Happy Birthday Callie Jo!

 

My precious Callie Jo was born 1/21/2007 at 5:33 am, 8pds, 21 inches long.  I remember being that mother; thinking I had the prettiest little girl, fawning all over her and always having her dressed in the prettiest outfits with matching bows.  As she grew older, she could do no wrong!  She was perfect…and I was so proud.

It wasn’t until I had my son I realized the love I felt for Callie had to be multiplied by two.  I had to make time now for two amazing little human beings, to nurture and teach them how to be the best they can be, to assure that I had done everything to prepare them for this wondrous yet difficult life.  It got much harder to give my daughter the attention she needed as I had to divide my already limited time.

This is where Callie has amazed me.  She loves her brother like he is her own.  If another child so much as speaks cross to him, she is in their face.  She nearly breaks down crying if we punish him for something that he has done—she has went as far as to hit her father when he’s swatted Clayton’s hand.  She will love and protect him for all time, this is for sure.

I’ve learned so much from my daughter in these past five amazing years, but one thing is certain—she’s replaced a longing I’ve always had.  A little girl to join me for pedicures and manicures, a small little princess to revel in the excitement of new cute outfits and fancy knee high boots.  While I must be her mother and the disciplinarian, I will struggle with separating this relationship from a friendship as we connect on such a deep level.  She’s my best friend, my daughter, my everything.

I look at you Callie, and in you I see an amazing little girl; a giving and loving human being.  In you, I see a large part of me.  I am so lucky to be your mother and look forward to the many fun years we have ahead of us.  I love you and hope you have the most amazing fifth birthday ever!    LOVE MOM!

Best Birthday Cake Ever!

Four out of five moms* recommend this cake!  THIS is the best birthday cake recipe ever!  If you're tired of just using the box mix...looking for a moist and delicious cake that is so heavenly; then you found it in this recipe!  AMAZING.  I first used this recipe for my husband's birthday a few weeks ago, and I had to make it again for my 2-year-old's birthday yesterday.  Seriously, try it...you'll LOVE it! 

Best Birthday Cake Ever!

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans. Have all ingredients at room temperature.

In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in eggs, sour cream, oil and water. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter in both filled pans.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Original Recipe

*Actually, all five moms at the birthday party agreed it was the best birthday cake ever...or at least very delicious!  

In The Eyes Of My Zealand - Happy 2nd Birthday, Baby!

If you've ever met my little Zealand, you know that this little guy lets very few things upset him.  He is almost always wearing a smile.  From the moment he was born, he has always seemed so happy.  Even under those bili lights, he seemed to chill under the light with his groovy shades on.  Even lately when his big brother throws a good blow to his back or on top of his thigh; he shrugs it off.  Maybe this is what it's like for all second-born children since they have a little less attention from their parents than the first born?  Maybe they just adapt to life with an older sibling always up in their business, after all, that's all they know.  But there is something about Zealand.  An aura.  A calm.  A true sense of wanting to learn from him.

I have had the thought so many times; he seems so wise.  He obviously knows the true secret to a fulfilling life.  While I can get so caught up and stressed about the little things in life.  I dream ahead and I see my Zealand being the kind of successful man who takes life as it comes and turns lemons into lemonades - all with only the best attitude!  He makes me want to be a better person.  On those tougher days, just to see him smile lets me know that things are actually really terrific!

My baby is turning two tomorrow.  He's talking more.  He pooped on the potty willingly - and so proud - twice this week.  His passion is in all things ball; football, basketball, soccerball.  "Ball?  Yeah?" he'll say. He gives the biggest hugs and says he loves me in an adorable and fleeting, "I la la" and gives me his heart.  He'll say hello to anyone and everyone, flashing his pearly whites!  He loves to listen to his dad play guitar.  He loves to try and play his brother's guitar.  He loves music.  He loves to play.  He just loves to be.  I love it all; and all of him.

Happy Birthday, my dear baby boy - Zealand Gabriel Beck Speer <3!

(The song I sing to him almost every night since he was about a month old.)
Zealand, oh, Zealand. 
I love my green-eyed baby.  
Zealand, oh, Zealand. 
I love you forever. 
Zealand, my baby, forever.


...I never said I was a songwriter ;)

:) Leah

A Letter To My Son On His Third Birthday

My son,

Today you are three.

Your passion and fire captivate me, while your tender heart compliments the whole of who you are becoming.

Luke, you are kind and full of love.  I see it so clearly in the impromptu hugs you tackle your little brother with or the tiny purple flowers you pick for your sweet little friend as you part ways at the playground.  The way you hug me so tight and tell me “you’re my best mommy in my whole, whole world” or the way your eyes light up when you see your daddy drive up from work.  Your excitement shows each night we Skype with your grandparents.

I delight in how you are so precise with your every single move.  The way you line up your Matchbox cars along the window sill.  How you run your “operating room” and have dad or I lay on the floor while you prepare for surgery as you handle each of your instruments one by one; concluding care with a rub on our foreheads as you tell us we’re “actually” going to be just fine.  How it is so rare that you get messy from a cupcake or a popsicle like most preschoolers can’t avoid.  You just take care.

You speak so well and your curiosity to learn encourages me to challenge you.  You point out punctuation and question everything.  You wonder.  You use your e-maj-uh-nay-shun.  With your innocent big smile, you aren’t shy to shout out a “hi” to everyone.  You miss your doggie Bailey; you love your doggie Yukon; and you wouldn’t miss a night without your doggie, whose only name-at almost three years old himself- is doggie.

Your emotions are powerful.  When you want something, you’ll fight for it.  When you disagree with something, you’ll argue it.  When you are sad to leave a group of friends or a super fun time, you are not afraid to throw down.   Bedtime-you’ll play it out until sleep finally wins.

You’ve designated your brother Zealand as “my ZZ” and you’ll jump at the chance to take away whatever toy he’s into at that moment, but you’re also quick to apologize when you get in trouble or to share with him a treat when you are given one.  You like green beans, spaghetti and meatballs, waffles, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, ham and actually broccoli.   You’re not too fond of any type of potato, macaroni and cheese or rice.  Your favorite “special treats” these days are-to our fault and dismay- pop (that’s what your dad calls it, I call it soda) and gum (sugar-free, of course).       

You love to swim…be it the pool or the ocean.  And we have done so many things this year thanks to the amazing friends we’ve met.  Your first birthday parties, you were the first kid in the cockpit of a helicopter at an event-thanks to your dad, you were a pro this year at trick-or-treating, and you attended your first children’s theater production to which you yelled out to the cast throughout the show (in a good way!) as you smiled ear-to-ear and clapped at all the right parts.

I am so proud of the boy you are turning out to be.  I have cherished every moment of you.  The world is lucky to have you; as am I.  As are we, your family. 

I love you, my Luke.  ~mommy

I love you more than all of the fish in the sea.
You mean the whole world to me.
I love you, Luke.  Oh yes, I do. 
I love you.
I love you.
I do.

(I’ve been singing this song to him since he was just a few days old. Yes, I'm fully aware I am not a lyricist.  I do what works, people.  But I am proud that I came up with something and it stuck...and put him to sleep many-a-night.)