I-Pad

I have a new obsession - apparently I was good enough this year for Santa to bring me a new toy. I would hope so considering I've "given" Santa two children in two years and, after all the season is all about giving, right?

I must say the I-Pad is quite wonderful, I'm still attempting to figure it out but so far I'm in love. I can blog, organize my grocery list (by aisle!), catch up on all the celebrity gossip, email/facebook/twitter, pay bills...etc.

Thanks Santa!!

Too Quiet.....

It had been a little bit too quiet in our house (35 seconds) and so I began to wonder what my mischievous toddler was doing.

Well, of course she was (stuck) sitting in the toilet, in her pajamas, chewing on a hairbrush.  What else do you do at 10:00 a.m.?  I half-expected her to have a toilet-cocktail like usual - but there were no additions of puzzle pieces, kitchen utensils, whole rolls of toilet paper...just, her.

Duck, Duck , Hilarious

2 under 2: 20 minute Snapshot

At various times during the day I like to email Brandon "20 Minute Snapshots" of what the kids have been doing as I know he misses them terribly during the day. 

Here is an email he received last week:

Drake wakes up after only sleeping about 25 minutes - I go get him and bring him downstairs. I put him down and he starts to play, watches Frosty, plays with the rolling ball...etc. The whole time he's fussy though. I take his picture - because he's that cute - and put him in his merry-go-round toy. Still fussy. He's reaching for his walker so as I pick him up to put him in it - I smell it. That distinct - oh, my god he's pooped and it's everywhere smell.

Sure enough - he's pooped. And, sure enough - it's everywhere.

So, I start the process of changing him being ever so careful when lifting his shirt not to smear the poop all up his back and over his head. And (of course) it's not the nice hard poop - it's the runny, smells like the Iowa State Fair poop. I get him changed and somehow, someway there is runny poop in a nice little stripe on the carpet...which, your darling son immediately lunges for and now we've got poop all down the front of our bare (because who has time to wear shirts) tummy.

I quickly run upstairs for outfit #3 (squash for lunch = outfits 1 and 2) and get him changed while contemplating the poop stain as it sits just soaking merrily into our carpet. I grab the savior (Oxy Clean) and start working on the stain and the entire time he is still fussing.

Well, why the hell wouldn't you fuss when your mom has managed to put all of your clothes on you backwards.

Firsts....

When having kids you soon realize that your life revolves around their "Firsts".  Their first smiles, first steps, first words....

And first mini-mohawks!

2 under 2 - Shark Steam Pocket Mop

I get a lot of questions from mommies about what the "great" things are for surviving 2 under 2.  Many times its questions from my preggo friends about what baby products I couldn't live without or questions from new mommies on tricks of the trade when getting babies to sleep, eat, poop...etc.  I don't mind answering the questions - I actually enjoy it as it gives me a chance to use my brain!

So, in an effort to spread the love - I thought I'd highlight on here some of the questions I recieve, products I love, tricks of the trade...etc.

Todays product of the day is the: Shark Steam Pocket Mop.

When Brandon and I were house-hunting I knew that I wanted Pergo Flooring in our entryway and kitchen/dining area.  I love our floors - they're a beautiful cherry color and look great against the white trim.  However, with two kids who love to throw food on the floor the floors take a daily beating.  On any given day - you could eat your own buffet right off our kitchen floor.

This is where the Shark Steam Pocket Mop has become my savior!  I love this thing, I get all excited when I plug it in and hear that first gust of steam to signal it's locked and loaded.  In all seriousness, it's a great product for laminate/wood floors and I use it on all the tile we have in our house as well.  It's great on getting dried child-debris off the floor and helps bring them back to their shiney condition.

Most importantly, no more scrubbing with a mop for this lady!

2 under 2 - Siblings

I get a lot of questions from people on how to manage 2 babies under 2 years old.  I usually laugh - thinking to myself - I can barely manage to remember to brush my hair most days...let alone manage the two of them.  But in reality, I do manage them - to the best of my ability.  I would be lying if I said that there weren't days when one of them ate lunch in their pajamas, that Gabby somedays watches 2,3 or 4 too many episodes of Dora the Explorer, that I feel extreme guilt around Drake and the whole "2nd child syndrome" and lastly that if I admitted it to myself, I just dont have enough hands to fully give them all of the attention they need at their ages.  However, this is why there is joy in siblings....because what I don't give them - they get from eachother.  I say this as I witnessed it first-hand today - a true exchange of sibling love....

Gabby shoved a puzzle piece directly in Drake's mouth - and he took it without hesitation, and ate it.

Snapshot Saturday

Woof! Woof!

This is Gabby playing hide and seek with Daddy.  A typical day finds her in Dora Attire (Pajamas, Shirt, Socks..etc) and some sort of shoe - today she rotated between her new Silver Boots and Red Patent Leather Dress Shoes, sometimes wearing one of each! 

Jumping Bean!

Brandon has Drake on a very regimented strength and conditioning program to make sure that he is in tip-top shape come baseball season next spring.  First order of business: Strengthen those calve muscles.

Mission Accomplished.

And - that flash you see is not a ghost.  That is my lightning fast daughter.  Perhaps this display of quickness caught on video will justify why I never have any pictures of her in focus!

Happy Halloween!

So yes, I realize that Halloween was a few weeks ago....but I had a slight mishap in the kitchen which resulted in me not having my laptop for a week.  Let's just say I am a mom of many talents - while multi-talking (like always) I amazed myself with a new talent of falling dishes and slicing my power cord in half.  Yes, many talents I do have!  Here are two of my favorite pictures of the kids on Halloween!  We decided to dress them up as Produce! 

Gabby - Strawberry Shortfuse...I mean Shortcake :)

Drake - My little Pumpkin :)  All 21 pounds of him.

Babies & Broccoli - A new blogging adventure....

Most of you that know me know that I thoroughly enjoy cooking and baking.  I've found a new passion for it ever since staying home with the kids as it is a welcomed "escape" for me once Brandon gets home.  I love searching the internet for new recipes and especially enjoy it when a new recipe becomes a new favorite!

Because of this - I've finally started my own cooking blog - http://www.babiesandbroccoli.blogspot.com/.  I generally cook 6 out of the 7 nights of the week - so Brandon is getting his "fill" of me trying out new dishes.  After we try something new I ask if it's "blog-worthy" and if it gets a YES then I add it to the cooking blog.  So, rest-assured the recipes on here are tried and true.

If there is anything you are wanting to make - or have a suggestion for something I should make - please comment!

Back to Life...Back to Reality....

We are home!  The resort was beautiful, the wedding was amazing, the company was (of course) top-notch but...we were happy to get home to our babies.  We were even happier that upon returning home both grandma's appeared sane - very tired - but sane. 

It was a short trip - but a much needed one.  We laugh around here as we think back to before we had kids and the oh so frequent expression: "What did we do with all of that time?!".  Most nights its well after 8:30 before Brandon and I sit down and exchange a "Hello, how was your day".  So, this trip was a welcomed break from our life and it was awesome to get to spend some time - just the two of us.  With two little ones - those times are precious and we're greatful we have such awesome friends that decide to get hitched 100's of miles away!

Today was my first day back at my "job" and boy did I forget quickly how much work these two little monkey's are!  We quickly got settled back into our routine, but by 3:00 (and after about 6 cups of coffee) this momma was T.I.R.E.D and looking around for my pool waitress to bring me my next Pina Colada.  Reality Check - the only person bringing anyone anything around here is yours truly :)

Viva La Mexico!!

In 4 days - 4 glorious days - we will be Mexico Bound! Brandon is a groomsman in our good friend Mike Corbin's wedding and thank the LORD they decided to have a destination wedding. I wouldn't trade my new profession for anything....but this mommy needs a break. So - in one week we will be joyfully celebrating the union of two absolutely wonderful people and I, my friends - will have a drink with an umbrella in my hand.  My other hand will be saying the Hail Mary that my children have not driven their Grandmothers to lock themselves in a closet to finish a bottle of wine. Cheers!

Future Heisman?

Hawk-Style

Future Carrie Bradshaw?  I think so....

1. Vintage Crewneck Iowa Sweatshirt - Check
2.  Black Leggings - Check
3.  Pink Ugg Boots - Double Check

Because really - what goes better with an Iowa Sweatshirt - than Pink Ugg Boots?

Proof

There were many things that I wanted "proof" for when my parents would tell me about them as a kid..

1. I walked to school up-hill, both ways in the snow with only a sock on my left foot. (And this is why I would be "fine" walking to and from school).
2. I paid cash for my first car because I worked 97.6 hours a week and still got straight A's. (And this was why I needed to get a job at 14yrs old if I ever wanted to buy a car).
3. My brother, sister and I never fought - we routinely sat around at night and sang "Kumbaya". (And this is why I should've never fought with my siblings).

And the list goes on...

However, now I have "proof" for my children when I tell them: "We spent hundreds of dollars on expensive toys, and all you wanted to play with was....The Box."




















Oh, and yes for those of you who are "fashion forward": The new trend this fall for toddler girls is to wear pajama bottoms and no top - hope you're trendy!!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Some kids love candy - ours love to swing! It amazes me that my child - who can't manage to control the ants in her pants for more than 2 seconds at anyother given time will gladly sit in a swing for...well, ever.


















We've been lucky enough to get to meet Brandon over his lunch hour at a local park by his office atleast once a week. It's nice to be able to see him during the day - the evenings go by so quickly once he gets home that we all treasure the additional time spent with "Daddeeeee"!

3

3 years ago today God granted me my greatest wish - the ability to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

Happy Anniversary to my better half.

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Boy

Summer, Summer, Summer Time

It's hard to believe that we're approaching the end of Summer - it seems like this summer has just flown by. We've been lucky to be able to do a lot with both Gabby and Drake. We've enjoyed many nights at the Ankeny Pool with both kids and many afternoons Brandon or I have taken Gabby to the Splash Park.

This past weekend we did what every Iowan does in the middle of the hottest month of the year - we trekked (with our toddler) to spend multiple hours out in the heat, making friends with anything with 4 legs, eating corndogs and counting mullets - we initiated Gabby into the tradition that is The Iowa State Fair. She had a great time! Much to our surprise she tolerated being in her stroller (for awhile!), ate a crescenti (Dad's favorite fair food), had some shaved ice, saw the "coooowwwwss", ran threw the sprinklers, saw the baby animals/tried to climb into the animal pens and last but not least....went down the giant slide (and squealed the entire way!). So, we'd consider it a Success!

Drake turned 4 months old on the 13th and his latest milestone is rolling over. Even though it hasn't been long, both Brandon and I had forgotten how when a baby masters a new skill...it is all. that. they. do. So, as soon as he gets on his back he immediately flips over which I think he learned so fast as he has an eagle eye now on a certain red head who likes to give him "nice touches" when he's not looking! He's still a super, super happy baby and I'm pretty sure he would win any cutest baby contest as he's quite the charmer.

Gabby is my ornery, sassy, smart little diva! It seems as if every day she learns something new - its almost as if you can see her little brain just getting bigger and bigger. She loves anything flash cards, books and Dora the Explorer. Ahhhh, Dora. The love I have for Dora is undescribable as she is the only person on this earth who can get my child to stop, sit and listen. So, while I'm feeding a baby - Dora is my BFF.

Many people ask me what it's like to have "Two under 2" - to which I say: Everyday is an adventure!! It is constant, rewarding, exhausting and amazing - and that's just in 5 minutes!

The countdown to Iowa Football has begun - so I'll leave you with a little taste of what is to become...

3 Months

It's hard to believe that Drake is already 3 months old (plus a few days - but who is counting!). Life is C.R.A.Z.Y. around here with two little ones - but we count our blessings as we know we are very lucky to have such wonderful little monsters :)



Gabby will be 16 months old on the 25th - she loves to move. move. move. We have been taking her to music class and upon leaving the 1st class one dad simply said: "Wow, she doesn't stop moving". Ummm, yeah!! She is starting to talk a little more - knows most of her body parts and can identify over 20 animals (yeah, I'm bragging a little!). She's a smart little cookie - which can sometimes be mistaken for stubborn :)



Drake is the Happiest Baby EVER. I swear the kids does nothing but smile, laugh and EAT. Man, can this kid eat. It's like a buffet 24/7 around here. At 3 months he weighed half of his sister (16 lbs - Drake and 22 lbs - Gabby). I tell Brandon often - "I think we're growing a linebacker". His personality makes up for the fact that he is still getting up at night to eat - but I'll take it if it means a happy, healthy baby.

I've recently had the opportunity to be able to stay at home with the kids. I like to say I'm "retired". I never envisioned being a Stay at Home Diva/Mom - but I can honestly say that I can't imagine one single day without seeing their smiling faces now (even if said faces are covered in grapes, snot and the occasional grean bean.). I'll take it! I learned with Gabby that the 1st year goes by oh. so. fast...so I'm grateful to be able to share in their every day milestones. Plus - it gives me more time to convince them to someday find me a nursing home with an open bar. :)

Drake Jeffrey Williams

He's here! Brandon and I are excited to announce the arrival of Drake Jeffrey Williams born April 13th, 2010 at 5:31 p.m. He was 7 lbs 15 ozs and 20 3/4" long.

Gabby is enjoying her new status as the "Big Sister". She gets excited to see the baby initially but that excitement wears off as she is then in search of something new as she is ON THE MOVE!!

More details to come - I wanted to get some pictures added of our newest miracle.

Update

Just a quick update - as a result of transitioning the 3rd bedroom into another nursery we have been without a computer/internet at home for about a month! We are making the transition to having our office in the basement - but quickly discovered that I forgot to request phone jacks in the basement when they were finishing this house...oops! So, we patiently await a wireless router (or something like that) that Brandon has ordered and then we will be able to make our monthly updates with pictures.

Unfortunately I can't update the blogsite from work, so we're very far behind!!

Gabby is doing great - very, very close to walking....she'll take about 7-8 steps at a time and then fall down. She's working on standing up from a sitting position too - so many things at once!!

We have 4 weeks to go before we get to meet Baby #2!! Very exciting!!

Until then, we're enjoying the nice days as they come here and there....Gabby loves to be outside and we love to be out there with her!

Cheers to Spring!

9 Months

We're a little late posting our 9 month picture as we kept trying our "photo shoot" over and over. It never failed that each time we were more interested in eating the sign than smiling...so alas - the 9 month picture. I suppose, if anything it gives a very realistic picture as to the attributes of a 9 month old!



Gabby has had a very busy month - as usual. She is getting to be a VERY fast crawler, but is more interested in pulling herself up (a skill she has mastered on EVERYTHING) and cruising around all of the furniture - and even Kinnick. In the past week she has released her hands and even stood for a few seconds - a feat she is quite proud of!





We have been battling her 1st ear infection over the past 2 weeks, one that was accompanied by a very nasty cold. We are thankful that it is getting better and even more thankful for normal sleep again! 4 hours a night for 8 days straight is too hard on this pregnant lady!



We are getting the nursery ready for Baby Boy - Brandon and Darcy are going to start painting this week and then we will get everything assembled and post pictures. It's hard to believe that we only have 10 more weeks before we get to meet the newest addition to our family. I am definitely READY to welcome this little peanut into the world as this pregnancy has been quite harder than Gabby's. As much as I complain (which Brandon might possibly say is ALL THE TIME), I'm thankful my body has lasted this long!





We have receieved over 50 inches of snow here since December 1st...so I'll leave you with some pictures of Gabby and Kinnick watching the snow fall...yet, again.

8 Months & Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Day was very special to us as it marked two very important milestones: Gabby's 1st Christmas and it marked her 8 month Birthday!!



She enjoyed the presents - and even stopped to take some time to rip some wrapping paper and play with some ribbon! She was spoiled by all and everyone and we are so greatful for all of the wonderful gifts she received.

We were lucky enough to be able to see all our families over the Holiday Season - including Christmas with The Mueller Family (my mom's side) and Brandon's Grandparents. Josh and Molly even came back to Iowa so Gabby was able to spend time with them as well. Both Jeff and Darcy were here for Christmas, so that was very special!

This past month has been CRAZY! Gabby has learned to crawl, pull herself up and cruise all in about 5 weeks. She loves to stand up in her crib and SCREAM!! Oh, so much fun for Mom and Dad at 3:00 a.m.! She is starting the teething "routine" again (massive drooling, self applying pressure to her gums) so we're thinking her top 2 teeth will be making an appearance in the next couple of months.

Brandon and I had time to run a few errands yesterday and even grab an "adult" dinner (Thank You Grandma Dawn!) and we found ourselves reflecting back on the past 8 months. It is truely amazing how much Gabby has changed and we feel so lucky to have a healthy and happy baby. We only pray that we are so fortunate here again in 14 short weeks!

We hope all of you had a joyous Holiday Season!