Happy 6 months, baby!

So, as many things go, time has FLOWN by. I cannot believe my little baby has gone from the tiny little thing above to a strapping, young, husky, super smiley baby! It's exciting, sad, and stressful all at the same time. Let's be real, all new mommies can attest to the fact that babies are not easy to take care of. Every day is not a sit down, play with my baby, every minute is precious kind of day. There's crying, teething, colds, hold me/rock me or else I'll cry, screaming and I can't tell you why- I could go on. Don't get me wrong the precious moments are there. Smiling and laughing, saying mama for the first time, first reactions to food, baby playing with big brother...
Overall, the roller coaster of it all, it's a fun and special time. As a parent, mother, and wife, every part of that roller coaster reminds me how strong I am, how vulnerable I can be, and how I need to go through all of this to appreciate my life.

I know I'm lucky. It just takes some living to realize it.

Happy 6 months little one!

My October Holiday

So I decided that this year, my birthday would really be a day about me. And I think I did a great job! I decided this day was going to be my October Holiday amongst all the activities geared toward the kids in October.

Started the day off with breakfast with the hubby at Stacks- always a winner. Triple berry pancakes and some of hubby's veggie omelet and I was set! Breakfast turned into brunch as we kept talking and let our meal extend a bit further toward afternoon. Time with the hubby these days is a present in itself :).

Then it was off for some retail therapy. I went shopping for the first time in LONG time with NO kids-- not needing to hurry home to feed or care for kids-- and all by myself. I set my own schedule and went to the stores I wanted!!! For all you mamas out there, you know what I mean when I claim Mental Liberation!! The freedom to shop for oneself is a beautiful thing and taken highly for granted these days. Needless to say I came out with many clothes, some shoes, and the feeling of being just me again. But I won't lie and say I didn't think of my family. I also came out with a jumper for baby, lunchbox for toddler, and 2 pairs of shoes for the woman who gave me life (when you're mom is a size 4 1/2 and you actually find a 4 1/2, you buy).

I promised myself I would include some true pampering on my October Holiday. I found myself getting a mani/pedi complete with parrafin wax to soften my achy feet and a gel manicure to look girly for the first time since baby was born. I must say I enjoyed every girly, selfish, all about me, relaxing minute!! It was wonderful while it lasted and I am seriously making this a monthly routine. Now if only I could cut out eating lunch for one week in the month, maybe I can afford it... Hey, 2 kids are expensive!!

I went to pick up the toddler and spend quality time with baby who were both somewhat sniffly-sneezy. I enjoyed the rest of the night with my lil guys. And that completed, what I realize now is, the perfect "new me day. Time with hubby, time for myself, relax/refresh/recharge, and time with my lil guys. That is my idea of a great holiday. Would it had been more perfect if I had the same day,say, in Hawaii? Maybe...but I'll take an October Holiday In the Bay any day :)

My life as Mommy

Oh how life has changed with two little ones...

Free time = the 30 minute train ride to work (If I'm not dead tired from the night before. Then it's nap time)

Time with the hubby = on the phone with Hubs while pumping at work

Normal day at work = Emails, meeting, PUMP, meeting, process paperwork, PUMP and Lunch, phone call, more emails, PUMP, run to catch train to pick up son before 6 ~ repeat tomorrow

Weekday evening = pick up kids, eat/make dinner, one bath (me, toddler, or infant - usually not me), infant to sleep, toddler to bed, wash pump and bottle stuff, eat snack to replenish energy ~ repeat tomorrow

Dinner = whatever is available (frozen or at Mom's), in between making Mac n Cheese or grill cheese or meat and rice for toddler

Exciting evening = Grey's Anatomy (only the part that's left after kids are asleep)- oooh drama!

Glass of wine after long day = glass of water (with a side of Fenugreek and a prenatal vitamin)

Good night's rest = a 3 hr block of sleep between feedings

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...and probably adds more stress wrinkles to my aging face.

Oh, last one:

Smiling, toothless infant
Loving, funny, smart toddler
=
Worth every minute

Le sigh.

Mommylove Monday

Most days I am bogged down with breastfeeding, toddler potty training, work- 'nuff said, washing bottles, feeding the picky toddler, feeding myself and husband, bathing the children, then sleep- very little sleep. No, it's not all negative. A baby's smile can brighten any weary parent's darkest hour. And today, my toddler did something similar.

I left my two sleeping darlings as I went to work this morning. I don't like leaving the toddler without telling him where I'm going because he seems to feel abandoned. But he was so tired this morning, I had to let him sleep. I closed the front door and as I was walking to the car, I hear a tiny voice come from the house. "Mommyyyy!" sob-sob-sob. I saw my tiny little man standing in the doorway calling me. I usually just wave and let my mom explain where I'm going. But I felt like he needed to know how much I cared to tell him myself. I walked back to the house and opened the door. He had tears streaming down is cheeks sobbing, "You need to go to work?" I told him that yes I was going to work and would be home soon. In the meantime he would play with his Auntie and Grandma until me and his Dad got home. As he calmed down and I reassured him I was coming back, he told me, "OK you go to work. Have a good day." So sweet. I told him I loved him and walked to the car. As I'm reaching the car, I hear that precious little voice yell, "I love you SOOO much!"

My heart melted.

My evening of little sleep and a busy, tiring morning didn't matter. All the typical toddler horrors of potty accidents, yelling fits, and emotional outbursts that occur daily didn't matter. Kids aren't special because of the frustrations they give us. It's all about the unconditional love they show us in the little moments. I was given mommylove this Monday morning and all of a sudden I've forgotten everything negative- just focused on seeing my little man when I come home.