Toddler Time Rules

April 25, 2012 in Videos with 2 Comments

Anyone with toddlers knows how difficult playtime with others can be.  We all know sometimes it’s easier to be at home rocking in the corner than refereeing a squabble between toddlers with toys.  Before we head to a friends or have friends over, Finn and I have a heart-to-heart about the rules for playing with our friends.

While this clearly doesn’t always work, I’ve found this is a good way to distract Finn long enough to avoid a battle or a great way to remind Finn – if even briefly – what a good choice would be. Here’s a toddler’s version of the rules:

Have rules you share with your kids for playtime?  Would love to hear your tips and tricks!

My Mommy Mind

April 23, 2012 in My Mommy Mind with 1 Comment

  • It took 3 hours last week for me to realize I’d put my pants on backwards that morning.  Three hours, people!  I shook my head in shame.
  • Our teenage neighbor drives like an idiot maniac down our street. It makes me want to punch him.  Yes, I’ve become “that lady.”
  • Speaking of age-appropriateness, I asked my Facebook friends if 3 weeks was too soon to put nail polish on Evie.  A heard a resounding “NO” from the choir.
  • Finn thinks boogers and burgers are the same thing. Tragic mistake.
  • Read a lovely blogpost to daughters.  In spite of the fact there will always be “mean girls,” our daughters need permission and reminders to be more loving than the mean girls of the world.  Absolutely love this post from the Gypsy Mama.
  • I’m finding the hardest part about having 2 kids is not the nursing, late nights, early mornings, shoveling in meals or wondering when to shower, it’s the time I miss spending with Finn.  He’s taking it like a champ, though.  Last week he started wrapping his chubby little arms around Evie and my necks and saying “ahhhh, family, Mommy.”  Couldn’t have invented a sweeter child if I tried.
  • Playtime can be a fun, yet trying, time for toddlers and moms.  I’ve tried to turn everything into 3 simple rules.  So, before playtime with friends we repeat: “Be Kind, Share and Take Turns.”  Video to come…
  • I have one week left before meals from friends run out and I actually have to start making dinner again.  Already grieving.
  • Saturday afternoon I had an hour to run a quick errand solo.  I really enjoy this time, if nothing other than to listen to non-toddler music.  I felt 16 again rocking out to Justin Beiber’s “Boyfriend.”  I feel no shame that it was cranked a little too loudly and that I nodded my head with a little too much joy.  I may or may not have done a fist pump.

    What’s the song you can’t help but sing when it comes on the radio?
    Happy Monday! 

 

Fun Finn Photo Friday

April 20, 2012 in Photos with 0 Comments

What little boy doesn’t LOVE a kite?  In fact, what grown man doesn’t LOVE flying a kite with his son?  I think Justin and Finn just might have found a new hobby.  Finn has recently taken a liking to Yo Gabba Gabba.  Have you seen this show?  So strange, so addicting!  The Easter Bunny found a Brobee kite and delivered it to Finn Easter morning.  I’m sure there will be HOURS of fun spent outside this spring between father and son.  (And to be honest, it’s hard telling who had more fun!)

It’s Our Song

April 18, 2012 in Wise Life with 1 Comment

Since Finn was a wee-one, like most parents, I sing “You Are My Sunshine” before bed.  God did not bless me with a pretty singing voice, but thankfully my sweet son overlooks this and smiles every time the words come out of my mouth.

Because I didn’t know the 2nd verse lyrics when Finn was a baby (let’s be honest, I still don’t), I made up my own 2nd verse.  Here’s our Sunshine:

You are my sunshine, my baby sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are grey.
You’ll never know, Finn, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.

The other night, Finn, while you were sleeping.
I dreamt I held you in my arms.
You are my sweet boy, oh how I love you.
Yes, you are my sweet baby boy.

You are my sunshine, my baby sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are grey.
You’ll never know, Finn, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away. 

Last week ‘You Are My Sunshine’ started playing on our Pandora station.  Finn’s face lit up and he shouted, “Mommy, Mommy, listen!  It’s our song, Mommy!”

My face lit up, as well as my heart.

It was one of those “mommy moments” now imprinted in my memory that makes all the work worth while.

It is our song, my little Finn-Finn. And it always will be.

My Mommy Mind

April 16, 2012 in My Mommy Mind with 2 Comments

  • If you’re the praying kind, the people of Afghanistan need you.
  • I was able to talk to my best friend a few days ago.  Hearing her voice – if only briefly – is good for my soul.
  • I had a birthday over the weekend!  WOOT WOOT!  There’s something about a birthday that just makes a girl feel special.  Cards, phone calls, texts, social media.  It was a great day spent with our sweet little family of four.  I know I am bias, but I really am the luckiest girl in the whole world.
  • Ashley Judd is one of my new heroes.  She wrote a fantastic essay following media speculation her recently photographed ‘puffy’ face was related to cosmetic work.  Even more than I appreciate her honesty and her candor, I appreciate her willingness to step outside her “celebrity” self in order to clearly see the how the scrutiny ties into the larger picture of dehumanizing women. Brian Williams did an interview with Judd on Rock Center where she discussed the impact her ‘puffy faced moment’ had in missionalizing this topic. It’s worth the watch.
  • I am certain I have been pooped and peed on more times in 2 weeks than in 2.5 years with Finn.  Certain.
  • Finn has been absolutly amazing with Evie.  I was prepared for lots of meltdowns and chaos.  His best line yet when holding her and she starts to cry: “It’s okay, baby girl, it’s okay.  I’ll rock you.”  These words are followed by a slight side-to-side rock and a kiss.  Melts.my.heart…
  • I love that I have friends who will add my Costco items to their list during this transition time.  Find friends like this.  Much love to Reid, Emilie and Adah!
  • I also love that I have a neighbor with a son about Finn’s age.  We pass our kiddos to one another when things come up during the week.  Find friends like this.  I’m just lucky I get to have one next door!
  • My mom is retiring at the end of the school year from teaching.  What a great feeling this has to be!  Selfishly, I’m looking forward to having her around more.
  • Justin was out of town most of last week.  We survived.  That being said, it was really nice to see him Friday morning and have him home!What’s new in your world?  Happy Monday to all!

Fun Finn Photo Friday – BONUS edition

April 13, 2012 in Photos, Videos with 0 Comments

Since we’ve been a little MIA lately, it’s a bonus day… photo AND video!

Finn loves his pockets.  He just discovered them.  I think this is quite hilarious!

A few weeks before Evie was born, I caught this great moment between Justin and Finn on video.  Wait until the end.  Simply precious!

 

My Mommy Mind

April 9, 2012 in My Mommy Mind with 1 Comment

  • Want to know what we did and ate on Easter?  Check out Iowa Girl Eats for the recap.  I could share our pictures, but that would involve me finding the camera bag, uploading pictures and the resizing them.  I simply do not have the energy :)
  • Baby Evie will be 2 weeks old Wednesday morning.  Where does the time go?  I’m still trying to get into the rhythm of life with two children.  Do I shower at night now?  Do I get up early to eat breakfast or savor a little more shut-eye?  How do I ensure Finn gets some “outside” time after his nap but keep Evie on her feed/sleep schedule?  This is what getting creative is all about!
  • My wonderful mom was able to spend some great time with us last week.  It was so helpful to have an extra dose of attention poured over Finn, an extra laundry folder, an extra cheerleader saying “go to bed,” and extra hands to snuggle baby when Finn and Mommy needed to hang out.  She’s extra great!  Finn keeps asking, “where’d my Grandma go?”  He wakes from his nap and thinks she will magically be here again.  You and me both, buddy.
  • My one Grandma raised twin girls.  My other Grandma raised eight children.  There were no dishwashers, computers, cell phones or SUV’s, among so many other conveniences of our day.   I am in awe.
  • Single parents, I am also in awe.  Justin’s travel schedule is making me a single mom sooner than I expected.  Repeat after me: “deep breath and lots of play dates… deep breath and lots of play dates… deep breath and lots of play dates.”  
  • Last week marked 10 years since my Grandpa passed away.  He was by far one of the greatest men I ever knew.
  • I keep hearing criticisms about how much weight Jessica Simpson has gained during her pregnancy.  It makes my skin crawl.  First, it’s no one’s business.  (Seriously just spelled that word bizniss. Wow.)  Secondly, what does it matter?  Third, it’s just rude.  If someone was plastering my baby weight on magazine covers and discussing on morning talk show segments, I would be offended and mortified.  Our country is SICK!
  • People keep asking about Evie’s birth story, especially since it was so speedy.  Be patient.  It’s coming!Happy Monday! 

Meet Baby Evie

April 2, 2012 in Wise Life with 4 Comments

Last Wednesday morning, we welcomed the newest addition to our family: Evie Grace.

Want to know all things Evie? Here’s what we know:

10. Poppy’s due date was 3/29/12. A day early is not the “early” I was expecting for a 2nd baby, but her arrival was sheer perfection.

9. From water breaking at home to baby arriving, the process took 2 hours and 24 minutes. Clearly, girlfriend already has a timetable for getting things accomplished. (Details to come.)

8. Our Evie is pronounced with a soft “E” as in EVelyn or forEVer.

7. Evie has looooong finger nails and short toe nails.

6. Baby girl is a good eater and a good sleeper.

5. Her crazy spiky hair is 100% natural. If you know Justin, you now know his hair is also 100% natural.

4. To Mommy and Daddy, Evie greatly resembles her big brother Finn as a baby.

3. Evie wore the same outfit home from the hospital that Finn wore. Too bad there are no photos to capture this since big brother Finn was with us.

2. “Poppy” has affectionately turned to “Popeye” by Daddy because she tends to open just one eye at a time to scope out the world.

1. Evie’s big brother, Finn, is over-the-top in love with his baby sister, as are all who meet her.  She is our little slice of heaven!

Thank you for all your well wishes!  We are happily adjusting to life as a family of 4!

I’m Pregnant and I Know It

March 28, 2012 in Videos with 1 Comment

My hilarious cousin shared this hilarious video.  If you are pregnant or have been pregnant, you’ll appreciate this!

Here’s to peeing your pants, penguin waddling, losing your mind and wicked heartburn…

Oh, and that beautiful baby on the other side!

 

My Mommy Mind

March 26, 2012 in My Mommy Mind with 4 Comments

    • It’s Monday.  It’s my “due” week.  I am still pregnant.  I have serious cankles and a puffy face.  Moving onward…
    • Finn is going through some growing pains.  He suddenly thinks monsters are in his room, usually around 3a.  We heard him scraping the door to get out Friday night.  Saturday night we heard him ninja screaming at air.  Each time we went into his room he told us he was scared of the monsters.  I know we’re not the first to go through this.  Anyone have some super-hero remedies for monsters in the middle of the night?
    • FINALLY finished some “pillowcase” sets for Finn’s big boy bed.  He refuses to use a sheet and I couldn’t stomach $100 for nicer sheets with his favorite characters.  So I marched on into the fabric store and had Finn pick out 2 styles he liked.  We ended up with Thomas the Train and Elmo.  I use quotations with the word “pillowcases” because if you know anything about sewing or if you can simply eyeball a straight line from a crocked line, you might instead call these “sewed up rags or scraps.”  They will serve their purpose just fine, but if Finn starts pulling on strings, all bets are off.
    • The weather has been ah.may.zing.  Central Iowa, if this is what you’re giving us in March, what will you delight us with in May and August?  I’m slightly worried.
    • Do I dare plant my garden this early?  Everything else is sprouting.  Who has already planted?
    • We have a sink hole in our front yard.  Awesome.  If one day our house happens to cave in, you heard it here first.
    • My sister-in-law won a raffle Friday and was able to cook with Curtis Stone.  Yes, THIS Curtis Stone.  She said he kissed her TWICE on the cheek.  I told her she is not allowed to wash her face until baby girl is born and she can rub a little piece of the magic off on Poppy.  I mean, really.
    • I cashed in on a pedicure gift card last week.  The guy doing my toes asked if I was pregnant or drank too much over St. Patrick’s Day.  Ummm, really?
    • Can’t stop singing this song! Loved it then, love it now!

  • What’s new in your world?  I think it’s time to put my fat ankles up. Happy Monday! 
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