We adore this little munchkin. She's strong as an ox and doesn't seem to mind getting stepped on every once in a while by big sis. Although she wears 6 month clothing and bigger, she's not very chunky... she's simply lengthy. I didn't think it was possible but the Metcalf's gene might have trumped the Tompkins' gene because she is Cony's twin. Regardless, she's our little darling.
Last week my good friend Sarah encouraged me to take the girls to Cagle Dairy with her & Palmer (I highly recommend the farm!). It was a little slice of heaven that day because 1.) it was beautiful and perfect weather and 2.) Maddie could not get enough of the animals. We knew she loved animals but I didn't know she wouldn't hesitate for a second to feed the pigs & cows, hug the goats and chase the chickens. Which gives fuel to my fire to have a mini pot-belly pig when we own a house!
With the season change approaching, we both find ourselves missing New England in the most terrible way. Who am I kidding? We've been missing it terribly from day one. However, we are adjusting to our life back in the South and being parents of two. When it comes down to it, the last year has been rough... and it feels good to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I started working on Saturdays a few weeks ago with a company called ShutterBooth and so far I love it. I get to be the highlight of weddings and I feel blessed to have found a job that allows me to work one day a week.
Our girls are growing before our eyes. Olive woke up one day last week from a nap and suddenly she had hair! Madelyn has suddenly grown out of her shoes and talking so much more. "My show" and "Curious George" are among some of her new favorite phrases while holding the remote. She loves books that encourage us to be animated and has a fond affection for a set of tiny princess books we were given. When we take walks in the morning, she stops every 2.3 seconds to examine everything. Curiosity at it's finest.
The last two days we've been cooped up in the house trying to recover from colds. Before I could wipe her nose clean- she took the initiative to do it herself by hand then proceeded to clean her hand off on ME. Disgusting in every possible way, yet hilarious because how did she learn that? (Probably the husband.) When I have both of them hanging on me- either crying or snuggling- I'm in awe we get to be their parents. We love them so...
I was hoping to write this post over a week ago to honor my dad who died exactly 5 years ago. At times it feels like it's been forever yet I remember those days vividly. I've been missing him lately and it's mostly because of our girls. He cherished being a Papa and there are days I wish I could see the girls with him and see how much they would love each other. While these thoughts have been on my mind the last few weeks, todays talks in church just happened to be about finding joy in family. I appreciated the comments made about family and how it's spelled T-I-M-E because in the end that's what we remember and most important- the time spent together. When it comes down to it, I'm just sad they don't have a grandfather figure in their life. They'll never hear him answer the phone "Don speaking" or ending any conversation with the sweet reminder "Be good!". Although I think I might start answering the phone with "Megan speaking". However, here's where I'm most thankful for journal writing because they'll be able to get to know him through his journals, letters and photographs.
The latest happenings:
*After Maddie's big girl bed accident and cutting her upper lip, she's been talking so much. It's seriously so yummy because she sounds like she's speaking Japanese. Sometimes she's talking so seriously and she knows I have no clue what she's saying- she'll throw both hands up in the air like "uh, I give up!".
*Whenever Olive is sleeping Maddie says "shhhh".
*Olive has been colic at night and was spitting up in a way that was not normal after each feeding. I've given up dairy and chocolate and that seems to have helped tremendously with the spit up. With the little research I've done about colic, "they" say there really isn't much you can do. Well I don't buy it. I took her to my chiropractor all this week and she's changed dramatically. Along with sticking to a feeding routine.
* Olive is getting more and more animated and is full of smiles. Particularly after a feeding. She also took her first bottle yesterday which eases so many stresses I've had about working on weekends or going on a date with the husband. I'm feeling like I can go out and be a part of society.
* Cony got a permanent job with his company! Huge blessing is so many ways. Just when we were questioning our future, we were both reminded that we had a sweet assurance in the beginning this company would be where he was meant to be. Monday morning he walked into work and was given an offer!
*I've finally been nesting and loving the challenge to decorate/organize with only the things we have on hand. With the exception of fabric for M3's room.
*Maddie wore a dress to church today my sister Emily wore at her age and Olive wore a dress of mine. Love finding these little treasures my mom has kept!
It's interesting when I think about this blog of ours and why I felt the need to start one. I had no particular reason why, just felt a need to do it. The way this blog has blessed our lives is immeasurable. So when people tell me my life looks glamorous, I feel a sharp pain in my side because that's the last image I would want people to have of us. I write and document things on here for me and Cony. Things that we want and need to remember. I can't even count how many times I've gone back through certain post and completely forgot we either did something or I felt a certain way. Just when I was thinking about these reasons and the comment was made to me about our glamorous life, I was listening to an Ensign talk about the importance of 1.) keeping a book of remembrance and 2.) having a thankful heart in all things. I've pondered this talk the last few days and I've found myself looking for more ways to be thankful. Even at the moment I completely loose my patience because my toddler hasn't napped and becomes mischievously naughty. Then 5 minutes later goes 'pee pee in the potty' for the first time. Right now I'm particularly thankful for my body. I didn't get stretch marks until after OCM was born and I thought it would bother me, but it's had the opposite effect on me. I see them (although fading now) and it reminds me of both our miracles and that I was able to experience bringing a human life into the world and someone else was able to do that for us. No matter the situation, there is always some thing I can find to be thankful for. Especially my family and I have a way to document our life together.
We had a few big milestones to celebrate over the weekend... Miss Olive turned one month old and she celebrated (and hasn't stopped) by having a cold. It's one of the most pitiful things I've ever seen. We finally went through all the boxes in her room to make room for her little self and the crib. Which brings me to our other milestone of moving Miss M into a big girl bed just in time for her 20 month birthday. Both nights so far, M3 loves it and climbs right in, pulls the covers up to her chin and blows kisses goodnight. Sunday morning we didn't get off so easy however. I had just put Olive back down to sleep when I heard Maddie crying. I sent Cony in so I could get some sleep and the next thing I know he's yelling for me. Poor girl decided to use her new bed as a jungle gym and somehow tore the piece of skin in her upper lip so it just hangs between her two front teeth. Clearly I don't know the technical term for that piece of skin, but blood was everywhere and she couldn't be consoled. Which is not like her in the least. Thankfully my sister works in people's mouths all day long and came over and said she'd be fine! She was hesitant to eat anything except drink a smoothie until late afternoon. Other than that she was back to herself pretty quickly. It seems like she's ready to attend college already because she also started talking in full sentences out of the blue on Saturday. Some sentences are more clear than others but she's trying. Anyone have any pointers for potty training? She is showing signs and has told me a few times when she needs to go. I just don't have the energy I feel I need to be in full potty training mode. There truly is never a dull moment but one of our family motto's is: 'go big or go home'.
