Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Life with Two

When I had only one kid, I thought my life was busy. I thought I never had time to sit down. I thought doing anything outside the house was a huge hassle. I thought people were crazy for being able to work out, put on a face, get dressed in real clothes (not just work out clothes) and leave the house without sweating or at least one kid having a meltdown.


Now I have two kids.


Life with just one was a piece of cake.

Life with two is a little crazy. There is always someone needing something. A drink refill, a snack, a boob, a nap, a toy, etc. I still manage to get dressed (on most days) and put at least a little bit of make-up on. I try to get in some exercise and that usually involves a walk to the park and a run if Madison will stay in the stroller. I clean the house, do laundry, make lunch, prep dinner and generally don't sit down all day.


Maybe I just got used to feeling crazy. Whatever it is, it's working for us.

Don't get me wrong. There are days I want to just throw in the towel, call a babysitter and drink some wine. There are days where I lose my patience with Brayden. There are days I am on the verge of tears because Madison won't nap, Brayden is throwing a fit over something ridiculous, and the house is a wreck. Those days are hard. 

But for the most part, our days are great. We have adjusted to the crazy. 


Now I can't imagine how people with more than two kids do it. What is your secret!?

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Valentine's Day!

With two kids around these days, Valentine's Day is not the romantic holiday for us that others may have. And for us, it's perfect. Husband and I aren't really into Valentine's Day but we do make a point to show a little extra love that day. (I don't expect 1,000 like Kim Kardashian!) I started out the day by making some heart-shaped blackberry pancakes (which Brayden didn't like) and enjoying my beautiful flowers! Husband got a bouquet for me and one for Madison...teaching her early how a man should treat her! 





Next up was presents. We didn't get anything for the kids because my cousin sent them books and their Sittie sent a package of goodies. The kids don't eat candy and have PLENTY of toys so I figured it was best to just stick with the presents they already had. I will eventually do small presents for them like my mom always did for us (socks, nail polish, stickers, beads, hair stuff, etc.) but for now, I think the presents would just be another thing around the house that doesn't get played with.






It was such a great Valentine's Day...I wouldn't have it any other way!


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Emotions.

Before having my two little munchkins, I was as emotional as a sheet of steel. I never cried at movies (besides The Notebook....who can watch that and NOT cry?!) or commercials and now I am basically an emotional wreck. I could sit here and blame it on the fact that I just had a baby 5 months ago and my hormones are still changing and I am breastfeeding so there are crazy hormones for that blah, blah, blah. The truth is, I became an emotional wreck when I got pregnant with Brayden and it hasn't changed. 

I cry at commercials, movies, videos of anything exciting (people winning money, finding out they are pregnant or baby boy, girl announcements...basically everything.) 

I cry at the NEWS! Who does that?! 
A house burned down? Tears. A little girl kidnapped? Tears. A boy being bullied? Tears. A college student makes the half-court shot and wins lots of money? Tears.

The thing is, I cry because I can't imagine going through what some of these people are experiencing. Especially the sad stories. I could definitely see myself winning a large sum of money! Anyways, since I had children, my whole world changed and I can't even think about something bad happening to my kids. I am not sure how people live through tragedies with their children. I am pretty sure my heart would literally just stop working.

So what once was a hard, emotionless piece of metal is now a huge, walking ball of tears. Awesome.

The guilty parties that turned me into this mess:



I'll keep 'em... and my crazy emotions!

Friday, February 14, 2014

My Favorite Little Boy!

Brayden is now 2 years 7 months and going on 13! He talks more than any kid I know and uses words like "actually" and "interesting." I mean seriously, it's crazy how big his vocabulary is. I love that I can have full conversations with him and I can reason with him when he is upset or having a rough time with something. And even better than that, the kid cracks me up! He is so funny and I don't know where he gets it. I really need to start writing his sayings down because I instantly forget all of them. I do remember this one though: hubby was taking off Brayden's shoes so they could get on the bed and Brayden says "Daddy, can you do me a favor and take off my socks please?" Yep...a whole dang sentence with manners. I love it!

He actually spelled "zoo" on his own the other day. He continues to amaze me!

Brayden's imagination has been soaring lately. He is always playing games and making up new ways to play with the toys he has. Even while we are driving in the car, he will suddenly burst out that there are monkeys up in the trees eating bananas or there is a monster chasing the car and we must go faster. I love that his imagination is so active and that he can entertain himself so much. It has been really helpful when I am feeding Madison because I don't have to worry about entertaining him. He is able to play with his toys while I feed and then we all get down on the floor together to play when I am done.

He put this on and insisted I call him "Mr. Construction Man" 

He is also so amazing with Madison still. He really loves to get right up in her face and make silly noises in hopes that she will smile or make noises back to him. It is quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen. Every time Madison starts to cry, he immediately stops what he is doing to find her and see why she is crying. He really does care about her immensely. His new obsession is making her laugh and he is very good at it!

She loves him so much!

And he loves her right back! Always giving her kisses!

I talked before about how he doesn't really socialize with other kids very often since he isn't in a daycare or preshcool and none of my friends have kids. Well we have been going to a church group every Thursday for the last 4 months or so and he is doing wonderfully. He goes to a room with other 2 year olds and I go to a separate room where I get to eat breakfast, listen to a speaker and talk with other moms. It has been so great for both of us.

Although the "twos" can be challenging at times, I am really enjoying this age with him. He is such an amazing little boy and I am so blessed that I get to be at home with him all day. There are days where I want to pull out my hair and drink some wine but for the most part, we are in a good place!



How can you not smile at this face!?! I actually got to spend some special one-on-one time with him just the other day on a Mommy & Brayden date! It was so much fun. We headed to Yogurtland first and then to a favorite park of his. I have missed spending that special time with him and I forgot how much fun he can be when he is my sole focus. I need to make it a point to take him on little dates more often so he gets that one-on-one time that he needs...and it reminds me of how amazing he is. Love this little boy of mine!


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Milestones!

My little girl is starting to hit milestones pretty early (just like her big brother did)! She got her first TEETH!!! Her bottom two teeth poked through just two days ago and she has been playing with them nonstop. She is always moving her tongue around and sucking in her bottom lip.

This is the face I got while trying to take a picture of her teeth. Little stinker!!

I finally got a good shot of her teeth the next day. Such a big girl already!

Luckily she hasn't bit me yet while feeding her although I know that day is coming. Hopefully she doesn't do it too often!

Other than teeth, we hit another major milestone! Madison finally took her first bottle!!!!! WHEW. She has been fighting a bottle her whole little life and she finally took one while the hubby and I were on a date. I am so utterly thankful that we had some success. I can hear the bells of freedom!

This last one isn't a milestone but it's just too cute not to share. As most of you know from the pictures I post on here (as well as Facebook and Instagram), Brayden and Madison absolutely love each other. The other day they had an exceptionally adorable moment and I was so lucky to capture it.


He was dancing for her and she thought it was HILARIOUS!! He was so intent on making her laugh and he was very successful. She was totally giggling at his little dance. Brayden also made sure I was taking video which was equally adorable. Usually he doesn't want to be on film or even take pictures but he was so proud of himself for making her laugh so much that he wanted me to record it!

Maddie wasn't the only one having fun either. He was clearly also enjoying himself. 

Dance video!

It's so amazing to see their relationship blossom and I just hope that they continue to love each other and have fun together.



Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Madison at 5 Months!

Likes:
-being entertained, especially by Brayden
-chewing on ANYTHING
-getting baths
-scooting all over the floor
-screaming (for any reason!)
-her brother...she is seriously obsessed with him
-being high up in the air
-the way her daddy makes her laugh
-looking at herself in the mirror
-playing peek-a-boo

Dislikes:
-the car....although she is getting better
-the bouncer
-being down on the ground without someone else to entertain her
-the swing
-the bottle
-the pacifier
-loud noises...she jumps and then may or may not start crying

Milestones:
-wearing mostly 3 month clothing still although she fits in 3-6 month jammies
-gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth...she will be crawling in no time!
-generally only wakes up 2 times during the night
-grabs toys to put in her mouth
-scoots toward the toy she wants
-rolls over both ways consistently (we can't keep her on a blanket!)



This is how she wakes up every day...happy as could be!


She loves playing with this little zebra I got her for Christmas

Mid-yawn!