Fall Festivities

Wow it's Thursday? It seems my days have been flying by lately!  Before you know it, we'll be into full blown holiday cheer!

For some reason, I have felt like Halloween has last forever this time.  Maybe because we started celebrating with the Pumpkin Patch very early this year.  All I can say is I'm ready to take my decorations down and move just to fall.

Last night, daddy and Nolan carved his first pumpkin  Surprisingly, Nolan actually put his hand in to get the "guts" out.  I never in a million years thought he would do that since he's weird about sticky things.  But he did, and they had a great time!

(Please ignore the photo bombing of Conley behind our glass door!)

Conley is growing and becoming more like a big boy.  He started really cruising about two weeks ago, and I believe probably by Thanksgiving he'll be a walker.  It's so weird to see him standing everywhere like a little man!

Did you do any pumpkin carving this year?

Natalie

The Fireman and and His Dog

We had a chilly night over at our local "Freaky Friday Nite" event.  Last year it was a balmy 80 degrees so the kids were sweating bullets in their costumes.  This year? They were double dressed with clothes under their costume.  Conley did not get cold though because his Dalmation dog costume was very warm!

They also happened to have a firetruck there, so you know Nolan was a happy camper!  I really love this event because it's at a park right by our house and it's a nice way to get the kids dressed up in their costumes and walk around.  Local businesses participate and give out candy and information.  We will be going back next year!

Did you do any trick or treating this weekend?

Natalie

My Own Space

Lately I have just wanted my own space.

Away from kids who are constantly grabbing, climbing, kicking, and you name it.

I just want to be able to complete a task without a little kid attached to my leg. 

Have you felt this way? That you just wanted a personal bubble and for no one to touch you for like a good solid hour?

Now that Conley is standing while holding onto any object, he is constantly underfoot or climbing me. 

I can't take Nolan to the potty without him trying to climb the toilet and grabbing his brother.

I can't unload/load the dishwasher without him getting involved. 

And of course when I go to the bathroom, I apparently need two small supervisors.

I can't hide ANYWHERE in my house.  They always find me. 

Do you sometimes feel that your own children are suffocating you?

Natalie

A Pumpkin Pickin' We Will Go

Last weekend amongst all the birthday party chaos, we went to the local pumpkin patch (where we have gone the past three years) the day before Nolan's party.

It did not disappoint, and it was fun to see Nolan really thoroughly enjoying it and branching out of his shell and doing more "riskier" moves.  He's a climber now and loves some good rock walls which the kid used to not even want to jump off something a few inches.

He loves all things tractors and this place has some old ones set up for the kiddos, and they also have a little petting farm animals area.  He did not even blink and just jumped at petting the little goats.  I love watching him grow into his own little person.

They also have several slides, and one that goes down a huge hill that he needs daddy's assistance on.  Oh and it was also like 80 degrees that weekend so notice we are all sporting the shorts and short sleeves.  Now it's getting a lot cooler and sweater weather which is good since Conley's Halloween costume is one that he will probably burn up in even if it's like 30 degrees.  That boy runs hot!

Do you go to a local Pumpkin Patch as a fall tradition?

Natalie

Don't Stop Believing

When you are a mom, there are never any days off.  Remember the days when you were sick and you could just stay in bed all day with the covers over your head?

Yeah those days no longer exist.  We moms have some magic coping system where we are able to function whether we have had any sleep or if we are sick as dogs.

I am currently sick and running on fumes and not being the best mom I can be. 

I am losing my patience with the boys. I am snappy. Really I just want to sleep.

But I can't, and I won't because I have two human beings depending on me. 

It might not be pretty, but I will manage as us moms always do. It really is amazing all that we can handle no matter what condition we are in.

Sickness and rain is what we have today, but I can see the sunshine peaking through...the snotty noses starting to dry, and the coughing subsiding.

A little joy ride in the car with my three year old jamming and singing with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and I think that's right.  I can't stop believing...and sure enough our moods are lifted just by listening to a simple song.

As mothers we can't stop believing that tomorrow is a better day.  That's what keeps us going and our heads up.

We have faith that there always is a silver lining in our story.

Natalie

Third Birthday Firetruck Style!

I happy to report that Nolan's 3rd birthday party was a success!  The kids had so much fun at The Little Gym, and it was so cute to see them all sitting at the table snacking and eating cookie cake.

Now that the festivities are over, we are now dealing with the sickies in our household.  Isn't that how it always goes?

Conley was a huge ham during the whole event, sitting in the middle of the group dancing.

It's hard to believe my baby is three, but here we are.  It's fun to watch him learn and grow and can't wait to see what this next year holds for you!

(Banner from this Etsy shop, and water labels and party favors from this one. Fire hats and cake toppers ordered on Amazon...and fabulous shirts are from this shop.  The gigantic cookie cake was from Kroger, believe it or not!)

Natalie

This Week in Photos...

This week has flown by, and I'm sorry I haven't been around more.

I am working on a new business project that's keeping me busy...and then of course Nolan's 3rd Birthday Party!

We are doing it this Saturday at The Little Gym again this year.  Not going crazy or anything just trying to make it fun for the kiddos!

Three??? THREE! I still can't believe it.

I made one of my favorite recipes tonight, and then forgot to take a photo.  Oh well, but here's the Pinterest link to Mini-Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatloaves.  You will not be disappointed, PROMISE!

Hope you guys are having a great week!

Natalie

A Glance at Three

In a few weeks, my little guy turns three.

I feel like I've been looking at three with him for awhile.  His expanding vocabulary, the way he knows how to use certain phrases at the appropriate time, has made me think he was already there.

Such a big boy, potty trained and not even Pull Ups at nap or bedtime.  All the transitions that I worried about, all went so smoothly.  

It's amazing how much he has grown in just one year, and I can't even remember what it was like when we didn't have our little conversations.

But there are still inklings of my little baby boy...

He still loves to cuddle and even has me hold him and pretend "rock the baby" and sing a lullaby.

He still gets tired running around the path at the park and wants my husband or I to pick him up.

He still has his "cuddle blankie" at night.  

I kind of like this age...a big boy but still a baby at heart.  The best of both worlds.

They are only little for a little awhile, so I plan on cuddling with my baby as long as he lets me.

  

When Are We Enough?

I think as a mom we are predisposed to always feeling like we are not good enough.  We try to balance everything--raising our children, providing good meals, keeping a clean house, and the list goes on and on.

Constantly these questions run through my head...

Did I teach my toddler anything new today?

Shouldn't I be doing some crafty Pinterest project so he learns more?

Am I spending enough one-on-one time with each boys?

Am I am teaching and challenging them enough?

Shouldn't I try some new creative meals?

When am I going to deep-clean this house?

Shouldn't I do more hobbies for myself?

But if I do more hobbies, doesn't that mean I am taking time away from the boys?

When am I going to workout?

Am I spending enough time with my husband?

Do I waste my time online?

Shouldn't I be planning cute ideas for the upcoming 3rd birthday party?

Shouldn't I be getting more sleep?

And it continues...my to-do list, the mom guilt, the wife guilt.  Does it ever end?

Why as mothers do we put these high expectations on being everything to everyone all the time?

When are we enough?

Natalie