The WHOLE family

We were fortunate enough to have everyone together this holiday season. My grandparents were in town from California as was my Aunt Carol and her friend Terry. My sister and her husband from San Diego. And of course all of us that live in Albuquerque! Of course we had to take some photos and get those memories in the books. Especially since Kaiti and Alex are being deployed to Japan in the summer and will be over there for at least three years.
Are you thinking what I am thinking? This may be start the start of the Maple's World Ramblers Adventure #2? Just maybe! Actually I am leading towards renting our house and packing up the kids and heading out with just a backpack...anyone want two great pyrenees?! That is a different blog post and we have to have a few things under control first! Anyways.... PHOTOS!!!

Sisters!

Kaiti and Alex

Grams, Aunt Carol and Mom

Carol and Terry

Ryan and Melissa with their new puppy, Sainka!

Yay we have another sister this Christmas!

Brother and Sisters...

Brothers and Sisters significant others...they call themselves "the outlaws"

Grams and Gramps

 

Us!

Thankful we were all together this holiday season!
Much love and joy,
The Mommy Tree

Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!

Things that we don't have time for in this house:

• Cloth Diapering
• Real plates (using paper AND I don't care who judges!)
• Meals that use too many pots/pans/dishes
• Organization
• My own laundry ( the kids are at least in clean clothes)
•  Luxurious Daily showers
• A clean house
• Crafts, hobbies, photo books...sigh

Hmm...sounds like all those things you might need to run a household...Ugh! Welcome to the world of parenting with two kids, while still adjusting. I am in the stage of how the hell am I supposed to start school on Thursday and eventually go back to work??? I have no idea. This conversation came about the other day when Jonathan and I decided we are desperate for Declan to want to use the potty. Trust me this kid is too smart for his own britches, so he knows how to use the potty, he just doesn't want to. Usually it is because he doesn't want to stop playing to go to the bathroom. So any suggestions/helpful hints/success stories are much appreciated. We woefully were looking at the beautiful collection of cloth diapers and Jonathan looks at me and says "CLOTH DIAPERING? AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!"

And he is right...at least in our house, right now. Someday, hopefully soon!

Things we do have time for:

• Playing 
• Running around outside even though lately it has been super windy and way too cold.
• Stories, lots of them
• Make believe and pretend ( there is a pretend monster lurking around our house, he has long fur, according to Declan he is "cute" and "he steals crackers.")
• Parenthood episodes during the kiddos naps
• Costco runs on Sunday morning, WHEN THEY DON'T SELL WINE! Seriously happened the last three weekends. I need to get my act together and go on Saturday morning or something!
• A massage - I have had the worst tension headaches and my shoulders are killing me. I realized I have horrible posture while feeding Calem and probably throughout the day. We also moved the glider back into our room so I can now use it to feed Calem. I was just feeding him with pillows behind my back on our bed, again another facepalm moment. Also special thanks for Jonathan watching both boys!
• Family and Friends - always, always, always
• Snuggles and cuddles

Life with two is exhausting. Seriously exhausting. I spend every awake moment the boys have playing with them, reading, cuddling, you name it. I chop vegetables for dinner during nap, clean up and maybe get in a quick shower. Right now I am enjoying those moments. Because I know they won't want to play with me all day in years to come and they might not say " mommy/daddy I need you!"

Cherishing feeling needed,

The Mommy Tree

The Polar Bear Express

The Polar Bear Express was AMAZING! We boarded the train at the botanical gardens, where everyone got a cookie and a hot chocolate. Declan managed to just eat the mini m&m's out of the cookie and leave the rest, if only it didn't get so slobbery we could enjoy cookies together!
Also all the kids got a glow bracelet (D's went on kitty!)The train took us on its normal path, but at the turn around point Santa boarded each of the train cars and spoke with the kids and they each got a stuffed polar bear from Santa. Declan was so excited to see Santa and he even remembered to say thank you! *Proud mommy right here!* Prior to boarding the Polar Bear Express Declan was running and playing with the other kids. He actually told me at one point "shhh I hiding!" He clearly understood the point of hide and seek and I was cramping his style. Super cute to see him have so much fun with other kids and interact so well!

Calem was tucked tight in his wrap on daddy's chest because daddy's jacket zips up and over him, and it was FREEZING! After the train ride we got to get out and walk around the River of Lights. We all really enjoyed it. However, there is only so much cold, crowds, and chasing a toddler that one can handle. Not to mention there was a fireplace, hot tea and snuggling waiting for us at home!

D was too busy playing hide and seek to stop for a photo

Aunt Lissa and Uncle Ryan

John and Mom

Everytime I see a photo of myself holding Declan like this I think "WOW he is so tall!" Definitely gets his height from his Daddy

All smiles before boarding the train!

Jonathan told me to open my eyes for this photo...

Fascinated by his cookie! Kitty along for the ride of course!

Uncle Ryan making his silly face...Declan was clearly over the evening! I love this photo!

For all of the Albuquerque families, couples, whoever, next year board the Polar Bear Express! Thank you mom for the holiday treat!
XOXO!
The Mommy Tree

NAPS...AT THE SAME TIME!!!

As every mommy knows nap time is serious business. SERIOUS BUSINESS. Especially when your toddler is a wild man. It means that he can rest up and make decisions that are a little bit smarter. It also means that he can regain some of his mobility and processing skills that have been lost while exhausting himself. No nap means disaster. Constant crying and whining, bumped heads, falling down, ugggghhhh!
Declan also knows how to climb out of his crib, safely I might add. He typically stays in his crib when he needs to sleep. However, lately he has been testing the limits. While Declan was climbing out of his crib during nap (we could see it on the monitor) Genius Daddy used our video baby monitor the other day to say "Declan, STOP. It is time for bed." IT WORKED! Declan layed down and went to sleep. And would you know that today was the same situation and it worked. I couldn't believe it.
Before Declan's nap I had put Calem down in his bed. He was snoozing away, happy as can be as long as he naps on his belly. I would absolutely love to spend every day snuggling with Calem while Declan napped. However, the reality is I still have three more semesters of school left. This mommy is going to need that nap time to get some school work done. So we have been slowly moving some nap times around to make sure that the boys are napping at the same time. Most days it works, some it doesn't. Since it is vacation (from school) for me I took a nice long shower and got some more Christmas stuff done!

Our little tummy sleeper!

Nap time with Big Bear

Yes we braved waking him up just to capture the super sweet moments, but he slept through the whole thing!

So sweet!

CALEM - 1 MONTH

 

CALEM: The 1 Month Stats!

Weighs: 10lbs 13oz   (birth weight 7lbs 6oz)

Eats: ALL the time!!!

Sleeps: In 2.5 - 3 hour stretches at night, with the occasional blessing of 4 hours

Personality: So sweet! Cuddle Bug! He will fall asleep instantly when being snuggled and held. He might just pop his eyes wide open when you try to lay him down. He also can sense his brother and turns his head towards the sound of his voice. Especially when Mommy and Daddy are making Declan laugh!

 

 

 

He is growing so fast! He is already so big! I am just loving every minute of this little snuggler, only wishing that there was more sleep and more time to be spent with them!
The Mommy Tree

 

Day 29 - Thankful for Uncle Ryan

This year Uncle Ryan was working at the fire station again on Thanksgiving. So after getting food preparation finished we headed up to Rio Rancho to go visit him. Declan LOVES his Uncle Ryan. LOVES. As in every phone he picks up he "calls" Uncle Ryan. When I say "guess who is coming over?" Almost every single time he says "UNCLE RYAN!!!"
Declan has been fortunate enough to get to spend lots of time with him. We have been incredibly lucky that Ryan has wanted to help and takes care of Declan one day a week while I am at work. It warms the heart to know that we have such loving family members. And of course we have to be thankful that as a fire fighter Ryan is busy protecting and assisting our community!