These Two

July 02, 2014

These Two

My two little munchkins. It's hard to believe that this dynamic duo has only been in my life for 18 months because it seems like such a big stretch of time in a weird way. So many new things, so many changes, (so much exhaustion), and so many wonderful additions to our lives.

In the last 18 months our lives have changed a lot. We turned into a family of 4 overnight. A new career came into the mix as well as a new assistant joining Team For Goodness Cakes / Barksdale (that means cakes and kids!) who has become a huge and important part of our lives (more on that later). But to me the biggest and greatest change within the past few months is how my kids became 2 little peas in a pod.

Ever since Collier started walking, it was like Isabelle started accepting him as not only a little brother but her own little friend. She is so obsessed with him and wants him to be included in (almost) all activities. She loves to tickle him and make him laugh and she puts up with a lot from him. His pushing doesn't phase her and she says his bites just tickle! Now I understand why kids learn to bite, push, pinch, etc. It's often because they have an older sibling! Collier gets a little more attention from his sister than he'd always like, so he's got to show her when enough is enough. I've been there myself.

As a parent, watching this relationship grow every day is the key to surviving the craziness of these early years. The 2 factor is not just 1 + 1 when it comes to kids. I think the whining, the tantrums, the attention needs and the clutter are at least tripled when you have a second kid. But there's so much laughter and happiness in between the hard parts. It's a wonderful mess!

Collier at 18 months:

At 1.5 years, Collier is morphing into a little dude. He is talking and boy does he have a lot to say, even if we can't understand most of what comes out of his mouth. He has strong opinions and is really starting to show his inner personality. As with every age and stage, this one definitely has lots of challenges but watching your child learn to communicate and do things for himself is so exciting. Each week he is saying a new word and it's always amazing. He finally started saying "mama" clearly and it's the best sound ever! Other favorite words that he says in his own adorable way: "all done," "uh-oh" (his oldest and favorite phrase, most commonly used when a song is over), "hot," "bubbles" and "golf" which was first announced on that memorable moment when he pointed to the TV saying "guf! guf!" Yes, it was the weekend of the US Open. Or any weekend at our house.

He's a lover, a hugger, a kisser, a flirter, but also a biter, a pincher, a pusher (mostly with his sister, of course). He can melt your heart when he looks at you out of the corner of his eyes, bats his mile long lashes and gives this sweet, innocent smile. Oh, but he'll cry. And he'll make you forget the sweetness in an instant when he throws the world's worst tantrums. I really had no idea a tantrum could last so long and be so painful to witness. You couldn't hold him in our arms if you tried - he arches his back and kicks his legs as hard as he can. And he's a strong little fellow! The word I've used to describe this little guy consistently since he was just a few weeks old: STUBBORN!!!!

He's a mover, a shaker, a dancer, a singer and a phenomenal music player. He finds a beat to everything (including when my giant Hobart mixer is on) and he's obsessed with a keyboard. He's like a moth to a flame when it comes to anything that plays music. We're starting piano lessons in 2 years.

Collier is a true mama's boy. Deep down inside I wouldn't want it any other way, but it doesn't make things easy. When he doesn't feel threatened that I will be leaving him, he's a wanderer. He likes to stray, and usually finds spots far away from the larger group…I love his explorative nature, but at this age it certainly keeps me on my toes. Of course the minute he senses that Mommy is going to leave him, he clings hard, holding me tight and the waterworks begin. He's a heart-tugger when he cries every single time at school drop off. And he's a stress maker when he cries every single time at nap and bedtime. Every. Single. Time. Just put your head down, man. You're tired. Each of my kids have a serious case of "FOMO" (fear of missing out). And I can understand that because I have it to a degree! Who wants to sleep when life is so fun?

He's an eater, a drinker and a pooper (like 4 times a day…thank you Amazon diaper subscription). For being quite small, it's hard to believe how much he can consume. Favorite food is blueberries and he would take down a pint a day if I let him. No wonder my grocery bill has increased so much in the past year!

He's a mess maker, a puller-outer and an emptier. A box full of something? Let's dump it out! I now understand why moms say all they do is laundry. I used to be the type to put it off, usually a few loads at one time, once or twice a week. Now it's a daily chore, and usually it's me trying to get stains out of Collier's adorable Jon Jons (I dress my kids much better than I dress myself since he'll be replacing with athletic t-shirts in a few years). Putting my kids in cute, clean clothes is an easy way of covering up the messy chaos that is really in our lives!

Like most boys, Collier is obsessed with garbage trucks, diggers, firetrucks, police cars and ambulances. Isabelle was too at this age, so we started off with plenty of toy trucks. Collier takes it to a new level, and this innate difference between boys and girls is clearly apparent in our house. This kid is all boy!

He's really a big ole mess, but he's also the sweetest, cutest, most lovable little boy I could ever ask for.

Probably one of several that day:

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Collier started "school" this summer at a church summer program. He was a few months older than Isabelle was when she started, and of course being the second child, he seems so much younger!

Isabelle at 4 years old:

It is crazy to think that my firstborn is now four. What a pleasure it has been to experience these last 4 years as her mom. She is so sweet natured and there are so many qualities in her that remind me of myself (good and not so good) and so many that I just wish I had at her age. She has many "best friends" and she is always eager to make new friends and meet new kids. She requests playdates on a regular basis and her mommy can't seem to satisfy this constant desire to play with friends! Can't Mommy, Cici or Collier be enough entertainment?!

Isabelle no longer naps, so this "in between" time can be hard since she really is so tired by dinnertime but refuses to go to bed before Collier does at 7:30. That usually means whiney afternoons and major incentives to help us get through the day without too many meltdowns. Car rides between 2:00 and 6:00 often provide a mini-nap but bedtime is always a struggle no matter how exhausted she is. Another case of FOMO.

I remember my mom telling me that I had serious opinions about my wardrobe at a young age. I was a prissy girl, but it seems funny that I was so particular about my clothes back then because I'm obviously far from that now (I'm lucky to be seen in anything other than yoga gear or buttercream stained t-shirts…and I wish it was because I do lots of yoga!).

Well, I guess my daughter is a mini-me, because choosing her clothes each day is a big ordeal, down to the underwear and even pajamas. I can't have much of a say, and the decision making can be a long process involving lots of switches. "No, I can't wear my Cinderella undies with that dress because you only have to wear rainbow undies with the purple outfit!!!!" or something like that... If we can avoid tears around this part of the day, whether morning or night, we are having a good day!

One of my favorite traits of Isabelle's is her innate sense of kindness and empathy. I've noticed that she's aware of other kids feelings of sadness or worry and wants to help them. One day she came home from school showing me her artwork but was sad that a friend said to her, "mine is prettier." That led to a deep discussion about what you say in response and a nicer way to talk about the artwork of yours and your friend. Then a week later I picked her up from summer camp and she showed me her artwork and proudly said, "mine is prettier!" With some disappointment, I reminded her that it's not polite to say things like that, especially to your friends. She burst into tears and sobbed. Then she said, "Well, mine is pretty and theirs is pretty too." And she talked about it the whole day making sure to point out to me that their artwork was equally pretty.

Isabelle is a true animal lover. Recently we took our dog to get groomed and she was so concerned about Crockett being put in a cage, she almost cried when we dropped her off. She will pet and feed any animal and has no fear of any (except for sharks…makes sense).

My girl is all girl and into all things girly like princesses and anything that sparkles, pink and purple. A born performer, she loves to dance and sing (didn't fall far from the tree), as seen her standing in our yard, singing at the top of her lungs.

She's also into acrobatics, obsessed with climbing, somersaults and headstands. Oddly enough (meaning you wouldn't expect it looking at her parents) she is tall for her age and uses those long legs to run very fast. She has always loved running so I just thought all kids her age ran like her. But recently 2 other people noted how fast she runs…maybe a track and field scholarship in our future!?

Isabelle got some new wheels for her early 4th birthday gift. It's been so fun watching her learn to ride a bike. She never really rode a tricycle, so this concept of of pedaling was brand new, and she is such a proud girl. Now I want a bike too!

This is one of the reasons why I LOVE our street!

And more reasons to love our street…I had an impromptu neighborhood "bake sale" a few weeks ago and it was so much fun. I cleaned out my freezer - lots of cupcakes and cookies - things that I make with leftover batter every week. So I invited neighbors to come by in the afternoon to buy mini and regular cupcakes (only 10-25 cents each, since nothing in life is free). People flocked to our house and I loved seeing friends and meeting new people, all in the name of cake!