I just wanted to say

Even though my kids often wear me out, I can't get enough of them at the same time.

God's grace.

As I got ready for work the other day, exhausted from the previous night's games of tag-team wakefullness the kids were playing, I was thinking of how I'd ever get the energy to someday expand our family further. Two kids felt like a handful, how could I ever handle more? Then my mind drifted to Joseph's smile he had flashed me in the middle of the night and Bella's belly laugh from cracking herself up in her crib...and then, it didn't seem like such a bad idea (in the future).

I started thinking of how God always seemed to work things out. Bella had started phasing her daily nap out recently and if I had only had one child this would have put a serious cramp in my daily desire for serenity, but since Joseph had overlapped his awake time during her naps it had eased me into giving up that personal time. A blessing in disguise. Then I thought to when Joseph was first born and how he used to sleep often; giving me much needed one on one time with Bella. How overwhelming would it be if newborns came out acting like toddlers? No one would ever have children. God only gives us enough grace for today. I'm sure that when the time comes to expand the family further he will grace us with the desire and energy we need. Until then, I will continue to enjoy life's ups and downs with my two.

Benadryl Bust

I'd like everyone with young kids to learn from my mistakes.

During our visit to the pediatrician this past week we sought advice regarding our oldest's poor sleeping habits. She has often woke in the middle of the night as if it were the middle of the day and will talk and sing in her crib until the wee hours of the morning (she will be a hoot later on in life). It was suggested that we try giving her a dose of Benadryl before bed. However we were not warned that this could have a reverse effect. Wednesday night we gave her a dose of Benadryl before bed and she was out in minutes, however, she woke a few hours later and it was though someone had given her 10 cups of espresso. It was horrible. She was throwing things out of her crib, kicking the side rails...This lasted until 2 in the morning when she finally crashed. I felt so sorry for the poor little thing. She was exhausted.

It wasn't until the morning when I started researching Benadryl and hyperactivity in young children that I swore it off for good and it will be only kept in the house for emergent use (i.e allergic reactions).

Moms who work from home, I applaud you!

It amazes me that an entire day can go by and the only things I have accomplished are keeping my kids fed and entertained and converting oxygen into carbon dioxide. In light of this I throw this question out there: How does one accomplish so much at home with young kids?

An hour long sewing project takes me an entire day. Dinner for my husband and I is usually cooked and consumed after the kids are tucked in bed. The things that used to be spontaneous now need to be planned if they are ever to be completed. The only thing I can say is: "I'm working on it."