Twice The Tubby. Half The Time

After a fun filled Saturday night, where Jason and I stayed out WAY late we were exhausted on Sunday. But, we had two dirty babies who needed tubbies. Now that Hailey is sitting up very well on her own I thought we could try to put her in the tubby seat and they could share the tub. It worked out!

Of course, I missed some of the cutest pictures ever because my battery died but at least I was able to catch a little bit of this new milestone =)

The Art of Food Shopping

When you have children something as simple as food shopping can become a challenge. When it's one baby you want to make sure you go at a point in the day your little one will behave so you are not "that woman" in aisle 3.

When I had to shop with 2 babies I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed at first. The car seat holding Hailey and Kyle sitting could not both fit in the front of the cart. I couldn't put one of them in the cart because I could not fit all the groceries. Kyle was too little to walk next to me, so I would put Kyle in the front and wear Hailey in the Bjorn.

I dared one day to try the carts with the cars in the front and put Hailey in the front in her carseat. It worked, until Kyle wanted out in aisle 8. Yes, I was THAT WOMAN! The other day when we went shopping I knew it was time for Hailey to sit in the cart "like a big girl" (which hurt my heart a bit). I also noticed that the cart with the car could fit both of them in the front. So, I dared again; Kyle in the car. Hailey sat up front with my back up plan in tote. It was a very peaceful shopping experience with laughter and everything! Of course I had to take pictures, so now I am THAT WOMAN in the store trying to have a mini photo shoot. the pics. were quick because I was being stared at =)

I do have to add that I felt accomplished at the end of all my shopping trips. I always left with what I needed. I thought I was creative in keeping my Irish twins happy and for the most part well behaved while we shopped...that was until I saw a woman doing it with 5 children! If I pat myself on the back, then I have to pay om age to the woman with 5 boys who makes it out every time with everything and no drama... BITCH, no just kidding.

Vehicles, Vehicles Everywhere. Just Not One For Me.

Our family vehicle is a Buick Rendezvous. It is a combination of an SUV, luxury car and (I hate to admit) a minivan. It is a great SUV, very comfortable. The comfort is why we got it. I was uncomfortably pregnant with Kyle and wanted a vehicle with the safety seat clips (which began in 2002 vehicles) when I sat in the Rendezvous it was like sitting in a seat you could have in your home.



Here we are 2 1/2 years later and it is time for something new. Because I am always ridiculously over prepared with anything I could possibly need for the kids I need more space. The car is starting to have some issues as well. the gas gage is broken..and yes we have run out =). The muffler is getting loud, it is just time to go. Not only that, but when you have a husband in the car business he gets easily bored driving the same vehicle for so long.

Having Jay in the business you would also think it would be easy to find our ideal vehicle and its not! I refuse to have a car payment, and we want something bigger than what we have, but not too big. Picky, picky. Jay for the last few months will suggest a minivan here and there. I always refuse. I just can not picture myself in a minivan. I am not a minivan kind of girl! Last night Jase brought one home and it was beautiful. Red, fully loaded, automatic sliding doors on both sides. It was roomy and comfortable the perfect vehicle....almost, it was a MINIVAN!

I considered it, I really did! This morning I told Jay I liked it and would drive it if he loved it. I said " if you can see yourself driving a minivan day in and day out; if you are READY to be the guy that drives a minivan I will really consider it". He said NO!!!! Hahahahaha he said NO! So the search continues for the perfect vehicle. Happily! Don't worry, I'll keep you posted =).

He Gets Me, He Really Really Gets Me.

For a few months now Kyle had been able to comprehend things. For instance if you asked "where is Elmo?" he would get Elmo. Now, he actually helps and understands commands. He will bring me the phone if it rings and I am feeding Hailey. He will help me change Haileys diaper by handing me thee wipes and the diaper when I ask for them. He LOVE helping me cook. He will put the vegetables into the chopper for me to chop. Loves mixing the pancake mix. He is even beginning to pick up after himself (a little bit. I am not making my 18 month old do any hard labor).



I just realized today that Kyle and I are actually sharing mini conversations: about lunch, getting dressed, reading books, turning toys on and off. Its amazing. He is saying at least one new word a day and fully comprehending me. He even knows what warnings and time outs are. After a time out he always says sorry and gives me a hug and a kiss.



Kyle and I have shared numerous one ended conversations in the past- where I would either imagine his answer or believe by reading his face I knew his response automatically.



I truly have a hard time knowing my children are growing up. As much as I like them seeking and learning these new skills and losing a little more dependency on me, when I take a step back and take a deep breath I realize how magical it all really is. Kyle and I have shared numerous conversations, laughs, smiles, fun times and sad. The bond between a mother and child can not fully be explained, only understood by a fellow mother. Watching him learn and grow, and realizing it all has been one of the best blessings in my life =)

5 1/2 Month Old Blues

Over the last few days Hailey has been a skutch. I have had such a hard time getting anything done because she wants to be with me all the time! I love that she loves me and wants to be with me; but sometimes a momma has got to pee..or pay a little attention to the OTHER baby in the room.

Hailey has always wanted mommy. For instance at night, I am the ONLY person who she will allow to feed her. Which (I hate to say) sometimes sucks! It means I literally do every feeding. Which I know I should not complain, when she is older I will miss these days (I already do with Kyle) but a break now and again would be nice =)

I used to be able to put Hailey in the Bumbo or her swing and as long as she could see me she was fine but not these last few days!! I love you Hailey Bug but please, let me breathe! I should be grateful she started at 5 1/2 months. I can remember Jason coming home and crying to him to hold Kyle while I just brushed my teeth, and that was right up until he was mobile.

I don't mind spending all this time with Hailey. What concerns me is my lack of focus with Kyle. Luckily he is an amazing little boy and just playing hide and go seek (while holding Hailey) or chase is entertainment enough for him.

Thats all for now...I have a baby girl crying in my arms bcs. I am not talking only to her!

Lessons Learned

It is fun having two babies and seeing them interact as they grow and change. Kyle is learning so much everyday and teaching Hailey along the way. Why the first thing she learned from Kyle was screaming is still beyong me. But I love watching them together =)

Church Brings Out The Hell In Him

Jason is surprisingly religious. I have my beliefs, but have to admit I am not devout enough to want to attend church every week. Jason is quite the opposite. He had "man weekend" here at the house, literally drank for 48 hours; hung over and all he attended church that Sunday (the kids and I escaped to Falmouth that weekend).

I pray with both my babies every night thanking the powers above for all we have and the love we share;Jay doesn't do that. However, none the less Jason must attend church on Sunday. I think he feels like God will REALLY listen there as opposed to anywhere else.

We have a rambunctious and admittedly too attached 18 month old. We went into church and today the children were allowed to go into the nursery right away as opposed to after the Children's moment. Just for a hint of background I have not ever left Kyle anywhere other than my mothers house and Jays mothers house. So to drop him off in the room was hard. We heard him cry a bit and as much as I wanted to run back down, I conversed with myself and said he will be fine, especially when other kids join him. Today, no other children entered the nursery, and not even 3 minutes into today's service a woman came up requesting one of us go down to soothe him.

Of course he calmed down, but I have NEVER had to deal with him being such a hellion. I had a bigger work out in church lifting and chasing Kyle up and down the stairs and around the building than I probably do all week. One should not break into a sweat during a Sunday service.

Thankfully everyone in our church understood and even tried to help. I was given a "busy bag" for Kyle to play with during the service. Offered paper for him to draw on. I was given full access to all the toys in the nursery. Kyle was not having it. I felt like maybe I was a bad mother for not being able to properly control my 18month old; but then was told by another woman her son was 18 and is still this way. It made me feel better.

I would have thought with Kyle getting older going out and doing things, like shopping or going to church would get easier. Though there are some ups there are some downs...he has a thought, an opinion, a want that is not always in agreement with what I want. I even have to admit we have stolen a toy once. It was not on purpose..we were in Kohl's looking for something. Kyle grabbed a little teether blanket and I walked right out of the store without knowing until I had strapped both babies in the car. I know the right thing would have been to go inside and pay for the toy, but it was raining, I was tired and I just strapped BOTH babies in!

The point is Kyle is getting older and I love it. Even the new challenges sometimes just make me smile and think of new ways to deal. Today at church was not just a day it was an event. Church brought the hell out in him. I can't actually blame church, but I can give a little fault to the powers that be for making him grow up. Ahhhh 18 months rocks!