Show and Tell: Baby Talk

1. Tell us your favorite baby names?:

Girls:  Addison, Ashley, Adrienne

Boys:  Help me out—I’ve already used Aiden and Andrew!  Now I need some more names.

And yes, we love “A” names, but I’m not sure if my next child will have the “A” name or not!

3. How many children would you like to have? How far apart?

Already had two—and call me crazy but I still want two more!  I grew up in a family of four and LOVED it.  I always had siblings around and love having all the chaos that comes with a big family.  But even two boys is A LOT of work, so we will see as the time comes.  Between my husband’s crazy work hours, living far from ALL family, and staying at home with these rugrats—we will have to take what we can handle and are blessed with!  My boys are two years apart, which I love because I think they will grow up to be best of buddies.  I would love to space them anywhere from 2-3 1/2 years apart, but we will see…

4. Tell us what you think the importance of parenting is?

This is a question I really have to think about!  Parenting is one of the most fun things I have ever done, but boy, is it HARD work.  I have to admit that pre-kids, I was a major runner.  I have run since I was 14—without a few days in between at a time.  I have trained and ran three marathons—and know the meaning of exhaustion!  But there are some days that I collapse in to bed after changing diapers, making lunches, chasing my wild boys, folding laundry, playing fire trucks, and reading bedtime stories.  It is MORE work than marathon running some days!  Parenting is SO important because you are hoping to instill values, beliefs, love, independence, and SO much more in your little ones in your everyday life.  Not easy!

5. Show us your favorite newborn photo

Baby brother Andrew is on the top and Big brother Aiden is on the bottom.  What do you think—do they look alike?!  They were within two ounces of each other and the exact same length!

6.  Tell us some things you promise to never do as a parent {and if you are a parent, did you stick to it}

• Television for more than a half hour—sometimes a little Special Age Oso or Elmo is all that is needed to cure some crankies (both the boys and their mommy’s)!
• Driving a mini-van…yes, I’m a proud owner of a Honda Odyssey and love every part of, including those AMAZING sliding doors and ALL that space!
• Oh there’s so many that I’m guilty of.  Yes, we have had M and M’s for breakfast, left stores due to temper tantrums, bought cookies to stay sane, let my kids wear ridiculous non-matching clothes because it makes them happy, early morning snuggles in our bed just to catch a few more minutes of sleep, allowing my child to go up slides because he loves to climb, letting my kids cry it out at night, and SO SO much more!