Another update

Life has been so busy lately. I've been working full time since February 1. I really like my job and the people I work with. I'm a legal assistant at a small law firm, it's only me, the lawyer and his paralegal, but there are two other lawyers (plus their assistants) in the office so there are plenty of people to talk to. Even though I like my job, I do HATE working full time. I hate being away from the kids all day, but I think that will get better once they start school/daycare in August.

In other news, I'm pregnant with baby #3! Complete surprise and a blessing. I'm due December 19, 2010 (same as Aidan's due date) and it is another GIRL! My sister is also due in December, just a few days before me. And her sister in law is due a few weeks after her in December.

I'm excited, of course. I'm not excited about having to return to work after maternity leave though. But I HAVE to, we really have no choice, so I'll learn to deal with it.

Kaitlyn starts KINDERGARTEN in August!! I can't believe how big my little girl is. She is such a sassy little thing.

Aidan is also very big and is so verbal. Just last night he told me "When I get older I wanna be a policeman." Now it's been a while since I've had a 2.5 year old, but that sounds pretty advanced for his age. He saw a policeman directing traffic after Storytime Live! and made the connection that he would do that when he got older. Amazing to me.

They both astonish me everyday with what they say or do. Watching children grow into their own little person is so cool.

Matt also starts school in August. He'll be going to Loyola for his BA in Finance and Accounting.

Another post to come soon....

Scheduling Conflicts

Any of you wait until your kids are sleeping to get certain things done?

I certainly do.

Any of you who do wait until that magical time ever find that you are then just too tired to do those things?

Yep, me too.

Right now, I want to listen to/watch a video on "Crazy Love." The book I'm reading with the Bloom Book Club (see button on my sidebar). However, my kids just won't let me :-) Even though I have banished them outside, they keep coming in for questions, snacks, drinks, etc.

Is this one of those times that I sacrifice my own doings to accommodate my kids?

Guess so, since I paused the video.

Ah well, I'm sure I'll get around to it later this evening.

You know, after they are in bed. And I'm not distracted. You know....that time I'm supposed to be getting in bed.

Then.

Then, I will take care of me ;-) (I hope)

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

My Sweet Little Man

Kaitlyn modeling her new Hannah Montana shoes....seriously Hannah Montana?! She's only 4.5!!

So Little Time

I haven't updated in years it seems. So much has been going on lately. We've had two full weekends of visitors this month. Matt & I celebrated five years of marital bliss (for the most part, let's keep it real, lol)! I finally found a PreK for Kaitlyn that I really, really love. I'll have to dedicate a whole blog post to just her starting PreK.

Matt has left. That's sad news. But I've already heard from him a couple of times, so I know that he's reached his destination safely :-) This should be our last go-around, so I'm praying that it goes smoothly (as I always do).

In happier news, I gotta job! My first interview pretty much ever and I landed myself a real job, lol! It is at a Law Office, so it's really a first step towards my career goals (I want to be a Paralegal). It's pretty awesome that I actually was able to get a job with really no prior experience. I haven't worked since I was pregnant with Kaitlyn and I lived in New Orleans. And those jobs were at restaurants.

I'm super excited!! I'm a bit nervous about leaving Aidan because, well he's my baby and he's so attached. I'm hopeful that he'll adjust easily though. It's part time, just 20 hours a week, so that's not bad. In fact, I feel that it's really the ideal job for me. If someone went down my ideal checklist for a job at this point in my life, this one would meet 9/10 checks. The ONLY thing it I wished it paid just a dollar or two more. But really, with no experience, I'll take what I can get. Plus, there is room for growth and with that more pay. So I'm really fine with that.

I've felt so blessed lately and I'm so thankful for all of the greatness that has been going on in my life the past few weeks.

Anyway, my friend asked me to watch her girls tonight, so Kaitlyn is about to have her first sleepover, so I'm going to prepare for that.

Fun! We'll see how I do with a 4 month old, a 20 month old & 2 4 year olds!!

Wordless Wednesday

L O V E this picture!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday- Camping

Where Does the Time Go?

Wow, so life has been crazy this past weekend.  

Friday night we babysat for some friends.  That was fun for Kaitlyn.  She got to have her friend *A* over and they played and had fun!  The girls got into some finger paints (not sure how) and decided to create a mural on the closet wall.  Not cool!  At least I can just paint over it, so it's not that big of a deal.  I felt bad when Kaitlyn told Matt not to tell *A's* dad "cause he spanks her really hard."  It really just broke my heart.  I suppose each family deals with discipline in their own way, but for Kaitlyn to have an understanding about it, I don't know, I just feel bad.  I know it's not an abusive family.  That's about all for Friday.

Saturday we had a Rockstar Party for one of Kaitlyn's friend's.  The kids had a blast rockin' out!  Aidan had his first taste of Twizzlers and it was love.  I let him indulge in a few too many, but hey it was a birthday party!  After the party we headed home to pick up Daddy and make a run to Sam's Club.  We stocked up on ground beef, steaks, roasts & chicken.  We like to buy our meat in bulk so we can make two week menu plans.  Anyway, I digress, Saturday ended with just some hanging out at home and relaxin.  

Then Sunday, the fun begins!!  Well, no, not really fun.  We all woke up about the same time, and in the same bed of course...all was good.  Aidan had a diaper change and K was laying at the foot of the bed.  Then she, just laying there, begins throwing up!  YAY!  NOT!  Anyway, this continued for the better part of the day.  She napped around 10 am & I was beginning to not feel well.  My wonderful husband, took Aidan & went grocery shopping. By the time he got home, K was feeling much, much better.  She had about a 12 hr stomach bug.  When he got home, Aidan was napping.  That did not last long, and he woke up throwing up.  Poor baby.  It was so hard for him since he didn't really know what was going on.  He just cried & cried while throwing up :-(  Meanwhile,  I was spending a bit of time with the stomach bug.  Aidan finally finished throwing up around 5 am, and felt much better yesterday.  I still had some lingering nausea yesterday and hardly ate anything.  I feel much better today.

Last night, Matt decided it would be fun for him to get the stomach bug!  Yay!  He got some meds from sick call and has been sleeping since about 11am.  He hasn't thrown up since early this morning, and I'm hoping it continues to stay that way.  All of this sick is no fun!

I'm still a bit tired and not really hungry.  I've been taking today easy, but i really feel much, much better.  Of course, you would have never known the kids were ever sick!

This week is going to be busy. Today K had preschool, tomorrow is End of the School Year Performance practice as is Thursday.  Thursday evening is the actual performance and Friday we head up to the Rockies Smokey Mountains (duh, Thanks Stacy!) for some family camping!!  So exciting!!

I need to find my memory card for my camera to capture these upcoming events.

Wordless Wednesday!

.Wordless Wednesday.

Not the best picture, as neither one of them is looking at the camera. But I like it 'cause it's an action shot. After a long day in the car & posing in front of the camera, it was time for a play break!

Soccer Mom

For the past 7 Fridays I have been a Soccer Mom. Kaitlyn started Early Goals, a program for 2, 3, & 4 year-olds to learn about the game of soccer. I'll admit, it's mostly been chaotic, but what can you expect from such a big age range? The last few weeks have been better because they have separated the groups by age. Kaitlyn has loved it and done wonderfully.

This Friday was her last practice and they played their first "game." She scored TWO goals!! YEAH, go PEANUT! I was so excited & proud of her! I got her second goal on video.

Wordless Wednesday!

Random Picture Challenge

Head on over to 4 Little Men & Girly Twins to Play!

2002
8th folder - July
25th picture
{if you don't have this far back pick the next closest year}

I certainly don't have any pictures on the computer that date back that far. I was a senior in HS that year so here's my closest pic on this computer. I have older ones but they are packed up & put away.



This sweet picture is from July 2006. Kaitlyn was 16 months old. The same age as Aidan is now. I love looking back at pictures. I can't believe this was 3 years ago. So long, but yet not very long ago at all!!

Go on over & play. Don't forget to add your link to Mr. Linky!

Wordless Wednesday!

Lack of Sleep, Plenty of Sick

Whew!

Our life has been a bit crazed lately. Three of four of us are sick (me and the kids). Matt has a reverse schedule at work (working nights, sleeping ALL day). Preschool, soccer, doctor's appointments....and still trying to keep the house somewhat in order. I've hardly had time to relax, though this illness (flu or severe cold) has forced me to slow down a bit. But really, how much downtime can I really get with a 4 year old and a 16 month old. Ha!

Aidan has not been sleeping well at all. I took him in to the Dr. on Monday for a rash that won't go away on his boy parts. I already knew just what it was, I just need a Rx for the cream. Dr. confirmed what I knew was (is) a yeast rash. Poor guy. Well, it doesn't bother him at all, thankfully. So I got the cream, some Boudreaux's Butt Paste (All Natural) for every other diaper change and some new green diapers. I've always wanted to cloth diaper, and I did for a bit when Aidan was younger. It just didn't stick. I went out of town, he out grew the diapers....whole list of excuses....well I'd still like to, but ya know....Anyway, I found Nature Babycare Diapers at Target and LOVE them. Within one diaper change (with diaper cream not Rx cream) he was already less red. And I had been applying tons of cream/Vaseline with his other (Target Brand) diapers. I think the lack of chemicals in these natural diapers are helping his rash heal more quickly. It's only been 2.5 days and it's clearing up nicely.

Another bonus to these dipes is that they are Eco Friendly!! How cool is that?! I love knowing that I'm not contributing more diapers to the landfills. They are more expensive, but if they keep my baby's bottom healthy and my kid's world cleaner, how can I put a price on that? At the very least, I'm going to alternate between these diapers and others, but hopefully I can just stick to these.

Anyway, back to Aidan's less than favorable sleeping patterns. He's been waking up a lot at night and is not wanting to be soothed back to sleep by anything other than nursing. And honestly, I'm spent. I've nursed him for 16+ months and I'm ready to end this lovely relationship. I KNOW I'll miss it and I'm sure he will as well, but it's really affecting my sleep. Since he is sick right now (congested, fluid in his ears, cough), I'm not going to wean him just yet. I'm waiting until he's well. I'm planning in the next week or two to begin and also transtion him into his crib (again). While he has been sick we've scrapped the trying to get him to sleep all night in his own bed. We'll put him down for the night in it, and when he wake (and he always does) it's into the bed with us. It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't want to be attached to me ALL night. So that's on the agenda for Bugga's life.

This cold/flu whatever it is that I have is horrible. It's been around since Thursday. I was feeling SOO much better on Monday, but then Aidan had some bad sleep Monday night and the sick got to me again and I'm back to feeling like crud. So weird, I know.

Kaitlyn has not been well either. She is better than I am though. She really only has a slight cough at night and a runny nose. I swear, since starting school she has been sick so many times. She was NEVER sick as a baby. She got her first ear infection when she was 2.5, just a month or two after starting preschool. Aidan has already had 3 or 4 ear infections and if this fluid in his ear turns into one (please pray it does not), we'll be reffered out to an ENT.
I've been giving them vitamins and cooking healthy foods. I'm about to make a menu for dinner for the rest of the week and next week. I'm also going to look up immune boosting foods. Any suggestions?

I still have so much I'd like to write about. I want to talk about Kaitlyn's two soccer practices (AWESOME!) and Easter (Matt planned & executed an egg/scavenger hunt all on his own).

But I've got to figure out what's for dinner and make it fast. Ugh, so do not want to fix food right now....

Siblings

One of my favorite things about having two kids is watching them interact. Whether it is fighting, playing or ganging up on their parents, the dynamic between siblings is something special.

When Aidan was born he would follow Kaitlyn's voice around the room. He would also calm down whenever he heard her voice. Really, it started from day 1. I remember her coming to the hospital the day he was born and he obviously noticed and KNEW his sissy's voice. I was amazed.

I am still amazed at how they "play" together. Though Aidan isn't quite old enough to engage in playing with Barbies or other games, he tries. It is so cute to watch him follow her around. He will get a toy and just follow her. He'll respond to her commands (I mean requests) some of the time. He'll also fight her for a toy he wants. They so often want the same toy. This boggles me. Why, oh why do you want what your brother has when you have a play room FULL of toys?

Nevermind the fighting & tantrums, I still love watching them interact. I just hope that they will always be close and there for each other.

There really is no bond quite like the sibling bond, and I'm so grateful that I am able to watch Kaitlyn & Aidan's relationship grow.

I am one lucky Mom!

Random Picture Challenge

Brittany over at 4 Little Men & Girly Twins is doing a Random Picture Challenge.

Head on over to her blog to play!

This one is August 2007, 30th picture....

Since Matt has my computer with all of my older pictures on it, I hopped on to my Myspace and picked this picture (there were only 2 pics in the August 07 album!):

Kaitlyn wearing Matt's BCGs (military glasses). She looks like SUCH a baby! I can't believe how grown up she is now. She was 2.5 in this picture.

Kaitlyn, My Little Princess

With all of the birthday attention on Aidan, Kaitlyn needs some recognition too!

Today was K's last day of preschool until January. They celebrated with a Christmas party. When I walked in, she was sporting a red nose and antlers. Very stylish I think, and very season appropriate. Too bad I forgot to the camera in the diaper bag, which was at a friend's house who was watching the birthday boy.

I'll have her recreate the outfit, because it was just too cute. They had a small lunch & then played for a bit while the Mommies talked.

She received two books (1 from teachers, 1 from a friend), 2 cards, caramel corn, a princess Barbie & some treats. She really racked up at this party :-) She had a blast, and I had a great time watching her interact with her friends. She's so sweet.

For about a month now she has been drawing real pictures. She no longer scribbles. She actually thinks about a picture and draws just that. Yesterday, she drew Grandma & Papa holding hands. When you look at it, you can see 2 people holding hands. She also drew Bruno eating her ponies. Again, you can see that she actually drew this. Whenever she brings me a new picture that she's drawn, it blows my mind. She is so creative and very talented.

A few days ago she drew her & her daddy on a fishing boat. I mentioned that we'd send it to him. She suggested she first add me & the baby. Well, me & the baby were not included in the boat, nope, we were on the shore waving 'Goodbye!'

It did not make me jealous, it made me laugh. And it make me proud and happy that she is so enamored with her Daddy. It just proves how great of a Dad he is :-)

She is my little princess and I can't believe how quickly the time has flown. In less than 4 months, she'll be 4!! Next year, Pre-K & then Kindergarten.

I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every stage of her life thus far (yes, even the Terrible Twos & the Tantrumy Threes!). She is such a joy to have in my life and makes every day a bit brighter. It is bittersweet to watch my babies grow, but I am thankful for have healthy children who have the opportunity to grow & enjoy life. I look forward to each coming day and stage in both of my kid's lives and I hope I take the time to slow down and cherish each moment with them.



Kaitlyn with her My Little Pony Advent Calendar


Kaitlyn with Daddy's box, it was pretty heavy!

Kay Kay posing with the Santa she made at school,
America's Next Top Model...watch out!

I actually took the kids out by myself today to a local event. I usually do not do this unless we are with friends. We went to the Christmas for Kids at City Market. City Market is a few blocks of art shops, restaurants, & other crafty/candy shops. It is closed off to traffic. It's a nice little area downtown. But it was so cold! Poor Baby A just sat in the stroller the whole time we were down there. *k* got to make 2 ornaments (one plastic,one wooden), a cookie, pet a bunny, & see Father Christmas. We had a good time. I wish it wasn't so cold though. After that we got some lunch and then we headed to the mall to do Santa pictures and try to find *k* a coat. No luck in the coat department, but the pictures are cute. I'll have scan them and post them later. I wish Baby A would have smiled, but it would be a small miracle if BOTH kids were smiling. At least they are both looking at the camera and not screaming/crying.

After that I took *k* to play. Then we headed home, and baby A JUST woke up from his 2+ hour nap. Bedtime will NOT be fun, esp since it's supposed to be NOW! lol. He's not been feeling well lately, he had a fever last night, and it broke sometime during the early morning. He has at least one tooth, two i think, coming in, so I'm pretty sure that's the problem.

I can not believe my baby is going to be ONE on Tuesday. I am completely baffled at how quickly the time flew by. I don't want my baby to turn one :-(

He's doing better with walking, attempting it more, though crawling is still his main mode of transportation, well actually he prefers my hip.

Anyway, not much else going on around here. Just preparing to head to New Orleans next week. I'm excited about it, but dreading the drive. *A* is not the super car traveler that *k* was at his age.

Off now to try and figure out how to get my kids back to bed so i can do my statistics homework...ugh

Wordless Wednesday

I never know what to write. I love reading others blogs. I just don't know what to say :-)

Sunday was nice. We went to Sunday School & church with the L family. K absolutely loved Sunday School and was so excited to tell me what she learned about. Baby A was good, and the ladies who watched him in nursery fell in love with my little man. That's not hard to do!

I liked how what we talked about in Sunday School and what the preacher talked about fit into life. We talked about not repaying evil with evil and rejoicing with others, specifically when you do not want to. I like the church and am planning on continuing to go. I only wish that Matt was open enough to the idea of going with me once he returns. I get that it might not be his thing, but I would like him to compromise with me and go at least one time. We'll see...

This has been a rough week for our home. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights Baby A was very restless and kept us (K & I) up for part of the night (well, early morning really). Turns out that he has his first ear infection :-( K slept late Tuesday, so she didn't make it to school. We did enjoy a nice day together though.

Tuesday night we went to Prayer group. No-one else showed up, so it was only me & A. It went nicely, and it was my second time praying aloud in front of another person. It went easier this time than last (which was last Thursday). I've learned how to just let go and not think about what I am going to say. It's been refreshing and freeing.

After Prayer Group, the kids & I went to a Pampered Chef party. It was fun. I got to meet some new ladies and eat some yummy food. I ended up buying (this evening) a bamboo bowl, bamboo cooking utensils & bamboo serving utensils. They are pretty cool and weren't expensive. I can't wait to get them!

Wednesday I went to Bible/Book study at A's. We are reading "Finishing Strong" by Steve Farrar. The book was written for fathers, but can be applied to any one's life. I'm finding it very enjoyable & educational.

From Barnes & Noble's website:
Bestselling author Steve Farrar has good news for the average man: it doesn't matter if you've had a great start in the Christian life, or a rough one. It doesn't matter if you've stumbled time and again, or even fallen flat on your face. What matters most in this all-important race of life is how you finish. According to Farrar, the man who hangs in there for the long haul with his wife, his kids, and his Lord is an exception these days. Finishing Strong, now in trade paperback, offers lively use of Scripture, contemporary illustrations, and study questions to equip every reader to be that exception. For the man who wants to climb the character ladder more than the corporate one, this is an essential tool.

I've only read the first 2.5 chapters but would definitely recommend it to anyone.

We discussed the first two chapters. Well, I mostly listened as the leader talked & A referenced things from her life. I'm looking forward to next week. I need to finish chapter 3 & move on to the next part of the book.

Then, Wednesday night, we all went to church. Baby A to the nursery & K to children choir (though she says they didn't sing). She then went to Mission Friends, where the kids help do things for missions. A & I went up to the Youth Church & prayed with some older women. It was nice. K was talking about how thankful she was for certain things on the ride home. It was cute. She was thankful for America and our Flag, Grandma & Papa, Daddy, her toys, etc. Very sweet.

Thursday Baby A was screaming upset while dropping K off at preschool. So I decided to take him in to the DR. Verdict: Ear Infection. But I caught it early, so he's doing fine. He slept much better last night and has some good naps today. We got some groceries and headed home after preschool & the Dr.

Today I had a coffee meeting with some other key callers of E Co. I met a nice new wife and the kids got to play in the area at the mall. It was nice to talk to the wives and let the kids play. We left when Baby A started getting cranky for his nap. He was soo good. I can't believe he is going to be 11 months in 2 days!! WOW! He's always disliked Tylenol, and he never had to take it much. Well, he was prescribed an antibiotic for his ear infection, and you'd think I was feeding him poision! I've tried three ways so far to give it to him. In the morning, I am going to try to put it in his yogurt. K always took (and liked a little too much) her medicine, so this strong will against the meds is new to me. Ah well, we'll get past it.

Tomorrow, if the kids are feeling OK, we are goign to head to the park for the local book festival. I also have laundry & homework to get done.

Matt is doing well. I haven't heard from him today though :-( I've talked with him most everyday since he's been gone, so I guess I shouldn't complain!