Today

I may have yet to get even half of my to-do list done today, but we are enjoying ourselves over here. Going with the flow and seeing where the day takes us. We have enjoyed getting outside and taking advantage of the spring-like weather. I caught up with a friend. They played. And now it is nap time. There is always tomorrow to get to that to-do list! Hey, at least we have enough food to cook dinner tonight. 

Snippets of Life

^^ It only took some noise canceling earmuffs to get Connor to ride in Ian's "scary" car. And shocker, he now likes it. 

^^ My brother and Connor with their matching mustaches

^^ There is nothing sexier than an involved father. Seriously. Hands off ladies.

It feels like we have just been living life over here. Nothing super exciting, but enjoying life. Going to the park, getting froyo, enjoying bath time (the kids, that is). It's been good. 

 

06/52

Connor got in on the picture taking action this week. In fact, he was the official button presser/runner into photos. He did a great job. It was funny watching the camera move around as he tried to press the button hard enough. Then once he got the timer on, he would get so excited, come running over and slide into my lap. I have to admit, I think this little picture taking challenge is making for some cute and fun memories with my kids.

This week:

• I learned about buying chicken & meat in bulk. I am totally thinking about doing it. 
• Connor keeps complaining that his feet hurt. I am guessing that means his shoes are getting too small and it is time we go shoe shopping.
• Connor told me the sky was full of snow. I explained that those are called clouds. He said "no mama, the clouds are sleeping. That is snow." How could I argue with that?!
• Isla has learned to use the step stool to reach things on the counter. Awesome. Now nothing is safe. 
• I was reminded that sometimes the simple act of giving someone a hug blesses them more than we know.
• I really want a good rain to come so Connor and I can go out and play in it.

I'm linking up with Lindsay over at Hello Hue.

Who Are You?

Things with Connor have slowly been changing. It started with him crying, ok, going hysterical, when we leave somewhere he is having fun. It has built up to him dropping onto the floor in a ball and crying when he doesn't get his way. Awesome, right?

And today a whole new thing happened. We had just started grocery shopping. Connor didn't want to be in the cart. Before I knew it, he was full on screaming, crying and kicking the side of the cart. I stared in amazement. I was slightly amused. Oh, I was embarrassed too. But seriously, WHY WAS MY KID ACTING LIKE THIS?! I had never seen this in him before, which I think is why I was slightly amused. Anyway, I walked us right back out to the car for a breather. Of course, then Connor just screamed and cried in the car about how he wanted to be in the store. But I told him we wouldn't go back in until he calmed down. After a few minutes, he calmed down and the rest of the trip was a success.

What the heck, though?! Is this what people mean when they say three is hard? Please tell me no. Even if you are lying, just tell me no. I don't think I can handle it. And spending a whole year never leaving my house just doesn't sound fun. But it may be necessary if Connor continues to act like this.

How do I explain to my child that acting like this just isn't ok? And how do I teach him that you just can't always get your way? Not to mention teaching him that all good things must come to an end. Wowsers. It looks like I have my work cut out for me.

I am thinking I am entering a season of my hardest parenting challenges yet. Sleep deprivation has nothing on crazy public meltdowns.

Relaxed Parenting

 

When Connor was younger, people used to tell me I was so relaxed for being a first time parent. And I knew it was true. I looked around at some of my counterparts and knew I was much more relaxed about things. However, it wasn't until I had Isla that I realized I was actually more uptight about things with Connor than I had thought. 

When Connor was an infant, I remember someone coming to see him with a cold. I pretty much felt like they wanted to kill my child. After all, everything I had read said if a baby gets a cold in their first three months of life, they would have to be hospitalized. When Isla was born, Connor had a cold. It wasn't like I could ship him off to live with someone else or anything. And guess what? Isla survived. 

After Connor became totally mobile, the park wasn't a super fun place for me to meet people. After all, I was spending all my time following him up and down the jungle gyms trying to keep him from jumping off the side. It wasn't until this past year that I was much calmer at the park with him. Today while at the park with the kids, I realized I am just more relaxed. Isla wanted to go down a slide and I decided to just take the approach of seeing what would happen when she did it. Low and behold, she did fine. Of course, later she cried a little when she decided to go down a big slide. It just scared her. But she survived. And in all honesty, I still did some following of Isla up and down the jungle gyms, but nowhere near as much as I did with Connor. 

It's funny how much perspective I have gained about myself just from having a second child and doing everything a second time. I guess it is true what they say, you are more relaxed the second time around...no matter how relaxed you were the first time around! 

And please don't take this to believe that the mama bear instinct isn't alive and well in me, because it certainly is. Just know I'm not quite as psychotic at the park and will actually sit on the bench every once in a while. Such a luxury! 

Please Tell Me

Please tell me I'm not the only person...

...who washes their hands, then has to pee. I think it has something to do with the cold water. 

...who has zero interest in the super bowl. Like zero. Didn't even watch the commercials. Or halftime.

...who has been shocked by their own reaction to something. My shocked reaction had to do with Barnes and Noble and their ridiculously strict return policy.

...who gets headaches if they don't have their morning coffee. 

...who thinks It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the stupidest show ever, yet still oh-so-entertaining. 

...who wore flip flops last week. Sandals in January! 

...who gets tired of people telling them there is something wrong with the fact that their 15 month old still doesn't consistently sleep through the night. 

...who gets annoyed with people breaking the law and using their phones while driving.

...who bites their nails as an adult. 

...who has never cooked with kale (though I will admit, I am thinking of taking the plunge). 

Anyone?

05/52

I'm not sure why, but Connor gravitated to the side of the garage all on his own. Kind of funny taking pictures with kids and just letting them do whatever. It is a social experiment of sorts. Isla generally only wants to be held and Connor just does his own thing. 

^^ And this picture just leaves me laughing. My mouth wide open, Isla flying out of the picture and Connor sitting down watching the whole thing go down! 

This week:

• With temps in the 60's this week, we have taken full advantage and gone to the park three times. 

• If I had money to burn, I would totally buy this ostrich pillow and use it just to see the looks on people's faces when I put it on...talk about a social experiment! 

• Isla's hair is now long enough to rock pigtails. I love it. 

• I "made" a wine rack out of a pallet and stained it. 

• I tried two new recipes, both were a success and both made up by me - black bean tacos & ricotta, bacon & green bean stuffed chicken

Now I am looking forward to a great, sunny weekend. And Ian helping me hang my diy wine rack.