He's Come A Long Way, Baby

Since Mila’s birth, I have been asked at least two thousand and three times how Tyson is handling being a big brother. My response is usually the same, “He loves it.” I could elaborate on that statement, but it’s not necessary. “He loves it” sums it up perfectly. Dude loves his little sister. Sure, we were worried when he drop kicked the baby doll we bought him, but he never once asked me to put her back (thank God) and he has shown a sincere interest in Mila since Day 1. Pretty impressive given that her birth gave him a one way ticket to sharing Mommy and Daddy’s attention for the rest of his life.

His “Baby Mila Too” (aka the drop kicked doll) had disappeared into the bottom of the toy box for the last few months, but she recently found her way to the top and back into Tyson’s arms. Clearly he has been taking notes.

He’s a great big brother and someday, based on this video, I know he’ll make a damn good Daddy too.

3 Month Pictures

Holy Moly Batman! This kid is growing faster than the first. Please do not anticipate anything productive out of me for the next year as I will be spending the rest of my days crying in the corner over how big my babies are.


Proof:

If we have a third child, I'm not going to take monthly pictures so I can live in ignorant bliss of the amount of change.

Photo Friday-Pool Fun

I bought the kids a new pool last week. According to Daddy, it was too small, didn't have a big enough slide and wasn't cool. Based on the pictures, I think the rest of the family enjoyed it inspite of his complaints.

3 Months

Dear Mila/Mimi-

A few weeks ago, Tyson declared from his spot in the backseat that he was, “going to call you Mimi.” We like it, so, we went with it. Some days you’re Mila, others you are Mimi. We’ll see if it sticks.  Prior to your birth, Daddy and I had discussed giving you a nickname of “Number 2” ala Austin Powers. I’m guessing you’ll be much happier with Mimi.

With that said, Happy 3 Month Birthday, little Mimi! You continue to grow and change despite my attempts to keep you small and smelling like a newborn. It’s amazing to me that at just three months old little hints of your future personality are starting to develop. 

You’re content and relaxed.  You’ve settled into a nice routine of eat/activity/sleep every 3 hours and typically only cry to let us know you’re ready to move onto the next step.  A very schedule orientated baby is one after my own heart.

You’re happy and a bit of a flirt. You smile all the time and love to coo and babble to get people’s attention.  You’ve already got the eyelash bat down pat and don’t even get me started on your pouty lip.

You’re playful and curious. You kick, bat, and hold onto toys when we place them in your hands. If we put you down in one area of the play mat, you always find a way to turn and scoot to look at another area.

You’re a lover. My heart swells when I think of how much you currently like to cuddle. Give you an arm and a body to nestle against and you’re happy. I’m hoping this trait will stick around for a long, long time.

I am savoring each and every minute of being your Mommy. With Tyson, there was learning, fear, and frustration that comes with the territory of parenting the first born. Oh, I loved him dearly, but the fear sometimes took over my opportunity to enjoy each minute. With you, I am totally consumed by the joy and amazement of having a baby in the house again. I am enjoying it all.  I am happy. So very, very happy. Tyson made me a Mommy and you gave me the opportunity to be the Mommy that I want to be-to both of you. Pretty amazing gift from a 3 month old, huh? Thanks little Mimi.

Happy 3 month Birthday....3 month birthday pictures to follow :)

Love,

Mommy

Maternity Leave Is Over and I am Devastated

Dear Tyson and Mila,

Today I packed up my lunch and drove one hour into work. It was the first day in more than twelve weeks that I have been away from  both of you for more than a few hours and it sucked. Royally.

Sure, there were benefits to my return like the paycheck I’ll receive in a few weeks, sitting down to eat lunch, working out without a newborn strapped to me, peeing without a toddler watching….but honestly? Those benefits seem miniscule when I think of the perks I had being at home.

I miss cuddling in bed watching “toons” in the morning. I miss picking out your clothes for the day. I  miss playing puzzles while drinking my coffee. I miss crazy stress filled trips to Target. I miss our picnics and afternoon walks. I miss reading books and playing choo-choo trains.  I miss Doc McStuffins and Woody. I miss afternoon trips to get ice-cream and playing at the park. I miss story time and school. I miss bouncing and nursing. I miss juggling a baby while trying to tie shoes. I miss changing diapers. I miss kissing owies and making them all better. I miss sleepy eyes and borrowing heads.

I miss you guys.

It took twelve weeks to solidify in my mind what I knew in my heart all along; I was meant to be a Mommy and I’m a damn good one at that. It’s easily the toughest job in the world, but it’s the best one there is too. I’d trade the adult conversation and private peeing any day for another week home with you both.

I love you.

Mommy

Photo Friday

We had our first official girl's shopping trip last Wednesday. It proved successful until Mila decided to have her first official poop explosion all over herself and me. I'm hoping it will be the first of many-the shopping trips that is, not the poop explosions.

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

That girl rolled over on Sunday. Back to Front.

This girl missed it.

Daddy said it was pretty awesome. We're hoping to catch in on film soon. Heck, I'm hoping to catch it myself someday soon.

I'm A Survivor

96 hours with a stomach bug

6 rounds of vomiting

16 loads of laundry

4 times scrubbing the wood floor

2 times shampooing the carpet

1 survivor

Based on these antics, I'm pretty sure he's back to himself.

In truth, the real survivor in this story might be the washing machine. See above note about 16 loads of laundry.

 

Tyson 2.5

Dear Tyson,

Today you turn two point five. The two point five version on you is pretty close to perfect. You are fun and smart and awesome all rolled into one little boy. I wish I could bottle this version and save it for ten years from now when you want nothing to do with me or my ideas. Today you think I'm the smartest thing around and I tend to think the same about you.

So...what are you up to these days?

-Talking. And talking and talking and talking and talking...Daddy and I joke that you might never shut up. Your vocabulary is huge and it just continues to get bigger. Some of my favorite sayings of yours as of late are, "All my byself," "Let's blow this pop stand!" and of course, "Rock on, Dude!"

-Talking in third person. Seriously. "Tyson wants banana." "Tyson takes bath." "Tyson goes to park." I have asked countless parents of other two year olds if their child also does this and to date, you're the only one. I've also looked this up online because I'm neurotic and it says that people who talk in third person are usually introverts and shy. Based on the number of people you try to talk to at Target in a 20 minute trip, I'm well aware that this is not the case in your situation.


-Playing outside. This is hands down your favorite thing to do. You love riding your tractor, going on walks, playing at the park and riding your bike. When we say our prayers at night, you thank God for each of the above items even if we haven't done them that day. I'm pretty sure God has gotten the idea of just how thankful you are for outside.

-Singing. You know at least 20 songs by heart which I tend to think is pretty impressive at this age. I think I've passed on my useless ability to hear a song once and know half of the words. Unfortunately this talent will get you nowhere in life as both Daddy and I are tone deaf, so, even if you can sing at least 20 songs, you can't sing any of them well.

-Being a big brother. Yesterday a cute old lady at the grocery store asked you if you were the big brother. Your reply: "I'm the BEST big brother!" Touche old lady.

-Puzzles. You love puzzles and are really good at them too. You've moved on from board puzzles to 25 piece ones. We usually start our day by doing all of the puzzles we have. If I've calculated correctly I've spent at least a third of my maternity leave doing puzzles.

-Potty Training. Mommy sort of gave up on training when Mila was born. You didn't. You continue to ask to use the potty at least once a day. I'm still hoping you'll train yourself by the time you turn 3. That happens, right?

-Going to school. For the last 6 months or so we've been attending a drop in play ECFE class that you LOVE. There's painting and puzzles and circle time. It's so fun to watch you follow the teacher's directions and explore the projects each week. You've quickly become quite the teacher's pet and I have no idea where you got that trait (ahem).

I am amazed everyday at the wonderful little being I have created.  The last two months have been hard and stressful for Mommy. Juggling a newborn and a toddler successfully is not always easy and I've had my share of times when I've cried and worried that I wasn't doing it right. Each and every time I've cried you've ran to me, hugged me, and told me, "Don't cry Mommy. Tyson and Daddy love you!"  Based on this reaction, I'm pretty sure I'm doing everything exactly how I'm supposed to.

Mommy loves you too little buddy.

Happy 2.5!

Mommy


-

Photo Friday

We've hit a bit of a heat wave this week and we're all loving it. Afternoons have been spent walking to the park, sunning in the lawn, and enjoying popsicles on the front porch. I'm still not sure how I'm going to give this up to return to work in a few short weeks..



Happy May Day!

I love, love, love teaching Tyson new traditions and I'm hoping this is one we continue year after year as it was too much fun and had an added bonus of teaching about how happy giving can make you. 

As a forewarning to our neighbors, Tyson enjoyed the part where he rang the doorbell and ran a little too much. I'm hoping I didn't teach him a bad habit, but if so, I apologize in advance.