Monday, February 8, 2016

January 2016

We had quite the snow storm in January. The last time that it snowed and shut down the city was the 2nd day of Francine's life. We were in the NICU together and man have things changed since then. This month we bought a house and put our house on the market. A lot of change and details and "to-do" lists has come from this move. But in the middle of all of that I have got to remember that my kids still need to feel a sense of normalcy. 


I have been reading this book Design Mom which is just incredible and I came across some words that have inspired me and challenged me - Cherish, Engaged, Present, and Enchanted. These are all words that I want Jack and Francine's childhood to have. I dont want to always create it for them but I want to allow them to be able to find things that they cherish and to be enchanted with things that they come up with in their own little minds. 

**Funny Story's of the month (I remembered to write down)**
I think this is just a new constant thing that has started this month. Francine looks up to Jack so much already. If he is doing something she will try to imitate the best she can. I will also say that she is definitely learning how to get

#Jackamadeus - BIG BROTHER update
His new favorite thing is the mini-carts at Kroger and Trader Joes. They are a little tough to maneuver for a 2 year old but he is definitely getting the hang of it. This was the day we walked to Kroger in the snow...my little tiger took the lead on the cart! 

Favorite color - orange 
Favorite number - 2
Favorite food - chicken
Favorite hobby - trains
Favorite song - "Do Do" song (Bruno Mars song...HAHA!)


#Francineclaire - LITTLE SIS update!

Man we rush to much. My baby is 10 months old. I may only nurse her for a few more months and then she will be independent of me. I have never left her before and the thought of her needing me these past 10 months has sometimes been so prison-like but now I feel only sadness for thinking she might spend a night away from me. Of course I am happy to but man motherhood is one tough roller coaster of emotions. As Glennon Melton says its "brutifal" - brutal and beautiful

  • Highlight - Francine got her 2nd bottom tooth and is working on her top 2! She started climbing stairs this month (Oh boy!) Power chords are her thing!
  • Sleep - She is a great sleeper still. Love my happy, all night sleeping babies! 
  • Clothes - She is in 12 months clothes. She wears size 2 shoes. 
  • Diapers - Size 3 diapers! 
  • Food - 5x nursing still. Doing baby food at each meal. She has started eating carbs with her fingers (waffles, chips, and bagels to name a few!)
    • Skills - She has definitely taken to crawling this month. She definitely is getting around very well now.
    • New things - She got her first boo-boo and stomach bug this month :( 
    • Crying - Only when her mama leaves her. 
    • Favorite thing she does right now is if we are in her room, she will reach in her bed between the bars and get her lamb paci out on her own. Its so stinkin cute.


    Pondering Thoughts
    • Outside my window...Out backyard....The last month that I will see this backyard. 
    • I am thinking...constantly about our new house. Paint, updates, floors, decorating, WORK!
    • I am thankful for...a place that we have called home for 8+ years. Our little townhouse has been perfect for us. 
    • I am wearing...Navy blue sweater and jeans
    • I am remembering...Everything is a season. We can think of negative/hard times as just a season and no that they wont last forever. Also good/exciting times are not forever...so cherish them
    • I am going...to go to Costco after Francine wakes up
    • I am reading...I thought it was just me by Brene Brown
    • I am hoping...for smooth movings,closings, packing, etc!! 
    • On my mind...a need for more gratefulness and mindfulness. A good conversation with a friend last night brought these back to my thoughts for sure!
    • Noticing that...I am becoming a "big person". With a new house and repairs and updates... I feel that I may have just grown up in January. 
    • Pondering these words...meditation and quiet
    • Thought I am processing right now... how little I know about so much. The more you learn the more you realize how little you really know.
    • From the kitchen...beeping from the dishwasher saying the dishes are clean.
    • Around the house...all cleaned up for an appraisal appointment that is about to happen.
    • One of my favorite things...my church! my friends! my co-workers! 

    Until next time....here are some photos of my munchkins!