Growing Up

My kids are growing up. Of course they are, you say, but don't act like that realization is so obvious. Don't be that lady in the grocery store who longingly looks at your kids and says, "Enjoy this stage. They grow up so fast". This is, of course, happening while you are in the check out line, trying to pay for your groceries while one kid is crying because you won't buy her a candy bar and the other is seconds from breaking his arm as he tries to climb out of the cart. 

Because although I can appreciate the message this woman is trying convey, I have to say that most days I don't believe her. Most days, after I've picked up countless toys, cleaned up a plethora of messes, and changed innumerable diapers, I can promise you that it feels like they will never. grow. up. Really.

And then they surprise me. Like the first time Teddy slept through the night. After over a year of sleepless nights rocking him, nursing him, burping him, singing to him, I felt a light penetrate the darkness of my life. I would sleep through the night again. Of course, we go through phases, but his sleeping through the night gave me hope for the future.

Then this week I was getting lunch ready and Nayeli told me she didn't want to drink milk from a sippy anymore. She wanted it in a cup. Just like that. Is that how it happens?

Not to mention that we had to move Teddy to a toddler bed a few weeks ago. His fantastic climbing skills extended to the crib where he fell out multiple times (without serious injury). We finally bit the bullet and jimmy-rigged his crib, which is not made to convert into a toddler bed, into a toddler bed. Ta-da!

He's actually done surprisingly well with sleeping in an open bed. Yes, there are many nights that he falls asleep by the door to his room and I have to move him, but overall he has managed to control himself enough to fall asleep in the confines of the bed.

He's also become interested in Nayeli's underwear and the toilet as of late. I finally broke down and bought him car underwear after a few days of him wearing Nayeli's Minnie underwear all over the house. At his own insistence he has gone pee in the toilet twice and insists on being put on multiple times a day. He's only 20 months so I won't be pushing him to potty train until he's ready, but it is promising that he's already showing interest.

 Putting it on himself

Speaking of Teddy wearing Nayeli's things, he's definitely taken a liking to her Elsa dress.

When he puts it on we call him King Elso.

As for Nayeli, she is also spreading her wings and becoming more independent, especially when it comes to fashion. She's very into the monochromatic look, or she goes for the "everything must be Minnie" look that you see below (note the socks).

I think it's fun to see her creativity come out in her clothes and I let her dress herself however she wants unless we're going to church. Then I have to make sure she looks at least half decent.

So maybe the lady in the grocery is right, it does go fast. They will grow up and I'll look back on these days and not remember the messes, tantrums, and diapers. I'll remember the good more than the bad. I'll be that woman in the grocery store that counsels the young mother in line. With that realization in mind, my resolution this year is to enjoy each phase more and wish that they were older less. Because as they grow, there are few things I'm certain of, except for one thing: they have both stolen my heart and I am happy everyday to be their mother.

Teddy climbing me as I was working on my computer one day

Finding Their Groove

A few photos of my little buddies. They are becoming better friends every day and are finally starting to find a groove of friendship.

Dancing on the kitchen table together

One day they were being so quiet it was disconcerting, then I found them like this. She was "reading" to him. Melted my heart.

They are big into jumping off the couch right now. It's a great way to keep them busy.

They are also big into wrestling together. It gets rough fast so it doesn't usually last long.

Playing with my necklaces and bracelets together

One day they snuck a head of lettuce off the counter and thought they were being so sneaky. Too bad it wasn't the most delicious thing they could have taken.

Playing horsie

This picture is great because it shows how different they are- she is ALL girl and he is ALL boy. She is all about dress up and he is all about adventure. But they balance each other out, and it's fun to see them combine their interests. I sure love them and am glad they're forming a bond.

The Final Days of Summer- September 2015

The end of the summer was so beautiful here in Oregon and the wonderful weather extended all the way into September. True to form, we tried to stay busy and get outside as much as possible.

Even after Labor Day we were able to enjoy the fountains in the town park

Our friend Dennine invited us to a fun children's art studio in Portland. Teddy wasn't shy about tasting each color of paint. He looked like the Joker.

Nayeli the artist

There was a rice play table. Teddy climbed in to enjoy it close up. No big surprise there.

Nayeli likes to dress up and pretend she's going on adventures. She is just the cutest.

 She even got to dress up as Elsa for a "girl party" at Audra's house. She was so excited.

All three Elsa's at the girl party.

The Goodwill car we purchased for Nayeli's second birthday is still a hit! I just wish it had two seats so there was a little less bickering. 

I am a project person because they keep me busy and when I'm busy, I'm happy. I got some nice red frames for free from a friend, so I spray painted them and made this small gallery wall in our apartment. It makes me happy to look at every day. 

I also finally finished a project that was on my to-do list for six years. I sorted through all my mission pictures, chose the best ones, edited them, printed them, then put them into albums and labeled them. It took me HOURS after the kids (and Ben) were in bed, but it was worth it. I loved going back through my journals and letters- it was like living my mission all over again. Oh how I loved it! It was so hard but so good and made me just the person I needed to be. I am eternally grateful that I served a mission and think about the people I met and experiences I had every day.

It ended up being 500 photos in two albums

We also put Nayeli in a few weeks of swim lessons during September. A friend from our complex taught them in our pool and hot tub. Nayeli was so excited because she got to do them with her best friend Audra. By the end she had learned to put her face in the water and get her ears wet- good accomplishments for a three year old.

We actually spent quite a bit of time at the pool as a family, or should I say the hot tub :)

We also headed to the playground at least once a day. It's usually at 4pm when I'm just trying to keep the kids happy until Ben gets home.

When did my little boy get so big? He just melts my heart. 

At the beginning of the month our ward had a picnic and our neighbors Pops and Anita came. Nayeli loves to have rides in Anita's wheelchair and at the picnic she was lucky enough to get one. Audra joined in on the fun too.

One of the highlights of the month was getting the kids helmets and having a neighbor loan Nayeli a balance bike. We can now take the kids on bike rides (Teddy uses Nayeli's old trike).

Nayeli's face when I showed her the helmets I got. You would have thought it was Christmas.

Riding on Teddy's trike, in her pink tutu and sparkly sandals of course.

Trying to put her helmet on herself.

Her first day on the balance bike. She was so proud.

These kiddos...

Nayeli and I have been practicing recognizing and writing letters but I didn't feel like much was getting through. Then one day we were outside drawing with sidewalk chalk and Nayeli said, "Mom, look!" I looked over and saw she had written a D and A all by herself with no prompting from me. It was definitely a proud mom moment for me.

See the D and A? She's the next Einstein I tell you ;)

He's just starting to get big enough to fight back. Sometimes it's more vicious- this was just in good fun.

 Speaking of Teddy's viciousness- he took a bite out of Nayeli and left a good mark. He also likes to pull clumps of hair out of her head. We're working on all that (I also won't say that she didn't deserve it ;) )

Ben studies for the GMAT on Saturdays so I have been trying to find activities to keep the kids busy. Home Depot has kid workshops that we happened to stumble upon. Nayeli was thrilled to make a firetruck and Teddy was thrilled to be allowed to suck on a screwdriver. It was a win all around.

 

Another activity to keep the kids busy- free balloons at Old Navy!

 My rascals

 More of the kids on the bike. We borrowed a balance bike for Nayeli from a friend and Teddy inherited the trike.

Riding a balance bike can be hard

 She was having a rough day. She actually really likes her balance bike, I promise.

Overall September was a great month. Life is crazy right now with Ben studying all the time, but the kids have become my little buddies and I'm pretty used to being a "GMAT widow". We have our hard days, but life is really good. And these two kids brighten each day, so I can't complain about that.

June 2014- In like a lion, out like a lamb

June came in like a lion and went out like a lamb... sort of. Let me explain. At the beginning of the month, when Teddy was only five weeks old, Ben left on a business trip for five days. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I almost lost my mind while he was gone. Teddy was super fussy day and night and I had no one to hand him off to. He was waking up every 1.5 to 2 hours consistently during the night and it made me a zombie. A cranky, crazy, zombie.

However, a few things saved me. First, my friend Dennine let me borrow an infant swing. I was very anti-swing before, however it helped ease his crying and gave me a break when I needed it. I will no longer judge mothers who use swings. Then, Heavenly Father was watching over me. On Saturday I felt so alone and depressed so I prayed, "Heavenly Father, I can get through this weekend if someone will just invite me to their house for dinner tomorrow" (unfortunately I was too proud to ask someone for help). Anyway, the next day at church my friend Jana approached me. She knew Ben was out of town and asked how I was doing. I was such a mess- I couldn't even smile and lie. In the middle of the hallway I burst into tears. She quickly told me that I was invited to her house to dinner and that she would take Teddy third hour so I could have a break.

Jana didn't get the chance to take Teddy third hour because our dear friend Art Park saw me crying and came to take Teddy. Teddy fell right asleep and Art rocked him in the hallway the whole third hour. He was my hero that day.

Jana was also my hero- she didn't have any plans for dinner but invited me anyway. When I arrived at her house, she took the crying Teddy and rocked him to sleep while I ate. Then as he slept Nayeli played with her kids. I loved our ward before this experience but this specific Sunday I fell in love. It is so full of good people willing to serve and help others. I feel so taken care of and loved here. I will be so sad if we ever have to leave.

But then Ben arrived home Monday night and was, of course, so sorry he had been gone. And then everything got better. Teddy started crying less, I had someone to switch off with me when I couldn't take it anymore, and my best friend was once again by my side.

My growing boy. He weighed 14 pounds at his two month appointment.

My treasures

 

Nayeli found the whipped cream tupperware and the rest is history.

Ready for Sunday, complete with a bowtie

 

I am a human jungle gym

And just for a little extra enjoyment, here's a clip taken while Ben was out of town. (note: I misuse the word pontificate in here. I meant punctuate... but it was 5pm and I had just woken up from a nap. Just sayin').



As June settled down we had two visits from Ben's mom Jane. We had a great time while she and others were here and even went out to the coast at the end of the month (post to follow soon). And the best way to end any month is to go to the coast. A wonderful end to a crazy beginning.