Sanity? What's that?

This post is dedicated to a special two year old boy. Preston Lee Montgomery. Where or where to begin. This little bundle of energy is running me ragged lately! Here are a few words to describe him right now. Energetic, rambunctious, loud, stubborn, independent, wild, fast, climber, hitter, talker, crier, and last but not least, crazy. Okay, so I know there are more (like lovable, cuddly, sweet- but those aren't popping to the front of my mind right now!) I have really been struggling with this little guy lately. I'm not sure if it's just a boy, or if its just Preston. He is constantly on the move. I mean, ALL THE TIME. Here are a few examples:
-Yesterday, Preston was standing in the kitchen. I walked into the living room to turn off the lights, and when I came back he had taken off his pajamas, taken off his diaper, climbed on the counter, and was getting into the fruit bowl.
-I was making lunch a few days ago, and while I was making sandwiches, Preston had managed to pull out all of my boxes of noodles in the pantry, and proceeded to dump them all out on the floor. While I was cleaning the noodles up, he then went to the game cabinet, got out all the crayons, and dumped those all on the floor. Ok- here we go again. I cleaned up all the crayons- only to find he still had one and was coloring on the wall. UGH!
This stuff happens on a constant daily basis. Reese never did this! It's almost to the point now where he knows how to push buttons, and he knows whats right and wrong, he just wants to get a reaction. For instance, his new favorite word is "poopy" {shudder} I cringe when he says it, especially in public as we go up and down aisles at a store and he is singing "poopy, poopy, poopy" loud and laughing at the same time. This kid! He knows its a potty word and he isn't supposed to say it, but he does it to get a rise out of me- which it where I begin to ignore him in hopes he stops. Last night when I was putting him to bed, I said "what are you thankful for today Preston?" and what do you think his response was? "Poopy!" I turned and walked out- little stinker. He is now talking quite a bit, forming 4 and 5 word sentences and having "conversations" with us. I just wish those conversations didn't include the word poopy!
So, I feel like the past few weeks my sanity has flown out the window, and I am hoping will return to my house shortly. Until then, I will continue chasing around a crazy 2 1/2 year old boy, picking up messes, cleaning walls with crayon, and hearing the word poopy until he decides it isn't funny anymore. Lucky me, right!?

Comparison

First, I forgot a few of my favorite things in the last post- so I'm going to add two more :)

1. Kind Bars
All Natural, Non GMO, Gluten Free, No Sugar Alcohols, Low Glycemic, Low Sodium, No Trans Fats, No Sulphur Dioxide, and Hydrogenated Oils
So, basically, a healthy granola bar. I love these as a mid afternoon snack to keep me held over until dinner time. Plus, they have 7g Fiber and 6g Protein- with only 5g Sugar. And they are actually really, really good! They come in all sorts of flavors- but the Almond Caramel is my favorite.

2. Scrabble Name Wall Hanging

I just love this wooden art piece! My mom and dad gave one to my sister and I for Christmas and they are SO neat. A girl that I graduated high school with and her husband make these. So cool and I can't wait to get it hung!

Ok, so now on to today's post. Comparison. I have been struggling a lot lately with comparison. Mainly, within my two children. I know, I know- you are not supposed to do this. But I just can't help my self, and then have feelings of guilt that I may not be doing as much with Preston since he is the second kid and I am so much busier than I was when I just had Reese. With Reese, we would spend time each night reading with her, singing songs, practicing letters and colors- and we are lucky to get one book in before bed with Preston. I can't imagine what people do that have 4 and 5 kids! Preston is no where near talking as much as Reese was at 2 1/2. He is just now saying 3 word sentences- at this point, Reese was spouting off huge sentences and having "adult" conversations with us. Reese also knew all her colors, numbers to 10, and could sing the whole alphabet by now. Preston, well he can sing a few songs- but isn't grasping colors and is no where near close to knowing his numbers. I know it is still early, and he is boy, and we all know they develop slower- I just struggle with the fact that I am staying at home- and even though I work with him- I wish I had more time in the day to devote just to him and working on these things. I guess this is all coming to a head right now because I have to register Preston for preschool by the end of the month. Technically, he has to be 3 by August 1st (which he will not be- he turns 3 August 19th) to move to the 3 year old room. Otherwise he repeats the same two year old class he is in right now. I have the choice whether I want him in the 3 year old room or not- because of my relationship with the director. First off, he has to be potty trained to be in the 3 year old room- which again, we are not even close to. And don't know if he will be by September. I just hate to have him repeat the same class again, as I feel for him to mature, he really needs to be with older kids to learn from them. Decisions, decisions. The director said I could register him for the 3 year old room, and if he isn't potty trained, or I change my mind, we can always stick him back in the 2 year old room he is currently in. So, I feel like that is where this whole game of comparisons may be stemming from.

On another note, we had our first snow this past week, along with the frigid temps I'm sure you are all experiencing. Reese had 2 hour delay Tuesday, and no school Thursday. It snowed Sunday night, and before the temps go too cold Monday, the kids got to play in it for a bit. Reese loved making snow angels, and Preston liked helping shovel.

Here are a few pics from our week:

Preston and I had a lunch date at Chick-Fil-A while waiting for Reese to get out of Pre-K

Diaper Head! He walked around all morning with a pull up on his head :)

My little artist. She is, so far, the creative one in the family. She could color, draw, and paint for hours and hours. She is becoming quite the artist, and I love saving her artwork to show her when she gets older. (The three pictures painted below that are crazy are Preston's- Reese did a great job making a mosaic of colors on her paper.) And yes, even in 0 degree weather, the girl begs me to wear a dress when we are at home!

These are a few of my favorite things...

(Sung in the Sound of Music voice) :) With Christmas and New Years past us, the holiday blues have set in as we are all deflated by the passing of yet another holiday season. A realization that I spent too much money, drank to many cocktails, and ate way to much food. My spirit has deflated- but my waistline has not :) More on that to come.
I figured to lift my spirits during this dreary weather (I swear we haven't seen the sun in almost a month), I wanted to do a positive post and post some of my current favorite things. So, here it goes.

My Favorite Things (at this moment)

1. Cookies from Taylor's Bakery.
I picked these up on New Years Eve so the kids could have a special treat on New Years Day. Taylor's Bakery is very well known in Indy- and it located in Fishers only about 10 minutes from our house. We got Reese's cake there for her 3rd birthday, and it was delicious.

2. Moscow Mule- my current favorite alcoholic drink.

First, they are served in cool copper mugs which keep them EXTRA cold. Pretty simple to make. Its vodka, ginger beer, and a slice of lime. We had them at Friendsgiving, and they were delicious.

3. The best dish towel EVER- Shaggies.

I've never cared much about dish towels/cloths....until now. These are amazing and will transform the way you do dishes. Haha, ok so that might have been a bit much. BUT, they are pretty awesome. The are so thick and get softer with each wash- I just LOVE them, My mother in law requested some for Christmas, so when I got her some, I picked up two for myself- and I'm addicted. They come in various colors and three sizes (small rags, regular cloths, and dish towels). They are a bit more expensive (I think this regular cloth was $2.19) they are worth it. The only place, besides online, that I have been able to find them is at The Red Barn in Lena, IL> that's where I got mine. Try them- you won't regret it!!

4. Little Tykes Trampoline

Best present Santa brought- goes to the trampoline. Amen for this thing on these cold days when we are stuck inside. It saved my sanity a couple of times today.

5. Sharp Objects.

If you have read Gone Girl by Gilligan Flynn, you will like this book by her. A bit disturbing-  but a great fiction read. I read it in two days!

6. Visits from family

Beyond immediate family, this is the first time a cousin of ours has visited us in Indy. It was so great to have my cousin Elyse, her husband Pete, and their son Bennett hang out with us last Saturday afternoon and then out for dinner at a GREAT BBQ place Saturday night. I enjoyed spending time with them- as did the kids. When we said our prayers before bed that night, Reese said she was thankful "she got to hold baby Bennett." 

So those are a few of my favorite things. I hope you enjoyed them! Back to the more depressing news, my non-deflated waistline - haha. Back in the gym this week to work off those extra holiday pounds and realize how hard it is to get back into it after you take an entire week off! Ugh- 3 miles on the treadmill felt like 6! One step at a time I guess. 3 is better than none!

As I close the blog today, I want to take a minute and ask my readers to take a second a say a prayer for a great friend of mine back in Madison and her husband, as she lost her mom New Years Eve to a 19 month battle with cancer. Her mom was only 59, and fought a courageous battle. Please say prayers to support them during this time, as they are expecting their first child, a son, in April. Leslie and Ryan- you are in our thoughts and prayers.