Thursday, February 19, 2015

my daughters

I'll be the first to admit, I really never imagined myself being the Mom to 2 girls.  Dolls and Barbies aren't my thing, and teenage years with girls?! No thank you! I kind of got use to the idea of having all boys and thought that was the perfect fit for me.  Well, we all know you can't control these things and when we were told #2 was a girl, I almost couldn't believe it.  I remember crying in the ultrasound room thinking in my head how I was going to have a friend for life, even though part of me wanted another boy. It took time to set in, but I was going to be a girl Mom.

Fast forward to pregnant with #3 - I was convinced it was a boy! I was very happy to have a boy already, and my girl, but again, those thoughts of wanting all boys kept creeping back.  The hubby and I were certain this was our second boy, and when were told GIRL we really couldn't believe it. Obviously a healthy baby is all we ever wanted, but gender disappointment is a real thing people.

As time went on, I started getting SO excited to have another girl.  I knew I was giving Ella a sister and I honestly loved that.  They would be friends for life, be there for eachother at good times or bad, or to talk about how crazy their Mom & Dad are :)

Having girls has changed me.  I thought I was protective over my Brayden, but jeez, throw some girls in there and I am now the biggest Mama Bear there was.  I think about how my girls are going to need me, they will need my guidance, my approval, my friendship, but most of all, my love.  I want to give my girls the best Mother/daughter relationship I can.  I hope they know they can always come to me (or their Dad) with any issue, good or bad and that we will always be there for them.  I pray my girls grow up strong and make good decisions and that we can live through those teenage years.

So as someone who wanted all boys, and now has 2 girls and 1 boy, I can honestly say I am so happy I didn't get what I wanted.

Bring on the dollhouses and barbies, this Mama's ready :)


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

the little moments

Life is all about the little moments, right? It's easy to take them for granted, because they are so little, so simple, that if you don't realize them, they could be gone in a blink of an eye.

The other week I was reminded of how special the little moments are.  I took the kids to run some errands and after leaving Walmart, where I had to say No to Brayden about 10 times for all of these random things he wanted (for example, a Ninja Turtle loofah), we were walking through the exit and he asked if he could play some of the games. I was so sick of saying no that I said Yes! He started playing the claw game, which we all know is rigged.  He tried 3 times and alllmost had it each time.  I said that was enough but he asked for one more time.  Well, wouldn't you know, the 4th time was the charm and my little cutie actually won a stuffed animal! A frog with a heart to be exact.

I'm pretty sure anyone walking in or out of the store at that moment thought I was completely insane. As soon as I saw the little frog on the claw moving towards the drop box, I started screaming. I guess Brayden didn't realize he caught one so he was even looking at me like I was crazy.  I told him he got one and he didn't believe me, then he pushed open the door and saw it.  My little boy was SO happy and SO proud of himself.  He was beaming.



I love when I get to see excitement in my kids eyes, it's so genuine, real, pure and innocent all in one.

This little moment of playing the claw game was the highlight of my sons day, therefore mine too.

Later in the day, the girls went down for a nap and I begged Brayden to nap with me but he was begging to go play outside.  Originally I told him no.  There were too many things I needed to do that I kept putting off.  But then that little voice inside me said, "just go outside, you will never get these days back, the dishes can wait, you'll sleep when you're dead" and we headed out. There was still a little snow left on the ground and Brayden wanted to have a snowball fight.  I made him a bunch of snowballs and we had at it.  It was so fun running around the yard with him.  He went up to the top of our playset and wanted to throw the snowballs down at me.  He of course kept needing me to make more and more snowballs for him, so we decided I was the official snow ball maker. He had so much fun throwing the snowballs down at me while I danced around and tried ducking for cover :)  This was such a fun time with my little guy and we were so caught up in the moment, I didn't take any pictures (shocking, I know)

Another little moment that meant so much to him as it did to me.









Monday, February 16, 2015

weekend recap - Valentines edition

What a fun weekend we had! We did tons of Valentine's Day celebrating as well as went to a super fun Sofia the First birthday party.

Friday morning started off with heart shaped pancakes with a side of wild bedhead :)


Then it was time to drop off my cutie at preschool for their Valentine's Day party.



As soon as Brayden got home he dumped all of his Valentine's out of his bag and started looking for the good stuff - he was also telling Ella to stop touching his stuff every 2 seconds.



The next morning I put out the kids Valentine's baskets.

 


I put out the hubs presents too and the Valentines cards the kids made for him



The kiddos were up BRIGHT & EARLY Saturday morning and couldn't wait to go through their stuff. Breakfast was chocolate, pringles and a side of Pez (hey, it was Valentine's Day!)






We had a lazy morning that included playing Ella's new Frozen matching game



Then we headed to a Sofia the First themed 2nd birthday party where the kids had a blast! Brayden hung around with all of the boys and they pretty much wrestled and ran around the entire time and Ella was so into meeting Sofia the First 





I can't believe how big my little Ella looks with Sofia! This makes me so happy she was comfortable with her, now I can't wait to see her in Disney with all of the princesses!


When we got home I made the kids take a group Valentine's Day picture - it only took about 50 to get this one.  I'm in love with this!!




We made a heart shaped cake that didn't turn out half as pretty as all the ones on Pinterest, but hey, it tasted damn good.




The hubs was going to take the kids to the movies but they were so tired from being on a sugar high all afternoon at the birthday party, we decided to stay home.  We made our heart shaped pizzas but Brayden was too tired to help

Little Miss had a blast though! She kept throwing the flour up in the air and watching it fall, it was too cute to stop her.




My sweet girl!!




Again, not the prettiest, but they tasted yummy!!



Dinnertime led to these adorable pics. I couldn't believe the affection Brayden was showing Ella! This is a rare occurrence around here.




The night ended eating our yummy cake and I was passed out on the couch by 8:30 (sorry hubs!)



Sunday was uneventful other than I got our taxes done, woo hoo! I am looking forward to our super busy, but fun week!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Valentines Day ideas for the kiddos

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! 


In case you are wondering why I am screaming that, it's because this has been one hell of a week and my role as a parent has been pushed to limits I had no idea existed. Thank God it's the weekend.

Phew, that being said, I thought it would be fun to join in the Friday link ups and even more fun to make it all about making Valentine's Day special for the kiddos, because even if they drove me bonkers this week, I still love them more than anything. 


{ONE}

This would be so fun to make with your little Valentines

Pepperoni heart pizza


{TWO}

How cute is this? Cut up some yummy foods and have a little chocolate fondue date


Chocolate fondue


{THREE}

Of course I love anything handmade so I will definitely be making one or some of these, and hopefully the hubby has something in mind to help the kids with for me, wink wink :)

adorable-valentines-day-handprint-crafts-for-kids



{FOUR}

I plan on doing this with the kids today, seems easy enough!



{FIVE}
Valentine's Day gifts



No actual pictures of theses yet, but every year I put together little baskets for the kids for Valentine's Day.  Nothing major goes into these, but I always put little things I know they like.

This year I put in:

Pezz 
Pringles (they recently discovered these and are now obsessed)
Candy
Chocolate
Valentine's Day book

I can't wait for them to see their baskets this year!


Valentine's Day may just be a Hallmark holiday to some, but I love embracing all the fun that comes with it, especially now that I have kids.  I just love making memories with my little Valentines!!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Valentine's Day!


Linking up with:

Monday, February 9, 2015

weekend recap - croup strikes again!

Friday morning started by taking Avery to her scheduled 6 month well visit and it just so happened the night before Ella started getting a touch of croup.  It was perfect timing really and since we were heading into the weekend, I was happy to get her in there so we didn't end up at the ER.

Our ped is so awesome, he knows Ella's history with croup so he prescribed her a steriod and gave us an extra refill for when we need again (and we will need again.  Poor girl just had croup 3 weeks ago!)

I had to snap this pic of her on the way to the dr. She insisted on wearing her sunglasses (no sun around) and HAD to have on her light up Christmas tree necklace.  The entire staff got such a kick out of her get up :)


Later in the day when the girls napped, Brayden and I worked on his digging for dinosaur bones kit that my sister got him for Christmas.  We have been working on this for a few days and have only recovered 2 bones - we need Daddy's help!



Bath time for Miss A means bathroom selfies - I just love how cute she looks when she gets out of the bath!


Saturday we hung around the house and finally got some things accomplished we've been putting off. Ella was feeling better so that was a plus!

Brayden decided to have some playtime with Avery and it is just the sweetest thing to watch!



Then we headed outside to play in the snow and of course have a snowball fight!


He wins!


The hubby also bought a snowmobil from a co-worker and it got delivered Saturday.  We are extremely blessed to have a ginormous backyard so he took the kids around for a spin (going slow of course!)  Our daredevil Ella was all about it, and Brayden thought it was something you only did once, ha.


Miss A practiced sitting by herself! Gah! How cute is she!?!


Saturday night I was dying to get out of the house so we all went out to eat. Brayden was being extra cutesy with me so I was soaking that up :)


Sunday, the hubs took Brayden to Monster Jam with his brother and our niece.  My hubby grew up going to Monster Jam and was so excited he could now share the experience with his own son.


When they got home the hubby said the kids goofed off most of the time but overall it was fun :)

While the boys were gone, the girls played! This one LOVES the game, Don't break the ice.  We play that game on repeat all of the time.






Our night ended with a yummy dinner and ice cream and some board games and I think I was passed out on the couch by 8:30 - I guess that's what happens when you wake up at 5 every.single.day. 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Avery is 6 months!


Happy half birthday my sweet Avery Jane!! 6 months, wow, I really can't believe that.




Let's see -this month we moved up a diaper size and it has definitely helped with all of your blow outs :) You love to blow raspberries all day long and you have found your voice it seems! I think any day now you will be saying your first word that we can understand...I'm hoping for Mama but I have a feeling it will be Dada

You are getting use to eating.  You don't love everything and most still ends up not in your mouth but the food that mostly stays in are carrots and apples.


Your hair is coming in nicely and it's blonde - just like Brayden.  I can definitely see more similarities between the 2 of you more and more each day.  Here's a side comparison of you and Brayden both at 6 months

                                                


And just because, here is you and Ella - I don't see any resemblance although people say they do







I *think* I can officially say you are on a nap schedule! Usually you go down for your first around 10 and sleep for an hour and a half and your next one is around 1:30 - 2 and sometimes I can get 2 hours out of you! And you almost always sneak in a little cat nap right around dinnertime

You are still sleeping through the night and I have actually started pushing you to sleep later instead of eating around 430/5 and then going back to bed. We're getting there and hopefully by next month you will be sleeping a full 11-12 hours!


You love hanging with Daddy - as soon as you see him, you light up!!



You are still drooling so so much and this week at the Dr I will find out if you are teething (because of course I think you are)

You rolled over from tummy to back a bunch of times this month but now you don't seem to have any interest.  You will hang out on your tummy for a very long time now and your head/neck support is amazing.

You are still eating 6-7, sometimes 8 times a day and exclusively breastfed.  I try to give you a bottle n the morning again just to keep you use to getting them in case I am not around.

Ella has really stepped up the big sister gig this month.  She is very attentive to you and always gets super excited to be near you.  She looks out for your toys and brings you your blanket. She also helps put your paci in (then takes it out and back in about 100 times)



You are SO loved Avery Jane.  Your brother and sister adore you to pieces and so do Daddy and I. You really fit our family just perfectly and although 6 months has flown, it does feel like you've been a part of us forever.




I will love you forever and ever baby girl!!!
 
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