You know when you dread doing something so you just keep putting it off over and over again? And if you’d just done it in the first place you might find it wasn’t as hard as you anticipated…Yeah, I know that feeling too. We took away the babies morning bottle this morning. Here I was stressing about it, dreading doing the deed…and what do you know. They didn’t even care. Heaten drank about 3 ounces of milk from his sippy. Shenzie didn’t drink any, but I’m sure over time that will change. I now know not to prolong my misery with inching the band-aid off, just rip that sucker off!
Back before the Crazies were a twinkle in my eye I had visions of what being a mom was. You would think watching my Mom raise 6 kids that I would have had a clue at how hard and stressful it can be….I guess I wasn’t too observant back then. I knew there would be sleep deprivation, but I never knew I would be so tired I could barely function. I knew there would be crying and fussing, but heavens to betsy..the crying and fussing is enough to make you poke your ear drums out. I knew there would be worry and fear over their health and well being. What I didn’t know was that it is a constant fear and worry over their well being. Everything revolves around making them happy, keeping them safe, and A LOT of entertaining.
I never knew how much the babies would change me….not my life, but me, Lesley. I am not the worlds most patient person, but when it comes to the babies I have all of the patience in the world. I do get tired, and frustrated, and stressed…but I don’t often lose my patience with them. Another thing that has surprised me is my total lack of having over achievers. Don’t get me wrong, I always want them to succeed and do their best, but I am not pressed to make it happen now. I have the overachiever gene. I always want to be the best…competitive much? My Mom loves to tell the story of me in third grade or so. I got my first C on a test and was so upset about it I marched up to my teacher and told her she had to let me retake the test because I DID NOT get C’s. I’m still that way, but not when it comes to the babies.
I remember a conversation Jeff and I had about weaning the babies from bottles. I was putting my foot down and at one year they would be done with them. That is the normal age and I didn’t want my babies being behind. Hahahah. They are now 14 months old and still get a morning and night bottle.
I do not push them whatsoever when it comes to developmental milestones. I figure they will get there when they are ready. Heaten didn’t crawl until 13 1/2 months and neither are full out walking yet at 14 months. I always thought these things would bother me, but I’m happy to say I am not bothered, worried, or rushed in the least little bit. I figure Shenzie and Heaten will most likely be our only children and I am happy to keep them babies for as long as possible.
Dear Shenzie and Heaten,
You are giving whole new meaning to the word busy. You are both going in opposite directions playing who can get away the fastest. This has been a wonderful month. When I look at you now I no longer see my babies, but two individual self entertaining, almost walking toddlers. Amazing and wonderful and sad how quickly things change. You had your second Thanksgiving and I must say this one was a lot more fun and also a lot more work. Last Thanksgiving you pretty much slept through it all. This Thanksgiving you were all over the place. You even ate Thanksgiving dinner with us! It was a BIG hit for Shenzie, not so much for Heaten…but you loved the leftovers. You are both on the verge of walking. You cruise around from one place to another. Gone are the days I leave you sitting on the rug and you stay there. Now I find you all over….the kitchen, laundry room, banging on the piano, hiding under the table. We baby proofed the entire house so you have free roaming and roam you do!
The sweetest moments are when you are playing quietly together or laughing hysterically at one another. One day while eating in your high chairs I looked over and you were holding hands. My heart melted. Shenzie, the other day when you leaned over and rested your head against your brother I thought my heart would burst with love. The same when Heaten tried to give you a kiss. I love that you have each other to grow up with, love, play with, and watch out for.
Dear Shenzie,
My little tiny tot. You are insane. I’m sorry, but it’s true. When somebody asks what your name is you might just say crazy since that is what I call you all day. You have such a big personality. It comes out full force and when you’re being sweet and loving it is great, but when you’re being aggressive and frustrated…watch out! Daddy says he knows somebody that you are exactly like, but we won’t name any names. =) We have had to start time out with you. It was getting to the point where you would scratch, claw, and pull hair constantly. I’m happy to say it has lessoned. The only time you lash out now is when you’re angry, scared, hurt, or tired.
You are going through severe separation anxiety. I cannot leave your sight or you start to cry. Some days are worse than others and let me tell you…those bad days are enough to make me drink (ok, not really since I don’t drink, but you see what I’m saying). You are VERY clingy and are starting to get jealous of the time I spend with Heaten. On the upside, when you’re being very clingy I get lots of hugs, kisses, and you rest your little head on me so sweetly.
You have a couple of new things. Of course you still love food. You’re not picky at all which is fantastic. You’ve recently discovered Doritos. Completely not my fault. You smelled the yumminess on my breath and tried to french kiss me to get the yummy in your mouth. Now whenever I eat Doritos I have to hide my mouth from you or you’ll attack it like a starved person. You also started dancing. You will rock back and forth when music comes on. Not all music, just the songs you apparently like.
You are VERY picky with who you’ll let hold you. It depends on if you’re tired how crazy you’ll be if somebody looks at you the wrong way let alone tries to hold you. No matter what mood you’re in you’ll let Grandpa hold you. You LOVE your Grandpa. You cuddle him, let him show you his rattle snake skin, sit on his lap, and will NOT let Grandma take you from him. He has stolen your little heart (don’t worry, the feeling is mutual…even though he pretends it is Grandma that needs her “Shenzie fix” we all know the real truth).
You are finally starting to get some hair….and it is curly. I’m sorry you got both daddy and my curliness. You have 6 teeth and are starting to lose your baby fat. *Sniff sniff* My little baby girl is growing up. You are so beautiful, fun, funny, sweet, aggressive, playful, and mean. I love you to bits and bits and bits.
Love,
Mama
Dear Heaten,
This month was VERY exciting for you. You finally crawl, sit up on your own, take steps, pull up, and cruise around. Your fussy level went from an 8 to a 3 1/2. With your new found freedom you are a much happier boy. You LOVE to cruise around the house from wall to wall, couch to coffee table, and anywhere else you can get to. You are still very curious and want to get into everything. Of course the few things you’re not supposed to get into is where you always end up. You love to look out windows and bang on them.
You are still a very picky eater. One day you’ll love bananas the next you won’t even touch them. It is quite a chore finding foods you will eat on a daily basis. You have two teeth now and let me tell you…teething is NOT fun for you. These past couple of weeks my perfect little sleeper doesn’t want to sleep anymore. I’m blaming teething and walking. Hopefully soon you’ll settle back into your wonderful sleep habits.
You love people and when we’re out you yell out to them. It is so sweet and adorable except when we’re at the library and there you are yelling up a storm. Your favorite game is to put things in my mouth and then have me transfer them to your mouth. We do this over and over during bath time. You laugh hysterically when we play this game and it always makes everything better. You are starting to talk more. You finally said Mama and make a variety of sounds. Your favorite lately is coughing. You will fake cough over and over. If I cough you cough. You love it.
You are still the toy thief, but Shenzie has started fighting back. The result is a lot of yelling, crying, and falling over from pulling on the toy so hard. You are very sweet and loving. You do have a little temper. It flares up and then is quickly gone. When you do get mad you yell and growl and then you’re over it.
You are my sweet, chunky, fun, funny, happy, emotional little boy and I love you to bits and bits and bits.
Love,
Mama
