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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Who needs a clubhouse

when you have a huge dog crate! The kids not only asked to be locked in but actually enjoyed playing in it together while at a visit at Auntie Manda's house. Watch out Fisher Price I think I'm on to something!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Big Shoes

There was no doubt in my mind that the kids would be well cared for. I mean, these are my parents and I know how amazing they are....they raised ME! But now that I've been home for a few days, I'm slowly realizing that I have awfully big shoes to fill.

Let me start by saying I think the kids might have had more fun then we did. From the stories I'm hearing, there was never a dull moment. My parents took them gallivanting and out to fun restaurants. They invented new games and made old toys fun again. They had ice cream every night and bedtime...what bedtime? My parents gave every ounce of their energy to my kids while I was gone.

But that's not all! I came home to an immaculate house! The dishes were done, laundry washed and folded and not a single toy on the floor. My mom cleaned out the bottom of our garbage can, wiped out the vegetable drawers in my refrigerator and scrubbed my husband's disgusting work shoes! She found places to clean that I didn't even know existed. And I know she did it all after the kids went to bed because with all the fun they were having she didn't have time while they were awake.

Words are not enough to thank them for allowing me to relax on my vacation. I'm grateful to have them in my life and love watching them be a part of my kids lives.

So mom and dad just know that ever since I had kids, I've tried to be the kind of parent you were to me. Everyday I aspire to fill your shoes. And after this vacation....I think they got a little bit bigger.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Never ask

a woman when she is due unless you are 100% positive that she actually is pregnant!

Walking down the beach on our vacation, we asked a friendly couple if they minded taking our picture. While my husband showed the man how to use our camera, I engaged in conversation with his wife. I noticed that she wasn't wearing a bathing suit and that her belly was slightly protruding. So I proceeded to ask her when she was due. To which she replied:

"I'm not! I just overindulged at lunch, thanks!"

I felt so bad that I couldn't even fake a smile for the picture.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Home Sweet Home

Don't misunderstand me....Antigua was amazing. 5 days of no cooking, no dishes, no laundry, no time-outs and absolutely no responsibility. We enjoyed doing the things we used to do on vacation before kids. We went scuba diving, rode ziplines through the rain forest, relaxed on the beach and even read a book. We took naps in the sun, drank in the middle of the day and had long conversation filled dinners. We arrived as two exhausted parents of toddlers and left as an energetic honeymooning couple.

Here are some of the highlights:




But I can't say we didn't think, talk or dream about our kids the entire time we were gone. The first day, there really was no mention of them. But soon we found them popping up in conversation and even wishing they could be experiencing some of the things with us. By the last day we had our next FAMILY vacation already planned. So although we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we were anxious to get home. So when our flight was canceled, I was hysterical. I had thought I was going to see my kids and now I wasn't. They were expecting me home and I wasn't going to make it. It was the worst feeling to have absolutely no control over when I could get home to be with my kids.

Now that I'm home safe and sound with my children in my arms, I can see the results of my vacation. I'm soaking in every moment, enjoying the things that were previously boring and have all the patience in the world. The kids are elated to have my attention and now I can give them 110% of it.

Dorothy said it best: "There is no place like home."

Friday, January 15, 2010

Officially freaking out

Ok so the idea of going on vacation without my kids seemed like a fantastic idea in September when we booked it. But now that it's only 2 days away, I'm started to rethink my decision!!! I've only left me kids overnight once or twice and it was pretty much only while they were sleeping. So 5 days is starting to feel like an entirety.

But it's going to be GREAT! I can read my book on the plane and not have to entertain two kids. I can actually close my eyes on the beach and not worry whose making a break for the water. My husband and I are going scuba diving. We are going to sit at dinner and enjoy our meal, not rush out before someone has a meltdown. We are going to have uninterrupted adult conversation. We are simply going to relax!

Wow...I've almost convinced myself. No seriously, this is good for everybody involved. I need a break from the kids. They need a break from me. And John and I deserve some time as a couple not just parents. Dylan is super excited to have my parents come live at the house and hopefully Camryn will do fine. But there is that little crazy switch that I can't turn off inside of me telling me that no one can take care of my kids as good as I can.

But I have to push those thoughts aside. This is just what we all need! I'll come back refreshed, with more patience and more energy to be a better mom. They will have had a chance to miss me and maybe appreciate our time together. No matter how much I'll miss them, it will be well worth it!

I feel better already. Just needed a little pep talk. Well if nothing else I definitely won't miss the cold. Sunshine here I come!

Monday, January 11, 2010

To work or not to work

I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom from the minute I found out that I was pregnant. My short lived career in the fast paced advertising industry was easy to give up. Being home and raising my children was the most important thing and the right choice for me.

It provided me the opportunity to be a part of every little moment. The sweet ones, the funny ones and the frustrating ones. All of which I wouldn't have missed for the world. Ok...maybe I could have done without some of the frustrating ones. But I'm honestly glad I didn't miss a minute because my time is almost up. Next year Dylan will be in school full-time and Camryn will start pre-school.

So I've been having an internal struggle about what to do with my free time. I can't go back to advertising because the demanding nature of the job will not allow me the flexibility I need. Being a mom is still my #1 job and my family is my top priority. But I'm scared of losing myself if I put everything I have into taking care of everyone else. I'm not the kind of person who could stay home and keep house while the kids are at school all day. I'm scared that I would start to resent that if I didn't have anything for myself. After all, I'm a young, smart women with the drive to be successful.

So I did it! I took a real estate course and am about to get my license! It's a job that I think will lend me the flexibility I need to not have to sacrifice my time with my family. I'm excited! I'm excited to jump back into the real world, with adult interaction and a feeling of accomplishment. As my kids get bigger, I'm excited for them to see me as more than just their mom and have a respect for all that I do. I specially want to show Camryn that it is possible to have a family and a career and not have to sacrifice either one.

I'm excited for the next chapter. And with the 3 best cheerleaders behind me, there's no way I can fail!

Friday, January 8, 2010

MIA

Ok so I know I've been neglecting my blog...

The holidays were one thing. Preparing for them, enjoying them and then decompressing from them!

But the biggest reason I haven't posted is because I've dedicated every free moment to the kids rooms. And they are FINALLY in them!!!

Dylan couldn't be happier. He has so much space and his own bed again. But best of all we got to bring some toys up into his room and now he has another place to play. He even created a password for anyone who wants to enter!

For the most part his room is done. Fishing themed decorations have been ordered and will provide the finishing touches.

Camryn loves all the empty space in her new room. The lack of furniture (bed and dresser) provides ample space for dancing and running around. I think she was relieved not to sleep in her pack and play anymore but is still waking up at night wondering where she is. Her room will be a work in progress until she's ready for a big girl bed. But we finished the first set of stripes on her wall and it's starting to feel like her own space.



Having our bedroom back to ourselves was the best Christmas present ever!! We only get to enjoy a few weeks of it because it's next on our demolition list!

So hopefully I still have a few readers and I promise to be more diligent about posting!