Five Years of Love

When couples post their sappy anniversary photos it usually includes the husband talking about how he married up. In 2011 I may have thought that Paul had gotten himself a pretty good catch, but five years into our marriage I see that it was me who married up.

Paul is the most selfless person I know. He wakes up at 5:30 am every day so he can come home from work by 4 pm to rescue me from the humans I call my children. Even with waking up at a ridiculous hour, he's still the one who checks on the crying kids at night because he knows how much I love my sleep. I do my best to make dinner but he never complains when he comes home from a long day at work to find that there's nothing on the table. Paul never says no when I ask for favor, whether it be building a fence or changing a newborn diaper. We don't fight because he is so loving and kind. He doesn't take offense and he is quick to forgive, even when he's in the right. When I grow up I want to be like him. He is my best friend and I can't imagine life without him.

I love you, Paul Martin. I am the luckiest lady alive and I can't wait to keep writing our love story together.

Happy Birthday, Vincent!

My little boy is FOUR! He has been itching to turn four so he could be as big as his cousins, Trace and Trevor. All he wanted for his birthday was to play at Frog Hollow Park with friends. A totally doable wish, except for the fact that he and Kate both got pinkeye in the days preceding his birthday. Instead of passing around our germs, we wait for them to mend and went to the park sans friends. As per his request, we also enjoyed some chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting.

As far as gifts go,Vince has been begging for a Chick Hicks car. He has quite the collection of Cars cars, but we hadn't had any luck finding Chick. Nana came to the rescue and made his dreams comes true. He also got a scooter (thankfully he doesn't care that it's pink. Options are limited when garage sales are your main shopping source), books, Blades the Rescue Bot, Lincoln Logs, and some other random toys. The real kicker was getting his pedal bike. Vince has mastered riding his balance bike and he's been eager to ride a bike with pedals like his daddy.  He gave it a shot and did a great job... until he got scared and stopped pedaling! For now he still prefers his balance bike, but he likes trying out his new bike when Dad is there to lend a hand.

Four year old Vince is a silly, sweet, playful boy. He can be quite stubborn and he never wants to put his toys down. He'll choose playing outside over watching TV any day of the week. He can be so brave but also shows a sensitivity and resentment to being pressured into trying things. Vince is an awesome reader and we often find him with a pile of books. He just started to show an interest in coloring and art (whereas before he would just scribble and run away to play). Vince is 100% a people person. He needs people around ALL the time. Although he doesn't want Kate to touch any of his toys, he often pulls her into the room so she can have company. He's a great sleeper and he's a pretty good eater... though he doesn't particularly enjoy eating chicken.

I love my Vincey Boy. He has changed me in so many ways. He tries my patience daily and teaches me to love more fully by the minute. I am so thankful he chose to come to our little family and lead the way for his siblings. We're lucky to call him ours.

She doesn't even know.

When Kate teethes, she shoves everything from her fingers, to her clothes, to her toys, into her mouth. Most recently, she has started pulling on her lips. She doesn't even know she's making a silly face and it kills me. The first time she did it we were eating at a restaurant. Paul and I looked at each other and bust up laughing uncontrollably. These little moments are some of my favorite parts about being a parent.

Teeth Probs.

Everyone in my family needed braces (except one lucky sister who got away with retainers!). Going into motherhood, I was aware that my kids were going to need some orthodontic help. What I didn't realize was the myriad of other potential issues.

You see... Paul and I both have a baby tooth where an adult tooth never came in. Apparently, this is highly genetic. We braced ourselves for the possibility that our kids might be stuck with some baby teeth. We've been brushing really well and taking care of what they've got because it might need to last 30+ years. Today we got a little surprise though. It seems that Kate is missing a baby tooth (and thus will not get an adult tooth either). It didn't dawn on me that she could be entirely missing a tooth from birth!

We're giving it 6 more months. Then we'll do x-rays to confirm the tooth isn't there. After that, we'll leave it alone until she's about 7 or 8. At that point she'll get a "flipper" (a false tooth attached to a retainer) for her to wear until she is 14-15 years old. Hopefully her jaw will be solidified enough to get an implant at that time. Had it been missing from her upper palate, she'd have to wait until she was 18 or 19 years old! Looks like we're going to have to invest in some good dental insurance from here on out...


On a happier note, neither of the kids have cavities! Woo hoo!

Was she really napping?

Kate just meandered down the stairs after her nap. She looked like this:

This girl takes her clothes off any chance she gets. Basically, whenever she is alone I catch her trying to take off her pants or she's yanking at her shirt. I have no doubt that she's going to love running around in nothing but a diaper all Summer long.

A Bun in the Oven.

I'm 26 and soon to have three children. Occasionally, I stop and ask myself if I'm crazy. Come September I will have three kids that are four years and under. These days are exhausting and beautiful, messy and exhilarating. It's easy to get bogged down in the mundane tasks of picking up the play room over and over and over. But whenever I stop, like really stop, and look at my beautiful little humans, the fatigue melts away and I'm overcome with joy. 

All true accomplishments in life require effort. Climbing a mountain, running a marathon, getting your undergrad, masters, or doctorate degree, excelling in your career, etc. You have to balance your workload, manage the stress, grow, learn, and become. You set goals, you have set backs. But in the end it all comes together and you achieve what you've set out to do. 

It was during a rare, but relaxing, morning shower when it sunk in that motherhood is a true accomplishment too. Yes, you could say that "anyone can be a mom" but each day that I nurture, break up fights, make meals, and play in the sunshine-- I learn. I grow. I change. This accomplishment takes an entire lifetime, but it shouldn't go unnoticed. I'll never have a graduation, a pay raise, or a medal, but I realized how important it is for me to recognize my progress and importance as a mother. 

So yes, maybe I'm a little crazy. Perhaps I never change out of my yoga pants. And it wouldn't be a lie if someone told you I don't shower every day. But I am thrilled (and frightened) to add to my brood. My life won't look glamorous and you may wonder why in the world I do what I do, but I love it. I am becoming a better me while helping my little humans be the kind of people that make the world a better place. 

Bring it on #3!