Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

It was just like any normal preschool day, and Jonah and I were on our way to pick Noelle up from school.

Probably 95% of the time we're listening to Noelle's music in the car- aka the CDs that came with her baby genius movies or the Christian music CD she got from Nana. The other 5% of the time we listen to Luke's music or mine. (And 99% of the time, my music is back and forth between the two Christian radio stations in our area. Unless it's Christmas, then it's Christmas CDs on repeat.)

Well, as Jonah and I are driving along, I decide to turn the radio to one of my tried and true Christian stations, WGTS. I've listened to this station consistently for about the last nine years, and as far back as I can remember, they've always had the family name game. The morning, afternoon, and evening hosts each have a boy or girl name, and if your child has that name as their first or middle name, you can call in and share about your child.

And the best part- they treat your whole family to Chick Fil A!

I'm half listening as we're driving, and I vaguely hear that the star of the afternoon is Amanda. Wait, what, did I hear that right? Amanda is Noelle's middle name!

The DJ says the number to call, and I grab my phone, but three numbers in can't remember the rest of the number. I quickly pull into the school parking lot, google the number, and call it. A girl picks up, I tell her my daughter's middle name is Amanda, and she says she'll send me through to the DJ, Becky.

Next thing I know, I'm talking to Becky and totally blanking on how to answer her questions about what my daughter enjoys and how we've been spending our winter days. I think I said something about her watching all the princess movies, and how she loves her little brother sometimes a little too much.

But we got our Chick Fil A gift cards in the mail! So yay for a family date to one of our favorite places!

Being Vulnerable

Vulnerability. This was the topic of our latest MOPS meeting, and it was a good one.

I think my thoughts on it are a bit scattered, but the over all topic struck a chord with me. We have to be vulnerable in order to build relationships. We have to be real, and share the ugly, hard stuff with others. As humans, we need that space where we can be real, and still be loved, even if real means being a complete mess.

2015 was a hard year for me- lots of ups and downs, hopes built up and hopes dashed to pieces. Feelings of jealousy, bitterness that it wasn't my turn. Being frustrated that I couldn't trust God's plan for us. I feel like I'm fairly open about my desires, but maybe not as open about how the ugly side of me comes out.

Another baby may never happen for us. Or it may just not happen the way I thought it would. I'm wanting it and praying for it.

And God is working in me. He has been so gracious to me in the last few weeks (and always!), really drawing me to Him. He has put it on my heart to pray for the many, many friends and family members who are expecting (four of whom are due any day!), and I feel that in doing so, my feelings have shifted more to thankfulness for all these precious lives that God has blessed my friends with. Some are having their first, very prayed for baby, and others are adding baby #3 or #4!

It still weighs heavy on my heart some days. And God keeps bringing me back to Him, and reminding me that only He can make me happy. God is good, and I am SO blessed!

We've finished our third cycle of clomid, which is the extent of what my GYN wanted to do. Since my cycle came on it's own (no medication to induce it last month!), I don't know if that changes anything about what she will want to do next. We may be pursuing things with a reproductive endocrinologist, or maybe just letting things go for now. I'm just praying for lots of wisdom and peace on what to do going forward. And, as always, God holds the future in His hands.

hands full, heart full

I wasn't sure if I should write this out, but this is me being vulnerable. Sharing the state of my heart. This is where I am in life right now, learning to trust God each day, and knowing that He is good all the time!

Attack of the Stomach Bug

Last week all four of us were taken down by the (self-diagnosed) norovirus. Late afternoon on Wednesday Noelle threw up all over her bedroom floor. I got her changed, sopped everything up, washed it down with cleaning solution, and she fell asleep on my bed. And when I went to get her up a little bit later, she threw up again as soon as she was standing. Soon after, it hit me, and the two of us were down for the count sharing my bed as the "sick bed", while Luke slept in her bed. The worst was when I was puking over the side of the bed into a trash can, and I could hear her start puking next to me. Luke was super amazing and kept the laundry going and cleaned up messes.

Thursday was basically a "let's watch Barney all day" kind of day so that I could sleep/rest on the couch and try to do some more laundry. When Luke came home from work, he said that his stomach wasn't feeling so great, and he was in bed before 9:00- which never happens. Jonah also puked that evening, and apparently at some point in the middle of the night because he woke up with puke on his pajamas. Poor kid! But he handled it so well, and even when he puked on Friday, he would be upset for a few minutes, and then happily go play. Noelle didn't get out of bed until after noon on Friday, and spent the rest of the day curled up on the couch. I was thankfully feeling much better and spent some time scrubbing and wiping down as many surfaces as I could.

On Saturday, we were all still tired, but symptoms were gone. We decided to cancel a get-together we were hosting because we knew some cleaning still needed to be done, and we do not wish that nasty bug on anyone! The talk at pre-school drop-off this morning was how everyone was getting hit with this stomach bug, so it's good to know we're not the only ones. I'm just thankful it moved quickly and that Luke and I weren't hit with it at exactly the same time.

our outing today to replenish supplies

On another note, I have definitely become a super wimp when it comes to the cold. Especially cold weather running. I have gone running 39 times this year, and have only run outside 5 times! At least I'm getting good use out of the treadmill, right? I mean, the massive dumping of snow we got made it impossible for like a week, but really it's the temperatures below 20* that make me dread the thought of leaving the house. Today was the fifth time running outside and I was pleasantly surprised by my pace. I think my body was happy to just go at what felt comfortable, and to embrace the downhill! I really want to find a race to run, but might look for one in the warmer months. And I just need to work on convincing Luke to move south. And then all our friends and family to come join us. (#teamnashville or #thebeach)

Jonah at 21 Months

Really, we're almost to 21 and a half months, but better late then never. And I so want to capture what our crazy boy is up to and what he's like!

And though we're still three months away from him turning two, we are already deep in the terrible twos! He tells me "no" on a daily basis, and runs away when I ask him to pick something up. And if he does not get his way, or I do something he doesn't want, there's usually a full fledged meltdown. He very much so wants to do many things on his own; it's just a battle trying to get him to communicate that without him whining or crumpling into a heap on the floor. He wants to take off his own shirt, wants to sit on the toddler potty whenever Noelle uses the bathroom, wants to wash his own hands even though he can't reach the water spout in the sink. Little mister independent.

On the flipside, he can also be quite polite. Whenever I give him something, he usually responds with "tank you!" He's usually willing to say sorry when we prompt him to do so after he's done something he shouldn't. I think he's also a little too used to us telling him to say sorry because when Luke told him to say good-night to me the other night, he promptly responded with "sorry". We all laughed, which made him say sorry over and over again. He knows he's a stinker!

He definitely has a quick temper, which is so different from Noelle. It does not take much to throw him into a fit, and Luke and I are going to have to learn how to work with him. I worry because when he's angry he starts to throw things, and I don't want him to hurt anyone else. Even when he was younger, he threw crayons at the library and I walked out in tears because it was my kid hurting someone else. I'm definitely praying for wisdom on that front!

Thankfully, he's generally a good sleeper. Goes to be between 7:30 and 8:00, and wakes up around 7:00-7:30 in the morning. It's very rare that he wakes up in the middle of the night (thank goodness!), and he naps for about two hours during the day around 2:00. He loves to have his crib full of toys, books, and trains, which is nice because sometimes he'll just play for a little while before he starts crying for us.

He's wearing size 4 diapers and 18-24 month clothes. Based on when he stands on the scale, he weighs 25-26 pounds. He will try most foods, but usually doesn't finish anything. He'll want toast in the morning just because Noelle has it, but only takes a few bites. He'll ask for a banana when Noelle has one, and only eats a few bites. Luke is much better about telling him no more food until he finishes what he's been given.

He is saying quite a few words, and even two word sentences. I'm amazed at how much he's able to communicate with us, especially since Noelle was only saying one or two words at this point and signing please, more, and thank you. I did teach Jonah some signs, and even though he says please, he'll still rub his tummy when we remind him to say please.

This kid has one of the cutest smiles I've ever seen. I think he knows he's a little charmer, and I know I'm in trouble! He loves trains, balls, and wrestling with Noelle and Daddy, but he also likes to wear Noelle's princess dresses and high heels. He certainly brings lots of laughter and fun to our family!

Twinning is Winning

We ran to Target on Friday to get diapers, and of course I wound up walking through the Junior's and Women's clothing departments. And inevitably got sucked into the sale racks. BUT I found two sweaters that were less than $6.00 each. One of them is camo print, and the big draw for buying it was because I could match Jonah! (hashtag cool mom)

I mean, who wouldn't want to match their child?

And not only did I match him (after I purposely washed his camo shirt so we could be twins the very next day), I matched Noelle on Thursday. My sister bought us matching sweaters from Old Navy for Christmas, and I finally convinced Noelle to wear hers.

I knew she'd be a tough cookie to convince since she has a thing against long sleeves. Thankfully she was willing to wear it as long as we rolled up the sleeves. And she was so excited to match, she convinced me to wear our matching Toms, even though it was entirely too cold to not wear boots.

I hope I can pull off this whole being twins with my kids for a long time. I mean, Noelle will still want to do it when she's 13, right?

Mall Adventuring

Last Thursday, before the impending blizzard was scheduled to arrive, I took the kids out for one last adventure before we got stuck at the house. I know Jonah, and I know myself, and he and I especially need time not spent at home. I packed us a lunch, and we headed out to a local mall. The kids got to play in the little play area, we sat down and ate our lunches, we took a ride on the carousel, and then grabbed a treat at Panera before heading home. We ran into two different friends from church, including one with a beautiful brand new baby girl!

There is also a spot at the mall that has a couple of those quarter rides, but I never put money in them. Noelle and Jonah LOVE it though, and will just get in and out of the different rides, and push all the buttons. Even though they see other kids actually riding the rides, they don't ever push the issue when I tell them I don't have any quarters (which is actually usually true!)

Lunch was turkey and cheese sandwiches, which is a current food in the rotation that they will eat (protein, yay!). We also had cheese balls that I had picked up at the grocery store because Jonah exclaimed "balls!" when he saw them. And I knew Luke would enjoy them. The giant container is now hidden out of sight and have been forgotten about (possibly by everyone except me...)

Luke and I always question whether we should bring a stroller when we take the kids places. Rarely do they stay in it, but I like to have it at the mall so that they have the option to sit, and so that I have somewhere to store the diaper bag and coats. And sometimes, it's necessary to strap a cranky, non-cooperative Jonah in and rush through the mall to our car.

After the carousel, they both decided they wanted to walk, and I encouraged them to hold hands so that they would at least stick together. They both are pretty good about wanting to hold hands and I snapped some pictures as I walked (very s l o w l y) behind them. I love that they have each other, And it makes my heart so happy when Noelle says that Jonah is her best friend (granted, she also says that about Roxy, my parent's dog, and total strangers she meets at the play ground.)

Jonas Weekend Fun

This past weekend, Maryland got slammed with Jonas, one of the biggest blizzards in recorded history. And thankfully we all survived being shut in the house together for way too long!

being princesses together

Friday morning I took the kids to a Frozen event at the library, but similar to the morning of the Cinderella event, the littles were driving me bananas. After threatening to not go (empty threat because I needed out of the house for a bit before we were trapped!), we eventually got ourselves out the door to the library. There were quite a few little girls dressed as Elsa and Anna, which Noelle fixated on and complained that she didn't have a princess dress on. But once we got into doing all the crafts (Elsa and Anna puppets! a sparkly snowflake! and more!) she was a lot happier. Noelle was not a big fan of the hot chocolate, but Jonah had a chocolate mustache after chugging his down!

Luke's parents and Lydia picked up Chick Fil A and came over for lunch. Luke was working from home so we all got to enjoy one last social hurrah before the snow started. My sister also came to hang out for a bit and left soon after the flakes started falling. (And after a local policeman stopped outside looking at our cars still parked on the street.)

I don't know the official amount for our area, but I think we got a bit over two feet of snow from the time it started falling on Friday afternoon through the early A.M. on Sunday. Luke did some shoveling on Saturday, and then spent quite a few hours digging us out on Sunday once the snow stopped and the sun was shining.

We watched movies, made some yummy treats, and did some crafts. The kids went out for a little while on Saturday while it was still snowing, but Noelle didn't last too long. Jonah sat outside and ate the snow while Luke shoveled, and continued to eat it when we brought some inside to play with in the kitchen. After playing outside on Sunday, Jonah was more than ready to come inside after he lost his boot in the snow and got hit in the face with the shovel.

Today is a snow day (a.k.a NO SCHOOL!), and Luke is working from home again so it feels like the weekend has been extended. We've been playing with the neighbors and keeping ourselves busy!