why 'two' is not terrible at all

Friday night the hubby was out of town - so I was solo with the babes.

I was kind of dreading it, as it is kind of a bummer to be without your spouse on the weekend, and by 6pm on any night I am ready for a break from the kiddos.

Trying to make the best of it, I declared to Cormac that it was Friday Night Movie Night!  {insert exaggerated enthusiasm used by all parents to try to get their kids who don't understand quite what you are saying to get excited}

"I'm gonna put Sister to bed, then we are going to get in our jammies, make popcorn, watch Cars, and snuggle on the couch!"  I must have said this sentence about a million times throughout the dinner process.  Then of course he would repeat it back to me and mimic my enthusiasm.  He repeats everything nowadays and when you get them to say the right things it is actually kind of awesome.

Anyway, when 'Friday Night Movie Night' finally commenced, and we were snuggled on the couch in our pj's with a plate of cookies and a sippy cup of milk in front of us (he didn't want popcorn), animated movie playing...it was a moment that made my heart swell three times its normal size.  Truth be told I barely watched the movie, as I'm not that into animated kiddo flicks.  I spent the entire time hugging him tighter, smelling his hair, handing him cookies (he goes into zombie mode when a show is on) and resting my eyes, enjoying the calm and quiet.

Then when I put him to bed he said, "I like Friday Night Movie Night, Mama."
Me, too, kiddo.  Me, too.

Anyway, two has its challenges, for sure.

Daily meltdowns - he stomps and screams if you turn the light off in his room or put his toothbrush away or put him in his carseat rather than let him climb into it, because "That's MY job!!!!"

Extreme possessiveness - anything you put in front of the baby for her to play will all-of-a-sudden be something he HAS to have, even if it is simply to take it away from her and "put it back."

Super OCD - don't you dare put a toy in the wrong spot, or his sippy in the wrong spot, etc.

Testing the limits - sometimes I will ask him if he wants a 'spank', and with a smile he responds, "Wes. Wes, I would.  That would be nice." It reminds me of when my little Gram used to threaten to spank me, and I would say cheekily, "Go ahead!  It won't hurt anyway!" and she would chase me around the house with a flyswatter.  Anyway, other times Cormac will just have a giant meltdown at the mere mention of a 'spank' (which, by the way, equals a light, barely felt swat on the butt.  So far.)

But, the awesome things about two far outweigh the hard things.

Such as...

• How much more fun everything is now (pumpkin patches, Halloween, getting him pumped up for Santa/Christmas).  
• Singing - he sings!  With you!  Entire songs.  For this show-tune singing mama it is sheer awesomeness.
• He sleeps in his big boy bed.  Finally.  Entire nights.  Without getting out - well, for the most part.  It is just so much more fun having him sleep in a big bed for some reason.  
• He gets excited for mealtimes. (Well, unless he is doing something 'important,' such as 'working with Dada's tools,' which, by the way, is 'hard work.')  I love to feed my family - and when I get to say those magic words "Come and eat - dinner is ready!" I feel like such a mom.  I love when he pulls 'his' stool out and tries desperately to climb up into his booster seat.  I love that I still have to help him into it.  I love putting the food I've prepared in front of him, whether he eats it out not.  But the best is when he eats it and declares, "I like this!"

So while I sort of get why some think the 'twos' are 'terrible'...
it is still pretty much my favorite age so far.

g

finola - 5 months!

 Dear Fin,
Five months have flown by, and, just like with your brother, it just gets more and more fun.  I like that you are more talkative, with new sounds every day...particularly shrieks and squeals.  I love your activeness -- you jump like crazy, swing your arms around, and try your darndest to move, move, move during tummy time.  Mostly you just end up "swimming" but that's okay - builds the core!  I love your sweet smile...and your ears!  Where, oh where did you get those lovely ears that stick out?  We have no idea, but it is one of my favorite things about you.  Your Grumpa Ron would say, "Keeps you humble." I say they are fantastic.  :)

Personality:

Sweet.  Expressive.  Determined.  Observant.  

Likes:

The jumperoo.  The Bjorn.  Cormac.  Dada.  Sleeping.  Lights on appliances - especially the refrigerator.  Smiling at yourself in the mirror.  Tony Chestnut.  Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Grabbing the pages of books and trying to turn them.  Water bottles.  Colbie.  

Dislikes:

Being forced to sit on my lap and read a book.  She seems to like books - grabbing at the pictures, trying to turn the pages and flip the flaps...but not being forced to sit and listen to me read them.  This makes her book-nerd mama very sad!  You also dislike being awake when you would rather be napping/sleeping.  One night, halfway thru story time, you just decided you were done and started screaming until I put you in your crib...where you immediately fell asleep.

Sleeping:

You still take a two hour morning nap and a two hour afternoon nap - which is awesome!  Your bedtime is between 6 and 7pm, and you wake up for a feeding once or twice a night.  Awakens for the day between 6 and 7am.  Still haven't slept through the night, but I'm okay with it.  I just want to enjoy this stage, since you might be my last little babe.  This is such a short period in the grand scheme of things.

Eating:

Still mostly breastfeeding, with one bottle of formula before bedtime, oatmeal added.  I have been pumping while Hubby feeds you the bottle to keep my supply up, but my goal is to make it to six months and then see if I want to continue or go to formula.  Happy I've been able to at least make it this far (twice as long as with Cormac!)

Sibling relations:
He is your favorite.  He is the best at calming you (he sings so much now!) and making you laugh.  He loves to grab your cheeks and "bop" you -- which thankfully he does gently.  He comes up and gives you kisses and bear hugs, and one morning we couldn't locate him and he had climbed into your crib with you!  He now says, "I like to ent-tain my sister!" Sometimes you just stare expectantly at him while he ignores you.  Like in this photo:

I love the smiles and looks of adoration you give your big bro!

Mama's feelings:
I am feeling pretty decent, despite the renovation chaos in our home at the moment.  This month has been interesting, as I have really noticed my body changing back to "normal."  I now have to shave my legs every day again *tear*.  My hair has been falling out all over the place - no more thick pregnancy mane!  I'm technically back to my "pre-baby weight."  Now I am working on toning up!

in your efforts to learn to crawl you faceplant a lot - and knock things over, like that jamba juice cup.

Below: Your mama (six months) and You (five months)...my little doppelganger!

This Month's Memories:

* First trip to the pumpkin patch! Uh, and this photo pretty much sums up the experience for you...

first time in baby tights!  

 *First 'solid' foods.  You still are not sure about this.  We have given you oatmeal and green beans, neither of which you seem to enjoy.  Mostly you spit them out, and spend the time trying to grab the spoon and feed yourself.  We shall keep practicing, though!

* First overnight alone with grandparents!  Your dada and I went for an overnight date in Chicago, so you spent one night and the better part of two days with your Mimi and Arcey.  Overall it went pretty well, and I am very excited for you to get to know your grandparents more! :)

staring into mimi's eyes

* First time in the gym and church playrooms!  I have no pics of this, but the feedback has been: "She is very talkative!"  and "She looks just like her mama!"  and "She is a happy baby!"  However, we only do about 30 minutes max at the gym...for now!

Milestones/Development:

*First attempts to crawl!  You have started to get up on all fours and rock back and forth vigorously, which is what your brother did when he was learning.  You seem very determined to have forward mobility.  However, you don't roll around at all.  You only like to roll onto your tummy, because you hate being on your back.

*You weigh a solid 16.6 lbs!  Not much gain since last month.  Of course, I weighed you after your once-a-week BM...so maybe it is more?
*Wearing all 6 month or 6-9 month clothing.

Look how you have grown!  

I love you more and more, little girl.  I now realize I could never have imagined our family without you.  You are essential to our 'pack.' 

Love, Mama + Dada

g

the renovation : chaos and a doorway

Our home is chaos, and has been for the past four weeks.

Even as I type there is some sort of very loud power-tool whirring in the hallway upstairs.  If my babies remain asleep it will be a miracle.

All the renovation chaos/mess has had me quite creatively sapped.  Having dust everywhere from contractors boring holes through three layers of brick, cutting through both drywall and concrete walls, and 150 years worth of yuckiness from the attic/ceiling dropping down into the all the upstairs bedrooms frankly has this blogger feeling a little beaten down and feeling like I am in survival mode.

They tell you kitchen renovations are the worst, but I will contend after having gone through both (a kitchen reno twice) that having the ductwork completely redone for your HVAC system is a million times worse.  Particularly when you are living in the house and stay at home all day with two little ones.    Basically every room has been invaded at least twenty times.   They have been on the roof pounding, in the attic, in the basement.  No room is safe from this project - from noise or dust.

The baby has had to nap in three different rooms to avoid noise and contractors walking through her room (it is a pass-thru at the moment) and the toddler has had a lot of noise going on right outside his bedroom door during most nap times.

I have a permanent twitch from this issue alone, and I am vigilant about protecting the kids schedule/naps.

We have also been without a washer and dryer for about a month since our former laundry room has been a work zone -- we had to unhook and rewire/reroute electric and plumbing (which is still not done.)  Therefore, we have been doing laundry at the laundromat or at other people's houses.  Kinda inconvenient, but thankful for those folks that helped us out.

A month of this - I am surprised I am still (somewhat) sane.  My psyche does not do well with lack of privacy, lack of peace, and overall lack of control.

But one exciting thing has come out of this...the 'dream home' which was once two separate units is now, officially, one home!

Here is me, not even trying to hide my excitement about this doorway...

Hoping your lives are all peaceful and dust-free!
g

story of a little black dress

This is the story of a dress.
A little black dress.

We all have one (well, we ladies.)
Some of us have multiple.

But there is always one that is our "go to."  To feel gorgeous.  That shows off what we want to show off and hides what we like to hide.

Here is the story of my little black dress.

In December of 2001 (yes, twelve years ago) my hubby, then boyfriend, who I was madly in love with, bought it for me.  The company he was doing an co-op position for was having their annual Christmas party, so as one of my Christmas gifts he decided we'd go pick out a cocktail dress for me to wear.  (Can I just say that even at 20-years-old he was clearly the perfect man for me???)

We picked this one out.  We both loved it.  This picture doesn't really show it at all, and sorry for the poor photo quality, as it is scanned from a paper newspaper-type clipping...

whoa...were were babies!  and I was blonde!

Since this is the only picture I have from that night, an apt description of the frock would be: a mid-calf length simple black strapless, fitted in silhouette, made of soft, cotton material, with a pretty overlay of black lace-like design.  It also has a slightly racy slit up one side...but none of my pics seem to show that.

After this event I wore the dress many times during the years between this - our first formal date - and our actual marriage.  During those six years we dated on and off...but I always had this dress to remind me of my 'first love' - that ended up as my one true love!

Even my sister Heidi even wore it several times!  She and I referred to it 'the signature dress' because it was pretty flattering on both of us and could be worn to any number of events.

For some reason after Hubby and I got married the dress went into hiding.  I put it and several other dresses (like my wedding dress) in a portable garment closet down in our basement, wrapped in plastic and then forgotten about.

Until now.

So why did I go digging for dress options in our dark and dungeonous basement?  Typically when we have a wedding or other formal event to go to I will use it as the perfect excuse to buy a new dress.  I love clothes shopping and dress shopping is particularly fun.  However, recently my husband was inspired to be even more frugal in our spending.  Long story short: he dreams of retiring really early and found a blogger who did just that and writes all about it.  Therefore, even though we were already pretty fiscally conservative (got debt-free through Dave Ramsey's guidelines) now we are furthering our efforts to save in order to perhaps enjoy a fairly early retirement.  Basically, we cancelled cable and eliminated a bunch of other little 'unnecessary' things (such as a new outfit for every event), along with aggressive saving.

Therefore, instead of heading to the mall I headed to the basement, and unearthed several viable dress options, including...the 'signature' black dress.

In my head I thought, There is no way this dress will still fit me!  I am ten pounds heavier than I was when I first wore that dress.  I have more curves.  Also, I had two babies, one less than five months ago.

Luckily the dress is made of very forgiving stretchy material.  It even ruches in the center to somewhat cover that last bit of baby belly.  Oh, and I 'sucked it in' all night.  All in the name of fashion!  :)

in our hotel room - between wedding festivities

Since this was my first night away from Finola in nearly five months (I waited much longer with Cormac!) we decided to only get away for one night, so I wouldn't be too traumatized.   We got up and drove to Chicago early Saturday morning, arrived in plenty of time to check in, take a nap (!!!) and get ready.

The wedding was lovely, and the reception was a blast.  Weddings always remind me why I love my husband so much.  Not only does the ceremony get us all teary and reminiscent of our own vows, but the reception reminds how much fun we have together.  This one was no exception.  We drank, we enjoyed an excellent dinner, we danced, we took goofy photos in the photo booth, and drank and danced some more.  

Hubby and I at the wedding 

So, the signature little black dress enjoyed the exact same type of fun night twelve years later on this mama-of-two, curvy brunette that it did on a twenty-year-old skinny blonde.

Somehow, I'm kind of proud of that.

+ + + + +

So, how many little black dresses do you own?
What kind of stories could they tell?
g

{a blogger date}

On Saturday I had a date.
With another blogger.  Armed with an awesome excuse to hop in the Jeep and escape reality for the majority of Saturday, I drove to Indianapolis (about a 1 1/2 hr drive) to meet up with my blogger friend Tanya.  She is a friend that I have never actually met in person, but we follow each other's blogs and "know" each other that way.

She just happened to be in Indy for a blogging conference (she lives in OR) so since she was going to be reasonably close I decided to make the trip and hang out with her a bit - for real.

No surprise, Tanya is just as sweet and cute in person as she is on her blog.

We walked around downtown, found a place to have lunch, and hung out for almost two hours.  It was so cool (and awkwardly awesome) to actually meet a blogger friend.  I hope someday we get to hang out "for real" again -- maybe at a blogging conference next year?  From what she shared it seemed like a pretty inspiring experience...and a fun reason to travel to another part of the country!

Have you ever met up with a "blog friend" in real life?

Anyway, hope you all had a fantastic weekend!  We have some major renovation projects happening in the 'dream home' this week -- I will share progress soon!

g

once they start talking...

Once your toddler starts talking life is never the same.  For two years Cormac barely said ten words total.  Everything was a guessing game.  Did he understand?  Is he hungry?  Where did it hurt?

Then they start talking and once they do...there is absolutely no shutting them up.  (Or maybe that is just my kid???)  He talks and talks whether or not anyone is listening or not.   He asks a million questions.  Anytime he doesn't know a word he asks, "What's that (insert whatever word you said that he doesn't know)?"  It is both awesome and annoying all at once.

I just want info!  I'm a future mr. know-it-all!

Here are some other things we are hearing lately...

"Get me some French fries, peeas!!" {while ordering at a drivethru window}

"What a mess!" {whenever we walk into his room, which always looks like a toy explosion.}

"Dada at work.  He works with a jackhammer!" {no, he doesn't.}

"That milk comes out of that boob!" and "That boob is empty!" {while I am feeding Finola.}

"Hullooooo!" {whenever he walks into a room}

"Talk to me!  Talk to me!"  {whenever I am trying to converse with Hubby.}

"Finola is crabby.  Just like mama."  {hmmm...}

"I'm hungry!" {when he is hungry.}

"What is that?"  Me: "What?"  "That."  {while pointing at nothing.}

"What are we making?"  (whenever I say, "It's time to eat!"}

"I make mama happy with kisses and hugs!" {when I am 'crabby'}

But of all the funny, irritating, sweet, repetitive, unknowingly insightful, and crazy things he says,
this one is my favorite:

"Good night, Mama.  I wuv you, Mama!"  {every night...and at nap time}

Once they start talking...

they never stop.

Thank goodness.

g

finola - 4 months!

Dear Baby Fin,

I feel like you changed so much this month!  All of a sudden you are sitting all the time - well, not by yourself, but propped up, or held in a sitting position, or in the Bumbo or the Jumperoo.  And then there is the flipping.  While you started rolling last month, this month you started doing it in your crib.  Which results in a lot of screaming, because you hate being on your back and cannot yet roll back onto your tummy.  Well, actually, you have done that twice...but it doesn't seem like you can remember how when you are in your crib and having a baby panic attack.

You started laughing and smiling completely unprompted this month.

You continue to just be a sweet and easy baby.

Let's keep that going, little lady.

Your personality:  As I said, super sweet and happy - as always.  Very go-with-the-flow.  I've seen a little determination in you, too...particularly when you are trying to roll to your tummy, or trying to get a toy that is just out of reach. You are calm and observant and giggle quietly about the most random things.

Your relationship with your big brother:  You adore him.  He makes you laugh so much without even trying to.  I just point you in his direction and you find anything he is doing to be hilarious.  I keep nervously watching for some sort of hint of resentment he might harbor towards you...but so far, despite wanting me to set you down a lot to do stuff for him, he seems to accept you and love you lots.  He gives you unprompted hugs and kisses, asks where you are any time you are not in sight.  He sings you "Baa Baa Black Sheep" or the ABCs whenever he thinks you are upset.  At night he says, "Good night Finola - I wuv you, Finola." 

two peas in a pod - er, a crib.

You love to eat:  whenever you get up from sleeping, for the most part...and sometimes I'll nurse you briefly to sleep.  If I had to time it I would say you eat every four hours.  Still haven't given you many bottles, but when we do now you'll drink twice as much as you used to.  Growing girl!  

You sleep:    still awesomely well...but you still haven't slept through the night!   Sigh. But this past week you have only been waking up once for a feeding! *knock on wood*  Let's keep this going, girl!  You get up for the day around 7am.  You take two long naps - a two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.   If one of those naps is short, we take a third nap in the late afternoon...but that rarely happens.  This makes mama happy!  You go to bed anywhere between 6 and 7pm if you don't take that third nap, but never later than eight.  Mama can't handle any 'night owl' stayin' up late business.   Now if we can just get you to sleep completely through then night...

You love wearing:  PJ's.  You are my sleepy thing.  Although we have also been doing a lot of baby tunics and leggings for our outings.  Oh, and you have even rocked your jeggings once.  We are so excited for fall and baby sweaters!  Still you wear 3-6 month clothing or 6 month.  It's all fitting you a bit snugger, though.  Soon we will need 9 month duds.

I love my jegs!

We call you:   Finola, Baby Fin, DIN-o-la (Cormac), Sister, Girl, Sweet Love, Darling, etc, etc.

You love:  Toys!  I can now prop you up and keep you interested in a number of baby toys.  You try to push buttons and grab whatever you can.  Still not all that controlled, though.   Your jumperoo.  We have said bye-bye to the swing and graduated to this contraption...as well as the 'johnny jumper.'  Ahhh! I feel like this means you are growing too fast!  

dolly and fin (thanks nana!)

Mama feels:  Still really tired, but, as I said, I am resigning myself to it.  I keep thinking, This could be my last baby!!! *sob!*  I need to enjoy all of this before it is gone!  So I am jealously holding onto the breastfeeding, the baby smiles and cuddles, the drooly kisses, the playing airplane, the soft downy hair that still curls on the top of your head, and all other lovely baby things that I may not get to experience as a mama again.  *tears!*

hasn't quite gotten the hang of the bumbo yet

she's got short legs - like mama!

"Are you serious?"

 Your health/measurements:  

Weight: 16 lbs (!!!) Height: 24 inches  Head: 41.5cm

16 pounds??? wha? weigh me again! 

You did really well at your 4 month check - barely a peep!  Even during shots.  You cried out for about 5 seconds after the second one, but that's it.  Another cold with an icky stuffy nose and congestion, which lasted about two weeks.  I do love rubbing baby rub on your tiny chest, though!  You also had a couple bouts of teething - which for you means a TON of drool, slight fever, chewing on your hands and fingers, and not wanting to fall asleep.

"I will get this in my mouth!"

This Months' Memories:

• Your first roadtrip to Minnesota!  We had such a blast.  You got so much quality time with your Gram and Gramp.  They held you every opportunity possible.  You even got to meet your Uncles Josh and Spence and your Auntie Jen, who all gave you lots and lots of snuggles, too.  Oh, and let's not forget your cousins Ethan and Ella.  What a lucky girl!  I think they all adored you.  Oh, and you did AWESOME on both 12-hour car rides.  A couple cry-fests on the way home, but overall I can't complain about you, Angel.

hanging out on gramma and grampa's window seat 

loving the fresh farm air!

Milestones/Accomplishments:

• You rolled from back to front!  At 3 1/2 months. Okay, I've only seen you do it twice...but it looked purposeful, so I'm counting it.

bunny staredown

• Your first real laughs.  You have a wheezy little giggle that I adore.  Cormac is best at getting you to laugh...he doesn't even have to try.  But you love when I sing you Rock-a-Bye Baby (my special way!) or make you fly through the air like a bumblebee.

My sweet girl...I am forever grateful for you.  I thank God for you every night, that he entrusted me with your little self.  I pray I can be a good 'girl mama.'  I pray to raise a strong and confident young woman.  I pray you are as beautiful inside as you are outside.  I pray for God to use you for His will, and that you grow to know Him, love Him, trust in Him always.

Mama + Dada