Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

So since the last post we have had some interesting days. The biggest highlight for Aspen I think would be the AWANA Skate Night we went to Monday night. Aspen is 2 years and 5 months old. In most peoples eyes and thoughts there is no way she should be able to roller skate...don't feel bad I thought the same thing. But I figured with mommy's help she could get around the skate floor. After 2 times around with mommy though she kept pushing me away and fought taking my hand, I thought it meant she was done skating so I tried to lead her off the floor which resulted in "No mommy!!!" "Skate, Skate." Ok so she wasn't done, I tried to grab her hand and was met with more defiance about taking my hand. Then I looked up for a minute when another mom from church said my name to say hi. When I looked down Aspen was a good 20 feet in front of me on the skate floor, how did she move so fast??? That's when I realized it. Aspen wasn't done skating but was telling mommy, "I've got this! You can let go now!" Immediately upon this realization I started to tear up. Aspen is my baby well that's how I picture her most of the time and the days of "I need you mommy!" and "Hold my hand mommy!" are coming to an end. Yes there are still times when she wants my help and needs me(heck, how will she eat if mommy or daddy don't make it, lol) But I still wasn't ready for this moment...so I tried to hold her hand again, this time I was met with a very defiant face, and Aspen looked up at me with her big beautiful eyes and said, "Mommy, I do it!" And I teared up even more. I know there are many more days and times like this to come, but at this particular moment and hearing those words was just extremely unexpected and hard. I'm still trying to figure out when our baby got so big.
Now all of that was a very serious thought process of my heart and mind to show how much I really do love Aspen before I shared some of the dark side of her.
I am sure everyone has heard the phrase, "Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of." Well if you haven't there it is. I have always heard that phrase and was thought it was a very sweet sentiment about little girls. But having a 2 year old girl there is one thing I can confidently say...the "SPICE" in that phrase is way to often overlooked. Don't get me wrong there are times that Aspen is so darn sweet and just melts your heart, but I can also say that she is one spicy/sassy little girl and is proving to be quite the challenge. My grandma use to always tell me, "Someday I hope you have a daughter who is just like you!" I always laughed and thought to myself, "that would be awesome!" I knew that having a daughter like me meant she would be outgoing, crazy, fun, outspoken. But of course who wants to think about the bad parts of themselves in their child which in my case is stubborn, strong-willed, defiant. So grandma, congratulations you won and Aspen well, in many ways is very much a mini-me. All of these traits can be considered good things even stubborn and strong-willed if in the right way but in a 2 year old these traits can wreak havoc on our day.
So here are some examples of some of Aspen's "spicier" moments:
Exhibit A-Me: "Aspen please make sure you put the lids back on your markers." Aspen: "NOOOOOOOO"

Exhibit B- Me: "Aspen, mommy asked you not to touch that, please don't touch, just look at it with your eyes." Aspen: Looking right at me...touches it again and then runs away laughing.

Exhibit C- Me: "Aspen we aren't suppose to play with Bridgette's binky, please leave it alone." Aspen: Looks at me, takes it, and runs off.

Those are just a few examples of my spicy Aspen and each of these examples are met with a time-out for not obeying mommy. And after time-out she always gets reminded that mommy loves her but she needs to obey. Did I mention that all 3 of these and more happen in the same day???
But there is my Aspen girl for you, she is a challenge and by the end of the day I am so tired. But above all I love her so much and know that these days shall pass. And then Bridgette will be in those days herself too, because my luck...all of our kids will be that way.

Life with 2...

SO a chance to post 2 days in a row...a miracle right...well in this household it can be. I am hoping even if not every day I can get on here a few times a week because it helps me relax and get thoughts out. The thought for today...2 kids!?! Whose idea was this?!?
Ok, So now take all the negative thoughts/ways that those words could have been taken and put them aside for me and hear me out here. I have many friends who are unsure whether to have kids let alone multiple kids and some who are unsure whether to have more than their 1. SO I am going to try and give you some thoughts to help you sort some thoughts out.
Having my 2nd now...sleeping when the baby sleeps, yeah right!!! It's more like get a gulp of coffee while the baby sleeps so you can keep up with the 2 year old. It means the house is not always clean(which if you know me and Randy this part is hard for us), it means dishes are not always done and piles of laundry can litter the bedrooms and laundry room. It means counters, tables, arms of furniture covered with burp cloths, pacifiers, and bottles. It means toys and baby gear that you are constantly tripping over. It means watching more Elmo, Nemo, Tangled, etc. than you care to admit(I can quote them in their entirety). It means handprint smudges all over the windows, T.V., and tables. Showers are a luxury that serve as my break from the chaos, make-up is done maybe once or twice a week, hair is mostly in ponytails, and fingernails...well I can't remember the last time I had the time to get my fingers or toes done let alone paint them myself. It means more water on the floor and all over me than in the bathtub by the end of bathtime.  by Adding even more to this already long list it means very little time as a couple, it means crying(and not just from the kids), it means poop and pee and not just in the diapers, it means cleaning up someone else's mess when they are sick and throwing up everywhere. I'm sure you all are curious where I am going with this but hear me out still. There is so much more to know...
It means giggles, and laughs, and "I love you Mommy!" It means love beyond your wildest dreams. It means snuggles and hugs that warm your soul. It means a little hand reaching out to you for your comfort and protection. It means little clothes that you can hardly believe use to fit them. It means the sweet smell of freshly bathed babies snuggled up to your chest with their bedtime snacks. It means dance parties and being silly. It means missing those little faces when you are away from them for awhile. It means squeals of delight and "Momeeeeee" when you walk in after a few hours away. It means smiles that melt your heart. It means tears of joy, fear, and happiness all at the same time.
1 kid can be a struggle at times and then you add 1 and the struggles can grow but the good outweighs the bad without question. All this to say that the decision to have kids is one you will never regret and to say that if you don't believe in love at first sight than you will after having your baby. My days can be long and hard and I get frustrated but I would not change anything for even a second. Our girls are joys in our lives even when one is screaming for a bottle and the other is throwing a temper tantrum because mommy said no when she asked for skittles. It is those moments that I have to laugh and remind myself that they are only little for so long and they grow up WAY too fast. I'm trying to figure out how Bridgette is 7 weeks (almost 8 weeks) old already. So kids are hard but as crazy as it is...I know we are not done with 2. I would honestly have 10 if Randy let me...but I know he might have something to say about that.
So there are my thoughts and I am sure fellow mothers can relate to these thoughts and sentiments. But cherish these days because far too soon they will be gone and we will long for those little snuggles and hands to hold. We will miss the smudges of little handprints all over the windows and the toys strewn about the house. "Choosing to have children is allowing your heart to walk around on the outside of your body."