Boo!

This is the extent of our dressing up this year - Little One wants absolutely nothing to do with it. We chose a Tyrone Backyardigans costume - it lasted maybe three minutes. Both Daddy and Mama picked out different capes so he could go as a super hero (Note to self: when picking out a cape for our sons - make sure it's one that Daddy approves of!) only to get a "No CAAAPE Mama! I fly!" And he started running around the room - obviously telling me that he doesn't need a cape to fly.

We haven't decided what to do this evening - The fact that there isn't going to be any dressing up on his part, and that he is kinda freaked out by the Holloween isle in Target, has left us with this question: What should we do on Friday night??

We've decided to head out to a farm that is about an hour away and participate in their fall activities. Daddy's getting off work early and we'll pack a picnic dinner. And hope to roll in the driveway right about the time all the trick or treating ends. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be the generous giver of candy - but this year, I don't know that we want ghost and goblins coming to our door. It's a little too real for our little two year old.

Hopefully I'll have some fun pictures to post! Until then, I've got to get busy so we make it out the door on our little outing!

Cheers!

Traveling with a toddler

For the holidays we are going to be doing some traveling by air - and I have a couple of questions and would love some input. Any tips? Any ideas on what I bring along to keep Little One busy? How about with an infant? I've never flown with children - and I am not sure what to expect. I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Things that make my job easier

• Zippers on baby sleepers vs snaps
• Baby sacks
  
• A new formula can design. No more digging for the scoop! Finally someone got smart!
  
• Drive through Starbucks
• Drive through anything
• The Automated Postal Machine at the post office. Going to the post office after hours with a toddler is much more easier when he can run around the empty post office than waiting in a crowded line!
• Chick-fil-a. I love the service when I go there, I love that I can take the toy out of Little One's kids meal and trade it in for a free ice-cream, I love that they have bendy straws, and I love that they have placemats that stick to the table. Oh, and I love that I hear Christain music playing in the back ground.
  
• Cozi.com - I LOVE that I can form my grocery list at my laptop and then text it to my phone!
• Blogs. I once read that mommy blogging is similar to the day when women would gather at the well and get their water (a household chore) and catch up. I love the encouragement, tips on how I can do things better, recipes to try, and just the simple revelation that I am not alone in this job of being a mom. Now, I'll be honest and admit that computer time is a constant source of discipline for me - It's so easy to just read that one new post off my bloglines and before I know it, a whole episode of the Wiggles is done and I haven't done what I wanted to, I've been sucked into blog land - and the TV needs to be turned off. It happens way too often.
• On that note, Bloglines is a great resource and it has saved me a ton of time. Although my commenting on blogs has gone down - because it takes a little more time to leave one.
  
• Friends.

So, what about you? What little things in your life make your job easier? And you don't just have to be a mom to answer. I'd love to know.

Look What I Found DaDa!

Was he found while digging through the pile of bagged stuffed animals at Goodwill at 9:00 in the evening? Or was he found while Daddy and Mama were scouring the backyard with a flash light? Nope. While I was getting Little One dressed on Sunday morning I was looking through his closet and I heard "I found Bear!" And where was he?Lots of times when Little One gets up from his nap he likes to stand at this little window in his room and look out at "the bee-u-diful day!" And that's where our little bear hid for three whole days. We are so happy he's been found!

Pics!

Find the Baby toes...

The big not-so-hungry caterpillar

His new home away from home

I'm sure you can imagine how he got here.
(Don't worry, that's an empty can of formula. Empty can of formula = a perfect drum.)

His first chocolate ice cream sandwich

I could just eat him up!

This morning was such a perfect fall morning. Everyone was sleeping - except Baby Brother. I bundled him up and I had my morning coffee outside. He didn't last too long...

LOVES the red frog that hangs from the mobile.

He found his thumb!

Oh Where Oh Where Can Our Little Bear Be?

In Little One's first Easter basket from Nana and Papa, there was a little turquoise (aka turk-o-boise!) bear with satin angel wings and a heart on his tummy that said "Jesus Loves Me" and played the song if you pushed in just the right spot.

This little bear has become part of our family - he's been held and snuggled by two little hands - he's been a great companion in the cab of a Uhaul for three days, in the transition to being big brother, and just everyday life. He's been through the wash so many times that his arm was about to fall off, and the singing of Jesus Loves Me came to a halt long ago. If you were here, I can gaurantee you will hear either me or the Little One say many times a day:
"Where's your bear?"
And the answer is
"Mama go get it for You.."

We've been working on taking responsibility of bear - and that it his job to keep track of him. So a lot of times when he says "Mama go get it for you" I put the ball back in his court and have him go and get it. But, there are times, I know where bear is - and it's just faster and easier for me to go and get him. Because, here's the deal. Little One likes to hide bear. We've been on some pretty wild bear hunts around here. He's been found him in the spoke of the car tire, the fireplace, the third shelf of our pantry, and outside in various places in the backyard. I almost keep tabs on bear like I do my other two children.

Until Wednesday. Wednesday was the day when I was going through the garage, and posting things on Craigs List. I was gathering things for Goodwill - and had two big piles to go. Little One was toddling around the garage for most of the day. Exploring the garage is one of his favortie things to do. I don't recall seeing bear the whole afternoon. We were so busy.

And bear has been missing since. I am so afraid Little One put him in the trash bag that went to Goodwill - because that was what Mama was doing - putting things in the bag. I have looked high and low. This week my most often prayed prayer has been: "Lord, please help us find Bear!" Little One has prayed and asked Jesus to help us find him. Last night was the hardest night. Up through most of the night - because bear was not by his side.

As we were getting ready for bed, he was crying for bear and said with big alligator tears:
"Mama go and get him!"

How I wish I could, Little Son. I spent two hours doing google searches for bears with satin wings. I've found some that are similar, but can't decide if we should try and replace him, or if we should just let it be.

We'll see what happens. I am going to go to Goodwill to see if I might find him there.

So, how about you? Have you ever lost a favorite love and what did you do?

Sleep is a wonderful thing.

I am so happy to report that sweet Baby Brother has slept through the night THREE NIGHTS in a row!

I am a happy Mama.

Other things going on around here...

I purchased a little shopping cart on Craig's List for Little One, thinking it would be a fun toy - and maybe a toy that he could play with on his own. Nope. All day long he would push the cart around the kitchen saying: "Okay Mama, Walk with me. Take my hand." Ah ha! So you do understand me when we're walking the grocery store isle! Those are the exact words that I say to him every time we're at the store. This morning the grocery cart went down the stairs, and he exclaimed: "Oh no! I lost my groceries!"

I love Craig's List, and I love Ebay. Today I posted three things on craig's list - and have already sold two of them. Right now my dining room is filled with stuff I need to sell. I love getting rid of the junk and having cash in the pocket.

I recently joined Facebook - and am totally hooked.

That's it for now. I've got some fun pictures to post - and will do so soon...

Being that I have a toddler and a newborn, there's not a lot of time for any type of devotions. I'll be honest, the days when I have the option of sleep verses getting up to do a quiet time, I opt for the sleep.

This fall I have joined a Bible study for moms. Most of the moms in the group have younger children - it's a group I have really enjoyed.

This is the book we are going through - and let me tell you, it's an amazing little book. Remember I said that I don't have time for devotions. This book is perfect for this season of my life. It walks you through praying 12 weeks of specific characteristics for your children, things like kindness, humility, obedience... and each day there is one Bible verse, and one prayer - where you can insert your child's name. These days, I need a bottle of Word fed to me.

But here's the deal. This book, in all it's simplicity, is really one of the most challenging studies I have done. Each week I find that I need to do some major cleaning out of my own heart in order for my prayers to be effective for my sons. For instance, I'm praying that little One would be kind. Then, I listen to my words in the course of the day - and have caught myself with not a whole lot of kindness in my tone. How can I pray for my sons to be kind - I need to be praying that I will be kind! That's just one small example. Each week there has been this kind of revelation - and He seems to go a little deeper each week. Just focusing on one verse a day has proven to me: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Anyway, I completely recommend this book for busy mamas. How about you? Have you read this book or do you have any that have helped you get through a busy season?

Baby Brother is not setting the best example...

Tonight at dinner I looked at Little One and he was taking sips of milk from his sippee cup and then letting it drool out of his mouth. For one brief instant, I panicked and thought he was throwing up. Then I realized he was just spitting out his milk.
"What are you doing?"
"I burp'n Mama!"
Of course! :)

What a day!

Some days I wonder how in the world I can feel so many emotions. Today was one of those days. I started out by taking the boys to the park. It was a beautiful day - and we had a really nice walk. I even met a new mom - (three week old baby) and she walked all the way home with me because we had so much to talk about. This is a huge deal for me - because I have yet to find a good friend here in TX. It was absolutely a divine appointment. We are going to walk together a few times a week. I am thrilled and so very thankful. My new friend put me in the best mood. I had such a light feeling of optimism all morning.

Last night we were at Target and I picked up some harvest colored sprinkles for decorating sugar cookies. I had planned on making the cookies for my Mom's group that meets tomorrow. Making sugar cookies for the appropriate season is one of my favorite things to do. I have the cutest fall cookie cutters. I couldn't wait. I hadn't done these in the longest time. During nap time, I got busy in the kitchen and made bread, cinnamon rolls, and the dough for my sugar cookies. I even downloaded a new CD on my iPod. My kitchen was a happy place to be.

Then, Little One got up from his nap. I wasn't ready to be done in the kitchen, and he had no interest in "helping" me. So, I turned on a show for him to watch so I could try and get most of the cookies cut out, and then I was going to finish them tonight. Big mistake. I should have just thrown the dough in the fridge. I am so frustrated with myself because I bite off way more than I can chew - especially with a newborn. I somehow forget that I am going to need to stop what ever I am doing and feed the little guy. Why can't I remember that before I start a project? I'm not sure.

Anyway, the show ended, and Little One needed direction, and was toddling about the kitchen...begging for my attention. I just wanted to finish up the cookies. He grabbed my 5 cup pyrex measuring cup off the counter. I told him to put it back and turned my back. The next thing I knew, I was watching the measuring cup slip from his hands and land on the floor. I remember praying that it wouldn't break. Ha. It hit the floor and shattered . Glass covered the counter tops and even scattered into the next room. I had to toss out the bread, cinnamon rolls, and cookies, because there were shards of glass on them. GRRRR. I was so mad. I was upset because he had not obeyed. I was upset because all the time I had spent cooking was now a waste. I was upset because I used that pyrex dish all the time. I was upset because I had nothing to take for snacks tomorrow at the mom's group. And, there was a huge mess to clean up - while managing a scared and defiant toddler and a fussy newborn. (I write in past-tense, but really I'm not over it all yet)

I am not happy to admit the emotional state of our home after this. What happened to that light, optimistic feeling? Gone. I was really upset, Little One kept on the disobedient path, I was nervous about all the glass and keeping Little One out of it, Baby Brother could feel the tention and wouldn't nurse and just screamed. I wanted to scream "Calgon Take Me Away!" Lots of times it is so hard for me to regroup and pull us all together when something like this happens. It seems to snowball and I get more and more frustrated. Thankfully, Hubs was on his way home - he stopped and got us dinner and we all ate in the dining room. After dinner, we went on a walk and then Little One went straight to bed. The kitchen remains a hazard area - which I better go tend to. But first, I think I may have that Calgon moment.

As I reread what I wrote, I've decided that I am going to focus on the good part of my day. Finding a friend is something I have been praying for since I moved here. I've been asking God to open a door of friendship somewhere. And he has! Plus, I have my mom's group tomorrow, which is brimming with friendship possibility. So, there's a disaster in my kitchen. So, I take a grocery store bought coffee cake for snacks. All of that won't matter next week. But a good friend - that has the potential to last forever.


****Now that the mess is mostly cleaned up, I must add that I am so thankful that no one was hurt! I found glass the size of a nickel in the back corners of my counter tops. Glass was flying! Either Little One or I could have really been injured, thank you God for your protection!