duty with his Air Force C-130 unit in Colorado Springs. He reported for duty as soon as we returned from our honeymoon in Lake Tahoe. He was to serve six months on base and six months abroad. As newlyweds, knowing we had to be apart for six months was torture, but we didn’t have to be apart the other six. And just like that, we were selling our home in Arizona to set sail for Colorado. The plan was simple: start over.

By the time Danny’s year of duty was up, he had been called back to his job flying out of St. Louis for a commuter airline. What a relief! However, I was finding it wasn’t so simple to start your career up again in a new place where you knew no one, there was a recession on, and there were 200 applicants for every one job. Maybe we should’ve investigated this a bit more before we jumped ship back in the desert? There was only one thing to do. Move to St. Louis. And start over.

Life was finally moving along. Danny no longer had to commute from Denver to St. Louis for work as he had been, and I found a good job in the city. We were ready to settle in and start our family. Apparently, Al-Qaeda was to have a say in this too though, because no sooner than we started skipping down the yellow brick road did Danny get called up again. Six months in Colorado Springs; six months in Qatar. One year away from me. We made it work. I found a new job as a contractor where I could set my own hours. I flew out to Colorado two weekends a month and just before Danny was to do a 3-month stint flying in and out of war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, we got pregnant. And though he missed my first trimester, and we lived in two different states for the second, he was home for the third and most important part, the birth of our daughter in February 2007. What a great time to… START OVER!

Reagan was just six months old when we moved back to Colorado. Danny had achieved his ultimate goal: to fly for Frontier Airlines. It was exactly one month between his hiring and our move, during which time Danny was in training in Denver while I sold the house, packed it and boarded a plane with our newborn. It was the most stressful time I had ever been through and I thought I was near having a nervous breakdown. Now I know that was only God preparing me for what was the real stress to come. On Reagan’s first birthday, Danny was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The reset button had just been pressed again.

If you’ve been following this blog, you know that Danny is now cancer-free and waiting to be cleared by the FAA to return to work at Frontier. The Air Force is deciding whether to let him re-train in a new position (read desk job) or declare him medically-retired as the chemotherapy damaged his heart to where he is now considered “undeployable,” and can no longer fly for them. After thinking I had retired from my career in graphic design to be a full-time mom, I was suddenly looking for work again as soon as Danny had recovered from his treatment and could care for Reagan.

While this may not be the life we planned on, we’ve learned to be thankful for our blessings amidst the storms. And, there have been many. The two biggest being the birth of our daughter and of course, Danny conquering cancer. We figure with as much as we’ve weathered together in this first eight years, it should be all smooth sailing from here.

14 comments November 10, 2009

The Bestest Weekend Ever

As if Halloween the day before wasn’t enough of a treat, Reagan and I had a mommy-daughter day out last Sunday. We headed to Denver City park to soak up the sunshine and 60º temps after three days of snow had finally blown through and left a beautiful, white, sparkly blanket behind. There were snowballs and snow-angels still to be made! Reagan enjoyed building a mini-snowman as much as the usual playground fare of swings and slides. She innocently ran after squirrels, trying to share her Goldfish crackers with them and sending them darting up trees like quicksilver. Eventually she gained their trust and they gobbled up the brightly-colored fishies to Reagan’s delight.

There was a Farmer’s Market going on at the park and we caught up with it just before they started breaking down for the afternoon. Reagan had her first corn tamale and we brought home an organic pecan pie. Has to be the best pecan pie I’ve ever tasted!

Across the street from the park is the Tattered Cover bookstore where we ended our afternoon. Reagan immediately demanded to know where the Dora and SpongeBob books were. Clearly, she has great taste in authors. We eventually found the Dora books, after playing with blocks and hand puppets in the winsome kid’s theater under a brightly painted sky. I don’t think Reagan even noticed that SpongeBob hadn’t contributed much in the literary department. She had such a great time she has asked me several times since when we were going back to the “storebook.”

We took a leisurely stroll back to the car, hand-in-hand, crunching brown, red and yellow leaves under our feet and sad that our day had to come to an end. At home, Reagan would not let go of me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and looked into my eyes. They beamed brightly as she said to me, “Mommy, my best friend.” And my heart melted. Yep. It was the bestest weekend ever.

7 comments November 6, 2009

An American Tradition Continued

It may have been Halloween, but this weekend was anything but scary. The amount of joy it brought to our maiden Trick-or-Treater to become a pumpkin and run from house to house, hand-in-hand with her likewise newly-initiated little friends was immeasurable. I could feel that same excitement exuding from her that I first felt as far back as I can remember knowing that on this one night of the year, the disappearing sun would set into motion a fantastical children’s play in which every child held the starring role. Every time a door opened, it was your curtain call. Your chance to shine and then be rewarded for how clever, cute or purposefully creepy you were. And then, of course there was the fun of reveling in your spoils; so much so that you’d have a stomachache for weeks on end. And so it was, that an American tradition was set in motion for another generation this weekend.

Reagan insisted on posing with her cousin, Jack, before leaving the house: