The unecessary, simple moments are the best

My moment: BK left early this morning, Russell and Quint were still sleeping so I was too:) I had just fed Russell and dozed back to sleep, and I vaguely remember BK pulling the covers up over me. I was so out of it I didn't even say thank you. It was such a sweet gesture. For me, it doesn't get any better than that.

Cutest Bat and Lion ever

Today's moment: playgroup Halloween birthday party for Delaney. Russell dressed as a bat, Quint was a lion. I just paused, the room was full of very cute kids dressed as a variety of animals to super heroes and thought my bat and lion are the cutest. I am sure all parents feel that way, but really...mine are the cutest...haha.

It never ends

Tonight my moment: working on final thesis revisions so it can be official and bound into a book. It occured to me....I have been working on this since before we were married...will it ever end? I really hope so.

With two babies-NEVER DEVIATE FROM THE PLAN!

Today I had prepared to go to Super Walmart for some groceries. Quint saw the mall out the window and said "yes" and pointed. I was so surprised he recognized it I thought, well maybe we can go to the play structure and get the groceries at Target. Bad Plan. It was crazy, and I was not mentally prepared for the mall. By the end, I looked like a wreck, pushing the double stroller, Russell in a onesie in the sling because of a diaper change gone bad even though it was like 40 degrees out...Quint covered in crackers he spilled...and oh yeah I was in stretch pants because I feel that is appropriate for Walmart...but not the mall. So, from now on...I will stick to the plan...or at least realize it might be crazy!

playing water polo

My moment today: It was a guy's only scrimmage because the club has Big 10's next weekend. But, Krissy said that she and I were invited to play:) I was so excited. We played 7 quarters and it was so fun. I am not in great shape, and didn't do anything outstanding, but I love, love, love to play water polo.

Russell rolls...now their is poo on the carpet!

My moment: today I had Russell on the carpet to change him, and ran to get some new clothes since he had exploded his poo all over. Until today this was a safe move, because he could not roll back to front yet. Well, now he can! I came back and he had rolled over and his bare bum was up facing me and when I rolled him back there was poo on the carpet. My emotion was mixed...happy he rolled...not happy he choose that moment to do it!

Dancing

One of my favorite things...dancing with the boys. We turn on some music and Quint loves it. Tonight after bath time we were just hanging out, Russell was a little fussy so he was in the sling. Normally this time of night is crazy but it was strangely calm...so we turned on the music (David Gray) and danced. Twirling, spinning, and dancing to the music together, it was wonderful.

BK's style

I have always had a love/hate relationship with BK's style. On one hand I find it very manly that he does not like to shop, and can be ready to go in 5 minutes. But, occasionally I wish he would wear some cute jeans without making some comment which is not PC enough for this blog:)
This morning BK was up getting ready for school. I looked over at him, and thought...this outfit choice is more interesting than normal. He was wearing his bright yellow cheerios shirt, with a gray long-sleeve underneath and green pants. I made a little comment, "you look very bright today honey". He responded " its for the kids" then I remembered they were volunteering at the children's hospital today. No pair of cute jeans could make BK look any hotter than he did in that moment.

Four makes two look easy:)

Today I started babysitting. It is a win-win. A little extra money, and a built in play group for Russell and Quint. It is a super nice family, who has a 2 1/2 year old, David and a 6 month old, Elizabeth. I watch them for 4 hours Monday mornings and today was my first day. It was a crazy four hours; Elizabeth didn't want to nap, and Quint wasn't sure about sharing his toys. You can get the picture...right? I realized that I only have two hands which seemed like far too few with this many kids. I know it will get easier when we get into a routine. I am grateful for the opportunity and I think it will work out great, but it makes me realize four is much harder than two.

I need help!

It's friday afternoon, and it is too much. I am feeling a little sick and I think Russell is too. It is just the end of the week and its getting to me. BK is usually home early on Friday but I told him he could stay and study since we were not going to Sam's. Then I started to lose it, and I tried to call but no reception in the library. I think they do that on purpose but it stinks! A few more hours to bed time...I can do it....Right?

Just being

One of my favorite things in life is to just be with BK. Whether it is driving in the car, sitting on the couch, or laying in the grass. Tonight, after a long day, the boys were finally asleep and BK was home early (8 pm). We plopped on the couch, chatted and then watched an episode of The Office. It was so nice to "just be".

In the leaves with Quint

My moment: Laying in the leaves with Quint. The weather was perfect, we were looking up at the trees, the leaves were falling in spurts with the breezes. It was a fantastic moment. The funny part was when Quint got up the leaves were stuck to his fuzzy pants. He looked so cute with leaves stuck to his bum:)

Point Iowa!

Tonight we took advantage of another perk of living in Iowa City. We went to the University of Iowa women's volleyball match. They were playing Penn State who is currently the #1 ranked team in the country. The Hawkeyes did not win but they were competitive. It was a bargain only $3 for me and everyone else was free. Quint loved all the action. Cheerleaders, lights, music during timeouts and between games, and the mascot was there too. Students were dressed up, and the announcer was great...everytime Iowa scored he would yell "Point Iowa!" and the crowd would repeat it. We are definitely in a sports town:) I love it.

The band marches on

Today Lauren (my new FTM (full-time -mom) friend) and I took the boys to watch the marching band practice. They practice on a field near her house and on Thursday afternoons they do run-throughs for the weekend game. They were actually really good, dancing and playing. Quint loved it. I think I may have a future band-o on my hands:) Free, fun activities like this are a perk to living in a Big 10 town.

God Leads

My moment: I opened my email and had one from Andrea. She is a fellow mom who attends a playgroup I have been to a few times. Last week, she was sharing about how her husband got a new job, which was great but she would need to find care for her two children on Mon and Wed mornings. I immediately thought, I could help with that! But, I did not want to be pushy so I let it go. It was still in the back of my mind, but I have only met her a few times so again, I let it go. Tonight I received an email from her. She shared how my named popped in her head on her run today, and how she was wondering if I would considering watching them on Mondays. She shared how she is just trying to explore all of the Holy Spirit's leading on this. I was amazed. I hope it works out, it will be a blessing for the boys to have playmates and the extra money will be awesome. Good thing one of us is listening to God's leading:)

My Little Helper

Quint wants to help with everything these days. Dishes, laundry, cooking, vaccuming, etc. It makes it more fun, but also much messier and takes twice as long. Dish water floods the floor, wet laundry dragged on the floor before getting to the dryer, food everywhere, but actually he is a proficient vaccumer. Today his desire to help surprised me. We went to Walmart and I was trying to unload the car in one trip. I was carrying Russell, the bags of groceries, and urging Quint toward the door. I put the bags by the door to the building because I could not open it otherwise. Quint immediately began to move one bag from the porch to in the building. I helped him with the heavy ones but he was so proud to be moving them. After that he moved the bags to our door. Then from our door he took individual items and put them on the counter. In the process, he spilled my cup of lemonade. Like I said, much messier and takes twice as long but I love my little helper.

Scrubbing In

BK came home tonight, and he was telling me the highlights of his day when he pulled something out of his bag. It was green scrubs that said University of Iowa Hospital! He glowed as he told me about his first experience learning to scrub into surgery. He is doing a program where they get to go into surgery and watch, and today they got their scrubs and learned how to scrub in. He said it is nothing like TV. No special rooms with large sinks and everyone chatting...just random sinks around. He told me he thought the soap would be more lathery. It was great to see his genuine excitement. It was a cool moment. We are really doing it.

The death of the morning shower

Russell was sleeping, and I put Quint in the play pen so I could get a quick shower. Ahhh, the serenity of the shower. I learned to love my fifteen minute break in the hectic morning. Besides, it was good for Quint to play by himself for a while. After a peaceful shower I reluctantly turned off the water and was instantly bombarded by the sound of crying. Ahhh...back to reality. Who was it....I listened closely as I dried off...Quint...hummm that sounds like the pain cry...I ran to his room...and there he was sitting next to his play pen, crying. The day had come...he climbed out of the play pen. I determined he was more frightened than hurt. I felt a bit guilty...how long had he been crying? Quint had broken out of my one safe place, I instantly began to mourn my morning shower.

Shopping... will it ever be the same?

Today as I was carrying a very unhappy toddler and pushing an overloaded stroller I wondered, will I ever go to a mall and feel carefree again? Will I always be aware of what things are in toddler reach, or how close the bathroom is, or is there a way to avoid walking by the merry go round? Ahhh the idea of walking down the mall carefree, even better with a generous spending budget is a dream. But, I imagine, when I do get to that point I will miss having a toddler hanging from my leg.

Where's the milk?

My second moment: Two hours after we had made it in from the store...just thinking random thoughts it occurred to me...what about the milk? I am sure I bought milk, but I don't remember seeing it in the fridge...oh no....its in the truck! AHHH. I ran out to the garage...yep....I left the milk in the truck. Why couldn't it have been any other bag....the milk is like the worst thing to leave out. Three dollars fifteen cents down the drain...literally.

Who needs a shoe?

Quint's newest thing is to take off his shoes in the car. He gets bored, and he realized he can undue the velcro and take off his shoe. We just had returned from grocery shopping and Quint had unbuckled his shoe. It was still on so I just let him walk to the door. He was carrying the bananas (he likes to carry a bag) when he walked out of his shoe. It was sitting there in the middle of the driveway and Quint looked perplexed. Holding the bananas standing with one sock and one sneaker, just looking at his other sneaker. I reassured him, its ok, pick up your shoe and come on. He hobbled over picked up his shoe, meanwhile carrying the bananas and made his way to the door:) It was super cute.

Being a Dad is so cool

My moment today came from something BK said that was so fantastic. Sitting on the couch during nap time on Sunday BK said "I never thought being a Dad would be this cool". His comment made me so happy and caused me to pause. When you get married, you are in love, and excited to share your life together, but some things are unknown. BK loving fatherhood is a huge bonus! I knew he wanted children, but his genuine love of spending time with Quint and Russell is beyond what I ever expected. When BK said that: it was my moment.

One walk, two falls, one band-aid

BK got home early from studying today. It was a treat so after nap time we took a family walk to the school playground. Quint loves to walk now but sometimes he gets too excited and falls. Twice on our walk he got running too fast and fell. We dusted him off, and he kept running. He was not going to let a few scraps keep him from playing! When we got home, BK played nurse and cleaned the knees and put on one band-aid. Quint loves band-aids his are Scooby Doo.

Russell's Laugh

Today the moment occurred when I took some time out to focus on Russell. I feel this gets lost sometimes in the busy life of mothering two. Quint was napping and Russell and I had some alone time. I just love his demeanor. He loves people and often will give you a big smile if you look at him. He also laughs a lot. He will giggle out loud when you play with him. Today we spent some great moments together, smiling, laughing and playing. 3 1/2 months and Russell is becoming so cool.

Don't cry over spilled milk

Today my moment occurred after dinner. I was making a bottle for Quint, and he pulled the gallon of milk off the counter on to the floor. They saying goes: don't cry over spilled milk...well I almost did. After a day of Quint testing me at every corner (including one phone call to poison control) I was about ready to be done. I just sat on the floor, feeling defeated, looking at the milk. I realized Quint felt bad about what he had done. I tried my best to put on my "its going to be ok" face and complete the bedtime routine. I know he did not intend to spill the milk. I just left the milk on the floor. BK came home just after I had got Quint to bed and he said "did you know you left the milk out?" I could have screamed.

I'll take your cart.

Today's moment was a perfect example of the kindness of the midwestern people. I was loading the boys in the car after a trip to Walmart. I had loaded the groceries, and was pulling Quint out of the cart, when a woman approached me and offered to take my cart back. She was parked next to me and had just finished loading her things and saw my hands were full. She said "I can take your cart back? I responded "are you sure?" She simply said "yes, no problem, you just take care of your boys". I took a moment for her kindness to sink in. Then I thought....I hope I am that kind to others.

What will God ask me?

Rebecca called and we were chatting...just the normal stuff and she told me this fantastic quote that made me go...Oh Gees! I feel I need to share it "I used to worry about why God would allow such suffering, poverty, famine, and injustice when there was something He could do about it. Now I worry that He will one day ask me the same question..." It took a moment to sink in....then I felt like "oh crap" that is convicting.

A joy...really...me?

My moment today: BK came home from school around 7 pm...the house looks like a tornado hit it (which is a possibility now that we live in Iowa)...but it wasn't a natural disaster more like a Quint:) I was not looking much better, the day had got the better of me and my shining accomplishment was the boys were alive and dinner was made. Despite how I perceived the situation, BK came right over, gave me a big kiss and said "you are such a joy to come home to". I felt like saying really...have you seen me lately...sweatpants...no make-up....hair up (but not in a cute way). He anticipated my comment and just repeated it. "its a joy to come home to you...I love to come home to Christy". Wow, that was a great moment. I may have disagreed with him, but I whole-heartedly believed him. I thought to myself...only God could make BK love me this much.

Sometimes motherhood is not sexy

Today's moment: we went to watch the club men's team play and we had only watched a quarter when Russell had an explosive poo all over my leg. Walking out, we ran into some of the players and all I could think was...do they see the poo on my pant leg? Love the boys but sometimes motherhood is not very sexy.