loving two

When I was about to have Jace, a gal from our church sent this to me. I understand it so much better now!

Loving Two

Author Unknown

I walk along holding your small hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me”. And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying him, as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times – only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how he adores you – as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you – only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you – you each have your own supply.

I love you – both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

rock out

Today we were by the place where I go to workout. Addelyn pointed to the shop next door and said, "Mom, that is where you go to rock out!" (Bob's Guitar)

8 months

This is Jace's MAD look!

Check out the teeth, he has five now. He got another one on the bottom during month eight!

I put this picture on to remember what Jace's eighth month was like. Addelyn continually on top of him, in his face!

This boy likes to clap! And smile!


I LOVE this little grin!

This is another face of Jace's. The pursed lips. So funny.


At eight months, this little boy is often found sitting up or rocking on all fours. He scoots backwards and often is getting stuck in places. He went forward a little bit yesterday but he still isn't officially crawling. He naps twice a day and is still getting up at night, grr! He is still a happy boy. He is still pretty laid back but does have an opinion about some things! His new thing is when he sits up at the island in his attached chair, he will play with toys and if he drops one- he will scream to make sure you know to pick it up for him.
He is not eating great at this point. He likes fruits and will do some veggies and cereal but is quite the gagger. Tonight we tried giving him a tiny piece of cooked potato and as soon as he had it in his mouth, he gagged and barfed up the rest of his meal. Oh that kid. This real food thing is going to be interesting with him!
All in all, we love our Jacer boy! Happy eight months of life, buddy!

the imagination is always working

Recent quotes, I just don't want to forget these!

"Mom, Matt and I (yep, that is her "husband," he is still around) workout too. We go to Next Level Fitness and take our kids to the daycare there. Oh and it isn't the same place you go to. We workout at Chucky Cheese."

Before bed, as we talked about putting dirty laundry in the hamper:
A: "Yeah, I don't put my laundry in the hamper. Inside my hamper there is a bug. He lives there."
Me: "What? A bug?"
A: "His name is Doug and he has lived there for quite awhile. That is why I can't use it."

wisconsin dells vacation

Our friends Dave and Jess and family and their cousins take a Wisconsin Dells vacation every year. A great, affordable family time and this year, they "allowed" us in on their vacation deal. Thanks you guys! We got a great deal to stay in an awesome suite and roomed with our friends, Jonny and Katie and their two girls. We had a blast. Some great family time, fun friend time, and a time away from the usual day to day routine at home. There are three attached water parks to where we stayed, an arcade, and an indoor park. Great memories made! (Not necessarily a relaxing vacation though- this was my first official vacation with kids. Yep, it will never be relaxing again I believe. But worth it! I did get a few extra naps.) Above is a pic with our "roomies" - dining together at night. Gotta love the fun that happens around the dining room table!

Austin, Avery, and Addelyn had a blast in the whirlpool tub the last night. You could hardly see them in the midst of the bubbles!

I love this picture. The girls just loving on Jonny.

My most favorite boys in the world.

The "boys" went on the fun slides together.

This green slide was a little more my size, haha. Addelyn LOVED this slide. She was so brave- kept going on it over and over and over- head first, on her side, and even went down with Avery once when she was a little scared.

I had to post this picture of Dave with his usual smile when holding a baby. Too funny. Dave was having much more fun than he would let on!

Aren't these two cute little babies, hanging out on the mat together (their usual spot!)

Addelyn often was over on the mat, "checking on" the babies. Thankfully, having Avery there to play with distracted her from spending too much time harassing the babies.

One night, we took a break from cooking to go out to a restaurant. It was fun, the food was brought over on a train so that definitely kept the kids entertained. There were also toys brought on the train too! And we all got to wear hats, woot woot! Oh the family fun.

More fun at Buffalo Phils!
Jace chilling in the stroller, doesn't he look excited!?

Arcade time!

Yeah, you never knew it but I'm a bike rider.

My cute little swimmer boy. He loved the water.

Two happy kiddos. Wisconsin Dells vacation 2012. Success.

Jace six month pics

My friend Katie took these pics of Jace at six months. Crazy how much he has grown already! Thanks, Katie, for the great pictures. By the way, Katie and her husband just opened a new business- Big Button Photo Booth, if you haven't heard about it, you should definitely check it out!
http://www.bigbuttonbooth.com/

sleeping baby

How can you not love this sweet little boy?

steamboat rock

The kids got to spend some time with Nonnie and Papa in Steamboat Rock yesterday. Thanks to them for a day of getting things done around our house and some quality time for Mark and I. Sometimes you don't realize how much you need it- it is hard for me to give up days home with my kids but it is good- good for us, good for the kids, good for the grandparents! Last night, as Addelyn and I laid in her bed, talking about her day- she hugged her stuffed puppy close to her (she had taken the puppy with her) and said, "Ahhhhh smells like Steamboat....."

Dancing with Dora

Thanks Justin Bolger for the gift that keeps on giving!!!

outfits

These days, this four year old girl picks out her own clothes. She also changes outfits at least once a day- usually to put on a skirt or dress. And random shirts. And usually about 5-10 hair clips. I pick my battles and clothes will never be one of them! In fact, I kinda like the mismatching clothes! (Oh and she doesn't like pictures being taken!)

winter days

Of course, when you have a mild winter- playing outside in the snow is one of the best things to do! We tried to make a snowman the other day but our snow wasn't quite "packable." So we settled for going up and down the slide and swinging and jumping into the snow. Oh and I got to be the Big Bad Wolf and Addelyn was the little pig, trying to get away from me. An after snow treat- yummy homemade muffins and hot chocolate of course!

twinkle twinkle

and so it begins....

My little scooter is starting to get into things. Ahh my house is not baby proofed. I need to do that. Put it on the list! I left the room for a minute and this little man was into my book pile. So long to the days of my "sitting up" baby! Fun is ahead!

*Btw, notice I am on a blog updating kick this weekend! Lots of new posts!

the many faces....

How can you not love these faces?

an apple a day

He LOVES chewing on big pieces of food, like apples! We just have to watch the chunks- he will take bites and then gag himself. Ahh this little gagger boy.

dinner time laughs

7 months

Since Jace is almost eight months old, I figured I'd better get this seven month post up! Ahh the fun of a seven month old. We love this little buddy. At seven months, Jace started clapping. He often claps if you say "clap" and show him.

He is continuously harassed by his older sister but every once in awhile, he gets her! Here he goes, trying to grab her.

The lean forward- he does this often, trying to get to the crawl position. He is scooting now- only knows how to go backward though. He gets pretty frustrated at this point- he knows where he wants to go but can't always get there.

This face is my favorite. I think it comes from his new top teeth coming in- he is trying to feel them but he makes this face often and it looks so funny!

See those two top teeth coming in? Yep, those teeth have cost us sleep this seventh month of life!

He loves to stand (with help of course!) One of his favorite positions to be in.
Other things at the 7th month: He isn't eating his solids as well. I'm nervous he is going to be like his dad and not like the textures of lots of foods. He often gags himself when he eats- it has made dinner time interesting. He loves any fruit and never gags eating fruit but always gags eating peas, green beans, or anything with more texture. I try to push through and get him to keep eating which sometimes works out and sometimes does not, if you know what I'm saying. Otherwise, it is basically giving up after the first bite. Ahhh. Not sure what to do about this one. I feel like he chooses to gag because if we distract him, he'll stop. Addelyn LOVED eating all foods when she was little. But our Jacers may be a little more picky!
He is still nursing well so that is good- even though he is wiggly and easily distracted thanks to his sis, who finds distracting him a game. We hit a rough patch- I started to lose my milk supply but now I'm back to normal, I think. We had some rough weeks at night in there- new teeth and low milk supply equal a baby who is up A LOT at night. I think in Jacer's seventh month of life, we got to see lots of him during those early morning hours. Some day, we will only remember the sweet moments of rocking him- right? It is hard to be frustrated with this boy though- in the day hours- he naps perfectly, is very laid back and sweet, and gives us lots more smiles and laughs these days. We love you Jacers!

romance

Tonight Addelyn was on a roll, talking about her "husband Matt." She lives in her imaginary world and tells us stories about him all the time. Tonight during dinner, it was non-stop..."Matt stayed home today, Matt told me a funny story, etc."

While cleaning up dinner, we heard her "talking to Matt."
"Matt, you make my world come true," she said.

Mark and I had to laugh. Where does she get this stuff? Must be the romantic talk going on these days between Mark and I....haha!

new toys

It is always fun to see new toys and creativity being put to work after Christmas. This year, Addelyn got some gifts that really sparked her creative side. We have had lots of fun ways to spend our winter days so far!

*Note the best part of the Christmas gifts- Dad gets to put batteries in everything, as you can see in the last picture!

Kramer Christmas

This year we decided to do a weekend of fun at a hotel for our Christmas celebration with my Dad and Lora, Ben, and Jill and Levi. Go figure I didn't get my camera out all weekend- except for this one shot! Which is a great one though- the kiddos with the grandparents! We had lots of fun- eating out, swimming in the hotel water park, playing games, eating munchies, and Mark and I even got to go back to bed in the morning for a bit while Nonnie and Papa played with the kids. It was a great time together!