Very Thankful - Part 1

Well life has just consumed me and I have not had a chance to write a blog in MONTHS.  I always do a blog every year in November on what I am thankful for. 

Here is part 1:

1. My kids - As crazy as life is with 2 little kids, I could not image life without them.  
2. My husband - Things get crazy and he keeps me grounded.  He also puts up with his CRAZY wife :)  Plus he does so much around our house.
3. Family and friends - This is what life is all about!  
4. Coffee - As a working mom of 2 little kids, which do not always sleep well, coffee is a MUST!
5. My upcoming vacation days - between maternity leave and a crazy work schedule, I have a ton of vacation in November.  I am looking forward to these next few weeks.
6. My job - Although it is crazy, stressful and sometimes long hours, I am thankful I have a job that allows us to live comfortable.
7. The beach - I grew up at the beach and I love that my in-laws and my parents both have beach houses.
8. My mom - I don't know how she puts up with us!  All the trips she drives to the beach with me and the kids, the Sunday dinners, the support, and so much more!
9. Disney Jr - I always said I would not let my kids watch TV.  That went down the tubes when I had Chris.  TV is the ONLY reason we sometimes have remotely good dinners.
10. iPad mount for the car - all the trips to the beach would be a lot more stressful.  It is bad enough Chris hates the car, so at least I can rely on Emily to be quiet.
11. Cody - he was our 9 yr old dog who we had to put don recently.  Before dating my husband, it was just him and I and he was my baby.  He moved to Tennessee with us and was a great dog.  He is why my kids love animals, especially dogs.
12. A night out - All I wanted for my bday was a night away.  Not just dinner but a WHOLE night.  This way I can have a relaxing night and let loose.  Watch out Philly!!
13. Michelle - I never thought having Michelle be our nanny would be such a great experience.  She not only is great with the kids but she is like family to us.  
14. Laughter - Without a good laugh here and there, life would be boring.  I am lucky to be surrounded by funny people. 

Nine Years

I have blogged about this before but when my sister was born, I was already 8 1/2.  All that I cared about was that I was going to have to share my room with a baby!! UGH!!! When we watch home videos and look at pictures when L was little, I knew I was always very close to her. I was always holding her and singing.  But eventually when she became older we actually became best friends.  Who would have thought an 18 year old entering college would be able to be friends with their 9 year old sister.  When I was starting to drink, she was still in grade school.  We never had the same friends or hung out at the same places but were still close. 

Nowadays, I cannot imagine a day without her.  We have not lived in the same house for years.  I have moved to Tennessee and back and now she lives in Maryland.  But we still talk everyday.  I mean who would I send Snapchat selfies to if it wasn't for her?!?  Her friends are actually my friends as well.  I look at my Facebook and Instagram and 50% are her friends.  

We still live very different lives.  She is in her early 20's and I am in my early 30's.  I live with my husband, dog and two kids.  She lived with two roommates.  

I miss seeing her so much now that she lives a few hours away.  I cherish every second she is home.

So when people say they want to have kids close together so they will be good friends, I always think that L and I are almost 9 years a part and could not be closer.  Age is just a number but true friendship lies within your heart.

Random thought Thursday - What are you singing mommy?

Have you ever started singing a song and have NO idea how your know all the lyrics?  This happens to me a lot with songs, especially ones from back in the day.  I have not always been the sophisticated lady I am today and I never claimed to have liked the most "lady like" songs. 

This was never an issue until E started to get old enough to understand what I am saying and even repeat words.  As I was going for a relaxing run ALONE last week, I was trucking along listening to my Biggie station on Pandora.  Singing along not paying attention really ... I don't even think I realized I was singing.  Anywho, at some point I started hearing what I was singing and all I can say is ther lyrics were so degrating to women.  I was thankful I was alone and that there was no one around from me.

Then earlier this week I was in the car with the kids and Salt N Pepa came on and I was singing along.  I heard E in the back just humming and laughing. 

It was then I realized I really need to start listening to more kid appropropriate music.  I have since added a lullaby station on my pandora for when I am running and have one of the kids :)

Back to reality soon

After being off work for almost 3 months so far, I have to come to grips that I am going back to work in a few weeks.  I have truly enjoyed my time home!!!!

What I will miss:

• Seeing my little man all day
• Bi-weekly breakfasts with my grandmom
• Playdates
• Running and working out during the day
• Going to Target during the week
• Walks with my little man

I have been trying to mentally preparing to return to work and how I will juggle two kids, dinners, late nights at work and keep my sanity.  Also, they always says moms have a special bond with their sons and over these last few months, I can truly say I have that special bond with C.  I will miss seeing his smiles and him babbling to me all day.

BUT the truth is, he is in good hands and I need to work, so I choose to make the best of the situation.

I vow to:

• Enjoy every second of these next few weeks
• Not stress about every little thing when I go back to work
• Prioritize what is important
• Worry only about my own life and my family
• Have some "me" time

Wish me luck :)

If I knew then...

That a desk job where you work long hours would be my job, I would have thought more about my major in college.

That eating 1-2 crushers (like a blizzard) from Sweet Lucy's once a week during my first pregnancy would mean it would take me extra long to lose the weight, I would have cut a few out.

That going away on spring break in college were good memories, I may have spent less on "going out clothes" (aka blank pants hahaha) and captain and cokes and saved my money.

That wearing high heels in Old City Philly where there are cobble stone sidewalks, I would have worn wedges or flats.  (Then I would look even shorter though).

That everything people told me about lack of sleep once you have kids was true and definitely real, I would have taken more naps prior to that occurring.

That having a credit card in college while working a part time job was not a good idea, I would never have signed up for one.  In my defense, cc companies should not be soliciting college kids to sign up for cards, even though they make out most of the time.

That when I met my now husband, it was going to be a long term and lifetime thing, I would not have mad him chase me for months (sorry P).

That sleep training a baby is worth it in the long run, I would have done it and suffered through those bad first few weeks.

All these things may have made my life easier, but who ever said life is easy.  You live and learn :)

Life's a journey

Last weekend was St. Patty's weekend and I was thinking about how that was one of the biggest days/nights to go out...well like 5 years ago. 

This year we were thinking about many other things...

Is it going to rain if my parents take E to the parade?

Should we buy a 3 row car when we trade in the hubby's matchbox size WRX?

How do we work our new computer?

Why does our house look like a bomb went off in it?

No where in the mix was "where are we going to drink some green beer" or " what do I have that is green to wear to the bars".

BUT with that being said, I would choose babies, family and domestic stuff over green beer any day. 

Life changes before we know it but cherish every day, even if it is different!! 

My 2013 Goals

I cannot believe we are already into the 2nd week of 2013.  Time flies!!  I know this is going to be a BUSY but exciting year for us.  A new house that is still being renovated, new baby and spunky toddler ... I will definitely need some motivation and goals to keep me on track.

Here are my 2013 goals (no specific order):

• Get more organized at home - I have to be so organized at work that sometimes I let our home get unorganized.  I know it is never going to be super organized with a toddler and new baby on the way, but I do not want to come home to chaos.  I grew up in a house that was ALWAYS neat and clean.  I don't know how my mom did it with 3 kids, but if she can, I can (well I hope).  We just got a storage unit for the playroom and I would like to get some more organizational tools. 
• Spend more quality time with my husband - Sometimes he gets pushed to the side cause I am trying to stay focused on E, the house, dinner, bedtime, bath, etc.  We need to have more date nights or nights at home relaxing watching a movie with a glass of wine once the kids are asleep. 
• Remain more clam during times of stress - I sometimes reach a point and I will yell or be nasty (to my husband not E), which does not help.  I need to remain calm and focused.  When it comes to E, I tell myself she is not even two yet.  She needs her mommy and daddy just as much now as ever. 
• Eat healthier - It is so easy to make quick dinners, especially for E, but they do not have the nutrition.  I need to be more conscious of what I feed her and make sure she gets more veggies and healthy food.  With that being said, we could eat healthier as well.  I have my brand new crockpot with a timer, so I plan to make more healthy recipes with veggies in there.  Pinterest here I come for some ideas...
• Divert some attention back to myself - I know with a newborn and toddler, there will not be a lot of time for "me" time to go for a run or get a manicure.  BUT it is crucial that I try to make some time.  I have an awesome husband that is always telling me to do stuff.  I am just a bit of a control freak, which leads me to my next goal...
• Stop being a control freak - This mainly has to do with how I am with E.  I have created a little girl who loves to be with her mommy, which does not seem like a bad thing, but when you are trying to cook, clean, shower, get ready, etc...it is hard when there is a little girl at your side.  I also got into a BAD routine with putting her to bed every night and now she expects that.  Pete and I were on a good rountine where we switched every night who put her to bed.  Then he started working on the house projects every night and so I went back to doing it.  E loves her daddy and obviously he is capable of handling her.  When this new baby arrives, I will not be able to give E all my attention so this should be interesting.
• Remember to spend quality time with E - Once the baby arrives, it is crucial we do not forget about little E (not that she would let us ha).  It is important we still show her attention and do things with her.  She is still a baby in my eyes and needs attention from us.

I am not sure if this is realistic but I am sure as heck going to try to reach all my goals this year.  I am a lucky person and need to keep in perspective all that I have and everything I am thankful for.

Happy 2013 everyone!!!