Dear Kimball, you are one

My dear Kimball,

You are one year old! I can't believe it. You've done so much in the past year. You have been to 13 states, two zoos, AZ to see your grandparents, and three temples (OKC, Snowflake, and Nauvoo). You lived in a hotel for the first two and a half months of your life. You spent hours in the car and survived three moves (ID to MI to KS). I know I'm missing some more things, but I'll stop there. I can't believe how much you have already done in your short life!

Did I tell you that you started walking when you were 11 months old? Aidan loved crouching down, holding out his hands, and saying, "Come here, Kimball. Come here." And you loved walking to him. Let's face it, we all loved trying to get you to walk to us. :) It's been fun to see you try to run as fast as Aidan does and see you fall but get right back up every single time.

You have a lot of gumption and ambition, plus a lot of problem-solving skills which has gotten me into trouble a few times. You love opening the kitchen cupboard doors and recently learned how to open the top desk drawer and make a mess throwing pens and markers everywhere.

You also love throwing books off the bookshelves, throwing cars, throwing balls (throwing pretty much anything - I'm trying to get you out of the habit), running after Aidan and being chased by Aidan, being tickled, being snuggled, going on walks, and taking long drives in the car. I think it's because you like looking out the van window and you're actually out of the house. :)

The other thing you absolutely love is WATER! You love splashing in the water so much that Aidan constantly says, "No, Kimball! Please stop, Kimball." He's gotten more used to it, though. You don't mind me dumping water over your head to rinse out the shampoo in your hair. When we went to the toddler pool on-base, you were like a little fish. I had to keep a close eye on you so you wouldn't go under the water. I'll have to put you in swim lessons in the next couple years.

You're in the 29th percentile for height (29.5 inch) and 38th percentile for weight (20 lbs 13 oz), so I'm not sure how tall or big you will be. To me you are perfect just the way you are right now. You have grown out of most of the 9-12 month clothes, and it kind of broke my heart to take out the 12 month clothes because it means you're growing up. It's definitely bittersweet watching you reach milestones.

You're still not sure how to suck out of a straw. You finally did get used to drinking from a sippy cup. You hated it at first - probably because I've given you free reign over your bottle and you've used it as a comfort more than I'd like. Since we've both been frustrated with the transition, I'm grateful I don't have to wean you from a pacifier! I bet you are, too.

By the way, you have so.many.teeth. I can't even remember how many teeth you have. Almost a whole mouthful, with a few gaps here and there. I'll count them the next time you laugh and put your head way back on my lap like you love doing. You are definitely my snuggle baby, which I love. Thanks for all your sweet hugs and touching your hand to my knee when you want to watch what's going on around us but be close to me too.

Aidan and you have a sweet, funny relationship. Aidan absolutely loves you, but he also has a mean streak. You've had to be patient with him taking toys away from you, hitting you on the head, and pushing you over. However, you've also got a big brother who has your back. He misses you when you're asleep. When you first joined our family and I happened to be out with just Aidan and me, he would say, "Baby?"

You both love playing together in the pack 'n play, and you used to love playing together in the crib too before we banned Aidan from it haha. You two wouldn't go to sleep! It still sounds like a party in your bedroom every night when you two go to bed, though. You both love running around and playing with blankets, balls, stuffed animals, and (sometimes) cars when Aidan lets you. It's also fun and sweet watching you both play at the park and seeing your different personalities come out.

Aidan's first time seeing you.

You're kind of a picky eater. You'll eat four or five bites of something and enjoy it, but then when I give you more, you just throw it on the floor. Then you cry because you're still hungry. I kind of want to tear my hair out sometimes figuring out things for you to eat, but I'm glad you still eat most things. Let's see, I'm usually safe giving you bananas and bread. You also really like cooked peas, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, oatmeal, raisins, baby food, milk, and pancakes. Definitely pancakes. The other day I tried to get you to eat applesauce by yourself by dumping some applesauce onto your tray and handing you a spoon. I left the room for a minute and came back to find Aidan feeding you. It was the cutest thing. He loves helping out. When you drop your bottle or sippy cup on the floor, Aidan likes fetching them for you, too.

Your first word was "da-da." You would say it for everything and then you would say, "Daddy" when you saw Dad. You are for sure a Daddy's boy. :) Still no other words yet, although lately you'll hold things up and it sounds like you say, "What's that?" So I just tell you the word of whatever you're holding up ("That's a book. That's a ball. That's a cheerio.") I love hearing your talk in your baby talk and your belly laugh is the best. Recently you'll laugh just when someone else around you laughs.

Movies still aren't your thing, but the other day I turned on Despicable Me for Aidan, and your favorites were the minions. Every time they came on, you laughed.

One of your other favorite things are washcloths, socks, shirts, blankets, anything soft. If I left a sock lying on the floor, you'll pick it up and walk around, waving it in the air like a flag. Then you think it's a game when I chase you and grab it.

During our bedtime routine, you still hate folding your arms for prayer, but you LOVE it when me or Daddy brush your teeth. I think the bathroom is your favorite room to go to. Probably because you're not allowed in there.

Can I just tell you how much I love you and am so, so grateful for you? On your one-year birthday, I couldn't stop thinking about the day you were born. I was excited when I went into labor all on my own, but then I was scared when a possible infection most likely caused it. The labor and delivery went really, really well, and I didn't have to push long with you at all. I wasn't sure if they would let me see you before sending you to the NICU, but I was so grateful and joyous when they placed you on my chest. My Kimball. When I think back to that day, I can't help but be so, so grateful you are here and healthy and thriving. You have brought SO MUCH joy to our family. Thank you for being happy and showing me how to better love others.

I hope and pray that someday you will have a relationship with Alma, too. Your dad and I miss him so much. When you were born, there were a lot of similarities between your facial features and Alma's, as well as other features. Although it made me miss him more, I was grateful I had you to help remind me what it felt like to hold him.

Happy One Whole Year to you, my Kimball. I love you like crazy and hope this next year brings even more happiness and milestones for you.

Love,

Mom

PS: Your birth story is here.

Kimball's One Year Birthday Party

Kimball turned one year old on May 10, 2017.

His first year seemed to go by much faster than Aidan's first year. It's probably because we did a lot of things out of the ordinary for a baby's first year (aka moving across the country, living in a hotel, new outings every week...).

It's always hard coming up with a theme for a baby's first birthday. For Aidan, I did a play off the meaning of his middle name ("champ/champion") and went with a baseball theme. For Kimball, I decided since Aidan and Kimball like animals, that's the theme we'd go for. And it turned out cute! Very simple, but cute.

This banner that took me wayyyy too long to make, along with big red, blue, yellow, and orange balloons strewn all over the floor, were the only decorations. But since our apartment is so small, it didn't seem to lack for other decorations. :) These, along with the animal crackers, assorted fruit, air-popped popcorn, and bright red cupcakes really added to the birthday atmosphere.

Although the cupcakes turned out just the way I was hoping (presentation-wise) and the kids liked them, the store-bought frosting was definitely nothing to brag about. Next time I'll make my usual homemade cream cheese frosting.

We had a few friends over (those who could make it on a random Thursday night) who brought their kids over. Kimball wasn't much a fan of playing with the other kids, but Aidan had a blast. One little boy couldn't stop eating the pineapple, and everyone's fingers were dyed red from the cupcake frosting.

We sang "Happy Birthday" to Kimball, who was the center of attention in the high chair, and Aidan happily helped K blow out the one birthday candle.

Then Kimball dug into his cupcake. He ate a lot of it and threw the rest overboard onto the carpet. I think he had a good birthday. :) 

It was so fun celebrating our little man. It's still surreal to me that he's a whole year old, but I also love watching him reach even more milestones and get old enough to play more games with Aidan. We're so grateful for him.

Crash! Ka-Boom! Blackout!

Our laptop has hit the dust (man down, man DOWN!) - at least the screen has - because of this little guy:

Don't be fooled by the cute chubby cheeks and roly poly arms - he is getting too tall for his own good (or at least for my own good - observe the broken screen above, please, it's important) and is okay with it.

Can you believe that??

The other day I was minding my own business, kneeling down on the floor by the coffee table looking through old college folders (there's some good stuff in there, but I digress) when I hear this BIG crash!

Ka-Boom!

Maybe it sounded so loud because 1. Aidan was asleep and 2. My senses always switch to high alert when Kimball is exploring and I'm not watching him very closely.

It probably startled me so much, too, because I thought everything valuable and fragile was out of his reach.

Nope.

The big crash and ka-boom? Kimball had managed to stand way up high on his tip-toes and stretch his hand far enough to grab our laptop (the one I've had since my first year of college, mind you) and pull it off of the kitchen table to the floor.

I had been working on it earlier and made sure to push it back to where he couldn't reach it, but I obviously underestimated his determination and height.

I ran over, surveyed the damage, and checked to make sure it hadn't hit Kimball (we got lucky on that account, at least). He seemed just as surprised as I was.

So now the screen is shot and I'm "typing" this up on my phone. Which is taking about a million times longer.

Sigh.

But, as much as we hated forking out the money, I think Jayze and I (especially Jayze haha) were secretly glad we had an excuse to buy a BRAND NEW computer. It's on its way now! (Eeek!)

We'll make sure this one stays far, far, far, far out of K's reach.

Thanks, Kimball. :)

Dear Kimball,

Today you are exactly 11 months and one day old. It seems I'm always at least one day behind on posting it. But since yesterday was kind of a crazy day for all of us (thank goodness for Daddy who got us out of the apartment for Family Home Evening), it wasn't the best day to post your monthly update. Plus, you had crusty banana all over your arms from breakfast and I knew you wouldn't want THAT included in your 11 month pictures. ;)

Can I just tell you how grateful I am for you? You've been smiling and laughing almost all the time for the past few days. Aidan loves playing with you more every day (and bossing you around, too), and as long as it doesn't get too rough, you don't mind all the wrestling. 

For a couple of weeks now you will randomly stand on your own (as long as there's something beside you to grab onto). You raise your arms high up to the sky and grin big and proud. If I practice with you more, you'll be walking in no time. As much as I love seeing you crawl after Aidan, I think it will be even more fun to see you running around with him. 

You've been teething for a few weeks. I felt a couple of teeth break through and thought that was the end of it, but the silly things scooted back inside your gums. I can tell you're uncomfortable, but you try to be happy through it. Once both of them cut through and stay, you'll officially have 11 teeth. (!)

Daddy still thinks your hair is too long but is okay waiting until next month to cut it. I just want to hold onto you as my baby as long as I can! Cutting your hair seems to make you age at least 6 months (which is a lot when you're a baby). Plus, I love the way it curls at the end when it's wet. 

Today during bath time you kept splashing Aidan. He didn't like it, but you sure did! You love, love, love splashing in the bath (and standing, which is not my favorite). 

You're still drinking formula, but will switch to cow's milk soon. I really can't believe how fast you're growing up. I'm in denial. Every time I dress you, I hesitate to put you in 12 month clothes because I can still squeeze you into some of your 9 month clothes. It's just too soon for me. 

Kimball, you have brought so much life into our family. I didn't think it could get more joyous after having Aidan, but you proved me wrong. We all love you so much, and I can tell you love us too. There's nowhere you'd rather be than with your family. (I should know, since I can barely go to the bathroom by myself anymore...:)) 

I hope one day you gain a relationship with Alma. When you and Aidan have your bedtime party, filled with squeals and belly laughs, I sometimes wonder if Alma is right there with you cracking jokes and making faces. I would like to think so. 

Let's make this next month go a little slower, okay? I have to have more time to plan your one-year birthday party and soak in the crawling stage a little longer. 

But at the same time, don't let me get in the way of reaching milestones. You've earned every single one of them so far, and I know you have enough drive and motivation to keep improving and progressing. 

You amaze me, little one. 

I love you,

Mom

Power in Motherhood

This week I made it a goal to get outside at least once a day with the kids. We've been cooped up with potty training and rainy weather. Since potty training turned out to be a bust (we'll try again in a few weeks), and the rainy weather isn't too cold in the afternoon, I've decided even if it's raining, we're at least going to get out the front door on the porch to breathe in some fresh air. 

Yesterday was the perfect start to the new goal. It rained in the morning, but the sun peeked out through big, fluffy, white clouds in the afternoon, drying out the wet air. After nap time and a quick snack, we got ready to play on the still-patchy, but green, grass. 

I quickly changed diapers, pulled on Aidan's Lightening McQueen shoes, and stuck my feet into my flip flops. With a soccer ball and blanket in one arm and Kimball in the other, I opened the front door and didn't even have to coax a football-in-hand, totally excited Aidan who said, "I got it!" when I tried to help him open the screen door that enabled our final escape to the outdoors. 

He finally figured out the handle and pushed the black door open. He walked a few steps, then stopped and threw the football over the metal railing onto the grass and sidewalk below. Then we all hurried down to "play ball."

I set Kimball down on the dry grass, laid the soft, blue and yellow baby blanket down next to him, and then lifted him up and over onto the blanket. He was content just sitting there watching Aidan, playing with the soccer ball, and eating grass when he was able to grab a fistful of it. 

Those overalls just kill me. I wish I had a million more of them to dress him in. :)

While I was getting Kimball set up, Aidan took off across the lawn to a tall, dry bush at the edge of the parking lot on the other side of our apartment. Then he ran back, laughing and plucking up yellow dandelions along the way. He was almost beside himself being outside again. Obviously, this goal will be good for all of us. 

After sitting with Kimball for a little bit, I watched as Aidan ran up to me and asked, "Mom, play?" 

Well, how could I resist that?

I jumped up and chased him around, snatching the soccer ball from his hands and running away with it. He grinned from ear to ear and laughed with joy at the game. He then ventured on his own again, climbing the wooden fence, jumping in a small, muddy puddle, and asking me to help lift him to touch his fingertips to the lower branches of a tree. A few minutes later, I jogged over and picked up Kimball, balanced him on my hip, and sprinted after Aidan again. We ended up crowded together by the fence and watched planes fly by. "It's flying away! Bye, white plane!"

When we got tired, we all plopped back onto the blanket and grass and enjoyed the breeze playing across our faces and running its fingers through our hair.  

At one point, Kimball crawled into my lap, leaving the baby blue blanket sitting by itself right by my knees. It was then that I thought of Alma. 

That blanket was given to us at Alma's baby shower, and I've used it for both Aidan and Kimball. I thought of how he might be saying, "Play on the grass, Mom?" like Aidan does. Since he's a year older, he'd probably be saying it in more complete sentences, but I couldn't help but think a piece of him was there with us. The wind on my face. The yellow sun shining down, warming us up. The sounds of a toddler's laugh and a baby's happy squeal. The joy emanating from my heart in addition to the sweet love I felt for all of my boys. 

It's interesting how grief comes unexpectedly. It wasn't so mean yesterday since it was more of a reminder of Alma rather than a sudden, sporadic, heart-wrenching moment of missing him. It was a slight tug, helping me remember him and imagine him playing and giggling with his younger brothers. 

That slight tug yesterday reminded me of the sacred role of motherhood. Sometimes I get caught up in filling empty stomachs, diaper changes, grocery bills, brushing teeth, bath time, building block towers, kissing bonked heads and smashed arms, preparing the diaper bag, reading scriptures, praying, creating activities, bouts of boredom, and digging deep for patience - all the while wondering if it's amounting to anything. The world doesn't cheer mothers on, and it's easy to get caught up in wondering if there's "more" I could be doing that has "greater impact."

Then moments like yesterday happen - stacked on top of hundreds and thousands of precious, sacred moments - when I see the glow of delight on Aidan's and Kimball's faces and, with grief, I feel close to Alma. 

Those moments, along with the hard moments that come with motherhood, are when I remember that being a mom is who I am supposed to be and motherhood is the greatest thing I could ever do. Nothing could ever replace it, and I am grateful to be a part of all of the moments I get to experience with all three of my kids. 

And I'm excited to get outside more this week. :)

"Some women are not given the responsibility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child, the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection. Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality. There is eternal influence and power in motherhood."

~Julie B. Beck~

10 Months

Kimball turned 10 months old last Friday (March 10). Here's a little update about him.

Stats:

I actually took him to the doctor just a few days before he turned 10 months old, but it was still technically his 9-month appointment. 

Height: 28 inch. (25%)

Weight: 20 lbs (47%)

Head Circumference: 45.6 cm (57%)

At the doctor's office.

He seems to have thinned out since he started crawling more, but he still has these cute, kissable, chunky cheeks. :)

Right after he turned 9 months old, he got sick. He wouldn't eat very much, and he didn't sleep very well. We finally bought a humidifier, and it actually helped sooo much. Who knew it would be so effective? It was hard to see him like that and not be able to help much. It took him a little more than a couple of weeks to get over it. 

Lots of snuggles during this sick period.

Sleeping: Finally starting to sleep through the night again. Being sick and teething threw his schedule off.

He's also pretty good at taking his naps. However, he only takes two naps a day now, so the period between him waking up from his afternoon nap and bedtime is sometimes hard.

Eating: He's getting good at eating finger foods! At dinner I'll give him small tidbits of whatever we're having, and he seems to like most of it. When I'm feeding him baby food, he starts crying when he's done. I guess he can only hand so much of it. :)

We finally gave in and offered him fruit. We were going to wait until he was a year old, but when he got sick and had a hard time even drinking formula, we fed him a frozen banana and some applesauce, which helped. Those, and a little bit of a fruit pouch, are the only fruits he's had.

He's also drinking less formula and eating more solid foods.

Clothes: I finally broke out the 12 month clothes. He doesn't quite fit into some of them yet (whew), but he's definitely in the 9-12 month clothes size bracket. It was a little nostalgic putting 12 month clothes in the closet again. It seems like just barely since Aidan was wearing them.

Textures: He's still a texture baby. He loves banging on pots and pans. He loves feeling the texture of his blanket, bibs, washcloths, stuffed animals, blocks, balls, food, etc.

Chews on everything: Anything he gets into his hands will go into his mouth. I have to vacuum almost every day now because he always eats whatever is on the floor. Cords are always a temptation. I'm thinking we'll have to get outlet covers soon, which is strange because they were never a temptation for Aidan. He especially loves playing/sucking on/chewing on kitchen utensils and Aidan's toy cars.

Chompers: Still has eight teeth. I keep checking for more, but his teething seems to have stopped for now.

Hair: His hair is getting longer. Almost every day now I have to convince Jayze to hold off cutting it until Kimball is a year old. :) The very end of his hair curls, and it's adorable.

Crawling: When we went to AZ, he started crawling on his knees. He used to just army crawl, but now he crawls on his knees everywhere, as well as pulls himself on anything he can and cruise. I think he might walk earlier than Aidan did...uh oh.

Trying to keep him contained while I was working on a project.

Problem solver: He is good at figuring things out. If I take a toy away from him and it's just out of his reach, he'll work so hard to get it back. It's the same with the computer. If Aidan is watching a movie and Kimball just wants to hit the keyboard but it's out of reach, he'll crawl, stand, and reach as far as he can to get it. He'll scale a big pile of pillows in order to get a toy he wants, and he wriggles out of my arms to get a toy, too.

Personality: He is such a happy baby (when he's not sick, hungry, or tired haha). Distractions work really well on him. He LOVES attention and playing with Aidan. He also loves being held and hasn't hit the stranger danger feeling yet. When we were in AZ, he didn't mind being held by anyone who wanted to hold him. We found out that he absolutely loves dogs. Both Jayze's Aunt Lisa and Aunt Jackie had dogs, and Kimball loved chasing both of them and trying to pull on their tails. He thought it was so funny. If we even look at him, he gives us the biggest smile. I love him so much.

We love it when Daddy works from home.

He could be outside all day.

Loves:

• To eat whatever I'm eating.
• Playing with whatever I'm using (my phone, computer, book, Aidan's toy...)
• To crawl everywhere.
• Trying to catch the vacuum cleaner and cord when I'm vacuuming. He's not even a little bit scared of it.
• Laughing and clapping.
• Looking outside and being in the car (if it's not too long).
• Bath time, especially splashing and standing (sigh) :).
• Snuggling.
• Peek-a-boo and patty-cake.
• Daddy, Mommy, and Aidan.
• Being tickled.
• Blankets.
• Sleeping on his belly.
• Standing up in his crib and hitting the wall.
• Chatting in his cute baby talk.

Hates:

• When I take anything away from him.
• When I close the front door, or any door for that matter.
• When I make him sit down during bath time.
• Being stepped on (Aidan).
• Me cooking dinner.
• Being contained when he just wants to play (especially during prayer).
• Being left out.
• Being strapped into the car seat. Once he's in it though, he's good.
• Sitting still during diaper changes.

He'll be one year old in a couple of months. Where has the time gone? I feel like he was just barely born. Sometimes I keep treating him like he's a newborn or even a 4-month old because it's so surreal how much he's grown and developed. Sometimes I wish time would stand still, but it's also fun to see him reach different milestones. I definitely love our Kimball-Bimball. 

Love All Around

We're all sick around here (not Jayze, though - yay!). Yet, even with the sickness, I can't help but think of how much I love my family. This sickness has forced me to slow down and forgo my to-do lists - and I'm all about lists - for a couple of days and really live each moment with intention and purpose.

Purpose in giving my little ones Tylenol to help bring their fevers down. Purpose in giving two, aching boys a much-needed and fun bath. Purpose in wiping snot-covered noses again and again. Purpose in watching Aidan hop around and play with his cars even though I can tell he's not feeling very well. Purpose in bouncing and rocking a fussy baby, praying for him to fall asleep because I know it will help him feel better. Purpose in changing diapers, in soothing painful cries, and in digging deep for patience. Purpose and intention in all of these moments that make love more apparent in the seemingly tedious moments of parenting.

Love was apparent when last night, I fell asleep exhausted, still in my jeans, and Jayze got up this morning to feed Kimball so I could keep sleeping even though he's driving six hours today. It was there when while Kimball finally fell asleep for his morning nap, and Aidan and I snuggled on the couch, held hands, and watched a movie together. I recognized it in the way Kimball hasn't wanted me to put him down more than a few minutes because he is so miserable and wants a comforting touch.

Love was all around me yesterday when the sickness really took its toll, and it's continued into today. Which is fitting, since today is Valentine's Day.

I am grateful for my little family. I am grateful for the abundance of love in each of my boys' tiny in size, but huge in sweet tenderness, hearts. I am grateful for moments like today when, even though sickness abounds and we're all kind of miserable (especially Kimball), there is still so much love in our small apartment.

But mostly, I'm grateful for the love of an all-knowing, all-caring, all-loving Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the love of His Son, Jesus Christ, who loved me so much that He suffered and died for me. They have never let me down. They have never left me alone. They have never left me comfortless. They have never given up on me. I hope that I can become more like them and respond to my children and brothers and sisters like They would. I know I can't respond in the perfect way They do because I'm definitely not perfect, but I'm grateful I can try and They can help me try and succeed. I hope that I can remember to respond to their love in a way that I recognize it even in hard moments and in a way that I'm grateful for it even when I don't necessarily feel it.

So even though my expectations of doing Valentine's Day crafts with Aidan and Kimball, making a delicious dinner, and getting out of the house and doing something fun because I actually have the car today are pretty much down the drain, I'm okay with it because this is where I'm supposed to be and it's where joy and love can still be found.

"We are surrounded by people who desperately need someone to lift them. Some may be friends. Some may be strangers. All are our brothers and sisters. 

So let's try a little harder. Let's reach out a little farther. Let's lift a little higher. They are depending on us. God is depending on us, for 'we are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.'

Our individual efforts may seem-a kind act here, a selfless sacrfice there-but collectively our small efforts can make a big difference in the lives of others. And in the end, those who spend their lives lifting others will themselves be 'lifted up at the last day."

(LDS.org Blog Staff)

Bath Time

To be completely honest, this week has been rough. Aidan and Kimball are both sick (green snot and coughs - TMI?) and haven't been sleeping very well. Kimball was crying practically nonstop on Tuesday. I barely got dinner on the table both Monday and Tuesday, and yesterday I gave in and had Jayze pick up some Taco Bell on his way home from work because I wasn't able to handle making dinner with a screaming baby at my feet again.

I was able to get out with the kids and go on a run on Monday, but the past couple of days were too windy and cold. I've lost my temper with Aidan, and I've felt like such a bad, failing mom and homemaker. It's been frustrating, to say the least.

But, thankfully, today has been SO MUCH BETTER. Both of the kids took great naps (A is still asleep, actually - yay!), Aidan water colored for the first time, Kimball has been more of his smiley self, and I was able to work out, budget, read for a meeting tonight, and pay rent.

Plus, here's the best part - I gave Aidan and Kimball a bath this morning at the same time and it was a success.

Aidan had been asking me for a couple of weeks for Kimball to join him during bath time, and so this morning I finally sucked up the courage and decided to give it a second try.

I had tried giving them both a bath at the same time a few weeks ago, but it was crazy stressful, and I was worried both of my kids would drown by the end of it. Thankfully, Jayze was there to help me. The reason why it was such a mess is because we hadn't bought a bath mat. Aidan doesn't need one anymore because he doesn't slip in the tub, and I usually bathe Kimball in the kitchen sink. So when I tried to put Kimball in the tub with no mat, he was slipping and sliding everywhere. I had to keep a firm grip on him at all times, otherwise he would have for sure gone underwater...or bonked his head...or both.

Looking back it's kind of funny now - how I kept calling for Jayze to bring me a washcloth or a towel and how I finally asked him if he could please finish washing Aidan while I dried off and dressed a screaming Kimball. All while Jayze was making dinner so I could bathe both of the kids. Yep, definitely a bust.

So this morning when I gave them a bath, I made sure to be prepared with wash cloths, towels, bath toys, bath soap, dry diapers, and dry clothes because I knew I was going to be doing this solo and I couldn't leave the bathroom once both of them were in the bath. I stripped both of the kids down and in they went. And seriously, they had so.much.fun, and I had so much fun watching them.

I think it cheered both of my sick kiddos up. Me too. It was a change, they were together, and they could splash to their heart's content. I'll definitely be doing this again.