Something As Silly As A Vacuum

The cutest thing happened yesterday.

And because life has been super annoying with a baby who never stops crying, I feel I need to write down something cute to keep me positive.

 

Ross hates the vacuum.

I really don't know a kid who loves it, but this kid freaks out.

When I pull out the vacuum, it turns into a mass search and rescue for his toys.

 He hunts, he gathers, and then he sits absolutely panicked, gripping those little toys in the corner of the couch until I'm done.

The best is when he misses one.

I'll be honest, I do move the vacuum toward it just to see what he'll do.

And every time, literally every time, he jumps off the couch screaming toward his loved one.

But sad, of course this is all very sad and I should never find humor in his fear.

Anyways, yesterday I was playing with them both on the floor.

Mazie has one of those exercise mats and Ross loves to lay there with her.

Since they were both being good, I decided I should clean up but just left them laying on the floor.

And just like every other stinking day {No, of course I'm not bitter}, Ross had smashed something all over the floor.

 This time being bread.

So there's Ross and Mazie, laying on the floor, playing nicely.. Ross was trying to kiss her..

And I bring out the beast.

Or the devil.

Whichever Ross would prefer.

There weren't any toys on the ground, so I didn't think it would be such a problem.

What I didn't think about however, was the fact that his sister was on the ground.

I turned on the vacuum, and the tears started.

Not only was he crying, but the search and rescue turned into extreme panic as he could not move his sister.

He tried picking her up, tried pushing her, and then just pointed and sobbed...

He could not save his sister.

And it devastated him.

Unlike all the other funny times when I encouraged the panic slightly..

I turned off the vacuum and hugged my sweet little boy.

He was so worried about his "Bay" and would not stop the tears until she was safely situated on the couch with him.

Then, as I turned the vacuum back on, he held her tightly, protecting her just like I have always hoped.

It was a sweet little moment in the Brantingham home, as I watched my Son panic over the safety of his sister.

What parent wouldn't want that?

So as I sit and write this, I sit hoping...

Hoping that throughout their entire lives, they panic over the safety of the other..

That they hold tight to each other.. 

And that someday, my sweet.. ever so sweet.. little manly boy..

Wont be so scared of something as silly as a vacuum.

My Growing Beauties

Hello World.

Yes, I am slightly living... But wow, this baby bunching buisness has certainly been getting the best of me.

We are lucky I have finally painted all of my toenails, let alone been mustering up the energy to blog.

Its all about survival over here.

And typing with one hand makes this the longest process.

So though I do want to tell you all about our move, all about this cute tiny town and Rob's new adventure..

I thought I would start small and just show you some pictures of my growing beauties.

Especially this bombshell.

The Best Bag I've Ever Owned

 

 I was never a purse person until I became a Mom.

And this bag is hands down, the best Mom bag I've ever had.

There are so many purchases that I thought were important before I had my Son..

It was so easy to get caught up in the trinkets and ridiculous "necessities" before that first baby actually came.

Then you have the baby and that list of "necessities" changes drastically..

One thing that changed for me was the bag.

The bag can save lives.

The bag can keep you sane.

The bag can make or break a Mom.

Before babies, I thought I needed to be part of the Petunia trend.

Petunia Pickle Bottom this, Petunia Pickle Bottom that..

Sure, her colors are enticing, the prices make it seem so couture, and the bag itself doesn't look like the boring Mom bags we all seem to be more used to.

But then I started having my babies...

The strap hurts tremendously when you get everything in, the bag sags so I can never find what I need when I need it, supposedly the backpack feature is there for convenience but then you can't get into the bag while holding babies...

So I've jumped off the Petunia train, and that bag pictured above has been my saving grace.

Why, you ask?

It's strap is adjustable so I can wear it the two ways pictured.

The fabric is super cute, so I don't feel boring.

It molds to my body, so while carrying both babies, it doesn't get in the way..

It doesn't break my back either, especially considering the amount I carry with two babies..

It has pockets for everything, even one to fit that obnoxiously large sippy cup that we all fall victim to.

 

That genius hook makes the bag look smaller than it really is, without getting in the way of making your items accessible...

 

And the space is fantastic!

I took all my items out so you could see.. 

A hook for the pacifier or keys.. pen pockets.. diaper pocket.. zipper pocket.. magazine/important paper pocket..

All without bulking you up or getting in the way.

Its a genius bag.

Helping you be that genius Mom.

Designed and sewn by my genius Mother.

 And who wouldn't want to purchase a bag from a Mother who knows?

A Mother of 7 no less.

And they don't have to just be Mom bags.. These are everything bags, helping the everyday woman.

Here are some others shes created..

Interested yet?

Leave a comment with your email if you want more information.

And trust me, you'll want more information.

 The best bag I've ever owned.

Super Cute Faces

I have cried every day for the past 3 days.

There is something seriously wrong with that.

Whether it's a weak moment, a frustration moment, or even just a crying moment..

My mind is probably now just coming up with excuses to cry.

I don't know if my hormones are trying to balance themselves out..

Which seems like a great possibility..

I don't know if it's because we have so many changes crammed into a couple months..

Which seems pretty probable as well..

But what I do know is that this baby bunching business is hard work.

I won't fool you into thinking every moment is great, or easy, or incredibly exciting..

Its hard.

Patience is hard.

Two crying youngsters is very hard.

But when life throws you lemons, you're supposed to throw back some sugar..

And the sugar in all this crying business is the fact that their faces are super super cute.

So tonight, I'm thankin' the heavens for those super cute faces.

Make It Enough Tomorrow

At first glance, I didn't get much done today.

In fact, I really only folded one load of laundry.

Well...

I also put a load in the dryer.

I cleaned up probably 30 times just based off the fact that my 16 month old thinks helping means taking everything out of the cupboards.

I made pizza for dinner.

I visited and chatted briefly with my Mom.

I breastfed my baby... gosh... who knows how many times.

I kissed chubby fingers and chubby toes... even chubby little faces.

I made a toddler laugh pretty hard with my funny noises.

I changed a diaper or two... or ten.

I showered myself, as well as one child.

I dressed and undressed both babies a couple times due to spit ups, bathroom accidents, and plum disasters.

I read books to a sweet boy.

I cuddled both babies at once.

I rocked babies to sleep.

I took the kids on a walk around the neighborhood.

I wiped tears away.

I sang a few songs to get my son to dance.

I sat outside cuddling one, while the other explored.

I made a lunch that primarily ended up on the floor.

I took pictures.

I played cars.

I played pass.

But yet, when I first survey my day I don't feel I did much.

Sure, I didn't make the phone calls I wanted to..

I wasn't able to attend the play date I wanted to..

I didn't finish all the laundry in one day like I wanted to..

But I loved my babies.

I took care of my babies.

My to-do list will most likely not get completely done tomorrow either..

But I will make sure my babies are taken care of.

Whether that means I shower or not..

So why, as women, are we so hard on ourselves?

Why is caring for our babies never enough?

Tears, kisses, food on the floor, diapers, cleaning, and feedings...

And somehow it isn't ever enough.

So let's try to make it enough tomorrow.

Ross Enjoyed Himself

This morning was a bit of a joke.

Remember when I was feeling like Superwoman yesterday?

Yeah, I'm sure glad I wrote those feelings down..

Because this morning I was anything but Superwoman.

It was time for morning nap.. Like we do every single morning..

And Ross just decided he didn't want to.

But rather than just deciding, he proceeded to cry his eyes out.

For an hour and a half.

 And nothing worked.

Nothing.

I was tired from last nights adventures.. My patience was thinner than normal.. Mazie decided to spit up all over the sheets in the middle of his meltdown..

Ross would briefly stop, making me think it was almost over, but that was the moment Mazie would start..

There was even a time all three of us were crying.

Yes, they certainly got the best of me.

So when he finally fell asleep...

When she finally calmed down..

When I finally decided to take a deep breath and remind myself that an hour and a half was not a lifetime..

I decided we needed to do something fun.

So after their naps we went to a splash park.

I'll let you decide if Ross enjoyed himself..

Very Nice Indeed

Little Miss Mazie is now 7lbs. 2 oz. 

I was so worried about her eating, so the fact that she gained a pound in a week and a half explains why I've been starving almost every second of the day!

But I am feeling pretty good right now.

Granted, there have been moments this past week where I didn't feel too good..

But right now I am feeling pretty good.

Today I took both kids to the doctor by myself.

Their hair was done, everyone was dressed, I actually blow dried my hair, and Ross didn't break down crying once.

Today I took both kids to the doctor by myself and I actually still have my dignity.

So I'm feeling like Superwoman.

To think my Mom has done things like that with 7 children in tow just baffles me.

All I had was two, and I felt like I had conquered the impossible.

So though bedtime was a little out of control tonight..

One crying constantly, the other taking every piece of clothing out of his drawers only to find that he wanted PJ's when he normally hates his PJ's, a missing pacifier, a zoned out Husband with basketball on TV, a baby gown that wasn't going on as quickly as the other baby wanted it to...

And so the list continues...

Though it was a little out of control, I was completely in control today.

I was prepared, with last resort Dum Dums in my bag as well..

I was so prepared for a meltdown that even the nurse, who looked at me like I was insane by the way, thought I was decently prepared.

And it was a good thing too, seeing as we were waiting for nearly 45 mins. for the Doctor.

So yes, there are certain moments where I know I will lose my mind..

But then hopefully, hopefully, there are moments where I'll even have those last resort Dum Dums.

Hopefully there are many more moments where I am more than prepared.

Because being outnumbered by kids certainly requires personal preparedness.

And feeling like Superwoman today was actually very nice.

Very nice indeed.

Moments Pass Way Too Quickly

I had one of those Mom moments the other night...

Sort of made me pause, and I felt really guilty that it took a certain "Mom Moment" to get me to stop and take a deep breath.

It seemed like a normal night.

Put Ross to bed at his normal time, did his normal nightly routine..

But then something woke him.

Like any other night when something wakes him, or when he can't sleep...

I let him cry.

About 10 minutes into his cry session, it just felt like a different sort of cry.

And that's when I got extremely annoyed.

That's also about the time I mentioned something to Rob about how frustrating it is when he wakes for no reason, most likely also referencing his age, saying he's too old for this..

I most likely groaned a bit too, and about 6 minutes later I finally decided to go in.

The poor little guy was standing, holding onto the side railing of his crib, just crying his little eyes out.

I asked him what was wrong and leaned in to hug him, thinking that my little pat would calm him and I could return to my bed shortly after.

He grabbed onto my shirt and pulled onto me, almost begging me to pick him up..

And then he just hugged me.

I picked him up, held onto his cute chubby body, and he just hugged me.

By this point his tears had subsided, but he didn't let go.

He laid his head on my shoulder and we listened to his primary songs, and we just hugged.

I don't know how long I was in there, or what was even wrong in the first place...

But just knowing that all he wanted was a hug..

Or possibly that all he wanted was me..

It made me stop for a moment and just embrace this phase of life with my babies.

 

 No matter the cry, no matter the messiness...

No matter what craziness might be in my future..

I need to embrace all these moments.

Because moments pass way too quickly.

A Job Well Done Indeed

 

Things have been so crazy, that I never took the time to announce this handsome man's latest accomplishment.

After months of searching, a couple interviews, and a really random road-trip...

He has accepted a position teaching World History to 9th & 10th graders!

Come July 30th, he will be reporting to Wickenburg High School.

In our almost 3 year marriage we will have covered California, Idaho, Nevada...

And now Arizona!

We have no idea if this will be a lifelong state for us, or even a lifelong city.. 

But we are so excited to be starting the career chapter of our lives!

And I am so very proud of my Husband.

A job well done indeed.

See You In Two

My Brother has officially been a full-time Missionary for more than 24 hours.

It is so strange to have a brother who is a missionary.

Since there has been a 5 year age gap, I always just assume he is so many years behind me..

Then I realize that I have two kids now, so certainly he must be old enough to be a missionary.

Time flies way too fast.

To think this tiny baby he is holding will be a toddler when he gets back..

Ross will be 4.

Time needs to stop every once in awhile so we can take a deep breath.

So proud of him though...

He will be tremendous.

See you in two dear brother of mine.

See you in two.