Dear Mr. Restaurant Man (and any other business owner out there)

Let me set the stage for you.  You've stopped at one of your favorite fast food joint, or probably more accurately one of your kids favorites.  Let's face it.  Its not ideal, but its cheap and easy and that is all you care about after your grocery trip run took an hour longer than planned because you forgot that with 2 kids you'd have potty breaks, "I want candy" breakdowns, and have to stop to put back everything they took off the shelves through your trip.

This is my life.  Maybe not to this extent everyday or maybe I've just gotten used to it.  No matter what craziness will happen.  Eating out has become more frequent for us.  I don't think it has as much to do with having kids as it does that we are always busy and on the run.  Our lives have just gotten out of control busy and over committed, but that is another post for another day.

So, what is the real reason for this rant?  I'll tell you.  I want changing tables in the bathrooms.  Is it really too much to ask?  I have some how managed to wrangle up enough supermom power to bring two kids under the age of 5 into your establishment.  We have waited in line, placed our order, received our meal and made it to our seats all while keeping the kids in decent behavior.  We get everything nicely organized on the table when the smell hits you.  Thank you child still in diapers for that lovely right here at lunch/dinner time.  If you're a mom you know what I'm talking about.  So I load up both kids and head to the bathroom secretly praying that our food does not disappear while we are gone.  We walk into the bathroom to only find that there is no place to change the little one.

So what is a supermom like me to do?

I could go out to my car and deal with the situation there and pray that my meal stays secure on my table until we all make it back in.  Deal with it on the counter in the bathroom which is not clean for the little one or those coming in after us.  I could return to my seat and change the little one right there which I'm sure would thrill no one.  I could wait until after we eat, but that leaves the smell and diaper rash both which are unpleasant for me.

Do you see my predicament?  Do you feel my pain?  Is there anyone out there crying along with me "help please!"  If so, you are not alone.  So Mr. Restaurant Man (and other business owners) PLEASE install changing tables in your bathrooms.  It would make lives for moms like me just a little easier.  And while I'm at it go ahead and install in them in the men's bathroom as well.  Its not just moms who have this struggle.  We aren't asking for gold-platted, thickly padded, 400-thread count covered tables.  Just a sturdy table that does the job.  Is it really too much to ask for?

We Joined the Club

 It was just a matter of time before we made that fateful trip to the ER for the inevitable broken bone and that time has come.  Well, not exactly.  There was no ER visit, but there is a broken bone.  Last Sunday night Levi & Naomi were innocently playing at church while we were taking out turning doing the weekly cleaning.  There were having a great time running and chasing each other and then there were tears.  We weren't concerned and she gave us no reason to be.  We kissed her boo boo and she went right back to playing.  When we arrived home we noticed that her hand was a little swollen and she wasn't really wanting to use it to hold her fork to eat.  We checked her fingers, she laughed, so we figured it was just a little bruised from the fall and all would be better in the morning.

Monday comes and I literally think nothing of it.  She complained once or twice, but for most of the day she was her normal, crazy self.  We went to soccer practice and she was running all over the place, falling down, and acting completely normal.  We only got concerned because her hand was still pretty swollen (almost twice the size) so we made plans to go to the doctor the next day.

Tuesday comes and while Tuesday literally requires a post all its own lets just say after much frustration with my pediatrician's office we discover that she will need to be seen by a pediatric orthopedist because her x-rays show a possible stress fracture.  Wednesday we make the trek to Atlanta to see the orthopedist.  It takes no time for them to examine her before they rule that her right hand definitely has a break.  On the bright side she got to pick her cast color and of course she picked purple.  She has to wear it for three weeks and so far we're in one and a half weeks.  It has taken her no time to get used to it and I think she actually likes it.  Thursday night after her bath it actually came off!!!  I know right!  That is not supposed to happen.  I called the doctor and was told to watch it over the weekend and we'd make a decision come Monday.  Today they decided to have us come back in tomorrow for a new cast since her hand was moving more than they'd prefer.  Let's just hope she is this happy after she gets her new one tomorrow.

Every Life is Beautiful

Aaron & I are huge advocates for LIFE.  We have been blessed beyond measure with our two children.  I seriously couldn't imagine my LIFE without them.  Getting pregnant does not come easy to us, and we have had to say good-bye to two children through miscarriage.  The grief and heartbreak of such a loss is more than I can put into words.  These experiences, both the joy and sorrow, have led us to realize that every LIFE is beautiful.  Through this realization our hearts have been opened to giving LIFE to those who need it, so we are planning to adopt within the next few years.

We have made a commitment to stand up for LIFE in every opportunity that comes our way.  The recently release move October Baby deals with the issues of abortion, adoption, LIFE, and the gift of forgiveness.  From its website this is what is said about the movie;  "With its powerful, compelling story of a young woman who was adopted by loving parents after a failed abortion attempt, OCTOBER BABY will remind moviegoers that every life is beautiful. As it does, the movie will open eyes and hearts to the sanctity of life."  We just viewed the movie last week and it was amazing!  I definitely recommend that you watch it.  Part of the movie's agenda is the Every LIFE is Beautiful campaign.  There are stories of abortion survivors, the beauty of adoption, children with disabilities, healing after an abortion, LIFE, and death.  Each video is just 1-3 minutes and is so worth your time.  You will be blessed I promise!  Please check it out here at everylifeisbeautiful.com.  If you'd like more information about the movie as well there is a link to it from the website.  Please join me in standing up for LIFE and showing others that every LIFE is beautiful.

Watching

Today I watched my children.  I watched them play.  I am a stay at home mom so I watch my kids play all day.  Everyday.  But rarely do I sit back and really watch them.  Truth is I'm usually doing things while I'm watching them.  I'm doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, bathing, cooking, and so on that I sometimes miss those moments because I'm caught up in my chores and such.  I'm not oblivious to them or ignoring them.  I'm just multi-tasking which means I'm playing with one hand and doing some chore with the other (or at least thinking of what chores I need to be doing).  But today I sat and watched.  I didn't participate I just simply watched them do their thing.

I watched as they lined cars along my bathroom counter (never-minding how it was going to be all in my way later when I tried to get ready) and then ran from their bedroom back to the bathroom carrying one car at a time to add to the countertop. I watched as Naomi ran as fast as she could to keep up with her older brother.  I watched her little legs run and how awkward, but completely normal her running was.  I even chuckled at it.  I watched as the laughed as they chased one another from room to room only to do it all again until every Hot Wheel and Matchbox car in our house was lined on the bathroom counter, and believe me we have our fair share of cars.  Then I watched Levi's imagination take over as he named the cars and raced them 2 at a time using the big bathtub as a race track.  And then I watched a his little sister mimicked his every sound and movement.  I watched them play and get along.  I watched their imaginations, their learning, and their friendship.

What's even better is that twice during my watching they let me know that they were happy that I was just there.  Each one without prompting and at different times suddenly at some point in their play just to hug me and give me a kiss.  No words were exchanged.  No words were needed.  It was the highlight of my day.  I know my multi-tasking lifestyle will continue because I am a mother and that is what we do, but hopefully I'll try to take a few extra minutes everyday to just let them play and I will watch.  Watch them grow and become the adults I'm praying they become.  I'm always aware that I'm blessed more than I deserve, but today I got a little glimpse firsthand.

During the last month...

We have been busy. We'll that is a bit of an understatement, and May is looking pretty jam packed too, so enjoy this post because I never know when I'll get another update on here. Here is a look at what we've been up to.

Just a typical day in our house...building bugs and then fighting with them.

We celebrated Easter by hitting up a few egg hunts and lunches with family. Levi was super excited about all the candy, and really had a great time finding eggs. We even had to rehide some for him to continue looking. He is too stinkin' cute! We also had an Easter production at our church where Aaron participate in the role of Christ. He did an awesome job as always. Just a swingin'!

So excited about his prize in the egg hunt...a monster truck! Naomi is getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I can't believe she is already 4 months old. I've taken a few photos of her lately (a few would certainly be an understatement). Here are some I love...

Love these little toes!

Valentine's Day

This year I got really into Valentine's Day. Usually A and I would go to dinner and maybe just maybe a card or two would be exchanged, but that would be about it. This year I decided to really get into the spirit of things. A and I celebrated a few days early going to dinner Friday night at Romano's Macaroni Grill and grabbed a delicious chocolate covered strawberry milkshake from Steak-N-Shake on the way home. Shoog spent the night with Lou on Friday night and when we picked him up Saturday afternoon we got special Valentine cupcakes and this awesome frame from him. I just love it!! We spent Sunday evening making homemade Valentine's and cookies for some pretty special people. Monday I decided to take my special little guy on a Valentine date. We went to breakfast at Chick-fil-A where we ate some yummy chicken biscuits and shared some tots.

After breakfast he got to finally open his valentine present from mommy...MONSTER TRUCKS! He was so excited!

Last night my hubby had to work late (bummer I know). However, I have an awesome dad who stepped in and took me out for Valentine's (ok, it was already planned, but you gotta love him anyways). Dad took my sisters and I for dinner at O'Charley's. Really wish I had taken a picture of us there, but it totally slipped my mind. Spending that time with them was really special, and we laughed quite a bit, but that is no rarity with us. I had a great time celebrating with all of my special valentines, and I hope you felt as much love on valentine's day as I did.

Potty Training

Potty training. That's right, the dreaded words of potty training. To be honest I have been avoiding this issue for a while because every time I would bring it up Levi showed NO interest at all. He hated the idea of it or so it seemed (even though he would periodically sit on the potty). Another reason I have been dreading the potty training stage was the amount of time we would be at home. I knew the first week I would need to be planted at home, and that idea was a complete turn off to me. I love to go and do. So potty training would mean no gym, no shopping, no visiting friends or family, no park, etc. The thought of being home ALL day for a solid week or more was not my idea of fun. Finally I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing. I had no idea how to teach this little kid to potty in the potty instead of his diaper. Sure I had some advice from friends and such, but advice and putting it into practice are two totally different things. All this being said, I decided to wait until Levi turned two and summer rolled around because I knew that I would have few obligations and would be able to give full attention to it. Well... Levi is 2, and summer is upon us.

Monday we started potty training. Let me just say that it has completely worn me out, but that Levi is doing amazing!!! Monday we started and had a few accidents, but several successes. The only problem was Levi had some diarrhea (sorry if this is too much information for you) and developed a rash on his hiney. Other than the rash being painful, he did great, but it did make him have a few more accidents. Tuesday he did awesome. He had one accident first thing in the morning, but complete successes the rest of the day!! I am so proud of him, and I'm actually amazed that it has been as easy as it has been. Day three is today, and so far so good. Guess I'll be posting the rest of our progress soon enough. Wish me luck!

P.S. Thanks Rachel for letting me use your potty - it's been a BIG help!

Having A Great Day

Just an announcement that I am having a GREAT day. Levi and I got up this morning and headed out to run several errands all before nap time. I know this is ambitious, but it was the plan. I was a little worried because Levi hates being in the car for too long, and hates even more going from car to buggy and back again. Knowing we were going to be in and out all morning I was concerned he would be hard to deal with. However, he was WONDERFUL and so enjoyable to be with today. We went all over Conyers and Covington and he was SOOO good. I just had to brag about him. We even ate McDonald's for lunch and got really lucky and snagged a VeggieTales DVD for $4.99!!! Being a stay at home mommy means I get to spend time with Levi every day. It's easy to get into the routine of life and forget to spend special time with your little one. We make sure the he and Aaron spend special time together, but I don't do the same for our relationship because I'm with him 24/7. Today showed me that even though we are together constantly it's still important for us to have some special time too. Today we both had a really good time hanging out and laughing. He just makes my life better. I love that. So here's to today...a really GREAT day!

We LOVE Big Idea

Our family is in LOVE with Veggie Tales, especially Levi. All you have to do is mention watching it, and he gets all excited and starts looking at the TV. We love Veggie Tales and the rest of the products and shows presented by Big Idea. Their shows tell Bible stories in a fun and fresh way for kids to understand. They also share stories of moral values like forgiveness, kindness, sharing, obedience, etc. It is no secret that little on TV these days is appropriate or wholesome for little kids which is why we love this series so much. Levi is able to watch it and we know he isn't being taught things we don't agree with. I decided to check out their website to see what all they have to offer. The website was great. They have a parent section that offers lots of ideas of activities parents can do with their kids for family nights. They also have a whole section of games, cards, and coloring pages for the kids. If you want to check it out their website is https://bigidea.com/. I'm sure you'll find lots of stuff to use. In all the Veggie Tale shows they have an 'intermission' where they sing a "silly song." We always love the silly songs because that is just what they are - silly songs about silly things. I've shared with you my favorite in the clip above. Hope you enjoy!

Please

I have been trying to teach Levi to sign a few words. We are currently working on learning the signs for more and thank you. He already knows how to sign for all done and please. He uses the sign for please all the time. He signs when he wants to eat, read, or be picked up. Here's a video of him saying please for some more of is sandwich. Hope you all enjoy it.

UGH!

Don't get me wrong, I am so glad that my kid LOVES to read, but if I have to read this book one more time today I'm gonna scream!

Hypnotic

Let me first start by saying that I LOVE Baby Einstein! As you all know, lately Levi has been quite challenging. I promise all of you that he is getting better, and actually has been great the last few days. Due to that, I am just now getting around to posting this. Two Sundays ago was right in the middle of my crisis, and I saw my cousin Kimberly. In our conversation she mentioned that her son Logan loved Baby Einstein when he was Levi's age. She said he would watch it and gave her 30 minutes or so to take care of a few things. Well I had wanted to try the videos, but just haven't gotten around to it. Besides, I wondered how a video could hold my son's attention the complete time. I figured he would pay attention to it for a few minutes, but definitely not the whole time. Even though I was skeptical, I was at my wits end and thought I'd give it a whirl. I bought the one pictured above, and figured I'd try in the next chance I got. Well, I got my chance on Friday night. Aaron had school, so I was having a girls' night with my mom and sisters. We had gone to dinner and decided to play a game of cards once we got home. The only thing was getting Levi to cooperate. I thought now is as good a time as any, and popped the video in. We were all AMAZED! The video was completely hypnotic. It was crazy. Levi sat there the entire 30 minutes mesmorized by the music and pictures. To be honest with you, we were all a little mesmorized at first. It was the craziest thing. So, now I have a friend in Einstein.

Frustration

How can this cute little guy make me so frustrated?

Last Friday Levi had a bad day. He didn't take a nap and was just hard to please around. At first I just thought "It's one of those days," and tomorrow would be better. Then tomorrow came. The whole weekend he was quite a pill. Sure he had his sweet moments, but he was not our easy-going little guy. Something was definitely up. Sunday night he was up every three hours! Something he hasn't done in practically 2 months. Monday rolled around, and I decided to take him to the doctor to see if perhaps he had an ear infection or a perhaps tranquilizer gun I could use. Neither. He was in perfect health, which was a great thing, but I was looking for an answer to all this fussiness and something to sedate him wouldn't have been bad either. The doctor told me he was probably cutting another tooth, so baby orajel and teething tablets it was. Fast forward to yesterday. No tooth and no better. I sort of figured by now the tooth that is supposedly coming would have reared it's ugly head by now. The days are usually better than the nights, but he still isn't back to normal yet. To get him to sleep I have had to swaddle him the last two nights. I have tried gripe water, mylicon drops, tylenol, teething tablets, baby orajel, teething rings, and bathing him; none of which have had lasting relief. All work for a little while, but none work every time. So, all you parents out there I need some words of encouragement. Any suggestions you have or similar stories you want to share comment away. Perhaps I just need to know that "this too shall pass," and hopefully SOON!