Hey hey Friday

This might have been the longest week ever.  So happy for the weekend!
 (linking up with Farmer's Wife and September Farm)

These are random - just beware.  Kind of how my brain is working lately!


ONE

These kids.  I mean they are nothing alike.

Our little lady is quite the swaddle ninja these days.  We struggled with this with Charlie too - do we swaddle or do we not?  I go back and forth.  I mentioned using the Woombie in Maddie's one month post, which has worked ok - but last night, unintentionally, I put her to bed in just her PJs and she went 5 hours.  Um - what?  And then she got up to eat and then went back to sleep for another 4 hours.  Um - yes please.

I just get so confused.  As is everything with raising children - it seems to change daily.

Even if your kid consistently busts out and screams when you put them in a swaddle...do you stick with it?


TWO

Have you heard of Annie Sloan Chalk paint? Well my sister in law mentioned it to me that it might be easier to use that to paint my new kitchen chairs - versus the tedious sanding, painting, etc.  So I started doing some research and figured it looked pretty awesome because like she said - you literally just paint over any surface.  No prep, sanding, etc.  Sign me up!

source and review

There are limited places that it is sold - so I headed to a cute cute cute little boutique in southern Johnson County called Bella B Decor to check it out.  The owner was the sweetest lady and so knowledgeable. She helped me understand all about this amazing paint.  I just bought a sample and a paintbrush to try it on one of the chairs (painting them an off white to try to brighten the kitchen up...there are 6 of them!).

THREE

While at that cute little shop - I picked up this little treasure to send to a friend.

I loved what it said and think she will too!

 FOUR

Did I mention we STILL have 3 dogs?  Oh yes, even with the introduction of one more family member, they have all stayed alive and with us.

Did I mention they drive me absolutely insane because they still pee and poop everywhere?  Let's just say cleaning up pee is not what I want to do while on maternity leave.

However, Toby got his haircut yesterday and looked pretty cute as my co-pilot on our way home.

Yes, he looks cute and innocent - but he's not.  Anyone want some dogs?!?!?

FIVE

As for number 5...I will toot my own horn because we had a delicious freezer meal last night that I must share.



This beef and broccoli recipe is something I prepped immediately after Maddie's arrival.  We haven't had to dig too deep into our freezer stash because our friends and family have been SO sweet and nice and been bringing us food every other night or so this past month and it's been just wonderful - the meals and the company!!  So last night we had no plans and I opened the freezer and saw this and knew I had to give it a try.

I literally think it tasted like a Chinese restaurant.  You should try it.  So so easy to just throw in the crock pot and be DONE with no dinner prep.  And pretty healthy too!!


Happy weekend!!

Maddie is one month old already

Length: will update after your one month check up!

Weight: 10lbs 11.5oz (oh my!)

Milestones:

• You seem to have started focusing more when you look at things and it's fun to hypothesize what you are looking at!
• Up to sleeping during the night at about 4 hour increments.  Sometimes it is more (yeah!) and sometimes it is less
• You have gone one full night in your crib in your own room.  However, with the intense heat these past few days, we moved you back into our room because we cannot quite figure out why your room is SO hot!!!  But you made it one night.
• You are up to size one diapers already and grew out of newborn clothes a few weeks ago.  Luckily we wore all the cute stuff before you grew out of it!
• Speaking of - you are wearing most 0-3 or 3 month stuff and some 3-6 month, depending on brand
• Haven't started losing any of that hair yet - waiting.
• And your belly button fell off right after you hit 2 weeks - which for some reason felt like forever.
• Got your first bottle from your dad at 2 weeks and one day and have gotten one everyday since.  Trying to not make the same mistake we did with your brother!

Things you like:

• Eating.  My sweet girl, you love to eat and are good at it (aka efficient!).  You are gaining weight like it's your job (which really it is)...and well surpassing the standard 7 oz per week (last week you gained 11 oz).  You go between 2-3 hours during the day and then 3-4 hours at night.
• Being held.  You love being held and snuggling and sleeping on people.  Yes people.  Mainly mom, but you will sleep on Nana and your dad too
• The Ergo carrier.  This is your love.  Whenever you are fussy or upset, this does the trick.  I love it too and we go to the store in it as well.  I just can't wait until it's not so hot (for both of us!)
• Your brother - I have more details on this below, but you are very interested in him!!
• Pacifier - we thought originally that you weren't a fan, but after your ride on the stretcher and you got the vanilla flavored pacifiers...and that seemed to do the trick because you like them a lot and it keeps you satisfied when you want to suck after only an hour or so.

Things you don't like:

• The bath - last night was the first time you didn't scream bloody murder during your whole quick bath.  But you are not quite a fan - not sure if it's the cold or the water.  But it will get better!
• Car seat - this is one that is very different than your brother.  Not that he liked it...but he slept in it most of the time.  You seem to be the opposite and it wakes you up and causes you to scream bloody murder.  The pacifier does help! This is also why we use the Ergo when we go shopping/run errands.
• Swaddle - oh man.  This is just like Charlie.  You are like a ninja and seem to get out of all of them.  We tried to keep one arm out to see if you like that.  You do, but you wake up more.  Enter the woombie.  Yep - we got it for Charlie and he hated it, but luckily we kept everything we impulse bought for him because you seem to love it. 

Special memories:

• Of course bringing you home was amazing.
• We have had a couple all family meals out - Stroud's and the Big Biscuit...which your brother made quite interesting and you were perfect.
• Watching you and your brother interact!!
• Seeing your cousins just love on you so much.  They seriously think you are the cutest!!  Can't wait for you to start interacting back with them!!
• Getting to meet Great Grandma Bruns on her first trip down to KC in many years!!  Very special.  She was so in love.
• I wouldn't say the ER visit was a "special memory"...but it sure was a memory of your first month.

A note to our girl:

This first month has been quite the whirlwind.  From your surprise arrival on July 4th to your first few weeks and even a trip to the ER - you have for sure kept us on our feet.  Pair that with your brother getting quite the attitude, your parents have been busy and are tired.  But guess what else we are?   Just so in love with you.  You are just a wonderful baby.  The time of day we struggle with is just when it's time for you to go to bed...which really varies...but you just do not want to be swaddled and really don't want to go down to bed.  The good thing is that once you get to sleep, you do pretty well - so we are not complaining!

Your brother is just smitten by you.  From day 1, you have been "My baby Addie" to him and even thought we try to correct him over and over again by adding that "M", he just sticks to his own little nickname for you.  So we'll go with it.  He loves kissing your head and your feet.  He proclaims to everyone when you cry that you are "hungry!!!!" and then also tells everyone that you eat on "momma's boobies".  He loves playing with you on the play mat and has tried to pick you up a few times now - so we keep our eye on him.  Don't you worry!  But I'm positive that he will look out for you for the rest of your life just by the way he's treated you this first month.  He can literally go from a wild 2 year old tantrum to when he gets by you, calm and kisses you and then back into tantrum.  He's in love too.

You seem to be pretty smitten with him too and have started looking at him when he's around and yesterday you watched him in the car seat on the way to the doctor.  It was pretty funny.  Now if we can just get him to learn to lean over and stick your pacifier back in.

Pretty much we just love your snuggles, your smell, your hair, your sweet hands and feet and sweet baby coo noises.  You are the best cuddler and I'm soaking up all the moments we have just the two of us before I have to go back to work.

We love you so much and are excited to see how you continue to change and grow as the months progress.  You are such a sweetheart!!

Love,

Your parents

**************************************************************

Just for fun - here is Charlie and Maddie's one month side by side picture.

They look NOTHING alike in this if you ask me! 

And just because we did this with Charlie's one month pictures and it's cruel...but seriously funny, I had to put the outtakes.  This time, it was a lot harder because I did this solo.  Yep - Jimmy was putting Charlie to bed, so it was just me and Maddie.  And let me tell you - getting a one month old that is actually REALLY good at holding her head up given her age is REALLY hard.  However, she was a trooper and seriously didn't even cry.  Who is this kid!??  She just sat there looking at me like I was a crazy person.  She might be right.

Good timing

It's funny how you see/read something at just the right time.  You know...just the right thing you need to hear at just the right time.

That is how this post from Little Baby Garvin felt.  Perfect timing on her thoughts and the reality of transitioning from one kid to two.  After 3 months she said they are starting to feel "normal".  So I only have like 8 weeks? Ha.

Oh my.  These kids, yesterday, this week.

I thought my first time with both of them alone all day was going to be Monday because Charlie's school is closed.  Instead, the poor guy came home sick from school yesterday with a fever.  So that meant he was at home with us today and a trip to the doctor was on the books.

The morning was surprisingly wonderful.  Maddie didn't scream every time I put her down.  Nope- she hung out in her nap nanny staring away while Charlie and I played.  Oh and he threw a box of ziploc freezer bags all over the floor and went back and forth every 5 seconds if he wanted to watch Tarzan or Scooby Doo on Netflix (dang Netflix and indecisive toddlers).  

We had to be at the doctor at 10 am.  Maddie and I made the mistake yesterday of not starting to get ready to walk out of the house early enough yesterday when we went to the doctor...so we were on the ball today!  I was so proud that we were out of the house with everyone fed, changed and happy!! And the cherry on too?  We were early to the doctor!!!

The time with the nurse everyone was fine.  Maddie snoozing away and Charlie just walking around. Then it was time to wait for the doctor and that 15 minutes was brutal.  Not sure if Charlie's pain intensified, but you would think he was getting 4 needles poked in him simultaneously by his screams. 

When she finally came in, she tried to calm him down and no such luck.  Looked in both his ears and yep- double ear infection...again. This poor kid and his ears!  He finally calmed down when we left the room and he got a sucked (or maybe 2) and a Thomas the Train sticker.

We got home, ate lunch and he went down for a nap. Maddie was awake so we played, I fed her and then she fell asleep.  Both kids asleep?! Omg.  I took advantage and got in bed too. Of course poor Charlie woke up about an hour in screaming and drenched in sweat.  I just picked him up and decided to bring him in my bed.  Poor babe. 

Grainy - but I'm feeling bad for my sick/sweaty boy

But seriously? How sweet are these 2?  I need to remember these moments...along with the insanity because I will miss this someday (right?!).

I figured we made it through naps it would be smooth sailing until Jimmy got home. Ha.  Yeah right.  After naps we got in the car and headed to my moms school so people in her office could meet Maddie and see Charlie.  We got home around 3:15.  He was crazy time after that.  Like he was everywhere.  Then Mallorie and Noah came over and he was even worse!! Throwing things and saying "mine" every time Noah picked up a toy.  Sheesh!  I felt so bad.

Luckily jimmy got home soon after with his antibiotic- but man oh man.  Our house was a MESS, the kids were a MESS (aka protesting bed time) and I drank a beer with dinner.  Which just so you know- I hardly ever do that.

So needless to say- Jimmy and I were both a bit defeated.  

House is a mess.  Dogs are everywhere.  Mom drinking a beer.  Sheesh

But guess what? Today is a new day.  Maddie went a few awesome 4 hour sleep stretches and Charlie slept all night.  He wasn't the happiest this morning, but Jimmy was all star dad and calmed him down.

And now here I am.  Snuggling with my sweet sweet gorgeous snoozing baby girl on the couch on a rainy morning.  Sans one dog because we took him to get groomed this morning.  Drinking a half tea half lemonade drink watching the Today show.  Watching a segment on the mom that produced this amazing video on pregnancy that I loved and talking about the craziness of bring a mom and her youtube channel.

What I've realized?  Every day is not a good day...but yep, there is something good in every day. Even in parenthood.  As for yesterday.  I'm seeing the good is that I made it through the day with 2 kids at home...everyone is alive, fed, and changed and the house is still standing.  And that time laying down with both of them made me swoon.  

So that's it- finding the good in every day.  What is your good today?!

Oh hey Friday: Maternity leave list

With the summer break that the ladies hosting Five on Friday - I'm joining this fun link up! (Farmer's Wife and September Farm)

Just to set up this random list...know that the first month of maternity leave (seriously, how has it been almost a month!!!) has been just crazy.  I mean, everyone who has had a kid knows that the first month is tough...but add in that I finished up Maddie's nursery, then wrapped up the planning/DIY projects for Charlie's birthday party and then finally yesterday was the big day - Charlie's birthday!  Now that all that craziness is over and I'm busy writing 5,000 thank you notes...I have a list of other to-dos I want to complete while I'm on leave.  So here you have them.


ONE

Chalkboard wall behind my desk.

(source)

So easy - so cheap - so fun.

I'm doing this next week!


TWO

Dining room accent wall.

I have been pinning to my heart's desire and since it's just the top half of the wall (we have paneling on the lower half)...I don't think it will take that long.  But now I just need to decide on the color of the other walls and the accent wall (or pattern!)


(Source)

THREE

Basement craft room.

Oh my - another pinterest thing for me lately (sorry if you are sick of me pinning!).  But we have so much space in our unfinished basement and I just feel like we can utilize it more.  So a craft area for me and for the kids is it while the dogs get the boot to another part of the basement!!

(source)

 FOUR

Our kitchen table.

Luckily for me, this is Jimmy's project.  I'm so excited because it's starting to take shape in our garage.  Wahoo!!  I also found 6 chairs for only $25 each at Old Time Pottery that I'm going to use and then he's building a bench for the other side.  It's going to be amazing friends!!

(Source)

FIVE

Finally - I know this list is long (and there is lot of other stuff...like a family binder, make Charlie's baby book, decorate the playroom, etc.) but I also need to make sure that I enjoy my time with my sweet girl.  These last few weeks have been go go go and I'm looking forward to taking some time to just hang out with my little lady before I go back to work and she goes to school and life gets a little more crazy!!!!



Happy happy weekend friends!  Looking forward to a great time with friends and family we have planned and hope you have some fun plans as well!

He's 2 - seriously?

You know those days that change your life forever?  Well - that's exactly what happened 2 years ago today.  July 31, 2012 - Charlie Carter came into this world a little after noon at 8lbs and 9oz.

I sat in my bed last night with my new sweet baby girl asleep in her rocker right next to me thinking about how 2 years ago I fell asleep in a hospital bed - getting ready for his arrival the next day.  The nurse called it our last "date night" for a while.  Ha.  My blood pressure was high.  It was HOT outside.  I was rocking a wicked headache.  I remember being so excited and so scared all at the same time.  I had NO idea what to expect of the whole giving birth process and even though I thought I was prepared to be a mom, it was clear to me the first time they put you in my arms after our long 10 month journey together and we finally met - I had no idea what I was in for.

You instantly stole my heart.

I couldn't help but start to cry thinking about the whole thing last night.  My first experience with motherhood.  All those memories are so wonderful.  So scary, but so wonderful.  The first night we had Charlie at home we put him in the pack n play next to our bed asleep and I cried - telling Jimmy what happens if we can't take care of him?  What if we don't know what to do?!

Well guess what - two years later - there are days that I still feel like that.  Not knowing if we are doing the "right" thing and scared that we won't provide you with all the things you need, sweet Charlie.

But then I see you smile.  And laugh. And tell us how the train says "choo choo" over and over again.  You insist on milk - wait, you changed your mind, you'll take water and then you change your mind again.  You point out every body part on yourself and others.  And no, your sister doesn't have a "peno", but that will be something I correct and explain later on sweet boy.  And your hugs are the best.  But your kisses are better.  And the best yet, when you give kisses on your own to you little sister.  It all makes me realize that no matter if your dad and I do what's "right" or really know what we are doing - as long as we love you - which we do so much - we are in fact doing this parenting thing the right way.

We love you so much sweet boy.  And that love that I felt the first time I held you, it just grows and grows stronger each day.  You are so funny and fun loving and sweet and social and hilarious.  Your curly hair is adorable and your tooth filled smile is even cuter.  You are not the best eater and love to snack.  You NEVER sit still and always want to be doing something.  You are the best dancer.  No really.  Your dance moves are amazing.

It has been such a pleasure being your mom the last two years.   It has been so fun to see my role as a mom and your dad's role as a dad emerge and change over the past two years as well...you always keep us on our toes that's for sure!

So here we are.  Your birthday is coming to a close.  Next year this time you will be THREE and I can't even bear to think about that, but I know it will be here before we know it.  I pray that you continue to live this next year to your fullest.  Keep smiling and laughing and hugging and kissing.  Keep saying your prayers at night and brushing your teeth.  Keep loving me and your dad and your sister.  And don't kick the dogs!!  While so much has changed in this last year, I'm sure there will more changes this next year to a big boy bed and no diapers (hopefully!!), so brace yourself young man because we are in this together.

And thank you Charlie - for making me a mom.  I love being a "boy mom" so much and especially being your mom.  When I hear you ask for mommy and want to snuggle with me and kiss me, there is no better feeling in this world.

We love you so much!!!  Happy 2nd birthday sweet boy!!

That smile - gets me every time.

Family picture in front of Fritz's.

And this is real life - trying to get a picture with a toddler.  And then he SCREAMED his head off the whole way home.  Watch out terrible twos!!!

Let's monkey around - Charlie turns TWO

This upcoming Thursday marks two whole years since Charlie Carter came into this world.  And what a two years it has been!!!

So that calls for a celebration for him! And celebrate we did this weekend!!  I have to say as his party got closer it was way more fun than last year because he actually understood what was going in and would talk all about his party.  

Needless to say, as planning began, I knew I didn't want it at our house.  While we do have a much bigger house then last year, factor in that we have a 3 week old (if she came on her actually due date, we would have a 2 week old), I didn't want to have to deal with he cleaning before, extensive set up and then Clean up.

Enter Little Monkey Bizness.

We have taken Charlie there a few times in the last year and he just loved it.  A huge indoor playground.  A win for getting rid of some two year old energy and it's in a contained area so you don't have to worry about them running away like at a park (wait- your child doesn't do that?).  Factor in that this kid was born in the middle of July which usually means HOT temperatures- it is inside so no one has to sweat.  Excellent.  Add in the fact the whole thing is an hour and a half?  Even better because I can fit feeding my little baby girl in too!

I booked it and never looked back.  I could have for sure taken advantage of all the services they offer, like food, drinks, etc.  but if you know me, that's not how I roll.  I'm more of a semi-homemade type of girl.  And it worked it great.

Seriously, I keep thinking back to the smile on his cute face as he was sprinting between slides and can't help but smile.  It was so fun!  For everyone!

Finally for some pictures!

The best picture I got of his shirt that I made for him.  Maddie had a matching onesie too!  Duh!!

A pic of my uncle helping Charlie with the zip line- he, my aunt and cousin all came in town along with my grandma!! So special of them to be there and to meet Maddie too!

Carter cousins going up

Carter cousins sliding down...

And Carter cousins crashing.

Yes, this did end in tears for Charlie...but he got over it quickly.

Sweet Bo!!!

Arden loved the place too!! And we are SO happy that she and her mom took a break from moving to come play!

And she likes doing yoga with cousin Maren!

Big cousins are the best for catching him at the end!

So the package we got was for 12 kids to play with one other party group for an hour and then 30 minutes in the party room.  The catch?  You only have 10 minutes to set up for the party because there is another party in there before.  So in planning everything, I had to keep hat in mind!  But knowing that, I was able to make it work with a few extra hands!

Cousin Kenlie in the birthday chair!! Haha!

Some cute signs I hung up.  All the printables, including the invitation (below) are from an etsy shop called Storybook Lane Crafts...

The room all set up waiting for the cute little kids to come in!

Treat table and presents.

Since te party was at 3pm and snacks were at 4, we didn't so a full meal, but I wanted to have enough snacks and a good mix of healthy/sweet.  Of course more sweets though!

Above are the following:

Jungle mix: pretzels sticks, Cheerios, and white and milk chocolate chips 

Grapes for Apes: cut up grapes

Monkey Vines: a whopping 5lbs of red licorice from Costco (yum!)

Monkey tails: White chocolate dipped pretzel sticks with sprinkles

Monkeys in a blanket: little smokes wrapped with crescent rolls (cut those in thirds)

And then the cupcakes.  They turned out really cute (an idea from Pinterest) and actually tasted decent too.  Just had a mix of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and then bought black and red glitter frosting and mini Nilla wafers (halved for the ears) and regular size Nilla wafers (with the top 1/3 cut off for mouth).  Surprisingly, they didn't take too long to put together!!

The party table!

My cute little birthday boy enjoying his ice cream!

And the adults - there were lots of them!!

I love Arden's face - she was all about the chocolate icing!

And then Arden and Charlie jumped in the birthday chair for this adorable picture!!  Only fitting since they are only 3 weeks apart and she will be 2 in just a few weeks!

And we tried to snap a family picture.  Ha.  This was good enough!!  Kind of shows Maddie and Charlie's matching shirts that I made.

Overall, it was a success.  It wasn't too stressful for me getting everything together, the kids seriously had a BLAST - which is the most important part, and Charlie somewhat behaved.  Ha - the terrible twos were already in full swing.  He woke up from his nap SO mad at life...but luckily when he got there, he was happy to play with his friends!  We made it through about 1/2 of the presents and then he just walked out of the room, pretty much saying "I'm done with this".  Such is life with a 2 year old, right?  On a positive side, it actually made it kind of fun because he had more presents to open at home!  Oh Charlie.  But the staff there were so nice and helpful - I would highly recommend Little Monkey Bizness if you just want to go play inside with your kids or for a party too!

I carried Maddie around in the Ergo most of the time and she slept, which was nice.  During the cake/treats/presents, I handed her over to my mom, but she was so good!  She's seriously a wonderful baby, which made the whole experience easier 3 weeks postpartum.  

So now are on to one last celebration on Thursday for his REAL birthday, which will entail a fun breakfast, school and then a fun dinner at Fritz's, which is a tradition we started next year.  Seriously, still in denial my little boy is TWO!!!

Thanks for all who helped with the party and everyone who came.  It was a bummer we couldn't invite EVERYONE, but it was nice to have the 12 kid limit with the party package and keep it somewhat small.  

Maybe next year we can combine parties??  Or is that wishful thinking? ;)