There are definitely moments during this crazy ride called Motherhood, that I have shared that have made you laugh, cry or shake your head. By no means am I a professional writer, but I do consider myself a professional Mom.

There is a new web series that is going to attempt to capture us “Real Moms” in a really creative way. The Project is called In The Motherhood, hosted by Leah Remini (the actress from the King Of Queens). When I first started exploring the website I was impressed how much they focused on “by Moms, for Moms, about Moms”. It is an online community in which we Moms, can submit our stories (and I know there are some amazing writers out there that would totally knock the socks off this community) and enjoy other Mom’s experiences.

The winners of the writing the scene that is chosen win some really neat prizes, plus the episode that is performed will be shown on the Ellen DeGeneres Show! The community looks really active and fun. I do not normally advertise on this blog much. I like to support the people that read and leave comments here (have been to The Opininated Parent lately? Some wicked prizes and articles there at the moment!), however after reviewing In the Motherhood, I knew I had to share this really cool concept with you.

I really hope you check it out … in the meantime I am going to stumble my way through the day like a zombie, since both our children decided being nocturnal was the “in” thing last night.

Video of the Day ~ Becca Exhausted ~

Parenting is a science in which parents perform experiments on a regular basis, attempting to understand the child. Experiments are performed based on food choices, friends, the alphabet retention, potty learning, all so we the parents feel like we “know” what we are doing.We at Soodz are embarking on a new experiment. For months we have struggled with bedtime. Becca has fought going to sleep, repeatedly getting out of bed, only to be sent back. It has become stressful for us. I need some time with my husband. I was beginning to feel like I was competing with Becca for J’s attention. Not fun. Therefore bringing us to our hypothesis.

Will the removal of afternoon nap lead to a smoother, earlier bedtime? If said nap is removed, will the child be getting enough sleep? How will the sanity of the mother remain somewhat in tack once nap time is gone? In addition, will the moving of bathtime, enhance sleepiness and encourage early bedtime.

In order to perform the experiment, nap time has officially ceased. No longer does the mother get a reprieve every afternoon, to either nap herself or have a little “me” time. Instead the child and mother having been frolicking the afternoons away with playdates, movies or quality play time together. We have also chosen to move bathtime to an earlier time. The theory is that baths actually stimulate our young one rather than unwind before bed.

It has been just shy of a week that nap time has ceased to exist. I am surprised how smoothly our afternoons have gone. I really thought I would dread the long afternoon and watch the clock waiting for the sanctuary of J’s arrival at home. Instead we have been busy attending two playdates that ran into the afternoon, as well as bathing in the late afternoon. Becca has enjoyed watching a movie twice this week in the afternoon. This has replaced any television viewing in the morning. In reality she has watched less television this week without naps than with (we have been busy though).

The evenings have been amazing. Becca has not resisted bedtime, instead only getting up once to be tucked back in rather than a struggle for hours. She is exhausted. She has fallen asleep at the table and in her stroller (while being transfered from car to house then stayed there for an hour!) Yet it all seems worth it IF she goes to sleep early … The results of the experiment are still undetermined.

Pic of the Day ~ Daddy with Becca & Ethan ~

I am in awe that two weeks have passed since giving birth to Ethan. I knew that it was going to be wonderful to have two children (really or else why would I dare?), yet I did not expect this sense of fulfillment. I feel so content. Like this is right where I am suppose to be.

Becca is adjusting amazingly well. We were not sure what to expect, considering she & I are so close, so intertwined, so Mother … Daughter. Yet here we are two weeks later and she includes her baby brother in her play (”Ethan just pretend to eat the Cheerio, k?”), gives him random drive-by kisses and sings to him when he cries. At first she was a tad more melodramatic than normal, crying a little longer if hurt or frustrated and definitely testing our limits. However that has all seemed to fade as time has gone by and we are finding our groove. Becca has changed before my eyes into a independent almost pre-schooler. She leaves me in awe. There have been some developments in her world that I will be sharing with you soon. It seems to be a good thing, but only time will tell.

Ethan is amazing. His cord stump fell out on Monday (hurray! J is always nervous with the cord stump!) and he is starting to make more eye contact all the time. He travels like a champion, sleeping or watching the world go by through the window. Since it takes time to get anywhere in Southern California it is imperative that he is content in the car.

He wakes us twice through the night to eat. Although he has had a couple nights that have been a little rough. He just cannot seem to settle and fusses if we try to place him in bed. Yet those nights as rough as they seem at the time, quickly pass and we are back to nights where he sleeps. I do not mind getting up with him. It is quiet time just for him and I, even though J is still getting up to help with diaper changes and rocking (what a sweet Daddy eh?)

Ethan is becoming more alert and awake more each day that passes. I am afraid to miss one moment with either Ethan or Becca. They seriously change and grow much too fast for my liking. Yet each new phase, milestone brings new excitement and joy.

I took the advice of another Mom of two and stock piled a few new things for Becca to enjoy on those days were it seems like I am busy with Ethan or housework. One item is a Fishing Rod/Pond set. It is a simple silk dyed blue with two fishing rods that have magnets on the end, as well as four sea creatures to “catch”. I shared it with Becca this morning. It is cool and suppose to rain today. I am stuck with laundry and a few chores, so I thought it would be a great day to share (plus I really wanted to blog, half this post was typed with one hand … sigh).

Becca LOVES the set. For the last hour she keeps saying “I always wanted a fishing rod” which is totally true! Every time we are out at a park, or hiking she finds sticks and goes fishing! She talks endlessly about fishing. I am not sure where the desire comes from, but I hope if we head to New Mexico we will be able to take her fishing for real! For now she is content to play fishing, now all her other animals are going to go swimming in the pond! Good times!

J is taking this weekend off too! However next week his schedule will have to return to normal. I think I will be ready! I hope to celebrate Earth Day as a family and I get to go knitting on Sunday!!!!

Pics Of Day ~ Becca the Cutie Pie & Ethan the Crunchy Baby ~

I feel very fortunate that Ethan seems to be fitting into our little world perfectly. He is still in that newborn, I-sleep-all-the-time stage, however he seems to be pretty laid back and ready for adventures.

I wear him daily in my Mei Tei (I adore mine, I bought it as a second on Ebay, the straps are ever so slightly uneven so I got a great deal on it!). I am a firm believer in wearing babies. I did not start wearing Becca until she was almost 3 months old. I would carry her constantly, do little around the house and wonder if there was an easier way to be close to her but not necessarily “stuck” with her. I know there are a lot of people that would believe that it is not good to hold/wear your baby. That moms need a break, or that I am “spoiling” Ethan. It worked for Becca and honestly, Ethan only cries when we change him. He hates having his diaper changed … not sure if it is a cold/not snuggled factor or just his thing. I do not recall Becca despising the change time quite like this.

Remember when I knit the wool covers? Well I finally washed and prepared the covers for use as a cloth diaper cover. Honestly, I wondered how the heck this was all going to work out. It does not look like a wool cover would keep all that pee and poop in there … I am telling you … IT WORKS! It is so cool and Ethan looks so cute in the cover!! hehe!

When I first married J, I was far from frugal, or organic. Sure I recycled and I believed in conservationism, but I was not a hard core tree hugger. Deep down I knew I should be less of a material girl, yet I made decent coin so I liked to spend it.

Now that we are on a pretty tight budget, living life in California on a Canadian grant, I have become more and more frugal (although far from mastered) and much much more as they say crunchy. It has a lot to do with the people I am friends with. Holly just bought a Toyota Primus (drool … I know what I want for Christmas … the car is awesome … although I am told it has a speech impediment? hehe) and participates in a garden co-op. Marina cloth diapers, knits, and is much more organic than we are. Really living right for the environment can both save you money and cost you money. We are in no position to go 100% organic (and my husband scoffs how true to organic one can get), however I find myself constantly looking for ways to simplify our lives and the lives of our children while still having a Madonna Material girl streak in me.

I have switched to baking soda and vinegar as my cleaning solutions. We hang dry the diapers then fluff them up with the rest of our laundry. I daydream of the day we will have a backyard, with a clothes line, a garden and a nice size kitchen to bake bread (with a bread maker … I am not that committed) and prepare nice meals for the family. Looks like as more time goes by the more crunchy I get …

Pics of the Day ~ Mommy with Ethan snuggled in the Mei Tei & Becca with the kids at the party ~

Having two so is not going to slow me down, w00t! We have been busy over the past few days.

On Sunday, we enjoyed a family day. It was cold and rainy, but that did not stop Becca enjoying the backyard, playing with water and using her imagination. After lunch we went to a friend’s 2nd Birthday party. Oh what fun was had by all! J had a blast (the friend’s Dad is a chemist so there was plenty of other Dad’s and guys to chat with), Becca ran with delight in the rain soaked grass with the other children and Ethan was snuggled up in a Mei Tei, allowing me to cluck with the other hens Great people, great food … Great time! (so going to miss these people when we move ).

Yesterday, Ethan, Becca and I scooted out for a playdate at the park with Holly and Jamie! I was so organized getting the two kids out the door! (should I mention here that J went into work late to help get said kids out the door and I was all stressed, running around the house, ending up taking TWO diaper bags, because really one needs everything and the kitchen sink … ugh). Becca of course ADORED playing for 5 HOURS at the park with Jamie! I was able to chat with Holly and do a little knitting. Ethan was in the indirect sun so hopefully helping his jaundice clear up for good!

Today we are having a chill out day at home I am fortunate to be part of two amazing Mom’s Groups that are cooking meals for us this week and part of next week! It is so nice to have one less thing to juggle while finding our groove!