Exploration Place

Explore. Rescue. Protect.

 

Wait. That's Octonauts, different story. (Did you know that male sea horses carry and deliver the babies? No? Neither did I until the trusted Octonauts taught me that. Consider yourself smarter.)

 

Back to the first part-Explore. Exploration Place to be exact. I scoped out the place once with Caden and Reid while Reid was still pretty little. Placed his snuggle bum in the moby-like wrap and hit the ground running taking Caden to 'the castle'. That's what he knows the place as know, 'the castle'. And he loved it. So, I returned shortly after on a weekend with the boys and Gary to show him the place and we purchased a membership at that time. There's multiple different areas to check out, activities you can do and it's inside so if it's rainy, cold, or too hot you can hit up Exploration Place.

 

 

 

Caden has loved it. We recently got to go with Caitlin and Caysen and the boys had a blast. They have a little secluded play room that I didn't take him to the first few times we went because I thought he wouldn't like it or would be too big for it, but not at all. So many toys and 'new' things for him to play with-he loves almost every area. The castle, miniature Kansas aka trains, and play room are a big hit right now at his age. The castle has a kitchen area that has fake food, so that's always a hit with our grocery lover...until another kid comes by and wants to play with that food as well, especially disastrous when the other kids come in behind him and start taking the food out of the cooking pot as he has been working on putting it all in there. We've had to come back down to earth after a few little break downs there, and I've noticed more if other kids are in the kitchen he doesn't even venture in. Ha, guess if you know you don't feel like playing nice or sharing then don't even put yourself in that position, huh?

 

  

 

Something I love about Caden is his ability to enjoy life. He truly enjoys the little things and if you can get on his level and play with him he is just so happy and content.

 

Every time we have gone, this goes for almost anywhere regarding EP/park/zoo, I have used the moby wrap or babybjorn for Reid and it's worked out really well. Reid usually always snoozes and I am more hands free and can follow Caden wherever he wants to venture to. It'll be interesting to see how long that last the bigger Reid gets, I swear I'll be eligible to enter a strong shoulder muscles contest after constantly wearing those carries, but for now it works out great and it's priceless to be able to have memberships to those places and somewhere to get out of the house and go to that is entertaining and 'free'. We can pack our lunches and stay however long our little hearts desire, or until our toddler gets tired and starts throwing fits, whichever comes first.

 

Cheers to cool places to go in Wichita for kids!

February 2015 2.2

 

Learning how to stop and play on Cadens level is something I have to work on sometimes. It's hard to stop thinking of all the things that I want to do, set those personal wants/needs aside and just play. Adults don't play very well, at least not without some careless influence of some liquids. Always having our responsibilities and chores to do-it's hard to disconnect sometimes and just.play. (hey. there's a good hashtag and motivation for moms. #justplay encourage yourself and other moms to set aside your to dos and get on your kids level physically and mentally and just play. Just play with them before they are all grown up, you aren't cool anymore, and don't want a darn thing to do with you. *if anyone steals this idea and gets famous for it, just know that you saw it here first folks* Luckily for me, I have a hidden contract for the boys that says mom will never be uncool and they will always, always love me.)

 

Watching the trash truck. Not much more elaborating I can do on this one, it is what it is. This boy is curious and loves him some trucks. No matter the size or agenda it may have, they are all cool to him.

 

Sometimes when Reid cries on car rides is stressful and you just want to cover yourself up with a coat and tune it out. Can't blame him. We've also caught him covering his eyes or ears during these moments. Again, can't blame him, there isn't much that can top the stress of a crying baby during car rides. Not really my cup of tea, or probably anyones for that matter.

 

Brotherly love. These two interacting, and Reid smiling at Caden or Caden showing concern when Reids upset makes my heart happy. Also, Reids got an amazing pouty lip. Makes me wonder how he'll use this to his advantage as he gets older...

 



 

So this one time, at bandcamp...nah, kidding, but really...after hearing an odd noise while playing in Cadens room one afternoon I went and looked where our water heater is, along with a drain, and saw some water at the base of our water heater and some of the carpet was wet. So-after taking a look with the help from my dad it looked as if it was the start of our water heater going out and leaking. So. Gary and my dad spent the rest of that afternoon removing the old one, buying a new one, and replacing it. It took the whole day. Caden was very intrigued with the whole process and loved having the big box to play in over the next few weeks. That was an expensive box for sure, but at least he made some good use out of it!

 

So, the downside to this was two days later I heard the noise yet again while I was starting laundry. And then saw the toilets bubbling up, and THAT was the initial noise I heard Sunday but didn't realize it. Then, went to look at the water heater and saw some water at the base again. Called my dad and called Gary, as I was on the phone with Gary the washer must have drained because up came a crap ton of water and here is where you can imagine me freaking out. Standing there, seeing all this water come up out of the drain and into your house without being able to stop it...ahhh! Not fun.

 

So, he came home and my dad came over and helped with damage control. It wasn't even until my dad was on his way over that I realized it was his birthday! This is totally my dad here. He had off of work, it was his birthday, but he didn't hesitate to call a plumbing service, head over to our house with my aunts carpet cleaner and get right to work helping us out.

 

I took the boys to see my grandma, as I had already planned, and then to my parents house to get out of their way. Even after they vacuumed up as much water as they could my dad left to go get my grandma groceries, ended up grabbing Gary and him food on the way back, hung out at our house before making a trip home, just to turn around and go back to our house once they finally got word the plumber was on their way. ALL on his birthday. I think selfless, caring, supportive are just a few good words to describe this awesome man.

 

So, clogged pipes fixed and story is done. We treated my parents and sisters kids to dinner that night at Applebees after everything was said and done. Even got her kids to sing happy birthday to him out loud in the restaurant...which he just loved.

 

 

My dad rocks, especially all this on his birthday, but also want to shout out to Gary here. He is just as selfless and such a trooper just doing what needs to be done and not hesitating. I felt such a relief once he got there and although it was still stressful and overwhelming, it was much easier to handle with him by my side!

 

Oh, the foot deal. Recently, he'll share a foot and if it's not after a lot of outside running around, stinky feet, I'll take him up on it because it amuses him so much. Then, one morning he did what he does to his little nose and wiggled his toes around on my nose. I was cracking up. It's an odd little thing he does and I just love him for it. It makes my boy that's growing up too fast be a baby again. That he sucks his thumb, puts his toes up to his nose and wiggles the little piggies--that all of that brings him comfort is just adorable to me. Now, if he's too old I'll have to tell him to knock it off and don't worry I have pictures I will cry over and miss him being little and doing that-but every good thing has to come to an end and surely this will phase out with age. Or his poor wife will be sleeping next to a grown man with his foot up to his nose. You never know.

When you are up feeding your baby at one am, you sometimes think hm...I wonder what bangs would look like. Then, sometimes, when you're feeling the need to try something new that same day at one pm you will cut your hair and bam. bangs are born. Fast forward almost two months later and I'm pinning these annoying suckers back and ready for them to be donzo. Typical. They are fun and cute but annoying and have too much of a mind of their own. Then add the Kansas wind on top of that. I haven't caught a glimpse of my bangs in the wind, but they feel really close to the token Something About Mary look.

This girl is just like her dad. She had some gum stuck on her lips so I gave her my phone so she could see herself and get it off. To make her father proud she did as he has done many of times, she snuck in some selfies. I love her and her fun personality so much. She's so creative, caring, thoughtful and positive. She rocks.

 

I'm going to end this Feb post with a tribute to my uncle. The day that our water heater deal happened my uncle passed away. We got a call around 8 am from my mom with the news that he had passed a few hours earlier. My Uncle Bill has been in and out of hospital and/or hospital like care for a long while. We've always lived in the same area as my aunt and uncle, and would always be over there growing up-for a while we were constantly doing Sunday lunches at their house even. It's Bobbie and Bill, ying and yang, just what I've always known.

 

Seeing the last few weeks of his life was hard. It's not how I will remember him. I will remember him in his garage, at his computer, in the living room watching Nascar, hollering with his kids about who knows what, possibly randomly falling asleep, enjoying watching the little ones run around...sounds silly, but this is how I will remember Uncle Bill.

 

It was really sad and at the same time really good to get in that extra time with family that we don't normally get amongst our busy days. My aunt and uncle always were hitting up the casinos, so, tomorrow we are venturing out to Kansas Star for night out at the casino with my aunt, mom and sister. GNO and I'm going to win big people...just you wait and see...

 

Happy February 2015, only written two months later, but let's look at the positive here that I was able to get it done at all!

 



February 2015 1.2

FebRUary 2015. Surly I'm not the only one who says it like that in my head to make sure I spell it correctly...this is one of two, because there's just too much to cram all into one.

 

 

I've decided I may just have to make a 'look at my adorable sleeping baby' post, because let's be honest, I have a an abundance of those. Baby snuggles are priceless, but even more so when it's not your first and you actually get the chance to step away from your other mom duties and just focus on cuddling your baby. Ah-the best.

 

I would almost categorize myself as a champion block and train track builder. Well, maybe not, but I can make a mean block castle...just to have it knocked down seconds later. Son of a gun. Kid, do you know how cool that block castle was? Obviously not. Oh well, maybe next year they'll last longer.

 

Reid is going to enter the strong man competition by the age of five. His strengths are legs and back.

 

Unfortunately sometimes these big kid cuddles come with whining which hurts my ears, but not always and I've been working on my skill of tuning out the whining for all our sakes (or regulating and making the rules for it to stop.asap.), either way-it's nice to get snuggles from Caden still. I look at him like he's such a big kid sometimes. Not sure why, I know he always wants to keep up with the big kids and maybe with Reid being here I see him even bigger--but it's not until random moments in my day, or even few amongst my week, that I'm taken back and reminded how little he still is. Then I get mom guilt for thinking maybe I'm too hard on him sometimes, having too high expectations for his age. Just depends on the moment, I guess.

 

February snow. And look, this time I put his coat on him to enjoy the snow fall-monthly improvements here in mom world.

 

I was trying to take a picture to send to Gary at work and finally, once I got Caden to look and smile, Reid did this. *I could really use the crying laughing emjoi right now* It was so funny to me that we're all smile and he's just eyeing the goods thinking about when his next feeding will be. *emoji, emoji, emoji*

 

(Something about expression emojis just make everything better in text.)

 

 

I have learned to let go MUCH more since I've been home. I first found myself expecting the boys to be able to go off and play and leave me to enjoy Reid. Yeah, because a 2 1/2 and 4 year old are mature enough for that. Then I found myself picking up behind them constantly, like I was trying to do damage control as they were playing. Unrealistic and stupid is what that was. THEN after seeing Jen, our neighbor, and how she interacted with them when I went to pick Caden up once it hit me-I have to involve myself with them at this age. Caden and friends can't entirely entertain themselves and do their own thing. Maybe for a little while, and with the known expectation that it will look like a tornado hit his room but not for long.

 

Since then it's been more enjoyable and easier all around. I've let my expectations of a clean and orderly house go, because dang it-we live here and I am here with a toddler and baby all day so that's just how it goes these days.

 

 

Facetime is the best. Being able to easily connect with Jacob and his family is so nice, especially with how quick my nephew Alex is growing. It's good to be able to feel connected with him, his wife and son despite the disconnect when it comes to distance and actually being able to meet up. It's been four years in January since I've seen my brother. I've never been able to meet my sister in law or my nephew. And I've never felt such a strong love for two people that I've yet to meet. I can't wait for the day to be reunited with them all.

 

We got to have a date night to celebrate a friends birthday and it was my first real time getting dressed up for anything since having Reid. So, I may have gone a little overboard but heck, at this stage in life you take every opportunity to do your hair, makeup and wear nice clothes without having to think about where spit up, food, boogers, any kid crud may land. This also means I will try to sneak in as many picture of my husband and I while we feel all cool and kid free.

 

 

We went to a fancy new steak house out east-very yummy and they had pineapple infused martinis which are dangerously good. I think I could have bought a mini wardrobe change for the cost of our dinner...but it was a fun experience and great time with awesome friends!

So, the mentioning about not seeing my brother for four years...it has been three years this July that my parents, sister and her husband went to visit Jacob. At that visit they were gifted many, many pieces of Thai fabric. Since then we have been working on making quilts out of said fabric. Three years to make a few quilts...yeah, because that's reasonable especially when you're not doing a set pattern. Whoops. Life gets busy, we make these quilt nights as girls nights and we have just lacked at getting together for those recently. BUT finally my sister initiated a girls night/quilt night, but my mom couldn't make it, so she and I chatted and knocked out three quilt fronts.

Love getting to spend one on one time with her, and let me be honest here, she is a sewing beast and did majority of the work. I'm not even sure how, I was working and talking but then next thing I know she had already finished so much.

 

Gary and I were able to sneak away to Panera before small group one night and I finally got the nerve to step away from my usual sierra turkey and try their 'power chicken hummus bowl'. My past supervisor used to always get it and it looked so good. It was pretty good, the hummus was a bit different than I expected and I think I had imagined it filling me up forever, yet later that night I was hungry again. (Duh. that was bound to happen, but I still had my expectations, ridiculous or not). Overall it was a good try though and I was happy I was finally able to have it. Doesn't top the Whole Foods salad though, not sure anything will top that masterpiece!

 

Valentines Day. We got Caden the movie Cars for the special day which he loved and we've watched plenty of it since. Our niece, Gracey, was born on Valentines Day, which this year fell on a Saturday-so we went over to their house to celebrate. Gary and I were able to sneak away Sunday to go purchase a new laptop (whew. stressful but awesome purchase) and enjoy dinner and some yummy beers at Old Chicago. We had the best time. We laughed and joked like we were dating again-it was so fun and much needed.

 

Some days you just have to hold your hand out and block your toddler from getting you. It was all fun and games, don't worry folks. But obviously it was already a 'wear your baby' kind of day, doesn't he see that and get the memo that I have one child strapped to me, I don't necessarily want the second one all over me, too? No, kids don't get that memo no matter how much you just want to stop and hollar 'puhleaze give me some personal space here.'

 

to be continued...

4

Reiders you are four months old now. A third of your way through your first year. Please, give me a moment to dry up my tears. This new stage is my favorite though. I'll always miss how small you first were, and it will always amaze me and make me sad all in one at how quick you grow, develop and change, but seeing the world through a childs eyes is the best gift God has given me. Refreshing and humbling all in one-so thanks to God for these days and opportunities with you and your brother and thank you to you two crazy boys for keeping me grounded.

 

 

You are interacting so much more, you're so curious and already acting more independent, letting us know when you do or don't like something. Which also means you are more vocal now. You are usually very content and happy, but don't worry-if something isn't as you like it you don't hesitate to let it be known either.

You are starting to 'talk' back to us and I just love it. It seriously makes my days hearing your little coo's and chatter. Adorable. I wonder so much what is going on in that little head of yours. What you must be thinking of us, our actions, your surroundings. What it must be like to just be chilling in your swing one minute, taking naps all the time, and then the next someone is picking you up and taking you to who knows where because you are at there will. That kind of sounds crappy, but let's be honest, you basically get to eat and sleep when you want and the only real heartache you've experienced is when Caden screams while you are sleeping or eating. Not a fun time.

 

I know I'm biased, but dang you are so cute. Something about a baby in just a diaper that makes me want to smooch you all over. It takes you back to looking all little again no matter how big you've gotten and it is the best.

You do great at tummy time. You are just like your brother, strong legs and already hold yourself up pretty well. That being said, you're also still a real bobble head sometimes, but two months down the road you'll be close to sitting up more stable.

Your father has given you a nickname. We call you Reid or Reiders, but over spring break when your dad was home you were on a good streak of dropping poo bombs only with him. I would literally hand you to him and not seconds later you would bomb out. It was awesome and funny, for me, but then your dad took it upon himself to start calling you Stink. So, if it sticks, I'm sorry. He's just bitter about all that poo.

 

You are officially on the move, starting to roll over from your back to front-mainly on your left side. But it basically means we can't just set you down and leave you anywhere and have to consider where you might roll off to.

 

Your sleeping okay. I'm sorry, your brother set the bar pretty high on this one. He was sleeping majority of and 8-5 kind of deal at this point, but you already have a better appetite than him and he also sucked his thumb. So, with you, it fluctuates. You were doing a good 8-4/5 stretch for quiet a while, but recently digressed off and on the last few weeks and added in a 2/3 feeding from there. If you eat about 7/8 and sleep till 2/3, that's still almost a 7 hour stretch for you, so I tend to think that's not bad at this age--just hard to remember that when I don't get to go to bed the same time you do and wake up early with your brother too. It won't last forever, so I'm trying to not worry about it and just power through. God gives moms, parents in general, the strength to function on little sleep for a reason and I just know in my heart I'll miss those extra moments with you. I already do sometimes when you are at a sleepover-crazy/obsessive, yeah, maybe, but I can't help it.

Sleepover wise you've done a few now, maybe three, and tonight at a last minute one. Only one was planned, that was for your dads big 30th birthday, the other two have been just some saving grace moments so I can get started on work earlier the next day and catch up on sleep. Mom guilt is a weird and stupid thing, and I feel it when you guys have sleepovers, but the time to get things done or sleep without having to wake up being needed at random hours, or even at 6 am with a 'mommy, want to read?/'mommy, I cold.'/'mommy, I wet.', is definitely needed. It's good to refuel and get some r&r, which doesn't come too easy with little ones.

You light up when you see people. Your smile is priceless and contagious. It almost comes off as a bashful smile at times, I just love it. You seem like a people person, the way you smile at people-but what really gets me is how you light up seeing your dad. Sometimes you'll just hear his voice and try to find him or smile at him without him even looking at you. In the mornings, when I get you, there's almost always a good smile there, but sometimes a little pout as well, almost like you're happy to see us but sad we are still just saying hello and haven't picked you up yet. Adorable and heartbreaking all in one.

 

You are a wonderful addition to our little family and we all love you so much! Thanks for being an awesome little man-love you Stink!

Christmas 2014

The Friday before Reid was born my mom watched Caden so I could get all the Christmas shopping done..and luckily so, because Reid wasn't expected for at least another week. We have, and plan to continue, doing four items and simple stockings for the kids. I say kids now, but let's me honest, Reids gift this year was all my sleep hours used up to care for his cute little self.

Something you want, need, wear, and read. And then some race cars, a personalized Mickey Mouse cd, and a cookie or something in the stocking. We picked out the want this year, probably for the last year, and just went off of what you like to do..so we had want: mini hot wheels monster truck toy, need: plates/bowls just for you, wear: mickey slippers (that you don't and won't wear...), read: a veggie tails book.

It's funny how hard it is to even stick to just four and stocking when you see so many fun things out there that you want to get your kid and think they'll enjoy playing with, but aiming at the bigger picture here. Your price range for wants/need/read will grow, too, so this way we can hopefully manage to reasonably get what you want and not have to confuse you with a drop in gift amounts along the way. Plus, the kids are surrounded by family that are great gift givers so there's always those bonuses, too.

Right now Caden is obsessed with 'groceries'. He loves grocery shopping and helping us out, he loves to play with fake groceries, just loves it. My parents got him a little Walmart basket with groceries in it, and we found him fast asleep Christmas Eve surrounded by all his groceries. Ridiculous and so cute.

 

 

He got Thomas and Cars plates/bowls. I stopped taking pictures after this so we could enjoy the moment more, so that's all I have for our Christmas morning.

We went to Christmas Eve Eve service this year and Uncle Drew came over after, bringing a cool, 'little' airplanes toy.

It was a busy and tiring time this year having such a little newborn and being tired from all that comes with that, and Caden boycotted naps during both family days so that added to the feeling of being worn out, but we had a good Christmas this year. Of course our own little blessing of Reid, and our first Christmas as a family of four-can't get much better than that!

Merry Christmas from the Lee's, 2014.