Just For Today....

Life with two has actually been easier than I thought it would be. Though there are those hectic moments where both kids are crying or screaming or needing me at the exact same time, those moments pass and they come less often than I expected them to. I am usually running a bit behind, or struggling to get out the door right now. I swear Kellen always needs to eat and Makenna always needs to go "pee pee, poo poo" the minute I think we are Finally ready to go. But whatever, right? Things are(were) going good.
And then Makenna started having "difficulty" staying in her bed when it was nigh night time. We have that issue tackled (for now), but one of the solutions to this problem was either shortening or foregoing Makenna's nap. She just wasn't tired enough at bed time.
So what this means for Mommy is no more break. No more time to get caught up around the house real fast while two kids are sleeping. No more break to regain my sanity and patience on those days when Makenna just Loves to push my buttons. No more time out to come up with a game plan for how to get through the rest of the afternoon and evening.
This is how I was viewing it at first. But then I stopped, and after thinking (for awhile) I decided I really needed to change my attitude and focus on the positive in this.

The last week with Makenna not napping has been AMAZING for the two of us. It gives Makenna and I the opportunity throughout the day to have some one on one time. When Kellen is napping I try and at least use a good chunk of that time to have some Mommy and Kenna time. And I have suddenly realized how much I have missed my little girl. How much I was missing the alone time with her. The time where we could get down and dirty together and just play and laugh and have fun with each other. It made me realize how much her little world has changed since Kellen has arrived. And she has done so great with it all. Kellen gets a lot of my time and attention right now, having to sit and nurse him, change him, hold him, rock him to sleep. I love all the time with my little boy. I wish I had more! But I also love the alone time with Makenna. I have enjoyed being able to be with her and not be distracted or impatient because the baby is getting fussy or hungry. We have had a good week to bond and to reconnect in a way that has been missing.

I love my two little munchkinlanders. They mean the world to me, and more. Makenna is such a strong little personality. She has so much energy. She is a force to be reckoned with. I love everything about her and am grateful to have been reminded of the importance of having individual time (at least a little bit of it) with each of my children every day.

Here are a few captured moments from the last week.

Bustin' a move with her new "ipod" She does not want the headphones plugged in because she wants to hear the music out loud, but insists on wearing them still. I love it!

This is how we all take our shirts off, right?

You have no idea how often I come outside to find Makenna in a situation like this. The child is fearless...it is both a blessing and a curse.
Practicing some new hair styles. These are her first real pig tails!

Such a Ham! Flexing! So Strong!

Impressive bed head, don't you think? I told her that I wanted to take this picture because her hair looked cool and "Crazy"....now any time she looks in the mirror and her hair is messy she says, "Ooooh mama, mine hair is Crazy!"

Looking sweet and innocent (do not be fooled...)

This picture looks sort of vicious, but really Bella is just catching the ball....See?

These faces are just SO Makenna!

This is a poem that I just hung on my fridge. It is a bit of inspiration and help for me throughout the day when I am feeling worn down and tired. I hate going to bed at night thinking I could have/should have been more patient and kind during the day. This poem is a good reminder. You may have already seen it before, but either way, it is worth the read!

Just for this morning . . . . .I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning . . . . .I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning . . . . .I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning . . . . .I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon . . . . .I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening . . . . .I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.J

Just for this evening . . . . .I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening . . . . .I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening . . . . .I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening . . . .When I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day .............

MY (not so) LITTLE MAN

I just love this little baby so much! He is such a joy to have in the family. He is such a happy baby. Kellen just has a very loving and gentle spirit about him. His smiles are just so adorable. And I am finding that having a little boy is more fun than I even thought it would be. No, buying boy clothes isn't as thrilling. And no, there are not all the cute accessories for little boys. But having a son is a blast in this neat way...I feel like I always have this adorable little boyfriend with me. I love being the love of his life right now and knowing I am the woman he adores. I like being able to take care of my little guy and make the world a happy place for him. I just love my son so much!

Bath time in the big kid bath! It was so cute to see my two little ones bathing together.

Utter Glee! Kellen is laughing out loud now too, which is just a crack up in itself. So Handsome!

Look at this little Chubbster! Gotta love it! This boy is growing like a weed! He is 3 1/2 months and wearing 9 month stuff (which he is filling out quickly) The boy already checks in at 18 /2 lbs. Carrying this kid for another year (at least) is going to get tough...My arms are going to be ripped!

Sibling love. These two already adore each other. Makenna continues to prove to be a great big sissy (look....she even shares her coveted blanky with him....all on her own!) and kellen's eyes light up whenever she comes to say hi and play with him.

SNOW WONDERFUL....and other things

These pictures were taken before Christmas. I have just been a slacker about getting them and posting them. It was so much fun seeing Makenna get to play in the snow for the first time. She loved it and loved that mommy was letting her throw the snow without getting in trouble. And then her fingers got cold....but she still took it like a champ. We San Diegans don't really know quite what to do in the snow. But we had a good time. My feelings for the snow is similar to the feelings of a Grandparent- It is great to visit and have fun, but it is oh so nice to be able to go home and not be responsible for it and deal with it every day.

It has become tradition for the ladies to get together and spend a whole day baking Christmas cookies and treats. We have so much fun together doing it! Having a two year old helping out sort of slows down the process, but it was still a blast!My favorite ladies in the world!Are they not so cute washing dishes together???

Christmas, Oh Joyous Christmas!

Well, I just know that you have all been anxiously awaiting our Christmas Pics. Anticipation just makes things so much better :)

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. Makenna really enjoyed the whole Christmas experience, from the decorations and lights on houses, to leaving cookies for Santa, and of course the presents. The night after Christmas she asked me to put some more cookies on a plate for Santa. I asked her why and she said, "More Presents Mama!" It didn't take her long to put two and two together.

But really, it was great to spend the time together as a family and get to see the joy and excitement on everyones face. Christmas as a kid was wonderful, but Christmas as a parent is AMAZING!

Trimming the tree

The Annual "Timer Picture" in front of the tree
I just think this is funny....this is where Bella likes to lounge

Doesn't he just look ridiculous?!! And he knows it too. But it is just too cute!

Mis Bebes

Christmas MorningAll the cousins, for the time being at least...Christmas Dinner Grammy and Pa with the kiddos My silly family. Gotta love it.