Melt my heart

I know, I know, it's been awhile. Again. Life is just so busy with two little ones now. I could have never imagined how busy and, well, hard it would be with two kids. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom, love my kids with every ounce of my being, but I don't think anything can prepare you for motherhood. There are ups and downs, good times and trying times, so it makes me wonder how anyone can handle such a job. There are certainly some times now where I have thought, maybe I should go back to work? But then these unbelievable moments happen where you see their first smile, hear their first giggle or am amazed at how much their vocabulary increases, how much they grow and remember even the smallest of things. You become so impressed with who they are becoming. 

Lately, I've had some long days and nights, but I know it will get better. Cam rarely naps anymore, but funny as I am writing this, both kids are fast asleep for an afternoon nap. I am quite enjoying such a peaceful afternoon as this is very rare since Kylie arrived on the scene. So much has happened in the last few months. Cam started preschool two weeks ago and to my amazement, he is excelling quite well. When I first took him in to meet with the principal, he gave the worst first impression possible. Kicking and screaming, yelling NO, flopping to the ground, all because he wanted to do his own thing and play with the toys as all the other kids were eating their snack. I don't know why, but I felt almost embarrassed as twelve 3 year olds watched me try to control or get my kid to cooperate with me. Even the principal said, we can do a trial and if it doesn't work out... I was so sad. I went home in tears. I so badly wanted my child to fit in and be a part of something with other children. I so badly wanted a break just two mornings a week from my ever so active child so I can focus on Kylie. I so badly wanted some peace and quiet. Well I now have that break. Cam has been at school for two weeks and loves it. I am so happy! How could I have doubted him? Having taken him out of daycare to be at home with me, makes it hard to keep him stimulated when I have to hold a baby the majority of the day. This gives him the time to interact with other children, play outside and really learn what it's like to be in a school environment. His teachers are even saying, it's like he's always been here, he's the best cleaner-upper in the class, and he has such a large vocabulary. 

Well Cam, you proved me wrong and I am so very proud. My favourite part of those mornings that he is at school, is actually picking him up and seeing his great big smile and him showing me or telling me what he did that day. I absolutely love it! These are the moments that erase all the challenging times a mother goes through with her children and just melt my heart. Keep up the good work little buddy!    

Wonder Woman

Is it just me, or does it seem like every mother I know makes it look so easy to raise their children? It's only been one week and it feels like I have been through an emotional roller coaster. I've shed some tears, screamed, smiled, laughed and experienced some of the greatest joys in life as a new mother of two. I know that I will be able to handle what is thrown my way, it's just what you have to do right?! So why is it when I look at all the other mothers I know, I get the impression that they all have a handle on things and it appears to come naturally or easy to them? Their kids listen to them, they are able to play contently, they are all on a schedule for naps and bedtime and they seem to be able to sit down and eat food or breastfeed without any issues? Now I'm not saying that everyday is a struggle for me. I do have good days, but boy when you have a bad day, it can be rough. Yesterday was very challenging for me. Kylie was feeding non stop. It felt like every hour and she probably only slept for a total of two hours the entire day. My day didn't stop until around midnight when she finally crashed and actually slept for four hours, which I had to wake her up to eat only for her to not want anything. Cam also didn't want to go to sleep and finally went to bed around 10:45, woke up once for a bottle and then again at 5:30 am having wet his bed and refused to go back to sleep. After a quick little breakdown from me this morning, the day has proven to be much easier. Kylie has slept almost all day long, is not gassy and has proven to be the little angel that she is. That, or she was showing off that she is one easy baby after a lovely visit with her G-G Ma and great uncle this morning. I know that there will be plenty of bad days and I'll push through them, but what makes it all worth it is to see that I have two beautiful and healthy children in my life and for that I will try to be the best mom that I can be to them; a true wonder woman. 

Kylie Kennedy McGee

That's right, our little Kylie was born just one week ago today and I couldn't be happier. She is such a perfect little princess. We arrived at the hospital at 6 am Friday morning for my scheduled c-section and she was born at 8:30 am and weighed 7 lbs exactly. The surgery went really well and was done so quickly. I had an amazing doctor and the nurses at the hospital were wonderful which made the stay pretty good. This time around, I was actually able to get some sleep in there as I wasn't as worried as when I became a first time mom with Cam. Also, it helped that Kylie was a great sleeper and had to be woken up every three hours to feed. We were able to go home on Monday after my spinal headache somewhat subsided (the only horrible part of the stay) and Kylie has since been a doll. Cam was introduced to his sister the day she was born and it was nothing but excitement, kisses and cuddles coming from him then and every day after. I am beyond happy that I now have one of each and cannot wait to see their interaction with each other as they grow up together. As my emotions get the better of me, I can't help but have some tears every time I see older pictures cycle through on my screen saver of Cam and want to just hold and him and let him know that he is still my little baby as well. We are now looking at putting Cam into skating lessons this fall. Can you believe it? A two year old on skates. He is growing up so fast and I know it's only getting better and better as our family evolves. I know there is plenty of happy times and memories to come, so why all the tears?! Lovely hormones. 

Anyway, once we picked up Cam from his Grandma and Grandpa's to bring him home with us, it was as though he grew some more and was speaking a whole lot more also. Sentences flowing, words I have never heard from him before and him making a lot of sense. It's crazy. And to top that off, he no longer uses a soother. Cold turkey from staying with Grandma and Grandpa. He has only asked us for it once for his nap, but James had to say no and that was it, he went off to sleep. Now onto potty training, which after his nap yesterday, said he wanted to go use the potty and succeeded. Maybe it won't be long now!
I'll attach some pics from our week with Kylie, but first a couple of funny quotes from Cam.

As I'm feeding Kylie, Cam asks: Mommy, what are you doing?
Me: I'm feeding Kylie some milk.
Cam: From there? 
Me: Yes, milk from my booby.
Cam: Mommy, I want to drink some.
Me: No, Cam you drink from a bubba (bottle).
Then he proceeds to lift up James' shirt and say: Daddy, I want to drink yours, which James responds: I don't have any, only for Cam to go to Grandma and try to lift her shirt and says: Grandma, I want to drink yours. 

Oh boy!  

Another cute one from last week was that he told his grandparents that Mr. Rain and Mr. Wind should get a time out for breaking the tree in their backyard.

You gotta love that kid!

Ok, now for some pics of Kylie and Cam. :D

Nesting

I am in full swing, the nesting stage of pregnancy. I want to weed out, organize and buy new things for our condo. Because I am feeling rather large, I want as little as possible in our place, but have no where to put things. I want the toys hidden, the clutter gone and everything clean and tidy. What it really comes down to, is we have outgrown our space. Having one child, ok, it can work. Having a toddler and another baby one the way, it's a tight squeeze. We are trying to figure out a plan to make it work though - at least for the next several months. I mean, people in big cities do it, right?! I just have to be super organized. Everyone keeps asking us, what our plan is, and I'm so tired of not having one. James and I need to sit down (maybe after the baby comes) and really nail down a plan of action. When we go to friends' houses on weekends and see the space they have and the fact they can have people over and entertain or go outside to a backyard, I can't help but be a tad bit jealous that we can't do the same. I know I just have to be patient and something will come along to make our own, but the pregnancy hormones in me just keep rearing their little heads! In one way, I want to move and leave the condo lifestyle, but in another it makes me sad to close that chapter. It's such a big decision, I just don't want to make the wrong move. 

Kids say the darndest things!

Although I had quite a few spa treatments this weekend, I am still feeling quite tired. I have not been getting the greatest of sleeps these nights as frequent trips to the washroom have me up almost every hour. Aside from that, I got to enjoy a massage during the day, some girl talk with a pedicure/manicure with some friends on Saturday afternoon to celebrate their soon to arrive #2 babies, followed by a bbq. What a great way to spend a Saturday. It was great to sit and catch up. Cam had so much fun playing with all the kids, splashing around in the water with them and playing soccer. He is getting to be so big and full of chatter now. He told me this weekend that a dinosaur bit him on his leg. "Oh really? Where were you?" I said. "At Tracy's." (that is his daycare provider) So I asked him if the dinosaur said sorry, and of course, he did. It was the cutest thing ever. I am loving most of the things he has t say these days but especially little stories like this that he tells me.
My ever growing belly is making it so much harder to well, do almost everything now. I can barely bend down to pick things up. It's hard to lift Cam. It's extremely difficult to roll over in bed; I feel like I need a crane to pick me up and when I try to get in the car, I usually say, "ohhh" which Cam says to me, "mommy, too big?" Yes, I am. I will admit, I have been telling him that myself, so I can't help but laugh at that one. ;)   

Terrific twos!

That is what my daycare provider likes to call it. She honestly loves this age in little ones. I, on the other hand, being the mother of that screaming, hitting and loves the word, "NO!" child, would beg to differ sometimes. But only sometimes. All those challenging moments aside, I am really loving Cam at this age too. I see him soaking up everything he encounters like a sponge and I can't help but smile and laugh. And speaking of soaking up everything, last week I was making some cupcakes and as Cam was climbing on the breakfast bar he knocked over my water glass spilling it on the butter I was about to use. Of course, my initial reaction was to yell, "Shit" and wouldn't you know it, the little parrot in the room did the same. And so it begins... Better watch the potty mouth, momma! 

Here are some pics of that terrific toddler, that I promised. ;)

Been way too long

So it's been almost a year to the date since I last posted on here, so I better get back into it. So many things have changed since then. I am pregnant again, this time with a little girl. I am so exited to have one of each and can't wait to see Cam as a big brother! I will love to see the bond they form and hopefully one day he will be her little protector. We have decided to name her Kylie Kennedy McGee. Still keeping with the "Kennedy" as the middle name since I never changed my name when I married James. Cam has Kennedy as his middle name also. I think both names are nice and strong and really go well together. As I sit here and write this, Kylie is moving around like crazy. Not sure if she is dancing to the funk music that is playing in the office here or she is trying to tell me that she wants some lunch. lol Anyway, I can't wait to meet her and see her come August. 

I'm starting to get really uncomfortable and not sleeping that well, so I can only imagine the summer won't be quite as enjoyable, but like they say, it will all be worth it, once I see that little face. 

Cam is growing up so incredibly fast too. He just turned two on May 14 and he is like a little boy now. He is saying sentences and able to communicate with us more and more everyday. This past weekend, James' mom and I took him to Syracuse on a little shopping excursion. He did fairly well, with only 2 meltdowns. I had a meltdown myself as I had to pack up his and my lunch in the food court while he screamed and cried, threw things and kept hitting me in the face. I was trying to hurry to get out of there so no one would see the tears started to run down my cheek. I was exhausted, had no voice, pregnant, hungry and had a screaming 2 year old on my hands that wouldn't listen to me if his life depended on it. I made it to the car to finally confine him and finish my food until Debbie was able to come find me. Stupid cell phone wouldn't work so I had no way of reaching her to let her know where I had gone. As she arrived to the car, the tears started flowing down my face, as I tried to tell her, that I had to get out of there so people would stop staring at me like I was a bad mother for not controlling my child. At that very moment, I thought, what have I done getting pregnant again with a 2 year old? I should have waited til Cam was a bit older. Either way, it makes for a rather funny story to one day tell Cam what he put his mother through. haha 

I only expect this to be the first of many meltdowns, so I better toughen up and learn to deal - especially with another one on the way. I know I can handle it or rather, will handle; I just need to exert a little more patience.
I will post some pics soon of Cam and how much he has grown up. He is such a cutie and his smile is so infectious; I love him so much! 

So I'm back to blogging - hopefully it won't be few and far between posts!