Mae's Frozen Party!

Maeva really enjoys watching and singing along with Frozen,
so I was pretty excited to make that her theme for turning two.
I still cannot believe she's two years old!
Wasn't she just a newborn yesterday?

I'm not really one of those moms who gets pinterest crazy with parties,
but I do enjoy having a party just for my kids.
She seemed to enjoy it and got insanely spoiled.
Here's way too many photos  of her party!

^^^Before the party began.

Excuse a few crummy iPhone photos because this mama didn't charge her camera :/

Thankful someone else had their camera!^^^

I'm not entirely sure she knew what was going on, 

but she was definitely distracted by all things Frozen!

Maeva got a crazy amount of gifts. 

She was a big fan of all the shoes she got - four pairs! 

The boots, she picked out herself a few weekends ago.

She was also a fan of her frozen dolls and olafs (yes two!).

Braden kept on saying he wanted a present and gladly played with some of the toys.

All the kids really love the tea set she got 

and there's a matching tea cart that is just adorable! 

A family friend put together a cute dress up box for Maevy.

It came with so many cute things include a handmade tutu and necklaces.

She loved the necklaces, but not wearing them. Just carrying them!

I was pretty excited about this cake and so was Mae.

We had to hold her hands back so she wouldn't dig in. 

I looked everywhere for a Frozen cake, but could't find anything.

This cake came in purple at our local grocery store. 

I was so happy when they said they'd make the icing blue! 

It was perfect and delicious. I may have eaten far too much of it!

Mae is a bit crazy and was trying to grab the candles when they were lit.

We had to hold her hands back and I blew out the candles quickly.

Probably ruined it, but hey, I didn't want her getting hurt or causing the house to burn down!

Had to get some photos with my family too! 

Seriously, how in the world people get good photos with their kids is beyond me.

But I still love these so much! It shows real life and who my kids really are.

It was a fun day to celebrate how sweet, crazy, wild Maeva. 

We love her so much and are so blessed by her.

She's definitely a gift from God and we can't imagine life without her! 

We're walking!

The other day Mavey took a few steps.
I really didn't think much of it because it was so little and she didn't do it again.
However, yesterday she took 7 steps! I couldn't believe it!
I can't believe our little girl is walking.
I can't believe she's going to be 1 in a handful of days.
I can't believe I'm going to have two toddlers...
And a baby that will be here before we know it.
Motherhood is hard, but exciting and rewarding.
I love watching my babies grow up, even if it does cause my heart to ache a bit.
It's the best job I'm ever had and I'm glad it's mine forever.

P.S. The potty is clean. I just don't want her to think she can play in it. =)

11 Months

Hello! I turned 11 months old on Saturday! 

I'm growing, growing, growing!!! Physically and definitely emotionally! 

I love to stand up - mom and dad are pretty convinced that I could walk if I tried,

but I'm not so sure about doing that yet... it seems like a pretty big deal! 

I'm still screaming bloody murder at mom and I think it's getting to her. 

I just know what I want and if I don't get it, then I get emotional about it.

Really, I just want to be held and please, oh, please mom don't leave me alone in a room for 5 seconds.

The biggest thing this month? I am no longer breast feeding. 

Mom wasn't so sure about this, but it doesn't really affect me anyway.

I wasn't really getting any milk anyway. I prefer the real milk and food! 

I love fruit, it's my favorite! Blueberries, bananas, grapes, strawberries... they are so good! 

I also love cheese - grilled cheese, mac n cheese, just plain cheese! 

I like to throw my food and sippy cup on the floor. It's pretty funny, but my parents don't think so. 

What else is new? I saw "mama" and "dada". Did you know that?

I much prefer to say "dada" though. It's a lot easier. 

I like dada too. I like it when he holds me. It makes me calm down pretty quickly.

I also like to wrestle with brother. Sometimes he gets rough, but mostly he just makes me laugh. 

Oh, and did you hear about the new baby? Yeah, I know about it.

It's part of the reason I've been emotional lately. I'm not going to be the baby anymore...

That kind of gets to me! 

Well, I think that's all for now. Next month I turn the big TWELVE MONTHS.

Time is flying friends! 

Love,

Mavey 

10 months

 

^^^She refused to lay down for a picture, so this is what I got!^^^

Hi, I'm 10 months old today!
It's been a rough month or at least the last two weeks have been rough!
Did you know we live somewhere different now? In a home?
I like it, there's more room, but at the same time it kind of makes me nervous.
I've been crying a lot lately and I'm pretty sure it's the big old house.
I also scream a lot too. Mom, dad, and even brother act like it hurts their ears!
I just need someone to hold me all the time or I get upset.
If mom puts me down for a split second I freak out. I think it's getting to mom, but I just can't help it!
I'll work on getting better. I promise mom!
What else is new? You know I crawl right?
Well, I also stand up and hold my balance for a good amount of seconds.
That seems to make everyone pretty excited, myself included!
I also like to eat. It's probably my favorite thing ever.
I don't eat baby food anymore. Give me the real stuff!
I love beans and potato salad.
I'm also a fan of noodles, cheese, and fruit!
I eat like I'm never fed every single meal, but I still like mom's milk! Mmmm!
I sleep pretty good at night, but being put to sleep is the worst thing ever!
I cry and scream so loud when I'm put in my crib!
Can't someone just hold me forever? I'd be okay with that.
Dad is really good at getting me to go to sleep.
I like it when he brushes the side of my forehead until I fall asleep.
It feels so nice when he does that and he's way better at it then mom.
I just rather she hold me!
Well, I'm sure there's more to tell, but I'm going to go play or cry for mom to hold me.
I can't decide yet! ;)

Love,
Mavey

P.S. This is what I look like most of the time. Good thing you can't hear it! 

Nine Months

 

Hi Friends! 

I'm nine months old today and growing so quickly. 

No one can believe that in a few short months I will be one. 

That seems to make everyone so sad. I'm not sure I understand why. 

Lots of things have been happening in my life. 

Do you know I crawl now? Yep, I'm constantly on the move.

My parents thought it was never going to happen,

But really they just had to wait for me to decide it was time. 

I love crawling... so much easier to get what I want and it's just fun! 

Oh, I try to stand myself up too. So neat! 

You know what also is fun? 

Not napping. So fun to fight nap time. 

I usually only take one nap a day, but hey, I sleep through the night. 

You have to pick and chose your battles mom. 

Do you want more sleep at night or chill time during the day?
I mean, think about it mom. 

Oh, I also sleep with just my legs swaddled. 

I like to be free and to sleep on my belly.
Sometimes in my sleep I hear mama and dada talking about how cute I am.

Speaking of my parents I like to say their names. 

I say "dada" a lot and like to be with him more lately. 

Mom thinks I'm totally going to be a daddy's girl. 

I think she's okay with that. 

Hmmmm, what else is there to tell you? 

Oh, I eat some baby food, but I also get other good stuff too.

I really like puffs and yogurt bites.

Sometimes I steal mom's food though, like her bagel. 

I also had a hot dog the other day.
That's good stuff people! 

I also enjoy being outside. We hang out there a lot lately. 

It's been hot a lot, but I'm fine by that.

Just sit me on the grass and I'm happy as can be!
I like to eat it though but for some reason that isn't allowed.

I think that's it for now.  See you later!
Love,

Mavey

Eight

Hello, I turned 8 months old yesterday!  Life is just FLYING by! 

There isn't much new this month.
I have four teeth now, I guess that's new. 

They aren't the most enjoyable things for mom and I.
They are very painful and sometimes I bit her when she is feeding me.

She doesn't seem to like that so much! 

I also like peas this month. Okay, maybe not like, but I at least tolerate them. 

Ya have to eat what you're given, right?
I still like fruit the best and of course, mama's milk! 

I sleep through the night sometimes. I know that's hard for mom, but I try hard. 

Sometimes I just want her to hold me. 

I cry scream and she comes, picks me up, and all is right in the world. 

I just lay my head on her shoulder and am out! 

I don't know why that bothers her so much! Does she really need that much sleep?

I really like mama holding me. More than anyone else really.
When other people hold me, like daddy or really do anything, I don't like I get upset.
I scream and turn my head to find mom.
I give her a look like, "Can you believe what this person is doing? Save me!" 
Speaking of that, she's had to save me from my big brother a few times.
That boy she gets crazy throwing books.
The only time I like to be put down is when mama gives me a basket of my toys.
That's a good time, people!
But really, it won't last for long because I just need to be close to mama.
Oh, also, if I can get ahold of the computer, that really is the best thing ever.
I don't understand why I'm not allowed. A girl just wants to be happy, you know?
Did I mention I still don't crawl? 
I rather fly, but for some reason that isn't happening.
I guess I'll just roll to wherever I need to be. Maybe soon I'll figure it out!
Well, that's it for now. I'm sure I'm forgetting to tell you something...
But let's blame mama for that...
She talks a lot about mommybrain and how forgetful it makes her!

Love,
Mavey

I can't be a mom today

I have days, like yesterday, where I think that.

Days where the moments feel too hard, moments where I feel like I don't have it in me. 

It isn't that, in those moments, I don't want to be a mom. 

I love my kiddos more than anything, but during those times I don't feel qualified.

I can't be a mom because...

I don't have enough patience, 

I'm not loving or kind enough,

I'm frustrated and irritated easily,

I'm tired (all the darn time),

and on and on. 

All these things that tell I'm not good enough pile high up in my head.

They mess with my heart and drag me so far down. 

The truth is I'm never going to be the perfect mom. There is no such thing, 

I'll probably never have all the patience or love I want to give. 

I'll be moody sometimes and I know that I'll always be tired. 

But, you know what makes me enough, what makes you enough? In motherhood, in anything?

Jesus.

He's the one who has made me a good mom.

And on there days where I feel like I can't make it through, He's there too. 

I'm holding tight to this truth!

Just Eggin' Around

I decided to pull out the plastic Easter eggs for Maeva to play with yesterday.

She loved it and I'm really enjoying the stage she's at.

It is fun watching her explore and enjoy new things! 

Plus, a good photo session, which is clearly the reason I pulled out the eggs in the first place! ;) 

Seven months

Hi, I'm seven months old today!
Mom doesn't really want to talk about it okay?
Every time she mentions the fact that I'm getting older, she looks like she's going to cry.
I do not mean tears of joy people!
There's a lot of great things going on in my little life!
First of all, two things that mom and dad think are pretty great.
The first one, I pretty much sleep through the night always.
Secondly, I have stopped crying in my car seat.
I scream and talk loudly, but at least it's not uncontrollable crying.
Dad and mom are pretty pumped about that, so I guess I should probably keep that up!
Also, I sit up like a pro. I don't need any help and I prefer sitting up to lying down, just fyi.
I also prefer eating. Seriously, I can put away 3 things of baby food.
Mom asks me if I have a hollow leg? What does that even mean?
I'm starting to talk more. Of course, a lot of it is just screaming loudly, but sometimes I say "dada".
I also cut two teeth. Mom just noticed the second one today.
It hurts a whole lot and makes me want to get some of that good milk mama has.
I may be fussy because of this whole teething thing, but I'm pretty happy most of the time.
I love to smile and laugh. I smile a lot when people look at me! I just need someone to look at me!
I don't know how to crawl yet, but I am sure I will get there soon.
I like to rock back and forth when I am on my knees.
I don't stay that way for long though... I push my legs out, throw my arms back and try to fly.
Everyone laughs when I do this. Especially when I kick my legs.
I don't know why it's so funny and aren't I suppose to go somewhere when I kick my feet?

That's all for now!

Maeva

St. Patrick's Day

I don't normally post on weekends, but wanted to document the kids in their cute clothes.

I love Holidays with kiddos... even if it's just because I like to dress them up! ;)

We had a good day today, a great weekend really.

My husband didn't do anything else, but be at home with us.

It was nice because he is often so busy with work + school + flying.

It was nice to have him more to ourselves!
Today we...

Slept in a bit (and I got to nap)

Had starbucks (shocker)

Went to church (for the first time in forever)

Stopped by Target

Had culvers for dinner 

And had green ice cream (food coloring) just because we could! 

All small things that ended up making a great Sunday! 

Did you have a good weekend? A good St. Patrick's day? 

Braden's shirt is from Messy Kid Designs. I just love it. 

It's great quality and a simple craft! 

Something I will keep forever! 

Favorite Reads + Time Outside

I've been keeping up with blogs a lot better now that I've decided to share my favorites of the week on Fridays. Here they are!

The ugly side of the online community - Lindsay writes some tips on how to deal with the ugly side of the online community. I'm sure every one deals with it, I know I have! This was a good reminder on how to deal with it!

Desire to Inspire - I like this post by Amanda for the truth it speaks. Do our judgements lead people to God? No. That's a truth I needed to hear.

The 1 Command... This post by Ann Voskamp just spoke to my heart. We need to love reguadless of our differences. I want to love like that. It's a beautiful thing and it's what God wants.

I want to be awesome at humility  I related to this post by The Tiny Twig because I've been there.
I've felt like I wasn't enough because I can't always keep our place clean. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I hate goodbyes - This post by Kristen is about google getting rid of GFC. She looks on the bright side and made some good points! I'm sort of, kind of (only a little bit) glad it is going. Kind of.

4 benefits of not dating in high school - Even though I'm not in high school I enjoyed this post by Erin. I, myself have wished I hadn't dated in high school or even college. She had some very good thoughts here! She's so inspiring!

What did you read this week that you enjoyed? Please share!

In Them I See Jesus

I see Him in the pureness of their skin.
So soft and beautiful.
Gentle to the touch, with a scent I want to inhale.

In their eyes.
So bright and full of joy.
A glimpse into their little souls.

In the way they love, especially the way they love one another.
Joy is what their love is.
It's full of giggles, grins, hugs and kisses.
It's full of hand holding and playing together.
This love, I never tire of it and I never will.

I see Him in the way they trust.
Easily they come into your arms for comfort,
Knowing they will find it there.
Easily they forgive in an instant never bringing up the wrong again.

I see Him in all they do, all they are.
They are the little children, my children,
Who show me more of who I should be, more of Jesus.

A Promise to Myself

"I'm an awful mother."

"I feel like a bad mom." 

These are things I've caught myself saying and feeling a lot lately. 

I'm a bad mom because... 

I feed my toddler far too much junk food

I let the tv be on all day, far too many days

I don't play enough with my kids

I don't do crafts or fun things from pinterest

We don't go outside enough

I get frustrated easily and am impatient with my children

I've screamed and spanked...

The list goes on and on

I know I'm not the only mom who has said she's a bad mom, feels the same way I do. 

I'm not the only mom with those things on her list of mommy failings. 

I find it sad though that instead of building myself up, I am tearing myself down.

Calling myself a bad mom isn't going to help me.

Honestly, I feel like it makes me worse as a mom when I do that. 

Instead of saying, "I'm a bad mom," I will say, "I can do better." 

So, if you're feeling like a bad mom, realize more than likely you aren't and do something about it!
Realize you can change, you can do better! That's what I'm promising myself! 

Six Months

Hello, I'm 6 months old today and mom is FREAKING out! 

I'm getting so big and doing new things all the time. 

Every time Mom gets super excited and starts smiling like a crazy person. 

I like it too though, doing new things, it's pretty fun. 

I really enjoy sitting up and playing with toys. 

My brother always brings me lots of his toys to play with. 

Sometimes its a bit overwhelming, but I'm thankful.

I really appreciate anything I can put in my mouth. 

The other day my brother even gave me his bagel (he's such a good sharer)!

Mom was surprised and grossed out by the soggy bread, but I enjoyed it. 

Until she took it away, at least.

Speaking of food, I'm eating baby food now. Twice a day. 

I like most of it, except peas. Please keep those away from me. 

If you don't I'll just spit them back out and cry. So gross!

I still love having mom's milk though. Sometimes I even want that right after baby food. 

It's just so good and comforting to be in mama's arms.

Lately, I've wanted that lots. I cry and cry, then she picks me up and all is right in my world.

I also like to just stare at daddy. I know he wonders what I'm thinking. 

Really, I just think he's handsome ;) and he makes me smile! 

Oh, did I mention that I'm sleeping through the night?

Things were rough there for a while, but I've got it figured out (for) now.

Sleep is great. Makes me feel better and everyone else too! 

I sleep best in my pack'n play at night, but during nap time usually in Mom and Dad's bed, alone.

I need my space, ya know? Sometimes I even take naps unswaddled. Crazy, huh? 

But I must be swaddled at night. I just can't sleep otherwise. 

Did I mention that I'm teething and drooling a lot? 

Two of my teeth are trying to come in, but it just hasn't happened yet.

Mom says soon, but I also heard her say I have more teeth to come to come in. A whole mouth?

Are you kidding me? Makes me cranky just thinking about it! 

Oh, I also sat up in the tub by myself for the first time last night. 

I loved it and couldn't stop smiling! Loved the feel of the water and splashing! 

I think that's all I have to share about myself for now! There will be more later, promise!

Stay warm today! I'm going to do so by cuddling with mama!

Love,

Mavey 

Giving Grace

I've realized something lately.
I'm awful at giving grace. I expect to get it myself, but I'm not great at giving it.
I'm not good at giving it to my husband, children, other family members, friends,
or even others in the blogging world.
It's something I'm trying to work on, for the good of everyone.

I'm trying to work on my words and my actions, even my thoughts.
I'm holding my tongue a lot more and reflecting on my feelings.
I've always been one to let my feelings get the best of me.
That is not always a good thing.
I overreact a lot and that's when grace isn't given.

I want to be kinder, more loving, and gentle.
I want to give a whole lot more grace.
God said that His grace is sufficient for me.
If its sufficient for me, then its sufficient for everyone.
I need to give more of it.
It's hard, but I'm asking God to help me.

Is this hard for you?
Are there certain people that you struggle giving grace to?
Or maybe even to yourself?
That can be really tough for me as well!

My Sin

I have a list of them and I'm sure there's more to be added.

The one I want to share with you today, is one that I've been wanting to write about.

But I've been scared to put it out there because it's something I'm upset with myself for doing. 

I judge other moms.

I know it's wrong and I don't want to do it.

It hurts my stomach to think about.

Often I find myself thinking, "I can't believe she is doing that!"
Or, "she should really do it that way!" 

Or, "That is not going to work! What is she thinking?" 

In someway I've bought into the lie that I do things better.

I've let my heart believe it, even though deep down I know that is so wrong and untrue! 

I am nowhere near the perfect mother. 

I still have flash backs to things I did wrong with Braden. 

I'm sure people thought I was crazy because I didn't know what I was doing with my first baby!
I still don't really know what I'm doing.

I'm just living life, loving my babies, and hoping that I don't mess them up too badly! ;)
More than that I'm trusting that Jesus will take care of them better than me! 

And I'm working on this judgement thing because I hate mommy guilt!
I hate beating myself up with it and I never want any other mama to feel it from me! 

I'm telling the devil that is a lie I will not believe because I have no right to judge!

But mostly because us mamas, we all need a little help and a lot of Jesus!