Kenley- 6 Months

April 5, 2012 by · 1 Comment

Kenley Ann is 6 months old! It feels like it has gone fast, but it also seems that the memory I have of introducing her to Brayden was lifetimes ago. Weird?

Also, it is getting much harder to photograph this busy little bee! Add cutting a tooth and just feeling miserable, she wasn’t up for our photo shoot.

Sister LOVES her cereal and solids. So far, she has tried apples, pears, peaches, green beans, peas, squash, sweet potatoes, and bananas. She loves them! She tends to get upset when it is all gone, which is actually kind of funny.

She likes to be on her tummy, and can roll from tummy to back. She hasn’t quite figured out how to go the other way just yet, but I am sure it won’t be long. She notices big brother’s toys and tries REALLY hard to get to them. When she IS mobile, I am going to be in trouble! She loves to chew on anything she can get- her toys, paci, Brayden’s big plastic trucks (the Little People ones with no little parts), rattles, or your fingers. When she lays on her tummy, she can turn in a circle but isn’t actually going forward yet, thank goodness! She is thisclose to being able to sit completely on her own. She does well for a few seconds, then ends up toppling over.

Oh, those eyelashes. Love them.

Her personality is starting to show a little bit as well. She is very, very laid back. I really only hear a peep out of her when she is hungry, tired, or not feeling well. She just goes with the flow and I am so thankful for that. It is nice to be able to take her along to Kindermusik but give her a toy in her car seat so that I can have that one on one time with Brayden. She does the same at speech therapy- just along for the ride! I suspect it will not always be this easy but for now, it’s working!

She had her first taste of formula yesterday, and wasn’t totally sold. I think maybe the sippy cup is too fast of a flow, so I might buy a bottle just to see if that is her issue. Plus, I know it will take a few days. I mixed her cereal with the formula last night and it didn’t bother her, so we will just keep trying. I am still producing enough for her, but she is just not interested whatsoever- so we are just starting that weaning process. Sad, but I am doing what I think is best for her. :)

She has her first tooth! I noticed it Sunday- it had already poked through- and I was shocked! Brayden was miserable teething, and she didn’t act any different. Until Monday. Now I think the other one is right there and hurting her poor little mouth. She has wanted lots of extra snuggles this week. I am happy to oblige but Brayden doesn’t get what the big deal is. He just wants to GO GO GO and DO ALL THINGS and I just want to cuddle Kenley.

She is going to bed around 9-9:30 at night and sleeping until 7:30-8am. It is wonderful! If I could just get her to bed a little earlier, that would probably be good. Brayden doesn’t go until 8:30, and Brandon has been working later, so I tend to let him stay up to see Brandon. That means that K doesn’t go down until later and while I think she is totally fine with that, I also think she could stand to get to bed a little earlier. We’ll see. I know I could use some more down time at the end of the day!

My friend Laura is doing her 6 month photos this weekend, so sometime next week I will have more to share!

Filed Under: Kenley, life as a mom, Life with two ·

Hearts at Home

March 21, 2012 by · 4 Comments

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Hearts at Home National Conference. I am LUCKY, because this conference is held at the University I went to- so it’s very close by! Hearts at Home is a weekend conference designed around mom’s- giving them a chance to regroup, get inspired, and get away! I went last year and was changed in a big, big way.

This year, the keynote speakers were Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. They are a very interesting couple to listen to. They have been criticized in the media for decisions they make for their large family, and most recently, due to the miscarriage of their 20th child, Jubilee. They are fascinating, and one thing that really hit me during their speech (and workshop following!) was that most of the time, our kids get frustrated because they don’t know what we expect from them.  As a mom to a toddler, I know how hard it can be for Brayden to communicate what he wants/needs without getting really upset. With that goes what they said about the difference in correcting your child versus training your child. They train their children a certain way so that in certain situations, they get an immediate response (such as when trying to cross the street, etc.) It was just very though provoking, and definitely changes the way I see Brayden’s response to certain things. He might not understand that I am starting to lose my patience, so it is important that I stay focused and help him learn from his mistakes and how to better communicate his needs.

One quote that founder Jill Savage said last year and this year was “It may not be well with my circumstance, but it is well with my soul.” Powerful, right? As moms, we have those days where nothing seems to be going well at all. But thanks to the Grace of God, we have another chance- and HE will carry us through to another day.

I can’t speak highly enough about this conference, and I am already SO excited to go next year. Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner from Full House) is the keynote speaker, and I can’t wait to hear her inspiring message. I am planning to take my sister with me, even though she isn’t a mom, because I think even if you aren’t a mom, you still need the chance to be inspired and recharge.

 

Filed Under: about me, life as a mom, marriage ·

Week in Review- Photo Dump

January 21, 2012 by · 1 Comment

Pouty Buzz Lightyear, Happy girl playing, crazy weather on my way to see my BFF, new headband holder for K, umm BALD SPOT thanks to postpartum hair loss, Baby Paxton (worth the drive!), happy K in cute jammies.

We had a pretty busy week this week! And by pretty busy I mean I was busy consoling a pouty toddler who refuses to part with his paci. It’s exhausting. There would be more pictures of him if he wasn’t so pouty all the time. He is just… 2. SO 2. He fits the definition for sure. I do my best to be patient with him, but it gets tough when he is just saying “mom” 100 times about the thing I already fixed/did. I think if he would just settle down and take 2 seconds and look around he would notice these things.

But you know, he’s 2. So I won’t hold my breath.

In between the whining for paci, we did lots of puzzles, reading, and watched Shrek 2 a few times. It is definitely one of my favorite movies, so I don’t get too upset when he chooses it! We even got some snow, so he got to go ride with Brandon and push snow. He loves it!

Happy Saturday!

Filed Under: about me, Kenley, life as a mom ·

Reflecting

September 27, 2011 by · 6 Comments

I have made the comment before to Brandon that I don’t remember what life was like without Brayden. What did we DO all of the time? It’s just so weird to think about what life was like before him. And now I am starting to wonder what life will be like when his sister arrives next week.

One week.

7 days.

One week left as a family of three, as a mama of one outside the womb. One week of being able to go for a drive in Brandon’s truck, just the 3 of us. One week left of nothing but Brayden snuggles. One week left of sleeping (somewhat) through the night. One week left of chocolate, pasta, and spicy food.

One week.

7 days.

Life will never be the same. And maybe in a few weeks I will start to wonder what life was like without her…

 

 

Filed Under: Baby #2, family, life as a mom ·

A letter

September 14, 2011 by · 2 Comments

Dear Brayden,

For the past 2 years, 1 month, and 21 days, you have been in my outside world, and for the 38.5 weeks prior, you were my inside world. My entire world. I have never known a love this big. I never knew my heart could swell so big, and that the little things that you do every day would be my big things. I love watching you accomplish something, when you come up behind me and hug me for no reason, and how you follow your dad around helping him with whatever he is doing.

You are an incredible blessing to our family. We prayed for you long before we were even married, because deep down we knew we wanted a family one day. You were the start of our family. The perfect beginning.

And when you started becoming more independent, we tossed around the idea of a sibling. See, your dad and I have always wanted 3 or 4 kids, God-willing. When we found out that you were going to be a big brother, our hearts exploded even more. We know you will be such a great big brother to your baby sister!

As the days count down until her arrival, I can promise you that I am soaking up every minute of you as my only. Our only. We have been on donut dates, lunch dates, watching movies, reading books, playing tractors, putting sissy’s things away, and just plain being together. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I don’t really remember what life was like without you in it, and I certainly can’t picture not giving you my everything. But very soon there will be two of you to care for, and I am worried about how this will go. Just remember, I love you SO big, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming around the next bend in life. But I am not wishing these last moments with you away. I love you, Brayden.

 

Love, Mommy

Filed Under: Brayden, life as a mom ·

Toddlerhood: Ramblings

September 9, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Brayden is still doing great in his big boy bed, but now that he has figured out that he can come out of his room, this has made nap time more of a challenge. I have realized that we had it WAY too easy before, and that our approach for nap time is clearly in need of some change. For the past couple of days, I have been walking back to his bed with him and rubbing his back. For some reason it’s working- for now. We’ll see if that changes.
With the nap protest, came a nap protest at my mom’s. He was still sleeping in the crib there, but last week, decided he could get out. He fell 5 feet out onto the floor and bruised the bridge of his nose. He hasn’t napped there since, but my mom thinks if we just take the crib mattress out for a little bit and put it on the floor with a pillow, he will be ok. I am hoping to get him to nap there a day or two this week so that we can make the transition for when he stays there while I am in the hospital.
I guess I just didn’t expect this. Brayden was just like clockwork for so long, that I forgot what it was like to have to make a transition. And on Friday, I was a mess of tears over it. I just didn’t expect him to flip the switch to more independence right before the baby came. I expected this afterwards.
But WHY did I expect it is the question? Children are ever growing and changing. I KNOW this. *sigh*
And then there is the discipline aspect of his newfound freedom. He started climbing furniture- something he NEVER did before. And when he gets scolded, he laughs, which instantly zaps every ounce of patience out of me. My first attempt is to get down on his level and say firmly no and the reason why we don’t do what he is doing. But after that? I am at a loss. I just feel like a broken record. I don’t know if time outs will work- since he doesn’t talk, it is hard for me to gauge exactly what he understands.
We are just on one giant learning curve right now, and I am just holding on tight. I don’t see the end because I am sure that the end of this parenting learning curve doesn’t exist.
Filed Under: Brayden, life as a mom, parenting ·

I’ll be honest…

September 2, 2011 by · Leave a Comment

… I am scared to death of having this baby.

Not the whole labor and delivery scheduled C-section part, but the whole bringing home a new baby and managing life with a toddler thing. Nursing a newborn while not being pulled around for a new activity every 5 minutes. Brayden’s transition. MY transition. My husband’s transition. How I will handle toddler meltdowns and a newborn crying on postpartum hormones.

And with Brayden’s sudden change in behavior/schedule the last couple of days, I am more scared than ever.

When we moved him to his big boy bed, we thought it was great (and hilarious) that he would just chat to himself until someone walked in to get him in the mornings. For a whole month, it was like he didn’t know he could just get out. But we were ok with it and never said anything about it.

Cue two mornings ago. I heard Brayden say momma, and as I was getting up from the couch to go get him, I heard his door open. He came running out like he had won the lottery! He was so excited. And I was so not expecting that. I thought maybe since he didn’t have his paci (an entire other blog post) that it was just a fluke. He napped for almost 2 hours that afternoon and came running out all by himself. No big deal. He really can’t get into anything, and I am usually up before him. But it is creepy to know that if the timing isn’t just right, he would find me in the shower. I just don’t want him to be scared.

Yesterday, though, was the epic fail of this transition. We helped my mom clean through most of my childhood belongings all morning in the 100 degree heat. Brayden played with some old toys of my brothers and was a big helper! He was in a good mood, albeit hot and sweaty, and I just knew he would be SO exhausted and take a nap at my mom’s. We had lunch, got him cleaned up a bit, rocked him, and put him in the crib. About 20 minutes later, I hear him banging on the wall. No big deal, he will probably just get tired in there and fall asleep.

Wrong.

Little Houdini hurdled himself out of the crib. The crib whose rail when up is as tall as me (5ft). And he landed right on his poor little face. He cried for a second, then I met him at the door. He acted fine, not tired, and he certainly was NOT going back in that crib. I know he is getting to the age where he might not always take a nap (or a 3 hour one at that) but he was SO tired I thought for sure I would get an hour out of him! After a while, I made him go lay in my sister’s bed with me for 15 minutes with a cartoon on just so he would rest a little bit. He seemed fine, and we continued about our day.

When Brandon showed up at my mom’s later that evening, Brayden decided to climb to the top of the couch. And when we got home? He tried to climb the changing table in the nursery. My kid who was not a climber, suddenly is a climber.

And I am feeling like a failure.

My mom assured me that it is his age, that he is exploring his boundaries, and that this is how he learns. She encouraged me to be patient with him, but consistent, and that he will get it figured out. I just didn’t expect there to be a crib/nap strike 5 weeks before his baby sister was due to arrive. Let’s hope I can get him comfortable taking naps at my parent’s house again before baby girl arrives, or it will be a long couple of days for them while I am in the hospital! And mom’s that have been here? Advice? It’s appreciated.

Filed Under: life as a mom, motherhood, parenting ·

Not a good day

July 13, 2011 by · 6 Comments

Today was not a good day. It was an awful day. Crabby kiddo, one hour nap, incessant whining, dragging me all over, then the finale of throwing himself onto the floor found him in bed at 7pm and me wishing it was 9pm so I could take my meds and go to bed myself.

My hormones are raging and the tears will not stop flowing.

How will I do this with two kids? HOW?

When will Brayden get that he can’t just drag me along everywhere? Or sit directly on my belly? Or not to rough house with me so much?

I am so overwhelmed with emotions, about what this transition will do to my little boy. And I only have 12 weeks left with him as an only. Of course, I am so excited about his baby sister, but I am almost mourning the loss of my only. The one I live and breathe for. How will I open myself to MORE love?

When will I know when he is ready for his new room? When will he talk more? Understand more? Listen more? Communicate in a way that is without stomping his feet? Should I be concerned? Is it just because he is a boy? Am I not doing enough?

The end of this day has left me feeling very inadequate. I hope tomorrow is better.

Filed Under: honesty, life as a mom, toddlerhood ·

So proud!

May 4, 2011 by · 4 Comments

As you know, I enrolled Brayden in Kindermusik a couple of months ago. And at first? It was a nightmare. He was a nightmare. He is the youngest in his class by FAR, so I didn’t have my expectations very high. Plus, he isn’t around other kids very much, especially in a place where there is a lot of structure in activities. Does this make sense?

So after the first couple weeks, I was getting discouraged. Brayden just wasn’t “getting it”. The transitions in between activities were really difficult for him. He didn’t want to put things away, tried to take things back out, and it seemed as if he was the ONLY kid in there that had no concept of what was going on.

And then one day, I left in tears. I felt defeated. I felt like a failure as a mother, because Brayden just didn’t understand. And I tried working with him at home, and that seemed to be going well! But then we get to class, and it is like I was trying to teach him Spanish. But we weren’t about to give up. He needed this- the interaction, the structured play time- so we stuck to it.

And today? I have never been so proud of my little boy. He is GETTING IT! He put things back when asked and did it gently! He went around with the other kids WITHOUT tagging me along! He danced and did the same motions that everyone else was doing! He signed “please” when asking for a sticker after class was over! SO proud of my little guy, so proud.

We have 2 weeks left of this class, and I signed us up for the 5 week summer session. I am undecided about doing the fall class just because it’s an hour drive and with the new baby coming, I just don’t know how well we could orchestrate that. But I am still considering it. We’ll see. For now, I will just keep being proud of Brayden, at least until the next meltdown!

Filed Under: life as a mom ·

My Value

March 30, 2011 by · 2 Comments

As some of you might know, I am kind of obsessed with the show Sister Wives on TLC. Not because I condone or believe in their lifestyle, because I don’t, but because I think the way they DO live their lives is interesting. And I think it takes a lot of guts to air that on national television- but I am sure the paycheck makes THAT easier, right?

Anyways, in last week’s episode, they discussed their finances and how their family deals with money. Cody, along with 2 of his wives, work outside the home- which is where the income comes from. The other 2 wives stay home with the children, do the grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. Makes sense to me when you have that many children to tend to.

The part that struck me the most about this episode was that Robyn, Cody’s newest wife, was having a hard time with this arrangement. She didn’t feel that the other wives were seeing her value in the household, like she had something to prove. She said that she wanted the other wives to see what she was doing with their kids and acknowledge her basically. Because, they don’t have enough going on between that many kids, sharing a husband, etc.

It got me thinking though, about the value that I hold in our home. When we got married, I was still a full time student with one semester to go until graduation. We knew that I wouldn’t be working, and just decided from the beginning (after the advice from my mom!) to budget our money off of one income, so that we would know we could always make it work. This proved to be very, very helpful when I decided to stay home after having Brayden. It also made it very difficult at first, knowing that I wasn’t contributing financially. Brandon and I talked about it, and he made it very clear that I was contributing immensely. I was taking care of Brayden, the home, the food, the every day necessities- so that he didn’t have to. This made him more available to us at the end of the day when he is home, and it finally clicked with me.

Sure, I still have my days where I wonder just what on earth the value of changing poopy diapers and constantly cleaning up messes actually IS. But at the end of the day, I am doing what I do best- being a wife and a mother. And I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Filed Under: life as a mom, motherhood ·
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