Time flies...

I can't believe im already saying this, but...

Nash will be 2 months old tomorrow, AND Zane will be two in just 2 short months. 

I can't help but feel a little sad that my boys are growing up so quickly. Moms are always getting a little teary eyed and upset when their little ones get older. Yes, it makes us sad that these "baby years" are flying by so quickly. But the truth is, I'm so excited to watch my boys grow and learn over the years. Yes, it's sad to know that they won't always be this little. But as they get older, I know they will start appreciating things more and be able to do more things. Plus, it's so fun to watch them progress and learn new things. It amazes me how quickly they pick things up. 

Zach and I plan our lives around making sure the boys are having a good time and just enjoying life in general. As a stay at home mom- I am constantly doing things with my boys throughout the week to keep them entertained, happy, energetic, and social. I'm constantly on play dates.. Whether it's at someone's house, the playground, splash pad, waterpark.. Etc. I play outside with Zane constantly so we aren't inside the house all day. On the weekend, zach and I think of what we can do with the boys.. Boonshoft, cosi, the zoo, the pool... Anything to have a good time with our family. Of course we do our "adult stuff" like work on the house still, but our lives are mainly focused around the kids. Isn't that how is supposed to be when you're a parent? Lol honestly, we enjoy all these activities with them. Obviously Nash is a little too young to appreciate all of our thoughtfulness (hahaha) but I know he, and Zane, will grow up and appreciate it. Or at least, they better! Lol 

I have to admit, I'm a little spoiled with how good of a baby Nash is. Boy, I got lucky! Zane wasn't the easiest baby. Nash, is a cakewalk compared to him. But in Zane's defense, he went through a lot at the beginning and it wasn't easy on any of us. 

Just look at this sweet face..

He is getting so big and growing out of his 3 month pajamas too fast. His little legs seem so long. He hits and sometimes grabs toys already. He likes to sit up and try to stand.. He is starting to giggle more and loves to smile at us. He wakes up only one time at night (for the most part) and zach and I alternate mornings with him. He usually wakes up at 6 and Zane shortly after. 

Both the boys go down around 12:30 for nap. This is Nash's long nap. He sleeps the whole time Zane does.. Between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.. Lucky mommy here!! This allows me to get thigs done, work on projects, and stay sane ;) haha 

Zane is almost two and amazing me everyday. He is doing such a good job with his words and making sentences. He will say "please, mommy" and it's so cute. He knows what I'm saying and will follow directions (unless he is being stubborn). He is still eating wonderfully. He has a great appetite. Loves his veggies and fruits still. All his teeth are in but sometimes I think they still bother him. He is always chewing on things.. Even his fingers sometimes. 

Zane loves Nash so much. It's the cutest thing. He is always aware of where he's at and helps with him a lot. 

I can't wait to watch these two little boys grow up and be best friends. 

Speaking of boys and best friends... My best friend that I have known my whole life just had her first baby this week. I literally cried when I found out she was having a boy. We are basically surrounded by girls (a total of 7 nieces and 0 nephews in our families). I just wanted a little boy around for my boys so bad. His name is Ethan Michael and he is perfect. He is only 2 months younger than Nash. Isn't he perfect?? 

The future holds lots of fun times ahead of us! 

Money saving & work thoughts...

I have to admit... Both of my boys have a redicilous amount of clothes. Even my 2 month old has more than he really needs. But do I spend a crazy amount of money on clothes? No. Ok, so maybe I spend a decent amount on an outfit here or there, but the majority of their clothes were cheap! What's my secret? Well there is no secret. Except for that I am cheap. Hahaha 

I get most of their clothes from thrift stores, garage sales and most importantly out of season clearance! Thanks momma for teaching me how to be super smart when it comes to buying things for my boys! 

My mom didn't have it easy when it came to buying things for my big bro and I when we were little. My dad had a different idea of what we "needed" and wasn't a fan of my mom spending a ton of money on us kids. But we always had everything we needed and were dressed to the nines. My mom made a lot of our clothes when we were little, but she did a lot of her shopping at thrift stores, garage sales, and buying clothes out of season on the clearance rack. She really didn't have another choice. But honestly, it's my first choice now. Kids grow so fast and (boys especially) are so rough on their clothes. It's redicilous how much they want for a new outfit at places like babies r us. Let's be honest... I'm not paying $25 for a shirt that my kid will wear only a few times. Like I said.. Of course I have, but it's not often. 

When I was younger I used to be embarrassed when my mom bought me clothes from the thrift store. My friends and other classmates would ask me where I got my outfit and I would always respond "my mom found it for me" but never said "thrift store". I don't know why I was so embarrassed.. I think it was because I didn't feel like anyone else shopped there. Now, I'm super proud of what I have found at garage sales and thrift stores. My mom is the QUEEN of a good deal! And I love it! Even if I had all the money in the world, I feel like I would still shop there lol 

I absolutely LOVE a good deal! I will go out of my way to find one. I don't understand why things are so expensive. I have been even more aware of this since I quit my job. I don't feel like I can go out and spend a lot without feeling some guilt. Luckily, my husband is super nice about things and doesn't make me feel guilty, but I still do. I know he works his butt off everyday to make a good living for our family, and I am incredibly grateful. 

I think about work constantly... Other stay at home mommies can relate, I'm sure! I have a good education.. My masters! I should be working! I have student loans to pay off obviously... But my hubby and I made the decision almost a year ago for me to stay home with Zane while we worked on having number 2... Well, I took a pregnancy test the day after my last day at my previous job, and it was positive! Perfect timing. 

So I go back and forth about going back to work all the time. Of course I want to eventually, but when!?!? If I go back now, I have to find a good enough job that not only provides good benefits for my family (my husband is self-employed) but also pays enough to make daycare make sense! Zach and I paid $260 a week just for Zane at daycare when we first had him. It was a nice daycare, but expensive! Then we decided to save some money before I quit my job and put him in a less expensive daycare. It was crap! They fed my kid things I would never think of feeding him. I work really hard to feed my kid the best foods possible.. Not crap that they fed him (cheese balls, cinnamon rolls with icing- at 11 months!) My kid ate all organic homemade baby food since the beginning. I didn't appreciate that. But, he was only going to go there for a short time, so whatever... 

I don't want to feel like I'm going back to work just to pay for daycare. On one hand, I'm not getting the time with my kiddos when I could be. But I also want them to have those social skills and I want to build my work experience as much as possible without being out of work for too long. The struggle is REAL people! What to do? Thankfully, my husband totally supports me being at home and saving money on daycare. I'm just really hard on myself. I'm thankful for him reassuring me that we do just fine with me at home.

Eventually, I know I will find a good job for myself when the time is right.  I have the education and motivation to make it possible. I'm just taking my time in figuring out when that time will be... For now, I an thoroughly enjoying every moment with my two sweet blessings I love so much.