Sweet Madelyn is 4!

Miss Madelyn Jayne, is 4 years old! I look back on the photos and realize how much she's grown each year, but this first picture feels like yesterday. Our sweet little baby, became a happy, gentle toddler and big sister. Now at 4, Madelyn is a kid. She is a beautiful little girl with a kind soul, and huge heart. She cares so much about her family and her friends, and boy does she love her little sister. She loves to draw, loves to learn, loves dramatic play, and has a million and one questions a day :) I am so proud of her and feel incredibly blessed to be her mom. Cheers to you my sweet girl - I love you more!

Fall Fun with my faves

I've always loved the fall, and everything that the change in season brings. With the gradual change in weather comes the switch from flops to slippers, layers, fleece, blankets, hot coffee and then of course, who doesn't love all the beautiful foliage. Add to that, the season brings so many fun activities for the family. I so happy that we've had a full calendar, and we've squeezed in everything I'd hoped, thus far :) With a young family, and two working parents, it can be tough to juggle fun with chores on weekends. I feel like we're always trying to cram in all of our errands or housework, plus do fun stuff with the kids. Especially, now that they're at a good age for being active, and needing the stimulation. So, we've been keeping busy and having tons of fun with the kids.

Brian had Columbus Day off, and I had the chance to take the day off (which rarely happens with my limited vacation time). So in the mix of all the fun fall activities, we had a great long weekend and spent the day off together with a fun trip to the aquarium. I wanted to do something fun with the kids that we don't do often, and I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did. I hadn't been in years, and it was a real treat. In the last few weekends, we went pumpkin picking, explored the Nature Center at their Fall Fair, and most recently took a trip to Sesame Place with friends.  

Next up is Halloween and Miss Madelyn's 4th Birthday! (Ahh.) The girls are totally into Halloween. It has always been my least favorite holiday but I'm happy their excitement has me looking forward to it too! Keeping with the fantasy/princess theme, Madelyn is Ariel, and Anna is very appropriately dressing as a monkey. We may even try to squeeze in some family photos this weekend, but I don't want to press my luck. Lots going on, lots to smile about. Hope you have a great weekend!!

XO

Fellow Mommas

I can't take credit for this because I found it online, but I loved it and feel it warrants being shared. This blog post is for all mommas, whether you are a working-mom, or a SAHM, you are feeling overwhelmed, or you are having a day where you feel like you have it all together (who needs advice?!) these are great tips for all of us!

 

Being a mom is the best thing in the world, but I certainly have my days where I need little reminders, and this is like a virtual hug! So say it with me.... "no more comparing"

 

 

K, thanks... bye!

XO

Paci-free and potty

Over the last two weeks, Anna has gone paci-free and gone to the bathroom on the potty a few times. I barely know what to do with myself. What happened to my baby?! Coincidentally, Madelyn seems to have matured significantly in the last few months. She's (almost 4) going on 7 and real kid. So, she opened the toddler door for her little sis. I think of them as my babies, and refer to them as my little ones, but it's apparent those terms are a stretch. As overwhelming as it is that they grow so fast, all the little changes still amaze me.

Thankfully, going paci-free was an absolute breeze. We didn't have any issues, and Anna barely flinched. At her 18 mo appointment, our doctor suggested stopping the use of the paci asap. The longer she has it, the harder it'll be to detach from. He suggested cutting them, hiding them, etc. I was a little worried, because you hear all sorts of stories of the scheming and drama surrounding separating from pacifiers and loveys. However, when we got home and it was time for her to nap, I just didn't give it to her.... and she fell asleep. Same thing at night... so that was that. She never even asked for it, even in the days or nights to follow. I was shocked to be honest, and obviously thankful that it was so easy. I waited a week or so, and just yesterday I threw out all of the ones we had in the house!

The first time Anna used the potty successfully was with my mom. She's been grabbing at her diaper and saying "pee-pee" for a month or two. I sort of dismissed the fact that she could possibly be ready to start the process so early. My mom is wonderful about being aware of all milestones, and assisting as she can. So, sure enough, she's been helping Anna recognize before she actually has to go, and they've been able to makes it in time. Then, one night when Brian had just walked in the door from work, she said "poopy" and he promptly picked her up and brought her in the bathroom... sure enough - success there too. Not surprising that A has not gone with me yet. I am not so quick to act when she verbalizes it, probably because I'm just not ready yet. Is that bad? My baby can't be done with diapers soon too! Ahhhh!

Say it Ain't So - 18mo

Just like that, our baby is 18 mo! I truly can't believe that we're at this milestone. The start to the summer sort of seemed to go at a normal pace, but the last 2 months have flown by at record speed. So, 18 months just sort of hit me upside the head.

There is so much about this age to love. The talking, the learning, the giggles, the play, the affection - it's all so innocent and pure. Add to that, Anna's larger-than-life personality and everything is magnified. We are having a blast with Anna, watching her grown and watching the world through her eyes. She is a little peanut, at 20lbs 12 oz and she has this personality with so much zest, sometimes I think "where did you come from?!" She is dramatic, she is feisty, she is independent, fearless, and so animated. She loves to get a reaction out of you, and she has a mind of her own.

Though in the 90th percentile at birth, Anna slowed down around 9mo and has been steadily in the 10th percentile since. So although she's developing at leaps and bounds, her physical growth has been a little slower. In a way, since she's not off the growth charts, it's helped me feel like she's not growing too fast.  Sometimes all she wants is to be held, and I've mastered doing so many things all while holding her :)

I can't remember when it was exactly but I want to say it was around month 14, that I realized Anna didn't really have any words. Madelyn started talking fairly early on and it really helped us understand her.  It hit me one day that I was enabling Anna by doing everything for her and not encouraging her to be verbal. So, I made a point to say "Anna say ----" and I swear within a week there was a significant difference. Now, a few months later and she has a lot of words. In the last week, she's started to go from 2 words, to putting 3 words together. It's so neat to see that jump in development.  In addition to Mommy and Daddy, these are some of her words:

 

no-no, yes, please, thank you, sissy, buddy (Q), home, up, nigh - nigh, bless you, pee-pee, help, ba-ba, nana (banana), yo-yo (yogurt), play, I do, all done, outside

These are a few of her favorite things:
songs: twinkle, wheels on the bus, row your boat, happy and you know it
foods: hot dogs, sausage, cheese, yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, mac n cheese, hummus, pasta
toys: lovey, musical car, kitchen, Frozen boombox,

From a very young age, Anna was a mover. Although she didn't really start walking early, she rolled over early, got up on all four's early, and started crawling early. While in a swing or rocker, her legs would be kicking non-stop. Granted she has a busy older sister around, she's not so interested in keeping up with her. She's just active, and curious... constant motion. I have so few photos of A from recently because there is no chance I'll be quick enough to photograph her. Sadly, I end up having to delete photos I do snap because they are too blurry to view.

Here are some pictures of our amazing little girl, who really is our sunshine - we love you so much Anna girl!!

 

A's 1st haircut!

Constantly climbing

loving playing in the ocean

kisses for Elmo

 

Decorating pumpkins with sissy

 

 

on the run!

In a quandary

Quandary is not a word that I use very much... I suppose I'm lucky that I don't feel this way often. However, for our current situation, this is absolutely the appropriate word to describe how I'm feeling. So many thoughts in my head and I don't know how to make sense of them.

Earlier this summer we made the very difficult decision to move the girls to schools closer to home. We loved the school, but after I started my new job, I was having a hard time getting to the school before it closed. Back here I shared our upcoming transition for the girls to new schools and as it approached I was excited and nervous, about the change. Now, we're about 1.5 weeks into our new routine. It's got me questioning my mom instincts and second guessing the importance of convenience. 

You know that saying - if it's not broke, don't fix it? Plain and simple, that is what happened here. I fixed something that wasn't actually broken.  The mom guilt I'm feeling is beyond words, because convenience (mostly for me) was the catalyst for the change. I like being a working mom, but without a good balance, I find it to be less fulfilling and a stressful challenge. So, I took it upon myself to research new schools, do all the paperwork and get the girls set up in new schools for this year. All to save us some time commuting and get us home around 5:15pm, instead of 6:15pm. Need I state how crazy our evenings are when we try to squeeze dinner, play and baths before we wind down for bed at 7pm? Sometimes, Daddy is even home yet to help/play/visit/eat with the girls before its time for bed.

For one of the girls, the transition has been so smooth and easy, and for the other its been heart wrenching. I think both schools are wonderful and I don't have anything bad to say about either, but it's becoming clear that this change might not have been the right decision. Granted, it hasn't been long, but there are some significant differences in curriculum and structure, that I'm concerned could really make a lasting impact on our little one. Granted our girls are young, but I don't doubt that they are young enough to develop behaviors and/or be impacted by life situations now. Just the other day, my brother was sharing a story of how he found out our first cat died, what he did afterwards and how sad he was. He was not even 3 years old.
 
There is a possibility we could switch back, and I would have to figure out how to deal. Obviously, it's not me I'm worried about. However, if we could back into our old school - am I coddling a little and just appeasing? If we stay where we are, is it too early to try and teach our kids resiliency and encourage independence? For a child that is very smart, perceptive, sweet and shy, is it OK to shelter them and protect them while we can? Or, are there benefits to pushing them towards new things, new environments and different experiences. I mean, it's just a year... It's now or never though, so I'm trying not to dwell on it but its consuming my every thought. A worrier by nature, this is only the beginning! God help me as the girls get older, and actually God help them too because I'm guaranteed to drive them crazy ;)

Happy Hump Day!

XO