Happy Birthday to my Little Dude

Believe it or not, it's been a full year since my little guy was born.  He's such a wonderful part of our family, and I'm so thankful that he's here!  We've had just a great year.

I just think it's incredible how quickly babies grow and change.  I mean, isn't it just incredible that in just a year, a person can go from this:

to this.

Sorry for the photo dump...I just can't get enough of this sweet boy.

Happy Birthday, baby boy!

A Smashing Good Time {Part One}

I'm not a big Saturday poster, but we're back home this week, and I'm hanging out with the Dude while he naps.  That we he actually, you know, naps.

His big birthday is on Monday, so my head has been spinning with ideas for celebrating.  We've pretty much decided to pump him as full as sugar as possible, and then no doubt wonder why he won't nap.

On the Sunbean's first birthday, we took her to Picture People to have a 'cake smash' photo.  It was such a fun, fun thing and I just love those photos {and the memories!}, so we decided to make that an official first-birthday tradition.

Since I don't take my kids to stupid photo places anymore, I'm going to just take them on my own.

We obviously went the giant cupcake route with the Sunbean, but I decided not to mess with it for Little Dude.  Since we're not at our house, making something this elaborate wouldn't really work out.  So here's my inspiration for his smash cake {all from Pinterest}.

I really love the layer cake with the fluffy icing, but MacGyver likes the middle photo the best.  I made a cute little banner, too.  We'll see how mine actually turns out.  I have a really good skill of creating things based on Pinterest ideas that look nothing like the inspiration.

I'll make sure I post the pics from the cake smash!

oh honey.

Today when I picked up the Sunbean from preschool, I could tell something was bothering her.  I danced the fine line between asking too many questions and not asking enough until she finally let it spill.

Two girls from preschool were having a playdate, and my darling Sunbean wasn't invited.  To say she was devastated would be an understatement.

Enter a new level of emotion toward this sweet person.  It's that I've-sooooo-been-there-and-it-sucks-so-bad-and-I'd-do-anything-to-take-your-pain-away-but-all-I-can-do-is-sit-here-and-listen feeling.

So we went for a walk to get ice cream.

It's only just begun, my sweet little girl.  It's only just begun.

Happy Monday

• I really was happy to see Monday this week.  MacGyver was traveling for work last night, and my nights are usually restless when he's gone.  Even if I do have a cute baby boy sharing my bed when he's gone.
• Speaking of cute baby boys, can you believe this one turns 1 in just one week?  Here's a sneak peek from his birthday photo shoot.  He's just so darling.  Even if he's grabbing at the computer as I type this.
• The next few weeks are busy ones for us:  Little Dude's birthday, my mom's 50th, my brother-in-law visiting from Utah, and then Little Dude's party.  The kids and I are staying at 'home' for over a week, too, so there's the packing/planning/preparing for that.
• This is the last week of preschool.  Goodbye, calm and easy mornings.
• I'm excited to share my ideas for the little guy's birthday and party.  It's no secret we celebrate birthdays like crazy people, so I've been a busy little planner.
• MacGyver was a dear and bought me a pretty pink beach cruiser.  We hooked the bike trailer up to it, and I spent the weekend pulling our heavy kids around.  We live in a great place for this:  there are miles and miles of wonderful bike trails that are accessible right from our front door.  We're lucky.
• Right now I'm so hungry, and need to go to the grocery.  I'm always stumped about what to eat for lunch.  I usually have cereal.  Or cookies.
• I'm wearing a maxi skirt today.  I kind of have a hard time with maxi skirts, because I grew up in an area with a ton of amish/mennonites/apostolic christian.  Whenever I wear long skirts, I feel like I'm channeling them.  Not a bad thing, just usually not the look I'm going for.
• On the agenda for today:  finish laundry, groceries, work on a headboard I'm making, and clean up the basement.

Happy Monday to you!

Facts in Five

I'm totally stealing this idea from my friend Abby, but I don't think she'll mind.

The Sunbean

1. Preschool is almost over for the year; next week is the last week.  I'm loving what the past few months have done for her, and can't wait to see what she learns next year!
2. She's getting so good and reasoning and critical thinking.  It's so fun to watch her figure things out.
3. She is the best big sister.  I can ask her to entertain Little Dude for a few minutes, and not only is she really good at it, but she's always willing.  I scooted their seats together in the van {did I blog about my new van yet?!?}, and they are always holding hands.  So sweet.
4. This little girl is officially at the age where it is actually easier for me to have her friends over to play.  Cook 'em a little Annie's mac and cheese and turn 'em loose.  It's just lovely.
5. I can't get over this little lady's imagination.  She loves pretend play, and is always coming up with crazy scenarios.

Little Dude

1. This guy is a great observer and quick to learn.  The good side:  the first time he held any type of writing utensil, he drew some great scribbles {pictured above}.  The bad side:  just a few seconds ago, I watched him open the TV remote, remove the batteries, and attempt to eat them.
2. His favorite toy EVER is the nasal syringe from the hospital.  He carries it around with him everywhere.
3. He is standing for really long periods of time, and is cruising everywhere.  I'm thinking he'll be walking soon...maybe even by his birthday!
4. I'm living life on the edge with this kid and gave him strawberries last night, a few weeks before his first birthday.  I know.  He LOVED them.  His face was kinda like, "Woman!  WHY have you been holding out on me?!?".
5. His newest trick?  Turning on the dishwasher.  He turns the dial and then flips the latch.  Seriously?!?

Also, I'm guest posting over on Living My Life on Purpose today.  Head over there to read some great stories about some great moms!

This?

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you've seen this image:

I haven't even taken the time to read the article, nor do I even know what it's about, past the blurb on the front.

But what I have done is listen to the chatter and backlash this is creating in the media.  I'm kind of a morning-news-show junkie, and they've been all over this one.  Mostly, people just seem bothered that there is a three-year-old breastfeeding.

I get it.  I totally do.  Before having children, the thought of nursing a three-year-old would have made me laugh out loud.  It doesn't make me laugh anymore, but I still don't see it as something I'd do.

But that's not really the point here.  The point is that breastfeeding is a good, healthy choice for many moms and babies.  We know that, all extraneous circumstances aside, it's the best choice for the babe {this is not a forum for debating formula and breast milk}.  I've had a fantastic experience nursing both my kids, and can't imagine my journey of motherhood without it.

The idea of 'extended breastfeeding' is really just an aspect of attachment parenting.  I'm a huge advocate of attachment parenting, as it has worked wonderfully for my family.  I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend my days with my kids, so it just seemed natural to me.  I've practiced many facets of attachment parenting, including nursing on demand.  I've never set my babes up on a 'feeding' schedule, and that has worked for us.

I totally get that it doesn't work for everyone, and that's okay.  We all have our own ideas about what motherhood means.  The thing that is just killing me here is how much scrutiny this has created.  Parenting is full of gray areas.  Mothers have so many choices to make every single day.  There are countless 'types' of parents out there, and we choose this.

This?  Really?  We're going to spend hours debating extended breastfeeding?  There are mothers out there who beat their children, mothers who feed their children nothing but junk, mothers who verbally and emotionally abuse their children, mothers who turn a blind eye to sexual abuse, and mothers who ignore their children's needs.  There are so many children out there who need a voice, and we're gonna spend our time yapping on about extended breastfeeding?

Can we not just accept the fact that every mother makes different choices?  Why are we debating something that is good?  One interviewee I saw made an excellent point, though I can't remember his name or his credentials {that's life with two young kids, I tell ya}.  He pointed out that while children who practice attachment parenting might have their own issues or transitions to make, these are not the children who grow up to be bullies.  These are not the children who grow up to bring guns to school.

So why can't we just grow up and give those children a voice?  Three-year-olds who are breastfeeding don't need an advocate; they clearly have one.  Let's just get over it, give these mommas a break, and spend our time debating something a little more meaningful.

Snacks for Preschool

The Sunbean's preschool has a great snack schedule.  Each child is responsible for a whole week's worth of snacks, a few times per year.  It is so easy to assemble a week's worth of snacks, and gives the kids some good variety.  One of the kiddos has an allergy to all tree nuts and peanuts {are peanuts tree nuts?  thankfully, I'm quite oblivious to the world of food allergies}, so the snacks obviously need to be nut-free.

This week is snack week, so here's what I found on Pinterest came up with.

Monday:  sandwiches on a stick

verdict:  the sunbean loved helping, and the teachers raved at pick-up

Tuesday:  apple cars and apple mini-muffins

verdict: the sunbean tested them last night, and she thought the cars were awesome

i tested the muffins, and they were seriously good.

Wednesday:  yogurt-dipped strawberries and wonton fruit cups

verdict:  my yogurt-dipped strawberries certainly don't look pretty, but luckily they are for the 3-year-old crowd.  i used vanilla greek yogurt, and they taste kinda chalky.

i haven't made the wonton fruit cups yet, but i did spent 20+ minutes looking for wonton wrappers at Kroger.  they're in the organic section.

Thursday:  animal crackers and juice boxes for the field trip to the zoo

Obsessed

I haven't been blogging much lately.  Here's why.

Every spare second I have, I've been obsessing.  Obsessing over what we're going to do in September when our lease is up.

When we moved to this particular suburb, we did so because the schools are top-notch.  Seriously fantastic.  We didn't realize that it is a *really* wealthy community...apparently that's why the schools are so good.

Well, rather than stretch our budget here, we'd rather choose another suburb with equally as good schools and more affordable housing.  It's a no-brainer, right?  Well, wrong.

There isn't a 'perfect' place for us.  Either the homes are small, the taxes are high, the schools are really big, the commute is long, or the area is too rural {we're city folk at heart}.

The biggest problem, though, is stupid preschool.  The Sunbean is all enrolled and set {and deposit paid} where we are.  She loves it and loves her teacher.  I know she'd probably love just about any preschool, but when I called to inquire at EVERY OTHER school on our list, they're all full.  Full.  Grrrrr.

Sure, we could do community preschools, but those are expensive.  Like, at least $300 a month.  I'm totally not doing that.

I have a Type-A OCD streak in me that comes out all the time when there's a major life change going on. Which pretty much describes the past two years of my life.  Here's what our sweet chalkboard coffee table looks like now:

It's a handy-dandy reference chart with pros and cons of each potential suburb.

I really just want the decision-making process to be over, but we still have some big hurdles to get over and some choices to make.

Until then, you'll find me with my eyes glued to realtor.com, great schools.net, and my cute little chart. 

Little Dude is...

Baaa!  Where has the time gone?!?  At this time last year, I was walking around dilated to a 4.  Literally, walking at least 2 miles a day.  Ah, memories.

• This little guy is a total stinker.  I just can't get over how naughty he is.  He just does things that the Sunbean never did, such as:  climbing out of the highchair while buckled in, standing/kneeling backward in the shopping cart {all while buckled}, throwing kicking and screaming fits, opening cupboard doors, playing in the toilet, eating stuff off the floor....the list goes on.  I guess the reality of the situation is that the Sunbean is ridiculously well-behaved.
• He officially has his first word!  It's 'uh-oh!'.  So adorable.  What I love is that the Sunbean also said that one first, and at right around the same time.  Nature?  Nurture?
• You should see this little man stand.  He hasn't taken a step yet, but he stands like a pro, for really long periods of time.  This is such an adorable stage.
• We're still nursing about every 2 hours from 6am-6pm.  I'm honestly still really enjoying it, so he's free to continue for a few more months.
• In addition to nursing, he's eating as much food as he can possible shove into his chubby little cheeks.  Someone up the grocery budget, will ya?
• Sleeping?  None here.  He goes to sleep around 6, and is up for the day between 6 and 7.  Unfortunately, he's up at least twice between then.
• As much as I complain about the sleepless nights, he has such a wonderfully easy personality.  He's always happy and is up for anything.

Love this boy.