According to Gehrig

It's becoming evident to me that 3-year-olds {or going-on-3-year-olds} are some of the funniest human beings on the planet. Gehrig is constantly saying unexpected things that crack me up and, even though his stubbornly independent personality challenges me a lot, his ability to think for himself produces some real gems that I just had to share.

When Jason checked on him after bedtime, Gehrig reported what he was "dreaming" about-
"I dreamin' about baseball. And football. And Chuggington. I dream about a lot!"

Over the monitor from his room at 3am-
Gehrig: "MOOOMM, I need heeelp."
I stumble in, annoyed: "Help with what, Buddy?"
Gehrig: "Falling asleep."
{I melt}

While trying to speak in code to Jason-
Me: "It was on....Fix-it Manuel."
Gehrig: "No, mom, it's just Handy Manny!"

While Jason was putting him to bed the other night-
Gehrig: "Dad, can you keep me safe?"
Jason: "Safe from what, Buddy?"
Gehrig: "Mom."
Jason: "Haha. Are you being silly?"
Gehrig: "No. I not being silly. She really really scary."
{nice.}

Anytime we ask him to try new food-
"No thanks. I'm too little. I'm just a little boy."

And my favorite as of late-
"Apple juice goes all the way down to my belly and grows up into pee!"

Oh, and since I'm way behind the times, click the Bloglovin gadget to your left to follow me there. Thanks!

Why Fall is the Greatest. Always.

I feel a bit overwhelmed these days. I'm blaming this on my first semester back after having Milo and have high hopes that, come Christmas break, my house will no longer look like a hurricane hit and my to-do list will look a whole lot more fun than: 

grade papers

do laundry

grade journals

grocery shop

grade worksheets

shower

grade

Maybe 'shower' could even work its way up to the top of the list? I dream big.

But who really cares about all those menial chores when....

Michigan, you guys!!

There are things about Fall that just make me swoon. These colors are on the top of that list. Also: scarves, apple cider, apple cider donuts, boots, Thanksgiving, crock pot comfort food, sweaters, tea, and things like this:

Standing in front of a giant apple with my boys.

I just really love autumn times. Why can't it be the longest season? Happy Fall, ya'll!

Energized

I've been feeling kind of off lately. I'm not sure how to describe it other than "heavy." I have all of these things I'd like to do, but feel paralyzed by the daily monotony of potty training, breastfeeding, and...that's about all I've been doing the past couple months {or so it feels}.  So my "do someday soon" list has gotten out of control and seems to be weighing on me. This week, I finally decided to take some control back and re-realize what makes me happy and "light."

Not that I'm complaining about spending so much time with these faces...

As someone with 2 literature degrees, I'm embarrassed to say that I've only read a total of three {THREE!} books this entire year. Three, guys. There were times in my life when I could knock that out in a week. That was obviously before I had kids, but lately I've recognized the void my lack of reading has left. Time to fill it.

This week, thanks to my ever-encouraging husband, I decided to start a bookclub, make a list of books to finish by the end of the year, and be proactive about finding times throughout the day to read. I know. This is nothing groundbreaking. You mean I can read while I'm nursing? Or during nap time instead of watching TV? Wow, Brenna, some epiphany! It sounds ridiculous, but it's true. I got so out of the habit that I forgot how happy it makes me. 

Today I went to a coffee shop and read. For two hours. It was blissful. Ironically, the book I am reading {The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin....yes, Erin, I know you lent it to me 6 months ago. Sorry I haven't returned it yet} mentions the importance of pursuing passions and how rediscovering your passions can bring increased joy. She discusses happiness experts "who advocate periods of deprivation to sharpen pleasure." It was quite apropos. My pleasure in reading is pretty sharp these days.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement about my renewed me-time activity. Do you have any book recommendations I should put on my list?

Dear Milo: Month 3

Dear Mi-Guy,

You have been here for three months already. How is that possible? You have pretty much been the perfect baby since day one, which we should have predicted since your arrival was almost exactly what I hoped it would be: quick, "easy," and peaceful. Isn't it fitting that the meaning of Milo is "peaceful"? Your dad and I didn't know that before we met you, but now I can't imagine a name being more appropriate.

There are so many things I love about you. On top of having the most kissable cheeks and gorgeous pouty lips, you are a champion sleeper, waking up twice per night, at most, with a 4 or 5 hour stretch thrown in there. That is an amazing gift for your mama. Thank you! What's most surprising to me is that when you do wake up, you don't cry. You just squirm a little and grunt until I pick you up, upon which you usually flash a big, gummy grin my way. 

You are extremely tolerant of your brother, who tends to bombard you with pokes, jabs, and baseballs thrown in your general direction. In fact, your first ever smile came when he was all up in your grill.  He loves you so much and I can already see your relationship start to develop into something amazing.

In the last couple weeks you have really started to giggle, especially when Dad talks to you or we tickle your excellent rolls. You push up during tummy time and you even rolled over both ways a couple days ago. All these milestones are happening quicker than I might like, but I also feel so lucky that I get to watch you grow. 

You have added so much love to our family. I can't imagine my world without you. 

Love forever and ever.

The Glamorous Life

You know how celebrities are always photographed with their kids looking all stylish and confident and put together? 

This is what you get when you Google "celebrities with kids"

I sometimes wonder if people were to take pictures of me out and about with my kids how much of a hot mess I would look like. 

Here's a snapshot for you.

Last week we met Jason's college buddy and his family at a Detroit Tigers game and, while the entire day was completely chaotic {8 hours in the car, no naps, trying to find parking in Detroit, which at one point involved Jason bending a street sign just enough for his friend to squeak his van past it to drive on the sidewalk and get out of his parking spot, and walking a total of I-don't-know-how-many-miles}, this special moment really stands out to me:

I went to change Milo's diaper in the pristine public restroom at the ballpark and discovered that his whole outfit was wet. So, being the uber-prepared parent that I am, I changed his shirt and...couldn't find the extra pants I packed. Doubting my memory, I put the wet pants back on {nice, right?}, packed up the diaper bag, turned to leave and then, "WAIT! I know those pants are in here!" So I literally emptied the entire contents of my bag on the changing table and discovered them at the very bottom. {I like moments when I can actually trust my brain} So, change numero dos occurred. No more wet pants.

I then decided to feed him in the bathroom since I didn't feel like discreetly {not my forte} nursing next to the guy double fisting it in the seat to my left. After a slightly clumsy nursing sesh, baby boy proceeded to spit up all over me, himself, and his freshly-changed clothes. Awesome. SO, back to the changing table we went because, amazingly, I had another clean shirt for him to wear. Not amazingly, I had no more pant options, so homeboy left that beauty of a scene with soaked pants anyway. 

The clean half of my family + friends.

Pretty sure he just heard us say,
"He's DEFINITELY gonna sleep on the way home."

If you made it through that whole story and want more:

Yesterday Milo had a few hour stretch of ultra-fun, high decibel f-r-e-a-k-o-u-t-s, which I'm certain could be chalked up to gas, but the only thing that would calm him down was to feed him, which in turn contributed more gas to the problem. You see the vicious cycle, I'm sure. So, after I finally got him to fall asleep {via my expert method of letting him get so worked up that he exhausts himself into slumber}, I "let" him nap on me while I also shut my eyes for about 15 minutes. 15 glorious minutes of peace. He then woke up in a very grunty state, so I continued to try and get the gas out. There was much patting of the back, pumping of the legs, rubbing of the belly, etc. He was sitting between my legs on our bed when he let out a big grunt and expelled the problem {you follow? Sorry for this...}. Unfortunately, the problem came up out of the back of his diaper, down MY pants and onto our freshly-washed white sheets. Dirty mess=Happy baby. I'll take it.

It should say "I didn't poop on Grandma"

Nothin' but glam round here.

I think my point is I'm glad I don't have paparazzi catching these moments. They live vividly enough in my head.

Maybe next time I'm trying to get Milo to sleep, I'll read him this post...

Happy Birthday, Old Man

{Disclaimer: I'll try to keep this post as un-mushy as possible. 

My apologies for any "awwww" moments.}

Lately I've been thinking about so many of the things I love about my husband and, since his birthday is tomorrow, I thought I'd document them here. I met this guy 9 years ago and, as we have grown up and navigated through our 20s together, I realize more and more how lucky I am, and how lucky our kids are to call him "Dad." So, here we go. 29 reasons I luh this guy...

Baby Jason, circa 2005
{He still wears those sandals}

1. He is one of the hardest workers I know. He is constantly burning the candle at both ends.

2. He holds strong to his convictions. {But never judges others if they disagree with him}

3. He has a fabulous head of hair.

And people wonder how I have a red-headed child...

 4. Most people would describe him as quiet and reserved...

5. ...Yet he can sing every word of "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

6. He will recite lines from Scrubs and Arrested Development over and over with me and laugh every time.

7. He says things like "What's the scuttlebutt?" to my girlfriends and is not embarrassed at all.

8. He has prettier eyelashes than any woman I've ever met.

9. I've never heard him yell. Not even during a sporting event.

10. He LOVES wedding season.

11. He is most certainly the calm to my storm. The words "even" and "keel" come to mind.

12. He can fall asleep anywhere. I once found him at his desk with his forehead on the keyboard, completely cashed out.

Forever one of my favorite pictures.

13. He looks really good in a baseball uniform.

14. He encourages me to pursue my goals, no matter how much I protest and procrastinate.

^Here he's freaking out about the thought of my new ring
falling through the cracks into the river.

15. The man could eat a dozen donuts {preferably Krispie Kreme} all by humself.

16. He calls cardigans "carn-a-gans," even after I've corrected him 1,000 times.

17. His one vice in life is Diet Pepsi, which I can live with.

18. He never gets overly-emotional {see #11}, but every now and then he has a laugh attack that is so contagious, mostly because of its rarity.

19. His Ryan Lochte impression is pretty spot on.

20. Some of our shared loves include: dancing to hits from the 2000s, the movie Away We Go, Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Bun ice cream, Mad Men, Coldplay, and Outback Steakhouse.

21. He tolerates me on road trips, which we take often.

22. He is an amazing teacher who cares deeply for his students. I am constantly in awe of his dedication to his job and the kids he teaches.

23. He recognizes my need for girlie time with friends, or by myself. The other night he turned on Pride & Prejudice and left the room saying, "I think you need a night off of boys." Nice move, Mr. Burghardt.

24. Seeing him as a dad is an amazing experience. He is loving, silly, and a great role model for our boys.

25. When we met, he drove a manual-transmission Jeep Wrangler. Hot.

26. He's the master of giving thoughtful gifts. For one of our anniversaries, he made me a "Brenna & Jason" board game complete with trivia cards and an elaborate game board with highlights from our relationship. It was amazing.

27. He quotes lines from Major League and Baseketball as if I'll know the reference. I never do.

28. He has given me two beautiful boys who have made our lives so lovely and chaotic and entertaining. I am forever grateful that I get to parent them with him.

29. He's a great friend, roommate, cook, companion, provider, partner, and date. I'm just lucky all-around.

Happy Birthday, Mister!

You sure are great!

Five Favorites {this week}

1. Milo - I cannot get enough of those cheeks. This little mister is reminding us so much of his brother as a newborn, just with an extra layer of fat, which is basically the greatest. I'm obsessed.

2. Noosa Yoghurt - Guys! Have you tried this stuff?? It's probably the greatest yogurt I've ever had. You can get it at Target or Whole Foods, and I'm sure other places too. Just, go get some immediately. I would eat it every day if it weren't a little on the pricey side. Every time I go to Target something tells me I deserve to treat myself, so this stuff finds its way into my cart. I've never regretted it.

3. Non-maternity clothes - By the end of my pregnancy, not even my maternity clothes fit over my belly, so I am so thankful to not have to wrestle with my wardrobe every day. Plus, it is finally spring weather so even though my pre-pregnancy pants obviously don't fit yet, I can wear skirts and regular shirts to my heart's content. This is a shirt that my lovely friend gave me {because she knows my Target obsessions don't end with yogurt} and it is definitely my favorite item right now. Notice that it makes an appearance in that last picture. {Also, is it a coincidence that Milo seems to be wearing the same shirt in picture 1? My tastes are so transparent.}

4. My new Keurig - My birthday gift this year, other than little man Milo, was a Keurig. I love this thing so much. It's fast, convenient, and easy clean-up. Love.

5. "Phoby" wrap - My fabulous friend, Sarah, {who got me the shirt} also made me a knock-off Moby wrap. I love it so much, especially for carrying the baby when I need my hands free to play with Gehrig or get meals ready. Milo seems to love it, too, though he pretty much sleeps anywhere we put him, so who can really tell?

Alright, go check out the others' favorites at Moxie Wife!