Natalie & Ryan: Through Thick & Thin

We've been having some good times and some bad times during the past few days. I'll start with the good times.

Babysitting has been going well. I love that Elsa is on Summer break, because she is so helpful with Joel. He really likes to be held, and she's oh so willing to hold him all day. I do, however, have a hard time finding a place for him to nap...On Wednesday, Elsa talked me into making brownies. She loves to bake when I'm there, and I won't lie, it's always nice having brownies around to use as treats for Ben and Adele. They'll do anything for a treat. Right now we're trying to potty train Ben. It's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. The poor guy keeps having accidents, and even managed to pee on the wood floor, and slip in it...twice. I don't look forward to the day when I have to start potty training Lilly.

Today being the first of the month, that meant cleaning the sheets. I was able to get the bedding cleaned and put back on the bed between the babies' naps. When the kids woke up, I stupidly convinced myself that going to Target would be fun. Boy was I wrong!!! When I went grocery shopping the other day, having Joel's carseat in the cart was so hard. I couldn't fit anything else in. So this time, since he was awake, I put him up in the seat of the basket with Lilly. It seemed like a good idea at first. Then Lilly started to get territorial of her seat. Suffice it to say, I spent what should have been a very enjoyable time, browsing through my happy place, either consoling Joel after Lilly slapped him, or scolding Lilly for slapping Joel. While checking out, I was forced to put Joel back in the seat with Lilly, and she instantly started to slap him. She was such a brat! I'll admit, I turned into "that" mom, who snaps at her child in front of everyone. I'll just say, I think Lilly got the message. By the time I left, I had two screaming babies. I learned two things: 1) I'll never put the two of them together in the seat ever again, and 2) I need to seriously start putting my foot down when it comes to how much of a brat Lilly can be to Joel. Time to put my mean mommy pants on!

I was only SO happy to finally get home and put both babes to bed. Joel did so much crying at the store, he passed out in the car on the way home, and slept for another 2 hours or so. When I gave Lilly lunch, she was still so cranky, she started blatantly throwing all her food off her high chair, and refused to eat. Back to bed for her, where she slept until about 5. I think we're going through the "terrible twos" a bit early. Mom, I'd like to apologize for all the times I was a pain in the butt at the store, and for all of the times I was a brat to you...then and now. I'm gaining a whole new respect for my mom. I'm still trying to unwind from such a hard day, so I'll post pictures of all the fun things I managed to get at Target, despite battling two babies.

Making our brownies.

Before the fits...I thought giving Lilly the Elmo cup would keep her distracted enough to leave Joel alone. I ended up having to take it from her, because she started to use it as a weapon.