Shap Up or Ship Out

That's what I told Isaac yesterday after he spent most of the day screaming. I'm pretty sure he's teething which is fabulous considering we have a whole mouth of teeth to deal with over the next two years. A couple days ago I was thinking how cute he is and all of that rosy stuff and then today a BIG GIANT ERASER removed all of those happy thoughts. Okay, no, I'm probably being a bit melodramatic but it was definitely frustrating. I took some super cute pictures of Isaac on Monday and kept thinking, "man, this little guy is starting to grow on me!" And I was happy because I really do think he's adorable and I love his smile. I'm not a baby person--go ahead and gasp, call me a horrible person, whatever, I don't care. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would have children, at least not quite as soon as we decided to add to the population count. Of course you talk about those things before you get married, but I was really okay with not having kids. Walter thought three or four children was a good idea and I was like, you mean three or four dogs right, cuz I'm down with that!

Isaac has taught me a lot about who I am and about mothering. Maybe that's why he was meant to be--there aren't any more meant to be's so don't get any silly thoughts in your head. Because of him I know it's okay to get an epidural and that I don't have to think I'm horrible person because I don't like nursing him. I know that I have enough love for two children even though I was positive I would always love Isabella the most. I know that I can't compare Isaac and Isabella because already they are so different. I know it's okay to take time for myself. It's okay for Isaac to cry for a few minutes while I help Isabella or just help myself by taking a breather. I know pacifiers aren't evil and sleep will come eventually. I know I love to see Isabella loving Isaac and I love that Walter and I are finally starting to bond with him. And I know that's okay too--you're child is born a complete stranger to you and yes, you carried them for ten months, but connecting takes time and even if it takes four months, it's okay and it doesn't mean you don't love your baby. I know that if your baby is born with a problem, everything will be okay one way or another. I know that I love Heinen's for their healthy, prepared foods. I know the reality of high deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses and I'm starting to understand all of it after asking every person I talk to at Aetna to explain it to me again and again. I know I'm strong. I know I don't care what other people think--really, I DON'T CARE and I used to care...A LOT so I know the difference. I know I love coffee (it didn't take Isaac for me to know that but I just wanted to reiterate). I know that I love Pilate's and yoga and lifting weights and a lot of other exercise stuff but I can't stand running. And last but not least, I know these longs days with pass and my children will grow older and a little part of me will miss when they were little, but I also know how much I look forward to them getting older and all of the fun things we will do together and all of the funny, challenging and special conversations we will have together.

So, here's my little man looking absolutely adorable. I'm pretty sure he's become accustomed to smiling when he sees the camera...

Sorry this is blurry, but I love the smile!

Walter and I kind of think Isaac looks like Boots from Dora...

Nooooo not on my tummy!

Man do I LOVE these blue eyes...

Last night I was putting Isabella to bed and we'd just finished praying and she said, "mommy, pray, Jesus help me be a mermaid." I said, how about you pray for that and sure enough she proceeded to say "Jesus, please help me be a beautiful mermaid."

Sunday evening Isabella and I walked to the park together before dinner.

She loves to climb the tree in our backyard...

A walk in the woods behind our house.

More crafts to kill time...

It's all about symmetry

Glitter Glue is my new favorite craft item...pretty cool!

  And why shouldn't Stella wear a headband?

And when Stella isn't wearing the headband...