Mackelprang Moments

To you "Moms":

I get asked all the time if I still work at the dental office or what I do for work. My response usually is "I'm just a stay-at-home mom". Before I got pregnant, my schedule was the same everyday. I would wake up, get ready, go to work as a dental assistant; I worked with the same people (who I love and miss by the way), and I assisted the dentist in different procedures. I got off work at 5:00, would greet my husband when he got home, then we would sit around watching our favorite shows, eat dinner, and be in bed by 10:00. I could go to lunch with friends, I could go shopping on my days off, I could sleep in or lay in bed all day if I wanted. Most people think, that's the dream life, right? WRONG! My life forever changed when Paxtin and Channing arrived in July 2013. I became a mom! It is the most rewarding, stressful, fun, intimidating, noisy, messy, exciting, loving, joyful, and amazing "job" in the world...as you mothers already know! 

Some days I feel "Am I truly cut out to be a mom?" I look at other moms and wonder "Why can't I be a mom like her?" "Why can't I have her patience?" Because we are all different. We are different for the needs of our children because all children are different. I have also realized that I am more than "just a mom"! Yes it has been almost 3 years, but sometimes I feel bad I don't bring in money to support our family. Dusty continuously reminds me that my job is way more important than any paying job. Mothers don't get weekends or holidays off, and we work 24/7! If my kids need me at 3:00 AM cause they don't feel good, as a mom you roll out of bed, half asleep, and take care of your little one. It's nature, it's love, it's being a mom! I love it! I cherish it! I am blessed to hold the title "mom"! So if you're a do-it-all mom (or dad), give yourself a pat on the back...you deserve it! 

Now a quick update on the boys:

The past 2 weeks I have been potty training Paxtin. I put it off longer than I should have, but I wanted to make sure he was completely ready. Channing on the other hand has no desire to use the potty chair and lasts about 2 seconds sitting on it before he is done and running naked down the hall. Paxtin has done really well. Now that I have figured out a system that works for HIM! I tried to follow blogs I read about potty training and what to do, and they backfired. After reading a certain one, I put it to the test in my own way and it has worked great. I took Pax to Target, and he picked out a red potty seat and red stool, and it made him so much more excited to want to go. He LOVES red and he got to pick it out so it had more meaning to him. Pax tells me when he needs to "pee" and we go in and he goes, sometimes it takes 10-15 minutes but we are patient and sit there going through the alphabet in sign language as we sing it. He has even went #2 on the potty 4 times! We have yummy treats and sticker charts for each successful time! I hope and pray he continues to go well and we can get one kid out of diapers before Baby M arrives! Paxtin lives and breathes the alphabet. He knows the whole alphabet, their sounds, and their signs. He is always wanting his alphabet puzzles, magnets, books, songs, etc. He plays with them ALL day!

Cute tush in his underwear

His prize he got for going #2 in the potty! He loves it and is preparing to be a big brother!

My cute big boy!

Channing has been doing well with his speech therapy. He has now said "door", "bed", and "ball". He has picked up letters from puzzles and has made a few of their sounds too like "p", "d", and "f". He will point to the door, clock, or Jesus picture when we ask him where they are. I know this doesn't sound like a lot to you guys, but for Channing these are huge steps and we are very proud of him. He is starting to be able to communicate more with Dusty and I, and he consistently signs "more", "please", and "open". He is also engaging more in pretend play. He is now making his own decisions, which before he had no care in the world about anything. Channy Man LOVES to climb and is always on the kitchen counter, or getting a spoon out of the dishwasher, or getting into something he is not suppose to. He hates to be told "no" and he throws a royal fit when he doesn't get his way or you take something away from him that he wants. He loves Chocolate Milk and that is always his choice of drink when he wants a "ba", but he doesn't always get it. (I'm a mean mom, I know). 

Mr. Mischievous and his adorable smile!

All kicked back on Daddy!

Pretend play with his tool set

My pregnancy is going well and I am getting more and more uncomfortable each day. Baby M is very active and I feel it a lot more than I ever felt my boys cause it has a lot more room to move around than they did. Contractions have begun and I get them periodically throughout the day, and back pain is full blown and aches constantly. It all worth it in the end when you get to hold that sweet baby in your arms. I'm getting so anxious to meet Baby M but want it to stay in a few more weeks! 

Learning about Baby!

These are just a few things we have been up to lately. Life is exciting and crazy right now and so much is changing for us! The future holds big things in the Mackelprang house!!