Operation: NO TV UNDERWAY

Ok, well first off let me clarify the title of this post. When I say "no TV".. I don't mean no TV, ever. And I don't mean I'm going to become a TV nazi and say 30 minutes a day, and you're done. Because that's not it either. It's just that it does need to be monitored and limited. For example, today.. The TV didn't come on until 5:30. And when it came on, it was so I could give Scarlett a bath and know that Kinley wasn't hanging from the ceiling or anything of that nature. I don't think there's anything really wrong with TV. In fact at this age range especially, it really can be educational.

It's so great to be able to see Kinley growing every day and become more and more interactive with me, the older she gets. We have so many hilarious conversations. She really is a funny little kid. We had fun experimenting with our time, and finding ways to fill the day without TV, innotab, iPad, mommys iPhone, etc. we started the day making banana pancakes and scrambled eggs, ate breakfast together, she helped me do dishes. Well, technically she made a huge mess out of water and bubbles while i did the dishes. I really think its a great thing to teach kids young to be domesticated. She loves to help me cook and bake, too. We colored pictures for daddy, we did puzzles, we made gummy bear Popsicles. Huge hit, and super duper easy! Glow stick baths.. A lot of it was stuff we would do any other day, but it was nice to not have the tv noise running in the background.

It's so important to be engaged as much as you can as a parent. Especially at this age, their minds and imaginations are so absorbent and its vital to be present. Communicating with them, letting them know you see what they're doing (coloring a picture, doing her summer sault for the 100th time, picking up their blocks, etc) whatever it may be - that you see it, and that you think it's great. Children need that validation. Some more than others. Being extra involved and hands on all day with Kinley just reminded me that as mothers, we really are equipped to so more than we think. I juggled a baby, deep cleaning the house, and being 100% present in Kinley and her activities. I don't say that to brag, at all. I'm saying it to encourage other moms to try and do the same. If I can - you can, believe me. Turn the TVs off, get creative - use your brain. Or wait, who needs brains nowadays -- there's Pinterest! ;) I promise your kid and you will thank you for it at the end of the day. It may take a lot more effort than sticking them with some form of technology for them to zombie out to. BUT I promise, you'll save that much extra energy from the lack of fits, whining, meltdowns etc. keeping 'em busy and acknowledged will change their behavior 100x over. It's especially important this time of year - when were stuck inside days on end, and it feels like winter has lasted an eternity to dig deep into your mommy brain and make the most out of the cabin fever filled days.

All about S.

Scarlett is becoming quite the little character. It's crazy to imagine that at one time, we were just a family of 3. She may only be 6 months old, but she has such a big personality. She's so loving - always hugging and kissing. Yes, already. She is rocking back and forth on her hands and knees, so she'll be crawling any day. She loves, and I mean LOVES her big sister. The crazier, and louder Kin acts - the better. She's always getting S all riled up and can make her laugh harder than anyone else can. She absolutely adores her big sister. She waves, at everything. It's pretty hilarious. She waves at all of us, at pictures, at people she sees on tv, at toys.. It kills me. Bouncing.. Oh my gosh, bouncing. This kid is the bounciest thing I've ever seen. Loves her jumperoo. Will be sitting on her bottom, and can bounce so hard she can stand up.. Scares me half to death. She obviously can't stand up on her own yet but she can bounce her way there.. Then a face plant ensues. She bounces all around when she sees Ty get home at night. She's a funny baby. Much like her sister, she isn't a fan of fruits. It blows my mind. I don't understand how a kid doesn't like fruit. Bananas is about it
She thinks that naps are for the birds. She doesn't nap often and when she does, it's maybe 15 minutes tops. Makes for one tired mommy combined with her waking up multiple times a night. Guess that is what I get for bragging about how she slept like clock work from 9 pm - 5 am from 3 weeks on. Ugh.. Ya, those days are over. Around 5 months old she started sleep regression and so far, I am not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel Zzzz..

Long time comin'

I have been waiting for forever to get back on here. The Mac broke last year and if you know anything about Mac's you know it costs as much to fix one as it does to just go buy a new one. I stuck in under my bed and my blog got lost in the crazy abyss I would like to refer to as having 2 kids -- ha.

Honestly though, so much has happened in a year that I'm not even going to try to update on all of the details. In short, we have a beautiful and beyond brilliant 2.5 year old, who may just be a little too smart and sassy for her own good. She's the wittiest two year old I know. Hmm, wonder where she gets that from? ;) only kidding. And a sweet, sweet 6 month old whose happy go lucky and equally as much a mommys girl as she is a daddy's girl. (Yes! Finally have one kid who semi likes me!) again, only kidding. I know k loves me, we just butt heads sometimes because she's 2 going on 20. Her and her daddy are tighter than ever. They really are BEST friends.

Ty and I are doing great. He's gotten a promotion and I'm so incredibly proud of the father and husband he is. We've had bumps in the road - I believe all married couples do. Some may admit it, some may not but he does all he can to provide for his 3 girls and put us as number 1. I truly can't say enough good things about how far he's came. We've really become best friends. We've even started up some old traditions back from, drum roll please, when we were get this -- DATING! Ahem, Movie Monday! And it's so much fun. As tired as I am at the end of the day, it's been so much fun to spend quality time together, laughing and hanging out.

Tonight I was getting Scarlett ready for bed and I put on a little white polo sleeper with the newborn style fold-over mittens attached and I got all choked up seeing her in an outfit like that. It reminded me of when she was a newborn and how truly fast her infancy is going. You think your first goes fast, but the second one seems to grow even faster. You're so wrapped up in having two kids, and learning how to juggle that and multi-task as a new mom to multiples that you don't realize how truly fleeting infancy is. I barely remember her being a newborn and it kills me. I feel like my kids are sand slipping in between my fingers. They are growing up faster than I can even explain. I'm so fortunate to have healthy, growing children but its so hard to see them get so big, so quickly.

I must say I've gotten the hang of two. I learned schedule and routine is EVERYTHING. Most days I literally do not even sit down other than to feed Scarlett. But I'm loving it. I love the chaos and craziness and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Ill be back soon for more posts and armature pictures ;)