Hello 2016

January of 2015 started us on a rollercoaster of a year. From Logan being disagnosed with ADHD, a surprise pregnancy that came at a stressful time, house issues costing us thousands... to Lee's promotion, my decision to stay home full time, and Ellie's birth lighting up our lives. Ups were super UP and lows were super LOW.

We made it.

I didn't mean to disappear the last few months. In fact I thought I would have time being home all day to blog it up.

Quite the opposite!

I get Logan to school and I run errands - usually the grocery store or something similar - and then I am home with Ellie. When she is sleeping I am cleaning the house, organizing cabinets and closets, laundry, prepping dinner, etc. When she is awake I am playing with her and talking to her. If sleep sucked the night before I usually lay down with her around 11:30. If I am feeling good I use that time to be productive.
Before I know it Logan is home and we start the night routine and now the doubling up of "witching hour."

Lately, by 8pm, they are both in bed and Lee and I have a few hours to chill and catch up before I feed Ellie one more time and head off to bed with hopes of a full night of sleep.

Never happens.

The last few months flew by with Holidays and Birthdays. Adding Ellie means that in 12 weeks time we celebrate 4 birthdays plus christmas in this house. Busy!

Logan turned 5 on November 30th. I can'e believe it. He has made so many awesome strides in the last year. He is a totally different kid than this time last year. I realize he is older but we also have spent lots of time (and money) finding the right therapy, and yes medicines, to help him be his best self. He is also in a school that really loves him and they are patient when he needs the extra understanding. He is amazing and kind. He LOVES his sister so much.

I do my best to juggle attention time with him once he is home from school or on weekends. When she is napping I sit and play a game with him or whatever he wants to do so he has my attention without her around for at least 30-45 minutes. I have noticed this cuts down on whining...

Ellie is growing so fast. I am really enjoying her as a baby. With Logan it was all about survival as a new mom. This time, I can actually stop and watch her be a baby without hoping for the next big thing to happen. She smiles and has started laughing and has rolled from front to back a few times! She has slept from 10-6:30 a few times but also tends to wake around 3:30 or 4 as well. Thankfully she is easy and just eats and passes back out.

Christmas was great, but hectic. We kept the gifts pretty light this year - again since we all had birthdays right before. Logan's favorite present has been his Leap Frog TV system. It's like a Wii but easier for his age to use plus the games are educational.

I have been working out at Equinox regularly and hope I don't just "look great for someone who just had a baby." i want "wow! I thought you had a baby?!"

Here is to a great 2016!!