This Too Shall Pass

Dear Ainsley,

First, I hope you know that I really do love you. Sometimes mommy goes a little insane, but I still love you. Sometimes I need just a moment away because you are three and you don't listen, you love to scream "NO" in my face, you don't say please or thank you, you hit me, you hit Freddie, you insist on being in the room while Freddie is going to sleep but refuse to stay quiet, you throw tantrums when you don't get your way, you won't go to sleep at night and many other things.

I'm sorry that I took all the toys out of your room last night, but I thought I might go over the deep end and it was something to keep me occupied other than having yet another battle with you.

I know that deep down you are still my sweet, precious girl and when we are locked in battle, I try and remember that. I know that you are going through a difficult transition with Daddy away all week and a new school with new friends. I also know that you are three and it comes with the territory. And finally, I'm trying to believe with all my heart those words my grandmother said often..."This too shall pass."

I just hope that when you remember your childhood you remember all the hugs and laughter and not the nights I go crazy and remove every toy from your room and lock them up in mine.

Dear Freddie,

Please stay cute and sweet and 5 months old forever. But I know, even though I don't want to believe it...this too shall pass.

Love,

Mommy

Little Miss Ainsley White

A little background before you watch the video. So every day Ainsley says (now you must put on your fiercest whine when saying this in your head) "But I don't want to go to school." And I say, "Well, you have to go to school because I have to go to work." Again, don't forget the whining, "But I don't want you to go to work." And I say, "Well sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do, it's just life." I know, I'm crazy for trying to instill life lessons in my 3 year old, but really, what the heck else am I supposed to say? Guess what kid, I don't want to go to work either but if we want our house and our cars and our clothes and groceries, that's where I gotta be!

So the other night Ainsley dressed up and pretended to be the Mommy dropping off baby Ainsley at school. Once again, I need a video camera permanently running in this house, so I feel like I missed the best parts getting the camera, but I think you'll still enjoy this.

Sick Babies

Know how everyone says 2 is so much harder than 1 (kids I mean)? Well, I have to say that it really isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. I mean, obviously doubling your duty is going to be tougher, but I really had myself convinced I wouldn't be able to handle it. However, the part that really sucks...when one gets sick, the other is sure to follow.

Poor little baby boy has been sick. Luckily, he is doing much better and going back to daycare tomorrow where he is sure to contract many more germs and illnesses.

I've been working from home the past couple of days, and I gotta say...it is way easier the second time around. Everyone I have ever met knows how lousy of a sleeper Ainsley is. And well, Freddie, not a terrific sleeper either...but he is better than Ainsley. Ainsley doesn't go to sleep, doesn't stay asleep and then doesn't want to get up in the morning. Freddie goes to sleep very easily, naps well and gets up at the perfect time to eat and get ready for our day. So I was able to get lots done during Freddie's 1 hour morning nap and 3 hour afternoon nap both days I was home. You're probably wondering why I say he's not a great sleeper, well he doesn't stay asleep at night. And since he's upstairs and I'm zombie like, I don't take well to going up and down the stairs all night long. So he comes to bed with me the first time he wakes up. People can give me a million ways to get him to sleep, but really people, I'm not even willing to give up 1 weeks sleep to try and make it work. I'm not stressing over it this time around. I don't care if they sleep with me until they're 14. At least I get to cuddle with my babies.


And don't get me started on Ainsley's sleep issues. I've said it before and I'll say it again...if I ever get that child to go to sleep easily and stay asleep then I am writing a book and selling 1 million copies.

Okay, kind of rambling. I'm tired and need to go to bed...with Ainsley of course because she's up and raring to go at 9:30...but Freddie's asleep and will be for a couple of hours.

Puddle Jumping

We've been having some serious downpours here in Richmond over the last month or so. Ainsley always wants to go out with her umbrella and usually, due to thunder, lightening and extremely heavy rain, I say no. However, a couple of weeks ago as the rain tapered off and the lightening faded, I said yes.

Ainsley had a ball jumping in puddles. Have I mentioned that I love my new camera? There's a setting where you can hold down the button and it will take picture after picture. I think I got some really great shots.

Freddie just chilled in the stroller...but he seemed to enjoy the fresh air.

Would you believe in these pictures, my little bug had strep throat, a double ear infection and a virus? Yes, when last I blogged it was just strep, but while I was in New Orleans Clif took her back to the doctor because the fever had not broken and we added double ear infection and virus to the mix. Poor little girl. But she's feeling much better now. Just a lingering cough.

Freddie's Laugh

Note: Double click on the videos...I couldn't get them to embed properly so half the screen is cut off.

Freddie has the most amazing laugh. And it's very surprising. As a baby, Ainsley laughed all the time...which was wonderful. However, Freddie's a little bit tougher. He always has such a serious face and then every once in awhile he'll bust out a giggle.

I've been trying desperately to get this wonderful little giggle on video to share with you all. Well, I'm not entirely happy with what I've gotten, but I'll keep trying. For now, here's a little taste...

You can also hear Ainsley in the background pretending to talk to Clif about how I can't use the camera. As you can also see, Freddie loves his jumperoo.

Sorry this one is a bit blurry. I couldn't remember how to do video. Clif cleared it up for me so I think I'm good to go now.

This is somewhere between a laugh and a cry.

I think he was laughing at Brinkley just seconds before I pulled the camera out.

I am always asking Ainsley to get him to laugh. She's the best at it.

The Streak Is Over

Ainsley and Freddie have been in daycare for 2.5 weeks. Yesterday I got a call, Ainsley has a 103 temperature. Took her to the doctor. Strep throat!

The healthy streak is over...no fever for 20 months now and only a couple of minor head colds. So sad. Now I'm trying to ensure that Freddie does not get it and that I do not get it since I leave for Carolyn's bachelorette party in New Orleans tomorrow night.

Kind of tough considering I'm the only parent right now...but Clif will be home tonight. I've only had strep 1 time in my life, so I'm hoping that I'm pretty immune to it and that my immunity is being passed on to Freddie through the breast milk. Fingers crossed!

She is feeling better and the fever seems to have broken.

Freddie is happy as ever, and healthy right now. I'm only allowing Ainsley to love and kiss on his feet, since his big belly inhibits his ability to put them in his mouth.

I know my posting has been spotty at best, sorry, you guys will have to bare with me...but this whole single parent thing Monday through Friday is getting easier every day. So hopefully I'll get back on track soon.

Have a great weekend and think of me when I have to say goodbye to my babies tomorrow evening...





I will miss them terribly, but I am looking forward to a mini vacation with my mom and sister and a dozen of her friends.

Videos

I know I've been MIA for awhile...sorry.

I also know I've promised some video in the past. So here are a few videos for your viewing enjoyment...

This one Caitlyn shot while she was here. It's probably the best one.

As you can see, and probably already know, Ainsley really doesn't ever do what I ask her to. But this is just a fun video of her dancing and singing and hamming it up.

In this one, the little dolls Ainsley has are figurines. One Clif got when Ainsley was born and it's a father holding an infant. The other is a pregnant woman I got when I was pregnant with Freddie. Ainsley loves to take them out of the cabinet and tell stories about mommy and daddy. Here, she's giving Freddie her version of the birds and the bees.



Finally, Freddie started eating solids this week. Since early on he had some constipation issues, we're starting with veggies. So here are his first carrots. I'm pretty sure he was way beyond ready for this since he weighed in at 19lbs 12oz at his 4 month appointment this past week.



I will post some pictures in the next blog. Hopefully it will not take me 2 weeks this time around!