A coffee & date Target with my Little Darlings.

Evelynne has had some big changes come her way in the last few months and she's about to experience another change as we move into a new place for the first time. 

I'm so proud of how much she embraced this change and not only accepts her role as a big sister but loves it. Every morning when she comes downstairs and Liya isn't down there she asks me to go get her. Liya's super blessed to have a big sister like her.

However, I felt it was time to take her out and lavish on her a bit. I think when a second kid comes into the picture it is super important to make sure you stay in tune with your oldest child. Talk to them, ask them how they're doing and make sure they know how much you love them and how proud of them you are.

Since I can't have a deep conversation with Evelynne yet (considering she's two) about her new role and how she's dealing with it I try my hardest to keep in tune with her body language because especially when it comes to kids actions speak louder than words. 

She was having more meld downs  than usual, and threw very strong fits when she didn't get her way. 

I really think the cold weather has something to do with it however, I think her needing one on one time with Mama bear was something she needed also. We both did. 

So last week I took her on a Starbucks/coffee date.

 

 It was wonderful spending time with my babies. Sitting there at Starbucks sipping my hot latte with Evelynne while she gulped her Vanilla milk brought me to thinking just how special these coffee dates really are. 

Today We're sitting here as she tells me a majority of things in toddler language and is just being silly.

In about three years we'll be talking about her first day of school. 

In about 12 years we'll be going out to buy her pre-teen clothes and even make up 

15 years from now we'll be talking about boys 

and maybe 20 years from now sitting in a coffee shop we'll be talking about the one she'll be marrying. 

Gah.. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it!! 

What I'm really saying is I want to treasure each and every date with my daughter. Because every one will be different as she continues to get older, smarter and more adventurous and even more hilarious. 

We also did some Spring shopping while we were out... I just can't resist target sometimes with their cute hats and clearance racks! 30$ Dollar sweater for 12$? Don't mind if I do!

T'was the tantrum at Barnes & noble that will never be forgotten.

I just realized I never posted this story of the most embarrassment moment at Barnes and Noble that I will never ever forget and has almost kept me from showing my face there again... Almost. If only they're journals & planners weren't so amazing!

It was last  Summer. I was just over my morning sickness and wanted to take Evelynne to Barnes and Noble to look at some Big Sister books and I also wanted to pick up a new Planner for myself.. However, this experience didn't at all go as I planned...

It all started when I was looking at the rack of daily planners. Trying to find the right one when I happened to look beside me to find that my one year old ran off. While freaking out inside I tried to keep calm and called out for Evelynne. I remember the older gentlemen sitting there with his starbucks coffee and book looking at me as if I didn't have a clue and I honestly felt that way.

Thankfully I wasn't looking for too long until she popped out laughing!

"Evelynne you don't run off. You need to stay with Mommy" I said hoping she would listen.

I wish I could say it ended there.. but nope! Shortly after we came across a rack full of stuffed animals. unexpectedly she grabbed a arm full and threw them! Everywhere! I saw the employees and their concerned faces like "She better pick those up" and "Lady control your child!" And I was trying. Oh how I was trying but she seemed so uncontrollable at the moment. So I hurried and picked them up,  grabbed her by the arm and attempted to make it to check out because after what happened (so far) I didn't want to leave empty handed.. But maybe I should have?

The entire time we were in line she was determined to get away from me and run like the wind! She wanted to explore, go her own way and throw stuffed animals and play hide and seek.. But Barnes and Noble certainly isn't the place for that and people were making it obvious they wanted me to leave already so that they could continue to read and study while drinking their precious lattes.

But I wasn't giving up despite those judgmental facial expressions I was getting. As soon as we got to the check out Evelynne managed to run off when I was taking out my card. "Evelynne! Get back here!" And She refused while laughing and running behind the cashier.. Yep, you heard that right!

"No! Ev! Get back here! Sir I'm so sorry, I need to grab my kid." (As she starts running through the empty boxes)

"No problem! Happens all the time *laughs"

So, I grab Evelynne, pick her up as she kicks and screams and with my bought and paid for planner I walk out of Barnes and Noble feeling accomplished.. Well, sorta. More like humiliated. But thankfully no one recognized us the next time we were there and there were no crazy tantrums involved.
:)

Do you have any crazy/embarrassing/funny Mama stories?

The Beauty of Second-time Motherhood.

 

Our life is crazier. 

There's more laundry...lots more.

More dishes.

Less space. 

More exhausting.

More messes.

More coffee.

Less sleep.

And not enough time.

Our three has become four and we're complete.

I must say that I find having two girls incredible fulfilling and rewarding. There is a sense of purpose like no other.

I have found my time to be so much more special. Having kids has helped me say no more and yes to the things that really matter and are important. 

Motherhood inspires me to dig deeper, and to fight harder not just for the things I want but things that I believe in and want to do.

It has inspired me to dream bigger.

Second-time Motherhood in my experience is completely different then the first time Motherhood. I'm more tired, more busy, and getting out of the house has been super difficult and seems impossible some days with making sure they both have diapers, enough wipes, entertainment for Evelynne, snacks, juice, both bags that are stocked plus making sure they're both clean, changed and fed before we leave. However, once we're out and about it gets much easier (sometimes!) And I feel like every time we're getting much better at it.

I'm so much more confident! I much more empowered now to get more of what I want out of life. I no longer doubt myself or questioning if I'm doing things right. I'm so much more relaxed, free and happy despite the juggle and exhaustion that comes with Motherhood. 

I do feel like I have to fight a little harder to still be "Heather"  with all these roles as a wife and mom. During nap I do try to make time for me. Whether it's blogging, crafting or just sitting there in meditation with Jesus. To help me remember who I am and that I'm way more than just a wife and mama. However I love and enjoy these roles more than ever. I feel like they just get better and better with each kid.

I feel like Motherhood just gets better and better with each kid. I really do. Especially because nothing seriously warms the heart more when you see your two little ones loving on each other and savoring that moment as long as you can. I love their bond and their love for each other. I love how Evelynne is the big sister and that she is already crazy in love with Liya and is gentle and protective over her.. As if she knows her duties as an older sister. I love how Liya watches Evelynne. I love how she smiles at Evelynne while she's playing and looks at her intensely while Evelynne's in the room. I love it when Liya looks up to Evelynne when she's talking to her and holding her and I love that the first thing Evelynne asks when she wakes up is "Baby Liylee?" Oh be still my soul.

However,  I believe the hardest adjustment for me after having Liya was how much I miss spending time with My Evelynne all day. It's sometimes hard for me to accept that my time with Evelynne would now involve someone else. And that's okay. But there are definite moments where I miss the amount of time I was able to spend with her where I was  less distracted and trying to juggle everything. I really feel like Leon being off so much in the last month was a gift from God! Because of that it has made it so much easier for Leon and I to have one on one time with Evelynne which has helped all of us so much. I really believe one on one time with each of our girls in so important. Something new that Evelynne and I do is when we go grocery shopping I let her pick out a craft to paint and then we go home and paint it while Liya's napping. And when Leon goes out he always takes Evelynne with him.
 
 Evelynne loves playing "Mom" now. Everywhere we go she likes to take her baby with her. I plan on making her a baby carrier so she can have everything Moms need.

My postpartum body does look a lot different.. At least to me it does but that's okay. To me it was such a small price to pay for these beauties that call me mom. I've never been a bikini person anyways. However, ever since having Liya I've hated wearing jeans and can't make it through a full day of wearing them. I either change into leggins or yoga pants. Thankfully I can still look stylish in leggings and a cute dress perhaps? I just hope jeans and I aren't breaking up forever! Because I do still love the look of skinny jeans.

Our Monthly fun day. (A new family tradition)

I'm a mama who loves family traditions. It's something I wanted my own family to have and dreamed of having. Due to Leon's non family oriented cop life where we only get to see him twice a week it has made it very difficult to start them and traditions just aren't as fun unless the whole family is involved. 

Thankfully his life as a cop will be closing to a end shortly (Can I get a amen?) We have a burning family passion  to be in  ministry full time  and we will do what it takes to live a life fully after His heart and live our life together serving others. I'll have more on that in the future. 

Because of this Leon is taking a majority of vacation early as possible. It's been so nice having him home. Evelynne has loved it and I love it. So with this time off we've decided to get some tradition in here.

We're calling it "Our Monthly fun day tradition" where we will take the girls out once a month and do something super fun!! They won't know what's coming or what we're doing until last minute. Leon and I are a huge fan of surprises. 

This was our first month. We started out by going to Target and letting Evelynne pick out a stuffed animal for her and one for Liya bear. She was a big fan of a brown pup and thought Liya should have the pink one. 

Afterwards we took our hungry family to Chick-fil-a and headed home! We were going to take her to build a bear however, reality hit when the thought came of us going to build a bear with a nb who loves to eat every thirty minutes to an hour (not kidding!) So we're gonna save that for when they're older. 

A great start to new traditions! Do you have any fun family traditions?

An update on my big two year old.

Did I just say two??? It's still so hard to believe my sweet Evelynne is two! I do feel like she went from this:

 

 To this:

 

rather quickly. to quickly if you ask me. However, I'm reminded that them growing is a good thing because it makes us mamas treasure these moments even more and cherish them. Knowing that it will be over oh so quickly.

I think I'm done doing monthly updates for this sweet girl! However, I'm still doing updates for her here and there. Because there's still and will be so many things I want to remember about this sweet girl. The silly & beautiful things she does and continues to do. 

We had our first snow last week of the season. It was so wonderful this year because as I had hoped she loved it!! We weren't out for too long because it was so cold and we didn't have all the snow gear we needed but for the ten minutes we were out there it was a blast! And we afterwards enjoyed some hot chocolate of course! I think just like the holidays, snow days are so much more fun when you're a mama.

Evelynne is loving her role as a big sister! Every morning she asks where "baby" is. I feel like Liya will be called "baby" by her loving sister for the rest of her life. She is the best big sister ever and Liya has no flaws in Evelynne's eyes. She just gets mad at me if I can't play or hold her whenever she wants however, I'd much rather her be mad at me then Liya.

Whenever Liya cries she runs to me saying "Mama! Uh Oh!! And runs back to Liya immediately trying to give her the Binky.

The other day Leon even caught her trying to read her a story. It was the cutest!

E

Evelynne's update at 2 years.

Evelynne Loves: Minni Mouse, Baby dolls, Being a big sister, spending time with Daddy and wrestling with him, being around other kids, going outside, hot chocolate, Mama's tea, reading, dancing, church, doing anything artsy, and watching tv.

Favorite foods: Yogurt, gummies, cookies, oranges, apples, frozen blueberries, Oatmeal, applesauce, smoothies, cheese, pizza, pasta and green goodness Bolthouse drinks.

Foods she doesn't fancy: 

Pretty much anything that doesn't satisfy her sweet tooth :( Which is why I make her lots of smoothies and I tell  her  often that she has to eat her veggies before she gets desert. She's been quite picky lately.

Evelynne doesn't like: 

 She still doesn't like being told "No" However, she's taking it so much better!

Potty Training: 

We may be starting that process sooner then we thought! As of a few weeks ago our little Evelynne has been taking off her diaper! Which I hear is a pretty big sign she's ready. Mamas Advice, please!??

Big girl Bed: 

 She still loves it and is sleeping so much better and without a fight.. I honestly think she hated the crib because she felt boxed in.

 

What's new this month:

Her communication is improving day by day! The only thing she signs now is "Eat" but other then that she's communicating and talking.

She's letting herself out of her room now so I always have to make sure I'm up before her.

Potty training is coming up on us shortly.

Dearest Evelynne.

You're seriously the coolest kid I know.. & I'm not just saying that because you're my kiddo. I love you oh so much and life would just be so boring without you. From the toddler tantrums and being just fun and loving. My life is never boring.

I love who you are and the girl you're growing into. You're such a sweetheart and you're full of compassion and love for others. You also love making friends young or old. You're my social butterfly.

I'm so excited to watch you grow and living the  life God has for you. I'm so glad you love Him with all of your heart already. And I'm so blessed to know that your Little sister Liya has an amazing and adventurous big sister to look up to and follow.

You're such a strong spirited little girl! And you're gonna go far! I'm excited to see the difference you're gonna make in this world!

Liya Evangeline's Birth story. pt 1

 

It was December 20th when I was almost one week over due. Leon and I were headed to the Hospital to get some gel to soften up my cervix to hopefully get things started however, I thought I still had a few days until things happened considering I was dilated at all yet and the gel didn't work at all with Evelynne.  I really didn't expect to meet my daughter until that Monday since that was the day we were going to have an induction if the gel didn't work.

I left the hospital feel a little crampy thinking it was just a side effect from the gel. I was really uncomfortable but I kinda just brushed it off my shoulder, laid in bed and watched TV with my husband and quickly fell asleep.

It was around 12-12:30 when I woke up feeling quite painful contractions so I went into the bathroom to take a warm shower to see if it would help. I was not ready to give birth yet. I didn't even have my hospital bag packed all the way *facepalm! Way to be prepared I know!

Right when I got to the bathroom my water broke! I went into the bedroom, woke up Leon and told him "I think I'm in labor!!" Right as I said that even more fluids gushed out.

Right after I called my midwife telling her what happened and she honestly didn't think I was in labor just yet due to the fact by how quiet and calm I sounded on the phone (Note to self:  next time I'm in labor, make a huge screaming deal!) She said it was probably my mucus plug (gross!) and told me to take a warm bath to see if they go down and in a hour call her if they progress.

So that's what I did. I went into the bathroom and bathed in some warm water for about five minutes until I couldn't take the pain anymore. I was nearly screaming and the only thing that kept me from doing so was my sweet toddler in the next room sleeping peacefully. I'd hate to have her wake up to her mom screaming in the bathroom. However, she did wake up but Leon was able to lay her back down. Over all she was made at us for waking her up and not terrified a bit thank you Jesus!

It was about 15 minutes when I decided to call my midwife again and tell her "I'm totally in labor and I need to come in now!"

She then told me to come in.

That night was the first and most likely only night I can say that I appreciate Leon police driving speeding skills. He certainly knows how to beep his horn and drive 80 to 90 down the highway in a professional manner. And boy he was totally calm under pressure! I mean, it takes an amazing person to be able to drive that fast calmly with a screaming wife in the passenger seat.

AND THEN WE GET PULLED OVER BY A COP!!!

Yep, you heard that right! Can you believe it?

Leon pulls over and me sitting in my own little world asked him

 "Why in the world did you stop?" 

"Baby, I got pulled over but don't worry I'll make it super fast!"

As he jumps out of the car (you should never do that!!) And puts his arms up and says "Don't shoot! I'm a cop, I'm a cop, I'm a cop!!"

Then the Officer says in a totally confused manner "Okay, I hear you! What in the world are you doing?!"

"My wife's in labor!"

"Okay, go!"

And our 90 miles an hour continued.
Come back on Monday to read part two!

Click here to read part two

Our Christmas.

 

I hope you all had such a wonderful Christmas. Mine was absolutely perfect.

We didn't go anywhere and the main reason for that is because I just had a baby and shouldn't be going here and there however, I loved just sitting around the house watching my toddler enjoy her new gifts and running around the house with a sugar overload wearing her Christmas Jammies.

I loved snuggling with my newest Christmas gift Liya and watching Evelynne develop a deeper relationship with her.

Watching "The King is born" with my little loves remembering the memories of me watching it as a child.

I loved sitting on the couch with my husband who can finally put his big, handsome, strong arms around me for the first time in months and watching movies with our sister Ashley.

And falling deeper and deeper in love with Leon as he runs around the house being a silly daddy with Evelynne and enjoying the sweet snuggles of our precious Liya.

I haven't wrote any Christmas posts this season. It was just a crazy month of preparing and waiting and not being prepared enough. However, I feel as though there is something very special being pregnant this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Jesus.

I thought of Mary a lot this month. An ordinary girl who was called to do the most extraordinary thing EVER!

She was pregnant with Jesus Christ our Savior for nine Months and raised Him as a Son.

Such an awesome yet, terrifying task.

A virgin.

A young unmarried woman who is engaged.

pregnant with The Son of God who came to save us all.

She could have freaked.

She could have refused.

But instead she responded

"Behold the maidservent of The Lord!

 Let it be to me according to your word."

Wow! Imagine what God has planned for you? His Daughter. He loves you just as much as He loves Mary and He has Extra ordinary plans for you as well!

Maybe He's just waiting for you to say what Mary said?

"Behold the maidservent of The Lord!

 Let it be to me according to your word."

This year as we enter the year of 2015 lets choose His extraordinary plans for our lives instead of choosing worldy comfort that only lasts for a short second. 

Lets choose to dream big.

To live Extraordinary.

And to always say "Yes" to God instead of "Not me, Lord" or "Maybe next time."