A Blog Anniversary

It has been a little busy over here...so busy that I neglected my three year blog anniversary!

I can't believe I have been doing this for three years. I love looking back on the past about the boys and my thoughts.

It led to be founding KMB which has been so fun and rewarding! We are hosting some huge events tonight and in a few weeks. Tonight is a Pure Barre class, tomorrow is a dance/music class for the kiddos, an Easter Party event at the local Little Gym, a play date at the local yogurt place, and a fun night out with wine on a patio! The last two are in May so can't wait for the warmer weather...as it has been back to 30 degrees here the last few days. Spring has been such a tease!

The trip I was talking about with just the husband is to CHICAGO! Hopefully we can get everything lined up so I can join him at the end of his business trip.  I absolutely love Chicago and had such a great time last time we went pre-kids.

I feel like this year is flying by but the months are dragging if that makes since. I felt like February lasted forever, and I keep thinking it's April already but we've still got a week of March.

I finished The Goldfinch, and it was a good book. Kind of hard in some spots because it's kind of a tortured feeling that you feel for the lead character. It's amazing how a book can make you feel so many emotions!

It's short and sweet today my friends, and I need a second cup of coffee.

Thanks for being here for the past three years...and I hope to continue this space for many more!

Natalie

Three is My Favorite

I wish I could freeze time...

Because I love the age of three...

Because I love snuggling with my little boy...

Because I love watching him grow and learn...

Because I love how he can be so sweet and thoughtful. 

Because I love seeing the twinkle in his eye.

I know he won't always want momma to hold him.

I know he won't want to share his day with me but instead his friends.

I know he won't always call me his best friend.

So as these moments are fleeting, I will capture them and bottle them up to treasure them always.

Natalie

18 Months and Life Lately

Last week we had some beautiful spring like days.

And although the boys have been battling a cold we decided to take advantage of some good ole sunshine.

This is the first season Conley is walking outdoors, and he's so fun to watch toddle at fast speeds.

However watching him climb stairs and ladders, not so fun as he has no fear of heights and just dropping off the top of all the playground sets.

Conley is now 19 months old and just went to his 18 month check up. He's around 29 pounds (90th percentile) and 33 1/4 in height (70th percentile). I always think he's so heavy compared to Nolan at this age, but when I looked back at the stats Nolan was heavier and about a 1/2 taller. We'll see if little brother follows the same path as his big brother and becomes just as tall.

Conley is a little parrot and copies everything we say. He also talks in his own toddler gibberish with convincing facial expressions.  I think he definitely talks more than Nolan did at this age.

His favorite words are: cookie, hot, head, poo-poo, yeah, Con-Con, chicken, doggy, car, truck, all done, kitty, daddy, momma, ball, boat, help, heart, up, apple, cheese, blueberries, wa-wa (water), shirt, shoes, hug, uh-oh, up, socks, shapes, moon and probably tons more I can't remember. He also can make most animal sounds, and I am pretty sure he can identify blue, red, and yellow. However keeping his attention for long is not easy!

He also LOVES to get in trouble and mimics us when we tell him to sit on his bottom. He points his finger and does an impression of "on your bottom." This kid is trouble I tell you!  And boy can he throw a tantrum and stomp his feet already.

There have been some exciting developments in our household for upcoming trips, so I'm pretty excited about the next couple of months. Once we pin down the details, I will share...but for now we're looking at possibly two family beach trips and just MAYBE a trip for just the husband and I to one of my favorite cities!

Speaking of the husband and I, we are heading to a wedding tomorrow sans kiddos so we're pretty excited. Also excited to see my gals!

Here we all are, minus Sarah won't be pregnant!

Happy weekend friends!

Natalie

Friendships That Last a Lifetime

I've written many times about my view on friendships and how they change and evolve as we age.  I take all friendships for what they are, and don't take anything personally anymore.

As adults, it's hard to find those friendships that are more than skin deep.  I personally struggle with making that deeper connection.  As my wise friend said, she tries not to get to know people better because most of the time she finds things about that person that she doesn't like or agrees with. Cynical maybe? Yes. Realistic? Yes.

Just because your kids are the same age or you run in the same circles doesn't automatically throw you in the "besties" category.

Just because you worked or grew up with someone doesn't mean you'll keep in touch forever.

It's just the cycle of life, and we all experience it. We all get busy with marriage, kids, jobs, and life in general.

However I do have a few friends that no matter when we talk or get together it's just like where we left off. This weekend two of my friends that I grew up came up for just a night, and we had the best time.

We started the evening off at BeStyled a new local hair blow out place. I had purchased buy one, get one free back when the had their Valentine's Day sale. Seriously if I could get my hair done like this every day, I SO WOULD. As we relaxed, we enjoyed mimosas and watched Eat, Love, Pray on their big screen. Great book by the way!

We then headed to the hotel downtown and checked in. We have this neat little area called Market Square which has stores, restaurants, and in the summer all kinds of concerts and activities. We went to eat at this lovely restaurant Cafe 4 where my friend said she had the best BBQ sandwich of her life. Needless to say, we will be back!

We then headed to a coffee shop around the corner.  It was easy.  It was relaxing.  And it was fun!  We don't have to impress each other or struggle to connect.  It's just there. For me, these are the best friendships to have!

Do you have friends that you can just pick up where you left off?

Natalie

Two and Done or Maybe Three?

I always thought I would have more than two children. When pregnant with Conley, I never thought, "This is the last time I will feel a baby in my belly, the last time I will feel baby kicks, and the last time I will see my belly move." I didn't sell my cribs, my swings, or any of the important baby paraphernalia.

But now as the boys age, I see what life could be like with not having another baby.  Right now I have a little more independence than when they were small.

I don't have to worry about breastfeeding--if I need to pump if I am gone too long or if I need to plan my outings around it.

I get more sleep because MOST of the time both boys sleep at night.

I don't worry about their meals as much when they are small.  Of course I feed them, but they also can voice to me that they are hungry. As babies, I was worried did they eat enough...are they hungry...will they wake up because they didn't eat enough?

I don't worry as much when I leave the boys with my mother-in-law or my husband at night. When Conley was small, I was the only one who could put him down at night.

My husband and I can start to make plans to go out of town and do small vacations.

I think we can plan to return to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary!

If we have another baby, we would have to delay that trip because not all the kids would be in school. We don't have anyone to take care of them during the day.

But then I think, I DO want to experience the miracle of having another baby.

I DO want to feel those sweet baby kicks and smell that sweet newborn scent.

I DO want to swaddle and rock a baby to sleep.

I DO love the idea of having a larger family.

Natalie