Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Very lucky. Very Lucky indeed

I know that I am very lucky. I just sometimes forget at times just how so and wallow in self pity and the whole "woe is me" attitude. It really is ridiculous how I get--pathetic actually. But the good thing is that something always happens to make me realize that I am acting ridiculous. Sometimes, I just have to remind myself how easy life truly is for me. Yes, bad things have happened, but like my Mom has said in certain circumstances, but applies pretty much always..."If that's as bad as it is, then you have it easy". Yes, sometimes I get angry when this is pointed out because I want to be angry/upset and want someone to agree with me, but I do need to hear it.
Today, I had one of those moments where I said to myself, "Man, life is good." I have mentioned before about my father passing away in 2007 and my husband's father passed away in 1978. Jay's mom lives in NY so basically, my boys have Granny. There are no great grandparents either and we all know how all important the job of grandparent is to a child. I mean, who else does the stuff a parent won't, right? So, it's a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Well, we have been friends with this family for years and years. I believe we met them when I was 3 or 4 and I am much older now ;) They have taken my boys and my sister's children on as surrogate grandchildren and it's awesome. The man is Fat Daddy and the woman, the kids call Memaw. Fat Daddy was a huge help to me while babysitting and took Troy to and from school when needed. Of course, he had to spoil him rotten and take him out to eat as well and usually buy a "special prize" after, along with letting him drink chocolate milk. Stuff we NEVER do for him. Sure I take him out, but no buying special prizes or chocolate milk from me! Today, Fat Daddy picked him up and took him fishing and out to lunch. Made Troy's day! It's all he talked about before they went and after they got back. He never gets to do that with us and it was just the two of them. How special is that! Will's feelings were very hurt because he tried to climb in the truck with them and got upset he couldn't go. He just kept saying "Fa da da" over and over :( So we met them for lunch so he could get some time with Fat Daddy too. They spoil them rotten, just like Granny does, but it's wonderful for my boys too to have them in their lives and ours too. It's just one of those things I forget at times and take for granted, but we really do have the best people surrounding us. Like they say....It takes a village and we have a great one here.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Too cute!

Troy wants to be like Daddy--so bad it's funny. He does everything he can just to act like, look like, be like....you get it, I am sure. I have captured many pictures of him doing this and this weekend I got another one. I just can picture it in 2-3 years when Will tried to do this too :) Here are a few pictures of what I mean.

This is from this weekend. Yeah, don't know if there will be room for 3 :)

and here are just a few of the pics from over the past couple years and the last is something a friend made for me to give to DH. It shows more of the pictures and has the chorus to the country song I've Been Watching You (I think that's the title)


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Before kids...

I was talking with a friend the other day and she isn't married and right now, has no desire to have kids. She loves being around them, but really likes being able to say goodbye to them also. She's young so this may change, but that's not really the point of this blog?? Sorry, I get a little sidetracked these days. Anyway, we were talking about life with kids. She was laughing at me and another mom because we were struggling at a party dealing with our kids. They were doing the usual getting into things, playing/wrestling, trying to get to things they shouldn't have....you know, what we deal with on a regular basis. I forget even how it started, but we started laughing about life before kids. Here are some of the things we couldn't figure out....
1) How was I ever late to anything? I mean, I only had to get one person ready and didn't have to deal with diaper bags, snacks, drinks....
2) Why was my house EVER messy? There were no toys, sippy cups, movies thrown on the floor...
3) Why did I not travel more? It was so easy?
4) How did I ever forget anything? I mean I had nothing else to worry about?
....
I didn't realize how EASY my life was (key word is MY because I know other people have their struggles without kids) before I had kids. Sure, it was boring, but EASY. Would I change it.....Not a chance. Not with these two to play with everyday!!!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Fathers Day


This is a tough day. As much as I love my husband and think that he's a wonderful father, I miss my dad. This was made for me by a friend after my Dad passed and I just wanted to share

Change starts now!

I am doing this only so that someone may hold me accountable since I can't seem to do it alone....

I need to desperately make some changes. I need to take better care of myself. I need to lose weight. I need to stop making excuses and just do what I need to do so here I go.

I have reverse body perception. Most people feel like they are bigger than what they are. We see them as being thinner than they feel. I do the opposite. I know that I am overweight--I see the number on the scale, I know my BMI and I knew my body fat % which I KNOW hasn't lowered so I know I need to lose weight. However, when I look in the mirror, I see a little overweight. Then, I see a picture of myself and I am floored. Absolutely floored. I am shocked at just how big I really am. I saw a picture from last week last night and it was a huge wake up call. Soooooooooo, starting tomorrowm June 21, I start focusing on being healthier. I will not give up everything. I will not make myself miserable, but I will make changes. I have to do this for me--not just for my appearance, but my overall health.
And I debated doing this--and I mean really debated, but I feel like maybe if I put this picture out there, I will stick with this better so that maybe in a short time, I can put the "After"picture. Here's a brief explanation--I help with a training group for a local 4 mile race and this is the "uniform". We were selling cookies, lemonade and popsicles at a local event and this was taken by another leader. Like I said--WAKE UP CALL:
I am not looking for compliments so please say anything.....at all....please.....
This is me in the Pink shirt--my blue one was too tight :(

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Show and Tell

I was posting pictures on Facebook today and I came across one I didn't even remember taking. I still don't remember but somehow captured a picture that I just love and will be printing out for my boys. I look at it and just see how these two really love each other....



And this one is a picture I took before I went running on Wednesday. We had been having nasty storms all day and I wasn't even going to go. I decided at the last minute to give it a shot and on my way to our group, I saw this. It's just beautiful! Well, my picture doesn't do it justice, but hopefully you can see the double rainbow.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Dear Boys....

Dear Boys,
I know you are too young to truly understand, but I just have something very important to tell you. I know that I am VERY exciting to be around. I know that we have a blast together playing, dancing, taking walks, enjoying the outdoors, running errands, chores...yes, very exciting indeed. I get it--life with me is a party. However, you need to know and understand that while you are sleeping, I am not doing anything fun and exciting. Yes, I used to get up at 6AM so I could workout and shower, but you decided that that was also too much fun and started waking up at 6AM with me. Well, if you hadn't noticed, I gave up on that time. I PROMISE YOU--I am sleeping--nothing more. You are not missing out on a thing, nope, not a thing....just me sleeping. So could you please start sleeping past 6? Today, you were up at 5:45 and I must tell you that you HAVE to notice that I have been really crabby so you should know by now that the earlier you get me up, the worse the mood. I am not asking for much. I have come to grips with the fact that my days of sleeping until 9 are gone, but is 7 AM really too much to ask? I love you both to pieces and enjoy our time together, but lately, I have been too tired to really keep up with you.
With much love,
One Tired Mommy

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Just a comparison






The first 2 pictures are of Troy when he was 18 months old. The last 2 are Will. Just trying to see if they looked alike! I love doing this ever so often

Monday, June 14, 2010

My very anxious child...

I have to admit that I am a worrier and a very anxious person. Why did Troy have to inherit THIS trait? And so early, too... Since beginning preschool, things have gotten so much better so I thought we were through with this stage, but it has all come rushing back again :( Before preschool, being around other children was very stressful--unless it was just him and one to two other children. I tried Mommy groups, set up play dates, took him to playgrounds/indoor playgrounds....anything to get him around other children and he would just cling to me or I had to be playing with him and the others for him to be comfortable. So basically, it was just the same that we did at home in just a different setting so he wasn't getting anything out of it. My husband thought I was overreacting until the Bible School incident. We have a community bible school since we are in such a small area. Our church joins up with 3 other churches and they rotate locations. I talked to him about it, took him to the church it was going to be, had him talk with his teacher (who goes to our church)....to try to help him. It was a disaster. Will was just 6 months old so he needed a nap so I was planning to drop Troy off and then leave and take Will home for a nap. No problem in my eyes....or so I thought. Troy clung to me, they pulled him off, he clung to the teacher and screamed/cried...until someone else from our church pulled him off of the teacher. They had to call me to come get him :( The next day, he was crying before we even left so I tried to stay with him for a short time (Will was there as well so that was interesting) and finally gave up and took him home. The third day, my niece was able to go and she became Troy's security blanket. Good and bad I guess. He stayed and finally had fun, but it just reiterated my fears that preschool was going to be TOUGH. Fortunately, Jay was finally on board for preschool--he didn't want to send Troy at all to save money.
Preschool was a Godsend for us--he finally started to gain confidence and play with others without needing me right there. He will talk to other adults, introduce himself....everything has been great. Until lately. Now he's right back to the clinging to me and crying if he's in a new situation. I just don't know what to do to help him. We start swim lessons today and he's already worried about them. Bible School is next week and I am a teacher, but not for Troy's class so I have no idea how it will be. Do I prepare him, just throw him into a situation or what? I really wish he didn't take after me in this way.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Regrets

You hear all the time that art and music education should go to allow funds for other programs. I get where they are coming from but I just don't agree. One of my biggest regrets from my childhood is that I gave up Dance and Piano lessons way too soon. I was such a huge tomboy that I felt like it was just a waste of my time and dreaded going. Now that I am old, I mean older, I really wish I would have stuck with it. I wish my mom would have pushed me to continue rather than being the mom who let me choose. I mean, really mom.... you gave me, the completely awkward child a choice? Just kidding ;)! For a long time, I just didn't care, but now, I really regret it. This is when reality tv is bad for me. The singing shows...whatever...I have a horrendous voice, but the dancing shows get me every time. Would I have ever been that good? I have no idea, but man, it's just so wonderful to watch! I can honestly say that I have been moved to tears by some of the routines that are put together on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars. Not always but there are some that are just so good that you can really feel the emotion in the music and the movement. I would love to be as graceful, talented, flexible.....and you have to agree--dancers' have incredible bodies. That sure would be nice! I half thought about looking into classes for adults, but two little things called time and money sure put a damper on that. Maybe when the boys are older it'll be something I can try. If nothing else, maybe I will lose some weight.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Going a Bit Overboard

I am wondering when all this started? Is this a new thing or have I just been so oblivious since my boys are so young? When did children start graduating 4-5 times in their school career? My niece graduates Preschool Friday. They have Kindergarten graduation, 5th grade graduation, 8th grade graduation and then finally High School graduation. Of course, there is college graduation for those that move on. When did this happen? When I was a kid (many moons ago), we had 7th grade graduation because that was the year before we moved to high school. (Yes, our high school was 8th -12th grades--small town, you know). I get that....somewhat. I don't necessarily consider it a graduation, but whatever. No biggee. But a graduation ceremony for preschool, kindergarten, 5th grade AND 8th grade? I just don't get it. It's a special time and I know that when my boys' time comes, I will be right there celebrating this step in their lives, but I can't say that I really agree with it. In my opinion--take it or leave it--it really makes graduation LESS special when 12th grade comes. I mean, been there, done that...right? I just wonder when this started and whose idea was it? Also, when did they start having middle school class rings? My parents would have been crazy to buy me a ring at that age. I lost everything so what a waste of money for them. Boy, did they get lucky having me so many eons ago!

Monday, June 7, 2010

One of those days..

No, believe it or not, it's not one of "those" days--a day where everything seems to go wrong or just plain not easy. It's one of those days--a day where I just can't get over how unbelieveably lucky I am and how wonderful my children are. I woke up this morning and was able to get a couple things started while the kids played in their rooms. Troy comes out, gives me a huge hug and invites me into his "sticker shop" (he had covered his chair with stickers to give out to whoever). We go get Will and he invites Will in for stickers, which Will LOVED. Then, we get to have breakfast with my Mom and almost 2 year old nephew, Antonio. Troy has taken on the responsibility of helping my Mom with Antonio when she watches him. According to Troy, "Granny needs me there to entertain him". This is a blast since these 3 boys adore each other! Antonio runs out, greets both boys with a hug and they all run around and do a little dance. After breakfast, the 3 play with Playdough, look at books, dance to Choo Choo Soul and then run outside to play more. It's just so adorable to watch how they interact and get along (I just hope it continues). I wish my niece could be there as well, but she's in All Day school as Troy calls it.
Here are the 4 of them from last weekend playing together since we didn't have a camera handy this AM:

Nothing spectacular happened today, but for some reason I am bursting inside with pride, love and feeling so blessed. My boys aren't perfect, but they are pretty stinkin' awesome if you ask me ♥ I don't take the credit because in my situation--being so close to family and wonderful friends, it truly has been a village.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Curse of the Early Riser

If you are blessed with children who actually let themselves sleep, I am sticking my tongue out at you right now. If you have the curse of the early riser, you will know exactly where I am coming from. This has to be one of the most annoying things to deal with as a parent because you have absolutely no control over it. Nope, not at all. You can try many things to see if they will work to get your child to sleep in but sometimes....well, you just have to deal with it and get used to waking up early.
Troy has been an early riser since birth. I think that I can count on one hand how many times he's slept past 7AM and that is late for him if that tells you anything. For a very long time he was up between 5 and 5:30AM and for a short time, 4:30AM (this is when I was pregnant with Will so you can imagine my joy). He's now up between 6 and 6:30. I can also say that he has never slept 12 hours either--he's a 10 hour sleeper normally. And here's another silly thing about Troy--he's a very short napper. Maybe once in a while he would take a nice long nap of 2 hours (I know some of you are laughing because your children take 3+ hours), but he usually naps no more than 1 hour 15 minutes. We tried so many things to change both this fun early rising issue and his napping, but nope, nada, nothing...Here are a few examples:
1) Putting him to bed later. Nope, still up but then just super cranky because he got less sleep and still didn't nap well.
2)Putting to bed earlier. This *sometimes* worked but then it means he never sees Daddy so that creates a whole different issue
3) Room darkening curtains
4) Bedtime snack so that hunger wouldn't wake him
5) Bringing him bed with me in the AM--our boys never got cosleeping at all. They thought it was play time
6) Ignoring him--HA! This child can't be ignored
7) Small snack, back to bed. Yeah, no
8) Telling him he could get up when the sun came up. This just resulted in him yelling "Mommy, is the sun up?" repeatedly
I am sure there were more, but you get the idea. He now knows he can't get out of his room until 7 but I am blessed with the problem of being a light sleeper so I am awake anyway because I can hear him turn the pages of his books. SIGH
Now Will is here and I thought we wouldn't have this issue. He was much better about sleeping until 7:30 or GASP even 8:00 at times, but in the last 2 months, this has changed. He has now decided that what Troy is doing is much more exciting so he's up between 6 and 6:30 now too. SIGH again. At least he let's himself take giant naps more often.
I know. Welcome to Parenthood. There will be a day that comes when we're dragging them out of bed trying to get them to go to school and help out, but until then, I guess I will just forget about sleeping past 6. Sleeps overrated anyway.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Big Day!

Yesterday was a huge day for us. It was new, exciting, stressful but a lot of fun. I live in a very small town. I have lived in the city, but really nothing where I wasn't able to drive and get around easily. Yesterday, I tackled the National Zoo in Washington DC with my boys. This involved driving to Northern VA, picking up a friend from Justmommies (the online mom's group I am involved with), and attempting to get to the Metro (only one wrong turn on my part--oopsy!). Here's where things got dicey. Many people told me this was the easiest way to the Zoo--and I mean MANY people. When I suggested driving straight to the zoo, everyone said not to because there is limited parking and it's expensive, so I took their advice and went to the Metro. Well, there was NO parking. I literally drove around in circles for who knows how long trying to find somewhere to park. I called a friend frantically because I had no clue what to do but she talked me through and we found the we could park a little ways out for up to 12 hours. BUT I had no quarters for the meter so off I drove to a place to get change only to miss the sign for my turn (which was hidden by a tree) and drive in circles all over again. By this time, Troy and Will were miserable, I was almost hysterical from how silly I felt (but very stressed at the same time) and we all just wanted out. Then we finally get to the Metro and it was very confusing but we made it--with a change of trains included. Unfortunately, after leaving at 7:45, it was now after 12:00 so food had to come first. We met up with another mom from Justmommies and finally ventured around the zoo. It was so much fun!! I didn't get to take Troy and Will to as many exhibits as I would have liked because it was a long, hot day. We enjoyed what we did see and now I know my way around--somewhat! It was wonderful meeting 2 moms who I have known for 2 years but had never met and our kids had so much fun together. It always amazes me how close we all have become to have never met in real life! Here's just a few pictures of the kids on their adventure!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Ode to June...

June! Yes June is finally here. What does June mean? Schools are out, which means my sister is out (soon) and I will get to spend a lot more time with her. This means trips to the pool, lots of playtime with our kids, visits to the Sno Shack, someone to sip homemade limeade with, ....I love it when she's off because I have a buddy to hang with. Unfortunately, this also means I procrastinate a lot more and avoid the yucky household chores.

June means lots of pool time--which is fun and nervewracking at the same time. It's a blast, but getting ready for the pool is insane anymore--towels, sunscreen, bathing suits, swim diapers, floats, water wings, life vests, watching Will like a hawk because he seems to think he can do whatever Troy can...WHEW! I am exhausted thinking about it!

June means HOT HOT HOT! This I like, mainly because we have a pool close by. It just means lots of AM outside time and lots of afternoons in with the AC or finding things to do. No complaining there because I much prefer hot to the cold any day.

June means Father's Day. This is bittersweet. I love doing something for my husband from the kids. It's so much fun trying to come up with ways to surprise him, but at the same time, it's really hard for me since my Dad passed away. As excited as I can get, I get depressed about the same amount.

June means we're one month closer to our vacation! Troy has already been asking how much longer and being able to say "Next month" is awesome for him and us!

Unfortunately, this year June means saying farewell to my brother in law who's about to be deployed as I have talked about in previous posts. We don't know the exact date, but know it's coming soon. This means that as much fun as June can be, we have this sadness hanging over us. Our family and his will join together and help my sister and her children to make this as easy as possible, but we know it will be a difficult year.
So June--I am so happy you have arrived, but at the same time, we've been dreading you...