And we're climbing...

It's official, I probably need to be medicated. 

  

Up until now I've had the "content on the ground and reading a book" baby. This week, Mabel discovered she is capable of getting up and down on couches, chairs, cribs, beds, whatever. Just as when she started walking and I wanted to buy her a helmet (I kid you not), I am a basket case waiting for those inevitable disasters to happen. We've already had one mishap, she decided to throw a pillow on the ground then dive head first over the arm of the chair to pick it up. Didn't work out so well and she as the bruises to show it. 

Last night I vented to Sam all the "what-ifs" that run through my mind and possible solutions like "lets just get rid of all the chairs and couches for awhile?" I was serious at the moment and he did what he usually does which is humor me. Today writing about it makes me first- laugh at my crazy self,  second- appreciate how great Sam is, and lastly- breathe a little sigh of relief knowing we can deal with this. She will fall, she will get hurt and I will be there to comfort her and make her feel better. I've always been the kind of person that freaks out before the storm and when chaos actually begins, I become as cool as a cucumber. 

Speaking of cool cucumbers, check her out.

 

 And she got up there all by herself.

A Picnic in the Park, Little Buddies, and a Picture with Mama.

Last Monday while trying to come up with lunch we decided to pack it all up and head to the park for a picnic. The weather has been beautiful here lately, not too hot, not too cold. Sam obviously didn't get the memo, stripes were required that day...

 

 

Mabel ran around and played some soccer with Daddy while Gus dozed off with me under the tree.

 

 

Gus and Mabel are really forming a bond and my heart is melting watching it happen.

 

I had a wonderful Mother's Day, we celebrated it a day early because Sam worked. He asked where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do and was surprised when I said nothing. I just wanted to stay home and hang out as a Family. Of course I was specific about wanting to grill hot dogs for lunch and wedge salads for dinner, but other than that I just wanted to relax with my Family.

We took a walk up the street where we found, wait for it....Grass!! I swear when you are a mid-westerner and you live in the dessert for so long, seeing grass is like seeing gold. It really is like heaven to take off your shoes and feel the cold moist grass on your feet. I miss it a lot!

Anyway, we got some pictures of me and my two babies and I was one happy Mama.

Happy Mothers Day and My Motherly Inspiration

For me, becoming a mother has been the best thing that has happened in my life. It has also been the most fulfilling accomplishment for me personally. I was born to be a Mom, I feel it in the depths of my soul. Nothing I have ever done has felt so right.

I work really hard to do the best job for my 2 babies because being a Mother takes work. We look for inspiration everywhere and are influenced by so many different things. Books, television, internet, social media, magazines, other parents and doctors just to name a few. For me the most important influence has been my own Mother. I like to believe that long ago when I was a baby I was learning to be the Mother I would one day become. I have a wonderful Mother. I have many memories of her being just that, wonderful. I don't remember every moment of my childhood but the moments that I was too young to remember are relived by watching my Mom with my babies.  

 About a year and a half ago, when Mabel was born my Mom was there. It was the most exciting time of my life yet I was terrified. As a new Mom you second guess yourself constantly especially in those first moments. Is she eating enough? Is she too hot or cold? Why is she crying like that? My Mom stayed with us for 4 days helping to calm my nerves and reassure me I was doing OK. The day she left I broke down into tears. While crying I said to her in complete sincerity, "I'm scared" and she calmly replied, "you will be fine" and she meant it. And I was fine. It wasn't because of the books I read or the classes they say you are supposed to take, it was because of her. My Mom also had an awesome Mother who probably had a lot to do with her being so great.

My Grandma Rosemary and I. Another amazing Mother that inspires me.

I dreamed of becoming a Mom my entire life. Being an older sister was so wonderful for me. I have many memories of playing with my baby sisters. I loved dressing them up and doing there hair. They were like life size dolls.

Mother in training. Ali, Ivy and I almost 16 years ago.

I already see a little Mama in Mabel. She loves to feed and burp her baby doll and rock her to sleep. She is such a sweet big sister to Gus and loves to help me take care of him. I know she is emulating what she sees in me and that makes me proud.

 Happy Mothers Day to anyone who has ever loved a baby or a Mother. And especially to my Mom, thanks for inspiring me every day. 

2 month mark, 3 little words, tree-hugging, and some potty talk...

Happy 2 months to this little man.

Gus really is a dream baby, he is so sweet and snuggly. Sam, Mabel and I can't get enough of him. Between the 3 of us he gets smothered with love. I can't believe how fast time has flown by, I feel like we brought him home yesterday.

Both of our kids have Sam's frowny brow and look very serious most of the time. Gus started smiling recently and it's one of the best smiles I've seen. Its starts as this little one sided smirk then grows in to a full on open-mouth grin. Then of course the minute I get the camera, he goes back to this...

Here is a glimpse of a smile. I still have not managed to get a full on one yet but we're working on it.

Mabel is hilarious these days, her quirky little personality is coming out in full force and let me tell you, sister is a hoot. She is speaking so well. It's so awesome to communicate with her and know she can understand what I am saying, she is so smart. Sometimes she will say things out of the blue and it will be crystal clear and we will be like, holy cow!?! When did she learn to say that?! Throughout the day, Sam and I  talk on the phone to check in, she usually takes the phone from me to say hi to Daddy and tell him how her day is going. The other day, after giving the phone back to me to say good bye, she yelled at the top of her lungs, "bye bye Da Da, love you" it was so adorable, I almost died. "Thanks Mama" also felt pretty good to hear for the first time. She is also singing  parts of songs she knows from music class and rock'n'roll Elmo. She walks around the house saying "Elmo Rocks, la la la, Elmo Rocks". And of course Sam and I are still called "Ham and Abby" in place of Mama and Daddy, when ever she feels like being a little stinker.

Sidewalk chalk is one of our favorite pass-times.

Her "M" shirt is her new favorite.

Sitting in Baby Gula's carseat.

Mabel is litterally a tree-hugger. I swear this was not promted. My little enviornmentalist!

Mabel is 17 months old

Gus loves to have his photo taken :)

A couple of weeks ago a special package arrived at our house for Mabel. Her very own potty chair. She was quite excited about this. I know most people do not start potty training until 2 years old and later but I thought I would get one early because well it was on sale and we would need one eventually and because she is showing a lot of interest in the potty. She tells us when she goes "peeps" and "poops" in her diapers all the time. Also I figured introducing the potty slowly and getting her comfortable with it can't hurt.

I have done zero research on potty training and don't plan to. We're going to take a very relaxed and natural aprroach to it and when  it happens it happens. For now it looks great with the rest of our living room furniture.

So that's it for now. I will end with a few cute pictures of what bathtime looks like at our house these days :)

Back to the blog and a few flash backs.

Wow, where to begin. As the mother of 2 babies it's been so hard to find the time to update. I keep a notebook in the kitchen where I write down things I think of to mention or want to remember, and I have about 3 pages worth.

To start, Life is Good.We are finally starting to get into a groove as a new family of 4. Having 2 kids under the age of 2 is no joke...we are TIRED! Let me re-affirm though, it's the good kind of tired. Whether it's when I am awake at 3:00 a.m listening to the soothing sounds of the bathroom fan with a wide awake 7 week old, or at 3:00 p.m. entertaining a 17 month old that just woke up from her nap and wants to unfold 5 piles of laundry I finally managed to fold, I am constantly reminding myself how fast this time is flying by.

I am really trying to take it all in. Yesterday I told Sam, "Come here for a second". When he did I said "Give Gus a kiss on the lips". He did and then looked at me like, OK...now what? I tried explaining  myself, how we should be taking mental notes of what a new baby feels like. Yesterday I had a bazillion things I could have done while Mabel was napping instead I decided to hold Gus while he slept and breathe my little guy in. There is nothing better than newborn skin or little tiny hands and feet. I love this age. I also love Mabel's age. I think it's The contrast between them that gets me all emotional.

Don't we look tired...yikes.

Flash back time... My Mom was here for an entire week to meet Gus. Originally she was supposed to be here when Gus arrived but those things never work out do they now. And in true Grandma fashion both babies were spoiled and snuggled like crazy.

My Mom and her very first Grandson.

It was especially nice to have her here to entertain Mabel. If you can believe it three weeks later,  I hadn't yet gotten a chance to recover from everything. I actually got to lay around a bit and get some much needed rest.

Gus has been so alert since the day he way born. He is definitely an observer and very curious.

Easter rolled around and it was Ali and Ivy's turn to meet Gus. Of course that meant more snuggles and more spoiling. I swear my Mom and sisters never stop shopping for my babies.

Ali claimed to have the magic touch with Gus. She held him for hours on end and was concerned he wouldn't be properly taken care of (held 24 hours straight) when she left.

Ivy teaching Mabel about fashion.

I finally caved in and got Mabel's bangs cut. My intentions were to let it grow forever but sisters hair did not cooperate. All the cute clips I made for her from pinterest dyi's, yeah they were cute, but never stayed in long.

Thankfully Ivy was there to snap some photos while I held Mabel. I was very proud of her, she didn't cry at all. I was a little sad after because she looked so grown up. Still adorable though, obviously.  

After church on Easter we decided to head to the park while dinner was in the works. Mabel loves her "Occa Ball" from Grandma.

Hello Mama :)

Baby Gus loves being outside. He and I hung out under a shaded tree and watched all the fun go down.

It was awesome to have my sisters here for a few days, though time flew quickly. We didn't do much but we  had a lot of fun just hanging out taking care of babies. Through out there stay Sam and I said numerous times, "If only Ali and Ivy lived here" One word...babysitters.

After all of the visitors we were so ready to get back to normal, get into our new rhythm, and adjust. There are still some kinks to work out as far as sleep goes, baby schedules, and finding time to ourselves but it's happening and it's all good.

Get a load of these two.  

Mabel loves when I come in to get her after a nap with Gus. She holds out her hands and gets so excited when I put him in her crib. To Mabel, Gus is right up there with Piggy and Lammy and that is top honor.

More to come this weekend. We've got lots going on around here, someone is smiling and someone got a  new potty chair...Exciting stuff I tell you!