Small Moments

There are many days I want to pull my hair out during the "Terrible Two's". Then there are small moments I see a glimpse of my precious baby girl!! In those small moments I am reminded at what an amazing little person she is. Our tantrums and fits only come when I limit her chance to be independent and carefree. 

There is no doubt my daughter dances to the beat of her own drum. She loves the piano, cooks with her daddy and pretends to read to her baby. She has feelings like no other two year old I've seen, her baby is "sad" sometimes and just needs a hug, and when Kinsey is angry she finally has the words (thank you Daniel Tiger) to say "I'm mad... GRRR". Although not the most functional way to express her emotions, she is more than on her way. 

Today has been one of the most rough days of toddlerhood. Little miss came home from our trip to Maryland with a stomach bug. Something about her need to go potty after I told her the rule was to stay seated (we literally were landing in Dallas) that made me pay extra attention to her potty needs. After multiple Yucky Pull-ups and a middle of night wake up (thanks rain!) I realized my sweet girl was not feeling so well. 

While on our weekly trip to Walmart (seriously the best prices), she had a sudden need to "mama hold chooo!" I grabbed her knowing she wasn't herself and she threw up everywhere... I'm talking Pitch Perfect style throw up; in the "audience", all over the floor and me and her. It was terrible. I couldn't decide if I was worried about her, or me, or my phone, or the floor, or the buggy. I was moving fast through fear for my daughter, concern about her MJ (like a true MJ mom), embarrassment as I am covered my in my daughter's vomit, and apathy for the man who ran to my rescue. 

I then went to check out as fast as I could (a whole week's worth of meals in my cart) and then she "has to potty" which I know is code for "mom I just pooped my pants". I'm in panic mode when the lady behind me says "take your time, I've been there". 

I write this not for sympathy or understanding, but to remind myself later on that there is more to toddlerhood than tantrums and fits (something that mom behind me and learned before). There are those small moments I realize she's not a baby anymore and although she really needed me today while throwing up in Walmart, there are many times she doesn't need me as much. AND THAT'S OKAY! Sometimes I need to step back and let her learn to be her own person, and maybe (just maybe) there will be less tantrums and fights. 

Until Next time,

Brittany

Sweet Innocence

While completely enjoying our vacation, I am able to sit back and observe how pure and innocent Kinsey is. She sees life with no bias or prejudice. Her biggest worry in life is losing her baby doll or not getting a popsicle after dinner. I am enjoying this age so much! Although we have our moments of two year old tantrums, I love seeing the world through her eyes. Everything is so new and wonderful to her. Every day is a new adventure and I can't thank God enough for picking me to be her mom!!

 Enjoying watching the waves come in with Papa.

Out cold after a few hours of playing arcade games. 

Until next time! 

Brittany

Soaking up the Sun!

WAHOOO!!!

It's Vacation time!! If you ask me, no man deserves a vacation more than my husband does!!! He spends his time traveling the world and working hard to provide Kinsey and I the best life possible!!!

It's tradition for his family to spend a week or so in Ocean City, Maryland. He did it every summer when he was young, his mom did it when she was young, her mom too. So naturally when Kinsey was big enough, we knew we were going to start the tradition with her too!!! So thankful to see how much has been cleaned and tidied up after the Superstorm Sandy came through and tore up the boardwalk. I remember the heartbreak on my husband's face when he saw his beloved boardwalk torn apart. Thankfully it's back to looking good as new!! 

 Just a girl and her sand toys!! She's been bugging me to use these toys for about a week!!

 Then we get to the sand and she didn't like it..... not one to love dirt!!!

 Getting a little smile :)

Love my little family!!! 

We went on the Boardwalk the first night to walk around and get some jackets, and the girl couldn't help but play "sosser" with her dad and uncles!!! 

 

Our First day was spent traveling but we were still able to get her in the sand. Yesterday we spent moving over to our condo and resting because it was kinda chilly!! Today however.....

She had a BLAST!!!!

 She played football with her dad and uncles (think she's gonna like sports!?)

The water was freezing!!! But she didn't care! She loved the waves and saying "here it comes!!!" and jumping!!

She loved crawling and climbing in this little whole her daddy made her! Gone is her dislike of sand!!

Until Tomorrow! :) 

Brittany

Back to Teaching! :)

I decided to try back at blogging, only because I have so much to say about life right now!!! :) 

Hopefully you've noticed the change in blog name! I'm not just talking about my life as a new mom anymore, but my life as a new teacher and a young wife! I am so blessed at where my life is right now!! :) 

With that being said... I LOVE TEACHING KINDERGARTEN!!! 

They are so sweet and interested in what they are learning! They keep me on my toes and know how to turn my bad mood around! It's taken some time to get up at 5am and I'm exhausted by the time Kinsey goes to bed, but I couldn't imagine doing anything else in my life! It's been a while since I've been in the actual classroom, and I had almost forgotten about my passion for teaching. Thankfully the Lord's plan put me back in just in time and I couldn't be more grateful! I was paired with an amazing Mentor teacher who not only teaches me how to be the best teacher I can be, but also how to balance my love for my 20 Kinder babies and the love I have for my own husband and daughter! I'm 3 weeks into my 7 week rotation with my Kinders. As I begin to take over the classroom more and more, I get so excited to touch the lives of these children! 

I am beyond thankful for my husband and my family as they support me during my last semester of college. Just last week Kinsey missed 3.5 of the 5 days of school due to illness. They all stepped up and helped me take care of her and made sure I didn't have to miss teaching my babies! I love all of my fellow interns and can't wait to see what the rest of this semester has in store for us!! :)

Until Next Time,

I'm a Mrs.

I'm a Teacher and 

I'm a Mommy!!

Brittany

Best Friends and Sisters

I am a firm believer that God puts people in our lives for a reason. Two people don't cross paths on accident, God has a plan for those people. After rushing Kappa Alpha Theta, I instantly connected with Katie. She was such a passionate person and was always putting others before her self. We spent all of our time together and practically lived together. We lost touch a bit while she finished her Senior year and I was swamped with my student teaching, but God had a plan. Not only did we get married 1 week apart, but we were pregnant at the same time. We were scheduled to have our babies at opposite ends of the month of January in 2012. They decided to come almost 12 hours apart from each other, Annie was 1 week late on January 16, 2012 @ 10:19pm and Kinsey was 1 week early on January 17, 2012 @ 10:17am. Katie and I spent the following year texting at 3am, sharing our daughters milestones and giving each other advice. I knew then why God brought Katie and I together; to Survive Motherhood!! :) We live about 4 hours apart and are both super busy, but try and take turns visiting the other with our tiny tots in tow. 

This time it was my turn to house our friends and we had a blast! The girls are so active and talkative that they wore each other out! Katie and I attended a huge consignment event and were able to have a little one-on-one time thanks to my awesome hubby! We both walked out with great deals and are already planning on going next time. It's amazing how months can go by with quick texts to check in and when we are together again, it's like no time has passed. I am forever thankful for the friendship I have with Katie Gaston, and even more thankful that our daughters are best friends and one day may be sisters like Katie and I. 

The only day I was really able to get pictures of them was the morning we went to the park. We have a park right across the street from our house, so we were able to walk there and burn some energy before eating lunch and laying down for nap!! The girls had so much fun!

 Sweet Friends holding hands

 Two Toddlers and open space... what could be better?

 Annie Lin

 Kinsey Brynn

Best Friends

Kinsey still asks for Annie when she gets up in the morning or when she's home from school. We can't wait until we see our friends again :)

Kinsey's love and mine,

Brittany

Her Half-Birthday!!

Kinsey is 18 months today!! She is half-way to 2 and is acting like it more and more each day! We went to the Doctor for a little check up and she is growing growing!!

19.6 pounds 32 inches 18.5cm head circumference  

Her doctor was not surprised to hear she is out of her crib and into a toddler bed and was impressed with all of the words she can say! We talked about ways to foster independence without causing multiple tantrums throughout the day! 

 When she was first born we took this picture and it is currently hanging on the wall outside the hospital nursery where she was born. We had to chance to swing by and see it and I had her stand by it to get a picture. This is something I am going to try and do every 6 months from now on!

Sleep: Kinsey sleeps in her toddler bed in her new room upstairs. She loves to watch a little Curious George before bed and always has her Bear, Blanket, and her Pass (Paci). She sleeps about 12 hours at night and is napping for 2 hours at school.

Food: Still won't drink milk. She will only drink Stoneyfield Drinkable yogurt, which can get pricey. Hardly a meat eater unless it's a hot dog or chicken nuggets. She loves bananas, oranges, peas, corn, and "dip dip" (ketchup). 

Clothes: Still teeny tiny!! Depending on the store she wears anywhere from 3-6m to 18m. Mostly small bottoms and longer tops. 

Favorites: She loves Curious George and Doc McStuffins, as well as Minnie Mouse and Sofia the First. Her bear and blanket are with her all the time and she would live with a Pass if I let her. She loves to color (even on my walls!!) and read books. She has grown really fond of her Papa (Michael's dad), but still loves her Nana (his mom) and her Aunt Ashley (my sister). 

Words: She loves to talk and is learning a new word every day. Most times she at least tries to repeat words I say to her and just recently said her own version of her name (Sinsee).

As of now these are the words she can say:

-hot                    -out                        -up (up, up)
-down                -help (elp)              -dog
-yeyo (Yellow)  -Purpuh (purple)    -no no
-uh oh                -more                     -done
-gen (again)       -book                     -outside
-bubbles             -shoes                    -socks
-ya                      -hi                         -bye bye
-off                     -on                        -op (open)
-wa wa (water)   -juice                    -cack (cracker)
-moo                  -duck                     -cack cack (quack quack)
-fench fies (french fries)                  -dip dip (Ketchup)

People she can name:

• Mama
• Daddy
• Nana
• Papa
• Ach (Aunt Ashley)
• Dew (Uncle Drew)
• Ama (Gama)
• George (Curious George)
• MeeMee (Minnie)
• Doc (Doc McStuffins)
• Sha (Ms. Shaela)

 She just has the sweetest face! :)

 Never without them!

While unpacking she found all of her bears and blankets (I swap them out every so often so they get equal wear and tear. That way if she loses one, she has others that aren't "new").

Amongst all of the moving chaos I am so thankful to sit down and reflect on these past 18 months with my Sweet Mackenzie Brynn!! She is such a blessing and lights up my life every day! She is continuing to grow and becoming increasingly independent. I look forward to what these next 6 months brings. 

Kinsey's love and mine,

Brittany

Cleaning bath toys!

Now that life has started to slow down (more like I'm getting used to the craziness) I thought I would take a whack at this again! I think it's so cool to see my blog friends who are able to stay up to date with their blogs!! Kinsey is almost 18 months old, talks my ear off, and is certainly trying to be independent. She has 11 teeth and is growing like a weed (more about that later!)

While beginning to pack my little family for our big move this weekend, I decided it was about time I cleaned Kinsey's bath toys! So after perusing Pintrest and my favorite DIY blogs, I came across a formula for a vinegar mixture. I've learned a lot about white distilled vinegar these past couple weeks. One is that it's a natural disinfectant and keeps harsh chemicals from harming by sweet girl! I have started making many mixtures using white distilled vinegar and it has made cleaning my house so much easier and cheaper too! I came across Heather's blog that gave a few ways to clean bath toys and it was a total success! 

 http://welovebeingmoms.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-why-to-clean-bath-toys.html

Since my tub needed a good cleaning too I just put her toys in my tub with hot water and 1/2 cup of vinegar. I let the toys soak, scrubbed the foam letters/numbers, and was sure to suck some of the mixture into the squirt toys to be sure the insides got clean.

It worked like a charm and I didn't have to worry about bleach getting soaked up and Kinsey accidentally ingesting it!



 For more ideas of how to use vinegar check out this website!!

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

Kinsey's love and mine,

Brittany