{iPhone Rewind} :: February

Our latest obsession? Mail. Specifically junk mail. So if you have any you want to get rid of, my kids would gladly take it off your hands :)

"Fixing" their cars

We're getting so much better at tummy time!

Maddie needed help with a button and I was in the middle of something and told her she would have to wait. Eli ran over, saying "Eli help!"

We are officially in the "double trouble" stage. The good thing is that they are playing well together, enjoying time with each other. The bad thing is that they are encouraging each other in getting into things they are not supposed to...  #two2yearolds #sendhelp

It was 70 degrees the day before. Gotta love Texas.

I love this cute face :)

Eli's first handmade valentine

Maddie's first handmade valentine

More like "Big Guy, Big Heart" but I sure love this cutie valentine! :)

Little man LOVED banana!

The moment you think, "I'm really glad I just cleaned that toilet."

Listening to a story from Grandma :)

Aiden didn't want to be left out of the guacamole fun!

Aiden :: 6 Months

Aiden,

Today is your 1/2 birthday! I can't believe you are already half way through your first year...the last 6 months have just flown by. But they have been full of joy and love and smiles and baby rolls. Lots and lots of baby rolls :)  You have grown SO fast, we can hardly believe it. You are our big boy, and we wouldn't have it any other way. You are also still our happy boy, and I often tell people that you are pretty much the happiest baby on the planet. When I see you smile, I think of the quote from the movie Elf "Smiling's my favorite." But really, you are just grace from Jesus. You fit right into the chaos of our family, and you just roll with the punches. Always with a smile on your face. We love you so much, and we are excited to see how much you grow and develop over the next 6 months!

Love, 

Mama

AIDEN MICHAEL

Stats :: 21.5 pounds, 29 inches

Clothing/Diaper Size :: you are wearing size 12 month clothes {yep! you wore your 9 month clothes for a grand total of 2 weeks. 2 weeks!} and size 3 diapers

Loves :: smiling, your activity center, bouncing, peekaboo with daddy

Dislikes :: being hungry, not being able to see what's going on 

Eat :: you have definitely entered into the distracted stage of eating and just can't sit still for a full feed. you just have to know what's going on in the room. or in the other room. or in all the rooms. you will be drinking your milk, and all I have to do is look at you and you will start smiling...and then make a mess with milk pouring out of your mouth haha. you are starting to hold your own bottle, though you definitely still prefer for me to hold it for you. we did go ahead and start some baby-led weaning with you. you have tried avocado, banana, sweet potato, and pears. I forgot how messy this stage is, but you're only eating "solids" after breakfast so far to practice, so we can at least contain the mess a little right now. usually, you will just mash your food in your hand and then suck on your hand to try to taste it haha. you don't seem overly interested in actually eating the food, but hopefully you will start getting the hang of it soon.

Sleep :: you are still sleeping like a champ at night. you're sleeping about 8pm to 7am, though the past few nights, you have started waking up a little earlier. your naps are kind of all over the place. you get one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and usually a catnap, but they vary in time and length. but you seem to be happy, so I'm not going to worry too much about it right now...when we go get you out of your crib, we can hear your little legs kicking before we turn on the light, and you are often already smiling before you open your eyes. 

Play/Development :: your legs are kicking NONSTOP. laying on the floor- legs kicking. held in our arms- legs kicking. sitting in your highchair- legs kicking. playing in your activity center- legs kicking. you just want to go so many places in a hurry! you are definitely finding tummy time more tolerable, and you are finally rolling tummy to back. when you are on your back, you act like you want to roll over to your tummy, but only manage to make it to your side. you will even arch your back, reaching far up and almost make it over, but you're not quite there yet. and to be honest, I don't think you seem particularly interested yet. so we need to get you a bit more motivated! we have been working on sitting up, and you are making some good progress! you definitely still need help and support, but you will sit on your own for at least a few seconds before toppling over :)  you have started using a high-pitched scream to get our attention...and you're not always unhappy. not my favorite noise of yours, but your cute little raspberries make up for it. still no teeth, but definitely lots of drool :)

Unique to You :: sweet boy, you are just so sweet and so happy. you want to know what's happening at all times, and you hate being left out. you get so excited when you hear your brother and sister, and you strain to try and see them when you know they are near. you have also discovered Sasha and think she is super fun! you have started sticking out your tongue, and you even make it part of your smile sometimes haha. sometimes we think you look like Eli...and other times we think you look like Maddie. and random people tell us you look exactly like both of them just about equally. so we can't definitively say you look like one or the other, but you seem to be a sweet mix of them both. you have a reddish tint to your hair {just like they did when they were little}, so we will see if it stays or not. and your eyes are still a piercing blue color, which means that they will probably stay {yay!}

Double Trouble

Sigh.

We have entered into what I like to call a "Double Trouble" stage. Eli and Maddie are testing their limits as two year olds, and they are into everything. If it all of a sudden gets quiet...that's not good. If I hear them in another room giggling together...that's not good. It means they are getting into some kind of trouble. Most of it is curiosity and just playful, but it almost always involves a mess of some sort. In the moment, it can be frustrating, but I can't help but laugh at some of their antics.

So what kind of trouble are they getting into these days?

...pull up a chair to the front door to unlock it {they haven't opened it yet, but that's not far. and we are definitely securing the doors better}

...stand on top of a LEGO table to reach boxes of crinkle paper on top of the bar counter, and then proceed to spread it ALL over the house

...drag Sasha's blankets from the laundry room to their room and then pull out all the diapers and clothes from their dresser {pictured above}

...pull out all of the clean, newly-folded clothes from the laundry basket

...climb up on top of the kitchen table {I found Eli standing on top of the table and nearly had a heart attack}

...play in the toilet {because, why not?}

...pull out the stuffing from a stuffed monkey and throw it all over the backseat of the car {I'm still finding stuffing in the backseat}

...rip out pages from a book and scatter them all around the house

...getting into the pantry and pulling out all the straws, Ziploc bags, foil, parchment paper, etc. {note: we have baby gates around our kitchen, so in theory they shouldn't be able to get in to the kitchen}

And lest you think I am just not paying attention to them, just know that they are QUICK. If I run to the bathroom, or put Aiden down for a nap {which takes as long as it takes to sing "Jesus Loves Me"}, I come back and they are into something. They also take the opportunity to cause trouble when I am feeding Aiden. They KNOW when I am otherwise occupied. And they definitely encourage each other. I haven't identified just one instigator; they both seem to instigate their fair share of trouble. I shudder to think of the trouble they could get into if I wasn't paying attention to them...

So needless to say, they are spending a lot of time in time-out these days. I have to keep from laughing when they are both in timeout, trying to tell me in their sweet voices they will "obey, mama. peease. yes, mama"  {translation: I will obey, mama. Please let me out of time-out. Yes, I understand}.

They definitely keep me on my toes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2019

We have a new little Valentine to add this year! And I sure love looking back at these photos :)

2018

2017

Happy Valentine's Day!

Baby First :: Aiden and the Avocado

We introduced solid food to Aiden! We did Baby-Led Weaning {BLW} with Eli and Maddie, so we plan to do the same with Aiden. We waited a little bit longer with Aiden, because I decided to skip spoon-feeding altogether, so we'll see how he takes to it. It's just practice right now, anyway, an attempt to get him used to feeling different textures. But I am hoping he takes to it quickly so we can start adding in some solids to his diet...because he sure eats A LOT, and I think solids may help fill his belly a little more.

First up: avocado :)

When we put it in front of him, he went right for it, but didn't quite know what to do with it. And it was a bit slippery anyway. So Daddy helped him out a little bit.

He wasn't exactly a fan of the taste haha. But he did like playing with it and smearing avocado all over his tray. I was reminded pretty quickly how messy this whole process is :)

He may not have actually eaten anything, but he sure looked cute trying!

34 Years Young

Today I turned 34. I'm officially in the last of my "young" years; after this, it's all downhill. Just kidding  :)

This year, birthday festivities started with a fun gift card in the mail from my parents. And Mike gave me his present last night: a video he had compiled of sweet friends and family sending kind words and birthday wishes. It was SO incredibly sweet and thoughtful, and all I could do was cry happy tears and think about all the ways the Lord has been so good to me. And Mike seriously makes the best videos. They are always some of my favorite gifts.

We headed over to Granny's house for our Thursday play date with cousins, and my sweet nieces threw me a birthday party, complete with cupcake decorating and party hats! :)

At least Aiden loved the hats :)

So very thankful for this sweet sister!!

Evidence of cupcakes all over her face

And I love that I have this beautiful {and super yummy!} cake to enjoy. Courtesy of my sweet and uber-talented sister-in-law, of course!

I got to finish the day with flowers from my love and dinner at home with my favorite people. Definitely a sweet birthday!

The Lord has been so good to me this past year. It's hard to believe that we bought a house, added to {and completed} our family, and survived the craziness of 3 under 2. It was a big year, and I am so thankful that I got to celebrate 34. I definitely don't take this birthday for granted, given how the Lord protected my life. And what an absolute blessing to celebrate with people that I love. Thank you, Jesus, for Your sweet blessings. 

2019 Goals :: January Check-In

I thought I would do a monthly{ish?} check-in on my 2019 goals. It's good for me to track my progress and have a little accountability...even if it's to myself and all 3 of my readers {hi Mom!} :)

Goal #1: Drink 60oz of water every day

If I am 100% honest, I wasn't wholly committed to this one {goal setting mistake 101}. I really only put it on the list because I knew I should put it on my list. I'm just not good at this. Especially in the winter months. I make the excuse that I just don't drink very much in general {which I actually don't, often not drinking anything at all at a meal}, but I can down 32oz of sweet tea without blinking. So I definitely need to work on this one. I do better when the water is ice cold, with lemon, so I get that set at the beginning of the day...I just have to actually remember to drink it :)

Goal #2: Increase my fitness level

I think I got January off to a fairly good start. Nothing mind-blowing, but a good base for the rest of my year. I bought a FitBit Alta HR with some Christmas money, and I really like it! It has kept my fitness level at the forefront of my mind, and it's an easy way to track my progress and reach some basic goals {steps, heart rate, etc.} I will say that I was surprised how few steps I take in a day. I feel like I am chasing after toddlers all day long, but I don't actually take that many steps. So I am glad to have my FitBit to help remind me to move around a bit more.

So what have I been doing? 

• Walking {getting those steps in!} Now that we have our triple stroller, it's easier for me to head out the door and take a walk with all 3 babes! We have to time it just right with everyone's feeding and sleeping schedule {which can be difficult and doesn't always happen}, but everyone loves getting out for a stroller ride when we can! We just need it to warm up just a bit so we can make it a more regular habit. And for the miracle of all miracles to happen: all 3 babies to nap at the same time #dreambig

• Working on some core exercises to repair diastasis recti. At this point, it's self-diagnosed, as I will go back to see my doctor next month, but even if it's not a severe case, things are not quite back to normal. I have done a lot of my own research and compiled some exercises that I hope will bring things back together. But most of the exercises I have used have come from here, here and here. I hope to incorporate some more Living Room Workouts soon, but I also need to get some of the basics repaired before I can do that.

Goal #3: Listen to the Audio Bible daily

I have successfully completed this every day in January! I read through Genesis, Mark, and am currently working through Exodus, Psalms, and Proverbs.

Goal #4: Read 55 books

I was able to read 8 books this month. I will still write my reviews at the end of the year, but here's a glimpse at what I have been reading this month. {I don't recommend all of these books; it was pretty even- good, bad, eh}.

Goal #5: Participate in the #150hoursoutside project

Our outside time right now is mostly walks around our neighborhood. Which is not terrible, but since I am usually by myself, it means loading everyone up in the stroller. So while I get some good exercise, my kiddos aren't exactly running around and exploring the outdoors. And we have had some pretty cold and windy days, so our outside time has been fairly limited. But I know it will be easier in the warmer weather. Baby steps, right? :)

Goal #6: Do something creative every month

I worked a little bit on our 7th year photo book. I still have a ways to go, but it was fun to sift through old photos and reminisce when Eli and Maddie were little!

Goal #7: Be more intentional with discipling Eli and Maddie

We started the year by reading a story from The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible every morning. I love the colorful illustrations in this book, and I love how each story {even the Old Testament ones} point to Jesus and the gospel. It's easy enough for Eli and Maddie to understand right now, but I can also see using this for awhile, as it asks questions that they will be able to answer a little better as they get older.

It's our routine to get set for breakfast, kiss Daddy goodbye as he heads off to work, then read our Bible story. And Eli and Maddie don't let me forget, or ask to read it again during snack...which is so great! They also listen to the Audio Bible with me every day, but are not exactly sitting or paying attention during that time haha. But even just having God's Word playing in the background for them is a habit I want to instill.

I have mentioned before that we don't do a lot of TV for Eli and Maddie, and they have only watched a handful of things. My goal is to make it to 3 years before that's a more regular part of their life, whether it's a particular show or movies. But sometimes, you just need a distraction and a way to contain twin toddlers while you feed the baby...or just stop the screaming, amiright??

Enter Right Now Media and the Seeds Family Worship videos! They basically take Scripture verses and set them to song. The videos are sometimes cartoons, but sometimes not, with the words of the Bible verse/song on it. Super simple, but a great way to learn Scripture, and entertaining enough for my kiddos! Our {read: my} favorite is the Seeds of Praise album, but there are several available that we can work through.

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So that's a recap of January! On to February :)