Today Alex asked me what my life was like before I had kids and I realized it was not all that different than having kids. Let me explain.
1. Before kids you can nap whenever you want, but once you have kids you can only nap whenever they nap. So you lose some control.. but hey at least you still get to nap, right.
2. Before kids you still had to do laundry and on a Saturday you might now care if there was a stain on your shirt... after all you are just running errands..with kids you have to do laundry but almost every shirt is stained now so who cares what you wear..plus everyday there are errands to run!
3. Before kids you could go play at a park but people might find you creepy..now you can go play at the park and be immature and kids just find you fun.
4. Before kids you would stay up late drinking or studying, mostly drinking..with kids you stay up late cleaning and enjoying a quiet house...either way you are tired in the morning and telling yourself you should have gone to bed earlier.
5. Before kids you could go out and do what you wanted when you wanted...with kids you still can with some limitations ( kids in a bar..not a good idea)..now you can leave to go where you want when you want you just have to remember to bring the kids, the diaper bag, the snacks, the juice boxes, the wipes etc..
6. Before kids you could have adult conversations with your friends...after kids you still can they just always seem to be about your kids now
7. Before kids you thought your parents were idiots and just did not understand anything...after kids you realize your kids think your an idiot and just do not understand anything...ahh the circle of life
8. Before kids you relied on your alarm clock to wake you up..after kids you get rid of the alarm clock because you just gave birth to one that will wake you up way to early for EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!!!!
9.Before kids you would have date nights with your significant other, and then sneaking in late and trying not to wake your parents..after kids you have date nights that now consist of talking about the kids, worrying about the kids and sneaking in so you do not wake up the kids.
10. And last but not lease before kids you would go shopping to get yourself some cute clothes..after kids you still go shopping but 99% of the clothes you buy are for your kids. Why buy yourself something new when you know it is just going to get a stain on it.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Babies and bodies
Anyone who has ever had a kid, or 2 or 3 or 4... knows that being pregnant and having kids does a number to your body. And the more kids the harder it is to lose the weight..at least that is how it seems for me. If you are reading this and you are one of those people that gave birth and 2 wks later you were a size 2 again..well I hate you. :)
When I had Alex, 6 yrs ago, I gained about 30 lbs. I also lost 30 lbs 2 weeks after I had him. I don't know how but it was AMAZING!!! The over the next couple years between being a mom and workign full time I slowly put some, maybe almost all, of the weight back on. And then I got pregnant with Zach. For awhile I thought he would be my last one so I went all out. My friend Kelly and I literally had eating parties, and yes they were amazing! I put on almost 40 lbs. 40lbs people!! And after I had him I probably lost about half of it and kept it off. But then Zach turned 15 months old and guess what, I was pregnant again. I paid attention to what I ate and did not gain as much weight with Addelyn but I had a much harder time recovering from my c-section. My 3rd c-section might I add. ( I can pretty much kiss ever wearing a bikini goodbye) I busted my stitches so my recovery took longer. I guess you shouldn't take 3 kids on a playdate 2 days after you get released from the hospital. Oh well...I learn my lesson. Maybe??
For awhile I just kind of got into a rut of everyday life and did not pay attention to what I was eating at all, so I was not losing weight I was maintaininng. Then starting in August of 2010 I finally started getting my ass in gear. Here I was a girl that use to workout 4 hrs a day, had a amazing body( yes I am tooting my own horn) and now I was FAT!!! I mean really FAT!!! So since August I have lost about 30 lbs. I feel like I have been between 30-35 for almost 2 months now and can not get over the hurdle! I am hoping by September I can lose another 50-60 lbs. I have a wedding to be in, and it is no secret that I am not a huge fan of the dress I have to wear because it makes me look even fatter than I am, so hopefully I can get to a weight I will like and look hot. Plus I am planning on sleeping with the best man that night( he is my husband)and I think I have a shot. :)
As for now I will keep busting my ass at the gym 5-6 times a week and maybe stop baking for awhile, because its just not fair that I can not really eat the goodies I make! And maybe one day I will talk my hubby into buying me a tummy tuck!
When I had Alex, 6 yrs ago, I gained about 30 lbs. I also lost 30 lbs 2 weeks after I had him. I don't know how but it was AMAZING!!! The over the next couple years between being a mom and workign full time I slowly put some, maybe almost all, of the weight back on. And then I got pregnant with Zach. For awhile I thought he would be my last one so I went all out. My friend Kelly and I literally had eating parties, and yes they were amazing! I put on almost 40 lbs. 40lbs people!! And after I had him I probably lost about half of it and kept it off. But then Zach turned 15 months old and guess what, I was pregnant again. I paid attention to what I ate and did not gain as much weight with Addelyn but I had a much harder time recovering from my c-section. My 3rd c-section might I add. ( I can pretty much kiss ever wearing a bikini goodbye) I busted my stitches so my recovery took longer. I guess you shouldn't take 3 kids on a playdate 2 days after you get released from the hospital. Oh well...I learn my lesson. Maybe??
For awhile I just kind of got into a rut of everyday life and did not pay attention to what I was eating at all, so I was not losing weight I was maintaininng. Then starting in August of 2010 I finally started getting my ass in gear. Here I was a girl that use to workout 4 hrs a day, had a amazing body( yes I am tooting my own horn) and now I was FAT!!! I mean really FAT!!! So since August I have lost about 30 lbs. I feel like I have been between 30-35 for almost 2 months now and can not get over the hurdle! I am hoping by September I can lose another 50-60 lbs. I have a wedding to be in, and it is no secret that I am not a huge fan of the dress I have to wear because it makes me look even fatter than I am, so hopefully I can get to a weight I will like and look hot. Plus I am planning on sleeping with the best man that night( he is my husband)and I think I have a shot. :)
As for now I will keep busting my ass at the gym 5-6 times a week and maybe stop baking for awhile, because its just not fair that I can not really eat the goodies I make! And maybe one day I will talk my hubby into buying me a tummy tuck!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Break... I don' t think so!
Its spring break for Alex. That means he is home all week. That means that even though he get s a break from school I do not get a break. Now that I am out of school I do not like the idea of spring break. Why don't the schools think about the stay at home moms that enjoy their quiet afternoons? I think I shall bring this up at the next PTA meeting. :)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Alexs birthday
Alex turned 6 last Wednesday and he wanted to go bowling on his birthday. So we took him and Zach and met up with his Aunt Kelly for a fun night of bowling. Here are a couple pics from that night!
Alex got 2 strikes which he was very excited about and did really well.Zach also did good for his first time...although he did roll the ball really slow at times. :)
We finally did his cake at about 10 at night...I know I am a awesome mom! Bowling lasted longer than expected but everyone had a fun night and now he is excited for his party with all his friends and family.
Alex got 2 strikes which he was very excited about and did really well.Zach also did good for his first time...although he did roll the ball really slow at times. :)
We finally did his cake at about 10 at night...I know I am a awesome mom! Bowling lasted longer than expected but everyone had a fun night and now he is excited for his party with all his friends and family.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Homes
It is no secret that I love real estate. I got my license back in 2007 adn if this market wasnt so crappy I would be making my millions in it. :) But I also love just looking at house and daydreaming about the house that I would love to own one day.
There is a chance that in the next dew years Rob could be transfeered to South Carolina, which minus the hurricanes is fine with me. I would love to like in a plantation house from the 1800's. I love everything about them,but mostly the HUGE wrap around porches and many of them have one on the first level and one on the second level. I have always loved wrap around porches and if I have the money to build my dream house that will be a must have.
I alwasy love huge kitchens, but than again doesn't every woman. I want a kitchen that is so big I could not clutter up the counters no matter how hard I try. I must have a island in it as well, a 6 burner stove, 2 ovens, and a very large fridge!And with the way we go trough dishes in this house a second dishwasher would be nice as well.
As for the master bedroom/bathroom I would love a walk in closet. I also want a room that has french doors out to the wrap around porch or private balcony. I woudl also like a sitting area that we would use to watch tv, but its all the same right??? As for the master bath I was a nice big shower with 2 shower heads in it and tile all the way up and on the ceiling. I also want a nice big jaccuzzi that is large enough for 2 people to be able to streach out in.
The kids of course need to have rooms that have enough space for their beds and bookcases...ect...and I need a finished basement for all the kids crap..I mean toys. I want a yard taht is big enough for the swing set I want...its only 42,000..thats reasonable right. And possibly a pool with a diving board and water slide, and room for the kids to be able to run around and play as well. SO we will need a good amount of acres to full fill this dream. I don't think it is asking for too much right??? MAybe one day we will hit it big and I will invite you all over for our house warming party :)
There is a chance that in the next dew years Rob could be transfeered to South Carolina, which minus the hurricanes is fine with me. I would love to like in a plantation house from the 1800's. I love everything about them,but mostly the HUGE wrap around porches and many of them have one on the first level and one on the second level. I have always loved wrap around porches and if I have the money to build my dream house that will be a must have.
I alwasy love huge kitchens, but than again doesn't every woman. I want a kitchen that is so big I could not clutter up the counters no matter how hard I try. I must have a island in it as well, a 6 burner stove, 2 ovens, and a very large fridge!And with the way we go trough dishes in this house a second dishwasher would be nice as well.
As for the master bedroom/bathroom I would love a walk in closet. I also want a room that has french doors out to the wrap around porch or private balcony. I woudl also like a sitting area that we would use to watch tv, but its all the same right??? As for the master bath I was a nice big shower with 2 shower heads in it and tile all the way up and on the ceiling. I also want a nice big jaccuzzi that is large enough for 2 people to be able to streach out in.
The kids of course need to have rooms that have enough space for their beds and bookcases...ect...and I need a finished basement for all the kids crap..I mean toys. I want a yard taht is big enough for the swing set I want...its only 42,000..thats reasonable right. And possibly a pool with a diving board and water slide, and room for the kids to be able to run around and play as well. SO we will need a good amount of acres to full fill this dream. I don't think it is asking for too much right??? MAybe one day we will hit it big and I will invite you all over for our house warming party :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Letter to Alex
Well its official...today you are 6!! Happy birthday bud!! I can not believe that you are already 6. You were our first born and have kept us on our toes since the moment we first saw you. I can not believe how fast you have grown up. I always say you are a 30 year old trapped in a kids body because of your knowledge of things. Sometimes I think you are too smart for your own good...and defiantly for ours. :)At times it seems like you would rather be around the adults instead of the kids.
You are such a amazing athlete as well. Any sport you try you put your whole heart into and figure it out so quickly. You know you get that from me. :) It just amazes me. And your science experiments. My my my how you love those. The thoughts and ideas you come up with just amaze me. I did not know a 6 year old could be so cleaver. You have always been very interested in how things work and how they are made. You are constantly asking questions just filling your brain up with knowledge.
You are also very stubborn.I think you get that from both your father and me. You get your mind set on something and you will fight every battle to try and get it. And sometimes it works. But I love that you will go for what you want. You are also very independent which is great. You are able to do things on your own and your prefer to do things for yourself rather than always having us do them for you which is a great trait to have.You are also very caring. You watch out for your brother and sister and are a amazing big brother to them. You help them with things and you are always trying to teach Zach things and show him how to build different train tracks. And you have been very protective of Addie ever since the day we brought her home from the hospital and I know that you will always be there to look after her.
This year you are in kindergarten and you have learned so much already. You love school and all your classmates and have been having a blast. Only 6 months until you are in first grade and get to go all day...something you have been asking to do for awhile now. I feel like just yesterday you were learning to walk and talk and now you are such a little man. I can not wait to see what this year brings. Between all your sports and your skateboarding I am sure we will have a busy but fun summer. These past 6 years have been exhausting but amazing. No matter how old you are you will always be my baby and I love you very much.
Love
Mom
You are such a amazing athlete as well. Any sport you try you put your whole heart into and figure it out so quickly. You know you get that from me. :) It just amazes me. And your science experiments. My my my how you love those. The thoughts and ideas you come up with just amaze me. I did not know a 6 year old could be so cleaver. You have always been very interested in how things work and how they are made. You are constantly asking questions just filling your brain up with knowledge.
You are also very stubborn.I think you get that from both your father and me. You get your mind set on something and you will fight every battle to try and get it. And sometimes it works. But I love that you will go for what you want. You are also very independent which is great. You are able to do things on your own and your prefer to do things for yourself rather than always having us do them for you which is a great trait to have.You are also very caring. You watch out for your brother and sister and are a amazing big brother to them. You help them with things and you are always trying to teach Zach things and show him how to build different train tracks. And you have been very protective of Addie ever since the day we brought her home from the hospital and I know that you will always be there to look after her.
This year you are in kindergarten and you have learned so much already. You love school and all your classmates and have been having a blast. Only 6 months until you are in first grade and get to go all day...something you have been asking to do for awhile now. I feel like just yesterday you were learning to walk and talk and now you are such a little man. I can not wait to see what this year brings. Between all your sports and your skateboarding I am sure we will have a busy but fun summer. These past 6 years have been exhausting but amazing. No matter how old you are you will always be my baby and I love you very much.
Love
Mom
Handbook
Sometimes I wish that when you had a kid the hospital gave you a parenting handbook with answers to every and any problem that occur while raising kids. I mean how nice would it be to flip to chapter 3, find your solution, and move on with your day. And I know everyone is probably thinking...oh there are so many books about parenting...and I get that, but those do not always have to answers. And sometimes, well most of the time, I feel like the answers are something we have to figure out within ourselves.
Everyone is different in the way that they parent and I think every mom goes through days where they wonder if they are a good mother. Or if they are making the right decisions. Or how they are ever going to survive the day(we have all had bad days) :)
There are times that I will yell at one of the boys for something and instantly feel bad that I did that.There are times when I will take something away from one of the kids as a punishment and they cry and I feel so horrible because of the look on their face. Or times I put them in timeout for doing something and they are so upset and just keep saying they are sorry and will listen. Those are the moments when I really feel like I am not a good mom. But I also know that I am not being too mean, I am doing what is best. I know and my kids know that if they are misbehaving there will be consequences. They know that they will get a warning or 2 and then they will be punished if the dont start behaving.Its normal...right???
I do not want to be too hard on the kids and I do let a lot slide...as anyone I am a pretty easy-going mom...but sometimes you cant let things slide. Sometimes no matter how much they are crying you have to take the toy and put it up in the closet for the rest of the day. And sometimes you have to seperate the child from everyone and just sit down and have a heart to heart...its just determining which time is best for which one. Its those days that I go to bed feeling like I am a beaten woman.
But then there are days where everyone is in a great mood. Everyone is getting along, and listening, and playing well together. There are lots of laughs, and hugs and kisses, and all around perfect moments. And those are the days I cherish. Those are the days that let me know it does not have to be so hard sometimes.That the choices I have made for myself and my kids are the right choices. That it was worth giving up some things to have the kids and husband that I have. And those are the days I go to bed thinking I am a good mom.
Still sometimes it would be nice to have that handbook. To flip to a page and have someone else solve all my problems for me. If only.....
Everyone is different in the way that they parent and I think every mom goes through days where they wonder if they are a good mother. Or if they are making the right decisions. Or how they are ever going to survive the day(we have all had bad days) :)
There are times that I will yell at one of the boys for something and instantly feel bad that I did that.There are times when I will take something away from one of the kids as a punishment and they cry and I feel so horrible because of the look on their face. Or times I put them in timeout for doing something and they are so upset and just keep saying they are sorry and will listen. Those are the moments when I really feel like I am not a good mom. But I also know that I am not being too mean, I am doing what is best. I know and my kids know that if they are misbehaving there will be consequences. They know that they will get a warning or 2 and then they will be punished if the dont start behaving.Its normal...right???
I do not want to be too hard on the kids and I do let a lot slide...as anyone I am a pretty easy-going mom...but sometimes you cant let things slide. Sometimes no matter how much they are crying you have to take the toy and put it up in the closet for the rest of the day. And sometimes you have to seperate the child from everyone and just sit down and have a heart to heart...its just determining which time is best for which one. Its those days that I go to bed feeling like I am a beaten woman.
But then there are days where everyone is in a great mood. Everyone is getting along, and listening, and playing well together. There are lots of laughs, and hugs and kisses, and all around perfect moments. And those are the days I cherish. Those are the days that let me know it does not have to be so hard sometimes.That the choices I have made for myself and my kids are the right choices. That it was worth giving up some things to have the kids and husband that I have. And those are the days I go to bed thinking I am a good mom.
Still sometimes it would be nice to have that handbook. To flip to a page and have someone else solve all my problems for me. If only.....
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Bedtime
This is something that we have struggled with with Alex since he was born. In the hospital he did great sleeping in the bassinet and completly played us for fools. When he got home he did a 180 and became a horrible sleeper. Part of it was our fault. He hates sleeping in the bassinet and the crib so we let him sleep with us. BIG MISTAKE!!! When he would sleep in the crib he would wake up every 30-40 minutes and then it woudl take at least 20 to get him back to sleep. So I figured if I ever wanted to sleep he could just sleep with me. And it worked. He slept..well like a baby. He finally slept through the night in a crib at 14 months. Around that age it seemed like once he was asleep a marching band could go through the room and he would not wake up. To this day he is still like that. Its just getting him to go to sleep which is a pain in the ass.
With Zach and Addie we were much more strict about them sleeping. They slept in our room until they were about 6 months but they did not sleep in our bed or with us. Sure the first few nights home they would be in our bed from about 3 am to 6 am because of the night feedings but other than that they were in the crib or the snuggle chair(as I call it) to sleep. And they were and still are awesome sleepers both at nap and at bedtime. When we put them down they go to sleep. Addie sleeps from about 6:30 or 7pm until 8-8:30 am and Zach goes to bed around 7:30 and gets up between 7:30-8am. And they both still nap. Alex..well he gave up napping around 18 months and never looked back.
No matter how busy we are during the day and how tired Alex SHOULD be by bedtime there are nights where he will find any excuse possible to come out of his room over and over again. It drives me nuts. I know one day he will understand how fun sleeping is, but I do not think that day will come anytime soon. At least I know that once he is asleep he will be out for good... I just wish I could find a easier way to get him to go to bed and straight to sleep.
With Zach and Addie we were much more strict about them sleeping. They slept in our room until they were about 6 months but they did not sleep in our bed or with us. Sure the first few nights home they would be in our bed from about 3 am to 6 am because of the night feedings but other than that they were in the crib or the snuggle chair(as I call it) to sleep. And they were and still are awesome sleepers both at nap and at bedtime. When we put them down they go to sleep. Addie sleeps from about 6:30 or 7pm until 8-8:30 am and Zach goes to bed around 7:30 and gets up between 7:30-8am. And they both still nap. Alex..well he gave up napping around 18 months and never looked back.
No matter how busy we are during the day and how tired Alex SHOULD be by bedtime there are nights where he will find any excuse possible to come out of his room over and over again. It drives me nuts. I know one day he will understand how fun sleeping is, but I do not think that day will come anytime soon. At least I know that once he is asleep he will be out for good... I just wish I could find a easier way to get him to go to bed and straight to sleep.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
My baby is turning 6!
That's right! On Wednesday March 23 Alex will be 6. Crazy I know! I still remember everything about his birth. It was the most eventful out of the 3. He decided to flip breech at 39 weeks( almost never happens) which meant I had to have a c-section. Wasn't really my first choice in birth plans, but what are you going to do. Of course we had it scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7 am but Tuesday night I went into labor. Rob finally convinced me we should go to the hospital, and about 20 mins after we arrived my water broke and I was rushed into a emergency c-section. And before we knew it Alexander Robert Darrow was born and our lives were forever changed!
The past 6 years have flown by. I brought home this tiny little baby that refused to sleep anywhere but on me or by me and now I have this totally independent child that changes daily. Everyone tells you to cherish ever moment because it goes by so fast and you really have no idea how right they are until you have a child. You have this plan of how you are going to raise your kids and what kind of parent you are going to be but it all changes when the kids come home. They really run the show from the beginning and you start to change some of your thought.
Rob and I are really into making sure we raise kids that will be independent and so far we are hitting that goal. Alex is very social, extremely bright ( its true, not just because he is my child), and very independent. He loves science, sports, and math. Typical guy I guess. And of course he loves his video games just like his father. :) And it amazing how fast he figures things out. We bought him a bike when he was 4 and about 2 months later the training wheels were off and he was riding a 2 wheeler and jumping curbs. He figured out how to hit a baseball that was pitched to him at age 2, and could drive a golf ball farther than me by age 3. This winter we got him a snow board a a couple hours after getting it he was going down the hills with no problems and the next day he was turning on it and jumping on the bumps that were put into the snow hills.
We also got him a skateboard for his birthday this year. He has been asking for awhile so yesterday we let him pick one out. and he was on it last night until it got dark out and all day today.He even went to the skatepark and some of the kids there were able to teach him a few tricks already. The kid just amazes me. When he puts his mind to something he will do what he can to achieve it and I love that with him. He doesn't quit and he doesn't get discouraged.
As amazing as these past 6 years have been with him I am excited to see what the next year has in store for us. He will be starting first grade in August, hopefully in a new school if we are able to move in time, and who knows what other interest he will suddenly have. No matter how old he is he will always be my baby and my first born.... but sometimes I do wish he could be a little guy forever. Just don't tell him that! :)
The past 6 years have flown by. I brought home this tiny little baby that refused to sleep anywhere but on me or by me and now I have this totally independent child that changes daily. Everyone tells you to cherish ever moment because it goes by so fast and you really have no idea how right they are until you have a child. You have this plan of how you are going to raise your kids and what kind of parent you are going to be but it all changes when the kids come home. They really run the show from the beginning and you start to change some of your thought.
Rob and I are really into making sure we raise kids that will be independent and so far we are hitting that goal. Alex is very social, extremely bright ( its true, not just because he is my child), and very independent. He loves science, sports, and math. Typical guy I guess. And of course he loves his video games just like his father. :) And it amazing how fast he figures things out. We bought him a bike when he was 4 and about 2 months later the training wheels were off and he was riding a 2 wheeler and jumping curbs. He figured out how to hit a baseball that was pitched to him at age 2, and could drive a golf ball farther than me by age 3. This winter we got him a snow board a a couple hours after getting it he was going down the hills with no problems and the next day he was turning on it and jumping on the bumps that were put into the snow hills.
We also got him a skateboard for his birthday this year. He has been asking for awhile so yesterday we let him pick one out. and he was on it last night until it got dark out and all day today.He even went to the skatepark and some of the kids there were able to teach him a few tricks already. The kid just amazes me. When he puts his mind to something he will do what he can to achieve it and I love that with him. He doesn't quit and he doesn't get discouraged.
As amazing as these past 6 years have been with him I am excited to see what the next year has in store for us. He will be starting first grade in August, hopefully in a new school if we are able to move in time, and who knows what other interest he will suddenly have. No matter how old he is he will always be my baby and my first born.... but sometimes I do wish he could be a little guy forever. Just don't tell him that! :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Grandma time!
My mom has been in town visting with us since we got back from California and she will be here until Friday! I tried to warn here about the craziness that is my house, but I dont think anyone really understands until they see it/live in it for a few days! Sure my mom had 3 kids as well but she also had a full time job outside of the house. And she has looked at me more than once while being here and said that she knows she made the right choice working outside the house because she doesnt think she could have stayed home with 3 kids.
Its really not all that crazy. We are usually at the gym in the mornign until 11 and home by 11:30 at the latest.Then lunch, Alex off to school, kids nap, Alex home, kids get up, play time, dinner, baths and bed. But since we are still (by we I mean the kids) adjusting to the time change both from California and the jump forward over the weekend we have not had out "normal"routine so far this week. So my mom has been around the kids more than she usually is when she is in town.
Yes,there are days where it is crazy. There are days when people are crabby or moody( sometimes its me, sometimes the kids)But there are also great days. Filled with hugs,laughs,playdates,crafts etc...and the way I see it it is what I choose.
I am glad that I am with my kids. I am glad I get to walk Alex to the bus and pick him up. I am glad they can do sports during the week, and go to the gym to play with their friends there. I am happy we can do playdates, and I am happy I get to have my 5pm phone calls with Jen where we can vent if we need to. These are things I could not do while working. I am also happy that I am only 30 and now my job is raising my kids. There will be no more pregnancies, no more bottles, and in a couple years no more diapers. Am I exhausted by the end of the day?? Of course! But at least I am tired from doing something I love instead of working a job I dont enjoy. I would not have it any other way!
Its really not all that crazy. We are usually at the gym in the mornign until 11 and home by 11:30 at the latest.Then lunch, Alex off to school, kids nap, Alex home, kids get up, play time, dinner, baths and bed. But since we are still (by we I mean the kids) adjusting to the time change both from California and the jump forward over the weekend we have not had out "normal"routine so far this week. So my mom has been around the kids more than she usually is when she is in town.
Yes,there are days where it is crazy. There are days when people are crabby or moody( sometimes its me, sometimes the kids)But there are also great days. Filled with hugs,laughs,playdates,crafts etc...and the way I see it it is what I choose.
I am glad that I am with my kids. I am glad I get to walk Alex to the bus and pick him up. I am glad they can do sports during the week, and go to the gym to play with their friends there. I am happy we can do playdates, and I am happy I get to have my 5pm phone calls with Jen where we can vent if we need to. These are things I could not do while working. I am also happy that I am only 30 and now my job is raising my kids. There will be no more pregnancies, no more bottles, and in a couple years no more diapers. Am I exhausted by the end of the day?? Of course! But at least I am tired from doing something I love instead of working a job I dont enjoy. I would not have it any other way!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Spoiled!
I feel like we were so spoiled by the weather on our vacation! High 60's and 70's for 8 days with sunshine for all but half of a day. Now I am hating winter and Illinois even more. I am a beach girl! I love the ocean, I love the sand, I could just sit and stare out at it forever! And I would Love to learn to surf if I did not have a irrational fear that a shark would get me.
Now that we are back this weather is killing me. Even the 40's seem like 20's to me. Before we left if it hit in the 40's it felt like spring. So warm out. Now, not at all!I can not wait for some sunshine. Some warm weather! Afternoons spent playing at the park and once summers come, days spent at the pool.I have always hated Illinois weather. Especially the winter! I am not a fan! I think it is because I was born on such a cold day! :) I know in the future there is a chance that Rob could be transferred to either California or South Carolina... and either one is fine with me. California being my first choice! I would have no problem with never having snow again. Alex on the other hand would hate it. He loves the cold, the snow, the sledding/snowboarding. But he also loved the ocean and kept bugging us to take him surfing. So I think he would adjust!AHHHH spring and summer just can not come fast enough!
Now that we are back this weather is killing me. Even the 40's seem like 20's to me. Before we left if it hit in the 40's it felt like spring. So warm out. Now, not at all!I can not wait for some sunshine. Some warm weather! Afternoons spent playing at the park and once summers come, days spent at the pool.I have always hated Illinois weather. Especially the winter! I am not a fan! I think it is because I was born on such a cold day! :) I know in the future there is a chance that Rob could be transferred to either California or South Carolina... and either one is fine with me. California being my first choice! I would have no problem with never having snow again. Alex on the other hand would hate it. He loves the cold, the snow, the sledding/snowboarding. But he also loved the ocean and kept bugging us to take him surfing. So I think he would adjust!AHHHH spring and summer just can not come fast enough!
Friday, March 11, 2011
San Diego
Yesterday we got back from 8 beautiful days in California!!! It was AWESOME!!! We had an amazing view of the ocean and golf course from our balcony. Our condo had 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen, and 8 person wood table plus a full living room. Plenty of space for 4 adults and 4 kids!
We have been planning this trip for almost a year and it went pretty well. The kids were great on the long 4.5 hr plane ride out there, and everyone was excited to get to our resort and start our vacation. Rob was actually working the first 2 days we were there so on Thursday we hung by the pool with the kids and let them get use to the time change. And on Friday we went to the beach. My boys LOVED it!!! Addie likes it until she felt some cold water and then was more than happy to just sit on me or in the stroller and snack.
Saturday we went down to Mission Beach in San Diego which is the big one down there. Rob and Aaron played in the ocean with the boys and built sand castles with them while Sarah I hung with the girls on the sand taking a million pictures and videos!
Sunday and Monday were spent at Legoland which was the big thing for Alex on this trip. He was in HEAVEN!!! He rode every ride and even put his hands up on the rollercoaster when Sarah and I went with him. He would have gone everyday during this trip if he could have and he is now more than ready for Great America this summer.
Tuesday we went to the Wild Animal Park with the kids. It is very different than Brookfield Zoo. We did the safari tram ride with the kids which was about 30 minutes but it lets you see the animals in the "wild." We did a lot of walking that day and the kids were troopers. Addie napped a little in the stroller but loved the animals as did the boys.
On Wednesday Sarah and I had a girls morning at the spa getting much needed massages. They were amazing and worth every.single.penny. We then enjoyed a nice quiet(something you don't get with 4 kids) lunch on the beach. When we got home the guys went golfing while I took my boys to the beach again. We built more sand castles and played in the ocean. They have no fear which I love. We went out a good distance and they were jumping the waves as they came in. Alex also let me bury him in the sand which was hilarious. After a couple hours there we went back to meet up with Sarah and the girls and took all the kids to the other resort by us so they could play in the splash pad there and that pool. Needless to say they were all exhausted by the time we had dinner, baths and put a movie on.
It was a great trip and I think all of us would move there in a heartbeat. I have always loved California, the weather, the beaches, the fact that it does not snow. Maybe one day. For now we have a million pictures to remind us of our first family trip, with our extended family (Aaron, Sarah and Elle) and soon we will start planning our next one. Either Disney or maybe back to California!
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