Like Mother, Like Daughter

Oh, For the Sake of Poop!

I'm not sure if we are a normal household or not, but I'd like to assume that other families in the toddler-bottom-wiping phase of life are poop-centric, too.  Real life examples.  (Don't say I didn't warn you.)

* My 2 year old kind of requires an audience when she's working one out on the potty.  The more, the merrier.  She wants you to sit and give your undivided attention while she marinates you in her poo smell.

* From across the room if we spot our baby grunting and red in the face, our typical response out loud is "Push.  Work it out, girlfriend."

* I met up with a friend to feel adult-like grab drinks.  The bar tender asked for my ID and along with my wallet I presented her with a pretty foul poopy diaper that had been in my purse for who knows how long.

* I looked out the window a couple days ago to check on my kid playing outside and noticed her pants down and squatting.  My observations concluded that she was replicating how our dog "goes" in the yard.

* In the midst of giving my diaper-rash-prone baby girl some 'air-out time,' it's not uncommon to find a little surprise in a corner somewhere in the house.  I try to keep a good eye out so Marlow doesn't swallow whole the steaming hot fresh poo.  It's his favorite delicacy these days if he can get his paws on it before us.

*  Though they look similar to what could be a parasite, kiwi seeds in a baby's poop should not cause alarm.  This was only discovered after some intense inspection from the momma.

Bonus fact of the day!  For the record, it is possible (and not all that uncomfortable, actually) to take a dump using the Ergo while baby is on the back.  Who knew?

Thursday Happenings

 Lydia really is the sweetest little thing.  She's all smiles.

 It was laundry day 'round these parts.

 Vera tried to convince me to let Lydie sleep with her during nap time.

 This is one of my favorite cookbooks by one of the most inspiring food pioneers in America.

 My boy.

 Dinner prep

 She boycotted napping today but was clearly tired.  (Can someone answer me why both my girls suck the same fingers on the same hand?  It baffles me.)

I call Vera my sweet pea.

 She tried to "help" with laundry in the afternoon.

 Baking and cooking with Vera is one of my all-time favorite things to do.  She is so focused and loves having a project.

 We take full advantage of our backyard.

 We go on a lot of walks.  Vera insisted on being "warm" and wearing a coat and hat despite the fact it was almost 70 degrees today.  Texas girl.

 The afternoon was dragging so we loaded up and went to a store so I could return something.

 Finishing off dinner was quick tonight.

After the kids were down...Chocolate Tart with Whipped Cream.  We cut, slather, and eat standing at the counter.  No need for plates or forks here.

Having A Social Life As a Parent. Is This Possible?

Date Nights?  I say yes.  But the must-have is a local family.  I don't have blood-relatives around, but I do have a network of folks who care for and love me just as well.  One of the things we do for each other is swap babysitting and watch each others' kids on a whim.  This works excellently for date nights because who doesn't want alone time with their spouse?  They do and I do, so we both win.

Sometimes it's on the calendar ahead of time.  Other times it's a phone call a few hours before checking to make sure the other couple didn't have plans to be out.  If they don't, then since they also have littles, they are home bound for the evening doing the routine of dinner, bath, books, bed.

We are extremely fortunate to have our "family" live within a 2-mile radius; 3 other couples.  Each family has 2 kids, and I've found that adding 2 more on occasion is less burdensome than I used to think.  They entertain each other.  We stick 'em all in the bathtub together and do pjs and books.  It's much like organized chaos an assembly line.  We've got our system down here and it's fun.

* It works well to have date nights planned out a month ahead.  We do a little calendar sesh and write it all out.  Organization is key.

Girl Time/Alone Time?  Again, yes.  Chris has conference calls for work once a week.  He works from home and is on the computer.  I enjoy using that time to take Marlow to a dog park or going to a store by myself.  It's also especially fun to meet a friend for Happy Hour or a run (one after the other is not recommended!) or a thrift store run.

In our marriage, we are happier people if we each get ourselves some quality alone time (this usually means coffee shop with a book or something of the like), friend time, and kid-free dates.  Because I am mostly home during the week, I am usually ready to get out at night or on the weekends.  (Who knew that people are still awake and out doing things past 7pm?  How exciting!)  Chris is the opposite.  He is a homebody and enjoys lounging it up and being productive around the house.  We both get our fix and it works for us.

This Happens Daily

Fact.  My tea usually steeps for 12 hours at room temperature before I drink it.  I intend to consume it while it's hot, but the mornings are driven usually by a rather energetic 2 year old and a baby who puts a hook so tight around your arm that you don't put her down.  I usually find my cold mug in the microwave around lunch time, reheat it at that point with great ambitions once again, but almost always do I get caught up in something else and forget about it.  Thus after the kids are down I drink my day-long brewed tea.  Should that gross me out?  It's one of the exciting times of my day, actually.

Feeling Blessed

Lydia is 9 months old and has discovered the joy in clapping.  She now says "dada" and points to objects.  She is quite the snuggler and loves her momma.  She prefers French-kissing and is happiest when included in whatever big sister is doing.  She waves to strangers and laughs easily.

Vera is 2 years old + 3 months and her favorite phrase is "No, no, Lydia.  Vera do it."  She loves the classic Little Golden Books and especially the ones about being a mommy or big sister or caretaker of some kind.  She is Miss Independent and wants to do everything herself right now; changing clothes multiple times a day, making her bed, brushing her teeth, feeding Lydia and Marlow, getting the mail, and more.  Her favorite snack as of lately has been a smoothie.

Merry Christmas!

Funniest 2 Year Old:  Vera

Cutest Tax Deduction:  Lydia (born Apr 15th)

Craziest/Most Loved Dog:  Marlow

Best Scenery:  Rocky Mtn. Ntl. Park

Longest Running House Project:  Laundry Room cabinets

Most Listened To Album:  Josh Garrels,

"Love &War & The Sea In Between"

Most Comforting Weeknight Activity:  "Parenthood" on Netflix

with fresh popcorn

Best Description of God's Love: 

"Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever"

(The Jesus Storybook Bible)

There's Some Impressive Lights In Our Hood

You've Got Mail

It's true.  Sometimes I am too lazy and too cheap to go to a store to find real toys for my kids.  But hey, it makes their imagination work harder, right?  :)  And look how happy she is--not tainted in the slightest.  What comes to my mailbox as junk mail is treasure to my 2 year old.  She loves to go get the mail and if her name is on it, then that's more mommy points for me.  She rips it up and looks through it with concentration, then has a ball pretending some more that someone sent her mail.  Sweet, gullible thing.  And yes, that's my baby in the background ingesting some of Vera's "mail."

What It Looks Like When I Am Wanting To Be Irresponsible

Chris walks in the door and these are his observations:

Vera is watching the Sesame Street credits roll (for who knows how long).

There is a humongous dough pile that has risen 3x it's size sitting on the counter in a bowl.

There are unpacked groceries still sitting in the bags all over the kitchen floor.

The trash is smelly and needs taken out.

And I am on the computer looking at shoes online.

Tub Time

Just So I Remember

 At 25 months old, Vera...

...is obsessed with doing somersaults, however precarious they may be.
...is beginning to identify emotion with words such as happy, sad, and mad
...likes to laugh alongside anyone.
....loves to color!
...drew a picture of a cat.
...sings songs on her own.
...knows the names of colors.

At 7 months, Lydia...
...crawls and sits on her own.
...feeds herself finger foods.
...bounces when she hears music.
...jabbers like it's nobody's business.
...lights up when I walk in the room.
...loves being held.

By Far, Her Best Birthday Gift

My mom is an amazing woman.  One of her many gifts is being a skilled seamstress.  For Vera's birthday, I asked if she could make some doll clothes.  Not only did she exceed my expectations, but she went all out on the details.  The pictures don't do them justice.  They are just darling and Vera has had so much fun dressing and undressing (and dressing and undressing) her babies.  I am so impressed and wanted to brag.  :)

Different fabrics, textures, and styles of clothing to choose from.

She is so creative!!

 

What cute little details!

I love this little outfit. It makes me think of watching "Little House on the Prairie" growing up.  It's got little white pantaloons to go with it.

She topped off this project with a Purdue cheerleader outfit.  Perfect!

These are the types of presents that mean so much more than anything store bought.  Handmade by my mom, these are priceless gifts that we will treasure forever!

Animal Heaven

To celebrate the birthday girl, this weekend we went to the zoo with the grandparents.  She was in animal heaven.  Her favorites were the elephants, monkeys, and bears.  She had popcorn as a snack and chased down a gift shop cart on the go, carrying monkey accessories.  She walked herself tired and conked out in the car.  It was a good day.

Happy Birthday, Vera

Our birthday present to Vera

Vera,

My sweet, little big girl.  How is it that you are 2 years old already?  Part of me is sad because you are growing up too fast, but part of me delights so much in watching you become your own person.  You have filled my heart to the brim with joy.  You have changed so much in just two short years.  At first you were a little cuddly baby who just laid on my chest.  Now you are a very active, happy, energetic, social, funny, charismatic little girl.  You became an older sister this year.  I remember the night before I went to the hospital, walking into your room while you were asleep, picking you up out of your crib and holding you close in the rocking chair, savoring you as my only child for that last time.  My tears were of joy, yet sadness at the same time.  I was excited to bring forth another little girl into our family, but it pained my heart to think of that chapter ending.  You were my first child and you taught me how to be a mom.  The first couple months of your life were rough, but we got through it, you and me.   There is still some jealousy from time to time between you and your sister, but that doesn’t touch the love you have for her.  You love sharing a room and must always kiss ‘Sissy’ goodnight.   It’s not easy, but you are getting better at sharing your toys and attention. You are such a great big sister and one of my prayers has been that you always share a close bond.

As much as I want time to slow down, I have to admit that I am looking forward to seeing who you become.  I’m excited to find out what your interests will be and what your gifts are.  It is so fun to watch you discover life.  God gave me the greatest gift of being your mom.   I hope to have rubbed off on you as much as you have rubbed off on me.  You’ve changed my life and made my world a better place.  Thank you for your forgiveness as I continue learning how to teach, instruct, disciple, and lead you in life.  Crazy as it is, you believe that I am the best mommy in the whole world.

Happy Birthday, Cocita.  With all my love, Momma

Ready For A Bed

Happy Fall, Ya'll

 Some of my favorite things so far this season include:

hitting up the pumpkin patch with my best friends + kids

wearing my boots even though it makes my feet sweat

 the smell inside my house while bread rises

early morning runs in pleasant weather

hearing rain in the middle of the night

mod podge pumpkins

spice candles

--

And you??

On Behalf of Our Hottie Ody

Well, we are officially reluctant owners of a new-to-us van.  As much as I wish I could keep my cool factor (Did I ever have any??), I do have to say that it's pretty awesome.

* Space to move

* Being able to cart friends and their kids around

* Tinting in the back so I can breastfeed in a parking lot

* Having my dog accompany me around town again

* Comfort for long road trips (Nappy naps in the backseat!)

Though we didn't get a Sienna (Honda Odyssey got us for the 8th seat), everything about this mother father video is great and brings a smile to my face.

I Am a Very Rich Woman.

A Frequent Activity

We go on a lot of walks.  I have Marlow on a leash, Lydia in the Ergo, and Vera leading the way.  It's a fun way to meet neighbors.