oh shoot! my kid is two and i am a slacker.

Two.
I wouldn't say "terrible"... I can, however, think of some other accurate adjectives to describe this particular age- tiring, trying, troublesome, tantrums, tenacious. Don't get me wrong, I love my sweet boy. I love that little boy with all my heart. But my sweet boy has blossomed into a spirited, strong-willed, fearless, little pistol. I wouldn't trade his personality for any other because its what makes him so unique... I just wish God would have given me a user manual or guide book on how to be the best parent in raising him up in the way he should go. Every day is a new day. A fresh start. Another opportunity to "guide" him and facilitate activities that will foster his ever growing curiosity for pretty much everything.

We never had to baby proof much of anything with Jayme (aside from baby gates at the stairs), but Matthew... Matthew is a completely different child. He has a healthy curiosity for how everything works... I'm not alone in thinking he will do great things (engineer, surgeon, bomb squad, etc). He loves to watch his daddy work, and loves to tinker with anything he can get his hands on to see how he can take it apart, put it back together, and figure out how things work at the most basic level. Sometimes I swear if you are quiet enough and watch him close, you can almost hear his little hamster wheel spinning... that's also about the time there needs to be an intervention before he injures himself or completely breaks whatever it is he is into.
He is particular (unfortunately for him, he gets his OCD behaviors or need for a particular order, from his mommy, daddy, uncle Alex, and his great papa)... He is focused (on his terms- or when Mickey Mouse is on)... He is determined and stubborn (also a combo trait from both sides).
While he is all things "two" on a daily basis... he also has the biggest heart. He is compassionate. He is concerned. He is always smiling (unless he is having a tantrum). He is a clown (much like his Smith side).
Some of his loves:
He loves to laugh, loves to make others laugh, he loves to dance (and clap to the beat), he loves the dirt and all things outside- the messier, the better- until he wants to be cleaned up, he loves daddy shoulder rides, greeting his daddy and getting in the jeep or work truck the second he hears the garage door open after work, he loves holding his Sissy's hand, he loves following her and pestering her, he loves snacks (but not meals), he loves Mickey Mouse (and HGTV with daddy), he loves the swings, he loves 4:00 phone calls daily from his Bebba on her way home from work, he loves visiting family, and his baby cousins.

Chubbabubba no more...

 Those notorious rolls and Michelin man arms and legs have leaned out as the months have passed (cue the tears), and somehow our sweet Chubbabubba has turned one...  more recently 14 months! I have been lame about posting any updates (aka- mama's had her hands full with an active growing boy and a big sister who keeps a mama on her toes just as much!)

 

Time has slipped past and milestones such as crawling, walking, and getting 12 teeth have come and gone- so today, during a rare moment of downtime, I decided better late than never! (As I am actually posting this, it took me a week to get pictures together and have this posted- I am a work in progress)

My sweet mama’s boy {one day you probably won’t love this title, but for the time being- there is no denying that you are my little mama’s boy}... From the start you have had such a different little personality than your "spirited" sister. For lack of a better description, you are content 90% of the time. You love to observe quietly and are ALWAYS smiling- we all love how happy you are and your smile is contagious! Being sick, teething, or being pestered by your big sister are the main reasons you will showcase your lungs (God blessed you with an ear piercing set of pipes from the moment you were born)… However, at about 10.5-11 months old you realized you could use those screams or cries to tell us what you like or dislike… enter the “I have an opinion on the matter and I am not afraid to share it even though I don’t speak yet” stage. You are all things boy. You would rather be outside, and it is comical and sweet how you will stare through the glass at the porch swing or your little red swing until someone gets the hint to take you out to your zen zone. You also love playing in the dirt (shocker) and following mommy around the grass. Now that you are walking, we have to keep extra eyes on you as your curiosity and mobility are a dangerous combination out back (or out front for that matter- what sidewalk or street boundaries?!) I love watching you learn to play alongside your sister, and you are quickly picking up on your natural brother role of pestering your sister (we warned her that it was only a matter of time before you would avenge payback on all of her smothering and messing with you). 

I love watching your little brain at work. You are very much like your daddy in that you love to figure out how things work… you could sit and spin gears or wheels for several minutes in awe- I think you may be engineered/ocd brain similar to your daddy. You love destroying or doing the opposite of whatever the rest of us are doing in the playroom… if we are building with blocks, you knock them down. If we are cleaning up, you are pulling toys back out. If we are playing in the kitchen, you are quick to destroy. You have an uncanny ability to overlook the hundred something toys suitable for you and go straight for the one choking hazard left out or missed by the vacuum. Now that you are able to walk (still at the drunken toddler stage) you love to join your mommy and sister anytime you hear music in the kitchen (you bounce around for a hot minute before you remember you are over it and head over to something else). You started toddling along furniture at about 10 months, and just like your sister, you waited until 13 months to the day to start venturing out on your own two wobbly feet. Exciting and nerve wrecking all at the same time!

Fun facts about your development at 14 months: (In no particular order of significance)

*Somehow you managed to get 12 teeth in over the course of 8 months (explains why you weren’t sleeping through the night for about 4 months straight!)

*You love to fall asleep in your red swing

*You refuse to give up nursing

*Your mood instantly changes when you go outside or for a walk (zen zone/ happy place)

*You love baths and showers and will head straight to the tub if given the chance

*You stop in your tracks and head for the TV when you hear Mickey Mouse

*You refuse to sign even though your sister and I have been trying to teach you consistently for over 9 months now

*You love “manly food” (all meat, potatoes, chips, pretzels, and an ice cold beer if given the chance to hold one- teething relief)

*You listen to your daddy more than me

*You love to go in the wagon

*You love the beach (your first real visit was at 13 months in San Clemente)- the sand, the cold water, the waves, the shells/rocks, and the birds all fascinated you

*You are easily overwhelmed in crowds or gatherings of several unfamiliar faces

*You hate diaper changes {every single diaper change you act like I am torturing you}

*You finally say momma and dada... annnnnd Bebba (she worked on having you say her name before you even got momma down- rude)

*You love to sniff my skin or your blanket (comforting I suppose)

Partly because your birthday snuck up on us right after the holidays, and partly because we know you don’t care for large crowds, we opted for a small BBQ with close friends (your little friends Waylon and Jaxson and their sisters) and you were quite content. I still cannot believe a year (and then some) has come and gone so fast… The days seem long at times while the years are fast. As sad as I am to say goodbye to your precious baby chub (no more Chubbabubba), I am excited to see what the days and months to come have in store as you transition into a toddler. The baby chub and the name Chubbabubba may have faded over the past couple months, but you will always be our “Bub.” 

 Tio and GG... Why don't I have any pictures of each of you with Matthew?! If you have any send them so I can add them to this post ;-)

White Family Christmas

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Shutterfly baby photo books are the perfect way to preserve your baby's precious moments.

9 months and growing...

9 month wagon photo shoot- such a character

Practicing his pull-up skills wiath the pumpkin patch

at least I can count on one of the two kids to be camera ready (most of the time)

getting so big!

"I want to eat this pumpkin and all the hay I can shovel in my mouth"

shoulder rides are his new "thing"

he got tired of watching tricycles go around in circles

Matthew~
I am amazed when I think back on a year ago when we were on a mad dash to find, purchase, and move into our first home within months before your arrival in January… and now, a year later, we not only settled into this place, but this house has become a home full of life and all the beautiful chaos that comes with having a 3.5 year old and a nine month old! I honestly am in disbelief that you are already nine months… I am desperately trying to savor each and every baby moment as it seems you are growing up and out of the “Chubbabubba baby stage” one quick day at a time. You earned your beloved nickname Chubbabubba courtesy of all your plump little rolls, your round little head and your squishy little cheeks. But as you have become quite the mover, your baby rolls are beginning to thin out and you are becoming all things little boy much too quickly for this mama’s liking.
9 month accomplishments:
*22lbs and 29 inches
*Crawling (you started crawling forward at exactly 9 months- just like your sister!)
*Pulls up to standing (and you prefer to stand)
*4 top teeth and 2 front bottom teeth are fully in- and you are working on the 2 bottom fangs which are causing your grief
*Strawberry blonde hair is finally emerging (can’t wait to see if you’ll have curly hair like your sister or straight like your mama)
*you’ve mastered “dadadada or dada” (still not associating the word with the person, but soon enough) *Eatting big boy food Food you love: meat, sweet potatoes, banana, Nilla wafers (yours and daddy’s favorite bonding time next to the shower), steamed carrots, yogurt
Food you don’t care for: butternut squash (apparently I am the only one in the family who likes it), beans, rice and lentils (the face you make is priceless)

Likes:
 Mommy (still savoring the mama’s boy stage)
 Hugs and kisses (you think it’s hilarious to give big slobbery wet ones)
Daddy time on the swing (one of your most favorite places to be) Shoulder rides with daddy
Playing with your big sister
Laughing and smiling- seriously you are one of the happiest babies we know and your snicker is hilarious Testing everything in your mouth
Mickey Mouse (you hear the song and immediately your attention goes to the tv)
Cords- vacuum, electronics, laptop charger, phone charger… you will crawl and I am pretty sure you will be driven to walk to get your hands on any cord in your line of sight
Tags- blankets, clothes, towels, stuffed animals… another thing you love to chew on
Being entertained- especially when mommy and big sis are in a dancing mood, your laugh is priceless
Wagon rides around the block
Being outside

 Dislikes:
Your baby swing
Being smothered by your sister (who is obsessed with you)
Sleeping in past 6/6:30

There are not that many dislikes which means you are a pretty content and happy little man… I am sure we will have plenty more to add to these lists as you continue to grow in the next month or two. I think this might just be my favorite stage though- just before walking and you are so easily amused and a pretty easy going baby.

Love~ mama

8 months...

"gotta problem? i like sucking on my bug antennae- deal with it."

"check out my newly sprouted bed head!"

Dear Matthew,

I am ashamed to have let 7 (almost 8) months go by and I have yet to do a single post about just you and your countless milestones, quirks, memories, loves, and dislikes... But better now than never! Where to begin... 

We have affectionately named you Chubbabubba and Captain Chunk for the obvious reason... you are a precious plump little butterball, and your rolls are something we adore. Truth be told, I am sad to notice them already thinning out as you become more active (as I write this you are attempting to start crawling)... I am not in any hurry to have you crawling or walking just yet, both for my convenience and to make those rolls and pudge stay on your little bones a little bit longer. But while I'm at it, you have become quite good at rolling over and scootching across the floor to explore your surroundings (your nana has nicknamed you Scootch). This past month you started sitting up on your own for long periods of time -until you get bored and plop over to roll to the next eye catching distraction, or until your sister decides its time to smother you, pick you up, or help you roll over. You just started pushing yourself up to sitting. You prefer to be on your feet- we have a feeling you might be walking shortly after crawling (if even then!) 
August 28, your first bottom tooth finally poked through (you have been teething for weeks!) I am praying the rest of the bottom three come through soon so you (and I) can get a full night's rest again... You started sleeping through the night around 3-4 months, but those teeth have created havoc and many restless nights for us (while I am sleep deprived, I do enjoy middle of the night cuddles with you which I know won't last forever) 

You came out of the womb with strong lungs (enough so that your not-so-little cry could be heard down the hall), and you apparently intended to keep them strong as you started out the first few months colicky (not sure if that was it or if it was my diet- I cut out coffee and chocolate for you- that's how much this momma loves you)... by 6 months your little crying fits lessened in frequency, but rest-assured you still have those strong lungs ;-) 

You are a simple little man... you are pretty much easy to please and one of the happiest and smileyest (its officially a word in my dictionary) babies I have ever known. In the past month you and your sister (who adores you to death- sometimes a little too much and smothers you with her affection) have become fast friends and you love to laugh and play with her... it melts this mommy's heart and I'm not gonna lie- its convenient to have the distraction so I can get my chores done or dinner made. We all LOVE your little laugh and your quirky facial expressions... especially when you quickly go from a very expressive serious look to ear to ear smiles in a second. You are becoming a ham for the camera just like your sister (apparently you and her get it from the Smith side- before long you will understand the cue "normal" :)

You have a way about you that makes each person who holds you feel special and loved... I honestly don't know how to explain it other than- you have this super-power ability to melt hearts already, and as your personality continues to blossom, this power only intensifies. 

You love bath time and water play (much more than your sister)... you especially love the bumbo in the shower with me (super convenient). You love food- just as long as it doesn't involve mommy having coffee or chocolate- and you are ready for bacon, steak, and hamburgers judging by the drool and stare-downs when they are anywhere in your line of sight (or smell).

You are a momma's boy (daddy refers to you as my "prince") and I am savoring every second of your affection because I know that won't last forever (enter sad face)... I have mastered (9/10 times) your cries, your routine, and I admit- you have me wrapped around your little finger (you insist on being hummed and bounced to sleep, you let me know very clearly when you are not happy about being set down in a particular place or with particular toys, and you light up when you hear my voice enter a room- which I know will probably be replaced with groans at some point, but for now I adore the smiles)

I realize there is so much more I am probably leaving out of this long overdue update, but where I lack in updates, I made up for in pictures... Its bitter sweet looking back on these 8 months that have felt more like 8 weeks or less as you have grown from our little 8 lb bundle, to our plump little 21 lb butterball! 

I am savoring every moment, and while it makes me sad to see you grow out of your baby chub, it is such a joy to see your personality blossom.

Love, momma 

January

February 

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

A new chapter begins...

It is bitter sweet to begin this new chapter in our lives. Our little Nugget survived her first day of "pretty school"... this long awaited day that our little girl has been begging for (for over a year she has been pleading to go to school) was not at all how I planned, but memorable  nonetheless! Unlike some parents who dread the potential separation anxiety that typically goes hand-in-hand with sending little ones off to school for the first time, we knew that Jayme was more than ready to go to school- for one, she has been begging for it, and two, this three year old wants nothing to do with mommy, daddy or brother being a part of her school day- "Mommy, I go to pretty school and you stay here with baby Maffew okay?!" 

We set off- complete with her choice of first day frocks,  and a sleepy baby (I tried desperately to time his nap with our "get acquainted day" so I could wear a sleeping baby and focus on Jayme's first experience), and the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face... this is where it all went not-so-according-to-plan...

"Mommy you crashed! You crashed! Oh no!" As I pulled into the street in front of the school, I hit a pedestrian on a bicycle (17 year old running over an hour late to school, not wearing a helmet, not watching where he was going, and apparently without brakes on his bike)- Could have been way worse, but I am thanking the Lord he only walked off with skinned up knees... Also thankful for the other parents who were witness to the accident and helped this shocked mommy keep her sanity. As I attempt to get Jayme (now almost 30 minutes late) to her first day, the secretary notices I am frazzled and as I am apologizing for our late check-in and explaining the situation, we hear sirens. Fantastic.

"Mommy look! A firetruck!" Because he was a minor, one of the dads thought it best to call the authorities... Now this little situation of skinned up knees became a frenzy complete with firetruck and paramedics, ambulance, and two police units dispatched! As I somewhat frazzledly (yup I just invented it, add it to your dictionary- its now a word) walked Jayme to her classroom, Matthew decides he is too excited to sleep now with all the commotion- cue fussy/overtired baby. 

The moment Jayme has been waiting for arrives as we finally make it to her new class and are greeted by her teachers... She identified her name tag and did a practice check-in and then was so proud to put on her red-apron (each class has different colored aprons). Not even five minutes in the classroom and we notice it was cooler outside than in (hard to believe a muggy 85/90 was cooler than the classroom climate!)... Mrs. Macias assures all of us that the air will be fixed by tomorrow, but in the meantime it will be a little uncomfortable (add a 20 lb fussy butterball strapped to my chest, and I am pretty sure I sweated off enough calories to eat an entire cheesecake).

"The police need to speak with you, Mrs. White" Super. As this was supposed to be a "get acquainted with your parents and teachers" day, I felt nervous leaving Jayme in a room with a bunch of moms and dads while I left her to take care of business ... but this was the silver lining of the day- my child had no problem sending me off so she could play in her classroom without me (or her fussy brother). I was escorted to my car in the back lot to retrieve my license and registration and give the officer my account of how I managed to hit a pedestrian... Much to my relief, Officer Phillips was comforting and assured me that according to vehicle code, witness account, my account, and the account of the guy I hit, I am in no way at fault for the accident. Sweet Relief! Then he proceeds to warn me that he sees this often when a minor is involved- the parents believe their child couldn't be to blame and they want to press charges or take the person (me) to court- so in other words I should alert my insurance and have the police report reference ready. At this point I am ready to take my roller coaster of emotion home and drown it in a bubble bath (can't do because we don't have a proper bath tub) or a glass of wine (but 10:30 AM is not 5:00 somewhere).

Back in Room 3, I attempted to get Jayme to go home, only she is having way too much fun meeting friends and playing with everything from play dough, to dollhouses, the kitchen and dress-up area, the baby dolls, and cars... I decided to give it my best effort in mingling with the other new parents (fussy baby is now becoming an overly tired-teething-crying baby). I am pretty sure every parent will remember me from this day forward after the chaos I brought with us to school... Finally, I found an opportunity to convince Jayme to leave with a new friend she made... not before she had her own little meltdown refusing to take off the dress-up clothes so we could go. 

Although the day went nothing like I had planned, and there were some serious moments where I would have rather crawled in a hole to cry... I am thankful for the silver linings we made out with in the end- Jayme still enjoyed her first day and is excited to go back without mommy and brother on Thursday, I didn't kill or seriously injure anyone, and I didn't cry or melt down (although my emotional energy for the week was depleted in the course of one morning). 

the only photo I managed to get because this mamarazi was too frazzled to remember to take any other pics

THREE...

Dear Jayme,

It is no exaggeration when people say childhood goes by in the blink of an eye! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I remember talking to your daddy on our drive home from the hospital (in the slow lane of course because he was nervous going any faster than the speed limit with such precious cargo)- we were both in awe and taking in the surreal realization of the huge responsibility and privilege (raising a precious, innocent little human being) that was now ours to take home from the security of the hospital (where doctors and nurses would know what to do when we didn't) … While there have been countless moments of pure joy and sweet memories made over the course of your first three years, my heart has never experienced such joy as welcoming you into my arms, followed by watching you welcome your “baby Maffew” into your arms for the first time, beaming with big sister pride. It’s true- a mother’s heart grows with each new addition, and my love for you grew and morphed into something unexplainable the day you became a big sister- one day, when you are a mommy you will understand what I mean.

Along with becoming a big sister this year, there have been countless other milestones and achievements as well as memories made… Perhaps the most obvious change has been your vocabulary. I took your Bebba’s advice (three years later- better late than never!) and started a journal of little quotes or memorable moments and tidbits from you. There is never a dull moment with you around! You light up a room with your sweet personality, and just as quickly turn that sweet demeanor into major sass (sometimes we have a hard time not laughing while lecturing you for some of the ‘tude you have become an expert at throwing out!)

You are lil’ miss independent, who is desperately vying for our attention whenever your brother is stealing the show. One moment you are sweet on him, the next moment we are prying you off of him… you officially know what the word “smother” means. You are such a little mommy with your bitty baby doll. You love to mimic how I tend to baby Matthew with your own baby doll- including telling me to be quiet when you put her down for a nap or trying to feed her milk ;-) 

Time outs and spankings are unfortunately something we are all too familiar with, but as the saying goes- “it hurts me (and daddy) more than it hurts you”… Even though three is a tough age (for you and us), I know that your stubborn strong will coupled with your sweet sass, will one day evolve into a beautifully strong girl/lady who will have her voice heard.

I realize every parent is biased, but I am so proud of how you have grown! You are smart- you love to read and have mastered your alphabet (with sounds), you officially know more Spanish than your parents (thanks Bebba), you can spell your name (and in sign language!), memorized your (mommy's) phone number, address, and your birthday.  You are kind- you almost always mind your please and thank you's, it cracks me up when you shout "bless you" to someone an aisle over that sneezed, you have picked up saying "pardon" or "excuse us" as we pass people in narrow aisles, you say "I'm sorry" with the sweetest tone (although sometimes you are working us over). You are a character- always cracking jokes and your laugh is nothing short of contagious and sure to put a smile on the faces of everyone in the room. 

Random things you love ~

Sunday school,

Swing/slide/friends (how you still refer to the park sometimes),

Your best friends Audrey and Riley (and their baby brothers!),

Chocolate,

Baby Doll,

Elephants, monkeys (monos), and giraffes,

Riding in Taycie’s jeep,

Bebba time,

Holding baby Matthew,

Grampa’s weekly visits (and M&M treats),

Phone calls and play dates with Nana

Park dates and the tire swing with daddy,

Working in the garden or yard with your daddy,

Bedtime prayers and stories with daddy,

Rides on daddy's shoulders,

Snuggles in bed with mommy,

Shopping with mommy,

Toy Story and Chick-fil-a Fridays,

Touching the red balls in front of Target,

Riding your bike,

Hopscotch,

Your girls (Hannah and Emma),

Your boys (Connor and Kyle),

Peanut Butter balls,

Peanut butter sandwiches (open face so you can swipe off all the peanut butter first),

Your cardboard box house,

Mickey Mouse,

Doing your own chores (making your bed, putting away your laundry, brushing your teeth- and flossing!),

“Bubbly, bubbly baths”,

Going to the doctor,

Playing doctor,

Playing in the dirt on the side of the house,

Being in your underwear (when we are home you end up in your underwear most days)

Birthday parties,

Singing with any pretend microphone (especially TC and Seany’s song “Ho Hey” and your “Wagon Wheel” song)

Spinning with Tio,

And talking on the phone (real or pretend- such. a. girl.)

I pray that as much as we struggle to find a balance- you with independence and finding your place in this world, and me with patience in guiding you- this phase will only bring us closer. You are my favorite girl and despite the learning process (for us both)- you make me incredibly proud to be your mother (and I am pretty positive daddy feels the same ;-)

Love~ Mama

a year of joy

Taycie

Bebba

Tio Alex

Mama's side-kick sweetie

Nana

Grampa and GG

my girl and her "baby Maffew"

daddy's girl

BFF's