Where Did My Time Go???

Today is my last day home with my babies and it breaks my heart. I want to be a stay at home mom so bad I cant stand it! I tried to take Madileigh to daycare yesterday in a weak attempt to ease her back into it and we both had a meltdown. It is gonna kill me on Monday when I actually have to leave both of them. (Forewarning to my coworkers) I can honestly take her screaming and throwing a tantrum because I know it is just her being dramatic and she will get over it; but for my sweet little princess to be standing in front of me trying to be so big and not cry and still have tears flowing down her cheeks just cuts me to the core. It was pitiful. 


So today I am soaking up every second. We have had a perfect day so far. We slept late and snuggled. We laughed and played with Easton. Madileigh helped me mix a bottle and feed him and then he went back to sleep and we danced to Mickey Mouse! I absolutely love just being able to wake up and spend the day with them. I have had several people tell me that it will be good for them and for me to get back into the work routine and I have a hard time forcing a smile. How could it be better than my own babies being in my care?? 


I cant wait until we can get some money saved up and move on to the next chapter of our lives! I assure you it will include me being at home with my babies more! Now Im off to play a little dress up while the pirate sleeps! You cant tell me going to work and daycare is better than this!!! *Blessed*

The Good And The Bad...

This was last night not this morning!

For some reason I have just had a lot on my mind today. Maybe its the rain. But I am just having a bad day. I already hate work and I haven't even gone back yet. I want to be out of the military so bad because I don't want to risk leaving my babies. I want my brother stateside. I don't want to have to take my kids to daycare next week. I miss my niece and nephews. I want to be closer to family. Grr. Life is hard when you grow up.


Madileigh is working hard on my nerves today. I think the rain is making her achy and very cranky and I am not a fan. At all. I know that becoming a parent intensifies every feeling you already have.. Every happiness. Every sadness. Every fear. There are so many things you can't possibly understand until you are a parent. So many shocking realizations. The one that's killing me right now is the realization that I can only control my child's behavior to a certain point. I can mold, I can teach, I can explain, I can love, I can show through example, but I cannot make this child be a particular way.

Today is no different. The best part of the morning, however, was when Madileigh threw her a nice little full-on tantrum.. Complete with sprawling out on the floor, head buried in her arms, yelling for all her life. It was awesome. Not. And upon simply asking her "Madi, what is wrong? I cant read your mind so you have to calm down and tell me..." She responds with "I JUST WANT MILK MOM." Wow. Seriously??


The child is, truly, a product of her mother. She is verbal, sassy, tenacious, silly, passionate, energetic, and bright. She is very outspoken and social. All wonderful qualities to inherit, I think.

But...also like her mother, she is obstinate, stubborn, and strong-willed. She knows what she wants when she wants it, constantly seems to question authority, and thinks she's pretty dang smart. (The fact that she is, in fact, pretty dang smart is part of the problem.)

90% of the time her good qualities outshine her bad. Everyone who knows her, loves her. It’s this other 10% of the time which is the wildness we are experiencing this morning that is causing me to age prematurely! 

I have said it before and I will say it again... This little girl is gonna give me a run for my money!! Lord please give me sunshine on this rainy day! 

Making Butterflies!

objects in picture are actually smaller than they appear! 

Well we decided to make something to send to the grandparents! Madileigh is starting to really enjoy painting with her hands and feet! Easton, not so much! He freaked out when Madi painted his feet so we only got one of his lol! 

her favorite part was using the glue!

Making these butterflies were so much fun! There are so many different ways you can do it!! We used fuzzies because that is what Madileigh chose but my friend Erica did this same project with her daughter and they cut patterned scrapbook paper to use as the body and used buttons as the antennas! It was super cute too! 


Now same as with all our projects, I recommend no clothing lol! Madi made such a mess! But like they say: "A good mother may have dirty counters and floors but she has happy children!" =) Love that one! 

These are what we sent out!! 

This is another inexpensive way to enjoy some time your toddler! We used acrylic paint because it washes off children and countertops!! 


I got this idea from Pinterest and there are many more to do with hands and feet! Im sure we will try them all!! 

Madileigh Moments Monday!

This one will be short but I sure don't want to get behind lol! 

So here is one from when we were at home:
My mom and I took the kids to get their pictures made. On the way home we were talking about stopping and getting some "Mommy Juice" (term coined to disguise my wine in front of Madi). However I underestimated my little smart butt of a toddler, as I often do. Out of nowhere Madi is playing in the backseat and says "Just get you some wine Mom." Wow. My mom just laughed. Helpful.


Mommy has no heart:
Madi and I were sitting on the couch because she was in time out for slinging her beads at her brother and the TV multiple times after being told to stop. I was very harsh with her and that is why I was sitting with her in time out. I usually don't have to get to that point of stern but today she forced me to it. Anyway, after sitting there for 10 minutes or so, she reached over and put her hand on my chest. I didnt know what she was doing so I did it to her. She jerked her hand back and pushed mine away and gave me a mean look. I stopped. She reached over and did it again... So I did. Same result but she told me "No Mom." So I stopped. She reached over again and I said "What you doin baby?" And she said "I cant feel your heart mom. You're mean." Ouch. That stung!

Glowsticks In The Bathtub!!

Madileigh absolutely loved this! She played for the longest time and wanted the lights off so she could swing the glow sticks around! She laughed and giggled for the whole time! What a simple little way to end the day with the most beautiful sound in the world! I recommend doing this with your toddler!! We got the glow sticks (pack of 15 in a tube) for about $1 at Michael's!! This little project we will be doing again!! 

Gotta Start Her Early! =)

So I found this recipe online and being the sweet lover I am, I just had to try it. Huge mistake. It will take the rest of my couch to 5k program for me to feel better about eating these. Chocolate is my weakness. These are absolutely delicious and I highly suggest them! 

Chocolate Chip Cookie n’ Oreo Knock your socks off Brownie bars 

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips
•  1 package of oreo cookies (she used double stuffed, I opted for the “diet” version and used regular)
• 1 package of brownie mix (to be prepared as directed on the box) I used Ghiradelli

Preheat the oven to 350 and line a 9X13″ pan with parchment paper

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs followed by vanilla and mix well.

Add the flour, baking soda and salt and continue to beat until well combined.

 Fold in the chocolate chips.

Press the cookie dough evenly into the pan.

Now place the oreos on top of the cookie dough.  Surprisingly enough, there are just enough oreos to top the whole thing! 

Prepare brownie batter as directed (I didn’t even wash out my mixer bowl…just scrape the cookie dough clean and move on!)

Pour brownie batter on top and smooth it around with a spatula.

Bake for 40-50 minutes.  They should look slightly under baked.  The edges will likely puff up and dry out a bit but you can trim them off afterwards and still have way more than enough gooey chocolatey squares to go around!

 (Then eat nothing but green vegetables for a full 24 hours!)

Enjoy!

Stealing A Little Sugar!

One of the many "looks" I get daily...

Puttin flour on my nose!

Tales From The Mothership...

The first step is admitting it. I am addicted to Pinterest. There I said it. Follow me and you will see. My blog has suffered in the process. Crap. So today I am blogging. 

These are some facts I have found to be true. I’m sure most will agree with them! Feel free to comment if I left anything out! And No, I do not have time to just sit down and do this.. It was one of my many ongoing projects I usually dabble a little on and then come back to later....  

You know you’re a mom when:

...you have no idea what day of the week it is,
let alone the actual number that is associated with said day.

...you never pee alone.

...you find yourself showering, scrubbing toilets, or folding laundry at 10pm.

...there's some sort of babyness on your shirt and you

actually debate not changing.

...you talk about poop. a lot.

… you have embraced the fact that you are not perfect, you will make mistakes, you learn something new each day- but the moment you look into your child’s eyes you realize you did do something PERFECT.

… you wish you could fix EVERYTHING with a cool Toy Story band-aid or the boo-boo bear in the freezer.

… you realize to get your children’s attention all you have to do is call someone on the phone, have a conversation or sit down to eat.

… you realized you had to pee only because you laughed or sneezed.

… you try to teach your toddler a new take on Hide-go-Seek… today we are playing “who can hide the longest”

… taking a shower becomes a chore.

… even a hiccup becomes a wonderful milestone.

... you have a new found love of photography.

...the names of your favorite tv shows all have rhymes.

...people forget to acknowledge you.

...you find yourself on your couch on a Saturday night,

eating Barbie gummies, cookies

and drinking wine.

…you look in the mirror and no longer recognize the person staring back at you. Really hit me after Easton was born... My thought: "OMG!! I am the mother to two little beings!"

…you can read ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ or ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ without having to open the book.

…you are always prepared. If someone needs a bandage, you have one. If someone needs crayons or a pen, you’ve got one. If someone needs a snack or juice, you’ve have both. (Mainly because you leave your house with everything but the furniture.)

… you can't find your cell phone, so you ask a friend to call you, and you run around the house madly, following the sound until you locate the phone inside your toddler's shopping cart.

… you think at least once a day, "Whew, I'm not in shape for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything.

… you have a difficult time giving away newborn clothes because it is so final.

… when looking for the restroom you ask "where is the potty?"

… when cleaning, doing the dishes, doing the laundry and vacuuming are considered “breaks”...”here honey the kids are all yours."

…when you can’t remember the last time you thought “hmmm- I am really bored today- there is nothing to do”!

… when you have baby photos where your money used to be.

…when the children have left the room or are sleeping and an hour or two later you realize you are still watching the Disney Channel

…you have truly embraced motherhood when you are up before everyone else & go to bed after everyone else- simply for glimpses of PEACE & QUIET….

… when going to the bathroom or taking a shower alone gets you really excited.

… you reach out with cupped hands to catch whatever is about to come up rather than having to clean the couch or floor.

… you go to the store and $200 later you have nothing for yourself. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

… those triple digit priced shoes and handbags have been replaced by size 7 girls and 1 boys shoes and princess handbags and sunglasses.

… you get just as excited or more when shopping at Toys R Us “Yay, a new toy to play with”!

… when things are quiet in the house and you HAVE to go check the children because you just know they are getting into trouble.

… This is for all you stay at home moms- when TGIF no longer excites you… that’s for people who work or don’t have kids.

… the word “NO!” has lost all meaning.

… you get excited for the new episode of Backyardaigns, Wonder Pets, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Phineus and Ferb, etc.

… your children are always dressed better than you.

… receiving a compliment about your children brings you more joy than any you have ever received about yourself.

… most of the artwork in the house is the result of your toddler finding a crayon or marker!

… your grocery lists are written on construction paper with crayons! “Yes, I see you looking at my list and laughing.”

… You know you have TRULY embraced motherhood when during naptimes you tip-toe around, go to the other side of the house to use the bathroom, turn off ALL the lights & TV's, sit quietly on the sofa in the dark to not make any noise- God knows you do not want to wake the beasts!

… you have no problem sharing your drink with your toddler. Knowing that by the time you get to the bottom a combination of both meals will be floating around- EWWW!

…you have accepted the fact that every day by 10am your house will look as though it was the battle grounds to which a massive war was held.

… you come up with brilliant creative ideas that will help make your life easier, you wonder why has no one thought of this and only wished you had enough energy & time to market your idea!…for instance- we need swimsuits for toddlers with snap buttons because having to pull down a swimsuit for a potty training 2 year old is just not that fun.

…You hear yourself say: “What? Germs help build their immune systems!”

… the five second rule no longer applies- it is more like the five minute rule…

… You can spot a mommy when you see her doing “the mommy shuffle” even without a baby in her arms! (you know that side to side motion you do when holding your baby)

… you have paid for all of your groceries, heading back to the car and have everyone settled in their car seats when you finally realize your daughter has lost her lovey or your son his shoe somewhere in the store.

… you curse people if they call during nap or bedtime.

… you look through family pictures, and realize there aren’t very many of you, because you are always behind the camera yourself.

… you walk into another room in your house to get something and by the time you get there you forget what you were going after.

… you consider things like macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese sandwiches to be their own food group.

… you have mastered what I like to call “the mommy growl" that low voice you use to scold your children when out in public or when one of them is sleeping- the voice that says “I am serious” without having to yell.

… you understand what “because I said so” means.

… you know you are a mommy by your multi-tasking skills-you have the baby propped on your hip while on the phone and making a baby bottle ,talking to your toddler, making a sippy cup & lunch for her and taking bites of whatever meal you have missed… how do you like that daddies?!

… everything ends in “ie”…Tootsies, Tookies, Feeties, Hammies (the chubby part of the thigh that just needs to be pinched!), Sleepies, Jammies, Poopies, Duckie, Froggie, Binkie…

… you have no problem jamming out in the car to toddler sing-a-longs just to make the ride smoother. (I recommend Rio soundtrack)

… you make a bee-line for that certain something to keep your child from turning into a monster in the store…At Target its M&M’s and the supermarket straight to the bakery for a sugar cookie…do not stop, do not detour- straight for that coveted magic quiet goodie. It will always be opened first without paying until the end- a slight smile is given as I pass other mommies and see their quiet children contently chopping on or playing with that magic goodie.

… you find yourself making the hubby those Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes on the weekends.

… you can convert a single stroller into a double. Carrying around a toddler who thinks she wants to walk for three hours- I don’t think so.

… you would rather spend your free evening trashing the nursery by dragging out every toy, spilling juice & snacks all over the floor, coloring the patio with chalk-then walking in it-only to come inside and see how many chalk footprints you can make, coloring on the wall & floor, smashing cereal into the carpet and pulling all the pillows off of the sofa and beds- just so your kids can take it easy tomorrow.

… that time-out you are about to give your toddler you would LOVE to give to yourself! I mean I could certainly use 10 minutes by myself, sitting in a corner with no TV or noise.

… you have accepted your children were born with that “naughty-chip” already inserted and there is nothing that can be done about that.

… your idea of spacing children apart is keeping them 10 feet from one another.

… you spend time during the week googling ideas to keep the kids busy on the weekends.

… you can no longer find your refrigerator because it is covered with every masterpiece your toddler has made.

… you find you function better around complete chaos going on 3 hours of sleep.

… your back aches more from carrying around a 25 pound kid than it did from wearing 3 1/2-inch stilettos for four hours or while running around a restaurant serving guests.

…you have traded those cute little designer handbags for a giant diaper bag filled with the following…a change of clothes for her, him and you (you for obvious reasons), extra diapers for him and pull-ups for her, sippy cups, a bottle, wipes, toys, snacks, sanitizer, band-aides, Neosporin, tissues, book, crayons, sunscreen, toy receipts, whatever may be bunched up in that napkin and the three mommy essentials (sunglasses, wallet & cell phone).

… shaving your legs is reserved for weekends and your anniversary only.

… it comes to date night- you make the plans, get all dressed up and drop the kids off at the grandparents house just to call and check in on the kids every 20-30 minutes!

… life with a toddler- every day is like a new mysterious treasure hunt… one morning I wake up with a sticker attached to my leg, the following night a marker in the bed and someimes will find the remote in the diaper bag… and I can’t help but smile.

… you have accepted that yelling, being that you do it most of the day, has become your preferred method of conversation.

… in the supermarket you ask your 2 year old “what should we have for dinner?” and “what else do we need?

… you cuddle with your children even when they are sick with runny noises, fevers and a yucky cough and you could care less if you catch it.

… you use your children as an excuse get out of or leave somewhere early….”I am sorry the kids are really sick- we won’t be able to make it” or “The sitter can only stay until 9pm”…

… you realize your gag- reflex is gone. After all, by this point you have been pooped, peed and thrown-up on.. sometimes all three simultaneously.

… you understand the sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so they know when they are really in trouble. Madileigh Beth!

… someone asks “what happened to your hair” and you explain that your 2 year old is wild or your 1 month old has colic.

… play-dates are mostly for the mommies.

… realize that Daddy will ALWAYS be able to get the kids to sleep faster than you!

… you finally understand that MOM= My Own Maid!

… you realize your children get their energy by sucking it out of their parents- one tired mama here.

… you know when to surrender, when to wave your white flag and accept that they have you are outnumbered, exhausted and defeated- they are not children they are monsters.

… the kids are running around the house  with that something sticky all over their little hands and you just stop and think “wow, I really do have an amazing life”.

… that two door car transformed to a four door crossover and you finally decided that you really do need that 3^rd row… yup, that’s it you are a mommy now!  Suburban here I come.

… you call your mom and apologize for everything you ever broke or destroyed and for any temper-tantrums or meltdowns you had as a child! I can only imagine how long I will be apologizing when Madileigh is a teenager- ouch!

… you start negotiating with & bribing your toddler to avoid that pint sized temper-tantrum.

…you allow your toddler to dip everything in condiments just so they will eat. “Yes Madileigh you may have ketchup with your peas and pork chop” what? tomatoes are a vegetable right?!

… you hear your mother’s voice coming out of your mouth. Oh, my!

… you use your own saliva to wipe your child’s face.

… you don’t give that half eaten pizza, bagel or chicken nugget on you toddler’s plate a second thought before popping into your mouth.

… you understand the title comes with the responsibilities of cook, teacher, nurse, janitor, maid, chauffeur, entertainer (including singer, dancer, comedian & narrator), referee, disciplinarian, supporter, Easter Bunny, Santa Clause & Tooth Fairy, party planner, personal shopper and waiter. Am I missing any?

… you have accepted that your sofa and carpets will be forever covered in the following…crayons, markers, food, milk, juice, formula, play-doh, spit-up and diaper leakage… so who is coming over and who would like to have a seat?

… telling white lies has become a specialty… "We will come back later" or “No Madileigh, I am sorry the batteries are broken” that one is my favorite because I just cannot listen to that toy for another minute.

… you really don't sweat the small stuff... because you know the small stuff is only leading up to the BIG stuff.

… you truly understand the meaning of unconditional love.

… you no longer not only wish the world for your children but the entire UNIVERSE.

… you wake up with an aching back thinking “Wow, these two little things really do take up a lot of space”

… you are learning a second language by watching Dora.

… you find yourself saying… “No Madileigh, Barbie’s do not go swimming in the potty”, “Uggh, why did you eat that bug?” as I am pulling it out of her mouth, Really... I have to say and do this.

… you appreciate all the little things in life.

… you have accepted the fact that your sanity is now gone- probably forever- you don’t fight it… you just wave as you watch it walk right out the door.

,,, you reach into your diaper bag only to pull out a hand full of crumbs. Mine is a total dumping ground.

 … You know you are a NEW Mommy when your babies first poopie diaper excites you “yay, everything is working correctly!”

… because the moment your kids do something adorable, you take a picture to upload to facebook or your blog for everyone to see!

Am I forgetting anything?

Madileigh Moments Monday!

Playing at Gattitown! 

Well let me start by saying that this trip home was so much fun! It was also the first time we had babysitters so we could really give Madileigh some attention and I think it was just what she needed! We had a mommy and Madi day and we also took her on a play date with Olivia to Gattitown and to see The Lion King 3D! She had so much fun! She didn’t have any idea what to expect with the movies ha! When it first started she got really excited thinking she was watching Rio lol. But anyway, its Madileigh Moments Monday time so here are some of her little schemes!

In The Cabinet…Again…

I have been noticing that Madileigh loves to sit in the corner cabinet where my ‘lazy susan’ and spices and all are… Well she is only allowed in certain cabinets… empty, Tupperware, etc…and she knows this….  So I decided to check on her and see what was going on. Priceless. Me: “Madi, What you doin?” Her: “Madi workin… I busy!” (Immediately I know she up to something) When I walked over there I saw the cutest little thing. She was all curled up in the cabinet with the sugar jar in her lap as she took the scoop, poured some in her hand and then licked it up. Just smiling!! No wonder she likes that cabinet so much!!! =)

The Lion King 3D. Madi's 1st Movie theatre experience!! 

Smarty Pants: (A play on the previous sugar encounter)

Cooling off with the hose! 

While trying to do my little pick up of Madileigh’s toys (for the 4th time that day) I noticed a huge spot of spilled sugar on the living room floor. Yes sugar. Tiny grains spread in a wide area that had apparently dumped from inside the seat of her little riding car. Awesome! Now in my mind, I was thinking that there is no surprise as to the culprit of this being that I had already caught her in the sugar cabinet. So I asked her, “Madi, baby did you spill sugar all over the floor?” and as expected, her initial response was to close her eyes, look at me from under those big lashes and respond with a simple shrug. That’s not good enough. So I asked her again, “Madi, baby did you spill sugar?” and to my surprise, she got up, walked over to her car and said “No. Madi put in tar (car)”(and she pointed to the seat of her car that I had just taken to her room)…. Crap. She is just too clever for me. She really didn’t spill it. When she said that, I realized that I am the one that spilled the dad gum sugar when I picked her car up sideways to take it to her room because my hands were full and I didn’t know it was in there. I tried so hard not to laugh and smirk, because frankly, it was funny and clever. HOWEVER, I don't want to start a precedent in her young life, where outsmarting Mommy is ok. I didn't think this would start so young... I'm in for it. Imagine how much more creative these little moments will become with age..... Touché’ Princess. Touché’.

Be Careful What You Say!

Madileigh likes to eat cheese. She would eat it melted on every single meal if I would let her! Well I melted her some cheese on her meal the

other day (Not just cheese, it was on potatoes or something appropriate) and she ate all the cheese off the top. When she asked me for more I told her that she couldn't have anymore because it would clog her butt up. Then in the grocery store we walked down the dairy isle... When she saw the cheese she yelled "No cheese Mom, That clog your butt." Wow. Embarrassed. At least I know she listens!!

This is a video of her from this weekend at home playing with a toy at Nina’s house! If you cant tell she is saying “Not working” and “Gotta hit fast”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUwiSeE6HBE=) 

Being Back In A Small Town...

Oh the joys of being back in a small town. The certainty that you can't go to the post office or grocery store without running into someone you know and it never fails that each time I have my baby with me, someone will say, "My, she sure is growing up on you... getting so big, isn’t she?!" And I always say, "Yes, they grow up fast!"

Funny how that happens. I think about it all the time but because I see them every day I don't realize just how fast it is happening which is why it is so very important for me to take time out now and then, pause our lives for a moment, snap some photos, write a blog post and just take a big deep breath of the here, the present, the right now....the life that is happening all around me.

I'm not going to lie, life with my two babies, who I'm sure will soon be in an almost constant state of sibling rivalry, can already get a little hectic at times. Okay that's an understatement. It can get downright insane and I can't tell you how many times I've already had to take deep breaths while simultaneously counting down and praying for the strength not to jump on the crazy train!  

Yet somehow, miraculously, by the grace of God, I find myself remembering to be thankful for the noise, the dirty clothes and socks all over the house that never match up when I wash them (thanks in large part to my helper), the dolls, the dishes, and the dress up shoes that I'm forever tripping over, the fake food, the countless trips to the potty just for a sticker, the colors, the bottles, the piles of dirty dishes that never end and the all too common argument about who is going to do what chore that night!

It makes me feel like one day, in the not so distant future I am going to be just like that Trace Atkins song from a couple years back “Im gonna miss this. Im gonna want this back. Im gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast…”

I already find myself holding Madileigh and dreading the days when she won’t want to sit on my lap, hold my hand, or fight me because ‘we can't go anywhere without that favorite baby doll or priceless build-a-bear stuffed animal.’ I will miss being asked for "piggy-ride backs" to bed and the thrill of knowing that she thinks I know everything. 

But for now I will continue to remind myself to pray, breathe, pause life for a moment, and just be thankful for the present...the here... the right now, no matter how chaotic it is, because those two babies of mine? They sure are growing up fast on me! 

Supermom...

 I was given a compliment that really made me smile. "I love reading about your kids and looking at their pictures.. You are a Supermom!"

What a great compliment, I thought. Or was it? Am I a Super-Mom?  Wonder-Woman, maybe; I do often wonder what the heck I am doing as a mother, but I have never even considered the title of Super-Mom until now.  

I have certainly, in true super-hero fashion, conjured up some magic in the form of money at times when funds seem scarce.  Like times when I shop to keep my children clothed, weather appropriate and looking nice with comfortable shoes on their feet. Or like when my daughter wanted her Leapster laptop after playing with it for a half hour in the store.. (which is a huge contributor to the fact that she can count and sing her alphabet at 25 months!) Maybe it wasn’t really magic, but I certainly don't mind going without to support my babies and give them extra happies! 

I have leapt tall buildings in a single bound. Like the time Madileigh had a balloon foolishly tied to her wrist which got tangled at the top of the jungle gym and had her dangling precariously from the slide. Well, maybe it wasn’t a tall building, but I assure you it was a single bound; I never moved so fast and with such precision in my life. Or like when you hear the sound of your baby struggling to get some spit up out and your first thought is that he is choking. That will certainly get you bounding from room to room in a flash!

My X-Ray vision is pretty good, too. My babies will never realize that I can see inside them better than any person on the planet, including themselves.

I have stretched myself into some pretty impossible positions in the service of my family's organized and relatively stress-free days. I can also stretch my arms up to reach a band aid at the first hint of a bobo but I wasn't able to super stretch my arms as they took my son from me shortly after he was born for x-rays.

I can operate on no sleep and still talk calmly as my daughter refuses to sleep and has a meltdown.

I can fill their bellies when they are hungry.

I can dress in ridiculous ruffles and tutus and bows to entertain my princess when she feels left out.

I can make them laugh when they are sad.

I can rock for hours and sleep sitting up in the chair to soothe some gas bubbles and help my baby sleep.

I can give them medicine and some tender, loving care when they have a fever. 

I can run around and play hide and seek like nobodies business. 

I have my ways to make both my babies smile on command.

However, I know I won't be able to stop the metaphorical bullet that may pierce one of their hearts when they go through the heartache of a first love breakup.

I won't be able to stop them from turning away from me when they need me most.  

I won't be able to place my magical force field around them to deflect the hurtful words hurled at them from peers.

I may not be able to send them to the 'school of their dreams' one day no matter how much extra money I can conjure up. 

So if it is not really about stopping bullets, or leaping tall buildings, or always being able to protect my children from heartache and disappointment, what is it that makes me a Super-Mom?

Well, after thinking about it for a while, the answer turns out to be pretty easy after all.  There is simply no other person on this planet that loves my children more, will always puts them first, and would do anything to promote their happiness than me. So what makes me a Super-Mom? My Super babies do!