Time Flies When You're...Outnumbered

Sigh.

My life is a blur these days.

Granted, a mostly joyous blur filled with giggles and slobbery kisses and tiny baby socks. But a blur nonetheless.

I SO want to get back into writing regularly. My mind yearns for a creative outlet. I miss sharing my thoughts on parenting. My failures. My triumphs. I long to come to this space and be honest about life as a mother. But most days after feeding, wiping, running, tickling, feeding, dancing, laughing, feeding, rocking, story-telling, and more feeding, I barely have enough energy to hold a conversation with my sweet, patient husband let alone sit down at my computer and "let the creative juices flow".

Today I decided to steal a few minutes for myself while my 3 year old naps and my 6 month old grows impatient on the floor for some attention.

And yes, I said 6 month old.

One might ask, What has having two kids taught you? My short answer: Having a second child has taught me that I know NOTHING about parenting. I'm just as clueless as I was the first time around.

I've been told that all children are different, but I didn't understand the depth of that statement until I had two to compare. Night and day, these two. Cut from the same genetic mold, yet not one similarity aside from physical appearances.

So I am learning. Every day. Learning what makes this little man tick. What he loves: cuddles, rocking, sleeping on his tummy. What he hates: bottles, being alone, Mommy eating chocolate.

It certainly is an adventure, this having-two-kids thing. It's not for the faint of heart {though sometimes I am} but I wouldn't trade my life for anything. No, this is where I'm supposed to be. In this very moment of life. In this mess. In this joy. Some days I might find time (and energy) to write. Some days I might not.

I'll leave you today with a quote about blogging that caught my attention. It's a quote from Annie Downs who also writes for (in)courage. She says, "The thing about blogging is that it is our real lives, it's just not the FULLNESS of real life."

Words of truth spoken to me today. I hope that you were blessed with some truth today, too.

A Good Excuse

Just incase any of my tens of readers are wondering where I've been for the past two months, here is my excuse:

God has decided to trust me (ME!) with this tiny gift wrapped up as a perfect little boy. Parker James made his arrival on Friday, July 27 at 8:26 am. My post about his birth story to come later!

Now to the brutally honest part: this baby is kicking my butt! It took me two days to realize that my second child was nothing like my first. Nope. That would have been too easy (and I'm not that lucky). The good Lord chose to give me a challenge this time around. A crier. A constant eater. Nothing soothes but his Momma. And people, I. am. tired.

Thankfully, at 6 weeks he is growing out of the fussiness (thanks, in part, to figuring out that I can't eat chocolate while nursing - yes, you read that right - no chocolate.) And he is starting to show his sweet side. The smiling. The cooing. The cuteness. Sometimes I just melt!

 These past 6 (almost 7) weeks have been an adjustment period. For all four of us. Figuring out how to mother two children, how to show my love to both at the same time without making one feel neglected. It's a whole new world. So I ask that you please bear with me as I continue trying to live my new life (and take care of a new life!) all while still cooking, cleaning, playing, cuddling, sometimes yelling, and generally running this ship called a family. I WILL get back to blogging. That is a threat, not a promise :)

In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed the photos of my little guy. God is good. Amen?

The Little Mermaid

So something big happened on our Fourth of July this year. {Aside from the fireworks.}


No, I didn't go into labor. {Was wishin' and hopin' though!}


But it was (almost) as equally exciting:

Swimming on her own for the first time! 

Yes, my baby girl decided she didn't need Mommy or Daddy to hold on to her in the pool! Granted, she's not reached Olympic levels yet, but I was so impressed and overjoyed for her. If you know my daughter, you know that one of the words that best describes her is "cautious".  This is the child that didn't walk until she was 16 months old. The child who cried when we went on the Hershey's Chocolate World tour ride.

So I was indeed cheering in my proud Momma moment.

Thankfully Daddy is an avid swimmer who has both life-guard and swim team captain titles under his belt. {Um, not to mention CPR and First Aid certification!} I am able to relax when he's in the water with her. I have no doubt that with a little more pool time and training, this little mermaid will be high-diving and butterflying in no time!