2 Peas in a Pod

     I made the mistake of calling Harmony and Camden "2 peas in a pod" this morning.  I received a very serious talking to by a very annoyed 2 year old. The conversation went like this.

Camden and Harmony were making faces and squealing at each other.
Me: You two are 2 peas in a pod
C: I'm NOT a Pea Mommy I'm a Camden Boy
Me: Oh I am sorry, you are too cute.
C: I AM NOT CUTE, I am Big. Harmony's cute.
M: Yes, Harmony is cute but so are you.
C: NO! I AM BIG. I AM CAMDEN Not a Pea, Not Cute.
M: OK, So Camden is a Big Boy and Harmony is cute.
C: Yes!
M: What's Daddy?
C: ohhhh, Daddy is Mike and He's Big. I am Taller.
M: Taller than who?
C: I Taller than Harmony.
M: OK, So Camden is a big, tall boy, Harmony is cute and Daddy is Mike and he's Big.
C: Yes.
M: What's Mommy?
C: Just Mommy!
M: What's my name?
C: Just Mommy.
M: Am I Tall or Big or Cute?
C: ummm Nope, Just Mommy!
M: OK, then I see how I rank. Just mommy.


See at the end of the day I'm just Mommy, I'm not big, tall or cute, which is fine. I like being Just Mommy. It means he doesn't call me Jennifer when he gets mad. He calls a lot of people by their first names when he gets annoyed but not me...I'm Just Mommy and it suits me just fine. So there you have it. The inner workings of a two year old brain.

Dedicated to a friend!

     This is not my regular planned post today. Today is dedicated to one of my April Mommas.  A wonderful Mommy who has been an amazing friend to all of us, is now facing very uncertain times with her wee unborn baby.  Please take a minute out of your day and say a prayer for her and her family.  They need strength, love and wisdom.  Please know we are here for you.  We love and support you 100%.

Thankful Thursday - Snowy Morning Edition

     Today has been a great day.  I know what you are thinking , DAY??  It's early yet. What you don't understand that most days by this time I am ready to pull out my hair and sell the kids to the zoo, circus or whoever will take them.  Not this morning though, they have been angels (knock on wood).

     We've eaten breakfast in peace (the kids, not me, I never get to eat breakfast but I did manage a cup of tea that was mostly still lukewarm).  We read online stories and did a dinosaur craft.  The dinosaur was a huge hit and Camden is now toting that thing around like a prized possession. I even managed to get him outside in the snow. It only lasted maybe 20 minutes but its cold, snowy and blowing out.  Even miss Harmony settled for a nap, it wasn't long lasting but she is up and happy. Animal crackers and milk for a snack with a side of quiet time cuddled up in Mommy's bed to watch some TV which is a treat since Mommy doesn't allow much TV time during the day. Everyone is happy and dressed (not me again, why would I need to shower or get out of my PJ's).

    So today I am thankful for easy mornings after what seemed like an endless tantrum filled rough patch.  I am thankful for happy kids and a calm relaxed morning which is a nice contrast to the blizzard like weather today. I hope everyone else is inside, staying warm and enjoying their Thursday.

Wordless Wednesday - 7 Month Babies

Ella - 7 Months

Camden - 7 Months

Harmony - 7 Months

The Waiting Game

     Lately, it feels like we are stuck in a holding pattern, always waiting for something. Waiting until Camden sleeps through the night, for the kids to get over their colds, for my birthday, the next step in Mike's divorce papers and the worst, to say Goodbye to a loved one.

      I am not a great "waiter".  I am impatient and Mike will be the first one to tell you this. I can't even wait until I get home to break into my drive-thru bag.  I generally want it now! The only place I have true patience, is with the kids and lately even that is wearing thin.  I guess maybe I am just worn out in general, although after last nights 8 hours of sleep I do feel much better ( Before you all start cheering Camden spent another night at Mike's Parents so I could sleep, but Harmony only woke up once so I guess go ahead and cheer).

     I often find myself saying "I can't wait until...Harmony can fit into...Camden can ...Ella will..." It always makes me feel sad afterwards though, like I am rushing time, which when it pertains to the kids I wish would just slow down. Then there are times, like now when the waiting is an unbearable torture of sorts. Waiting to say goodbye to someone you know and love and your family loves. You don't want them to go because it hurts your heart to think of life with out them here but watching them suffer hurts worse.  So you hold their hand, smile and pray for a peacefulness and all the while waiting...  

    Waiting does cultivate patience and I guess that is what I am learning. To be more patient. To relax, take life as it comes.  Mikes divorce will happen SOMETIME and soon after we will get married. To stop rushing the kids.  Camden will potty train when he wants to why rush him being a baby, I doubt he will stay in diapers forever.  Its not going to hurt anyone for a few more weeks (maybe my mommy ego because I am not super mom that trained their 1 year old but I'm tough my ego can take it and sancta-mommies can shove it).  We can get so wrapped up in the "waiting game" that we forget to live in the here and now. So I am trying to be more patient, live life as it comes and relax.  What is life trying to teach you this week?

Beating the Dead Sleep Horse

     So I have beat this topic to death but somehow I feel like I need to share this.  Maybe, just maybe someone has an idea, method, magic potion, absolutely anything to get Camden to sleep through the freaking night before this Mommy completely loses her mind.  Somehow the 10 wake ups from Camden and the normal few wake ups to nurse a baby during the night between the hours of 11:30 and 5:00 am doesn't leave a lot of sleeping time for me.  I'm running on fumes and the week has just begun.

     I don't understand it.  Camden sleeps overnight at his Grandparents and will maybe wake up once (he also pooped on the potty there but that's a whole different pity party on potty training the un trainable). What am I doing wrong?  He goes to bed great for me, so that isn't an issue.  Just the all night wake ups that's starting to drive me crazier than I already am. After 2 and a half years I can count the times he has slept through the night for us on one hand. 

     On days like today I feel like giving up.  I clearly don't know what I am doing when it comes to Camden.  I love him, play with him, feed him, discipline him, keep him clothed and bathed and get up with him 50 billion times in the night and yet its still not enough?  Maybe, if he slept through the night I would have the patience and energy to devote to him but he doesn't and I don't. 

     Please, I am begging you today to give me all your advice on sleeping.  Thank you and I hope you enjoy your Monday.

Lazy Post!

I stole these questions from A Life Full of Sunshine and Rainbows , An April Mommy friend.
Feel free to steal them as well.

Questions for you to answer:

1. What is something you are working on to better in yourself?
Hmmm...I'm pretty fantastic so....I'm just kidding...I'm always trying to better myself. I feel so darn inadequate at lots of things...lately patience with Camden.

2. Favorite book? Little Women

3. What is your dream holiday/destination? England, remember I was going to go there now its changed to Austria, if I go at all...*sigh*

4. If you could write a "Dear 16 year old me" letter, what is one thing you would say?
 ONE THING? Oh Come on...Stay away from boys, you are too young to be in a serious relationship because you are not mature enough...enjoy life, enjoy friends, stay away from boys and GO TO COLLEGE after highschool Don't wait because College is much harder with a 2 year old and much less fun. 

5. If you could add $100 more dollars to your budget, where would it go? House stuff or vacation fund

6. What is your least favorite time of day? Bedtime routine or the 1000 + wakeups at night

7. What is your favorite blog?All my April Mommas Blogs

8. What is one thing you are good at? Being a mommy...I rock that, usually anyway. Mike had a suggestion but I dont think its really appropriate...silly men!

9. And something you are bad at? Taking pictures of the kids, I should take way more but I always forget! Mike says I yell at the TV too much. I hardly ever watch TV so I dont see this as much of a problem.

10. If you could relive a year over again, what year would that be? This past year was pretty great for us but I dont think I would choose to relive anything.

11. What are your plans for the rest of the day? Spending time with the family, laundry and maybe a shower would be a good choice.