Bath Time

A few photos from this evening's bath.

 Mr. Owen

Kaden loving his bath crayons.

  

Look at that WILD hair!  (Looks like daddy's.)

Ready for bed in his warm blanket & jammies from auntie D.

And I couldn't resist doing another brother side-by-side.

And again, who is who?

(Kaden = left,  Owen = right.)



Hitting the Pool... in January!

I typically don't have anything planned on Fridays. No classes. No tutoring. Nothing. 
Another good reason to look forward to Fridays and the weekend home with Ben.

SO lately I've been making an effort to do something fun/special with Kaden that day.

Recently we've been going to Cheer Texas with Heather & Danni as they open their doors to the public (pre-school age kids) on Friday mornings.  It's a pretty neat deal too because kids have free-reign to run around, jump in the bounce houses, bounce on the trampolines (which are flush with the floor) and even run & leap into the giant foam pit.

But THIS Friday we were able to experience the newly renovated & improved Townclub pool.  Kaden & Danni had fun playing for over an hour and 1/2; I think he would have stayed a couple more hours had I not had to get home and feed Owen.

 Danni's BIG smile.

 Heather helping the kids use a noodle.

Nothing like hitting the pool in January!

Afterwards, Heather graciously brought Chic-Fil-A nuggets back to our house and the kids played for another couple of hours. They really played too... As in Heather & I actually got a chance to talk & visit while they entertained each other and, more importantly, got along.

Ms. Heather & Mr. Owen

What I found in Kaden's room.

Roaring while riding the tiger

Undoubtedly, my boy!

Finding Stability

 Kaden has found yet another method of reaching things out of his grasp.

We heard rummaging and glanced down into the den only to find Kaden steadying himself ontop of the stability ball, helping himself to "the drawer of fun".

From Child to Children

Over the past 6-weeks it has been a pleasure to go from one child to two children.  AND we can honestly say that the transition to two has been easier on us than move to just one.

• Owen is SUPER chilled out! He seldom cries, is fine laying by himself on the floor or in his swing, and is a champion sleeper. We couldn’t have asked for a better 2^nd baby!  

• Ben & I are still in “baby” mode and we know what to expect most of the time. Luckily Kaden became “officially” potty trained (as in wearing underwear all day without accidents) just in time for Owen’s arrival.

• I didn’t have any other major-life changes at the time of Owen’s birth.
When Kaden was born, school was beginning during my hospital stay. During those first weeks home, I struggled emotionally with the fact that I wasn’t “going to work” for the first time in my life.
This time around I love the fact that I get to stay home most of the day and am so grateful.

giving "gentle pats"

• We have more wisdom about what it takes to get out of the house. Instead of getting irritated at not being able to walk out of the house at a moment’s notice, I now KNOW it’s going to be at least a ½ hour before hitting the road and at least one of the following will occur:

Someone will need to use the bathroom (either a potty or in their diaper)

Someone’s shoes will be missing (either mine or Kaden’s) and we will have to roam the house to find them.

Someone will need to nurse or I will have to pump if we are leaving for an extended period of time.

… and when we finally get settled into the car to leave, I will press the “start” button on the Prius only to be told, “no key detected”, causing me to run back into the house to check jacket pockets…

two sleeping tigers

• We seem to be more laid back in general.

Our house is always somewhat of a wreck. If one room looks good, chances are several others are in disarray. OR if the kitchen counters are clean and clutter-free, the floor is in dire need to sweeping/mopping (or vice versa).  As much as I’ve beaten myself up over this, I am working on accepting this fact.

BUT to my defense, I will be cleaning one room only to find Kaden stripping ALL of the pillows from the beds and couches in order to make a nest.

  

little mister enjoying his tummy time