2.5 seconds

That's about how long I spent having a "poor me" moment last night. I'm getting good at getting over things. Today, I'm going to Portland to go to a special needs conference called All Born In. Last night I was starting to get my things packed up for my little road trip & I started having one of those "if things were only different" moments. A very selfish moment, I will admit. Because my thought behind it was...If Jake were typical, I would be going to Portland to go shopping with my friends, not to sit thru 8 hours of special needs topics. And as quick as that thought came into my head, it went right back out. I do have to thank Tara & Carrie for that. Tara is one of my life long BFF's. She has always been my "go getter" friend. My friend that kept me on the straight and narrow in our early years, that has ALWAYS been there for me, and always will be. She lives in western Washington, is super successful in her professional life, as well as in her family life. She is a very well balanced person, which is why I love that I have her in my life. She is meeting me in Portland tonight after she gets off work, for a little shopping, dinner, & drinks. A very mini girls weekend. But much needed for both of us! My Carrie...oh my Carrie. I couldn't be more lucky to have Carrie in my life. Everyone should have a Carrie. I honestly don't know that (outside of my immediate family) there is a bigger "Jakey fan" than Carrie. She loves her some Jakey. Carrie and I have become friends over the last few years. She's a newer BFF,that will never be anything less. She gives her all in everything, & everyone. She loves & believes like nobody I've ever met. Carrie is making the trek to Portland with me today, & is also going to the conference. The reason I'm bragging about these two...they made me realize that things don't need to be different. I'm still going to Portland for a girls weekend. With 2 of my besties. Perfect. And the conference, I wouldn't be going to the conference if Jake were typical. Which is really kind of sad, because I have a feeling I am going to learn so much. So much more than typical Jane with her typical kids. So I guess I need to thank Jake as well. I would brag about him like I did my girls, but I do that on a daily basis!

When I started this blog, I needed a place to try and sort out my feelings. I learned early on in Jake's life that writing was my way of sorting things out. Blogging brought a whole new world into my life. A whole new circle of people that have helped me, & I in turn have been able to help. It's very rare that I have feelings that I need to sort out anymore, because life has become very typical for me. I feel very comfortable in Holland now. Holland is home. Finally.

So, off I go with 2 of my besties for a day of girl talk, shopping, dinner, martini's, and a good night sleep without the 4am wake up call (sorry Zach...he's all yours tonight). And tomorrow, I'm going to learn to be a better wife/parent to my family with special needs.

Oh, for those who don't get the Holland comment...google Welcome to Holland.

Big girl...in training

Last night, Gracie informed me that she is a big girl, and she wants to make her own dinner!

My thoughts...RIGHT ON!

On the menu:

PB&J!

First, we smash on lots of peanut butter (she tells me)...

Then we have to put jelly on...v e r y c a r e f u l l y...

Oh, and don't forget to sing the jelly song (she made it up)...I have video, if I can figure out how, I'll post it!

Taste test...

So hungry, that was hard work!

Best sandwich EVER!!

Jake, he just watched...
And ate the chicken and rice that dad made him!

Ahh, I love these ages!

A very Minnie day...

Saturday was Lexi's day...

There were 5 candles on her cake...

Lots of special gifts, for a very special girl...

I think she have like the Disney Princesses sleeping bag that Auntie Julie got her...

Just a little...

But gift that got this reaction...

Her super sweet, totally pink Barbie bike!

There were lots of friends...

A super fun bouncy house...

With LOTS of bouncy kids...

All because...

Happy birthday sweet girl!

Some like to eat in bed...

I like to craft in mine. What can I say, it's warm & we have a big tv in our room. Someday, I'll have an actual craft room, but for now...our bedroom will have to do! I found myself with a little free time on my hands tonight, so I whipped these up...

These are on bobbie pins

This big daddy is on a lapel pin

The big pink one is on a bobbie pin, the other is on a snap clip

Only because I just got my hair done!

Made this one to wear to Lexi's party tomorrow!

Craft on!

Ahh, the smell of hot glue, the buzz of my girl Cricut, radio in the background, kids locked lovingly placed in the playroom with a movie...I'm ready to get my craft on! Crafting is my sport. I am by no means a professional, but I do enjoy it. A lot. I love my friends that are not crafty. I love that I can amaze them with my so so skills...& they call me Martha Stewart! It makes me giggle a little inside. Tonight, I am finishing up Ms Lexi's birthday party decor! I can't wait to post pics tonight!!

Sneak peak! The party will be Saturday afternoon!

Ya know that saying...

"Paybacks are a bi*ch"? They are. I'm living mine. I remember a few months ago telling everyone that would listen that if Jake were my 1st child...I would have 10 more, just like him. Medical issues and all. I've changed my mind. Although I would NEVER in a million years give him back, I'm learning what it's like "to have a boy", as they say. In my experience, MY girl (as a toddler) was 110 times easier than my little fireball of a boy! Let me tell you what he has been up to...

He is mobile & he is quick. He is into everything.

My house now has these...

And these...

And this...

And soon, these...

The only one ever used with Gracie...the gate....because we had stairs in our last house. These objects are foreign to me, and I am not loving them. But they are necessary. Very necessary. For these reasons...

1. Fun looking holes in the wall right at little boys eye level, requires something shoved in them. The necessary object, sisters plastic fork from her tea party set. Although impressed with his hand/eye skills, not at all amused.

2. It's only a matter of time before we catch him exploring the neighborhood in nothing but a diaper. He's a little escape artist. Remember the casts, or lack there of...Houdini. Door knob thingies...necessary.

3. I'm undecided about the gate. See, Jake puts EVERYTHING in his mouth...everything. I'm starting to wonder if trapping him in a room only makes his little mind go wild & he eats everything he can get in his mouth. If it doesn't fit in his mouth, he destroys it, until it does. Then he eats it. Some of the things he has eaten...the normal stuff, you know...dog food, dog water, tissues from the bathroom garbage can, books, magazines, puzzle pieces, stickers have gone missing (I'm just saying...), and best of all...a cat hair ball. Sick right? Well it wasn't just any cat hair ball...it was sitting in a nice big, warm pile of fresh cat vomit. We love that Jake is an amazing eater, but that goes too far. My mom told me to write it in his baby book. Like that is necessary. As if I will EVER forget the day I dug a cat vomit hairball out of my sons mouth. So the gate...not sure how long that will stick around.

I was going to post some pics of Gracie & her new found love of hop scotch...but I see Jake making a b-line for the dog food...I'm out!

Still here...

Just busy little bees! Tiss the season right...well, one of the seasons anyway! I love this time of year, so many projects/ideas, so little time, money, & energy! We are getting all ready for our many Easter egg hunts and a big brunch at mom & dad's house on Sunday. Spending time with friends & family from out of town, & just enjoying a change of pace from our normal daily running kids to and from school, therapy, and doctors appointments. I honestly kind of like that most everyone ones "professional" lives turn to snail pace for week! I have also taken on the title of Party Planner for Ms Lexi's 5th birthday party next weekend! I am having way too much fun with that! It is going to be a Minnie Mouse party to remember! So for a few hours today I will be crafting up some goodie boxes (pictures to come), baking a few breakfast casseroles for tomorrow, and visiting with some friends & their little people for some Easter egg coloring! Hope you are all having a great week!