Tonight after dinner we took the boys with us to go vote.  They charmed all the poll workers and ran around the church like crazy.  (It was pretty empty, sadly another low turnout.)  The boys had a great time at their first voting adventure.

We didn’t take a camera with us, so we tried to take a few pictures of their “I voted” stickers when we got home.  As you can see they were not so happily cooperating.

Vacuuming from Stephanie Adams on Vimeo.

Yes that is Noah playing in front of the vacuum and screeching with delight, so hard to believe just a couple of months ago he was terrified of the vacuum.

Daddy wrestles with the boys before bed to get them good and worn out and, of course, they love it.

Bedtime Fun from Stephanie Adams on Vimeo.

Sorry it’s blurry I didn’t realize Matt had used a setting on the camera that I am clearly not ready to use.  I could not walk in the kitchen with out tripping over something, toddlers, toys, pots, bowls, tupperware.  The floor is now clear and the sun is starting to break through the clouds, we might just get to play outside this afternoon.

*During actual story time they continually checked the acoustics of the room by banging on every surface possible.

This is my view on parenting infants/toddlers and in no way do I think your particular style of parenting is wrong (well unless you are abusive or neglectful).  This is what works for us and I believe all parents should do what works best for their family.  I don’t have it all figured out, just what works for us right now.

1.  First win the luck of the draw and marry a great man like my husband.  He gets up with the boys for any midnight feedings.  (yes they are still happening, hoping they end by 18 months)  I do occasionally have to get up at night when someone is sick or inconsolable, sometimes mommy love is best, but for the most part I get to stay in bed at night.  My husband offered to do this, because he is awesome and he understands the fact that he can get by on less sleep than I can, it’s just the way our bodies work.

2.  I take care of myself.  I exercise and I attempt to eat right.  I jog 3-4 times a week, do yoga 3-5 times a week, and ride the exercise bike 1-2 times a week.  I know that might seem like a lot to some but it’s not as bad as it looks, running is with the boys in the stroller from warm up to cool down it is 40 minutes and we even take a trip to the Post Office during the run, yoga I do very basic programs that last 25 minutes during nap, exercise bike I get up early 2 days a week and ride for 15 minutes.  For eating I try to eat lots of fruit and veggies, some lean proteins and whole grains.  I am not too perfect in the eating though, I have a soft spot for chocolate.

3.  I don’t schedule a lot of activities for the boys.  We do one thing a week (sometimes none) and one grocery store/bank run.  Dragging two toddlers to something and then chasing them around is what really wears a momma out and makes her cranky.  I think I am a better mom if I am not cranky.  I understand there are a lot of wonderful, enriching activities for toddlers, but I believe that what they really need is quality time with their parents.  We spend our days playing, gardening, and doing chores together (by doing chores I mean things like me hanging laundry on the line while they eat dirt in the back yard).

4.  I have found a cleaning/house work schedule that works for me.  I do 1-2 loads of laundry every day, and I do 1 cleaning project a day.  I clean the bathrooms one day, dust another, etc.  The most on any day I spend cleaning is 1 hours.  My house is not perfect this way, but it is clean enough.

5.  If I am having one of those exhausting days I allow myself to do nothing during nap-time.  It is best to understand those days happen and you just need to take a little break.

We took them for a spin today and so far our clothes are clean, well clean from food, dirt and mud not so much.

After the way today ended I am so glad I snapped a few photos this morning.  It enabled me to remember that we did have some fun today, that it wasn’t all cranky babies and drool (teething really stinks, Noah is getting four at once and Ezra is getting two more and he just hates teething.)  We had a great morning playing and I will choose to remember that part of today.

Noah and his Grandma

Showing off his new move for the Grandparents

Wrestling with Grandpa

Sandbox fun

There’s just no stopping them

Such joy

Ez and mommy sliding (look at his giant belly!)

Dad and Noah