fatherhood

Even though this post is late (since little baby has had a fever since father's day) I want to get to it.

10 reasons why Cody is an amazing dad

(but not limited to)

1. He builds the BEST forts. This is no joke, when he's gone and I'm responsible for making the forts the kids give my sheet and chair mess looks of sympathy instead of ones of awe and amazement. 
2. He loves the Lord and he prays for our babies. He would never pressure a religion on our kids but he will always teach them about our Father and how He provides and loves.
3. He evaluates the seriousness of sickness/cuts/scrapes/bruises better than I do. He doesn't freak out.
4. He always makes sure each child get enough one-on-one attention.
5. He is way more consistent with rules and discipline than I am. If a rule gets broken it will not fly - no matter what. 
6. He is so intelligent but knows all these silly facts at the same time.
7. He plays like he wont get another chance to make these babies laugh and squeal. (he can push our tree swing practically to the moon)
8. He is always available. Even if he is out with the guys he will call and say goodnight to Oliver.
9. He is not afraid to show physical affection. He will kiss on these boys and get all ooey gooey. I don't ever worry about our kids feeling insecure in their daddy's love for them. AND he isn't afraid to show them how much he loves me. 
10. He's bold and strong and he will ALWAYS do what needs to be done in order to protect and provide for our family. I know that he would choose their protection over our own. I know that he would work himself to the bone to make sure they never go wanting. I know that he loves our boys so unconditionally that it sometimes hurts. I know that no matter what happens in this life he will never stop trying to teach our sons character and the value of hard work. 

He loves us and we'll never stop appreciating that love and devotion. 

Happy Father's Day to the best guy for the job

Happy Birthday Dashel

One year ago today my beautiful love, Dashel, was born.

He made us proud parents for the second time.

He made Oliver a brother.

He made us a family of four.

He made me a better mama.

I can't believe the day is finally here and he is ONE! This year has flown by at rocket speed. I'm looking forward to more wonderful years ahead. 

You can read Dashel's birth story here

back to normal

It is so nice to be back to normal. While Cody was gone (for 5 days) me and the babies had to deal with colds and I got very minimal sleep, and when I did sleep my bed tried to swallow me (the air chamber in the mattress was slowly leaking... I felt like I was in a sinkhole). It just seemed like nothing could go right. I hate that feeling.
But I do love that as soon as he was home everything just seemed right. The babies were grinning from ear to ear (so was I). We took a quick stop by the pool, they were closed for a swim meet but we convinced them to let us swim for a minute and then we grabbed a fresh strawberry slushy from the fruit stand by the pool. Later we went out on a family date for some delicious pasta then returned home to put the kids to bed and have a snuggly night.

Oliver missed his daddy especially much during this trip. He cried for him every night. Poor babe

I am so grateful for my husband. He is such an amazing man. He does so much for us and so willingly. I am glad he got a vacation because he deserved it... but I like it much better when he is home, and so does he.

Dashel: 8 + 9 month recap

The last two months have been huge development wise for my little babe. I cannot believe that he will be 10 freaking months on the 16th. I honestly do not know where the time went. 

I can say that I have enjoyed every minute of him. He is a delight and his charming little baby smile is contagious. People definitely stop to admire him, little flirt.

-Climbing and standing are his new favorite things. He only crawls somewhere so that he can pull up and stand (and to follow around his big bro).

-Adores Oliver... like really really loves him.  

-He loves food (still) and has not become picky yet, thank goodness. Favorite food is yogurt, he's always completely willing to gobble that right up. I feel like he might be transitioning to more food and less breastmilk. We're still nursing every 3-4 hours but he will not nurse anywhere other than his nursery, so if we're out he will contently just take food. This does make me a little sad... but we're not totally there yet and he may surprise me and want to nurse until he's 2. You never know with these fickle little people!

-He waves 'hello' - so cute. 


-He's getting more blond hair - and it's curly be still my beating heart!

-He loves to bang on anything. "Boom Boom" are common words around our house.

-Loves to eat my hair. I have to wash it everyday now or else I find little leftover snacks in it. Charming.

-He has started to sleep better more frequently - this topic is a whole other post that I'm working on, so more of this later...


-He has 4 teeth (2 top & 2 bottom) and he is working on cutting 2 more bottom ones at the moment.


-He is starting to show some stubbornness and determination. With the genes in both of our families this was inevitable. He's a sweet little spitfire.


-He LOVES LOVES being outside! If I walk past our front door while I'm holding him and we don't go out he'll get fussy and look super offended. He's definitely a little nature boy.


-He loves when daddy comes home from work


-He still loves to snuggle. This is my favorite part.




Dashel,
You are so precious to me. I love seeing your personality change and develop. You love adventure and exploring new places, but you always come back to me for snuggles and kisses. I love seeing you watch your brother with fascination and excitement - I cannot wait until you can both really play together, I can tell that is what you're waiting for too. I feel privileged to be your mama. Your smile lights up my life. 
Love, 
mama

a little victory on a Tuesday

Just this morning I had a breakthrough.  A victory over my mind. You see, I've been struggling with what on earth to do with my child. My situation is probably not unlike many of yours. Oliver is 3 and incredibly strong willed. He is also very verbal, and although that is mostly great for communicating it is also allowing him to speak up and talk back. Like most 3 year old kids he is emotional and dramatic - everything is an ordeal, for example; "Mama I need juice." "Oliver no, you already had juice. But you can have water if you're thirsty", then comes the meltdown and the throwing of toys and the screaming of "I can't like water! I want juice! Mama said nooooooo!" wah wah you get the picture, right? The challenge is that we do this over every.single.thing. Something that is no big deal at all is suddenly a catastrophe. I was getting worn out. I was spending the day mad at my child not giving him the patience he deserves from his mama. A lot of days it felt like just letting him do whatever he wanted was just so much easier. Is that too honest?

So back to this morning when I hear Oliver at 6:30am pounding and screaming at his door for me to let him out (waking up his brother) I lay in my bed already beyond frustrated that my day has to start. After I get up and bring Oliver into my room and get him to calm down and (I admit it) a bit resentfully say goodbye to my husband who is leaving for work I try and get a grip on myself. I look at my son, who is beautiful even with his tear stained cheeks and running nose. And the thought that comes to my mind is not "Why are you doing this to me?!" It is 'You are mine. And I cherish you.' ... It isn't how I felt in my mind, but that is my heart song for this boy that I feel has endlessly tested and frustrated me.

So here's the point.
This is my job, this is what it's like to raise my child. I can't fight it or sulk about because what good would that do? It is worth it to put in the time because I want to raise my children to be respectful, well mannered and caring human beings. I want my sons to be good stewards of their possessions and teach their children the same values. It won't always be this way exactly, but it will always be something, I've learned that much.

Yet I know that these seasons hold just as much precious as they do challenge. So in spite of what feels like an ongoing tantrum I try to grit my teeth and cherish my boy - just the way he is at this moment, with his tears of frustration and confusion as he learns (and I learn how to teach him) how to shape his conscience and character. These are important times for him, more crucial for learning basic values than it is for me to drink my morning coffee in peace - because I know that one day I'll be an old woman and have more quiet than I can stand with my children grown and away and all that I will want is to have stomping loud clattering commotion around my feet.

I know I will still have to take this day by day. I won't always feel victorious. My heart wont always win out over my mind and body. But I hope that I can keep things in perspective...

"super mom"

My oldest Little has a pass to a local kid's play place, JumpE Place. We decided to spend a little of our afternoon there with grandma and his cousin. Of course we arrived first and there was a poo diaper to change. With Little being 2 1/2 it wasn't pretty (mama's of toddler you get it), I hauled myself with baby Little in his Hotsling, the diaper bag, and poo guy to the bathroom - where they DO NOT have a changing table (wtf?). I proceeded to NOT lay him down on the floor but have him hover himself over the toilet, I discarded his diaper in the trash and wiped his bum and flushed the remains. (tmi?). All the while poor baby Little was bobbling around in his carrier with a sour little look on his precious face.

Aside from the small poo event we had an awesome time. Little got out a lot of energy and is now passed out in his bed. I have to say a little thanks to my morning cup of coffee for helping me feel like I could be a "super mom".... so, thanks for that, coffee.