#twoundertwochronicles.
A lot of people have asked how are we doing? How are you surviving? How's two under two going? Have you lost it completely yet? How's Caroline doing with Parker?
In short:
- Good.
- JESUS. Grace. Mercy.
- Good.
- Somedays.
- Hasn't killed him yet.
All in all, we are doing really well. We've gotten into a groove so to speak and are learning how to keep the chaos to a minimal. Caroline is slowly warming up to Parker, he's recognizing her and his face instantly lights up. He adores her and I keep praying that she will adore him too instead of throwing things at him, diving across my lap while I'm nursing him, and giving him "BUMPS" aka fist bumps to the head. She does love seeing him each morning and says, "awww heyyy Park's, hey brubba" and she's quick to alert me when he starts screaming. Yes, Caroline I can hear your brother screaming momma is just trying to pee.
#twoundertwo Isn't as crazy as I thought it was going to be. Don't get me wrong I find myself running out of arms and hands often (seriously why don't moms have multiple extremities?) However, we're getting out by ourselves just the 3 of us -of course it's much easier when Daddy is around- one of my biggest fears was the capability of making a Target run with just me and the minis. I'm happy to report we've made several successful trips to the motherland and even no man's land (Wal-Mart). We've been able to have lunch dates in Winston with daddy and have made it to play dates, story time, and music time. Mixed in though are the many days of entirely TOO much screen time for C, pajamas until after lunch, moments of me wondering if I did indeed brush my teeth that morning, realizing that yes, yes I did, and heavily debating a nap while the minis are asleep or squeezing a pump/workout session in. Let's be serious, a quick power nap wins more days than not. But I will say I'm pretty proud of myself for getting a work out almost every day even if it's just busting the bus (double stroller) out for a walk. Sanity people. Sanity.Exercise=endorphins=less stressed momma. It's a win win for all--just ask Derik.
I can almost guarantee that chaos ensued immediately after this. Yes we read Llama Llama Holiday drama in September.
We have friends on our walks!
We by no means have it altogether and I will not dare say it is all perfectly balanced. My dream BFF Jen Hatmaker says it best, "Balance is like a unicorn; we've heard about it, everyone talks about it, and makes airbrushed t-shirts celebrating it, it seems super rad but we haven't actually seen one". So by no means are we balancing it all out perfectly, but we're making it work. It's definitely not what I expected. I never expected peeling my toddler off her brother while he's in the swing. Yes, this would mean she crawls in the swing with him with a valiant attempt to steal his paci. But I also didn't imagine the times where she holds his hand while he's crying, rubs his face and says "aw Parks is so sweet" "I lub him". These moments my heart could explode until a tiny million pieces.
This has been one of the most challenging, exhausting seasons of our lives. I want to remember the chaos. Especially, the day a few weeks ago I was pumping only to find a toddler had gone awfully quiet. I quickly unattached myself from the milking machine and found said quiet toddler chilling on the DINING ROOM TABLE. Seriously Caroline? What the heck? For the love of
"Pete! I would love to know a toddler's thought process. Like, what makes you think it's a good idea to pull a drawer out and stand it, or scale the oven while I break up your pancakes. OR the day I ended up with 3 different bodily fluids that were not my own on my hands all during ONE diaper change.Thanks, Parker, thanks a lot.
Before P was born I really focused in on the saying "the days are long, but the years are short". I don't think I've heard anything more true during this particular season of life. I try to remember that each time I get frustrated with C for doing toddler things, or each time Parker wakes me up at night. I try to remember to not take this time for granted because I know how all to fleeting it really is. HOWEVER comma--I say this out loud often thanks to my wonderful HS english teacher--I do find myself feeling frustrated, exhausted, the world's worst mother/wife often. But then I remember the beauty of grace. It's amazing how my tiny children show my grace daily. In the form of hugs, kisses, pats on the back--all from the toddler--after I've had to sit her in a one minute time out for the millionth time that day. Grace from my husband when he thanks for all I do for our family, when really I have a hard time seeing it. Grace from our heavenly Father when I come to Him for quiet time with a distracted mind and heart that should be fully focusing on Him.
Long story short this season is beautiful, it's sweet, it's incredibly difficult, exhausting, emotional, wonderful...I could go on and on.
We are beyond grateful to be doing this thing called life with our people. Our VILLAGE. We truly have such an amazing village of people alongside of us helping to raise our children, we don't think we can ever express the immense amount of gratitude we have to our village. So here's to you, the ones that have listened to our crazy, dropped everything to bring us a meal, came to just sit with me for my own sweet sanity, held our newborn and entertained our toddler while I napped or showered. Those who have sent texts at 3 in the morning knowing that chances are I'd more than likely be awake and needed an encouraging word or three. My sweet momma friends who are in the trenches with me, lifting me up on a daily basis even with their own heavy load. We thank you, I thank you! We don't say it enough how much we appreciate YOU!
#twoundertwochronicles will be coming to an end September 25th, then we'll have a crazy 2 year old and sweet baby boy. I guess I'll then have to come up with a new hashtag?
