Seven

Ready for the farmer's market!

Bundled up little bear.

Post nap snuggles.  One of my favorite times of the day.

My sister who lives in NY and was here for two weeks around Logan's due date (but never got to meet him since he made his debut almost 2 weeks late), got to give him her first snuggles today!

Oh to be the youngest of seven cousins!

She and her boys will be here until Tuesday. I'm so glad she finally got to get her hands on him!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "The Farmer In the Dell" 

Two years ago today: "12ish Months Later"

And three years ago today: "My First Day"

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Well Visit x2

The boys had well checkups today!

Logan (almost 5 months): 13lb 2oz, 24.8"

Ayden (3 years): 26lb 8oz, 2' 11"

And Logan has officially mastered rolling from back to belly. Now he's a rolling fool and spends a lot of time on his tummy by choice!

It was a comfort to have a doctor's Appointment today. Logan still has a cough and sinus congestion so having his little lungs listened to an extra time was nice. His doctor was pleased with how quickly he seemed to have bounced back and he accredited the all powerful mama milk for that (which of course made me feel really good).

During Logan's whole exam he was reaching for their doctor's buttons, stethoscope, hands, and anything else he could get his sweet little hands on. Doc was pleased with his development. We skipped getting his vaccine today since his immune system is compromised at the moment and we made an appointment with a nurse to go back for that in a couple of weeks. 

Their doctor  had forgotten that Ayden has been potty trained since he was 22 months old so he asked how that was going for us. We took that opportunity to ask about night time wetting. Ayden wakes with a dry diaper once every couple of weeks or so with no consistency or pattern. Doc told us that with boys, the ability to hold it all night usually comes between the ages of 4 and 5 (sometimes even longer for heavy sleepers) so he told us not to worry about that at this time.  He did say that if we get to that point with no progress then we should start waking him in the middle of the night to go. That doesn't sound like fun so we are hoping the issue will resolve itself in its own good time.  

I was SOOO glad David was able to get away from work to meet us there. It would have been so chaotic without his help.  Teamwork saves the day yet again!  He texted later in the day to tell us what a treat it is to get to see us in the middle of the work day. I think a lunch visit at work from us should be in his near future!  This evening he took care of kitchen cleanup so I could go to my happy place and get my sew on.  I have had a couple of projects just sitting there on hold for weeks and it felt good to get a couple of hours in on them.  When he was done he came up and we watched a movie in our office while I finished up.  

When did your kids stop wetting at night? 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Hello Dr. Jeckle"

Two years ago today: "What's New"

And three years ago today: "Out And About"

5 Happy Things: On The Mend

1) Ayden's ever flourishing imagination.

Not sure why that kid in the back wasn't allowed to sit with the rest of the class...

2.) This sweet boy and his cute thumb sucking.

3.) After nap quiet time with Ayden.
Trail mix, an audio book (Caps For Sale) and watching out the window.  Very pleasant.

4) Learning my first woven wrap back carry.
(Santa toss into ruck sack with a reinforcing duck pass? So much lingo to learn...)

5) Short cuts that make life easier.
I was able to shred this 3.5lb pork shoulder in SECONDS with my stand mixer. BOOM!
Cooked it in the crock pot to begin with (another favorite time saver)
Nothing like an incredibly simple, no stress, yet super wholesome meal for my family.

Logan is on the mend!  He's been fever free for over 24 hours, slept like normal last night and was pretty much back to his happy self today.  The only symptoms left from his bout with Type A Flu are a little bit of a runny nose and what seems to be a painfully tight cough every now and then.  We are so fortunate that it did not hit him as hard as it could have.  I'd like to believe that a combination of my diffusing anti-viral essential oils the moment he started showing symptoms (when I thought he was just getting a cold) and antibodies/supplements from my breast milk were what supported him through it to a swift recovery but who knows...  We could have just gotten lucky.  Even if all they did was keep me from feeling helpless the effort was worth it!  My bonus happy thing is that my sweet baby isn't seriously sick anymore!

~Sarah

What were your 5 happy things today?  Share them below!

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Kid Talk"
Two years ago today: "What About Ayden?"
And three years ago today: "All Is Well, Baby!"

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Liar Liar?

Logan was a sick little boy last night.

He had a fever and I had to bust out the Nose Freda and our doTrerra Breathe vapor rub. He also had a barky cough so I was worried and thinking, "Croup? RSV?" A couple we know had just come home from the hospital after their baby was in the PICU being treated for RSV for 3 days. Yikes! At around midnight he woke me to feed him and he felt so hot.  I took his temp and it was 100.4* (after adding the degree) which was officially a fever.  With Ayden I'd be on alert but not overly worried but with my not-yet 5 month old?  Different story. I took his fleece PJs off and took my shirts off and snuggled skin to skin with him for the rest of the night. I could feel his hot little belly against mine and could feel all of his little breaths. I didn't sleep well but I slept better than I would have had he not been so close. I took his temp about every 2 hours or so. My belly was telling me his temp was falling and it was right. By morning his temp was gone. The benefits of skin to skin are so AMAZING. He had nursed well all night so hydration wasn't a concern. He seemed to be feeling better. I decided to take a wait and see approach. 

Ayden built his most elaborate masterpiece to date while we took it easy today:

When Logan woke from his afternoon nap, he was screaming crying and MISERABLE. Still no fever but his intake breaths sounded scary tight and painful. My gut said he needed to go to the doctor. I cancelled my dance classes for the second week in a row and as soon as David got home from work we were off for a Mommy and Logan date to the doctor. 

He was a smiley champ the whole time. I thought they'd call me a liar and send us home saying he simply had a little cold but nope. Flu A. His fever was gone (at least at that moment) and he was all smiles while they swabbed BOTH nostrils at once (one for the flu and one for RSV) but I was no liar. My baby was really sick and my mama gut knew it. Lots and lots of nursing, comfort and rest are in his future which really isn't much different than the norm, but hopefully he'll kick it quickly. I have also taken immune boosting supplements to pass to him through my milk, we've put diluted oregano essential oil on his feet and have On Guard diffusing into the air. Everything we can think of to help support his little body for a speedy recovery.

Sleep sweet tonight, Little one. Mama's

Got you. 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "

Two years ago today: "

And three years ago today: "

Deep Cleaning Machine(ish)

Ayden was such a big helper during chicken chores this morning!

One of the other play group moms made Ayden that monster hat for his birthday and it is SOOO cute!  She actually has an Etsy shop and sells them to raise money to adopt a second baby. It's great to be surrounded by so many kind, creative and talented ladies.

We didn't go anywhere today.  Logan seems to be coming down with a cold and slept a lot. Aden played and hung out with me while I did some LONG overdue deep cleaning. I can keep up with the maintanence okay (most of te time) but I'm afraid week after week, deep cleaning always falls by the wayside in our house. Other things always seem more important until I stop and look at the nastiness that is what I have neglected and finally do something about it. It felt really good to knock out a few things today and I am brainstorming ways to fit it into my life on a regular basis. Part of me is just thinking that it is just normal for this season in my life and that I shouldn't beat myself up about it; but it would be nice to find a way to do it a little more often. 

When do you deep clean?  

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Little Daddy"

Two years ago today: "Easier Every Time"

And three years ago today: "Week 1 Recap"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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Hands On

We had a little play group field trip today!

Logan even got to join in on the fun!

Ayden was so brave going down the biggest slide by himself several times!

This boy wants to have his hands on anything and everything all the time!
It has already begun! 

OOTD: Monster Gymboree from head to toe.
(Courtesy of Grandma)

It was really fun!  We can't wait to go back with Daddy.

~ Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "A Roaring Good Time"

Two years ago today: "Anytime Anywhere"

And three years ago today: "The Birth Story Of Ayden Matthew"

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Rain Check

We caused in our rain check for Ayden's birthday celebration last night!

Mexican for some guacamole!
(a current favorite food of Ayden's)

He jumped until he dropped at the trampoline park.

Our last stop was a frozen yogurt place. Ayden was a happy but TIRED boy by the end of the night. He slept in until 8 this morning. 

Today was slow paced. We kind of divided and conquered as far as the boys were concerned. Ayden hung out with David and Logan hung out with me for most of the day. 

Logan has had a couple of pretty big developments recently. He now reaches for and manipulates things while he's on his tummy.  He's also helicoptoring and rolling over both ways whenever he wants.  when I put him on the play mat, he was on his back with his head between the red/orange bar and the green bar with his legs pointing to the right on the hard wood.  He gradually got himself spun around and rolled to his tummy then back again, all the while having a grand old time exploring all of the different toys he found at every turn.    

David and Ayden dropped Logan and me off at the studio so I could make up the classes I missed because I stayed home sick Ayden on his birthday.  David took Ayden home for a monster nap and then they came back to get me.

Tummy play is his favorite these days!

We have something extra fun planned for play group tomorrow and we are looking forward to it!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Party Prep"

Two years ago today: "From Milk To Table Food"

And three years ago today: "Who's Who?"

How Does She Do It?

We woke up to a winter wonderland today!

Ayden was the Prince Charming at one of his playgroup girlfriend's princess party today!

All of the girls got princess wands for their party favors and lucky Mr. Aden got his very own sword (she made it out of cardboard, felt and twine)!  He LOVES it so much. David also got to meet another of the play group dads which he enjoyed. There were 3 of them total there and they all got along really well. 5 dad's down and only one to go!  We all keep talking about getting our whole families together but we've yet to make it happen. Maybe when things warm up and we can have a cookout or something...  

Last night after I finished making Ayden's thumbprint monster thank you cards, I made another Pinterest inspired card for the birthday girl:

I posted photos of it and the monster cards on Instagram and follower asked, "How do you do it?" And went on to call me super mom. I had to put a stop to that crazy talk right away because I am JUST LIKE YOU and every other mom out there. I do not have everything together all of the time and to prove it, here is what our house looks like today because I took the time to make all of those cards last night: 

And that's just two rooms. I'm embarrassed to even show you our office because it's where all of our clutter went to die for Ayden's birthday party and I've even putting off even opening the door for fear that David might have to perform some sort of search and rescue for me. So to answer her question, I don't.  Not all of it all the time anyway...

It's a big game of give and take. After the boys go to bed, most nights I publish my blog post for the evening, wash dishes and tidy up the place. Every other night I throw in a load of diaper laundry. If I'm lucky I have a little extra time to wrap my head around the next day and relax with David before it's time for us to go to bed ourselves. When I start getting an itch to do something for myself, I let the dishes sit (or David will do them if he's not too tired after working all day and working on the house after that) and that's when I get crafty. Sewing is my favorite and I plan to teach myself to crochet soon. 

The favors for Ayden's monster party.
Reusable "snack monster" bags.
{Following this tutorial}

Those took MUCH longer than I thought they would.  Our house was pretty messy for a while thanks to these guys.  Haha.  It was SOO worth being able to share them with Ayden's friends, though!  And in the process, I learned new skills.  It was my first time with making anything with liners and my first time with zippers.  After making 14 of them, I was a pro at both by the end!

Making things from raw materials simply feeds my soul. Putting activities together for Ayden, making gifts, or putting together photos and video montages from events also satisfy my creative needs in the same way. It's what I enjoy and it recharges me, making me a better wife and mother after I take the time to do it. 

So long story short, I don't find time to be crafty. I make time because self care is important. I can't expect myself to serve my family if I don't first serve myself and part of that is tapping into my creative/crafty side on a semi-regular basis.

What do you do to recharge?

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Bath Painting Fun"

Two years ago today: "Any Time Anywhere"

And three years ago today: "Got Milk"

Thanks A Lot

Ayden was feeling better today!  We missed story time, and therefore getting new books, yesterday so we had an outing to the library. 

He fell asleep seconds after I took this.
He gets SO serious when he's tired.
Also love the spit bubble :).

While I was on an "all things monster" pinning spree on Pinterest to get inspired for Ayden's monster party I found a pin that gave me an idea for the thank you cards.  I bought a 50 cent package of plain index cards and used an ink pad we already had to put a little Ayden thumb print on each one. 

Then I used a black felt tip, fine point marker to turn them into little monsters yelling, "THANKS!"  I used construction paper to cut out little balloons and glued them on with good ol' Elmer's school glue and that was it.  

I wrote the messages on the back and had Ayden sign his A on each one.  

He's still working on making the lines touch at the top and gets bummed when they turn out looking like H's.
I give him a dot to help him make his mountain.
When he looked at these he said they looked like dancers.  Haha.

I plan on making the envelopes out of cute scrap booking paper.  I found a tutorial that makes envelopes out of hearts that I'm going to try out.

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Here I Am!"
Two years ago today: "Mr. Babbles"
And three years ago today: "Settling In"

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Changing the System

I hardly touched my phone at all today. After birthday festivities that I hyper documented to share with family and friends who weren't with us to celebrate, I needed a technology break.

Just because a post without any photos at all can be kind of boring...
{via}

As a result, I didn't take a single photo today and that's okay!  The kids were just as adorable as they were yesterday and they'll still be as cute tomorrow. We had another stay home PJ day. I got caught up on laundry (I did 5 loads and even got 3 of those put away!) and just spent time with my boys.

Speaking of laundry, I typically do one load a day from wash to put away and sometimes two on diaper washing day. Over the holidays I got WAAAY behind. Once I dug myself back out I knew I needed to tweak my system a little bit. I just could not seem to stay on top of it and once I got stressed about it, I remembered how the systems I have in place in our home need to work for me. It's not the other way around. Once you find a system that truly works it easily becomes part of your daily routine and you automatically stay on top of it. If something is stressing you out, that's a good indicator that it's not working for you. When I was 20 and first moved out and began to run my own home (I'm not counting college dorm dwelling here), I started out by implementing all of my mother's systems because that is all I really knew. Well, my mom and I are different people and I learned really quickly that many of her systems, while they work for her, did not work for me. The same type of transition happened once Ayden came along. It took me a good 2 years to really nail down  a routine that really worked. Then Logan came along and so on and so forth. 

The same goals need to be met but after every life change, things need to be tweaked before you find balance again. The answer for me this time was to add Ayden's laundry in with David's and mine. For Logan's first few months I had our laundry which we sort as we take it off into 3 loads: reds, colors and whites. We have a 3 compartment hamper and it is a MAJOR time saver for a one-load-a-day household. Then we had towels and sheets, diapers (which needed to be washed every other day), David's building clothes, a small load of super dirty towels, rugs and rags that I did not want to wash with other stuff, Logan's laundry (which ended up being washed twice a week in the early days) and then Ayden's load. It was just too much. Keeping up with the boy's laundry, household laundry and diapers meant that our clothes didn't get washed until neither of us had anything at all to wear. Then they'd get washed but never put away. The simple decision to merge Ayden's laundry with ours solved every problem. One less load a week and our clothes are now getting washed regularly. It also helps that Logan rarely spits up anymore and thus makes it through most of his days wearing only one outfit.

Another interesting routine shift that happened recently was bed times. Since he was just a month or so old, Logan was ready to go to bed for the night between 7:30 and 8 just like Ayden. We'd each take a child and get them ready at the same time then I'd stay in and nurse Logan while Ayden fell asleep. Now, Logan is reay for bed around 6:30 which makes things interesting on the nights that David builds and I do bedtime alone. When David is home it's no big deal because he plays with Ayden while I tend to Logan.  When he's not here, I needed to find a way to keep Ayden quietly contained and occupied so he doesn't wake Logan.  I've started doing "quiet book time" for Ayden where he sits with a basket of books on the couch in the living room and quietly looks through them while I nurse Logan down and somehow, it's working! I talked to him about it ahead of time telling him why he couldn't be in the room and such and he understood. It must be a big 3 year old skill to master. It's nice to be able to give Logan what he needs without having his big bro come in and wake him up. 

I guess the point is that with each family member you have, more needs arise and all of those needs seem to constantly evolve and change. As a result, our routines and systems that keep or households running need to evolve and change as well. We do not work for our household or systems, they need to work for us to make life more simple for everyone.

Have you had to tweak any of your systems lately?  What was the problem and how did you fix it?  Please share in the comments below!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Nurse Day"
Two years ago today: "SOLD!"
And three years ago today: "So In Love"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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Ayden is 3!!

Happy birthday, sweet boy!

Birthday interview

Think he'll humor me when he's 18?

Ayden's birthday morning started out great!

French Toast
(using this bread)

Then the day quickly took a turn for the worse. Come mid morning he spiked a fever and a little while later he "got sick."  

Don't forget to add the degree.  Poor baby.

He fell asleep sitting up while he was watching Brave.

I got him to go potty and then get into his bed where he slept for about an hour.  His early nap revived him and we spent the rest of the day having low key fun.

Stamps, a gift from grandma and grandpa.

Helping Logan strengthen that core!

Our big plans for this evening were to take him out to eat Mexican (the kid LOVES guacamole), to his favorite trampoline park and then to get some frozen yogurt.  Obviously we had to cancel those plans and at 5:30, while we were reading books, he informed me that he thought it was time for another nap.  He has NEVER in his little life requested to go to bed.  I had him go potty and got him into bed again and he took another hour long nap.  He woke up just as David was getting home.  We had dinner, and gave him his last gift of the day:

A wooden pocket knife.

He helped David put it together and LOVED it!

Logan was in bed by 6:30 and we ended Ayden's birthday evening with a little family game night with a new memory game he got from one of his play group girlfriends. He was in such a sweet mood, telling us he loves us, offering to share his new knife and wanting to sit on our laps.  His fever was still and his cheeks were flushed but he hung in there until we told him it was bed time.  He was ready for more sleep because he did not object to a single step in his bedtime routine.

This child has helped David and me grow so much as people.  He was the first to show us the amazing kind of love parents have for their children, he has brought us joy and he has challenged us  and pushed us to our limits.  His life has been exciting since the moment I went into labor and I am positive it will continue to be so for the rest of his life.  It is such a privilege to be his parents.  He may not be a baby anymore but he will always be our first baby.  Happy birthday Ayden, we love you SO very much!

I would also like to mention that Ayden's birthday marks the anniversary of daily posts on this blog.  I have written a post every single day of his little life. It has been a place to store memories and sort my thoughts.  Each night as I link up the flashbacks, I go back and reminisce. It is a really neat thing to be able to do!  My new goal is to get through Logan's first year before perhaps dialing back to posting just a few times a week.  I know there are some readers who have been following since my very first post which is amazing!  Please leave a comment below to let me know how long you have been following our journey.  I'd LOVE to hear from you!!  

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Two Years!"

Two years ago today: "One Year"

And three years ago today: "He's Here!"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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