Summer Fun!

We have been so busy this summer with having fun and life!  Now that Kinsey is a little older, I am able to take her to more things outside and she is actually able to enjoy them.  Harper just loves to come along for the ride and watch big sis have all the fun!! Here are some pic of our summer so far:

feeding the ducks at the park

feeding the ducks at the park

Kinsey LOVES playing with her cousin Addy!

Lots of swimming ;)

Miss Harps enjoying the sun 

BFF

they are pros at making HUGE messes already haha

sidewalk paint! Thank you pinterest!

messy hands!!!!

This was the first time Harper would actually sit in the water!

Having so much fun!!

We go to the park a lot.. prob 5 out of the 7 days a week lol

eating lunch at the park 

eating lunch at the park

The Gateway did a "book festival" and we all had a blast! Kinsey was a total Grandpa's girl of course..

yeah.. Kinsey wasnt too impressed and would not look at the camera lol

FACE PAINT!!

Harper being the BEST baby like usual ;)

more swimming with cousin Addy :)

Father's Day 2012

I love any excuse to spoil and celebrate Brandon!  He hates the attention.. but I don't think he minds the gifts :)  He got a hammock, drill bits, and a fire pit this year.

We went to my mom's house for lunch and Kinsey got to swim and play with her cousin Addy.  Then we came home to relax and let Dad take a nap ;)  Father's Day this year was really low key because Brandon works so much and is always so busy, so what better way to spend your day then to relax?!  The girls are so so so lucky to have Brandon for their dad!! I have never been extremely close to my father.. so I envy the girls knowing they will have their dad in their lives forever!  They will be able to count on him to make it to their soccer games, dance recitals, school functions, and just about everything they are a part of.  He already leaves work a little bit early on Thursdays to go to Kinsey dance class! He is such a fun dad and is constantly playing and making the girls laugh.  Kinsey is most defiantly a daddy's girl already.  As soon as she hears the car lock or him coming threw the door, she drops whatever she is doing and runs to greet him.  He is a perfect dad and I couldn't ask for a better husband for father for my children!! I love you babe and thank you for all you do for us!!!!!!!!!

giving up is NOT an option!!

Well I am need of a little venting so instead of dumping it all onto Brandon.. I will just blog about it!  I have been stressed to the MAX the past few weeks and it is seriously taking a toll on me.  I have permanent dark circles under my eyes, I my eczema is horrible, and headaches are an everyday thing.  Why am I so stressed? STUPID SCHOOL!!! I am so overwhelmed with school, and keeping up on the house, and just life.  I wonder if school is really that worth it, or if I am just putting myself through hell for nothing.  Any spare second I have, I am studying.  While the girls watch a movie, I study.  When Harper is napping and Kinsey is playing, I study.  When both girls nap, I study.  After the girls go to bed, I study then crawl into bed around 11pm and start my day again at 6am.  Being a Mommy is the best gift I have ever received and I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  School is just getting in the way lol BUT I have come to the conclusion that school IS worth it and I need to prove to my girls and myself that my education is one of my top priorities.  I met with an academic adviser so I could get some direction..and to see if nursing is really what I want to do. Lets just say I left that meeting feeling extremely stupid and like a failure.  I have to retake 3 of my classes because I got a C and I need at least a B to even be considered into the nursing program.. So I will be retaking classes and picking myself back up and dusting my butt off for the next year.. Then I can apply and hopefully become a nurse.  I have no idea why I let myself get a C in those classes.. I am NOT that kind of student.. I am so disappointed in myself but all I can do now is be better and study harder :)  I know nursing is what I want to do so I will not give up until I have that degree!  The way I look at it is.. when I get that nursing degree, I will be the best damn nurse because I have had to work so dang hard for it! And classes that most ppl only took once, I will be taking twice! That's twice the education hahaha  So what if Kinsey is in elementary school  by the time I have my BSN.. at least I will finish.  I used to think that school was a rush and I needed to finish ASAP because I am getting older.. newsflash.. I'm only 22!! Another thing that was making me feel rushed was people constantly asking when I will be done with school, then I realized today that the ppl that bug me the most and drill me about finishing are those that haven't stepped one foot onto a college campus.  So who are they to judge me!?  The only people I try to impress is myself, Brandon, my girlies, mom, and grandma.  Those are the ppl that support me no matter what and will be there to watch me when I do finish school and cheer me on no matter if its 3, 5, or even 6 years from now! (shoot me if it really does take me 5-6 years haha) I will finish, but at my own pace! It is much harder being a wife, mommy and student and I cant compare myself to those that dont have kids while going to school.  I chose this life and I wouldnt trade it for the world! Summer semester was my first time being full-time since before I had Kinsey... and it is taking a serious adjustment.  Next semester is only going to be busier as I finish my credits for my associates and retaking some of those necessarily classes.  Wish me luck, and I sure hope I make it out alive ;)

"I'm a big girl now!!!"

Drum roll please....... KINSEY IS FULLY POTTY TRAINED!!!! woot woot! She has an occasional accident here and there but that only happens when she is having way too much fun or doesnt quite make it in time.  I am such a proud proud mommy :)  We started potty training her the week after Mother's Day.. and let me tell you.. it was ROUGH!! She was having anywhere from 7-12 accidents a day and we were all frustrated! It seemed to click when I started asking her if she was dry.  If her underwear were dry, she got an M&M, and if she went to the potty, she got a bigger treat.  I was so glad we finally found something that worked for her.  Then after she got the hang of it during the day, she automatically was trained during the night.  She did have a couple times where she wet the bed (thank the Lord for waterproof covers haha) but it only happened right when she woke up... It has been so much easier only having to worry about changing one little persons diaper and our pocket book likes it a lot better as well ;)  The only downfall.... she no longer has "diaper butt" and all her pants fall right off lol!

Here are some other fun facts about Kinsey Beans!

*She gives the best kisses EVER!! She will grab the back of your head and kiss until you can no longer breathe :)

*This girl can eat! Holy Moly!  She always has something in her hand.  Some of her faves right now: bananas, pretzels, string cheese, cucumbers, strawberries, peaches, chips, crackers, dry cheerios (ONLY the peanut butter ones)

*You can def tell she is 2 years old.. her listening is not quite as good as it used to be ha!  She likes to test her limits and if you tell her NOT to do something.. she will continue to see what kind of reaction she can get out of you.

*Elmo is her fave and she has to sleep with him every night! She even gives him a binkie ;)  Whenever she gets hurt or doesnt feel well, or even when she is tired, she will snuggle with him.

*Kinsey sleeps in my old bed from when I was a little girl and it is huge compared to her!  But she likes to be able to get in and out.

*She will run up to you and give the biggest hug and say "Mommy/Daddy/Harper, I LOVE YOU!!!" it melts my heart every single time

*If there is something she wants.. she will find a way to get it!  She climbs on EVERYTHING and will stand on anything to reach things.  I about have a heart attack daily because of it lol

*Kinsey loves to go on walks to the park.  She is a dare devil and runs around with the big kids ;)

*Her vocabulary is amazing and grows everyday.  Her most reacent thing is she will ask to eat "brefast", "munch", or "dinner" at the appropriate time. 

*She role plays all the time!! The other day I was on my phone paying a bill with my credit card in my hand.. then later i found her talking on her toy phone, saying numbers, and holding a business card!  She also tries to "feed" Harper... Well I nurse her so you can imagine how Kinsey tries to feed her lol ;)

*We have her in a weekly dance and tumbling class still and she absolutely loves it!  She has learned so many fun dances to songs and she does about 100 summer salts everyday.  I even catch her trying to do cart-wheels!

Making muffins with mom 

She LOVES "pop porn!"

doing the dishes, such a big helper :)

She loves her doggy Leo

FLIRT!

big blue eyes!

She is such a silly goose!

Snuggling with Leo

I love you Kinsey Beans!!!!

6 month update!

Well.. our baby is 1/2 year old!! Harper is showing more and more of her personality everyday and is so much fun!  She is the only baby I know that can laugh and cry at the same time haha! Its the funniest thing.. She will be upset about something but is such a happy baby so she will cry, then laugh, then cry some more and then continue laughing! We love her more and more everyday!!
Here are her stats from her 6 month appointment:
Height: 25.75 inches 50th percent
Weight: 14.11 pounds 25th percent
Head circumference: 40 centimeters 3rd percent

She is still a lot taller than Kinsey was.. AND her head is finally back on the charts! Brandon and I were betting on how much she would weigh and we guessed the high 13lb range.. we were about a pound short haha This girls LOVES her food and will eat 24/7 if I let her.

*Harper will sleep in the mornings until I wake her up.  This morning Kinsey didnt get up until 830 so we all got to sleep in as a family! Thanks Harps ;) but usually she is up no later than 730.

*She nurses 4-5 times a day and has 3 solid food meals a day. One at breakfast, 11am for lunch, and 530pm for dinner.

*She has had bananas, apples, pears, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches, sweet potatoes, yams, green beans, peas, carrots, broccoli, and zucchini.  So far her favs are bananas, apple/blueberry combo, carrots and zucchini! AND I have made every.single.one of her baby foods :)

*Big sis LOVES to feed her and Harper usually eats better when Kinsey feeds her so its a win win!  This gives me time to eat or to fix Kinsey a meal!

*Harper is still the happiest baby I know and is always smiling, laughing and just lovin life

*She still takes 3 naps a day. Morning 9am, afternoon 1pm, and a cat nap around 530pm. Then bedtime is anywhere between 8-9pm. I have gotten bad about having a strict bedtime with my girls lately.. but its summer so its ok right?!

*Miss Harps can roll over.. but you wont see her do it very often.  She would rather scoot around and kick her legs to move.

*She sits up pretty well on her own now too!! I dont feel comfortable leaving her while she is sitting yet..but she does really well!

*This girl absolutely adores her sister.  When I cant calm her down.. Kinsey can!

*Her size 3-6 month clothes no longer fit.. the pants are either floods, or the shirts are a little snug in the belly area ;)

*Harper LOVES to snuggle, but hates being held like a baby unless she is nursing.

*When she gets really excited, she hits the top of her hands and squeals!

*Harper enjoys being outside and lies on the blanket under our tree with her arms above her head and just chills :)

*She has to be around someone at all times.. if she is left in a room by herself, she gets very mad haha

*This girl gives some of the BEST and juiciest kisses EVER!!! I love em ;)

I cant believe she is already 6 months old.. before we know it, she will be 1!!!!!  We love you Miss Harp-a-barps!

cute toes :)

dont judge.. every girl needs chocolate.. no matter how young! haha

Silly goose Kinsey! These two play so well together!!!!

She even wakes up with a smile!!

REALLY happy lil girl ;)

I love you Miss Harps!!

makin a mess with dinner

FIRM believer...

So this is totally out of the norm for one of my blog posts.. but I am just too excited to not share with all of you!  I few months ago I started to make my own cleaners.  Most importantly they are safer for my lil girls, they are so so so much cheaper, AND most of them work much better than those "chemicals in a bottle"!  When I clean my house I walk around with several microfiber cloths and ONE bottle of cleaner!! My all purpose cleaner works on glass, walls, windows, bathrooms (its a great disinfectant), and just about everything, and it only costs me about 1 dollar a bottle.  Well I tried it on my hard wood floors and I was impressed with how clean they were afterwards, BUT I had nasty water spots EVERYWHERE!! So the hunt began for a better one to use... I normally just use my shark with the steam, and that works great too, I just wanted something "extra" to make my floors shine!! lol

Well I found a cleaner and tried it today and I am lost for words haha! Dont laugh at me... if you are a busy mom Im sure you understand.. and if you aren't.. well someday you will ;)  here is the magic recipe!

1 Cup hot water
1 Cup distilled white vinegar
1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
1tsp castile soap (I use Dr Bromers almond scent)
15-20 drops of your fav essential oil (this is mostly for smell so I use lavender)

Put this concoction into a spray bottle and waaaalaaa!! You can put a wet microfiber cloth onto a swiffer or I use my shark on the "dust" setting.  Then spray your floors as you go.. and watch them shine :)

I used my shark on the "mop" setting only and went over my floors, took a pic, then sprayed this stuff on my floors and went over them a second time and I was shocked at how much more came up!!! I am embarrassed to show these pics but I wanted something to prove lol

Before the cleaner..

After the cleaner!!

Mother's Day

My Mothers Day was perfect!!! Being a mommy to 2 beautiful, healthy girls is the best gift I could ever receive.  I am so lucky and reminded with every smile, kiss and hug I get from Kinsey and Harper J  My life is completely different than I imagined it to be at 22, but I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world!! I love being busy and constantly on my toes.. and that’s just what my life is all about lol  Most days I am on the go from 5am to 10pm and those are the nights I feel exhausted  but accomplished because I know I played with my girls and had a GREAT day!  I am told constantly that it’s a good thing I am so young so I have the energy to keep up what I do.. and I believe it! I have the rest of my life to sleep and rest, and now is not the time! I would miss out on too much ;) 

Brandon took the girls and I out to breakfast at IHOP (I absolutely love their wheat banana pancakes!!).  He later admitted to me that he took us out to breakfast because he didn’t want to do the dishes if he cooked for me LOL!!!  At least he didn’t expect me to do dishes, right?!  Then it was time to go home and start preparing for my mom to come over for lunch.  It was nice to just have a little get together with my mom, Rob, and lil brother Mason. 

After lunch, the girls and I took a nap!  If there is one day that I deserve a nap, its Mother’s Day haha ;)  Then after our nice long nap, Brandon took me to pick out whatever camera I wanted!! I was stoked! He dropped my camera on Easter and since then, it just didnt take great pic, plus it was over 3 years old.. I wanted something that was small and could fit easily anywhere and thats just what I got! I picked the Sony cyber shot and I am in love.  It has so many neat features, and takes amazing pictures AND way easy to use.

We had promised Kinsey earlier that day we would take her to the park to feed the ducks so thats where we headed after that.  

I LOVE MY GIRLIES!!!!!!!

My Mother's Day was relaxing, and just spent with the people I love the most! I hope all you amazing mothers had a great day as well :).