January 2020 | Birthdays Galore

No post-holiday doom and gloom here. When we decided to start a family I made some silly remark along the lines of, "I don't really care when the baby is born. Just not January." Here we are, two January babies later and actually loving where their birthdays fall on the calendar. We flow right from the joy of the holidays straight into birthday festivities. This year we really celebrated our two Capricorns all month long.

Eloise turned five years old on January 3rd. Five. FIVE! How? This birthday hit me pretty hard. She isn't a baby, toddler, or even preschooler anymore. She is a full blown kid. And a pretty spectacular one. She loves all things My Little Pony, arts and crafts, and is hoping to learn to read and meet a unicorn now that she is five. This year for her big day she requested to chop her hair short and get her ears pierced. Phew. Brad and I had to deep breathe our way through her big day watching her go from our little girl to a super proud big girl right before our eyes. Watching her get her ears pierced was actually incredible. She was nervous but so determined and brave. She chose the prettiest little opal earrings as her first pair. Girlfriend did not even cry on ear one and let out just the tiniest whimper on ear two but held back tears. That afternoon we played her favorite Frozen board game and took a family walk. Both kids zoomed on ahead of us on their scooters, stopping only for Eloise to pull back her cute new bob to show anyone and everyone her new earrings. The heartbreak of watching babies grow so fast is often quickly mended for me as I appreciate all of the cool new things we get to do together.

Many of you know the tradition behind Daddy Day for Eloise. Eleven and a half hours ahead of me giving birth to our girl in Tennessee, Brad watched her enter this world via Skype from Afghanistan. January 3rd my time. January 4th his time. Every year the day after her true birthday, Brad and Eloise go on a special date just the two of them. This year they went rock climbing. Usually I have to beg Brad to take and send pictures when he is out with the kids without mom paparazzi in tow. Not this time! He was clearly thrilled to be sharing one of his favorite hobbies with her, and she was such a natural. No surprise there. She is and always has been fearless, athletic, and willing to try anything. One of his picture captions with a tiny Eloise at the top of a huge wall read, "Climbing a 45 foot wall. It was a 5.6 route. Don't think I could be more proud and amazed." She and Brad are both still raving about their adventure together.

On the weekend between Eloise and Harvey's birthdays we hosted a magical dragons and unicorns birthday party. I always over invite for their birthday parties thinking some friends won't be able to attend. Let's be real, no one has anything to do in January. It was a full house! Full of chaos and full of love. My mom and dad came to Colorado for the party and conveniently arrived just in time to help us host our first SFRG (Soldier Family Readiness Group) event for Brad's company too. Lucky them! We could not have pulled off either event as successfully as we did without them. Not even close. We laughed into the wee hours of the morning blowing up balloons and making dragons and unicorns out of the pool noodles as party favors. That late night together strangely turned into one of my favorite parts of the weekend looking back on it. For as exhausting as a combined 3 and 5-year-old birthday party may be, I felt such an emotional high realizing how blessed are to have so many friends who feel more like family here. The very best crew. We couldn't ask for anything better. Little party guest faces were all beautifully painted, the piñata was demolished, tacos (because dragons love tacos) and cupcakes were had by all. It was declared before bed by the birthday unicorn girl and dragon boy to be the "BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!"

And then my baby turned three on January 19th. My dude who loves racing cars, conquering a stack of puzzles, and begs "I want you to snuggle me!" every night as I try to leave his room after tucking him in. Harvey's kisses and hugs rank at the top of my favorite things in the world list. He is such a lover. His big day was much more low key than Eloise's. We had an important mission. His birthday just so happened to fall on a four day weekend for Brad with few outside obligations. Harvey spent his birthday...drum roll please...potty training. What fun! He proved to be much more stubborn than his big sister who was almost effortless to potty train. After a week of frustration I nearly quit, but it was like wrestling a crocodile when I tried to put him in a pull up. In true Harvey fashion, he had to be the one to say he was ready. Ever since that morning he has been totally acing it. We are so proud. And so full of celebratory mini M&M's that Eloise convinced us should be a family thing with each potty success. His birthday morning was quiet, perfect, and lazy. We spent it eating Dadford's famous pancakes and playing on some awesome new playroom gear gifts. I obviously also spent it swooning over how cute Harv's booty looks in big boy underwear. That evening we were spoiled with a delicious breakfast-for-dinner birthday celebration at his friend Cora's house. Brad and I spent the afternoon trying our hand at homemade donuts in our air fryer. They were actually really good and perfect for one Lightening McQueen, one Mater, and one Piston Cup candle for our big three year old dude to wish on and blow out.

Oh let's see, what else happened in January besides birthdays? Hm. Well we waited for an hour in line at an ice cream store to meet a mediocre Elsa and Anna. That was a good time. But obviously 100% worth it to see Harvey dressed in his Kristoff costume he got for Christmas beaming up at his girlfriend Anna. Brad got to attend Donuts with Dad in Harvey's classroom and Spaghetti Dinner with Eloise. Their preschool puts on the sweetest special events to celebrate moms and dads every year. I can't wait for my turn in April. We attended a great birthday bash for Harvey's best buddy Ellis from school. I executed a baby sprinkle for my friend Stephanie who is expecting a baby girl this summer. It was really just a good excuse for all of us moms to enjoy a kid-free brunch and laugh and cry our way through watching Little Women together. And while we're on the topic of Oscar nominated movies, Brad and I watched a lot of them this month. We set out to see all of the best picture nominees. We are six down, three to go with only nine days left before the Academy Awards air. Think we can do it?

Alpha Co. babies born during deployment plus their commander and his own 2015 deployment baby

January 2020, you were so good to us. Settling back in at home and finding our new normal after the holidays, just the four of us, may have been the very best part of all. Even if that meant spending a week straight trying to find spots for all of the new loot we brought back from Christmas in Michigan. We dove right into hosting Brad's family for Thanksgiving just one week after he got home from deployment. That rolled right into traveling for my sister's wedding and Christmas. So this month was really our first chance to just be as a family. Words can't describe how good it has felt. In the next few months we will hear back from the graduate schools Brad applied to and decide where our next home will be. For now, we are setting out to soak up every last moment of our time left here in these beautiful Colorado mountains.

2020 Goals

I set four goals for the new year:

1.  Spend more time reading
2. Spending less time on social media
3. Send more snail mail
4. Make it to 100 camps at Burn Bootcamp before we move this summer

The first came to be after an embarrassing conversation with my dad and sister over Christmas detailing how many books they had each read in 2019. Internally I was willing them not to ask me for my count so I didn't have to admit how few books I got through last year. In my defense, I had a lot on my plate. But I really do love to read. I crave getting lost in a book and wanting to spend every waking minute turning it's pages. My first book of 2020 is complete, and it was a phenomenal one. Five stars for The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah if you are looking to jump start your own reading goals.

My second goal lends itself perfectly to helping me achieve goal number one. For at least two years now I have been trying to find my ideal balance of living in the moment and living for social media. I love to share, but I was finding myself over and over again wrestling with big doubts about the hours logged, for me, on Facebook and Instagram. At the end of my life, what would that time spent scrolling mean? This year I am trying something new. I am staying primarily logged off of all social media every month. At the very end of it, I plan to share our family's highlights from the past four weeks through pictures and a blog post. I always come back to writing as a more meaningful way to share as well as a form of journaling that our family can enjoy years from now. Less time on social media has meant more time doing things that actually feel productive and good for the soul. Reading! For myself and to my kids. Actually catching up personally with friends rather than feeling falsely connected by leaving a thumbs up on each others' latest posts. Making it our mission to watch and review all of the Oscar nominees for best picture with Brad. It has all felt incredible. January was a tough month to kick off this new social media routine because both kids celebrated their birthdays. I truthfully fought so many times to resist the urge to post. But then I found myself thoroughly enjoying the entirety of each of their special days without any distraction. It was a really beautiful thing and change for me. After a few weeks, the lack of social media in my life not only felt normal, it was pretty freeing.

Goal three. Send more snail mail. Who doesn't love getting a hand written note in their mailbox from a loved one? It might be your birthday or might be a plain old day. No matter what it is a guaranteed mood boost. My childhood best friend Aura and my college roommate Erin have always been at the top of their snail mail sending game. Their relationships are two that I cherish the most. I suppose you could say an overarching goal of this year is to connect on a more personal level with the people that I care for. My brand new brother-in-law's birthday is January 1st, so I wasted no time in getting right to work on this one and stayed successful through month one. I even set up a cute letters box to stay organized on my new dining room shelf that replaced our deployment wall. Maybe a note is coming soon to a mailbox near you!

Did you even set goals or resolutions for the new year if one doesn't have a health and fitness theme to it? Guilty here. Every year. I am also often guilty of letting them fade away and using busy life/pregnancy/vacation/stress as an excuse as to why I didn't achieve my goals. This year I wanted something more tangible. I have a sticky note on my bathroom mirror with BURN written across the top (in cute handlettered script, of course). I add a tally mark before bed if I conquered another camp that day. Before we move this summer, I want to mark my 100th camp. It will definitely be a challenge, but Brad's face when he hugs me and feels the strength my body is gaining and Eloise's attempt at burpees and pushups "like Mommy does" is enough to keep me going.

Why am I telling you all of this? Equal parts accountability and the fact that I still really want to see and hear what you are up to! Thank you to SO many of you who took the time to connect. I appreciate you checking in to make sure my sudden disappearance from social media did not mean I had been hit by a bus or anything tragic. I would love for you to send me the growing baby bump pictures (love you, Jackie and Erin). Send all the cute cat pictures too (hi, mom). Show me where your world traveling family is this week (miss you, Michelle). Tell me what you've read lately that you couldn't put down (thank you, Kristin). I desperately still want to hear about your upcoming move (hi, Lauren) and watch silly videos of your kids (thanks for the laugh, Kelsey). Please, please, please send them all my way. And chances are I will flood you right back with pictures and updates. Just because every little joy filled Witt moment is no longer being immediately blasted out with a swipe and a click, it does not mean they aren't happening. Actually, even more of them are happening, or I am just more aware of them as I learn to be more mindful. Either way, I would love to swap happy moments with you! Exchanging life updates with friends and family this month has felt so much better than it ever has before. I am pleased to say with one month down I am 4/4 on successful goal progress and look forward to keeping it up as this year flies by as they always do.

One peek before my big January update on Friday.

Because I know you have been missing these perfect faces.

Save it for Sunday

Good grief, I am two weeks overdue here. We have been blessed to be keeping so busy with our weekly routine, a staycation in Denver, and two sets of wonderful visitors.

The Highlights

On Friday, March 15th, Brad and I celebrated ten years of togetherness. What a major milestone! He has been a part of my life for one third of it. I was trying hard to ignore the date night that could have been in the weeks leading up to it when my friend Kaitlyn saved the day. They live in Hawaii and had an overnight layover in Denver on their way to visit family on the mainland. When she asked if I wanted to bring the kids up so we could squeeze in a visit I was honestly hesitant. Those of you who have taken overnight adventures on your own with a 4 and 2 year old know exactly why. I was nervous about managing the chaos but ultimately booked a hotel for Friday night and got pumped for a mini anniversary staycation. I just kept telling myself to roll with the punches. It was worth it to see our friends and create some joy for myself and the kids.

Immediately after swimming lessons on Friday we drove up to Denver and headed straight for the aquarium. Kaitlyn, Scott, and their son Grant met us there, and the reunion was as sweet as I had imagined. They treated me to an anniversary dinner, and I swallowed a lump in my throat a few times as we ate together, so overwhelmed with gratitude for their company and love on a day that easily could have been a sad one. Eloise's life was made seeing the mermaid show and meeting them afterwards. Harvey decided mermaids aren't really his type. We parted ways for the night to head to our hotels, and this is where the real fun began. I found downtown Denver street parking, unloaded us and our overnight bags, and got us safely checked in and to our room with two overtired, overstimulated kids in tow without totally losing my marbles. There was a moment while trying to convince a screaming Harvey to use his legs that had become noodles that I considered throwing my own fit or just dragging him down the hall to our room. Rolling his Lightening McQueen through the lobby and chasing after it was just too fun to quit. Once in our room, after asking Eloise not to jump on the bed 329 times, Harvey decided to follow her lead and did an epic fall off the edge. The way he landed I thought for sure I was calling an ambulance. Thank God it was not anything some snuggles couldn't fix. The day ended with the three of us in bed, each with a strawberry ice cream, watching Homeward Bound (oh the nostalgia!) together. All of the struggle of the day was worth it for this one moment.

On Saturday morning we met our friends for a farewell breakfast before their flight out. Without launching into a huge sap fest about how much I love them, I'll just say THANK YOU, Kaitlyn and Scott. For filling our weekend and our hearts. For chasing one kid while I chased the other without an ounce of judgement. For the sweet Aloha Mickey and Minnie you brought back for the kids. For loving us through a tough season. For making quality time with us a priority. For reminding me that the best part of the Army is the family it creates. I am holding the image of Eloise, Harvey, and Grant walking hand-in-hand together close until we can be back together again.

After breakfast we headed for the children's museum as our last stop of the celebration. Cue the arrival of my saving graces, our neighbors Jenna and Jorden. They drove up to help me make the museum a positive experience, and that is exactly what they did. Jenna and I tag teamed keeping track of my kids while Jorden was on baby Dawson duty. There is no way the kids could have had half as much fun as they did with my attention being split. I would have been forever shouting at one or the other to slow down and wait to move on. They were so happy bouncing between activities at their own pace. I also love spending time with Jenna because we both find such joy just in witnessing Eloise and Harvey's joy. Three cheers for Denver for creating such a great space for imagination, learning, and hands-on exploring! We will definitely be back.

The last two weeks have apparently been all about feeling the love from our Fort Leonard Wood family. The following Friday after seeing the Kaitlyn and her guys, my friend Ashley made the drive with her three kiddos from their home in Kansas to spend a long weekend with us. The two moms to five kids ratio was...exciting! Let's just say our heads hit the pillow hard at night. But I was so pleased with the little tour of Colorado Springs we gave them and how much fun we created for our crew. On Friday night we did our usual pizza and a movie night with our guests. Seeing all five kids lined up together watching Mary Poppins Returns was the sweetest sight. I think Ashley and I only took 800 pictures between the two of us. Saturday was a zoo morning with an afternoon picnic, and Sunday took us to brunch at our favorite cafe followed by a walk through the Garden of the Gods. After naps each day we enjoyed play time and a home cooked meal. Our bodies ached by the end of each day, but I think all hearts were full to the brim.

My sweet Harv man tried relentlessly to feed a turtle one of his goldfish snacks

Highlights for me were seeing Eloise and Ashley's middle child Josiah bond on a new level. They are truly kindred spirits with a matching enthusiasm and zest for life. There is also no describing the happiness of having a dear friend seated next to you on the couch after bedtime each night when you've grown so used to that spot being empty. We caught up on life and new shows and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of her company. Ashley is a role model mom for me. She and her husband work hard to raise their kids to be obedient and kind, but it is also so clear how much she loves being their mom even in the difficult moments. I learn so much and feel a renewed sense of enjoying this wild motherhood ride just from being around her. I was proud of us for pushing through and working as a team to make the weekend what it was. The kids excitedly pointed out they got to do "so many new things" including pet a wallaby, feed an elephant, and go rock climbing. Mission accomplished! High fives and hugs were shared between two tired but fulfilled moms as they headed home this morning.

 

 

The Small Moments

At meals lately we have taken to playing I spy or talking about the peaks and valleys of our day. I sometimes find it hard to actually sit down and have family mealtime without another adult present, but I am trying hard to embrace that they truly are old enough to have meaningful conversations. And I find I am almost always laughing when I do take the time to sit and listen to them. This week while playing I spy, it was Eloise's turn and she had spied something red. In true overexcited Eloise fashion, she asked me in one second flat before I even had time to make any guesses if I wanted a hint. Her not-so-subtle hint was, "IT'S DADDY!" She pointed up at the map on our deployment wall to the red location pin showing them where Brad is. Still a part of dinner with us even from 7,000 miles away. I am still smiling about that one.

Aunt Meredith taught us a valuable catch phrase on our Florida vacation that she uses in her classroom. "Don't yuck my yum." I have been using it a lot with my picky eater Harvey. Golly it is so frustrating to cook for myself and two pint sized humans and have one refuse to even try what I made. He has been randomly repeating his own version though, "don't yuck my tum", at various points throughout the day. It makes me smile every time.

During our bedtime lullaby singalong on Sunday night, Harvey abruptly picked his head up off my shoulder and said, "oh, beautiful" looking right into my eyes. I cannot make this stuff up. Every day with him opens my eyes more and more to how big and pure that mother-son love is. I am really spoiled to be so loved by a little man who clearly has his dad's heart of gold.

The Ways We Grew

On Wednesday we experienced our first ever bomb cyclone. Yes, that is a real thing. Bomb cyclone = snow + hurricane strength winds. Our local airport registered a 97 mph wind gust! The house literally shook, and at about 11 am we lost power. At first it was just inconvenient, but as the day went on and power was not restored, I started to sorry about keeping my tiny crew warm. Just before sundown our house hit 60 degrees and was dropping quickly. I packed us up and headed to our neighbors' house who had graciously offered us a slumber party spot in front of their fireplace for the night. We actually had a blast. Jorden made a fort for the kids and downloaded movies to watch together. We ate pizza by the light of emergency lanterns lit all over their house. The power actually ended up coming back on just as we were settling in to sleep. I did a happy dance while Eloise cried that she didn't want the sleepover to end. Jenna graciously hosted her for the rest of the night while I took Harvey back home to warm up our house again and let him sleep well in his own bed. It was an adventure to say the least. I would say our first real deployment hurdle, and the kids were such troopers.

 

Next week we go back in again for more blood work with Eloise's endocrinologist. I am excited to see what her progress has been with the most recent dose change because I am seeing more of the Eloise I have desperately missed since her diagnosis shining through. The other day I ran upstairs to move laundry to the dryer. Harvey was upset and crying about something. I heard Eloise say, "Bubba don't cry. Here is what you do. You take deep breaths like this and count to ten. Let's do it together." Then I heard their little voices counting together with Harvey's tears completely subsiding. What a moment! I was proud of myself for implementing a way for Eloise to manage her own big emotions and even more so proud of my girl for embracing a teaching moment with her little brother. In other exciting Eloise news, just a few weeks after achieving starfish status at swimming lessons she has already earned her tadpole medal! She had to complete tap-tap-turns, swimming on her back and using her core muscles to flip to her stomach with her face submerged and return to swimming on her back again, all the way across the pool. I can't wait to see our fish swim in Nana and Mickey's pool this summer.

The Witt-isms

"I love you." -Eloise
"I love you more." -me
"I love you MORE.' -E
"No, I love YOU, more." -me
"Mom. That's enough. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." -E

"So handsome." -Harvey, picking up Eloise's brush and attempting to comb his own hair

"Cool dude." -Harvey, anytime he finds glasses or sunglasses to put on

Looking Ahead

One month down + spring break  --- Today marks one month of deployment in the rear view! I am planning a celebratory donut date with the kids later this week once things settle back down. This week is also spring break, and Colorado Springs is gracing us with some sunny 70 degree days. Instead of dreading the wide open days without our usual school and extracurricular schedule, I am embracing the chance to soak up some quality Eloise and Harvey time out in the fresh, spring air.

Surprise visitor | 3 days --- A few days ago we received the exciting news that a VIV (very important visitor) is headed our way at the end of this week. I can barely contain my excitement, and keeping it all a surprise for the kids has been a major challenge. Stay tuned! 

And in closing, my favorite of the latest and greatest Eloise iPad selfies. Tiny hippo included. You're welcome. She proceeded to take a shot just like this with every little animal figurine of her set.