Par-TAY in Marcelle's crib, 4AM!

So, let me first start out by saying I am a huge advocate and fan of "Babywise." It worked like a charm with my first. Ford was sleeping twelve hours a night by the time he was two months old. Naps were a litttttttle trickier but eventually, we got him hooked on two consistent naps a day, one cat nap in the AM  and a longer siesta in the afternoon. He was the perfect Babywise kid and I was one happy, well-rested Mama.

Fast forward to my little bug Marcelle and well, this Babywise thing just isn't working out..... First, could someone please explain to me HOW your supposed to do the Babywise method when you've got a thirty pound ball of energy running a muck in your house demanding your attention 24/7? I mean seriously?!? I have to admit, this time around we've been less than structured and well it shows. Right now the bug generally takes one long three/four hour nap smack dab in the middle of the day, in her swing (worst mother ever), then goes down for the night around 630/7PM, waking again at midnight(ish) and then again at 4AM!!!! And the worst part?!?!? Sometimes when she wakes up at 4AM, she is wide awake and READY to par-TAY! You know what this creates????? Two EXTREMELY grumpy parents! Argh....

She's taking in about 6 ounces of formula in one sitting about every four hours so I'm pretty sure my little piggy isn't hungry. And we definitely have a night time routine down pat. Argh. Is she ready for solids? Am I putting her down too early (she is whiney and fussy starting at about 6PM every night) or is this just typical for a poor ole' second child who sometimes isn't given as much "structure" as the first?

I mean, I love the little stinker, she's a cutie isn't she?

BUT this Mama (hah and Dada!) need their sleep. 

I can't F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N!!!!! So all you parents of two, three, and four (gulp!) help this Mama out- ALL suggestions welcome! 

It finally happened....

I've been on a blogging hiatus for more reasons then I could fully explain in one blog entry. Maybe it was the move, the birth of our new baby girl, the remodel of our new home, a gazillion vacations thrown in there, etc. etc. Or if I'm being brutally honest, my inability to blog positively while dealing with some heart wrenching personal drama in 2012.

But I'm back and ready to share my life with ya'll again--- hah, for the two people that may be interested, since I've left everyone hanging for close to a year :)

But all that said, this morning, while perusing the internet, sipping on my morning coffee, and enjoying this few minutes of solitude, I came across this bible verse and it literally stopped me in my tracks. I am living the exact life I have always dreamed and prayed for, it's here, I'm living it. It's been a long road, so long, and so filled with obstacles, drama and heart ache, that it took a bible verse this morning to say- WOW..... I'm here, HELLO, wake up, enjoy it!

My life is not always perfect, in fact, more times often then not, it's utter chaos, but I have what I've worked so hard to achieve- a loving husband, a working marriage, two beautiful kiddos etc. etc.  To date, they are my greatest accomplishment. God is good.

So, without further ado I hope you'll rejoin me as I talk about our REAL lives, the great, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. This blog isn't meant to become a part time job, or to chronicle our photoshopped lives. This blog is my way of sharing my family stories, my take on motherhood, kids, and this crazy thing called life. I hope you'll follow along..... again :).

-Crispin

Like eggnog? Go make this now.... like RIGHT now!

Source: starsflourpower.blogspot.com via Crispin on Pinterest

We had dinner with some friends this weekend and I made this YUMMY Spiced Eggnog Bundt. I am telling you people, it was shear deliciousness! Christen Crum--- RIGHT up your alley! It was mmm...mm....good and as far as baking recipes go--- pretty easy. If your looking for a holiday dessert I highly recommend this baby! 

Baby Number Two Finally Has a Name!

Marcelle Claire Deneault 

Well, the Christmas cards went out yesterday and with them, the declaration of our name choice for our sweet baby girl! Tyler and I have decided on Marcelle Claire. Marcel is Tyler's Dads' middle name-- following French protocol, we're going with the feminine version- Marcelle. And Claire is Tyler's Grandmother's middle name. I absolutely ADORE the two names together, they remind me of Mary Claire, which I deem as one of the most southern names, EVER. So don't be surprised if we (hahah, I ) stick with the double name, I just can't stop saying them together :) Absolutely love it. 

For those of you that know Tyler's Dad, Connie, I know, I know, I'm playing with fire by naming my sweet, innocent little babe after him. I've already relented that this child will be much like her brother-- one stubborn, strong-willed, adventurous kiddo, but with Connie's strong masculine points also come some very soft and wonderful points. I hope Marcelle is as kind as him and as good to strangers as he. I hope she is gregarious and confident like him. If she inherits any of these traits from her namesake, she will be one lucky kiddo and this Mama will be one very proud Mother. 

So that being said we are very excited to be welcoming sweet little Marcelle Claire this March and cannot wait to be a little family of FOUR!!

Mommy Tricks!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE a good Mommy tip or trick every now and then! I love it when my girlfriends' tell me about something their doing differently with their kiddo(s) and it's WORKING! Bc let's face it, as cute as they can be they can also be stubborn little tyrants (hah! or at least mine can be!). So with that said, I'm not claiming these tips as "my own," per se, but no one told me these, so I thought I'd share them with you bc they really seem to be doing the trick lately!

1. Deli American cheese melted on veggies! Um, hello, I could put styrofoam under melted cheese and I think my kiddo would eat it. Homeboy loves some American Cheese. I buy frozen organic veggies at Costco- broccoli, Veggie medley, Cauliflower etc. When it's time for lunch/dinner I throw some in a bowl, dash of water, microwave for a minute, take out, strain, throw a slice of cheese on top, put back in the microwave for fifteen seconds, stir and WA-LA.... the kiddo eats ALL of his veggies! It's a miracle. Can't get this kid to eat a chicken nugget to save his life, but veggies--- we got that down!

2. Socks on the hands when I'm changing a poopy diaper! Who knew?! The " Squirmy Baby" commercial has NOTHING on my child when it comes to squirming on the changing table, to the point where I DREADED changing a poopy diaper, but recently when I occupy his hands with something he can't immediately chuck off the table, it works magic. Enter socks-- when you put one on each hand, they totally can't figure out what to do, they work diligently to get them off! While you do a quick change-er-roo, your child is completely side tracked. I'm telling you- easy peasy. Try it.

So, no ridiculously interesting blog post here my friends, but I thought for you Mommies, you might like to hear a few things that have been " working," in the Deneault household recently! What about you, got any great tricks worth sharing?!!?

Weekend Recap and YUM Recipes!

Whew! I don't know about you, but weekends during the Fall seem to FLY! This past weekend on the eve of my thirtieth the hubs organized a little dinner party for mwah! Of course, in true Crispin fashion, I took absolutely ZERO pictures. Grrr, my resolution for 2013---- take pictures! But, none the less, it was incredibly sweet of the hubs and super fun to get together with some of my nearest and dearest! Truly luck to have met such sweet, wonderful women!

Then on Saturday we trekked to New Braunfels for WurstFest! We met up with our friends from Dallas, went to the festival and hung out at their campsite! Ford had a BLAST "attempting" to ride on this scooter-- over and over and over again....

That night, once we got home, we tried a new baked Mac N Cheese Recipe that we found on Pinterest. Folks.... TO DIE FOR..... 

It's adapted from a 2004 Southern Living, so if that tells you anything.... You can find the recipe here. 

On Sunday, we had a "catch up day," meaning, we rand errands, played outside and had an extremely early visit from Santa, thank you to our local grocery store, HEB. 

What's funny is how unafraid of everyone Ford is.... He walked straight up to Santa, said, "Hi!" and crawled into his lap. Not sure how safe this is, but hey-- it was darn cute at the moment :)  

And then, last but not least, T made these YUMMY beef enchiladas last night. Also DELISH! And the lady snuck zucchini in them for a bit of added nutrition, which is always a plus in my book. 

Seriously, we devoured them. They have a bit of spice, so be careful if that's not your thing, but gosh they sure are good! You can find this recipe here. They make a TON, so next time the hubs and I will make two dishes out of it and freeze one for later (FYI).

Hope you all had good weekends! We are getting a cold front today, which has this Mama jumping for joy! Me and the Little will be spending some extra time outdoors, getting lots of energy out!! Little is REALLY into discovering rocks lately, so I'm sure we'll be doing lots of this....

Have a great week! 

It's a GIRL!

That's right folks, this Mama got her dream come true! To say I am thrilled, elated, excited, flabbergasted, etc. don't seem to cover the emotions, I'm feeling--- I'm just.... happy. I would've loved my child--- boy OR girl, but gosh to be blessed with one of EACH?! I just feel truly---- lucky. 

When the Nurse said, "It's a girl," I literally broke down and cried. Cried right there in front of the nurse, the hubs, and Ford. After the year I've had, I think God knew I needed this kind of news. I think he knew, I needed a little girl to love unconditionally, remind everyday how much she is loved and how special she truly is. I needed to be a mother to a little girl; needed it from the depths of my soul and the core of my heart. God granted this prayer and I just can't find the words to express how deeply thankful I am for his blessing. 

I walked out of that doctor's office, looked up at the sky and said a little thank you, not only to God, but to my Grandpa, who in my heart of hearts I believe must have put that little bird in God's ear. Or at least that's what I'm going to believe :). After all, Grandpa's do know best.