Siennaisms

Sienna has been cracking us up left and right...

She is always talking and for the few split seconds she isn't... she is thinking and processing what to say next.

Some funny things she has said lately.... Please tell me why I don't do the "Good-Mom-Thing" and write these suckers down? I did and it lasted one whole day. I wrote down three things that cracked me right up then that poor old notebook just sat in the junk drawer. You know, one of our five junk drawers.

The other day while nursing Dawson, Sienna saw my belly button. She proceeded to poke it and giggle, saying, "I pushin' your belly button, mama." Definitely got a taste of life as the Pillsbury Dough boy. She then goes on to tell me that she likes belly buttons :) Great! Then I began to wonder if years down the road, a few babies later, when that cute little belly button has turned into something that resembles more of a nose than a belly button, protruding from her belly if she will be quite as excited about belly buttons as she is now. Glad someone gets a kick out of it. Cause this mama ain't laughing. Okay, so maybe I cracked a smile. ;)

Miss Manners was chatting my ear off during breakfast the other day. While trying to enjoy my Cheerios I was also responding to her question, in which she responds, "Don't talk with your food in mouth." Right on, sister.
She also called Dawson out when he filled his pants saying, "Ohhh my wuuuud (word), Dawson. Did you toot? You should say 'scuse me'" The Manners Police is on duty at this house!

I hear the question "What?" EASILY 4,024 times a day. This question usually follows ANYTHING I say. I figured out if I say, "What do you think I said, honey?" 9.97 times out of 10 she will quote back to me verbatim what I said in the first place. She's playin' me like a fiddle!! Then... she will tell me, "Don't call me 'honey'- I'm Sienna."

She LOVES to sing, I need to bust out the video camera and catch her singing her newest favorite song on the radio. Sienna sings a mean rendition of Francesca Battistelli's "This is the Stuff". I LOVE this song because it's SO my life! More importantly I can hear this sweet little 2 year old singing nearly every word. She requests it and we watch it on youtube while she sings along. She has also been singing other songs that I can't understand the words to. I ask her what she is singing and she says, "I am singing about Deesus (Jesus)!" Our daughter may have the gift of tongues.

Here is a video of her bustin' a move. This CRACKS me up! We watched it back and laughed so hard. It reminds me of some serious 80's workout video. Kathy Ireland and Crazy Arms or something. My husband had to get in on the dancing.





Today we enjoyed a day at the park after church... Sienna and Justin have been buddies. He has played outside with her, taken her on dates to Meijer and Tractor Supply- what else can a girl ask for? She tells all the other shoppers at other stores "I going to the Tractor store!!" She jumps up and down like she is going to claim the lottery. It's sweet.


I love my babies! Snotty-nose and all! I dare you to click on the picture to enlarge it. You will get a close up of the snot bubble. I DARE YOU! :)

Spending our day...

It's been too long since I have posted...

Today consisted of a whole lot of LAUNDRY.. I conquered it. Boo yah. It just took me all day to catch up with the pile of clean clothes that was mounded up, reaching the top of the dryer itself.

See here's my thing.... I can keep laundry washed and dried. I just can't fold it, or put it away for that matter. So, I let it pile for a week then it takes me a whole week to catch up, then I'm burnt out and the whole vicious, crazy cycle starts again. So today I attached it, full-force and came out victorious.

Other than that... I did not shower until 9:25 PM (yes, I said PM). My kids and I were in pjs until 5:30 pm. I would have left them in their jammies if Miss Thang didn't get her food on them.

Other than laundry, I did do the dishes, I did get a little workout in. I busted out the fabrics



...Oh yes, and a tea party with the dog.... Macy was such a party-pooper.



Now that I see my day's accomplishments in print, I am feeling rather lousy. I PROMISE this mommy-thing is a full-time job. I promise. Really.



This picture isn't from today... but I thought I'd share. Not hillbilly. No, not at all.

Fort Smith

Today is a fort-making, playdough-playing, baby-bathing, bike-riding type of day!

I look in my living room and Fort Smith has now been built. Strong and sturdy out of boxes, chairs, and blankets. The fort started as this mama cleaned out the kids closets, boxing up the outgrown clothes. Talk about sad... :( It is so hard for me to put away the outgrown clothes, but I'd be lying if I told you that I'm not just a wee bit excited about stocking it full of some spring and summery get-up. To distract my little toddler from pulling every. single. item out of the clothing tubs and so sweetly "folding laundee" I decided Fort Smith was due for construction. This housed my little seniorita while she caught up on some TV, PBS style. Is that bad?! ;)

Not only do I have a fort in my living room, but my chica's sweet wheels are parked outside her mansion. We resorted to riding her toddler bike in the house. :) Spring is close... but not here yet, folks... and we are antsy!!

These past few weeks have been busy... and fun. My brain's to do list is way longer than what ever even gets attempted, but days when I am dying to bust out the fabrics and bows, I set them down and instead have the happiest little boy perched on my lap as I type. This little 3.5 month old is growing as we speak. I'm enjoying each bit of each day and trying to not stress about my mind's list that is pages and pages long. My little man is sporting a 6 month outfit today and it fits like a glove. He wears 6-12 months outfits on occasion! My oh my, child.... I am not ready for this! He is working at rolling over and loving time on his tummy. He is loving the world right side up! He still spits up like it's nobody's business and has enough blowouts to keep my laundry pile high and baths on the agenda. He is still THE sweetest boy ever. The eyes that light up with his big grin. His eyelashes may be as gorgeous as his sissy's, they're thickening by the day.

Sienna is continuing to show her personality and "inner-boss". This girl thinks she is going to run the world someday. :) She likes to tell everyone what to do and is THE most inquisitive child I have ever met. Silence in this house is only between 1-3:30... and that's if the little guy gets the memo. Sienna talks enough to keep this house hopping and mommy is exhausted by 7:30 pm. I am trying to soak up our conversations and am amazed at how that little brain of hers works. Sienna is loving the Bible story of Zacchaeus and her sweet little heart is so concerned that he is stuck in a "Sycamoe tee".

I apologize there are no fun pictures to accompany this post, but both kids just hit the sack for the time being...and it's time to do my thang. I should probably start by getting out of the jankiest pj attire one ever did see!

My Valentine

Not going to lie... I am not overly into Valentine's Day, neither is my husband. It is fun to do a little something special.

But the boxes of candies, roses, overly-priced cards aren't necessarily how we roll. But circa February 14th is a good excuse to book a babysitter and go out to eat or wander aimlessly around town- just because we can, or have a nice uninterrupted conversation about what's on our minds. Remembering the dating days and trying to keep them alive :)

Can I tell you about my Valentine this year? He's amazing. Okay, now I'm blushing :)

He loves me and my broke-lookin' get up. My jammies that don't match, my scraggly, neglected updo, and my face that could surely use makeup.

He forgives me when I am too caught up in the kids to kiss him when he gets home from work.

He takes the dog out EVERY. stinkin. Night. Because he knows that I would just open the door and wish her luck on her way out.

He is patient beyond belief. Trust me.

He keeps the house stocked with pre-made cookie dough. Because it's important. Okay, maybe this is more for his sweet tooth than mine, but he knows oven-fresh cookies make me smile :)

He never complains about going to work and is incredible at what he does. He works so hard to provide so that I can stay home with our mini-me's.

He handles my frustration when my To-Do-List hasn't been touched all day. Not one thing. He reassures me of my accomplishments, telling me I kept our kids alive and healthy and that alone is an accomplishment.

He Googles EVERYTHING and is a great Google mechanic.

He loves to show up my cooking skills because that truly wasn't my God-given gift :)

He loves me enough to overlook the disgusting habit of biting my nails. His biggest pet peeve ever.

He is incredibly forgiving. Even after doing such things like instructing him to pull the car into the garage WITH the bike on top of the car. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Never once does he comment on the fact that I haven't made a "real meal" in close to a week or that he is one pair of unmentionables away from going commando unless I get serious about doing the laundry.

He is my own navigational system. I seriously lack all sense of direction. He knows this.

He reassures me when he knows my insecurities are getting the best of me.

He desires to be the man of God that He is called to be. He strives to instill Godly characteristics into Sienna and Dawson... wanting to show them how to love God and love people.

He hasn't asked me to be his Valentine yet.... but I'd say yes :)

Ummm... Is it just me or is he super adorable?!? I know I'm just like all of you other moms out there that can't get enough of your babies' grins and giggles.

Dawson Grey is 2 months (sigh**) and cooing and smiling! It melts my heart to hear his little sounds and watch him light up! He adores his daddy and enjoys watching his big sister! Sienna loves talking to him in little sweet voices. "Hi Dawson Gayyy.." Yeah we gotta work on that one. And is easily entertained by watching Macy (our dog) run wild around the house. He obviously loves being held-- what baby doesn't, right?! Dawson now sleeps for 6-8 hours at night and mama is rejoicing! I feel like I look at the world in a better light when I have a few winks of sleep :) I hear all you women saying, "Amen!"

He's such a little stud muffin :)

Miss Sienna is growing fond of her little brother and a bit protective, well minus the few times where she just hauled off and hit him... jealousy got the best of her. We are now a paci-free house as both kids are without a paci. Sienna's nap times have been struggling to say the least. I am hoping this is just a phase?? At 23 months she had her first sleepover with her cousin :) She can count to 13, loves to sing, is SUPER inquisitive. She asks questions about everything! "Who you talking on phone to, Mama?" "You textin' Mimi?" "What you say, Mama?" Oh she cracks me up. My chatty girl.

I made my first trip out today with both kiddos. It was only a 15 minute adventure, but I figured we better end on a happy note so I didn't scare myself out of trying it EVER again :) Where did we go....

You guessed it. The one and only. Hobby Lobby.[]

She's pretty stinkin' cute, too, if you ask me!

Oh My Sweet Child :)

I.Love. Her.

I just do. No getting around it. She is super special. Although many times on my blog, you hear about her latest hissy fit that landed her

smack dab on her tushy, kicking and screaming on the floor- (Poor girl has her dirty laundry out for everyone to read ;) BUT behind those little ornery fits of this almost-two-year-old... is one special girl.

This special girl has the biggest, sweetest heart. Her concern for others is genuine. When the TV is on and someone is crying, she expresses concern, "Whas wrong Mama?" When she sees mommy shedding a tear over a stressful day... she climbs up onto my lap and wipes me tears saying, "Don't cry, Mama...Don't Cry." Isn't that my job?? Wiping tears. Consoling. Offering support. Such a sweet thing she is and wise beyond those 2-whole-years.

This girl is a teacher in the making. Despite her bouts of stubbornness, she is a rule-follower and wants to make sure others do the same. Poor cousin Cole, her playmate, handles her pestering and bossiness very well. Her brother? Well, he doesn't stand a chance. She likes to tell people what to do. Who doesn't, right?

She even calls me out on some of my rule-breaking! While leaning back from the passenger seat in the car to calm Dawson I am scolded,

"Suppose to sit down in your carseat, Mama. Sit down."

Yes Ma'am.

When climbing on the counters to get something out of my reach -yes, I do this-- please don't judge.... because obviously my daughter does! I hear...

"Not suppose to stand up there. Get down, Ma." Sure thing, Sweetpea.

(Yes, she calls me "ma" because apparently we are from the deep south?!)

This girl LOVES her food. She wakes up....

Sienna: "Me have lunch..."

Justin: "Lunch? What do you want to eat? "

Sienna: "I have a Quesadilla...a sandwich... cereal"

If you are eating something...anything, she will come running and convince you that you two are now best friends and that she deserves some of your food. 10 times out of 10. It keeps those cheeks chubby and kissable.

She is Daddy's girl. She loves him more than anything. My heart turns to mush when I see the effort Justin puts in to bond with her. He crawls up next to her most morning and snuggles with her. They sing rounds of Jesus Loves Me, The B-I-B-L-E, and Twinkle Twinkle. Her sweet, innocent voice is music to anyone's ears. He was so excited to take her tubing for the first time. I have to admit-- as a mother I cringed at the thought of that soft skin face-planting. Justin was determined to take her. I hear two times down the hill and she was ready to call it quits. They played in the snow, made snowballs, and sat by the fire. She LOVED it...and my heart was beaming as she recounted her day with me. She told me later that she had fun making snowballs with daddy and playing with the "wheels" -- sure... why not! The tubes are close enough to wheels, my dear. Honest Mistake.

Yesterday morning she was on the couch watching cartoons while I was doing the dishes... Justin walks into the living room and I hear, "Snuggle with me Daddy. Snuggle with me." Ah, my heart is full.

P.S This week was a big week for our baby girl (because you know she will always be my baby girl)

1.) She gave up her paci on her own without asking for it once after... Naptimes haven't been stupendous, but we will work on that later.

2.) She went poopoo on the potty!

Now that's a big week! The latter was just a one-time deal, but hey...it saved us the cost of ONE diaper :)

I'm still here!!

Yes- I haven't yet given up on this blog!

My posts are just very. few. You'll forgive me, right?

Not real sure what to update you on!! I am still struggling to get my teeth brushed at a decent hour, however some days I feel like we are actually getting into a routine. Other days.... If Justin weren't home helping me, he may come home to find me rocking and crying in a corner ;) Certain days, I am lucky if I remember to feed myself! Although- I do remember to grab some real "healthy" snacks... haha. You know...chocolate, reeses...hey, why not grab a snickers, right? So, my goals of getting up and showering in the morning, working out, getting some sewing in.... Yeah...not happening. YET! They're on the back-burner. I know (& hope) that in a matter of time we will get the hang of this two-kid-thing and I am positive it will feel like we've been doing this all along!

In the past few weeks we have...

* Celebrated Christmas with incredible family and watched Sienna really get into the present-thing. Kinda scary because now there is no going back :) It was a joy to watch her excitement! We now our housing close to 12 plastic babies and 47 stuffed-creatures that she pushes in the stroller, or takes them to get "goshies" in shopping cart.

*Felt unbelievably blessed beyond words by family and friends this Christmas season. Whether this was by meaningful family get-togethers, unexpected gifts, anonymous mail containing gift cards, etc... We were reminded and blessed by the incredible generosity of others.

*Stayed up way too late, but had way too much fun with friends! Late nights were attributed to Bunko night, New Years' Eve with friends, and movie night with the hubby... pretty sure I fell asleep on both attempts to watch Knight and Day. But I give the movie a Thumbs Up. These heavy eyelids just have no mercy!

*Ditched Dawson's paci. Poor guy had to kiss his binky "bye-bye" before his big sis. Lucky girl, caught a break when we decided to get rid of his first. Her time is quickly approaching, but Dawson's deal was a little more important to take care of as it was hindering his sleep (and mama's sleep!!).

*Dealt with some severe fussiness from our little man. What I thought was due to my consumption of a tasty Barq's Rootbeer, is maybe from something I was eating instead. Lettuce maybe?! The jury is still out.

*Survived managing the munchkins on my own as Justin went on a 2-day ski trip to Nubs Nob with some of his students and other staff.

*Experienced crazy toddler meltdowns, but also cracked up laughing at her the crazy things she comes up with. Her sense of humor is hilarious.

*Started thinking and planning for Little Miss Thang's 2nd birthday party! I can hardly believe it! Our little, bright-eyed girl will celebrate her birthday later this month. My lack of time is keeping this party under control and pretty low-key. Sometimes I start getting a little silly with the things I want to do for her party.

*Committed to a "part-time" job, where I will be observing tutors for the tutoring program I previously tutored with. Just a few hours a week... Such an answer to prayer!

*Had family pictures taken. I will upload those when I get a chance... maybe before my kids are in high school.

*Splurged and got this mama a new toy... check it out. Can I just tell you, I am pumped!! We have been searching deep and wide for a double jogger that would fit in my Honda. Nearly impossible to find such a thing. After months of searching Craigslist and stalking people for a used one... we caved and Ebay was good to us. (Amazing how fast Dawson has chunked up and Sienna finally grew hair!)



Well, I need to attempt to end this late night streak!