Traintastic

 

THE RICE'S TOOK THE TRAIN.....

TO A TRAIN SHOW......

AND BOUGHT THEIR FIRST FAMILY TRAIN SET....

THEN WENT HOME AND PUT IT TOGETHER WHILE WATCHING "THE POLAR EXPRESS' (obviously)

Gabriel didn't make a peep the whole day we were out, and I didn't throw up on the light rail.  It was a SUCCESS! 

Our Rice grains are growing beautifully in smalltimore.   And now we're addicted to trains (thanks to Tim's awesome idea).   We had a blast! 

Perspective from a "seasoned" mom...

Lately, I've been losing my mind.  No, no, I've lost it.  You know why.... it's when they teethe, have tummy issues, and a cold with fever all at the same time.  Why would they not, right?  Sometimes Gabriel will take a 15 minute nap AND go to bed at 11pm the same day.  Winning!  Not.

My real estate work is actually saving me.  I almost said "work is saving me", but all stay at home mothers know that they are working hard for zero dollars..group hug to those who aren't getting paid! ;) Anyway, I've been working outside the home more lately, and it's keeping me sane; relatively.  I was in my office two days ago talking to a friend who is a mother of 5 kids. But not just a mother of five; an awesome mother of five.  That's TOUGH!  I mean, one kid was hard!  I mentioned the goings on of my sleep deprivation and the reasons why; complaining basically.  And in her sweetest voice she says to me, "I know it's hard.  But you know, little people, little problems.  Big people, big problems".   Hello. 

What I actually heard was this:  You think right now that your 4 year old talks too much and at an extremely high volume.  But one day, when she's 16, she may not want to talk to you at all.  Be thankful for her sweet little loud voice.  You think right now it's tough getting little to no sleep at night, tending to a crying baby in the crib next to you.  But one day you will not sleep at night because you may not know where he is..he hasn't come home yet from hanging out with his friends.  At least right now, you know he's home safe next to you.  Be thankful for this time. 

In the midst of the craze, I feel like my problems are big.  I'm stressed, sleep deprived, and haven't had a normal meal in a few days.  I'm living off of coffee and cough drops.  But, PERSPECTIVE IS KEY.  "little people, little problems".  WOW, so true to be reminded of this.  See, this mother of 5 has kids from 11-25 years old.  She's experienced all the problems at each age.  She knows!  So, for right now, I'm going to be thankful and happy that Sophia LOVES talking to me and that I know Gabriel is safe and sound at home with me, even if he's not sleeping, ;).

THANK YOU, KAREN!  You had no idea that your words came at the perfect time. 

One more year in the books

Some moms may think, "my perfect birthday would be a day surrounded by my family... hanging out with my kids".  And I thought that at first, but quickly realized, I do that nearly every day, ha.  So, I decided I would like one night to myself (in a hotel, obvi).  OF COURSE I FELT GUILTY.  Mom guilt is a B.  Which is exactly why I waited until the day before to book it and ended up bringing Sophia along, lol.  At least she sleeps through the night.  Sort of.  And a special shout out to my awesome friend Nathalie for taking my call at 7pm the day before my birthday and getting me all set up at the Hyatt.  Mrs Director, you're awesome!

It ended up being PERFECT; A night with my girl, giggling, watching movies (she had headphones and I watched an adult movie, obviously..no kids movies aloud on MY birthday), eating cake, and snuggling in a hotel!  Tim gladly (hopefully) went on baby duty around 6 last night, and Sophia and I jetted before I got too sad leaving Gabriel.  Once I curled up in the king size bed, I wasn't so sad anymore.  I WAS ABOUT TO SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT!   Let me add that I did get the day to myself thanks to the sitter, picking out my new Microsoft Surface (thank you Tim!) and slipping in a movie and cinnamon roll in the hotel, before I picked Sophia up... let's be real. 

Thank you, Timothy Rice, for a wonderful birthday!  Now I shall pack up and head back to the real world, which is darn cute and fun!  Sophia has already said she misses Gabriel.  And I'm about to die without him, but it was a much needed night with my girl.  I'm so thankful I was able to do it with our busy schedules.  #forever21

A is for Applesauce

Yesterday Soph and I made homemade applesauce, and it was so! #y and delicious! I'll never buy the ready made stuff again.  Unless of course I pass it in the grocery store while I'm starving, in a bad mood, or in a hurry.  So, I'll probably buy it during next week's grocery outing. It's a great thought though, to think I'll do this on a weekly basis. "But it'll be organic!", I'll tell myself.  And then I'll remember how I peeled the apples with Gabriel strapped to my chest, whining for milk or because his gums hurt. So then as I got the apples on the stove, I figured I would feed him real quick (but I forgot that it's never quick). I ended up forgetting about our precious simmering apples, but luckily got to them just before the charring set in.  Threw it in a blender, and had fresh homemade.cinnamon applesauce within hours,.haha.

Seriously though, it was super easy.  I like to add in the dramatics to make myself laugh later at my experiences.  What would have made the biggest difference is obvious: planning.  I did in on a whim, on a day when Gabriel was the crankiest.  However, I DID start this endeavor right after I laid him down for nap, but as luck would have it, he slept a whole 15 minutes! Isn't that amazing? 

We accomplished it, and Sophia had fun and was so proud.  She wanted to wait for Tim to get home so that we could all taste it together...but it just looked too delicious ;)

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

5 medium apples (peeled and quartered, ugh)

1/2 cup water 

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Simmer on medium/low until soft, throw in blender or mixer, and add water to get it down to preferred consistency.  It didn't make a ton, so I'll be doubling the recipe next time (unless I buy pre made, ;)). 

Two posts in 1 week! 

#winningatlife

Life is happening

Who has time to write a long blog post these days?!  Which is why I'm just getting around to posting.  This will be the trend.  I'm sure I'll post again in another month.

Before I forget:  You know the dust balls that collect on your broom when you're sweeping? Wait, I mean, you know the dust balls that collect of other people's broom when they are sweeping?   Because I would never have that much dust in my house, obviously.   Anyway, Sophia usually sweeps for me (because she's AWESOME!) and she calls the dust bunnies "FUZZ BUNNIES".  I LOVE it.  I realize this is only funny to me, because I'm her mom, I get that...but I needed to share it it so that I can be reminded in the future of all the adorable things she said.  Documented and moving on.

Since my last post Gabriel has started eating rice cereal, Sophia has started to learn how to read (i'm crying), and Tim and I made an adult trip to Puerto Rico.  Many other things have happened, but I'm too old to remember.  Grammy and Gramps flew up to keep the kiddos so that Tim and I could get away for a few days to swim in the Caribbean a bit , go to bed early, and work...haha.  It was GREAT, but who wouldn't miss their babies?!

Nobody wanted to take a picture with their mom? 

I finally feel like I'm on my "mom game".   We have a decent routine down. And by routine I mean, my kids eat, play and nap, but the times pretty much vary daily.  Life is a ROLLERCOASTER...ups and downs experienced all in the same hour, sometimes.  One minute we're all 3 happy and playing and the next minute we're all three crying.  Usually because Gabriel's teeth start randomly causing excruciating pain, stressing me out due to no relief, causing me to snap at Sophia...cue the tears from all 3!  During these fleeting moments (which see like will never end), I feel like a failing mom. But after they both nap, eat a snack, and we're on our way to the park, I feel like an awesome mom doing a great job of taking care of her kids, and I'm back on top emotionally.  Whew.  

One thing that gets me through my days is realizing that I'm never going to be like the other mom or moms I occasionally come across.  I've never been one to feel like I need to "keep of with the Joneses", but I have had the moments when I think, "man she's an awesome mom, and I'll never compare to that'.  And usually they're moms on pinterest who pin things but probably never actually do the activities with their kids...or so I tell myself, haha.  I have also stopped comparing Sophia, and now Gabriel, to other children their age.  This has completely altered my expectations, which I feel helps her to grow naturally, at her own pace.  Researching homeschooling, education, and learning styles has changed my perspective a myriad of things!  

Most of us are trying to do our very best at this parenting gig.  My decisions for my family are based upon my convictions, lifestyle, and certain desires and goals.  And those things are different for all families, and that's ok! So, I've stopped judging (unless you're a deadbeat, lol).  It's very freeing to not compare myself and my kids to our peers anymore.  

Another thing that usually gets me through the day is the 5 Hail Mary's I have to say to myself when we're all 3 crying.  

And the last, most important thing that gets me through my day is this song/video:  Coldplays' "Fix You".   Their live concert in Paris is the best version.  Youtube it right now.  If you don't jump around your living room and cry when Chris Martin starts running down the runway as the tempo picks up, you aren't human. :)

    

Our Rice grains are surviving and thriving in the city...Who knew?! 

P.S. Tim is starting his 4th and final year of law school on Monday.  Peace be with us! :)

What they don't tell you....

It's about time I update this thing.  Since my last post Sophia turned 4 (i'm still crying over that), she had her first ballet recital (i'm still BAWLING over that), Tim started his summer courses 4 nights a week (lame), enjoyed a visit from some of Tim's family, we took a quick trip to Ohio, Gabriel starting teething, I've gotten 15 hours of sleep total (ok, i'm exaggerating) and I've tackled like ONE load of laundry (i don't think i'm exaggerating).  It's been a crazy whirlwind of events!  I love my life.

What they don't tell you before you have your second baby is that one minute you'll be brushing your teeth, and the next minute you'll be holding a crying baby, while making breakfast and opening a box a raisins for your other child all at the same time. And  I ate my lunch yesterday (which was chips and salsa) while holding Gabriel facing outward on my forearm because it's the only position that will calm him down during a crying fit; but at least Sophia was napping at the time. 

What they don't tell you is that the kids never nap at the same time. 

What they don't tell you is that at some time or another you'll feel like a failure for not having it all together.  For not having cooked a meal in a week, or for the loads of laundry piled on the floor (at least it's clean), or for going to bed right when your husband gets home and not having any time for him. 

But what else they don't tell you is that most moms feel that way at some point or another (because i've talked to many moms who have admitted to those feelings) but just don't talk about it.  It's easy to show off a "picture perfect" life on instagram or facebook, but I could definitely post many pics of all of us crying, lol.  Motherhood is HARD work.  And although I have mentioned the hard times, they'll never outweigh the happy smiles that connect you to your infant when he wakes up first thing in the morning.  Or the 10 minute craft you fit into your day with your preschooler.  I choose to focus on the things that went RIGHT during the day.  I also choose to say a "Hail Mary" when Gabriel is screaming his head off, haha.  Whatever keeps you from losing it, right?  lol   And right when you're at your breaking point and you don't think you'll last another 10 minutes without bawling, something will surely give, and your baby will miraculously take a 3 hour nap AT THE SAME TIME AS YOUR OTHER KID!  They must have gotten together and planned to give mom a break. 

I have made a conscious effort recently not to get discouraged or too stressed out, because the tough times are so short in the grand scheme of life.  There was a time when Tim and I thought Sophia would never be older than 6 months old (her infant stage was TOUGH).  But she's 4 now and it FLEW by!  I have realized that I don't need to have it all together, whatever that even means.  I focus on keeping my kids happy and taking short moments during the day to drink a cup of coffee (even if it's cold because i made it 2 hours ago with no time to drink it then, ha), or read a few pages in a book.  It really helps to take short "me times". And today I actually got to sit on my butt for an hour and a half and watch one of my "guilty pleasure, don't have to think about anything, probably makes me dumber" shows.  I won't say what it is because I'd surely lose some friends, haha.

This is what I want to tell myself: My point to this post is to encourage myself to chill out with trying to be pinterest perfect.  You know the term.  My point is that some days are just plain bad, but it's so worth it.  And most days are wonderful and happy.  Focus on the positive things, Haleigh.  Remember that Gabriel won't be teething forever, and they'll both be 16 one day and not want to hang out with you (yeah, right.  Sophia and I will be roomies when she goes off to college.  I'll swear to do her laundry and cook for her, and she won't be able to resist).  Enjoy them!  Be happy through the difficult times.  They can sense your stress.  It's ok if your laundry isn't done or if you haven't mopped in 2 weeks or 2 months (ok 2 months is waaaay too long, people).   Are your kids happy and healthy?  Are you and your husband happy?  If so, then you're winning!  You can do it, Haleigh.  And all the other moms out there that are stressed.  We're all in it together.      
I'M NO JUNE CLEAVER

BUT, I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER

(I wrote this super fast and don't have time to edit or make spelling corrections. Who knows if it even flows, ha. What do you want from me?  I have a 10 week old! :) )

WE LOVE OUR RICE GRAINS!

She's 4 years old!

Four years ago today my beautiful blue-eyed baby girl was born- Sophia Hayden Rice; our precious fighter.  She is everything I had hoped for and more, obviously.  She has an over-the-top personality, and her wit surpasses mine, for sure..she's absolutely hilarious.  She loves to collect things such as rocks and leaves when we're out on "nature walks", and is currently talking about the planets non-stop.  She loves to learn new things and look things up on the internet.  She'll ask, "mom, where does snow come from" or "where does electricity come from?".  So I will google a youtube video about the process of snow being formed or about electricity.  She has been asking tough questions lately; questions I'm never prepared for (but i can't think of one at the moment). You can tell her something once, and she seems to remember it for a lifetime. Except when you tell to clean her room or brush her teeth...she never remembers that.  She uses mature words constantly that she has heard us say ("oh, that's very unique"), and her spanish has really developed over the past year.   She probably understands more spanish than I do at this point.  She can spell and read small words and can write her name perfectly.  I feel like she is developed beyond four, but I'm sure every parent feels that way, right? lol   We're quite proud of her, :)

As I reflect over the past four years, I can't help but think about her entrance into this world; The happiest and scariest day of my life.   A day that we weren't 100% sure our first baby would survive.  Let's not recount all the sad and scary details because this is a happy post, and our amazing four year old is healthy, happy, and hilarious!  But, I do thank God for bringing us through that scary time and for giving us the privilege of being her parents and raising her for as long as we have her.  It's been four wonderful years of loving, laughing, and learning.  She's so caring, gentle, compassionate, and sensitive and also loud and outgoing.  I love everything about her!

 A few through the years starting around 8 mo.

 

 

Waiting to hold baby brother for the first time

  O's game for the birthday girl! First baseball game..she was crazy excited!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY, SOPHIA HAYDEN RICE!

Tu eres mi cielo

*written yesterday*

So I thought....

When it was just Sophia, I was so busy; taking her here, doing this project, going there...or so I THOUGHT.  Just throw a new baby into the mix! I think I finally got ready for the day around noon. This is a whole new level of multi-tasking.  A whole new level of busy.  I had forgotten how sleep-deprivation can make you caaa-razy (in the Olaf voice).  I had forgotten that sometimes babies won't let you put them down,  (even though he's a great baby, he gets the occasional tummy ache and must be held for 2 hrs straight, lol).  And I certainly wasn't prepared for the guilt!  You know the thoughts....Am I giving Sophia enough attention?  Does she think I don't love her as much anymore?  Is she mad or upset that we didn't fit in a craft today? Is she jealous, does she hate me? haha...  Dang you, emotions!  It's obviously irrational, but we really need to find our "new normal" quick..a good routine fast.  It will come, I know.  Probably when I'm able to get a bit more sleep and have more energy to put towards a working routine.   I'm only 3 weeks in to this 2 kid gig..it's still so new and fresh.  We'll get there!  I hear a lot of moms say you must give it a good 6 weeks for everyone to settle into their new roles.  Overall, we're doing great!  I love my mom life. It helps that Gabriel is an amazing baby, and Sophia is an easy almost 4yo.  It feels like such an accomplishment to have the kids fed and happy at the end of the day..and the past couple of days Soph and I have worked on spelling and fit in a few crafts.  Honestly, if nobody is on fire by bedtime, the day was a success in my book...and if I fixed my hair.

Sophia has been amazing.  She loves to help out a lot, and other times I think she forgets he's even here, lol.  I haven't noticed much jealousy.  I really try to involve her in most things.  She holds him, helps with diaper changes, and I always try to prompt her to sing or talk to him.  It's so cute when she does!

 Did I mention my precious baby boy is 3 weeks old today!  And I can officially drive and take baths again, too. Big day!

I felt complete when we had Sophia, so I don't want to say my heart had a hole in it.  I think God just made my heart bigger when we decided to have another baby.  My heart certainly expanded and made room for my sweet Gabriel Timothy.  It's amazing how you can spontaneously have unconditional love for someone else the moment they enter your world!   I prayed for him..he's a perfect gift to our family.

 "I'm 3 weeks old today!"

Let's all swoon together over this sleep grin....

She's so gentle and sweet with him.

And nap time isn't going as planned here..

Pucker up!

Gabriel has olive skin like dad, and Soph is pale like mom.  Sorry Soph!

And when a baby comes along, mom moves to the backseat.

     

This could get mushy....

But, I'll keep it short with just a quick picture of the greatest dad ever.  Sophia and Gabriel will one day realize how lucky they are to have Tim has their dad.  I love that man.

WE BE TIIIIRED

 

And, unfortunately we still cannot take Gabriel out to enclosed places, because his little 13 day old body isn't ready for this world of germs; Dr advises to wait until he is 4 weeks old.  Therefore, he and I stayed home yesterday while Tim and Sophia went to church.  

 

HAPPY EASTER FROM THE FOUR RICE'S!

 

And just for good measure; Our two little grains growing beautifully in the city, :)

*Written (in about 3.5 minutes) right after feeding Sophia lunch, with Gabriel's bottle on deck.  Second kid's lunch coming right up!  When do I eat, again?  TIM, HURRY HOME!! :)

The last 11 days...

I had Gabriel on Tuesday, April 8 and we made it home Friday, April 11.  We were welcomed home by a super excited big sis Sophia and Grammy (my mom).  Since arriving home we've gone through 2 grandmas (my mom first, then Tim's mom just left today), tons of feedings and diaper changes, showering Sophia with extra special attention with a "Daddy, Mommy, Sophia date night" at a cafe for dinner and dominoes, and constant swooning over our 2 beautiful kids.  We're still in the adjustment period, but Sophia is doing great and loves her baby brother. 

How is Gabriel adjusting to the world?  WONDERFULLY!  Neena (Tim's mom) actually said Gabriel should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for the best baby...and she's had 5 kids! So, I think we've been super blessed with an easy, great baby, :)   Gabriel eats well, sleeps great, rarely spit ups, and is all around content the majority of the time. Thank God! This type of baby is very new to us.  We already had a live-in nanny on stand-by if his infant stage proved to be anything like Sophia's, ;)  Ok, not really, but we were NERVOUS!  My poor sweet baby girl had a rough first year of life.  But no nanny needed here. 

And I'm recovering well and fast.  Much faster than the 1st c-section.  I already feel like I'm about 70% recovered, and I'm only taking prescription Motrin at the point.  Is it because I HAVE to recover quicker since I have another child to tend to?  Maybe.  But this delivery experience is world's apart from Sophia's, so I attribute my easier recovery to the great experience this go-around (besides a few minor things like a bad reaction to the morphine...ugh, talk about itchy and constant nausea!).  

Pictures over the last 11 days of Gabriel's life.  From the hospital to home...

P.S.  How is my baby boy already 11 days old? And Sophia is almost 4...  Time slow the heck down!