Worth Remembering

Dear Diary,

Well this weekend didn't exactly go as planned. Garrett hurt his back first thing Saturday morning which resulted in a million things not happening - no yard work outside, no getting ahead of my orders, no thrilling St. Patty's Day, no family trip to the park, and no progress made on Project "Olivia's 1st Birthday." I have so much to do and only a week to get it done. BUT, that's why they call me Super Mom. Okay, that's why I call me Super Mom.

I am thankful to be sitting here on Sunday night with the windows open and the attic fan on, allowing the cool breeze to fill the room while Garrett rests on the couch and the girls play as nicely as they can. The KU game is about to start and The Walking Dead series finale is set to record. So even though my weekend wasn't as productive as I would have liked, at least we can enjoy a casual Sunday evening.

And while I am typing this Addalyn knocked something down from the shelves and is currently crying her ABC's in the timeout corner (our timeout punishment is to make her practice something educational, if she could only get the colors down, then we'd be set. Those damn colors...). So much for that casual Sunday evening. Never a dull moment...

One of the reasons I write this blog is to remember the things that happen in our life. As I am coming to find out, my memory isn't what it used to be, so a diary to help me out in the future will be helpful. So, I'd like to take a moment to list a few things that I believe are worth remembering someday.

1.) Olivia's 1st Black Eye: Due to her sister hitting her in the face with a toy camera for no apparent reason whatsoever.

2.) Going outside to play has proven to be the simplest solution to restless, upset children. Coming back inside however leads to 30 minutes of crying and pleading to go back outside. It's a vicious circle.

3.) There is nothing in the world that makes my husband as happy as the start of baseball season. The anticipation is killing him.

4.) I can sit and watch Addy make Olivia laugh, and vise versa, all day long. It is my favorite sound.

5.) At 12 months old, Olivia is still eating paper as often as she can. She has a built in radar and finds it no matter how hard we try and hide it. It's weird.

6.) Addy calls herself Addy Borsyfe. I find it ironic that she can get the "F" sound at the end of her name where it doesn't belong, but not at the beginning of her name where it does. She also calls rice, "grice," and chooses to call Olivia "Yiva" even though she is perfectly capable of saying Olivia.

7.) Olivia is an early riser. I wonder if I will be up between 6:00-6:30AM for the rest of my life?

8.) I secretly kind of like going into Addy's room in the middle of the night and laying down with her when she needs me to. I especially like when Liva wakes up and we all three lay down together for a few minutes. Memories I have no doubt I am going to miss someday.

9.) Addy is 2 1/2 and wears a 3T in clothing. Olivia is 12 months and wears 9 month clothing. Nothing exciting but something I may find interesting some day.

10.) Every day I am more and more impressed at how fantastic of a father Garrett is. Life is awesome.

Sincerely Yours,

What I Learned Today

Dear Diary,

Here is what I learned today:

OLIVIA IS TERRIFIED OF THE VACUUM: I have always known this, today I just realized she isn't going to get over it anytime soon. Every week I have to vacuum and every week she cries hysterically until I am done and then gives the vacuum death glares the rest of the day. She screams and cannot get far enough away from the thing and with as bad as I feel, I can't help but laugh at her. Drama Queen? For sure. You'd think she'd get used to it by now, but nope, she's going to make house cleaning day interesting for a long time to come. But how can you be upset with that little pumpkin face:

ADDY IS NEVER GOING TO POTTY TRAIN: I don't fear that she is behind - just turning 2 1/2 this month - but Lord knows she isn't early and with as much as I'd like to say she is well on her way, she is NOOOOOTTT. She has zero desire. We have bribed with candy, with new books, with ice cream, with toys... not happening. Today I tried putting panties on her, which she LOVED, until she pee'd in them, and then she was disgusted and didn't want to put them back on and insisted on her diaper and pants. Our conversation today:

Me: Did you like what you were wearing today?
Addy: I like my panties.... Uh, I pee in dem.
Me: Yeah you pee'd in them. That's why you need to go pee pee and poo poo on the potty.
Addy: Noooo, I too little.
Me: No you are not too little. You are a big girl. Don't you want to go to preschool someday?
Addy: See kids?
Me: Yes, you will get to see kids, but you have to go poo poo on the potty.
Addy: (grunting and pretending to poop then looking to me) Like that?
Me: (laughing) Yes, Addy. Like that.

ONLINE SHOPPING IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO: Today I purchased several things I needed for the girls and never had to leave the computer. I rarely buy anything without getting free shipping and I almost always get a discount of some kind due to online promo codes. Now, I could never buy things for myself online as I HAVE to try things on in the store, but for the girls it is definitely the way to go. Today I was looking for Easter outfits, but most days you can bet I am finding anything and everything I need on Amazon.com - who doesn't pay me to advertise for them but they should because I LOVE Amazon. I NEVER pay for shipping and there really isn't anything you can't find on there. So I save on gas and don't have to drag the girls through store after store, shopping for what I need. It can all be done during nap time from my laptop!

THERE IS DUST UNDER THE BEDROOM FURNITURE: In case anyone was wondering, dust does collect underneath your furniture that never moves and it's disgusting.

I AM ADDICTED TO MY KINDLE: I love this stupid thing and I would spend hours talking about it to anyone who wanted to listen - which is no one. I have been busy the past two days and I haven't gotten to read and it's like I am having withdrawals. How do I know I am addicted? Garrett got to take the day off work and go to the Big 12 Tourny today. I jokingly said, "When do I get a turn to do something?" and he said, "Whenever you ask for one." and I said, " True, I never ask because I never have anything to do." and he said, "You can spend an entire night reading your Kindle." Obviously if someone thinks my idea of a good time is sitting alone all night reading my Kindle, I must be addicted to the thing. Or a loser. Or both.... Yes, definitely both.

Sincerely Yours,

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Dear Diary,

"Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Eyes and ears and mouth and nose. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes."
 
Head: I love the thought process that goes in a child's head. I am constantly amazed at the things Addy knows and more impressive, the things she remembers. Sometimes this memory is a good thing and sometimes, not so much.

For instance, yesterday we were at the store and I told Addy to go pick out some yogurt. She quickly responded by saying (very loudly), "Oh, I take my shirt off?" giving the older woman next to us the impression that taking our clothes off in public must be a regular occasion for this family, when really she just remembered that we usually take her shirt off with yogurt because she always ends up dropping it all over herself. Or like when I told Addy I needed to go change my clothes and she asked me if I peed on myself. I can only assume she got to this conclusion because if she ever pees on herself, we change her clothes. I am just thankful that comment wasn't in public. Or all of her fun little responses that seem to be taking over our conversations:

Me: "Addy, you need to help clean up."
Addy: "No thanks, I'm too busy."

Me: "Addy, it's time to go take a bath."
Addy: "But, I'm too siiiiiicckkkkk."

Me: "Addy, you need to get down from there right now!"
Addy: "OKAY! I'm fine!"

Oh the fun is just beginning isn't it? =)

Shoulders: It seems as though I go week to week trying to balance a million things that need to get done. There is always one thing to finish, and the next thing to start. Lately, however, I feel like a small piece of the weight on my shoulders has been lifted off. I am not even sure why things seem less hectic right now, but I am thankful for the lull until the storm hits me again, which is surely only in a matter of time.

And because I am not constantly jumping from one thing to the next, I have spent more time than normal playing. I have said it a million times and I will say it a million times more, but my girls are awesome. Sometimes I get caught in the mind frame that as long as they are surrounded by toys, they should be having the time of their lives. Reality is, they'd much rather have no toys in front of them, but instead, their Mom to play with. The girls can be perfectly content doing whatever it is that they are doing, but the minute I walk over and sit down and start to play it is like I carried a circus with me. They get so excited and so happy and it instantly makes me feel like there is nothing greater in the world, which there isn't. I am sure we all take for granted how important it is to just spend some time playing, but I guarantee you'll remember how much fun it truly is once you do!

Knees: It was windy yesterday but I was caught up on the idea that I needed to get a project done that involved burning the edges of some paper. Sooooo last night I went into our backyard and scrunched down to the ground trying to block the wind with my back while I lit several pieces of paper on fire. I decided to go with the ol' "bend at the knees with my butt barely off the ground" technique, to which after several minutes in this position served to be a very bad idea. When I finally stood up my knees felt like a sumo wrestler had been sitting on them. I obviously am not 5 anymore and need to remember to avoid sitting like one.

And

Hands?: I realize this should technically be titled "Toes" if I was going to go along with the song, but my toes don't have the problem, my hands do. I am bleeding from at least 6 places on my right hand and from almost as many on my left. This pathetic winter has done more damage to my dry hands than it ever has and I can't seem to make them better. I know for a fact it is because of how often my hands are in water. If I am not washing bottles, I am doing dishes. If I am not cleaning my own hands, I am bathing little girlie's. If I am not scrubbing paint off my fingers, I am wiping tables clean. My hands are in water all day long and I don't see a way around it. So I guess I will just deal with having the dryness of a desert nomad, the wrinkles of a 95 year old farmer and the cuts of a 200 pound cage fighter. Attractive huh?

Sincerely Yours,

In My Thoughts and Prayers

Dear Diary,

It has been over a week since I have written on here. I am not sure why I am slacking in the blog entry department, but I guess being busy has a lot to do with it.

So, here is a quick update on life - It is almost March, which means it is almost Olivia's 1st Birthday. I thought Addalyn's 1st year of life went fast, but Olivia's went much faster. She may be walking around and learning new things daily, but that little booger doesn't look anywhere near 1 years old. She's my little shorty and about the sweetest kid in the world. But, I'll leave all that for her Birthday post =)

I finally got a Kindle. I've been debating for a long time whether I wanted one. I thought I'd miss holding a book, but after having the Kindle for 5 minutes I realized I should have gotten one a long time ago. It is fantastic! My reading addiction just got a whole lot worse.

The Academy Awards are on tonight which I am excited for, although I am anticipating my Sunday headache so I may not be able to watch. I am not sure why my headaches are back in full force and taking over my Sundays, but here's to hoping they give me a break this week.

And on a deeper note, I'd like to share my feelings on something that has really weighed heavily on my heart lately. It seems as if I have come across so many stories of little babies fighting for their lives. I know children are faced with these obstacles every single day, but over the past few months my FB newsfeed seems to be filled with children and their parents needing prayers and it breaks my heart.

I can't speak for everyone, but I know that I take having 2 healthy children for granted. I feel guilty for wishing for early bedtimes and long naps and a few minutes of "playing nice" together so I can get things done. I am sure all of these parents who are spending their time in the hospital would love to stay up late rocking their baby or could be "wasting" their day playing with a healthy child.

I cant imagine what a parent would feel like going through such a scary situation. It absolutely breaks my heart and I hate that it takes little doses of reality like this to make me fully appreciate how lucky we are to have healthy babies. I will continue praying for all of these children and their parents and I plan to say an extra prayer for all of those families whose stories I haven't heard. I can't pay for their medical bills or take their worry away, but I can pray.

Sincerely Yours,

Breathe

Dear Diary,

Last weekend I was on a hunt for my Alanis Morissette CD's when I came across every CD I have ever owned. From Wilson Phillips to Hanson to about 3 dozen mixed CD's that I wish I had time to sit and listen to because I have no doubt there'd be some doosies.

I scanned through each one, snagging a few that I felt needed to come out of hiding, and among them was Michelle Branch's "The Spirit Room" and "Hotel Paper" CD's. I cannot tell you how often I listened to these in high school and how many memories that go along with them.

I think the primary reason I like them so much is because they remind me of Garrett and I at such a young age. "The Spirit Room" came out in 2001 when we first met and "Hotel Paper" came out in 2003 when we had 2 years of dating under our belt. In fact, Garrett surprised me by buying "Hotel Paper" before I could get a copy and he gave it to me for no reason at all, you know, back when CD's were still something people purchased.

I found the CD's in the playroom storage closet so I put it in the girl's DVD player for a quick listen. Here we were, in the middle of toys and playhouses with our two little girls running around and all I could picture was a 16 year old me and a 17 year old Garrett driving around Pittsburg in his Plymouth Laser.

I love those years of our life and I love that listening to one song can put me back in that moment in an instant. Not very many people can say they were high school sweethearts and I admit that it makes me proud that we belong in that category. We have spent a lot of years together for as young as we are and I feel so lucky to have as many memories as we do - teenage parties, high school dances, graduations, college years and now building our family together.

It is special, and sometimes I need a little Michelle Branch to remind me of that.

Sincerely Yours,

Sunday, Funday

Dear Diary,

Annnnddd it's Sunday. We had another good, and slightly busy, weekend. We mostly did a lot of debating on what to do, and then not really doing it, which makes you feel like you are busier than you actually are. Get me? It's okay, sometimes I am hard to follow.

Parent's Night Out
Garrett and I actually ventured out of our house this weekend without our kids. It is rare for us, but definitely something we should do more often. Thanks to Chelsea and Kyle making the trip up to KC to handle the ladies, we got to enjoy ourselves for a few hours with some friends.

I would be lying if I said the night didn't start out a little rocky. My awesome husband, who NEVER has an opinion about anything, decided to tell me 45 minutes before we were leaving the house that I shouldn't wear what I had planned on wearing. This statement would have been okay if he would have mentioned it 2 DAYS ago when we discussed wardrobe, BUT instead, my "never has an opinion" husband decided that minutes before leaving the house would be a good time to bring it up.

So as you would expect, I tore through my closet trying to find option #2. This would be a problem for any woman, but an even bigger problem for me, who literally has only two "nice outfit," choices - one of which I wore the last time we were with these people. I figured it out but not without a lot of eye rolling and choice words. It is safe to say that Garrett has learned his lesson. =)

Sunday Walking
Olivia is at the stage where she does not want to sit in the pew at mass for an hour when she could be walking all over the place instead. I remember going through the phase with Addy so I suppose Olivia and I will be spending our church time exploring the next few Sundays until she ventures her way back to the pew again. She sure did enjoy herself though. Especially crossing over the "river of doom," otherwise known as the two strips of black tile amongst the cream tile in the church lobby. My child would stop dead in her tracks before walking across the "oh so strange" black tiles and once she braved herself to make it over, would glance back with a look on her face like, "that was a close one... the river of doom almost had me that time."  I love kids =)

Baby Fever
I felt myself get a slight hint of "baby fever" over the weekend only to quickly hit myself over the head and say, "No Way!"  Lord knows I have my hands about as full as they could possibly be right now so why did the thought even enter my mind? I am not saying a 3rd baby isn't in my future, I am just saying it isn't in my near future. Pregnancy, blah. Breastfeeding, blah. Tiny Baby Schedule, blah, blah blah! Sometimes I just need that small little dose of reality to get me back in check so thanks for listening =)

Night O' Telo'
Tonight is the Grammy's. To which they already have a tribute in the works for Whitney Houston. I feel like I am 85 years old when I say I will likely have no idea who most of the nominees are, but that will not stop me from watching the show. PLUS Garrett and I's favorite show is back on tonight - The Walking Dead... Love. It. So it'll be a night of trying to entertain the girls while also trying to entertain ourselves. Always proves to be interesting...

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Sincerely Yours,

Yay, Me!

Dear Diary,

Both of my girls are asleep, a very rare occasion, although one is due to wake up any minute. My house is clean, the sheets are washed, part of my dinner is already made, a Target list is ready to go for later this afternoon and I actually got my hair washed and clothes on for the day.

I think anyone who stays at home for a living, or even if you don't, can appreciate the feeling of getting so much done around the house. As a stay at home Mom, I don't get a raise for doing well, a pat on the back for the job well done or a yearly review to go over my accomplishments. My girls are too small to realize everything Mommy does and my husband appreciates me of course, but I don't get a high five every time he walks in the door and sees the day's progress.

So I guess it is up to me to congratulate myself. I love productive days and I love even more having a clean house. As the caretaker of the home, I think it's important to pat yourself on the back for everything you do in a day's work and give yourself a gold star for crossing everything, plus some, off your list. If you can't congratulate yourself then you may never feel appreciated.

So, Lindsey, I want to say awesome job on the house cleaning today. Way to go on the sheets and the laundry and an extra pat on the back for actually moving all the living room furniture to vacuum underneath and also for scrubbing the floors. Not only do you deserve wife of the year for having tonight's dinner already started, but also for whipping up some little smokies for your husband to take to his poker night tonight AND for folding all of his laundry that he decided to start at 8:00 last night. A big thanks goes out to you for taking care of the girlie's all day AND for taking a little extra time to start movies, fix lunches, clean up toys and change diapers. You. Are. The. Bomb.

Sincerely Yours,