living with toddlers

They say the 2's are terrible. Harper is 2 years and almost 7 months old. I would not say the 2's are terrible. They are quite a bit of fun actually. I would however say that the 2's are interesting. 

She's an independent little creature {as I assume all toddlers are}. She wants to do things her way: how & when she wants. Things like: getting dressed, picking up toys, choosing foods to eat....HER way. Most {notice I don't say all} of the time, she will try her way, try her way again, and then decide to do what mom and dad say. Which of course, we appreciate.

She doesn't hold a grudge. When she does get upset, and dare I say, 'throw a fit', she is quick to shake it off. She likes to have fun, she doesn't spend too much time stewing...that would take up time meant for fun-having! 

And most importantly, she has a great heart. She is sweet and thoughtful and concerned. She wants others to be happy. And this is what I have to remember anytime she is testing, questioning, defying....basically, being human. 

I took the following pictures the other day and they define what it's like to live with a toddler. 

One moment, they remind you how precious they are. And the next, they stick their finger in their nose and look at you like you are crazy. 

Some days, they do, in fact, make you crazy. 

But how could you not love that little goofball? 

Life with 2

Stella will be one month old this week. I can't believe that it's been that long since we welcomed her into the world. She is just as sweet as she was that first day.

And we are somewhat adjusting to our new life with 2 kiddos. 

Just yesterday {three and a half weeks from giving birth}, I got super serious about getting back into a routine. We have been regaining structure bit by bit in the past few weeks, but this week it got serious:

alarms were set 

calories were counted 

Harper's 'learning time' resumed

lists were checked

 Did I accomplish more than I normally do? No, not really. But my list-making self feels better for at least pretending to be on task. Fake it, until you make it, right?

Here is a glimpse into our house these past couple of weeks

Harper has a smothering type of love for Stella. She is so sweet with her. But we can't let her be near her unattended for fear that she'll squeeze Stella too hard. 

Stella really is the queen of funny faces!

...and serious faces

Harper has become more independent, "helping" me with the little things. Like getting herself dressed.....

This picture just makes me so happy. Praying that her interest in the 'characters' of the Bible will transform into a lifelong love for the Lord. 

One thing is for sure, 

Stella certainly has each of us wrapped around her little finger

~

Bathing Beauty

Little Stella had her first bath this past weekend. As you know, she got her true "first bath" at the hospital on the day she was born. But this was the first bath without the supervision of trained nurses. 

Harper thought she would help; it seemed exciting at first. Well, as it turns out, bathing your little sister is pretty boring. She lasted a couple minutes before taking off for something more interesting. 

Stella was pretty content throughout the bath. I wouldn't say she 'liked it', but as we've learned over the past week and a half: Stella doesn't complain about much. 

Her fussiness is actually comical at this point. She really hasn't learned how to effectively protest something. I'm sure her sister will teach her how one day. 

Such a little cutie!

And the next picture {don't be confused} is Harper during her first bath a few years ago. 

Feel free to compare and contrast both girls...do you think they look alike? 

And now back to Stella:

It's nice to go from a toddler who must be bathed every single day 

{due to dirt, food, sweat & bug spray}

to a little one who never gets dirty and the only real reason she gets a bath is because it makes us feel better. 

And it makes her smell all baby-ish and sweet. 

The many faces of.....

Harper Belle Lawson!

Let's get my least favorite out of the way first:

Yikes! 

 The "Up To No Good" look

Her {very} awkward "cheese" face

"Something Bad Just Happened"

She has many looks, good and bad, but she's got a sweet little heart in there. 

Love her so much

 {even when she acts like she's two and a half}

Stella Grace Lawson

Last Thursday, August 29th, we welcomed our precious little Stella into the world. 

The delivery went smooth {mama only having to push twice} & she was as healthy as could be!

born @ 2:48pm

St. Francis Hospital

7lbs 14oz

20 inches

Here is one of her very first pictures, you can see the umbilical cord clip still attached. 

We expected her to weigh more than Harper {who was 8lbs 10 oz}, but she was actually almost a pound lighter and an inch shorter. 

Getting her footprints made

After everyone quit messing with her, she quieted down....and has been pretty quiet ever since. 

Her daddy did a great job giving her a bath! You know, since he's an old pro ;)

Our first family picture {minus Harper, who was on her way}

When you have a child, you just aren't sure how you will love another as much. Trust me, you do. 

Harper had been so excited to meet her sister. Kevin & I couldn't wait either. Those first few moments with both girls was just awesome. Harper was precious, so sweet and gentle with Stella.

I love both of these pictures. They really show Harper's excitement. 

Harper took a break from Stella to open a very special present. 

Stella brought Harper her very own baby doll to take care of. 

Day 2: Friday, August 30th

This is how Stella spent her first 24 hours. Sleeping. Very different from her sister, who was quite alert from the beginning. 

Harper came to visit again, and again she was so excited. Her first request upon meeting Stella (for the first and second time) was to see her feet. 

"They are so tiny!"

She spent most of her time in Stella's face. I guess Stella better get used to that! 

Around 3:00 in the afternoon, at about 24 hours old, she finally started opening her eyes a bit more. 

LOVE that daddy! 

Day 3: Friday, August 31st

Finally time to go home! All the nurses were well aware that we wanted to be home by the 2:30 kickoff of the 1st OSU game of the season. And thanks to their awesome work, we were! 

Getting one last check up before being discharged. 

Miss Bright Eyes, all decked out and ready for the game. 

We had lots of waiting time to take pictures

LOTS of time...

Like WAY too much time! 

Finally home! Harper woke up from her nap to her new sister.

Holding one child, wrangling a ponytail onto the other child. My look says it all: welcome to your new normal Mom. 

Sister Love

We are currently adjusting to our new life. I'm so thankful to have Kevin home with me to help with both girls. I don't know what I would do without him. Harper has been great and she just adores Stella. 

I'm so thankful for both of my girls, they sure have added adventure {and sweetness} into our lives