Home Sweet Home????

House hunting has started and I have to admit what we've seen so far has been rather disappointing to say the least!  A house which would be easily affordable still comes with a ton of work that needs to be done, and the ones that are ready to live in are $75,000 more.  The age of the houses too is a concern, why is there so many houses that are close to 100 years old, don't the people living in the newer houses ever move? We will find something eventually I do know that but what will it be?
It was fun however watching Brylee race from room to room this weekend in a house with tons of space Hahaha she was sure having fun showing our realtor, Janet, the house from her point of view.  She would take Janets hand and walk her from room to room as if to point out its merits or issues.  So cute!  We will keep looking and cross our fingers that we fnd what we are looking for or something close to it!

" I Drink! "

" I drink!" declared Brylee proudly Saturday night at 11:30pm after snagging my Aunts rum and coke off the table and taking a face full.  This was after trying to have a sip of someones wine glass that was left on the table.  We left my aunt and uncles' anniversary celebration with a 2 year old who smelled like an 18 year old after their first night at the bar.  LOL  She was one of the highlights of the party I think, she visited everyone and even shared her crackers with people she didn't know.  She ran with the big kids and danced with the adults.  She partied harder than I did! Madden did great too although he didn't "drink" anything besides his milk.  He cuddled all the ladies, slept in tons of arms and generally charmed everyone he loved up.  It was so nice to see all my aunts and uncles, cousins and their families.  So many of them have kids now, there is definitely a new generation to run and beg to play outside in the dark.  I am sure that all the kids slept hard when they finally went to bed, hopefully sleeping in too so that the parents who were up just as late were able to recover too.  Good times!

Doctor Doctor give me the news!

Yesterday was Madden's 4 month appointment and it made me think of all the differences that there are between my two babies .  Madden weighs the same as Brylee did at 8 months, at 4 months Brylee was only 13lbs and Madden is currently 17.5lbs!  He actually wore a pair of Brylee's old jeans size 12-18 months, which amazes me.  He is such a healthy boy, full of rolls and dimples.  Its a whole new experience for me since Brylee was so tiny from the time she was born, she never really developed the chubby baby look.  Part of me longs for the ease of maintaining a small baby's wardrobe since they never seem to grow out of something.  However the constant growth allows me to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes.....shopping!  It seems like daily that I find Maddens clothes are no longer big enough, the pile continues to grow and some things he never got to wear at all.  There is a list a mile long of things he needs again, guess I'd better get the credit card ready!

Cherishing every moment....yes even the cranky ones!

Today I heard some very sad news about a mom whose little boy (2) drowned.  She was pregnant at the same time as me delivering in August.  I talked to her infrequently on the babyfit forum so I wouldn't say I KNEW her but we did share some of the most private and intimate changes one goes through during pregnancy.  I can only imagine the pain and anguish she and her family and friends are experiencing right now.  Her loss makes me realize how very lucky I am to have 2 healthy and beautiful children beside me right now, it makes me want to gather them in my arms and keep them safe.  Human life is so incredibly fragile and I don't think we always realize it.  We go out into everyday thinking nothing like that will happen to us.  I'm sure they thought that too!  So cherish every moment with you children, yes even the "you are driving me crazy with the whining" and the "pulling my hair out" moments; there are so many mothers out there that would happily trade places with you!  They long for the screaming, the crying, the fighting, the sleepless nights, the potty training, and everything in between.  So tonight when you put your kids to bed, squeeze them a little longer and remember all the Mom's and Dad's who have lost a child.

Food Fight!

Why does everything involving kids and food have to be a fight? Brylee has gotten to be very obstinate about what she will and will not eat....for example, I made muffins this morning and Brylee kept saying "I wuv uffins!"  she ate 1/2 and then decided it was yucky! lol  couldn't have been that bad!  She insists on opening the fridge to make her own snack but the only thing that appeals to her is the rice vinegar in the door.  After being told that its not to eat she puts it away and closes the door only to have a meltdown minutes later because she wants the "ger"!  She is a grazer so always needs something around for her to nibble on, but not just anything, she has to want it!  Madden on the other hand is thankfully too young to tell me what he wants, although our adventures into solids has really started!  If you give him cereal he will gleefully shovel his hands, both of course at the same time, into his mouth so he can play with it before he swallows. Makes for a very messy boy, to which his reply is a very large and cereal filled grin! We have tried some fruit and vegetables but so far he really doesn't like them, the banana especially!  The face he made was priceless!  Such a change from Brylee who couldn't get enough of the fruits and vegetables.  He is still a very big eater though and if it continues Randy will have to get a second job when Madden hits the teen years or we will be eaten out of house and home. I am glad however that they are both healthy eaters. I can only imagine what the future of mealtime will have in store for us, one thing is certain there had better be plenty of food!

Who are you at the circus?

I bought my 2 year old daughter a circus toy on the weekend and as I looked at it I realize just how much like the circus the life of a SAHM is.  In my eyes I am the juggler, constantly trying to keep many balls up in the air at one time, trying to not let a single one drop.  Just when you think you've mastered it someone tosses another in the mix!  I am the acrobat always seeking balance between the kids, cleaning, cooking and the oh so precious ME time.  The clown trying to keep young kids entertained, performing in ways that you would never dream you could.  Then finally the janitorial staff, the circus show has ended for the day and now it is time to clean up the mess left behind.  Once that is done, you go to sleep only to start over the very next day.  So my question is who are you in the circus?  The kids are the audience and most definitely the ring masters of the day.  They determine everything, without them there would  be no circus!