The Necessary & The Overrated

Spring cleaning has taken new meaning around our house. We have been trying to do quite a few house projects which has taken over most of our free time. So instead of cleaning- I would call it relocating more crap. I find myself going through a closet and instead of cleaning things out, making a donation pile, and reorganizing I simply try to stuff more stuff in the already existing space. Most of the stuff I end up stuffing into the spider webbed corners of our closet is baby stuff. Which got me thinking, what do we have that is necessary and what do we have that we thought was a MUST have when we had children that is slowly becoming very overrated.

I mean I was a paranoid, neurotic mother for the first four months of Ryan's life before I decided to calm down. I felt like I needed to recite the alphabet to Ryan everyday to increase her cognitve abilities. I thought she needed to move from one stimulating toy to the next every second of the day. I just knew if I missed out on mat time for a day I would knock her future IQ down 50 points.

Well, things are a bit different with the ol' Darby. I guess you could say we do the same; however, this time it is Ryan shouting the alphabet at the top of her lungs in Darby's ear while swinging her arms back and forth causing my left eye to twitch from fear of dislocation of her arm. Or putting Darby down for mat time only to be surrounded by every marker Ryan has because Ryan knows that Darby loves to color... interesting.

With all of this taken into consideration I thought I would make a product review list for all the new mommies out there. Please know this list is not meant to offend anyone, this is all personal preference. I now present "The Overrated"

1. Diaper Genie This is a total waste of money. Please tell me what a diaper genie can do that a trashcan cannot. Also, there are many times where I do not always secrure the diaper as tightly as I should, so there may be some spare poo around the edges. Well, that poo is not out of sight out of mind, it immediately becomes pasted on the inside of the genie awaiting your clean up days from then. I'm telling ya people, just use a trashcan.

2. Baby Video Monitor

I could see how some people need this; however, we are not those people. We bought a video monitor kit and a seperate walkie talkie monitor kit. I think these add more anxiety to your life that reassurance. We used the video monitor for one night. I just sat there asking myself, is she breathing? Is she comfortable? Did she just cough? I think I heard a fart, maybe she needs a new diaper. I'm telling ya, just put that precious baby down and keep the confidence and faith that they will sleep all night just like you will without the paranoia of watching your child. We did not even get these things out with Darby. I mean even the walkie talkies. It is just too brings on too many unwanted worries. I think we spent a total of $200 on these items...man what a waste!

3. Designer Bedding This was Ryan's bedding for her nursery. I can still remember the stress I went through to select her bedding. I mean I thought about the variety of color schemes, could she grow into this, are the colors timeless. I mean WAY too much thought went into this process. Now, don't get me wrong, every baby deserves an adorable nursery- Ryan's was the most precious thing ever. BUT, you do not have to spend $180 on the bedding to make it adorable. Bill and I drove to Montgomery to find this bedding, Why? I mean seriously, WHY? New mommies, do yourself a favor, go to Walmart or Target, because they have just as precious of bedding for about 1/8th the price. Not to mention, you have to take the crib liner out of the crib around 5 months, then you are just left with a sheet and a quilt. We never used the bedding quilt once with Ryan, so we were just left with a sheet. I mean talk about overthinking and overspending.

4. Grocery cart cover thingy Okay, I think I used this thing twice with Ryan. I know, I know, I probably am the reason for two or three colds of her childhood, but grocery trips are a production as it is. For the first 6-7 months she is in her car seat, then past that grocery trips with a 8-12 month old are a get in and get out process. I am not trying to postpone the shopping experience by figuring out the 15 straps that go with this thing. I am just trying to keep my child from grabbing every bag of chips off the shelf. Past 12 months, Ryan didn't want to have that silly thing, she wanted to be in the cart out of the cart, in the cart out of the cart. You get the picture. So once again, this item sits comfortably in the back corner of our guest room closet.

6. Swaddlers

This is the lazy man's blanket. I mean there is nothing this product can do that a blanket cannot. If anything I find it a little disturbing, it's a baby straight jacket. Ryan NEVER enjoyed to be swaddled. Darby definitely likes it a bit more, but we just use the good ol' blanket. I know all of you mommies have tons of blankets, it's the go to gift- use it!

Okay, enough of the stuff you don't need. I will give you a couple of things that I find necessary to my existence as a mother. I give you, "The Neccessary"

1. Umbrella stroller

Okay, we own 4 strollers; the travel system Graco stroller, the BOB jogging stroller, and two umbrella strollers (one double). Now I do love all of my strollers and they have all served me well, but the one we could not get along without is this one because it is so easy to just pack up and throw anywhere. Ryan has flown 4 times in her life and everytime, this is our means of transporting her through the airport. It is quick, easy, and does not have to be checked. If you do not have one, get one! We now have the double umbrella, but Darbs is not quite big enough for it yet.

2. Pacifiers

Ryan never took a pacifier, so I never really saw what all of the fuss was about. Cue Darby, this child can suck on a pacifier like it is no one;s business. I did not really want her taking one because I do not want to fight the day we have to get rid of it, but once again SLEEPING trumps REASON. If this plastic device made from heaven gets me an extra 30 minutes of sleep, then suck on Darby, suck on!

3. Baby Bjourn

I've had this since I was pregnant with Ryan. We would use it sparingly with Ryan, but I now find myself using it ALL THE TIME with Darby. I love it. I hate keeping the kids in their car seat for too long, so instead of bringing in the car seat to Target, I just throw this on and put Darby in it. My sister has perfected the art of breastfeeding in this contraption. I have a lot to learn, but it still serves as an amazing baby carrying device. GET ONE! They have these for $19.99 at TJ Maxx.

4. Kodak Gallery I do not have a picture for this particular item, but you can't go wrong with a picture of your precious children. Something I should have added to the Unneccessary list would be a baby book. SO TEN YEARS AGO. Now, you can make virtual books online and print them out like hardcover picture books. Also, who doesn't love a puzzle of your child for Christmas :) I'm just saying, this makes gift time and memorabilia much easier in life.

5. THE BOPPY I saved the best for last. This thing is amazing. The boppy is intended for a "support feeding device" Psha! This thing does it all, it helps with breast feeding, it's a back support for your baby while you talk to her in your lap, it's a mini recliner for your baby, it's the best sleeping device (even though there is a huge tag on it that says NO SLEEP), it's a tummy time mat, it's a Ryan finger blocker (the raised edges make it a bit tougher for Ryan to get to Darby), it's a speed bump for Ryan (if she is running full speed towards Darby shouting at the top of her lungs, this lessens the point of contact between the two). I honestly could not get along without it. I take it everywhere, as should you!

So as another spring comes and goes, I will continue to shove all of the crap we don't use in the back of our closet. Tightly tucked away with my wedding dress and Bill's old school papers (don't even get me started about not throwing those away)! I hope your spring cleaning is more successful than mine!

Big Girl Bed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aunt Dala ventured to Auburn yesterday to bring Ryan her big girl bed and to hang out with me and the girls for a couple of days. The bed is so awesome, it used to be Aunt Dala's bed, my Uncle Rich, who passed away 12 years ago, made this bed for her. It is a precious day bed with drawers in the bottom. Uncle Rich was way ahead of his time when he made this, people pay thousands for beds with underneath storage- I am sure he just thought it would be cool.

I love that Ryan is sleeping in the bed that Uncle Rich made. I have the absolute best childhood memories with him. He was seriously my buddy. We would always hang out, make jokes, he would take me on four wheel adventures, he was the absolute best. I was 13 when he died and it was a very strange thing for me. This man that I loved so much and who was my fav to hang out with was no longer around. Fortunately, Uncle Rich loved to make things by hand, so we have a couple of things in our house that make me smile every time I look at them, just thinking of him.

Back to the bed. Ryan slept the first night in her bed ALL NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She did not wake up, she laid down in her bed and thought it was awesome, went to sleep, then Bill and I had to wake her up to go to school. She looked like a little teenager in the bed, just rolling around pretending we were not in there to wake her up! We hope night #2 is as smooth as last one.

Ryan hiding inside the bed before we moved it inside. Okay, I say we, I mean Bill. Who am I kidding, I was at socer while all of this was taking place.

Hiding out under the covers, this was before we flipped the bed around.
Flipped the bed. We used the "headboard" of the day bed to be kind of her bed rail, and then put her in a corner. One of my biggest fears was her falling out of her bed, but she did so fabulous. She is showing us she knows how to get in and out of the bed. Ugh, I cannot get over how much of a big girl she is.
Thank you so much Aunt Dala for brining it down. Ryan will love this bed forever!
Thank you so much for bringing the bed down Aunt Dala. We could not be happier with it!

So what do you think...

Do my babies look alike?

Ryan Lily 6 weeks (not the best pic, but the best I could find for this age)
Darby Ann 6 weeks

I definitely see the similarities, but I love how fantastically unique they are from one another as well.

Mega Post

I am such a slacker. I mean I am at home, hanging out with a precious baby all day and I cannot even get my lazy butt on the blog. I apologize! There has been SO much happening with the fam. I wanted to just start fresh with the happenings of today, but too much has happened to not document. So bare with me as I jump from topic to topic.

1. Ryan Lily turns 2- My parents threw Ryan a Dora second birthday party in Huntsville. She had such a blast and was such a trooper. Birthday + no nap until 5 could = something catastrophic, but she was amazing.

The beautiful birthday girl with her daddy.

She showed such excitement with each present. What a doll!

The spread! My Aunt Rosemary made the cake and my Aunt Dala made the cupcakes. Everything was so delicious. Ryan's present from Bill and me. Her cousin Kate has a dollhouse and Ryan goes crazy over that thing. Now, I had this set up all pretty when she walked in to see it; however, this house has never looked like this since. She had added so many random crap toys to this happy family, it is really quite comical. A number of kid's meal toys, rocks from the backyard, and some little cat figurine that she continues to put in time out for biting the baby. I have no idea where she gets it from, but she says, "Kitty, time out, bite baby." So yeah, I go along with it and say bad kitty. I would love for her to not like cats anyways, that will remove the fight we will have 10 years from now why she cannot get a kitten!

2. Aunt Jen & Aunt Erin meet Darby
My girlfriends Jen and Erin are so amazing about supporting our family and the kids. Ryan is in love with them. Jen still has the energy to sit on the ground and watch Ryan pull out 300 coins and put every single one in her piggy bank! I mean who wouldn't love her! Jen is also on a mission to teach Ryan how to play guitar. Erin does a fabulous job of keeping our children clothed and entertained with all of her amazing gifts. Erin says that my family is her own birth control..hey I do what I can:) Jen stopped by on her way to Fl to fly out for her European excursion, and Erin met Darbs at Ryan's birthday party. Love you Aunt Jen & Aunt Erin, ya'll are the best !

3. The family takes a trip to the cabin

I had my first tournament with my soccer girls since Darby was born in Birmingham. Side note, they did amazing, I was so proud. Anyways, this was the perfect opportunity to venture over to Hollywood, Al to visit Bill's family. His grandparents were in town and they have not met Darby, so off we go. We had a great time taking trips in the row boat, fishing, and going on four wheeler rides.

Ryan loved all of her kisses from Gramma and Pappy. Gramma could literally entertain Darby for two hours. She would just sit there and talk to her and Darby would smile, spit up, and coo and caa back. It was adorable. Ryan embracing her inner country girl
Ryan had the best time hiding behind this couch and jumping out to scare Pap.
Mommy and Ryan about to venture out on the paddle boat
Ryan loved "fishy" Unfortunate for this fish it was dinner that night. We just told Ryan it was chicken nuggets...didn't want to freak her out.

Daddy's catch
Explaining why we cannot pet the fishy
4. Mommy is 6 weeks post op

Last Wednesday marked the day of 6 weeks post op from having Darby. So, on this day Bill and I started our diets and I went for my first run in 10 months. It was amazing. I even went to Birmingham the day before to get some running shoes that I was "customely" sized for.

I had so much energy and excitement about this day. I have been waiting to start working out again and along with that eating right. I am currently on weight watchers. Right now, my weight is 153, the heaviest I have ever been- without child. It is quite disgusting really...but I am on my way. My goal weight is 128, that is how much I weighed on my wedding day...I really feel like I can do this---------------

This was taken like a week before the wedding. Goal body...Kim will you look how young and not tired we look!Skip to one day later. Walking hurts, sitting hurts, breathing hurts...yes I pulled my SI muscle in my back and it is literally the most painful thing that has ever happened to me (side note, I have two children and have had two knee surgeries). It really has put a HUGE speedbump in my motivation, but I am not going to let it kill this. I am seeing a chiropractor and he said I should be back to normal in two weeks with his treatments. I can do ellipitical, but it honestly hurts to breath- so I am going to take a rest for at least the weekend.

5. Backyard Rennovations

About two months ago, Bill said- "I just want to get rid of all of these trees and freaking grow some grass in this backyard. Put up a dog pin and make this backyard a place we love to hang out." Skip to present day, 4 trees removed, dog pin done, rock pathway done, backyard leveled- the oasis is in full swing...

Before...

The most amazing man EVER. He worked so hard for three days straight from sun up to sun down to get the backyard looking good. He removed 4 tree stumps all by himself...this was the machine he used- what a nightmare!
And now, the presently finished product... There is still so much more we want to do, but this is the pre grass stage. We could not be happier with the result!!! Bill you are amazing!

The finished dog pin. No more will their hole digging ruin our backyard, sorry boys- you are officially contained.

The Adams let us have their old dog house, it was just the right size for Ry as well. She literally stayed in there for about an hour. I love the new walkway and the rock garden on the side of the house. The area used to be pure mud because it never got sunlight, it looks awesome now.
The entire yard. I know it looks a little blan, but this is just the stage before we add grass.

6. The girls

Darby and I are still having such a great time hanging out with each other during the day. I really do not want this time to end. I love watching her change everyday. Honestly, this is probably the last baby I will have around me, so I am trying to soak in every minute. Ryan is continuing to be more than sweet with her. Not that there has not been numerous time outs due to poking Darby in the eye or hitting her in the head with her doll, but overall Ryan loves being around her sister.

Look how big my little girl is getting, oh it breaks my heart! She is still so innocent and does not say, "Move mommy, no mommy, not now mommy!" Ahh, good times.
Yes, my big girl LOVES to smile. I have to initiate some serious baby talk, but once I get her started she is ear to ear!

Ryan was playing in the water with Daddy today and said, "Diaper off." So water play, quickly became naked play. Darby just hung out wanting to get in on the action. I told Ryan to tell Darby she can play with her soon, this was the captured moment...

Ryan came home from school on Friday wanting to color a picture from Darby, so instead of sitting at her table and coloring...she thought it would be a good idea to color so Darby can see her. She would say the name of the color, show it to Darby, and then put it on the paper. It was so stinking cute.

Once Darby got sick of laying there and began to cry, Ryan said, "Mommy, get Darby up please." Ahh, what a little momma.

Well, I hope I have adequately caught you up with all of the happenings of our life. I should be able to blog more frequently since I can hardly walk with this back pain. I have to stay optimistic...128, 128, 128!

One Month

Time has flown, and I don't like it. I do enjoy Darby getting some meat on her bones, but I'm tearing up thinking 4 weeks of my time with her at home is gone. I am soaking every ounce of this in...

I was so proud of myself, I caught her in mid smirk! She is absolutely scrumptious!

She looks a lot longer than she is, I think because she is wearing MC Hammer pants! This is the look on her face 70% of the time.