positivity is key

Sometimes we just have to do things we'd rather not do. Well okay, let's be real. We pretty much get to do things we don't want to do all the time. It's a shame that it has taken me the better part of 26 years to discover that positivity is key to getting us through these things we'd rather not do. I guess it's better late than never, right?

I decided that the only thing that was going to get me through going back to work was positive thinking. It's not that I don't like my job or don't want to work in general, I just really didn't want to leave my sweet babies. L and Abbott mean the world to me. They are beautiful, snuggly, sweet little children and the mommy in me just wanted to be with them.

Someone told me before I went back that being away from them during the day would just make the time I had with them sweeter. I didn't want to believe them, I mean who could ever think that there could be a positive outcome for having to leave you kids? But, as it always seems to go, they were right. Snuggling with Abbott each evening and listening to Laurelei sing songs at bedtime is just that much greater, now that I know what those moments are worth. Each second I spend rubbing their sweet cheeks or kissing their sweet faces mean so much to me every night.

Plus, I get 20 sweet kids to love on during the day too. Positivity really is the key.

little photog

Laurelei has caught on to what we do around here. Anytime she sees something noteworthy, or she sees me get my camera out, she runs to get our old digital camera and join in the picture taking fun.

The other day I was taking Abbott's 2 month pictures and L got a little jealous. At first she wanted to be in the pictures too...

 Then she decided she would rather help me take them...

It doesn't matter that the camera doesn't work anymore. She would yell at Abbott to say "cheese," showing off her good pictures after she took them. She was so proud of herself, and it was so sweet.

 

Two things are clear. 

one. I maybe take too many pictures of my kids.

two. It's about time for L to get her own little camera, that works!

Christmas around our house

I am always anxious to decorate for Christmas each year! I usually head straight for the cutesy Christmas stuff, all bows and ruffles, but I want something a little different this year. This picture is from our front door wreath from last year, which I still might just pop back on the front door anyway!

This year I wanted more of a rustic, homemade feel around our house. I went with a combo of paper crafts, pine cones and branches, and a little pop of red to change things up a bit. So far I am really happy with what we have come up with!

Our coffee table centerpiece is low fuss and in one of my all-time favorite goodwill finds!

 I love our three window wreaths, a Pinterest idea.

 These pillows were another Pinterest idea from a few weeks ago! They didn't turn out quite as well as I'd planned, but I am happy with the little linen pillows. I just used iron-on transfer paper to recreate this favorite pin!

 I picked this polar bear up at HomeGoods, and I love it! Polar bears are my favorite, and he brings a different little kick to things. 

Matt and I bought our stockings the year we spent living abroad in Edinburgh. When Laurelei was born we lucked out and found a similar 'old-school' stocking at Joseph Beth. Now, we are on the hunt for Abbott's perfect mismatch too! If you see any, let us know!

 Yet another Pinterest christmas project. I'm not overly excited about how this turned out either, but I'll take it! It adorns our farm house dining room table for now. 

This little ribbon tree is something I made last year, and I still really like it. It's a surprising little find on our living room bookshelf!

And of course, last but not least, our Christmas tree.

I've decided it's pretty much impossible to get a good picture of a Christmas tree. But you get the gist. This year we added letter garland and paper stars to our tree, alluding to the homemade feel around here. I really like it, even if it is a bit unorthodox!

I am pretty happy with all of our changes around here this year. If you are interested in what we did for Christmas last year, here is last years post.You can check out my Pinterest holiday board to see where I got a lot of my ideas this year!

Happy Holiday Decorating!!

my miscellany

one. I am back to work. I've only worked two days, but it feels like I spent an eternity away from my babies. Hoping this full week doesn't feel like too terribly long.

two. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Abbott spent his first Thanksgiving celebrating with both sides of Matt and I's family, and he even got to experience a little black Friday shopping! It was a busy break, but relaxing nonetheless.

three. Black Friday shopping was an epic fail for me. It probably has something to do with the fact that I went out after all the deals were pretty much over, or that I had two children with me. Either way, we bought one thing for L, and it wasn't on sale. Boo.

four. We are all decorated for Christmas, and have been for maybe 2 weeks? :)

five. I have the most patient and understanding husband. We rearranged the living room, again. I like it better this way...for now.


six. L is almost completely potty trained. That is right, this week has brought huge success in that field! If I get more than 5 broken minutes to sit down and actually write I will have to dedicate a little post to that journey! We are so proud of our big girl though!

seven. I've found a new love for hot chocolate, mixed with caramel, doused with whipped cream. yum!

eight. I can't decide what to do about Christmas cards this year. It's really not overly important in the grand scheme of things, but it's seems like it's bringing me a fair amount of stress when I think about it. I think I have a problem!

nine. Go UK! #1!

 

 a very merry Monday to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I am thankful for God's protection and faithfulness.

As I was up rocking the baby early this morning I started to think how very different this day would feel if we'd had a different outcome with Abbott. What a blessing that I can hold this sweet baby and be so thankful for a healthy and perfect little boy!

While I was rocking Abbott back to sleep, Laurelei started singing sweet lullabys in the next room. There is just so much to be thankful for in this little house.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

lazy days

I have been so lucky to have time off with both L and Abbott before returning to work. Maternity leave is such a gift. Abbott and I have spent these long days , lazy days sleeping in and eating out with family and friends. We've cuddled and snuggled as long as we've wanted without worry. I think through this time I've learned the importance of comfy clothes and how to accept a less than perfect house. The lazy baby holding days have been the absolute best. As hard as going back to work seems right now, I know that no matter when I go back these days would come to an end. Babies grow and time moves on. As much as I want to hold onto the sweet baby wrinkle and first smiles, I know they will slip through my fingers no matter how hard I try. Moving on with life and embracing every change is probably a very healthy thing for me to do!

 Matt and I have been blessed in so many ways. There have been some hard times for me in the last few months, and I can't count the number of times through my pregnancy when I was just completely broken down in tears in Matt's arms. God provided in each and every hard time, and now we have a beautiful baby boy. I don't ever want to take for granted what a gift both our babies have been and always will be, and how lucky I am to have spent such wonderful lazy days with them.

 These days with Abbott have been so special. I know that even though I want to hold onto them, tomorrow I'll be at work and life will officially resume. Before I know it the days and weeks will have passed and Abbott will be as big as Laurelei, asking to use the potty in every public place between here and Timbuktu, (but more on that later...:)

two whole months...

Two whole months have passed since we welcomed our second little miracle baby into the world, and this mommy just can't believe it!
Here are some special things about Abbott at 2 months...

 growing... Born 6lbs 10oz, 19.5inches long/ NOW 10lbs, 22.25 inches long!! Abbott seems so big to us, but is really hanging between the 10th and 25th percentile for babies his age.

eating/sleeping... We're still eating every three hours pretty much religiously. At night we might squeeze in 4-5 hours if we are lucky. :) If we can have a good feeding around 9:30-10:00, then can almost always we sleep well until about 3-3:30. It's a beautiful thing!

 likes/ dislikes... Abbott has still been super easy. He has his fussy moments, but nothing we can complain about. Smiling? Well smiling is his favorite! He smiles and coos after he gets his diaper changed. He loves to be on his changing table and to have his little bare feet kissed. I usually get the biggest smiles from that! He also still loves to be swaddled. He really doesn't like his pacy or tummy time. Matt always comments on how Abbott can shoot his pacy all the way across the room when he doesn't care for it any longer. He also hates getting into his carseat, but loves car rides, so go figure!

firsts... This month we rolled over from tummy to back for the first time, and we did it twice! I mentioned he hates tummy time, and for the most part he will do anything to get out of it. I was amazed when he pushed himself over to his back at 6 weeks, and actually got the second roll on video to send Matt. It was crazy! He also had his first Halloween, and was here to put up his first Christmas tree, though you can imagine he didn't get to help all that much :).

We love you little Abbott!

family picture overload.

That's right. Be prepared. My post are usually overkill on the pictures, and this one is only going to be worse! When Abbott was about 3 weeks old we had our friend Jackie take some family pictures of us at a local park. We just got the pictures and I was so excited to see them! She did an awesome job. We got over 50 pictures back to chose from! Here are just a 'few' of my favorite. :)

 

 

Sorry! I just couldn't pick which ones to share. I love them all so much. And, I love my little family so, so much more. What great memories to have. 

Christmas stories, through the eyes of a 3 year old...

We've decided that L might be a little confused about Christmas. I am sure this is entirely our fault. We've been talking about it for a couple of weeks now. Letting her in on all the little traditions, talking about Santa, presents, Jesus, etc. You forget as an adult how obtuse all of these things sound to a 3 year old. At this stage, they are all stories, and 3 year olds take in bits and pieces of stories, not always getting the big picture. Well, Friday we realized in this household just how much of the 'big picture' our almost 3 year old was missing, and it was precious and devastating all at the same time!

When Matt and L got home on Friday night we decided we would let L put up the tree we have for her room. It's an old 4 foot tree that Matt and I have had for years. Last year she picked out her own ornaments for it and everything. We thought she would love this and we've been talking about it for a while. She was so excited she could barely stand it! As Matt was looking for her tree and 'instruments' as she calls her 'ornaments,' L just stood at the base of the attic and jumped up and down, hands folded and fingers crossed. She could not wait!

He found the tree quickly and she squealed with delight! Almost immediately after she saw her tree she began asking if daddy could find her 'Christmas baby' up there too. This is where things get a little confused. You see, Laurelei has been telling us for weeks that Santa is bringing her a pink Christmas baby. In all of the excitement over her tree and listening to Christmas music and talking about Santa Clause, somwhere along the way L got it in her head that her 'Christmas' was all coming out of the attic on Friday night.

As she was yelling up the stairs to Matt about her Christmas baby and he was not understanding, she ran into the kitchen where I was getting dinner together and asked for my help in making him understand. She pleaded with me, "Mommy! Daddy doesn't know about my Christmas baby mommy, he doesn't understand." Can you imagine the excitement on her face? It was the most precious look of expectation and excitement of all time. And, it was also super devastating to be the one who had to tell her that she was the one who didn't quite understand. I mean, in the world of an almost 3 year old, this was a major let down! Matt found an old Christmas bear in the attic and we let her have it. I don't think it made up for the disappointment she felt when she realized that Santa was bringing her Christmas baby down the attic stairs right then and there, but it eased some of the pain.

After she decorated her tree, lining the 'instruments' up in a wonderful little clump on the front of the tree, we introduced Laurelei to Walter, our elf on the shelf.

 

This is when I realized just how creepy Christmas traditions sound to a little girl. I mean, after all, Walter sitting on a shelf and watching from afar to see whether L has been nice and reports back to Santa is a little scary.  Of course it doesn't sound as scary to L as it does to me as I tell her this story out loud, but it does making me second guess myself before singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" to Laurelei at bedtime! Anyway, she was excited to meet Walter and thought it sounded fun to play hide and seek with him each morning. It was our mistake that we left him sitting on her dresser when she went to sleep. Not long after L went to bed, she started yelling something we couldn't understand from her bedroom. I went in there and she quickly informed me, "Hims staring at me mommy! I don't want him in here staring at me! Hims needs to hide, but not in my room mommy!" And of course, there Walter was, perched on her dressed top with his big eyes and sly little smile. I guess I can't blame her. I wouldn't want "hims" staring at me either while I was trying to sleep. 

 The next mornings hide and seek was a success though, and it seemed like all of L's worries about the little elf has disappeared, so crisis averted!

We have the Christmas cheer pretty much contained to Laurelei's room at the moment, but if I can get the rest of this happy little house cleaned up today, it won't be contained for long! I already have a few of my pinterest projects completed, which I can't wait to share!! 

On a more miscellaneous note, anyone have any tips for getting our almost 3 year old to sleep through the night? Last night she was up at 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3:00...and up for the day at 5:30! Yikes. She is all messed up with the time change, but she kept up for for at least a solid hour in the middle of the night and we are exhausted! The newborn even did better than her last night, and that is saying something! 

Oh, and we also got to see our family pictures last night! I cannot wait to share those too!! So many things to blog about, and so little time before I go back to work. Whatever will I do? I guess I'll be using the baby naptimes, when I'm not sleeping too, wisely!

 Happy Monday!