Where's Waldo Kim?

I'm still here but man oh man it seems like I'm not with it most of the time lately. For those of you that know me best I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. I usually think you have to do everything at 100% and lately it's getting the best of me. I do have a separate blog post I've been meaning to write forever that talks about "accepting that 80%" is good enough but the more I try to tell myself this lately the more I feel like I'm not even achieving 10% of what I want. Work has been busy and life here has been busy too. Potty training, although going well overall, has been stressful and Kenley has been super clingy and whiny. I don't know if it's just the age or if it's because of the change with potty training. Hmmm....

With regards to potty training she does great for us but needs more direction at the sitter's. Prob makes sense since there are more distractions there. I'm slightly annoyed with them as they feel the need to make her wear 2 pairs of training undies. I'm about to send her in real ones and just tell them to deal with it.  Last weekend we even spent 3 days at the campground and she did excellent, including on the long drive there and back, surely 2 adults (Miss Sharon is back for the summer) can handle it. She's the only one potty training at this time. Oh well, it's only been 2 weeks and we are in this for the long haul.

Chase has been good and slept well at the campground after a few weeks of waking up multiple times a night (making for a tired mommy which prob adds to me not feeling like I'm even at 10%) He's back somehow to wanting to eat at 4am but he's quick so I do it and just go back to bed. I figure if he goes to bed at 7pm he needs a 4am snack.  We started giving him big boy baths and Kenley has started joining him. They both seem to enjoy it. He also has his first tooth (actually his first 2)coming in. The bottom left one is now visible and you can feel it. He is just growing too fast!!! Oh speaking of that he also pushes up and then moves his rump but ends up scooting backwards. I'm sure crawling will be coming this summer before we know it. What happened to my baby boy?

I am taking pictures here and there now and I'm not ready to give the idea up since I feel guilt when I quit but I may have to start a new or "revise" my approach. I've considered taking longer hiatuses from blogging too so I can focus on things around the Hotel Brockman but things this week are falling back in place (thanks to my rockstar husband) so I will try to post as much as possible.

I do want to share a few pics from the last week. We enjoyed a nice long weekend at the campground and had a blast. We are looking forward to going back. Both kids loved the golf cart and the outside time. Next time the big pool will be open which I'm sure will be a splash! I didn't take any pictures but the in-laws did if you want to check out their blog.

Here are some of my recent pics...

Bathtime fun together :)

 This one just makes me smile because Chasey just looks like a little man. So cute!

 Chasey is also standing more on his chubby legs.

And like I said, we scoot backwards... here is where we started

and here is where we ran out of room :)

A few to make me smile

Needed to add a few pictures to make me smile tonight after a long day... they are from the past week starting last Thursday when I stayed home with the kiddos and they are in no particular order...

Here are the kids lounging and Chasey has his new friend. He was cracking up at the doll (it goo goos and ga gas as it wiggles and he found it hilarious)

Then since we were potty training I saw some of this... such a skinny minnie. I bought her some new ones and some regular undies and they stay up much better.

Always have to love a STINK FACE!

 Kenley showing off her ribbon after her very first FUN RUN. (More on that to come later!)

Lemon Ice Cream!!!! Need I say more. You either get it or you don't :)

Chasey enjoying his trip for ice cream although he didn't get to have any but it was the first time he sat like a big boy in the highchair!

Kenley had a PERFECT hair day last weekend. The curls were soft springy ringlets. I wish it looked like that everyday!

Playing our new game of "train" in the present boxes.

 Our big boy enjoying some time outside too!

There, now I feel a little better and the computer even cooperated uploading the pictures. It must have known not to mess with me tonight.

Quickie

Let's have a quickie...update that is :) This has been a very frustrating day! I had a very long yet somehow very unproductive day at work, a bout of road rage at lunch running errands, a fussy kid who had way too many accidents today (I actually blame the sitter more), and a little boy who spent an hour screaming and crying trying to poop until he was too tired and gave up. All I want to do is crawl into my jammies and go to bed but of course I should prob eat and then of course there is the nighttime pump. UGH I'm tired of pumping... how much longer do I have?

Tomorrow will be a better day, Tomorrow will be a better day, Tomorrow will be a better day, repeat, repeat, repeat!!!

Okay in other not so Negative Nancy news, Chase's blisters are looking better but he still has them pretty bad on his hands. It's impossible to keep a 6 month old from chewing on his hands. He is going back to the sitter tomorrow and hopefully they will try to listen to my requests.

I'm so ready for a long and peaceful weekend and I'd prefer to have 2 healthy and happy kids but we will see what I get.

More to come soon, I promise!

Big Boy Bath and WTH is on her chin?

Because he has been sitting up so well by himself lately, I decided it was time to try the big boy bath sans tub. He wasn't sure what to think at first and just held his toes in the water. I did give him a duck to play with as well. He seemed to like laying down when I washed his hair and kicked a bit but I could tell he was ready to get out before too long. Just one more baby item we've outgrown. He's growing up too fast!

Now as for Kenley... She's had the start of a rash or some sort of irritation on her chin for the past week. Last Thur at Chase's appt the Dr glanced and just said to treat it with vasoline as it was irritation from wiping her mouth all the time and her sensitive skin. Then Monday when she was sick was a little worse but nothing horrible. Yesterday it started to look like bad acne and today they look like broken blisters. I don't know if I should take her to the doctor or not. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

There's even one on the edge of her nose. She doesn't seemed to be bothered by them but I think she picks at them too, esp the ones in the corner of her mouth because she feels them with her tongue. I've been doing vasoline and I'm not sure what's going on. Tomorrow is also my doctor's day off and I'd rather see her than anyone else so I may ride it out one more day... Here's hoping they are just magically gone in the morning!

Picture-palooza

I've been taking pictures...I promise. I just haven't sat down to put them up.

Here are a few we missed...

The Friday before last on the way to work I was behind one of our mail trucks. As I sat at the red light looking at it something didn't seem right and then it hit me and I seriously laughed out loud.

Okay so I should have cropped the photo but it says 1-886-COUNTRY. Well 886? HUH? The number is 866-COUNTRY so the truck was totally WRONG. I couldn't believe it. How can we get our own phone number wrong. Who missed that one? I reported it to the correct people (of course I did) and forwarded the photo for a few good laughs. I heard yesterday that there was a truck with a very clean spot on the back and a newly placed 6 :)

That Saturday I took a few pictures but nothing fun. The best I have for you is Clay putting together Kenley's new carseat. We bought her 2 new seats (1 for each car) and they convert from carseat to high back booster to backless booster so she can use them as she grows. We really like them and I got them with some 20% off coupons so that helped too! Chasey got her old seats, so now he too is a big boy. No more baby carrier (It was way too heavy!!!)

Then Sunday we had a big day. We went to the park that morning in hopes to wear Kenley out for an early nap. We were leaving around 330 for Springfield for my MIL's Mother/Daughter banquet at church. Kenley loved the park. She just ran around yelling "I'm having fun!" It was the cutest thing. Chase and I hung out on the blanket together and watched Clay and Kenley play.

After we got home and ate lunch we tried for a nap. It was around 1 but Kenley had other ideas. At 3pm she was still awake. I then decided just to load her in the car and maybe she would sleep on the hour or so drive there and then I would just read in the parking lot or drive around while she slept. Again she had other plans on the way there and stayed awake. I'm pretty sure she only stayed awake by asking questions. I must have heard the same questions a zillion times. "Where are we going? What are we watching? Are we there yet?" It was definitely a broken record but I tried to stay positive.

We enjoyed the banquet and Kenley really liked the music. She danced and clapped her little heart out. Then on the way home I swore she would crash but again proved me wrong 95% of the way home. The final 10 minutes as I exited the interstate she finally crashed. It was 845pm and the girl had been up since about 645am. What a champ!

I will admit I didn't take any pictures Monday. We were swamped at work and I was feeling overwhelmed. I had taken my laptop home to do some over the weekend but didn't feel like it so I had more to do that I would have liked. Then I didn't get it done so had to work Monday night from 9-11pm.  Oh well. Should have taken a picture of me trying to stay awake that late. HA! Then that Tuesday was just as crazy.

Wed- I had one of the moments I like the most when I get to watch Kenley play at the sitter's before she sees me. Then when she sees me, she comes running. One of my favoite things of course.

 I also really enjoy watching her with her friends. She is so sweet and makes sure that everyone gets their hug befoe we leave. Here she is saying goodbye to Emily.

Thursday was low key. Most days we don't have a lot of time after work befoer bed. But this was a great game Kenley created. She was picking up an apple by the steam with the fork and shaking it. It was the most exciting game of the day. (Sorry my weird foot made it in the pictures)

This past Friday I went back to the dentist and got my $900 tooth. Does that make me royalty now that I have a crown?

Later that day, we went to my mom's banquet at her church and had a great time. Kenley again proved me wrong and stayed a awake all the way home. She was busy looking for "sleeping cows." She is such a stinker!!!

I did skip pictures this past Saturday but it was another big day! We went to the park. We've been checking out all the parks around town. We went to a new park over by work and it was pretty nice. Kenley loves all of the parks so we are touring all of the great parks around town. Then we had lunch at McDonald's and got haircuts. Kenley is getting so close to sitting in the chair by herself but for now she does great on my lap. I wish we didn't have to cut her hair so often so it would get some length but the curls tangle when they start to get longer.

Wow that's a lot of updating but we have one more day.....Mother's Day!!

We had both sets of parents up for a cookout and Kenley had a fabulous day, actually we ALL did. One of my favorite pictures not featuring my kiddos was this one...

I was laying on a blanket in the sun watching the clouds roll by. Kenley would occasionally spin her bright beach umbrella and I so wanted to be on the beach with the sand, surf and salty breeze. (This girl needs a vacation to the beach stat!)

Now some of my favorite pics with my kiddos...

I like that Kenley tried to fold her hands in her lap in the middle one and in the one above I'm holding a flat 46 lbs. Yikes! (Chasey weighs 20lbs and Kenley is only 26lbs)

Hold on.. 2 more days to go....

Yesterday well no picture. This momma was in for a long day. Kenley woke with a fever at 4am and I'm pretty sure she wanted to be held from 7am until after 11. We went to the doctor but it was just considered to be viral. She couldn't keep any meds down but we finally broke the fever and she took a 3 hour nap to catch up on sleep and was good to go. We kept her home today still with Grandma Verna and I think she is almost as good as new.

Today I'm cheating and using a picture Clay took (It counts!) It's of Chasey.... can't believe how fast he is growing. He now sits really well all by himself. He weighs 20lbs and he is about 28inches. He's falling in the upper 80th percentile range for everything. He is perfectly proportioned :) He's just perfect to me!

Okay there you have it... more than a week of pictures in a one shot picture-palooza of cuteness and fun (well at least the ones with the kids).

Sunday sweeties

I do have pictures from Friday and Saturday but they aren't as fun as today's pictures. That's right I said pictures (plural). Today we had a great day and I enjoyed every minute with my Sunday sweeties.

More to come about our wonderful adventures today but these pictures were too cute not to share!

6 months and a few random things

I totally don't have the brain power for a title tonight but I did want to talk about a few things.

1. This little man is 6 months old today or as we said this morning given the world of important "1/2s" growing up, he is 0 and 1/2 :)

His 6 month check up isn't until next week but I'm guessing he's 19+lbs and 28 inches since we were 18.5lbs and 27.5 inches a few weeks ago.  He is getting the hang of sitting up and has discovered his feet. They are his new favorite toy. He has been going to be around 7pm and sleeps thru the night until about 445 or 5am. Then he is up in his crib babbling and playing with his feet. If I go in there and give him a pacifier or stick him in the swing he will go back to sleep until after 6am which is more the goal. He tolerates his sister's poking and wrestling very well and giggles frequently when she talks to him. He's not much of a napper at the sitter's but makes up for it here sometimes on the weekend. He obviously is a big eater but it's still mostly milk. He is slowly getting the hang of other foods. We've done mostly fruits given our issues with "going" but tonight he scarfed down some sweet potatoes. He still prob prefers those big 8oz bottles.  Here is proof of the sweet potatoes...

2. So today I went to work and had to be productive. I was feeling good getting there and declined one of my meetings to stay at my desk and work on higher priority items. What happens next changed that plan. The network systems went down at 9 and eventually we were told that they would be up around 2pm. Seriously? Not able to do much of anything we all decided to go to lunch at The Pub II. YUM! At least we salvaged part of the day. The only thing that sucks now is that I really do have so much to do that I will be working all day tomorrow (FRI) when I'm only supposed to work until 12 :( BOO!!! Oh well maybe I'll treat myself to something good like a jelly donut to kick the day off right.

3.  I think it's time to potty train Kenley. She has shown interest in the past and randomly would use the potty. Well now she has asked and used the potty 3 nights in a row.  While I would love to have one kid out of diapers I'm not entirely sure where to start. I should have tried last weekend but didn't. I know I want a few days home in a row but don't have any planned time off without plans. Maybe we start this Friday evening and just see what happens.  Keep your fingers crossed that IF and WHEN we get around to it, its a fast and smooth process. Maybe like the 3 day transition to the big girl bed.

4. Just a cute story to share. Last week some night, Kenley and I were taking a walk and the little boy that lives across the street to the west was out and asked if Kenley would "play ball." We stayed for 20 min and they played ball in the yard and chased their cat around. Well I guess today after work when Clay was home the little boy came over and rang the bell and asked if Kenley could come play. We weren't home yet but Clay said it was cute. Although he admitted in his head he was thinking "NO leave my little girl alone" (OH Boy the dating years could be fun!) Later then during bath and bedtime he came again. So cute!

Love at first sight?

Liz stopped by with her girls tonight to bring a game over to Kenley. We sat Chase and Sadie next to each other. Sadie is almost 9 months old and Chase will be 6 months tomorrow. This was the first time he really got to "see" and interact a bit with her. I think it was love at first sight! (At least on our side. I'm not sure she was too impressed with the "handsy" fella)

I also got a good one of them looking. It seems so weird to me that my baby is younger and just bigger. I see Sadie crawl and stand and I think Chasey should be able to do the same things but I guess in the next few months we will be. I can't believe by the end of the summer he will be doing all of that too.

What's for dinner? (Plan B)

This post is yesterday's post (Tue).

We were supposed to have taco salad for dinner but I didn't want taco salad and it's so easy to cheat so we went with plan B and got some "fresh curls" as we call em.

Totally bad for you but tastes totally great. Reminds me of when Clay and I used to eat meals like this and watch the Biggest Loser on tv :) Somehow it felt "justified" since I wasn't on that show.

Tonight we also went with plan B. I had made crock pot pizza but on the way home Kenley insisted for pancakes so we colored some pancakes again and had some BRINNER (Breakfast for dinner). Gotta love Plan B. Now we will have crock pot pizza tomorrow unless Plan B strikes again!