2 Year Old (Going on 5)

When you ask Grace how hold she's about to be she will tell you 2 and sometimes 3. I feel like this little girl will always try to be older than she is. Mostly because of her bubba though. She looks up to him more than anyone and I couldn't have picked a better big brother to show her the way of life.

*The top left picture cracks me up. That's Grace after eating Herbert's in San Marcos. Everyone wants to do that when they leave that place haha!

She's almost 2 and I've been terrible at documenting the days of Grace. Her and her brother definitely keep me on my toes and when time is of the essence being on the computer or on my phone is the last thing I want to do when I could be doing something fun with them. Grace LOVES to jump on the trampoline with her bubba. Every day after work that's the first thing we do. She can jump with the big kids too. She's got her balance and jumping skills down and she loves to be bounced up high. My little princess also loves to swing next to her bubba. If he doesn't come she screams "Hudson boo boo!" And he obliges. She's most happy when he's by her side.

She really thinks she's 5 sometimes because of her bubba. He teaches her all kinds of things. Good and bad. Haha. She tries to pee standing up like her bubba and is successful for the most part. She pees in her potty before bath every night just like bubba. She's along for the ride on just about anything Hudson wants to do. She jumps off tables and couches and the arm of the couch that makes me want to turn a blind eye because I just know something is going to happen (knock on wood - she hasn't hurt herself yet). If Hudson climbs, she climbs, if he jumps, she jumps. Yes..one day I will probably be asking her that bridge question but for right now it's pretty wonderful how much she adores her bubba and how much he adores her. I don't know what other age gaps are like between siblings but this 3.5 year gap is pretty awesome. Hudson is still young enough to want to play with his sister and she's just old enough to keep up. These are truly the best years of my life.

Grace LOVES to sing Rum by Osborne Brothers (thanks to her daddy) and Buy Me A Boat (thanks to her mommy) hehe :). We listen to those two songs on repeat several times a day at her request and Hudson and her both sing it at the top of their lungs. I keep trying to video it but the song is on my phone and if anyone knows Grace the moment you pull out a camera she's onto you. Dancing frog right here. The rum song has a part that says "Dipping our toes in the water" and Grace says "Dipping toes in the wawa" it's the cutest ever and makes me want to sing it that way too.

My little princess has such different qualities that amaze me. When she's in large crowds or around people she doesn't know she can either be really quiet and observant or give out hugs and kisses so easily. It really just depends on her mood and she's quiet differnt than Hudson was. She's always made you earn her love. Which I love about her. She's hard to get but when she does warm up her love is like no other. Of course she always loves her momma. Sappy Alert...both of my babies give me a different feeling when I get a hug from them. Both wonderful but different. When Grace hugs me she makes me feel like she's healing my heart. I know that may sound odd to some people but when she hugs me my heart feels at ease and it's one of the best feelings a mom can feel. Your kids really do fill your heart with so much love that's crazy we ever lived without it. And now how much bigger can your heart grow? She is a never ending supply of love. I always wonder how I got this lucky. I'm sure I always will.

Grace cracks me up because if she gets in an uncomfortable situation you can tell. She has this look on her face like this is awkward and I'm kind of frozen from this situation. She is very expressive and you can definitely tell how she feels by the look on her face. She is so easy going but she does want to be in control of her immediate surroundings. She knows her comfort level and you can quickly tell how she feels. She also understands sadness. I don't remember when kids are supposed to express what at what age. I just thought it was the most interesting thing the other day we were watching a clip of Boss Baby on my phone and it was a sad part and it made her cry. I know she understands words and situations but for her to truly get upset at a sad part in a movie just kind of blows my mind. Having a girl is actually pretty different than a boy. I always wondered if it would be before I had Grace and it actually is. Their emotions are just different. One is not more emotional than the other though. Somehow they are just different.

My favorite part of life right now is how sweet these two are to each other. They hold hands, play together, are side by side as much as they can be, fall asleep together and are so sweet and gentle to each other in the morning. Life doesn't get much better than this. Thank you Shawn'Na for this gorgeous sneak peek of my beautiful almost 2 year old princess.

19 Month Old Monkey Jumping on the Bed

Finally posted this today without pictures because I'm so behind. I have more new things for her 20month old one. I hope to tell my babies I posted less because we are having double the fun and mommy would rather play than be on a computer or phone when she doesn't have to be. Oy.

Would you believe me if I told you my princess peed in the potty on 12/7/16? She did. She’s been watching her bubba do everything. Every time we go to the bathroom with bubba she wants to put on underwear just like him. She’s been asking to sit on the potty on her own. Then tells me to sit together. I can see all the bonding bathroom times in our future haha. She wanted to sit on the potty before bath time like she sometimes does and I didn’t believe it but she pottied. She showed me and maw maw and boy was she proud when we were in shock. Mommy is going to get her some underwear for Christmas to wear on the outside of her diaper. I have no doubts she will be a quick learner when she’s ready. She’s so smart and watches everything her bubba does. She amazes me.

Every night I give the kids a bath they both jump out of the bath and run for bubba’s room to jump on the bed. Yes…I let them jump on the bed. Daddy doesn’t agree so he stays away from the room (haha) but I prop bubba’s rocking chair and make a “secure” side for Grace to jump on and they both go crazy like they are getting away with something. It’s really cute. They do it together and laugh the whole time. Grace won’t go do it without bubba either. If he stays in the bath just a little too long after she gets out she starts screaming “come on bubba.” 

I can already tell the two of them are going to be partners against crime. Hudson is always telling her to live dangerously “come on sissy let’s go jump on the bed when mommy is working” or “come on sissy let’s go outside.” Boyee she follows him everywhere and he loves to lead her. 

Grace loves bath and bed time. After dada gets her dressed for bed she quickly gives her kisses then heads into her room and says “night night.” Even if the light is off she will go in. If I don’t quickly follow she tells me to “come on.” 

Grace is still a huge eater. She will try anything but she is getting to the picky stage. She doesn’t like ranch dressing at all. Her bubba has been a huge fan forever. She LOVES candy and yes…mommy lets the babies have candy. It’s terrible, I know but when your 18 month old goes up to the pantry and says “Candy” in the best way she can it’s hard to say no. I always make sure they have normal meals before I allow the crazy to set in but what’s life if you can’t have a little fun. Plus I’m a HUGE sweets person so I know the struggle with life LOL. 

This month Grace has really started to kiss a lot more. Before it was always Hudson she would kiss but now we’re lucky enough to be part of the clan. She kisses me in the morning, at night, when she gets hurt and when I ask for it. It’s the sweetest ever. She even loves when mommy kisses her booboos now. Which I LOVE. Hudson still has me do it and it’s one of my most important jobs that I will hopefully get to do for many years to come. She gets hurt she walks over and blows me kisses so I know to kiss her booboo then she goes about her business. 

We have a little tough princess. One minute she’ll take a knee to the head from jumping on the trampoline (I try to hold her to make sure she feels ok but she doesn’t slow down) the next minute she grabs polish and wants me to paint her toenails. She loves lotion on her hands and feet and a tiara on her head even if it’s for a few seconds. It’s funny because I’m not a princess at all (I don’t think haha) but my little girl loves to be pampered and I love to do it for her. The moment she sees maw maw she wants lipgloss. And she LOVES to reapply a lot lol. 

She still doesn’t like to hit the ground running when she first wakes up. Which I love because I want to cuddle. Hudson is always trying to take off too fast. She gets moving when she’s ready and she’s in no rush. 

5 Year Old Best Bubba

I’m finally getting a chance to tell you about my precious boy. Meant to write a blog when my baby boy turned 4 but well…time…doesn’t want to slow down at all. It’s a miracle I kept up with Grace’s posts.

My most proud thing about Hudson is how much of an amazing big brother he is. Ever since Grace was born bubba has loved her more than anything and vice the verse. He hangs the moon for her. He teaches her so much. And not just by example but I really wanting her to come along with him. He is protective of her, proud of her and loves her more than anyone. He is the best big brother.

Bubba started school this year and his teacher brags on how good of a kid he is, teachers saying “is he really that good?” She tells me how well he pays attention to their lessons, helps the other kids out when they need it and plays with anyone who needs someone to play with. He fills up his good behavior chart pretty quickly too. Yes you could totally say I’m a pretty darn proud mommy. He’s so smart, so caring and such a good boy.

Now at home, where he feels safe and comfortable to be himself don’t get me wrong he is a smart butt sometimes. Takes his sister’s toys out of her hands if he was playing with it first and other sibling whatnots but even then, he’s still a super good kiddoe. We’ve been most definitely the luckiest parents ever.

Ever since sissy has been in his life he’s been willing to try new foods. I would say it’s mainly because she eats anything and there’s a slight competition going  on lol. He will try most things but some he still won’t.

Changes in bubba since he’s started school. My bubba used to be shy. If he came across a situation that made him uncomfortable he would back down and not really be sure on what to do about it. Now if he doesn’t like something he tells the kid no, you can do that but I’m going to do what I want to do. I know that might sound silly to be happy about but he’s not rude he just learning to tell people he doesn’t have to do what they do if they are bossy. They can both just do what they want. And that’s ok to want to do different things.

One of my favorite things is I’ll call him baby. If a friend is over and they tell him, “you aren’t a baby” because they are just being matter of fact he tells them no but I’ll always be my mommy’s baby. And I say dang right bubba. I still rock him to bed sometimes when he wants me to and we talk about how I’ll do it even if his feet are hitting the floor. Think what you want about that. No one will ever take that sweetness away from me. It’s already fading away because he can’t get comfortable. So the end is near. Just trying to hang on as long as I can.

 Bubba started Tee-ball in September and it was the cutest thing ever! So fun to see them go from clueless rascals running all over the field attacking each other to get the ball even though they were on the same team to eventually getting the process of the game and going through 2 innings or more. I loved watching bubba. And while I’m bragging because I’m his mom he totally seems like a natural. So focused and ready to catch a fly or ground ball. Being show how to step into his swing and totally owning it. We asked him if he wanted to play tee-ball or something else and he was already ready for us to sign up for his 2^nd season. Who knows…we may have the next generation cubs player in our house. We’ll see. Hudson also loves to dance and he’s good at it too. Ok sorry yes I’m his mom and could brag on just about anything. He sings great too. Have him sing “One Call Away” for you. Made me cry the first time I heard him sing it. All in all he’s just one amazing child to me. I’m so lucky to be able to call myself his mom. We may bicker like brother and sister sometimes but he’s my best little friend and I couldn’t be any more lucky than to call him my son.

Bubba I can’t believe you have been in my life for 5 years. Feels like I’ve had you my whole life. A huge part of my life began when you came into this world. Thank you for making mommy’s heart feel much larger than I could have ever imagined. I love to watch you shine and I’ll always be your biggest fan. Go get ‘em my little ball player!