Wordless Wednesday

Knee Deep

We have been knee deep in the middle of the two's around here lately.

Bandage was a bad little chipmunk and got put in timeout. He didn't mind his Mommy.

When Shelby Claire was a newborn, I can remember thinking that "this isn't so hard- what does everyone complain about?" in regards to having two kiddos. Well, let me tell you, it ain't no walk in the park. In the beginning it truly was easier than I thought it would be. All Shelby Claire did was eat and sleep, eat and sleep. That left me plenty of time to love on Audrey and give her the attention she needed. Her love language is definitely "quality time" and being that SC was so small, we rarely left the house. I had time then to give to Audrey.

Bandage's Mommy made sure to explain to him why he was put in timeout.

 At around the 10-11 week mark, Shelby Claire "woke up". She no longer spent most of her time sleeping and that's when it became harder to balance being the parent of two. Around that time, Audrey went through a phase where she was a little "off her rocker". She was misbehaving and acting out in ways I had never seen her behave before. It was driving me crazy- I tried every discipline technique I'd ever heard of and none of them worked. NONE.

"I'm going to put the timer on!"

I was at my wits end but I wasn't really thinking about Audrey. I SAID that I was thinking about her and trying to figure out what was going on in her little head but it took me a few weeks to realize what made her tick. I finally figured out that she wasn't getting what she needed from me-- quality time.

"Two minutes!"

 Yes, I stay at home with her and we are together all the time but we weren't really *together*. I was trying (and still am) to learn how to balance both girls needs and wasn't doing that great of a job!

Bandage served his time and is getting lovin' from his Mommy!

 The turning point was a night out with just me and Audrey. I took her to the movies to see "Rio" (don't take your toddlers- not appropriate- we left early) and to have some time for just the two of us. The next day, I took her on a playdate with her friends and left Shelby Claire with Clay. That was a few weeks ago and we've not had nearly the issues with discipline that we were having. Don't get me wrong, she does test us on a daily basis but it is NOTHING in comparison to what it was. A sweet friend of mine told me that it was "just a phase" and I try to repeat that to myself everyday. It will be different tomorrow.

Having said all that-- I don't really know if it was quality time that helped Audrey or if she just adjusted on her own. Either way, I am glad that phase is over and I am enjoying having her back to her super-sweet self. I am going to continue scheduling specific dates with just Audrey from now on (and just SC one day). I know that as Shelby Claire gets older, we will have more and more challenges from the both of them but I am so thankful God chose me to be the Momma of these two girls. I'll pay for their therapists one day if necessary.

Splash Pad opened- hallelujah!

The splash pad opened at the end of May and we are so excited! I know we are going to be spending a lot of time there this summer!!!

We have a standing playdate there every Thursday afternoon with some of Audrey's sweet friends. This particular day I was desperately trying to take a picture of the four of them but Audrey was having none of it.

She was much more interested in the snack Mrs. Amy brought for Addie. Ha!

Audrey's an interesting little turkey when it comes to playing with her friends. I can't decide if she is developing a more reserved, shy type of personality or if she is just moody-judy. She plays really well in one-on-one playdate type situations but would rather not be in a group. When we have playdates with multiple friends, moms, and lots of excitement, she tends to withdraw and want to play alone or with me. If it's just Audrey and one other child, she will branch out and play with them. I can't wait to find out what she's going to become. At this stage in her life, every day is different.

Last Day of MDO

Audrey's last day of MDO was last Thursday. She will go to two summer sessions and will start official preschool in the fall. Time goes by so quickly. The days are long but the years are short.

 Shelby Claire made her first appearance at a school party. She had to eat right when the party started so she got a bottle! See that cow hanging on her carseat? That was the first toy Audrey ever paid any attention to- now Shelby Claire loves it too!

 Audrey's sweet little friend, Addie. It wasn't long before Audrey squeezed herself over onto Addie's chair with her. This will be the last year they are together because Audrey will only go three days a week in preschool and Addie goes five. I'm sad that Audrey won't be able to see her friend at school anymore! I know she will make new friends but she loves this little Addie so much!

 Audrey's teacher will have a birthday at the beginning of this month so they surprised her with a cookie cake! For Audrey, nothing is better than Chik-fil-a and a cookie cake!

Audrey learned so much from being in Mother's Day Out this year. When she first started back in August, she would barely talk to her teachers or the other children. Now, she talks up a storm to the teachers. She still would rather parallel play than actually play with other children (unless it's Addie or older children). She knows her colors, shapes and can count to 15. She is still working on identifying letters and numbers but I'm sure she will get those once she develops an interest in them. Right now she just wants to play, play, play and that's exactly what she should be doing! If she doesn't know her numbers and letters by the time she starts kindergarten, maybe I will worry a tiny bit then. Ha!

Wordless Wednesday: Shelby Claire 3.5 months

Wordless Wednesday: She Loves Her Even If She Won't Admit It

Audrey's Spring Program

Audrey's little MDO program puts on a fall and spring program. I absolutely love these programs and they may just be the sole reason why I send her to MDO. Not really, but it's a good enough reason! There is nothing cuter than all those little two-year-olds up on stage singing their hearts out!


Entering the sanctuary-- holding Trent's hand! She says he is her "fwend". :)

 On stage and not a bit fazed by all the people in the audience!

 Exiting and SO EXCITED to see all of us!!

 Grandaddy and Too Too came up to see Audrey's little performance. She absolutely LOVED that they were there!!

After the 2K perform, they get to leave and go back to their rooms. They are in the sanctuary maybe a total of 10 minutes. It was definitely the best 10 minutes of my day! I can't wait until next year! I think I may sign her up for everything I can possibly sign her up for just so I can see her perform-- that's a little weird isn't it? Well, maybe just dance and gymnastics then! HA!