Hurricane Irene

It was a very windy storm, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  We checked out the ocean yesterday and even got caught in a downpour on the golf cart.  So picture this... Cavan driving, Leah freaking out because she was getting wet, I was nursing Brayden while trying to keep him dry, Aubrey was crying because she was getting chilly from the rain, and poor Casandra getting all the water from the top of the golf cart poured down her back... it was interesting.

Bill and Jen came over to hang out last night.  We made a yummy dinner, and had fun practicing treats for Brayden's birthday.  Hard to believe he is going to be one in 3 days!

We ended up letting the kids sleep in their rooms upstairs because it was so mild.  We were supposed to get the really bad weather around 2am, so we set an alarm to make sure we didn't have to bring the kids downstairs.  The weather really picked up around 4am and it was really windy, but nothing bad enough to wake the kids.

We went back to the ocean today and got to enjoy the tail end of the hurricane and see all the debris from the storm.  Bryan and Casandra took us for a ride on the golf cart this morning and we enjoyed seeing the aftermath of the storm.  There was about 8-12" of water on the road by Mom and Dad Carlson's house.  We drove through some of it, and it reminded me of being on a boat.. haha, it was crazy.  There were a few trees that fell over, lots of leaves (or weabes as Leah calls them), branches, and mud.  We are still getting some strong wind gusts, but other than that it seems to have passed us.  Enjoy the pictures!

 It was soooo windy.. check out his hair!!

 When he's hungry.. he's gotta eat, even if we are riding in the golf cart :)

Wordless Wednesday

I do it!

I am so excited to be writing this post already.  We are feeling so much better.  Today was a huge leap in the health department in our house.  Both kids slept in until 8am, with Brayden only waking 3 times to nurse at night. He did go 4 nights in a row sleeping 12-13 hours without waking to nurse, but that was right before he wasn't feeling well.  We are hoping tonight is the night for sleeping all the way through again.

Brayden is on the verge of being able to walk.  He can push his walker, scale all the furniture, and even stand unassisted for a few seconds.  I can't believe my little man will be "1" next Tuesday.  He is really getting attached to me.  If I leave the room, he cries, and if I am sitting on the floor, he always climbs on me.  He is such a snuggler.  I love that he recognizes me now.  He is saying a lot of baby jabber, but no real words yet.  He can eat like a horse.. and loves to feed himself.  He is such a sweet tempered little boy.

Leah is... oh goodness.. Leah is independent, assertive, and amusing.  The most current frequent phrase coming from her mouth is, "I do it!  I do it myself!  No, Mommy.  I do it!".  I can't tell you how many times a day I hear that phrase, too many to count.  She is so into doing everything by herself.... getting dressed, getting on the potty, going down the stairs, opening the doors.. ect.  She is taking it a little too far sometimes.  For instance, she thinks holding my hand is something she doesn't want to do anymore.  Well, when I am carrying her brother, and we are in a parking lot.. she needs to hold my hand.  No questions asked.  We have had quite a few meltdowns, but we're working on it.  She is getting better, but wow... seeing this side of her personality shouldn't surprise me, but where did my baby go??  Although she is very much into doing everything by herself, she is such a lovey little girl.  She loves cuddling, giving hugs, and kisses.  She is a confident, sweet, passionate little thing.  I sure love her.

I am so in love with my husband and kids.  I am so very blessed.

Things got a little messy at dinnertime, even Payton got rice in her hair.

Under the weather.

The kids and I haven't been feeling well the last few days.  We seem to be turning the corner, but are taking it easy.  I will update more once we are over our bug.

"Yes" Mom

I am trying harder to be a "yes" Mom.  I don't want to freak out about little things.  I know toddlers do many things because they are exploring, learning, and trying to understand this big world we live in.  If I am constantly saying, "No, don't mix that!" or "No, don't touch" or "No!  That is going to get you dirty" then I am actually disapproving their learning, exploring, and just being a kid.  Today, I was a "yes" Mom.

I kept Leah so busy with different projects she didn't have the chance to show anything but happiness.  I let her do whatever she wished with what I gave her, and it was so much fun to watch her imagination, her focus, and her determination.  She really had so much fun.  I did too.  She ate lunch and went down for a nap without a fuss.  She had a good day.

YES, you may paint without clothes on!

 YES, you may mix all the brand new colors together so everything you paint is glittery brown!

 YES, you may start another painting!

 YES, you may use your hands!

 YES, you may paint your fingers!

 YES, you may get ridiculously close... so close you actually get paint on your face!

 YES, you may paint dots, twinkle stars, and doggies!

 Really, Mom?  I can do it??!

 YES!

 YES, YES!

See... it didn't hurt anything.  She had a blast painting, then we played in the pool to clean off.  I love being a "yes" Mom.  Let's do it again soon.