William is two... and a HALF!

I'm not sure if anyone reads this, or if anyone cares who does, but I'm going to try to keep the blogging going, a couple times a week while I have a minute at work. I've been looking back at some posts from when Will was Parkers age, and it is so helpful to compare and see what we were doing then, how I was feeling etc... I also love to look back at this as a scrapbook and I know I will for years to come to see what we were up to and I love looking back at the photos. So if things seem to change gears a bit, thats why :) 

On April 3rd William turned 2 and a half! Seems so old, 1/2 way to 5 YIKES! He is such a fun, happy go lucky little boy, he is so curious, and adventurous, sometimes too adventurous! While we do have the occasional meltdown, usually from taking away electronics, or a sudden change in what he is doing, for the most part he is a very happy, talkative boy. He has recently started telling stories and most days he just cant get the words out he wants to say fast enough, it is the cutest thing. He's also started imaginative play with his toys, he does things with them, talks to them, its so sweet to watch and listen. 

Some William quotes to remember: 

"Its ok Parker, the monsters wont get you"  While Parker was crying during one of his first baths

"I'll get it!" Getting a bottle for Parker when they were with Caroline, our sitter. 

"AWWW MAN" When finding I've put a passcode on my iphone

"OH! I'm sorry Mr. Egg"  When he accidentally cracked a hard boiled egg while dying eggs

"Does Cooper have one?"  When he gets something he always wants to know if his bff Cooper has one too

"Whats it's name?" He wants to know EVERYTHIGS name, dogs on the street, trains at home, everything, I'm starting to run out of names. 

"Good question mommy"  Luke says good question a lot, when he doesnt know the answer. So this morning I asked Will something, and he said "Good question mommy!" 

I love this age so very much, its trying at times and patience runs thin, but most days you can literally SEE him thinking and I love it! He is also becoming so athletic, he loves to run and race, loves to jump, and is learning how to ride all his bikes and toys outside. 

Will LOVED Easter this year and weeks later still keeps telling me he wants to go on a "Easter hunt" He went to see the bunny get out of the helicopter at an egg hunt with daddy and was less than interested in the bunny but kept waving hi to papa who was driving the helicopter (an older gentleman with grey hair) we all got a kick out of this. 

We tried the three day potty training technique and it went pretty well. Started about 28-29 months, day one was the hardest, we literally had to teach him how to make it come out and how to control it, days 2,3 were ok and I think he started to get it around day 4-5. We still have to remind him to go and we do pull ups for nap and bedtime but he's doing really well. One out of diapers, and the other breastfeeding were saving some money these months!

Will is in 2T-3T clothing, and growing like a weed! He goes to bed around 7:30-8 and wakes up around 6-6:45, we got the clock that tells him to stay in bed so sometimes he goes back in till "Freddie turns green" He naps around 12-12:30 and usually takes a 3 hour nap. He is pretty picky with food but we've really been working on at least TRYING most foods.

starting some sort of project

always has to be JUST like mommy and daddy

valentines day chocolate face

how I found Will one morning

still loves to snuggle, suck his bunny, and twirl the tag on his tiger

daddy and will snuggles

Will had a lot of fun running and jumping in all the snow this year. One day we got over a foot!

no fear!

bennett turned four

first go kart ride on a special night with mommy

I love the way he eats!

loved eating corn like a big boy!

in the fort with daddy and a "free sun"

showing Parker his pictures, in his big boy undies!

painting with yogurt turned into somewhat of a huge mess!

playing doggie

showing brother his horsie on his shirt, just like papas

a stroll to the lake with mommy

Crazy driver!

Super Will snuggles with Mimi

SUPER Will

Cheesing to send Gigi a picture, with his roll

in the pengiun exhibit at the zoo

playing with an otter

waiting for the train, boy is still obsessed with all things choo choo!

Love that he holds me finger sometimes when we snuggle

Will has grown like 6 inches in one year! Since I started measuring him at 18 months

Parker's first two months

Parker's first two months seem to of flown by, I was lucky enough to stay home with him everyday for the first 11 weeks of his life. I love being with him, I know what he needs like no one else, I know how to calm him, and he loves to nurse. The boy would eat suck all day if I'd let him, but wont take a pacifier. Parker had his first trip to the park, the zoo, first snow and his first Easter. We also ventured on our first dinner out as a family of four. He is a good baby, if he is full and not tired he will just smile away. He does not however like to nap... he can be super tired and just nap for 20 minutes, which can make daytime a little trying. Right now he is going down about 8:30/9:00 and waking up once to eat, and sometimes once more but goes right back down with a few pats. Up for the day around 6:30 Going back to work I'm hoping his schedule stabilizes a little bit.
Parker's favorite things to do are sit in his bouncy seat or under his gym and talk/coo back and forth and watch you make silly faces and noises at him. I think he'll laugh any day now. He also loves to watch all the action around our house, us shuffling around in the morning, Will playing and scooting his toys all around. I think its only a matter of time till he wants to get in on all the fun!
Life is definitely crazy with two, but I hardly remember what it was like to have just one. We love you so so much sweet baby Parker and were so glad your a part of our family! 

First day is always the hardest

Well friends I made it back... back to work that is. I thought it would be easier this time around, and well... its not. Parker is at the sitter with Will today so it is helpful that I know her, and feel somewhat comfortable. I had a great time off with Parker AND William, but I am ready to come back. I'm hoping coming back will help us establish a routine and be good for Parker and myself. Maternity leave was so different this time around, there was not a lot of time for naps, walks at the park and mall, and hours of snuggle sessions. With two there is always something you should be doing or someone you should be spending more time with. I don't think I will ever get over the "mommy guilt" as it is something I see myself always struggling with.
With lack of time and energy the blog has definitely been neglected, I'd like to try and keep it going to look back on our little family at this time in our lives.
Does anyone have any tips with photos? I'd like to keep my pics on my laptop at home but also have them accessible if I want to blog while at work.

Were Here....

Hey y'all! Just wanted to say, hi and were here.... some days were barley here but were okay. Its been a rough go, I was sick, down out, miserable sick for almost a week. Luke was sick but kept his game face on and still has not missed a day of work since Parker's birth, Will had bronchitis again, and Parker had a double ear infection already. I Lysol our house more than anyone you know, drink and force fluids and vitamin c and somehow we all still got sick. Were on the mend and I was beginning to think I got us on a schedule and Parker and I took a HUGE tumble down the steps early one morning. Parker is fine, perfect.... and I pretty sure I broke my tailbone. The first few days I could barley move, and now I'm just in an extreme amount of pain, 6 days later. I'm taking percocet from labor and it still barley masks the pain. Really hoping I feel better soon to enjoy the little amount of maternity leave I have left. Also hoping once I'm back to work I can jump on the blog train again and keep up with all the amazing moments we HAVE had with our sweet boys, our crazy days, and our fun events of the winter. Till them, Love to all! :)

 

Our first couple weeks...

Life is good, Life is so so good. I wanted to do a quick post about our first couple weeks at home as a family of four. The first week Parker was up at night every 1.5-2 hours, it takes me about 45 minutes to feed him with nursing, burping, and diaper changes. To say we were a little sleep deprived would be an understatement. After that first week he has been doing MUCH better, which is great when your 2 years old wakes up at 6:30 ready to start his day. Will still doesn't care too much about his brother, he asks where he is, will bring him a toy or binkie, but still doesn't want to hold him and is not a big fan of me nursing or pumping. I think he knows when I do these things it cuts into time with him, but for the most part they've done pretty well together.

The two hardest parts for me are mornings and nursing. In the morning I have to feed Parker, Luke has to shower, and Will gets up and needs attention/ diaper changed/ get dressed/ breakfast. We manage just fine but Luke and I sometimes take a backseat and get ourselves together later in the day. I dread going back to work for this reason. I have no idea how we will make it out of the house before 9 am much less make it out of the house at 7. Lets not think about that just yet.

The other hard part is nursing... not Parker, he's great, and my milk supply has been great too, actually too much for him! But the days I have both boys by myself it is hard to nurse and take care of/tend to Will. But again, were doing okay and for now no ones going hungry :) Just an adjustment period for all.

The first week was also filled with visitors, they have slowed down now and just trying to make time for the final ones. Everyone has been so generous with meals it has really helped out a ton, I plan to return the favor ten fold. You forget how much it helps to pop a meal in the oven, and how little time you have to prepare anything. Monday I took Parker out, I'm not supposed to take him to the mall or big places but we needed diapers, (small 150.00 diaper stop) I ran into bed bath and beyond and he accompanied me to get a pedicure. Successful day in my book!

I'm loving every minute off work and I have no idea how I'll make it back leaving TWO this time, I've actually started looking into some new options for Will too, preschool etc. More on that later.

Luke is still working from home for the most part besides meetings and appointments. Its going good, great actually because if I do need him for a minute or two, he's usually just downstairs.

I'm sending Will to his sitter, trying for just two days a week while I'm off, I had to keep paying to hold my spot, and I also think its good for him to get out and play with his friends.

 

So for now, all is calm on the home front. Yes some days I feel like I'm nursing and changing diapers for two kids all... day... long. But I wouldn't change a minute of it for a single thing in the world. Loving these two boys and my sweet little family of four.

 

Silly boy with papa jim

 Great Grandma and Grandpa come visit, (lukes dads parents)

 Ashley Leslie and I, such a fun afternoon!

 My three boys chillin together

Parkers first photo shoot, I love taking the "behind the scenes" shot

 

Cousin Peyton comes to visit!

 First Bath!

My clean little froggy

 monthly photo time!

Big brother and Parker, hospital visitors

 After a long labor we decided not to bring Will up Thursday, I got in my room about 3 pm and hadn't slept in about 40 hours... It was a long wait to see him till Friday afternoon but I'm glad I waited. I had time to shower and regroup, and before I knew it my little buddy was running in the door. I jumped off my bed and scooped him up in my arms. This birth was so different than Will's, with him I was in bed scared to move because of stitches. This time I was practically pain free and lifting a 30+ pound child.... offically momma of two under two!
Will opened his big brother present {a special personalized big bother book and award, new stampers, and two new movies} then it was time to check this little guy out. He didn't think too much and did not want to hold him but he kissed him and tickled him which completely melted my heart. This was it, this was our family of four, myself, my best friend, and our two wonderful sons. Life is complete.
I decided to have Will climb up on a chair so he could check this baby out, being all swaddled up he really just looked like a floating head. I'm glad we did, he really liked seeing and tickling his little feet and he was convinced his belly button stump was poo poo, "Parker you stinky, you need diapey change" "Peee Yew Parker"   Luke and I couldn't stop laughing, too funny!
After a snack and some hugs it was time for my boys to go again, Luke left both nights to take care of Will so I was on my own at the hospital, I don't mind it was nice having some alone time just Parker and I, and 85 bajillion nurses that like to come in the second you shut your eyes.

Friday morning Luke came up after he dropped Will off to check on me and see Parker I was glad he got to visit. My good friend Michelle also came by to see her newest sweet Wilson boy.
Friday night my grandma and grandpa couldn't wait any longer and came to see us.

Then in the blink of an eye we were signing papers, filling prescriptions, and loading now 7 pound 3 ounce baby in what looked like a huge car seat.

checking him out

nana and her fourth great gandson

crystal parker and hudson 

daddy and his boy