Washing Momma's Car & Tummy Time

Naptime

This afternoon, I am taking a mommy break...sitting on the couch surfing Etsy as Abby sleeps in her swing and AJ is "napping".  Suddenly the little song AJ is singing turns into: 

"Help, Help!"  (I jump from the couch, thinking yes he is trying to use his potty and needs help with his pull-up!)

 Then he yells, "Oh no!"  (I am to the stairs now...thinking dang-it...he must of had an accident...)

I am sprinting up the stairs expecting a mess when I get to AJ's room, I hear, "Ouch, Ouch!"  (Now I'm thinking...he's hurt and I start to panic and leap up the stairs faster...)

As I get through the upstairs gate I hear, "I sorry, I sorry!"  (Mommy panic mode automatically thinks...he must have been doing something he wasn't suppose to and got hurt...)

I go busting into AJ's room expecting to see an injured toddler and AJ jumps up startled with a deer in the headlights look...like why are you here?  

Then I look down at what he was playing with...

It appears that what sent mommy into a panic attack was simply an excited conversation between the bus driver and a pedestrian.  Lovely...  

Recipes, Scones, & A New Level of Stress

I love collecting new recipes, but we used to just toss them in a drawer.  It was always a challenge to find that one special recipe you were looking for when you needed it...

So, with inspiration from my mother-in-law, many sheet protectors, a three-ring binder and about 30 minutes...we now have a new custom cookbook with all of our favorite recipes!

I also made these A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Orange Chocolate Chip scones this weekend from Baked Perfection.  Check her out for this and many more great recipes!  Andy, the scone hater, even enjoyed them! 

And lastly...the new level of stress in my life: Potty Training...need I say more?  If you have ever potty trained you know what I am going through.  Pray for me the strength to make it through this new unknown territory of parenting.  I thought I was prepared...I read books, watched a DVD, read on-line, bought all the potty training paraphernalia...but nothing prepares you for endless hours of potty songs, negotiating with a stubborn two and half year old to sit on the potty and a wet floor after just sitting on the potty for twenty minutes...how do you teach a toddler what it feels like when you need to go...does it get anymore abstract than that?  I do have to say thank goodness for the Thomas obsession...as the Thomas big boy underwear have been AJ's biggest source of motivation in this adventure.  Although it broke my heart Friday when AJ painfully said with sadness in his voice, "I sorry Thomas...all wet."  Really...I went from holding my breathe in frustration to broken hearted in seconds and just wanted to throw in the towel.  I digress...and I wasn't even going to start on this subject...

Around Our Nest

With spring around the corner, I started transitioning our nest from fall/winter decor to spring/summer decor.  Here is our fall/winter bedding...so rustic and cozy...

Here is our spring/summer bedding...so light and floral...

I also got fed up with not being able to find certain crafting supplies...so I decided to conquer my craft area instead of grabbing what I need for a project and hauling it upstairs...

Here is a before (don't judge...not sure how this happened):

and an after (much more functional):

Truly Blessed

Back in September our world stopped with one question following Abby's 20 week ultrasound, "Has genetics called you?"  Although Down Syndrome was ruled out over those couple days, there was still the question of what the abnormal spots on Abby's kidneys were and what they would mean for her after she was born.  We just had to wait and pray until she was four weeks old and could have an ultrasound of her kidneys.  She was an angel Tuesday as she lay on the table with gel smeared all over her lower abdomen and sides as the tech completed the ultrasound.  From there a radiologist had to look at the pictures, talk to our doctor, and then our doctor would call us in a few days.  This morning tears of relief came to my eyes as the doctor said, "Abby's kidneys are completely normal."  Thank you God!      

Tags, Tags, & A Taggie...

Our gorgeous spring-like weather inspired me to make some tags today.  These little guys will be great tied to gifts for some up-coming spring birthdays!

I have been keeping my eye out for Easter basket goodies for the kiddos...but what does an infant really need?  How about a taggie?  It is not perfect, but I'm sure girlfriend will not mind mom's first attempt. 

Apparently...

He needed a Kleenex...