Never wake a sleeping bear

We've all heard that before, never wake a sleeping bear.  Well same goes for our little bear. He's still a nap kind of guy and for that I'm so thankful.  It means that for two hours a day the house is clean while he's napping and Carter's at school. So if you'd like to see my house during that time, come between 11-2.  Somedays nap time doesn't always happen when it should and by 4:30/5:00 in the afternoon our little Tucker turns into quite the sassy pants.

I decided that a late nap would just have to do this day. He still wasn't feeling 100% and the only place he was content was either in my arms or in our bed. So we snuggled down for a minute and when he drifted off, I snuck out to do some stuff around the house.  An hour or so went by and it was getting closer to 5 and I just knew if I let this nap go on it would make for a very sleepless night, for both of us.

I headed into our room to wake him.  He did not wake up on the right side of the bed for sure. I don't even know if the other side would have been a good start either.  He cried, and cried and made the most pitiful faces.  Most mothers would have picked up there unhappy toddler. I'm not your typical mother though. I'm the momma that likes to stick her camera in the unhappy toddlers face and capture those pitiful, yet oh so very cute faces.

Carter and I were getting quite the kick out of making him wail.  I know, sick isn't it.  But you can't honestly tell me these pictures don't make you chuckle at some point.  We always joke that he's going to retaliate one day and when he does, we're all in big trouble!

I won't put it past him to shave my head when I'm sleeping or sneak under the table and tie my shoelaces together when I'm not paying attention.  He'll get me back, I don't doubt that one bit.  Oh, and Carter... he's in for it just as much as I am.  We better invest in some helmets and defense armor! Just look at Carter's face... tell me he wasn't enjoying every minute!!

Why don't they understand?

It's Saturday morning, that means we should be resting and relaxing. Nope, not here. I lay in the bed listening to the little chubsy wubsy from the other side of the house calling me to his service. I lay there thinking, he'll go back to sleep.  He has too, it's only 6:39 a.m.!  Why can't I make them see that I am not a morning person, I don't like waking before the sun rises. It makes me grouchy, it makes me more tired, and bottom line, I JUST DON'T LIKE IT!

Carter has started sleeping in later. I mean at this point in my life I see 8:00 as late. I remember the days waking up and the sun would almost be over the top of the house. Yes, I'm ashamed to say I would sleep that late if my dear husband would let me. Now days, I long for 8:00 to appear on my clock before my little green eyes have to open. If only I could make Tucker understand that sleeping in until 8:00 was the "new" thing to do. Sadly, I've come to the conclusion that they are not going to sleep for me. They aren't going to have pitty on me, they are out to get me. Where's the love...can someone tell me? I've also come to the conclusion that they will start sleeping in when my body decides to take on that waking early to watch the sunrise thing that 'older', more 'mature' people do! Oh the joys of motherhood, the smiles from chubsy before sunrise as he beats me in the head. The tugs on my arm from Carter telling me to turn on kids movies.  I suppose being woke up by those two sweet critters is worth the sleep I once treasured as a teenager.

Thank you  my sweet children for the hours of sleep you do allow me to have. Just remember, one day, you'll be parents and your memories of sleep will be just that... a memory. OH WAIT, no they won't... you guys will be Daddy's and you'll have a Mommy for your babies and she'll do all the waking. How could I forget, mommy's get the short stick. Bah-humbug!

Just kidding.... maybe.

yawn....

It takes someone special to be a Dad!!

Since welcoming our new addition, some things have changed quite a bit, others haven't changed at all.  Weird how the things I thought would change, haven't and the ones I could have cared less about have changed.  

As I've been tending to Tucker, I've taken a back seat to Carter's little world for a while.  This is okay though because to see the bond that he and his Daddy have is something that is so dear to my heart.  From the night we came home from the hospital it's almost like he has a new understanding of our life without us even explaining to him.  He understands that I'm busy and that Travis is his main "go to" person now.  

Watching these two truly does bless my heart.  I have to give Travis major kudos for doing such a magnificent job with Carter.  The night we came home was night two of a week long fever that Carter would run.  Travis took on the responsibility of being "Mr. Mom" with no questions asked.  I've been the one to get up with Carter since day one of his little life.  I've always figured that since I stay home, it's more my 'job'.  I'm so grateful and proud of how Travis has jumped right in and helped out.  I knew he would but to see him do it with such patience, is pretty amazing.  

Carter has always wanted to be Travis' shadow but he is literally his little three foot tall shadow now.  Today, I watched them out the window as Travis was building a new shade for the cows, and Carter hung right with him until it was time to come in for lunch.  Keep in mind now, Travis is out there on a tractor with six HUGE poles trying to get them set in the ground, while tending to a three year old on the tractor.  Dangerous, yes... but I trust him to take the utmost care of my little ones! :)  Not the first grumble, or harsh word has come from his mouth.  He's just taken little Carter under his wings and off they go.  

This is such a blessing to see a father that is so involved in the life of his children.  I have always known that Travis would be a good Daddy, but to watch him is far more precious to see then I ever dreamed.  A mother couldn't ask for more then to have a father that loves the life he has, and isn't ashamed to tell others how his children have changed his life.  

As I type this, I'm watching him outside mowing the lawn and Carter chasing him while driving his John Deere Gator.  Both are smiling, and they have no idea I'm watching and smiling too!!!

I love you Travis.  I thank you for everything that you do for us as a family.  You are my rock,my and my very best friend. I thank God every day for sending you into my life and allowing my children to have such an amazing role model for a Dad!!!  

Counting my blessings,

Jen