my baby, isn't a baby anymore.

Today was a big day for me.  Charlotte's big girl carseat is in the car replacing her infant carrier.  I lowered her crib, took down the mobile, and replaced her bumper with a breathable one (so the binkies stay in her crib).  One moment I say, "woohoo", the next "boohoo".  Mixed emotions.

easter.

On Saturday, we went to my mom's for easter.  We had our annual easter egg hunt.  Had a yummy meal.  The girls were great. And celebrated Meme's birthday.

Easter morning, Liv was not too keen on the idea of the easter bunny coming into her house to hide eggs.  I tried reassuring her that he would not go up the stairs to her room and that she would not see him.  Liv really got into the egg hunt.  (watch the video)

Then we went to Aunt Nichole's house.  The cousins ran wild and had multiple easter egg hunts.  We had some fun foods.  The girls were, once again, amazing.

They have been troopers.  The past two weekends we have not been home.  Lo was able to take her naps on the go.

PS.  Am I the only mom that regifts all of the easter basket gifts.  I don't do candy.  I have easter themed toys and stuffed animals.  I know I won't be able to do this much longer.  Every year, Liv thinks it is new.  And Lo got some new rattles and toys ( from the attic..... Liv's old stuff.... haha).  Liv didn't remember them at all.

No more naps.

For the past month, Liv's schedule has been changing.  Since she was 18 months, she has taken a two hour nap from 1-3.  I started to notice that Liv wasn't going to bed at exactly 8 like she used to.  We would tuck her in, and she would keep coming to her door with multiple stalling techniques.  She wouldn't fall asleep until closer to 9.  

We decided to start skipping her nap.  It wasn't very pleasant because at about 3 o'clock she would seem ready for a nap.  I knew better than to put her dow so we would just fight through the sleepiness.

She just turned 3.5 last week and I think we can officially say she is done napping.  I dreaded this day for awhile, but to be honest, it isn't as bad as I thought.  I like knowing that Lo goes down at 7 and liv around 7:30.  It makes my evenings much more peaceful.

Faddie and Winston.

So now Liv has had this imaginary friend for the past few weeks.  Her name is faddie.  Pronounced Fattie.  Yeah I know, pretty embarrassing.  At first I thought to myself,  "where did she get that from?" I have never referred to that word in front of her.  

According to Liv Faddie is tall with googly eyes.  When Liv is out back, I hear her talking to Faddie and playing games with her.  She spent about an hour today playing outback with Faddie.  For a moment, I was wondering how much Faddie's babysitting hourly rates are. 

Hearing the name Faddie all day long, makes a mama needing to lose about 15 more pounds develop quite a complex.

All of the sudden, Winston has been added to Liv's imaginary friend list.  Apparently it is her younger brother.  She told me today that Winston needed cookies.  What she really wanted was to ask for cookies herself but she knew the answer.  I knew siblings blame things on each other, but an imaginary sibling, not so much.

three stooges.

youngest pianist.

5 pm.

Happy hour in our house....knowing daddy will be home soon.  We get a little looney.  

Mother of the Year moment.

At 4 o'clock today, I asked myself, "Did I even feed my daughter lunch?"  The answer was, "No."

strange desire to bite.

Call me strange but today I am having a hard time reframing from biting Charlotte's ears.  I am just so in love and want to kiss her to pieces.  I find myself biting my teeth down really hard because I have no other way to get it out.  All of my hugs and kisses just don't seem good enough..... I know I am super strange.

dirty binky.

I have held off on posting about the dirty binky due to how gross it is.  But LIv has two binkies.  One for her mouth and one for her hand.  She calls the one in her hand her dirty binky.  If I clean it, she freaks.  She rubs in on the carpet.  The walls. Her shirt.  Anything.... to make it dirty.  And no she doesn't put it in her mouth.  Thank god!  I mean I really hope not.

If she gets up after I tcuk her in for a retuck, while walking back to her bed, she will lean over and rub it on things to make it extra dirty.  I mean I love extra dirty martinis; but dirty binkies, not so much.  

Overheard.

Liv:  Mommy, where are we going?

Me:  To drop the car off for an oil change.

Liv:  But Why?

Me:  Because it needs new oil so it can run better.

Liv:  But, Mooommmmmmmyyyyyyy, our car doesn't run!

Me:  I know, honey. I mean so it can drive better.

Wedding weekend!

We all headed down to the Seaview Marriot on Friday to start the weekend celebration for Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Brian.  All I can say I was prepared for anything with my 6 bags of luggage for 2 nights.  The girls were amazing.  Other than a few mishaps and falls, there were no tears.  Ry and I had a room with two doubles so we each had a kid.  Liv was quite the kicker and beat her daddy up a bit.

Charlotte was able to take every nap in her stroller and Liv was a trooper with no naps.  She did everything a flower girl does except walk down the aisle.  Knowing her personality, we know she would have cried and made a scene as soon as she saw everyone staring at her.  During the reception, Ry's parents helped alot and took the girls up to the hotel room so Ry and I could eat dinner.

I was up on the dance floor and haven't done that in a while.  Anyone who knows me, knows I used to live on the dance floor.  Something with making two humans, made me lose my rhythm or time to leisurely dance.  ;)  I got it back on Saturday night.

On Sunday, we had brunch in the morning and headed home.

The weekend was amazing and every little detail was perfect.  We are so happy for Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Brian.  They are off to Aruba.  YAY!

more playtime.

Olive and Beans.

I have a new hobby. Well, not a hobby because my hobbies have been the same for awhile. But now I have a site to share my hobbies with you. I have lots of passions but being an at home mom, limits my means to express. I guess it is the teacher in me. I know I am no genius. I know what I am into is nothing new to alot of people, but for some it may be. If you have any desire to read more, go to oliveandbeans.com. Thanks to my lovely designer of a husband, he has set me up with my very own domain name (website). To all of you, it is quite obvious where the name came from (Olivia and Charlotte's nicknames - one of a million nicknames).

the moment has arrived...

the girls were playing together by themselves (as I eaves dropped)

pledge of honor.

Lately, when I go out with the girls, I have noticed how other women interact with me. Lots of moms like me react the same way I react to them. We usually look at each other, make eye contact, and nonverbally agree. Agree that these kids keep us on our toes. A 7 day a week, 24 hour job that throws so many curve balls and unpredictable events. It feels good to know that you aren't in it alone.
I have been reflecting alot lately on how older women react to me. Women that I can tell have been there......right where I am at that moment. For example, walking out of the grocery store pushing a cart full of groceries, holding an 8 month old on my right him, with a binky handle hanging out of my mouth, holding a receipt and keys in my hand, and my 3 year old holding onto my pant leg as we cross the street. Only if I were an octopus would I have enough hands to handle what being a mom entails.

These women look at me with such understanding. At the same time, I see a spark in their eyes where they may wish to be back in my shoes ( or flip flops with unpolished toenails). They let me cross in front of their car while crossing the street or let me get rung up before them at the store because they know that a baby is like a walking time bomb ready to explode. Or they glance at me while sitting on the floor in the corner of a toy store nursing my baby while the toddler is busy getting a free chance to play with all new toys. These women, also, open the door for me so I don't have to perform a gymnast move just to get my body and the stroller through the door with all of our limbs attached.

I may be a little analyitical but I also look at these women with a strong connection. I know I will be that women in about 20 years. As difficult as it may be to meet the needs of a baby and a toddler, I wouldn't trade it for all of the money in the world. Or all of the silence in the world. (although a single MOMENT of silence is well needed). As my 30th birthday approaches ( 4 days), I have accomplished more than I ever imagined; yet being right here at home with my toddler laying on my left thigh and my infant trying to crawl over my right shoulder is the only place I want to be.

But that MOMENT of silence may be the next place I want to be....... but for just a moment. I will never wish this chaotic time away. I wish I could keep my two little girls by my side on this couch forever (the fact that all three of us are sitting still is a miracle, but we are all on the same couch cushion). I know as they get older they will want to get off of it for a little......as long as they promise to come back.

silly sisters.

little ms. piggy.

My little Charlie has a huge appetite. way more than Liv ever had. My energy of making my own baby food has been substituted with me finding fun, alternative vegan (with meat) recipes for me to enjoy (and indirectly going to charlotte). I have also realized that with all of her allergies, buying premade organic baby food is the way to go. I know it is allergy free, therefore stress free.

Liv used to eat about a half of a jar to a jar a day (she nursed around the clock). Charlotte on the other hand has a fruit/cereal for breakfast, a veggie and fruit for lunch, and a meal (including organic poultry, veggie, fruit) and fruit for dinner. So she is going through 5 jars of stage 2 food a day! And nursing about 5 times a day.

WOW!

Holy Hail.

Slumber party.

The girls and I slept over my parents at the shore while Ry and the boys were in AC for Brian's Bachelor party. We had so much fun!!!