A Sign

It was just another day. Just an ordinary, run of the mill day. The kids were destroying the house playing, the laundry was running, the the morning dishes were still waiting for me to clean them. Just another day. I took a moment to put in some jeans and a shirt that was less t-shirt than the one I was currently wearing. I proceeded to put on just enough make up to feel human look refreshed. 

Enter Jayce.

"Mommy, are we going to church?"

Enter epiphany. 

Apparently I need to put real clothes on and fix my make up way more often. 

Kids. They say the darnedest things. Where does the honesty go I wonder? 

My Boy Is Three

Somehow it just does not seem possible that my little guy is three years old today. Where has time gone? This kid has taught us so much, and brings so much excitement to our lives! God really knew what He was doing bringing him into our lives three years ago. As soon as I saw him he seemed so small, even though he was bigger than his sister at birth. I have not stopped feeling that way yet. He is my tiny little man, but his spirit is enormous!

 

 

 My oh my, how he has changed.... and yet he is still my tiny little guy! His allergies are still a struggle and his skin has more bad days than good, but he is making improvements and that is wonderful! He is learning how to deal with a lot of these issues too, and that is making it easier on us. He is able to tell us when he needs medicine and things like that. Here are a few stats about Jayce...

Height: 34 inches

Weight: 25.6 lbs 

Favorite foods: bananas, cheese, avocados and anything sweet! 

Favorite books: The Bible, Berenstain Bears books, David and Goliath, Goodnight Moon... and lots more! He is quite a book lover now! 

Favorite toys: His drums (he is a natural people!) cars and trucks, rocks and his "sling" (to play David and Goliath of course) dice, Roger (his space ship... that he named Roger) 

Favorite color: blue and green (he only tells me 800 times a day.... so yeah, I'm sure about this one!) 

He loves to wear his pajamas... and chance he gets he asks to put them back on. 

He loves to watch his David and Goliath DVD.... he would watch it over and over if we let him. 

He loves to sing, mostly worship songs. He sings almost all day long, non stop. He is mu musical child for sure! 

He gets his feelings hurt very easily and wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a sensitive little man!

He still has deep eyes, like those of an old man who has seen so much. 

He adores his big sister and always wants to spend more time with her than she does with him. 

He looks up to his Daddy and loves him so much! 

He loves to be outside. 

He is very serious.... but when he is in a silly mood, his laugh and smile are precious! 

He is not a fan of yucky smells.... the chickens and the farm were a no-go in his book. 

He loves to come up and just give you a big hug and say he loves you. 

He is amazing and I just love him so much! I look back at how tough things have been with him, and yet I still fill with joy thinking about it all. God made him PERFECTLY and I am focusing on seeing my kids through His eyes, not mine. I am excited to see Jayce grow and learn more about the Lord. I know God has a great plan for his life! I don't know why God picked me to be the Mommy of this amazing little guy, but I sure am thankful! 

Happy birthday sweet Jayce! You are three, can you believe it? I wonder what adventures this next year has in store for you? 

I Blinked

And my babies, my tiny little babies....

 

Lula Mae at 4 days old

   

Jayce at 5 days old

                                                           

....turned into kids.

Jayce at 2 years 5 months & Lula Mae at 4 years and 5 months

These precious years are slipping away. I have pictures, videos, calendars with special notes written on them.... but I will never get to live these years again. I am trying to slow down and cherish these moments that are so swiftly leaving. And yet, time just seems to move faster. The busyness of "life" too often robs me of the precious moments I want to enjoy. I have to remind myself every single day that my babies are not babies and I need to slow down, hold them, tell them how special they are, stare at their little faces, hold their little hands, memorize the sounds of their voices, etch their silly laughs into my brain.... enjoy them while they are still little.

When did it happen though? I missed the transition somewhere. How is it that I have kids?

My babies are kids.

The Day Has Come....

I am linking up with Emmy over at Emmy Mom today with a Proud Mommy Moment. Head over to hear blog to see more!


Thing 2 did it. He finally did it, after months of being dangerously close to doing it.

He climbed out of his crib.

He did it out of shear anger and frustration, but still... he did it. I was not ready for this because Thing 1 never even THOUGHT about doing such a thing. She is overly cautious... him, not so much!

When I heard the thud I was almost in disbelief. When I opened the door the look of panic on his face was pretty funny. He was spanked and then put back in bed.

My next thought was "there is no way he is ready for a toddler bed". Translation.... "I am so not ready for him to be in a toddler bed". So what did we do?

Heather gave us a GREAT idea! She had seen another mom put her child's mattress directly on the floor inside of their crib. Luckily we have a crib that this worked with, it is super low to the ground and there is no way for his mattress to move in any direction. So we took out the spring board thing and plopped this mattress right down on the floor.

It gave us literally 5 or 6 more inches of height! I am guessing that buys us at least another 8 or 9 months! WOO HOO!!!!

See, Jayce would be that kid that like gets up in the middle of the night and goes and makes a sandwich. I wish I was kidding. He really would not comprehend "Mommy and Daddy want me to stay in bed"... well he would comprehend it... he just would not obey it!

So for now, the little dare devil is contained!

Our New Behavior Chart

We have been dealing with lots of new behavior around our house. Some good, but unfortunately, mostly bad. I spent some time on Pintrest and searched for a new method to help us get a handle on these behaviors, both good and bad. I wanted more than just a "oh look you are on a smiley face".... what does that even mean? I wanted something with Biblical linking and explanations. After looking at different charts and systems, I gathered up some materials and created our new behavior chart. Sorry the pictures are so terrible, it was late when I took the pictures so the lighting was horrible. 

 

This is a full length shot so you can see it all together.  To bad it's blurry :-/

 

At the top I have Galatians 6:5 "For we are each responsible for our own conduct" as a good reminder to the kids that they need to be worried about what THEY are doing, not what the other is doing. That is Lula Mae's new thing... telling me everything Jayce has done wrong.... so fun! 

 Each morning they start the day on green. I thought that verse worked perfect :-) There are 3 levels above green (blue, indigo and purple). Each level has a description of what behavior coincides. This way we can go over the description with the kids and explain how their behavior was right or wrong.   

 Below green there are also three levels (yellow, orange and red).

 Lula Mae and Jayce each have their names on a clothes pin and I clip them on opposite sides.

 I'm not going to lie, I'm worried we are going to see this a lot....

 Luckily the popper (our "rod") is hanging right beside the chart so it is easily accessible. Yep, that pink spatula is our rod. Think what you want, we discipline or kids in a Biblical way. 

I am going to have a sticker chart for each of them beside the behavior chart, then at the end of each day if they have ended on green, blue, indigo or violet they will get a sticker on their chart. Once the chart is full they get a special day with Mommy and Daddy. It's fun! It gives them a little incentive to keep their clothes pin on the upper part of the chart. 

Normal Life

Last week was CRAZY BUSY, so this week, the kids may look like this....

 

 because I just don't have the energy to even care what they dress themselves in. Sigh. I am just thrilled that one of my kids has the ability to dress themselves, even if her style is... ehhhh.... eclectic? 

We are on summer break from school, but Lula Mae has been asking to do some work so I am not sure how long our break will actually be. Jayce is interested in "school" as well so it looks like my class just doubled for next year ;-) I am going to be buckling down and getting my school closet in order and ready to go! That is number one on my list right now. 

 Jayce is having a rough summer. His skin is bad. Really, really bad. We have an allergist appointment tomorrow to try and figure out if he perhaps has developed another allergy. He is also really asserting himself these days.... not in a good way. We have lots of fits, lots of time outs, lots of apologies, lots of spankings.... just lots of the nitty gritty part of parenting that people don't like to talk about. He is not quite as strong willed as Lula Mae, but he is still a pretty far cry from a compliant child. I know this is bad, but I have to remind myself that God made him perfect and just the way He wanted him. 

We have signed the contract for the surrogacy and it has been given back to all respective parties. Pretty soon I will begin my end of the deal. I'm basically PUMPED! 

Charlie and I took the kids to the beach for a day. It was interesting.  Jayce did not seem to like the sand, but he loved the water. Lula Mae even seemed to enjoy the water. I was pretty shocked! It was a fun day and I loved seeing them have so much fun. 

Normal life has just kept me so busy these days. I love normal life though. That is where amazing memories are made, that is where life lessons are taught, that is where God teaches us the most. However when normal life keeps me busy, my poor blog, like yours I am sure, get pushed to the back burner. I have been sneaking around in the shadows visiting your blogs and trying to keep up! I hope you are all having a great summer! 

Be back soon with more random updates from our crazy busy life!

Repetitive

 I pick up lots of toys throughout the day. No big deal, it's my job. But this particular mess drives me nuts. I pick it up at least 20 times a day. I kid you not,

Can you guess why? Because the basket that all the food lives in makes a perfect stool for a certain short little guy I know.

Buddy boy, get use to stools, cause it sure is looking like you are gonna be a shorty like your mommy. Sorry dude. I'm just praying you hit 5 feet. Lord please just let him get past 5 feet!



Anyone else worried he is gonna have major little man syndrome? sigh.

Not Babies

I just cleaned 4 years of grime off of our high chair because Jayce is now in a booster seat at the table.

He sits there like it is no big deal.

We just took down our two walk through baby gate (technically Jayce ripped one out of the wall, hulk style) Why have a gate up when the youngest child can open it on his own.

He would walk through and then close it behind himself like it was no big deal.

I no longer have to carry Jayce to the van. He can climb into the van and then into his seat all by himself.

He jumps in a waits to be buckled like it is no big deal

When Jayce finds trash on the floor he takes it to the trash can.

He tells me later that he threw something away like it is no big deal.

But it is a big deal.  To me at least. My baby is doing things for himself, needing me less and less. That is a big deal! I think my husband is secretly thrilled with all of these events, but I am somehow sad. It is odd feeling less needed by my kids. For nearly 4 years now I have been needed. Now all of a sudden, I'm kinda not. I am grateful that my kids are happy, healthy and basically normal. Still it stinks a little to see the babyness stripped from our house. 

This new phase of life will be fun I am sure, each season of life is precious in its own way. I am looking forward to this new season. And someday perhaps there will be another season of babies for us. Right now I am focusing on my two wonderful kids who are growing up quicker than I could have ever imagined.

Today My Boy Turned TWO!

 

The day my boy was born was amazing. An easy labor and delivery brought us a healthy little 7 pound boy. So tiny and perfect. 

 

Looking back I can't believe how tiny he looked.  And yet he seemed to grow at lightning speed.

  

 He loved to be sitting up and watching everything going on around him.

  

He did not however enjoy our beach trip. He takes after his mommy I guess. 

  

 His expressions melt my heart, and that round head is just adorable.

  

 As the months went by his cheeks seemed to be one of the only things growing! So kissable.

 

 He has always smiled with his entire face.

 

 He was quick to get on the move and begin exploring the world. He did not like anything or anyone to hold him back!

 

 Heather could make that baby laugh and smile more than anyone, and when he was younger she was an instant nap spot. He loved sleeping on her.

  

 And then he turned one and seemed so big, yet so young at the same time.

 

His sense of humor began to shine through. 

 

His silly side only makes guests appearances throughout the day, but we all know it is there.  Under that serious grown man disguise we all know that fun loving boy is there. 

He has always loved his sleep.

 

 He has an obsession with "daddy's things". Doesn't matter what it is, if it is daddy's he wants it!

 

This year he has started to make some of the funniest faces, especially when the camera is out. 

He is such a tiny boy! He finally hit 20 pounds this year but he seems to be stuck there.

 

 He loves music so much. All kinds.

 

 His very favorite thing has to be playing outside. He can't get enough of it!

His deep eyes make me wonder what he will be like as an adult. I feel like he has the gaze of a 70 year old man who has seen and lived through so much.

We are not a family that is into sports but this boy is planning on changing that. He loves baseball the most, but enjoys basketball all the same. Golf is becoming quite a fun activity to him and he enjoys football too. We are in trouble in a few years, aren't we?

He simply adores his sister yet they can be worst enemies at the drop of a hat. She can manipulate him all day long and he just can't get enough. He loves her so much! They will surely drive each other crazy in the years to come. His friends at church mean the world to him and not a day goes by where he does not ask about all of them. This boy has a huge heart!

My boy has a great father to guide him and train him. He adores his daddy and want to fill those big boots someday. 

How quickly this year has gone. The last year of his babyhood is now in the past. Today he is a toddler, and he has the tantrums to prove it! He is so expressive and is quite a thinker. There are not many problems he can't solve and he sure won't let something stand in his way. My tiny little guy had a bit of a tough year with the his skin and all his allergies, but we are slowly figuring out how to help him. He is a special guy and I am so honored that God entrusted me to be his Mommy. Watching him grow and learn about God melts my heart and gives me hope that he will someday love God with all of his heart, mind and soul. I pray everyday for God to use him mightily for His glory. I adore his little man voice and his sweet cuddles throughout the day and just before bed. I never get tired of carrying him as though he is still my little baby. Today my boy turned two and I can't help but hope this next year goes a little slower than this one has. I want to soak this last ounce of babyness up!

Jayce this year was a little tough for you and I am so grateful that God has led us to the right people to help make you feel better. You are so sweet and I love you so very much. I hope this year is filled with lots of fun new memories. You are such a gift from God and we love you so much! 

Happy birthday Jayce! My big 2 year old!

Sounds

I am listening to the sound of "learning". Lula Mae at the table working on Spanish and math, Jayce in the living room watching Your Baby Can Read.

When did it come to this?

When did my tiny babies turn into kids?

I feel like I should be listening to the sounds of crying and cooing, not talking and learning.

When Lula Mae was born I thought her turning 4 was "a long way off" and now we are a mere month from it.

After Jayce arrived I felt like his toddler years were a distant future, and yet in nearly 2 weeks he will turn 2.

We are here. We are at those moments that we thought were so far away. It makes me think about how quickly I will be remembering these moments as long past.

I thought that we would be welcoming a new baby when these milestones surfaced, but God changed my heart. He has given me great peace in waiting on a new baby. We want more, but we want to enjoy these precious moments with our first two gifts before that day comes. These precious moments are so fleeting and I want to hold my breath and soak them all in.

When I cuddle Jayce before bed I close my eyes and imagine my boy as that tiny baby he once was. When Lula Mae hugs me I imagine that sweet baby who was always laughing and smiling.

When my babies were born I had trouble picturing them as anything but, now I find I am having trouble remembering them as babies. Funny how time does that, huh?

A Strange Thing That Makes Me Happy

Planning Disney vacations.

It is not because I love Disney (even though we all know I so do) I think it is more because I love planning.

The ability to say "On this day we are going to eat here at this time" makes me happy. Why?

I like control.

There are few things in life (basically nothing) but Disney planning... I have control over.

I am pretty glad that Charlie is a go-with-the-flow kinda guy or I might not enjoy these plannings so much.

After Lula Mae and I return from our mother/daughter trip I am gonna work on a post of my best tips and tricks for an affordable Disney vacation. I LOVE saving money and mixing that with Disney.... well it makes me giddy.

Because these two kids....

love them some Disney, but they also enjoy eating, so budgeting is quite necessary :-)

These Days...

Wow. I wish I could accurately describe to you what life has been like these days. Folks, it has been a whirlwind.

A whirlwind that has swept me deep, deep, deep down into a dark, dark, dark hole.

Can I just say, I adore my children. They are amazing and wonderful but the amount of stress they have been causing me lately is unheard of! Parenting the right way is not easy.... and I am fighting tooth and nail to parent the right way. Who knew a 3 year old could have the attitude of a 16 year old????? Sigh.

So my days have been full. Full of time outs, full of children yelling, full of being kicked by little ones who are frustrated... it has just been full of the parts of parenting that people don't like to talk about. The parts that people pretend are not there.... but they are. The hard parts.

Tomorrow I am taking a mental health day.

I am driving to a great shopping town nearby... alone. Completely and utterly alone. I don't want to make conversation, I don't want to ask someone where they want to eat, I don't want to ask anyone what store they want to go to. It sounds selfish, I know. I just want to get away... alone.

These days have been rough, but I have such faith that all of this work we are doing on our kids will be so worth it someday. God promises us that and I am clinging to that promise.

Let me leave you with a few positive things, so you don't think I have totally lost it and flown over the coo coo's nest ;-)

Lula Mae is quite the budding artist! And I love that she adds captions to almost EVERYTHING! She is also really into helping more and more these days.

Jayce has all of a sudden has started really talking. Oh and the boy knows ALL of his letters! He can't sing the ABC's but he can tell you any letter... and he LOVES playing "what letter is this". I think he likes feeling smart ;-)

I will be back soon... I can't promise my brain will be though....

Say Cheese!

"Jayce, say cheese."

Hazelaid Review

About a month ago I posted about our new plan for Jayce. I am here today to review the two products that I purchased from Hazelaid. First, I will tell you about his necklace.

He looks so cute wearing it, by the way ;-) Like a little surfer dude. Hazelaid makes such beautiful jewelry! I love all of them and had such a hard time picking just one to buy for him! Jayce wears his necklace 24/7, except in the bath. Over the last month we have seen some great improvement in his eczema. I wish I could say it is 100% gone, but it is not. Please understand though that Jayce has a sever case. So seeing improvement is incredible! When he sleeps, I double up the necklace around his ankle and secure it in his pajamas. I do this so that he won't play with it in the bed, possibly put it in his mouth and what not. He loves it around his ankle and sits so nicely to have it put on.

When Jayce is still having outbreaks we use the second product I purchased from Hazelaid, the ointment. People, I am in LOVE with this! It is the best diaper rash cream i have EVER used! It does great on his eczema too. The only draw back is that it is hard to rub in. At night it is great to lather him up with because it is so thick that is covers him well. I am very satisfied with this product! If you are looking for a natural diaper rash cream, you should try this for sure!

Go and check out all the products that Hazelaid has to offer! Then, use the code chaos10 at check out for 10% off your order!

We are so glad that this company is helping us make Jayce more comfortable! It has been a long time coming!