// When Toddlers Strike...

OOF! Y'all, this week has been a doozy! We just finished Mike's first rotation of work (working 3 12-hour overnight shifts in a row) and we're trying to learn the groove of things. It means Mike pulls in the driveway exactly as my alarm goes off to get Toby ready for school. He usually crawls directly into bed because holy tired! and then I take both boys down to the bus stop (~.25 miles down the road or so). Mike sleeps most of the day while I tend to Linden and work around the house. Then he's up for a couple of hours before having to head back. It's been interesting to say the least. I'm glad we made it through the first week haha! I'm glad he's really enjoying his job though, so that's a bonus. And two incomes!

Anyway, this week Linden decided he was a toddler. I think I mentioned that earlier this week, but here's some visual proof of said transformation. Usually I turn on an episode of Octonauts in the morning while I cook breakfast, but it typically only holds his attention for about 2.5 minutes. He dances through "Creature Report" and then he's over it. He's also ben sick this week so we're dealing with that on top of the new found independence. One night, less than 15 minutes after Mike left for work, Linden dumped out an entire bag of Cheez-its. The next day he dumped out an entire bag of chips. Then stepped on them. He destroyed the living room after being awake less than 10 minutes. Y'all he is something else.

But even with all of the chaos, I'm still feeling pretty proud. I've managed to cook 3 meals a day, pack Mike's lunch each night, keep everyone in clean clothes, and be more productive on the work front than I though I would. I'm giving myself a virtual pat on the back because holy moly, it's a whole new world!

And I'm going to finish this rambling post with a ridiculously cute photo of Toby from this morning, because look how grown up he is! He picked a flower for Granma this morning, and wanted me to send her a photo at work. He picked me one yesterday. He has a heart of gold. We're all so lucky.

Fellow mamas to toddlers, can we create an online Toddler Support Group?! I'm legit serious. Like a Facebook group. Maybe called "Reasons Why My Child Sucks Today" hahahaha Kidding. Kind of. But not really. Seriously, if I make it, will you join? Can we commiserate together?!  Will you tell me that I'm not rotting my kid's brain by letting him watch Octonauts (and sometimes Bob's Burgers)?! Seriously. Let me know. LOLOLOLOL.

xo KB

PS; I made the group! Search "TCL Toddler Support Group" on Facebook and request to join! Commiserate with us!

// Happy First Birthday, Linden Atlas Flynn!

Linden,

You are without a doubt the most incredible little boy. Your laugh is contagious, and your joy just lights up a room. You have brought so much joy to our lives. I love to wake up and hear your babbling, and then see your smiling face. There are just so many things I want to say, but I lack the words. You are one of life's best blessings. xo Mom 

(you know... in case he reads this blog one day... haha!)

This has without a doubt been the hardest, most stressful and terrifying year of my life. But it has also been the happiest. My days are spent with three of the most loving fellas, and it just wouldn't be the same without Linden. I promised myself I wouldn't cry when I wrote this, but here I am, sitting in the middle of Panera, being a weeping mess. I remember the very first time I heard Linden cry, and the first time he laid on my chest. I remember the long, sleepless nights, the reflux, the crying. But it all pales in comparison to the memories of endless snuggles, seeing him walk for the first time, hearing him say "mama" and learn sign language. My heart is just too full.

Here's to many more years with my sweet baby bear! 

xo KB

// Linden's First Party Prep

Tomorrow is the big day! We're celebrating Linden's birthday a few days early with some of our closet family and friends. We are so excited and I am so stressed out! haha I moved my focus from work to party prep for most of the week and I am so behind on everything I need to get done. Today we're off to get the last bits and bobs for it and to get everything set up. Of course it's going be 100 degrees tomorrow, but we're determined to make the best of it! The theme for Linden's party is Farmer's Market as you can see from his invites. Lots of red and white gingham and wood! I've been working on a keepsake sign for him (last photo above) and all I have left to do is weigh him, measure him, and put his 6 little teeth in there (I held off because one just broke through yesterday!) I had so much fun making that sign haha And how cute is mister man up there in his little leo constellation romper?!?! It has a tail and everything! Mike and I love to let him roam around the house with it on because every time he bends over to pick something up that tail just wags and wags. (It's from ForKidsLove, by the way!) I'll have to try and snap a good photo of the hood (face) of the lion because it's darling! Of course that's easier said than done when your kid likes to race you down the hall. We bribed him with a few blackberries in the photo above. You do what you gotta do, you know?

Anyway, we're off to finish his birthday shopping! I'll be sure to share all the party details afterward! Happy Friday, friends! 

xo KB

// Linden's First Birthday Wishlist

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

Linden turns one year old later this month, and we're having his first birthday party two weeks from tomorrow. I thought it'd be fun to put together a little "wishlist" of sorts for our little guy. These are just fun things I've found and saved that I eventually want to get him. Things like wagons and ride-ons to make the day more fun for him. And things that make noise, of course. They're also things that I think would make great gifts for a little guy or gal, so if you're shopping for a niece/nephew, etc, maybe this will be of some help! 

xo KB

PS; Have a safe 4th of July this weekend!

// Linden Atlas - Eleven Months

This sweet boy of ours turned eleven months old last week. His first birthday party planning is in full swing and he is a bright spot in our days. I keep wanting to soak up every single minute of him because I find each passing day to be more and more heartbreaking (and exciting! and fun! and overwhelming!). Sometimes I can't believe that Mike and I made this perfect little dude. It's kind of the coolest thing ever. Just one more monthly update... *sigh* I'm not ready!

At 10 months old Linden:

+ went swimming in the Tennessee river for the first time (and LOVED it!)

+ started consistently signing words to communicate with us.

+ slept like a champ... still! *knock on wood*

+ tried so many new foods, and loved every single one of them.

+ started running! Yes, running! HELP!

+ finally got in a bucket swing and was the happiest kid in the world.

+ got in the pool for the first time, too!

Just a few more weeks and my baby won't be a "baby" anymore... he'll be a toddler. I don't even know where the past eleven months have gone.

See past Monthly Linden posts here!

xo KB

// Linden Atlas - Ten Months

The biggest news to report for Linden while he was nine months old is: HE LEARNED TO WALK! Yes! Oh my stars! He was taking two or three steps regularly before we left for Mexico, and then one day into our trip he was walking non-stop! He's all over the place and it's so incredible! We came home from our adventures and he walked up to me... I cried like a baby. It's just the neatest thing ever, honestly.

Aside from that we've just been doing life and having fun! He loves to swing and swim and he eats like a little piggy. He amazes me each and every day. Gosh I love that baby so much.

This past month Linden:

+ learned to walk (like I mentioned above - !!!!)

+ slept like a CHAMP! 12 straight hours most nights.

+ spent his first 24+ hours away from mom.

+ had a 5 day sleepover with granma + pawpaw

+ and a 3 day sleepover with grammy terri + granpa

+ ate and ate and ate! and ate some more!

+ transitioned back into a diet with dairy (!!!)

+ took his first nasty little spill down the steps.

His ten month update later this month will be SO fun because he's already experienced so many new and exciting things in the past two weeks. Maybe I'll start updating these on time again haha!

xo KB

// Linden Atlas - Nine Months

Linden Atlas is nine. months. old! I need to start thinking about his first birthday at this point... yikes! This past month was all about asserting his independence. Crawling everywhere, trying to climb on things, learning to stand all on his own (!!!)... it's been pretty exciting (and exhausting and stressful haha). He's starting to really "see" the world, I think. He's my happy little guy.

At 8 months old, Linden:

- weighed 21.5 pounds (!!!! - at his 9 month visit)

- was 29" tall (at his 9 month visit)

- learned to clap and thinks it's just the best thing.

- started eating three full meals a day.

- dipped his toes in the water (at a waterfall!) for the first time

- learned to stand up all on his own.

- learned to ride his little push-car.

- fell a lot. (So many little bumps and bruises to try and doctor up)

- is finally starting to get some actual hair (!!! - it's wispy, but it's growing!)

Next month brings the double digits... y'all, I am not ready for this!

// Cedar Lake

These photos were taken back at the beginning of March. We spent part of the day roaming around Long Hunter State Park one Saturday. Everything was still wet and dead basically, but I'm itching to stop back by now that everything is blooming! It was such a stunning view of the lake. I could totally see us venturing over for a family picnic or something, too. I like to lurk through the geotagged images on Instagram to get an idea of what parts to scope out. There's so much we haven't explored! I wrapped Linden up in my Sakura Bloom Cedar sling and it was the perfect way to tote him around. It's crazy looking at these photos because he already looks so different! My baby will be 9 months old this week... I can't even handle it.

This outfit was one that I wore entirely too much! I'd wake up, put it on, wear it all day, and then maybe wear it again the next day. I know that sounds terrible (I promise I did laundry! haha) but it became my comfortable "go to" outfit. The dress is from LuLu's several years ago. (I wore it here!) The booties are from Blowfish even longer ago I think! It's been fun to scour my closet for things I haven't worn in quite some time. I'm finding old favorites and making them new again. (Speaking of which, I really need to do a Kaelah's Closet clean out... I keep saying I'm going to. But I'm really going to this time!)

Taking the past week off from blogging really helped me deal with everything life threw my way. It really was nice to just sort of unplug a bit. Ever since I stopped making such a fuss to blog X number of times a week I've found that I can just enjoy life. It's sort of sad how tedious and chore-like things like blogging can become. Especially if you rely on it for any sort of monetary compensation. I've agreed to some campaigns here and there, but for the most part I just want to share photos from our days. The new blog design (and name) will be up soon. I know some of y'all already know the name as I've been testing out an email signature with it for the past month or so. I thought that'd be a nice and easy (and non-intrusive) way to see if I could stick with it. I actually almost just named it "untitled" or "blog" because since I'm not worried about marketing myself or growing my blog, the name really doesn't matter. Those would have been totally creative, right?! ha

Life's current struggles include trying to find time to grocery shop and keeping up with washing Toby's baseball uniform in time for his next game. I feel like we're at the baseball fields 24/7 so the house is messy, the fridge is bare, and I'm so sick of drive-thru meals. What is time and how do I get ahead of it?! There are worse things in life, I guess! xo

LuLu*s dress
Mak cardgian via ModCloth
No Nonsense tights
Blowfish booties
Mama & Little teething necklace (c/o)
Sakura Bloom "Cedar" ring sling

// Linden Atlas - Eight Months

I'm only two weeks late posting this, but you know, life. Linden turned eight months old on March 23rd and he's been a little hellion ever since! He's crawling, standing, grabbing things he shouldn't possibly be able to reach, and he finally got a hold of the dog food. We take it one day at a time around here! All of these pictures and milestones are from when he was seven months, of course, but it's so crazy how he's already changed so much in just two weeks. I'm honestly not sure how I'm already posting his eight month milestone post! I feel like you don't really understand the concept of time until you have a kid. Maybe I'm biased or jaded or whatever, but time feels so different with a baby around. Even with Toby, it seemed to go much slower. Maybe that's because he came to live with us just after turning three, whereas we've seen Linden evolve since day one. Of course I catch myself looking at Toby and thinking "Who is this teenager?!" haha Six has it's own set of challenges, but six years and eight months... phew! I have my work cut out for me.

At seven months, Linden:

- weighed 19.5 pounds. 

- slept through the night twice! 7.5 hours and 9.5 hours (!!!!!!)

- started growing some actual hair! even if it's super wispy still haha

- transitioned into his own room (!) and sleeps in his crib every night

- pulls up on everything and can stand on his own for a few seconds

- got the thumbs up to slowly start introducing dairy again

- was the lucky recipient of 300 ounces of donor milk from a friend (!)

I can't wait to share all of the exciting things happening at eight months, too! I know I'm going to love being able to look back on these monthly posts and remember what the days were like. Seriously, just two weeks late and I've already forgotten most of what happened when he was seven months... Yikes! xo

See other Monthly Linden posts here.

// Linden Atlas - Seven Months

Seven months... it just doesn't seem fair! My happy little guy is turning into a full fledged human. I mean, obviously he's always been human (ha!), but he has so many emotions and he's able to communicate in new ways. My heart just can't handle how much he's grown! I'll gladly say that six months is my favorite age so far! So many milestones and special moments. I just love him so much!

This month Linden:

+ learned to army crawl (and is probably only days away from real crawling! just. like. THAT!)

+ learned that the "alligator death roll" is super fun while mom changes his diaper

+ discovered a love for his strawberry popsicle teether

+ started feeding himself with his bottles

+ learned how to use a sippy cup and now loves it

+ transitioned from full-time cosleeping to sleeping in his own bed all night (!!!)

+ learned to give hugs and kisses (and I die every time!)

+ spent his first night away from mama/home (!!!) and did so well! (we both survived!)

Hopefully we'll start working on sleeping in his own room (!) this month, and getting better at baby led weaning. Still no teeth, but that just makes me think they'll all come at once. Heaven help us!