Indiana Getaway

A few weeks ago, we ventured to Indianapolis for the weekend. We had no real plans, just a hotel reservation and two happy little girls eager to stay in a hotel.  Elliana was thrilled to use the pool, even though we have a pool down the street that we frequently visited...just something more exciting about a pool in the hotel I suppose. 

Elliana ready to go swimming!

On our way to dinner, a nice couple stopped us and asked if we were going to the fair. "Um, what fair?" we politely asked. And they proceeded to tell us the Indiana State Fair was going on just up the street. And, they just happened to have tickets they weren't going to use. We happily accepted the free tickets and made plans to attend the fair the next morning. 

Happy Sisters ready for their first State Fair

 The fair was far larger than any of us had anticipated! There were rides, games, exhibits and venues covering several football fields in distance. One of my favorite exhibits was a little area called "Little Farmer" where kids worked a mini farm and milked a cow, sheered sheep, rode a tractor, collected eggs, and then "sold" them all to the farmers market to earn money to buy something at the local market. It was a fantastic idea and Elliana LOVED pretending to be a farmer.

Elliana riding the tractor as a little farmer

We did a scavenger hunt to find answers to Soybean trivia, earning us all free milkshakes (even Maya) whose I happily ate so she could enjoy some later ;) 

On our scavenger hunt, Daddy and Elliana posed for a few photos :) 

For a girly girl, Elliana sure did like riding on tractors and pretending to be in control of these massive machines! 

Little Girl, BIG tractor!

We even talked Daddy into a ride for him and Elliana (not that it was hard to talk him into it :), and boy did they love going high up in the sky on the giant Ferris Wheel.

Daddy & Elliana on the Ferris Wheel

And Maya and I just chilled while we waited for the big kids to return from their ride. :) I just LOVE those baby toes!!! 

After the ride, we played a game, where Elliana walked away with not one, but 5 toys! Talk about a good game!

Overall, it was an amazing weekend full of spontaneity, love, laughter and of course our little family.

The Girls posing in our car after the Fair. 

Jump, Jump

Last week, Elliana was yelling, "Jump, Jump" and Daddy cleverly introduced her and Maya to the 90's rap music of Kris Kross.

Unique Job - made just for me

I have a unique job. On call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, for the rest of my life. I have had every bodily excrement from another person on me at some point during this job. I have been lied to, kicked, hit and yelled at. I have had more sleepless nights than I can count, followed by non-stop busy days. And recently, I was promoted and have twice the responsibility I once had. Yes, I'm a mother. A mother to two beautiful, brilliant little girls. And, I wouldn't change a thing.

There are some days, when I have to consciously make the choice to be an "active" part of my role. Most days, the energy, creativity, patience, positive attitude and optimism comes easy. We fill the days with crafts, songs, activities and playing. The smiles of the girls fill my heart with joy and make every difficult aspect well worth it. Other days, I have to take a step back from the explosive poop, constant mess, cleaning, crying and whining and give thanks. Give thanks that I have been chosen to fill this unique job, this perfect role, in my daughters' lives. A role that no other person in the universe can fill, a role made specifically for me.

Today was one of those days. My youngest is challenging me with sleeping issues, and although my husband reminds me it is a short term phase, it sure doesn't feel like it. Granted, she is 4-months old and I fear my expectations for her to sleep through the night might be unrealistic. Given I know she has done it before (for several weeks at a time), I KNOW she can do it again. I struggle internally with how long to let her cry, when to go in, when to comfort and when to let her soothe herself. I lay awake at night, waiting for her to cry, hearing her cry, waiting for her to stop, and the cycle repeats. With each cycle, I beat myself up, doubting my actions or my lack of actions. No decision seems like the right one.

My oldest is up early each day with energy 9 pots of coffee couldn't provide me. Normally her energy is infectious, but with limited sleep, constant doubts of my ability, and the growing anxiety that some issues may never pass had me a bit incapacitated in the energy department today. Not getting the attention she clearly thought she deserved, my 3-year old decided to challenge me in more areas today. Nothing dramatic, just basic 3-year old attention grabbers. And so, today, I took a few moments (ironically while cleaning poop out of my daughter's hair) to give thanks.

I give thanks that these opportunities are given to me. I give thanks that I am the face that my girls see everyday, who helps them and challenges them, just as they help and challenge me (more than they will ever know). I give thanks that although I have doubts in myself, that my children don't have doubts in me. I am super woman to them. I can fix any toy, sew any dress, heal any boo-boo. It doesn't matter to them that my sewing stitches aren't straight, I over-use my hot glue gun, and buy stock in Band-Aids, to them, I provide what they need. I am demonstrating what they aspire to be, well Elliana at least who tells me daily she wants to be a Mommy when she grows up. I am their mother. And I am grateful beyond words for each and every opportunity laid out before me.

4 months...

As always, I am tardy in posting the monthly update on Miss Maya. But, I like to think that 3 weeks after the actual 4-month day is acceptable in the long term scheme of life.

Back to Maya. Wow, what fun we had in the month of July. At Maya's 4 month appointment, she was a champ with her vaccines, with just a few tears shed. She weighed in at a healthy 15.75 lbs (87%) and measured 26" (94%). The doctor literally described her as "perfect" and I couldn't agree more!

Maya experienced many firsts in July, including her first trip to the Smoky Mountains National Park, thus entering the state of Tennessee for the first time. While in TN, she had her first trip to an aquarium, where she was enthralled by the fish in between cat-naps. Maya stayed up way past bedtime to enjoy in her first fireworks display for the fourth of July. I feared the noise and late night would make for a grumpy baby, but the only time Maya showed her unhappiness was when someone stood in her viewing area or when the fireworks were taking too long to light up the night sky. I have a feeling I have another adventurer on my hands.

Maya also learned how to roll from her back to her belly this month! She had been trying so hard for over a month and now she is a rolling machine, literally rolling from back to belly within a few seconds of being laid down.

Maya continues to stare down our food at each meal and normally cries to be held, and a part of our family at the table, during mealtimes. I think meal times won't be an issue for this little munchkin, and that her first solid food could be just around the corner.

Maya is such a happy baby, loving to giggle out loud with this deep belly laugh that makes me laugh too. When belly laughs aren't audible, Maya opens her big gummy grin in a silent open mouth smile. Her communication skills are increasing and she loves to shriek in conversation. I get teary eyed just thinking of how quickly my baby girl is growing, and so incredibly proud of her growing accomplishments.

Roly Poly Maya

This week, Maya learned how to roll over! She has been trying so hard for more than a month now, and Tuesday...she did it! Maya has hardly stopped rolling since Tuesday, and given she hasn't yet mastered the belly to back roll, she cries in frustration when left on her belly too long...only to have me roll her to her back where she immediately flips over again. :)

In the video below, watch as Maya gracefully shows off her roly poly skills.

I am so proud of my littlest munchkin!