3 Years and 3 Months

I feel like the last few weeks I've been treading water.  If you've seen Finding Nemo (I've seen it quite a bit over the last few months ;) ), then you know the singy-songy voice that Dory says "Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!"  I feel like that's my mantra day by day.  I feel like I can NOT keep up with everything.  I keep thinking of things I want to blog about, but yet each day seems to come to an end with no time for the computer.  The good news is that I guess that's a sign that we're living life and having fun!  Two wonderful things to update-MJ is a sweet, ornery, and energetic little 3 year old and Charlotte is a smiling, cuddly, and developing her own little personality 3 month old. 

My "little guy", as he refers to himself on his 3rd birthday

MJ began his birthday celebration on March 8th, at school.  He was able to choose a special healthy snack to bring to school a long with a present for the class.  He chose to bring Goldfish to share with his class and picked out a truck book and playground ball for the class present.  On his birthday he was excited to wake up and come downstairs to see his presents.  Mat had to go to Iowa City late that morning for a conference, so we were sure to recognize the special day first thing while we were both home. 

After opening presents, we just spent the morning at home playing, Skypeing, and enjoying some down time while Mat was at his conference.  After nap time, MJ knew we'd be heading to Jumpin Janes for a birthday celebration with his friends.  It was very low key but just perfect for a 3 year old!  We invited two of MJ's little buddies from preschool, JP and Adam.  They met us there for a couple hours of non-stop playing!  They were adorable.  MJ was all smiles the entire time, only stopping long enough for a little pizza, juice, and cupcakes.  He had an absolute blast!  He was so happy the whole way home and slept like a champ.  The next morning when we woke up he asked, "More birthday today?"  Bless his heart!  

 Celebrating at Jumpin Janes with his friends

Just the other day I was trying to get grass stains out of MJ's  jeans for the first time and I realized he's officially a "little guy" and not a baby.  It's amazing to me how much he's grown and changed just over the last year.  I remember last year he was still quite cautious at the playgrounds.  I followed him all around helping him and keeping a close eye on him, and now look at him...so independent, brave, agile, and proud of himself...

 

 

Little Miss Charlee just turned 3 months old.  She's smiling a lot lately-anytime we walk into her room after bed time or nap time, and most anytime you talk to her.  She still loves to smile for her brother anytime he talks to her, and he continues to love showering her with attention!  She's an awesome little sleeper at night.  She usually goes down for the night around 7:30, typically wakes once to eat around 4 or 5, and then sleeps until 7:30 or 8.  She pretty consistently takes a solid morning nap after being awake for only an hour or so, and then takes shorter naps throughout the day.  Each day is a little different though and we pretty just much go with the flow rather than have a regimented schedule quite yet.  She stills nurses about every 3 hours or so during the day.  As you can tell, she's growing very well!  She's our little chunky monkey, no wearing 6 months clothes, which are starting to get quite tight.  We've had amazing weather almost all month, so I've really enjoyed putting her in cute dresses!  

 All smiles-March 23, 2012

3 months

There are moments I wonder how I'll make it through the day, like when MJ decided to start tearing his very expensive Cars mural off his wall or Charlotte cries non stop while in her carseat, but then there are the moments when I read my sweet boy his bedtime stories and he tells me "I love you so much," or when Charlotte looks up at me with a huge smile on her face, and I remember just how lucky I am to have these two little angels!  Loving my 3 year old and 3 month old!

A Chat With a 3 Year Old!

My sweet birthday boy enjoying his lunch 3/9/12

I've started a birthday tradition (thank you Pinterest).  Beginning at 3 years old, every year on my children's birthday I'm going to have a little "birthday interview"....basically just the same list of questions each year.  I think this will be a wonderful memory to document for my children to look back on one day, us enjoy throughout the years, and of course provide some great humor!  So, here it goes....MJ's first birthday interview at 3 years old. 

My answers are exactly as he said them to me.  My thoughts are in parentheses. 

Recite your name:  M and J  (He's NEVER said his name this way before, go figure)

How old are you?  3!  ("tee")

What's your favorite color?  red

Who is your best friend?  Allison (this is a little girl in his class at school; I've yet to meet her or her parents though)

What's your favorite animal?  a pig  (reallly??  maybe mommy rubbed off on you)

What do you want to be when you grow up?  a dog  (LOL!!!)

What's your favorite movie?  Choo-Choo Movie (a tad obsessed with Thomas the Train movies)

What is your favorite book?  car book

What makes you happy?  Choo-choos  (as he says "Hmmmm," and puts his finger on his chin as if in deep thought)

What makes you sad?  cars  (Mommy's thinking uh-oh, there goes that great new room we made for you)

What's your favorite food to eat?  waffles

What's your favorite toy to play with?  cars (phew!)

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Cuddle Bear and car blanket

Mommy's Sidenotes:



MJ has really developed from a baby to a little boy this year.  I was thinking back how the last two years I would go into his room and around the time he was born (midnight) and pick him up and rock him.  Not this year.  He's his own little person now and would probably wake up and look at me like I am crazy.  Kinda hard on a mommy's heart, but I'm so thankful for all that he is!  March 8th always feels like quite an emotional day for me as I think back to what was happening three years ago and how naive I was at what was about to take place.  I thought once I had a positive birth experience, those memories would fade, but they didn't...not yet anyways.  And that's okay, I think.  There must be a reason for that.  I'm learning to focus on what is rather than what was, but to always keep that memory with me in my heart to remind me how thankful to be of his precious little life as well as to use that experience to provide sympathy and support for others.

 And trust me, some days I need to think back to that moment to remember how thankful to be for him!  ha!  I'm not sure if 3 is worse than 2 as I seem to hear many parents say, but MJ has been on a roll for the last week.  Time out has been used more times than I care to count, patience has been tested, and tears have been shed from both him and I.  It's all part of learning, testing the limits, and developing though, and when it comes down to it I wouldn't have it any other way.  He is my miracle, my sunshine, and now my little boy (although he'll always be my baby).

While the Cat's Away...

The mice will play, or in this case...

SHOVEL SNOW!!!

Yes, while I was doing this, Mat was lounging in Jupiter, FL.  How's that for a little guilt trip, honey?  :)  One thing I learned is that I have been pampered in not having to shovel a single time since we moved to Iowa.  This was only a small snow by Dubuque standards, probably 4 or 5 inches tops, but it still felt like it took a long time!  The fun part though was having MJ out with me and getting to play in the snow with him.  I've looked forward to doing this all winter, but have never had the chance because Charlotte's too little to take out in it.  But, this time the opportunity was perfect, because guess who was inside to watch little Charlotte....



GIGI!!!

Yep, Gigi was nice enough to drive to Dubuque to help out while Mat was out of town.  It was my first overnight time on my own without Mat since having two kiddos, so it was wonderful to have her help.  Getting two little ones to bed at the same time and then getting them both up in the morning is no easy task and having two sets of hands is a huge blessing!  She was able to get lots of quality time with her grand kids, catch up on Charlee's growth over the last month, and help me out all at the same time.  It was wonderful for me too just to have some face to face time with her.  Since becoming a mommy of two, I feel like there is very little time to talk on the phone lately and when I get the chance to talk to her it's usually rather short and to the point, so just having some time for a little girl chat and catching up was wonderful! 

To back up a bit, Mat went down to Jupiter, FL to meet my brother for a little spring training Cardinals style and relaxation time.  He was due a little break and had been looking forward to a long weekend of guy time and baseball.  It was his spring weekend at school, so he had to travel on certain dates and unfortunately it didn't line up with any games, but he was looking forward just to watching practices, hanging out with Jeff, enjoying the warmth, etc.  Baseball didn't cooperate too well and due to scheduling and weather, they got to see very little.  They still enjoyed eating out, a movie, and just hanging out, and he came back refreshed and very much looking forward to seeing the kiddos.  My little break will be coming up next, once Charlotte doesn't need me quite so much.  ;) 

While Mat was away, Gigi got to jump right into our normal routine.  She took MJ to school on Thursday, spent lots of time trying to get Charlotte to sleep, did some laundry, and made time for plenty of fun too! On Saturday, we visited the aquarium, where MJ had a blast looking at fish and playing with boats, and Charlotte took a nice nap in her stroller.  :) 



We're glad Daddy had a restful little break, and we had so much fun with Gigi, but Daddy, please don't leave again anytime soon.  It might make us sad...