Mama Has To Go Back To Work :(...From July

I am so bummed it is time for me to go back to work already.  I am really not looking forward to it and I am not sure that the work days are going to feel like much of a "break" this time around. This maternity leave really flew by.  Life with two kiddos is so incredibly busy! The days feel endless sometimes (especially when Joe gets stuck at work for a long time and I have to do everything, then it really feels like a lot of work). But wow do these weeks fly by. I am going to have a one and three year old before I know it. These years with young kids are hard, but they just don't stay little very long!

TIME SLOW DOWN

I am starting to see big changes in Amelia.  She is becoming more active and engaged.  She loves to lay on the floor and kick her legs.  She found her feet and loves to hold onto them. On top of her infectious smile (just like her big brother's) she is starting to find her cute little laugh. I can get a little belly giggle out of her by just playing with her feet, riding in mama's lap like a horsey, or having her fly in the air. Her eyes light up when her brother comes over to "play".  I love getting her out of her crib in the morning (oh yea, we moved her to the nursery when she was about 12 weeks old, she did great from day one!) because she has the biggest smile when she sees me. Amelia is also my champion breastfeeder. It is so natural and easy with her, I love this bond we have formed and I am sure it will be very emotional for me when this time comes to an end.  The only bad part is she so greatly prefers nursing that bottles are challenging. She basically refuses to take them from Mama. I am hoping it isn't an issue when I go back to work, we have been "practicing" but it is hard when Dada isn't around.  We really can only get her to eat about 3 oz. from a bottle, and I am sure she is capable of eating more than that.  So fingers crossed my going back to work transition works out for both of us. 

Bran is all toddler.  Busy and learning so much everyday.  He can spout off his numbers (1-10) and ABC's, but not when I ask him to of course.  The toddler meltdowns are challenging, but boy does he make up for it with his sweetness. He is a boy with no fear, and will always seek out the largest slide at the playground. He loves to give his sister hugs and kisses (well really anyone, he is such a love bug!). I sometimes miss my one on one time with my favorite little man.  Amelia has really taken a lot of Mommy's time lately.  But I am looking forward to starting to plan some little day dates with him. But the reward is I have watched his bond with he Dada grow exponentially.  They are the best buddies. 

We went to our first Sundays at Scioto.  We walked over and had a nice little evening.  Bran spent most of the time finding other kids to chase around (and "borrow" their toys).  He was also begging everyone for their popsicles by licking like a puppy.  It was hilarious! So we finally got the poor kid his own.

We have been busy bees on the weekends.  We went to Greer's third birthday party and Ashley's going away/Jack's first birthday party.

Father's Day we traveled back from Lewisville.  By Dada's request we got Mexican for dinner.  Things took a little longer than expected and well this was the end result. Happy Father's Day 2018! 

Mama's 32nd birthday was spent very simply at home with the family.  I even somehow managed to sneak in a nap! Bran sang to me (sooooo cute!!!!) and helped me blow out my candle.

We sent both of the kids to Jennifer's so Joe and I could get a few things done around the house. I think Amelia is going to do just fine when Mom goes back to work!

I also met Callie and Lily at the zoo for my first visit with the two kids.  Packing for two kids for an outing is no joke. It was busy and I appreciated the extra set of hands (especially for things like potty breaks for Bran!).  But as always at the zoo we had a good day, and got the kids home just in time for a good nap!

I am so thankful for the time home with my kids, and I am even more thankful to only be going back part time.  I love not taking call, and knowing that I can always tuck my kids in at night. 

OBX 2018

We went to the Outer Banks Memorial Day week for our first vacation as a family of 4. It was a kind of last minute decision that we decided to go with Jeremy, Nikki, Greer, Chris, and Grandma Lude since they had enough room for us. The pictures from vacation are full of good memories. And that's the reason no matter how much work it may seem like we are still trying to get out and do things with the kids, because it's all about making memories! But truth be told the trip was a lot of work (starting with packing) and tiring! The drives were long but I have to admit now that I am no longer living them the kids did great all things considered.  Bran's potty training didn't fall apart which was a huge win. Amelia basically went on a bottle strike while on vacation and refused to do anything but nurse.  I felt a little overwhelmed with it at times (I think I had it in the back of my head I would get more breaks on vacation by pumping bottles for her), but I also got super comfortable breastfeeding just about anywhere. In hind sight, we missed having her favorite napping spot (the swing) so nursing became a comfort measure for both of us to get some rest. But thankfully overcast days (never thought I would wish for those) and a toddler that absolutely loved the beach made for a vacation that we spent more time at the beach the ever before. We actually barely touched the pool, and that was fine. Days got busy quick and it was time to go home before we knew it. We got our toes in the sand and enjoyed the sounds of the ocean which we didn't think we would be doing this year, so we'll call it a win.

Amelia's first time at the beach.

I don't know how she sleeps with her head like this!

Cheers! Bran's new favorite thing to do. 

A tropical storm came through so we had a pretty rainy day that we had to find other things to do to entertain the kids. We took them bowling (which Dada says we are not taking Bran to go again until he is at least 5, haha!). Unfortunately Bran did not have the attention span to play a whole game so it became quite the chore to chase him down to come bowl for his turn. He was much more interested in running around the bowling alley. But hey at least we got some cute pictures in tiny little bowling shoes?! After dinner we went out to eat and Bran got spaghetti, he made a huge mess all over himself eating the "snakes!".

Pregnant Aunt Nikki kicked our butts. 

We also made a visit to the OBX Aquarium.  Bran loved it! And Amelia spent the majority of the time walking around nursing on Mama because we did not time the feedings very well, it is hard with a large group!

Bran liked the dinosaur exhibit, except when they made noise! We went through a little forest walk filled with dinosaurs and it was so hilarious because he saw some baby dinos and was like "aww, that's cute", than mama roared and he yelled "all done, all done, all done!"

Amelia had some extra company for her weekly picture.

Baby dolls :)

Daddy had brought along some boogie boards, and it was a huge hit with Bran.  He really enjoyed "catching some waves" with Dada!

We made our usual trip to I Got Your Crabs and we were a little disappointed Bran wasn't as into the seafood this year.  But to be honest, it is always hard to get him to sit down and eat when we go out to eat these days. He did get to pet a crab on the way out which he thought was awesome.

On our last beach day Bran and Greer made some friends that spent a good couple hours playing with them, it was great!

Bran loved this squirt toy.  Unfortunately he thought Amelia wanted to "play" with it too and squirted her in the face at one point.  She did not like that at all!!

His third trip to the OBX and he's not even 2.5!

Too tired to make it to bed for his nap.

Our last night, and a way too late of dinner out made for an interesting family picture.  Bran was asking to go "home" by this point.  I think he was worn out. But hey we all survived and had some fun along the way! Now he keeps asking to go back to the beach!

Bran got a little messy with some chocolate on the ride home.

Looking forward to planning another vacation, hopefully soon! Now that we are finally recovered from this one! :)