There's Always Something, but We Love It

Sweet #BabyBeau

It's almost that time.....that time when I return to the real world, and, (GULP) work.  Yes, yes, yes...I'm returning to work soon and the reality is coming hard and fast.  EEEEEEK.  It's one thing to make a family of four work when one parent is solely at home....I *feel* like it's another thing to do it while both parents work full time jobs.  Plus, Jack is now getting into some extra curriculars, so it's getting complicated.  Have we discussed his tee-ball skills?  No?  Check it out:

Total Yankee material...like immediately, right? 

That's what I was thinking too.

He starts basketball next month....and I can't WAIT to see him dribble the basketball.  O-M-G.

Meanwhile, we've made the most of maternity leave with Disney fun, Seminole games, Halloween outings and a trip to Pensacola.  Here's how it all ended up:

Beau's first encounter with the Minnie Mouse.

Becky and Beau at Disney

Jack's approach to meeting Jake.  Have you ever seen anyone more excited??

 

My mom made this trip with us....and it was definitely a full day of activities, meltdowns and typical Disney good times. :)  Notice who's holding the map?  Always trying to be in charge.  I wonder where he gets that amazing trait.  #LeanIn, kid....#LeanIn.

During our trip to Pensacola in November, Jack was definitely in for a lot of new experiences.  First up, was picking cotton.  It took us a long time to explain what cotton was, why it grew there, why it was white, why the big tractors picked it, why it was rolled into big rectangular bails, why we couldn't take it all with us and what it was used for.  It was both entertaining and exhausting.

This was AFTER we convinced him to just GET OUT OF THE CAR.

We did NOT have to explain much about the Veteran's Day Parade.  He loves a good parade and he took right to that concept, complete with marching bands and beauty queens throwing candy.  Small town life.  Love it.

Then, there were tractor rides....

....there were boat rides...

...and a little "earning your keep"...

This video about sums up our time at Camp Mayo:

We also met my Dad, Sharron, Lisa, Brian, Leah and Baby Jett at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum.  The place is awesome and if you have a little three year old with a lot of energy...it can help burn off MULTIPLE hours of steam.  Seriously.  Jack ran, jumped and climbed on everything for about 2.5 hours.  And when he wasn't moving...he was asking questions about the planes.  Again, both entertaining and exhausting.  I'm not sure who needed a nap more....Jack or Matt?

 

 

Baby Beau and Grandaddy (my Dad).

Contrary to the pictures above, Jack was NOT Spiderman for Halloween.  He was actually "Captain Jack Sparrow"......arrrrrrrrrr!!

Here's a little gimpse as to what an (almost) three year playing looks like: 

  

He took 1/2 a second to take a selfie with Momma

As always, I've drug (dragged?) my family to as many FSU games as they could tolerate.  It's always fun once we are there...it's the coming and going that's a real pain in the ass.  Truth be told, of course.

Sometimes, we even break bread with the enemy....  Ash (Virginia grad) and us!

Beau says "We're #1!"

#NoleFam

Jack and Beau continue to do very well together.  Jack asks about Beau almost as soon as he wakes up every morning.



They continue to thrive and learn new things every day.  Jack is learning to use the potty more consistently...Beau learning to sleep more consistently.  True to form, I can only assume that I'll be changing Jack's diapers when he's 15, though.  Just like I thought he'd never walk...I just assume he'll never be potty trained either.  

The struggle is real.

99% of the time, Jack is awesome.  He's sweet, loving, compassionate, polite, caring and he's a hugger!  He hugs strangers and breaks down barriers.  He's a lover.

But that 1%?  That 1% will eat you alive if you aren't ready for it.  That 1% will blow up an entire room and change his mind on a DIME.

That 1% will tell you to "go away, momma" or "go home, meme" or "go talk to momma, dadda."

Seriously?  You can't tell me to go away, kid.  I'm going to be all up in your business for the next 50 years.  So, you better get used to it.  I'm going to be all over more than just how much sugar is in your juice box.  I've got something for that 1% bipolar terrorist/jerk thing you've got going.....so watch yourself, kid.

That struggle?  It's FOR REAL.

Beau is getting better about sleeping, but at 15.5lbs and only 3 months old....he's just hungry all the time.  The doctor says "oh he can make it 8 hours without eating" -- right, lady.  Come on over at 3am when I've stuck the pacifier back in his mouth for the 400th time....and he subsequently throws it at me and tells me to sit down in the rocking chair.  He's in 6 month clothes and I'm anticipating the introduction of solid foods soon as I'm praying that will tide him over through the night.  

The struggle is real.

It's always  something, right?

Jack at 6 months.....Beau at 3 months.  Same sleeper...same sweet smile.

Beau had his first cold .... and his first experience with the nasal aspirator or "snot sucker" as we call it in the biz.  The parenting biz.  I think Beau is still giving me a little bit of the cold shoulder for that thing, but oh well.  It's an ancient tool, but it works.  He's still happy and thinks he's so big....trying to stand up constantly!

11-27-2014

This is sort of how the evenings roll around here....notice that Beau doesn't even flinch when Jack is yelling.  God love him....he's in for a real treat when he figures out that his big brother is a bozo.

(don't worry, there's no full frontal nudity in this one)

SO, we tackle 2 kids and 2 full time working parents (one that travels each week) starting next week.  I don't travel until the new year, but it's going to be a lot to handle for a few months until Beau is a little bit older.  Matt and I are a team though and we are ready to take on the challenge.  Sometimes the good comes with the bad and that's just life.  Making our careers work with a family is a priority for both of us, so we work at it every day.  Anything worth having or experiencing is worth working for ..... because there's always something to worry about, plan for, overcome and/or enjoy!  

In the meantime, coming to a mailbox near you:

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Next Up:  The Holiday Run Down & How We Are I Am Surviving My Return To Work.

A Normal Family of Four....Wait, This Isn't Normal?

There's not a lot going on but there's so much happening!

I can't brag enough about Jack, y'all.  I was SO convinced he would be the jealous type, but - YOU GUYS (!) - he totally loves Beau.

#JackAndBeau

For now, I suppose.

Beau doesn't walk or talk or steal toys yet, so I'm sure there's more to come, but the first month and a half has been bliss on the brother front.

Selfies are no longer my own.  One kid is photobombing and one kid is giving the stink eye.  Aaaand, I cut my own head in half.  #NailedIt

What has NOT been bliss is that Beau is sort of a crankapotomus. I know I know, you are probably all shocked because Matt and I are such pleasantly calm and well balanced people.  I know.  I was shocked too.  (please tell me the sarcasm came through?)  Sadly, we aren't good at handling the cranky because Jack was an easy baby.  I'm sure you can imagine how a sleep deprived, super grumpy conversation goes at 3am when the baby won't step yelling at me, right?  Yes.  It's been buh-liss on that front.  However, we are currently turning the corner and the swaddling/eating/sleeping more than 2 hours at a time thing is upon us.  For example, we slept for 5 hours straight last night and I thought that a) the world had ended and b) I had enough energy to run a marathon this morning.  WOW!

You know, I'm a fan of swaddling but it totally speaks to my fears of being trapped therefore I'm never good at tying the kids down tight enough.  We had a miracle blanket with Jack and I just broke it out with Beau.  It's named really appropriately.  They can not escape and they SLEEEEEEP, which makes it a damn miracle.

When they sleep well...they wake up looking like this....and you like them again:

The thing about newborns is that they wait for NO ONE.  I happened to be stuck on the Howard Franklin bridge the other day....in 4 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic....and Beau decides that he's hungry a full 2 hours before he's "supposed to be."  And, because newborns are on their schedule and their schedule alone, I had to cross over said 4 lanes....pull off the side of the road....get out of the car, get BEAU out of the car and proceed to the passenger seat to feed him.  You have got to be kidding me right now.  There are people all over this bridge thinking I'm a lunatic.  You know who's not thinking that, though?  Moms.  *fist bump*

We have, in fact, discovered another miracle for little reflux babies - this magical wrap called Solly Wrap, which makes me look like a total hippy (don't be offended, hippies, you know I'm right).  I'm all about our Bjorn carrier, but this one let even the smallest version of Beau be held upright and close to prevent the cranks from taking over his body.

We've done some Florida State supporting (thanks to Becky for making the trip with the kids in tow):

Beau maaaay not be into football.

At least not yet, anyway.

Jack was NOT PLEASED with the first quarter against Wake Forest.  He let 'em know about it.

 We've had some visitors (thanks Dirky for playing with Jack!)

 

 

So maybe you saw it on the national news or some other news source, but Matt left me alone with the children for a week.  A WEEK, people.  I entertained, cooked for, cleaned up after, folded clothes for, created art projects with, tap danced for, did cartwheels with, disciplined, fed, traveled to FSU games with, bathed and DID NOT HURT the children (or the dog) for 7 full days.  I deserved a medal nap.  Upon Matt's return, said children promptly forgot all of our quality bonding and this ensued:

 

W-T-F.

I'll eat him up.

 Jack is planning to be Captain Jack Sparrow for Halloween, but he's also a Tigger fan and couldn't resist the opportunity to be Tigger for a few minutes in our local Stellie Bellies.

Jack has always been quite a character, but lately it seems like everything he says cracks us up.  Honestly, if his energy doesn't wear you down, his conversationalist skills will.  He's a talker.  And he expects timely responses.  And I *know* all of your babies are saying similar stuff - or did at Jack's age - but re-live it with me for just a moment and crack up!

As he's picking up acorns off the sidewalk.....  

Me:  "Jack - Whatcha doin?"

Jack;  "Picking up coconuts"

As he's approaching the house being built on our street...

Jack:  "Construction Boys!!"

Yep...that's a hard hat.  And he has his hammer in his hand.  He's a helper, y'all!

Admiring the newly built condos near our home....

Jack:  "Dadda - that building is MONGOUS"

(translation: HUMONGOUS)

Recently becoming obsessed with Toy Story....

Jack:  "To immfemmenny and beeeyond"

(nope.  i don't know what "immfemmenny" is either)

Noticing Beau has the hiccups....

Jack:  "Momma!  Beau has the shookups!"

Upon realizing that his shoes light up...

Jack:  "I only wear the glow up shoes"

After learning about sword fighting....

Jack:  "I'M Guard!"

Me:  "On Guard!"

Jack:  "NO! IIIII'MM Guard!"

Recently becoming obsessed with Superman and his "super shirts":

Jack:  "Super Jack saves the day!"

And an oldie but a goodie:  When he'd see someone with eye glasses on....

Jack:  "eye sees"

Generally speaking, Jack is a pretty polite kid.  He's  good at sharing, says his pleases, thank yous, you're welcomes....and ALWAYS, ALWAYS says hi to bikers, joggers and people walking their dogs when they go by our house and we're outside.  

Here's your PSA for today:  Say hi back.  If you don't, he will call you out about it - loudly.  (read: "Mommy!!!!  He didn't say hi back!!!  Why not??") 

God love 'em....when they aren't being bipolar terrorists, they are pretty damn funny.

We're all good here....come visit!

~Beautiful Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Pete~

The "New Normal" is Total Chaos....

....but we embrace.

With these sweet faces, it's hard not to embrace the chaos that they bring!

 

Jack was very concerned about the "wires" coming from momma, so we talked about how momma was ok and that the wires were giving me medicine.

Matt couldn't stop smiling about his boys.

We are over the moon for this new little fella who entered our world in super un-dramatic fashion on 8/27 at 7:40 am.  He weighed 8.8 lbs and was 20.5 inches long....and all lungs on his way out.  He definitely let us know he was "out" and Matt's smile was as big as it was when his first son was born.  

So, now there are two.  Now what?

Here's what:

(I love lists!)

1. The second c-section is WAY harder to recover from than the first.  I felt like with the first that I was back to normal in a couple of days...including clothing, exercise, etc.  I'll be honest folks - I'm still in some pain, I still have a little preggo belly and I'm still just not myself (um, why can I not bend over without feeling like my body is still cut in half??).  Case in point:  On Labor Day, Beau was 6 days old....and we headed to Publix for some groceries.  I had a woman stop me and ask me how I could have a toddler, a baby in a carrier and be pregnant again.  Folks.  I am not even kidding you.  As the tears welled up in my eyes, I explained that the baby in the carrier was 6 days old and that my belly had not reduced back down.  She simply said "oh, that makes sense."  Ya.  No apology. She just walked away.  The reason I know I'm not back to normal yet is because I didn't punch her square in the nose.  In any case, I did get my staples out and am now feeling MUCH more like myself!!  That previous "preggo belly" is now just looking like I had too much for lunch, so I can now go to the grocery store without being shamed.
2. Something is always leaking.  If you have children, you know what I mean.  If you don't have children, don't ask.
3. Jack is smitten with his little brother.  PLEASE, GOD, let this always be.                                               
4. The guilt is real y'all.  I'm talking about the multiple child guilt...like I'm neglecting one kid when I spend some time with the other.  What the....  Is this normal?
5. I hate my breast pump.
6. Poor Beau is already less documented than Jack was at this age, but no less sweet.
7. My husband is an absolute saint.  He wrangles the energy of Jack while I take some time to actually heal.  It's beyond appreciated.  He says that's his job.  He's a good man.
8. I'm trying to enjoy every single moment of Beau and Jack and this time we have, but honestly?  I just need a NAP.
9. Lucky is so confused about the difference between his toys, Jack's toys and Beau's "stuff" (i.e., binkies).  On Monday, Lucky encountered the drumsticks that Jack received from the FSU drum major on Saturday.  He decided to see what they tasted like....This sent the whole house into a full scale meltdown.  I thought Jack was going to run out of the house screaming like a mad man.
10. Does everyone need to have a disaster at the same time or is this just happening in my house?  For some reason, Jack, Beau and Lucky tend to all need something at the same time.  Why is this??
11. Must we pee, poop and/or puke on every piece of cloth in the house?  The laundry is out of control, which is reason enough to stop at 2 children.
12. Can Jack please just go to sleep and not talk to himself and his stuffed animals for two hours every night?  No?  Ok, perfect.  Can I at least stop caring since he doesn't get out of bed and eventually falls asleep regardless?
13. We've been out to eat with both boys successfully.  No one got hurt.  Everyone left full and happy.  It may have been a Christmas miracle.
14. Instead of playing "peek a boo," Jack plays "peek a Beau."  Genius.  I know!
15. I hate my breast pump.
16. I'm already worried about returning to work, but I know that Matt and I will figure out a way to make it all work.  We always do.
17. Lucky is tired of being on newborn duty.  I can tell because his snout gets a bit more gray (grayer?) by the day.  Poor fella.
18. Jack has started to worry that Beau is "eating momma" when Beau breastfeeds.  Ya.  He's really very concerned about this situation, which requires me to explain breastfeeding daily to my two year old. Guess how well that goes?

In Other News....

Jack is obsessed with drummers, drumsticks and "marching band hats" -- which means when the FSU drum major gave Jack his drumsticks at the game on Saturday (9/6), they instantly became weapons and he basically hit everything in the stadium and on the way to the car.

 

Jack is also obsessed with hats, helmets and all types of headgear.  He are a few snaps of his collections:

  

And he even wears his helmet during car rides.... Safety First, folks.  Safety First.

Jack is learning how to pee standing up.  He's consumed with being like Dadda.  I never thought I'd have to worry about pee in places where I've found it.  Don't ask.

Jack is the big kid at daycare now (in age).  We were really worried that he wouldn't embrace this role, but it seems as though he has -- and has had a few weeks in a row without any issues.  PLEASE, GOD, let this continue.  Disciplining a two year old is not for the weak or faint of heart.  And, I'll tell you - he has started talking back and telling us "no" about everything and raising his voice when he's angry about something.....and it's all I can do not to a) laugh and b) break one of his fingers to snap him out of his attitude problem.  

I mean not really, but really. 

We've learned the art of bargaining and trading - but all reasoning is STILL out the window.

I'm constantly amazed at how quickly the tears can dry up (mine and his) with a perfectly timed "deal" -- (i.e., let's trade the drumsticks for some M&Ms, huh, kid?)

OMG.....toddlers....like living with a bi-polar terrorist.

I really want to break Jack from the binky (only used during naps/bedtime), but I'm pretty sure that the binky is for me - not him.  Is there an easy way for me him to get over this addiction?  Cold turkey really isn't for us, so what else you got?

I can already tell that Beau is a laid back little dude.  He's a different type of eater than Jack was....and he's a better sleeper (PLEASE, GOD, let this always be) - even though Jack was pretty good.  I never had to wake Jack to feed him (piggy baby)....but I do with Beau...and he's kind of a lazy eater, a grazer, if you will.

We are only 2 weeks into this adventure, but there's nothing better really.  I love, love, love being a mom of two, but it's chaotic and I keep it real.  There are days when it feels like a lot of work....but then they do amazing little things (just like all kids) and it reminds me that it's all worth it.  

Be Still My Heart.