Family Pictures

Since having kids, family pictures around the holidays has turned in to a bit of a tradition. We had ours taken a week ago and I was excited to see how they turned out. As you may or may not know, family photos involving children are always an adventure. There is always someone who doesn't want to look at the camera, or perhaps someone who doesn't even want to be in the photo!

By the looks of these pictures, all those fruit snacks used to bribe my kids paid off. The pictures are beautiful.

 

I can't wait to get these up on my walls! And all over my Christmas cards! Aww, I love em!


In case you are local and looking for a photographer, we use Kori & Jared and they always blow me away with their amazing photos.

Clifford - The Big Red Dog

A friend of mine read my last post and noticed that Connor likes Clifford, so informed me that he would be at the library this weekend. See, if it weren't for blogging, I never would have known about this! I thought it would be a fun little outing for Connor. But I was also afraid how it would go. He is so unpredictable at times and I was afraid he would hate Clifford, after all he hates parades (goes phycho until we leave them). But to the library we went.

There was a long line and those lines are never easy with toddlers. But I managed...by giving him my iPhone. Those iPhones, one of the best inventions for parents. And there I go again, getting side tracked. As soon as it was Connor's turn to see Clifford, he immediately ran up to him. He was definitely excited. He was grabbing Clifford's arms and forcing Clifford to hug him. It was cute.

Despite how hard the adorable old lady volunteers and I tried, Connor refused to look at the camera. And what happened next, well it was so Connor. He dropped to the floor and decided to crawl under Clifford.

The librarian laughed and said in all Clifford's years of visiting the library, that was the first time she had seen that happen. Leave it to Connor! She also was laughing at how active he was and said he was "all boy". And we all know that is the truth!

After getting a book, the Clifford craze line had died down, so I decided to try one more time to get Connor to pose with Clifford. Thankfully he obliged.

That little boy. I love him so much and was glad I was able to take him to do something he loved. And maybe, just maybe he will remember meeting Clifford in real life the next time we read one of his books.

Connor {3 years}

Weight: 31 lbs, 6oz

Height: 37.5 inches

Accomplishments:

Talks up a storm...and surprises me with the words he knows

Knows his abc's & recognizes many letters

Can count to 15 and recognizes numbers

Fully potty trained - day & night

This little man turned three today. He was way more interested in playing with his fireman hat than posing for pictures. At first I wasn't happy about this, then I realized these photos really do represent where he is at in life right now and that made me smile.

Some of Connor's current favorites in life right now are Fireman Sam, all things train (Thomas, Chuggington, real trains, etc.),  cars, cheese, candy, soda (when he manages to steal it from people), going though the car wash. Connor still has a great interest in books and will "read" them. It is really cute to hear him "read" the story. His current favorite book is Dr. Seuss's Are You My Mother, followed closely by any Thomas the Train books, Clifford books and Maisy books.

I should also mention that daddy has definitely become Connor's favorite. Connor always wants Ian to put him to bed and literally won't even say goodnight to me unless Ian forces him. But I must say, it isn't all bad because he now also prefers Ian if he wakes up at night. And that, well it is pure bliss for me.

Connor's latest trend in sleeping has been him coming into our bed in the middle of the night. I both love it and dislike it. I love it because I do love the cuddles...I grew up sneaking into my parents bed every night and cuddling with my dad. And well, he seems to sleep in longer in the morning if he is in our bed. I dislike it because somehow I end up literally falling out of the bed as Connor and Ian take over. Last night I actually slept at the foot of the bed once Connor joined us. And speaking of sleep, Connor really doesn't nap anymore. On the days that he does, it usually is very hard to put him to bed that night. But I do try to always give him some quiet time every day.

As I mentioned above, Connor is fully potty trained. Boy was that a battle of the wills. But once I figured out what worked for him, we haven't had a problem since. He rarely ever has an accident, including at night. And I have to say, it is so nice not having to change those extra diapers every day. Not to mention, teeny-tiny underwear are just about the cutest thing ever! Did you know they even make boxer briefs for little boys?! So freaking cute.

Ever since having my own babies, I have been shocked how engrained in us our gender is. And Connor is all boy. It makes me laugh to see how into trains, cars and tractors he is. That doesn't mean that he doesn't like helping me in the kitchen or push around Isla's doll stroller from time to time, but this boy would certainly prefer lining up his dinosaurs on the train track and ramming them with his trains any day of the week!

Connor has been so excited about his birthday. He kept saying "I will be three on my birthday". And yesterday when I told him the special things we had planned for his birthday, he said "That sounds AMAZING...my birthday" It was so cute. His only request for his birthday has been cake and cake we will have tonight when we celebrate this adorable little boy turning three.

My Little Ham

This little girl of mine is such a ham and already knows how to work it for the camera. As soon as she spots the lens on her, this is her signature face. Too funny.

Reminds me of a time not so long ago when Connor would flash a smile every time he noticed the camera on him. Then it makes me wonder if she too will quickly loathe her mom-a-razzi. I sure hope not.

The Ups and Downs of Parenting {three}

This whole parenting of two toddlers thing is exhausting. It makes the days long and torturous. When they are separated, they are great. Put them together and chaos ensues. Yelling, screaming, crying, pushing, kicking, stepping on...it is brutal.

Everyone seems to have suggestions for us - more discipline, more alone time, more quiet time, Connor having toys that Isla can't touch, blah, blah, blah. And those in the exact same position as me? Well they seem to offer a knowing smile. It helps to know I am not alone in this. That my children are not the only sibling abusers out there. Actually, I should be clear, there is really one abuser and a victim. The victim is slowly learning to defend herself. But it has been a long process.

Connor can actually get his foot up in Isla's car seat and kick her when we are driving. Sometimes I think about driving myself to the nearest car dealership and buying an 15 passenger van to give them more space!

All of this is also making me take pity on my mom. My brothers and I fought growing up. Brutally. We fought for bruises and blood. I remember how upset my mom would be about the whole situation. I now feel her pain. I also fear it lasting as long as it did with my brothers and I. We stopped around the beginning of high school.

And the thing is, when there is that moment in the day when my kids are playing together, it is oh-so-freaking-cute. Melts my heart. Why can't they be like that all the time?

Lately {in photos}

 

1. Isla in one of her new birthday outfits

2. Connor fell asleep in the middle of the playroom

3. Isla ate chalk

4. My first eggnog latte of the season

5. Help, a monster is attacking the city!

6. Chasing trains

7. This girl likes her some jewelry

8. Jamba Juice!

9. An Elmo balloon from Papa

10. Chores...starting him young!

11. It appears I have another climber on my hands

12. Bath time

Awkward/Awesome {ten}

Awkward: Plopping myself down on a public toilet only to find it wet

Awkward x2: I don't use toilet seat covers 

Awesome: Spending time with a friend I haven't seen in a while...like almost a year

Awesome x2: There is never any awkwardness between us no matter how long we go between visits

Awesome: The most amazing taco truck tacos that are just blocks from my parents home

Awkward: The jealousy I have toward my parents for living so close to said tacos

Awkward: Being thrown up on by my child

Awesome: Laughing hysterically about it, cause what else can you do?

Awkward: Ian was also hit and didn't think it was as funny as I did

Awkward: Crossing the picket line to go grocery shopping

Awesome: All the free stuff and deals they use to entice you in!

Awesome: Going to In-n-Out super early for lunch

Awesome x2: No line and open tables

Awkward: Being the youngest people there by like 50 years