Good riddance to the worst month ever.

I'm looking at you January.

Below freezing temperatures, cabin fever, sick babies, traveling husband, stress eating, stress shopping, never enough time to work out, HAVE I MENTIONED WE CANT GO OUTSIDE WITHOUT GETTING FROSTBITTEN, my three year old hates me and is turning into the biggest bully and putting his life in danger because he refuses to listen to me (in parking lots!!!)....I have spent too many hours in the day and sleepless nights as the worst mother on the planet, pouring hours of My time (that I would rather be reading the latest Tori Spelling novel, I can be honest) over scenarios that happened that day and prayers and scriptures and parenting books for HOW CAN I MAKE THIS BETTER.

The list is endless. And every January 1 rolls around and i think, this year could be different. January could be the best yet! And then it's January 2, and I grit my teeth and try to smile for 29 more days until it's over. And that's the best part!!!! JANUARY IS GONE. January, I really truly LOATHE you. the best part about hitting rock bottom is that there is no where to go but up. ;)

Goodbye, good riddance and may we never speak of you until we absolutely have to next year.

On to February, the shortest cold month of the year. Which will hopefully be filled with lots more homemade pizzas,

Half naked babies running around clutching their kitties,

Secret binky hiding places,

And movie nights, especially with uncle Dk who is truly my heaven sent helper and keeper of my sanity this evening. Gosh I love him.

Also hopefully less snow rollers. Which, while cool looking, just mean that it's too cold to play outside.

Let's just say less snow and cold altogether so I can get some of this crazy out of the house.

the holy trek to the Mecca of IKEA

There's only one reason I would be willing to spend four hours round trip alone with these two rascals and it's spelled I-K-E-A.

Bonus of our first visit to the Cincinnati IKEA? Little d (by about a hair) made the height requirement to go into the kids play zone.

Leaving us ladies to attend to little a's inaugural IKEA trip.

We had one hour to dominate the aisles and sneak in a little early dinner. That chocolate cake was totally with the crying that accompanied the ride home.

Especially since it came from that sweet face, who lost her binky 5 mins into the return car ride home.

Yeah.... The return trip.

Getting there was cake... Both kids napped on and off and were otherwise happy. The way home as I mentioned was another story... I (thankfully) can't remember the last time I heard baby girl scream like that for a solid hour. Poor thing. Little d had his headphones and watched wall-e so he was perfect. At least. And let's be honest, the biggest win for the night has officially made the playroom the only completed room (and possibly one of my favorites) in the house.

A crazy day, but a good one. Hopefully the next daycation will be ...not for awhile ;) at least not while I am driving solo with the kiddos. IKEA, you're my favorite. And worth making the trek at least once a year.

Is it really only Wednesday?!

Everyone's finally napping. My turn!

The wandering traveler with no real place to rest his head

Big girl shoes

Started out the day ...covered in snot. Classy.

Poor thing slept from 7pm to 10am, waking only to nurse a few times and go back to bed. Guess who else slept in till 10am.? This lazy mama....

How is it that having a sick baby makes me more tired that ever? Good thing I remembered to set the tv to pbs so little d could get himself some apple and applesauce for breakfast and watch some shows ;) I love my little independent boy. Here's worked his way up to 30 pennies for good choices, which is nearly there (or so he thinks) for the 100 he needs to earn in order to get the coveted turtle shell he wants so bad. Mommy math lessons as its finest.

Also finally found both pieces of this little gem at old navy (he spilled milk all over his new pajamas all of one minute after this photo was taken, mind you).

My parents and brother came over to play with the littles and eat dinner with us tonight, which was such a good time... And the night ended with a first pair of REAL (ie, not Just made to look pretty) shoes. Little d spent his first couple of crawling/walking months barefoot because hey, it was May-August so shoeless was acceptable. The coldest January I have ever in my life remembered? Not so much. Thanks to my mom for buying both my kids' first pair of real useable shoes!

With each passing month, being the only parent at mealtime is proving quite a challenge

I manage to get most of dinner made while simultaneously feeding the littles said dinner. This also means that by the time I am ready to sit down and eat, they are ready to play.... With me.

Little a has decided within the course of the last week that crawling is no longer satisfactory to her needs and she must pull herself to standing and try to walk everywhere. Which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't winter and we didn't have a house with half uncarpeted floors that I wouldn't dare let her keep socks on for fear of a face plant. So yes , Dk, my kids and I are barefoot in my house in the dead of winter. I guess it's time for little a's first pair of shoes?

Also when I did manage to get the kids to play away from my seat, guess who finds my phone and snaps 367 selfies?

Yup.

I'm starting to think hot pockets may be my new go to meal when mr. D is out of town. It's either that or dinner alone at 8pm. So sort of a toss up ;)

Snow day

We would've been playing in the snow outside but mr d broke his boots last night while shoveling which means we have an excuse to stay home and bake. Chocolate chip cookie dough with Reese's and brownie batter?

Yes please. Also an excuse to do a lot of this:

Food food food. The kitchen seriously is the heart of the home. 

Some standing practice for our little sickie who is still snot nosed but I think the sickness may have been more teething related because it seems to be getting better knock on wood. Also styling her new old navy gear. I don't know what tiny 12-18 month old models these things but obviously they need a new model and not one of those anorexic ally skinny baby models, come on old navy lets let those healthy baby thigh chunks and arm rolls breathe.

He Falls asleep in her room anytime we leave the door even a tiny bit ajar. And when we come in to get ready for naps she gets so excited to see him and he is just like

Well, a lot of this:

We had a lovely dinner at a new friends house tonight and little a got to play on a fun new toy for a bit. I thought she was looking particularly adorable, bouncing and jamming along to the music and when I went to take this picture... She popped. Really loud. My baby girl keeping it classy. #poopface

Saturday sickie

Poor sweet girl woke up with some crazy cold and teething on everything she could get her hands on. Mostly chomping on that binky, poor thing. Have I mentioned how this has thrown a bit of a wrench into that whole sleep training bit? I cannot justify ANY crying when she can't breathe through her nose. At least she's super cuddly (So long as you don't mind snot all over you).

at least I managed to give her her third pedicure. Not easy and usually a mess but as long as I get enough on the nails, I can always take the excess off after it dries.

Lots of Kevin chasing. And crawling and squatting... Gotta keep those thighs thunderous.

Best way to wake up from a nap.

Fifth times a charm making homemade pizza tonight. It didn't stick to the stone, cooked perfectly and tasted divine. Mel you have done it again.

Then a quick shopping trip to get out of the house despite the wintery mess outside. Little d found an awesome hat but alas it came in only one size... NOT HIS. :(

It's feels crazy but terribly good to be back together as a family for a few days before mr. D goes on the road again.