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I guess it is about that time for what has become my weekly KB post! 🙈 Finally – K had a great day, followed by many better days ahead! I hope we are back on the upswing as far as attitude goes. Toddlerhood is no joke.

Life did throw this poor thing a curve ball and decide it was time to break the rest of ALL 4 MOLARS through at once. Other than trying to chew her own hand, being extra tired and a low grade fever, she’s pushing through alright!

Kensie has had quite the eventful week/weekend! We went to a friends 1st birthday, spent some time at the park, visited a DAY CARE 😳, she’s learned to open pens/markers and color, she’s introduced many new “words” (aka sounds) that she babbles nonstop, her hair has grown another inch (yasss!!!) – and I’m basically in 6 short days she’s grown up even more right before my eyes. 😔

To all my friends with babes younger than KB, or hell, older too if the situation fits. We’re tired. There’s days they drive us crazy. (See my last post for reference 😝). Sometimes we cry because it gets so overwhelming. But, cherish those moments your babe wants to be held instead of laid down. Over the last week, consistently, K just reaches straight for her crib when we go in her room for bedtime. She used to let me hold her while we sang a song and said prayers. Now, I have to do it over her crib while she’s lying there. 😭

OH! And food. All the food. Kens is a BOSS at eating with a fork and has started (finally) eating like a normal person instead of trying to live off milk like a baby cow. She’s even been crushing vegetables and loving them!!! KB eats her green beans before her Mac & Cheese!

While I am so excited that my non-eating child has finally started eating on a regular basis, she goes through the weirdest food phases. For example: I got her these “Mighty Dino crackers” (they’re goldfish…) and she never liked them. I’ve tried giving them to her for 2 weeks now. She puts one in her mouth, takes it out, throws it on the floor and says “all done”. Today it was all she wanted. “more, more, more”, and shoveling them in. Umm, what?! Basically, finding out what she “likes” is a new adventure every day.

So, there’s the KB update in a nutshell! And I will leave you with the best video to date: her cheeks jiggling. 😂

As moms, there’s days we want to spend every second with our little humans, then there are days we live for nap time. The last few days has been the latter.

Luckily, KB took a solid morning nap and got her attitude in check (for the most part) for the rest of today. Or, maybe I just feel like it was better because I got to go to the gym for 2 hours all alone while Chris stayed home with K and it refreshed me. Ha!

Sunday was the WORST. I have never heard her whine so much. Nothing made this kiddo happy and all day was constant drama. She has been over her “sickness” since Thursday morning, physically anyway, but I think she still wasn’t feeling great. So, crank queen she was.

Of course I love this kid to death, but the whining and shoving my legs to be picked up just for her to ask to go back down, then start crying because I put her down…lawdy! And men wonder why women are crazy. Put that on repeat for hours, toss in some poop changing while she attempts to air hula hoop horizontally, feeding her food she asks for then 5 seconds after I make/open it says she doesn’t want, cleaning up after her, bathing while she tries to climb out of the tub acting like I’m drowning her…this is why moms drink. It’s at least more bearable when she’s happy in between.

It’s safe to say part of the “terrible twos” (or the year leading up to it) has a lot to do with communication. K is constantly trying to tell me things and gets so frustrated when I don’t do what she wants! (Part communication, part control testing, lol). I’m slowly figuring out her “language”. She’s great with pointing and signs but I can only make out a handful of words from her babbling. When I give her her water cup she always makes a sound…I started to realize that sound was a word. “Agua!” Alrighty then…maybe I should learn Spanish. Maybe she’s been speaking full sentences to me for months. 😂

Kensie is at the dangerous height of taking things off table tops so while learning her “language” I’m also learning to put things much farther away from the edge of anything.

The last few days have been an adventure to say the least. But KB is still the sweetest, cutest little babe (in my biased opinion) so it makes this momming thing all worth it.

I earned another notch on my Mom belt today…Kensie had her first “sick” day. 😔

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woke up at 3am crying, puke in her hair and all. KB was NOT a fan of the bath I had to give her. I laid her in bed with us and then I quickly became the one with vomit in my hair and taking a bath. Rookie mistake.

I wizened up and brought a bowl over to the night stand. She hated it and kept shoving it away when I put it under her mouth, but my catching skills were on point.

The worst part was that feeling you get right before you're going to be sick – she'd be laying there so sleepy looking and I'd hear her tummy grumble. She would do this little cry when the feeling came, reach out and want me to hold her. Then she'd puke.

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sie is feeling MUCH better tonight as I write this. Her last "episode" was around 9am. It was followed by 2 long naps, lots of smiles and dancing and a completely normal appetite. K lived off Saltines, oatmeal and applesauce today. She never had a fever or anything, so I'm hoping it was just something she ate yesterday that didn't agree with her tummy and by morning it's all a thing of the past! (And by morning I mean please sleep well past 3am.)

While I hated that she didn't feel well, it was such a good reminder after the week I've had to take a step back and slow down. To be blatantly honest, this week has been downright shitty and I truly can't remember the last time my stress and anxiety were this high.

After K's nap today, all she wanted to do was lie in my bed and watch Baby Einstein’s…and she wanted me to lie next to her. Not go back to cleaning out her closet or washing dishes or answering emails. Just lie down with her. I may or may not have cried.

I swear these little beings teach us so much more than we ever teach them. ❤️ PS. These are all random photos from my lack of posting this week.

I usually try to avoid these kinds of topics because the reality is our outlook is only our opinion. There are facts within the situations, but we all form different thoughts based on how the information is relayed to us, the circumstances and our personal experiences.

I remember being so scared to have kids a few years ago when I started hearing all the cases of babies and toddlers getting abused, physically and sexually, at daycares. All the bullying and fights at the elementary/middle school level. The increased amount of shootings at the high school level. Not just in the education system – but shootings all over the place. Churches. Concerts. Clubs. Movie theaters. Places we should feel safe.

How could I have a kid? What kind of world would I be bringing them in to? I’d be terrified to let them go anywhere. How could I live with that stress? What if something happened to them? How could I live with myself?

This morning the Today show covered a story of a girl killed in the most recent HS shooting in Kentucky, and then reported this is the 11th school shooting in the US in 2018. HOLD UP. Is that a typo? 2018? It’s January 24th!!!

It’s a scary world out there and all we can do is our best. Learn from what’s going on around us. Bullies are always going to be around because the sad reality is there are too many absent parents out there. There are too many people raising kids that honestly don’t deserve to be. They beat them. They ignore them. They never give them a chance to succeed or be a positive contribution to society because they raise them in a broken home full of drugs and sex and abuse and lack of stability.

But, those of us that aren’t in those situations, that have the capability to do better, can teach our kids to be kind and that bullying is unacceptable. We can also teach them that it’s good and right to stick up for others. I think THAT’S the part the world lacks. The kid that’s bullied is many times the one that shows up with the gun. What if just one person had stepped in and stuck up for them? It could save so many lives, including the life of that kid.

Okay, I’ll shut up now or this will go on for much longer than anyone wants to read. I’ll switch to some videos of KB because I have plenty of those today.

We had yet another awesome gym session and KB played by herself while I worked out yet again. I’m so proud! She even got a workout in herself. Kens got these out of the bucket all on her own and started carrying them around. 👏🏼

Tim got these awesome photos of her while I coached yesterday. They’re the perfect depiction of what Kensie does while I’m at the gym. Wander, squat, and carry things around. This time it happened to be her dirty diaper. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Today, my best friend Casey was the amazing savior she always is and watched KB for me while I went to a dentist appointment. Kensie didn’t care that I left and still didn’t care when I came back. 😂 I tried to pick her up to leave and she shoved my hands away. 🙄

 

And here’s a super sweet video from lunch that we all need to see for a quick smile today:

(They’re moving…she isn’t the box lady. 😂)

I’ve also figured out the secret to Kensie being a great eater! Just let anyone but me give her food. I left a lunch box with a bar, 2 pouches, sandwich and turkey. I told Casey she probably wouldn’t eat that much of it and she may keep asking for different things. False. Of course she was a champion eater for Aunt Casey and made me look like a liar.

She had a whole bar (let me tell you she asks for these bars every damn day. I give them to her and she takes one bite and throws them on the ground), all of her turkey, a whole pouch, and stole some of Riley’s gold fish and animal crackers. Safe to say I’ll be dropping her off at Casey’s for lunch from now on. 😉

While she may not being an eating champion for me, I have mastered getting her to lie still while I change her diaper; and that, folks, is a true mom victory.

Today was a day worthy of a blog post because this news needs to be recorded. KB sat in her baby jail, the whole time I worked out, without a single fuss, tear or pterodactyl scream. I didn’t dare risk ruining the moment by trying to sneak a photo.

There was a brief second I turned around and had a “where is my kid” moment. My heart sunk a little because she’s normally running around and I thought I lost sight of her. I quickly remembered I put her in the play area. I looked over and homegirl was sitting. All alone. Playing with a toy and looking through a book. I’d like to say I was proud but I was in too much shock to feel anything else. 😂

KB must have known I needed her to be on her best behavior because Daddy was out of town for work so he couldn’t watch her while I worked out.

This morning Kens had her 15 month check up. She measured at 29.25 inches which brings her up from the 8th percentile to 11th! We’re getting there, guys. 😂 She weighed in at 19lb 15oz which is the 31%. She is was in the 33rd at her 12 month appointment but the Doctor said it’s normal for how active she is!

I can’t get this kid to sit still unless she’s strapped in. I think she’s hitting a growth spurt, though, because all she wanted to do today was EAT. If you follow our blog regularly, you know getting her to eat is usually a struggle for me. KB walked around signing “more” all day long and ate ALL of her green beans and “spaghetti” for dinner. She usually eats about half.

Yesterday Kens got to see her crush again! Levi came to the gym and & K wouldn’t leave him alone. 😂 She was non-stop hugging and kissing him. When I was holding him, he kept turning his head back and forth to look around. Kensie kept moving to stick her face right in front of his and say “hi”. Her obsession is ridiculous but hilarious.

The rest of our antics so far this week have just been KB being good ole, KB. Carrying bags and balloons, running and screeching!

..and because her balloon isn’t good enough, she had to show me that she found another one.

A fun 15 months its been watching this one turn into a little person!

Our little KB turned 15 months old this weekend! I think I always say this but it’s such a fun age. My favorite part is her “mocking” people’s actions – laughing, coughing, trying to put on shoes and socks. She also knows she is “Kensie” and pats her belly like “that’s me!” when you say her name.

My least favorite is she’s in the grabbing/biting stage and this girl has a STRONG grip. When KB gets frustrated she clenches her fists and shakes and then leans over and bites whatever is near her. 😳

She’s started nodding yes and shaking her head no. Sometimes she just walks around looking like a bobble head. 🤷🏼‍♀️

We have her official check up on Tuesday but according to our scale she’s finally hit 20lb and she’s in 9 month clothes. She’s got feet the size of a 2 year old, though. 😂

I guess I should mention she’s also a clepto. She steamed bags, water bottles, keys, shoes (pictured above). You name it. She wants it? She takes it.

K’s newest obsession is balloons. Her favorite toy is still her ball spinner and her kitchen! She love, love, LOVES to fake eat and fake feed people.

She’s a giggling FOOL and cracks herself up constantly.

Kensie has discovered she can pull her pacifier and other things out of the side of her crib and likes to carry blankets around like Linus. Other than stealing it, she’s been doing great without her binky throughout the day (we are trying to limit it to nap and bed time) and still working on stopping the screeching pterodactyl noise when she’s trying to get someone’s attention. She’s recently started shoving my legs until I look down at her. I’m not sure which I prefer. 🤔

K is still the SWEETEST little babe and gives the BEST neck hugs, kisses and snuggles. When she gets in bed with us in the morning to have her bottle she leans over and kisses me 😭. She always has sweet hugs and kisses for her friends, too!

Her skills have progressed so much recently and she can take lids off of water bottles and pouches and put them back on. She repeats the word “baby” and “mama” and some other random ones here and there.

She can also play with stacker toys now and take the rings off and put them back on! She tries to put keys in doors, knows “go” means we are getting in the car, and has started full speed RUNNING.

Kensie is OBSESSED with her puppy dogs and loves to pet them, pat them, hug them, laugh at them and tell them to “go, go, go”.

She’s looking forward to the next month because her training is almost done and she’s ready to be hired as a full time CrossFit coach. We are pretty excited, too, so she can start affording her rent. 😜

OH, and quick update for those that saw the sleeping post – thanks for all of your feedback!! It seems to have just been teething (knock on wood) and when I gave her Motrin in the middle of the night she slept until 6, and this morning until 6:15! I’ll take that over 4:30 any day. 🙌🏼

Mommas! Help me! 😫

KB woke up again this morning at 4:45! No no no no nooooo!! For about 3 months, she’s slept consistently from 7p until around 6:30-7a without waking up at all. My theory is teething. She has a front tooth and FOUR molars coming in and one finally broke through.

But, the back to back days around the same time has me wondering if it’s possibly a sleep regression?

My mom’s theory also seems possible – which is that maybe the Motrin wears off around that time so she’s in pain from her teeth? Y’all. Her gums are SO swollen.

So, I’m pretty sure it’s the teeth, but, there’s no way to really know. So, figured I’d ask because who knows what I’ll learn? 🤷🏼‍♀️😜

Kensie was beyond entertaining today. She coached the noon Burn class like a BOSS! I missed the best video, she was a little tired by the time I got this one, but this went on all 30 minutes of their workout. 😂

She would get so confused when she came back in and someone ran back out. Hahahaha!!!

When we got home, the job didn’t stop. We’ve got a business woman on our hands, no doubt!!

After I worked out this afternoon, Kens got to spend some time with some of her favorite people including her baby Bestie, Henley! She sure is a lover.

KB was extra tired from her WAY too early wake up, but she was a champ through dinner and had her first experience is crayons! (Eating them and coloring with them…🤦🏼‍♀️).

I also promise she didn’t wear her bib all day…it just happened to be when I got photos of her.

Now someone please tell me the magic trick to getting K to go back to her normal sleep schedule!!

These last two days have been night and day with this little firecracker!

Yesterday KB was the HAPPIEST little girl. All smiles and giggles and babbling.

Today? She woke up at 4:30am, I’m still not sure why. K was happy until nap time, but when she woke up she was a grouch. It definitely could have been worse, but the constant whining over anything and everything was more than enough for me today.

I know she looks super sweet and innocent here. The reality is the only thing that kept her from grabbing my legs and fussing nonstop was letting her empty the bathroom cabinet while I got ready.

Yesterday we went to the playground after I coached because the weather was too gorgeous to not be outside! She loved the slide, car and sitting on my lap to swing. Apparently that was much more fun than swinging on her own!

There were 2 little boys there that kept following her around wanting to play. She put them in their place and had them “drive” her around. 😂

She just sat there swinging her legs. Kid was killing me.

These next 2 videos are to recap our evening. For your entertainment…

And this, is my sweet little angel baby at her finest. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I took the water cup away from her before it went everywhere, and this is what she did.

Takes baby pterodactyl to a WHOLE new level. Her punishment was chores.

Y’all. Pray for me.

I got my KB back today!!!

I had a fun weekend in Nashville but I sure did miss this nugget.

Friday KB refused to sleep. Maybe she just wanted to soak in every minute with me before I left. 😉

Luckily she turned that around over the weekend while Gramma was here!! All the playing wore her right out.

Best part of the weekend? SHE HAS BEEN EATING LIKE A CHAMP! K had “real” food for every meal and didn’t turn down anything Gramma offered. She even snuck some green beans into her spaghetti. 😜

Kensie was the happiest little lady today. Lots of giggles, hugs and naps with zero fussing! She probably thought it was the best day ever because she got her very own balloon from Publix!

KB is obsessed with balloons. She spent the morning carrying my birthday balloon around the house…

Along with her giggles, Kensie was a chatter box today!!! She said “mama” a lot this morning AND “baby”! Mama was actually “mamamamaaaaa” and baby was repeated when they said it on TV. Tonight before bed she was waking down the hall to me as I was putting some of her toys away and she said “uh oh”. 😂 I think that’s my favorite.

That’s about it for the weekend recap. Well that, and GO JAGS!

It’s been a busy couple of days for KB! Today, we got to meet one of Kensie’s future best friends: Niall Read!

She actually let me hold him for an hour without getting jealous! Not sure if she just wasn’t jealous, or if she enjoyed going up and down the stairs too much to care.

K was a great road trip buddy and even though she only napped for about 20 minutes out of the 4 total hours we were in the car, she managed to entertain herself with her puppy and imagination. She would “talk” on and on about something then burst out laughing.

And fun fact for everyone who says you shouldn’t buy babies clothes because they grow out of them in a week: This romper has fit her for the last 8 months now. I was scrolling through photos and have a picture of her in it back in June. 😆

We’ve been working a lot on using words instead of dinosaur calls to get attention. If you asked me Monday I would say it’s going to be a complete failure. As of today, it’s actually looking promising. She’s progressed to coming to find me (in the house), patting my leg and pointing for me to follow her. It’s usually to help her pull something out of her crib. 😂 Kens discovered she can grab things through the slats. I’ve been trying to keep her pacifier in there for only nap and bedtime but she’s been “rescuing” it.

Her other favorite thing of the week is to drink water out of my large water cup. She’s also learned how to shake her head “no”. Luckily, she hasn’t started saying it yet.

K has been a happy girl all week and took great naps. She was extra excited to celebrate my birthday. Not because she knew it was, but because she thought someone got her a balloon. 🙄

K is ready for her 16th birthday already.