Kaylee Update

I feel like I'm always posting about Griffin, so I thought I'd share what's going on with my first born big girl who I just love so much.  She'll be 3 1/2 in October, but most people ask if she's either 4 or 5 because she is tall and a talker. 

Kaylee is so many things, she's smart, funny, inquisitive, intuitive, and my girl loves some drama.

We always say Kaylee has BIG FEELINGS.  She's SO happy or it's also not rare for her to spend an hour crying because she wanted the pink cup not the purple one.  She wakes up grumpy from naps, but every morning her first question is, "so, what are we doing today and where are we going?"  She likes to know a plan and loves a schedule.  #GirlAfterMyOwnHeart.

Kaylee is a rockstar eater.  Thinking about what she ate today makes me laugh....avocado toast for breakfast, an entire apple with her  lunch spinach quesadilla, broccoli chicken and bacon and tons of grapes for dinner, I mean, variety is her thing!  She is also known to eat butter if in reach and would dip anything and everything in sour cream and/or ranch.  

Kaylee knows her birthday, her address, and we are working on my phone number.  She asks so.many.questions.  I mean, it cracks me up, like thought-provoking questions, "What's the sun do at night while the moon is out?" "How does God make babies?"  "How did Griffin get out of your belly?" My girl is SMART.  

She is INTENSE. All up in your grill, especially with friends like, "hey what's your daddy's name?  do you like noodles?  where do you live?" etc.  #ALLTHEQUESTIONS.  She loves to make new friends and can make friends, anywhere.  Older girls are usually so good with her and her interrogating small talk.  It's also not unusual for us to leave the check out line and she yells a casual, "I love you so much, bye!!!" to the cashier.  Boundaries aren't her thing.  She loves her people though, and I'm so glad that she knows just how loved she is.

Kaylee, if you're reading this and are a little bit older and a little bit wiser, I hope you always know how full you make my heart and how proud I am of you, and I pray that you never stop marching to the beat of your own drum!  God knew that the world and I needed a Kaylee.  You make me belly laugh so much and are seriously funny.  Actually, I love when you say, "actually" and "seriously" because it makes us both CRACK UP.   Love you so much my Kaylee girl; you are my sunshine.   

*Day in the life post of our final days of summer coming this week :)

Kaylee's Third Birthday

It was a little hectic this year celebrating Kaylee's birthday with a newborn, but I wanted to be sure to still make it special for her!  Last weekend, we celebrated with both families by going to dinner, and she loved it.  We brought cake and presents, and she asked the next morning if should could have the birthday party again :) 

The next weekend was her actual birthday weekend, so on Saturday I took her on a mystery trip, just us girls.  First stop, a frosty :)

Second stop, Target!  She got some Target gift cards, so we shopped for a present.  We had so much fun on our little girls' outing.

Sunday, Birthday!  We did presents in the morning, followed by donuts, Church, and an Easter egg hunt :)

It was such a beautiful morning!

After nap, we headed to my mom's so Kaylee could ride around on her new scooter.  Then we walked both kids to get ice cream.  Kaylee was wiped out, and so were we!  It was a great third birthday!! 

 Here is Kaylee's birthday interview:

Favorite color: pink

Favorite food: gumminies

Favorite animal: rhinoceros 

Favorite lunch: quesadilla 

Favorite breakfast: eggs

Favorite dinner: noodles

Best friend: grandma and Evelyn 

Favorite thing to play: monsters with daddy 

Favorite princess: Gracie

Favorite thing to wear: dress and skirt

Favorite show: beauty and the beast

Favorite place to go: park

Favorite toy: babies and dress up

Kaylee Lately

Kaylee will be three in a few months, and it's been a minute (don't you just love/hate that expression!?) since I've posted about what she's up to, into, etc.  So, here's what's up with my almost three year old:

Kaylee is tall and she is a talker, like talks and talks and talks, so people are always asking me if she's three or four.  Then, they watch her throw a tantrum over me making her wear shoes in Target and they quickly see that she is very, very much two.  

She LOVES her babies.  She takes really good care of them. For instance, every night she has a back pack, diaper bag, and often a lunch box on her night stand full of stuff they may "need in the night" oh and luggage, sometimes there is luggage for the babies too.  She still doesn't LOVE any one show, but Mickey is a big hit, and a little bit more Doc McStuffins.  Sofia is typically good, too.  It's funny that she will see a show, that I think is targeted toward boys, and says, "that's a boy show I don't want that."  I don't know where that's coming from??

I so often say she's like a sour patch kid, first she's sour, then she's sweet.  She will be having a TOUGH morning or day or what have you, and then do or say the sweetest thing, like, "Mommy you look beautiful in that shirt."  or "It was really fun this morning when we went to the library.  Thank you for taking me."  Like so SWEET, yet SO SOUR, too.  I love sour patch kids so this analogy makes such sense to me #LOL

She's smart....she is only allowed her pacifier in bed or the car.  She came down with it one day, so I sent her to her bed if she wanted to have it.  She came down with a sleeping bag, crawled in, put her pacifier in, then said, "now I'm in a bed, so I can have my binki."  OH, okay.  You win.

She makes friends, and has a particular drawing to babies and like 5 and up year olds I'd say.  She will meet someone and weeks, I mean several weeks later she'll ask about them by name.  I'm thinking her future will be in a job that's memory intensive, because hers is crazy.  Like even waitresses from a place we went months ago, we'll walk in and she'll ask if Sam will be there to bring us food.  Cracks me up.  Sometimes she'll be yelling from her bed before going to sleep, "What was that girls' name from the mall park??" And we maybe hadn't been to the mall park for two weeks, so I have no idea, but she'll eventually yell the name down.  

I love this little girl who challenges me, loves me, and makes me so proud to be a mom!

Girls' Day

Time is flying with this pregnancy, and every now and then I get a little sentimental about losing all of my one-on-one time with Kaylee.  I mean we are ALWAYS together.  I'm so excited about what our new little addition is going to bring, but I want to squeeze in some special time with Kaylee before baby, and I need to make an effort to do that even after baby boy arrives.  I planned a little impromptu girls' day with my favorite girl.  Here's how it went:  

We started with a Kohls trip because... #KohlsCash.  Note: They will suck you back in.  After checking out we received more Kohls cash eeeeek, so we will be back.  I brought snacks and Kaylee actually sat in their little cart while I did some holiday shopping.  #ThisNeverHappensAnymore #Sigh

Next Stop: MALL

Our mall is beautifully decorated for the holidays, and this girl went up and posed in front of every.single.tree.  I was cracking up and she was loving the photo opps.  

We had to hit up the mall park before the movie, and it never disappoints :)

We got our tickets!!! I'm not sure who was more excited ;)

I wonder how long it will be until she learns that to actually play the machine needs money!?  Hoping a long time....

Ok, so never in my years of seeing a movie has this happened....until the day I brought my two year old.  I called the theatre realllllll quick and it was a few minutes until things were up and running.  I think the previews even restarted, so if I had to hear "Where is Moana!?" One more time....

My big girl!  So, I learned that even without the error message, when going with littles I will definitely aim on the late side of the movie start time.  We were out of snacks by the time the movie started I think due to the extended previews.  Also, we saw the 1030 showing, and it was a perfect time.  We left at noon (I think there was about an hour left), because someone was getting sleepy.  She did great and really mastered whispering hahaha.  

Love my special days with you, Kaylee!!

xoxo

Happy Heart, Belly laugh

I was up in the middle of the night (pregnancy insomnia) thinking about all of the funny things Kaylee has been saying that I forget almost immediately after.  Everyone says, "Write it down!" So, I'm taking their advice today and sharing some things that gave me a big belly laugh and made my heart so happy to be this silly, smart girl's mama.  (Sidenote: I'm under no illusion that these will give you a belly laugh (but hopefully a happy heart :)).  They may be "had to be there's" or maybe just because I'm her mom, but here they are for my future reference :)

Kaylee and I were going into Sheetz to buy milk, and as I'm getting her out of the carseat she says, "So, do you want to go in and get a breadstick or something?"

Me: LOLing, I don't think they have breadsticks here.

K: Ok, no problem.

I WAS DYING.

Kaylee and I were going to the gym and she so cutely said, "Today is going to be a little different.  You are going to play, and I'm going to exercise with the grown-ups, OK?" I was laughing at how she'd thought this whole thing out and how cute it was!

Another recent instance, we were driving to the doctor's and I turned into the wrong parking lot and said, "UGH.  This was the wrong one!"  Kaylee so calmly said, "Mommy, you are frustrated."  hahaha What a great use of that word!

A recent morning, I'd gone to bed with my hair wet, and had it down the next morning.  I was sitting with Kaylee while she ate, and my hair had caused a total meltdown.... "What's your hair look like!?  Your hair is so messy!  I can't look at you!!!" I mean it was TRAUMATIC/DRAMATIC.  

We had my in-laws and parents over for the game on Sunday, and my dad asked Kaylee, "Who do you think will win the Steeler's Game?"  Her response, "Barrack Obama"  Mic. Drop.  

Lastly, we were getting ready to leave for school.  Sometimes when she's all strapped in, I take a minute to breathe and will look at my phone before getting on the road.  Kaylee was so cute and said, "Ok Mommy, are you all situated now? Time to go." 

I'm sure if you're a fellow mom, there are a dozen times a day you stop dead in your tracks after your little says something and think, "How does he/she know that?" or you laugh, or you cry...haha.  I hope to write down little things that give me belly laughs and full, happy hearts to look back on.  

Never stop marching to the beat of your own drum, Kaylee girl!

Big Sister

Best news ever!!

So excited to share that Kaylee is going to be a big sister!! I thought I'd share a little bit about how/when we found out as well as how everything is going!

We found out we were pregnant on July 9 and were so excited! I actually bought the shirt Kaylee's wearing a little prematurely, haha.  I found out early that day, and told Gerald by giving him the Big sister shirt.   We were excited to tell our families, already!

The first person I told was Kelly, because she had texted me a positive pregnancy test picture THAT NEXT MORNING.  Fate, I tell ya.  It's been so fun going through pregnancy with the sister I never had.  Later that day was my brother's birthday, and we told him and my parents by wrapping the shirt and giving him the shirt with other presents.  We have it on video, and IT IS EVERYTHING.  We did the same thing with the Tyler's the next day, because it was then my brother-in-law's birthday!   It was so fun telling them.  This boy is already SO LOVED.  We waited a little while to tell Kaylee.  SHE CANT WAIT. I mean, this girl loves babies.  Wherever we are or go, she finds a baby to befriend.  

We told some close friends and family in the beginning, but waited until 12 weeks to tell most.  The first trimester was like any--sick and tired :)

On 10/24, we had our anatomy ultrasound, and we could not wait.  I felt so strongly that God would give Kaylee what was best for her and our family, a little sister or brother.  I thought it'd be so fun to see her with a little sis, but loved the idea of having a boy, too.  When we finally went to our appointment, we found out IT'S A BOY.  I must say, in all the years I've known Gerald, I don't think I have NEVER seen him so happy.  My dad says he'll learn in no time though, that girls are the best ;).  

We dressed Kaylee in all blue and shared the news with everyone.  Time to plan :).  Check back this week for pregnancy, so far!

Kaylee is 2 1/2

My sweet Kaylee is coming up on being two and half, and it just amazes me.  Insert eye roll here....I know.  How much can I gush over how quickly time is going? But it is!  I'm going to share all things Kaylee today.

If I could describe Kaylee in one word....SPUNKY.  Definition: courageous and determined.  I can't get over how perfectly this describes my fearless, stubborn, "I can do it by myself", girl.  

Sleep. is pretty good.  We've gotten over that dreadful 5am hump that I recently blogged about, and we are at a solid 6:30-6:45am every day wake up.  I can deal!  Kaylee likes to lay for a few, but prefers to eat breakfast almost immediately.  Naps are great.  She goes down without a fight, and naps 1.5-2.5 hour.  #PleaseNeverLeaveMeNapTime

Play.  Kaylee loves to play, but she prefers a companion.  She is babies babies everything.  BUT, she will choose being read to over any show, game, or activity.  If she's not playing with babies, then she's pretending to be one.  Animals of any kind are another favorite.

Love. Kaylee's love language is NOT physical touch.  Hugs and kisses aren't her favorite thing.  I get it.....I think I was that way too.  It makes them extra special.  There have been moments that melt my heart though, when Kaylee is walking into school, turns around, yells my name, and says, "MOMMY WAIT.  I forgot to give you a hug and a kiss."  She is so sweet with her words always calling things beautiful, smart, and giving praise.

School. Kaylee LOVES school.   Every morning she asks if we can go.  I have heard such great things from her teachers about her being a great participant, fun, and a great listener.  She has pure JOY on her face as she goes in and out of school, and it makes my heart so happy!

Favorites:

Food: cheesy noodles, yogurt, oatmeal, berries, and loves any and every snack.  Def prefers salty over sweet.

Show: She bounces all around with this one.  The only things we've watched lately are Zootopia and Beauty and the Beast.

Toys: Babies, books, and stuffed animals

Song: If Kaylee isn't talking, she's singing.  She LOVES nursery rhymes/songs.  I think she'll be one of those that we'll say, "She's been singing since she could talk..."

Lines: This girl makes me laugh all day long.  We'd watched Christmas Pooh, and all of the sudden Kaylee is yelling, "It's Christmas Eve For Crying Out Loud!"  Her manners are great, and so is her language.

Our days are full of play, tantrums, and a lot of laughing.  Errands are challenging.  Taking away pull-ups at night and Kaylee's pacifier may just be the death of me.  

I'm so proud of you Kaylee girl, and I love watching you grow.  I'm so happy God chose me to be your mom.

Here are some pics:

ALWAYS has hands on hips :)

 Kaylee LOVES dress up.

Just not today

It was over the weekend, and we had an overly-tired toddler on a weird sleep schedule along with an overly-frustrated mom of a toddler who was pretty sure she was getting it all wrong.   I felt like I was so needed but had nothing left to give.  It was a day of tears and tantrums.  Nothing big deal, no life-threatening injury or illness, it was just a day where I felt like an inadequate mom.  I felt like in that moment, I was failing.  Gerald saw my frustrations when he came into the room when I gave myself a "time-out."  I was upset and was saying how I'm pretty sure I'm screwing this all up....that I was pretty sure I was screwing her up.

But look how much she loves me...

I laid in my house alone after the two of them went out for a little while, praying for strength and patience to endure my greatest blessing and I realized how strong I am,  I had this epiphany that God chose ME to parent this little girl.  Before bed we say prayers and talk about blessings, we always thank God for each other, for bringing us together.  He could've chosen anyone to be her mom, but He chose me.  And I'm so thankful that He did.

SO, I decided.  That starting tomorrow my mindset would be, "just not today."

-When I see the toys piling in the corners and I couldn't keep up the messes, I wouldn't stress about it, just not today.

-When it's nap time and I had 34029593 tasks and anywhere from 1-3 hours to do it.  I would do what I could, not dwell on the things I couldn't get done, just not today.

-When I'm trying to make dinner but I'm asked to play babies, I'll take 5 and play, that I'll do that today.

-When I rock you and sing songs, I'll do it as long as you let me, because I know these days are numbered.  I won't rush downstairs to shower, or to a glass bottle of wine, just not today.  Today, I'll look into your eyes and give you my presence.

-When I hear you in your room, loving on your babies, mimicking all of the things I say to you, I'll know I'm doing something right.   Today, I'll give myself some credit.

-When we struggle, because all of the days won't be pretty and some will be messy, I won't be hard on myself, just not today.  Today will be full of grace and silver linings.  (Like the fact that maybe I'm wearing eyeliner or have clean hair or the fact that you spent half an hour of giggles or that you're using your manners when I don't prompt you, whatever it may be.)

It won't be every day.  Some days I will feel defeated, most days I will feel challenged, but every day.  Every single day, even if it's just for a second, I will appreciate how blessed I am.  

To all of you rockstar moms out there, keep doing your thing and raising these amazing babies.

xoxo.