Max's First Hair Cut

Kirk finally discovered a way to punish me for going to Target. I'm kidding. Well. Kind of.

I left the house Saturday night with an actual purpose [<- rare] for going to Target and when I returned I was shocked to see Max sitting on the bathroom counter and Kirk buzzing his hair. Max was very content, just watching in the mirror with a look of admiration on his face. 

My immediate question to Kirk was, "what in the world are you doing?!?" 

In a very Kirk-esque fashion he responded with, 

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm cutting his hair." 

I don't think Kirk expected this simple procedure to make me so emotional. It is just hair. I am at peace with it now. However, initially I went into panic mode. To me, cutting that handful of hair symbolized Max making another small transformation into toddlerhood. I like to prepare myself for such events. It's not easy for me to "let go" of my baby. I kept thinking about how some of those strands of hair probably started growing while he was still in the womb. 

Ahh, just writing this is making me feel a little sad again. Breathe. Lol. 

I continued to tell Kirk that this is something we should have talked about. And more importantly, something I should have been present for. Although I did get to watch the last half of the hair cut. Kirk defended himself by claiming we did talk about cutting his hair. Hmm, I remember that conversation going like this. 

Me: Max's hair is getting a little long. Do you think we should cut it or let it grow?

Kirk: We should probably cut it soon.

Me: I think we should let it grow out for a little bit longer.

THE END. I must have missed the part of the conversation where we agreed to cut his hair. 

Oh well. As I said before, I am okay now. Max looks pretty adorable manly with his new cut. I'm sure it won't be the last emotional rite of passage I will experience as a mother. For example, I often think about when Lyla will want the  baby nursery decor removed from her room. I will of course surrender to her request, but it will be tough for me. 

It was a bonding experience for Kirk and Max. 

And I am happy his dad was the one to give him his first hair cut. 

Lyla: 2 1/2 Year Old Check-Up

Weight: 28 lbs 4 oz, 50th percentile

Height: 37 inches, 90th percentile

My sweet little Lyla had a check up this week. She was so pumped about the appointment. All.day.long. she kept saying, "he check my heart" "he check my heart".  Then she would get this biiiig grin on her face and say, "pretty soon, mommy!" She got to wear a hospital gown for the first time and that made it an even more awesome experience. Role playing is a big thing for her right now. We visit the pretend doctor several times a week. So, naturally, getting to see the real doctor was a treat. However, the anticipation must have got the best of her, because she went completely silent once the doctor entered the room. No matter how hard he tried to charm her, she kept a stone cold poker face.

I tattled on Lyla for eating like a baby bird most days. I poured my heart out to the doctor about how stressful it is every single day trying to get this girl to eat and how some days I often wonder how she is even alive. The optimistic side of me was expecting him to wave a magic wand and all of our eating issues be solved, but all he did was smile and say welcome to the world of toddlers. His only tip was to offer food at each meal, let her be involved, and just keep trying. I practice these habits already and I also feel strongly about not forcing her to eat. I have one million different tricks. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they do not. Alas, if she is hungry, she will eat....eventually. Sigh. 

He also suggested I try to ignore her daily intake, and focus on the whole week instead. This makes sense to me because it is true that some days she will eat three well balanced meals, and the next day hardly anything at all. He reassured me that she is built tall & skinny, and that's just fine. 

Oh, then after all that, he mentioned she should be eating fish twice a week.

I literally asked him, "are you trying to be funny right now?"

I would love her for her to eat fish twice a week, but what a joke! 

I can't even convince her to eat fish shaped crackers.

The little brother is pictured below.

He was very sweet and well behaved while big sister had her check up.

Also, he is beginning to lose that baby look. I don't like that. 

Lyla's two year old stats can be found here!

Patriots & Fireworks

4th of July is my favorite. It's the perfect summertime holiday.

[especially since, unlike last year, I didn't have to go into rage mode

 for fireworks waking up my newborn.]

We went to the parade. We paid a visit to a firework stand.

 We had a BBQ. We played in the backyard. We did a little swimming. 

It was a really fun day & I only missed Idaho for a little tiny bit. 

Thanks for the great birthday, America!

 Lyla showing off her new injury from a sparkler. 

parenting fail moment...

Abstract Art

Lyla drew a self-portrait.  All on her own.  I didn't even tell her to draw a person. 

 It's really impressive.  It made me cry.  I'm going to frame it. 

"mommy, that's me."