Monday, Monday

The Ritchie's have a pretty consistent routine for Monday nights during the summer. Daddy gets some much deserved time on the golf course. I get date night with my 2 littlest dudes. I'm not going to lie and say that our Monday nights are always smooth sailing. As a matter of fact, there is almost always a bit of chaos involved as I scramble to get food on the table, tend to each of their individual demands needs, play peace keeper, give baths (because they usually are about 4 days overdue), and tuck them both into their respective beds...but all in all I think we do pretty well. 

This weeks Monday was harder than most.  I could tell from the minute that I picked Harrison and Max up from daycare that they were thoroughly worn out and even the simplest request on my part resulted in tears on theirs.  We powered thru dinner, took a short walk so this mama could get some fresh air, then loaded into the tub for a quick scrub before bed.  By that time - I was just as tired as they were and had full intentions of breezing thru our bedtime routines and crashing on the couch.  But then, just as I settled in to rock with Max for a bit, my sweet boys decided to reward me for all of the aforementioned chaos.  We all squeezed into Max's rocker and sat in exhausted silence together. Yes, you read that right. Silence. It was pure craziness.

In that moment I forgot about the mess in the kitchen, the laundry that needed folded, the flood of water on the bathroom floor. I no longer wanted to rush to put the boys to bed...but instead begged for time to stand still. Being a mom is hard, but it is also hands down, without a doubt the most rewarding job ever.  I'm thankful for every minute with my little yahoos.  The good. The hard. Everything in between. 

Just a Trim

Maxo, much like his big sister and brother, was born with a head full of hair. 

He went through a bit of an awkward "transitional" phase where it seemed like his head was growing too quickly for his hair to keep up....

but by mid summer his bald patches were gone, and in their place was a much lighter (and a little more "ginger") head of hair.

And while he lost most of that early baby hair...there were a few strands right up on top that stuck around for the long haul, growing longer and longer with each passing day.  They had a mind of their own...flopping here and there and acting like a little baby comb-over.  It was a little ridiculous.  

 One day in October I decided that enough was enough and set out to give our littlest guy his very first haircut.  There wasn't much to it...just a few snips up top...but it made a pretty huge difference.  

He looks thrilled, yes?

 This is probably one of my favorite pictures ever.  Pouty Max.  Eek I think I got to short mom.  

 They always say not to run with scissors.  I think running with them is probably a better idea than using them to give a haircut to a newly mobile baby who isn't restrained in any way shape or form.  I thought it would be quick and easy but Mr. Max had other things (namely escaping) on his mind!

Farewell flop.  Hello handsome.

In the Kitchen

Harrison is becoming such a good "helper" in the kitchen these days.  Yes, when he plays sous chef things get a little more messy, take a little bit longer, and require a lot more patience...but having him by my side makes my time in the kitchen feel so much more meaningful.  His favorite parts of baking include dumping ingredients into the bowl (and onto the counter) and spreading "dirt" aka any crumbly topping.  

"I help you, mommy."

 Like mother like son - look at his little tongue peeking out of his mouth as he concentrates on applying his "dirt" to our pumpkin bread!

Full hearts.  Full bellies.  So thankful for my little helper! 

{Side note - The pictures above were taken shortly before Thanksgiving.  I'm not a fan of pumpkin, but Matt is and "tis the season."  The first time I ever tried making pumpkin bread it came out of the oven looking amazing.  I even took a loaf over to our new neighbors.  Then I came home, cut into the loaf I kept behind, and much to my dismay the inside was a sloppy mess.  AHH!  Nothing like welcoming people to the neighborhood with undercooked bread!  Soo...above is attempt #2.  I tried a new recipe and baked it for almost 30 minutes longer than what the recipe called for.  It looked/smelled amazing and the old toothpick test told me that it was ready to come out of the oven.  WRONG.  The stupid thing still wasn't cooked!  Anyone have pumpkin bread advice for me?  I've made plenty of different quick breads before and never had issues.  Am I just not meant to make this kind??  I hate to admit defeat, but I also hate throwing our hard work in the trash!}  

And Then There Were Three

My three little Packer fans...the most recent who isn't quite "little" enough to carry on with the onesie part of the tradition. :)   

Charlotte 2011

Harrison 2012

Max 2014

So much love wrapped up in three perfect pictures.  

{Go Pack Go!}

Summer 2014 {A Recap}

For the past few weeks Mother Nature has been treating us to a true Nebraska Fall.  The temperatures have dropped, our windows have been open, Soup Sundays have commenced and our house is full of the sounds of football on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays!  

Then came yesterday - 84 degrees and sunshine.  It almost felt like summer again and I started to reminisce on the season that seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye.  It was a perfect summer in the Ritchie house - low key "farm" living, lots of outdoor time, and the occasional trip to the swimming pool with cousins.  We never stray too far from home, but still manage to fill our days with fun and smiles.

Harrison Paul had an exceptionally good summer, his first as a full-blown toddler.  He discovered a love for all things outdoors - exploring our 3 acres, rolling down hills, playing with the hose, and even pulling weeds with mom and dad!

A totally normal summer evening.  Diapers, spray bottles and headbands sweatbands.

Cheese eatin' selfies.

First corn on the cob.  YUM!

Pool time!

Post-pool time.  This kiddo was D.O.N.E.

Swimming with cousin Benson.

Late night donuts with PopPop.

 "WHOA!  A CEMENT TWUCK!"

"I eat a carrot wit a TWEE on it!"

Not to be forgotten is little brother, Max.  He didn't get to eat corn on the cob or roll down the hill in our backyard, but that doesn't mean that he had any less fun this summer.  Its hard to believe how much he changed in the course of a season.  Once a squishy little babe who was content laying on a blanket in the shade, he's now driven by curiosity and always wants to be where the action is.  

 A leisurely ride through the zoo.

Fourth of July snuggles with Uncle Jay.

Sigh - those eyes...

These boys - I love them so.

Chillin' in the big boy chair.

Busy summer nights meant lots of quick sink baths before bed.  No complaints were heard from this silly guy!

Shhhh....don't tell big brother that we hijacked his sunnies.

Quality sun time with "Aunt" Hilde.

His first BLT party - I'm sure he would have rather had bacon.

Dinner with a view.  He loved looking out at Charley's Garden!

A master of the serious face.

Farewell, sweet summer.  We'll miss you and your long sunshine-filled days!  

Three of a Kind

Charlotte was 2.5 months old before we were able to get our first set of professional pictures taken of her.  She was in the hospital for the 1st month, and then came home with a wound vac on her chest that made photos a little...well...unsightly?  By almost 3 months, though, she was all healed up and ready to go....and my oh my were we all blown away when we first saw the beautiful images from our session.  The one below quickly became a favorite.  It captured her signature "serious" look, he AMAZING eyes, and hello?  Do I even have to mention the hair??  And look at that little curled finger!  My heart is melting.  

Candace Ann Photography, Sioux Falls

After Harrison was born, I knew that we needed to keep with the tradition of the simple black background shot, and hoped that his "headshot" would capture his personality as well as Charlotte's had.  The kid didn't disappoint!  He flashed us this perfect open-mouthed grin that just screams Harrison.  It just proves that this little boy has been a total ham since day 1!

Amanda Fish Photography, Omaha

And then there was Max.  Sweet, sweet Max with his poor thinning hair, adorable little ears and the sweetest smile ever.  We had to work HARD for those smiles on the day of his session, but looking back on the pictures, it was worth every silly sound and goofy dance.  They turned out SO SO SO good and this picture is 100% Max.  

Samantha Lupo Photography, Omaha

Our 3 kiddos.  All strikingly similar.  All uniquely their own.

This mama has a proud, happy heart.

Sweet Dreams

For the past 22 months, our bedtime routine has been the same. There has been very little variation, few reasons to stray from familiarity. We say our good-nights, give kisses where necessary, and make our way upstairs to your room. Once there, we snuggle into the chair that Daddy got for me for my very first Mother’s Day, read books, talk about the moon and the stars, and say our prayers. When I put you into your crib you request “blankie out” (meaning you want me to spread your blanket out) and we perform a head count to make sure that both of your bears are accounted for. From there we turn on your seahorse, your fan for some white noise, and I give you a few more kisses before wishing you the sweetest dreams. It’s always been the same, and quite honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts of the day.

When baby brother came along thoughts of change were forced into our minds. We started talking more and more about your big boy bed in the room next door, though I’ll be the first to admit that there was a lot more “talk” than actual intent to take the plunge. Big boy beds are for big boys….and you, sweet Harrison, will always be my baby. As your brother grew bigger and bigger, it became clear that your crib days were nearing their end. Yet still, my big plans to transition were repeatedly pushed off into the future for no good reason other than my unpreparedness and your love for that crib of yours.

Last week I boldly stated “This weekend we’re moving Harrison into his big boy room.”
Two days later I said, “Maybe we should wait until a weekend where daddy isn’t working.”

Again…mommy wasn’t ready.
I was stalling.
I crave routine.
I’m bad with change.

Thursday night, April 17, I tried to put you into the big boy bed just for books. You screamed and cried and convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt that you weren’t ready. We made our way into your nursery and fell back into our familiar routine.

I wish that I would have known then what I know now.

…That one night later you would contently read books with your daddy in that big boy bed.

…That one night later you would ask me “Big boy bed?” on our way up the stairs.

…That one night later you would successfully sleep through the night in a bed that makes you look so, so tiny...and that you would continue to do so for the next 7 nights and counting.

Had I known then, I might have rocked you just a little bit longer the night before.

H and crew {2 bears, a blankie, monkey, zebra, sea horse, book, and cup of water (thirsty boy with a fever)} all tucked in for the night.  He refuses to be covered up and insists "I stuck" every time I try!

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you, Harrison, and look forward to continuing our familiar routines with a little change of scenery!  Sweet dreams....