On Returning to Full Time

For the past month, I’ve been working 3 days per week.  Mondays and Wednesdays are my days with the boys.  Just mommy, W, and Baby S.  June 8, I return to full time status.  And it’s breaking my heart.  For some reason, it really hit me yesterday that our park outings, walks, play time, Starbucks drive thru trips,  etc., etc. were coming to an end.  I’m not sure what it was about yesterday – maybe because the weather was finally nice (aside from a few rain showers) and the boys were good for the most part.  I know we’ll still have fun on the weekends, but it won’t be the same.

 For the past couple years, I’ve worked from home on Fridays during the summer.  I hope to do that again and it will allow more time with my boys.

W will likely start preschool in the fall and I hope to be able to drop him off or maybe I can work from home one day a week…

These arrangements will help, but it surely won’t be the same as maternity leave.  And it’s not lost on me that I’ll never have another extended period home with the boys.  That hurts.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend and I’m sad it had to end.  Quite a few times, I thought to myself, “Enjoy this time.  The weekend will be over before you know it.”  And I thoroughly appreciated every bit.

Saturday, the weather was perfection.  Sunny and in the mid-seventies – it could not have been better.  We decided to do another picnic/park adventure.  This has quickly become one of my favorite things to do with the boys.  W gets to play and S is fairly content laying on a blanket under a tree.  We were at the park for about 2 hours and then headed home.  I think the rest of the afternoon consisted of mowing the lawn and grocery shopping.  Lots of fresh air for all of us!

 Sunday was our usual church and Starbucks outing.  W took a long nap and A stayed home with the boys while I cashed in some gift certificates for a manicure and pedicure.  Afterwards, I felt AWESOME.  A little pampering goes a long way.  I stopped for a S’mores Frappuccino on my way home.  I definitely enjoyed escaping for a little me time.  It’s been several years since I’ve had a pedicure and I rarely leave the house alone.  Once I got home, I made mostaccioli for dinner per A’s request.  It was such a great day. J

Monday, we tried to take a family walk, but got rained on.  W took an early nap (yes!!) and then we head over to A’s brother and sister-in-law’s house for a Memorial Day cookout.  W LOVES his cousins and had so much fun playing outside.  The food was delicious and we all had a great time.  When we got home, W informed me, “W all worn out playing cousins.”.  LOL!  I love that boy.

And a big thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Both of my grandpa’s fought in WWII and I thought about them throughout the day.

Friday Thoughts

TGIF!!

I am feeling so drained today.  My typically 45 minute commute to work has turned into an hour lately, which is so frustrating.  I'm not even sure what's causing the slow traffic - accidents, construction?  W woke every night this week and has had trouble falling back asleep.  I also had my first cavity in years and since getting it filled over a month ago, my tooth has been really sensitive.  It didn’t hurt at all prior to going to the dentist.  So it looks like I’ll be heading back.  Like I really have time for that.  Needless to say, this 3 day weekend couldn’t have come at a better time.

Speaking of the long weekend, we don’t have any set plans.  We may head over to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s house for a little cookout on Monday.  It’s supposed to rain and this mom needs some down time so we’ll see…

I booked our flight to Baltimore.  My mom and I will be flying with the boys while A drives.  Eek!!  We may never take another trip again.  But as they say… YOLO.  I hope our adventure turns out as great as in years past.

I have manicure and pedicure gift certificates from years ago that I still haven’t used so I’m thinking about escaping for a manicure this weekend.  I could definitely use a little pampering. J

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

W Says...

W: W want cycle chips!
Me: What?? Sour cream?
W: Cycle chips!!!
A: Psycho chips?
W: Cycle chips!!!!!

We finally figured out this is what he wanted...

Me: Did you toot?
W:  W farted like Walter!!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was extremely busy and seems like one big blur… I need a vacation from my weekend!  But we had tons of fun and the boys were wonderful.

Saturday morning was W’s last day of school for now.  We decided to take a little break and not sign him up for the June session.  After school, A and W picked up S and myself.  We stopped at McD’s to pick up lunch and then headed to cousin Peter’s baseball game.  Once we arrived, we spread out a blanket and had a little picnic lunch while cheering on Pete.  It was lots of fun and W loves his cousins!  W fell asleep on the way home and took a long nap.  After waking from his nap, we headed to Saturday night mass at church.  The boys were great though W was very talkative.  He continuously asked where grandma was, not understanding why we were at Saturday mass. J

By some miracle (must have been that Saturday mass!!), both boys slept through the night.  Sunday morning, we headed to the Great Strides walk.  A and I both had the location mapped on our phones and both phones brought us to different locations – and both were wrong.  After a frustrating drive, we finally made it and parking was really difficult to find.  The walk was fine, but every time I tried to get W a snack, they were out of it.  So no popcorn, nachos, or snow cones for us.  Really annoying.  Shouldn’t you have enough food on hand?!?  We also had a very small team… my mom had a previous commitment (my own fault for not telling her the walk date sooner), friends and family had other plans, so that was disappointing, though understandable.  On the bright side, the weather was nice and it’s always great to see so many people supporting finding a cure for CF.

 

After the walk, it was off to lunch with the family.  We had hoped to attend W’s school carnival and run errands, but we were all exhausted by the time we got home.  The boys were cranky so we stayed home for the evening.

Monday, A took the day off to spend with us.  There was grocery shopping and an eye doctor appointment for me.  After that, we picked up lunch and headed to a local toddler park.  We picnicked and W had a blast playing at the park.  S was also very content laying on a blanket under a tree. J  W, my little flirt, picked a flower dandelion and brought it to a lady.  Not sure if he thought the lady was me and didn’t realize until after the flower was delivered, but I couldn’t stop laughing.  From there, we went to Home Depot and chose a patio table for our deck.  A got a haircut and we finished the day by grilling burgers and hot dogs for dinner.  Busy, busy!

Friday Thoughts

I’m home with the boys on Mondays and Wednesdays for the time being.  I usually have one completely awesome day where the boys are SO good and I want 4 more babies (not really) and one tougher day where I’m counting the minutes until A gets home.  This past week, Monday was a looong day.  It was rainy, we couldn’t go outside, and W didn’t sleep well.  Enough said.  But then yesterday happened.  The stars aligned and both boys took long naps at the same time.  OMG.  S napped for 2.5 hours and W napped for 2 hours.  With the overlap, I got a whole hour and a half to myself!!!  I unloaded the dishes, washed bottles, pumped, addressed baptism invites, made bottles for the following day, and entered the boys in a modeling contest… What?  They’re cute…. Anyway, I felt like the best mom ever.  And then we went to dinner where W told me he was going to eat chicken and soup and I rolled my eyes because he hasn’t eaten chicken in 4 months (unless it’s in nugget form).  But then he ate chicken and soup!!  WHAT?!?  And I wasn’t even dreaming.  It was a great day.

A is taking Monday off to hang out with us.  We don’t have any real plans.  I’m just so looking forward to an extra set of hands and family time.

S’s baptism is in 2 weeks.  W’s baptism is one of my all-time favorite memories.  I just remember feeling so happy and blessed.  I loved sharing such a special day with our family, friends, and church friends.  I hope S’s baptism is equally as wonderful.

I’ve forgotten to mention it in the monthly updates, but S stopped taking a pacifier around 6 weeks old.  I’m really happy that we won’t have to worry about breaking that habit later on.

I forgot the caps to my pump bottles again.  Ugghhh.  I started talking to my mom while I was packing bags and somehow forgot to put the caps in.  So frustrating.  Looks like I’ll be bringing milk home in a travel mug again. #pumpingproblems

W has started making up songs… he’ll add words to tunes he already knows.  For instance, to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus, he sings, “Dee Dee’s tail goes back and forth, back and forth, back and forth all day long.”  Last night is was, “W’s plate goes round and round, round and round, round and round all day long.” (as he turned his plate on the tray of his high chair).  Very cute. :)

I can’t recall a time when I’ve been so happy.  I’m not trying to be annoying or boastful.  I just feel lucky to have my boys and A, our house, and a job I enjoy.  I’m fulfilled… though I wouldn’t be opposed to sleeping through the night… :)

Gifts for Baby S

Dear S,

I know it may seem like you’ve gotten all of your brother's hand-me-downs.  From the crib, to clothes, to toys, most of your items have already been used and loved.  But you, my dear, have been the recipient of some very meaningful, generous gifts.  And if there comes a time when you’re feeling not so special or less extraordinary, I wanted to have a reminder of the kindness and generosity displayed solely for you. *

Before you were born, Grandma G gifted us with the rocking chair in your room.  That rocking chair is a perfect fit and we use it every single day.  We snuggle.  We read.  We rock.  I take so many pictures of you on that chair – it’s just right for sitting you up.

Nani made the blanket we covered you with the day we brought you home.  That blanket also appears in your hospital and newborn photos.  The colors match your room perfectly.  Additionally, Nani finds a special outfit for you for every holiday.  Your sweet Valentine’s Day, St. Pat’s Day, Easter, and Independence Day attire all came from Nani.

You received the cutest clothes from mommy’s coworkers and Nani and Papa’s friends.  All were completely unexpected and appreciated.  It was nice to have new outfits just for you.

Grandma G's cousin, Barbara, knitted you a special blanket.  She even found out how your room was decorated and got grandma to divulge your name so that she could design a special blanket just for you.

You also received a special outfit from one of Mommy’s colleagues in Connecticut and from Aunt Nancy in Florida.

You received an embroidered blanket with your name and birthdate from the Chief Medical Officer at mommy’s company.

A very special gift arrived from Aunt Lori in Maryland.  She found a vintage ISU jacket ages ago and was waiting for the perfect person to send it to.  That special person was you.  I adore that jacket and can’t wait for you to wear it one day.

And one of my all-time favorite gifts – a rugby shirt straight from Ireland came from mommy’s colleague in Dublin.  Mommy is proud of her (and your) Irish heritage.  It’s why big brother has an Irish middle name and why your middle name also has Irish connections.  I’m so excited for you to wear your authentic rugby shirt.

Mommy also received a care package from Germany in celebration of your arrival – so very thoughtful.

So if there comes a time when you feel like you’re just following in your brother’s footsteps, remember how loved you are.  Remember how important and one-of-a-kind and celebrated you are.

*I feel like I need a disclaimer indicating that things and stuff do not make you special, but the innate qualities you possess do.  Mainly, I just want you to know that you were equally celebrated and admired and I so appreciate the kindness displayed in your honor. :)