I've been asked numerous times now, "How is it... going from one to two?" As a friend once described to me {in summary of a multitude of words}, we're chaotically blessed. And I absolutely wouldn't trade one breath of it! Of course, there are moments of frenzy, but more of fantasticness. {Yes, Spellcheck, I'm aware that's not a word but wish to use it anyway}.
You know, {small bunny trail here...} I was the best mom before having kids. I never lost my patience. I was always showered and organized. Public meltdowns were the sole product of irresponsible parenting and my child would never do such a thing.
Then I became a mommy.
Life isn't always calculated or perfect. Some days are just plain difficult and some moments forever tucked away into a blanket of sacrifice. My children are not robots, thank goodness... how boring that would be!
So, while there are late afternoons where Hallie is playing sweetly with her toys and Jack is cooing joyfully in his swing, there are other times when I'm frantically trying to heat up leftovers while holding a fussy baby, the little princess is throwing a record-breaking fit in timeout over a hangnail and the dryer is on it's fourth "fluff cycle" with the same load of clothes because I keep not getting to it but certainly don't want to iron every article of clothing if it sits there overnight... Amen?!
That's life. Beautiful, imperfect and raw. I'm thankful for specks of consistency {for my own sanity} and bucketfuls of spontaneity, grace, surprise and JOY. My cup runneth over.
Anywho... back to THREE.
Jack is growing, changing and expanding his smiley personality by the day. At three months, our tiny giant is approximately 17 pounds {yowza} of pure butterball. He has SUCH a sweet spirit, likes to cuddle close and just lights up when you talk to him. He'll let you know when he's hungry and might fuss a bit as he's getting tired, but overall is very alert and mellow.
He eats every three hours during the day and wakes up once in the early morning. He is wearing size 2 diapers, although we'll probably move up to 3's soon, and is currently wearing 3-6M and 6M clothes, depending on the brand. At this rate, we won't be in those much longer either! He has started to grab things and notice his hands. He's sucking his thumb... taking after his momma as a baby. He actually loves to stand and "dance," as sissy tells us. He wobbles and bobbles, but is very focused as those chunky thighs stand their ground. The sound of Hallie's voice makes him laugh and he loves to watch her run around. He's not a big fan of her smothering him, which she does on a daily basis ;).
That Hallie girl. Where do I even begin with such a thoughtful, intelligent, ornery, sweet thang? She just turned 3 last month but loves to daydream about when she'll be 4, 5, 6, 12... Slow down little lady! You're giving your mommy a panic attack.
Miss Hallie bear doodles on my grocery lists... Circles, H's, sunshines, you name it. She likes to put on her own shoes, drink out of a fancy glass and hold her "sugar booger" as many times as possible throughout the day. She brings Daddy and I animals to sleep with in case we get lonely. We jump on the trampoline, color pictures, "decorate the house" {with my old jewelry} and play dollhouse. Piggyback rides, dance parties and inquisitive contemplations accompany our days. She knows so much and asks such great questions.
She's working on sharing with her friends, being gentle to her little brother and loving to everyone around her. We talk about various Bible verses, the fruits of the Spirit and have constant conversation about God's love for us.
Most days I learn just as much about myself through her discipline. When frustrated or impatient, I'm thankful that my shortcomings as a parent remind me of my PERFECT Heavenly Father - who offers infinite amounts of love, patience and grace!
Kids say the darnedest {Hallie style}...
- Thanks to the $150 speeding ticket I received a few days before having Jack {and the uncontrollable/hormonal crying that followed}, Hallie now repetitively asks while in the car, "Mommy, are you going the speed limit?" And if we see a cop... "Mommy, are you going to get in trouble and cry?"
- She asked Derek, "Daddy, did you ride on an airplane?" "I sure did," he replied. Hallie thinks for a moment and asks, "Did you hold on?"
- A few days after coming home from the hospital with Jack, Hallie found a pantyliner and asked me, "What do you do with this iPad?"
- We were pretending to be superheroes and I asked if she had any super powers, like flying. She told me that her superhero power was "growing carrots" and mine was "making milk." True that, sista.
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| PB&J chef |
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| Smiley boy |
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| 3rd Birthday |
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| Handsome |
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| Bunny boy |
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| Cheesy cheeks |
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| Cuddle muffin |
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| Lovies |
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| Here's lookin' at you, kid |
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| New bloom |
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| Sweet girl |
Love these babies in their three's!
