Play Us a Song...

Little Beethoven from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

He's Ready to Go!

Last week, my rambunctious 16 month old started Mother's Day Out!  I cannot tell you how excited I was for him (oh, and for me), but I couldn't WAIT to get all of his things ready for school... 

His bag was packed the night before...

and it just-so-happened to be embroidered.

Oh, and so was his naptime blanket...

Everything ready.

Daddy even left us a note!

Would you laugh if I told you I labeled every. single. supply. with Daniel's name?  I didn't want a note from the teacher saying he hadn't brought things in.  When I taught Kindergarten, I L-O-V-E-D over the top moms (like me). 

Ready for School from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

3 Months and Counting...

Our sweet Samuel turned three months old this week...  I know, right?!

In his 3rd month, Samuel:

Weighed 12 lbs.

Was 23.5 inches long.

Finally outgrew his newborn clothes.

In fact, he skipped 0-3 months altogether.

Now wears size 3 months.

Wore size 1 diapers.

Smiled all the time.

Slept at least 5 hours every night.

Got lots of kisses from his big brother.

Would attempt to sit up on his own.

Disliked "tummy time."

Cooed and giggled at Mommy.

Started shedding some of his thick, dark hair.

Had his first round of antibiotics for a cold.

Took his shots like a PRO.

Samuel also:

Loved playing with Daddy.

Finally grew "into" his legs.

These pants were SO big just a few weeks ago!

Started holding his head up and looking around.

Deeply disliked bath time.

Every time.

Did I mention he smiled at Mommy all of the time?!

ALL. THE. TIME.  :)

His eyes seemed much bluer and his hair more red.

His neck and arms were getting stronger!

Was so loved by his big brother, Daniel!

16? Surely Not.

Daniel turned 16 months old this week, and this dear old mom forgot to post.  So, a couple of days late, here is what Daniel has been up to this past month:

In His 16th Month, Daniel:

Loved on his baby brother.  A lot.

Poked Samuel's eyes. 

Found his belly.

Started kissing.  Awww.

Waved bye-bye all. the. time.

Began drinking from a straw!

Cut teeth all month long.

Had 11 teeth.  (3 of them are molars!)

Weighed 25.75 lbs and was 31.5 inches tall.

Wore size 4 diapers.

In size 5-6 shoes.

Leaning toward 18-24 months in clothes.

Really enjoyed "squeaker" shoes.

Was a dancing fool!

Fell in L-O-V-E with Thomas the Train.

Got a bunch of consignment goodies.

Favorite was definitely a Thomas flashlight.

Or his Tonka truck.

Or his Thomas movie.

NO, it was his XYLOPHONES!

Sits and plays all day long.

Can find a piano ANYWHERE in a room.

Got a toddler swing for his swingset.

Started saying:  "Side" (aka outside),

"Tank-you" (thank you),

"Ju" (for juice),

"H-I-G-K" (they're out of order, but he's saying parts of the alphabet),

"I do it" (obviously),

and "No" (need I say more?!).

Daniel ALSO:

broke the DVD/VCR player,

forcing Daddy to buy another one,

ate at Steak N' Shake with our dear friends,

the Harris family,

played "Side" (outside) in the sprinkler with Daddy,

loved stomachs and pulling shirts up to find everybody's,

made his baby brother cry often

while trying to be sweet,

took naps with Mommy...

and Daddy,

got acquainted with banana nut muffins,

played in his brother's toys,

had so much fun in the sun,

liked stealing Mommy's sunglasses,

showing off,

and telling every person we passed, "Hey!"

started Mother's Day Out for 2 days a week,

Daddy left us a note the morning he started,

loved the fountains at the Streets of Indian Lake,

and

loved Oreo cookies,

and

most importantly,

Daniel really loves Samuel.

It's All Happening a Bit TOO Fast

Right before my eyes, my little boys seem not so little already. 

Daniel has his molars coming in.  In just a week, he grew, like 7 teeth.  I'm not joking or exaggerating.  He started Mother's Day Out on Tuesday the 17th and did wonderfully.  He didn't even cry when I left him.  Weird, right?! 

In the midst of Daniel's changes, Samuel's been gaining weight like a champ.  We went for their 2 month and 15 month well appointments, and Samuel had gained 5 pounds in a month.  Wow, right?!  He's now rolling over and smiling constantly. 

As a parent, I'm so excited for changes, but at the same time, I just want them to be little forever.  Is this what happens when you become a parent?  Time literally flies.  When I was a child, a week seemed like an eternity, but as a mom, my child has learned to say "Thank you," in just one short day.  Really?! 

God, thank You for the subtle reminders to enjoy every single second I've been given with my children.  Help me to remember that this will go by quickly and to never wish any of it by.  Thank You for their sweet smiles (one of which is now FILLED with pearly whites) and for the gifts You've given me in each of them.  I'm so blessed, Father.  Does it go by fast to You as well? 

I Have Some Serious Blogging To Do...

but it must wait until ALL of my other priorities are in order.

For example, I ♥ Daniel, Samuel, and Brian.
I also am fairly fond of painting, embroidering, and crafting these days.

So, of course, these all get me first, if you know what I mean.

Please Disregard...

The disheveled look on my face.
The sweat dripping from my forehead.
The lack of makeup.
The wrinkles in my clothes.
The idea that I may actually remember our conversation.
The drool on my left shoulder.
The leftover Cheerios in my car's seats.
The exhaustive way I enter and leave a room.

I can't help it, but this is how it goes almost every day.  I've realized that life is hard with two babies.  It just is.  I find myself so overwhelmed lately.  I imagine I'm not the only mother who feels this way.  However, I finally took some time tonight to talk with my 11-week-old. 

I flat out had a sit-down talk with my baby and told him that I was so sorry.  I knew I needed to apologize to him after the night he'd had and for the way I'd handled our life lately.   I told Samuel I was sorry for letting him cry a little too long, not immediately changing his dirty diapers, paying more attention for safety's sake to his big brother, not holding him enough throughout the day, missing out on some of his accomplishments, not capturing every single day on film, and not being the mom I feel as though I should be to him. 

And...  you want to know what his reply was? 

He smiled.  Right at me.  He cooed and grinned then melted my heart with his big, blue eyes and brown, curly hair.  In our short five minute "conversation", Samuel made me realize just how grateful I am for this time.  For feeling so overwhelmed I could bust.  For feeling completely inadequate as a parent.  For feeling so helpless and weak.  Because, let's face it, parents all feel that way.

The tears filled my eyes as I was reminded of how God chose me.  He placed Daniel and Samuel directly in my hands.  He filled my life with their little smiles.  He decided that I was to be their mother, and that in itself is the most humbling, gratifying fact in all of this.  The fact that God knew I'd be a mess.  He knew I'd make mistakes and have to leave one child crying while helping another.  He knew I'd have days where nothing was accomplished and that I'd be so angry and tired over cries that seemed to never cease.  Yet, HE. CHOSE. ME.  God gave them to me, and though I know these two children are not mine to keep, God gave them to me. 

Wow. 

Please disregard my repetitions, ramblings, and rantings.  Just know that I'm a bit out of it for a while.  At least until they are out of diapers and can walk on their own without throwing tantrums if you hold their hands and can get in/out of the car by themselves.  Yeah, it may be a while, but God loves it.  He sees beauty in the messes and knows that I'm still a work He's progressing.  He reminds me daily how blessed I truly am and that there will come a day when these frustrations are distant memories of how He loved me enough to give me two.