Growing Up & Spreading Out

Being a mom, I am growing as a person right along my kids and how they emerge into little beings. They grow like weeds. Their personalities are showing and I am learning so much from them. They are teaching me patience (which is spread thin) and forgiveness.
They are validating my sewing passion and business, making me strive to the next level. Our little family is growing (not the number, just in gereral) and our business is sprouting as well. I couldn't be more content with how things are. I am happy.

Jack is nearly three and is very independent with a mind of his own. His favorite choice phrase is "No I cannot." Emphasis CAN NOT. It's been hard seeing this little boy get frustrated, throw tantrums and talk back lately but it's another part of the growth process I guess. Threes are the worst, so I have heard.

Bailey is almost 9 months and near crawling. She scoots backwards and zips around the kitchen in her walker but for the most part she is focused on trying to stand - at all times. She just wants to be like Jack - running amock and playing all day. She idolizes him and this is by far the best thing about parenting to me; seeing your children love eachother unconditionally. It's only a matter of time before her first birthday approaches in May and time will speed yet again. I love capturing these moments...

Today was an epic day for baby Jack blankets. For a week I have been prepping for a meeting with the merchandising manager at the Milwaukee County Zoo and today was the day. We discussed opportunities of having our animal print silk loveys in the MKE Cty Zoo gift shops and everything looks promising. I have a tendancy of getting in over my head so I am staying positive that things will work out. He was interested in carrying them in their store and having them stocked by Memorial Weekend. AND Jack and Bailey will be on the Point of Sale signage - how amazing. Everything I do is for my kids and to see my creations with my babies on the signage in a very public high traffic gift shoppe is a true success for me. It is a stepping stone of getting the word out about my product and I am elated right now. Fingers crossed the final details go through next week!

Potty Mouth While on the Potty

So today Jack had his first #1 and #2 in a public restroom. He was a bunch of nerves but he had that look in his eyes like he needed to go. After taking him in the restroom several times, he finally told me his tummy hurt. I sat him on the potty and OMG. The kid just ripped away without a fear. I love him at this age, quite fearless.
After proceeding to toot away, he left a little remnant in the potty. Seeing it for the first time after all that noise, he yelled OH SHIT, OH MAN. My jaw dropped but I attempted to not make a big deal of it. I just said, let's use our words and say Oh Dear or Oh Gosh.

This adventure left him telling the entire restaurant that he pooped and peed and it left me speechless - which does not happen often.

A feces kind of day

Changed 3 dirty diapers of Bailey this AM. Already the morning was a blur. Here's my afternoon after naps.
Jack pooped on the potty! YAY. *% it fell off his butt and onto his foot. He shook it off. I cleaned up mess.
Bailey ARMY CRAWLED today!! Backwards! It was a proud moment. No poo can bring me down today.
Bailey pooped. (a suprise while changing her diaper) Jack needed to poop. I changed her and put her in crib.
Jack pooped. Attempted to take off his underwear and put it in the potty. Underwear too. Cleaned up mess.
Bailey screaming. I forgot to put a diaper on her after last change. She peed in crib. Switched crib sheet.

I dont know how many times I washed my hands and still found some sort of grossness on me. Cleaning house and showering again.

A Mom Moment

I just returned from taking Jack to his Pre 3K class and got in my car and sobbed. You know that uncontrolable snotty sob for no reason? At least it was a happy sob...all because my mini man is growing up. I am reasurred by my own mother that there will be many more of these moments.

Since Friday we have been potty training Jack and it has been going a lot better than expected. He caught on completely by Sunday and I have my husband to thank, after all Jack realized that Mommy cannot pee on Cheerios the way Daddy does. (yes we had the anatomy talk). He has been doing great and telling others (Gramee) that he has to go and will run to the bathroom and do his business. I am amazed, proud and have chalked up another transition into boyhood. Do other moms get this weepy during these transitions? I remember the last time I sobbed like this was when we took down his crib and he started sleeping in his Big Boy Bed.

Anyways, Jack was nervous about going to school this morning and it was a battle getting both kids out of the house. He was scared about the school potty and I explained how nice his teachers are and that they there to help him. The moment he arrived, he was so proud and confident; talking about peeing at the school potty (I think they have a urinal!). I collected his things in his mailbox and noticed an adorable Christmas card to Brian and I with a picture of him and lost it...cried at how grown up he looks. Sobbing in my car, the uncontrolable snotty sob.

As I wait at home - keeping busy - until 11:30 pickup time, I cross my fingers for a great day for him with no accidents. Either way, he is growing up so fast and there is nothing I can do about it except embrace the change and give him a hug & smile.

My Relection

I have been overanalyzing this post for days. I want to reflect on the year that has passed but simply put, it was great. My daughter was born. Business is strong. My family is in good health. I surround myself with great people. I have grown as a person, as a mother, as a wife and friend. I have found new love in another little being. I understand the power of forgiveness and am trying every day to forgive myself for my own faults. I am trying to smile more and be positive, think less of bad thoughts and write out my blessings.

I find it funny how many people have talked to me on how positive I am and how it appears easy for me being at home with the kids. In all honesty, it is a thousand times harder to be positive than focus on the negative and simply stated: this blog helps.  I tend to not think before I speak and writing things down allows me to erase...it allows me to put myself in check and really reflect on all that is great in my life. It's my therapy.

So cheers to 2011, thank you for being kind. Thank you for introducing me to many great things and allowing me to journal them. 2012 will be grand as I know we will make a lot more memories as a family of four.

Christmas has come and gone...

We had a very busy Merry Christmas - celebrating another first family of four. We created new traditions and memories for our family to take part in for years to come. I enjoyed our new kitchen, decorating and removing some of the clutter in our home in order to get ready for the holiday.  Now we just need to move out more unused and unwanted things to make room for the new.

Here are some pictures from our morning of Christmas & Christmas Eve fun at my mom's & then later at my dads. I am extremely happy that we made it to the Children's Christmas Mass this year as Jack is obsessed with nativity scenes and the kids at church reinacted Silent Night live - adorable. Definitely an annual tradition of ours we created.