Birthday #1

We had such an AWESOME Sunday! The boys got spoiled. Since the grands wouldn't see C on his birthday, and I'm planning to have a special dinner with our little household on his actual birthday, we had an impromptu 10 days before party!!! This is the first year that he is beyond ECTATIC! You guys he has been talking about his day since pre Christmas! This was our daily conversation at whatever shop we were at that had something he just HAD TO HAVE NOOOOOOW!

C-"Mom! Mom! Mom!!!! May I please have this for my birfday? Not for Christmas but  my birfday?" 

Mom-"bub, Christmas is in like a week, you don't want to wait 2 months for this do you?"

C-"I neeeeed my day now! I don't want santa to come!"

Oh the innocence of little boys, you're too much. 

So after breakfast C got to go on his first "date" with The grands! I was so excited for them to get to experience the wonderful boy that goes on these dates. Because it is a completely different child than the one who is a big brother. Truly amazing how much they change. He is the most polite, hand holding, smiling war to eat while skipping all the way to your destination. You love these dates so much C, that you love to go home and tell mama or daddy about how we should be jealous. Lol

Mom and dad gave you a present early too, (I can't wait to build with your "big guy" legos) and We also gave you a marvel super heros chapter book! So far you love to read about each of the super heros and how they got to be that way! Mamaw & papaw got your Leonardo mask, these turtle gloves that make crashing noises when you throw your hand up pretending to hit something and a REAL  TURTLES SHELL!!!! (No more meltdowns bc your sword won't stay inside the back of your shirt) praise Jesus. They also took you to your new favorite steak and shake for lunch and m&m shakes! Cloud 9. 

M-don't feel left out the grandparents and C got you a potty training Elmo! Your smitten. And spoiled! 

I went out and got a cookie cake because YUM! We sang-took pictures and ate too much. 

After all the fun, you boys went down for late naps! In the meantime we said our good byes. I was truly sad. They are our first guests and it was so refreshing to have family to love on and talk to. Not to mention to help play with the boys, that was hands down the best part for J and I, boys too obviously!

I also did a 20 question birthday game with you! I'll post this soon!

Love you to the moon and back!

Mamaw & Papaw came!

Mamaw and papaw came to visit. I do not like when they leave. They bring so much joy to the boys life. You can just tell God made them parents just for the sole purpose of being "mamaw & papaw" someday. 

You boys are so blessed to have 2 grandparents that would give you the world. It was so nice having them here. Selfishly, I will admit they help ME so much. Just for the fact they entertain them and I can relax a bit!!! #pleasedontleaveme

Friday the boys got haircuts & gave a goodie bag to our new cookie cutters girl. We came home had lunch, took naps and patiently waited for daddy to come home and mamaw and papaw to FINALLY get here!!!! 

They got here around 5ish, we had a great dinner together {thank you emeals}. We grubbed on sweet & sour crock pot pork It shredded itself it was THAT good! served with veggie stir-fry/noodles and chocolate hearts. I added my own twist (pioneer woman) by adding sesame oil, garlic & sweet chili sauce. TO DIE FOR!!!!!

We also exchanged valentines gifts and obviously watched the Olympics till who knows when. 

Oh yes with lots and lots of reading! 

 

The boys got cards in the mail from Grammy with some money in them! They were super happy about that one. J got a gift set of Jack Black facial care. We will see if this works like the 1,098 reviews said it will. He was more excited about the 8 pack of Reese hearts. Duh. The boys got cute goodie bags from mamaw and papaw, I honestly have no idea what try got because they tore through them. I saw candy wrappers on the floor. Nough said there. We gave Cayden a rustic fire hydrant piggy bank and a shared gift was the play-doh garbage truck! They played all night!!!

The boys gave them a photo card, OSU cool book & chocolates. Daddy got mama beautiful flowers and a rain check to my most amazing massage GOD back home in Cinci. I'm sure steve just can't wait to "work" on my back. I'm truly surprised he hasn't told me he is through. That man is such a blessing to me. Let's just put it this way, he proudly told me at our first visit that I was by far his worst client. EVER. Like worse than his pro football players. WORSE EVER. I feel an award should be given out. 

Anyways....On Saturday cousins Maleah & Wyatt came to play! J and I #ran went to an early dinner at an AMAZING sushi restaurant and birthday shopped for our soon to be 4 year old!!!! We have never shopped for gifts together. It was fun! This was our first alone time since...uhhhh...December? Way too damn long, I miss talking to him. Our dates are too short for everything that we want to talk about/do. #omgthewine

We came home to a full house of kids and mamaw and papaw. We are blessed.

#igiveup #ibetadslrcamerawouldmakemykidspayattention <---I try. :/

Sunday to be updated...happy valentines day!!! 

A naptime DIY PROJECT!!

We made a quick trip to the mall this morning. We did exchange número tres on daddy's coat. I'd complain but the more we keep exchanging, the deeper the clearance. Mwahahaha...

I let (ok I almost THREW) the boys play in the play area. It's surprisingly quite nice! We will be there a lot if this weather keeps up.

Don't let them fool you they love to hate one another. Know why?? They don't leave one another's side!!!!! WHAT.THE.HECK. When were inside its a  battle every new toy touched. Best friends no matter what I guess?!

We went straight home after birthday meltdown #10 (you guys his birthday is not for another 2 weeks!!!!). I got straight to work on this... 

Our DIY family coat rack! I'm pretty proud of this!! It's rustic and has a touch of glam. And personalized. I'm smitten. 

I got the inspiration from a mama I follow on Instagram, mandielane. I love her taste in home decor etc. it's so simple, yet her photos of her home are cozy and personalized. I hope she doesn't think I'm nuts for borrowing some ideas. 

Now It needs a bench or table? Maybe I should complete the other 3 lingering projects first. 

>I can just see my husband shaking his head at me because we all know I'm incapable of "one at a time". 

I figure, if I have to stain 3 projects, why not finish all the staining in one sitting?!?

snowed in with two turtles

I love snow. I love snow so much that I love the cold that goes hand in hand with it. I love all things related to snow. except. one. minor. detail.

CABIN. FLIPPIN. FEVER.

I did my best to make the day go by. I did not rush us, we ate together (shocker). We trully had a pretty great day until day 2.
Where I gave in and "forced" the boys to Target. Where I also gave in and bought C his first teenage mutant ninja turtle tshirt and Leonardo costume pieces. This boy is in love. Im not going to lie, I have had to hold myself back from buying all things TMNT. I love seeing him get so into it. His first love is transformers, but this is a little more physical for him as he does some pretty spot on martial arts/break dance moves for the last 72 hours. My heart is melting watching him play more, pretend more and just growing into a 4 year old. Not to mention watching his little shadow (M), im not sure which makes me more proud to be a mom of these boys.

Yes we have terrible no good rotten days. The days that I can not stop myself from gritting my teeth...and the wine just aint enough. But this. This is what makes moms stop the laundry. This is what makes a mom leave the dishes to tend to later. Because the sound of M trying to wrangle C to do something he is not supposed to do, and to watch them quietly play so nicely when mom is not watching. Is totally worth every piled dirty dish. Any day. of. the. week.

The Lord if faithful. I trust in him to make me see these beautiful moments to help me get through the teeth clenching ones. Well, the professionally fitted night guard helps too :/

We also had our first house guests over for dinner, Neil & Erin & girls in tow. What a beautiful family they have. I hope to be the tenderhearted, soft spoken mama just like her. They make J and I want to be better mamas and dadas. But also we have a mutual love for Jesus, wine and chinese. I mean what more could you ask for in friends????

when your kid hates daycares.

M, my sweet, sweet boy. You have put yourself at a level above everyone else, and I must congratulate you AFTER I WASH MY HAND THAT CAUGHT YOUR VOMIT!!!!
Kid, one would think you have had a bad experience or have been left behind before***full disclaimer that has NEVER happened YET***
All we had to do was enter the daycare doorway and I felt this blood run a little slower around my neck. Those arms squeezed tight, so tight I thought you were just giving me immense love. One can dream right?!? Your lower lip puckered out to touch the tip of your chin, and your eyes welled with crocodile tears so quickly I almost had mom guilt.

Then came the vomit catching. M you did not even let mama finish writing your name down on the sign in sheet before you chucked up a little of your breakfast. Thank the mcd's gods for the 1/2 sandwich you inhaled en route. Otherwise, I would of been showering at home-with no work out behind me.

Anywho-now that THATS over *RIGHT????

After the Y we drove in a COMPLETE FLIPPING CIRCLE, I MEAN LITERALLY BACK TO THE INTERSECTION WHERE I TURN LEFT TO GO TO MY YMCA!!!! That you guys, is how much I am relying on my imaps. Touche' because for obviously reasons I need to start weaning myself off because like most drugs at this point, (3 weeks to the day we have been here)it is hurting me more than helping. darn thing is so lost I think it misses Cincy.

Once I finally found Hobby Lobby, C proved me wrong and found TMNT (teenage mutant ninja turtle) CRAP by the cash n wrap area. I should of known those @ss holes would put toys right there. He looked at me with his 13 year old stare and said, "SEE AMANDA! TOLD YOU THEY HAVE "TORTLES" Where after I gave an equally sarcastic face back I had to say, "your right C! now...lets hurry up and get our cardboard letter." Smart @ss kid then unbeknownst to mom, led me straight back to the TMNT items!!! Darn him and his directional fluency.

By the time we got home the boys revolted against me by purposefully having another full blown nose bleed 30 minutes into nap time, where I must remind said child that in fact...YOU CAN BREATHE when only one nostril is being plugged. OH AND!!!! I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IT DOES NOT HURT WHEN I PINCHED THE TOP OF YOUR NOSE TO BLOCK THE FLOW OF BLOOD!!!!!! For the love, by the time I get the darn thing to coagulate (like that?), it looks like I did punch him Dexter would have a field day tracing those blood splatter patterns. Although he may get confused by the random puddles. I am funny @ 1145pm.

SPEAKNAWICH << C quote right there!

Cheers for Friday!!! We are having our (only) friends over for dinner tomorrow. I am soo excited for this. #stillhave3boxesofcrap & 4...yes 4 diy wood projects to complete and hang. Goooooo me. NOT.

have a little faith

Dear C & M,
I hope. NO...I PRAY that one day (sooner than later), no matter the season of life your in that you'll have faith. I pray you (ok lets be real your WIVES) will read this and see that keeping the faith in this big world can move mountains. Our lives are only getting better, our love is growing stronger, my patience is #DWINDLING I mean improving.

Why now?
Well, Daddy and I have moved your sweet boys to Indianapolis for many many reasons but for times sake, we moved for daddy's JOB. For the record, you should know how hard THAT dad has worked to get us here. I have faith that you will not remember at the tender ages of 3 and 2 how many nights I spent creatively trying to be both parents for bed time. C, always remember the mini fireman that slept next to you "fire dad". He got us through SO MANY exhausting nights when all you wanted was your superman. Sorry dude, plastic fire fighters and sweet mamas (probably stinky at that)! Oh M, let us not leave you out. MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO is all I got to say about your little drama overloaded self. I had to put up a picture above your bed of your dad just so you would go to sleep. Per usual you would ask the same question over and over and over (whats the deal with that phase???), "where dadum"? Most nights it pulled a string in my heart. Others...well, lets just say I would be on my knees praying for more patience.

This is why I am appropriately naming our spot in this big ol internet, FAITH and Firetrucks. Because goodness gracious where would we be with out the men who give us both of those??????? Boom. #insertclosedfistknucklestoknuckles #youtooMas

Mama had these taken a week before we left for Indy. She is an LD rn by day and does photography on the side, non profit if you will. The catch to these AMAZING shots? You have to PAY IT FORWARD. That is it. What an amazing woman of God! She has a talent (obviously) but whats more, she is realy engaging & hands on with kids. She wasnt just sweet and patient. She was instantly like a big sister. anyways...take a look for yourself.