Butter. Lots of Butter.

We all have so much to be grateful for and this week

I am especially grateful for my aunt Kari. I had a vision for weeks and

with her help each step of the way, everything came together just as I imagined.

I'm also very grateful for technology this week.

I couldn't have pulled it off without utilizing my texting/video/tango features.

Naturally, I forced all the ladies to awkwardly huddle around the turkey for a portrait. 

It is silly indeed. But it's an Idaho tradition that I'm not ready to let go of.

I must recreate the turkey glory legacy in Texas!

Lyla enjoyed Thanksgiving too.

More so, I think she enjoyed having a house full of guests.

Her and Hali disappeared for quite awhile in the playroom.

 I think Hali needs to come over to play more often.

 She is probably better at playing pretend than I am anyway!

Lyla has always been a party girl and it makes me even

more excited for all the good times ahead during Christmas.

 Here is a photo of her "helping" in the kitchen.

Tablescaping at its finest. 

Olivia and I worked on making it look pretty all week.

Then I ironed and starched the napkins, 

confirming Olivia's belief that I am indeed nuts.

 Lyla sitting on Max is pictured below. 

Kirk is always slightly alarmed that I allow this behavior to happen.

My reasoning is a.) there is only five pounds difference between them.

b.) max likes it. he giggles the entire time.

Overall, Thanksgiving was a success! 

Preparing Thanksgiving is a lot of work and extremely time consuming.

Turkey prep is truly an art form & I can't wait to perfect my technique next year.

Of course, I would rather be spending it as a spectator sitting at Kari's counter in awe. 

But she inspired me to create my own feast and I think all the preparations 

helped keep my mind busy because for the first time I didn't feel sad

about not being in Idaho on a holiday.

I'm healthy. I'm warm. I'm full. I'm happy. 

And so are my beautiful babies.

That's what is most important. 

Life is good.

Update

After 7 days:

I completely stopped consuming caffeine at all times of the day 

and saw a dramatic change in Max. Seriously. 

It's hard to believe it was making him that grouchy, but it make sense. It's science. Hello!

Maybe it was just a fussy phase, but the instant I cut off caffeine I noticed I big difference.

I guess my little baby doesn't enjoy being jacked up on caffeine all day. 

Understandable. I'm sorry sweet Max. 

My food & drink intake is back on my radar for your sake.

I'm so happy he is back to his pleasant little self. 

After 3 days:

Lyla is not catching onto the potty training thing as quickly as I hoped.

Yes, I expected accidents. But I also expected more progress.

She only successfully used the toilet twice. Exciting, but not good enough!!

The rest of her waste ended up in various locations around the house.

I know I'm impatient for giving up after only three days.

But she is still a little young and intimidated by the porcelain god.

We will continue to encourage her to use the potty, but maybe

 it will be best to wait to try again after all the holiday madness.

I am really looking forward to the day when I can spend that

 extra diaper money on something more spectacular though...

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I'm happy to 

announce that I'm preparing my very first turkey.

With my aunt mentoring me all the way from Idaho, 

I think I can pull off something glorious! 

I never knew menu planning and table-scaping could 

be so time consuming and anxiety inducing!

Luckily I have Olivia here to hand me a brown paper bag

to breathe into when I start feeling overwhelmed. ;)

Turkey pictures coming soon and then my daddy is coming for a visit! Hooray!

My Loves

I absolutely love observing as Max smiles & giggles at his sister.

Moments like this makes up for all the tough stuff I like to complain about. 

Hungry Man

"I've been trying to tell these people that I am hungry and they finally listened!"

I fed Maxwell a sweet potato today and he was in heaven.

He's been getting so feisty at dinner time trying to grab items off our plate,

that I decided waiting until six months would just be torture.

He didn't spit it out. Didn't make a face.

He quickly sucked it off the spoon with a smile

and wanted more promptly afterwards.

Also, he looks like such a big boy in the high chair.

It makes me sad!!!

I know rice cereal is typically a first food for babies.
But  Max has a very sophisticated pallet for his age.
Plus, I think everyone is well aware that I run my life out of order.

That's just how I roll........

And for the sake of not being left out, a couple shots of Lyla being artsy.

The New Boss

Don't let this adorable little guy fool you.

I remember a time many many moons ago when I gave Max

 the reputation of being so laid back and easy going. 

Well. Since that time I believe Lyla has passed her diva torch

 onto her little bro while I wasn't looking.

 Max has preceded her throne with ease.

But really. It seems little Max has emerged to a point where he is very

 aware of his surroundings and knows he capable of accomplishing so much more,

 but still can't quite figure out how to make his body work the way it's supposed to.

 Max, my son. You are just five months. You will grow up, I promise. 

Just relax. Be patient. Enjoy your short time of being a baby.

 And please stop being so pissy.

He throws a complete fit the moment I leave his range of sight 

and if he is feeling extra sassy he will not even let me set him down a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e.

This includes the floor...couch...bed...rug...swing...crib. anywhere! 

My arms are literally the only source of his happiness. 

Most of the time I don't mind holding him and I'm happy to do so. He's my baby!

 But I feel he should be a little more appreciative and understanding if I need to give

 my arms a five minute break and/or remind his sister that she does still exist. 

Good grief. I wish I was exaggerating. This must pass soon.

 I question why he is insists on being so attached to me?

 I mean, I'm flattered...but his obsession is slightly excessive.

Am I doing something wrong? Loving him too little? Loving him too much? 

Meanwhile, Lyla is becoming funnier and more talkative every day.

 Her dramatic meltdowns are happening less frequently. 

Plus, more often than not, they are fake, which makes them easy to ignore. 

She is a good listener most of the time and her independent behavior

 makes her easier to take care of overall. 

For instance, Charli and Jeremy watched the kids on Saturday night so we could go to dinner. 

Any parent knows that going to a restaurant kid-free is a delicious slice of heaven. 

Anyway, Lyla was a nice girl as expected. She was a happy ball of energy.

But Max brought a whole different kind of energy...
he preferred to unleash his inconsolable rage the entire time we were away.

 Sooo that was the first time and likely the last time they will offer to babysit. 

They will probably prefer being an aunt and uncle via 

instagram photos and this blog instead. It's much more enjoyable that way.

 And I completely understand because nobody considers hanging out 
with a screaming momma's boy a fun evening!

What a baby! I love you Max, you are a cutie, but this behavior has got to change pronto.

After a little self reflection, I realize I've been over doing it on the caffeine lately.

Yes, I can admit that my caffeine habits are wild and out of control.

Returning for a second [or third] cup of coffee in the morning. 

Making frequent trips to McDonald's for their crack infused Diet Coke.

Plus, I've really been hooked on the Pumpkin Spice from Starbucks. 

I've cut myself off completely in hopes that it will help the poor feller.

Perhaps it is all my fault he has been a complete spaz lately.

Perhaps my five month old has been all jacked up on caffeine.

Breastfeeding is such a normal part of our routine now that 

sometimes I forget Max's only source of nourishment is ME!

We shall see. Wish us luck.

Park Days

We discovered another park in this place they call Texas and I think it's our new favorite!

Four Funnies About the Park:

1. Kirk has Lyla on this new kick of saying "best friend" 

[Lyla voice says it the cutest]

Anyway, she was playing with a girl at the park

and stared following her around saying "baaas fraaan"

2. Lyla will go down any slide, big or small. She is fearless.

3. This new park is awesome because it has a rubber ground, instead of bark or sand.

At other parks, the moment any particle of bark or sand gets into 

Lyla's shoe she really loses her cool. 

4. The playground offers ramps instead of steps and stairs.

A very nice feature for a new toddler 

and mom packing around a mini-sumo wrestler. 

Announcement

Today is a glorious day! This is why:

There has been a lot of talk around here about using the potty over the

past few months and I think we really got Lyla acquainted with the idea.

We've been reading potty books, watching shows about using the potty,

she has her own underwear, and likes to pretend to use the potty all the time.

Not to mention she rips off her own diaper whenever she pleases. 

Clearly she understands the concept.

So now it's my turn to put in the work.
The pressure is on.

As always, I've done my research and while
I don't think any particular method will work like magic,
I'm going to take bits and pieces of what I like and put it to use.
Obviously I would love for her to be potty trained over night,
but I don't really think that's realistic either.

This morning after removing her diaper, I did not replace it with a fresh one.
I declared today as 'bare bum Monday" and explained to Lyla
that she was to use the toilet for the rest of the day.

And then the repeated question began...
"Lyla do you need to use the potty?"
She was getting annoyed of me very quickly!

Her first accident occurred while we were getting ready in my bathroom.
I didn't get mad at her, but told her I was very sad she didn't use the toilet
and she seemed equally disappointed in herself, with her head hanging low.

Later, she was standing on the rug in the living room (carpet, eek!)
and I noticed her legs crossed tightly and a small drip running down her leg.
I shrieked and rushed her to the toilet as quickly as possible.
At this point, she was crying and pissed off from all the commotion.

Buuut, as soon as I put her on the toilet her bladder continued to
relieve itself and once she realized it a huge smile swept across her face.
I was screaming for joy because I can't even count how many
times I've placed her up there only for "potty time" to turn into a game
of countless flushing and unrolling of the toilet paper!

I gave her an m&m for her good deed.
yeah yeah...don't reward children like they are pets.
But I don't care. I'm super proud of her.
She deserved a special treat!

That was how our morning went.
We will see if maybe a #2 can happen this afternoon.
Going potty for the first time is a big accomplishment,
and now that she's actually done it, we are not turning back!

Changing two butts is getting old.
Stay tuned for Lyla's progress!