Gettin' in a Groove

My fabulous duo

Deere man like his daddy

Week number two has gone a bit more smoothly having the two kiddos at home.  It's partly because we're getting used to our new routine, but I think it's mostly because I had a wake-up call and reflected on a sermon our pastor recently preached on Mother's Day weekend.  He talked about how we often try to be the perfect parent, but the reality is no parent is perfect.  And no matter how hard we try, there's this thing called "free will" ............ our kids will choose their own path and their own actions, and it may or may not be what we have tried to teach them.  It's not worth beating ourselves up over our every failed move because all that matters is that we TRY.  Take a look at God - He truly is the perfect parent, yet his kids (us) stray all the time.  It doesn't mean God has done anything wrong and messed up in his parenting.  So if our Perfect Parent can have kids who don't behave well in public, so can I.  As my pastor preached, it's our responsibility to be responsible, but not perfect.  Well, I may not be the Supermom that I envy, but I definitely am a responsible mom.  

Supermom? Hardly.

This was my first week alone with both kids.  Yes, I've been staying at home for a few months now, but we took Adalynn out of her daycare because we couldn't afford it even at the part-time rate.  So now I have both Adalynn and Wesley to myself all day long.  Let me just say - I'm not sure I'm cut out for this!  It's exhausting, and it's frustrating trying to keep them both happy, stay on somewhat of a schedule for naptimes and feedings, yet get out of the house so they're not cooped up on these nice days.  I don't know SAHMs do it without losing their mind, especially those that have more than two kids.  Yet I see and hear about all these other moms who somehow manage to get their kids from one activity to the next, have time to keep their house clean and dinner made and laundry done, coordinate special activities like cookie baking or other crafts with the kiddos, and still somehow manage to find time for themselves to not only shower but to (gasp) paint their nails.  I honestly thought I'd be one of those moms since I'm such an organized control freak.  Yet I'm far from it.  And the further I get behind on my "to do" list, the more I beat myself up.  Oh, and those moms that have it all together?  They're also the skinny pretty moms who wear trendy clothes.  I don't have that going for me either.  You'd think since I rarely get three meals a day and spend all my time on my feet other than when I'm feeding Wesley, I'd be able to shed a few pounds.  But no such luck.  I know I need to quit whining and comparing myself to these other Supermoms.  It's just easier said than done.   I've been told that it gets less stressful the longer you stay home, and I'm going to trust that is true.  I can only hope so anyway! 



Got dimples when he smiles....



Got dimples on his thighs too!

Mother's Day

I remember when I first found out I was pregnant with baby #2, I was so scared that I would not be able to love the second child as much as I love my first.  I didn't think it was possible to love another child in that capacity.  I have since found out that you can love the second child just as much as the first, but it's true that it's not in the same capacity.  The love you have for your children is separate and cannot really be compared.  While I love Adalynn and Wesley both very deeply, I have a completely different bond with each of them.  With Mother's Day coming up quickly this weekend, I want to reflect on the role of Mom.  Whether you have one child or ten, young children or grown children, live near them or away from them, have girls or boys... the job of a mother is hard.  I imagine that you still worry about your children even when they're grown and still ache when they hurt.  A mother's job doesn't end when a second baby comes along or when the child moves out of the house.  In fact, mothers have job security to the fullest extent if they want to take advantage of it.  Your children will always be your responsibility, no matter how capable they are.  At the same token, the job of a mother is quite easy.  Think about it..... isn't it effortless to scoop your child up in a comforting embrace when he or she cries?  It's not difficult to encourage your children and support their interests.   And how easy it is to simply kiss a boo-boo to make it better.   Being a mom can be a challenge, but it can also be so rewarding.  Hey fellow moms, this weekend is your chance to pat yourself on the back.  Enjoy your day - but don't forget to give your own mom a big hug as well.  Now time to show off my offspring....

Remember Joey from "Friends"?  Wesley has the same lopsided "How YOU doin'?" grin - and even has the head-nod included sometimes!  Makes me melt.

Adalynn showing that even rainy days can be fun

Definitely up to no good............

Wes-minster Addy

Yeah I know that title sounds wackadoodle, but Eddie has been calling Wesley "Westminster" lately which naturally has me thinking of Westminster Abbey, which then can only lead to Wes-minster Addy in our household.  Makes sense now?  So here's the latest update on the kiddos....

It used to be Wesley's hair that everyone commented on;  but now that his hair is thinning the main topic of Wes' appearance is now his chubby cheeks.   I've gotten so used to them that I don't even notice how chunky they are, but to answer some popular questions -- Yes, his cheeks are that big.  No, the photos aren't enhanced.  The picture below really accentuates his jowls..... 

I noticed in snapping some recent photos that Wesley once again is reminding me of his sister.  So I did some digging to find Addy's baby pictures to put up a couple more comparison shots (she's actually twice his age in these pictures, even though they look the same size)......

My family consists of hunters so even though she was a girl, they still made sure Adalynn had camo in her wardrobe.

Wesley in the same camo top.

Adalynn after bath-time

Wesley after bath-time

Speaking of his sister, Adalynn had her first official hair cut last week.  (I say "official" because when she was younger, I would trim her bangs).  She didn't like the idea of chopping off her locks, but I have been bringing it up for quite a while now in hopes that she would let me take her at some point just to even it up a bit and give it a more healthy - instead of straggly - look.   Addy finally decided that she wanted to go with me when I got my hair cut and insisted that she go first.  She was a big girl and sat on the booster seat all by herself.  I got a little teary-eyed just because I love her curls so much and wasn't happy to see them go.  I didn't have the nerve to have them give her a drastic cut as you can see by the before and after shots below.....

BEFORE

AFTER

We've had a fabulous development that I sincerely hope I'm not jinxing by bringing it up: Wesley has been sleeping 6-7 hours straight for the last four nights in a row.  I have a sickening feeling that because I made mention of the fact, he's going to be up three times tonight like he normally is.  Wouldn't you know, now that he's sleeping, Adalynn is up crying in the night.  She complains of her leg hurting.  Are "growing pains" a literal thing and not just a popular phrase?  Anyway, here's our sleepy boy...