26 month / 20 week update

Summer is officially over :(  At least we ended it with a bang by going to California for a family wedding. And we did it up big, with both kids and 10 pieces of luggage in tow (including 2 strollers, 2 car seats, etc.). Thankfully, Esther eemo came with us to keep us company and an extra eye on the kids. Despite the many months I spent planning and worrying about this trip, the kids did great on the plane. Josiah loved his wheelie car seat and enjoyed stuffing his face with crackers while watching a Mickey Mouse marathon on his personal TV screen. And Samantha's first airplane ride was great - snoozed the entire way! Once we made it there and got over the initial jet lag, we had a blast in California.  We got to see lots of family, visited beautiful places (Marin County, Napa, Half Moon Bay), and Josiah had his first experience as a ring bearer! I didn't think he would make it down the aisle, but was pleasantly surprised that he took to the catwalk pretty naturally - all by himself too! I was so proud of him,, even though he didn't look up once since he was too busy eating crackers. He seemed to enjoy all the action at the wedding - bopped around to the hip-hop music, wore a cowboy hat in the photo booth, and grabbed cupcakes at the dessert buffet.  He's definitely my son...just in Shaggy's mini body.

During the trip, I fell more in love with my kids. It's so easy for me to get frustrated and stressed by them in the moment. Even though I definitely had my share of hair-pulling moments during the trip, spending a week with them reminded me of their sweet and quirky personalities. I've become obsessed with Samantha's sweet smile and disposition.  I've finally accepted that she's an easy baby - there, I've said it! Since we are usually running around with Josiah, poor Samantha tends to get left behind.  However, she seems fine and can usually be found rolling around in her crib, sucking the life out of her fingers (index & middle finger, making a surfer sign), and tackling whatever doll or toy is there next to her. But when we come near, she dazzles us with a smile and will easily giggle and kick her feet in glee. However, whenever Josiah comes close and starts hugging her, she'll kick and swat at him! Generally, she really is good with everyone and will gladly be passed around from person to person. Even still, I like to think that she gives me special affection and tracks me whenever I'm on the move.  I love my chill, yet feisty girl.

The only difficulty that remains with Samantha is that she really does not seem interested in drinking milk. When I try to nurse her, she'll just pop herself off and stare at me and pick at my face. And it will take all the strength I have and even a headlock to put her back on! Sometimes, she'll just stay on but make humming/growling sounds. I've never heard of any baby like this! She does seem really fixated at watching us eat and clumsily swings toward what we're about to put toward our mouths, so perhaps she's ready for solid foods already.  But I don't want my baby to grow up...


Josiah is still our goofball, stirring up laughs wherever he goes. He likes to run around in circles, make nonsense sounds, and throw his body on the bed and floor. He's still chatting up a storm, picking up new phrases at rapid speed thanks to his nanny and TV. Some of his latest ones: "See you later, alligator.  In a while, croc-dile", "e'cuse me guys", "wait for Josiah", "Baby seester, how ahhh you?", "Josiah big boy", "I den know", "tomato & q-burger (cucumber)", "I need diaper change", etc. Beyond picking up phrases, he is able to string together new sentences using his limited vocabulary. I love hearing his new, surprising combinations. He's also much clearer with what he wants - it's either a "No way!" or "Oh yes!" This comes out during dinnertime, as he's become increasingly picky. All he ever wants to eat is rice, pasta, fruit and occasionally chicken.  

While I love his ability to communicate, this unfortunately does not eliminate his random bouts of screaming and crying. Unfortunately, that's been happening a lot lately since he's gotten even clingier with us recently and will not let us out of his sight. He won't even go to another relative without one of us there. Sigh, hope this is a phase if we ever dare try to put him in daycare.  His sleeping at night has relapsed a bit too, but hope that's just a temporary post-vacation phase.  At least he's still in his crib and is hanging onto his nap (finally down to one a day).

As for me - I'm fully back into the swing of things at work and feel like everyday is a race to the finish. I don't regret returning to work, but I definitely am starting to feel the wear and tear of trying to juggle both "jobs" and not let any balls drop. As much as I never feel like I have a second to breathe, I'm realizing how important it is to force that time to pause, pray, and play!  3 Ps - just came up with that!  Haha.  Ok, maybe it's now time for Mommy to sleep.