Happy Birthday K!

My sweet K,

Today you turn 2, and what a vivacious two-year old you are.  This past year has been full of amazing accomplishments for you.  Standing up, walking, starting to talk, these were all things we were so apprehensive about.  You were taking your time, your own schedule.  But you've mastered these skills with ferocity.  You run after your sister, climb everything, jump everywhere, and are every bit the chatterbox, even if we don't always know what you are saying.

You are so tiny, that its hard for me to treat you less like a baby and more like a little girl.  I still want to cradle you in my arms, snuggle you, and smother you with kisses, but you have other ideas now.  There are things you want to do and see, games to play, and dresses to wear.

Oh, the dresses.  Anything frilly, fluffly, ruffled, twirly, sparkly, you insist on wearing that moment, even if you have to pull the tutu over your jammies yourself.  You want fancy shoes all the time and dance around like a ballerina.  Just don't try to put your hair up.  That led to your first haircut, courtesy of mom.  You are rocking those bangs darling!

I love to watch you play, see you creating scenes and conversations with your dolls, words that only you understand right now.  You carry your baby doll around and pat her bum, sing her songs, and put her down for "na-nights".  You get so frustrated when you have trouble changing their clothes because you want to do it yourself so badly.  Its okay to ask for help sweetie, just be patient, you'll get it.

You are the embodiment of two year old extremes, adorably sweet and loving, and then a moment later in full tantrum on the floor because I helped button your doll's dress.  "No Mummy!" is often followed by kisses and hugs, and that sweet dimpled smile that gets me every time.  You love to dance at night and play "DJ" with the toy Weeble house.  We love to dance with you.

When we were anticipating your arrival into our little family, I would worry that I wouldn't have enough love for you too, that my heart was already so full with your Daddy and your big sister T.  Well, I didn't have to worry at all.  You have made my heart one hundred times bigger.  My love for you is so overwhelming.  Sometimes I have to let myself tear up a bit, just to release some of it.  You have completed our family in so many ways.  We are so thankful for who you are and every moment of your life.  Happy Birthday K!

Ninja vs. Mom

Ever wonder how your mom always just knew exactly what you were doing?
Here, I present to you proof that moms are ninjas...

http://www.rottenecards.com/ecards/Rottenecards_98731047_gmbjqhr87w.png

Skill                          Ninja                                                 Mom

Eyesight        Can detect the slightest movement.        Can find lost binkies in the dark.

Stealth          Can sneak up on their opponent.           Can escape baby's room undetected.

Agility          Skilled in hand to hand combat.             Can nurse, change a diaper, and cook    
                                                                                       simultaneously.
Attire            Black shinobi shozoku.                         Black yoga pants.

Strength        Can overpower their enemies.               Can carry an infant, toddler, diaper bag, and
                                                                                       groceries at one time.
Hearing        Ultra sensitive.                                        Knows the second her toddler is out of bed.

Stamina        Great strength and endurance.                Can carry out normal activities on 4 hours of
                                                                                      interrupted sleep.

Clearly, moms have innate skills and intense training to carry out every day activities.  Need further proof? I dare you to sneak up on a mom - if you can...

The Miracle Clean

When I was recovering from labor with T, I spent my 48 hour hospital stay watching HGTV.  I was completely hooked on home improvement shows and loved all the kitchen they featured with granite counters and stainless steel appliances.  Not long afterward, we did our own kitchen remodel that I wrote about here.

We just finished the kitchen renovation of the apartment we rent out.  We wanted to upgrade our stove, so we planned a little switcheroo, our one-year old stove to the apartment and a new stove for us.  The problem is that after one year, our "stainless" steel stove looked like this:

I've tried several stainless steel cleaners and none of them removed the water stains.  It looked terrible.  I felt horrible sending it over to the new apartment kitchen.  A little research on Google turned up some recommendation for silver polish or Bartender's Keeper, but I was home alone with the girls sleeping upstairs and couldn't go anywhere, so my search continued for something I already had.  And that's when I discovered a recommendation for WD-40.

In disbelief, I tried a tiny area first.  I was completely shocked and in an instant, I had removed all of the water stains from the oven door!

Looks amazing, right?!  Like new, you might say?  I went on to remove the grease that had remained on the control panel as well.  Suffice it to say that when the stove went to the apartment, it fit right in with the new fridge and microwave!

All thanks to my new little friend!...

Monday Blues

I've noticed these past few months that Mondays are hard days for my girls.  We've just spent the weekend together doing family things: errands, big breakfast, trip to the playground or zoo.  We really make the most of those two days together.

Come Monday, the fun grinds to a halt and we're back in the zone: get up, get dressed, eat up, get your coat on and get out the door.  T seems especially sad on Mondays.  Sometimes she shows it by being thoughtful and drawn inward.  Sometimes, she's outright defiant and pushing every-single-button.  Most times, she just doesn't say goodbye as we drop Daddy off or give me kisses as I leave her at daycare.

Mondays are hard.

Yesterday, she was especially sad.  Knowing that we have a long weekend and a trip home coming up, I thought I would cheer her up with this good news.  She responded well and seemed much happier.  She loves going to Grammie's house and seeing her "friends", aka her cousins.

A few more minutes into our trip, K started to whine and howl.  Being the amazing big sister she is, T tried to comfort her with this, "Don't worry K.  Just a few days of school and then they won't leave us anymore!".

That was the sound of my heart breaking.

I spent a couple more minutes hugging her yesterday morning, and afternoon, and night, and again this morning.  I reminded her how much we love her and that we miss her too during the day.  I also reminded her how much she loves her teacher Ms. Vecky and how much fun she has at daycare.  Maybe all we need is a good long vacation together.  Maybe I just needed a reminder that I have amazing daughters who love their mom and dad so much.

Maybe, just maybe, I'm doing something right.

So encouraged

I have been overwhelmed by the love and support I received after yesterday's blog post.  So many of you commented, sent private messages, text messages or called to encourage me and send your love.  Thank you so much for everything!  I am truly lucky because of the love and support I receive from all of you - my extended family!

In particular, I'd like to thank a couple of people.  My sister- and brother-in-law have benefitted from Early Intervention with their daughter for 4 years now.  I know we have benefitted from what you have learned from them!  You guys are a testament to true parental dedication.  Every time we visit, we see K's amazing progress.  I so enjoyed talking with her this last trip and understanding her so easily!  EI has definitely been working for her!  She is an amazing little girl who we love so much!  It is heart breaking when she is mistreated for being "different" when she is no different at all!  K is a beautiful, sweet, fun, loving girl and we are so thankful she is part of our family and such a good friend to T!

Two weeks after your wedding and still in love! :)

My cousin, E, thank you for your support and understanding yesterday.  I can't imagine hearing those words about not one, but two babies at the same time!  I totally facebook stalk you and love to see their progress and how they are definitely thriving now!  You've got your hands full with three littles, but its easy to see what a great mom you are!  Thanks for the love!

We both had on some interesting prints that year! Haha!

My BFF, J! You have been there for me since 6th grade!!  Remember the BFF heart necklaces?  I would totally wear your other half still. ;)  I love you so much and treasure your friendship.  Its more than that, you are my sister. Muah!

Love how I and T are eyeing each other here!

My mom.  What can I say?  Now that I'm a mom, I'd like to apologize for all the heartache I caused you growing up, and maybe still cause!  Really though, I'm ok.  I tend to let my worried and sad thoughts come out on "paper" and just roll with and enjoy the good times.  As such, my blog gets a little unbalanced.  You know better than anyone that I have always struggled with demanding more of myself than I should, that I always felt/feel the need to be perfect, etc.  I'd like to say I'm getting better about it, but I really just find more things to "challenge" myself.  Its just who I am.  I do recognize it though, and make a conscious effort to make sure my girls know it is okay to make mistakes.

K was so tiny the last time you visited!

And to everyone else, thanks again for the outpouring of love.  You guys are the best!  I'm thankful that I have this blog as an outlet for my thoughts and experiences and even more thankful that you guys actually read it!  Whether you are family, BFFs, old classmates, long lost friends, or colleagues, you all have helped this momma through some darker times and allowed me to share some of our joys and accomplishments.  Thanks for all your feedback and for reading!