SUCH a big heart

Coranelle and I threw and spur-of-the-moment tea party on Friday. She got all dressed up, helped me make cookies, sandwiches with the crusts cut off, fruit teas, snacks, and name cards!
Getting all set up for her friends!
She even let me braid her hair and she put on her special dress that "twirls and swooooshes" when she dances.
Her Valentines Day flowers from her daddy!

It is 9:30am and quiet at my house. It has not been quiet at my house at this time since Coranelle was 10 months old and taking a morning nap!

Sheldon is upstairs sleeping and Coranelle is enjoying a sleepover and special morning with her Grams. Heidi had the day off for Presidents day, so Coranelle spent the night with Grams and PopPops. She has had a great time- soaking up all the one on one attention. Sheldon is also basking in the attention that Ryan and I doted on him. I am SO glad that I have two kids! I love them with my whole heart, but it is so fun for them to be spoiled and get one on one attention!

Since I had a few seconds to blog, I thought I'd share a touching story about my girl. On Thursday this past week, I took the kids to the mall play place. It was cold and windy... again, and we were going stir crazy... again. After running, climbing, playing, crawling and wearing themselves out, we got ready to leave and head home for lunch. Coranelle spotted this really cool, bright red, firetruck stroller that you can rent at the mall. Without really thinking, she crawled into the empty seat as the mother tried to park her firetruck in the busy stroller parking. Meanwhile, I had Sheldon in one arm and was trying to dig our stroller out of the chaos. I told Coranelle she couldn't get in the stroller, as it wasn't ours. Since my hands were full, I couldn't physically remove her. The beautiful, sweet mom behind her stroller jokingly said, "Oh, that's okay. She can stay in. She's pretty cute and I wouldn't mind taking her home with me." I smiled and laughed and asked the woman if she would mind if my daughter sat there until I could put my son down in our stroller where he wouldn't get stepped on.

Coranelle, on the other hand, did not realize that the woman was teasing. She just melted down and began balling and yelling, "I don't want to go home with her. No mommy, no. No!" She quickly became hysterical as I pulled her out of the firetruck and tried to convince her that she wasn't going home with anyone but me. I told her I loved her and would never let someone else take her home. Anyhow, it took me about 15 minutes to fully calm her down.

So, I thought that the episode was over and she understood that the woman was just teasing and complimenting her. I was wrong. Later that night, I got Coranelle out of her bath and she was sitting on my lap as I put lotion on her. This is our usual cuddle time and I put my arms around her and told her I loved her. Out of nowhere, she just melts down all over again. Quickly becoming hysterical. She turns around in my lap and just blubbers, "Mommy, I don't like firetrucks! I don't want to go with that other mommy! Mommy, I just love you too much. I just love you too much." It took me a while to figure out what she was talking about. And then it took another 10 minutes to get her to calm down.

Meanwhile, Josh, Claire, Ryan and Sheldon were downstairs listening to her wail- probably thinking that she had cracked her head open. I think they were all a little surprised to know that she was crying because she "loved me too much". Bless her heart!

Now, suggestions on how to explain to 2 year olds that some things are said literally and others are not? Who knew?! At least I know she loves me and wants to continue coming home with me! ;-)

pictures and a moment

Our snowman, whom Coranelle named "Goke".
First time sledding!
Helping to make Oatmeal Raisin cookies in her adorable apron.
Using anything he can find as a walker.
On the move!


With Sheldon's increasing mobility and curiosity- I find myself constantly on the go. Moving him from situations and places of danger and putting out fires as he and his sister fight over toys and me.

But, I do have a moment I wanted to share- specifically so I can remember it in the midst of the chaos that now seems to reign!

Each night, after the kids have had a bath, had their teeth brushed and are cozy in their PJ's- we have established a new, very comfortable routine. Ryan takes Sheldon to feed him his last bottle of the day. Coranelle and I cuddle up under a blanket on the "little couch" and read library books together. I love the down time to snuggle and discuss books with my girl. When Sheldon is finished with his bottle and cuddling with his daddy, he comes up to say "goodnight". Coranelle always exclaims- "We want to give him a hug!". So, Ryan lays him down on our laps. Coranelle kisses and hugs her brother with gusto and such love and affection. Meanwhile, Sheldon gazes up at us with a huge smile. We both say good night to him and I just sit there and soak up the precious moment of calmness and love! It makes my day!

So, that's all for now. Just a little moment for you to smile about!

chasing 2

Sorry once again, for the blog neglect. It's been one thing after another. A few weeks ago, Coranelle came down with the stomach flu and then we passed it along until we had all had the terrible illness. And I really mean, terrible! Coranelle probably threw up 20-30 times within 12 hours, and most of those times, it was one me. (Sorry... too much information). When I had it, it just rocked me. I was too sore to move or do anything. When we had all recovered from that- we did some deep cleaning. Our immune systems must have been down, because Coranelle, Sheldon and I all got a cold a few days later. We're still recovering from those, and my voice is finally strong enough to read a whole book to my kids. This past weekend, I had no voice at all and had to whisper and squeak to get by.

In the midst of all of that, a flip switched on Sheldon and suddenly, he was a moving maniac. He began to crawl on all fours and quickly mastered pulling up on everything and anything, cruising quickly along furniture, crawling up stairs and getting into everything. I am now constantly on the watch that he is not pulling things off shelves, out of cupboards or putting choking hazards in his mouth. This surveillance makes going to the bathroom a very difficult task. I cannot believe how quickly he mastered all of this and how fast he seems to be growing up. It's exciting and fun to watch, but exhausting! He seems so excited about his new abilities, he has decided that he is too busy for napping. Yesterday, he napped for a total of 20 minutes- from 5:30 am until 7:15pm. It was not for lack of my trying to make him sleep. So, I can only hope that the novelty wears off soon and he catches up on lost sleep. I just might need a nap too, with all the effort it takes to keep two young ones safe and entertained- let alone make meals and clean up the house!

We're still in the midst of the preschool chaos, but narrowing down the possibilities. Tomorrow, Coranelle and I will go visit my first choice while classes are in session to get a feel for things. If all goes well, she'll be registered by this coming Tuesday. I think it will be so fun for her and I am really looking forward to it! It will be great for her to have the structure, the socialization, and friends. Sheldon and I will also enjoy some time for just the 2 of us!

I know that I had a whole, mental list of things I was going to post about, but right now, my mind has gone blank. And, Sheldon is actually taking a morning nap, (Yay!), so I am going to go cuddle up with my girl and dive into our new library books!

Happy almost February! (How did that happen?!)

PS- most of my recent pics of the kiddos are on my phone, so when I get them loaded onto the computer, I'll make sure to post more!