Life Around Here

So I have been MIA for a couple of weeks. These 2 little girls have had  my full attention, along with a husband that I want to spend as much time with as I can once we are home, and work has been crazy busy, like overtime busy. Yea its been that kind of beginning to our summer.

First of, My little 31 business is going great, and I could not be doing great without my wonderful customers. This has been one of the wonderful experiences that I have been a part of. At the beginning of the month, I was invited to join 1000 other ladies at our Summer Simplified Live conference, where I got to spend time with my 31 sisters and celebrate everyones accomplishments. I have never worked for a more positive company, they do not judge you or nag you about negatives or you didnt do something right, it is all a WOOT WOOT go you, yay for you, excited for you. It is inspiring to work for a company that lifts you up as high as you can reach.



Second, I reached my 1st year anniversary as a Civilan Government employee for the United States Coast Guard on June 6th. The work is hard, fast paced, and I love it. I grumble a lot during the day but at the end of the date I can honestly say I enjoy what I do. No file is the same, no mariner has the same demeaner, and my co-workers are my work family that care about me and my home family. We have had lots of ups and downs there but we are still there hanging together, helping each other, and waiting on the weekend to come together.

The girls are great, enjoying summer, and growing like weeds. I will catch up on them later...too much right now to put it all down....they are still at Vickies, Ava loves it there, as far as I am concerned they will be there until they both are in school full time.

Summertime is here, days are longer, its warmer, and we are all trying to spend time outside. I am trying to plan mini vacations, long weekends, when we can do it and we have a week long vacation in July with my in laws that we are now counting down too.

So I havent been GONE just BUSY. Its a terrible thing because I do think about blogging all the time, I wish I had more to write about sometimes. I hate writing for the sake of it. Our life isnt real boring but not real exciting either. But when something does come up anymore, its like I dont have the 15 minutes I need to sit and write it all down. I hope to begin making time for that as the girls grow, I am sure it will get more interesting around here and I want to make sure that I document it all for them to read one day. Lord knows I am terrible at their baby books. If I can do it this way at least they can read that. There is plenty to come, after all we have a 2 year old with a major attitude problem and a 8 month old that is highly sensitive and clingy to mommy right now.

Love that I am getting back to basics and back to writing. I love writing. It relaxes me, it allows me to think thinks out and work out creative ideas that are running through my mind. So there will be more to come.

It’s Official

No more babies for us! Sad isn’t it!?! 2 is enough, at least that’s what I keep being told. Hailey is 4 months already. They grow so quickly, that I know it’s why I keep wanting to have more. They are only truly dependent you for about 12 weeks, then they are holding their head up, seeing the world. Not that she still doesn’t need me for food, to be changed, and she can’t speak yet, but mothers know what I mean. At 12 weeks that new born is gone. You have this little person that is figuring out the world.

When I first got pregnant with Ava, I knew I wanted 2 children, knew I wanted them close in age, and knew that I would be overwhelmed by it all but do it. When I got pregnant with Hailey and was miserable and sick for all of the 9 months, I still said 3 would be nice. I kept being told by my wonderful husband, 2 is enough. That is the song he keeps singing.       

Now here we are, Hailey is 17 weeks old, and its official, there will be no more babies from this Bowers family. I guess we will leave it up to the other 2 Bowers boys. My heart is sad. I never saw myself with a big family, maybe no children at all until I met Kenny. When we began dating, all my views of parenthood changed. I had not really wanted children until at least the age of 30. I wanted to work.

 I met Kenny at age 21; I wasn’t quite ready for children at that point. As we continued to date and to get to know each other, I knew he would be a great husband and a better father.  In 2007 my niece Emily was born and I wanted a kid. She was the most precious little thing I had ever seen. It amazed me that I had felt her in my sister’s stomach then here she was.

So I started bugging Kenny, wanted to get married, needed to get married, so we could start having babies. He, as usual, does everything in his own time, he kept telling me he wasn’t ready and no we weren’t getting married anytime soon.  I had set a date for 2008, told him it was a great year to get married and start our life together. We both had good jobs and we were awesome as a couple. He just laughed at me. It became a thing. He would say something negative about marriage, especially in front of our already married friends, and then I would just spit out the date! Almost like he already put the ring on my finger and it was set!

He totally surprised me with a marriage proposal in 2007; I honestly didn’t think he would do it until 2008 or after. So I took a year to plan our perfect day and then started talking kids. We agreed on 2 little ones, even though I was talking 3 or 4. I told him that my sisters and I were close in age and I would love to have ours close also. He agreed.

I kept telling people while pregnant with Hailey, we are going to keep being poor until we are done. Children are expensive. It takes a lot to provide for them. We have one using formula and both are in diapers. Those 2 expenses alone are high demand in our house.

People look at me like I am crazy when I mention I wouldn’t mind another child. I always get ‘a family of 4 is what the world was made for’ ‘don’t do an odd number’ ‘you want 3 kids why?’ ‘why don’t you wait a while’ ‘you should be happy with what you got’

I am happy, I would never tell my girls, ‘I had you but I really wanted another’ OH NO I would never. I just feel in my bones that I am not done with babies.

A friend thinks that just means I will have a higher calling, maybe adoption, maybe foster care, maybe just watching friends/families children to give them a break. Kenny and I haven’t discussed any other options other than he is done with babies. He likes Ava’s age; he likes to be able to be rough playing, he likes being able to be told what they want instead of the guessing game, he likes being able to run errands and no bottle to worry about. Ava is at an age that she is very low maintenance.  She plays, most of the time she can entertain herself while you are busy with housework, she can talk clearly to have a conversation and tell you what she wants, and she eats whatever we eat.

So while we are done, I will look forward to family and friends having more, spoiling their little ones while mine are growing into independent little girls. It won’t be long before Hailey is crawling, walking, talking, and then the attitude. Ava is well into the terrible 2’s and I have been told that the 3’s are worse. Yay for us!

So no more babies for us but we are blessed, we have 2 healthy little girls that are in love with us and each other. A house full of laughter, crying, screaming, and love. No day is ever the same and there is never a dull moment. You do not use the word “Bored” when you have 2 little girls 2 years apart in the same household. If one is happy, you can bet money that the other one is either crying or mad. Probably all the reason why my husband keeps saying “No”.

Valentines Day!

Yes, I am a week late but better late than never. Our Valentines Day was great! Kenny was actually off for it this year also, his work schedule has has him working the past few years. We started our Valentine's celebrations on the Sunday before going to lunch. We got lucky, mom had taken Ava for the afternoon so we only had Hailey. This allowed a more relaxing lunch. Restuarants and 2 years old don't mix well sometimes.

On Valentines Day, the girls stayed with Kenny, while I went to work. That morning, I gave Ava her treats that were left in her "Love Bug".



She was so excited for all her treats and stickers and pencils, she didnt know what to do with everything. I gave Hailey a card for her scrapbook and she got to taste a few suckers. She also got a Love Bug "Bee" that will be waiting to be filled next year for her.


Kenny received cards from the girls and me. He also was treated with some of his favorite candy.

What did I get? Well I got a beautiful arrangement of flowers with the sweetest note.



It really made my day. My cube smelled wonderful the rest of the day and everyone kept telling me how pretty they were. I am so thankful for my loving family and special days like Valentines. We always tell each other how much we love each other but theres always been something special about Valentines Day that just makes it so magical.

A Special Connection

When changing babysitters, the girls were moving from one cousin’s household to another cousin’s household. It was scary, exciting, and I was an anxious momma until I picked them up on their first day. They have been there for a month now. It seems like they have always been there. Ava fits right in with the other kids and has a great time there. My little chunky monkey, Hailey, is being taken care of and loved very much when I cannot be with her.

Vickie is my mom’s first cousin, my second cousin, Ava and Hailey’s third cousin. She is on the Raines side; her mother and my grandfather were brother and sister. My pap pap Rawhide has been gone for about 15 years now.  Aunt Kathleen, Vickie’s mother, is 86 and battling Alzheimer’s disease, but still moving and able to interact with the kids.  

For whatever reason, Ava just gravitated to Aunt Kathleen. The kids call her ‘grandma’, so does Ava. Aunt Kathleen has a stuff dog toy that she holds onto and treats as if it alive, she cuddles with it, takes care of it, and usually has it right under the blanket with her. Ava has began to carry around a dog toy of her own, (a gift from her Aunt Gail), and has ‘grandma’ take care of it during the day while Ava is playing.

When we walk in the house, she must know where ‘grandma’ is and when she will be up. Vickie has told me that Ava will follow ‘grandma’ around the house and makes sure she stays out of trouble. When Vickie has to take care of grandma and bathe her, Ava has been going in with her and helping. Keeping ‘grandma’ company and talking to her during her bath. I absolutely am amazed about my kind hearted little girl. A 2 year old is being gentle and making sure that this older generation is being taken care of.

One day when we picked them up, Ava and ‘Grandma’ were at the door looking outside, Ava had the biggest grin on her face. To watch Ava interact with her is nice.

My mom thinks that Ava only being 2 and a child of pureness and innocence can sense that something is wrong with Aunt Kathleen and she needs attention. Ava has taken to Aunt Kathleen quick and wants to make sure she is okay. Aunt Kathleen spends her day in the recliner or on the couch; Ava usually has her cup and dog or baby doll next to Aunt Kathleen. She will tell me that ‘Grandma’ is watching it all for her so she can play. I am tickled that Ava is able to be with a generation.

I am proud as a mother that Ava does not pick on her, does not take advantage of Aunt Kathleen’s condition, that she isn’t mean to her, and that she is helping her during the day.

Counting

Ava has started counting. She will be talking to you and start counting. It's so darn cute. Kenny and I just look at each other. She is doing great in the learning department. She is figuring out colors, ABCs, and counting of course. She can now count to 12/13 by herself and I try to chime in as fast as I can to coach her along to at least 20. Sometimes she will repeat, sometimes I get a devilish smile and "Noooo Mommy."

So Ava will call my name "Mooooommmy" or "Daaaaadddy" then say 3,4,5,6 right afterwards. She will be talking on her phone to whomever and start "7,8,9,10". To just listen to her is amazing to me. This little girl who at one day and time couldnt even hold her head up on her own is growing so fast, putting complete sentences together, expressing her opinions, and mouthy as ever.

Now she is counting. I just love watching her develop.

Hold On..

I hear myself saying this phrase more than once during the day. Over and over I am telling Ava to 'hold on' or 'hang on a minute' or 'give me a minute'. Clingy doesnt even describe the phase we are dealing with right now. For almost 2 weeks now, I can not even go to the bathroom without her either by my side or banging on the door. She has always went through these moments, mommy must do everything, no one can do anything for her but me. Yes its flattering, she only wants ME to change her clothes, give her a bath, and help her with whatever she needs, but on the other hand there are 2 parents in this house. She hasnt let her daddy help with much. In fact, even when she begs to go with him to the store and they come back, he is NOT allowed to get her out of her carseat. I must go out in the cold, wind, or rain and get her out or we have to deal with a major meltdown.

You might be thinking, SPOILED right?! Well yes a little but we are also picking our battles. Ava is a very strong willed and stubborn 2 year old. She has a strong blood line of it. She tells you what she thinks. So for the moment, Mommy is doing everything, Daddy tries to help as much as possible.

This time I believe the clingy is a little stronger, maybe its because Hailey is around, maybe its because of my work schedule, or maybe its just her being her. Whatever it is, for 2 weeks now I have been carrying her around, holding her, doing her baths, and everything else. It isn't bad when Kenny is home, he can help with Hailey or at least help with Ava crying while I am trying to do something. She hasnt been too awful when he isnt home, but I am consistantly asking her to 'hold on a minute' or 'hang on' so that I can feed, change, or hold Hailey for 2 seconds while she needs something.

Most nights she has been sitting on my lap with Hailey, or right beside me. I havent discouraged it any since I know one day she will not be like this at all. She will only cling on me when she wants something or is sick. Now I am taking it all in, as exhausting as it all is and reminding myself everyday that she will only be 2 once and then she wont. One day she will leave me to be on her own and I might get a phone call. So I am just going to keep repeating to her to 'hold on' so that I can have a minute then come back and put her on my lap as I have been.

Please vote!!

3 Months Old!

Hailey is 3 months old! Where has the time gone? Who knows? These 3 months have flown by. She is doing great. She is gaining weight, growing taller by the minute, and so alert. She can now hold her head up and look around the room, always searching for Ava, I believe. She smiles back at you. She sticks out her tongue. She has giggled but not really laughed but I think she is almost there. She is rolling over onto her side. She grabs for toys. She will take your finger and stick in her mouth to be chewed. I believe she is teething, her bottom gums are white and bumpy, she just drools and chews on her fingers all day. She is getting into a pattern, eating about every 3-4 hours, taking a nap or two in the morning before a long 3 hour nap in the afternoon, a nap in the evening, then bedtime.

She is so aware of everything going on. She loves her big sister. Ava got her first real smile at someone. Ava gets a lot of smiles when they are around each other. Ava is still doing well with her, she has been a little rough but we keep reminding her how small Hailey is. Now that Hailey can hold her head up and wants to sit up, Ava tries to get her to 'play' however we have to explain that Hailey just isn't 'big' enough yet. Hailey loves her play mat, staring into the mirror looking at that other baby. She is usually a very happy, pleasant baby. She is cooing, trying to talk. Vicky, their babysitter, has told me more than once that she is sure Hailey is going to be mouthy just like Ava.

At her last appointment she was 11 lbs, 12 oz, 23 ½ inches long. I am sure she has grown some since then. She had a little set back with her feeding this past weekend, she had a little touch of a stomach bug, but was up to 6 oz a feeding, we are slowly getting back to that, she is still at 4 oz and it satisfies her for the time being. She is such a joy.

I always said that I couldn't remember my life before Ava because she brought so much into my life, well now with 2 little girls in my life, I don't know how we ever managed with just one. It is so busy, so much fun, so frustrating, so entertaining, and happy. It's like it was always meant to be the four of us, together.

Laundry Fairy!

So there are all these people that make the life of a kid great and magical: Santa, Easter Bunny, and the Toothfairy; but what about a magical helper for MOMs. I want a laundry fairy! This week has been hard on our family; the stomach bug hit 3 out of 4 of us. And guess who got to take care of everyone while they were sick while taking care of her own sick butt. You guessed it! Good ole MOM. While I was down and out, also working full time, and home most of the week on my own while Kenny was working, the laundry just piled up sky high. Hailey's laundry is even in a separate hamper to be washed in dreft so her clothes aren't even in the pile I am referring to. Laundry is one of my worse chores. It seems like it is endless. As soon as I get the hamper empty on Saturday afternoon, Kenny will take a shower and there are clothes back in it in no time. Starting the icky cycle all over again.

So for now I am wishing for the laundry fairy to appear: Please wash, dry, fold, and put away accordingly!