April 2016

April was a great month. Highlights include attending a 5-day enneagram bootcamp that was just incredible for Christopher and I, my in-laws in town for those days watching the kids, and Christopher's birthday! 

Last year around September (turning 31 was a crazy time for me) I started doing some "personal work" and going deeper into cultivating a healthier me! That led me to reading a lot of books. I couldn't put down Brene Brown books. I read them all. I read Elizabeth Gilbert, Desmund Tutu, Marie Kondo, Edith Schaeffer, and lots more. While reading these books, a close friend of ours introduced us to the Enneagram. It has been a tool that has helped people find out how to be the best them and then share it with others to help people face this crazy thing we all have called a personality. Its equipped with christian beliefs and therapeutic techniques and self help solutions. Its an all package deal and man it has rocked my world. I have found so much help through it and it has been a blessing to share with so many people. 

I could literally talk about it for hours but let's move on.

This month for Jack and Francine has been a great month. Francine and I have been able to attend Gymboree classes that were a lot of fun this month. Jack had his first allergy appointment and good news...he is not allergic to gluten! What a relief! We think right now his rash he had on his skin before christmas somehow was connected to weather but definitely not a gluten allergy. Until something else flairs up, we do nothing. So that is good. 

**Funny Story's of the month (I remembered to write down)**
Francine is a sponge and will be talking in full sentences before we know it. Until then, here are some funny and really smart things that Jack said this month. It's crazy to see his little wheels turn in that brain. 

Jack has noticed that we have been having people over a lot more these days now that we have the space to accommodate. So pretty much every day he says "who's coming over tonight?" Well, the other day I said "Ashley is coming over Jack". Now this is someone who has never been over before...he replies by saying "Is that the one at church who plays the violin?" - Ding Ding he was right. I couldn't believe it. Anyway. It made me very proud!

We love to listen to music in the car. I have been trying to listen to more classical music with the kids in the car. So we were listening to a piece of Mozart. Jack noticed it and said "this is from Veggie Tales!". I did not know what he was referring to but later we pulled up the Veggie Tales song and it's the song about King Darius...who knew...I didn't (Jack did!).

Before I left for work one morning we were talking about something and my friend Jessica's name came up. Jack chimed in and said "Jessica...whose mommy is she?" I said Ambrose. He still seemed puzzled...then he said "Who is her baby's name?" I said Oliver. He said... "Yes, yes Oliver". His little mine is definitely learning and connected different people to different things. So big!

#Jackamadeus - BIG BROTHER update!
We have enjoyed many walks down to the church cemetery since living in our new place. Jack enjoys pushing Francine's stroller sometimes. :) We also got a new swing for the backyard and this has definitely been a highlight of playing outside. It will definitely be a key component of summer 2016! :) Our local Kroger grocery has purchased many child-size shopping carts and this has definitely been a treat for Jack. He looks like such an old man pushing his cart around...it definitely makes me laugh.

A proud moment for me this month is pictured below. Jack has always been a little bit scared/afraid of bounce houses or those kid themed places, indoor playgrounds, and trampoline places. This past week after picking him up from school he asked to go in the church indoor playground...I was shocked. Its two stories tall and when he is at school the teachers have told me that he always just plays on the ground while all the kids play in the playground. Well today was his day and he got up there and was so brave. It made me so proud...and teary eyed. That week also we were at a festival and he saw a bounce house and asked to go play in it. He is growing up!!

• Favorite color - orange 
• Favorite number - 3
• Favorite food - "chicken nugges, yellow french fries, and red ketchup"
• Favorite hobby - art
• Favorite song - "Baby Baby" - new Amy Grant Version

#Francineclaire - LITTLE SIS update!

• Highlight - She is still not walking but she is cruising around furniture and at the end of April she started standing independently without holding on. We are close! 
• Sleep - She loves her new room and loves sleeping still! 
• Clothes - She is in 12-18 months clothes. She wears size 2 shoes.
• Diapers - Size 4 diapers! 
• Food - Went down to 2 nursings a day. I think she is almost weening herself and it makes me sad. I will be happy to see a pump go (I did a lot of pumping over that 5 day bootcamp!). She has started getting goat milk from our farmer that I got milk for Jack from. So thats good and she loves it. She is also eating lots of different things now too. 
• Skills - We think Francine loves music. She is a dancer and loves all of the toy instruments we have. 
• New things - She says "mama", "dada", "Hi", and sometimes "bye". Her phrase she says is when Christopher walks into the room she says "hi dada"
• Crying - Still has super separation anxiety. We also have had to work on sharing this month with her brother. She definitely cries when things
• Favorite thing she does right now is when she plays Jack's train whistle. For someone so young and so tiny she knows how to blow into the train whistle. Its soo cute. 

Pondering Thoughts

• Outside my window...I am not looking out any windows. Just at a cubicle wall right now
• I am thinking...about my list of things to get done and how far behind I am on so many things
• I am thankful for...being able to connect with wonderful people
• I am wearing...Madewell jeans and a button up
• I am remembering...how to write letters. A girl I have been connected to for a long time is in the Mercy program and her main form of communicating now is through letters.
• I am going...to get to work just as soon as I finish this.
• I am reading...The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer. INCREDIBLE STUFF from the 70s. 
• I am hoping...that my list will be under 8 things before the end of the day. :)
• On my mind...unfortunately finances. I always have money on my mind and am thinking constantly about where and how and when it should be spent or saved.
• Noticing that...people dont take things nearly as seriously as I do. 
• Pondering these words...creativity
• Thought I am processing right now... I want to learn how to do things in excellence not just get them done.
• From the kitchen...well this morning it was two awful frozen waffles with sun butter on them as I was rushing out the door. One fell on the floor and I still ate it. 
• Around the house..There is always going to be new things to update and buy...finding an OK place to just be fine with where it is right now is important. 
• One of my favorite things...my sleep!

Until next time....here are some photos from life lately!

Happy Birthday to Christopher

Relaxing in the backyard.

The biggest rose I have ever seen

Birthday festivities for Christopher!

She still loves her Paci!

Jack got a new train from Nonna and Papa

Enjoying the swing in the backyard!

March 2016

Spring at Cheekwood!

She loves her carbs. This was her first sweet (a cupcake) and she loved it! 

So thankful my mom was here for Francine's 1st birthday and to help us move!

March was an exciting month. Francine turned 1 and we had a party, my mom visited, and we moved into our new house...all in 72 hours! The transition from a townhouse to a "big person" house was anxiety inducing before hand. After moving in with out stuff and our people...its just home! That is a great feeling to have something that feels like home. We have had quite a few get togethers here already and I know there are more to come for sure. We have definitely learned that in order to be social in this season of our life it requires us to hire a babysitter or to have people come to our house. Normally when we hire a babysitter its to go out on a date just the two of us. So now that means when we are social and not on a date...it probably is going to be at our place. I have been reading through Edith Schaefer's work this spring and this quote stood out to me in regards to having people over...and just life in general right now: 

"There must be no pressure for perfection perfection is not possible" - Edith Schaefer 

Something else that I read this month that just hit me pretty hard was this quote by Elizabeth Lawrence: "There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever before". 

I want my kids to not be tainted by american culture that includes obsessive amounts of TV watching, moving to quickly through the day, and looking constantly on all of our tech devices. I want them to find the enchantment of the next morning. But still be of this current world...where technology is such a huge piece. #balance

**Funny Story's of the month (I remembered to write down)**
We have been trying to teach Jack compliments. He said to me this month he liked my shoes when I wore heals. Another funny thing I love about him are his love for lipstick 

Another cute story about Jack, is when we tell him to say hey to somebody he tells us to say hey back. Also he'd he takes the initiative and tells us to say hey to people whenever he wants us to say hey to them. He also likes in barest me by saying mommy what's that guys name or what's that girls name and it should be sometimes people that I know and I don't know their name and I should know their name

Siblings!

#Jackamadeus - BIG BROTHER update!

Jack got registered for summer mothers day out at the same place he went last summer. Its a real small program and it will be nice for him to have 2 days away from Mommy and Francine. 

At the zoo!

• Favorite color - orange 
• Favorite number - 3
• Favorite food - mac n cheese
• Favorite hobby - trains
• Favorite song - "Veggie Tales Theme Song"

#Francineclaire - LITTLE SIS update!

I love this girl!

Sweet Francine!

• Highlight - Francine had her 12 month follow-up with Dr. Frank Fish. Looks like her heart rate was higher than it had ever been on the EKG which is very promising for her heart block 
• Sleep - She loves her new room and loves sleeping still! 
• Clothes - She is in 12-18 months clothes. She wears size 2 shoes. Definitely in need of some cute early walking shoes. 
• Diapers - Size 3 moving into 4 diapers! 
• Food - 4 nursing sessions. I am getting sad to giving that up knowing this is probably our last kid. She is a quick eater now which is a good thing. Doing baby food at each meal. She has also become our picky eater I can tell. It may be because we focused so much on it with Jack.
• Skills - Francine is walking around tables and couches now. She got a walker for her birthday and she pushes it all throughout our new house. She loves it. 
• New things - I guess her new things is just everything. She is learning so much. She says "mama", "dada", "Hi". She is working on sign language right now. She wants to make a mess wherever she is. She also loves to put things away. Haha
• Crying - Only when her mama leaves her. Still has super separation anxiety. But once I am gone from the room she is fine 
• Favorite thing she does right now is when she plays Jack's train whistle. For someone so young and so tiny she knows how to blow into the train whistle. Its soo cute. 

Pondering Thoughts

• Outside my window...cars and a parking lot at the Starbucks. 
• I am thinking...about my kids.
• I am thankful for...new mercies and grace. I know that God grants those and I am forever grateful
• I am wearing...Madewell jeans and a white/black polka dot shirt
• I am remembering...that a lot of my life I have always tried to BE someone and now I am trying to learn how to be myself.
• I am going...to seize this moment in my life.
• I am reading...The Patron Saints of Liars by Anne Patchett. A fiction book.
• I am hoping...that I get to find more alone time so that I enjoy the family time and mommy time even more when I am with them
• On my mind...I am blessed. I am so thankful in this season of my life. 
• Noticing that...My age is starting to show. I cant consider myself a "young" person anymore. I have two kids. I am called "Ms" now! 
• Pondering these words...Intentionality and being present
• Thought I am processing right now... how can I read more and learn more! All I want to do is read this days.
• From the kitchen...It was a frozen pizza before leaving tonight!
• Around the house...Its in good hands. Its not perfect, but its good enough.
• One of my favorite things...my time!

Until next time....here are some photos from life lately!

Dying eggs!

My Mom came to help with the kids when we moved. It was helpful to have 2 more hands!

Bye townhouse! You were great for 8+ years!

He loved the petting zoo at Cheekwood

Spring at Cheekwood!

Zoo time!

Happy Easter!

Love my sweet baby and that she still enjoys the Ergo!

SHOES! :)

Happy Birthday Francine!

Friends for life!

February 2016

February was maybe one of the craziest months of my life. We started the moving process. We had guests from Japan with us, Christopher went to Norway, my friend Lynn came for a visit and to help me with the kids, sold our house, packed more boxes than I can count, closed on our new house, worked with contractors to update our new house, and celebrated Jack's birthday, and a whole lot more. 

**Funny Story's of the month (I remembered to write down)**
Jack is one sweet dude. He has a stuffed dog named Frank. One day we were upstairs playing in his room and he turned his sound machine on, turned out the lights, and put "Frank to bed". He walked out of his room with me and said, "Frank is sleeping...shhh". 

We had some beautiful playground days in February!

Tried a new breakfast place called Proper Bagel...that is a kale bagel and it was delish!

Had my first Sprinkles Cupcake with Lynn and it was amazing! and have been back 2-3 times since. ;)

**Funny Story's of the month (I remembered to write down)**
Jack is one sweet dude. He has a stuffed dog named Frank. One day we were upstairs playing in his room and he turned his sound machine on, turned out the lights, and put "Frank to bed". He walked out of his room with me and said, "Frank is sleeping...shhh". 

#Jackamadeus - BIG BROTHER update
This boy of mine turned 3. How is it that I have been a mom for 3 years? I cant remember life clearly before kids. I know I had 28 years of life before kids...but there is something that has happened to me in the past 3 years that has made me a better person...ahh yes becoming a parent! :) 

Every year for Jack's Birthday I want to have him answer the same questions. Here is what we got on his 3rd Birthday!

• Favorite Color - orange
• Favorite Toy - Thomas
• Favorite Thing to eat for lunch - Strawberries 
• Favorite Show - Thomas 
• Favorite Movie - Thomas 
• Favorite Outfit - Dinosaur shirt 
• Favorite Toy - Gorilla 
• Favorite Song - Row the boat 
• Favorite book - Caterpillar book 
• Best friend - Paxton
• Favorite Drink - Lemonade 
• Favorite Thing to eat for Breakfast - Sausage and eggs
• Favorite Snack - Crackers 
• Favorite Thing to eat for Dinner - Macaroni and cheese 
• Favorite Game - zingo
• Favorite Thing to play outside - Ball
• Favorite Holiday - Birthday 
• What do you like to take to bed with you at night - Blankies and dogs
• What do you want to be when you grow up? - Daddy 

#Francineclaire - LITTLE SIS update!

I knew Jack was an easy baby and I guess I expected the worst with #2. It has not been bad at all. She has been a great baby. After getting her sleeping through the night around 7 months old...it has been smooth sailing. We have definitely bonded these past 4-5 months very much and she is just awesome. 

• Sleep - She is a great sleeper still.
• Clothes - She is in 12 months clothes. She wears size 2 shoes. 
• Diapers - Size 3 diapers and moved up to 4 this month
• Food - Move to 4 nursings. Doing baby food at each meal. I have definitely store bought her baby food more than make hers. 
• Skills - She started standing in her crib now. 
• New things - This isn't really a new thing but something I dont want to forget from around this time with francine. It takes a lot of photos and time to get a picture of Francine smiling. Its almost impossible to get a smile out of her unless its a solo picture and the people behind the camera are doing everything in there power to make her smile. :) 
• Crying - Usually the only time she cries is when she is sleepy or when her brother takes something from her.
• Favorite thing right now about her is her hair and how fast it is coming in. I cant wait to put her hair up in a little ponytail or topknot. 

Right now...

• Outside my window...sunshine, trees, and birds
• I am thinking...I have a blessed life. I have my health, my husband who is amazing, two great kids, a beautiful new home, a great church, an awesome job and boss, wonderful friends, and a God who is gracious and kind. What more could someone need/want?
• I am thankful for...the place I am in right now. I feel like I just came through a pretty stessful few weeks/months and its nice to have some calm.
• I am wearing...jeans and a long sleeve stripe shirt with a blanket around me. 
• I am remembering...to embrace this moment and not always want to go to the next thing. 
• I am going...to go pick up some goats milk from a farmer for Francine to try when the kids get up from there nap
• I am reading...Jesus, My Father, the Cia by Ian Cron. Its incredible.
• I am hoping...to get our budget in order for what we are now spending with all these new things...2 kids eating, new utilities, furniture, etc.
• On my mind...I need to choose to self-educate myself more and more. Instead of becoming stuck to my phone or computer...listen to more podcasts, read more books and the Bible....there is SOOO much I dont know. 
• Noticing that...I get stuck in ruts of being alone and then I remain alone. Rather than reaching out and spending time with friends...I go inward and continue to remain alone. Its a chore to be friendly and put myself out ther sometime.
• Pondering these words...friendly and sacrifice
• Thought I am processing right now... I shared this with Pastor Dan. In reflecting on his sermon from a few weeks back...a part that stood out to me was "As the vast crowd prepares to erupt in praise, the Lord knows whom he can really count on. So he enters the city, sincerely thanking the people for their praise but moving on, nonetheless, to a place of prayer where he weeps over a city that despite its outpouring of praise, is already lost." I am not really sure why it hit home so hard...but I am trying to unpack it.
• From the kitchen...the fridge making ice...the kids monitor from there rooms making a "hush" noise
• Around the house...so many unhung photos/art. So many bare walls. In time...in time!
• One of my favorite things...wanting a simple life. Wanting things around me that only bring me joy!

Until next time....here are some photos of life lately!

Valentines Day 2016

Saying bye to Lynn

Family Photo from Jack's Birthday!

So fun!

We bought our 2nd house!

Jack and his friends!

Happy Birthday Jack

Packing, Packing!

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!