Not Your Typical Stay at Home Mom Day

I love being a stay at home mom.  Despite it's challenges I feel so blessed to be available for my babies all day.  I really admire all mom's - working, part time working, and at home moms.  I think they all are amazing and each "job" of a mother brings their own sets of challenges and joys! Today was not my typical day, but I'll take it any day!  I'm usually rushing around to get some laundry done, clean some part of the house, pick up missing grocery items, etc. while Jake is in preschool, but not today...

I dropped Jake off for his long day of school (Mondays and Wednesdays he stays until noon and on Tuesdays he stays an hour later for lunch).  After making sure his book bag was hung, lunch box secure in his cubby, and face covered in kisses I strolled down the hall.  His class is learning about Johnny Appleseed and recently painted pictures with apples.  Here is Jake's...

The next week they tasted red, green, and yellow apples and the teachers recorded which ones each child enjoyed.  Notice Jake's says "no, no, no"?  ...because he refuses to taste an apple. Thankfully, it looks like little miss Hannah didn't enjoy any either.

After leaving the preschool, Emma and I ventured over to Bath & Body works to stock up on a few new fall scented hand soaps for the house.  Then, we drove by our lot that is awaiting our eventual residence.  I have met one mom in Jake's class who lives in our neighborhood to be and another who is just down the road.  One reason we decided to focus on the Lake Wylie side of town for Jake's school was to meet people in the area and it looks like we're off to a great start!  Looking forward to the day we settle on this land, but there is plenty to keep us busy in the mean time.

Finally, we headed to Emma Claire's first library class, Once Upon a Lap, at the Lake Wylie Library!  I hate to rush her little life along, but I have been looking forward to this class.  I used to take Jake when he was younger.  Actually, I took him to several sessions back to back to back and made some great friends throughout whom we still get together with.  Emma loved the other kids, the music, bubbles, and especially the bells!

Here is a snapshot of Jake playing with the bells when he was in Once Upon a Lap at the Fort Mill Library in Baxter.  He is about 8 months in this photo.

After class we met daddy for lunch at Hickory Tavern and then jumped in the car to pick up Jake. We got there early and all three spied on him as he played on the playground at school.  As the kids lined up to return to class, he spotted us through the glass and was thrilled!  Jake introduced daddy, Emma, and I to the whole class.  He sure isn't thrilled with his sister when we are at home, but he was showing "it" to everyone!  We met Jake's new buddy Connor whom I've heard allot about.  The teacher shared with us that Jake is pretty mature considering he is the second to the youngest in the class and that he is doing great!

After school, we read a story on the couch and settled down for nap...or so I like to think.  At this moment, I hear Rescue Robots in full force inside a little boy's bedroom.

The best part of my day is spending time with family.  My day is only half done and my cup is already overflowing.  Why?  Because I had quality time at the library with my daughter, lunch and conversation with my husband, and helped bring a huge smile to my son's face by showing up with the whole family to meet his friends and pick him up.  Here is to more days like this one...

Last Week & This

Last week (9.12.13) Emma Claire turned five months old!  Oh how I love this age.  She is just the smiliest thing I have ever seen and so aware now!  I was pretty impressed with myself taking her 5 month photo only three days late considering the last couple of months pics were taken well past their due date.  Daddy says she is rockin' a terrible 80s look, but I'm loving this photo.  Cute outfit or not, that face makes it perfect!

I haven't fully decided if Jake loves his new preschool or not.  Every morning (MTW) he says he doesn't want to go, but then runs into the the school like it's the best place around.  This morning he had his book bag on and ran straight to the entrance.  He told the nice man (who always hold the door in the mornings and afternoons) that he had on his super backpack and flew inside.  Everyone around laughed out loud as I shook my head (both holding back a giggle and feeling so in love with that cutie).

I would venture to say one of his favorite things about school is the wonderful playground and sandbox just outside his classroom.  Every day that I have picked him up thus far he has been covered in dirt and sand and always a few extra bruises!  I don't know that this picture does the dirt on his face justice, but I had to try to capture the after school look!  I have been so impressed and thrilled with the school we picked for Jake and am SO looking forward to open house this week to catch up with his teachers and some new mom friends I've already made!

Feeling blessed this week as my son has ventured away from telling me daily that he doesn't love me to telling me he does, with a baby girl who is getting back on her sleep schedule, and a husband who just surprised me with fall candles and a Keurig!  As Pete the Cat says in one of Jake's new books "stuff will come and stuff will go"... just like the phases with our children and phases of a marriage, good ones and bad ones will come and go.  I'll push through those I don't love yous and sleepless nights remembering those phases will go and new ones will come.

Until next time...

Reflecing

As I sit down to write this I hear someone stirring on the monitor beside me.  It's a small miracle that I am even sitting here in my sun room, alone, in silence.  Although, it is nice, I am already excited for those little pumpkins to spring from their sleep!  Funny how that is.  Well, now the monitor on my other side is blaring a loud "mommy"!  Did I really wish them awake?

We'll let them wiggle around for a few minutes...

I last posted when Jake was exactly two months shy of turning two and the posts were scarce shortly before then.  The busier they become the busier we become...and the more tired, tested, frazzled...and FULFILLED!

Jake was entering a toddler bed in my last post and is now in a big boy full bed custom built by his talented daddy.  His rooms is decorated in cars, trucks, planes and primary colors.  I'm so glad we didn't rush out to buy new furniture (aside from the bed) because it is covered in "memory marks" already.  I love the cross above Jake's bed.  It reminds me daily to pray with him before bed which I must admit could slip my mind these days.  My least favorite thing in his room is the toy tool bench that I have to pick up every morning and refill with it's pieces.  I'm pretty sure someone jumps off of it after he has dismissed us from his bedtime routine, creating a beautiful mess.

Jake is 3 years and 1 month today and the most high energy, funny, and witty little boy I know!  He has started preschool this year...three days a week.  He loves to run, play with superheroes, watch Rescue Robots, talk, talk, and talk.  He's a picky eater!  He can count to 20 and also backwards from 10 and has for a while now.  He is about eight handfuls to take care of.  He makes me feel 10 different emotions within 10 minutes, but the one that NEVER leaves my heart is love!  He amazes me everyday!

Five months ago today Emma Claire entered the world!  She is the sweetest and most darling little girl I have ever seen.  She weighs almost fourteen pounds now and smiles all the time.  Just like her brother, she loves for anyone to talk to her.  She loves sweet carrots, but that is about the only thing she will finish as of now.  She loves to be held and walked around.  She recently laughed out loud to a Praise Baby DVD, but nothing makes her smile and giggle on and on like Jacob.  She lights up when he enters the room.  Nothing has touched my heart more that seeing the look on her face when he is around.  He, though not thrilled with her, grows a little less appalled each day. Yes, I said appalled.  He is devastated by her bodily fluids.  A-matter-of-fact, she sneezed this morning and "it" reached him sending him into a dramatic frenzy!  I see allot of drama in our future, but I am ready to embrace it all!

I'm feeling satisfied now that I was able to record a few little things that came to mind today.  Hopefully naps will overlap more often, hopefully I can overlook this messy sun room/playroom more often, and hopefully I will commit to recording more of our daily memories!

Looking forward to reading these with our kids when they're grown!

Toddler Bed

It was a bittersweet afternoon as Neal, Jake and I took down the crib and set up Jake's toddler bed just a couple of days ago.  A couple of months ago Jake escaped his crib landing with a loud thump.  Following the advice of my friends I removed his bumper pads buying us a little more time before the transition was a must.  So,   just two months and two days shy of Jake's second birthday we have been forced to make the switch.  Jake climbed out three times in a row right infront of us and it was obvious this could land us in the ER in no time.

It has been a surprisingly easy experience and a NOT so surprisingly hysterical experience.  We put a gate up at Jake's door with the plan to leave his bedroom door open to allow some light into the room.  (We had to remove his nightlight because he thought it was a toy.)  So, on the first night in his new bed I put myself in some cozy jammies and jumped in with him.  I had it set in my mind that I was likely to fall asleep with him and leave later in the night.  However, while snuggled up in the bed I needed to "go potty".  So, I explained to Jake I was "going potty" and would be right back.  He followed me out of the bed and watched as I made sure to lock the gate at his door behind me.  But, as I disappeared to the bathroom I quickly heard a mummer of some kind (a sound of frustration and baby swear words that I'm sure were directed at me) followed by a loud slam of his bedroom door.  Seconds later I stood outside his room and heard moments of shuffling and then silence.  Jake had gone to bed...

And so, this is how it continued at nap the following day and bedtime the next night.  (The second night the door slammed in my face as I said "Goodnight, I love youuu...")  

I suppose that as long as I get some snuggle time and story time with my baby before bed I'll take a slammed door in my face as I say goodnight for the sake of a little down time with my husband before we too put ourselves to bed.

So Proud of His New Bed

Flashback

I came across this picture while looking at some photos this morning.  This was taken around this time last year.  Oh how my sweet boy has grown!

Jake,
I cannot even find the words to tell you how much I love you.  You brighten my days just by being you! Everything you do is more precious than the moment before.  Your personality blossoms more and more every day.  I love watching you grow and learn.  I am so proud to be your mom!  You are such a blessing!  I love you!


Love, 
Mama

I'm Big & Strong (Slightly Behind)

Jacob's Budroe (Neal's dad) has told Jake he was big and strong forever.   Now Jake makes a big motion when we tell him that.  It seems this toddler is REALLY a big and strong fella.  Today (at 19 months) we had his wellness visit.  Here are Jake's stats...

Height 33.5 inches - Above average!

Weight 25lbs 20 oz - Averaging out - our round baby is slimming out. :)

Makeup Mimic

I remember the first time I saw my mom put on makeup.  I was a child and I remember dramatically telling her not to put that stuff on because she didn't look like my mom.  I am not sure if it was her everyday makeup or a new sampling, but that is how I remember it.

I remember the first time my dad saw me with makeup on, "does your mom know you're wearing that stuff" he asked? haha!

I remember when Jake was just a little baby and I'd sit up, legs stretched out with him sitting with me as we both faced the tv.  I'd set my makeup bag infront of him and put on my makeup while he marveled at the shiny blush brush and eyelash curler.

As Jake got bigger he'd play with each item in my bag.  As the months went on his interest changed to wanting to take out each thing - eyeshadow, blush, etc. and then put them back in the bag.

Just a few months ago I was putting on my coverup.  As odd as it may be, I dot it all over my face and then rub it in.  As I covered my face with "dots" Jake looked up at me and said "hi" as though making sure mama is still there.  It was so funny and he still does that every time he sees me put on makeup...says "hi"!

Just the other day I dumped the items out of my makeup bag and Jake picked up each piece one by one putting it up to his eye and holding it there a few seconds.  I guess I have curled my eyelashes more than enough infront of him.

I love those funny little things he does to mimic us.  I love that he watches me and imitates me.  I love that these simple moments are such big memories for me.  I don't so much love that they involve my makeup bag and it's occupants.  :)

Until next time...