Practically Perfect Day

Yesterday the kids and I left the house. This is only epic because we have been cooped up with all sorts of sickness for the past two weeks. At 9am I looked at them and knew we all needed to DO something. We were temporarily healthy (we only had one day break) and we just needed to go somewhere, anywhere. So we packed up and drove to to the mall, 30min away. We did a little shopping, Hailey needed some new top/bottom pajamas since she is all potty trained (no more zip up fleeces!) so we had fun picking out those. Of course they had to be pink. Then we got McDonalds and played in the children's play area for a while. They loved it so much. We are going to do this again for sure. Even Hailey, who is normally shy in these settings, (there were about 5 boys playing all over everything) got into it and was having a grand ol time. 

She loved this ladybug!

We made it back in time for naps which was great. 

post nap wake up

After they had their snack, we went outside and played! It was 66 degrees out! The kids loved it.

Getting some fresh air really makes all the difference. Can't wait for more nice weather!

Rain, Rain, Come Again.

Aren't these boots adorable?

I love them! And yet, pretty much every time it rains, I forget to wear them! Who DOES that? Oh look, it's raining, I should probably wear my rain boots. And I love them. So how could I forget them. Today was one of these instances. It was pouring and I was leaving to take Casey to the doctor for what I thought might be an ear infection. (Turns out it was, poor baby...) To show you how ridiculous this is, I must show you this:

I keep them there on purpose. Know why? So I won't forget them. Right by my diaper bag, which I walked out the door with. One of my pet peeves is when my feet get wet in the rain. 

But here is why I forgot. I was holding my very feverish son, who was crying. I was trying to leave on time and was glancing at the clock noting that I should have left 5 min ago. As I was leaving, one of our teammates was walking in. I was throwing a coat over Casey's shoulders to keep him dry. Ultimately, I was thinking of Casey the entire time, and how I was hopeful for answers at our pending doctor's visit. And so, it was ok. Yes, it would have been nice. And dry. But he was more important. 

Would you believe though, that I came home after the doctor to drop him off to daddy before heading out to pick up his prescription and other errands, I still didn't think of it. That part is kind of irritating. Mostly because in the hour that I was gone I went to the post office, the library, the gas station, CVS, the grocery store, and pizza hut (momma still had to "make" dinner). It was a ton of errands in just an hour! And a lot of in and out, wetness. 

Next time.

Self Potty Trained!

This truly was the last thing in the world I expected would happen. Hailey self potty trained last week. I'm still in shock. On Monday she up and decided it was time, she wanted nothing to do with diapers and quite frankly never looked back. She is doing all her business in the big potty and hasn't had any accidents since Wednesday. She didn't even want to wear a diaper for her nap OR bedtime. I went with it when she refused to put a diaper on for bed, telling myself I was going to regret it. I even put her on the potty half asleep before I went to bed to try and get her to go, but she had nothing. And she woke up dry! The next night she kept waking up all night asking for water. I would give her a drink, and tuck her back in. We probably did this like 3 times throughout the night. It was unusual and not like her. She was just acting like her mouth was super parched. Again, I thought I was going to regret this. I contemplated putting a diaper on her somehow in her sleep. But again, she woke up dry and asked to go pee pee right away.

And yesterday, we were out in public for three hours, mass followed by brunch and she was fine!!! I told her in church that there was a potty here, so just tell mommy if you need to go. And she did! Then at brunch, I told her the same thing again and she let me know.

It feels so good to say, it's official! Hailey is potty trained. Yay!!

Changes

Casey is acting so grown up these days. It is truly fascinating to watch him change. The other day he picked up Hailey's favorite baby doll on the floor and brought it over to her. So sweet! Before he did I snapped a few quick pics.

Then later that day, he saw a snack that Hailey had left on the dining room table. From the hallway I watched him reach way up on his tip toes, get the snack, remove the wrapper and put it back on the table, and walk happily off with his prize. It was so cute watching him put the wrapper back on top of the table! haha!

When he wakes up from his nap, he will go over to the Brita on the counter and hold his cup up to it, letting me know he wants a drink of water. 

He also will try to put the remote up on the shelf where we keep it. It is amazing how children watch and imitate! Even at such a young age.  Casey, I can't wait to see what you do next! :)

What I Wore Sunday

Linking up again with the lovely ladies over at Fine Linen and Purple. Thank you for all the sweet comments last week, you all made me feel so welcome for my WIWS debut. This morning we were running late as usual. Our church is two blocks up the street and I love just being able to throw our coats on and walk up there. You would think that would make it even easier to be on time. But no. Would we be more timely if we did have to drive? Probably not. Bottom line, we need to work on it. I once heard that you should factor 20 minutes for each family member. That would mean giving ourselves an hour to get ready, since there are 4 of us. Next week, I am going to try it. I am, you can hold me accountable.

I feel kinda country in this outfit. In a good way. I think it's the ruffles on the skirt. Here are the deets:

Cardi: Target

Top: Banana Republic

Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft

Boots: Famous Footwear 

Belt: Khols

*my apologies for the commode backdrop. I didn't like any of the pics my husband took so I took matters into my own hands. 

Say "Cheese"!

Here you two, show each other some love. No? Ok. I'll take Casey's cheesy smile.

I love his smile here again! Its a new thing and I hope it stays. This was their first official tea party together. I think Casey will be invited back, he was a good guest. 

(they are actually drinking real decaf tea with honey. Both of them were terribly sick, Hailey with flu and bronchitis, and not interested even in drinking. This was a last stitch effort that actually worked!)

Potty Training, what?

Hailey decided she's ready to be potty trained. What in the world? It began yesterday. She took off her diaper, marched into the bathroom, got herself up there and peed. Wiped. And with help, washed hands. She then wanted to put panties on and go on the potty the remainder of the day. She had very minimal accidents and they were so minor, like she would go just a tiny bit and then start running for the potty. And those even got less and less. By the end of the day, she had it down. I was shocked.

But I should have seen it coming. For about the last week or so, she has been acting VERY uncomfortable in her diaper. Wiggly around, pulling on it, putting her hands inside (gross, sorry), taking it off as soon as she peed, etc.

Yikes, I looked up from here and she was squatting pantiless in the living room, We had to go take care of her lil biz.....

I have to keep a close eye on the squatting behavior. She still hasn't done the big job yet, and I will spare you the details of earlier today. Honestly though, it wasn't that bad, but it involved finding her in the squatting position in the living room. Have got to keep a close eye. But she is too scared to do it on the potty. Something about sitting to do it? Who knows. I have spent the greater part of today though sitting in the doorway of the bathroom, trying to help her relax, read books, sing a song to distract her...nothing has done the trick just yet. I promise NOT to update when she finally does it. Maybe.

2 going on 20?

Hailey, stop it, you are killing me. Looking at you sitting like this, I got a flash forward mental image of you at 16. I'm not ready. I need 14 more years please. Love your Mommy.

What I Wore Sunday

I'm joining the What I Wore Sunday  crowd over at http://www.finelinenandpurple.com/  for the first time! Its funny, I wouldn't claim myself a fashionista but I do love clothes. And earrings, and scarves, and boots, and necklaces, did I mention big earrings? and purses, and headbands, and cardigans. I like watching shows like "What Not to Wear" and learning flattering ways to modestly dress my body type. Ok, so maybe I do love fashion:) And dressing up for Jesus on Sunday. I had a girl friend in college who used to sigh and tell me that there didn't seem to be a point to looking cute for classes because no guy ever noticed. I would tell her, "you're going to daily Mass today right? Well, then look cute for Jesus!"

The details: (Nothing overly spectacular, but some of my favorite wardrobe pieces.)
Dress - Marshalls
Tights - Target
Cardigan - Khols
Boots - Famous Footwear
Big big earrings you can't see (bummer) - Target

(shadowy photographer - my loving husband, who didn't even question why I was doing this or tease me. Oh wait, I told him not to :)

Age milestones

Casey, a few weeks after his first birthday. He is the sweetest, most easy going little boy. He learned to walk the day after his first birthday and he loves to walk, I mean loooves it. He pretty much just walks loops around the house all day. He then will come over and hug my leg and nuzzle into my lap, get a hug, then off he goes again. And if you chase him, boy does he get excited. I love this phase so much, and am soaking in all these moments.

My little Hailey. This is her at 2 and half years old. She is a doll, and so easy to make happy. She just wants you to play house or kitchen with her, give her lots of snuggles and let her help you with whatever you are doing. Handing you wipes to change a diaper, unload and load the dishwasher, wash dishes, put things away, bake, anything. Her favorite things in the world are her baby doll, going for walks, swimming and watching boats. 

I'm still justifying this

Yep, its been since August since I've touched this. At the heart of it, I still question whether or not I'm a blogger. I feel like I need to live up to something I guess, some "way" of blogging. I'm not a natural writer, so I guess I feel insufficient for the task. Yet, does blogging even need to have style? It's about me and who I am and my beautiful blessed life. Which sounds self-centered to me. Again, a reason I have not blogged before. I don't want to become even more self consumed than I'm sure I already am. And yet, I have remained torn and still drawn to blogging. I have this love-hate relationship with it all. So many stay-at-home mothers that I know have a blog. I swear, everyone of them does. I would read their blogs and many times end up comparing myself to them. But again, that's my weakness, not theirs. They truly are great women, and more often than not, they honestly inspire me, giving me many things to think about and reflect on. Such as this! I learn so much from them. And I know that I'm not so bad myself :) There is no point beating myself up because I don't take perfect pictures of my kids, or craft, or make everything from scratch. I love being a mom and I want to share my daily joys, and struggles. And to be a part of the community of mom's who blog! Motherhood in this age, can be isolating at times for sure, and we mommies need to stick together.

Time to stop rationalizing, Megan. You have a blog, and your excited about it :)