The Glamorous Imposter.....random musings

Two things on my mind tonight. First, how absolutely glamorous my life is. I realized it today as I was picking up my antibiotic for my boob being infected (mastitis), along with more Ibuprofen for the fever, and stool softener. Seriously? This is my life now? Really?

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S!!!

Oh the joys of having babies. They really do a number on one's body, that's for sure.

Second, I feel like an imposter. I feel like I'm posing as a Mom who has it together. Ha ha! I've got the people at the YMCA fooled. Drake has gone to Mother's Morning Out the past two mornings, and the staff can't help but comment how organized and together I am with my two boys. They have no idea how far from the truth that is. Also, a woman in the parking lot yesterday asked *me* about my double stroller. Can someone PLEASE tell me when on earth *I* became the person to give advice about something like that? As I thought about it later, I cracked up. See, I am that Mom with the double stroller, the organized diaper bags, and the meticulous day planner. That's who I am, but part of my brain still thinks I'm the cool and fun twenty something who is bar-hopping downtown on weekends. When in reality, I honestly can't remember the last time I've been in any bar or club downtown.

Another random thought process- Oklahoma sucks. Their senate just overrode the governor to pass two laws. One- they will now require pregnant women to have an ultrasound and review it's detailed results before having an abortion. There is no clause to excuse victims of rape and incest. Two- doctors who FAIL to inform parents that their child has KNOWN birth defects, cannot be sued for malpractice. All I have to say is W-T-F??? Disgusting Oklahoma, just disgusting. It's 2010, and sometimes I feel like Roe vs Wade was just passed yesterday, and we still are fighting that battle. I don't even know how these two laws are considered constitutional.

Well, I'm off to complete a few more pages in Drake's first year photo book!

Inspired!

So, a while back I blogged about Kelle Hampton and her blog, www.enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com. It is inspiring and beautiful to read. It will make you think, and it will make you pause to enjoy the little things in your life a little bit more. I suggest everyone follow it!

Anyhow, she is a professional photographer and takes gorgeous photos! She has for the past three years made a hard back "coffee table book", with pics of her daughters previous year. It's part of her daughters BD gift, and she plans to do it for 18 years. I just LOVE this idea. What a wonderful way to document her life. For the Mom, and the child. So, I've decided to do this for my boys. With iphoto on my Mac, it's honestly not that technically difficult. And I'm only one year behind!!! Once I get Drake's first year done, then I can just take my time and do each boy month by month. When I finish each year, I'll order two books. One for my little man (and their future wife), and one for me. I thought it was so cool when Eric's mom gave me his baby book. It was cool to see his pictures as a baby and child, and read about what kind of things would set him off into a temper tantrum. Essentially, that's what these books will be, just more pictures. I'm really excited to get started! Thanks Kelle for this wonderful idea!

Two children, and Mommy guilt

I sit here in my rocker, enjoying a movie on TV while Eli sleeps. Drake is at Mother's Morning Out, so I can clean and get laundry done. I'm done in the kitchen, and the washer and dryer are hard at work. Everyone keeps asking me how I'm doing with two children so close together. Honestly, it is very manageable. Busier, and harder, but very doable. I don't know any different than having them close like this, so I have nothing to compare it to. I am perplexed that I ever thought I was "busy" before having kids. What a joke- I worked three days a week, with no other responsibilities. What on earth did I do those other four days???

Sweet Eli is doing great. We have his one month checkup this week, and I can't wait to see what he weighs. He is so sweet; only cries when he's hungry or gassy. We LOVE Mylicon around our house. Drake is doing well with him, but wants to touch him all the time. He is more clingy towards me when I'm holding Eli, and has been exploring the world of biting. We're definitely working on these things!

Having two children has increased my level of Mommy guilt. I feel bad while I'm fixing Drake's meal and Eli is fussing in his Moses basket. I feel bad when I'm changing Eli's diaper and Drake is clinging to my leg and whining. I feel bad when I'm nursing Eli and Drake just wants to be up in my lap too. I assume this is all normal, but it doesn't make it hurt any less to feel as if I'm not giving each of them my all. I AM giving my all, it just has to be divided between the two of them.

Well, the dryer is finished, so I've gotta get going. Cleaning and laundry are calling, and I've gotta leave at 12:45 to go pick up my big boy.

Trip to Florence

Last weekend, we headed to Florence for a visit. I stayed until yesterday, but Eric had to come back Sunday to work this past week. We mostly just relaxed and spent time with family and friends. My personal highlight was getting my hair colored/cut! It was so nice to be pampered and get this hair looking better, even if I did have to hold Eli the entire time. I had a hair appt set up for the day after Eli was born, which of course was cancelled. So I was thrilled to get one while in Florence. Now, onto the photos.

This is Aunt Amber holding Eli. Amber is technically not his aunt. Heck, she's not technically any kind of related. She's actually my cousin's girlfriend, but we've collectively decided as a family that we like her better. She babysat Drake some while we lived there, and has always taken it upon herself to completely spoil him. And she was SO very excited to meet Eli, and start spoiling him too. She got off work at 5pm on Saturday, and was at my parents house by 5:15pm:-) My boys are so very fortunate to have Aunt Amber, who loves to shower them with love and attention.

Aunt Barbara holding Eli. She is technically his aunt:-) She also loves to spoil my boys rotten.

There is nothing like milky mouth....I absolutely love when Eli pulls himself off the breast, only to see dribbles of milk running down his face.
So, first off- I know this hat looks like a bonnet. I won't let him wear it in public, lol. But I love this picture, b/c it is the perfect example of why babies that are cloth diapered are called "fluffy butts".
Drake loves filling the back of his "Gator" dump truck, and then taking the balls and toys back out.
And he also loves playing soccer.
"Dirt don't hurt". That's Drake's motto for being in the country. He gets filthy dirty playing outside all day, and loves it.
Examining the gator. You should see him pretend to put gas in it.
See how happy he is? I told you he likes being dirty.
I correct myself, he LOVES to be dirty.
Grandpa, Eli, and Drake all in the garden. They teach them early in Florence.
Checking out the crops
Sitting on Grandpa's 4-wheeler
Sitting on his toy 4 wheeler that doesn't work.
Grandma desperately trying to get Eli to take a bottle. He wanted no parts of it!
For some reason, Drake loves to climb onto the bottom shelf of the baker's rack, and play there.

Random cute pictures

So I look like crap here, but it is SUCH a sweet picture. Eric and his Mom had gone to the grocery store, and I stayed home with the boys. When they left, Drake was napping in his crib, and Eli was napping in the pack & play. Drake woke up way too early from his nap, and I rocked his sweet self back to sleep. Well, of course five minutes later Eli wants to nurse. So I lug my sleeping toddler over to get the baby from the pack&play, and this picture is how Eric found me when they got home. Both babies sleeping on Mommy! I love that they were both sleeping with their arm up on my chest.

He covers his ears to block out all the noise from his big brother.
He loves his Moses Basket!

Grandma came to town!

Grandma came to town two weekends ago! We were so happy to have her here to spoil us all. We ate very well while she was here, and then she left us with a freezer full- Yummy! The day I got my camera out, my battery of course died, so pics were scarce. Eli got lots of snuggles, and Drake loved having his Grandma here to play!

Grandma and Eli

Grandma helping Drake slide at the park. His new friend James was watching:-)

Florence Fun

Drake and Eli have had such a great time visiting with family in Florence. Drake is spending his days outside, playing with Grandpa. Eli is spending his time snuggling with Grandma, in between feedings with Mommy. He REFUSES to take a bottle. We've already tried three types. Eli went to his cousin Peyton's baseball game last night. Drake has had loads of fun playing with Aunt Amber, who he absolutely LOVES. And they've both gotten lots of love and snuggles from their Great-Grandma Sissy.

We've gotten some adorable pics, but you will all have to wait until I get back to Charlotte so I can upload them. The funniest ones are of how dirty Drake is at the end of the day. He plays so hard outside. Today one of my best friend's from college is coming over, so they will have more fun visiting. I have a hair appointment tomorrow, and can't wait to get this hair cut! Eli is just gonna have to go with me, since he wants no part of a bottle. Luckily, the girl who does my hair when I'm here, is very pro-breastfeeding.

We are heading home Thursday, with a fun pit stop planned in Columbia. My parents are going with me and the boys to the zoo!!! I can't wait to take Drake, and see his reaction to the animals. Eli will just enjoy the stroller and my Moby wrap. We've got it planned to drive up there during Drake's morning nap, wear him out, and then I can drive on to Charlotte in the afternoon when everyone is exhausted. And then my parents can head on back home and enjoy not having their house being taken over:-)

Eric is at home, working and taking care of the house/dogs. At least he's getting some sleep, b/c this Mommy sure isn't. Eli is still eating every 2- 3 hours at night. Usually every two. I can't wait for him to get to about 10 pounds, and start sleeping better. And then I want to freeze him there, b/c I just can't take my sweet boys growing up so fast. Anyone know how to make your kids STOP growing up so fast?