525,600 minutes

Sheldon is one now. Wow, how did that happen? Actually, it happened about 20 days ago and I have yet to post anything since. Just before Sheldon turned one, I heard this song during a Zumba class. I couldn't help but tear up as I listened and remembered Sheldon's first year of life.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes,

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Moments so dear.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights

In cups of coffee

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure

A year in the life?

How about love?

How about love?

How about love? Measure in love

How do I measure Sheldon's first year? Yes, there were a LOT of cups of coffee. Lots- this boy has decided to be awake before 5:30am almost every day this past year. Was there strife- yes. Nursing strikes, food strikes, waking up 7 times a night, rough bouts of teething. Is it measured in inches? Well, he's certainly grown! Miles? We've taken him all over the place. Swim lessons, church, about 30 different parks, play places, play dates, Breckenridge, Manitou Springs, Buena Vista- yes, we've traveled many miles with him. Is it measured in laughter? There has been a lot of laughter. Just look at his precious face. He is a silly, fun kid and he has the most awesome belly laugh... ever!!!

But no, that's not how I measure his first year of life. It truly is measured in love. Sheldon has added so much love to our lives. He is my precious baby boy and I love him fiercely and immeasurably! Thank you Sheldon- for each of those 525,600 minutes. Cheers to MANY more to come! Love you Shelly Belly! Happy Birthday! (20 days late!).

The Best

I've had a few very meaningful conversations recently with a dear friend of mine and my mom. We've been discussing the trend that appears to surround raising kids recently in which it is considered okay to constantly compare, judge and criticize the behavior and development of other people's children. Let me preface by saying that I am including myself in this behavior and I am just as guilty as any other parent.

We've had a few episodes recently in which my daughter has not behaved well. One day when I was picking them up for the rec center, I had to stop to ask for Sheldon's jacket and in that time, she literally made it all the way out the door. When I got to the door with Sheldon, a lady was bringing her back inside looking at me with the most disgusted impression on her face and she said, "Yup, she made it ALL the way out the door." A few other mothers were all glaring through me, looking at me as if I was the worst mother in the world. I dealt with the situation in the best manner I knew. I knelt down and talked to Coranelle quietly and sternly talking about why she couldn't run out without me and that it is my job to protect her and keep her safe and I cannot do that if she is that far ahead of me. We left and I just felt so small. I kept thinking about how grateful I was that none of my mommy friends were there to see that incident.

In retrospect, I look back on the incident and think, okay, it's really not that big of a deal. Yes, it needed to be dealt with and we learned something from it. But, come on.... do you really think she is the only toddler ever in history to escape out the door without a parent? No. All those glares and judgments.... are you telling me your kids never pulled something like that? If not, that's awesome., but it's not the norm. I've experienced similar comments and looks while dealing with tantrums at the grocery store. I think peoples' memories are failing them because I am almost positive that tantrums are part of the toddler years. They call them the terrible twos for a reason, yes?

After venting about these incidents to a friend, she was talking to me about similar experiences with her child. Her child's incidents of impulsivity or occasional bad behavior has her not wanting to let her kid play outside with neighbor kids because she feels as if the neighbors are just waiting for her kid to do something wrong. Then other moms are talking about her kid later and discussing any bad behavior, making judgments.

It makes you self conscious of your parenting. It makes you nervous to take your kids out in public. These judgments seem to go hand in hand with the constant comparisons between kids. Here are some of the things we are guilty of comparing:
How your child sleeps through the night, how s/he nurses, when they roll/ crawl/ walk, how much they weigh, when they get their first teeth, how fast they go to sleep at night, how they nap, how they experience stranger anxiety, how they are in public places, how many words they can say, if they're a good eater if they know their letters/numbers/colors/shapes, which preschool they're going to, when they ride a bike..... and it goes on and on and on. When our kid doesn't reach a milestone when someone else's kid does, we are suddenly blaming our parenting. It's as if we have failed if our kid isn't sleeping through the night as soon as another child.

Why are we constantly comparing our kids development and behavior to others? Why can't we celebrate their differences and uniqueness and realize that they will each have something different to offer as they grow up? What I am really working on is trying to look for the good in each of my kids. I want other people to do the same. I want them to seek out things to praise about their own kids and other peoples' kids instead of the constant comparison and looking for things to criticize about kids. Every day I am trying to seek out the positive things that my kids have done or ways they have acted instead of dwelling on the tantrums or bad behavior. Will you join me?

Spring Sprung

My little athlete climbing everything in sight. We just love all the parks we have nearby!




We have had unseasonably warm temperatures around here for March, so I'll post an update with pictures of all the fun things we've been doing in the sun! I'm just waiting for another spring snow to arrive, but for now, we've been sporting tank tops and shorts and wearing lots of sunscreen. Sheldon thinks he is one of the big kids and LOVES cruising around parks and getting filthy every day! Coranelle has been very helpful working in the garden and watering the sprouting tulips and daffodils

Our biggest news is that Sheldon started walking this past week. He'll take 5-15 steps before falling. He's bound and determined and will be walking all the time before we know it. It is such a fun milestone to watch and Sheldon is so proud of himself. Coranelle is torn between being excited for her brother and jealous of the attention his walking is getting him. Having a sibling is such a learning experience!

I hope you are all enjoying the start to spring.
We took the kids for a ride in the bike trailer. This was Sheldon's first ride. He did great and seemed to enjoy himself. I think having his sister sitting next to him helped!
Cuddling before bed!
Eating at Noodles & Co. We don't every really eat out, but we stopped for dinner after church Saturday and we were impressed with how well both kids behaved and ate. Sheldon decided the to-go box made a good hat, so they both got a kick out of wearing it.

Rachael and Stefan came over for dinner and the kids really enjoyed playing with them!
Bruce and Heidi babysat so that Ryan and I could go for a bikeride/date.
Watching the train go by on our Walker Ranch ride.
Teaching ourselves to bike through snow was difficult, but a fun adventure!
Cruising the park on a sunny Saturday!
Uncle Ryan holding Anders on his birthday!
Coranelle got to pick out some flip flops and is learning how to wear them. She looks so cute in them!
My little garden helper. We are getting excited to plant our front garden and possibly by some trees for the backyard.
Sheldon discovered a love for the water table.
Riding the carousel at the zoo!

no more babies!

Sheldon mastering the Kazu!
Another haircut!
Coranelle with her new umbrella from Grams and PopPops!
Coranelle has a new found love for puzzles and she is really good at them!
Josh talking to his new son- Anders!
Hello precious boy! I am one proud Auntie!
Sheldon exploring at Jumpin' Jordy's on one of the many days that we were avoiding the wind or snow!
Finding play places wherever we can- this is a canoe slide at REI!
Lots of Morks. This is Sheldon's first time meeting Anders. Sheldon really is still more interested in Kona (their puppy) than the baby. That will change!
Coranelle's new bear- Good Luck!

Cleaning off the bear and fluffing it!
Playing at a lego table in Barnes and Nobles. I've had to get creative to get these kiddos out and burn some energy!

Somehow, in just over a month my "baby" will turn one. It is hard for me to believe that he is already becoming a little pre-toddler. And, as we are not having any more kids, our house will almost done with its baby days.

It is a good thing that Josh and Claire had their precious son on February 22nd. I had the honor of being there during Claire's labor and I got to meet my nephew right away. It was such a gift and an amazing experience to watch my brother-in-law and sister-in-law become parents. It was amazing to see the way Josh took care of Claire all through labor and delivery. They were so smitten and excited and emotional. It has been fun to see them be proud and protective and taking lots of pictures! Ryan and I are so in love with our little nephew and Coranelle cannot stop talking about little Anders. We are thrilled that our kids will have cousins that they can be friends with.

The other news in our corner of the world is the wind. It has been crazy and unrelenting. It actually blew down a section of our fence two weeks ago. Ryan spend the whole weekend working hard at replacing it. The wind has prevented us from spending much time outside because it has been so cold and intense. So, today we have a park date planned with a few friends and we are really hoping we won't be blown home!

Sheldon is fearless and crazy. His newest addictions are unrolling toilet paper and trying to play in the toilet. He is a FAST crawler and walking all around furniture and even taking a few steps from one table or chair to another. I feel like walking will come soon and I am not prepared for having two children taking off in different directions! Sheldon babbles and chats all the time and loves to laugh and crack himself up. He is really a pretty silly boy and we adore him. He has learned a few signs (despite our lack of dedication in teaching him them) and can tell us when he is all done or wants more. Sheldon also has at least 6 teeth now and seems to be in a constant state of teething. He's getting ready to be a great eater!

Coranelle is as busy and spunky as ever. One of our recent highlights was filling up her bead jar for her good behavior and listening. We went to Build-A-Bear and she got to stuff and create her own green teddy bear. It was a fun and sweet experience and I think the bead jar is working well for her. We now have Coranelle enrolled in soccer camp, summer preschool and real preschool in the fall. Lots of fun things on the horizon!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the coming spring. We are excited to be spending more time outdoors and to vacation in Arizona in April!

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!