One mommy and two daughters dinner out...round 2

So, I decided to be brave last night and take the girls out again to dinner. By. Myself. Yes, that's right...I was nuts again. Only this time I knew better than to go to a sitdown restaurant (even one like Bob Evans!)! We went to Wendy's. =) And it was a good experience where Hannah sat in her chair and Caroline sat in a high chair.

Some observations though as I watched people come and go...every single one of them looked at me and their eyes got slightly big when they saw me and my two young ones. And then they smiled. I am certain they still thought I was nuts but then when they saw how cute Hannah and Caroline were (and they really were!!) the folks decided to smile...probably more and them than me but still.

I think for the not to distant future Wendy's, Subway, etc...will be my "restaurant" of choice with the two unless Tim is with me. Or unless I'm feeling wild and crazy again and want to try a sitdown restaurant. Bob Evans...I'll be back!

3 going on 13...

Hannah...ah, Hannah. I've said before how I love that she is independent and it will serve her well in the future. But tonight was one of those nights that didn't serve her well, nor me for that matter. The girl knows how to press buttons and I truly believe looks for ways (ALREADY) to do just that.

It was really a fine evening for the family. All of us hanging out in the living room playing, reading and watching a little Dora. In fact, I was actually thinking how much we needed this night of relaxation and family togetherness. And it lasted right up until Hannah's bedtime at 9 p.m. Then the defiant, saying NO loving girl came out. I didn't see it coming. In fact, I think it came out of nowhere...truly!

Her body became a pile of mush on the floor where I had to carry her upstairs only to be met with screams and "no to bed mommy!" I tried the "time out in bed" routine and even went so far as the "threatening to take blankets away" approach. Nothing worked. So, I simply shut the door and let her cry it out, all while praying she didn't wake her sister in the next room.

Thankfully, Hannah is now silent and Caroline is still asleep. All of these moments with Hannah lead me to wonder what the teen years will be like. If I have curly hair left after that, it'll be a miracle!

Northern Michigan and beyond!

At long last this week Tim, Hannah, Caroline and I took a much needed break. We went up North with Tim's family and had an amazing, laid back time. Hannah learned how to swim and by Tuesday she was jumping into the deep end (with her puddle jumper on!)! And cried when she had to get out even though she was beyond tired. Caroline discovered the pool too as she sat in her little baby boat and laughed happily at all that was around her.

It was also the first time we went somewhere for more than one night as a family of four...and not gonna lie: our car looked like we were going to be gone a month rather than just four nights! LOL! I was proud of myself for packing the way I did but at the same time I'm amazed at how much stuff we had to bring. From the pack n play to toys to double stroller to clothes, etc...even Hannah said "we sure have a lot of stuff mommy!" And she be right...=)

And it made me realize that a minivan was the next car purchase. As sad as I am to write this b/c I NEVER thought I'd be driving one...the truth is, you can't be the space! Sigh...can't believe I"m writing that a minivan will be our next vehicle...but I'm actually kinda excited about it. The space!

Daughters....

It's funny but I never expected Caroline to be a momma's girl. Yes, I know, that sounds silly to say but it's true. For some reason, I always thought Caroline would be closer to Tim then me and be "Daddy's Girl"...there are various reasons for that which will be explained in the future...

Alas, that is not that case. She is all about momma and gets very excited when I enter the room and cries when I leave. It melts my heart and I love it! And, I will admit, she has me wrapped. She cries and I'm there. She puts up her arms and I'm there. She laughs at something I do and I'm there. You get the picture...

Let's not forget Hannah though who is the quintessential momma's girl too. I love to hear her say, "I love you mom." And her excitement when I come home. HOWEVER, she loves to hang out with Daddy too. In fact, I may put her to bed but it's Daddy who has the last "Goodnight" and that melts my heart too.

I remember asking my Dad long ago did he regret having four girls and his response: "Not for a second. All of you are unique and I love you each for who you are." And I couldn't agree more...more specifically, I think Tim couldn't agree more.

Discovering pets...

Tomorrow Caroline will be officially 8 months old and I truly can't believe it! In four short months we'll be celebrating her one year birthday. Where has the time gone?! She's doing all sorts of new things from rolling constantly to scooting/army crawling to laughing to teething to discovering Felix and Ethel exist. Yes, that last part is really quite amusing.

Until recently Caroline didn't know Felix existed even when he would walk right by her. However, it's now an entirely different story. Whenever Felix is even in the room Caroline notices, squeals and tries to grab him. Most of the time he isn't close enough for her to touch but on the rare occasion he is, it's funny and precious to see them interact.

I've often said Felix is like a dog and around Caroline he is that. When she can reach out to him, he merely rolls onto his back hoping for a little belly rub, no matter what form that takes. She happily obliges but it's more of a pat and pull of the fur. But to Felix, it makes no difference b/c there's another person in the house paying attention to him and that's all he needs...

Farming...

I'm a farmer's wife. There I admitted it...yup, I know about soybeans, corn, winter wheat, John Deere and all that good stuff. I didn't start out that way...in fact, never pictured myself on a farm. At all. But low and behold, I met an engineering student in college who I fell in love with and POOF we now live on a little farm.

Okay, so I don't have animals in the barn but I do have tractors big and small, not to mention all the "extra" equipment that comes with it... sigh. Hannah, who's three, will be in 4-H soon (or so I'm told) and I'm sure animal raising is in our immediate future.

Here's the surprising thing: I actually like my little farm. But shh..don't tell Tim b/c he may just want to buy more land, and, well, I'm not up for that. Just yet!

"You know you love me!"

Hannah, dear sweet, Hannah....she may look like her father but she is all me in personality! This weekend was no exception. You see Hannah is willful...and knows it. She loves to push the envelope to see how far she can take it. BUT does it with such manners that you sorta start to question yourself as to whether you're too hard on her. But, alas as her mom, I recognize that it's just her being her and no, I need to be firm!

Her favorite phrases when she gets caught doing something she shouldn't OR, better yet, when something happens that shouldn't...."It's an accident. It happens." AND "You know you love me mom!" I'll admit, she usually has a point with both phrases...but there are still lessons for her to learn and I make sure I point them out.

Case in point: Hannah decided to play with her markers, upstairs and in her room. I didn't see her take them up there (we have a rule that she's only to play with them in the office or kitchen due to the ease of cleaning the floors!)...in fact, I think I was feeding Caroline at the time, hence, was distracted. After a few minutes of silence, I head up to investigate. And there is Hannah playing with her markers and paper in her room. Looks innocent enough at first. Then as I peer closer I see she is covered in marker as is a portion of the new carpet in her room.

One can guess what followed out of my mouth. But out of Hannah's: "Mommy, it was an accident. It's okay. It happens." And then "You know you love me mommy!!" Thank goodness she's cute... =)