THREE

Our sweet, little girl. How can you be THREE years old already? It feels like just yesterday when you were placed in my arms...so tiny, beautiful and sweet...the little girl we wished so hard for. It was love at first sight for everyone that laid eyes on you. Brothers, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and, of course, Mommy and Daddy. You had the affect on all of us and you still do. My heart feels like it is going to burst when I think of how much I love you. Madeline, you are my favorite girl in the whole wide world. I adore being around you and waiting to hear the next thing that comes out of your mouth...you are hilarious, confident, persistent. You teach me exactly how life is supposed to be lived every single day. I am a better person, woman, mother because of you. I hope you keep this strong spirit as you grow...I vow to protect it and never let anyone break it. The look of amazement and wonder over every little thing is amazing to be a part of. You amaze me, little girl, never change because YOU are incredible just the way you are.

I watched you today as you talked to a bigger girl at the pool. She must have been around 10-12 and really had no interest in talking to you, but you didn't care. 

"Hi, I'm Madeline. That's my Mommy over there. Say hi. *gives a wave over to me so I will wave back* My Daddy is at work, but he'll be home later. Do you like Frozen? I got the Elsa and Anna dolls yesterday at my party......see? Today is really my birthday, though. I am three now." I sat in awe of the way you communicated with this girl that wasn't giving you too much feedback.haha. Well, actually, I wasn't really sitting, I was wrestling an alligator because your brother is a maniac in the pool...much different from your cautious little self. But, you even talked and tried to explain to him that he could possibly go under the water and not be able to get back up. You are such a good sister. Such a sweetheart, wanting to talk to Bud on the phone, asking Joshua how his day at school was every day and constantly occupying/kissing/hugging..sometimes semi-smothering, but in a loving way Joseph. These boys are so lucky to have a caring sister like you.

You always care about everyone's feelings. Every night, at dinner, you ask "Daddy, how was your day?". You ask me if I am happy during the day. So concerned with every emotion around you. My little mama. 

Such a beautiful singing voice, you're always singing a princess song these days.

Lastly, you are hilarious. You will do anything for a smile/laugh....even these silly faces and jokes. You crack us up constantly. I think you may even be funnier than Daddy.hehe,

We love you, sweet baby girl. You are our everything, princess...Happy 3rd Birthday!! I hope you love being THREE!!! We cannot wait to surprise you with Disney soon! 

 Pool fun today!!

Sharing a snack after...

SO silly....

How is this just ONE year ago?

And I cannot believe this was TWO years ago...

This will not last forever.

As I just sat down in silence, well white noise really, for the first time today and nursed Joseph in his room, the first thing that came to my mind was that I forgot to have that tea party. She kept asking me and I said we would once I cleared off the table. Well, the table didn't get cleared off until nap time and then when she woke up, I was already preparing for dinner. I should have had that darn tea party...such a simple request. Looks like tomorrow morning will be a breakfast tea party. Mom guilt. I'll slip a positive in and say I did let her stay up after I put Joseph to bed and we played a game of CandyLand.

This will not last forever. That is my new favorite thing to keep in mind. As in, there will be a day when these children will not be as demanding...and that will be the day I miss it.

I put Joseph to bed at 7:45pm. He just woke up to nurse at 11pm. He slept longer before needing to nurse when he was a newborn. This will not last forever. There will be a day I will be wishing for these late night cuddles back.

Madeline has been extra dramatic and whiny lately...whining is like nails on a chalkboard for me. This will not last forever. There will be a day that I am wishing to hear that little squeaky voice again, whining or not.

Joshua tends to tell me EVERY single detail of his Madden season on Playstation. This will not last forever. There will be a day that I am wishing to have a conversation as innocent as a video game.

Usually around 4-6pm every single day, you know, the exact time that dinner preparation begins, is when Joseph does not want to be put down. It's so crazy because he will play on the floor the entire day, but the second he knows I'm starting to do something he'd like to be on me...I am wearing him on my back most nights I cook dinner or anything else between those hours actually. This will not last forever. There will be a day that he tells me to put him down and let him play by himself.

Now that her baby brother is mobile and able to get to me while we are playing with her, Madeline has started competing and making sure we are paying attention to her instead of Joseph...it makes play time a little tense. This will not last forever. There will be a day that she wishes we would leave her alone and go talk to her brother.

Oh man, teenage attitude and drama is the worst. It has me wondering if I will survive these years and what in the hell I was thinking having more children that will one day become this beast called a teenager. Josh works all aspects of it too...tone of voice, body language, overall annoyance with absolutely anything we ask him to do. Maybe fortunately, this will not last forever. But, I know for a fact there will be a day I wish I could have this goofy teenager back.

Being a parent is rewarding...and exhausting. Seriously. Mentally draining at times. Teenagers, toddlers, infants, there is no easy childhood stage to parent either...they all come with their own complications. But, they also come with their own beautiful memories. I look forward to every single day with my children because this will not last forever. Childhood goes by so fast...I am able to see that first hand with Joshua, not a day goes by that I don't wish I could make him a little guy again. Cherish it because children truly make life a blessing.

Time for bed. I have a tea party to prepare in the morning.

So thrilled to play CandyLand.

There are days like this.haha.

Those eyes.

Food before one is just for fun

Food before one is just for fun. And if that's the case, this guy is having a BLAST! haha!
We have yet to find something he doesn't like. He took a little longer to respond to the baby-led weaning than Madeline and his interest in food didn't begin until a few weeks ago, but it is in full force now! SO messy, but so much fun watching him discover and explore new foods. I wouldn't have it any other way. No mush zone here, baby.

 Then I just throw him in the sink....

And I just have to share this video because it shows how much he loves food and his lip smacking is hilarious...

"TASTYKAKE guy"

I got a phone call from school today that started by saying, "I'm not going to pursue further punishment because your son was honest..."
So, I hold my breath.

She explained that Joshua has been selling tastykakes in school and that is against their no solicitation rule and health & wellness policy. She then went on to compliment him on being an entrepreneur and polite, young businessman and was generally impressed with him.
Oh, and she was also pretty excited to tell me that she caught the "soda guy" last week after he lied and they had to search everything.
So, that's my son, the "TASTYKAKE guy". He has been caught and reprimanded.
Lord have mercy, of all the things that have been going on in the beginning of these teenager years, this is the first time I have chuckled over a phone call from school.
I can always remember kids selling things in school and it was no big deal...times have changed. There are now health and wellness policies.
We had a serious talk. I also had to capture a goofy little Q&A on the subject.
Disclaimer:: He is not going to be selling anymore items and is very aware that he will have a punishment next time, he just got a little silly at the end of the video because, well, he's a teenager. 

Happy SEVEN months, Joseph!

Here we are again, another month has gone by. This one definitely flew by because of Christmas...and because you are doing so many new things!!
You actually JUST perfected crawling tonight...well, almost perfected...you look like a little robot and you flop down every couple inches.haha. You can also pull yourself up on us and toys...you're still a little short for pulling up on the couch yet, but we help you out with that one and stand you there....it's hilarious because you seem way too little to be standing there by yourself. The chair is a different story, though. With a little help, you pull yourself right up and smile at us...

You have the cutest little conversations with us in your adorably rough voice...and your laugh is contagious. It's amazing how well you are repeating us lately too...dada, mama, baba, nono, nana and let's not forget raspberries.

No more swaddling at night...you love to roll over and sleep on your tummy, snuggled with your lovey giraffe and nuk. You've been waking up a lot lately...I'm pretty sure you're just counting down until early morning when you can come in bed with us.

No more gummy smile! Two brand new teeth are on the bottom now.

You eat everything. Your favorite right now is meatballs.

You'd rather play with your sister's little toys than your own...we just have to watch how small they are because everything goes in your slobbery mouth.

Your head is fuzzier than ever...hence the nicknames Jofluff, Jofluffy, Fluffy.

You are so ticklish, especially your chunky little thighs.

Happy SEVEN months, Joseph! You are so very loved.