A Lesson in Crawfish
L&S,
Leslie
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Day in Bama
We spent last Saturday in Birmingham for Rachel's baby shower and Whitney Davis's wedding reception. We spent the time between the two at Uncle Scott and Aunt Brittany's playing with Carly Elise.
With My Munner
Four Generations
She who never took her own paci spent the day trying to steal Carly's. (It was ok because Carly simply stole Tucker's juice cup in return. ha)
I don't think Scott will EVER be able to legitimately claim that's not his daughter - spitting image!!!
"Ha Ha, Mommy! Look what I got!!!"
L&S,
Leslie
Easter 2009
Please note she does not simply have her eyes closed in this picture. She fell asleep leaning back on my knees about 2 seconds after Will and Ashley left. :-) Too cute!
L&S,
Leslie
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A New Approach
I've never been one to have a multitude of "best friends" outside my family. I have definitely had best friends here and there through different periods of my life, but my lifelong best friends remain family -- Mama, Drew, Mandy, Munner, Nan...
There have been times when I have contemplated this point and wondered, "Is it because I'm a bad friend? Am I selfish or 'too much'?" Of course, there may have been times when that was true, but generally when I look at a friendship that has fallen by the wayside, I find that on the contrary, I haven't been uninvolved or disinterested. I haven't called only when I needed something. I find that most of the time, I have made much effort at keeping in touch, only to be left with a very one-sided friendship.
Having been left with almost a handful of one-sided friendships over the last few years, I have found that they are really quite exhausting. It's disheartening to be the only one calling, the only one checking-in and helping out. If I was the only one calling in a "dating" relationship (putting aside the fact that at this point in my life, this would be adultery), people would say I should forget the guy -- that he's not worth my time. So why, in friendship, do we let one-sided relationships go on so long? Why do we keep calling time after time to check-in and show love, only to be forgotten until the next time we call? Why do I wear myself so thin supporting other people who don't ever really seem to reciprocate the support?
I suppose part of this self-imposed torture comes in the belief that somehow the great friendship we once had is going to reappear. It's hard to give up on something that was once great, especially when you can find no reason for it having changed in the first place -- the same reason I still have my baby blanket tucked upstairs in Tucker's closet, probably; it once gave me SUCH joy and comfort. Even though it doesn't help me much now, I can't bear to let it go.
I have learned through this process of being left behind to allow myself to enjoy the moments when I do have great contact with these people WITHOUT letting myself be hurt when the contact ends or goes missing. I learned to enjoy a great phone call of catching-up or a quick "passing through town" visit without letting myself get caught-up in expectations for anything outside of that one interaction. And I must say it was freeing. Why stress over something you can't control? Best to just enjoy whatever you get and forget the rest.
Of course, the fact that I do have my constant best friends (and Tucker) giving joy to my life on a regular basis helps me to be able to let go of the obsessing over "what did I do? what can I do?" in these friendships. My life is full of blessings and people who love me ALL the time and support me every day. I have joy, love, and laughter every single day and for THAT I am grateful. As I have mentioned before, our family (the Wests, for those of you who aren't part of it - though I'm not sure I have many readers that fit that bill) is very lucky to have US. We are a wonderful source of love and support that is there whenever you need it. Got a big event and want someone to celebrate with you? Call on the fam. Someone WILL show up to represent. :-)
You may ask WHY, after many years of learning to be okay with these friendships, are you sharing all of this with us NOW?
Well, I had another revelation in relation to these friendships this week. In the middle of a particularly frustrating incident with a "one-sider", I decided that even though I can't change these people to make the situations easier, I could pray for God to help me change how I RECEIVE them. (For those of you who know her, that thought just SCREAMS of something my mother must have told me a million times in my life. haha) I decided that for all the people I have in my life who seem to only ever want to focus on (and therefore have me and everyone else focus on) their own lives, I am going to earnestly pray for God to help me not focus on the selfish nature, but rather focus on how they might truly need support in their lives.
Here's to changing my perspective (and therefore my stress/irritation level).
L&S,
Leslie
PS - This is my first step in achieving my goal of occassionally putting up a blog that isn't all about Tucker. haha
There have been times when I have contemplated this point and wondered, "Is it because I'm a bad friend? Am I selfish or 'too much'?" Of course, there may have been times when that was true, but generally when I look at a friendship that has fallen by the wayside, I find that on the contrary, I haven't been uninvolved or disinterested. I haven't called only when I needed something. I find that most of the time, I have made much effort at keeping in touch, only to be left with a very one-sided friendship.
Having been left with almost a handful of one-sided friendships over the last few years, I have found that they are really quite exhausting. It's disheartening to be the only one calling, the only one checking-in and helping out. If I was the only one calling in a "dating" relationship (putting aside the fact that at this point in my life, this would be adultery), people would say I should forget the guy -- that he's not worth my time. So why, in friendship, do we let one-sided relationships go on so long? Why do we keep calling time after time to check-in and show love, only to be forgotten until the next time we call? Why do I wear myself so thin supporting other people who don't ever really seem to reciprocate the support?
I suppose part of this self-imposed torture comes in the belief that somehow the great friendship we once had is going to reappear. It's hard to give up on something that was once great, especially when you can find no reason for it having changed in the first place -- the same reason I still have my baby blanket tucked upstairs in Tucker's closet, probably; it once gave me SUCH joy and comfort. Even though it doesn't help me much now, I can't bear to let it go.
I have learned through this process of being left behind to allow myself to enjoy the moments when I do have great contact with these people WITHOUT letting myself be hurt when the contact ends or goes missing. I learned to enjoy a great phone call of catching-up or a quick "passing through town" visit without letting myself get caught-up in expectations for anything outside of that one interaction. And I must say it was freeing. Why stress over something you can't control? Best to just enjoy whatever you get and forget the rest.
Of course, the fact that I do have my constant best friends (and Tucker) giving joy to my life on a regular basis helps me to be able to let go of the obsessing over "what did I do? what can I do?" in these friendships. My life is full of blessings and people who love me ALL the time and support me every day. I have joy, love, and laughter every single day and for THAT I am grateful. As I have mentioned before, our family (the Wests, for those of you who aren't part of it - though I'm not sure I have many readers that fit that bill) is very lucky to have US. We are a wonderful source of love and support that is there whenever you need it. Got a big event and want someone to celebrate with you? Call on the fam. Someone WILL show up to represent. :-)
You may ask WHY, after many years of learning to be okay with these friendships, are you sharing all of this with us NOW?
Well, I had another revelation in relation to these friendships this week. In the middle of a particularly frustrating incident with a "one-sider", I decided that even though I can't change these people to make the situations easier, I could pray for God to help me change how I RECEIVE them. (For those of you who know her, that thought just SCREAMS of something my mother must have told me a million times in my life. haha) I decided that for all the people I have in my life who seem to only ever want to focus on (and therefore have me and everyone else focus on) their own lives, I am going to earnestly pray for God to help me not focus on the selfish nature, but rather focus on how they might truly need support in their lives.
Here's to changing my perspective (and therefore my stress/irritation level).
L&S,
Leslie
PS - This is my first step in achieving my goal of occassionally putting up a blog that isn't all about Tucker. haha
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Call to My Fellow Bloggers
Now folks, I realize that it's a rarity for me to post anything other than pictures and videos of the baby and I'll work on that, but the rest of you have stopped posting ANYTHING AT ALL!!! I'm at the point where I'm thinking I'm going to just quit checking my blog reads. All of you have crossed the one month mark. Most of you are past two months. How sad. Not a chirp. Not a picture. Not a peep. Fogged, I know the internet at your current residence is slow, but it's not THAT slow. The rest of you can't even use Munner's internet for an excuse. How about just a, "Hello. I'm still alive" from you guys!!!
L&S,
Leslie
L&S,
Leslie
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Black Beans, Baby!
We're moving into the world of "a tray full of veggie" rather than spoon-fed baby food veggies (and Tucker LOVES feeding herself). Tonight we tried black beans, since they're mushy enough for her to eat and, as Drew says, "I can eat the rest if she doesn't like them." (haha) She LOVED them, but they were a teensie bit messier than frozen peas. Just a TEENSIE bit.
I wish you could have seen the bean juice CRUSTED between her fingers! Needless to say, we went from high chair straight to bathtub!
L&S,
Leslie
Easter with Granna and the boys
We met Granna, Rick and his boys for an early Easter breakfast at IHOP (yummy!) a few weeks ago. Granna brought us bunny ears (awwwww), juice, crackers and other fun baby stuff in an Easter basket.
(First time drinking out of a straw sippy cup) 
L&S,
Leslie
Monday, March 30, 2009
Running from Daddy
Tucker has discovered the joy of being "chased". As soon as she realizes Daddy is after her, she picks up the pace and giggles hysterically. It's FABULOUS!!!
L&S,
Leslie
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Doing a little video catch-up! If this doesn't make you smile and give you a pick-me-up, then nothing will! :-)
And now for my favorite -- Watch her mouth even when you don't hear sounds. She likes to warm her lips up before actually talking. I also love how raspberries are part of the conversation in Tucker's world.
L&S,
Leslie
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
9 month pictures
We got the online version of Tucker's 9 months pics last night. This girl is just TOO cute! (And might I add I think the people at the Target in Woodstock take GREAT baby pictures!)
This first grouping is my favorite. I love all three of the pics of her standing using our fingers. I adore her expressions and I LOVE being able to see all the rolls on those legs!!! :-D
I love a silhouette picture - always have! The lighting and sepia tone of this one make her look even more angelic than she already is!
Nan bought Tucker her first pair of pearls and I thought they'd be great for some naked baby pics (especially since Tucker IS the daughter of the pearl girl).
L&S,
Leslie
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Little Leprechaun
(and she REALLY IS)
She's FULL of personality (and wearing green ALL WEEK for those of you wondering)!!Love, Shipoopies, and Shamrocks,
The Bowers Family
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Slice of Heaven
At Tucker's 9 month check-up yesterday, we discovered that she had a double ear infection for which she had been showing no other symptoms (other than her temp last week which we marked up to other things). After just a day of antibiotics, you can already see how much better she feels. She wasn't crying or really whining before, but it's easy to see by comparison that she must have been feeling bad because she woke up this morning vivacious and full of smiles - even more than usual. Such a cutie!!!
L&S,
Leslie
Monday, March 09, 2009
She Has Such a Hard Time Relaxing
On Saturday afternoon, we took Tucker to get her 9 months pictures at Target. After that, we walked around the store to get a few things here and there. She just seemed SO VERY uncomfortable the whole time. ;)
L&S,
Leslie
Her Day in the Sun
Saturday, during our visit with Paw, Nona, and Paw Paw, we decided to spend some more time in the back yard. I remembered that we had bought a pop-up tent for Tucker last summer, so I brought it out for some shade. Much fun was had!!! (Please note our excess of sun protection in the last few pictures. These are for Papa's benefit. haha) :-)
Man I'm glad it's spring (ish)!!!
L&S,
Leslie
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