Bree and Bauer’s Blog

There are times when you just see something and think…I’m so glad I’ve gotten to experience life raising both a boy and a girl.  It never ceases to amaze me how even though boys and girls are “supposed” to be interested in completely different things, they just find a way to make it work together!

I was cleaning up Bree’s doll stuff this week and I noticed something strange on the wardrobe that holds all her dolls clothes in her doll house.  I guess Bauer had been there and was trying to figure out what would look good on his train car.  I couldn’t resist taking a picture!  I’ve now seen the trains travel to the dollhouse in person.  He’s a creature of habit, that boy!

What happens when you have a 3 year old fairy princess…

…and an 18 month old hockey player?

You get to take them for their well check doctor visits at the same time!

Now is that impeccable timing or what??!!!

Last Thursday morning, I did just that.  I packed up my fabulous duo and we headed to the Fort Worth for our well checks.  We watched a few scenes from the Lion King, had some tag teaming by the nursing staff to get height and weight and all those fun facts, and showed off our fabulousness to our dear friend and amazing doctor, Dr. Jenica Rose-Stine.

Doing two well-checks at once is pretty much just controlled chaos (controlled because you are in one room with the door closed).  But the kids did amazingly well.  I even remember some of what was said.  These are the highlights I found most interesting (this should be interesting for you to read Jenica).  As a three year old, you should be able to recognize and draw a circle…Bree drew a circle and a square.  As a three year old, your speech should be able to be understood 75% of the time.  Jenica felt as though she was right on track.  Awesome.  She also told me to not worry about this whole potty-training race.  At 3, there is a 50/50 chance your kid won’t be potty trained.  So in a nutshell, I should be able to find some people to commiserate with at least.  I have no idea how tall Bree is or how much she weighs, but I do remember she is 95% in height and 94% in weight.  So it makes sense that she towers over all the little girls in her dance class :)  But we are all about proportion in this family.  Again right on track!

As for Bauer, he weighs a chunky 32 pounds and is 97% in weight and 96% in height.  So as my sweet neighbor said it, there are 18 month olds bigger than Bauer, just not any in the state probably!  He has at least 10-15 words he says regularly.  We took him off cows milk for awhile due to some unfortunate side effects (output unacceptable), but Dr. Jenica said to try it again, so we did today and all is right in the world.  YAY!  Bauer decided to show off his bowels during his check-up…two big poos in less than 5 minutes…JOY!  Dr. Jenica got to see firsthand, our little drama king and his loud grunting that goes along with number 2. Everything else checked out great on B & B and I once again was filled with such gratitude that our check-ups are so uneventful.  Well, the gratitude came to mind once both kids were buckled in their carseats and I got to breathe for a second on the way home.

We even were able to finally get in a dose of H1N1 vaccine…so hopefully we will escape without that “fun” memory in 2010!  Overall, success.  No one escaped.  And really for two toddlers, there was limited crying.  I credit Jen and her staff.  AMAZING!

The reward for being so good at the doctor’s was a trip to see Grammy and ride on the mall carousel out by her house.  This provided for even more adventure than Grammy and I ever planned.  We survived though and then Mom and I got to hang out for an uninterrupted few hours during the most amazing nap time ever.

Vaccines + Carousel + Rain Weather = Heaven in the form of a nap.

It was a great way to spend a Thursday afternoon for sure!  Thanks Grammy!

The week continued to be fabulous today due to it being Pajama Day at school for the kids.  Bree is in love with PJs…so really this is the most fun day of the year for her.  Bauer just doesn’t like to change clothes so it was a win-win for everyone.  Sean and I also had a special day.  And no we didn’t wear pjs all day.  But we did have a “date day”.  We both took off from work and spent the hours the kids were at school together.  We did a long run out at White Rock lake in preparation for our 1/2 Marathon in April and then ate all the greasy wonderfulness that is Snuffers for lunch.  It was a much needed reconnection day.  And we even saw the sun for most of our run….oh how I’ve missed the sun.

Kids in PJs after school!

Kids in pjs (and fairy costume) playing hockey with Dad.

Happy weekend everyone!

One of my biggest trials today was attempting to find a place for my kids to bounce (bounce houses all over DFW seem to be closing down…we ended up at a fun outside park in Grapevine).

One of my biggest trials today was trying to make it home from Junior League meeting in time to give Bree kisses before bed.

One of Bauer’s biggest trials today was his lack of a second cup of milk on his way to drop sister at dance class.  Oh and that wild cowlick that stood back up the minute we got his hair cut today.

One of Bree’s biggest trials today was picking which of her new pajama sets to wear for naptime.  Oh and not getting to have Sprite with her icecream cone at Braum’s after danceclass.

One of Sean and I’s biggest trials today was discussing where to watch the superbowl: babysitters…parties…or just doing our own solo thing with the kids.

To most of the world’s population, the above wouldn’t even breach the annoyance realm…much less be considered a trial.

Why do I get to be so lucky???  I’m not sure…

I pray for all the people who are facing trials in their own life…no matter how insignificant or how insurmountable it may seem to others.  God give us the grace to face whatever comes our way and make us stronger people for it!

I can’t say that I hope my luck/blessings/whatever it is ever runs out, but I do hope that I can record enough happy times and memories to sustain me through whatever comes my way next!

My little boy with his big boy haircut is one of those happy times…

Here’s to a strong world and an even stronger God!

Bree is officially three and we celebrated her birthday this past Friday the only way I know how…opulence on a birthday is forgivable, right??!!!

We started with pancakes…Bree asked for her to be shaped like triangles…and Daddy made it happen!  Mine were thick and round….and ridiculously fabulous!

Then there were presents.  I saved her presents from our Quincy family (Mee-Maw, Skylar and Ian) and she had some from Mommy, Daddy and Bauer as well!  I hid them all over the house and she hunted them all down and admired her stack before she set to ripping them open!

She got a vast assortment of Snap N Style Doll clothes and props, a couple books, and some fun Littlest Pet Shop underwear (let’s get potty training).

Bauer came in to check out all the loot and Bree and him immediately started playing tug of war with the packing peanuts that came out of one of the boxes!  It is always the boxes and the packing materials that are the most interesting gifts!

Bauer got his half-birthday gift on Friday as well.  He got some additional train tracks and train cars to go with his well used set.  Bree immediately forgot her dolls and was onto the fun of the trains.

Bauer is in LOVE with his trains.  I’m pretty sure it could be his only toy and he would be just fine with that fact.  He sits by his tracks and makes “Woo Woo” sounds over and over.  He just can’t get enough.  I find it humorous that he is so into his trains.  He has grown up around all of Bree’s girl toys and got his first train set from one of my dear friends at work, Mardie, on his first birthday.  It starts that whole conversation about nature v. nurture.  It is truly a blessing to get to raise a boy and a girl and see the subtle and blaring challenges it creates!

Bree headed off to school on her birthday ready to share Capri Suns and cookies with her classmates.  She was wearing a new outfit and looking more sophisticated and mature than I believe it possible!

We had one more surprise in store for our little diva when she arrived home from school.  Mee-Maw had generously offered to let us take the Barbie house she used with her granddaughters for the past few years when we were in Quincy, IL last September.  We boxed it up and placed it in the attic.  We were waiting for Bree’s love of dolls to become apparent. And it has!!  So Sean set it up while she was in school and it is just the perfect final piece to her big girl room!  And to her birthday!

She and Bauer immediately took a liking to it and tried to not only climb the house but also the storage cube right next to it.  Those two monkeys definitely keep Sean and I on our toes!

What a great week for my birthday girl and half birthday boy!  I’m pretty sure next to Christmas, birthdays with little kids is one of the best parts of this whole parenting game!

In honor of my fabulous daughter’s 3rd birthday today, I thought it would be fun to post a few recent pics of her playing dress-up.  She just never ceases to amaze and I am so glad that she came to join us 3 years ago today…only a mere 6 days late!  I’m sure I’ll get over that 6 days at some point in my motherhood.

Her love of dress-up has just started and she luckily got some great dress-up outfits at her birthday party last weekend.  She likes to put on all her accessories and “go show daddy”.  It’s pretty darn adorable!  Then she takes off all the accessories intermittently on the way back to her room…not so adorable.  Oh three year olds!

You can run but you can’t hide in that outfit, Bree-Bree!

Tool time…

Nothing beats a good fairy costume with a wand and a purple headband!

A safari hunt is always enhanced with a little tutu and glove action!

And here’s a video of Bree practicing for her first dance recital

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This three year old of ours definitely keeps things fun and interesting.  I fall more in love with her spontaneity, stubbornness, independence and obsession with spaghetti-o’s and meatballs everyday!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives Briana Catherine!  Here’s to potty training, our first dance recital and maybe playing on a soccer team or two this year!

My little girl is three years old!  Well, technically, Bree will be three on Friday…but her party was today.  It is very hard to explain to an almost three year old the 5 day span between your birthday party day and your actual birthday.  So Bree is THREE!

It really has gotten to the point where I can’t remember much of life without this little spitfire in it.  And yes, that’s a good thing!

Bree’s obsession with animals, Diego, Dora and all things hide and seek led me to come up with the “Safari” theme for this little shindig today.

So we gathered up a few of our favorite little and big people!

Martin, Sean and Bauer worked hard to get everything ready for the party!

Bree got to invite a few of her favorite friends from school including her friend Geneveive.

We started the party off by preparing our safari maps with some coloring and animal stickering.

I enlisted the help of two of my favorites…Allison and Audrey…to put on this fabulous safari rescue mission.

After coloring our maps, Sean explained the rules.  Each kid got to hunt for a pair of binoculars & safari hat.

Then they would proceed to the Animal Rescue station (Kangaroo Climber) where they would be given a picture of a missing animal that they would need to find in the backyard.

The whole plan was for them to rescue all the animals and place them in the Rescued Box.

So simple, yet still challenging and overall just a lot of fun in our new backyard.

The kids got really into it.  Some of the parents were a little perplexed.

The safari hats were a big hit!

With over 30 animals to rescue, the mission kept us very busy!

Once we rescued all the animals (I think), it was PINATA TIME.

It took all kinds of hits to break open this “3″:

Little hits…

Medium hits…

And a some BIG hits and a kick or two by Uncle David!

Then there was candy chaos!!!

After all good candy explosions come CAKE!

Bree has been practicing blowing out candles with Play-doh cakes for about 6 months now!

PRESENTS!!!  Bree got such a fun variety:

Dress-up clothes…

Crafty stuff…

A Black and Decker Tool Set…BIG HIT!

A cutie purse…

And her very own “I don’t have to share with my brother” Magnadoodle…

Of course after opening presents, there was playing with presents!

Princess Bree

All the girls and Cameron checking out the tools…

There was more “safari” time when Granddad arrived…hilarious!

And don’t forget Championship Sunday…lots of football to watch!

And nothing can finish off a birthday party day quite like some cuddle time and milk with Grammy!

Happy birthday Bree-Bree!  We are so blessed to have you grow up before our eyes!  There may or may not be more presents for you on Friday…your actual birthday!!!!  I know you won’t argue with more presents!

We are beginning to see the fruits of our labor…

Most people who find out you have kids 18 months apart ask your opinion of that age difference, my answer up to this point has been, “I wouldn’t recommend it!”  Sounds harsh, but these past 18 months have been a trial of love and sanity.  Having an 18 month old and a newborn baby is perhaps the most polar opposite of the need spectrum you can find.  They are both needy all of the time but that is about all they have in common.

But here we are 18 months later (almost) and the tides are beginning to turn.  I can see the commonalities of their personalities starting to come out.  They are interested in each other and in some of the same things…

And Bauer is finally at the age where he can listen, understand, and sometimes follow directions!!!

I know I have to appreciate this limited timeframe before Bauer turns “two” and dislikes everything and everyone.  But hopefully we will have a few FABULOUS months of togetherness before that happens.  Maybe he will like his relationship with Bree so much he will forego the terrible “two’s” for her sake.  Maybe just maybe…isn’t my wishful thinking hilarious???!!!

Notable parts of this whole mom things are happening everyday…

Today I actually sat and talked to one of my dearest friends, Katy, at Chuckie Cheese while my two kids wandered around.  We had a conversation.  I can actually recall some of the details.  I asked questions.  I told stories.  I’ve waited for this moment.  I’ve watched in awe of other moms that get to do this during playdates at various locations…and while I still had to stand up to locate the red bow head and see what she was doing…and while I still had to go rescue Bauer before he crawled into the target of the skeeball machine…I had a conversation.  Mission Accomplished!

We also had an incredible MLK day off of work/school.  We took the dogs on a walk and played at the park.  As the kids and I were playing, I laughed at how playground games never get replaced.  The same things my parents did are the same things I did, and the same things my kids are doing…and who says this world has no tradition.

Of course there is swinging…a favorite for everyone.  Bauer has graduated to the big swing mainly because he has to do what Bree does, but it was getting a little hard to get his giant body in and out of the toddler swing.

Then there is building campfires (random sticks and rocks) and roasting marshmallows (sticks with leaves).

Then my all-time favorite…rocks on the slide…nothing beats a dirty bum!

All that good ole fashioned park fun just makes you want to give your dog a hug!

How handsome is this kid?!!!  Thanks to Aunt Robyn and cousin Ryan for some great clothes.  Bauer’s playing in them would do you proud!

Bauer is so big he thinks he can do all things big kids can.  At our neighborhood gathering on Saturday, he tried to take his truck down our big stairs.  Let’s just leave it at the stairs won…huge bump!

Some notable moments in a B&B world:

Baseball…Bree is ready to hit and Bauer is eating the ball.

I gave the kids their bath after our big day of playing yesterday.  In the past I have loathed bathtime…kids screaming soap is in their eyes, fighting over toys, etc.  But again something has changed.  Both kids played like pros last night and I took this picture because it is the first time I have ever given the kids a bath that they actually sat down…yes first time!  It makes it so much easier to wash a kid when they sit down….HALLELUJAH!

We switched Bree into her BIG girl bed (my old queen bed) yesterday as well.  We know the time is creeping up on us when Bauer will need the toddler bed and out of sheer frugality, i didn’t want to buy any more furniture.  She loves it…she actually napped in it yesterday…again needed documentation to prove it!

And last but not least was our trip to the Cheese today:

Nothing beats a little air hockey by yourself!

But basketball is still THE favorite!

Bree was very proud that she got to carry the tokens “all by myself”…she acts like mom had a choice!

And there is my daughter leaving the premises with Chuckie Cheese…this one has no fear!  I lured her back with pizza and some more tokens!

So that’s life in a Murphy world right now.  Things are blissfully good.  I love being a mom today.  I’m going to try and bottle it up for the trying times we have yet to face.  But for today…thanks go up above!