Polar Bear, Polar Bear 2nd Birthday

Happy second birthday Wyatt & Grayson.  I'm sorry if I went a little crazy with color for your Polar, Polar Bear birthday party but snow and freezing temperatures in April will do that to a mama. There are lots of things I would bottle up about two. The way Gray struts when he walks. How he pets Icy and gives him the sweetest hugs. How Wyatt has stopped fussing and become the loviest nugget with the cutest dimple. How you both loved your first ride in the "waget" (wagon). How you both sang "Happpppy To You" at your party today.

A few things I won't miss about two? The constant fighting over toys. Seriously if you're reading this and considering ever giving my boys a gift be prepared to buy two of the exact things or we aren't friends any more. The screams that result from not having two of EVERYTHING have literally damaged my hearing. Struggling to take you out on play dates with your big brother and sister. Food allergies. Could you please be in the 10/20% that grow out of their nut allergy ? My anxiety would thank you.

 

First birthday flash back here. Wasn't this like yesterday? Today you are both sleeping from about 7p-7am pretty consistently. You both weigh close to 25 lbs, although for the first time Grayson (Baby B) is the bigger twin. You both love music and if I don't play your favorite songs on repeat in the car you literally will scream all the home. Wyatt esp was doing a ton of screaming in the car to the point we turned the car seats face forward at the beginning of March. I would have liked to do extended rear facing but the screaming is just as likely to cause an accident.  I don't think there are any long road trips in your future until this stops. 

You both make us smile and laugh everyday. Sure its hard. Damn hard, but boy do we love your little faces off and want to remember you just like this for always. Happy Birthday, Wonder Twins.

Essential Oils 101

Happy almost New Year!! Lets get busy dieting, exercising, starting our capsule wardrobes, paying off our credit cards, keeping a clean house & organizing our 2018 calenders!!!! At least until February rolls around and all my will power is gone. These are just a few of my goals over the past few years that still tend to come & go. The one that has been consistent for almost 3 years now? My love and daily usage of essential oils.

I have 4 kiddos six and under, two of them school age. So you know my house is creeping with all the germs. Pink eye, croup, coughing, cold, flu, you name it! We also have our share of night terrors, allergies and STRESS (more so the adults on that one). I was treating myself and the kiddos with the usual rounds of antibiotics, ibuprofen, cough syrup, Zyrtec, whenever we needed it. Then in May 2016 I had a very rare reaction to antibiotics that left me in the hospital for 5 days when my twins were only 2 months old. Once I recovered I became very wary of taking anything. I was using oils already but this incident really kick started me into  using them everyday, to kill germs, prevent illness & even occasionally treat symptoms.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or any sort of health practitioner. Consult your doctor before you change your health routine in any way!!! These practices are simply things that have helped my family be a little healthier and a little happier. I still seek medical care for myself and my family as needed!!!

Before we start with some everyday ways I incorporate oils here are a few basics.

1. Oils vary in quality and potency.  The oils you buy from Target may be less potent then ones from companies like Doterra or Young Living. Find a trusted guide to help you become knowledgeable in the differences.

2. Good quality oils are EXTREMELY potent and should never be put directly on the skin with out a carrier oil to dilute them. NEVER put oils up your nose or in your eyes!!

3.  Dilution ratios are higher for children than adults.

4. Some oils are considered hot (Ex. oregano) and should be handled with care (again always use a carrier oil). While others can cause sun sensitivity (Ex. grapefruit.).

5. I guess my point is ALWAYS use caution when incorporating oils into your routine!  Feel free to find me on Instagram @lizbon_j and ask any questions you might have!!

Head Ache
Lavender, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Frankincense,

Cold/Flu Bomb
Melaleuca (aka Tea Tree oil), Lemon, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense

Tummy Troubles
Ginger, Fennel, Coriander, Anise

Stress & Anxiety
YlangYlang, Vetiver, Lavender, Geranium, Clary Sage, Bergamot

Allergies
Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint

Energy Booster
Peppermint, Wild Orange, Thyme, Grapefruit, Cinnamon

Metabolism Assistance
Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Lemon, Ginger

August Roundup

1. Mia started First Grade. She totally nailed the 1st day of school! Her first time riding the bus & she hopped on like it was nothing! She ate her packed lunch in the "capateria" which was a dream come true! The next day was even better bc she got to buy😂❤️

 I on the other hand was a neurotic person! I drove to her school right after she got on the bus to see her walk in & make sure she got there okay. I waited about 10 minutes, went inside to make sure I had missed the bus and they said "no the bus hasn't come yet, but we're aware they're not here." I told the ladies at the desk, "I'll be sitting out front waiting!". I sat on the curb and must have looked like a vagabond bc these cute grandparents drive up in a minivan & ask me if I need a ride bc they thought my car had broken down 😂😂😂 Keep in mind school started at 9:15. By 9:45 I go back in and the ladies at the front desk say, "oh all the buses are here." I said, "well that's funny because I've been sitting out front 🤦🏼‍♀️ They said, "Oh honey the buses arrive in the back!" I'm like great, could you have told me that before I sat out front looking like an escapee from the mental ward? #happy1stdayofschool #imthatmom

2. I hadn't read a book since the twins were born despite the fact we go to the library like every weekend. Not sure what happened but I tore it up this month and read a bunch!! I would highly recommend all 3 of these!!  We also watched the most recent  Game of Thrones which has been SOOOOO good. Pretty sure I'm going to be depressed when the series ends.

3. We took the big kids tent camping in Wayne National Forest. It was a ton of work for just one nite but we had an absolute blast! We stayed at Iron Ridge Campground #19.  I would totally snag this spot again. The next morning we spent kayaking on Lake Vesuvius. So happy to have checked this off our Summer Live List!!! I have a more to share about our adventure but I recently became a collaborator for the Columbus Moms Blog. I've got longer posts with tons more pics I'll be sharing over there!

 4. Wyatt & Grayson turned 17 months.  The theme of the month "So Much Screaming." Wyatt gives the most amazing hugs & is my adventurer. He loves to dance. He refuses to eat meat & just throws it on the floor if I attempt to give him any. He has been biting his brother to the point of leaving teeth marks although yesterday he tried to pin him down and possibly give him a hug. Grayson still loves to look at books esp Brown Bear, Brown Bear 🐻 He puts random toys up to his ear and says hello, hello? He'll eat anything we give him but loves to ask for "cookie," which is actually a Live G Free bar (treenut/peanut safe) from Aldi. They aren't walking quite yet but love to "go, go" with push toys or in the stroller. We've been taking walks almost every day to help w the witching times. Can't say witching hour bc there are multiple times/day where the only thing to do is get out of the house. Not an easy feat w a 6y/o, 4y/o and two 17 months olds.

5. We made it to COSI for Farm Days. The kids loved the giant tractors and we also had a blast exploring kid space. The have the cutest farmer's market play area, a chemistry lab & of course the water area for babies. Bring a change of clothes for sure. Wyatt had tons of fun splashing around (Gray screamed and had to be held) but ended up with some weird rash for ten days after.

Holy Fourth, I'm Tired

The holidays with kids & babies just keep getting better & better. It pushes us (even if we are beyond exhausted) to make the memories, because we want them to experience the magic. It helps us see the magic in the simple things. Sparklers, s'mores, friends, Gmas & Gpas,  parades fireflies & first slides were all completely magical this Fourth of July. Oh, and the nap I took after three glasses of wine at my mom's. That was magical too.

Grayson & Wyatt: 15 Months

They are learning SO much. Babies are truly like sponges. Grayson is the more happy go lucky, attention loving twin. He will sit still and look at books, practicing animal noises over & over. Wyatt hates to sit still, and prefers to crawl around exploring everything. I didn't think he knew as many animal sounds as Gray, but then he'll throw a "neigh, neigh" or hoot, hoot" over his should as he crawls on to the next adventure.

Grayson learned to stand in his crib first but went thru a phase where he couldn't sit himself down. He'd be up 10xnite. We finally put him in a pack n play in the basement for a week to do a little CIO. He has slept thru the nite every day since!!!!! He loves giving high fives, clapping & singing "Up above," the world from Twinkle, Twinkle. He pulls himself to stand & loves cruising along the couch. He likes to ask you to read to him by throwing a book at you and saying "Thank You."

This month we transitioned from two naps to one. It's gone well which tells me they were ready. They nap from around 12:-3:30 and are usually in bed for the nite between 6:30-7pm. They get up between 7a-8a. By far their most FAVORITE activity is pushing cars around our house. They both make little vrooming noises and almost always have some sort of vehicle in their chubby fingers. We are still learning and figuring out safe foods for them as we deal with the egg/peanut/treenut allergies. A typical meal is a sweet potato, avocado, rotisserie chicken, yogurt and a pouch. They also  love Annie's mac n cheese w tuna, Van's gluten free waffles w sun butter & Applegate hot dogs.  Grayson seems a bit bigger than Wyatt but it could just be his giant cheeks. They both wear 12 -18 month cloths & a size 3 diaper.

There has been a noticeable shift with Wyatt's demeanor over the past month or two. He was the laid back, always happy guy. Lately he has been SOOOO FUSSY. He basically screams if he's not being held, but then slaps you in the face when you pick him up. I've attributed it to teething but will def mention it at his doctors visit this month. He has still been sleeping like a champ. Wyatt loves the water & his little legs go non stop the second he feels it. He can also clap, wave & say Thank You. If you lay on the floor he always comes & lays his little head on yours.