Time in the garden

I planted my garden late this year so it hasn't been super fruitful. When I do work in the garden, Jack usually roams our massive yard pushing his lawnmower? Dragging the hose or pouring something from one container to the next. But today was different. I was picking plums off the tree and putting them into a bucket. He came over and immediately caught on, wanting to be held up to where he could pick them off the tree himself. After it was half filled, we went and picked the single struggling zucchini that made it to full size. Plop. Into the bucket. Basil, lots of it- into the bucket. One string bean- into the bucket. Then we came to the jalapeño plant. There were four ready and about six that were halfway there. I helped Jack pick four then went to get the hose. Upon return, he had picked three more and wasn't about to stop. He helped me water each plant and I think he almost drown a few. I tried to entice him in the house for bedtime but he ignored me and I could see him through the garden gate, flooding the garden pathway and jumping in the mud. (I've just accepted that he get dirty and there's nothing I can do about it) What would I do without that little one? He is my everything. He teaches me every day. Next year, we'll plant a bigger garden, on time, and work in it every day! I promise, my little Jack. 

Life in pictures

I am not a writer. I always struggled in English and writing classes. Writing is not an avenue through which I can fully express myself. The arts speak to me. I like to share my life through photos. Instagram is the best way I do that. I can share a picture or two every day and use it like a journal, printing the pictures in a book at the end of every year.

 

Here is our lives lately:

 

 

 Before and after kitchen counter remodel. I spent weeks researching how to do the concrete counters and backsplash then put my knowledge to the test! I think it came out pretty good!! We have the other half of the kitchen to do but are making headway!

 

 

 

 

 Ellie and Jack. We have been able to spend more time with cousins the past few months and I love it. Family is what life is all about.

 

 Morning milk party.

 

 Jack helping mow the lawn.

 

Owens toes barely hit the ground but he liked the flashing lights!!

 

 Not quite ready for potty training. Potty "exploration" for now.

 

I built a tree bookshelf. I saw one similar to this on Pinterest but made my own plans. Still needs paint but I am loving it so far!

 

 Sleep training. Something had to be done. Three and  half months old and Owen is still getting up every two hours with a stretch of 4 hours every few weeks. I. can. not. function. I needed help. I reached out of facebook for advice and had an outpouring of love, advice and support. I am not the only parent in the world who never sleeps! I was referred to a book and have been implementing the plan for about a week. For some kids it can take two days, others a few months but this is a proven way to teach your child to sleep through the night and take better naps. After a week, Owen was still fighting. I got him finally fall asleep and laid in bed and cried. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing. Is there some parent manual out there that I don't know about??? But like with most problems, I just went to sleep and felt much better when I didn't wake up until 2am! Miracle. Owen ate then slept another 4 hours. Miracle again. A glimmer of hope. Someday, I will sleep all night. but for now, I am trading it for smiles, boogers, naked bums, laughter, and love. I guess I can deal with that.

 

Our first instacare trip. Jack fell at the church running around in the gym. We didn't notice until the next morning, when he wouldn't walk on it and was crying, that his ankle was swollen and bruised. I got someone to watch Owen and took Jack in. Every time someone had to get too close or touch him, He freaked out. To get xrays done, I sat on the table with him and pinned him down while he screamed. Thankfully, it wasn't broken, just sprained. We survived. It's still tender but he is playing in the backyard today. No slowin this kid down.

Notes to my babes and things I want to remember

I don't always have my tablet out to blog. Nowadays, it's mainly used for watching Mickey Mouse in the car. I finally got batteries for the keyboard and rented Toy Story for Jack top watch on the TV so for the time being, I have reclaimed my tablet.

Most of the day, I am moving. So many times, it's not til the end of the day when I'm laying in bed looking at Owen that I have a minute to write something down about that day. I type them on my phone. So here are: notes to my babes and things I want to remember.

JACK
July 5 2014
At two years old, you are still obsessed with your little blanket. If I let you, you would only drink milk from a "baba" ALL day.
You love your little brother. You say "hi bee" and nuzzle Owen and hold his hand while you giggle. You're already best buddies.
You figured out how to open the back door. You come and go as you please and almost always leave the door open. The high all week was 99 degrees. I'm fully expecting our air conditioning unit to bite the dust from overuse.

July 8 8 2014
If something can be poured, you will find it. You want to pour everything. I just gave you a bowl of olives, you ate 2, found another cup and poured them back and forth for 10 minutes. pouring is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

August 3 2014
At 1 in the morning, 1:14am to be exact, I was sitting with you on the kitchen floor sharing a yogurt. We had gone to Jordan Hogansens wedding reception where you where you had run down and back a paved trail for an hour. You got hot and sweaty and were breathing heavy. You didn't want to eat much at the receptions and went straight to bed when we got home at 9:30pm. So there we were, 1am, sitting on the kitchen floor only an hour after I had gotten Owen to fall asleep. You looked up at me and smiled your adorable, round faced, dimpled smile before each bite. for you, getting out of bed at that hour was a treat. You know how to work the system. You will always be that precious little boy to me: always small enough to carry to bed and snuggle with, to give rides to around the living room and kitchen. I'm exhausted, haven't slept through the night in months and if permitted, could sleep for a week straight, but I wouldn't change that smile in the dim 1am light for anything. I'll love you for always.


OWEN
July 5
At two months you started smiling. You stare at my face as I make crazy sounds at you and your smile kills me. You're adorable. EVERYONE tells me that!
The other night, you slept for 6 hours. After two months of sleeping for two hours at a time, it felt amazing. But it was short lived. You are back to your normal schedule of two hours at a time.
You giggle in your sleep sometimes. I wonder what your dreaming about. You also bark in your sleep.
You blow out your diapers more than anyone I've heard of. Jack had his first one at two months old. You have multiple one every day. Too  many to count. You are a high functioning poop machine. Thank goodness for Shout stain remover!!

July 12 2014
You're two months old today! You've started reacting to me crazy baby talk. You do a wide mouth smile then pull the corners of your mouth in and say, "aawwwwooo." It's the cutest thing in the WORLD. You make me giggle from your cuteness.
A few weeks ago was Bethanys bridal shower. Uncle Phil's sisters were there. Sheryl was holding you while I got some food when she said, "oh Naomi, Owen blew out his diaper." It was all over her arm!! She was totally cool about it. I was mortified. It was the first time we had met and my child pooped on her!!!! Embarrassing.

August 4 2014
You are sitting in your jumperoo and Jack is spinning the seat around with you in it. You don't play with toys yet but Jack does!! You look at him and smile! You are his toy for now until you can 'fight' back. You love watching Jack be crazy! It always makes me smile.