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!