Talking Two Year Old

Here are a few of Caroline's recent sillies...

This morning she woke up crying at 4:30 in the morning.  Kids are so random...what makes them do that?!!  She "always" sleeps through the night!  Anyway, I go in to see her and this is our conversation...
Me:  What's wrong?
Caroline:  I have to tinkle and eat breakfast. 
Me:  Caroline it's not morning time yet.  We can tinkle and then go back to sleep.
Caroline:  I'm not sleepy.
Me:  Well, it's night time.  See everyone else is sleeping.
Caroline:  Your husband is sleeping?!

Yes, my husband, aka your daddy, is sleeping.  :-)

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Considering her early morning antics, it's kind of funny that one of her favorite activities is to play sleep.  She gathers pillows and blankets and covers us all up and tell us goodnight.  She sleeps for two seconds and then wakes up only to start the process all over again.  The other day as she was getting settled in she said, "I lay down my sweet head."  Sure, you can compare your head to baby Jesus anytime....thanks Away in a Manger.

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She is all into the princesses these days and lately everytime she puts on a dress she declares, "I look like a princess." and then twirls around for extra wow factor.  Of course, we have succumb to the cheese and yes she is a princess.  I was talking with her about how this week is picture week at school.  She will get to wear a dress on Thursday, like a princess to school and smile for the pictures.  She then replied, "I'm already a princess NOW."  Ooops...of course you are!

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Not picture day but still really cute!

Daddy and his girls

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Libby just chilling in the swing...babies have it made!

Big Fish

Mark is learning to swim and it's been such a joy to watch him along this journey.  He took lessons for 8 weeks and the last several weeks we have just been going to the pool together.  No joke...he gets better every single time!  The video below is from a week ago and he is already looking better!  He is soo hard on himself but I'm amazed at his progress!

Goofy Girls

By far my favorite thing about having two little ones is watching them play together!  Libby thinks that everything Caroline does is funny.  She just smiles while Caroline hugs her and tugs on her.  :-)

Caroline had her pinned...

but I think Libby won!

Today was beautiful so I took the girls to the park for a picnic and some play time. 

Sarah and her girls met us there.  Libby and Reese hung out on the blanket and ate all the puffs they wanted.  :-)

On a totally random final note...Caroline had her first official pig tails the other day!  Her hair is growing so long but it's hard to tell since it curls right up!

She is such a beautiful, grown up girl!

More Learning

It seems I have been learning a lot lately.  Here are a few of my recent mom lessons.

1.)  I think I'm going to reduce the number of times that I say "I'm sorry..." to others.  I am in a crazy season of life right now.  Everyone has their load to carry and mine is no greater than anyone elses.  However, in this season I'm finding that I need to be more focused on those in my immediate family.  Sometimes that means emails or phone calls don't get returned promptly or I miss out on events or service projects that I would normally jump all over.  I have found myself saying, "I'm sorry..." a whole lot, when really I can't be sorry.  This is just a season and I will be "on the ball" again soon. 

2.)  On maybe a contradictory note I have realized that I feel this crazy responsiblity for my girls.  I often make decisions about what we will do or not do because I want to make things easiest for them or what will make them happiest.  Yesterday I served at church from 2:30-8:00.  This was one of those times that I wrestled with for awhile and wanted so badly to say, "I"m sorry...".  However, I went ahead and ruined their afternoon nap and well surpassed their bedtime in order to serve (and shop a little).  I was so anxious that they would have meltdowns and would not be able to handle all the chaos but they are troopers and did just great.  While I love schedules and protecting my little ones, it is good for me and them to be out of our comfort zone occassionally. 



Along the same lines, this crazy duty feeling that I have needs to leave when others are graciously offering to help.  A few weekends ago I went shopping with Lindsay and left the girls with Mark.  The whole time I was so anxious to get home.  It had nothing to do with missing them (although that happens too), I just feel bad giving someone else the load of carrying for the kids.  I guess because I do it all the time I know what it's like or maybe because I do it all the time I have a hard time letting go of the responsiblity.  I'm not really sure what to say about all of these crazy feelings, except that I need to let them go.  :-) 

3.)  I need to always accept help when offered and ask for it when needed.  I used to hate receiving help or asking for help from others (I think it goes back to the duty/responsibility thing) but since Libby has been born that has changed!  Anytme help is offered I am all over it.  :-)  Old lady that I've never met sitting with me at Wednesday night dinner at church offers to hold Libby while I eat...sure!  Man nurse at the doctors office offers to hold Libby while I use the restroom...great!  You want to carry my groceries or a bag for me...ok.  Silly examples but so helpful.  I have learned to accept help when offered.  I have also learned what kind of help is helpful for a mama and two girls!  It's so funny to me to notice the old pro moms who offer help without even asking.  We had lunch after church the other day and I had two girls, three bags and two trays all in my hands with no friends in sight...when a sweet lady comes by and took the bags while her husband took the trays.  I can't tell you the relief that I felt.  I hope to be able to offer the same help soon!

I have also been learning to ask for help...although I still hate it!  Surprised me but two weeks ago I woke up with some strange symptoms...crazy season...how about a kidney stone.  Yipee!  With Mark traveling I have had to do my fair share of asking for help!  Lindsay and Mom have both dropped everything to come over for a bit and be with the girls. Sweet Noelle has called to check on me multiple times a day and I know I could call her and she would come running!   I am thankful for my family and friends.

All of this help and learning are very humbling. I hope I will escape the crazy season soon and be able to offer help to others!

Learning

Ran across the following quote this morning and thought about how true it has been for me lately.."You think you’re raising your kids but they’re really raising you."

As I've mentioned before Caroline has been learning hymns.  The Holy Spirit must be using her little heart because twice this week she has used her little voice with the right song for the occassion.

I was rushing around the kitchen trying to get dinner on the table and thinking about the laundry that needed to be done, the house that needed cleaning, stress at work, etc...just a little overwhelmed... and she starts with "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."  Blessed Assurance...thank you!

The second time I maybe, might have been just a little frustrated with Mark.  Honestly, I don't even remember what it was about!  However, Caroline pipes up with, "What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus."  There was nothing left to do but immediately stop my train of thought and think about my own sinfulness and how I was contributing to the problem (whatever it was!) and pray. 

Truly thankful that Caroline and God are doing a work in me!