A New List

My leave list helped me so much to set (and reach) some goals.  I think it really helped me feel like I was making the most of my time.  I think that it would serve me well to set some goals regularly.  So here's my summer list...

• read a book. (yes, i have to set a goal to read just.one.book.)
• try one new recipe each week.
• more trips to the park...more board games...more books...more etc.  At least one "Cole's choice" night a week.
• one night in a tent with Cole in the yard.
• photograph my kids....and try my hand (and eye) at photographing other families.  (I am nervous even writing that...)
• get a family photo of the four of us.
• Chuck E. Cheese...with Daddy!
• exercise at least 3X/week
• make bonus at work -$$$- maternity leave recovery!
• sewing project: dog bed
• hang things on the walls of this house
• visit the library, get library card
• continue WW - 10% loss

Science Center

We visited the Science Center.

I was underwhelmed by it...maybe when Cole is a little older and Daddy can come along it will be more fun.

In the meantime, was NOT underwhelmed by the cuteness of my kids.

Cole dressed himself for the day.

And Maxine was her normal adorable self.

Jackpot!

We got to go to Chuck E. Cheese again - Jackpot!

We got to hang out with super fun friends; Laura, Stella, & Maria!  Jackpot!

The rides were awesome!  Jackpot!

We had friends by our side for the suspenseful parts!  Jackpot!

Big sister helping little sister - the sweetest thing ever!  Jackpot!

Killer dance moves!  Jackpot!

Super cute and sweet baby going with the flow!  Jackpot!

Tickets galore (from a machine that I still think malfunctioned to give all of these babies)!  Jackpot!

Seriously! Jackpot!

Awesome day - Jackpot!

Thanks to our WONDERFUL friends who made the day super fun!

Self(pep)talk

Just a few days left until I return to the real world of a working (outside the home) mom.  I am trying to stay positive....and feeling quite successful.  Here's the peptalk I am giving myself.

Returning to work does not mean I am not the mom anymore.  (I think that when anxiety/sadness creeps in I think of all that I won't be doing - so I need to focus on the things I AM doing that make me the mama of these two!) I still get to talk to Max laying on her changing table.  I still get to adventure with Cole.  I still get to nurse Maxine and she will be getting good Mama's milk when we're apart thanks to my stockpile!  I still get to tuck these kids in every single night.  I still get to hear about Cole's day and talk with him about anything and everything (we'll probably have more to talk about when we have time apart!).  In fact, I still get to do everything that is 'Mom' about my time off...just in moderation.

I get a break - to listen to loud music in the car, without competing with the SpongeBob movie from the back seat.  I can even roll down the windows without worrying if it's too much wind in the backseat! 

I really enjoy my job -the freedom of it, the interesting experiences each day holds, the ability to make money, and helping people!  I also really miss my coworkers and my clients.  And, if I put my mind to it - I can work from home at least a day or two each month!

I will miss these mornings, relaxing with the kiddos.  I will miss a (mostly) tidy house and keeping up with laundry.  But hey, that's what weekends are for!

See you soon, real world!

Another mouth to feed

Nursing my babies has been one of the best natural gifts of my life.  I have been exceptionally blessed in how easy they have taken to nursing.  I try not to take this for granted, knowing that so many people really have to struggle to make this work and others just can't. 
Everyone knows of the obvious benefits of nursing...mainly ease and nutritive value for baby.  But some of my personal favorite benefits of nursing are...
...the almost-tranquilizing effect a latch has on a squirmy, fidgety, fussy baby.
...a milk-drunk baby face...sleepy eyes, half smile, pure bliss...
...big bright eyes staring up at me... goes without saying, this is the opposite of milk-drunk.  although, the smile occasionally accompanies the big bright eyes.  then my heart melts and I start dropping big fat tears on the baby.
...sitting still, me and my baby, several times a day...with two kids I need to be reminded sometimes to pee or eat.  at least I always make time to sit and stare at my baby.
...convenience and ease. (I know it's an obvious one...but really, there is enough to remember with two kids...I don't need the extra hassle of sterilizing nipples and keeping formula on hand!)
...the magic that is my body making exactly what my baby needs.  (again, this is a given...but REALLY - my body makes exactly what my baby needs for exactly his/her age...it is truly magic!)
...the 'conversations' that Max and I have after she eats.
...a sweet baby holding my finger or resting a hand on my breast.
I am so grateful for this time and this gift!

Father's Day 2011

I am not the father, but I thought Father's Day was a perfect day. 

We snoozed until 6:30 after a stormy night.

We gifted Daddy his grill, photo, cooler cups, and stepping stones.  Cole gave him a special gift that he made at school - a brick with his handprint.

We made biscuits and gravy for breakfast. (Derek ended up cooking *with an audience* - what a guy!)

We watched CBS Sunday Morning, drank coffee, and the boys put together Daddy's new little grill.

We went to Na & G's and enjoyed the pool.

We came home and all four napped (at the same time!) for a couple of hours.

We made Smokey Mountain chicken for dinner.  (Derek ended up cooking again - Dad of the Year!)

We snuggled in to watch a movie together, 2012, in which the Daddy was the hero.

Derek and I talked about how wonderful the day was and how lucky we were to have these awesome kids.

Cole and I talked about how great the day was and how lucky we were to have the best Daddy.

Cole told Derek to stay home from work because he would miss him.

Derek told Cole to never grow up.

 Being a dad is a big job that I try to never underestimate.  I am so grateful for the father that my kids have!

Happy Father's Day, Derek!

Garden Tutorial

Here's my take on "how to" have a nice landscape and lawn:

Step 1 - Get yourself a family member with killer garden / landscape skills.  Mine happens to be Ed/G.  He has mad skills when it comes to all things outdoor.  He has an eye for landscape and he is some kind of plant whisperer.  AND - he is incredibly generous with his time and plant materials!    

Step 2 - Marry a man who works his @$$ off around the house.  Derek has developed a pretty amazing eye for landscape too....plus he has just enough obsessive compulsion to work until things get done -
p e r f e c t l y.  

 

 

Step 3 - Be grateful.  Repeatedly offer water/lemonade/alcoholic beverages to your laboring gardeners.  Tell them 'Thank You!'  Feed them well.  Let them know how much you appreciate them.

Thank you guys!

Gone Daddy Gone

Derek went away for a few nights for work last week.  Here's a bit of what the kids and I were up to while he was away...

Slumber parties!

a trip to the Botanical Gardens.


And, anxiously awaiting his return!

Missouri Botanical Gardens

One of my Leave List wishes was a morning at the Botanical Gardens.

We ventured out last Wednesday morning (because of the free admission on Wednesday mornings) and readied ourselves for the fun. 

Let me preface this trip with saying that I had been in a funk...my return to work growing closer...Cole challenging me with sass and 'tude....financial woes of a leave without full pay...and oppressive heat that held us hostage inside the house with the shades drawn...

It was a VERY hot morning.  Temps in the 90s with 1,000,000% humidity - I am only slightly exaggerating.

However, the gardens were lovely.

Really lovely.

We arrived early to try to beat the heat - which meant a rushed morning.

We walked a lot to try to see it all and make it to the Japanese garden for one of my favorite sights, the koi.

Oh, the peaceful Japanese garden...The really hot, steamy Japanese garden.

All was going well enough.

Until...

Cole looked down and saw "boo-boos" (blisters) on his feet from his new shoes. (this happened as we arrived ON the bridge to view the koi)

Oh, the horror.

The screams.

The tears.

The drama.

The improvisation. 

The carseat hanging out of the bottom of the stroller.

The wrap that saved the day.

The hot, hot hike out of the gardens pushing/wearing somewhere around 65 extra pounds of human.

The white knuckles.

The a/c pumping ride home for naps.

We crossed it off of my leave list.

Moving on....

Mondays

this photo was taken after Cole's Monday....notice the clock says 6:15...that is PM....as in, he came home, ate dinner, went back to his room, and passed out.  Poor kid....Monday gets the best of him sometimes. 

A Delicate Flower, She is Not.

 Maxine's Two Month Check-up:

Length: 23.75 inches

Weight: 13 lb, 8 oz

 That would be 98th percentile for height.

 98th percentile for weight.

 because a petite lady would not fit into our family.