Pacifier, Oh Pacifier...

Dear Diary,

Ahhh, It’s been awhile.

Life is…busy! As I am undergoing my typical nightly routine of slipping Olivia’s pacifier back in her mouth while she goes to sleep, I am sitting on the computer typing away because instead of skipping up two flights of stairs a dozen times to Olivia’s aid, I can sit on the mid level at the computer and decrease the stairs by half. I could probably use the extra exercise, but what I can't use is a broken ankle when I trip and fall for going too fast, so we’ll continue on with the least amount of stairs possible. Don’t worry, I know the suspense is killing you, so I’ll keep you updated on how many pacifier trips I have to make…

Pacifier Trip #1

The weekend has been a busy one. But I will say I am thankful to actually be home for once. We got a lot done. I even got an hour or so by myself out in the yard to pull some weeds and trim some bushes! Why does that excite me? Wellllll because I got to see the light of day, ANNNDDD because I got to be by myself! I was actually sweating for a reason and it felt good!

Pacifier Trip #2

I also whipped out a dozen Wall Plaques this weekend and did some laundry and ran some long overdue errands and had some quality family time! I love the weekends for just that - family time. And while I like going to Pitt or having a fun day planned, I really enjoy just spending the weekend at home, doing…

Pacifier Trip #3

…whatever we want at whatever pace we want.

While I was out running my errands, I discovered something about myself - I hate asking for help. I think I have gotten better at this over the years, but for some reason, I would much rather spend extra time trying to figure it out alone, than to just ask someone to help me. Kind of a man thing right?

I was in Home Depot today, looking for some hooks I needed. Normally Home Depot is a place I only stop in if Garrett is with me, but I went anyhow. I get Home Depot and Lowe’s confused…

Pacifier Trip #4

… so I never know which direction I need to start in, which resulted in me walking down pretty much every single aisle looking for the smallest thing that Home Depot carries. A nice worker guy even asked, “Ma’am… (which I hate being called because I DO NOT feel like a “Ma’am“)… “Ma’am, is there anything I can help you find?” Right there was my help, but did I take him up on his offer? Nope! “No, thanks,” I said, as I strolled down 3 more aisles before I found what I was looking for. Weird? Yeah, kind of. I know it’s not pride because I no longer have that, haha, so I am not sure why I refuse to be helped but it’s just my way. I did find my hooks however, and you won’t be surprised to know that I went through the Self Check-Out! =)

Pacifier Trip #5 (She is flipped herself over to her back now and smiled at me when I came in. I am going to go ahead and assume that she isn’t ready for bed yet)

I even refused the help of my GPS today as I was driving someplace I hadn’t been to before. A TOTAL man thing to do. It told me to go one way, and I went the other. I reached my destination surprisingly, but I will admit I had to turn around twice.

Oh the silly things I do.

Pacifier Trip #6 (Still smiling and chewing on her sleeve.)

Alright, before I completely bore you to death and before I make ONE MORE trip up the stairs as Olivia clearly is becoming entertained rather than falling asleep, I will say my goodbyes. Who knows when I'll be writing again but I am thankful for the few minutes I got!

Sincerely Yours,

"Read This, K?"

Dear Diary,

How quick can I write this? I am not sure, but I am going to try. I tend to start my blog posts off by telling you what everyone is doing, so I suppose I'll keep that trend up. Addy is "Shhleeeepppy," as she would say it, so she's napping. I am watching the end of The Talk before I start some painting and crafting, and Olivia is staring at me, just waiting to interrupt my typing so she can be fed again.

Garrett was gone this past weekend so I got to spend some quality time with my girls, and my sister as well I should mention. Not that I don't get to spend quality time with my girls - I mean hello, the three of us are together day in and day out, but I always know that at the end of the day, Daddy will be walking in that door, soon to take a little load off Mommy for the rest of the evening - kitchen clean-up duty, Addy's bath, and playtime just to name a few.

Because I knew I wasn't going to get that little "break" at the end of the day, I had to be the everything - the diaper changer, the meal getter, the bath giver, the boo-boo kisser, the playtime partner, etc. Overwhelming? Of course, but it was fun too.

I am loving how much Addy can say and understand now. We have real conversations all day long, and even though the average listener may have a hard time making out her jargon, I almost always know exactly what she wants, needs or is trying to tell me.

Some Of My Favorites:

"Hey You Guys!" More like "Hey You Guuuuuyyyysssss," taken from the silly, ridiculous show The Electric Company. Which brings me to another word that I love her to say - "Company." I wish I could type it like she says it, but I can't.

"What You Doin, Huh?" I LOVE when she puts "huh?" at the end of a question. I guess she picked it up from me, but it's just so funny. Like when I was cleaning and she followed me to each new thing I was dusting and asked, "What you doin, huh?" Or when she's in Olivia's face saying, "Livaaa, What you doing huh?"

"K?" She says this a lot when she REALLY wants something. I think she thinks that if she puts this on the end of her request, then it's set in stone and we have to give it to her. "George Snacks, K?" "Go bye-bye, K?" "Sid, K?"

"Fingers" I LOVE when she talks about her fingers. Why? Because it sounds like this: "Funngus." Even better, when she says "Look," which sounds like a high pitched "Yook!" And the best - the two together: "Momma! Yook, Funngus!"

"Funnnyy" When Addy gets in trouble, typically the first thing she does is start fake laughing and saying, "Aww Funnnnyy." Like that will convince me that what she is doing is okay because it's funny. It doesn't work...well not all the time anyway =)

From another favorite show came "POWER!" and from watching me do chores came "Laundry," sounding like "Louwndry," and from teaching her manners came "Tank You Much!"

I love talking to her, and I love even more when she talks to me. She is learning and she is learning fast! Every new thing is so fun to watch! I honestly can't believe that in 2 short months she'll be 2 years old. I am going to blink and I'll be planning Olivia's 2nd birthday! Time needs to slooowww doowwwnnn!

Sincerely Yours,

My Favorite Things

Dear Diary,

Well I have a few minutes - Olivia is mesmerized by the plastic bear with the red blinking nose, Addy is busy lining up ALL her toys on the fireplace, and I am waiting on paint to dry, literally.

The topic of today's blog post: My Favorite Things. Kind of like Oprah's Favorite Things except mine are more like daily happenings rather than material products and instead of hiding goodies under your seats, I'll just be filling your brain with random thoughts. They are pretty much the same thing right? =)

1. No-Bake Cookies

I know what you're thinking, definitely NOT a diet food. I realize this as well, but everyone needs to splurge every now and then and these little monsters have been eyeing me the last 3 trips I have made to the store. There they sat, on their little clearance table, just screaming at me to buy them. I denied their request twice, and just couldn't do it the third time. And you know what? They tasted absolutely delicious this morning for breakfast. Good buy Lindsey, good buy...


2. Addalyn and Olivia

Obviously they are my favorite things, but the past few days their relationship with eachother has been my favorite thing. Addy has loved Olivia since the day we brought her home from the hospital, but lately she really has taken to her little sister. It is probably due to the fact that Olivia is smiling more, laughing a little, and sitting in her bumbo and rolling around on the floor, appearing slightly more fun than before. Addy is constantly getting in her face and talking to her. I LOVE when Addy says, "Hi Liva, How you doin, huh?" I LOVE that Addy brings Olivia toys and gives her random hugs and kisses. I LOVE when she carries the Bumbo over from across the room so Olivia has a place to sit. I LOVE when Addy's little fingers reach out to Olivia and she says, "Tickle, tickle, tickle." And I REALLY LOVE the gigantic smile that "Liva" gets on her face every time big sister is around! Best Friends in the making!

3. A Full Pantry and Refrigerator

I ran to the grocery store last night (ALONE no less...fantastic) and got everything I needed for dinners and lunches this week. I can't express how much I enjoy knowing that I won't have to make another trip to the grocery store for at least 4 days. It's a small victory, but it's one that I cherish. Too bad I'll only make 47 trips to Hobby Lobby in the meantime. It never fails, I think I have it all and there is always ONE thing I forget, always...


4. A Clean House and Folded Laundry

This being said, I have neither. But, in my defense, the laundry is being done, it is just waiting to get folded, which will happen today, I swear. As far as the clean house goes... I give myself props for at least having things decently tidy. The dusting, however, is overdue. Maybe this week. Between my two girls, my steady list of orders, errand running, keeping up with emails and OF COURSE getting this much needed blog post in (wink, wink), my time is limited.



Alright, I am sure that paint is dry by now, Olivia is about ready to eat again, the laundry is ready to be switched out AND my teeth need brushed. Everybody waits until 11:00AM to brush their teeth right? Moms, you can relate =)

Sincerely Yours,

Mommy of Two, Plus A Million Things to Do!

Dear Diary,

I honestly have no time to be writing this, but with Olivia snuggled next to me on one side, and Addalyn sitting next to me on the other side watching her beloved Sid, I guess I have no choice but to stay put and do some writing =)

As always after a long weekend away, there are piles of laundry needing my attention, not to mention a house that is in desperate need of a good cleaning, but more importantly, I have orders from my new little business just waiting to be made. I better hope for nice, long naps this week so I can get everything done!

So what is new? Well Olivia is growing at warp speed. The other morning I had her laying under the play gym and a few minutes later I look over and the little stinker is on her belly! I haven't even attempted to try and teach her this move, nor have I encouraged it. I can't really remember when Addy started rolling (Ya, ya it should be written in a baby book somewhere but it probably isn't considering that baby book has hardly been opened), but I do know that Addy spent a lot of time on her belly to back rolls before she even considered trying to roll from her back to her belly. Olivia apparently thought that was too easy and went straight for the hard stuff.

I was really hoping to have a late learner this time around. Addy seemed to learn things pretty early, which was fun because she was my first born and the only thing I had to pay attention to. I was slightly hoping Olivia would move at a slower pace, so my life with only one mobile child would last as long as possible. But it doesn't appear like that is going to be the case. Just when you think you have the house exactly how you want it, the baby proofing starts all over again!

Addy is still a talking machine. She puts little sentences together and says everything she hears. Garrett and I almost always know what she is saying or trying to say. She'll even say things that neither of us have taught her that we can only credit to Sid the Science Kid. She also enjoys her music, singing along to the many tunes of her favorite shows, even rapping and beat boxing thanks to The Electric Company. I can't believe we are a couple months away from 2 years old!

I hardly thought it possible but my life has become even more busy! I swear I wake up and by the next time I look at a clock it's already 3:00 in the afternoon! I am enjoying my new little business venture though and I hope to stay busy! My organizational skills are in full force as I am trying to balance about 800 things at once, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

And now, Addy is asking for her nap, which means work time for me! Well that is until Olivia wakes up and wants another meal =) The life of a Mother! Off to see how much I can get done!

I will leave you with a couple pictures from 4th of July Weekend!

Sincerely Yours,