Kate's First Haircut

This little mug was starting to look a little mullet-ish from behind. During lunch today I spritzed her hair and attempted my first trim on the wiggly one. She did fairly well as I danced around her chair wielding scissors while she turned her head to and fro wondering what I was doing behind her.



She has total bed head here with some curl but when it is combed it can resemble Joe Dirt. Not what we are going for here.



Snip, snip!



I must say she looks pretty darn cute! Her hair naturally curls under a bit so it looks like she is now sporting a mini bob.



I like to think she approves though I know that she has no idea what happened to her locks. To her credit every time we do her hair she looks at herself in the mirror, smiles and laughs. She is adorable and we often find her in our room at the standing mirror admiring the cute little girl and talking to her reflection.



On another note Kate had what looked like a little mosquito bite a few days ago. I figured it would go away but over the past 3 days it has progressed to the above, going from one bite to two. We were perplexed and concerned that we had a spider in the house. Then this morning as I was undressing Max for their bath I noticed he had the exact same "bites"! Same place, same leg, everything. Phil vacuumed our rug to hopefully suck up any intruders, I checked their beds and we asked a nurse in our ward about Kate's leg. Neither of them have any symptoms; fever, etc. and we were told not to worry about it.

After naps and lunch I was changing her diaper and noticed that the "bite" was spreading. Then I started thinking, they had their shots just over a week ago and it would make sense since they have the same area and lesion. I hopped in the internet to consult Dr. Google and came across information that confirmed my suspicion. They had the chicken pox vaccine and only 3% of children develop a chicken pox rash (2 lesions only) at the injection site. They are not contagious and have no other symptoms and I am just glad that we figured it out. So now you know.

12 Month Stats

Friday was my first time taking the kids to the doctor by myself for a well visit. We did just fine and I am actually surprised with how well Max and Kate did with their immunizations and not being able to be loved for long afterwards, since once Kate was done she was hugged and then strapped in the stroller so Max could grace the examining table.

They are growing on their own curve and Max still has 3 pounds on Kate.

Max:
Weight: 18 pounds 13 ounces
Length: 27.75 inches
Clothes: 6-9 months, size 2 diapers

Kate:
Weight: 15 pounds 15 ounces
Length: 27.75 inches
Clothes: 3 months solid and 3-6 is big on her in most brands, size 2 diapers

New developments since turning one year old: the emergence of the tantrum. Yes, Max has excellent form as he arches his back, throws himself on the ground, face turning red as pure frustration takes over. Half the time I don't know what the kid wants, apparently neither does he. He cries when I hold him, struggling to get off my lap so I let him and then he cries and seems offended that I put him down. Good grief. I thought I had more time before this happens!

He got a time out Friday when nothing was working so he got to sit in his crib and after 15 minutes he was better. I think he is just tired. Naps have been off and they haven't been sleeping as long or consistently as before. They both went to bed at 5:30pm that night and fell right to sleep.

Kate doesn't really throw a tantrum but will lay herself on the floor when she is sad. She mainly takes to following me around the house crying desperately only wanting to be held. She is my barnacle baby. They are keeping me on my toes and I constantly have to remind myself to slow down, focus on their immediate needs and assess the changes and just roll with it. I haven't been able to work out this whole week with my friend since wake-up times and naps are so screwy. Remember when I was a scheduling freak? I have relaxed but still strive for a happy routine but if they are up at 6am we work with it, it makes for a long day and I am always grateful for bedtime.

I feel most inadequate when both of my children need nothing more than some solo time snuggled with mom, rocking away our troubles in their dark room. Just one of the many times when I wish there were two of me. We try to rock all together and sometimes it works but most of the time they need more space. At least I have two arms and there are always plenty of kisses to go around. They won't always want me so I need to remember to soak it up.

A Mother Moment

Max woke up crying from his morning nap. I quickly swooped into the room, plucked him out and together we peeked in on Kate. She was still asleep, sprawled out on her tummy, body fully extended and as I looked closer I see two perfect round little cheeks. Her diaper discarded in the corner. I smile and we hurry to get the camera but before I can get my settings right and my lens cap off she wakes up. We change diapers, dress and have a snack of applesauce sprinkled with cinnamon before we load up for their one year well visit.

Fast forward to the afternoon nap: Kids are fed, cleaned up and since we just finished lunch they are in diapers only. I think nothing of it as I plunk them down in their respective cribs and leave the room. I decide to take a nap myself.

I awaken to Max crying, I will my heavy eyes to open and peer at the clock on my bedside table. Only 45 minutes have passed. Not good enough. I put the pillow over my head and go back to sleep.

Again Max wakes me up and another look at the clock confirms that this time the nap is over.

I walk down the hall, open the bedroom door and am blasted with the wretched smell of a dirty diaper. Only this time much much worse. I get Max from his crib first since he weighs more and find Kate standing at her crib naked.

Naked. Covered in poop. The crib slats are smeared, there are a few turds scattered about, she is dancing and smashing poop into her white sheets. The bumper is soiled and she is grinning for the moment. I am not grinning.

After a bath, wiping down and disinfecting the crib, washing her sheet, bumper, bear and taggy blanket and Febreezing the room all is well.

It has been one of those days. Crying, clingy children. Max has discovered the art of the tantrum. Where do they learn how to arch their back and throw themselves onto the floor? Where did my sweet boy go? We all have our days and I am hoping for a better one tomorrow.

It is 5:30pm. My kids are in bed for the night, the kitchen is cleaned, toys put away and I am going to have some retail therapy, granted it is to Costco for diapers but I think I need a chocolate almond ice cream bar.

Low of the day: Kate's poop extravaganza. That little one will now be clothed at all times.
High of the day: Phil's face when Kate finally said "Da". That moment makes all the tears, snot, poop and baby drama worth it a thousand times.

Happy One Year

How on earth did we go from this:




Kate on her birthday 9.15.2009


New feet: Max & Phil


Max on his birthday 9.15.2009

To this in just a matter of 365 days?



Someone please hand me my life remote and hit pause.



Dearest Max & Kate,

Today is your first birthday! Oh happy day!  Last night I lay in my bed as the memories flooded my mind; one year ago I was made a mother for the third time. Every night your father and I turn on the hall light and tiptoe into your darkened room after you have fallen asleep. We grin at each other as we peek over your cribs and listen to your quiet breathing, chuckle at the crazy sleeping pose and exclaim how much we love you both, how precious and beautiful you are to us. It takes great control for me to withstand stroking your soft cheeks, legs or feet. You will never know the immense love that holds us captive until you are both parents yourself.



Kate, you are a true delight. You hold us in the palm of your hand, your blue eyes and dimples are powerful and mesmerizing. You have taken your father hostage with your sweetness. He loves to lean his head toward yours and you gently bump your forehead against his. His favorite thing to do with you is make a scrunchy face and breathe deep through his nose, you then copy and it never gets old. Tonight he exclaimed you could have anything you wanted he loves this face so much!



You are still a cuddle bug, loving nothing more than resting your head on my shoulder and sucking your thumb, this is your preferred position and I am still at the moment your favorite person. We love our Pip.



Max. What a sweet boy you are, always happy, so inquisitive. You are fast! You quickly come to "help" me when you hear the slightest sound of the dishwasher. You are soft and tender. I watched you today as you crawled under the end table, your eyes alight and your toothy grin beaming. I wanted to imprint your face right on my heart, to always remember it. I love how you crawl up to me and pull yourself into my arms, wanting a love and then you are off to the next toy that suits your fancy.



I love how when you are tired you will bury your face into my neck, rest your head on my shoulder and tuck your arms under your belly. I love how you cross your feet when you are happy and your speedy one-knee crawl. You love to play with your daddy, love to tickle and wrestle, love to be chased as your dad roars.



Thank you for giving us this first year. Thank you for bringing such happiness into our home, our hearts. We love you to the moon and back, we love you so much it hurts in the best possible way.

Love, Mama & Daddy

"Fight or Flight"

*Title stolen from my dear friend Rebecca, as is this post as I relayed our trip to her in email. Easier to type it once right? Love you Bec. :)

Trip to Texas Recap: Shotgun style

Max wakes around 5:30am, just as I am about to get showered and dressed, you know, before my children awake… Ha! Clearly we are off to a good start.

I weigh my odds and just get the boogers up and nurse and let Phil handle the aftermath. Not really. It was a joint effort and the babes were so very tired yet I didn’t want to put them back to bed since we would be leaving within the hour. Attempt breakfast but both my children stare off in the distance as they should still be sleeping. They don’t eat.

Kate has a meltdown and Phil makes an executive decision and puts her to bed. She falls asleep and then we wake her not 20 minutes later. Bless her heart, she smiles at us when we stuff her into her car seat. Max is still going strong.

Load the car, the babes and finally hit the road. It is 7am. I fear I am running behind. I am.

It takes me half an hour just to get to the 51 from my house. Crap. My father-in-law calls to see where we are at. I fib and say we are approaching the 202. We are NOT approaching the 202 for another 10ish miles. Crap.

Thankfully the 51 has an HOV lane and I make it in record time. We pull into the parking garage, unload the gear and babes, shuffle on the shuttle and we are off to the airport.

Check-in, check our bags, get ogled by nosy older ladies who pepper me with questions about the babes as I am trying to maneuver our bus of a stroller and all my travel paraphernalia. I am good at not making eye contact to discourage interaction. Necessary.

Go through security. Fun. Not! Two kids, two car seats, one stroller frame, two car seat bags for travel, one behemoth diaper bag, one backpack with my camera gear. Two Sippy cups full of water that have to get drug tested. Wait for security personnel to come and push my stroller through the metal detector and then test it for drugs, bombs, what have you.

We get to our gate, I take a potty break and then want to nurse my kids. I nurse Kate in the very not-so-private seating area and then it is time to board the plane. We get lucky and have a spare seat in our row. My mother-in-law and I take the row and Kate is my designated travel buddy since she cries if she is not in my arms.

I nurse Max as we prepare to take off and give Kate her Sippy cup. She doesn’t care to drink so I don’t fret too much about ruptured ear drums. Nothing I can do. She survives.

We take off and begin the 2 ½ hour flight to Austin. Kate fusses and I finally get her to fall asleep, hand her to my mother-in-law so I can corral Max. He is still going strong and fighting sleep every step of the way. We read stories, stuff our faces with crackers, bang on the tray (sorry to the man in front of us). Max eats two packages of graham cookies from the flight attendant (mine and my mother-in-law’s).

Kate wakes up and cries for me. We switch babies. Both are crying. I take both. Max buries his head into my shoulder but will not sleep. Repeat.

My mother-in-law takes Max again and as we begin to descend (hallelujah!) he finally bites the dust. We deboard the plane, gather our gear and load up. Max wakes as we transfer him into the car seat, maybe a 30-minute nap? We get the rental van and begin the drive to 2-hour drive Waco. Thankfully both children fall asleep.

We reach our destination and all is well. Thank you Allison! We are fed well and enjoy our two days of rest.

Monday we reverse the above and wait for almost 3 hours at the airport since our flight is delayed by one hour. We eat crackers, a banana, applesauce and ice cream. Kate spits up ice cream on the both of us and by the end of our flight we are smelling pretty ripe. Awesome.

The flight is uneventful and the plane pretty empty. I have the row to myself. Yes! Kate falls asleep pretty quickly after crying a bit and sleeps awhile with my mother-in-law. She had to sit behind me and Max so Kate wouldn't flip that she wasn't attached to me. Max pushes through most of the flight and I have to nurse him to get him to sleep. He passes out after just a few minutes of nursing. He only sleeps 20 minutes or so, waking when Kate wakes up crying for her mother. We land, wait for luggage and make it to our cars. We are weary.

I have never been so happy to see Phoenix in my life! The kids did well and were so dang tired but they stay awake in the car. We drive home in traffic, they get baths, nurse and see their dad for 10 minutes and then it is off to bed. Whew! We did it!

It has taken us a few days to recover. The kids have slept in a bit longer in the mornings and are more clingy and needy.

Will I travel again? Not anytime soon and certainly not by air and most likely not again with one year old babies if I can help it. But I wouldn't and couldn't have done it without my in-laws help on the flight. All in all we had a nice time visiting family and I got some sweet photographs of Allison’s family. Success.