The power of love

I have to type this quickly otherwise it will just be another thought I have that I feel compelled to share but then never do. Taylor and I have had some major power struggles lately which usually end with me being extremely frustrated and defeated and her enduring many time-outs, spankings, yellings, and the like. It's not uncommon for this to revolve around a nap time.

I have been trying to think of what I'm doing wrong, what I could try next, etc. I have been praying about this and it finally occurred to me that when I tell her that she should be "loving" to her friends, toys, and us, I should be doing the same...duh! I know.

Yesterday was an especially bad nap time that I won't even go into detail about. Today, after about 10 min. she came out complaining her nose hurt. Then proceeded to go back and forth between her room and me with various things to tell me. All the while I was repeating in my nicest mommy voice, "Get back in bed, please." Finally, I took her hand to take her back to bed and it was like she was possessed. She just started screaching all the way to her room and into her bed and then kept trying to get off her bed. Each time I just put her back without saying anything. The last time I picked her up I put her in my lap and hugged her and she calmed down immediately. I sat there in her bed and rocked her until she fell asleep and then was overcome by how long its been since I've done this. I sat there looking at her, remembering her features and thinking how lucky she is to have those gorgeous eyelashes!

I just want to say as a reminder to myself and to all my mommy friends that as frustrated as we get with them (especially as two year olds!), they just need to be loved.

Swim play date

We had our first play date here in awhile. It was lots of fun and we even got to swim. We love having our friends over to play! Jacob even got to wear his swimsuit for the first time, although he didn't get in the pool. Maybe next time!

Nikki reading to Luke, Lily, Kinley, & Taylor

Meredith & Hayes

Jacob

Taylor

So, Taylor has had to learn to do a few things on her own since her brother arrived. A few months before he was born I started teaching her to get in and out of the car without me lifting her, to get her clothes on and off, start potty training, etc. I did not expect her to have to fend for herself and make her own meals though! The other day she was telling me she was hungry and before I had a chance to get her lunch made, she had gone to the pantry and helped herself!

One month!

Jacob turned a month old while we out of town at my granny's birthday party. I did remember to get a few pictures of him while we were there to post about him being a month old already. Time flies so fast with these little ones!!
At a month old Jacob is still such a sweet little boy. He loves to cuddle and would prefer to be held but is also good about being happy in his bed, papasan chair or his swing. He's now following our voices to try to find us. Eric told me this morning that he even smiled at him twice! We've had the diaper changing situation get better over the last few weeks. I no longer live in fear of being soiled every time I change him. He is starting to sleep a little longer at night but, by no means is he sleeping through the night. We usually get up twice a night right now. He's finally starting to outgrow the newborn clothes. I was surprised that he even fit in them at first. He has another dr appointment at 2 months so I can update his measurements then. He will take his pacifier sometimes but refuses it just as often. I'm sure it has a lot to do with being the second child and hopefully it will continue that things are going pretty smoothly with him. We've only had to go to the ER once so far! His umbilical cord came off a little early but they took care of it really easily and now it's perfectly fine. His big sister is a great helper (and she will tell you this too!) She's really good at fetching burp cloths, pacifiers, diapers, etc. And she loves to kiss him, pat his head, and show him toys. She talks a lot about all the things she will teach him!
We are just so happy to have him in our family! At my last dr appt I told my dr, "Thank you so much for taking him out of me!! It's so much better now!" She just laughed about how I had bugged her at each appointment for about 6 weeks to go ahead and get him out! It really is MUCH better now :) Here are some pictures of our little guy at 1 month:

Granny's 85th Birthday

My Granny Hoover turned 85 this month and the family gathered to celebrate at the Silverleaf Resort on Lake Palestine. Here are some pictures of the weekend:

Eric & Jacob

Granny & Mom

Taylor, Granny, & Jacob

Taylor & Adrienne

Me tickling Austin

Adrienne & Aubrey with Jacob

Dad enjoying the patio

Bookcase

Not sure if this deserves its own post or not but, here is my latest project. I had been wanting bookcases in the playroom since we began our playroom/nursery undertaking. Then I ran out of steam and couldn't think about it anymore. I guess being big and pregnant does that to you! So now, with said baby out of the tummy, I can do stuff again!!
I really almost spent WAY too much money to buy a bookcase online from a fancy little child's furniture store. Then I came to my senses and asked Eric to bring home some materials from Home Depot. A few nap times later and this is what we have:

"The Picture Lady"

Yesterday we had a photographer, Spanki Mills, come to our house and take pics of the kiddos. It was so much fun and Spanki is awesome!! Taylor kept calling her the "picture lady". After each session she posts a few pictures on her blog that we can share with our friends, so here they are...

This was all done at our house, inside and outside. She brought a ton of props that were so much fun to use. Taylor even got to eat the lollipop (which she's eating again for breakfast this morning!) I love that she got Taylor and Jacob together and separate. I know I'll love having these to look back on! If you are in need/want of a great photographer check out her website and blog. www.spankimillsphotography.com