Ohhhh The Many "Phases" of a Child

Imagine that, the "reason" for prompting another blog is...Grayson. Oh my sweet, dramatic, 2nd child, what ever are we going to do with you!?!

If you "follow" my facebook statuses, and even this blog, you may know that Grayson is my crazy, silly, loud, BIG personality child. Whereas Talan is my more reserved and quiet child. He likes to observe before he jumps into anything. He actually is very funny (in my opinion), but he's serious, so he doesn't WANT to be funny or for you to laugh. Everything he says or does is because he means it. Grayson LOVES getting a reaction and have you laugh at him. So funny how different they are. 

With that being said, Grayson is going though a MAJOR stranger danger phase. I don't even know if you would call it stranger danger though. It's with almost everyone except Mom, Dad and Talan! Family he may see almost daily or weekly even! Talan went through the phase of only wanting Mama, but NOT to this extent! But remember, Grayson is dramatic. Ha! He will be eating breakfast in the morning, and "Gramps" walks in and he immediately covers his face and looks down. Won't look at him, won't talk to anyone, won't eat, nothing! He has actually stayed this way with people in the room for over an hour. He does NOT give in. When someone new walks up, he turns around and runs as fast as he can to me for me to pick him up, and if I dare try to put him down, he cries/screams for what seems like forever. I don't like to call it "time out", because I don't really think it's naughty behavior, but I do set him on the couch with his "kiki" and tell him he needs to calm down. It works MOST of the time, but he still won't uncover his face. I'm seriously at a loss. It would be different if it were just for strangers or someone he doesn't see as often, but it is a little frustrating with it happening with people he sees daily!

Today was the first time I had to bring him to one of my Dr. appointments. Because of this new "phase", I wasn't worried about him being his loud, busy, silly, self. He acts like a completely different kid in a matter of a second. Not lying.                

Notice the one on the left, he's peeking a little to see if anyone can see him. Then he covered his face completely. Then we got home for lunch, "Gramps" (who he knows very well and even asked where he was) walks in and we get this...

I mean seriously. And of course, as parents, we don't see it as a "phase", but worried he's going to be like this FOREVER! LOL! I swore he was just going to crawl forever because he didn't walk until he was 13 months (Talan walked at 10.5 months), I swore he was just going to babble forever because he didn't have "20 words" at 18 months. Now he says something new every day and people can't believe how much he is actually able to say already. And now this. How long will THIS last??

As for Talan, he had his first day of Pre-K on Wednesday! And boy has he come out of his shell and become a little more confident and outgoing over the summer! It was no more needing his 3 different hugs, 3 different kisses and about 4 goodbyes when I dropped him off. He barely even said goodbye! Ha! Oh how they are always changing. Right when you think you know exactly how they'll act/behave, they have to change it up on you! 

I was so excited to go pick him up, I could hardly stand it! Yes, he went to preschool last year, but it was only 2 days a week for 2.5 hours. This year he's going 3 days a week for 6.5 hours! That's a big deal, I think! I can't wait to watch him grow throughout the year! 

It's also neat to watch the boys miss each other. Grayson was watching Elmo, after a very busy day he had with Mama and Gamma Nell, and I just said "Time to go get Talan!" He was so excited, he jumped up, said "OK!! Bye Bye Elmo!" And headed upstairs before I could even get the TV turned off! When we picked Talan up, he got in the car and right away walks to Grayson's side and says, "Hi Grayson! Remember me?! I'm your brother Talan!" It still makes me laugh a few days later. Grayson just giggled at him.

On the way home, I was asking him how his day was. Now remember, this is my serious child. He responds in a sad voice, "I didn't do good in school." I asked him why and he says, "I didn't remember everything, and I didn't do everything right." My heart sank. I told him that's why he's going to school; to learn! No one expects him to do everything right! And his teacher had just got done telling me that he had a great first day! I don't doubt what she told me was true. It's just surprising to see how kids can already be so hard on themselves at such a young age. 

If you saw a status I put up on facebook about him wanting a lunchbox with a green superhero and yellow flames, notice in the pictures...he settled for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lunchbox (green guys), and his shoes actually have yellow flames on the side! Ha! He saw them and he said "This is just what I was looking for!" Seriously. At 4yrs old, you can already be "looking" for something THAT specific?? 

I can't wait to hear how his 2nd day went in just an hour! Here are his first day of school pictures!

 

As for an update on the hubby and I. We have had a most wonderful summer, but I am glad to see summer go too. Is that a bit contradictory? Probably. We have many family members with birthdays in August (and now a wedding anniversary :)), so I don't want to take that away from them, but August is my least favorite month of the year! I LOVE Fall and getting into the Holiday season, and by August, I'm ALWAYS ready for summer to go away. This summer I went to Hawaii and Indianapolis, our family went to Chicago and up north to Duluth, Trav and I went to New York City, had our 7 year Anniversary in the beginning of September...and this weekend Travis leaves for Arizona to go visit his brothers family and meet our new nephew, Maverick! Can't wait to hear all about it!

In the midst of all the travels, we started an online course called Peace University with Dave Ramsey. (It's a financial course on dumping debt and living a debt free life, giving, saving, building wealth, etc..."living like no one else, so in the future you can live like no one else" :)) Many of you have probably heard of him before, but oh my goodness! Oh how I wish we took this YEARS ago! I'm not going to go into "preach mode" here, but no matter how young or old you are, I would HIGHLY recommend it! Anyways, today I thought I would look online for a clear "Give, Save, Spend" piggy bank for the boys that he talks about. I was expecting to be brought to Amazon or something, but I ended up finding a blog with free printables and I made my own! I had small rope that I had saved from another project, and some good 'ol mason jars, and voila! I have to give a HUGE shout out to my Grandma too! This summer, some family members (I won't say "we", because I was not able to help), cleaned out their house to get ready to sell because my Grandparent's moved into an apartment. Well, before I headed off to Hawaii, I stopped over to say hi to my aunt and cousin who were over there. They had me go through the garage to see if there was anything I wanted, and I grabbed a ton of mason jars. I always see projects on Pinterest with mason jars, and thought I would take them thinking I could find SOMETHING I'll want to do with them some day. Today was the day! I went out to the garage to see what I had even grabbed, and noticed not many of them had lids on them, but I took 3 small ones that had a different lid system, 2 big ones WITH lids, and one without a lid. I'm on the hunt now for either 1 old looking lid, or 3 new looking lids to fit on these mason jars! (Or even more lids so I can use all big jars) But THANK YOU GRANDMA!! Here's what I did with some of your mason jars :) 

                                              

 

I know my boys are only 4 and 22 months, but I can't wait to start using these with them! 

I better stop babbling and go pick up Talan from school! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

  

From 'Super-Mom' to 'I Need a Nap'

It has been one fun-filled and exhausting summer. But after today (it's only 2pm), I just had to finally sit down and blog. It's been another big break in between blogs. Believe it or not, I have started 2 or 3, but just never finished them, and by the time I came back to them, it was old news and the thoughts were gone. But today, I am going to start and finish the same post! I need too...

Funny how everyone always dreads Mondays. Besides the fact that we've been having awesome family fun-filled weekends and my hubby has to go back to work, I actually look forward to Mondays. The start of a new week is refreshing to me. I try not to look at what I didn't accomplish the past week that I WANTED too, but try to make up new goals to go after! And by Wednesday or Thursday, sometimes even Tuesday, I find myself needing to already re-focus and re-motivate myself. It's a constant struggle to balance going after my dreams and what I want to accomplish for myself and for my family with Scentsy, and handle 2 busy boys...soon to be 3! So yes, things tend to get neglected, and I'm STILL trying to figure out the magic potion on how to be a perfect mom, wife and business owner...without hiring a nanny that we can't afford :) Not to mention, this pregnancy has taken a MAJOR toll on my energy level and not feeling as well week to week. So...I look forward to my Mondays and a fresh start :)

This morning until about 1pm, I kind of felt like super-mom! Grayson woke up and we had breakfast together. We came downstairs and read MANY books. Everything was going fine. I had stayed up late the night before to get all my mailings ready to go to the post office, so I just needed to email a few people and start getting ready for the day. Now I don't know if this is typical for every 21 month old or typical for a child who stays home with his mom, or if my child just loves putting me through the ringer, but I seriously can't put him down or leave the room without a complete melt down. I remember Talan going through this phase, but I don't remember it being as intense. Maybe it's because Grayson is a whole 6 months younger than what Talan was when I was pregnant, so I can't reason with him as much as I remember reasoning with Talan, but YIKES! Even reading books, he HAS to sit on my lap, and he keeps backing up onto me because he just can't get close enough with this belly! He ends up sitting ON TOP of my belly, which is uncomfortable to say the least.

After I got both the boys dressed, I put him on my bed (crying) and told him he had to sit there. I quickly got dressed and threw my hair in a pony tail and loaded them up into the car. I had to get to the post office, bank and yes...attempt to go shopping for a shirt and tie for Daddy. Haha. Again, it's Monday and I feel like super women on Monday's :) Finding just the right shirt and tie isn't like picking up a gallon of milk. It is NOT an 'in and out' process! So in the parking lot, I have a talk with Talan. "Talan. listen to Mommy. If you are a good boy and don't start wrestling with your brother and make him scream in the store, I will get you a treat. Do you understand me? I WILL NOT get you a treat if you aren't a good boy!" Something about this conversation really made him know that Mommy meant business today. Lol! (Yep, feeling like super-mom at this moment) So in we went with Talan talking my ear off about the treat he wants, and Grayson already taking his shoes off in the stroller and handing them back to me saying, "here you go!" Oh thanks, buddy! I'm choosing my battles. As long as he's strapped in the stroller, not running around, I can handle him being bare foot. We get in there and started looking. I am the most indecisive person when it comes to matching a shirt and tie with just the right color scheme together. And then to do it with a 4yr old and 21 month old. I start thinking I'm crazy for even attempting this trip, but I keep looking. The boys are starting to get restless. Talan saying "Sorry, Mommy. I won't do it again." Every time he covers Grayson's face with his kiki, which then makes Grayson scream and giggle and try to get out. Wow. I actually felt like I had total control! Besides Grayson pulling things out of the cubby displays, even then I pulled out some pretzels and animal crackers and they were as good as when we first got there! I FINALLY made a decision, made the purchase, and we left. Hooray!

Then we went to go get Talan's treat and I decided we would go eat it at the park so I could let them play some too. This is when my status went from feeling like super-mom to "I need a nap!" We get to the park and within 5 minutes Talan said he had to go potty. I thought it was weird because he had to go when we were at the mall! I told him to go by a tree and he said he couldn't because he had to go poop! Are you kidding me!?! Kid, I just unloaded you and your brother, lugged our lunch and your treat down this hill, got everything opened and situated, and now you have to go poop...with no outhouse in sight!?!? So we packed everything back up and home we went. We got home and I said that I would let him in the house to go potty and I would get Grayson situated out on the picnic table to eat lunch. What next?? Oh yeah...he didn't have to go anymore! Ha, ok Mandy, breathe. So we went to go eat on the picnic table. unloaded everything again, started eating and then Talan decided he needed to go. Oy. OK, I let him in the house and stayed outside with Grayson until Talan needed my help. In the meantime, Grayson finished eating and decided he was done and got down. Well, Talan had moved the picnic table last week to a spot kind of close to the steps, but under more shade. He's like his Daddy. It has an umbrella, but he needed MORE shade. Anyway, Grayson got down took 2 steps back and rolled down 1/2 the stairs. He caught himself somehow, laying on his back on 1/2 a step, crying. I pick him up and immediately move the table back to where it was in the first place. (NOT super-mom at this point) In the midst of calming Grayson down and moving the table back, the milk and Talan's now very soupy M&M McFlurry fell off the table and made a mess all over the cement and picnic table. It's fine, Mandy. Breathe. I got the hose out and started hearing Talan yell for me. "MOM! I need some help in here!!" Quickly hosed the milk and ice cream off of everything, got Grayson inside. And boy did Talan need my help! Holy Moly! If you don't like potty talk, than stop reading...

I go in the house to see him standing in the kitchen with poop smeared all over his thighs! What the heck did he do!?!? I bring him into the bathroom and ask, "Talan! did you not wait until you're completely done?? Why is there POOP everywhere??" His response, "Sorry Mom. I didn't mean to make you mad. I'm really sorry, Mom." Now how can you be upset with a response like that, but seriously?? It was at this moment, I was ready to stop trying and I just needed to sit and do nothing. Grayson started asking for a "baba" in his whiny voice. He only still calls milk a "baba" when he's tired and ready for bed or his nap. I get him his drink of milk (yes, now he only takes 2 drinks and he's done since it's not a bottle), change his diaper and put him down for a nap. I take a deep breath and go get Talan his milk he started asking for at the same exact time as Grayson, and sat down. Without putting a load of laundry in the washer. Without picking up our bedroom. I had to sit.

Lucky for me Grayson went down easy, Talan is pretty much always fine with just hanging out (unless Daddy is home), and I was able to start and finish a blog! Success! Now I've sat long enough and I need to go get the laundry done and email more customers. We leave for New York on Thursday! We get to end the summer going to my step-sister's wedding in New York City...with no kids! Travis and I will be married 7 years in September, and I don't think we've taken a trip without kids! And we didn't travel before kids, so this is a bit exciting :) We love our kids dearly, but to experience a plane ride with no kids will be heavenly!  What an awesome way to end the summer...Can't wait to celebrate with you Kelly and Andrew!

And when we return...it better be Fall :)

Hawaii, a 65th Wedding Anniversary Party, and Another Baby BOY!

So sorry it's been a while. There have been multiple times when I've wanted to "blog" and get my thoughts or stories out there, but every time I had it at the top of my head, I would be driving, running errands, dealing with the boys, etc etc. And by the time the boys would be in bed, that's where I would be headed too!

This past Saturday I came home from the most amazing FREE incentive trip I had earned through Scentsy...HAWAII! The only thing that would have made it even better than what it already was, would be if my hubby was able to be there and experience it all with me! My new goal is going to try and earn the next incentive trip for TWO! In a week and a half I'll be heading to Indianapolis for the Scentsy Family Reunion (Convention), and that's when I will find out where the next incentive trip will be! The biggest obstacle that will be happening during the "qualifying period" will be having a baby, however. And going from 2 to 3 kids. YIKES! It was already quite the challenge this past Holiday Season to put 110% effort into my business, while not neglecting my 2 boys, we'll see how I'll be able to juggle being uber pregnant, have a baby, care for 3 boys AND work a business that I truly love! While looking at what will all be going on during the next qualifying period, I can only keep telling myself that anything is possible if you truly want it and work for it! I NEVER thought I would come close to earning a trip with Scentsy, and I did! But truly, it's all thanks to my extremely supportive husband and family members who helped watch the boys so I could go to my parties (or watch them so I could package up the crazy amounts of Scentsy that was delivered), along with my most wonderful Hostesses, Customers, Team Members, and my awesome Upline who kept pushing me to keep going! I  could never have done it without any of these people. I am forever grateful. Below are just a FEW of the pictures that I took. I didn't post any of the wonderful Scentsy Sisters (or 'cousins' as they would refer to everyone in Hawaii. Lol) I met because I wasn't sure they'd want their pictures in my blog :)

Aloha Hawaii!...Awkward picture by myself. Lol

Breakfast!

Virgin Daiquiri and a Real One :)

We ordered way too much but it was all AMAZING!

My college friend moved to Kauai a few years ago and flew over to Oahu to see me! Thanks Brooke!

Fish in a pond outside the hotel

I went Paddle Boarding!

Making a headband and bracelet at the luau

Pretty headband was NOT cute on. Lol

Hawaii tattoo painted on

All the Hawaii Incentive Trip Earners before our beach themed dinner!
Mahalo Scentsy!

When I landed, Travis and the boys picked me up and we went straight to my Grandparent's 65th Wedding Anniversary Party! My relatives (most of them) were there from Washington, which was so fun! Times are far and few between when we get to spend time with those cousins. It was fun to have all the 2nd cousins running around, playing together as well! I know my boys LOVED it! Besides seeing relatives, it was such fun to be able to celebrate the most special couple in my life. I love my Grandparents dearly, and feel blessed that they are still here with us.

              

               

All the grandchildren minus 2 were able to make it!

And on to this Monday. Monday was the dreaded ultrasound. Most people can't wait for the ultrasound and being able to see their baby. Even though both the boys we have are perfect in every way (in our eyes:)), their ultrasounds were a different story. With Talan and Grayson, they BOTH had a white spot on their heart, which is one of a million "markers" for possible down syndrome. By the time we had Grayson's ultrasound, we weren't worried at all. We had Talan's level 2 ultrasound and everything was fine, except still seeing the "white spot", therefor the news with Grayson wasn't as big of a deal. They still wanted to have us do a level 2 ultrasound to make sure everything was OK. So back we went. Yep, the "white spot" was still there and there were no other signs for downs. However, they couldn't tell if it was the shadowing of the ultrasound or if he had a cleft lip. They brought in different ultrasound techs to get opinions, along with different Dr's. As I would be laying there with tears welling in my eyes, trying to hold back from completely melting down, they couldn't give us a for sure answer. They couldn't tell us if it was a shadow, if it was a cleft, if his pallet was going to be affected, nothing. Regardless if anything was wrong with either of our babies, we knew we would love them just the same. It's just hard not hearing that everything is "perfect". For those of you that do know us, Grayson was born with the most minor incomplete cleft lip and had a repair surgery when he was 10 weeks old. He now sports a cute little scar, but honestly, if you don't know him, you would never be able to tell he had a cleft lip. His pallet wasn't involved at all either. We are truly blessed. And everything about him goes with his personality. I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Morning of Surgery

After Surgery. Poor Buba's had to wear "no-no's" so he wouldn't bump his lip

                                    

6 months and a HAM!

My handsome healed up little guy at 1year!

So back to our appointment. We waited for quite some time. We spoke with a genetic specialist, and waited some more. Travis whispers to me, "it's like they already know somethings wrong, and they're waiting to give us the news." The genetic specialist calls us back into her office before the ultrasound. She looked up Cyclic Vomiting Syndrom, which I told her I had when asked about our health history. (I had told the genetic specialist we had with Grayson as well, but they left it at that.) When she told me she found some information on genetics with CVS, I had to tell myself to keep listening. Don't cry. It's fine. (And why do they always have to give you news when your hormones are already going crazy!? I mean seriously!) As she was talking all I heard was "it can be passed down maternally". I stopped listening and broke down. No, it's not the end of the world. They can't die from it, but it is definitely life changing in many ways. The research is too new to even tell us the probability or the statistics of it being passed down. All I can do is pray. I NEVER want to watch my children go through what I went through as a child. I'm still dealing with it as an adult, but on a much different scale. And...I've learned to just "deal". I'm surrounded by a supportive family who has helped whenever they can with the boys. It has been tricky here and there to have it as a mom, since I now not only have to care for myself when episodes happen, but also care for 2 little boys. 

The ultrasound, however, came out perfect! Hooray! When the Dr. came in to give us the results and said everything is completely normal, I belted out, "there's not even a white spot on his heart!?!" I was shocked! We are having another BOY! For someone who always thought I would have all girls, this is quite hilarious. Obviously God has other plans and knows what He's doing :) I couldn't be happier!

Team BLUE

Team PINK (everyone who could be there)

Team "ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT IT'S A HEALTHY BABY!"

*It's not uploading our balloon reveal, but it's posted on my facebook page :)