Distance

I wished we lived closer to my sis.  I wish we all lived in the same town, my parents, my grandparents, my sis and her family. I love my sis.  We are happy sitting around, drinking some coffee, feeding our babes, and watching our toddlers becoming little people.  Our hubbies love escaping to the lake together to do some fishing or the golf course to get in a quick round.  Mack and Finley play together so well.  Maggie and Willie are bound to be great buds as well.  Heck, the 4 of them are between the ages of 1 month and 2.5 years.

The only thing separating us is a 4 hour drive.  A 4 hour drive if you don't stop for McDonald's, diaper changes, feedings, hit traffic or accidentally take the 6 hour scenic tour.  Driving with a 2 year old and a baby is an adventure it itself.  I remind my husband, "it is the journey, not the destination," and "we need to live in the "in-between" moments."  But sometimes, when one is crying, the other whining, and you just realized that the GPS that you were waiting on to tell you when to turn, did not have the volume on, and you just drove an hour and a half out of your way, it is hard to remember that.  But when we arrive, and Mack's eyes light up seeing their golden retriever Gunner, and the excitement to see her cousin that Finley has been harnessing all day is let loose, you forget about everything else. 

I talked to my mom after our trip, and told her how much fun we had, and how I wished that we lived closer.  She told me to just always make an effort to see each other.

Even though sometimes it seems that the trip is so much more planning, and packing, and driving than actual visiting.  And sleeping in a strange spot is not always easy on the kids, and therefore not easy on the moms.  In the end it is these moments in life we will always remember and cherish, and talk about when our kids are all grown up. 

There will be countless trips "up north" and "to the cities."  They will not be moving to the city, and we won't be moving up north, but this itself is part of the adventure.  We can share our city with them, and they can share the country with us. 

Family really is what it is all about. 

Love you guys, and miss you!  It was so great to meet you, Mr. Willie. 

*Photo overload.  Usually I never take photos when I actually really want to.  This time I made certain to capture a few moments.

A little present for Dad

 

One evening Jeremy was gone, and I was getting the kids bathed and ready for bed by myself.  I was busy dressing a crying Maggie, while Mack was running around naked saying, I go poo-poo.  He says this sometimes after bath, without actually meaning anything, so I honestly didn't pay much attention to him.

 

All of a sudden he grabbed part of his potty chair (which I didn't even realize was still out after we decided to wait awhile before trying again after our diaper-free weekend), and set it down next to me in the living room.  He sat down, and will full concentration and a big grunt, he squeezed out the littlest poo ever. 

 

A mama never felt so proud.  And neither did Mack.  3 stickers for that.

 

Happy Father's Day to my own dad and to my babies' daddy.  Love you both!

 

 

5 months

{No more vintage clothing posts.  Who cares about clothes, right?  ;)  I can barely get the camera out, much less plan an outfit.  Thanks to cousin Finley, though, we haven't had to buy one item of clothing yet!}

Miss Maggie is 5 months old.  Older than 5 months actually.  I cannot believe how much quicker this goes the 2nd time around.  I think you realize how a baby is only a baby for such a short time.  Soon she will be sitting and crawling and walking and talking.  Right now she is just my baby.

She is smiling and laughing.  She is rolling from front to back.  This is quite fun for us, since Mack never rolled.  She is yelling and "talking" a lot.  She can get quite loud.  Her hair is so fuzzy and soft.  We all love petting her. 

Today on our way to work / school, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw Mack playing peek-a-boo with her.  She had the hugest smile on her face.  And then so did I watching brother and sister play.

Maggie has taken one nap in her crib, thanks to my friend Kelly at Mack's party.  Other than that, she naps with me, on the couch, in my arms, in her car seat, or in the stroller.  {She obviously naps in her crib at daycare, so this is my weird thing, not hers.}  She is sleeping great at night.  She wakes up at 3:30am, so I feed her because I don't mind.  Last night I gave her a paci instead, and she went right back to sleep until I woke her up at 6:15.  We'll keep trying, and see how it goes.  Sleep is wonderful.

Maggie, we all love you so much.  No matter what, your goofy expressions will always brighten our day.

 

 

Life lately

Life around here lately seems busy.  Sometimes it feels like we are rushing.  Always trying to get something done.  I always tell everyone to slow down.  Breastfeeding is good for that. 

Hubby just started a new job this past week, which has been in the works for awhile. While it is exciting for him, it also means he will be gone for 4 weeks of training between the end of June and the middle of August.  Nothing that any mama would look forward to.  Living the life of a single, working mom.  I can already say I respect those women (or men) so much more, and I haven't even experienced it yet.

Those moments when there is nothing going on. When dinner has been cooked, eaten, and cleaned up, or when naps are over.  These are the moments I live for.  (Don't get me wrong.  I love nap time, too.  ;)  Maggie and I took a 2 hour nap yesterday when Mack was napping.)

Maggie has been busy....growing more fuzzy hair, of course!  ;)  And melting our hearts with her sweet expressions.

Thanks Gramma Deedee and Grampa for the handcrafted sandbox (identical to the one my sis and I grew up with) !  Hmmmm....what else is on the list for the newly retired Grampa Bill?

Mack, you look and act more grown up every day.  You are getting very good at entertaining yourself.  I think it is more of a struggle for daycare kids, since they are always around other kids, but he is learning.  It is so fun to watch him play with his plastic animals and dinosaurs or cook like daddy.  Today he made me breakfast and a snack.  Fried garlic.  For both.  Yum.  Don't kiss mommy today.  ;)

Soon it will stop raining.  And get warm out.  Right? 

Summer?  Are you out there?  It's me, Julie.  Julie who likes to be barefoot and eat all meals outdoors.

Two

Mack is two.  I've been telling him he is two for a long time.  Now he is actually two. 

What a big boy.  75% height / 90% weight.  "A solid boy," said the doc.  Hubby is happy with the 75% in height.  ;)

He is saying words and phrases.  He does silly things every day.  Today he was rocking his monkey, while saying, "rock, rock, rock, rock."  I don't rock Maggie, so that must have been something he learned from his girl friends at school.

We had a party.  A George party.  A monkey party.  Friends and family were there to celebrate, and a good time was had by all.  I did not get one picture of Mack, so if anyone took one, send it my way.  I think I got a couple pre-party photos.  One day I will check.  Someday.

For now, here is our big boy.  On his actual birthday.  Celebrating with his favorite food.  Pizza.

Mack has mastered blowing out candles.  "Mock, brrr-day, Mock, brr-day."

We love you so much, little man.  You are growing up so fast.  Slow down already.

Growing

This boy is almost 2.

1 year ago, this was him.

And she was the size of a kumquat in her mama's belly...just a little secret shared by her parents...until this moment.  Watch this video.  {you can fast forward to the end.  ;}

The little babes grow so quickly.

A second birth. Part 2.

Part 1.

I told Jeremy that this was definitely it.  It was time.  We were having a baby tomorrow.  "Go to bed, I said.  I am going to have my second night in a row with no sleep.  One of us needs to be rested."

I gathered up a blanket and pillow, headed downstairs to the couch, and turned on the TV.  Just like last time.  It felt so familiar.  I was so exhausted though, and I decided to turn off the TV, and rest my eyes.  My contractions stayed between 8 and 10 minutes apart throughout the night.  When I would feel one come on, I would get on my hands and knees, make it through that one, and then lay back down.  I had to get on my hands and knees during the contractions.  I think I looked at the clock a million times, wondering how I would make it through the night, but knowing that somehow I would.  I was so alone, but needed it that way.  I knew my hubby and baby were sleeping upstairs, but I just needed to be by myself now.  I knew that I would be having a baby the next day.  I never once thought about whether it would be a girl or a boy.  All I could imagine is a little Mack. 

At 6am, Mack and Jeremy got up.  I gathered myself, went upstairs, and tried to be a mama, but I couldn't.  I went through a couple contractions with Mack in the room, and I knew that I could not do that anymore.  Jeremy got Mack's stuff ready for school.  I gave him a teary goodbye, with an extra long hug.  I not only watched him leave, but also my life with one baby. 

Then another contraction hit.  I decided to get into the shower.  I heard that the warm water could really help, and boy did it.  I stayed in there for the next 45 minutes to an hour, until Jeremy returned.  I leaned against the wall when I felt a contraction hit.  I made a lot of noises.

I got out, and headed upstairs.  My contractions were now getting closer together, but were still very sporadic.  Some were still close to 8 minutes apart, some 5, a couple 3.  I emailed my boss that I was going to be having the baby today.  She emailed me back immediately with a "Congrats!  And get off your computer!"

Jeremy asked if I was hungry.  I told him I was not, but should probably eat because this would be a long day.  He cooked something for breakfast, and I choked it down, pausing for a contraction or two.

It was around 8am by now.  The next contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.  Then there was a 7-8 minute break before the next one.  I told my hubby to call the midwife life to see if I should go in.  He was on the phone for a couple minutes, and all of a sudden I said, "It is time.  Right now.  I don't care what they say.  We are going in right now."  The next few contractions were close together.  Very close together.  And I moaned through them, leaning over the couch for each one.  Jeremy gathered our things, and put them in the car.  "Take the infant car seat out, I yelled!  I can't sit down.  I need to be in the backseat!"  My hubby disagreed for one second, letting me know that wasn't very safe.  I let him know he better get that car seat out of there right now or else.  I made my way to the car, and got on my hands and knees in the backseat.  I had a contraction immediately.  I made it through, and tried to sit down.  The pressure was so great that I couldn't.  I asked how much longer until we got there, and calculated in my head the maximum number of contractions that I would have.



We arrived at 9:15 or so.  Can I do this?  Would I be dilated this time, or would I be a 3 again?  And then I felt it.  The oh too familiar beginnings of back labor.  Here we go again, I thought.  Here we go again.