Reality Check

From day to day as our children grow we start getting more relaxed as they express their need for independence...and we find ourselves giving in to make them happy with simple requests when there is a lot going on and they are crying.  WELL, yesterday we had a major reality check and LESSON LEARNED.  Anything can happen at any time...and stick to your instincts!!

Yesterday Andy got an awesome opportunity to bring Emma along with him to work for a "Breakfast with Santa" event.  They had a great time with Santa, eating breakfast, coloring, painting ornaments...  On the drive home she was crying for a candy cane they had gotten at the event and to make her happy Andy caved (knowing in his head he probably shouldn't give it to her, but assuming it would be fine...he wanted a smile on her face)....he unwrapped it all the way to the bottom and left a little bit of plastic at the bottom where she could hold onto it.  He kept an eye on her in the rear view mirror...but not too much later he looked back to find her blue face attempting to say "Daddy" but couldn't...she was choking on the plastic wrapper!!  I am so thankful for his quick reaction!!  He literally jumped out of his seat in order to reach into her throat and pull out the plastic.  They were at a stop light and while he is used to driving stick, this car was automatic and rear-ended the car in front of them.  Just a few scratches and nothing major...the gentleman driving the car in front of him got out and after hearing what happened with Emma he looked at the minor damage, looked at Andy, put his hand up and said "Merry Christmas", got back into his car and left.  Andy grabbed Emma and held her close while she kept repeating "Thank you Daddy. Thank you Daddy. I love you Daddy."
The most terrifying experience!!  I am so grateful for Andy's reactions and that everything turned out to be ok. 

Then last night we took the girls for a drive around to see some beautiful Christmas lights in the area and found a man stalled in the empty parking lot of our community center, alone and attempting to figure out why his car wouldn't start.  He also had taken his family to see the lights for his son's first Christmas but when the car wouldn't start the wife and son had walked home.  Neither of us had jumper cables on us so we drove home to get some and went back to help him out.  Again thankful, that was all it needed to get his car started.  It felt so good to "pay it forward" after a day like yesterday.

Extra hugs and kisses for my family this Christmas!! XOXOXO

Return to Work

My days just went from snuggles, laughing and fun all day to busy busy busy, go go go, time for bed and do it again tomorrow... 

I was so proud of myself when I was able to leave the house smiling this morning; after getting an "I love you" sign from my Emma, while she sat eating breakfast with Grampa C, and hugs and kisses from my husband and parents.  Work was fine...It was great to see everyone!  But then I got home, and remembered...by the time you make dinner, eat dinner, clean up, feed baby, get pjs on and ready for bed...it's time for babies to go to bed and that's that for time spent w/the babies.  The saddest thing is teaching Rylee to soothe herself (so she isn't in shock at daycare since I'm sure she will not be the only baby to need someone all the time).  I go all day needing and missing her, only to come home and attempt to teach her not to need me.  I understand it's for her own good as far as being able to have others soothe her as well as self soothe...but it's terribly sad.  But at least I made it until 9pm before I officially broke down on my first day back.  It will get easier for us all... I am just SO thankful my parents are here to help us with making dinner, clean up and all the 'not so fun' parts of the evening so I could take advantage of the extra time with my girls.  Next week, when they start daycare and my parents aren't here...it's going to be ROUGH.

Daughters

I've decided to start blogging because of my daugthers.  It is amazing what they are teaching me each and every day while I attempt to teach them how to grow and of what all the world has to offer them.  When you bring a life into the world it is the most amazing experience and you are forever changed.  Almost 2 years ago now my husband and I welcomed to the world our first daughter, Emma Kay.  Neither of us were prepared for what we were about to become...first time parents...something that no one is able to prepare you for.  Now since then we have welcomed our second daughter, Rylee Drew, about 2 1/2 months ago.  Being experienced parents we should know it all, right?  Ha.... The hardest part of having a second is remembering that baby #2 is NOT baby #1.  Rylee is 100% different than her older sister. However, this time around we are able to relax and enjoy more since we understand to go with the flow and learn who she is, what she likes, and what works/doesn't work. The BEST piece of advice given to me (and you get a lot of wanted & UNwanted advice as a parent) was the most simple, true words "Do what works for you and your family" and these are words we live by as parents which have made things smooth and enjoyable for us!  I hope you enjoy reading along as we learn from/with and experience our daughters and the joy they bring to us!