Reese AnnMarie: 18 Months

Our sweet Reese just keeps growing, changing, and be-bopping along. Reese is so, so, so sweet. Hard to tell if her caring, happy-go-lucky, laid back personality is characteristic of a second child or just the difference in a girl versus a boy. But I'll take it. I'd take 10 more kids if they were all like Reese.

(Oh yes, and if they could magically stay home and watch themselves so we didn't have to pay for them to attend daycare. But that's neither here nor there.)

Reese loves to sleep, loves to eat, and really (except for the occasional bite here and there) would be easy to nominate for Toddler of the Year.

Her speech is not as clear as Cade's was when he started talking so it sometimes takes me a little while to catch on to what she's saying, but I think she says well over 50 words and has a lot more receptive language. She seems to know more than she lets on. Matt and I were counting something with Cade the other day and Reese starting filling in the blanks, "foe, fie, six." She's a quiet genius, I suppose.

She aims to please. She will do what you ask her to do with a 99.9% return rate. She's very loving and caring. Loves animals and babies.

Reese is our resident dare-devil. She's fearless, loves all slides, and will jump from anything. Future sky-diver for sure.

She's quite girly and likes to play in the jewelry and makeup and pretends that anything that can fit over her arm is a purse. We've started an after-school tradition of walking out to the mailbox together to get the mail. I love, love, love watching her waddle down the sidewalk and saunter up to the mailbox. I find myself wanting to freeze that moment every time.

Reese is not overly dramatic or defiant, most of the time redirection is all that's needed. Cade has figured that out and works out some key "trades" with her whenever it's beneficial to him.

She's our tiny little peanut, just recently breaking 20 pounds (3rd percentile), but, according to the doctor, is only 5 inches shorter than Cade at 32 inches (70th percentile). However, all of her pants are quite long on her so I'm thinking that could be some sort of measurement error. Both of our children are short and tiny. Whether they eat a lot or a little!

Oh yes, and she has the best smile, ever. She's talking more and changing every day. Losing that baby look and becoming a little girl. Our sweet Reese. Stay that way forever.

The Life of Cade

This post has been a LONG time coming, I'm pretty sure I started it back in June. I just wanted to record a glimpse of what Cade is into right now...all those little funnies I don't want to forget!
Let's jump right in...

Cade loves:
-TV (Disney Jr. and Disney movies)
-Ninja turtles
-Super Heroes
-Cell phone games and apps
-Singing to disney and bible songs on cds in the car
-Playing boxing on the Wii
-Loves to make plans and be on the go. "How about we go here, and after that we'll go here..."
-Changing his clothes at least 3 times a day
-Playing with friends, or whoever will play with him, wants to tag along with other kids when we're at play places or parks
-Bargaining to get his way and using phrases on us that we say to him (I'll time you, you have two choices, that's not being respectful, etc)
-Very observant of details
-Wants to wear some of his shirts backwards if they have a picture or number on the back so that he can see that side of it
-Working on his right and left, have no idea where he got this but he's always asking if we're going to turn right or left or saying something is on our right or left--it's kinda freaky
-Protective of Reese, but also picks plenty of fights with her
-He likes to run, race, be timed, and wear his athletic shoes which he calls his "fast shoes."
-Gradually liking swimming more and will swim around with his floatie where he can't touch but isn't naturally a lover of the water. Doesn't enjoy slides...plays it safe, which I guess I should appreciate.
-I'm impressed with his coordination. He really can maneuver jungle gyms and play equipment well. He's doing great in his loft bed. His first night, I checked on him at least 75 times and lined the whole bed with pillows. He thinks he has a future as a rock climber and wants to scale the underneath side of the bed...look out.

Cade dislikes:
-Eating
-Sleeping
-Listening and obeying...tell me this is normal

He's in that phase where he has emotional "break-downs" pretty often but we are working on teaching him how to verbalize through these emotions so we know what he's freaking out about. I think this is what being a 3-year-old is all about, so I'm hoping this goes away. Soon.

As of September 17th, he weighed 29 pounds, 5 oz. and was 37.2 inches tall. 20th percentile in both. Not a huge risk of childhood obesity for this guy, I would think. We do force him to eat some, or he would never eat, ever. Seriously. So since he is 3 years old, he must have 3 bites of everything on his plate before having second helpings of whatever he wants after that. (Usually wants more fruit and has to be talked into meat and casserole dishes).

We've started using a "stoplight" approach to help him understand what behavior is acceptable and when he is making poor choices. It has helped to motivate him as he's obsessed with being "on green light." We use yellow as a warning and usually it is paired with time out. Red means no TV. No TV is crazy-devastating for Cade. As long as we stay consistent, I think the stoplight is a good fit for Cade right now. Heaven help us with this strong-willed little dude.

Funnies:
When the check-out lady at Hobby Lobby asked Cade how he was doing he sighed, slumped his shoulders and said, "Well, I'm on red light right now." I explained that meant no TV but that he would make better decisions tomorrow. Luckily she jumped on board and explained how important it is to listen and obey parents. Thanks you, Hobby Lobby lady!

He plays a game with Matt where they say "silly words" back and forth to each other. What gets me is that they're not really silly words, they are regular words, you just have to laugh like it's hysterical after the other person says something. I still don't really get it. But Cade's always saying "let's say silly words to each other!"

He stated he wanted to wear his "shirt that shows his armpits" meaning his sleeveless OSU jersey from G-Mom.

Interprets several Disney characters names his own way. Aboob (Abu from Aladdin), Scarf (Scar in Lion King), Winnie the Poop, Mr. Sneeze (Smee in Neverland Pirates). It's all too cute to correct.

He's a hilarious little guy. Full of energy and excited about getting out there and living life. Soaking everything up like a sponge. I'm thankful that we get to be his parents, and constantly praying that God will continue to equip us for the job!

Oh, September

I can't say that I really mind that September has flown by, but I thought I better reassure you that the daily grind has not killed me or anything.

As school has started back up (which is like over a month ago now, can I really still consider this my adjustment phase?!) I've had to decide what gets cut out. So far blogging and watering my plants did not make the cut. Oh and deep cleaning. Ain't nobody got time for that. I feel it's "gold-star worthy" just to keep up with the laundry, dishes, meals, and a somewhat tidy home. Can I get an amen?

Actually our day to day schedules are running pretty smoothly. I'm using my menu board and doing plenty of freezer cooking and meal prep on the weekends to help out during the week. Things are actually going so smoothly that I hate to acknowledge it. Because, you know, in "Mom World" the minute you think "I've got this" something major falls through the cracks or disastrous occurs. It's like a law of nature. So let's just keep this between us.

I've taken significantly fewer pics, apparently I only document life in the summers.

Attempting to capture the moment before church one Sunday.

This is not how I originally thought this would turn out, but what activity with your children does turn out as planned?!

Reese has discovered that she loves to shove food down her shirt or just take her shirt off altogether during meals. It's fine.

This was one of the my favorite moments lately. I have such wonderful friends willing to move "Fun with J & D" to my place and even let Cade help out. Cade's so lucky to get a private cooking lesson with his future FACS teacher, Mrs. Gibson!

Hope everyone is doing well and not letting the "daily grind" get them down!

Preschool, Meet Cade

It's been so fun seeing everyone's "first day" pics come across Facebook and Instagram. What an exciting time! We are no different here. Preschool, meet Cade!

We attended the Open House last week and then Tuesday was the big day! His first day! He's already completed his first "homework" assignment. Gotta get in the habit of checking the homework folder.

Getting details from Cade is like trying to solve some sort of crime with no witnesses and no evidence. So it's tough to tell...but I think it's going well? I can't seem to locate our Preschool Handbook...epic "Mom fail" already. I'll keep looking. Deep down I'm pretty sure Matt lost it?

Labor Day in the Bend

I love me some Labor Day. I'm always so thankful that I'm rewarded with Labor Day...even after barely having "labored" since summer break. We traveled to the Bend to meet up with my family and celebrate September birthdays. Ice cream cake, yes please.

We wanted to take a picture after church on Sunday...but no one was around to take it. Except Cade, that is.

18 tries later...

Not bad, Cade!

The kids always love getting to do fun activities that are out of the norm of their regularly scheduled programming. This weekend included, running through the sprinkler, watering the tomatoes (and fence), fishing with Papa, using the neighbors toys, and enjoying watching a Bobcat tractor tear up the neighbors yard. See? Jam-packed with entertainment for all!

My dad organized a little fishing trip for the boys on Saturday morning. He was so excited about it. It was pretty cute.

The kids were great on the way home so we made a stop in Emporia at Braums. Cade insisted on "brown ice cream in a cone." And we all know I'm a pushover when it comes to ice cream. Reese clearly shares my excitement for treats. And although it took Cade just short of FOREVER to finish his cone so we could get back on the road, it was one of the sweetest moments just sitting there enjoying the kids. They are fun.

Three-day-weekends are fun. Three weeks until the next one!

Back to School

We enjoyed be-bopping around the back-to-school picnic...and then it happened.

We transitioned back to the working world. And we're doing fine. The kids seem to fit right in at the new sitter and I'm enjoying being back in my classroom at school.
I've always liked that I get to teach a couple sections of each grade-level so I get to have many of the same students over and over. Love those 3-peat FACSies. Most of them.

Our school building was painted over the summer and my FACS room got a facelift too! (Mainly so we can fit MORE kids in!) New tables, chairs, countertops, some appliances, sewing machines & cabinets, and a fancy demo mirror. Woo-hoo! Here's a sneak peak at all my new loot!

Love my personalized Erin Condren planner from Peggy!

Of course I miss our lazy days of summer, but I'm thankful that I really do enjoy my work at school. Now just to perfect that balance of things running smoothly both at home and at work...

It's Over, Baby

Summer. Over, done, gone, in the books.

It's alright to shed a few tears. It really is.

Because with each summer that comes and goes--it doesn't get easier. It gets harder. The summers get better, the kids get older and we have more fun as we interact and get out and do things. My heart hurts a little knowing that I won't be here when they wake up. (My heart hurts thinking about how early I will have to get up, actually!!) I'm sure I'll be missing funny things they say, and I won't be here to answer the questions they ask.

But it's alright. There's no absolute right or wrong way to be a mom. We all just do the best we can whether we work in or out of the home. I'm lucky I get to spend time doing both. I'm thankful for a job I truly enjoy. I'm thankful for the wonderful memories we made this summer.

It's time to put on my big-girl pants and head back to school. But just know that it's alright to cry about it too.

Enough about that...here are the last few outings of the summer.

Paradise Park with cousins Lukas & Lawson. Definitely something we'll hit up again next summer!

There was a little "cooking" part where the kids decorated cookies and I thanked my lucky stars I teach middle school kids and not toddlers!

Ah, the pool. Took advantage of the sunny days!

Enjoyed time with Aunt Gentry and had a really fun time with Aunt Beth this week too!

Another trip to the zoo...superhero day spiced it up a bit!

Oh yes, and I felt these next few deserved a quick mention.

We've started using a "stoplight" system with Cade. It's really gone well. I think it's helping give him a visual for the choices he's making. He REALLY desires to be on green...so that helps. Red = no TV. Which is pretty much the end of the world to Cade.

I think this was actually on my birthday. I spent the afternoon of my birthday dealing with a clogged drain and wet basement carpet. I'm a real idiot when it comes to stuff like this. Had no clue what to do. Luckily, I plunged the drain, the standing water went down, I pulled back the carpet, soaked up the water I could see and put fans on it for awhile. Doesn't this picture look like I know what I'm doing?!

Does anyone else do this? I have so many pics on my phone of the kids sleeping. They just look so cute and innocent. And quiet. Also, sometimes Cade gets caught red-handed defying us by falling asleep in the hall.

Next summer will be the best yet, and will be here before I know it, right?!