This morning, I ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth & left the girls alone on the floor in my bedroom. I heard Eloise start to squeal with terror & laughter, and I came around the corner to find Harper dragging her by one leg across the floor, and she looked up at me & said “look mom! I’m pulling Ellie like a wagon!”
Sometimes when I sit down to write blog posts, little stories like that are all that consume my mind & I can never decide if it is what I should write about or not. But truth be told, that’s my every day, it’s what I wake up to & go to bed laughing about. So, I know it may get old to hear stories about someone else’s kids, but I guess I’m a one trick pony these days! ๐
The girls have gotten really good at playing together lately, even though I have to break apart a tug-o-war between them every half hour over whatever toy they both desperately need to play with. Harper loves to read books to Eloise, and Eloise loves to rip pages out of Harper’s books. This weekend on our quest to make raspberry jelly, we went to a new farmers’ market that opened near us. Harper discovered gummy sharks & “polar bears” for the first time, the first thing she said was “why thank you mom for bringing me here just to buy these!” And I swear she talks in a British accent. Eloise snacked on fresh fruit & vanilla wafer samples the whole time so she was pretty happy.
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Sometimes Eloise is just stop-drop-and-headstanding all day on top of Harper’s magna-doodle when she is trying to draw castles. “Mom, her yoga is getting out of hand!” Harper tells me.
With their ages, it’s not always possible to get one on one time with each of them during the day, but it’s pretty great when we do. Eloise usually naps longer than Harper in the afternoons, so we have popcorn or popsicle dates & do girly things like paint our nails or Harper’s favorite, curling her her hair or putting in rollers. This picture totally sums up our afternoons together & cracks me up! Harper watches morning cartoons in my bed when she wakes up, so E hangs out with me in the bathroom while I get ready for the day. She’s at the age right now where holding lip glosses or mascara tubes totally blows her mind, so she is a pretty fun little sidekick! That picture of her smiling up at me might be one of my favorites ever.
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Yes, they totally drive me bonkers as well. Harper spends the first fifteen minutes of every nap fake crying & sniffling hoping I will just let her get out of bed. When she is misbehaving, and we threaten to take things away, like her morning cartoons or her beloved cat stuffed animal, she plays mr. tough guy & says “yep. take ’em away.” Eloise is really just at a hard age, where she wants to do everything Harper does but just isn’t quite there yet. She wants to walk & climb on things, hates her bottle & will scream the entire time she is in a carseat. It makes for really lovely drives everywhere we go. ๐
All of the chaos, all of the messes, the hundred (million trillion) questions & cries when I leave the room are all worth it. They are never the things that I remember at the end of a long day (most of the time), it’s more often things like the look on Ellie’s face as she is being pulled like a radio flyer across my bedroom carpet.
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I LOVE posts like this and these are exactly the sorts of posts YOU will love having to look back on someday. So, keep your one trick pony alive and keep writing about your sweet girls.
I have a car seat screamer too. A DVD player in the backseat helped a little. But only for about 15 minutes.
Those little stories are what make life as a parent great, eh?
That photo of Eloise looking up at you melts my heart. Thank you for sharing these stories, they made me laugh. You have a beautiful family ๐ xx
this is seriously one of my favorite blog posts you have ever written. I guffawed at the "mom, her yoga is getting out of hand" comment and generally through the entire post. As a mom of a 3 year old girl and 16 month old boy (and 7 weeks from having another little girl), I am in the midst of these years, myself. They. Are. The. Best. posts like this remind me that it's so worth it to find the things that make you laugh admist the messy house, and just going to Target to get out of the house when it's freezing outside. Being a mom is the best adventure. Thanks for being so candid about your girls. You love them so much! you're a good mama! ๐
so cute- they are getting so big- we have 2 boys exactly the same ages, so its fun to see all the girlyness that goes on in other homes. ps- where is your comforter from? L <3 VE the colors!
man i laughed so hard! that Harper CRACKS. ME. UP. "Fine. Take 'em." TYPICAL first child, and i know that first-hand ๐
That Eloise–she'll just be beautiful her whole life, huh??
And I for one LOVE the kid stories–they're my favorite of your posts ๐
Love it!
Sounds like the life to me! They are sure adorable.
Love the stories mama! Never will I get sick of them! They warm my heart <3, I just love when you add what Harper says, she cracks me up!
Oh my gosh I love that photo of Harper with the rollers and Popsicle, plus her tutu with the balls inside is adorable. How easy to make as well! Posts like this are the best, especially for you…because as much as we are your audience, this blog is really for your creative expression and to document what you chose.Write what you want. We'll take it no matter what! xo Chelsea play. wash. rinse. repeat.
I totally needed this post today as my 18 mo old has been sick since Friday and we've left the house a total of once and I've cleaned puke off of her bedding and myself more times than I care to count! Oh ya, and I'm pregnant with #2 and dealing with major morning sickness but posts like this remind me that I'm not alone in the chaos and that there's always a bright spot in the day with our Littles even if it's that I got to end my night with a cup of ben and jerrys instead of a glass of wine. ๐
I LOVE your toddler tales! They are one of my favorite parts about your blog. Such sweet munchkins you have!
Parenthood is HARD…like REALLY HARD. But today I thought about how awesome it is knowing that to my littles my arms are the safest and snuggliest place they want to be. And that is pretty freakin' amazing.
Harper stories could never get old! Keep 'em coming!
I love reading posts about your girls! Keep them coming!
Your crazy Toddler Tales are what make us feel like we aren't insane! So keep 'em coming! ๐
I bet 75% of your followers are fellow mommas like me and will never get tired of hearing your kid stories!! We get it ๐
Love it, because I'm experiencing it all (as you read earlier in the week!) The car crying is the WORST. We still deal with that too. And the bedtime/nap fake crying might be worse and I totally do the same threats and get challenged, too. Long days at home with kids, they bring my highest highs and lowest lows… sometimes in a 10 minute span. Oof.
You just have a way with words and get me laughing out loud with just about every post. Loved reading this and I aways love your kid stories. My favorite so far was when Harper said "Fing beep beep" at the annoying dryer and when you told us you accidentally spilled your adult beverage on Harper when you went to check on her. How real you are is what keeps me coming back.
XOXO,
Summer Ann
Simply Summer Ann Blog
Oh my goodness this is hilarious!! Thanks for the laugh! My two are the exact same age difference as yours but only 2.5 and almost 5 months right now so I know what im in for in a couple months ๐ by the way did you decide on a car seat for Eloise? We are starting to look at a convertible for our daughter and was just curious. We have a britax for our son and want another that will fit ok in our car. Thanks!
Yup I'm pregnant. Just cried reading that post. Thank you for sharing Harper and Ellie with us.
I love that you always include the real life side of being a mom. When I was first reading this post I thought "man she has it together" but when you explain that E hates the carseat (which my son who is 9 months ALSO does) it was like, "Ok! We are there too! This is real life" ๐
Love your stories. Your girls are beautiful! I love the stop-drop-headstand being referred to as "yoga", so sweet!
I just LOVE reading your blog!
Love this whole post. These are the best days of our lives!!!! That picture of Eloise smiling up at you…. Stunning! xo
Toddler life is so fun. I can't even imagine the tales when there's three ๐ It is all so worth it!!
How sweet! Thanks for sharing. <3
http://www.carriedawaydetroit.com
Sometimes you just need to remember those little moments! Those are what life is all about. You can never over-share those, at least not in my opinion:)
I'm pretty sure everyone loves reading about your sweet girls, myself included! The mess, the whines. The chaos, it's all totally worth it isn't it ๐ thanks for sharing a little bit of your life on here with us!
I love this post! So sweet!
Love this! especially,"…her yoga is getting out of hand!" What sweet little girls you have ๐
Nodding my head in agreement to all of this! my 2 1/2 year old and 11 month old are exactly the same way right now. I love it!
Love the Harper comment: "Yup, take 'em away". I literally laughed out loud at that one!
pearlsandplatters.com
Love these types of posts! Harper's commentary is so funny! What a personality that one has. Little Eloise is growing so fast! But what a cutie! And those rollers, oh my! Heart eyes for days.
-Melissa
hellohobson.blogspot.com
I love this. So real. Those girls are absolutely beautiful! I love hearing stories about them! Every mom can relate.
Oh my goodness I love this post so much! Please keep sharing stories of your kids they are so adorable!
I love this post! They are so cute, and the comment about Eloise's yoga getting out of hand was too funny. I know just what you mean too. There are days my 2.5 year old will go to bed and my husband will say "man he was rough today" and I will honestly think and go "really? I thought he was so sweet!" hahaha it's better to remember the good stuff!
These posts are the reason I kept reading your blog after the chalkboardd were over with Harper. Because you have no problem being real, and it is refreshing. Your blog has beautiful dresses, cute toys, nice decorating ideas, but the best is all these silly things that fill our days and that only other moms can understand. Let's face it, at the end of the day misery does love company! ๐ What I mean is that it is really nice to know that we're not the only ones.
Thank you for sharing your life with us: the good and the bad. I love it and hope you continue doing it!
I love this post. It makes my life seem so much more normal! I have girls 22 months apart and man we have the same things going on. The playing together is just starting to happen and oh man do I love it. (Also is the that mines or no Haddie you cannot have it, you're to litttttllllleeeee!) I always laugh at the end of the day at all the crazy shenanigans that I've witnessed!
YES!!! We go to Target when it's cold outside too. Thanks for sharing, I thought I was the only one who did that with two screaming kids (2 year old and 7 month old). Have to find an out occassionally, and Target it is (and $200.00 later)
Love this post! It's real!! I always wondered how you kept everything together. We have a 2 year old and a 7 month old and damn if the days aren't challenging. Our oldest is always trying to think of ways to treat her younger sister like a rag doll. Our days are chaos, the house is trashed, and meals are half ass on those days. But in the end……it's the memories that count. Keep blogging!!
Your girls are just too cute!! Have you ever heard about Just Like Mommy Cosmetics? It's the most adorable play makeup for girls and I think Harper would love it if she's excited holding your makeup ๐
XO Kelly
http://www.dettecakes.com
Where did you get Harper's adorable pom pom tutu? Love it!!
Your Kids are so cute. Cant wait until my lil sunshine is born.
Pauline from Maxis-Babywelt
These are my favorite blog posts! ?
I love how dark Ellie's hair is! She's such a little raven haired cutie, hope it stays darker while it gets a little longer, she'd look so cute with a little bob!
This made me laugh so hard! Those girls are so funny and beautiful! I am 14 weeks pregnant with my first! I am posting funny weekly updates with Maternity Fashion.
Check out my blog Jessica!
jacobandreasnow.blogspot.com
Xoxo
Snow
These are my favorite posts. I can relate. I love reading other mom's shinanigins.
I love these "real" posts! And the picture of Harper in with rollers is hilarious!
http://tisourlife.blogspot.com/
This post. I just died! I couldn't help but chuckle when I was reading about Ellie's car seat protests (those happen daily with Hannah too!) and I looked up at that sweet faced smile she is giving…it can't be! I don't believe it!! Not that cute face! She never gets upset ๐ I absolutely love reading about the girls. Especially the crazy every day life stuff!!
ritterbits.blogspot.com
Love reading about your sweet girls. Don't ever stop with the stories ๐ I love the stories that we can all relate too! These are the stories you are going to want to remember when the girls are older, so keep documenting mama ๐ Your girls are gorgeous!
I can't believe my sweet little 4 month old Stella will turn into a tough guy one day and say "Yep. Take 'em away." That is HYSTERICAL! You've got your hands full, mama!
I love coming to your blog and reading your stories. They always make me laugh and want a baby!
Her yoga is getting out of hand! Oh my gosh, funniest thing, ever. These posts are my favoriteeeee. Love it<3
I love the wagon story! My niece pulled my nephew like that before I had kids. I thought I should stop them, but they were having SO much fun. My SIL came in and reminded my niece about the rug burns in my nephews hair the last time they did that. ๐ So, I learned I should have stopped that game. How did your girls do with it? Any rug burns?
I've been reading your blog almost since the beginning, but I haven't commented before. I had to today to tell you how much I love posts like this! I have two girls too, about the same ages, my youngest is also named Eloise! I love this stage of life and it's so fun to read stories from someone else at the same stage.
Love hearing stories and seeing pictures about your little lady's! Especially since my daughter is Harper's age, and I can completely relate! We threaten to take things away and she is just as tough and acts like she doesn't care, makes me wonder how she will be as a teenager!
I seriously love your hilarious kid stories! Thank you for sharing! Makes me excited to have another baby!
What a perfect post! I think we can all relate, but it's nice to hear it from someone else every now and then – and, thank you for preparing me for TWO babies…my time is coming quickly. (And, I love that Harper is still wearing Christmas pajamas…Cam wore those exact ones last night.) Happy Thursday!!
Working on baby #1 and your posts make me feel so much more reassured about the reality of parenthood than the blogs that claim it's all so easy! Those easy peasy to handle your kids store scare the crap out of me because there's no way on earth that's the case (majority of the time lol). I love your positive attitude and honesty! Thanks for a wonderful post and pick me up with your adorable stories!
I love your blog but I now love it even more!! This is awesome! Happy Thursday?
Love how she thinks the yoga is getting out of hand! So cute!!! And the whole, "yep, go ahead, take 'em…" My two year old just started doing that!!!
Keep these posts coming, they're my favorite!!! Elliot is just starting to form sentences and saying words I never even knew he knew ha! It's so much fun! So reading about your girls and what they do is always fun!
I adore this post. So sweet and SO true! lol. ๐
Itsnt it beautful chaos!? Being a new mom sorta, my son will be 2 in June. I know exactly what you mean. Some times my days run together between cooking cleaning bugs dirt snuggles and I yu yu's (I love you) it feels like a crazy day. But when I recap at the end of the day it was a great day a perfect day a day I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you for sharing your life and precious princesses with us. Your amazing and I absoulutly LOVE your blog.
Have a great day
xo
Are you planning to continue working from home part-time once you have your third? We have two and want a third and are trying to decide if me working part-time is realistic.
So glad to hear my almost 3yo is not the only one whine/fake crying at bedtime/naptime! Love your adorable girls and the stories you share about them ๐
Okay..question for you. How do you get them to nap at the same time and if they aren't napping at the same time..how do u keep them quiet while the other is napping. WE have two girls same ages as yours. HELP!! Give us details on real life naps and being quiet. ๐
Harper's British accent and drawing castles….sounds like my daydreams before I finally got to live over here in England! I need your address so I can send the girls over some English goodies I just know they would love ๐ xxx
Love, love, LOVE this post!
Itsnt it beautful chaos!? Being a new mom sorta, my son will be 2 in June. I know exactly what you mean. Some times my days run together between cooking cleaning bugs dirt snuggles and I yu yu's (I love you) it feels like a crazy day. But when I recap at the end of the day it was a great day a perfect day a day I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you for sharing your life and precious princesses with us. Your amazing and I absoulutly LOVE your blog.
Have a great day
xo
Sounds so fun! I only have one daughter, she is just over 2 now and definitely has a little attitude! Some days I wonder how people have more than one but I'm sure it's worth it ๐ x
Wow, our lives seem identical! Literally everything towards the end of the post is how my life is also. Oh the joys! ๐
Love this post! ๐
Seconding comforter source request! Love it!
I love these stories!! Sounds like the life to me ๐
HA, LOVE these post. These two crack me up. ๐ Super cute little girlies you have!
Thank you so much for this post. I always look forward to your new blog posts, you are my Mommy inspiration. If only I could have things as put together as you! I loved this post because it made me feel like maybe my life with two little girls is normal. It's never perfect but always full of love.
I love your stories. They're hilarious! Harper must be a hoot! Glad you shared. I got a good giggle out of this post. ๐
Your posts that are just real life are my favorites. That's why I love your blog. You don't try to be perfect even though you seem to accomplish a hell of a lot more than I feel I could and I only have one! But I'm pregnant just a couple of weeks behind you and I'm blown away by your stamina. I've been sick sick sick and have felt like a half ass mom to my 17 month old. Anyway wanted to say keep these posts coming! They are my fave.
This post rules. I soooo know that face on the baby being dragged ("gently" dragged, my two year old would claim, she says she does everything "gently"). So funny how baby number two is such a sturdy little trooper! My Polly (one year old now) got a cut lip today in the backyard and didn't make a peep about it. She just figures life is full of bumps and tackles! Your girls remind me a lot of my own and Eloise's ongoing yoga habit is positively addictive to see in action. I love all your posts but this takes the cake.
I love the way Harper is looking at e while they are reading. So darn cute.
I have to say, if you think it is crazy now just wait for baby #3! 3 kids is literal chaos ALL.THE.TIME. You are a great Mama and will do fine, though ๐ My key to survival is to literally drop all expectations. If your only goal is to keep your kids happy, fed and clean all day you will always have success ๐ Love your blog and Instagram – thanks for sharing with us ๐