7 things I have learned

Here are 7 things I have learned since becoming a mother

1. Privacy- I have given it up for a time. When Bailey was first born I was still able to go the bathroom, shower, get dressed, and do a few simple things without being bothered. Then she learned to crawl and would wait outside the door till I was done. Then she learned how to open doors. This was a sad day! Now taking a shower consists of Brayden crying in the background, and Bailey pulling the shower curtain open to stick her head in to see if she can get her hair wet while singing me some song like head, shoulders, knees, and toes. I have accepted that I have no privacy for several years! It will be missed!

2. How to eat really fast!- For whatever reason my children seem to need more attention when I am eating then any other time of the day. It doesn't matter what time I am eating at they will make sure to be awake and need attention. So I have learned how to eat extremely fast and usually with one hand.

3. Sleep...Bailey is 22 months old and I have yet to sleep for a straight 8 hours since she was born. Bailey didn't start sleeping through the night till she was 1 years old. I found out I was pregnant with Brayden before her 1st birthday and exchanged getting up to take care of Bailey for going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Brayden hasn't slept through the night yet, but I am happy he sleeps 3-5 hours at a time. That is good sleep to me! I am convinced your body learns how to deal with lack of sleep and you don't even realize how exhausted you really are.

4. Nice stuff. I don't get to worried about the things in my home so this doesn't bother me to much, but I have learned that if I want to guarantee something stay looking new and shiny I better lock it in a safe until my kids are older.We had very little nice stuff to start, but that list has grown to even fewer nice things. Unless you consider thing that have been colored on, torn, or broken to be nice. Last weekend I learned you can get crayon off the walls with toothpaste!

5. Opinions. Everyone has an opinion. If it is the person you don't know at the grocery store, friends, people at church, or your family. I am learning to ignore what other people think. I do what I feel is best for myself and my family and that's all that matter.

6. Gross! Things that I once found gross don't bother me anymore. Poop up Brayden's back and all over his nice church clothes...no suprise! Spit up down my shirt. The little potty chairs for kids that you have to dump out...ok I still find this one pretty gross!!! But most things that once made me gag are just normal things now.

7. love. I have learned what it truly means to love unconditionally. I could never have imagined how much love I would have for my two kids. They are my delight! They make me laugh everyday and I love being able to home with them even though it can try my patience!

Brayden's Blessing

We were able to have Brayden blessed last Sunday and happy to have Jake's dad here for the special occasion. Brayden is very special to us and looked so cute. He did scream during the entire blessing which I find funny because he cries very little. I don't think he was enjoying the way the were holding him. We took advantage of having Jake's dad here and had him take a few pictures of us in our Easter outfits.







this would be Bailey being dramatic and telling us "sun in eyes"

He is so cute!

What can I say? He likes to eat! ha

I love his round face!

I pray these two grow up having a lot of love for eachother!

Happy Easter!

Egg Dying

I decided to dye Easter eggs with Bailey on a Sunday afternoon which I decided was a very brave thing to do with one under the age of two. It was on a day that both me and Brayden had the stomach flu so other then dying easter eggs I layed on the couch all day cuddled up with Brayden! :) Bailey had a blast dying easter eggs and everytime she sees the eggs in the fridge she wants to do it again. And I am happy to report that nothing got spilled or ruined!

Outside Toys

Bailey LOVES going outside! Unfortunatly it has still been pretty cold most days so we haven't gone to the park to play as much as I would like to take her. Brayden gets really colic like if we take him out and it is windy and cold (which seems to be 90% of the time in Boise). So I try to give her things to do on our back porch. I filled up a plastic tub with some oatmeal and rice that was getting really old, put in a few measuring cups, and other kitchen items and let her do what she wanted with it. This kept her entertained for about 45 minutes!! If you have an almost 2 year old you have to try this!

A-B-C..

First off I am grateful for this happy boy! Yesterday he laughed for the first time! Bailey's version of the Alphabet Song. The ending needs some work, but she is saying them better everyday!

Potty Training

Bailey has been very eager to learn how to use the potty and has been going on it for about a month so I decided to finally begin "potty training." We are in day two and she only had 2 accidents today! She is starting to tell me when she needs to go, and can go #1 and #2 in the potty!  Too Much Info?  She is turning into such a big girl. I am still putting her in a diaper for naps and bed and don't really know when you switch that? I also don't know how she will do outside the house. I pretty much ask her every 25 minutes if she wants to sit on the potty. It has been a very tiring two days! Honestly diapers are much easier, but I feel like I should just potty train now since she wants to. I have pull ups we used the past 2 days when we would leave, but we have mainly been at home. Any potty training suggestions are helpful! 

On a separate note: I am so grateful to be home with Bailey and Brayden everyday! I pray this never changes and know that sometimes I take it for granted. It is moments like what is pictured below that I don't want to miss out on. No one else would appreciate when Bailey is being so loving to Brayden. 

Being a mother is what I have always wanted. Day to day life is not exciting, "fun", or easy but I love it. Most days consist of changing diapers, feeding Bailey, feeding Brayden, entertaining Bailey while holding Brayden, giving baths, reading books, watching PBS, cooking, cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. I have learned to put my own needs last and have little to no personal time, but at the end of the day it is all worth it! 

these pictures were a few weeks ago but I love being able to capture the two of them together...

AZ

Me, Bailey and Brayden took a little break from the cold and went to Arizona to spend some time. I was happy to show Brayden off for the first time to my family.  We had so much fun. Bailey was in heaven because she had attention from Grandma, Grandpa, and her uncles everyday. She went swimming in a little pool outside several times, we had a picnic lunch outside, and enjoyed the park a couple times. Brayden was also very spoiled being held or bounced in his little chair almost every second we were there. 

Bailey has a new love for coloring! I love it because it keeps her entertained without me!

We loved being in the sun! You know you live somewhere that the sun doesn't come out enough when your almost 2 year old is outside our first day in Arizona sees her shadow and freaks out! She was so scared and thought her own shadow was going to get her. 

We were happy to have a short visit with Grandma and Grandpa Goodman on our way down. 

Brayden is still a really good baby. He had his 2 month check today weighing 11 lbs. 8oz and is 23 inches long.  I feel very lucky to have him and can't wait to see him grow and play with Bailey. 

It is always fun to go to Arizona and spend time with my mom! Bailey LOVES her grandma and asks for "Ga Ga" almost every day since getting home. We ate lots of good food, shopped, enjoyed going outside, and celebrated my dad's birthday! 

Flying home alone with 2 kids under two was not the funnest thing I have ever done. The flight ended up being 100% full which is what I was scared would happen. I put Brayden in his car seat and Bailey on my lap which worked great until Brayden needed to be fed.  I squeezed Bailey between me and the man sitting next to me and fed Brayden. I really wish a women would have been sitting next to me or that I would have had a bottle.