Yesterday was a mixed bag.  Beautiful weather allowed us to go to the playground and dust off our winter blues, but an exhausted preschooler was quick to cry.  A sweet baby had one of those days - crying, screaming, general unhappiness.  Poor Andy came home to a messy house, no dinner, a frazzled me, a miserable Brenna and an exhausted Addie.

Instead of focusing on the parts of the day that found me hiding in my room by seven o'clock, under the covers, sneaking peanut M&Ms, I'll highlight the better things.

We had beautiful weather - sweatshirt and jeans kind of weather.  Run around outside and play kind of weather.  Weather that begged us to play a the park - the perfect weather to try out a tire swing for the first time.

After our trip to the park we headed out to find jeans that might be long enough to go all the way Addie's ankles while also staying up over her nonexistent behind.  The shopping trip was a success overall, particularly when we discovered that Addie can absolutely rock a pair of skinny jeans - something her mother could never dream of.

After hiding out with my M&Ms, I took a stab in the dark at dinner and it turned into a huge success - huge in that it was delicious and that I made enough to feed the neighborhood.  But truly, nothing tastes better after a bad day than homemade chicken noodle soup (adapted from this recipe).

Once her screams turned to coos I had was able to realize how amazing it is that this time last year, I wasn't even pregnant and now my babiest baby is ten weeks old.  She laughs and smiles (when not screaming), she can get her hand into her mouth, recognize our faces and do some impressive tummy time.    And those wide eyes of her's - those can make my day.

Growing

I know I have had a few sappy posts about Addie growing up, but it seems that all she is doing these days. 
She still needs reminders to do things and she can be an awfully pokey puppy in the mornings, but she does a lot on her own these days. 
She makes her bed pretty much every day, more or less on her own.  Occasionally I have to help her get her pink comforter back up on the bed, but she does the sheets, the pillows and the decorations on her own. 
She dresses herself many days - to be fair I lay out her clothes on school days, but her own unique sense of style shines through on nonschool days.
She can brush her own hair and teeth and is perfectly capable of picking up her own messes.
For awhile now she has helped herself to drinks and snacks, but last week was a milestone - she made herself a peanut butter sandwich and cut it into fourths.
I know, amazing.

Next thing I know she'll be borrowing my shoes, snagging my car keys and demanding an allowance. 

I think holding bitty little Brenna in my arms makes Addie seem like an giant - that and her new Chuck Taylors.

Dear heavens, when did my baby's feet get so darn big?

Photos on Friday

 JOHNSON FAMILY CHRISTMAS

(Minus about 5 family members)

Brenna and Uncle Jeaf without his creepy face mask

Brenna doesn't seem so sure about Uncle Jeaf & Emmett

Hanging on Papa's lap

Meeting and loving cousin Emmett

Gram and Papa's visit

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I remembering to thankful.

Addie is thankful for her stuffed Uni

I am so very thankful for my family.  I am thankful for their opinions, their oddities, their voices, their hugs, their health.  An old friend unexpectedly lost his amazing brother this past week- thinking of all he is going through makes me realize how lucky I am for family have.  Yes, at times we don't see eye-to-eye, and of course each of them can drive me batty in their own special way, but they are my family and I love them.

I am thankful for my husband.  He gets up every day and goes to a stressful job, yet he still manages to come home to our chaos with a smile.  He knows when I am at my breaking point, takes over the girls and orders me upstairs to the bathtub with a glass of wine.

I am thankful for friends who pick up the phone, shoot off funny texts, get on airplanes, and drive for hours for a visit. I feel so lucky to have friends near and far who let me rant, help me laugh and keep me sane.

I am very thankful for my daughters.  Both of them.  I love the one that coos and ahhs and shrieks and dirties diapers.  I love the one that has endless questions, demands attention and is generous with hugs and kisses.  I am thankful for who they are helping me become.


I am so very thankful.

Two Months....

In order to not completely fail as a mother, this time at Brenna's check up I took notes.  She's doing pretty well for a brand new person.  She's meeting all the milestones - tracking with her eyes, smiles, coos and aaahhs.  Her neck is strong - although the doctor is concerned that she might have a tight muscle on one side and now in addition to to tummy time I have to do daily neck "exercises" her, she is not thrilled at the idea.  Then again neither am I.  And neither of us were very excited about the two shots she got today!

Her two month report card is:
Height:  22.5 inches/55th percentile
Weight:  10 lbs 6 oz/36th percentile
Head:  16 inches/89th percentile

I keep saying that I think Miss Brenna takes after my body type and Addie takes after Andy's.  At two months old Addie was a full inch taller than Brenna, but weighed 9 ounces less - she really was quite the spider monkey.  The doctor wants to continue to supplement Brenna four ounces of formula a day and we'll head back next month for a weight check...but no more shots until March, thankfully.

This pictures were taken, of course,  before Brenna had her horrible, mean shots.  Mornings are her best time of days lately - she is full of smiles and coos.  That sweet face and sounds are even more adorable after she has slept for 7.5 hours straight like she did last night.  High Five Brenna Bear, High Five!

Wednesday Chat

Mama?  I cried at Nicholas' house today.
You did?  Why did you cry at Nicholas' house today, babe?
Just because I wanted you.
You wanted me?  Why, honey?  Did you and Nicholas have a fight?
No Mom.  Nicholas and I don't fight, we're best friends.  I just wanted you.
Why did you want me babe?
Just because I never get to see you anymore Mama and I miss you.

In case you were wondering how to break a mother's heart, this conversation is a perfect example.

Morning Snapshot

Every morning, while getting ready for school, they chat and chat.  Addie tells Brenna what she hopes she will do at school and about her dreams.   She reads her stories and sings her silly songs.  And Brenna dutifully listens.