It's 2014!

So far 2014 has been going pretty well.  Tyler is thriving every day and can't believe he is going to be 5 months very soon.  He sits up (almost unsupported) and is really becoming aware of his world. Remember how I told you how much of a sleeper he is...well, not so much. He gets his usual morning nap and now only takes one nap in the afternoon (opposed to 2).  He is so intrigued into playing and wanting to be learning more in his new world that he could care less so by the time 6:30 pm comes around he is pooped.  I try and feed him cereal around that time so that he has an extra full belly but if he falls asleep in his bouncer while Hunter is getting a bath then I'm like oh well.  On average, with or without the cereal he will sleep in his crib about 7 hours.  Then when he wakes in the middle of the night I bring him back in the bed with us.  I know that soon I need to break this habit but I really enjoy this.  I tell Sean all the time that if this is our last baby, that I'm going to enjoy every bit of him!  Haha.  He doesn't mind but he does ask me every now and then how long its gonna last and I just tell him when I'm ready I will keep him in his crib all night. Haha. It's so funny how from having Hunter I was so adamant about him not being in the bed and creating a habit to now where I'm just a bit more relaxed about it. I'm almost there but not quite yet.  Tyler and Hunter are both doing really great together.  They love each other so much.  It makes my heart melt every time I see some sort of interaction between them.  Here is a video that I ended up catching the end of Tyler cracking up at Hunter running back and forth across the room. I'm sure you all are like me, by the time I catch them doing something, its almost too late.  I'm always ready just seems like I'm 2 minutes too late! 

I have also started working at a job from home.  It wasn't absolutely necessary for me to do this but someone from my former firm asked me to help her with some job recruiting for her own agency where I could do it part time and remotely.  So of course, I said why not?!  I was actually getting to the point of wanting to do "something" not just to make an income but something where I was feeling like I was important or contributing to society in someway.  I know. It's been a little hard adjusting from working full time to being home now so now that I have been officially off "maternity leave", I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do and I found it!  On top of this, I had to make a decision and put Hunter back in school full time instead of the part time that he was going every week.  It was tough for me and I felt pretty guilty because that was the whole point of me not going back to work so that I could be with the boys but honestly,  Hunter does very well in school.  I was realizing that the days that he was there (part time) that he was coming home and listening to me very well and also he was eating more there than he was at home. Hunter is such a picky eater and when I would come to pick him up the teachers would brag about him eating so well (like green beans and carrots!!!) where I was like no way!! He doesn't even touch them at home.  After learning about him doing so well there, I realized that it was "OK" for me to have him there full time and then I can just go pick him up around 3:30.  Plus, after I talked to his director at his school she convinced me that leaving him a couple more hours than what I did before wasn't so bad because he takes a nap for 2.5 hours during that time.  Sean is still working as much as he can because I'm working strictly off commission but at the same time everything seems to be balancing perfectly.  At the same time, I am still grateful to be home and have flexibility with my children and would not trade this for anything.  I am so happy that I am able to be close to them (even if Hunter is up the street in school) and be able to work at the same time whereas before I felt so trapped and had zero flexibility.

I meant to write about this is my last blog but Marley has decided to move onto another home.  I knew it was a matter of time because he started coming home for dinner less and less.  I do feel bad because I feel like I failed as a pet owner but at the same time, I'm relieved.  It's a lot with 2 kids and 2 pets.  Millie is pretty high maintenance herself but she was my first "baby" so I am not ever complaining about her and plus she is really great with the boys. Anyway, so we just have Millie now.  From time to time, Hunter will casually mention the "kitty" and we just tell him that he is at a new home and he is okay. We will miss him and glad that he is happier with a new family that can give him more attention that we could (that's what makes me sad).

Sean bought me an Elliptical machine for Christmas and I'm working out like crazy to lose the rest of this baby weight.  I have taken a Before photo and I'm giving myself a 2 months to lose this weight.  It's so hard when you breastfeed because I feel starving all the time or at least in my case but I'm determined to lose the rest of this weight and will keep you guys posted.  So in 2 months, you will see the Before and After photo.

Here's a couple more photos of the boys that Sean took while watching them one day while I needed to go train for my new job.  So cute.  

Another "Paci" photo where Hunter needed to have his too.  

Tyler gives great head massages..  =)

Cheers to 2014!

Wow. I just realized that I written a post since Thanksgiving!  As you can see, I am a busy mom.  My life right now is seriously my boys (including Sean).  It has been tough adjusting from that full time working mom to being a house wife/mom but after 4 months now, I think I have the hang of it.  Hunter is still going strong with the "terrible 2" thing and Tyler is teething bad.  He will be 4 months old this week which is really hard to believe and when I sit and think about how fast he is growing, I shed tears.  He is 16 pounds, wears a size 3 diaper, wears 6-9 month clothes, rolls over each way and scoots a little now when he is on the floor.  He also recently has cut his first tooth.  I know.  Some days, I'm like, what happened to my little baby?  It also doesn't help when Hunter was gaining ounces at a time and not pounds at a time like Tyler.  Hunter is going to have a brother that is bigger than him at this rate.  Hunter weighs 25 pounds (maybe 26).  He is going to be lean like his daddy and I guess Tyler is just taking after me..hahaha.  Either way, they are both doing great.  Hunter is talking a ton and actually speaking 2-3 word sentences like crazy which I think that I am the only one who really knows every word he says, but hey, he says it!  We put him in swimming lessons for awhile just to keep him in the water because our pool is chilly right now.  He did very well.  At one point he was the youngest in his group and received 2 ribbons for excelling.  Sean has been working a lot but was able to take some time off around the holiday so that we could all be together and he could take a break.  It was well worth it to have him home.  I even got a few days that I could sleep in!   I wouldn't really call it sleeping in because I did have to feed Tyler when he woke up and plus I just can't sleep in anymore.  Either way it was nice because I didn't have to get up right when Hunter starts yelling "Mommmma!" around 7:30 am. BTW, we don't even use the monitor for him anymore because he yells so loud! 

 

We had a wonderful Christmas and was so grateful that my mom (Mimi) could be here.  She was such a great help and I was able to actually relax and drink a few glasses of wine (well, more than a few =).  Sean and I went out a lot and her and I went out a few times too.  Between Santa, all the grandparents (we can't thank them enough) and of course Sean and I, Hunter and Tyler were so spoiled on Christmas day (in a good way).  It got to the point that Hunter was just done opening presents so I took all the ones that he didn't unwrap (along with some that were already opened) and put them in a big box in his closet to save for a rainy day. He had a toy overload!  His Mimi got him this huge remote control truck that was bigger than he was!:

 

 

 

And he also got a remote control Fire Truck that lights up and the ladder extends out and up on it that he manually just drive around the house:

 

He is all boy!

 

Tyler got a cool little bumbo seat from his Maw Maw and Paw that he can play on and can be used for him to feed on.  Tyler loves it because he can sit right on the floor with Hunter and watch him play with his cars.  Hunter also got a stock pile of new shoes from them until he turns probably 5.  Tyler also enjoyed his very 1st Christmas =)

 

My sweet little boy. 

 

Our big gift that we gave Hunter this year was the train table with his Thomas the Train set.  Fortunately, I bought the train table off of Craigslist for $50 and one of my good friends gave me all of her nephews Thomas the Train sets.  The train set that she gave me was so enormous that there was no way we couldn't even fit it all on the table. We figured we can set it up bigger somewhere else as he gets older. Right now, the patio is a perfect spot.  He really loves it and is so into "choo choo" trains now.

 

"no cheese, mom"!

 

I'll spare you all the other toys they both got but that was just to name a few. I hosted Christmas this year at my house (usually it's at Sean's mom's) and without the help of my mom, I couldn't have pulled it off with all the cooking.  She helped me out a ton and we all had a great time.  Hunter and Tyler  literally had a second Christmas present opening at our house between all the gifts that his sister and grandparents gave so Hunter was busy and on a "toy high" with that.  Tyler actually managed to take a little nap while there was so much excitement going on with everyone.  Phewww, just thinking back to that day exhausts me!  LOL. It was all worth it though. 

 

 

Sean's sister, Marnie got engaged to her fiancée Eric on Christmas Eve so we were celebrating that also. 

 

Congrats, Marnie and Eric!

In between Christmas, we managed to go to the Broward County Fair where Hunter had a blast.  I am not a fan of riding on rides at a fair but I loosened up because the rides that Hunter could only go on (obviously) were on the ground and didn't do much so I was ok with it.  Tyler, of course, slept the whole time.  He is such a great baby to take anywhere =)

 

 

 

Hunter just won a turtle playing a water gun game with Mimi and wanted to run around with it so this was the photo we got.

 

Also, we can't have a visit where we don't go to the park with Mimi so here we are one afternoon just hanging out and burning some energy off of Hunter:

 

 

 

 

 

I love my Mimi!

 

My mom and I went to lunch down by the beach one afternoon and were able to go to the Hard Rock one night and hang out. It was nice just being with her like old times minus the kids.  Sean is such a great babysitter =)

 

Notice the glass of wine....

 

 

At the Hard Rock!

 

I do have to take this time out to remember back when I had Hunter how in 3 more days from today I would be going back to work (see blog here).  I am very fortunate to be able to not go back to work this time with Tyler and have such a hard working husband.  I've realized that even though I have more tougher days than  I want, I'm still fortunate to be at home raising both of them.  So cheers to the new 2014 year! 

 

Turkey Blessings...

I can't believe that it's Thanksgiving already! Time flies when you're busy!   I feel like everyone wants Thanksgiving to hurry up so that they can go ahead and move onto Christmas.  I admit. This year, I am one of them. I already have my Christmas Tree and a few decorations up but we do have a lot to be thankful for and I'm especially thankful for having my wonderful family.  My husband is such a great dad and husband and is always thinking of us and what we need.  He always makes sure that whenever he is out to make sure that if we need anything before he gets home  to get it for us.  For instance, our outdoor fridge is always stocked with milk because both him and Hunter are such milk drinkers  so I never have to think twice about making sure to have any.  He is also working extra shifts every month to make sure that we make ends meet and to have a little extra so that I can stay home with the boys.  I truly am blessed.  Also, as you all know,  I am extremely thankful for my boys.  They couldn't be any more cuter and love that I have them to squeeze and kiss. I look forward to them as they grow and make memories with each other. 

 

This year Hunter and Tyler are thankful for the following things:

 

Hunter 

• His mommy and daddy and especially his baby brother =)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• All of his grandparents who all spoil him terribly (Nana and Grandpa Jim, Paw and Maw Maw, Grandma and Grandpa Weeks and Mimi)
• His swimming pool
• His play room where he can go bananas in and pull out every truck, toy and block and make mommy beg me to help clean it up everyday before bedtime =)
• His cars and choo choo's
• His Cars and Nemo movies

 

 

• His little school
• His milk, cookies, cake and peanut butter and jellies!
• His naptime for when he thinks he can get out all of his books and whatever else he can find from his shelves and put them all around his room before he finally passes out

 

• His "bubbas" (bubbles)
• His pockets in his shorts to shove as many cars into
• Getting out all of mommy's pots and pans out and matching the lids every evening while mommy cooks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• His Lullaby Elmo and "Googas" at night

 

Tyler

 

•  His mommy for producing his milk for him "on demand" and all times of the day.
•  His big brother who surrounds him with his toys on a daily basis and expects him to play (so cute!) and daddy for holding me and making silly faces at me while mommy makes dinner!
•  All of his grandparents as well who spoil him terribly!
•  His pacifiers! (this is one of mommy's too!)
•  His swing (unfortunately, this is the last week for him to be in it due to him getting a flat head...lol)
• His crib (during the day..lol)

 

• His activity mats and bouncer so he can exercise and coo
• His white noise machine because without this my mommy would not get any sleep

• All of the fans and lights that mommy and daddy have in the house because I am obsessed with them!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  

 

 

 

 

The Moon and Googas!

Since Hunter was about 20 months old he has had this obsession for "googas" or as we know it, stars.  We have no idea where he developed this word for it and he is well aware what the real name of it is.  When we read a book and I ask him where the star is he will point to it and then say, "googa"!  If there is anything that has a "googa" on it, he wants it. This also crosses over into the marine life where he loves starfish too.  It's so funny.  I recently was cleaning out his closet and found his ladybug (which he thinks is a turtle) that displays the moon and stars on the wall when you turn out the lights:

 

He absolutely loves it and at bedtime he lays there and changes the colors of the moon and "googas" until he passes out versus banging his feet on the wall and getting up and trying to play while in the dark. This has kept us from going in there and telling him to stop.  We have also put a lot of the those glow in the dark stars on his wall but the brightness of the stars have worn out so they aren't as bright.  So in place of those glow in the dark stars the ladybug and also on his sound machine there is a slide that contains the moon and stars that he has to have on until he goes to sleep.  I'm sure that you have probably assumed that he is the number one fan of the "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" song.  We sing it to him every night while he throws a little fit about the idea of going to bed and while we sing it he realizes that he is tired and wants to get into bed and cuddle with his blanky's and the ladybug.  Also, when we are on Youtube looking at other random videos that he likes he will always make sure that he gets his fair share of some "googas" aka "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" songs too.   He is so cute about the "googas" and we wonder how long he will have this obsession and call them that.  (Please note that we when he says "googas" we always refer back to him as stars since we are working on his language development).

 

 

We have also decided on putting Hunter back in school part time.  Not just because I need a break for 5 hours 3 days a week but the fact that he does miss other kids.  Plus we know that it will help with his language development too just from interacting with them and so far it has been working really well.  I was somewhat hesitant on doing it because I didn't want him to contract all those viruses again and bring them home to his new baby brother but it hasn't been an issue (keeping my fingers crossed).  I admit its nice while its there because I can get a lot of work done around the house, work out and just spend some one-on-one time with Tyler.  So its been working really well for all of us. 

 

Other than that, we've been keeping busy and I have found some relief by keeping Hunter on a pretty strict regime here at the house.  Not that I didn't keep him on any type of schedule but I have just tuned it up more outside of his usual naptime and bedtime.  I have to thank my sister in law for this.  She is a pre-K teacher so she knows how well kids do when they have a more structured schedule.  I made notecards (nothing fancy) where I have written the word and a picture of what we will do next and made a little pocket where he puts them in when we switch activities.  Here is what I have:

 

• Whatever time he wakes to about 9:30 am (this time frame is for me because he obviously can't tell time)  - get dressed, eat breakfast, watch a little TV and playtime
• 9:30-11am - do an arts and crafts activity (this can range anywhere from painting to just simple coloring), snack and outside play
• 11 to 12:30 - lunchtime,  clean up  and naptime (my personal fave)
• whatever time he wakes - usually around 3 - snack, outside play or indoor play (I just let him pick).
• 5:30ish - dinnertime
• 6-8 pm - bath time, playtime and TV show if his choice (usually either Cars, Nemo or Barney)
• between 8-8:30 - Brush teeth, "googa"time and lights out!

I put this right at our kitchen where he sees it. 

Not that we didn't have some sort of schedule for him but having him actually put the new activity card in the pocket has really helped him have an easier time of switching activities so that there is no room for temper tantrums and there has been less Time Outs. This has taken about a week for me to see results but overall its worked pretty well.  There are times where we stretch some of the time frames or days where its raining and obviously we can't go outside so then I have to create something else for him to do.  Sometimes I even forget to have him change the card and he reminds me by running to it and having me find the card for him to put next.  So he really does pay attention to it.  That's my pat on the back when he does that. =) 

Love these boys.