Jake's First Haircut

The first week of February, I decided that it was about that time. Time that Jake got his first hair cut.  We drove to the barber shop and once I unstrapped Jake from his car seat, I started getting a little anxious & nervous.  I didn't want to cut his sweet little curls off.  I loved his long light brown hair.  Tim told me that if it was going to make me sad, then we didn't have to do it.  So that's what I decided.  I wasn't ready to give my baby his first hair cut.  We walked into the barber shop and Tim got a hair cut instead.

& Everyday since, Tim has talked about how handsome Jakey would look with a hair cut.  Then I started thinking the same thing.. I remember how cute Ryan looked after he looked after his first hair cut and how cute he still looks after his hair cuts.

So when Jakey woke up from his nap, I got the boys dressed and off we went to get hair cuts.  Ryan got his hair cut first, and for the first time, he started whining.  I had to go stand next to him and hold his hand...

Jake's long (& out of control hair.)

Trying to get a picture of the front, but instead we got a double chin.

The hair dresser clipped off one of his curls and saved it for me.

Finished product.  :)  So so handsome.  I could not stop staring at how cute he was.  On our way home from getting hair cuts Ryan fell asleep so we put him in his crib when we got home and I took Jake for a nap.  For the first time in 14 months, I think he looks like Ryan!  Ryan's got bigger eyes and Jake has bigger ears but their similarities are starting to really show.

He's so sweet :)

Overwhelmed

As moms, we have so many responsibilites.  We cook, we clean, we take care of the house, the kids, and even our husbands.  When you throw in a job to the mix, it adds even more responsibility.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job, I love my kids, and I love my husband.  But every once in a while I get overwhelmed.  It has been a long time since I've felt completely overwhelmed- I think it was back in Jakey's crying days.  I am happy to say, they are few and far between.

However yesterday was one of those days.  If you're a mom, you know those days.. House is a mess.. Dinner is taking way too long to cook.  Not only do you have a baby on your leg, but you also have a toddler on your leg  & they're both whining.

I was thinking last night, I'm always trying to make sure things are perfect.  I like my house to be clean, I like dinner to be ready and on the table by 5:30.  Next time my kids are whining at me to pick them up and the house isn't as clean as I like it-- I need to remember that it will be okay.  It's okay to stop picking up, to stop cleaning, and just snuggle with two perfect little boys who miss their momma.  They are my reason for breathing, not my clean house and not a meal, Ryan & Jake are.  While they need me for almost everything they do, I need them even more.

So after I threw myself a little pity party because things didn't go the way I wanted them to, I watched The Biggest Loser and cried 5 times.  I also ate a bowl of ice cream before bed.  I woke up to a 2 year old calling for me where we went back to bed and snuggled.  I laid in bed with him for an extra 9 minutes.. we snuggled and held hands.  I held him while getting ready for work and we danced to the music on the radio.  I also kissed him a million times before I had to leave while his sweet little voice said "Love you, Momma!" as I walked out the door.

During lunch at work, I took a break from grading papers to call my babies.  Ryan answered the phone, "Hi Momma!!"  I talked to my babies and listened to them giggle.

On my way home from work, I decided that I wasn't going to clean while they were awake and I would hold them when they wanted me to.  & I did.  I held Jakey while I made dinner.. & I didn't clean up until the kids were sleeping.  Ryan even fell asleep early and I had an extra half hour to spend with Jake, which was nice.  I get a lot of alone time with Ryan but I don't get any with Jake.

I hope it's a long time before I feel overwhelmed again, I just want to soak in all the time I can while my babies are still so sweet and little.

Weekly Dinner Menu

It's been a while since I've posted a dinner menu.  In fact I've been pretty lazy when it comes to cooking dinner.  Last night, I was browsing through Pinterest and found some new recipes that look delicious!  So I planned a few weeks of dinners & made up a grocery list. This morning when Tim woke up, we went to grocery shopping and crossed everything off of our list. 

 

Monday

 

Crock Pot Chicken Terriyaki-

This one doesn't go to a website but the recipe is below in the caption "1lb chicken (sliced, cubed or however), 1c chicken broth, 1/2c terriyaki or soy sauce, 1/3c brown sugar, 3minced garlic cloves"

 

 

Tuesday

 

Oven Tacos

 

 

Wednesday

 

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

 

 

Thursday

Tim's birthday- Out to dinner with the family

 

 

Friday

 

Chile Coloroado Burritos

 

 

Saturday

Chili Cheese Dogs

 

Sunday

Leftovers

It's Snowing!

Yesterday, people got notices on their iPhones that there was a blizzard warning for tomorrow.  What?  The high was 73 degrees yesterday!  I laughed at it.  People are always making such a big deal about the weather around here.

 

When I got ready for work, it wasn't really that cold.  I put my leggings under my pants like I always do.  I even wore a sweater today but I didn't put on a jacket. 

 

Today was half day at work, and also the last day of the week because Thursday & Friday are Rodeo Break.  After I dismissed the kids at 11:30 I went downstairs to make homework packets for next week and then I went to the front office to get my resume so I could make a copy.  As I was walking back to my classroom, someone commented "It's so pretty outside."  I looked outside and saw that it was raining and got bummed about it.  Who wants rain?  I want sunshine!  I walked closer to the window and noticed the rain drops were actually pretty big... and white.  & What do you know?  They weren't rain drops at all!  They were snow flakes!  I ran all the way down the second grade hall into Mrs. Nye's room- the teacher who teaches next to me.  "Mrs. Nye- It's snowing!!!" "What?"  She got out of her chair pretty quickly as we ran downstairs to go check out the snow from the office.

 

I couldn't wait to get home and see my babies.  I knew that Tim would be outside playing with them.  I went back to the copy room to pick up my homework packets... which seemed to take forever.  Plus I still needed to make a copy of my resume for the principal.  I kept watching the snow fall out of the back door.  I was a little nervous it would stop falling and I'd miss all the fun at home.  When my packets were finally done, I zoomed them back up to my classroom and walked quickly out the door. 

 

The parking lot was pretty fun too.  All of the cars were completely covered in snow.  I went to my car and turned on my windshield wipers... which didn't move.  Apparently snow is heavier than rain :)  I grabbed a reusable shopping bag and pushed the snow off all of my windows and drove home.  I had to share the exciting news with my momma and let her know it was snowing in Tucson.  I drove home in snow, for the first, and probably, last time. 

 

When I got home I opened the front door and I could see the backdoor wide open and sure enough, sweet little Ryan was all bundled up and playing outside in the snow.  Jake was sitting in his hair chair eating a snack.  I scooped up Jake and got him dressed warm, grabbed my camera, and headed out back to take some pictures.

 

 

Yeah yeah yeah-- I just wrote a post about how much I hate cold weather.  & I do.  But I will admit, the snow falling was pretty fun.  I felt like a little kid waking up on Christmas morning with how excited I was.

 

 

 

Daddy & his boys.

 

 

 

Tim put Jakey down in the snow and the kid didn't move.  He just stayed there and moved his head every once in a while.. but other than that.. he stayed still.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just giggled looking at the pictures again.  Ryan kept coming up to him and handing him snow and putting snow on his head.  Ryan was loving the snow!  Tim & Ryan were throwing snowballs at each other (why isn't "each other" one word?)  There was Jakey in the background, just standing.

 

It snowed for more than two hours.  After we played in the snow, I pulled up all the blinds just so I could watch the snow fall.  I kept turning around on the couch to look out the window.  It was so pretty.  Tim must have thought I was crazy because I kept saying "Isn't this so fun?!"

 

 

 

 

 

It stopped snowing after 2 hours.  I was a little sad.  I gave Jakey a nap and decided I needed a nap too.  When I woke up, the snow had started to melt and we were able to see the ground again.  I was bummed wondering when I'd ever see it snow again & wishing that I had taken more pictures.

 

 

 

 

At 5:45, I was walking into the kitchen and I noticed it was snowing again! It snowed for about 40 minutes.  Tim went out and made some steaks on the grill.  We were laughing at the grill because the snow was melting and now it was steaming.  Us, Tucson people, are pretty amused by snow, in case you haven't noticed.

 

 

 

 

 

Gave the babies a bath, watched American Idol, came out of our bedroom & it's snowing again, for the third time today.

 

Tim is actually out on the main road taking pictures... & I'm sitting here typing up a blog entry all about snow in Tucson.  What could be better than that?  Not having to work for 4 days :)

Citrus Lane February 2013 Review

Our February Citrus Lane boxes arrived on Saturday!  Jake went down early for a nap that day and I was waiting for him to wake up so I could take the boys down to the mailboxes at the end of the street.  Ryan immediately got excited when he saw the boxes and wanted to hold them on his lap.

When we got home, I went to grab my camera to get a picture of the boys with their Citrus Lane boxes and Ryan grabbed a pen off of the computer desk to try and open their boxes.

I mentioned last month, Grandma got the boys both a 3 month Citrus Lane subscription (Groupon) for Christmas.  This is now our second month receiving our packages.

For anyone who does not know, Citrus Lane is a subscription box service for babies/toddlers/kids from birth to age 5. Basically, you will receive a surprise box filled with 4-5 (mom approved, top of the line) items tailored to your little ones age.

You can get boxes on a month to month basis for $25/month.. or you can a 6 month subscription for $21 a month! When I signed up, I put in my little one's name, birthday, and gender to ensure that both Ryan & Jake will receive boxes especially made for them.

Citrus Lane ships their boxes from California on the 15th of every month and arrive on your doorstep between the 17th and 22nd of every month. Did I mention that you also receive free shipping?!

I wanted to do another monthly review because like me, every one google searches Citrus Lane reviews and my last review got a ton of hits and I even recieved a $10 credit for someone signing up through my link.  Thank you :)

Here we go... I was actually able to keep both boys away from the boxes while I opened them up so I could get a picture and actually see what they looked like all wrapped up.  There is a little information card on the top describing, in detail, each product.  I chose not to open it & I even stayed away from their Facebook page so I would not get any spoilers!  I wanted to be surprised when we opened our boxes.

I liked the first glance because everything had sea animals on it.  You can see at the bottom of the Fish Guiro there is a little chap stick.  I didn't notice it at first.  

This is Ryan's box.  He is listed as a 32 month boy on the website.

The first thing we looked at was the Fish Guiro from Hohner Kids.  I could not figure out how to play with this toy!  It has a little stick and you rub it along the ridges.. I haven't played with one in about 20 years, so that's probably why.  I showed Ryan how you run the mallet along the fishes tail, he tried doing it but he had a difficult time.  He started just banging the stick against the tail.  I showed him again and he started banging it again and laughing.  Oh well.  Even though he didn't quite get the concept- he still had fun playing with it.  The little information sheet does say that they are introducing this toy early.  This had a retail of $8.00- which I thought was pretty high considering what it was.

We also received Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee from Chronicle Books.  I read this book to Ryan.  I liked it more than he did.  He's into books about Curious George, shapes, numbers, and the zoo.  It was a cute rhyming book.  I brought it into work to my second graders and they loved it!  This book came with a coupon code for 20% off plus free ground shipping.  This book retails for $6.99.

Next, flouride free, bubblegum flavored Tooth gel from Branam.  This was Ryan's favorite item in his box.  This kid loves brushing his teeth.  He loves tooth brushes and tooth paste and he squealed "toothpaste!" when he saw this.  We haven't had the opportunity to try it out yet, because our current toothpaste isn't out yet.  This came with a coupon code for 25% off.  This retails for $6.59

Next up, Little Buddy Wipes from Me4Kids.  You can never have too many wipes when you have a one year old and a 2.5 year old at home!  Retails for $2.49 per pack.

The last thing in our box was a Lip Balm from Pangea Organics.  My lip balm was lavendar scented.  I'm not crazy about the scent but it is 100% organic.  It also retails for $12.00 which I think is crazy!  I hope people out there don't really spent that much on lip balm.  I went to the website and there are 2 other scents.  I wish I could try a different scent.








We also get a box for a 14m old boy.  The contents are similar but slightly different.  Ryan was pretty cute- I explained that the second box was Jake's box and Ryan took everything out one by one and handed it to Jake.

Jake received a Toddler Tambourine from Hohner Kids.  Jake LOVED this toy.  His little hands can hold this and shake shake shake.  He's pretty cute shaking it too and gets the biggest grin on his face.  This toy retails for $11.00

He also got a boardbook, I Spy in the Ocean from Chronicle Books.  This book is a super cute version of "I Spy"- ocean style!  I read this book to Ryan and he liked it more than Jake did.  It retails for $6.99.



The next three items were exactly the same.  

The tooth gel- grape flavored.

More buddy Wipes.

& another lavender lip balm.

Overall, I am happy with the contents in our February Citrus Lane box.  Considering, it cost a little less than $12 a box through Groupon.  Would you like to try out Citrus Lane?  You can get your first box for only $15 by clicking the link Citrus Lane Sign up.  You will get $10 off your first box and I will get $10 off my next order.

Do you already subscribe to Citrus Lane?  Share your review link with me so I can read your review!

Valentine's Day

The day before Valentine's Day marks the 6th year anniversary of Tim & I's first date.  On February 13, 2007 we went on our first date to TGI Fridays after knowing each other for 6 days.  2 days prior to our first date was the first time we hung out outside of working at the mall down the hall from each other.  We went to a bar called Cow Pony- danced and drank some beer.  Him with his Miller Lite & me with my Bud Lite.  We talked, I watched him play pool against my friend Kayla.  That night, we went back to my house where he kissed me for the first time on my couch.  We talked about everything and decided we should go out on a real date.  I picked TGI Fridays.

 

A few days nights later I rummaged threw my roommate's closet and picked out a blue tank top with gray circles all over it and called my mom while I waited for Tim to pick me up.  He picked me up right on time in his black Honda.  When we got to the restaurant he ordered fajitas and I got chicken fingers and fries.  We spent the whole night talking and I was instantly hooked.

 

... Fast forward 6 years and two babies later... it was February 13th again and Tim & I made plans to celebrate the anniverary of our first date.  He told me he had called his brother earlier in the day to ask if he would watch the kids.  I was a little sad at first, until they started whining and holding onto my legs for the next half hour.. then I was excited to spend some alone time with my husband since we don't get very much of that.

 

 

 

 

We drove the 45 minutes out to his brother's house.  We were going to go to Fridays again but decided against it since it would take another half hour to get there.  So we stayed on the other side of town and picked "Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill." 

 

I felt like I had so much free time without trying to have to entertain two kids, pick out goodies from the diaper bag, feed babies, clean up babies, etc, etc, etc.. The list is never ending when taking two babies out to eat.  We could actually just sit there and talk.  It was nice.  The burgers and fries were good. 

 

We decided to walk a little through the mall.  Tim then told me he wanted to see a movie.  I looked down at my watch and it was already 7:19 and I said it might be too late because Jake can be a grump when it's bed time.  We walked around the mall instead. We went to the pet store to look at puppies and picked one out if we were to ever get a dog.  Good lord, no, I never want a dog.  We were actually able to walk around holding hands.  Sometimes, a lot of times, I miss that.  I miss just being able to be us. 

 

We agreed that we need more date nights.  Not even every month but this is the second night we've had to ourselves in the past 2 years.  I love my kids but I love my husband too!

 

We went back to Tom & Caitlyn's to pick up the kids and what do you know?  They were awake, playing, and happy.  We could have seen that movie after all!

 

I told Tim that I needed to wake up early the next morning to get Valentine's for my students and for the boys.  I did wake up early the next morning at 6:40 & Tim took care of my duties for me.  Sitting on the table were two boxes of fun dip Valentine's for my kids at work, and some chocolates, two cars, and a bag of popcicles for Ryan & Jake.

 

Ryan's goodies.


Work was fun on Valentine's Day.  As always, holidays with a bunch of little kids are always fun!  @ the end of the day, I got to come home to my little Valentine's. 

 

<3  Jakey has been walking EVERYWHERE!  He's got the walking thing down.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 



The End Of January

 

It's always hard to believe when a month is over and a new month is about to begin.  I always get excited over a new month though.

 

 

January was definitely a good month.  My babies are so perfect and getting so big.  Ryan's turning into a little terrible two toddler- Okay he has been one for a couple months now.  However, he is super easy to entertain and can easy be distracted into being a good boy.

 

Ryan's language this month has totally taken off!  At the end of Decemeber/beginning of January Ryan's words had finally reached over 100 words.. he is now over 150.  He is learning new words constantly.  He is saying new phrases daily.  He even ran into one of Jakey's old pacifiers, picked it up and said "Jakey sucker."  Tim & I always called them suckers... but we got rid of them 6 months ago when Jake turned 7 months and Ryan just NOW said the word "sucker."  Isn't that crazy how little baby brains work??

 

 

He may not be talking as much as other toddlers his age.. but it's finally taking off!  I am so happy for him that he is finally able to express things he wants without getting frustrated.  Even though he doesn't talk a lot, he sure is smart.  He knows so many things.  We're still working on colors.  He likes blue.  I think it's his favorite :)

 

 

This picture totally sums up my life as a mommy of two toddlers.  One of them is always hanging on my legs.

 

 

Ryan & Jakey spent so much time together this month just playing together.  They love being in the same room together and I can now leave them in the same room to play while I do dishes.. or whatever else I need to do.  However, it's usually dishes.  If I walk around holding Jake, Ryan will run up to me, "Momma? Jakey play Jakey play?"  It makes my heart smile.

 

 

Jake officially became a toddler this month!! At the beginning of the month he started standing on his own.  He goes from sitting to standing pretty well and will just stand there.  He started taking 2-3 steps at a time but couldn't make it past 3 steps.  On January 14, I got Jakey from his crib in the morning and he was super smiley.  He had two new teeth!  Ryan got both of his bottom teeth on the same day too.  Ryan was 11m 5 days when he got his first two teeth.  Jake was 12m 14 days.  I love little gummy smiles but little teeth are so cute too.  You can see all 4 of his top teeth just about ready to pop through his gums.  I check his mouth every day to see if any more have come through.

 

On January 24 my little man walked for the first time!  Sure, he was taking 3 steps but he wasn't going anywhere.  I was sitting on the couch and he just let go of the coffee table and walked 10 steps over to get a toy.  Does anyone else get totally emotional with everything their child does?  I remember having tears of joy when Ryan started walking.  Now that Jakey is walking I get teary too.  He doesn't spend too much time walking and hasn't gotten past 3 feet of walking, but he's still trying.  Sweet little guy.

 

 

 

We have been spending a lot of time before bedtime looking at books and reading.  Ryan likes reading books with pop ups.. or ones that make noise.  But he is finally letting me read him normal stories.  Some nights he will sit on my lap as we read book after book.  His favorite is a Fisher Price Zoo book with lift up flaps that his cuzzies, Aiden & Rian, got him for his second birthday.  He calls it "Zoozy zoo."  (Just like the song on Barney!)

 

 

Speaking of Barney-- we haven't watched it in a few weeks.  It may be weird, but it actually makes me a little sad.  We have watched Barney, and nothing but Barney, for about 18 months!  Ryan wouldn't even bother watching TV unless Barney was on.  He now likes other shows, Curious George, Dinosaur Train, Super Why & some super obnoxious Cars show on Netflix.  He's becoming such a big boy.  I actually like Dinosaur Train & Super Why.  On Super Why he always calls out the letters with the announcer :) 

 

 

Ryan has also been into coloring lately.  "Momma, color!" He lovse his crayons and his coloring books.  He also loves this little table and makes me put Jakey next to him, "Jakey sit" as he points to the chair that is next to him.  So I put Jake next to him and Ryan just giggles away.

 

 

 

Look at him? After 2.5 years, he finally lets me take his pictures and will SMILE at me!  He loves looking at himself on the camera.. so that helps me to get him to smile at me.  "Momma- see!"

 

 

Always playing together.  If I put Jakey in the buggy, Ryan will run around the house pushing Jake.  So cute.

 

 

We spent a lot of the month inside.  I hate the cold weather and now that January is over-- it's one month close to it being nicer weather.  I can't wait.  I was able to take the babies on a walk this evening while dinner was cooking & I kept thinking to myself how I can't wait for Spring.  I miss taking the kids for a walk every evening.  They behave so well on walks and Ryan just talks and talks about everything he sees.

 

 

Jake is still a thumb sucker when he's sleepy.  I don't know how I'll ever take his thumb away.. Maybe he'll just grow out of it.  Tim & I think he looks too cute sucking on his thumb.  He is just the sweetest little thing.

 

 

 

Here are all the random pictures that wouldn't go under a specific post.  So here was our January.   Trying to blog a lot more this year.. so far, so good!