AND THEN SHE TURNED 1

When you have kids the time goes so fast.  I mean, when your in the middle of sleepless nights, nursing a newborn and potty training a toddler, it seems like one minute is a life time.  But the weeks and months just fly by.

My baby girl is 1.  A whole year old.  And she is sweet, kind, funny, happy, adventurous.  She possesses many qualities we didn't see in her brother.  Both my children are brilliant and bright, just in different ways. 

This year we have watched Noa grow into the princess her dad knew she was from day 1.  And now she knows it.  She is spoiled, but not rotten. 

For you, my sweet Genoa, I wish you happiness, and light at every turn.  I also thank you for the brightness you wake with every day (even at 3 am).  I hope for you to always love, and be loved.  It won't be hard.  I look forward to watching your growth and new joys springing to life every day. 

To both my kids: Please always love each other.  Even on bad days, just love each other.  Be each others best friend.  Be their rock and sounding board.  Play, experience, and create mischief. 

3

So, my Branson is 3.  Three whole years old.  I just can't believe it.  He is a young boy that loves to jump, run, yell and argue.  He is a picky eater and has an amazing sweet tooth, something we can share in common.  For his birthday he got a pet.  A fish named Charlie.  One of his chores is to feed Charlie every day. He is sweet to him.  He  has a soft spot for animals and it warms my heart.  Watching Branson grow has been this amazing journey.  Most days I laugh with him and cry at him.  He is my whole being.  He takes every ounce of my energy and I wouldn 't rather give it to anyone else.  He is in love with everything Cars, and Ryan and I got him a Mater quad for his birthday.  He reluctantly lets Genoa touch it, sometimes. 

Branson, my wish for you is that you always find a smile in your day, you laugh at life and stand up for yourself.  I'll always be here for a hug after time out, and a kiss goodnight.  I'm so proud of you and the young man that you are, thank you for amazing me every day.

POTTY BREAK

It's friday.  It's Nevada Day.  Not really, but for some reason who ever is in charge decided to make today the day of celebration so that there would be a three day weekend.  COOL!  Now when do we (moms) get a three day weekend?  Or maybe just a one day weekend?  A few hours? A bathroom break by ourselves?  No?

So much has gone on.  Mostly just with in myself.  As I sit here writing this I'm ignoring Branson's repeated "MORE" demands for toast.  I'm listening to Noa throw every single lego and bristle block in the house out of it's home.  I'm watching the dog out of the corner of my eye to make sure she doesn't get up on top of the table to lick the kids greasy hand prints from breakfast.  Again.  Oh and Branson is now screaming MORE.  Ryan is at work.  I haven't showered.  I've started a load of laundry only because there was an accident in the early morning.  We've been up since 5.  Nothing in the house has been cleaned, wiped down, put away or organized since about 8 pm last night.  So within 12 hours (only 4 have been spent awake) my house looks like I've never lifted a finger in it.  Everyday I sit back and take this all in.  I try to get up and get a shower before Ryan leaves for work, but that doesn't always happen.  It seems that if I don't get my morning shower, my whole day goes to waste.  I'm unable to catch up.  I'm left feeling anxious, defeated and all around down.  I don't know if this is normal or not for stay at home moms, I'd obviously like to think so.  I wish someone would have told me how much harder having 2 kids is than 1.  Not that it would have made a difference in my decision to have another, but maybe I would have mentally prepared myself a little more.  When one is sleeping peacefully, the other wakes up screaming for something which then wakes up the one that was sleeping.  And usually one if not both will stay awake demanding more and more attention.  It doesn't matter if its midnight or 4 am, this seems to be occurring more and more often.  2 nights ago Branson was up from midnight until 5 am.  When he finally fell back asleep Noa woke up ready for the day at 5:28.  Yay.  Mommy got a total of 2 hours of sleep.  I wish I could sleep like a husband.  They can sleep through anything.  (By the way, Branson is now screeching, snapping and snarling for MORE. He wants more toast with lots and lots of butter because he is big.  This is his third breakfast.  I'm feeling my gray hair grow in right NOW). 

Hopefully Ryan will return soon and give me a chance to shower so we can attempt to conquer the rest of the day.  We are supposed to carve pumpkins.  Tomorrow we have a party to attend and then a wedding and Sunday is our photo shoot for our holiday cards. 

I'm left wondering if I'll ever get that weekend.  Or just a bathroom break alone.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A DOOR

The following story is one of the cutest and funniest I have experienced with my boy Branson.  He is so smart, funny, and witty.  Here goes:

Branson has been a terrible two-er lately.  Love him to death, but he has.  When he is in time out in his room, he has taken to slamming his door.  Normally this is an action I wouldn't react to, and normally he would probably only do it once since it didn't get him any attention.  However with his sister sleeping just feet away, I can't let him do it.  So, I told him quite a few times he better stop or daddy will take his door down.  He didn't stop.  Ryan grabbed his tool box, went to work on the door and calmly carried it out to the garage.  Of course this prompted meltdown city from Branson, you would have thought we took away his Mr. Elephant or his nightly Dora or something important.  Anyhow.  We told him that he if he behaved the rest of the day he could have his door back tomorrow.  Periodically he would check in to make sure that was still the plan.  So "tomorrow" rolls around, and Ryan is doing some handy man stuff around the house with his tool box.  Branson goes and gets his (toy) tool box and heads into my room.  I hear him banging on something so I go in there and ask him what he is doing.  His reply: "I'm taking your door.  I'm going to put it in the garage.  You can have it back tomorrow."

I don't know why, but this tickled me to death.  Smart, smart boy.  We both got our doors back that afternoon. 

OVERCAST

Check out my beautiful children!  We've been having some overcast and humid weather in Reno the last week, and I'm loving it.  My skin and hair don't love it, but the rest of me does.  It's so nice to be able to go outside with the kids in the evening and not have the sweltering heat beating down on you.  Not that they notice.  The kids just always want to be outside.  Even if it's 100 degrees, or -100 degrees.  So after dinner we take it outside, jump on the tramp, climb the fort ladder, look for butterflies/grasshoppers/hummingbirds and dragonflys. 

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

After having a few long and deep and heart wrenching felt discussions with other mothers who's opinions I value, I've come to a conclusion that I thought only existed in me; It's not always roses being a full time mommy.  In fact, sometimes we down right despise it.  Doing even the simplest of tasks like changing a diaper, or reading a book can make you see red.  WHY??? I don't know.  But I do know it's ok to feel that sometimes.  And as long as it's only sometimes and not all the times, I know I'm doing a damn good job.  Or at least the best I can.  Kids are stressful and taxing!  Some days I wake and get absolutely nothing accomplished, and yet I'm exhausted by 4 pm.  Add to that making dinner, cleaning up dinner, cleaning up toys, bed time, and then what is supposed to some sort of intimate time with your partner, and I'm pretty sure I should be medicated.  Some days I half-ass it.  Some days the kids win and they get to sit on the couch and watch Dora all day long.  And eat PB&J for lunch, and maybe a quesadilla for dinner, with out the sight of one veggie or piece of fruit (ok, maybe sometimes this happens for more than one day at once...).  There are days that  the screaming, whining, crying, fussing, hitting, throwing, pushing, &  "NO"'s make me want to pack a bag and head out of town.  These days I think not nice things about people that I love, and never mean a word in those thoughts.  I then end up thinking not nice things about myself, which is the worst possible thing for the mental well being of a mommy.   I firmly believe that this is directly related to, with out getting into too much of the psychiatric nonsense that no one wants to hear, the fact that long ago our ancestors had the help of all loved ones.  Really, not even that long ago this was common.  You know that saying, "it takes a village to raise a child"?  it really used to, and it really still does.  In fact I was at a wedding last month and an older lady asked me where my kids were.  When I told her they were at home with daddy, she replied, "you sent some family over to help him, right?".  There ya go.  Problem solved.  This lady (and all you other mothers, lol)is not meant to do all this by herself.  I have a strong admiration to those women and men raising kids in a city with out any support system.  I couldn't imagine where I would be if I didn't have the help of both Ryan and my parents.  Actually, I know where I would be.  In a padded room with a straight jacket and a numbing pill cocktail.  Sometimes, that sounds really, really nice.

But, MOST of the time, I look at my kids and remember that I am their leader, and how I respond to them will teach them their future responses.  If I can just walk away when I see red, and not let them know I am seeing that color, then I can come back in 5 minutes and start fresh.  I often tell my kids and husband that Mommy needs a time out.  In fact I know I need it way more often than the kids do.  Time outs coupled with the unconditional support of my husband give me the small amount of sanity that keeps me from running. 

In short - not really, right? - it's ok to not always be Susy home maker.  Some days you have to be Big Bad Bertha. 

SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVIN IS CRAZY

Summer means busy time!  June and July flew by, and it's already a week into August.  I'm not even sure what we've been doing, but every day we do something (everything) and by 9 pm I'm lucky to have enough energy to flop on the bed and will my shoes off. 

Keenan has left us, we have a void, but he is off having fun in Disney World before he starts his Sophomore year of highschool.  I still can't believe it.  In my mind he still likes remote control cars and is shy (he is SO NOT SHY).

Branson is a little boy.  Fully potty trained, on his own accord, and speaking as if he is an adult.  He and Noa are starting to interact, and sometimes it's even sweet.  But mostly he is discovering that "his" toys are not just "his" anymore.  Thats fun!

Genoa...this little girl is going to have me running.  With in the last 2 weeks she has gotten 2 teeth, started sleeping in her own room, is crawling, pulling up on things and trying to stand.  Lord HELP ME.

Ryan is busy with work, and running a little less.  Which he shouldn't be, since he is going to run a 72 mile race in October.  I'm pretty sure that is the definition of insane.

Me - well.  I'm exhausted.  I'm tired.  I'm good, I'm happy and going crazy all at once.  Kids do that to you, you know.

Hope you enjoy the pictures from our anual family photo shoot, by www.jessilemayphotography.com

BIG HEADED KIDS! SO WHAT?

Well I'm a little late, but here is the update on baby Noa's 5 month check up.  Here are the percentiles:

weight - 13.9 lbs - 25%
length - 25 inches - 50%
head - here's the doosy - 43.4 - 90%

Of course, her big head is to hold all those amazing brains she has.  Just like her brother.  Our kids have big heads; fact.  The good news is, the Dr. said she is well beyond her age in milestone wise, which we already knew.  She is rolling all over the place (that started at 10 weeks), loves tummy time, is trying to figure out how to crawl, and is starting to be interested in big kid food.  She loves to watch her brothers, and I can tell you already that she will be Branson's biggest cheerleader, especially when it comes to mischief.  Too cute, really.  The Dr. also noticed that Noa is very attached.  To me. Like extremely.  The girl will not let me out of her sight.  The only person that she might let console her is Ryan.  But if it's after 6 pm and she can't see me?  FORGET ABOUT IT.  My poor babysitter doesn't know what to do, she's never met a baby she can't soothe.  It's kinda cute and endearing, really, but it makes getting anything done impossible. 

Branson is doing great.  He is so smart.  Knows all his letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and has started saying amazing things like, "don't yell at me!" and "I don't want to go home, never ever ever EVER!!!!".  Pretty cool, huh?  Really though, he is the light of my life.  the boy is just a roller coaster of emotions for both him and me, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  He is cautious but daring, smart and witty, sweet and mischievous all at once.  The best part is that a few weeks ago he decided that people food is kinda cool.  Like taco's, enchilada's, salads, steak.  Thank GAWD we aren't limited to corn dogs and chicken nuggets anymore. 

Keenan is almost done with school, and it will be a bitter sweet summer.  He has decided to go back to St. Louis next year for school.  We were so happy to have him here, and he knows the door is always open for him to return.  We are all going to miss him, but I have to say it will be so nice not to nag him about chores and homework anymore!  We will get to have him and spoil him for vacations now, which is always a good time :)

Ryan is running his second 50 mile race this weekend.  He's just crazy.  And we love him.  He is in killer shape, and is such an inspiration to me!  I've hired a trainer to try and catch up with him.  Wish me luck!

SPRING IS HERE!

And spring time is here!  What a beautiful day.  This whole last week has been amazing.  The kids are happier, mom and dad are happier.  So much joy!  And my yard is just GORGEOUS right now!
 

So much to report on, I'll try to keep to short points.

*Ryan ran his 50 mile race on Easter weekend.  He KILLED it. 


*We spent easter with his family in Sacramento for breakfast, then headed home for a quiet afternoon.  Everyone was pooped out!


*We celebrated easter at our house the weekend after, when Keenan was home.  It was a lovely brunch.  Genoa slept the entire time :)



* Genoa is teething.  What happened to my happy girl???? (she's 4 months now!)


*Our photographer made a website for Genoa.  It's amazing.
http://www.genoawinterpeel.jessilemayphotography.com/

*Branson started Gymboree and LOVES it.  He has been so happy lately.  Fewer tempertantrums and lots of love.

*Keenan has decided to move back to St. Louis next year :( we will miss him, but will be excited to have him here on holidays and vacations! 


*My very best friend Chrissy is now Dr. Lamun!  Congrats on finishing dental school!  We can't wait to see you in a few weeks.

MY FAVORITE SALAD

Spring and summer (really anytime of the year) have me craving a big healthy salad.  It's so easy to take whatever you have in your cubbards and fridge and throw it all together with greens and dressing.  I have a few staples I add to mine every time, like beets, hearts of palm, celery and tomatos.  But I also love to throw in leftover rice, roasted/steamed veggies, hummus or bbq'd meat.  Use your imagination!  I think the key to the whole thing is to find your favorite lite dressing.  For me it's a toss up between Newman's Own Light Semsame Ginger, or Braggs Organic Ginger and Sesame. 

"LOOK, MOMMA!"

I had my first poop insident as a mom last week.  I laid my sweet little innocent boy down for a nap in just his t-shirt, socks and diaper.  We had been playing hard and he was hot so i thought it would help him sleep better.  2 hours later, I hear him in his room talking to himself as I was nursing Noa.  Usually this just means he is taking his time waking up, maybe reading a book or playing with a toy in his room.  For some odd reason, even though he is in a big boy bed now, he still won't come out of his room when he wakes up with out me going in to get him.  Anyhow.  I finished nursing the baby and go in to get him.  Half way down the hall I smell what must have been the biggest poopy diaper EVER.  I walk in the room, take one look and a boy, a bed, and everything on the bed covered in s-h-you know what.  He says, ever so cutely really, "Look Momma!  Poop EVERYWHERE!".  Yes, yes it was.  I think I stood there for a full 30 seconds not knowing quite what to do.  Do I strip him first?  Do I strip the bed? Do I throw everything including him into the car wash down the street?  Finally my maternal instincts kicked in, I got Branson in the shower (where he screamed like I was torturing him.) with a lot of soap, got him out and dressed, and told him, "DO NOT COME IN THIS ROOM WHILE I CLEAN UP! POOP STAYS IN YOUR DIAPER OR IN THE BIG BOY POTTY!!!!!".  His reply was a sweet smile with, "momma clean up poop everywhere!".  Yes, yes I did.  I had to throw away his favorite turtle/star night light (thank God he found Genoa's ladybug one, or I would have had to go to the store after that), I Clorox wiped everything even if it was 10 feet away from the poop and had none on it, and then I started the 3 loads of laundry, which I had just done the day before.  All the while Branson was all smiles, as if he knew this was something I had to experience as a mom to a terrible 2-er.  Of course I was FUMING.  When my life saver (aka the babysitter) got here I think I said something to the effect of "me go gym" and I left.  30 minutes later and sweat pouring down my back, I got in my car and had a good chuckle about the situation.  Branson proceeded to tell EVERYONE what he did, and that now he knows poop stays in the diaper or big boy potty.  And everyone had a good laugh at my expense.  Including myself.  I'm pretty sure almost every kid does something like this.  Especially a 2 year old boy, who is really almost potty trained and really into anything and everything.  I'm just thankful he didn't eat it.  At least I don't think he did.

2 MONTHS

Yesterday my baby girl turned 2 months old!  We had a nice visit to the Dr.  Ok, it wasn't so nice because she was getting her shots, and it hurt my feelings a little more than it hurt hers.  She is 10 lbs 10 oz's, and 23 inches long!  Big girl!  Healthy though, of course.  Dr. Pat said I should obviously not worry about her reflux too much, since she is growing so well.  So she got her shots, and later that evening had a terrible reaction.  He leg was swollen, hot, red, and in pretty bad pain.  She would scream at the slightest movement or touch, and ran a fever of about 100 until 2 am.  We also took Branson with us because I was pretty sure he had a sinus/ear infections.  Which he does.  But he also "might have a foreign object in his ear".  WHAT???? "It kind of looks like a BB.  Perfectly spherical."  Holy SH*T!  Dear lord lets hope not!  So we go back to get that checked out in 2 weeks.  Yay.  Can't wait.


Here is Noa at 2 months old! Smiley Girl :)

ROYAL BREAKFAST

two blog posts in one day!  aren't you all so lucky :)

It's totally possible to eat like a Queen and still eat healthy.  Here is my example of a royal breakfast (dairy free, of course):

1 corn/flour tortilla
1 egg
1 egg white
1/4 avocado, diced
1/4 cup diced veggies (today I used red & green bell pepper)
rice or soy "cheese"
Worcestershire (Does ANYONE know how to spell this???, lucky for me there is spell check)
tobasco
salsa
cooking spray
salt & pepper to taste

whisk egg, egg white, a dash or Worcestershire, tobasco, and veggies together in a bowl.  spray pan, and add contents.  Scramble until liked done-ness.

place tortilla on baking sheet, spread diced avocado on tortilla.  Top with scramble and "cheese".  Broil on hi until cheese is melted.  Remove, top with salt & Pepper and salsa.  Enjoy!

SUNDAY MORNING

It's Sunday morning and I'm up enjoying a cup of Chai tea and a little one on one time with Branson.  It's not really one on one of course, because Genoa (even though she is sleeping) grunts, fusses and works on moving that gas bubble every few minutes.  But, Branson and I have really been needing some serious mommy/son time.  I think this week I will do something special just with him.  Maybe the park, or the toy store.  I miss spending time with my little miracle. 

Speaking of which.  It's funny how your kids take on certain personality and traits.  For instance.  While I consider every child to be pure and innocent, Genoa really is the essence of that.  The only time you will hear her cry is if she is hungry or fighting sleep.  She really is my Angel.  Branson, on the other hand, has always been a mover/shaker/goer/doer.  And I can honestly say I know why they call it the "terrible twos".  This boy keeps me on my toes every second of everyday.  He can go from happiest child on the planet, batting those amazing long black eyelashes at you, to throwing his choo choo train right at you in two seconds flat.  Thank God he also is remorseful after he does something of the sort.  My point is, Genoa is my little Angel, and Branson is my little Miracle.  Not to be confused with each other. 

Today marks day 6 of no dairy for me.  I cut it out to see if it will help Genoa's reflux.  It is recommended that you go at least 2 weeks before seeing the full effect it can have.  I strongly believe I'm seeing a difference in her, but more amazingly, there is a HUGE difference in how I feel.  I have more energy (despite the lack of sound sleep I seem to not be getting these days), I feel light and able, and more clear minded.  Recent studies are saying that dairy is not quite the package we are led to believe it to be.  As someone who has suffered severe issues with kidney stones, I find it interesting that they are now showing a direct correlation between the two.  Our good friend Graham passed on some wonderful reading to me, where someone said something to the effect of, cows milk is made to have enough calcium and nutrients to make a calf grow from newborn size to a 300 lb cow in a year.  So why in the hell would we think we need that much calcium!  Whatever calcium our bodies do not need is passed through and made into terrible things like kidney stones.  I also had an instance where I had severe shoulder pain as a teenager in the middle of the night, went to ER, had an x-ray done, and it turns out I had calcium deposits in there.  So.  My body (and probably yours too) has an issue absorbing excess calcium.  To make a long story short, I'm loving being dairy free, and am blessed to have the support of my household (except Branson, he still gets yogurt and cheese if he wants it).  Being healthy is a way of life, and something you have to commit 100% to.  You can make small changes at a time, no need to do something drastic.  Work out for 20 minutes today.  IF you can do it again tomorrow go for it!  Don't eat meat today.  IF you have to have it, only have it a few times a week.  Brush your teeth twice a day floss every other day.  You get the picture.  We need to be pro active in our own well being.  And we as a whole, need to stop relying on the pharmaceutical company's to "help" us get better.  Do we really need a pill for everything?  I strongly believe that feeling pain and discomfort is our bodies way of keeping us in check, and more importantly reminding us that we are alive and should feel every real feeling out there, not mask it with a pill. (side note, I'm talking about minor things here; cold/flu/sore throats, not serious infections or diseases, I'm thankful every day for what modern day medicine can do to help ailing people). (another side note, did you know milk has a grotesque amount of PUSS in it?  Think of that next time you pour a glass).