He's Walking

Some days I still cannot believe I am a mother of two. I keep waiting to feel like a grownup. Like someone who has been married for six years and has two children, a minivan, a dog, a mortgage, and two "small businesses."


This little face reminds me though that I do have all those things. When will I be a grownup? I don't know. But seeing my son take his first steps puts everything into perspective. Being grown up can wait until tomorrow...right now I am going to play with my kids. :)

Mealtime Triumph

There have been some amazing changes in the last week at the Nelson household. Our three year old eats broccoli!!! YES, you heard me right, a green vegetable! She also has decided she likes grapes as well, but another fruit in her repertoire pales in comparison to the one vegetable she will now eat. :)



One night this week we had broccoli with dinner. She not only tried her broccoli, she ate it all. I was stunned. Then she asked for more. I almost fell off my chair. When she finished her second helping (which was actually my broccoli) and asked for a third, I almost cried. Then I told her there wasn't any more broccoli because she ate it all.

The next day she asked if she could have broccoli and macaroni and cheese for lunch and I was happy to comply! (We'll work on the mac and cheese obsession at a later date) Then we went to the store and she said "Mom, don't forget to get some broccoli!"

So to all you moms out there with picky eaters I say...repetition works!


Just look at that mouthful of broccoli!

And every time you tell yourself you don't want to "waste" a vegetable on your toddler who you just know will not eat it, just tell yourself not to waste an opportunity to be one meal closer to your child actually eating that vegetable. If you don't expose your child to different things, they'll never have the opportunity to try and like them!

*This post is dedicated to Lynne, who has encouraged me about my picky eater for the last (almost) three years.

Kaitlyn's First Day of Preschool!

How is it possible that my baby is in PRESCHOOL? While I contemplate that, here are some pictures from our day...


Getting ready to leave


Her big girl backpack. It's huge. But it's princess and she loves it.


I love walking her to school. My dad used to walk me to school everyday. Isn't it strange when you do something with your children that your parents used to do with you as a child? That sense of nostalgia is enough to make me laugh and cry all at once.

As we made our way to the school she was running and screaming "Faster, faster, more, more!!!" Then she told me her stomach felt funny and she needed to stop running. Isn't that a nice story?


She obliged me long enough to hold still next to her Daddy and brother long enough for me to snap a picture.






I suppose the rest of my life will be filled with moments like these. Moments where I am smiling on the outside, and my heart is breaking just a little on the inside. I know it's going to be good...for both of us. I know why I am doing it. And I know she already loves it. But something about that independence, about that desire to explore her world and have new experiences, without me, makes my heart ache.


And there she goes. *sigh*

Three Months Old

It's hard to believe our little man has been with us for three months already! He is such a joy to have in our family and already so BOY! He is always grunting and growling, among the many other boy noises his body makes. :) He loves playing in his excersaucer and seeing glimpses of his sister as she plays and runs by. Sleep is slowly starting to get better around here. Sure a lot of it is in his swing, but we're getting there! Most nights he is sleeping at least one 5-6 hour stretch and that is so nice. Ben's schedule allows him to be up late at night and most nights he takes care of at least one of Lance's feedings so I can sleep. I love that man, he knows what is truely important to me these days! Here are some pictures of Lance on his 3 month birthday. Happy 3 months Buddy!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!!! (And a look back)

Here are some pictures from today, Kaitlyn's 3rd birthday! Notice her (newly) pierced ears. :) We had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, but she was more interested in playing with her new toys. This afternoon we went to her favorite cupcake place for a splurge and had a special movie night as a family. She even got to stay up late. (8:30!) Happy birthday big girl, each day has been a new adventure, we love you!

Lance is Eight Weeks Old!

Eight weeks. Wow. It is going by even more quickly this time than it did with Kaitlyn. Things are still busy around here, but it's the good kind :) Ben has been working a ton of overtime lately and my days are filled with baby smiles and big girl mischief. (Tune in tomorrow for wordless Wednesday to see some of this mischief. ) Lance is growing like a weed, he is in 6 month clothes now, and is such a happy baby. He sleeps well and loves Kaitlyn already, even when she's poking him in the face or talking much too loudly in his ear, he always has smiles for sister.

As Kaitlyn approaches her third birthday the sass is astounding. Seriously I was expecting this kind of attitude from my teenager, not my two year old. Good times I tell ya. For the most part though she is my big helper, eager to help with anything involving her brother and especially anything to do with cooking. She loves "writing notes" and building the Eiffel Tower with her blocks. Everyday is an adventure with her, you tell her something once and she remembers...FOREVER. She must have heard the phrase "That's not fair!" somewhere because this is what she says to me whenever she's frustrated about anything. Who teaches her these things?

How Does this Happen???

Lance is one month old today! The last month has been a wonderful and exciting one for our family. Our "little man," as deemed by his big sister, is changing and growing so quickly and the firsts are already beginning. His first smile was on Sat. January 10th and they have been occasionally given since then. We even got a picture of one already! His first bath was slightly traumatic but we all survived it, even Kaitlyn who was very concerned for her brother while all the screaming was ensuing. Ben is back to work and I am adjusting to being a mother of two and all that entails. My biggest challenge is leaving the house! Ben's new shift is 12pm-12am so the nights are lonely and bedtime is challenging, but we survive and are thankful for all that Ben's job provides for us. Here's some pictures from the last few weeks...

Two Weeks Old

The last two weeks have been busy ones for the Nelson family. Filled with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and adjusting to our new little guy. Kaitlyn has taken to him quite well and although there has been the usual period of adjustment, she loves her brother and calls him "my baby" most of the time. She loves to help care for him, especially turning on his mobile when he's awake, and is very gentle...most of the time. :) The concept that I have TWO children still takes me by surprise most days and I can hardly believe I am lucky enough to have two healthy, beautiful children with the man I love. The last two weeks, although sleep deprived, have been wonderful and I know things will only get better. Happy two week birthday Lance!!!!