Saturday, November 20, 2010

Can't Compare

We went to the doctor yesterday for Brennan's check up. He's weighing in at 14 lbs. and is 24 in. long. He's a growing boy!! He's starting to coo and talk a lot...and we are even seeing the beginning of a laugh. It's such a precious time. He's a great snuggler too. And thankfully, he will let others hold him...which is great because Bella usually wants me to hold her anyways.

It's really true that you can't compare kids. Brennan hasn't really been anything like Bella. She was a fussy baby, but now she's a great kid. Brennan is laid back, so there's no telling what kind of kid he's going to be!

Yesterday, when he got his shots (which Lee has to do by the way...I can't be in there when they do it...), Lee said Brennan cried more than Bella did. And after Bella got her shots, she would cry and then crash. She would just sleep...wake up, eat, take a little medicine, and then go back to sleep. He, though, screamed the whole night until about midnight when I laid him in his bed. It was like he wanted to be held, but every time I moved, he would start screaming again. He's better today, but again, not like Bella.

I know that they are going to continue to be very different as life goes on. I want to make sure that they are treated equally fair, but that is going to look different for each of them...which to them is going to seem unfair. Funny how that goes. I know in the classroom, what worked with one student may not work with another. It's not about special treatment, it's about learning. I want my kids to be well-developed human beings that others want to be around.

They are both good kids. Bella is in the fit stage of life, but she is 2 years old. Most of the time, she's funny and polite and a joy to be around. Brennan is just laid back and enjoys seeing what's going on around him. He's becoming more interactive, which is fun. I feel very blessed. I know that God has great, great things in store for these little ones, and I'm thrilled that it is going to be a unique experience for both of them, and Lee and I get to be involved!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Staying Away from Insanity

Working out is not my favorite thing to do. I don't enjoy aerobic activity. Never really have. I like yoga and pilates classes, but that's just not an option right now. So, I decided I was going to train to run a 5k. It's kicking my tail. I'm going to do it, though. It's just going to continue to be a challenge to me.
Finding a time to work out is also a challenge right now. The last thing I want to do when Lee gets home is to leave to go to the gym. It's really different being away from him all day. I was going in to the cafe a lot more before Brennan. It's just easier to stay at home with 2 little ones. The routine is easier to accomplish at home. I really have embraced this whole being a wife and a mommy. I grew up with a home-cooked meal on the table every night. There was no take out or fast food...I mean there were a few restaurants we could order from in Buras, but my mom cooked all of the time. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm getting better. Like I said, I'm really just now starting to embrace this role.
Being a mom has rocked my world. It is a different set of circumstances, emotions, and ideas for each woman. It's easy to look at another mom and say, "I can't believe she's doing that." But you have no idea what is going on inside that woman's mind and inside her house. It's important to remember not to judge. A mom has to do what is best for her and her family. Staying sane is a must, and what that takes is just as unique as the person who is trying to stay sane. I feel like I have a better grip on this sane thing right now...and for me, that means I'm feeling good keeping the insanity away.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

It All Began with Cookie Monster

Bella tells us now when she wants us to go to her room to play with her. It is very hard to resist, especially when she says "please." Once we're in her room, she points to the exact spot where she wants us to sit. She's even given us the toys we are supposed to play with. We've obliged thinking that it was cute, even when she took a toy away from us and gave us a different one.

She's not really a confrontational girl. In the nursery or at the Play and Learn with Me place, when a kid takes something from her, she finds something else to play with. But at home, it's her territory, her toys, her story...

I was in her room with Brennan, and I picked up Cookie Monster and started moving it in front of Brennan. Bella then decided that she wanted Cookie Monster. I told her "no, Brennan is playing with it." I know Brennan would have never noticed if she took it away from him. He would not be scarred for life. But I also knew that this was a teaching moment.
She pitched a fit. She began the normal routine of hitting things, pouting, and other things that get her put in her bed for timeout. I told her to calm down, and then I tried to get to her to exchange a toy with Brennan. If he could have Elmo, then she could take Cookie Monster. Of course, she wanted Elmo, too. After telling her no, though, she was able to play with Cookie Monster for all of 30 seconds before she moved on to something else.

One thing Lee and I do NOT do with her is say "Mine." We don't say, "My blanket" with her favorite blanket. We don't even say, "Hey, I've got your blanket," in an attempt to make her jealous. We don't fight or argue over things around her or in front of her or with her, even in a playful manner. We want her to share. Now, I don't want her to be taken advantage of. I want her to be able to stand up for herself and say "No, I'm sorry, I had this first." She doesn't not need to be a doormat. But we want her to be generous. We want her to be like Jesus.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Carrot Sticks for a Snack

It's time to lose the baby weight. I wasn't really focused on it after Bella. I wasn't really focused on anything after her. I know I didn't lose the weight super fast. Well, this time I'm in more of a hurry. I'm ready to get back into my pre-pregnancy jeans and other clothes. Nothing fits right at the moment, and I don't want to spend any more money on clothes that I'm not proud to be wearing. I do have 1 pair of jeans that I bought, and I wear them every day. Literally. If I'm going to wash them, I will make sure I'm home and stay in my jammie pants until they are ready to wear again.

I know that when I go places, people aren't really looking at me; they are ready to see the baby. BUT, I know how I feel. And really that is the important thing. I've got a funky hair cut. So, it's time to change the shape of my body. We're working on that.

So, the goal is to take an amazing Christmas picture. We've got a few weeks to get there. I know that making changes to our diet and working out will help us get there. I'll be using the calorie counter app on my phone. Counting calories work (I'm using www.myfitnesspal.com) So, instead of oreos, which I really want...I'm having carrot sticks as a snack. I'm going to drink more water. And hopefully since the weather is beautiful, on nights when Lee is home early enough, we are going to enjoy walks around our neighborhood in Broussard. It's time to make the change.

I feel like I've bounced back a lot faster after this pregnancy than the last one. The weight is harder to lose the second time around for me. But I want to do it. I want to feel good about myself...in my clothes.

So, I'm going to finish my carrot sticks now and look forward to fitting into my favorite jeans again.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Getting My Attention

Brennan is 2 months old now. He's so big for his age...well, compared to how big Bella was at this age. I know he's going to pass her up sooner than later.
His personality is really starting to develop. He has a great smile...one that will just melt you right where you're at. He's starting to make a lot more noises - not fussy noises - he's just trying to talk. One thing Lee and I have both noticed, he does things to get our attention. Lee actually noticed it first. He was holding Brennan as we were talking one evening. Brennan began to make a noise and stopped and smiled once Lee looked at him. He was so content to have Lee look him in the eyes. Lee looked away and the sounds came back until Lee looked at him again.
Brennan has done this a few times now. It's really precious. He wants me to look at him. Bella didn't have to compete for attention when she was this age, but he does. Not bad competition; there are just a lot of things going on now compared to when Bella was a newborn. He doesn't fuss much at all though, even to get our attention. He's found another way to do that.

I wonder what God does to get my attention. There are a lot of distractions around me, so I wonder what He does to get me to look at Him. I know that He is pursuing me and waiting for me to respond. And I'm sure He feels like Brennan does when I do look at Him. Love, warmth, joy...I'm glad I don't have to compete to get His attention. It's always available to me. I just need to respond.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Things that Bella Likes...

As a 2 year old, the world seems so small and big at the same time. It makes me wonder just how much of fear is learned or passed down from me. I was completely afraid of the dark as a child. Bella has no fear of the dark at all. She will walk into a dark closet and close the door behind her. She likes dogs, but it takes her a little bit to warm up to them. I can't stand them.

I was thinking about Bella being a 2 year old and going through the things that she likes:

  • Baths
  • Bubbles
  • Spaghetti
  • Seeing Diamond and Mercy (2 of her cousins that are her age)
  • Seeing her grandparents
  • Hearing and then seeing a helicopter or an airplane
  • Jumping on Mommy and Daddy's bed - especially with Daddy
  • Dinosaur chicken nuggets
  • Shoes - especially ones that make noise
  • Dancing and singing
  • Silly faces


It doesn't take much to make her happy. She's happiest when she has her mommy and daddy's attention. She wants us to watch her, be with her. It's hard at times. She can't have our attention 24/7...it's just impossible. We wouldn't get anything else done. But, when we are spending time with her, she knows that she is loved. You can tell it in her smile and hear it in her laugh. She knows. And in those moments we know that she loves us too. It's amazing how I can tell her "no" and be completely frustrated that she just wrote on the wall again, and after fussing at her, she's ready to cuddle with me on the couch. Unconditional love. I know that love becomes more conditional with age, but right now, I'm enjoying it. I want her to know that I love her unconditionally. Sure I might get upset at times. I may disagree. But I love her no matter what.