. . . but it's worth it

Sometimes it's just hard

Sometimes life is hard.  Having 2 kids 20 months apart is hard.  Why didn't anyone tell me this?  I was so concerned about not having kids when I was "old" that I didn't fully consider all the consequences.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have had our kids so close together if I had known it would be this hard.


Everyone tells me that it will get easier.  And that I'll appreciate the closeness in age when they're older.  But all I can think about lately is "this is hard."   I try to remind myself that this stage won't last forever and I don't have to get everything done that I have on my to-do list and someday my younger daughter will sleep and stop crying and . . . 


But then I think about others - for a reality check.  I have 2 healthy daughters. I have a friend who's daughter has a heart issue and Downs Syndrome.  I have a husband who comes home every night from work and helps me clean up and take care of the kids.  I have friends who's husbands are out of the country with the military.  I have loving parents, siblings, and in-laws.  I have plenty of friends that aren't blessed with that.


And then I give thanks for what I have.  I give thanks for the strength to get through one more day.  I give thanks when my daughter finally stops crying and falls asleep in her own bed.


And someday I'll give thanks for the experience of doing something hard, that taught me patience, and love, and kindness.  But for now, it's just hard, and I'll get through it.  One day, and sometimes, 1 hour, at a time.

Family Pictures - Take 2

We are still attempting to get a family portrait . . . and even though the above picture is better than our Christmas picture, this one wasn't good either.  However, Ken did manage to get this cute picture of Sophia and me.

Too bad Sophia's nose is bright red . . . looks like she's been drinking something stronger than milk ;)

Random Pictures

Sophia just hanging out.  She's happy in the jumper, as long as someone is playing with her.

 Amelia drawing on her chalkboard.  I'm not sure whether it's lazy or resourceful that she is sitting, rather than standing.

(DISCLAIMER: Ken drew most of the pictures on the board.)

Amelia at 2

• I love the way Amelia does with her stuffed animals what I do with her and Sophia.  She feeds them, reads to them, puts them in the swing, and wraps them in blankets.
• She likes leeks, bok choy, greens, tomatoes, and broccoli.  And speaking of vegetables, she'd rather eat them than meat.  She eats around meat, even in a casserole when it's all mixed in.  I just may have a vegetarian on my hands.
• Amelia likes to mix her food; it grosses me out, but so far, she eats it, so I say nothing and cringe inwardly.
• She loves having the lights on, even when it's fully light outside.  She must have gotten that from her Daddy.
• Amelia is a helper, and brings out her little chair to stand on whenever I'm near a counter or sink; ready to help when I'm willing to let her help.
• She still only says a few words, but one of them is "please", and that makes it all good.
• She likes to drink from the faucet because Daddy does it.
• Amelia loves singing the ABC song and already recognizes and names some of the letters.
• She can run the DVD player and put in movies on her own; this is both a good and bad thing.
• She's good at pretending and I love watching her imagination at work.
• Amelia loves Sophia.  And Sophia loves Amelia . . . and listening to Amelia sing and watching Amelia play.
• We love Amelia too and love having her in our family.

Amelia's 2nd Birthday

I love celebrating birthdays and it was so much fun to celebrate Amelia's 2nd birthday all day long (we celebrated on Sat. instead of Sun. for a full day of activity).  I decorated the night before and when she woke up she was excited to see all the balloons.   And the party hats were a hit too.  We wore them at breakfast and lunch and dinner.

Amelia helped me make brownies.  I already had ice cream cupcakes for dinner (courtesy of Cold Stone Creamery), but you can never have too many sweets . . . especially for a birthday.

After lunch and a long nap, we started opening presents.  I say started, because Amelia wanted to play with everything as she opened it, so it took almost 3 hours to open 5 presents.  Amelia got an easel - one side has a white board and the other side is a chalkboard. 

"Yes Amelia, dry erase markers write on your hands . . . and new shirts, and no, it doesn't come out of clothes."  Bummer.

Amelia loves to draw, but perhaps her parents should have re-thought the marker and chalk gifts.  I veto'd watercolors, but I forgot how messy chalk is . . . and the markers require supervision.   But we scored on the bubbles, ball, and train set.

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Finally, after dinner, it was time for cake and ice cream.   Amelia eagerly watches Daddy prepare the cupcake and light the candles.

"I think I could have done it on my own, but thanks, Daddy, for helping me blow out the candles."

"This is pretty good stuff."

"No Daddy, this is mine."

"I'm getting pretty good with my fork, but who eats a cupcake with a fork?  Oh, the cupcake is actually ice cream?  Is that why it's melting in my hand?"  

We had the sister missionaries over for dinner; they loved helping us celebrate and even played along with the party hats.

(The girls may not look like me, but at least we know where Sophia got those big eyes.)

I think we succeeded on celebrating Amelia's birthday.  She was so wound up, it took her 1 1/2 hours to go to sleep.  And when she finally fell sleep, she had the bows from her presents, a party hat, and a balloon tucked in beside her.

Happy Birthday Amelia! 

Singing with Sophia

Sophie loves to watch the Cat in the Hat with Amelia in the morning. Some parts are still a little scary, but she manages to get through without too much trauma.

Dad really can't sing, but it is fun to see how Sophia thinks that I am the greatest thing since the invention of the rattle. She doesn't really giggle much in this one, but still worth watching. Press on the arrow to play the movie.

Playing Around

Amelia likes to play and jump on our bed. No major bones broken yet, but it is so fun to watch her enjoy herself with supervision to contact guard assist from Daddy! Just makes me laugh watching this one, and Amelia loves it too! Click on the arrow to begin the video.