Phases and stages

... Both kiddos are finally down for a nap.  Jackson fell asleep watching cartoons and Avie is in her crib asleep.  I started putting her down for naps in her crib, just so she gets used to sleeping in it.  I have so much to do on my list today...clean bathrooms, sweep, vacuum, mop...but I'd much rather blog instead.  

It feels like we have had such a busy week.  The memorial weekend flew by...we had a birthday party on Saturday, Sunday we went to church, which was pointless.  For the first time Jackson threw a fit and did not want to go to Sunday School.  I sat and played with him for a while, but he would not let me leave, and he never has done that.  He wanted to go in a different classroom, so he found one across the hall where the kids were crawling through tunnels with flashlights.  He started playing, so I told him I was going to my class and he seemed okay with it.  Well....10 minutes later someone came and got me.  He was crying uncontrollably.  After I settled him down I just sat in his class with him until church let out.  I have been noticing a change in him lately....and obviously its the new baby.  I am just trying to deal with it the best that I can.  He is not playing well with others, acting out a lot, and he is regressing in his potty training.  All are things that can be expected with a new baby....I just thought we were going to get away without experiencing it all.  However, I really should be thankful, because he hasn't tried to do anything that would harm Avie...besides put a corn chip in her mouth.  I can trust him with her when I am not in the room.... and that I should be grateful for.  

Sunday afternoon Jackson went to my moms and spent the night.  I enjoyed spending time with Avie...snuggling with her, rocking and singing to her.  I also enjoyed spending time with my honey. Monday morning I picked Jack and Tottie up at moms work.  We spent the day outside mostly and grilled chicken that evening.  It was a beautiful day!  

Some friends of ours from Shreveport, came and stayed the night Tuesday.  They have a little boy that is Jacks age, so they had a good time playing together...when Jack wasn't being a bully.  But it was a good opportunity to teach Jack how to play with others and the consequences of not playing nice.  Its trying to get through this stage without beating him, that's the hard part, and convincing my husband that it IS just a stage he's going through.  

Reasons to shake your head and smile...

I never dreamed that parenthood could be so exhausting, yet so rewarding!  Some days are like roller coaster rides, and some are like elephant rides.  Avie is doing great, shes such a sweet girl.  I went in to check on her one morning to find her wide awake just lying there.  I lend over the bed and told her good morning and she looked into my eyes and smiled the biggest smile... my heart just melted.  Jackson is enjoying her too...when he notices her that is.  He always rubs her head and says, "its okay baby Avie."  He's always trying to console her.  

I had my first trip out by myself last night!  It was a wonderful 15 minutes while it lasted, it ended with my cell phone ringing and me answering to Avie screaming.  I knew it was not good.  Brandon was beyond calm about it and wanted me home right away...this would not be the last phone call.  Since I already had the three things in my cart that I came to get, I just ran to the nearest check out, then ran to the truck, and received another phone call... "Where are you?  She wont stop screaming!  Hurry up!"  Of course everything seems to go in slow motion when your in a hurry.  I managed to catch all the red lights and get behind every car going 30mph!  Finally I made it home, jumped out of the truck and ran inside.  Brandon greeted me at the door with Avie screaming of course lying on a pillow. I still don't know what the purpose of the pillow was and didn't bother to ask.  He immediately fled the scene.  She did finally calm down after a few minutes of consoling her... I guess I have the magic touch.  It actually took more time to calm Brandon down. That will probably be my last free night for a while...

We've been blessed with being healthy and well and recently had a great report with Avie's hips.  We discovered two weeks after her birth that she had a right hip that was loose, not as severe as Jacks.  She wore the harness for 4 weeks and the ultrasound revealed that her angles are normal... Praise God!  We go back for a follow up in two months.  Here are a few pics of the sweetness.  

Thankful for Mommas!

Avie has finally hit the 6 week mark.  She recognizes her mommy and gives me a sweet little smile.  For the most part she is really a good baby.  All I have to compare her to is Jack and he was a great baby, but she definatly has her own personality.  I am beginning to see a little jealousy in Jack, mainly when both Brandon and I are showing Aive attention.  Its a balancing act to try and give both children equal amounts of attention. Some days I am better at it than others.  I am also dealing with this independent stage with Jackson and it requires a lot of patience that I don't have sometimes.  I feel like I am constantly threatening him with the infamous spoon.  It does work but I would like to just have to say "Jack mommy said no, now don't do that."  But in the end, I guess we all would like to just have to say it once and they would listen the first time!  

I had a great Mommas Day.  My sweeties presented me with a lovely homemade card and a 1 hour massage! Cant wait to use that!  I realize everyday that being a mother is something you cant explain to anyone... you just have to experience it yourself.  It really makes me appreciate my own mother.  I don't know how she did it by herself.  I always hope that I am being the best mother that I can be, and even better. I do love the thrills and the heartaches that come with the job...

Lullabies

While my kiddos are still asleep, I am enjoying a cup of coffee and slowly waking up.  Avie slept for 6 hours last night... first time for that.  She is so cute and peaceful when she sleeping.  I love watching all of her facial expressions while she sleeps.  They range from smiles, to frowns, to her eyes rolling in the back of her head.  Bro. Jack has been difficult to get to bed lately.  He likes to run and grab his blankets and stuffed animals and bring them all in our bed when he knows its about that time.  I have been having to sit with him and sing him songs to get him to sleep... which I don't mind because I know one of these days he will beg me not to sing to him. Daddy actually tried to put him to bed last night, which ended with Bro. Jack screaming mommyia....mommyia, I want mommyia!  I was standing at the door listening for a while and decided to interrupt when Brandon started singing some song he made up about a choo choo train... in which after the first 3 words he paused, trying to think of a next line.... that didn't work with Bro. Jack!  Good try though Daddyo!  I took over and after 5 minutes he was asleep... he made me feel so special! ...Daddyia says I cheated because I can fit in the train bed with him.

I hope to get some clothes washed today as well as some cleaning done... but its always good to have high hopes.  I do need to try and sew the roof on Bro. Jacks barn today.  I am so glad I have a PVC pipe frame of a barn taking up half of my living room....which is a whole new subject on "my husbands inventions".  For now we'll keep it at that.  I'll post pictures when its done.  

On another note I do have a few pics of my son doing what he loves the most... mowing grass.  I never new a two year old could love to mow grass has much as mine does.  When Daddyia gets home the first thing Bro. Jack says is "Daddyia lets go mow grass," and heads to the door". How can Daddyia resist that cute little voice with much concern for how the yard looks?...So off they go to mow grass together.  I just might get yard of the month this summer with my little man in charge.

New Blogger

So...  I decided to join this world of blogging.  I love to read posts of other bloggers and decided to try it out.  Why we like to read about the lives of others I do not know.  I barely have time for my own life.  I think one reason is that its good to know that we all have been there done that or soon will travel the same road.  So here is my attempt at sharing my "lifes little lessons".