7 months

I missed my post yesterday.  It's tough when I don't have at least a few minutes where both girls are napping at the same time to actually sit down and write or respond to emails.  I am still trying to get Ella on a decent nap schedule, but some days she agrees with my schedule and other days she doesn't :)  

Anyways, today I told the gym to nap let her fall asleep during that time she was there which I think helps with the afternoon nap, since (knock on wood) she is now napping.  

Alright onto the real topic of the post.

This little lady is 7 months old.

Yes, that is crazy to me.  Just in the past couple of weeks she is really starting to develop her own little personality.  She is starting to sit up on her own.  She still needs someone by her at all times as she isn't very stable (and quite frankly I don't trust Kiley to not push her over).  Ella also has started babbling a ton and screaming.  She thinks it's funny-me not so much.  She loves Kiley and Morgan and Madison and I often find her laughing at them.  

She has started eating 3 solid meals a day--no finger foods yet, but she is much better with eating baby food than she was even a few weeks ago. She loves fruit, tolerates vegetables, and doesn't really enjoy protein.  She has 3-8oz bottles in between all of her meals.    She still spits up quite a bit, but hopefully that will slow down her pretty soon.  

She sleeps great at night (again knock on wood)--usually from about 5:30-6.  For the most part, once she is out for the night, we don't hear a peep out of her.  She also wakes up really happy and you can just listen to her babble to herself up in her room.  It's interesting to see the differences between Kiley and Ella--the biggest one that I have seen thus far is with sleep.  I know there will be MANY more to come but just off the bat, Kiley didn't sleep through the night until like 9 months, Ella did at 3, Kiley never wakes up and just babbles to herself, Ella does all the time. I think Kiley was a better napper--but when I think back to Kiley at 7 months it is kind of hard to remember. 

 I think that it will be a while before she starts crawling as she still doesn't show much interest in being on her stomach, but I could be wrong.  I know that it will be a whole different ball game once she is mobile so I'm not pushing it.  

 

I can't believe after the holidays I have to start thinking about 2 birthday parties.  Like I said before, life is busy, but good busy :)

Some days go as planned. . . and some don't

One thing that I have learned from being a mom is that the second you think that you have a routine figured out--oh it goes and changes on you.  Now, for me, who thrives on routine, this has not been an easy concept to grasp.  I want my children to wake up at the same time every day, nap at the same time, go to bed at the same time and sleep peacefully through the night. I want them to eat what I serve them and I would prefer if they were never crabby or whiny.  Ok-so I have realized that was my dreamworld before actually having children.  The second you think that you have them figured out, they go and change it up on you.  I have come to the realization that life with 2 is never going to get easier--it will be just as hard but maybe in different ways.  Both kids will constantly need my attention.  Yes, there may be a time where they start playing together, but then will come the fights over toys and the tattling.  I have, and am still working everyday, on learning to be flexible and patient.  Two things that pre-motherhood were NOT traits that most would describe me as.  Today things are pretty good--I have a roast in the crockpot, cards are being addressed, kids are napping, I have been to the gym and showered.  Tomorrow--well until we get there I have no idea.  I do the best that I can to fulfill my obligations, but I have come to realize that sometimes it's just not going to be in our cards for the day.  Life is busy, but I would much rather be busy taking care of my two littles that not.  And with that, I am going to take this time to go make a cup of chocolate mocha, listen to my christmas music and work on finishing holiday shopping (thanks to online shopping--I don't know how I would do it without the internet) because who knows how much time I will have until these two crazy girls are awake and begging for attention.

Half Marathon

Ok, I am going to do it.  I am setting a goal and I have 5 months to train to reach that goal.  Hopefully I will lose some weight in the process but my biggest goal is just to finish the race.  I don't care if I have to walk some or come in last, I just want to commit to training and do it.  I have signed up for races before and not done them, but I am going to do this one.  It helps that I know others who will be running so they better whip me into shape.  It will be quite an accomplishment for me since I am not a runner like I have said before, but I have gotten into a lazy workout rut and need something to get me back on track.  So mark May 5th on your calendar so you can come out and cheer me on.  God knows I will need it, but I can do this!!!!  The funny thing is that I signed up to run a half marathon right before I found out I was pregnant with Kiley so obviously I didn't run it, so I think that running this one the day before Ella's first birthday will be special to me. 

Now maybe I should go get fitted for some running shoes :) (and maybe get some more advil-I can already feel the soreness coming on)

This pic has nothing to do with running--but how cute is this little bunny :)  I hope to see her some where along the course!!!

Look who's doing the shopping this year

Don't ask me what you are getting for Christmas this year.  Ella decided to take over the online shopping :)  (and I'm pretty sure she can't read the lists that were written, so I'm not sure what she bought)

Hmmm, what can I find for me that Kiley won't get her grubby hands on.




Stop taking pictures of me mom, I am trying to finish my shopping for myself--er I mean others :)





Oh now this is a good deal!



December is here!

Ok, so with it being December 1st, I am going to do my own blogging advent calender.  Yep, I am going to blog everyday this month leading up to Christmas. I have been a bad blogger lately and need to get back into it.  Along with that, I am getting my butt in gear and going to try to get myself to the gym everyday as well.  I need some motivation to get this baby weight gone for good.  My friend Hursh posted that she was doing a half marathon which kind of peaked my interest.  It is the day before Ella's first birthday and would require a good amount of training since I am NOT a runner, but since I have to go to the gym at off-times these days due to the girls nap schedules and can't take classes, maybe that would be give me something I have to do.  I don't know, I am still thinking about it.  But, it would be a good way to shed the baby weight and would be a pretty good gift to myself for Ella's 1st birthday.

So check back here often this month.  I promise to update.  This season is about family and enjoying the season and I started this blog to remind me of all the stages of my family's life so I need to get back on board.  Granted I don't have a ton of time each day because when I look away for a second my kids end up like this.

or this

Have a great Thursday!

Movies

I haven't uploaded any videos for awhile so-aside from grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles--I'm sure you can just scroll past this post as I'm sure you don't want to waste your valuable time listening to my lovely horrendous singing voice of the Itsy Bitsy Spider or watching Kiley push over Ella for the millionth time.

On another note, I was walking the dogs and Ella this morning and saw a homeless couple in our alley looking in the neighbors trash looking for cans/stuff.  The lady picked out this giant stuffed animal and the guy playfully says to her "No, put it back!"  Just funny to me because it reminded me of my mom and dad, well maybe not the digging through trash cans part, but I could see them having that same conversation in a store.  I hope if one day Kevin and I have to go through garbage cans to find treasures, I can find my own giant stuffed animal-and I am sure that he will tell me to put it back :)

Total Mom Moment

Ha, So remember on Friday, oh say, maybe around 10:55 when I said I was going to get Ella ready for her 6-month appointment.  Well, I did and waited for Kevin since he was working from home that day and coming with us.  So we get there around 11:20--right on time.  When the dr. came in he made a little comment about getting a late start today.  I didn't really think anything of it--that is until this morning when I looked at my planner and saw that her appointment was actually at 11 on Friday :)  Yep, messed that one up and did not even realize it until 3 days later.  After I saw it in my planner, I then proceeded to see the big fat reminder card on the bulletin board that I look at EVERYDAY that said 11 and if I had listened to the phone message I would have also realized the appointment was at 11 and not 11:20 like I thought.  I feel so bad because it is totally not like me to be late, but oh well.  Lesson learned--and that lesson that was learned-check your planner every morning and write everything down.  I guess now I forgive my mom for the times she was late picking me up from things :) 

I am busy this week getting ready having some anxiety attacks about flying with 2 babies and all their stuff.  I have only flown with Kiley once and she was not even walking at that point, I have no idea how she will do confined to a seat now for 2 hours.  Wish me luck--and let's hope that Kevin's dad has some glasses of wine waiting for us when we arrive because I am pretty sure that we are going to need it. 

11.11.11

It's been forever since I have blogged.  I have to be better at it.  I started this blog to keep up to date on things, and I am constantly falling behind.  Next week I promise to be better.  Until then, here is a mind dump of all the things that have been going on around here lately (and when I say around here, I mean in my brain :))

1.  Whoever thought up daylight savings time did not have kids.  I finally got into a good groove and then daylight savings time came around and messed it all up for us.  Routine = shot, Ella = not napping well again, Me = unhappy.  Boo, hopefully we will get back into the routine soon, however, then we will be traveling for Thanksgiving and it will be shot again.

2.  Kevin and I have no immunity to anything anymore.  I have been sick this week, Kevin is on his 2nd dose of antibiotics for a sinus infection.  I never or very rarely got sick before kids, now I feel like I am always sick.

3.  Have you watched the show Revenge on ABC--if not, you should. It's awesome, but you should probably start from the beginning.  Go onto Hulu and watch from the beginning.

4.  I am in love with the Ann Taylor loft leggings these days.  So much so that I think that I may head out today or tomorrow while they are having 40% off their entire store and getting my self some more.  They are thick enough to keep you warm and perfect for days spent chasing around babies.

5.  We had Kiley's parent/teacher conferences at school on Wednesday.  That in itself is funny but it did bring a smile to my face when she got an Always with a smiley face on enjoys dancing to music :)  Her teacher said she loves to dance.

6.  Can you believe this little thing is 6 months old.

I don't mean to show you a gross picture with her drooling and food all over the place, but it's the best one to see her hair.  It's crazy these days and it's dark.  I think that she is going to be brunette.




Well, that is it for now.  I need to go get Ella ready for her 6 month dr. appointment.  Ugh--where does time go (and more importantly, why am I still holding onto baby weight six months after the fact--oh yeah the double stuff oreos don't help)

Have a great day and weekend. This is supposed to be a good day if you want to get married or start a business or something according to the numerology expert they had on The Talk yesterday.  So--if you have been thinking about it,  today's your day!

My (Our) Philosphy on Halloween Candy

My thought is, I am probably going to eat it anyways, so I might as well just eat it and get it out of the house--guess it is Kiley's thought too!

But in all serious, I am trying to raise two girls with confident images of themselves, their bodies and a healthy self-esteem and I believe that the way to do that is through moderation.  I realize that obesity is a huge problem our society and many parents wouldn't even think about letting their kids eat any candy/sweets.  We always get an email from Kiley's school about having a sweet treat for someone's birthday and it says that parents can opt for their kids to have a different/healthier item.  I don't ever remember this being the case when I was in school.  Birthdays were a treat--so it was exciting to get to eat the treat.  Same thing with Halloween.  It comes around once a year and it something that look forward to and get excited about.  So I guess my philosphy is everything is ok in moderation.  If I don't teach my child that now and only have a list of off limit foods, I think that they are going to crave those sweets even more later in life.  I also am committed to teaching my children about healthy lifestyles of exercise.  It is important to me to get to the gym most days of the week and it has become the one thing that we do every day.  I think that is teaching them that it is important to exercise and I fully believe that kids should get outside and play and not be sitting inside watching tv, playing video games, or playing on the computer.  I am trying my hardest to raise healthy, happy children--but the world today is a lot different than the one I grew up in. I don't know if I will ever feel comfortable just letting them go out and play by themselves so I have to commit to making it a priority in our day.  I have to find time in between listening to two kiddos who always want something to make a hot dinner for the family.  It requires planning ahead and having a plan for the day and trying to stick to that plan.  I am working on this and getting better at it everyday.  I think that I am finally finding my groove in raising 2 under 2--and I guess to tie this back in to Halloween candy--it probably doesn't help that I maybe have also been on a sugar high this week :) 

Happy Friday!!!

Soup--it's what's for Dinner

In our house, Sunday nights have been turned into soup night at our house.  Kiley is obsessed with soup these days.  She loves it and that is fine by us because it usually has a lot of veggies and some sort of meat in it so it is easy to get her to eat those things.  So now I am on the hunt for good (and easy) soup receipes.  We have a couple staple receipes in our house, but it is never bad to have too many good options.  What are your favorites.

Here is the receipe that I made the other night.  It was delicious.  The only thing that I changed up was that I added a little bit (maybe 1/2 to 3/4 cup more broth) but you can put as much or as little broth in as you would like.  Enjoy!

http://annies-eats.net/2009/04/01/black-bean-chicken-and-red-pepper-stew/

Halloween!

We had a fun-filled weekend of Halloween fun--to the point where last night after we put the kids to bed and shut the door on trick-or-treaters, I told Kevin that I was Halloweened out.  Now, bring on Thanksgiving.  I know a lot of people are already onto Christmas, but I personally love Thanksgiving (a day full of eating, what's not to like).  Plus my birthday is right before Thanksgiving so November is good month for me. 

Anyways, back to Halloween.  Kiley LOVED it.  We weren't sure how she would do trick-or-treating, but she was so great.  She went up and said trick or treat (well other people probably couldn't understand her, but she said it) and would say thank you once she got her candy.  Lucky for us we live in an area with a ton of townhomes, so we actually were able to hit up quite a few houses in a short amount of time which Ella appreciated.  Kiley was so worn out by the end, that she asked to get in the stroller to ride home--that never happens anymore.  When she got home though she got a second wind and was so excited to hand out candy to the other kids--I think she actually though was pretty pumped just to be outside when it was dark out (another thing that never happens in our house).

And we're off. . .

First house--needed a little help from her paci

Madison was not so happy to be left at home

Handing out candy with dad

"Give me more candy!!!!"

A watermelon eating grilled cheese

"Mom why are you making me wear this stupid hat?"

Morgan and Madison looking so sad they can't help hand out candy


Prior to trick-or-treating, the girls went to parties 4 days in a row.  Yes, they have a very busy social calendar.  Friday they went with Aunt Abby and Uncle Kerry to the Marklund party where they stayed up 'til 9:30--party animals.  Saturday we had a party at one of my friend's houses, Sunday was the Halloween party at Bubbles and Monday, Kiley had her school party. 

Alright, enough photos for today. 

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Happy Birthday Grandma Liz!

Happy Birthday Grandma Liz!  We can't wait to see you at Christmas and even though we don't get to see you a lot, we love you SOOOOOOO much.  And we thank you for giving us the best daddy in the whole wide world :)

Love,
Kiley and Ella

Wordless Wednesday

A little Strawberry for your Wednesday :)

I was finally able to get a decent (and when I say decent, I mean two girls looking somewhat in the direction of the camera--I do not mean smiling and looking cute) picture of the girls in their Halloween costumes.  The only picture I could get of Kiley with Ella is if by telling Kiley to lie down next to Ella (and I maybe also bribed her with a box of nerds), however, a picture was taken are cards are now being made.  Now, I just have to find some time to get down to pick them up and mail them.  Who said Halloween cards need to actually get to their destinations by Halloween?

Halloween Pics

So I attempted to get some pictures of the girls in their Halloween costumes last week so I could make some cute cards to send to family, however, the girls had other ideas in mind.  Kiley refuses to put her costume on which I don't really understand why because it doesn't really look uncomfortable at all and Ella decided that everytime I put her in her costume she should spit up all over it.  So, after about 20 minutes of no success and cleaning up a lot of spit, I decided to say screw the picture and try again for another day. 

We'll see if I actually get the picture some day this week, but if not I can at least enjoy the Halloween candy I bought in the meantime.  Of course, I opened the bag with the Reese's peanut butter cups in the garage of Target immeditely after I bought it.  And I may or may not have already enjoyed 4 little peanut butter pumpkins-delicious :)  Hopefully I don't have to run out and buy more candy before Halloween even gets here, but I make no promises. 

But, I bet you thought that you would be getting some cute pics in this post so I don't want to leave you empty handed.  We went to the Museum of Science and Industry last week and saw the Dr. Suess exhibit.  It was pretty fun and I am sure we will be back there a bunch in the coming months withe family in town, but until then, here is a fun pic of me and the girls.  As you can tell, Kiley was not so cooperative. I can't wait for our family pics on Saturday.  I'm sure that we are going to get some amazing shots--of course I'm not being sarcastic, why wouldn't by almost 20-month old want to cooperate with me to get at least one decent shot :)

Jersey's Wedding

I had a great weekend in New Jersey with good girlfriends, good food and drinks, and tons of fun.  It was exactly what I needed and I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who stayed home with the girls all weekend--he was such a trooper even though he was feeling sick for the whole time.  Thanks babe!

The wedding was by far one of the most fun weddings that I have ever been to.  I ate my butt off due to a ridiculous amount of food--and then had to dance my butt off, due to consuming said amount of food.  It was a great weekend away, but I was also really ready to come home yesterday and thanks to my awesome friend Hursh, I was even able to get home a few hours early! 

It's amazing what a little bit of time for yourself can do for your outlook on things.  I posted Friday about being in a funk, but came back yesterday feeling a lot more refreshed and ready to get back into the groove and start tackling the week.  Thanks to all those who had kind words about hanging in there through my funk.  Here are a couple of pics from the weekend.  And again congrats to Jersey and Tom who are now off to enjoy their honeymoon.  Jersey made a beautiful bride and I am pretty certain that it was the most beautiful that I have ever seen her look. 

Oh--and if you have not tried cake vodka-you are missing out.  Go, run, buy it.  It was awesome.  It tasted like funfetti cake in a shot glass.  

In a funk

To be completely honest, I have been in a funk lately.  I think that I always knew that two under two (shoot, two in 14 months for me) was going to be hard, but I didn't realize that it was going to be this hard.  I heard that people say just to survive the first year and it gets better, then your kids will start to be able to play together, etc.  Man, I hope so!  I feel like ever since my parents left and I have had to do the day in and day out thing by myself, it has gotten so much harder.  Plus this last month with endless illnesses for both of the girls and myself has not helped.  And once you get into a funk, it's really hard to get out of it.  I haven't consistently been to the gym probably in over a month now, I rarely see the girls from my mom's group, Kevin's been working late and traveling a lot more, all in all, it's just been a tough couple of months.  Then add Kiley being in a major tantrum stage and Ella deciding that she no longer needs to take naps during the days and I am at the end of my rope.  It's time for me to get out of the funk!!!! 

In the back of my mind I know that I have so much to be grateful for.  I have two beautiful daughters, an amazing husband, my family, friends, health, etc, but sometimes it is so easy to get sucked into what's not going right and dwell on that instead of reminding yourself how great you do have it.  I know that two under two is hard, but I also know so many people who would do anything to have two under two (or even just one for that matter) and I try to remind myself of that when times are tough, but like I have said, it is hard.  A lot has changed for me in a short span of time and sometimes I miss my old life of going to work everyday, seeing work friends, going to the gym after work, walking the dogs, having dinner in peace, sleeping withougt being woken up a million times for someone needing to be fed or wanting a pacifier.  Don't get me wrong, I love my girls to death, but when all you have done all day is listen to a whiney toddler, a crying baby, getting food, cleaning up food, throwing ball to dog, taking dogs out, watching the mess around you spiral out of control--it's hard not to want a little ME time.  I must say, Kevin is awesome at helping when he is home.  He isn't one of those husbands that thinks that because he is the one making money that is all he has to do, and sometimes I take that for granted.  He works so hard to provide for us and I expect so much of him also when he is home, and a lot of times I forget to say thank you.  I'm really lucky that I have him and I can't even imagine what my life would be like without him.  But, it's also easy to feel lonely sometimes when he is at work all day and I am at home with just the kids.  Pre-Ella, it was so much easier for me to get out to playgroups and I met a lot of really great girls that I met up with a couple of times of week.  But since Ella, it seems like everyone has kind of gotten close to one or two other people in the group and they do things together on their own and even they they still do get together as a group sometimes, it's hard for us to get there with Kiley and Ella having different schedules and trying to juggle a tantruming toddler and crying baby is hard out in public, so we haven't really gotten out much.  Most of my other girlfriends that live in the city are still single and get to go out and do fun, child-less things, so I don't get to see them too much. 

So, with all of these things going on, it's easy to see how I am in a funk.  I'm ready to get out of the funk though and I realize that I have to make some changes to reconnect with friends, reach out more and ask for help when I need it.  I am looking forward to a fun weekend with college girlfriends.  We are celebrating Jersey's wedding and this is the first time that I am doing a girl's weekend in a couple of years and it couldn't come at a better time.  I am really anxious about leaving the girls and Kevin behind, but I know that they are going to be just fine, and I probably need this weekend away more than they need me at home.  And next week, I vow to get back to the gym, back to playgroups, and back to enjoying my kids and husband instead of being in my funk. 

Have a great weekend. 

Windy Wednesday

OMG--both of my children are sleeping, at the same time, during the day. I don't know what I did to deserve this today, but I will take it!!! Granted, I'm sure that it will only last for about 10 minutes so I will keep this short.  I swear, I should have never written that blog post on sleep because ever since then Ella is the worst sleeper during the day--as in maybe sleeps for 40 minutes all day long.  Oh well, I guess I should be glad that she sleeps through the night :)

The weather here has been beautiful, well up until today that is, when I was driving on Lake Shore Drive and thought that we were going to be swept into the lake.  We have spent a good amount of time at the park these past couple of weeks so here are some park pics. 

Oh, how I love fall!  Unfortunately, for me, I believe fall for us is on it's way out.

Ella's Baptism

I feel like every post I write these days starts we either, a. we have been busy lately, or b. we have been sick lately.  Well--today you get both!!!  We had a really busy weekend last weekend with family in town for Ella's baptism.  It was great to see everyone, but I will be the first to say that 4 adults, 4 kids under 3 and 3 dogs make for a chaotic household (but very fun!).  I'll try to go through all of my pictures today to get them ready to post, but for now, this one will have to do. 

I must say out of about 300 pictures from the weekend, this is probably the only one where both kids are looking at the camera--it's definitely asking way to much these days for a smile so I will just have to be satisfied with looking in the general direction of the camera. 

Everyone left by Tuesday and now we are trying to get back to a routine--or start a routine in Ella's case.  She hasn't been much of a daytime napper, but I think that it is time that we get her on a schedule.  I'm a little bummed because it means I must forgo my spin classes and morning outings, but hopefully it will make her a little happier during the day.  So for now, we are on the 9 and 1 nap schedule--so if you are looking for me, I will be at home since I will have about an hour of time to actually get out of the house.

Other than that--we are sick.  Ella has ear infections in both ears and Kiley has one in one ear--a different ear than last time. And I am just trying to keep fighting off whatever the girls keep getting.  So we are home on this rainy Thursday taking it easy and it is now 9--so I am off to lay this little lady down for her nap.

I promise to be a better blogger again.  Man--the end of September and beginning of October got away from me.

Until tomorrow--have a great day!

What we've been up to

Ha--the joke is on me!!!  I wrote the nice blog post about sleep training and guess what has been going on in our house--you're right, NOT SLEEPING!!!  Which made for a REALLY long week when Kevin was out of town last week.  But, we survived and had a fun weekend so now we are ready for a busy week/weekend ahead of us with Ella's baptism next Sunday. 

On Saturday we hit up the pumpkin patch.  It's an hour and a half outside of the city, and it feels like a completely different world.  We got some pumpkins, rode on tractors, rode ponies, petted goats (Kiley and Kevin, not I, I stood outside the fence), ate cinnamon and sugar doughnuts, played with Aunt Abby and Uncle Kerry, and got a lot of fresh air.  All in all, it was a great day.

Sunday, we were up early because again--who needs sleep.  We hit up Target before church.  Then had lunch at home and I went to do a little shopping. After being pregnant for the past two falls, I have absolutely no fall clothes--considering the ones from before being pregnant don't fit so well.  So, I had to go try to stock up.  Man, clothes are expensive.  I am still looking for some basics to mix and match to make up a least a couple of different outfits.  Anyone have any good suggestions.  Then I went to the grocery store, came home took the kids for a walk and to the park, and enjoyed dinner and a little tv. 

So that was our weekend.  Now I am just doing my to do list for the day/week.  It doesn't look pretty especially when I have two screaming kiddos.