Being a Mom to Littles

It hit me last night, like a ton of bricks.  As I lay in bed, thinking about the day's activities and such, my mind began to wander.  I started to brainstorm ideas for my Christmas gifts; ones that would be fun to play with the kids like a silly board game.  I thought how Bradley is getting old enough to listen and possibly take direction.  I weighed the logistics of how often we'd play the game during the week, since Brooke is in school 3 days a week---and my mind went there.

It went to September 2018, where our little girl will be getting on a school bus and riding off to Kindergarten.  It seemed so far off up until this moment in my mind and I burst into tears.

Babies don't keep, this I know.

My littlest just transitioned from his crib to a toddler bed.  {Joe removed the big rail and replaced it with the small.} In an instant, it feels like my days of being a mom to littles is nearing an end.

I know I still have two full years of Bradley in preschool and the rest of this year, but wow---what a shot to the heart!  In the trenches, I always say, sometimes it is super hard.  The days where Joe works long hours and I felt like I never talked to anyone other than baby babble?  Gone.

I have two blonde cuties who can both talk my ears right off any given day!

I have an almost 5 year old who dresses herself.

Brushes her teeth.

Helps with chores.

Buckles herself up in the car.

Helps herself to water if she's thirsty.



But as much as I get choked up at thinking of how all the "babyness" is gone from my house, my heart lights up as I began talking about Christmas cookies and all the cut-outs we wanted to make.  And in those moments I saw her eyes light up so big, and I realize that this too is a gift, this time of innocence, curiosity and wonder.

I suppose this is all normal, just the typical feeling mommas get as their babies grow into toddlers, into preschoolers, and into kids.

I'm savoring each sweet step and just wishing I could bottle the feelings and emotions right up!  In a sense however, I feel as if I already do.

This time of year I reflect on when I was pregnant, preparing for my January babies.  All it takes is a scent, or a sight and I am taken right back to when it was all so new and strange.

That's the thing about memories, they can creep right up when you least expect them.  They can bring tears of joy or a twinge of sadness.

Did I spend enough time loving on them? Teaching them? Holding them? Kissing their little heads? Letting them "help" me, even when I know it will be a bigger mess?


I vow to myself to soak up every last moment of these days with Brooke until we set her free in the land of full day school.  I know she'll thrive and flourish.  She's so eager to learn, to play, to become more.



But for now, I'll let her play and cuddle and be that little skunk or cat that she wishes to be.

Motherhood is such a beautifully strange journey and sometimes there are no words to truly describe how I feel.  I just know that I love these two little souls that the love of my life and I created, more than anything in the world.  Although it is not easy at times, it certainly deserves my time and attention.

They won't be little for long, and I already miss it.  I know that I will miss this stage too.

Brooke's Pre-School Circus

Hi, I'm Jenn and I used to blog over here in this part of the interwebs!!

I'm not really sure how to "ease" back into blogging, so I figured I'd just start sharing some fun happenings. We finally booked our family vacation for this Summer and I was showing the kids our previous trips to Lake George, and realized how much I love looking back onto it.

So here goes!

Brooke had a Circus at preschool.  The kids got to choose which animal they wanted to be and she chose a lion.  #thatsmygirl

Grandma, Daddy, Mommy & brother were all there cheering her on!

I didn't have "brown clothes" to dress her in, but I did have a faux fur vest!

She was the best little lion out there!!

Grandma loved her performance!

We took a Mommy daughter day a little while ago and stopped at Starbucks and checked out the mall.

I also got to go in for a Mother's Night for preschool.

This is what her project said.  What 4 year old says, "she gives me love." ?! I totally teared up.

She showed me her favorite puppies (at the moment) and we played.

She has also become quite the fashionista!! I tell her to nap and this is what she does.  PS I love big bubs in the background.  Just chillin.

So that's all for now but I am making a promise to myself to keep up with blogging! {Like, more than once a month.} I have a million excuses as to why I have not slid my fingers across my keyboard in far too long. I hope that this little break will have refreshed me a bit.  

Stay tuned! 

Happy 4th Birthday Baby Brooke

I'm not quite sure how four years just flew by in a blink of an eye, but I can say they have been the most rewarding, beautiful and meaningful years of my life.

We loved you before we even knew you, sweet Brooke. You were showered with more love than I could have ever imagined.

While I had no idea what I was doing when it came to labor, some how you made it into this world, perfect and healthy.  When I finally was able to hold you in my arms, there was no other feeling like it in the entire world; you began to teach more about life, love and what it means to be self-less.  I truly miss the late nights nursing, waking up to your little hunger cries.  Falling asleep in the glider and just playing with you...just you and me.  I'll hold those memories close, and I swear and promise to you baby girl, I will be there when you become a mommy.  It's the hardest and best thing that will ever happen to you.

{Birth Story}

{First Birthday}

{Second Birthday}

{Third Birthday}

I could post a million photos today, as I am fairly certain I've taken that many.  I would say that is the hardest thing about being your Mommy; time goes by so fast and I just want to capture each silly, loving, peaceful, challenging, beautiful moment with you. If Daddy and I could stop time and even rewind a little bit we would.  

Last night before we tucked you into bed, we let you cuddle in our bed a little longer.  We asked you to stay three, for just a little more time.  You said no, you want to be four and be a big gurrl. 

You're growing up to be such a strong, caring, smart, beautiful, loving, and very independent girl.  We wouldn't change you for the world and continue to be blessed for every day we spend with you.

May 2017 and your 4th year bring you so much joy, excitement, adventure, and fun. 

We love you so much and hope that you have the happiest birthday baby Brooke.

Mommy Monday: Happy Birthday Brooke

I know almost every mother feels this way, but I am still not sure how it was 3 years ago today you came into this world.  Now we're taking you to dance lessons & talking about which pre-school you'll attend.



You are the sweetest and most thoughtful little girl I have ever known.  Before we go anywhere to meet up with friends, you make sure to bring enough stuffed animals for each of them.  If someone is sad, you run to him and tell him "it's okay," and softly touch a shoulder.

You're also full of spunk and spice and everything in between.  I've learned to let you come into things on your own, as you always do on your own time.  Sometimes I cannot believe how much you know and how capable you are at so many things. I have no doubt you will hold your own in this world baby girl, and you will be amazing.



Your second language is currently "Dog" and your barking actually sounds quite real.  Daddy and I know that one day you won't be leaving your toys all over the floors and barking at your brother.  You won't want to "snug" on the couch, or blow kisses to us each night.


Although I feel as though you're 3 going on 6, I still try to slow time down.  To stop and eat the pretend cupcakes.  To allow the messy playdough to pile under your chair as you rip it into a million pieces.  To let you help me unload the dishwasher or fold the clothes.

To enjoy the moments each day.


Happy Birthday Brooke Lynn.

From the day we found out we were having you, we have loved you more than you will ever know.

Brooke Lynn: 21 Months

What up? What up? I am feeling a-w-e-s-o-m-e.  Maybe it's the 70 degree weather, the sunshine, the fact that our baby boy's carpet will be installed in just a little bit!?! I just have been super busy playing single mom lately, as hubby just wrapped up his THIRD and final tent sale of the year! WOOP!  It is game on now.  What do I mean by that? Well, you see, he has a week of vacation coming up in November, January brings him home for a few days with a new bebe and he doesn't have a crazy sale again until June.

Home. Free. My friends, home free.  My man works so very hard and there is nothing I can do, but love him to death, support his desire to bring home the bacon, and do my best manning the fort when he's away.  I know I've mentioned his grandparents before, but I know that Joe is so much like his grandfather, (right down to marching out of the carpet store because they were being a bit ridiculous about pricing, money down, etc.)  As I told my mother in law about this scenario, she just laughed and said something about, how many countless contractors were hired/fired throughout the years her father did business.  Oh, I just love my Italian family!! hehe

Also?  I have a 21 month old. Ahhh!  

She's wearing 3T-4T really it depends on the brand.  I am loving GapKids because the 3 Year sizing is a little big, so she has some room to grow, the quality is excellent and it fits her well and looks great. Her 3T sleepers are getting tight, so I am holding out on buying more, because 4T is still big? Oh the struggle with a long tot!

She's about 32 pounds and I don't even know how tall.  Super long and really needs to be potty trained because she's far too big for the changing pad now!

Speaking of, she has had two great potty moments (both with a very proud Daddy) she was mid-poo and sort of made it to the potty one day, and just Sunday she legit peed in her potty!  She's very obvious  about hiding in a corner to "go" so I just need to bite the bullet and work with her a little more.  I just don't catch it sometimes, if I'm taking care of dishes, dogs, or laundry!  But she's getting there and we are very excited.

She has 3 of her last molars in; the bottom left is taking its sweet time coming in.

Bedtime is around 8(ish) sometimes we stay up to see Daddy come home.  She sleeps until about 7am and takes a 1.5 hour nap around 1:00 every day.  She does well with this routine.

Breakfast she eats her eggs, toast, and fruit.  Joe can't eat eggs without ketchup, and unfortunately she picked up on that too…so while I don't love that, whatever.  Choose the battles!  She is such a fruit and cheese monster. Girl loves both of these all day every day if I let her.  She's digging our pears and apples from our CSA.  But she's really good about eating whatever I make for dinner and prefers real food over any toddler food, which I find a blessing.

Her little personality is shining through and I am so excited that she's starting to really become a little girl, but a little sad too.  We are going to get her a nice bed/dresser and give her current crib etc. to baby boy.  I can't wait to see her meet him in a few more months!

 So here are few photos of what little Miss Brookie and I were up to while Daddy worked:

Playground by the library.

"Raking"

Breakfast for dinner.

Gymnastics!

Sorting through her baby stuff and organizing. She's such a helper! ;)

Mama being sentimental about all these curls.

Snuggles before our bedtime….prego mommy gets sleepy!

Some Halloween artwork…

She's such a goof and her hair---I just die.

Ok, clearly I can be goofy too.

She hates the carwash, but we are singing songs and trying to see the joy in the bubbles…

My living room looks like this on a nightly basis. It's getting super hard to pick up with this big ol' belly!

We had such fun shopping date with my friend Ann yesterday; it was just what I needed.  Brooke saw these silly carts and was obsessed.  She wanted to play, so I let her for a bit.  Funny how it much resembles her little red car she has here at home, but doesn't want much to do with.  Maybe it needs a safety belt?? Oy!

We've got a busy week and I'm grateful for that.  Tomorrow we have gymnastics, a mommy meet up (kinda like an interview of sorts, I'll keep ya posted on that for sure!) Thursday brings me a hair appointment--wahoo--and Brookie has swimming.  Friday I have my Glucose test and Daddy is going hunting, so we are having lunch with Grandma Maria!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!