Weekend Rambling

 
   Juliana is officially a crawler, as of this past weekend. She keeps one knee down and the other leg out and kinda pushes off with it. Its so cute, but man she gets around now. A whole new world for Jazi, she just doesn't understand why sissy gets her stuff. Which I am sure something I will be hearing for many many years.. Mom she's getting my stuff. I can hear it now, maybe its because I used to say the same things to my mom.
    Jas and I had a sitter this weekend we had a wedding reception to attend. It was nice, something we don't do often enough. In fact ever! I cant tell you the last time we had a date night.. we just cant break away from our little girls. We don't live close to family so that makes it a little tougher. I think this is something when the girls are a little older will be easier to do. Until then we will enjoy our date nights with two little tag alongs :)
     We had a quick trip back home since Jas had to work in nwa. I often think sometimes I should just keep a bag packed. But I do love going back, because I get to shop at Suite One!! My Best friend from high school opened her own boutique in FortSmith which I just love. I have said before I love shopping just a little weakness of mine. So I just look at it like I am supporting a best friend :)
     Just an update on our weekend, looking forward to the rest of the fun week ahead.
   

A little about my girls

Jazlyn, I couldn't imagine any other name for her. She has so much Jaz to her. She is going to be 3 in 2 and half months, Her quote "My birthday comin" :) She seems so excited about her birthday this year it is really cute. Every time we ask her whats she wants to do for her birthday she tells us something different. So who knows what we will do for her 3rd birthday! Feels weird saying 3rd birthday. 79 days until her bday though.. the reason I know this because there is sign that I drive by all the time that counts the days down until tax day :) Yes she is a tax baby!
      She has such a wild imagination. For a while now she has had this friend name sassy.. she talks about her often. The other day at my friends store she was in the dressing room and said STOP it sassy, I sorry sassy! I couldn't help but to laugh and think at the same time at least she said she was sorry. She is pretty consistent with talking about her. Last night she said Sassy went to the store to get dog food, and eat pizza and play games. So I am thinking its safe to say she has a imaginary friend. I think this is pretty cute.
      School has done she and I both a lot of good. She has learned alot from her teachers. She can now count to ten, knows all her colors and most of her shapes. She has become pretty independent.. which also comes along with a little attitude. Witch includes no longer wanting to take pictures, she runs aways saying NO! This is such a fun and hard stage for us, she is learning new ways to express her self which most of the time end up with her getting in trouble. ! She is a little ball of fire.. which I new she would be since the day she was born.  Just a lil Jaz to my life :)
     
     Juliana is probably the happiest baby. Her middle name is Grace.. and I think she is going to be a grace in a lot of peoples life's. We cant take her anywhere with out her getting someones attention by smiling at them. I mean come on how could you not notice her blue eyes and beautiful smile. I think she is going to be sweetheart. And you can never be in a bad mood around her thats for sure.
    She cut her first two teeth at 5 and half months. She is now cutting most of her top teeth at the same time. I thought for a while she was going to be a vampire baby and just cut her top I teeth. She is now eating Cheetos and baby finger foods. Wont be long and she wont be taking a bottle anymore and eating people food :) Well grown up food!
    She is not officially crawling, but she is mobil. Its pretty funny how she can get from one side of the room without crawling. Tonight was the first night I thought for sure she had it. She had one leg up and the other knee down and was scooting along the floor to get to what she needed. I kinda forgot what the crawling stage was like.. and how dirty they always get. Not to mention the smudgy wood floors :) In a way I ready for her to just crawl.. but know I will be sorry for saying that when she is getting into everything.
         I know there is going to be one day where I want to go back to the smudgy wood floors.. and the three year old attitude. Because I know how fast they have grown up already. People always say enjoy it, it goes by fast. And you only know how fast it does go by when there your own.

Happiness

   It is days like today that keep me sane. However Chickfla is always crazy with kiddos.. But I always enjoy the company. I have found myself looking forward to Wednesdays some how this has become a weekly play date for us girls! I find it really neat how we are all so different but can all relate to one another. Tons of fun on wednesdays for sure lots of laughs.  

    I feel like I have been blessed with all the right people in my life. I am going to be 26 in less than two months (feels weird saying that). But I can honestly say I am happy with who I am. As a wife, mom, and friend. I have happiness I didn't know I could have.  :) So happy Wednesdays everybody!! 

In check

 
     
    I am constantly running it through my head how we are going to deal with this upcoming deployment, so much to where it is always in my head. But after today I have put myself into check. I wonder why it takes hearing someone else's story to make me realize this is just a minor thing.  I know it is human nature to think our situations are way worse than they really are. I should prob count my blessing a little more instead of worrying about whats ahead.
     I am truly inspired by the strength people have, and often wonder if I could ever be that strong in there situation. I often crumble when it comes to my family, as I am sure everyone else does to. But the bigger picture is that I have to keep myself in check. I feel as if I am suppose to hear some peoples stories to make me put myself back into check. And understand not to consume my self with my worries and fears.
    A doctor once told me that nothing is small when it comes to your children and that really hit home with me. I look way into everything when it comes to my girls. I freak out over runny noses and coughs. And even yeah Jazi pooping :) Weird I know.This really makes me sad that I am often this way. I tell myself to not over look the fact that my girls are healthy.
     I guess the reason for this blog is that someone would any day trade places, to just have a minor situation. Don't over look your blessings.

Best deals..

  Well I have been out of couponing for a little while now. So its time to jump back into it. I guess my little stock pile of laundry detergent and dish soap got us through a few months. I felt almost sad when I knew the pile was getting close to running out.. These are now two things I will never pay full price for. I have really become quiet the bargain shopper. But don't you find couponing is a lot of work?.. Today I saved $35 which is prob the most so far. Here recently I go to Walgreens for mainly dish soap and detergent.  I am always checking sale ads to see what is better where. Seeings how I am at target a few times a week and Kroger and Walgreens are just down the road this is easy for me. I would hate to live far away from these places :)  But I am often looking for better tips on how to save. I feel I do good when I get tide detergent for $4.. and soap for 50cents. But I defiantly do not feel like I have master kroger sales?! I would say I have been couponing since before we had Juliana. I could see how it could become addicting.. But I only shop for what we need and mostly just cut the coupons I know I am going to use. Because I know the bargain shopper in me will think its on sale and I have a coupon :)

     Something else I really enjoy doing is shopping for the girls clothes ahead.. I always love it when the new season comes around and I have all these clothes for them with tags still on it. Not to mention they have the price that is rarely over $3. I have been so far successful at guessing the sizes we shall see if Juliana gives me a run for my money. I love shopping at Target for the girls, recently I got 8 pairs christmas pajamas for $6. I just looked in there closest and remembered I had bought them dresses and leggings and shorts that were all $2 and under. Bathing suits from old navy that were $3. I love shopping and guess this is one of the ways I can get away with it :) I love bargain shopping. It is always what is the next best deal. I think its funny how I feel weird if I am not shopping with coupons. :) I wonder when this happened? And I hope to teach my girls to be bargain and coupon shoppers and hope they wont be embarrassed by me :)

Taking pictures

I would love to take photography classes when the girls are older and get better at taking pictures. But at this moment I am enjoying them being little and snapping pictures of them with my camera. But I think I have a little passion for photography! I enjoy looking at pictures that people take! So someday I think this might be something I would enjoy doing!! Until then here a few snap shots of Juliana.. Not to mention she is so easy to take pictures of because she is ALWAYS smiling :) 

Just a little play time

   Today we went to Jump Zone with a friend. After spending a few days in Vb it was nice to be home.. Esp. since Jazlyn slept until 9:00 this morning. I think she was wore out from being on the go since she got out of school on tues.  We were hoping to take the girls to the park this morning but like always Arkansas weather is always changing!! Just yesterday it was 68 and today was 48!! Explains why we all have runny noses. Looking for a normal weekend around here.. Jas has been working military and nights at that. So looking forward to some much needed family time.
                                                          Here are a few pics I snapped at JZ

 

 Best friends :) 

Home is where the heart is

Loves living where we live, and after three years it is now home!! But often when we visit what use to be home.. I often wonder what it would be like to have my parents out my back door. Not literally I do like some distance :) just for the simple fact at dinner tonight I got to enjoy MY food not cold either. My mom is always more than willing to stop eating so I can! Maybe it because she doesn't see the girls on a regular ur basis. I guess some people would think an hour half is close. And don't get me wrong it is. But the drive is such a drag and I have to pack everything but the kitchen sink! I know there is going to be a lot of back and fourth through the summer months just basically for some company and warm food :) and because Jazi tells me "I like nene's house"! She loves her grandparents. I am always going to feel partly at home in vb.. But what do they say home is where the heart is. And it's simple mine is with my husband and girls no matter where that may be or how far away from our parents it is. It's funny how things have changed I now miss Conway when I am in vb. And not to long ago it use to be the other way around. I have made some real connections with people at home and have built a life here. I am sure I will be sad if one day we have to leave, just as I was when we left vb. Thankful for my friends that keep me sain and play dates :) cause if not Conway wouldn't be home!

Milestone

Got all my things out and ready to sell for Rhea Lana's in feb. This is my first year to sell anything there. I have shopped the event since we moved here. This year I wont be able to shop the early sell, which is ok because the girls don't really NeeD anything but I am sure I could find something.
   I didn't really realize how attached to the girls things I am. And I didn't even go through there clothes. I felt some sadness tonight knowing I am getting rid of some of there stuff.  A huge part of me wants to just hang onto everything!!! This will be the first time I have gotten rid of anything of the girls. I would really like to pay it forward and just give the clothes and some bigger items to a friend that would enjoy them as much as I have. We were very grateful for the things given to us.. so would love to do the same! That is once I can let go.
   Letting go.. How do mommies do that? I know these are just material things but seeings how they have now gone through both girls they are sentimental. I had a hard time just putting the swing in the attic today because Juliana is to big for it now. I am not ready at all for my Juliana to get big. Talking to Jason tonight I said I am in no hurry for her to take a sippy cup most of the time or eat anything but baby food. She isn't crawling which I am perfectly fine with. But Jazlyn didn't crawl until 8 1/2months. So I am giving her just a few more weeks.
   I remember waiting for every milestone with Jazi and couldn't wait for her to reach most of them. With Juliana it is completely different. I almost get sad when she does reach a new milestone. So who is to say that baby fever wont come around again. Someone told me that you will have this complete feeling when you know you are done having kids. But as a women do you ever loose the baby fever feeling?! I had baby fever with Jaz when she was so little.. Esp. when she was 10months old. In fact it kicked in overtime while Jas was in Afghanistan :) So I told him to watch out since he is going again in July. He would die, he is is 100% done! I guess I just start asking myself questions when I decided to let go of some baby things. Maybe its the sadness of my girls getting bigger talking. Who knows..

  On a better note Juliana will be 8Months tomorrow :) And Jazi Claire as she says "my birthday comin" Just 3months away and she will be 3!! Still trying to decided where her birthday is going to be.. So I have lots of birthday planning to start soon!!!

This is a picture of Jazlyn when she was 8months old. Oh how time flies!!

Setting the mold

           I know that I have said this before but my girls are truly lucky to have the daddy they do. And I know I don't say it probably as much as I should.  Having a father daughter relationship is so crucial it sets the mold on what type of man she is likely to pick.  These moments make me smile. These pictures just remind me how lucky I am!

Glimpse into the future

 Tonight I am looking at the clock and realize it is only 5. I think to myself time is going so slow, how am I going to do the next three hours alone. So after we had a frozen pizza for dinner I took the girls in the play room to pass time. Then I look again its only 5:45, by this time the baby is so sleepy I am just trying to keep her busy. Bath time around 6:30.. I know super early but time was dragging. I got everything ready before hand so I could get the girls pj's on in the same room. Well here it comes they are both screaming bloody murder. Jazi is trying to dress herself which only makes her so mad when it doesn't work out the way she wants it to. As I see both of there tears falling down there sweet faces.. I think to my self should I just cry with them?! Because I need two of me at this point to make both of there tears to go away.

  I am trying to make myself understand both girls will be older. But along the way I know there are going to be so many melt downs. Jazi within just these two days she has asked for her daddy, in her cute whiny voice (esp when she gets in trouble). Trying or even wanting to explain is difficult for me. Juliana will be around the age Jazlyn was when Jas got back the last time. She is going to wonder but only be able to express her feelings completely different than Jaz will . I will keep things as normal as possible its all about the routine. Both girls will adjust if we have a routine. 

 All the sudden my fears and  my sadness is being set aside for my girls. They are what is most important through this all. So in advance I want to say thank you to my family and friends. I may be a little on edge or emotional at times, But in the end will be fine because of the people I will have to listen. 

Competing with ourselves

Growing up our parents teach us to be competitive. I am sure like many others I played sports and thrived on winning, and being the best player out there. And if I wasn't I was disappointed.  But I often wonder if people never grow out of this stage in life. In fact I know people don't. Now that I am a mommy to two little girls I often wonder what road to take with them. Sometimes from the very beginning we are told what we should and shouldn't be doing with our children. So we are always questioning ourselves on raising our kids. Some people really go by the book and what stage  your baby is and why isn't mine at that stage or well mine has been doing that for a while now. Some times I find myself fighting itself about this. I am very proud of Jazlyn and how much she has grown within just the last six months. There is one moment where she is walking at store next to my buggy and tells a lady excuse me I just smiled so big and thought its sticking all this time and effort I have enforced her to have some manners its working.  But others moms may not think this is a big of deal as I did. Because there kids may have an entire vocabulary where Jaz is just now starting to talk more and more everyday. Each of our children are different in so many ways so I think we need to remember being competitive through our children may not be the right way to teach them. However some moms just don't get this, they thrive on being competitive with others. I say there is such as thing as teaching your children to much and forcing them to learn. Often I pick and choose my battles sometimes when Jaz is throwing a fit when she should get a spanking I just don't have the energy, now does this make me a bad mom. I mean what is a bad mom anyways. O because my kids don't eat what your kids eat for lunch or dinner. Nope I still don't feel like a bad mom. Yes I believe in spankings and timeouts and yes my 2 and half year old throws fits and is wild and crazy. Moms do the best they can and so passing judgement on other moms because your child simply knows more than others may not be the right thing to do. Moms are there own worst judges we do not need a line formed with other people holding up numbers to tell us how we are doing. Grow out of the competitive stage.. Let your children be children!!!

Never a dull moment

Today just like every Tues. I dropped Jazlyn off at school. I always a have a plan in my head what Juliana and I will be doing while Jazi is at school. Today was a clean house and laundry day. Well I had put things off a little so by 11:30 hadn't got much done. I get the dreaded phone call from school that Jazlyn had thrown up. So I woke the baby up and off to school we went to pick her up. When I got to the school the teachers seemed a little concerned with the consistence of the puke. Odd I know.. But only a mother would get this. Of course I want to see it at this point she is telling me it is black and looks like tar. Kinda like a babies first stool. The panic sets in. As many of you probably already know Jazi suffers with bad constipation. So when I see the puke.. It looks like stool I am thinking she hasn't gone in about 4 days which is the norm for her. I thought She needs to go to the doctor right now! Thankfully I had to come back home and get the baby a bottle because I wasn't prepared to go somewhere after. So after talking to everyone I am freaked out. Something is really wrong with my Jazi Claire. Jas tells me to call the doctor instead of going in. So I am googling (the worst thing you can do) I find all sorts of things that could be wrong. At this point I have called a best friend my mom and such. Waiting for 2 o'clock! The phone rings at 12:30ish, it is the school to explain to me that the puke was in fact not puke it was BIRD poop well not just a bird an horned owls! Yes you read that right! Apparently  the school had brought in birds for the older class. So as I am wrapping my head all around this.. I have one of Jazi teachers call me back. She explains the story much better. Jazlyn was upset because they couldn't go outside they had to stay in, she said she turned around to help another student and another teacher told her Jaz had got sick. So just they took her out and cleaned it up with out question. After the teacher started to put two and two together and starts to ask the question did you see her physically get sick?! And if one of the birds that class got to see if it had pooped and of course it had. This finally started to sink in after talking to the teacher. I am just THANKFUl this wasnt puke. Moral of this story is that after the fact this humors me.. But during this I was having some major panic going on and a lot of what ifs. Thankful for my healthy girls. Part of being a mommy is just worrying a little to much!