The Last First Date

10 years ago today, I did something I never expected to do. I went out with a boy I knew a little about, and went on my last first date ever.

Phil picked me up, and we went to a Chinese buffet because we both enjoyed Asian food. After dinner, we went back to his dorm room to watch what used to be his favorite movie. He then walked me to my dorm and we said goodnight.

This year, I wanted to do something special. I made a "Mixed CD" for him, (more like, a playlist on a USB drive), and we had Chinese takeout at home with our two amazing babies. After the kids went to bed, we watched a Netflix disc with Modern Family Season 3 on it. Not quite the same, but we both had a nice evening :)

If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be married to the guy in the driver's seat of that green Ford Explorer, I would have laughed. I liked him, but had no idea where it was going that soon. And to say we have 2 beautiful children? I would never have believed.

Life sure has taken us on quite a journey since that night in August of 2004. I'm just so glad we are on the journey together.

It Starts

This is not a post about Jillian starting preschool, (although that will be up next week!). This is a quick post just to remember the shenanigans I experience with two children.

Today, I was determined to get both kids down as close to 1 pm as possible. David did his normal scream-fest for about 4 minutes, and fell asleep shortly after.

Whew! I thought. That went better than expected!

I ushered Jillian into her bed, and begged pleaded told her she needed to at least lay in bed quietly for a little while.

Ok she whispered back.

{That's what she always says, but she never means it!}

I spent the first hour of their nap time/quiet time, going over my MyFitnessPal app. Then I finished up laundry for the day. I then settled on the couch, hoping I would get a quick 20 minute nap myself. As I drifted off, I heard a noise. I listened again, but convinced myself it was the TV.

A minute later, there was another noise. I muted the TV. Not another sound. Convinced Jillian was running around while David slept, I ran to my bedside table to look at the video monitor.

Low and behold....

That's right. Jillian had not only put her ginormous stuffed lion in David's crib, she also climbed into the crib herself. I stopped and laughed as I watched her pretend tickled him, stood up and made faces at the camera, but drew the line when she moved David with her feet.

It was hard to keep a straight face as I looked at the two of them looking back at me.

Jill... what are you doing?

I'm cuddling with my Davey!! *cue heart melt!*

Well, how did you get in the crib sweet girl?

I climbed so very well!

Oh my. Well, with that nap time came to an end. Everyone was up already so there was no point in continuing.

I'm sure our lives will continue to have stories similar to this one. While it's a little unnerving knowing my toddler is climbing, (and very well I might add), I look forward to shenanigans like these before they're too cool big to be precious like this :)

Life Post #Roadtrip

The last week of July, Jillian, David, and I set out on a road trip. We traveled up to Iowa for my grandma's 90th birthday party, then we went to visit my parents in Minnesota. I have lots of pictures from our trip, but I figured it would be easier to show you life post road trip first :)

 {Life is so hard when you miss your grandparents}

{p.s. That zebra? We got it in Minnesota, and Jillian has slept with it every night since we've been home!}

 

{Jillian is such a good helper. She really loves my suitcases too}

 {My house actually looks like this most of the time, give or take a few hundred Cheerios on the floor. I finally unpacked 3 days after we got home and I promise it no longer looks this bad ;)}

 {I'm really loving this bottle! Not only does it mix up my Herbalife shakes really well, but it's a fun pink color too!}

 {A brief moment of playing together}
{David is LOVING this puppy, but Jillian remembers she likes him too. Jillian usually swipes the dog and runs to the other side of the room}

 {David is crawling backwards only right now. He got stuck in our foot board the other morning. We did free him after taking pictures :)}

{Jillian asked for her picture too, and said "Cheese!"}
{You can see her fat upper lip. She was running in the church nursery the night before and fell forward on her face. It looked like she got Botox for a few days. Now you can't even tell}

{David decided that wants nothing to do with purees now that we're home. So, I've been doing my best to find finger foods he can eat at his age. This breakfast was Cheerios and peaches :)}
 

{If you have any finger foods your kids loved that does not involve dairy or eggs, please let me know! I'm running out of ideas and fast!}

{If there was any doubt my children are related, take a look at this!}

 {Monday, my "me time" was looking over Jillian's very specific school supply list while the kids napped}

{Phil had to work extra late both Monday and Tuesday. I bathed both kids on Monday night, and it went relatively smoothly. The only issue was turning discovering this when I got Jillian out of the tub}

{Tuesday, we went to buy some necessities and Jillian's school supplies. She should be all set!}

{This is why silence with a toddler is suspicious. I found her like this when I thought she was playing independently in her playroom. Silly Jilly...}

{We got Jillian hair cut at Snip-Its this morning! It was our first experience and it went really well! Jillian is officially ready to start preschool :)}

How has your week gone? Any last minute summer plans before everything goes back to fall mode?

Pieces of Me

It's hard to believe about 45 days have past since my last post. I did have David's 8 Month ready to go minus his photo, but I really wanted to wait if I could.

Between trips, appointments, and really just giving myself a chance to catch up on everything, I put my blog on the back burner. I have several things to share, and I will get to all of them soon :)

I'm certainly not feeling completely healed, but I am feeling whole again. That is something I have been missing for awhile now. I will say that I am so thankful for the village I have created over the last 2 years. I don't know where I'd be without all those amazing people!

I hope summer has been going well for y'all!

Day 1 - Reboot

If you recall back in 2012, I started a journey. I decided to get my weight loss in gear and finally shed that baby weight from being pregnant with Jillian. I stumbled, I veered off the path, but I got things done. I had a successful year and was excited to see what else I could accomplish. 16 days later, I had a positive pregnancy test. I couldn't continue, but thought I would do a little more activity during my second pregnancy. That didn't happen.

Now, 8-1/2 months postpartum from my second child, I was tired of battling with the same 5 pounds. {I also had a mini-life crisis when my ex-boyfriend from high school, who was large* when we dated, is now showing off a skinny physique. That rocked my world a bit. *I'm talking easily 350 pounds or more.} I really didn't lose any weight naturally this time around, so I'm starting a little bit higher than I was expecting. However, I know it's now or never and I'm done making excuses. My postpartum depression is in check, and my life is in a good place right now. I'm ready to get going!

I'm doing a mixture of Herbalife, working out at home every morning with DVDs like this, and counting calories. It's something I know will work for where I am right now, and I'm hoping to get things moving again. Here goes nothing!

Starting Weight: 239.8
Starting Upper Arm: 17"
Starting Chest: 45 1/2"
Starting Waist: 41"
Starting Hips: 48 1/2"
Starting Thighs: 26 1/2"
Starting Calves: 17 1/2"

Starting Photo:

David: {Eight Months}

David –

You are eight months old today! Oh my sweet Bubbie. I can't believe you already this old, but I can tell you're ready!

According to our measurements at home, you are 17 lbs, 12 oz and 26-1/2 inches long. 

You can wear a  3-6 Month button down shirt, but you are most comfortable in 6 Month, and 6-9 Month clothes. You also have to wear 6-9 Month PJs consistently. You wear size 3 diapers. We have Pampers Cruisers or Luvs for the day, and Huggies Overnight for bedtime.

As far as eating goes, you are my bottomless pit! You eat between 4 and 5 bottles a day that vary from 6.75 and 8.5 oz. You are eating about 4 oz of jarred baby food, and Cheerios and Mum-Mums for a snack. So far, you don't have any favorites because you seem to just love food! You don't seem crazy about black beans though, but that's ok. 

You sleep from 8:30 pm to 7 am most nights. You usually get a nice big nap in the afternoon, but your two other small cat naps are hit or miss lately. You are able to sleep without being swaddled, which is good because you like to sleep on your side or your tummy.

Baths are a bit more fun now that you've learned to splash! We just started bathing you in the ducky tub, and you just splash until you are completely covered in water :)

You have 1-3/4 teeth! I say that because your second bottom tooth is mostly out, but one more corner needs to pop before we can officially call it ;)

Overall you are an easy baby and we just love watching your sweet personality bloom. You are starting to raise one eyebrow when you're being flirty and I find it hilarious! Also, you love hold hair and touching faces. You don't do it in a mean way, but because you just want to be close.

Your current nicknames are: Baby Davey, Davey Boy, LT, Dude, Dahveed, and Bubbie.

You are just starting to show signs of separation anxiety. Hopefully we can get you through that phase relatively easily :)

You can roll in both directions, but no crawling yet! You do the little pelvic thrust, turn on your tummy 360*, and can even get on all four for a few seconds. We'll see how much longer until we start getting around! You also love to bounce and stand on your legs.

Everything goes in your mouth right now. Toys, non-toys, hair, baby wipes, really whatever you can grab. You don't have any favorite toys just yet, but we'll see if that changes!

We are in the middle of a trip! The family, minus your daddy :(, went to Tulsa for a few days to see your Grandma and Papa. Then it was up to KC for a night, and now we are in Sioux City for your great-grandma's 90th birthday party! We are staying with your Jemma and Gee-Chaz at a hotel, and so far you've been decent in the car. When you sleep, you sleep very soundly. However, when you want out, you just scream at the top of your lungs until we stop. I don't blame you, it has been a long trip. Maybe we can work on your asking though huh? :) After the party, we'll go up to Minnesota for a few days before we head home. I hope we have a great time together!

There are times I can't believe you are here and 8 months old. Other days, I can't even remember life without you LT. Even on the hardest days, your smile just melts my heart. I just know you will do great things and pray that God continues to bless you and keep you in His grace :)

Now some outtakes:

 {You want me to what mother?!}

 {That Face}
{It looks so much like Jillian's monthly photo for her 11 Month Update!}

 {No wonder I can't say no to that boy :)}

 {Ok ma! I'm done now!!}

{I accept your gift of the pacifier... for now}

And comparisons:

{Months 1-3}

{Months 4-6}

 {Months 7 & 8}

{Left: Jillian 8/2012 Right: David 8/2014}

{Read Jillian's 8 Month Update Here}

David: {Seven Months}

David –

You are seven months old today! As you giggle beside me when I type, I can't help but feel so blessed. You are closer to a one year old than a squishy newborn. While I am in denial about that, I do love this stage of babyhood :)

According to our measurements at home and your weight from the doctor yesterday, you are 16 lbs, 13 oz and 26 ½ inches long.

You are still wearing some 3-6 Month clothing, but you are most comfortable in 6 Month, and 6-9 Month clothes. You wear size 3 diapers. We have Pampers Cruisers or Luvs for the day, and Huggies Overnight for bedtime.

Eating is suddenly your favorite thing to do! You eat between 4 and 5 bottles a day that vary from 6.75 and 7.75 oz. As of last week, you are eating about 2-3 oz of fruit with oatmeal for breakfast, and 2-3 oz of vegetable with rice cereal for dinner. You like the food mama made best, but your favorites seem to be sweet potatoes, apples and cinnamon, and green beans.

You sleep from 8:30 pm to 7 am most nights. You usually get a nice big nap in the afternoon, but your two other small cat naps are hit or miss lately. Now that mama is back from her trip, maybe we can get back to a better nap schedule. You are able to sleep overnight without being swaddled! This is just in time for you to sleep part of the night on your tummy.

Baths are still ok for you. You don't cry or anything, but you get impatient if we try to make you play after you're all clean. You do like to dip your toes in the kiddie pool we have, so you do like the water ok. It'll be interesting to see if this ever changes!

You finally have a tooth poking out as of yesterday! It is your bottom right, and it's just one side of the tooth. It's cute though!

Overall you have a sweet demeanor. You are very laid back and go with the flow, which is good because we're a little disorganized and chaotic around here ;) When something bothers you, you let us know loudly and immediately! You turn bright red when you're really mad. You get frustrated pretty easy, but your sister is the same way. Also, you are a super big flirt. Not only do you smile with crinkled eyes and nose at all the pretty girls, you also yell loudly and smile as soon as people look at you. I think I'll be in trouble once you hit junior high ;)

Your current nicknames are: Baby Davey, Davey Boy, LT (for Little Tomato as well as a nod to your great-grandfather), Kewpie, and Bubbie.

Stranger danger is not quite on your radar yet. It does take you a moment to warm up to people you don't recognize, especially if you just woke up from a nap. However, you usually don't cry unless they really get in your face.

You can roll in both directions, and you want to crawl so badly! We've tried helping a little, but you don't like to be helped. Before we know it, you'll be army crawling all over the place! You also love to bounce and stand on your legs.

Toys are getting more interesting, but you don't always need them to be entertained. In fact, you enjoy watching other kids play, and you love one on one face time with whoever is holding you. You do love your jumperoo, and will chew on just about anything we give you!

Mama went on a mission trip to Utah with church, so you got to be an only child for a whole week! Your daddy dropped you off at Grandma and Papa's house and you were a very good baby for them :) Your sister went to stay with Jemma and Gee-Chaz, so you got lots of attention. It sounds like you and Jillian had a nice little reunion moment, and you did give mama a nice big smile when she saw you again :)

I count myself lucky to have a baby like you. You are so sweet, and your smile melts my heart. I'm so proud of you already son, and I know that feeling will only growing in the months and years to come. I love you so much, and I pray the next month brings more joy than the last :)

Now some outtakes:

 {Too early to shine such a bright light in my face mama!}

 {I don't think I'll smile just yet. Also, when do I get to eat again?!}

 {This sticker was for eating right?}

{Also, those eyes...}

 {Jillian jumped in, but needed to pull up her pant leg first apparently ;)}

 {Cheese from big sister!}

And some comparisons!

{Months 1-3}

{Months 4 & 5}

 {Months 6 & 7}

{Left: Jillian 7/2012 Right: David 7/2014}

{Read Jillian's 7 Month Update Here}