10 weeks

I can't believe that it's been 10 weeks since I went to the hosptial under a cloud of despair to have a scheduled C section, only to vaginally delivery a 9 pound, 8 oz baby!



But here he is, big smiles, pouty lips and all!

Our sweet Hank puts himself to sleep at night (woot woot!) and loves chatting with the animals on his bouncy seat. I adore this sweet baby boy.

He'll be moving to his bedroom soon, and I will miss his sweet presence.

Colin is veeeeeeery busy being two. His latest accomplishments:

Attempting to pee like a dog on a light post.

Jumping! He can really do it! I'm so proud.

Colin is a crazy little dude. He is known to try to match his shirts and underwear, and then hat and perhaps theme. For instance, this week he wore a guitar shirt, guitar underwear and carried around a guitar. Then, wore football underwear, wore a football shirt, football hat AND carried around a football.







Matt has been busy being super daddy. Fun times!

I have been busy juggling my duo, trying to maintian a peaceful and clean home, and doing the 30 day shred. Ive done 7 days and realized that it's just about impossible for me to do it without breaks. There are some days that I just can't do it, due to time constraints. I haven't weighted myself, but I'm certain that I haven't lost much. I do feel much stronger and have been exercising my mental health reserves while doing it when both children are awake. Now that, my friends, is fun (rolling my eyes).

We are settling into our new town (as of June). We have a church, a lifegroup, a grocery store, etc..... Fun stuff. I am currently seeking a place for Colin to do gymnastics and a mothers day out or preschool. Or one or the other. Oh and a notary... know one?

I went to an ICAN meeting 2 weeks ago and loved it, and tomorrow will be attending a La Leche League meeting. I've never been to one we'll see how it goes!

Last night, we saw our dear, dear friends Kristi and Justin and their duo at Downtown Disney, and had so much fun. We love our sweet friends, and it was like no time had passed at all. And that is the measure of good friends.

Unnaweah

We have a new reason to do laundry around here, and that is Colin's new clothing accesory:

Underwear!

Or Unnaweah, as he calls it.

Last Monday we took a leap and began potty training this little big man. We started with the help of my buddy Shannon, and some back up by my friend Mari.

I went to the grocery store and instead of buying a case of diapers, I spent the very same amount on a potty seat that goes over the big toilet, underwear and a baby doll that pees. His name is Tinkles. You can see him in a previous blog.

Colin often sits on the potty crying, "candy!". He loves underwear and likes to pick out his own.

We had our challenges, including Colin's dislike for the big toilet and his inability to not only reach the toilet, but pull his pants up and down.

By Thursday, I was calling saying, "Mayday! Mayday!", but by the time Monday rolled around again, this little fella seemed to get it. We had no accidents yesterday, and just one today. He explained that he had an accident because of the "choo choos". ie, he was so busy playing......

So I have been introduced to a world of boxer briefs, underwear, little potties, tiny candies, and antibacterial soap.

He has completely liquidated his stocking stuffer stash (rewards for poop on the potty).

Since we have been training, I have learned a few things about potty training and little boys:

1. They are desperate to pee in the grass.

2. It is actually difficult to find underwear in a 2t. Even harder is finding boxer briefs in a 2t.

3. Applesauce and frequent juice breaks are very helpful.

4. Thick underwear or boxer briefs are helpful to a kiddo who has a hard time pulling clothing up and down.

5. Rewards do a lot of good!

6. Your child can do more than you think he/she can. Colin told the babysitter that he needed to go, and then went on a big toilet on Wednesday night. He was in a pull up. He is often dry for hours out in public. Who knew?

7. Babylegs are a helpful way to reach the intended destination quickly when your little one has a hard time pulling pants on and off.

8. Tiny underwear is so cute!

I'm thrilled that he is out of diapers (except for night and nap). But our biggest victory is that Colin is so proud of himself! And we are so very proud of him. He really did it!

Happy Birthday Boys! 2 months and 25 months

Happy Birthday my sweet baby Hank!

My sweet little love, you are 2 months old today. You add so much preciousness to my day. From your chubby thighs to your dimpled chin, I simply can not get enough of this baby sweetness. It's hard to imagine life before you.

Little Henry Patrick is quite the emoter. When he is sad, he is very very sad.






When he is happy, he is over the moon.





Just 2 days shy of 9 weeks old, baby Henry enjoys being held, rocked and talked to. His little grin is just delicious. He is enjoying his bouncy seat and play gym more and more all the time.

We do adore you sweet babe.



Henry is pictured above in a sweet onesie that my second cousin, Gary, sent to Colin in the Netherlands! I just love it! Amazingly, today, on a day that Hank wore this sweet onesie, we got another package from Gary for a sweet gift for Hank and a truck for Colin. He loves it. So thankful for sweet family.

Mr. Colin Cakes is 25 months old today! Where does the time go?

He is currently mastering potty training and much to my amazement, knows all of his upper and lowercase letters with only one flaw: lower case b and d. He tends to get those two mixed up. As I did as well..... when I was SIX.

His favorite word is, "Okay". This is so totally amusing, as it is often said, and I mean A LOT. "Otay mommy", "Otay", "Mommy Otay" are all phrases that I hear often throughout the day. And I love it.

Above is Colin learning all about pottying with Tinkles the doll. We rehersed with Tinkles before Colin had to preform himself.

This little blue eyed big brother just loves his little brother, and I couldn't be prouder. Even when he plucks Hank's paci from his mouth, overall I'm thrilled that Colin seems to harbor zero resentment towards his brother and just loves him. Several times I have heard him run through the house saying, "baby Burr" with something in his hands to give to him. Often a paci to shove into Hank's unexpecting mouth.



I will be a very, very happy mama to know that my boys are best friends and each others greatest defenders one day. What a joy.

And finally, our new neighbor:



Isn't he cute?

I Met a Broken Mother

I met a broken mother today. Her body was complete and whole, her soul was very painfully incomplete.

She was broken, changed. Everything in me wanted to fix her, but nothing in me was able to. I have no patch. I have no bandaid. Therapy won't do.

I don't want to miss another opportunity to feel my child's heart beat, their chest rise, as they drift to sleep. Dont want to miss another grin, chuckle, or lightbulb moment. I am overwhelmed by the tsunami of brokeness that exists in a handful of we, that are called mothers.

I am ashamed and have lost all patience for those around me who fight, bicker, judge and hate over the minor. Especially my own family. I am in complete awe of those who unconditionally love one another no matter the cost. Those who aren't fighting to survive, and are just waiting to take a stab at the next threat. But those who love without fear, swallowing every risk and plunging right in.

I met a broken mother today. My heart and soul completely broke for her. I have no pity, only complete admiration and respect. My biggest fear: loss of perspective.

Love your babies tonight, hold them close, listen to each heart beat and embrace every moment.

Know the One who loves like a hurricane, and you are the tree.

This mother must.

Mama Kelly

Guess who came to visit me?

Mama Kelly did. I call her that because I call my Grandma, Mama Sarah, and because it's confusing to love two Kellys. I'm not entirely sure where she is on the maternal relation tree, but Mama calls her Prima. Whatever that means.







We sure had fun though.

The first day, I tried to pretend afraid, but she called my bluff pretty quickly.

She loved it when I said, "My do it!"

I played with my toys, and she played with hers.


I was so sad when she left. So was Mommy.

8 weeks old

Hi! I'm baby Hank!

I'm 8 weeks old today.

My mommy likes it when I wear shoes (especially when they match my shirt). She says that they are boy accesories. After all, boys can't wear bows.

I've been so very busy growing, can you tell? I now weigh over 14 pounds, so thinks my mom, and I fit reallllly well into 3-6 month clothing. I am sensitive, I really dislike dirty diapers and people or toys too close to my face. I also dislike loud noises, and I cry when my brother cries. I'm sleeping until about 5 am, and my Mommy is really happy about that!



My parents say that I am completely adorable and they hug and kiss me constantly. My brother seems to feel the same way! He calls me "baby Burr". I like them a little too. I give them lots of smiles and I'm pretty easy going as long as my needs are met and my emotional tank is full.

My brother Colin and I had a babysitter Friday night, and for the first time, I stayed too! Brittany took outstanding care of us, she is a great babysitter. Colin tried to get her to let him stay up late, but she wasn't outsmarted by him.

Speaking of Colin, Colin is potty training this week. He is doing such a great job! My daddy can't wait to forego buying diapers in two sizes, and mommy is happy about not changing as many diapers. Mommy also thinks that toddler undies are super cute, especially on a barely 2 year old hiney.

Unfortunately, our poor neighbor has seen Colin in the nude a few too many times now, and the whole cul de sac has probably seen big brother in just his undies. Oh well!

Happy Halloween!