Aubrey's 3!!!

I'm so lucky to be this cute girl's mama.

Aubrey provides lots of entertainment in multiple ways.  She keeps us on our toes!  She is probably happiest when she is dancing.  She loves her dance class and dressing "like a ballerina."  She also loves her princess dress-ups.  She scolds her toys.  She taunts her sister.  She's still LOUD!  She likes frosting.  A lot.  See that big piece of cake?  Yeah, she only ate the top half.  She likes to play with puppies and kitty cats, her baby doll, and trains.  She's ill-mannered at the table, and proves to be a picky eater.  She started pre-school this year and has decided that it's okay.  The first few weeks, she would tearfully tell me, "I will choose to be happy" when I dropped her off at school.  Since then, she proclaims that she had fun each day she goes.  She loves to craft - especially anything involving a glue stick or paint.  She's been terrific at potty training and rides her bike like crazy!  She continues to be obsessed with electronics.

Aubrey adds a completely new dimension to our home.  I can't imagine life without this energetic child.  Now if I could only figure out how to help her and Kiley get along.......

To Cherish

Aubrey's words to me with her arms wrapped around my neck:

"I'm happy to be with you mom."

Sigh.

Bliss.

For the Love of Dirt

My girls love Kanab red dirt.  And mud.

Pictures to post later.

Welcome Home

The girls and I just returned from spending two weeks in Utah.  We were welcomed home with beautiful, cool, New England weather, a true treat considering its mid-August.  The girls were ready to be reunited with their daddy, and I think he was growing tired of a quiet house (now that we're back, that's not even a slight possibility).  On Kiley's wish list for her first morning home: sleeping in and spending time by herself in her room.  On Aubrey's: playing Just Dance on the Wii.

Where has the summer gone?  Lake George, Saratoga Springs, swimming lessons, cousins visiting, Utah, and school will be starting in just two weeks.  Kiley's super excited because she got the teacher she really wanted.  I hope she has a good school year.  Second grade is when you really start to form memories.  She shared a memory with me today: during one of our bad nor'easters this past winter, we piled in Kullen's truck and drove to Panera for lunch.  She enjoyed sitting by the fire and eating her favorite Mac n' cheese.  How's that for a childhood memory?  Simple, right?  Goes to show that we don't need to kill ourselves or spend tons of money to create enjoyable moments for our families.

While in Utah, we celebrated my grandma's upcoming 90th birthday, and did so early so as many grand kids and great-grand kids could make it.  It was fun to celebrate her and catch up with cousins that I haven't seen for years.  Living so far away has its disadvantages!

 I am still jet-lagged and hoping to go to bed soon.  Last night, I didn't fall asleep until 2:00 am EST!  My body didn't know what to do with the cool, damp weather after spending two weeks in the dry desert.  Hopefully I'm more acclimated for tonight!

My Dad by Kiley

My dad's name is Kullen.  His favorite tv show is America's Funniest Videos.  His favorite dinner is meat.  My dad likes to wear his motorcycle shirt and blue jean shorts.  My dad's favorite way to relax is to have a nice long nap.  He likes to play with Aubrey and I.  My dad is funny when he makes silly faces.  My dad always gives me a hug goodnight.  Sometimes he helps me with my homework.  I like when he tickles me.  The best thing about my dad is that he is kind.

Kiley made this tie for her dad in school.  He wore it to church on Father's Day and it was a hit!

Music to a Mother's Ears

I've been waiting for the day that my girls sit and play nicely together.  It doesn't happen very often.  Aubrey has a temper on her and screams if she doesn't get her way (she is 2 after all...), and Kiley very much likes to direct play - so it's a bit of a tricky combination.  But yesterday, the stars aligned, and Aubrey let Kiley dress her up like a princess.  15 minutes of girls interacting and being happy with one another.   Ahhhhhh, bliss.

Wipe and Wash and Dry

We're potty training!  Aubrey has had ZERO interest in using the potty.  I thought she would given that she has an older sister.  But nope, she's so happy being her little independent self wearing diapers.  I decided that the "Three Day Method" would work best for her and that we would have to switch to panties full on to get her to cue in to her body.  It's been a long three days with lots of laundry!

Day 1
I was ready!  Stickers, charts, M&Ms, outdoor projects, the timer on my trusty iTouch, and Tinkerbell panties picked out by the sweet miss herself.  Aubrey was game to have our "special day."  After her morning class, we went and got great big sodas (encouraging lots of fluid) and came home to put on panties.   By dinner time, I was so disheartened.  We had gone through 7 pair of panties (and outfits) and had zero successes.  Then finally, it clicked a little for her.  She went in the potty FINALLY!  Kiley and I hooped and hollered and made such a fuss.  YES!

Day 2
Aubrey wasn't so excited about panties anymore.  The only way I got them on her was when I promised a special present (a Thomas the Train) that I had at the ready should I need it.  She didn't like me asking/reminding her every 15-20 minutes about the bathroom.  She got frustrated.  The stickers and chart were no longer a motivator.  A twist of the M&M machine was still a fun reward for successes.  Most of her successes, started out as accidents, but we'll count them as a move in the right direction.

Day 3
She cried this morning when I asked her to sit on the toilet.  "No like potty!  No like pee pee in potty!  No thank you panties!  No thank you!"  I promised her that if she would try her panties for a couple of hours this morning, we would take a break for a couple of hours to go to the park with some friends.  I put her in a pull-up and off we went.  Today I'm trying to be more aware of her cues instead of asking her to go so frequently.  She went twice while at the park.  HURRAY!  Don't give up Melissa!

Day 5 (update)
Aubrey is doing super.  She signals when she needs to go to the bathroom.  Hugs and cheers are enough of a reward.  We spent the day at the zoo yesterday and she used the public restroom 4 times while there.  She's been in a pull-up the past couple of days just because of being out and about.  She will be spending more time in panties this week when at home.  We still have a ways to go, but we have made one giant leap.  GO AUBREY!!!

Kiley's Purple Accessory

She doesn't look very excited about it.  Does she?

A Week In the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 7

I went to bed too late last night and woke up too early thanks to my resident rooster.  I am beyond tired and am grateful that this is my last entry for this week.  Today has been one of those days where I have been busy all day, but now that I sit, I'm left wondering what I did all day.  I'll try to remember some things.

Aubrey had a story time class at the library.  She's getting a lot better being at ease around kids her age.  She napped today, but not long enough.

I did quite a bit of work for Kiley's science project.  The scientific process written up in first-grade prose, photos taken and uploaded to the pharmacy for printing, materials assembled, etc. etc.

Cut back an overgrown bush in the front yard.  Doesn't sound like much, but the thing is massive, so it was quite the undertaking.

Went for a walk around the block with Aubrey.  Ahhhhh, the pace of a two-year old.  She insists on wearing her red cowboy boots everywhere.

Took Kiley to and from piano.  She's doing really well. We all adore Miss Kathye.

Made dinner, cleaned up from dinner.  Worked on Kiley's display board for the science fair.  Kiley got to stay up late to work on it.  That and she got to use sharpie markers!  She thought it was great (she loves sharpie markers and is borderline dangerous with them).

Kullen got home as we were finishing up.

Brain drain in front of the tv for an hour (much needed tonight).  And now, it's off to bed.

The end of a relatively normal week I suppose.  Last year, my kids got stomach bugs during the week I documented.  I was a little worried that this was going to be the kiss of death and it would happen again.  So glad it didn't!

A Week in the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 6

Great day today!  It's General Conference Sunday for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  That means a couple of things for us Mormons: one, we don't have to get dressed up and go to church.  And two, we get to stay at home and watch a televised broadcast of our Prophet and various church leaders speak.  It's a great change of pace and it's nice to have such a good reason to hang around the house with the family.  Because my kids are young, it's hard to get designated listening time in, but occasionally you catch a little something.

I left Kullen at home with the girls this morning and went for a walk!  It felt great!  And then this afternoon, I left them all at home again and went to an open house!  It felt great!

So lots of good things going on today, but one of the best things is that we had friends come over tonight.  One family we had invited over for Conference and another popped in shortly after.  What fun it was to have a house full of kids and sit around the table and visit!  I loved it!  I so miss family get-togethers, so this was just what I needed.

Kullen has a few late nights this coming week, so it looks like I will be finishing up Kiley's science experiment with her tomorrow evening.  And the forecast shows a potential 77 degree day next week!  What will I do with myself!!!?

A Week in the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 5

What a wonderful day today has been.  Saturdays are always my day to stay in bed and not get up with the kids (delish!).  Aubrey is still quite the rooster and a very effective alarm clock.  She doesn't wake up slowly and sleepily the way many of us do.  She sits straight up and screams, "MOMMMMMEEEEEEE!  MOMMMMMEEEEEE!  MOMMMMEEEEEEEE!" until you get your butt into her room to help her get out of bed.  It's a rather rude awakening, but one that you have to chuckle about.  It's just one of those things that makes Aubrey, Aubrey.

We did stuff around the house today, devoting a lot of time outside putting the new playhouse together.  The girls seem pretty excited about it.  I think Kiley must have imagined a mansion of a playhouse, because she envisioned it with a doorbell, sink, table, bigger, better, etc.  That girl was meant to be born in to a disgustingly wealthy family.  She'll just have to slum it with us.

Lunch together, dinner together, work together, errands together.  A good day.  Kiley and I spent extra time reading tonight since Kullen went to the Priesthood session of General Conference at the church.

A whole two hours of quiet to myself.  I'm going to give myself a facial and start my new book for book group, "The Happiness Project."

Aubrey likes me to sing her a song from the "Signing Time" series (Rachel de Azevedo Coleman) when she goes to bed.  Kiley liked it too when she was young.  Now she likes to read and have her back tickled.  I'll probably forget the song by the time my kids are grown, so I'll write the words here (or at least the words I sing):

"Goodnight, Baby

The time has come to sleep

The sun has set on this day

And surely you need sleep.

Goodnight, Baby

It's faster than it seems

I used to be the baby, 

And my mom sang to me.

So goodnight.  Goodnight.

I'll watch you as you sleep

The world loves little babies

And you are the world to me."

A Week In the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 4

Another day.  They do seem to go quickly.

So in my attempt to get to bed before I turned in to a pumpkin last night, I didn't document a thought I've been having since my book group discussion.  We were talking about power and how men can hold certain power (ie. in the Mormon faith, the Priesthood), just by nature of being male.  Apparently there are women out there who think this is unfair in some way or another.  As a woman, I feel I have a tremendous God-given power.  I can create another human life.  No man can do that (sure we need them to make it happen.... but that's just one small detail).  To feel a baby grow within you is an amazing feeling.  To know that you can sustain that child, both within your body, and outside via breastfeeding during their early months is awesome.  And I mean "awesome" in terms of "awe inspiring," and "Godlike."  There's reason a woman glows when she's pregnant.  I wish I had shared that thought last night during our conversation.  I am so very grateful to be a Mom.  Even on days when I am pulling my hair out, I love being a Mom.  I was born to do it.  I was devastated when my first baby (Lauren) died when she was 3-weeks old.  My vision of motherhood was shattered for a period of time.  That was a really tough stage in my life.  It makes me cherish even more my Kiley and Aubrey, and the opportunity and blessing I have to be home with them.

The sun is out today!  Aubrey and I met up with some friends at a park for a couple of hours.  We played, picnic-ed, and came home for naps and cookie making.  I like to try to make a "Friday treat" for Kiley.  Kullen and I have been trying to incorporate more coconut oil in to our diets, so today I tried a new recipe for coconut chocolate chip cookies.  The dough is DYnamite.  Recipe found here:
http://www.welltraveledwife.com/2013/03/coconut-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Kiley is home from school now and we have Riley over to play for a little bit.  I'm looking forward to having the evening for our family tonight.

We ordered the girls a playhouse for the backyard and will be spending a good part of the weekend putting it together.  Should be a fun project.

A Week in the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 3

It's entirely too late for me to be typing this, but I am determined to stay true to the day-by-day.  Granted, it's officially Day 4 in five minutes, so I will type quickly.

Both my girls woke up ornery this morning.  That makes it tougher to be a good, patient Mom.  I told them I was going to ship them away to Candyland for a few hours in hopes that they would return in better spirits.

There are things that I will miss about having small children.  One thing I know I will not miss is clipping their nails.  I'm to a point with Kiley where I may start outsourcing it.  Why is it that she loves having manicures, but when it comes time for me to trim her nails it's absolute excruciating pain?

The sun was out today and I was determined to spend some time outside!  Aubrey and I enjoyed some sunshine by going for a walk around the block (I pushed her on her tricycle) and working/playing in the backyard.

I did laundry, cleaned bathrooms, made dinner, bathed kids.  You know, fun stuff.

Kullen was able to come home a little earlier tonight which was nice.  We had dinner as a family and he worked with Kiley on her upcoming science project.  Unfortunately, he had to run back to the practice tonight, leaving me to get the girlies to bed by myself.

My book group met tonight to discuss "The Diaries of Adam and Eve" by Mark Twain.  Our discussion went late in to the night as it usually does.  I am not the best mom when I get little sleep, so let's hope I do okay tomorrow.  I think I hear a diet coke calling my name for breakfast in the morning.

Good night!

A Week In the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 2

April 3rd and 36 degrees at the bus stop this morning.  Brutal!  I have lived in Connecticut for 15 years now, but my body still craves the early warm weather of Southern Utah.  Right now, I'm crawling up the walls for warmth, sick and tired of this perpetual state of cold.

Aubrey and I went to her music class with Miss Kathye.  To say Aubrey loves it is an understatement.    I seriously need to bring my video camera so I can film some of it.  She jumps, claps, sways to the rhythm, and marches.  Now add to that the sass of red cowboy boots, and a tye-dyed red skirt and you can get a small glimpse of our time there.

After class, Aubrey and I hit town hall and the grocery store.  I may or may not have let Aubrey eat a donut while I shopped.  Once we got home, we had some lunch and played "Just Dance!," and trains. Yes, again.

Aubrey is napping now.  She's getting to where she fights naps (so sad.... please don't give them up yet!....).  She's been begging everyday to sleep in my bed.  So we tried to today.  I told her she got one chance.  And guess what?  She's asleep.  Hurray!  I just might let her do it again!

Wednesdays are early release for Kiley and today she went to her friend, Alex's, house to play.  This is their first play date together, so I'm hoping they have a good time.

Tonight is Kullen's late night at the office, so it will be just us girls.  Dinner, homework, hopefully some playtime, and bedtime.
**************
I'm heading off to bed soon.  Kiley was so good tonight about doing her chores and writing some thank you notes for her birthday presents.  She really is such a good and sweet girl.  I'm so glad she's mine.  While she did her chores, Aubrey and I put the same 16-piece puzzle together five times.

Getting Aubrey ready for bed is somewhat of a challenge right now.  She no longer likes her footed pajamas and insists on wearing layers of light-weight pajamas and dresses.  Tonight, she wanted to wear a hoody to bed too.  I'm pretty sure that's not pediatrician-approved or recommended.

Here I am divulging all the things that I compromise on.  Meals, donuts (maybe or maybe not), pajamas, napping in my bed... what will be next???

A Week In the Life of a Stay-at-Home Mom, Day 1

I got my printed blog book back this weekend for 2012 and was thrilled to look through it.   One of the things I loved that I did last year, was to document the nitty-gritty for a solid week.  No fanfare, no big trips or events in the works, just a regular week.  I know when my kids are grown and on their own, I will cherish the details of the regular and seemingly mundane.  But although things can appear mundane on a daily basis, there are bigger things in the works.  Right?  Our children are growing, learning, and absorbing every minute.  All of these little things count.

What's for dinner?  I swear that's my question nearly every week day.  I used to menu plan until Kullen started eating a particular way.  Now, I go by the fly a little more based on what produce we have on hand.   And frequently what I make for Kullen and I, has to be modified or added to (or a separate meal entirely) for the girlies to eat.  Pain in the butt.  As mothers, why do we do this to ourselves?  I'm not the mom who can say "eat it or go hungry."  It's not in me.  Maybe that's bad of me...

Today is Tuesday.  Normally, Aubrey has a little class at the gym that she enjoys, but it was cancelled today.  So after putting Kiley on the bus, she and I stayed home and completed a clock project I've been wanting to do, playing with trains, and playing "Just Dance"!  This child truly just wants to dance every day.  Speaking of dance, Tuesday is also the day that Kiley has tap/jazz.  I take her and her friend Riley to class, and Riley's mom brings them home.

Tonight, was dinner, homework, baths, and story time.  Kiley and I are reading the Judy Moody series right now.  I enjoy reading them with her.  And at bath time, Aubrey got Kiley laughing so hard she gave herself the hiccups.  We pulled out a mirror so Aubrey could see how crazy her hair looked when it stood straight up with shampoo.  Then, Aubrey decided it was neat to lick the mirror.  I don't know if she liked the way it felt, looked... who knows!

There's nothing like a clean, freshly moisturized kiddo to hold on your lap during family prayers.  Aubrey is learning how to pray.  Tonight, Kiley helped her.  Pretty sweet.

Interview With a Seven Year Old

Kiley's birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, which is the evening that Kullen works late.  I took the opportunity to take her out for dinner (pizza, Aubrey came too) and frozen yogurt.  While we were waiting for our pizza, I took the opportunity to interview her as a new 7-year old.

1.  What's your favorite color?  Turquoise
2.  What's your favorite thing to do with your friends?  Movie and pajama playdates!
3.  What's your favorite thing about going to school at N____ Elementary School?  Everybody is so nice and on your birthday you get a special thing. (This year the principal brought her a zebra-striped  pencil)
4.  What's your favorite thing about your Daddy?  He's super funny and really nice.
5.  What's your favorite thing about having a little sister?  That's the hard part.... She can be really annoying.... but she's really funny and cute.
6.  What's your favorite thing about your Mom?  She's always nice and does nice things for me.  (Not sure that's a fair question for me to ask as the interviewer, but I just went with it!)
7.  What's your favorite thing about church?  I like to try to listen to and follow the talks while I play with my ipod.
8.  Who's the President of the United States?  Rock O'Bama
9.  What do you look forward to doing as a teenager?  Fun stuff with my friends: sleepovers, movies, nails...
10.  What are you looking forward to doing this summer?  Going to the pool club with Riley, and doing fun stuff with friends.

Happy Birthday Kiley!  We love you so much!

The Music of My Life

I'm loving that Aubrey is starting to sing.  Quite frequently it's "Twinkle Twinkle" or "Ring Around the Rosies" or some other childhood favorite.  But sometimes, it's a popular song like "You Don't Know You're Beautiful" (One Direction), or "Dynamite" (Taio Cruz) and you have to figure out what she's singing.  It's awesome.

(photo taken in Zion National Park)

Kiley has started piano lessons.  Her piano teacher, Miss Kathye, taught music classes when Kiley was in preschool, and Kiley always loved her.  I was delighted to find out that she taught privately.  Playing the piano has been a talent I have never regretted having.  If anything, I wish I had opportunities to share it more, play more.  There was a period of my life, when music was probably 60% of my world.  No exaggeration.  I'm hoping to re-incorporate it in to my life a little more.  I miss it.

Kiley and Aubrey both love popular music.  They both love to dance.  Kiley loves to sing, play-microphone in hand, with dramatic gestures and moves to accommodate the lyrics.  She rarely lets me watch, but sometimes I catch a glimpse of her inner pop-diva.

(photo taken by my friend, Christine, at a Daisy meeting)

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
- Berthold Auerbach

Being a Mom

Today, being a mom involved multiple hats:

• Toy fixer
• Weatherman
• Snow removal
• Social coordinator
• Professional organizer
• Cook
• Playmate
• Housekeeper
• Launderer
• Mediator

And yes, I wore lipstick for all of them.

Capturing a Moment

Kiley, 6 years and 9 months

• So proud to be reading to a kindergarten class today
• Learning some new moves in her jazz/tap class
• Continuing her 80's-infused fashionista style.  Yesterday she informed me that for her next pair of shoes, she wants high-tops.  Yikes!  Do they really still make them???
• We have started a chore chart and she is doing really well on it.  She can earn $2 a week if she does a set list of things daily.  We're on week two.  So far, so good.
• Anxious to turn 7 and have a party with her friends.
• Her favorite Christmas gifts have to be her ipod touch and her leappad.
• Will be starting piano lessons this year!

Aubrey, 2 years and 2+ months

• Truly, unequivocally, undeniably, two
• Is LOUD
• Likes to help herself to clementines.  She peels and eats them all by herself.  
• Gets so MAD when we take Kiley to dance class.  She really just wants to get out there and dance her little heart out with the other girls.
• Still has some social anxiety around children her age, but is getting better.  She actually stayed in nursery at church by herself for more than an hour last week!
• Is a complete stinker to her sister, but loves her dearly and misses her when she's gone.
• Enjoying the train set, leappad and Just Dance Wii games she got for Christmas.
• Has zero interest in potty training.  :(

A Holiday Home

I tried to do my New England brick colonial proud this year.  How'd I do?

Christmas 2012

The days spent decorating and un-decorating have past.  All the goodies eaten.  The presents put away.  Christmas cards sent and those received enjoyed.

We spent the two days preceding Christmas with Kullen's family in Massachussettes.   A fun two days to play with cousins, and enjoy/survive? some crazy family time.

Christmas Day, ahhhhhh, Christmas Day.  To awake with our sweet ones and see the brights of their eyes as they ran to the Christmas tree.  A mellow day to enjoy the freshly fallen snow, stay in pajamas until the afternoon, make homemade rolls and a big pot of stew, and have a good friend join us for dinner.   Quite possibly, a few of my favorite things.