the avoidance of all things internet

I do not think I have ever gone so long without posting...

We have not been any busier than usual... I have just chosen to do other things with my rare free time, like laundry, dishes, play outside with the kids, shower, read books and nap... or just crash on the couch and watch a movie. I think I needed the extra me time lately, which included the avoidance of all things internet. The past couple of weeks have been rough and busy... and good too.. I have just felt very overwhelmed and stressed and emotional. You know... how almost all young moms feel at times, I am sure. I have wanted to sit and write a few meaningful posts... but I just have not had the time to really do it well. Maybe soon.

Anyhoo... we have spent some really great time with family the last few days. Aunt Sara and Charlie came for a visit. It is fun to have babies around the same age. Charlie and Ryder get a kick out of staring at each other... and it is super cute to watch. Charlie is getting so big and adorable... and so is Ryder if I do say so myself.  I realize he turned 5 months and I did not post pictures... I have a very good reason for this....

I did not take any.

My life got away from me...

I am working on getting pictures back up in my living room after I painted it.. you know, 3 weeks ago...

I am wanting to put a picture of each of the kiddos up. I did not have a really great one of Ryder to use, so I spent some time yesterday morning trying to capture his essence... or just a decent smile. Ryder performed wonderfully... Rigg not so much, I just cannot get that boy to stand still!

So to make up for my lack of info, pictures and really any form of a post... I will leave you with some shots from yesterday. 

I think Ryder looks so much like Caden.  Really, they could have been twins. It makes me smile to see so much of her in him. It makes me sad a little too. I have been picking him up and sqeezing and smooching the wahoozits out of him when I think of Caden... which is a lot lately.  Poor guy... a crazy lady for a mom... oh well, at least he doesn't seem to mind too much now... but maybe it will change when he is 16...

Happy Birthday Rigg!!!

Rigg is 2 today!

Really? 2?!? I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that I am the mommy of a 2 year old. A crazy, busy, fun, huggable, kissable, make-you-nuts and your heart melt 2 year old.  Who happens to love Elmo and all things Sesame Street...

SO,

 yesterday we threw a rockin' Elmo Birthday party for our little man.

And he LOVED it!

We originally scheduled to have the party outdoors @ a playground. This was before all the rain... and the humidity that makes my hair resemble a well groomed poodle... and the mud... and the gnats... you get the picture.

My parents were kind enough to let us relocate to their house on short notice.

So we decorated and Elmo-ed up the joint. Rigg was SUPER impressed. He walked into the house, looked at all the Elmo/Sesame Street  decor and exclaimed "WOW!" about 6 or 7 times.

Score one for mom, thankyouverymuch.

  

 I made up some small favors for the kids. Goldfish, crayons and a silly straw... Elmo does love his goldfish...his crayons too...

SUPER cute cupcake toppers... the toppers and the invite I bought from shindig parties on etsy. LOVED her!

A sign on the door to welcome all to the fun!

Singing Happy Birthday to our big boy! He was really impressed by the singing and yelled "yeah!" when we finished!

Happy Birthday Rigg! We love you more then you will ever know!

Curious about last year's party? Or his actual birthday, or just pics from the day(or day after) he was born?

check 'em out!

this post was brought to you by the letter R and the number 2

May the force be with you...

By happenstance, while I was stuffing my face with breakfast eating my honey nut cheerios this morning, I glanced out the kitchen window...(or glance out the window I did.)

and saw R2D2 in my neighbors backyard...

just normal Wednesday morning stuff...

May the force be with you...

paint and giggles

Today Ryder turned 5 months old....and to celebrate I shipped him and his big brother off to Grandma's house. (my mom took the baby and the Captain's mom took Rigg... hopefully spreading out the work load insures willing participants next time:)  )

What did I do with my WHOLE day of not one child near me?

I painted my living room.

not too relaxing I realize... but I now have this wonderful feeling of accomplishment. That and a knot the size of Kansas at the base of my neck.  I will post before and after pics when I am finished and have an after to show you... right now all is pretty bare and paint is still drying.

However, to celebrate his 5 months on Earth... watch this uber cute video of Ryder laughing at me last night... he is so much fun!

side note: Rigg turns 2 on Sunday!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!

(remember to turn off the music at the bottom of the page to hear the video)

bad Cari... bad girl.

I have issues.

This past week has exasperated my issues...and exponentially increased my stress.

For some background info, you should note: the Captain has been outta commission for days with his back injury... (he is now starting to be able to do things again, like pick up the children and drive and stand without wincing...) both boys are sick... whinny, clingy, tired. They are a mess really... snotty, teary, pukey... stinky. A really bad cold plus 2 ear infections and teething and we have a nice combo for a wreck of a week.

SO

All this fun has me in a state of mind I am not usually in... I have ended each day not only worn out, but almost angry and in a mood. At first I really struggled to nail down the reason why I was mad... in the end it hit me like a well aimed hammer...

I am selfish.

Sure being pulled in 10 directions at once is stressful...but the anger is present because I didn't get to do what I want when I wanted. Getting up with sick and crying kids, being vomited on in the wee hours of morning... lack of sleep, no down time, feeling like I have no help because my husband is hurt... all good excuses for me being a jerk....

but the reason is, I am just plain selfish.

I just didn't want to deal with it...any of it.  I really, really want a day off (really I want 2 or 3 :) ) Not only the selfishness and the anger... but I complained about it to anyone who would sit still enough to listen...

not my finest hour...

What gets me the most some times is that you would think I would have a better or different perspective after losing Caden. That I should look at my family, my precious children, and be thankful... uber-super thankful, all the time.

I fall very short most days.

BUT

I have a Father who forgives totally, who wipes away tears and takes away burdens... who comforts, cares and listens... who really, really wants me to shine for HIM.

So I ask Him to forgive my selfishness (1 john 1:9) and I praise Him for my blessings...even if they do puke on me @ 4:30 in the morning... and I ask for strength and endurance to get through the next 20 min...

and He is patient enough to let me do it all over again...

and again...

and again...

you get the picture.

Psalm 86:5,15

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

his first tooth

I made a discovery today.

It seems that the copious amount of drool Ryder has been producing lately has been a mere side effect of a much larger circumstance.

My sweet, sweet boy has drooled, gnawed, slobbered and gummed his first tooth into existence.

At first, when I was astonishingly exclaiming my joy at his first big boy accomplishment, Ryder was a tish taken aback.

I have a what growing out of where?

However, seeing his concern, I quickly explained that this was a normal and very healthy step in his development... and that with teeth, he can someday eat yummy things like steak and cookies... or inappropriately defend himself from his older brother...

He seemed to be fine after that.