Ahhhh! It feels so wonderful to sit and write! The past month has gone by so incredibly fast! How come it took FOR.EVER for one week to go by when I was pregnant, but now that Joel is here, an entire month is like the blink of an eye. Crazy!

Having a second child doesn't seem all that tough, yet. Joel is such a good baby, I occasionally forget we have him. He sleeps the day away in his swing, or pack and play, or whatever room I'm cleaning/working in and only fusses when it's time to eat. Eventually he can work himself up to a cry when I can't stop what I'm doing to feed him but his nuk placates him long enough for me to finish whatever chore I'm in the midst of. He's beginning to spend more time awake each day, though, and loves to watch his sister run me around.

Kaylee loves her little brother. She kisses him constantly, to the point where I have to shoo her away. Both her and her daddy are the kissers of the family, I think Joel will be like his momma, sometimes, enough is just enough. Kay has seemingly blossomed into a kid overnight. Potty training has continued to go well, then on Mother's Day she climbed onto the potty all by herself and has been taking herself since. She also started singing her ABC's quite effectively on Mother's Day. She has become Momma's helper and she wants to do everything by herself.

Child birthing and rearing seem to be my niche in life. I blame my mother ;). She always made raising 4 kids look so easy, I'm starting to believe it's genetic... This time, just like after giving birth to Kaylee, it only took a few days before we were out and about, taking walks and running errands like we always do.

Being a mother a second time has been way different. Kay and I spent the first months of her life constantly together. We napped all the time, I carried her around with me, every where, no matter what I was doing, and I felt like I could never leave her alone, let alone leave her in another room. Poor Joel. We hardly snuggle, and never nap (cause face it, between Kay's needs and just moving here, there is constantly something that needs attention), I sometimes leave him downstairs while I run upstairs to get the laundry, or leave him upstairs while I run down to get water. I'll even leave him in the living room while Kay and I sit outside. By no means is he neglected, just Kay was overly spoiled. Perhaps this is one of the reasons she's such a stinker now?

But life is good, and I'm loving every minute of it, even when it's not so easy. There are even times when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, not that that happens very much, and I think, wow, I'm a mother of two. Sometimes it just doesn't feel real. Even when we just had Kay I felt like the long term baby sitter, waiting for her mother to come get her. 

Anyways, I have some pictures to share... Completed rooms and projects of our new home... You're gonna have to wait on the Birthday story... I'm running out of time today and I desperately need to run the vacuum before Frank gets home. Kay spilled goldfish crumbs all over the floor... Where is that girl's mother?! I hope she gives bonuses for cleaning up messes! I'm overdue for a raise! ;)

 Kay's dresser, that Frank sanded and my mom painted :)

 Kay's hair band holder... The lid has a ribbon hot glued to hang down to help organize other clips

 Joel's room. Obviously. The Navy flags spell out JOEL

My mom also painted the rocking chair and little dresser for Joel's room.

I've also kept busy cooking and stocking my freezer. Now we just have to remember to eat it all.

Well... that's all for today. JD needs to eat and we need to pick up before Daddy gets home :) Frank is working this weekend, so I hope to further catch up then. <3