Favorite-Things-Phone-Dump Friday

It. Is. Friday.  We made it through another week.

Barely.

You guys...preschoolers.  Ohmygoodness.

Ours is going through a lot right now and she is REALLY intent on taking her frustrations out on Mom and Dad.

The number of epic meltdowns that happened this week was pretty unreal.  I don't know what the deal is, but I have a few theories.

1) Delayed rebellion for us bringing home a baby.

2) Nap refusal (even though I know she would be tired enough by 1pm to fall asleep if she tried) resulting in extreme exhaustion by 5pm.

3) Not seeing Mom much, and having to share her time with the baby.

4) Not knowing how to control her spunk yet (and use it for good), resulting in total diva attitude.

5) Being sick all the time.

It is probably just a lethal combination of all of the above, and it is HARD.  I really hope that this is not typical 4-year-old behavior, or it is going to be a long year.

But enough about that. Onto the pictures.

Favorite Thing #1: This little diva and her ability to push all my buttons...but I love her
beyond words anyway.

Favorite Thing #2: The other little diva and her infectious smile and need to sleep
in people's arms.

Favorite Thing #4: Their dad and his weird facial hair for "No shave November."

Favorite Thing #5: Baby snuggles

Favorite Thing #6: Sisters

Favorite Thing #7: Play time and snuggle time with Daddy

Favorite Thing #8: Trying to be productive with a baby at work
with me for the morning

Favorite Thing #9: Beautiful weather

Aside from the meltdowns, we are still trying to figure out life with both of us working.  After work, we usually default to dividing and conquering...one of us taking Maya so she can sleep, and the other entertaining Callie.  It is survival mode still, but I hope that we'll be able to spend more time as a foursome soon. I'm very much looking forward to the holiday season and all the fun memories we'll be creating together.

Have a great weekend!!

TBT

Happy Throwback Day!

My first one is babies with smirks.  On their quilts made by my aunt Jenny.

Those two look like they are up to something

The last two are babies with Mom and babies with Dad.

Chunky. Cheeks.

Profile shots

Our Village

I saw this article online today: 10 True Things About the First Year of Parenthood.

It was a really good and timely read for me, and a good reminder to be kinder to myself.

Because parenting is hard.  The author likens the experience of parenting to climbing Mount Everest without any training.

But one of the reminders rang especially true for me- #8.

"8. The most important thing to get for your baby is not a Rock n' Play, nor a good set of swaddling blankets, nor a high-end stroller. The most important thing to get for your baby is a village. Your village will keep you afloat. They will carry you when you are tired, feed you when you are starving, forgive you when you are unkempt and hours late and a neglectful friend who can't remember to wear socks let alone whose birthday it is. They will love your baby when you are too tired or frustrated to hold her at the moment, because you are imperfect and human and have imperfect and human failings. They will remind you who you are when you start to think your whole life is only about poop. They will lift you up."

Our village is phenomenal and I don't say that enough.

The number of family members and friends that we have loving our girls, supporting us, getting us through the tough days and celebrating the joys with us is amazing. 

So thank you, village, we love you.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Hey there!

What a fast weekend!

It was on this weekend, one year ago, that we found out that Hamsie Little Squish would be joining our family!  What a crazy wonderful year.

As for the weekend, it was pretty mellow.  We had some play time on Saturday morning and Callie REALLY got into her princess puzzle.  She did it at least half a dozen times...all on her own.  Maya chilled in the bumbo, etc., and they both played on the baby play mat.

We met Josh, Alison and Avery for lunch at MOA.  Mealtimes with them are not so much leisurely anymore with three kids around, but we were able to catch up nonetheless.

Maya managed to fall asleep like this in my arms for a short period of time.

After lunch Callie had I raked the few leaves we had left in our yard.  Thanks to Chris mowing last weekend, and the crazy wind, we didn't have too much.  But we still had fun playing in them.

Kona did too, even though it doesn't look like it

We spent the evening at home as a family.  Maya is getting more and more interactive and playful.  I can't stop taking pictures of her.  It is kind of ridiculous.

"Mom! Let's take a family picture!"
Mom!  Let's take a picture with you, me and Maya!"

So cute, right? Look at those cheeks!

Today my Maya picture addiction continued.  I spent the morning at home with her while Chris and Cal went to Sunday School.  I. can't. get. enough.

Notice the bottle picture??  YAY!!!

The eyes.  The smile.  The cheeks.

I got some Callie time too...we went on a walk with Kona, some errands, and worked on another puzzle.  On the walk, she was dressed head to toe in different shades of pink.  I called her "The Pink Tornado" and she called herself "The Pink Tomato."  It was adorable. 

See how she looks slightly miserable in the puzzle picture?  She developed yet ANOTHER cold today.  I think that makes three colds in about five weeks.  And when each one lasts about a week, that is a lot of snot up in our house.

During her cold a couple weeks ago, we started using the Nose Frida.  We bought it initially for Maya when she was a little stuffy, but it has worked well with Callie too.  When she actually lets me do it.  It usually takes some major bribery, but that is okay with me considering the amount of snot I'm able to get out.  Can you tell how it works?

Yep, I'm totally sucking out her boogers through a long tube-like contraption.
It. Is. Awesome.

It is a Swedish invention that we have heard rave reviews about so we decided to try it.  I'm glad we did.

Lastly, we have a baby that is THISCLOSE to rolling over from back to tummy.  If only that darn arm would get out of the way.  It just makes her mad.


IMG 7916 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

The "skill" the other daughter seemed to perfect this weekend is the exasperated "MO-om" whine whenever I don't do something right or fast enough or do exactly what she wants when she wants it done.  I don't care to get that skill on video, so you'll just have to trust me.  She sounds 3-going-on-13.

Another busy week starts tomorrow!  Let's hope it will feel easier than the last two. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Favorite-Things-Phone-Dump Friday

Happy Weekend All!

This week definitely went better than last week, but we still seem to be in survival/transition mode. 

As I mentioned on Wednesday, Maya finally figured out the bottle with Pa.  She kept it up on Thursday with G-ma too.

Callie has had some issues with not wanting to go to preschool, and thanks to her teacher and Chris, the problem was hopefully solved.  What was the problem, you ask?  Her lunches.  The lunches I packed her were apparently not up to par with other students' lunches.  Because peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, raisins and teddy grahams are apparently not as cool as "smoothies" that other students get.  Chris was able to save the day (so many tears in the morning) on Wednesday by bringing by a little yogurt smoothie with a straw so she could have it for lunch. 

If only all of life's problems could be solved by a yogurt smoothie.

Anyway, on to my favorite things.

Favorite Thing #1: Playtime with cousins Donald and Frederic

Favorite Thing #2: This girl is getting SO big!

Favorite Thing #3: Out with family- MOA with Mommy, dinner at Davanni's,
Lifeway Bookstore with Auntie Cat

Favorite Thing #4: SQUISH cheeks.
I mean, seriously.

Favorite Thing #5: I did get a few visits this week

 

Favorite Thing #6: Being off on Friday- Play time, lunch with Boom, Bops
and Yoda, seeing Auntie Mari while she recovered from getting her wisdom teeth out,
and dealing with the crazy amount of laundry that had piled up.

My last favorite thing is a video. Maya seems really interested in sitting up, so I prop her up on the boppy occasionally.  She obviously lacks the strength to stay sitting for very long, and falls forward.  It has turned into a game we call "FACEPLANT!"  Callie thinks it is hilarious and Maya doesn't seem to mind at all. 

 

IMG 7823 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

Have a great weekend!!

TBT

Once again it is Throwback time!

Three-month-olds are pretty stinkin' cute.  This week the TBT pictures highlight the babies' sweet faces.

Babies in hoodies

Babies looking sweet

Babies love their hands

Lastly, I have another VIDEO throwback! The first video is of Callie at 14 or 15 weeks old being chatty, and the second is of 15 week old Maya being very chatty.



Happy Friday~~ from Baby Goose on Vimeo.


IMG 7789 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

Hallelujiah!!!!

PA GOT MISS MAYA TO DRINK FROM THE BOTTLE!  THREE TIMES!!!!

Let's hope it wasn't a fluke.  Because as much as I love our lunch time visits, the girl needs to figure it out.

Looks like she's on the right track.