I had NO idea I would...

So the other day as I am picking something out of Braden's nose (nope, it doesn't get much better than that from here on out, so if you didn't like that then turn back now...consider yourself warned) I started thinking, "If my college days self (which is only 3 years ago, and I only bring that up because I am feeling worn out lately) could see me now, I would probably be gagging...or laughing...or maybe both." So I decided to come up with a little list of some things that I thought I would never do before I had kids but now do without thinking twice about. I am sure there are many more but here's just a few:

1. Wipe someones nose with my pants, shirt and even my bare hands.

I don't know about your kids, but when my kids have colds their noses run like crazy. So as prepared as I try to be sometimes a kleenex just is not in reach and before it runs into the mouth I just take matters into my own hands...literally.

2. Catch vomit in my hands.

Before kids I was one of those people that puked when other people puked, or at least came really close. Now I am proud to say that I have cupped my hands under my child's mouth while throwing up in attempt to save the furniture. Don't get me wrong, I definitely was a little gagy (gaggy?) but when you see the sad 'what is happening to me' look in your kids eyes you are more concerned with them (and the furniture.) Doesn't love do some crazy things?

3. Nurse a baby past 1 year.

Here I am nursing a 15 month old and I could care less! And although I don't want to be nursing him in a year, I am so okay with still doing it right now.

4. Take a rectal temperature.

I don't even think I knew people did this before having Alexa! However, since she was our guinea pig child we called the doctor for almost every little thing that happened to her. And apparently they pretty much won't even talk to you unless they know their temp...rectally. (Okay, I have to be really honest here...I still haven't actually ever done this one because I always made Matt do it because I just couldn't. But I did hold her hands while he did it, so that counts.) Also, I don't even know if we have done this to Braden at all or at least very few times. This is one perk of being a second child.

5. Lick my finger and then wipe my child's mouth.

Isn't this the definition of "I will never do that when I have kids!" I even said that after I had Alexa, but alas, it didn't last long. This isn't something I do every day but I do on occasion and I still say to my self 'why am I doing this?' every time I do it.

6. Sleep in poop.

True story people, true story. Basically put together a nursing baby who pooped a lot plus changing a diaper in the middle of the night on the bed and two very sleep deprived parents. There you have it, sleeping in poop.

Now, they're not all bad. There are a few things I didn't know I would do and I enjoy tons! In fact there are loads of them...but that's a whole other post. :)

What do you do that you said you would never do?

Double Trouble

What could possibly be more exhausting fun than chasing one little toddling toddler around the house for hours on end?

Chasing two, of course!

This is Braden and our niece Kylie the other day walking around my brother and SIL's house looking for stuff to get into. It was so much fun being pregnant at the same time and even giving birth within hours of each other at the same hospital, same doctor...right down the hall.

Little did we know that the fun had only begun with these two!

Actually, we totally knew they would be great buddies growing up. How cool to have a cousin so close in age to play and get into trouble with. It will be fun watching them grow up and learn all sorts of stuff together.

Good and bad!

At least they share well, right? :)

Kylie also has a new little brother, Tyler. He's so cute, couldn't you just eat him up?

(This picture cracks me up because he was sleeping but with 3 other little kids running around the house screaming he kept flinching and throwing his hands up in the air.)

Alexa loves him so much, she couldn't stop giving him kisses and tickling his face. She kept telling me in a super high pitched baby talk voice, "Mommy, he's soooo cute, he's so tiny and just so cute!"

It will be no time at all before I have a little 'we should have another baby' helper to convince Matt....watch out Daddy! :)

Braden - 15 Months

There is no way my little man is 15 months old already. No way. Well, okay I guess there is a way since he is. The past three months have gone even faster than the three before that. Maybe since he is just non stop all day. He learned to walk and hasn't stopped since. I love it though, he still has the semi new walker waddle walk going on....and that is just cute!

We had Braden's 15 month check-up today. Me being the strong Mama I am (HA!) told Matt to not worry about coming with us since it was in the middle of the day. Well, I forgot about the fact that not only did he need shots but they also test their iron and lead levels at this appointment.

Here's we are waiting for the doc to come see us. Thank goodness for cherry flavored sticks to keep a boy happy.

Braden's 15 month stats:
Height: 32 inches - 77 percentile
Weight: 28.5 pounds - 91 percentile
Head Circ: 19.75 - 98 percentile

My solid boy with lots of brains. :)

The shots went well and he didn't even shed a tear. Even though he didn't cry, he definitely wasn't happy about the situation. He yelled at the nurse a little bit and then ripped the band aids off...like he was trying to prove a point or something.

Then down to the lab we went. Last time we did this (with Alexa) they just pricked her finger and squeezed some blood out so I was a little surprised when they brought him in a room to lay him on a bed with a tray of a bunch of stuff on it. Apparently they changed how they did this and now they take blood from the arm. With a needle. Obviously. I asked the girl if I could leave the room and she told me that they needed me to help hold him down (even though there was 2 of them in there.) I told her I couldn't do that and she said "We're busy back here." (With a smile I might add!) And I was thinking, 'Really, I couldn't tell from the 20 minute wait.' UGH So there I was pinning my baby down so they could get blood. He was such a trooper and once again barely cried. He even gave her a smile as we were walking out the door. Much more forgiving then this Mommy is. :)

Happy 15 month birthday baby boy.

Out of the Funk

I've kind of been in a blogging funk this week. Not sure why. Actually I totally know why...I am just tired. I can't seem to revive my little old self and I don't drink coffee, never have. Maybe time to start? Hmmm...

Anyway, it's not like we haven't been doing anything because we have been busy and I have loads of pictures to share (I know, you're all just dying to see them I'm sure) but maybe not tonight.

You know what pulled me out of the funk though? My awesome bloggy friends. I got two awards this week...they weren't even from my mom. :)

The first one is the Heartfelt Blogger Award that I got from Helga over at My World. She says she likes reading my blog, how awesome is that? Helga is such a sweetie and has an adorable family and I love reading her blog too. Thanks for the award my dear! :)

The next one is the Lemonade Stand Award. I got this one from B-Dub at Enjoy the Ride. B-Dub cracks me up big time, she always seems to have a funny adventure to share, who wouldn't with 'two kids and a stinky dog'? :) Check her out, very comical. Thanks girlie!

Of course there are all kinds of rules that come with blogging awards but (gasp) I am going to break them this time. (Mainly because I am still too tired to think too hard.) But, if you want to grab one or both of these please do so especially if you comment on my blog. I love all my peeps and you all deserve these. :)

Have a great weekend!!

Wordless Wednesday

(I caught Alexa reading to Braden again. I could almost die from the cuteness!)

My P-p-p-poker Face

Did you guys hear about the 21 year old, Joe Cada who won the World Series of Poker main event this morning? Yeah, he's walking away with the $8.55 million pot. Oh, and he's 21! Can you imagine? Once upon a time a loved poker, I was so fascinated by the whole thing and watched it all the time.

I think this should have been me.

Why didn't I just go with my gut and quit college and turn pro? Oh yes, there was that one tiny little thing that stood in my way. Okay, two things really.

One. I don't really know how to play. I obviously know how to play but not like those guys. If you show me two hands I really can't tell you what the odds are of winning. I don't get the whole 'what are the odds' thing.

Two. I can't actually play with other people. This one really might have put a damper on my pro career don't you think? Here's what I mean. Back in the day when I actually went to the casino and played table games I would freak out and freeze up after the first old man gave me a dirty look for hitting when I shouldn't have and therefore taking the break card (or whatever it's called.) Seriously, people get straight up mean at these games. I guess when there's money on the line....

Three. I know I said there was only two but I thought of one more. I can't bluff. The darkest glasses and biggest hat could not hide my "poker face" mainly because I would probably start giggling when I had a good hand, I'm bad at holding in my excitment.

Now that I think about it, I really wouldn't have been that good at all. Probably a good thing I stayed in school, huh!? I digress.

Back to Joe. He is now the youngest man ever to win the title. Here's what he said, "I ran really well and I never really thought this was possible. It was one of those dreams and I’m thankful it came true."

Hey Joe, how about a little excitement. "WHAT??? OH MY GOSH, I WON I WON!! I'M THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD! I'M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW!!"

Maybe this is another reason I wouldn't make it.

So just because I feel like playing pretend right now, I am going to tell you what I did with my money after winning $8,550,000.

First of all, I put plenty of money away for our children to go to college. (P.S. if they overmydeadbody decide not to go to college, I will be taking this money back.

Then I bought a couple nice new vehicles that are (unlike our current ones) a little more reliable.

After that we moved into a little bit of a bigger home.

Then after helping out some of my family and saving all the hungry children of the world I would take what is left (yes, I realize I probably ran out of money already but this is my dream) and bring everyone I know on a nice long tropical cruise.

Not too bad for sitting at a poker table for a few days, huh?

What would you do with $8 million?

Bored Boy

You would have thought we had been in the car for hours, but really it was only 10 minutes.

Socks off.
Arm completely pulled out of the shirt.
Window shade pulled down.

I get it, Braden.
You're bored, right?