MOM

The life of a mom.

I am grateful that I am the mom of these two sweet men. Their endless supply of fun is a great thing to have around all day. I have been lucky to be able to spend so much time with them watching them learn and grow. They are even going down slides....by themselves....at the park. What a change from a short year ago!

This job is harder than I ever imagined. They keep me on my toes. It is hours filled with dirty diapers, healthy meal choices, and endless amount of toddler activities. This job has two boys running in different directions, currently a month long of two runny noses, and the oh-so laughable tantrums. To be honest the hardest, "keep me up at night" things, will happen in the future. Will the boys ever behave at play date? Will they be nice to other kids in school? Will they be honest, happy, successful....... the list goes on. I read books, talk with other moms, and work hard at building a life that is wonderful, healthy, balanced, and happy for these two little ones.

I am proud to be a mom, I struggle to be a mom, and I am blessed to be a mom. I am grateful for the pure WORK that my mom and dad put into me.

What a wonderful life.

Sleepy

1. Updates to the house
This picture is first....so I must admit....glad to get more stuff done to the house. After I took these pictures it again reminded me of the curtains from Sound of Music. Interesting...yes. So hopefully they continue to grow on me.

I want to also thank my mom for spending an afternoon teaching me to make the curtains. AND my sister who a few YEARS ago insisted that I purchase window coverings.

One last note: I changed my one and only New Years Resolution. I am not doing a garden anymore. Instead, I am going to tackle the side of my house that is overgrown with weeds, random trees, and Ivy.

2. Language
I think that this might be a theme of the month. I am working with the boys on speaking, "using their words," and doing sign language. Cameron has started to catch on and I must admit...it makes me pretty proud in Target when the boys use sign language to communicate with me.
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3. Antibiotics
Last week I noted how I NEEDED Cameron to get better. To be honest both boys were still pretty sick. Nights have been rough (even my dad on Monday morning was extremely exhausted). Well they started antibiotics (thank goodness!!!) and they have finally started to get better.

Cameron HATES to take his medicine. Hates. He might take a small little sip and then figures it out and refuses to open his mouth. He shakes his head and seals his lips. If I finally get some meds slipped in...he spits it out. I started to put it in yogurt and I am finally getting the meds in...most of the time.

Basically, the boys are getting better....I think.

4. Pajamas

This has been a common theme in our house this week. I must admit there was a day...almost two... that the boys did not get out of their pajamas. I wish that I would of snapped a picture of this.... I put shoes OVER the pajama feet to go outside and play. Yes. True.

5. The fights...we have survived

I can't believe that this is the only picture that I have of the fighting. They are starting to wrestle, hit, push, and grab each other's face off. No joke. It has not been fun for mom. So here is a picture of Cameron pulling Owen's hair.

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Right now the boys usually fight because Owen wants to do whatever Cameron is doing.

One last thing I forgot....climbing. The boys are able to climb onto the couches and chairs. Sigh.

April

1. Trip to Valpo On Sunday afternoon I decided to make a quick trip to Valpo with the boys. I did not work Monday night and was picking them up early Monday from Greg's. On Sunday evening Mat told me he would also have Monday off...he was going to come with us! This made it for a FULL day of visits. Here are some pictures from the quick trip.

2. Baths

The boys enjoy taking baths. It is a good thing because Owen's new favorite thing to do is cover himself with his food at the end of the meal. I am sure as adults we encourage way more than appropriate. Oh well....that is why I am grateful that they enjoy baths!

**When Owen pulls his shirt...that is his sign for "done." He also says the word, but this is his personal sign language for the word.

3. Wednesday

That means Cameron has to catch up on his sleep, get over his cold, and be is normal, happy self soon.....right?

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4. Play dates

The boys love to go over and play with the twins. They have AWESOME toys there and usually everyone is getting along. Late last week I text Tanya to see if we could come play, threw the boys in the car, and was there within 15 minutes. LOVE IT.

5. Curtains & Pedicures

Sunday afternoon my mom and I got pedicures and then spent the afternoon making curtains. I have one window with curtains...hopefully to make the next window soon! Anyways, it was great to spend time with my mom.

Vocab

1. Only child Cameron LOVES to be up from his nap early, and alone. There are times that the minute Owen wakes up, Cameron smile melts away and the tears begin to POOR. These pictures are taken during the last few minutes of Owen's nap.

2. Words

These boys are starting to talk. I am also trying to teach them sign language (which is starting to catch on). One quick example.....Owen is starting to say "more." I taught him the word in sign language so now when he wants more yummy food, he says the word, AND does the sign. And "yum," also a major word in our house.

3. The Bulldogs

Once again the Bulldogs made it to the National Championship game. It was an exciting time. This is a picture of us celebrating after the Final Four win on Saturday night.

3. Clean floors

I FINALLY got on my hands and knees to scrub the kitchen floor, and the cabinets. I needed to change the water 4 times AND it took me over an hour. Disgusting. Yes. I am the first to admit. Anyways, I was scrubbing the floor......

....and the boys were doing this......

4. Nap time

I need to post this. The boys are sleeping right now for naps. This quite lets me catch up on dishes, write this quick blog while watching Parenthood (amazing), and maybe lay my own head down for a rest. Nap time is the BEST time.

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5. Friends

These past few weeks we have been trying to get out of the house. The boys do much better with being busy. We usually go to a friend's house, destroy, and leave. So grateful...we still have friends!