Adventures in motherhood

Going into life as a stay at home mom I wasn't sure what to expect. I loved my summers and days off with Dax, but what would it be like with two? And would it be as enjoyable as my full time job this year?

We're six weeks in to this life with two and so far so good. It's definitely hard and there have been a few overwhelming moments (as both the to do list and sleep deprivation are growing!), but overall it is delightful. I love all the time I get with both kiddos and we have a lot of fun. Here's a little peek at what our days are like...

Dax loves to play games, but often chooses ones that are not meant for kids. Instead of saying, "That's too hard," (which he doesn't agree with anyway), I find a way to make it toddler friendly. Scrabble becomes a letter naming game (with bonus fine motor practice in the travel version), Skip Bo is perfect for sorting numbers, the Smart Ass game board is fun for number recognition on the die and counting spaces to get to the middle, and Mastermind is fun for fine motor practice.

Dax's version of Travel Scrabble

We try to get out of the house regularly, whether that means playing outside in our yard, going to a playground, or going somewhere else such as the library, nature center, zoo, or even Target.

Talking on his pinecone phone

Fall is so fun!

Playing at the library

But sometimes we just stay in and invite some friends over.

Playing with Nolan

Super Dax and Super Anora

Asher and Ada came to play

Lately Dax has started requesting art projects and Pinterest always delivers. It's fun to do some seasonal activities together. Now if only I could find the time to make the gallery I have in mind to display the projects...

Painting a fall tree with q tips...

... or fingers.

Helping make pumpkin brownies (technically not art, but still a project!)

Play Doh is always a fun creative activity

Playing in the space ship we created

And we spend a lot of time laughing. Dax is hilarious. He enjoys telling jokes, but even funnier are the random things that he says on a daily basis. Sometimes it's truly funny, sometimes it makes me laugh because it's such a surprise coming from a two year old, and sometimes he's just plain sweet. Here's a sample of some of my favorites:

Dax had a crumb on his shoulder from breakfast and I pointed it out to him, then picked it up and threw it in the garbage. He turned to me with a very concerned look and asked, "Is it my nipple?" No, buddy, those are safe. 

Dax: Why don't I use my booster seat anymore?
Me: Because you're a big boy and you can reach the table without it now.
Dax: Oh. Because I have a big booty.

Dax: Does Addy drink from your tummy?
Me: No.
Dax: Oh, I mean from your nipple. 
Me: Yes, it's special milk called breast milk.
Dax: Special milk like the flamingo [from a book he has].
Me: You're right, flamingoes and babies both drink special milk, but flamingoes don't drink breast milk.
Dax: Oh yeah, it's crop milk. (which is the right name from the book!)

Jake: Dax, you're a hoot and a half.
Dax: No, I'm two and a half.

Dax as a giant: Fee fi fo thumb

Dax: Mommy, is your back sore?
Jake: My back is sore.
Dax: Ok, I'll give you a back rub. 
(a few minutes later Jake was going to get up to do something)
Dax: Daddy, you can't. I'm giving you a back rub like you requested!

Mostly Addy is just along for the ride at this point, but she's pretty go with the flow and we are always glad she's around.

Smile!

Adelaide has been smiling for a few weeks and it is SO fun! When she started we weren't sure if it was just another face she made or if she was really smiling socially, but it quickly became apparent that it was, in fact, in response to us. We managed to capture a few of the beautiful grins on camera and hope it lights up your day as much as it does ours...

1000 days

Our (still kind of, but not so) little man is 1000 days old! We celebrated the joy that he has been to us on his thousandth day last Saturday.

It started off with a special breakfast:

1000 days! (No, he didn't get to eat ALL those!)

Yum!

Then we went to play at Sever's Corn Maze. It was really windy and kind of cold, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the festivities. Dax loved everything - the pumpkins, train to climb on, bouncy bubble, kiddie hay maze, corn maze (he loved finding the posters - especially the special ones depicting a conductor - and was thrilled to find one with a d for Dax), giant tires, and petting zoo. It was a fun day!

We are so incredibly lucky to be parents to such a thoughtful, hilarious, intelligent, energetic, empathetic, happy, sensitive, and amazing boy.

Zoo Boo

When the calendar turns to October, most kids start thinking of Halloween. Dax is no different, although, in his case, it may have been instigated by us. He has enjoyed looking at Halloween costumes in the Party City ad, talking about what he might be, making and putting out decorations, and has decided he does not like witches in any form.

Making a fall banner

After considering the idea of a giraffe for awhile, he settled on being an astronaut. His costume came just in time to wear it to Zoo Boo at Como! A family friend gave us tickets and we went with a group of friends. It was a fun time and awesome to see so many kids out enjoying their costumes for more than the one night of Trick or Treating as well.

We have also enjoyed the festivities at the MN Zoo's Howlzooween. Dax, Addy, and I went once and enjoyed the decorations and "spooky" animal encounters (guinea pig, blue-tongued skink, and an owl skull), and we went back with Jake to try out the hay maze on the farm. The animals are different every time we visit and it is always a great time, but was even more special with the Halloween theme.