Thursday, April 30, 2015

Surviving!

Connor at a Wedding
I have never experienced something before quite like taking care of two sick little boys while you, yourself are sick. If I thought life was challenging before, it does not hold a candle to the difficulty when everyone is under the weather. I know I missed last weeks post, time just slipped away while I was appeasing a very whiny three-year-old and a tooth cutting 5-month old.  That is right, my little Connor has not only cut his first tooth but his second as well!
Aiden and his buddy Thunder
We did manage to get Connor's crib put together and his room pretty much all set up, since Connor is officially too big and mobile for the cradle. He is rolling all over now, and is loving hanging out in his room.  He is pretty pleasant for a sick baby, he does not let it get him down. Aiden and I have started reading The Wizard of Oz before bed.  We read a chapter a night, and it is a time that I truly treasure.  There is something really special about sharing good literature with the people you love. I hope that Aiden continues to develop his love of books and that his little brother follows in his footsteps! Please enjoy these pictures and videos; pray that the three of us get better soon and that Dave does not catch it! I am not posting any weigh-ins this week since we have all been sick and have either lost weight or not gained any at all. When we are healthier, we will pick it back up.


Best Big Brother Ever!

Bath Time!

Cute and Crazy

Connor in his "new" crib

Aiden picked this poppy from our yard for me! :) Love him!!
Aiden Entertaining Connor in the Car

Connor--too cute for words

Seriously..best big brother--before I captured this video Aiden was
 making Connor giggle so hard. Love these boys!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Hard but Worth It

Being a mom is hard. There is really no sugar coating it. Having people who are dependent on you for their very survival is a lot for a person to handle, let alone being able to do it with any grace or composure. There are times when it all feels very overwhelming and I feel my grasp on my sanity and patience slipping away. When this starts to happen I have started to recite a quote to myself,


"You’re not managing an inconvenience, you’re raising a human being." 
-Kittie Frantz 

That quote is powerful in my mind and it resonates with me.  When I have to stand on the sidelines during events because I have to care for my kids, I find it bothering me less and less because what I am doing is important.  It may not rank high in jobs that make you considered successful, but honestly what is more important than the moral fiber/work ethic/compassion etc. of the next generation? Being a mom may be a hard and "thankless" job but I have never had one that is so rewarding and challenging. I only get one shot to get this parenting thing right, so until they are grown I am giving it all I have.

  In the past two weeks we have been a pretty busy family, spending back to back weekends in California for Easter and my cousins wedding. I don't have any pictures from the wedding, but I have included a few from Easter. We are attending another wedding this weekend so thankfully I will have another opportunity to get a picture of them all gussied up. They looked so handsome at the wedding but they look pretty darn cute in these pictures as well!






 All About Aiden
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Book: Curious George
Favorite New Food: Cucumbers
Quote of the Week: 
"I'm too small. When I grow up bigger and bigger, then I can clean up my room."
Bubbles!!!!!

Date: April 15, 2015
Weight: 18.5 pounds
Height: 27 inches

Connor Loves Aiden's Hat

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Passions & Fears

Passion isn't something that lives way up in the sky, in abstract dreams and hopes. It lives at ground level, in the specific details of what you're actually doing every day.
Marcus Buckingham

Anyone who knows me is aware that I love to be in the kitchen, especially if it means baking up some nice treats. So the fact that Aiden always takes an interest when I am in the kitchen is near and dear to my heart.  It is truly something special to share something you are passionate about with your children. Aiden is becoming quite the little chef, he puts in all the ingredients (that I've measured out) and does all of the mixing.  Once the crazy month of April and wedding season is over, we are planning to start making weekly deliveries of goodies to our local fire departments and police stations. It is a win-win situation because we get to have fun in the kitchen and give back to the community that we live in.  I think it is really important that our children learn the importance of service; both for their own personal growth and the good it does for others.





The parents exist to teach the child, but also they must learn what the child has to teach them; and the child has a very great deal to teach them.
Arnold Bennett

A week ago if you asked Aiden about bugs, he would have said they were yucky and probably would have run away.  This is completely my fault. I hate bugs and I have been imprinting this fear onto my son without really meaning to.  Since we are visiting the grandparents(my parents) this week, we have the perfect opportunity to delve into "nature" aka bugs. I am not afraid of all bugs, but Aiden did not know that. So this week, we have been discovering "good" bugs.  Aiden has been having a blast hunting for butterflies, caterpillars and his personal favorite, ladybugs. We have been outside everyday and I can proudly say that there are at least a few bugs that he does not fear! I am constantly having to take a breath and realize that he is reflecting what he sees in me. It is a huge responsibility and I hope that I am up for the challenge. 



**No weigh-ins this week since we are not at home to do them, tune in next week for Connor's most recent stats!**


Hmmm..Now that is something to think about.