Catching Up On Life

I can't believe we're nearing the end of February already! Everyone has been complaining about this winter, and oddly it hasn't really bothered me much this year. That's not to say that I'm not ready for some beautiful spring weather though! We JUST had our first snowfall that I really count. We did have some a few weeks ago, but it was too dang cold to take Daniel out and it melted quickly. I've pretty much been living in hibernation for a good part of the winter though, because taking both boys out is exhausting at times. I'll be happy to leave the coat, hat, mittens, car seat cover and blankets behind though.

James is growing like a weed. My baby will be 4 months old in a week and a half. How can that be?! He just fills my heart with so much joy. I never had that fear that I wouldn't love my second child as much as the first like some moms do. I love both of my boys equally, and I'm so happy that God picked those 2 to be our children.

We'll have his 4 month check up soon too. I'm excited to find out what he weighs and how long he is now. He's smaller than Daniel was at this age, but I know he's put on some weight and he's even upgrading to a few 3-6 month things here and there...but fits perfectly in his 3 month clothes and can even squeeze into a few 0-3's here and there.

His little blue eyes are quickly turning brown. Even Jacob noticed this week. The blue eyes were cute, but I'm secretly happy that he'll have brown eyes just like the rest of us!

He sleeps so much better than Daniel did at this age. With Daniel it was months and months on end of waking up 2 or 3 times a night. In general, James sleeps through the night. As in, he'll do a 6 or 7 hour stretch between feedings and then go back to sleep for another couple of hours. There definitely are nights though, that we're up a few times. I've also noticed he's been waking earlier this past week. I hate climbing out of my comfy bed, but it's probably good that he makes me get up.

He still spits up a million times a day. Lately we go through 2-3 outfits a day and about 5 bibs daily. I don't even know how many burp clothes! I finally caved a couple of weeks ago and bought another large pack of burp clothes so I could go an extra day or two between laundry sometimes! It doesn't bother him much though. He'll fuss, puke and then smile really big because his tummy feels better.

He's has 2 moods. SUPER SUPER happy and SUPER SUPER mad/sad. He can flip it on and off like a switch too. One second he's smiling, cooing and playing and one second later he's in full out meltdown mode. Silly baby.

Then there's Daniel. He's growing like crazy too. I remember how little he still seemed before James came along. Now he's seems like a giant. He absolutely adores his little brother and is so proud of him. He introduces him to anyone we encounter...including people we know. Last weekend when Mimi and Pa came over he runs over and says, "This is my brother, James!" Haha! He loves hanging out with him, giving kisses and hugs and singing to him. James adores Daniel as well. He'll smile, coo and take being smothered in hugs and kisses like a champ. He turns his head to find his brother whenever he hears him.

As Daniel grows, so does his memory. He still never fails to blow my mind. He remembers everything. He's getting really good at picking out words that he knows. He'll point them out in books, on the TV, in the store. Pretty much anywhere. He also memorizes. When I read to him, I can stop almost anywhere in a sentence of a book we've read and he'll finish it.

I loves to be my helper. Sometimes it's nice. Other times it ridiculously annoying...but I try to remind myself that he just wants to help out. If I'm doing the dishes, he pulls up his stool so he can rinse them. He helps me with the laundry. He's also my little errand runner. Need anything? Just ask Daniel and he'll be off on a mission.

3 year olds are HARD though. Like seriously, HARD. I was warned, but oh man. Nothing prepared me for the attitude and the question asking. The most hated word in my life right now is, "Why?" "Why can't we go outside?" "Because it's too cold." "Oh. Why is it too cold?" "Because it's winter." "Why is it winter?" "Because God made the seasons and made winter cold." "Oh. But why can't we go outside?" "DANIEL! I JUST told you!" "BUUUUT....WHHHHHHHY, MOMMY???"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This seriously goes on all day. If it's not why, it's who, what, where and when. Also...anytime I've finally sat down for two seconds I get, " Mommy. I'm sooooooo hunnnnnnggggggaaaarrrryyyy."

But, then that little boy will later wrap his arms around my neck, kiss me and tells me that he loves me, and it makes all of life's annoyances worth it.

Being a mommy is the best thing in the world and the hardest thing in the world. There are days I play and have fun, there are days I feel so lazy that we watch Netflix all day. There are days that are so much fun and then there are the days where I daydream about escape. Wishing that I could just pack my bags and go on a quiet vacation far far away. But, as I've been told...this will all be gone in the blink of an eye. The boys will be grown and I don't want to miss a thing (except maybe cleaning up after a sick kid. Pretty sure I wouldn't miss that).

Even More Random Facts About Me

I've started 3 or 4 posts in the past month, but never get too far. I figured I would try to get the ball rolling again by doing one of my yearly randomness posts. Let's face it, I have a lot a weird quirks and thoughts...so why not share with the world?

1. I have never seen The Goonies. I need to remedy this!

2. I had to wash my mouth out with soap once because I kept singing, "Are you ready for some real gas? Fartees!" (Hardee's slogan at the time was, "Are you ready for some real food? Hardees!) Then I used liquid soap because for some reason that seemed like a better option. It was not.

3. I once dropped a giant cookie on the high school cafeteria floor in the middle of lunch, and I picked it up and ate it. I won't lie, I'd still do it. One does not waste a giant cookie!

4. If I could design my dream house it would be built to look like a very old home, but without the worries of it needing major updates. Hardwood floors, dark wood and tons of built-ins!

5. My top 3 celebrities that I want to meet, I DID meet...in a dream I had last week. Reba, Garth and Ellen. Garth even hugged me. Best dream ever.

6. If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I would use it to give to random people to help them pay bills, buy presents for their kids and just do as many acts of kindness as I could.

7. I eat Skittles from my least favorite to favorite flavor. Apple, lemon, orange, grape, strawberry.

8. I love perusing Pinterest and pretending that I'll actually do the stuff that I pin.

9. I could spend hours in Hobby Lobby and if I weren't financially responsible, I'd probably go into debt shopping there.

10. I think white walls are super boring. Off white is okay, but plain white is just too sterile and uninviting. I like pops of color here and there!

11. I love watching blooper reels on YouTube with Jacob. Laughing hysterically at other people's mistakes makes me feel better about mine. LOL!

12. My favorite character on Friends is Chandler.

13. I used to love going to haunted houses, but the thought of doing one now gives me serious anxiety. What was I thinking!?

14. I am highly opinionated about the salaries that professional athletes make. I rant about it anytime I hear about how much money they make to PLAY A GAME.

15. I love going on road trips...minus the whole packing part.

16. My mom, Kendra and I decided that someday we're taking a trip to Vegas!

17. I have never been pulled over for speeding. I have however, been pulled over for having an expired tag. Oops.

18. My favorite games is Apples to Apples.

19. If I could go back and relive a day from my childhood, I'd pick a day that I went to Morgan Creek with my Grandpa. We'd go on a hike with our walking sticks and I'd go wading, while he watched from the bank. :)

20. I really hate party hats.