Too Much Mom

As you may know, I have a stage 5 clinger on my hands.  My precious son Addis is a total clinger.  If I'm sitting in the floor with him, he is quite content.  If I am moving about or in the kitchen or heaven forbid sitting on the couch, he is usually in a full blown melt down begging to be held.  Although it may seem sweet that he likes his momma so much, let me assure you, it adds stress. 
So today when I put up the baby gate to block off the play room so I could sweep the kitchen, I fully expect pandemonium to ensue.  I figured Addis would last two seconds and then hang on the baby gate screaming for freedom.  I was wrong.  He as Stella played for an entire hour.  No one was fussing and both seemed to be fully enjoying their time in baby jail, so I got some work done.  Usually I have to squeeze in chores during their nap times but today was different. 
After their naps, I put them back in the play room with the baby gate up as an experiment, figuring it was a fluke.  I was wrong again.  They are just so content playing without me.
So I began to wonder.  Do my precious ones get "too much mom?" I love staying home with them and yes, "stay at home moms" typically have clinger children.  And I was prepared for that.  But maybe they are getting too much mom.  It's good for them to play by themselves and with each other.  It's good for them to try sharing without me instructing them all the time.  It's good for their imaginations and little minds.  And it's good for my sanity.

I'm not saying I will always be locking them in their playroom and taking time to write a blog post (or check facebook) but I am saying that I am going to allow them time to chill by themselves and see what happens.

Alas, all good things come to an end.

Hunkering Down

This week will make four months since we brought Addis home.  I can't believe it's only been four months, it really seems like he has been with us forever.  In fact, I can't really remember what life was like without him.  He brings so much fun and joy to our home.  I'm sure Stella would be lost without him, they are best buddies. 

With that being said, he is still a little fussy.  I can't help blame myself.  In the four shorts months he has been home we...

Went to my little sisters baby shower in North Carolina

Visited the Berry's in Mississippi

Attended a wedding in Ocala Fl.

Went to Disney World

Visited my family in Paducah

Made the trip to Lexington numerous times

The list goes on and on.  What I'm trying to say is, there may be something to this "hunkering down" thing with newly adopted children.  My theory was that he was so little, he could just join ranks with this crazy family who lives life on the road.  Plus, it's hard to say no to occasions that are so important.  I can't go back now and even if I could I probably wouldn't change anything however...we are officially hunkering down.  With the exception of a day trip to see my Grandmother and maybe a quick weekend getaway, we are staying put.  For one thing, I'm wiped out.  Traveling with two one year olds is hard.  Secondly, it will be a fun little experiment to see if staying settled for a bit will help with Addis's fussiness. 

I've never been one to stay put for long so luckily, Carrie and Julie came in for a visit earlier this week.  It was literally a 24 hour visit but it was so much fun!  We ate, fed kids, talked and just enjoyed being together.  It was such a blessing.

I'm sure I'll be eating my words because something will come up and inevitably we will find ourselves throwing two pack-n-plays in the car and heading out, but for now...I'm staying home.  

 Stella in her new dress from Granny Fern

 So serious

 The girls playing in the water

 So sneaky

 Kata, Stella, Emma, and Abigail enjoying a Popsicle

 Carrie and Kata

 Poor Addis

My little artist