How I got my groove back

It comes as no shock to some, but how hard parenting 2 would be shocked me. Pinkie and I have a strong, fun, creative and emotional relationship. I kinda thought we were rock solid for the delivery of this baby. I mean with a therapist for a dad and a SpEd teacher for a mom,

aren't we ahead of the game a tad?

Any new baby throws a hitch in your giddy up, so at some point you realize I've got to do more with my day than diapers, laundry and goldfish. I will go back to teaching at the end of August and realized it was time to figure out how to be Mommy and Ashley again.

The duck pond at the library is a favorite for us both. We've also rented every book that has anything to do with being a big sister. All 4 of us went to the beach for the weekend and fast approaching is our amazing trip to Disneyland! Luckily, Little J is so easy to please.

Since the arrival of Little J, bedtime has been a challenge. I totally understand the 3 year old logic- 'I don't want to sleep in my room alone because everyone is in your bedroom.' She's right- we are all together and she's left out. So we've had a few nights of 4 in our bed, a few of her on the floor and many of Daddy in the bunk bed. I've been desperately wanting to get back to sewing and found a project. I made Pinkie a new blanket/quilt to help with bedtime. She's thrilled about it but we'll see if it helps with bedtime. I love it too. It felt really good to sew and then give her a gift for a change instead of baby. *** and she's given me 3 time outs as I wrote this***

a comparison

One of the best things I did when Pinkie was born (besides birth, breastfeeding and otherwise keeping an innocent human alive) was take monthly pictures of her on the 29th. We have one whole photo album with just her monthly pictures made by my bestest, Tara. I happen to think that as a little baby, Pinkie looked just like me. And as a wee babe JD looks just like Daddy. They both do have adorable little jowel type cheeks perfect for smooching. And lest we forget the big sister... she holds him, burps him, pokes him, steals binkies and otherwise adores 'Bubby'.

Quick

We are busy! I mean like busy busy busy- like it's ten o'clock and you can't figure out where the time has gone and what you've been doing. Welcome to the world of two kids, family moving into town with two brilliant nieces, new job and the feeding feeding feeding that goes on here.

Meanwhile, Pinkie turned 3 at a smashing puppy party and baby boy is 7 weeks old today.

And what a charmer I think he will be with a smirk like that!

Strawberry Fields

We went strawberry picking last weekend. The weather was perfect. I thought Pinkie would just go crazy for it, but the Berry Barn has goats, chickens and such. She was in love. So I picked all by myself while Daddy toured the farm with the kids. I kind of liked picking the berries by myself- a little quiet, a little manual labor. It was refreshing.

The Berry Barn offers wagons, buckets and an amazing shop with fresh fruit and veggies. They also happen to have an incredible gift shop that I'll be going to for gifts for family and friends.

And- I give you one happy little boy...