babe and her bed + boy and his ball

Our morning has comprised of this little lady not wanting to nap. Seems as though a long Thanksgiving weekend has given her full rights to her own schedule...which would entail no naps. Mamma says "Not happening!". Thankfully, she's still fairly impressionable and with some strong persuasion she is slowly giving in. Bless her heart.

Since the opportunity presented itself, I thought it was only appropriate to snap a few pics of her WIDE awake in her crib! 

And............we're done!

And while little sister tries hard to control mom's attention, this little guy tugs at mom's leg. "Basketball, Mom...Mom, play basketball with Zay-Zay!".

Ah, such is life with two youngsters. Dishes need washed. Laundry needs folded. Floors need swept.

But babes need to be nursed. And boys need to be chased.

I sometimes confuse my priorities as a mom...but today the dishes are dirty, the laundry is piled high in a basket and my little boy's knees are the only thing that has swept the floor.

It's a good day.

Cloth Diapers!

I thought I should give a well deserved shout out to cloth diapers! I switched Ellie over to cloth a few weeks ago and I'm truthfully LOVING them! No lie! I was hesitant at first, even if I did have tons of friends that have sworn by them. 

But my honest review, I simply think they are fantastic! The only fault I can see with them...they are a little bulky on Ellie. Probably my fault because I got the all-in-one diaper, because I didn't want to have to buy new ones each time she went up a size. However, she is quickly growing into them and they really aren't bad at all! Plus, like I said in a previous post...she looks stinkin cute in them! See for yourself! :)

Thanks for the sippy cup, Bro! 

I can't help but LOVE these tiny toes! They bring me so much joy. Every. Day.

Mommy & Zay Date!

The other day grandma Judy was in town, and she's always so willing to babysit if I need to run an errand or whatnot. I really appreciate having an extra hand every once in awhile and I decided that it would be fun for Zay and I to have a little date! So much fun to have a chance to fully focus on my little man for an entire morning! He's growing and changing so fast these days...so proud of all the things he is learning!  

marshmallows & messes

I'm slowing adjusting to balancing my life at home with two little babes. Ok, I know Zay is far from a baby, but I still like to believe he's my little boy! 

Surprisingly enough, the transition to two kiddos has gone exceptionally well! I've been amazed that I can actually survive with a 2-year-old + a newborn + very little sleep! Yay me! 

However.........I am trying hard to find a balance between watching Mickey Mouse while mommy nurses Ellie and finding toys/games/activities for Zay to be entertained with. He generally does very well at playing by himself for awhile before needing my attention, but in our current situation Ellie seems to need me fairly frequently. Thankfully, this is frequently and not constantly! And thankfully Zay is understanding, patient and very helpful! 

I'm working on finding more activities for Zay to do independently with minimal supervision, but if anyone has some suggestions I would be thrilled to hear them! 

Today we had fun with some marshmallows and toothpicks! Simple. Easy. Fun!

 

And a quick pic of the little sis...snoozing away!

And while we are busy with the afore mentioned tasks, projects and entertainment.....well apparently the toy cleanup isn't happening...!

a good day

Today was one of those days that I fully appreciated my role as a stay-at-home mom. To have the privilege to capture everyday moments with Zay makes me more thankful than words can express. It was just an impromptu date with Grandma Becky and cousins Izzy and Wyatt. But altogether it equaled to be a day of so much fun.   

We planned a last minute excursion to the Osborne Nature Center. We admired the birds, bears, bugs and so much more. It was so fun to see watch them investigate all the animal cages. A whole world of new discoveries for Zay.

To have other littles around to literally run the energy right out of my little guy...magnificent!

And some sweet moments captured between my mom and my son...

We found a pretend little old-fashioned town...with trains. A little boy's heaven.

And Wyatt provided the humor for the day. Running back from the 'outhouse' screaming...

"THAT IS SO COOL!
Grandma!
Jackee!
You don't even have to flush! It just goes all the way down into the ground!"

And when we got to the schoolhouse......Wyatt is chatting away about the classroom, then says "Wait! Grandma...did you go to school here?"

Tonight, I'm tired. But happy. It's been a good, good day.

motherhood

It's been a long week around our house...full of sad little puffy eyes, coughing fits, and snot...lots and lots of snot. We are trying desperately to make the best of it. Zay is a little boy full of determination to be happy and play even when he feels yucky. 

We've had a toddler join us in bed for the last few nights. Makes for challenging and sleepless nights for all of us. I'm not sure if it's just because I'm pregnant or what, but my own body isn't dealing well with the lack of sleep coupled with the whiny days of a needy little boy. But my heart breaks more for Zay and I'm finding it to be an honor to be the one he wants and the one he needs. Even though Daddy tries and helps where he can, I can't resist dragging myself out of bed when I hear him cry for his mama. Even if when it means I'm exhausted and coming down with the sickness myself. This is motherhood.

Hoping to see happier eyes in the next few days. And praying for patience and maybe a little more sleep!

Good Stuff

We've been spending a lot of mornings at home lately. And can I just say...I love it! Seems like many of our afternoons are tied up, mostly by looking at houses and more houses and even more houses. Still no luck in that category. But we've made the most of our mornings at home. Lots of play, a few walks, some PBS, and some baking. 

Mmm hmmm. Good stuff. 

The boy likes to laugh. And to wear balls on his shirts. He will consistently ask you for just one more hug or kiss. And roars when he gives big hugs...some people call them bear hugs, we've named this display of affection "roar hugs". And he gives the best ones. He will beg you to pick him up and hold him, but insists on being independent with climbing into his carseat, turning on lights, carrying laundry baskets, opening doors, throwing away trash and putting his dirty laundry into his hamper. And he asks his mommy to kiss boo-boos more than any child I've known. Love that. All of that. He's a keeper.

Sometimes we wear earmuffs in May? Don't you?

Chubby bare feet...those are some cutesy tootsies!

I woke Zay up from his nap early one day so he could help me bake cookies. I'm positive he loved me for it.

I've slowly learned how to not taste-test while baking with Zay. It's hard. I like cookie dough. Thankfully, never once has Zay even attempted to try food while we are making it. Good thing, since I like to bake goodies that sadly he can't have. Regardless, he's just plain grateful to get get to stir, slop and scoop whatever is in the bowl! Can't blame a mama on cutting a nap short for that kind of appreciation!

Routine & Change

We are gearing up for our next appointment in Iowa City with our PKU doctor/dietitian, and because I know change is coming, I thought it is a perfect time to document what has been our routine for a long time. Long time meaning at least for the past year, maybe as far back as when Zay was 9 months old! 

We do it every morning. It doesn't matter if it's Monday or Saturday, whether we are traveling or at home, or if it's Mommy or Daddy who does it - we have a routine. And Zay always remembers how it goes. 

We make "Zay's milk". 

We will soon be adjusting his formula to allow him to have a little bit bigger portions at his meals. The boy just keeps growing and his levels have been creeping up, so I contacted our doctors to let them know that it's time to increase the Phe from food and decrease the Phe from his milk. 

And today, because it has become such a common story-line in our house I decided to take some pictures of just how predictable our mornings have become. And I thought capturing the moments of this scenario would make it a little more endearing, the next time I'm heckled halfway through my bowl of Wheaties. :)

The very first thing on our agenda in the morning is Zay's thyroid medicine. I'm usually slipping the little pill into his mouth while he's racing around the house trying to catch-up with Daddy before he leaves for work. Technically, he's supposed to have his medicine 30 minutes before he has anything to eat or drink. This can be a little unrealistic to a demanding 2-year old, but we do the best we can! 

Usually once Daddy is out the door we get sat down for breakfast. We always have a sippy-cup full of formula from the day before for Zay to have with his breakfast the next day. Just works out better for us to schedule it like that, so he has something already made up first thing. 

However, it doesn't take long before he thinks it's time to make more. (It makes no difference to him if he actually needs more formula or if he is just ready to help make his milk!)

After explaining to Zay that "Mommy will make you more milk after she finishes her breakfast", this is what I see...Zay taking matters into his own hands! Hauling, dragging, staggering across the kitchen floor with the first ingredient to his formula! 

He's very good at getting the ball rolling. The other day he brought a box of his Macaroni & Cheese to Shane, then came to find me because Shane wasn't getting up to do the job (To Shane's defense he was taking a quiz for his graduate class!). The next thing I know, Shane is calling me because Zay is pulling the pots and pans out of the cupboard in order to make his Mac & Jack. The boy takes initiative! 

I've always been insistent on letting Zay help in the kitchen from a young age. I know that cooking is going to be a big part of his life, so I'm determined to let him help and get him interested! In turn, he consistently knows there is a place for his chair by the counter!

Then the mixing begins...

170 grams of skim milk. 

Add 1.8 mL of his iron drops.

Add 1 mL of his vitamin. 

Add 90 grams of Periflex Junior.

Add water to make approx 25-30 oz.

I assure you - if we are in a hurry to make up his concoction, I will NEVER get the milk and formula to hit exactly the 170g and 90g on the scale the first time. There will be adding and subtracting...adding and subtracting, until I finally get the scale to read correctly!

After the water is added...Zay's job comes in. We sing a little "SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE!" song and he goes at it!

FINALLY...time to get the sippy cup filled up! 

Then....only then, is our boy satisfied with the work we've done. And mom can get back to her soggy Wheaties. ;)

And he's such a obedient little boy - he even puts his chair back after we're done. Multitasking of course...drinking his milk while pushing his chair!

Clearly, it's time for trains after all that...

Or maybe a book to read? .......Let's be real - he's fishing out a Leap Frog video to watch. But the books will come. Guaranteed. And most likely, it will be before my Wheaties are gone.

Undeniably, at times, I yearn to just be able to go to the fridge, grab milk, juice or whatever else I can find and fill up Zay's cup. No measuring. No scale. No calculating. Seems so simple. So quick. And to have the option of letting someone else get him a drink, seems like heaven at times! 


Nevertheless, how content I am with going through this process each day. It means that I get to teach my little boy. I get to show him that I love him in the simplest ways. And I will make his milk for the rest of my life if it is how my love is displayed best. He will know he is special. He will know he is loved. I will be sure of it!