18 Months And Counting.... Thing 2

My little boy is nearing the 18 month mark.... can you believe that??? My goodness is that possible??? A week or so ago I noticed some pretty rough behavior from Jayce. I knew he was still teething a molar, but this was different. I just couldn't figure out why he was throwing so many random fits and testing so many limits.

Then Charlie said... "Don't you remember what Lula Mae was like at 18 months?"

I was confused. What in the world did 18 months have anything to do with it? Hes just a baby. Oh dear......

HE IS ALMOST 18 MONTHS OLD!!!!!

Lula Mae was harder at 18 months old than any other age. Literally. So right now we are there with Jayce. We are in the midst of what is one of the hardest stages of parenting in our house. We don't back down, God didn't call parents to back down. Our kids probably think we are too tough, but we are here to lead them and teach them. The fits over nothing are hard, but the giggles and smiles are worth it. He is trying to be more verbal so we are spending lots of time helping him with that. Still, fits happen.... crying over nothing happens.... screaming out of frustration happens.... and we just stay strong. This too shall pass. And if he is anything like Lula Mae from about 25 months old until 38 months old are much smoother sailing. I can't say too much for 38 months and on because Lula Mae has been tough lately.... sigh....

Right now consistency is key. We have to be consistent so he knows what is expected and what the consequences are for certain things. This may be an up hill battle, but it is not one that Charlie and I are willing to just give up on. Our kids mean too much to us to let them "win" certain battles.

Anyone else tired? ;-)

Wordless Wednesday: Monkey See Monkey Do!

Monkey See...

Monkey Do...

But not without a little help from Daddy and his #1 helper ;-)

Yes, Jayce is wearing a tu-tu.... don't judge us!

DIY Bow Holder From Clay In His Hands

A few days ago my friend Sarah from Clay In His Hands posted a great DIY project. Not only is it a DIY project but it is one most people can do for little to no money spent! How great is that? Anyway, let me show you what I made, thanks to Sarah :-)


I started with an old picture frame (that I already had)


Then I spray painted it white (with spray paint I already had)


Then I wanted to go buy some ribbon. Instead I thought "what would Sarah do?" and well Sarah is one of the most frugal people around and she would dig and dig and dig in her craft box and find any ribbon and be content with it. So I did. I dug and dug and dug. And I found some ribbon!


Well I found some ribbon and rickrack. And magically they are perfect for Lula Mae's Disney room!


After my frame dried I placed my ribbon and got my glue gun ready.


I used an old coaster to help me secure the ribbon snugly to the frame.


This is my finished product! The ribbon was not perfectly straight, but that is the beauty of homemade.


Lula Mae has a few bows.... we like bows okay.... even when we hang out in our footie pajamas we like bows....


And it wouldn't be me if I didn't throw in a crazy amy-trying-to-be-artsy-photo :-)

This project cost me nothing and I am really pleased with it. Sarah is quite the crafty one and can always do it while pinching her pennies. I love that she finally pushed me to do a project!

I have a birthday gift I am going to be working on soon and I can't wait to share it with you too! How awesome are homemade gifts?!

Letters Of Intent

Today is FRIDAY!!! Are you excited? Well then you must not have a husband who will be at drill all weekend :-/ I'm glad the week is over, but I don't have much of a weekend to speak of. Can't complain though.... and if I did it wouldn't help anything. Julie is the host of this link up, but I am not sure if she will have any letters up today. I am linking up with her in spirit... until I notice if she has anything posted :-)



Dear Fall,

I don't say this often but.... you smell amazing!

Love,

Taking Deep Breaths

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Dear Onlookers,

I know my son shrieks at the top of his lungs at a pitch that can most accurately be described as "blood curtailing". Trust me, I know he sounds like an injured elephant. I hear it all.day.long.every.single.day.non.stop. I am aware that loud kids in a store is not fun for other shoppers but giving me and my kids dirty looks isn't going to change anything! Would you rather me stay locked in my house until he turns 7 or 8 years old? He is going to scream no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, no matter what I do to try and stop him..... sorry. Keep your nasty looks, loud whispered comments, pointing and huffing and puffing to yourself! I am doing my best.

Sincerely,

"That" Mom Who Can't Stand Being Looked Down On

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Dear Christmas,

I see you trying to sneak up. You stay right there! Don't you move on step closer! Not yet! I want to enjoy fall before you come! I know the stores are already gearing up for you but I am not. You hold your horses.

Love,

The Girl Who Loves You But Doesn't Want To Miss Fall

These Things

The glow of the baby monitor cutting through the darkness of the night

The sound of the mobile music playing softly through the monitor

The loads of tiny clothes

The toys strung all over the house

The smell of baby powder

The look of wonder on their face as the discover something for the very first time


The semi toothless grins

The tiny feet and tiny hands

The swiftness to forgive and forget my wrongdoings

The feeling of a little head laying against my chest

The magic healing power of a kiss and a fun band aid

The footie pajamas

The giggles brought on simply by a game of peek-a-boo

The look of somber stillness of their sleeping face



The endless hugs and kisses they offer

The love/hate relationship I have with reading the same book 6 times in a row

The mess that is "eating"

The sheer determination only a child can have when mastering a new task

The mess that is "bath time"

The excitement that fills the house when Daddy gets home from work

The mess that is "I can do it!"

The profound trust they have for me over their life

The pure blissful innocence



These are the things I will miss when my babies are not babies anymore. God willing there will be more babies down the road, but that is not in our hands. These are the things I want to cherish and soak in while they last. In the blink of an eye most all of them will be gone.

As parents we only have a few short years to influence our children. Take the time now to show them you love them, to tell them that God loves them, to tell them that God made them perfect. While you are influencing them, cherish them. I doubt anyone has ever laid on their death bed and thought "I sure wish I wouldn't have spent so much time with my family". Once these precious years are gone.... they are gone. You can't get them back. Soak them up while they last! Enjoy each season of life as it comes, regardless how tiring, messy, loud or chaotic that season may be.


Dear Lula Mae and Jayce,

I love you so very much. Stay little for a while, okay? Just a little while longer please.

Love,

Mommy

Oh The Life of a Cat

Everybody take a moment to look at my number of followers! 40! I hit the big 40! Say hello to Esther and welcome her!

I must admit something.... on Mothers Day we got a cat. And I am just now telling you about him. Ops! His name is Roman and he is the most laid back animal you have ever seem. He lets the kids play all over him and just loves it. He will even play with their toys. It is pretty funny. He and Jayce are best buddies. As rough as the kids have been with him he has never once scratched or nipped at them. I think he clawed Lula Mae's foot once by mistake, but that's it. He is a great addition to our family. I must admit I am jealous of him....








The cat sleeps ALL THE TIME.... not to mention EVERYWHERE!!!! Must be nice! So now you have met Roman, the most laid back craziest cat ever.