Matthew is growing up! :(

So last week, my cousin came and stayed with us. We were sitting down having a nice chat and I happened to glance at the monitor......Matthew was not in his crib.  At first I assume he has huddled into a corner for the night, which wouldn't be crazy, but as I scan the camera all around, all I see is a little foot leaving the screen area out of sight.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Running upstairs with a slight scream, I catch Matthew as he is on top of his changing table about to descend his crib head first onto the floor.

Then it hits me....he needs a toddler bed.

Am I ready for this?  Well, ready or not, we did it on Saturday. It's official, I have no cribs in my house any more. WAHHHHHHHHH,HHHH!

If I look at these past 3 nights objectively, I would say he's doing very very well. He's gotten up several times, but normally goes right back down for another few hours.

Last night after I put him down, he made it to 1:30am. He woke up and cried for me, then after I put him back down he slept until 6am. I'd say that's pretty good. I added an additional nightlight to his room, because for some reason when he wakes up, he immediately turns off his air purifier, which also acts as a night light, so his room would get pitch black.  I have no idea why he does that, but the good news is, I know this is just a phase, and he'll eventually grow out of it. Like I said, he's doing well and I have to remind myself it could be A LOT WORSE!

Diner en Blanc was AMAZING! I found a $10 dress at Kohls and had such an amazing time with my friend. It was at the Philadelphia Art Museum, right on the steps. I'm hoping this isn't my last time.

I haven't done much for the big #2 birthday yet, besides send out invitations. I have no idea what I'm serving or how I'm decorating. Fortunately, I don't think he'll care too much, as long as there is cake.

Emma just started in her Preschool room at school.  I have to admit, it was kind of sad dropping her off today. New teacher and new friends, none of her other friends that started with her were there yet. I know she'll be fine, but if this is how I feel for preschool, I have no idea how I'm going to make it through sending her to an actual school!!!!!

This morning Emma woke up around 545. I brought her into bed with me and even turned off my alarm for workout. I decided a kiddie snuggle was what I was interested in this morning. It was so nice to take my time in the morning with the kids and not rush. I need to do that more and hopefully I will be able to more at some point. Even when Matthew was freaking out, I knew why, and he had a point. (we didn't have normal breakfast stuff because I'm trying not to go shopping before Labor day). So we worked with what we had and he got over it. (graham cracker for breakfast anyone?)

I love my babies. I love my husband. I'm lucky to have someone that I miss when they are gone.

I'm lucky to have a BFF who's also my dear diary when I'm being weird. Because I am weird.....often :)

Well, that was all over the place, but so is life....Until next time :)

Summer - It's love/hate

I feel like summer is coming to an end, even though it's been over 100 degrees this past week.

It's already halfway through AUGUST!!!!

This weekend is my family weekend at the lake house...sister, brother, father, families all attending. Should be interesting??? AND FUN! I'm hoping we can do a little swimming, s'mores making, and laughing. That's really all I need.

Thursday I'm going to DINER EN BLANC in philly with my friend Devon. I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED!  I'm been wanting to go to this dinner for like 3 years, Google it, you'll get obsessed!

And then there is the big thing - MY BABY IS TURNING 2 NEXT MONTH!!!! WTF!

My baby  - is turning - 2!!!!! WTF!

My baby is turning 2.......wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Ok, moving on, party planning needs to start and DH officially thought of the perfect theme for our little monster - LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!

We are also trying to plan a family trip to the zoo too for his birthday. Matthew is obsessed with animals right now and Emma was only at the zoo when she was like 5 months old and she loves animals too. I have daydreams of a perfect trip to the zoo with my two perfect children having fun and being well behaved and gracious and loving it.............sure - it'll definitely be just like that ;)

On another note, I came to this inner epiphany the other day.  I've really been feeling overwhelmed this past year. I've been feeling like I can't handle everything and I've been emotionally and mentally kind of not as strong as usual. I was driving to daycare two days ago and all the sudden a light bulb went off....I though, wait a minute, my mom just died.  Then part of me was like, that doesn't have anything to do with work or home or my own emotions......................right?

Nope, probably has everything to do with everything. She was my sounding board. The person I told EVERYTHING to, the person who gave me extremely unbiased motherly advice. She called me every day and she genuinely wanted me to be happy in every aspect of my life. I am not really sure what any of this means, but maybe, just maybe, I should start giving myself a little credit and a little more time to figure it all out in this new way of life.

These next few weeks are going to be tough, but that's ok. They are also going to be awesome. Birthdays, Zoos and Dinners - OH MY!

Until next time :)

100!!!

Today I went to my 100th Fit Body class.

I may not have lost much weight yet, but I've definitely gained strength and energy.

I used to be so tired in the afternoons during work, but after I started my workout, it's definitely gotten easier to make it through the day without an IV for coffee.

When I started, I couldn't do 1 real pushup....not even 1!!!

Now, I can do a great set of 5, a good set of 10, and an attempt at 20.

I can do exercises that I never though I would even try and I've made some great friends along the way.

I'm "working" on the diet nutrition part of it, but slow and steady wins the race.

I also just got about 11 inches cut off my hair. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!  My hair grows really fast and I know I've had 1 or 2 posts in the past about cutting my hair. I just love short hair and how easy it is to wash, style, etc.  still long enough for a pony, but short enough for comfort.

I know I look pissed in my pic at the bottom, but really I'm just trying not to smile.

Anyway, I don't want to get too crazy on the long blog posts just yet, so until next time..........

Back to Basics

Well Hello There!

It's been so long since I've posted and so much has happened.

My children are growing up soooo fast! Matthew is officially almost using complete sentences and every time he does, DH and I just look at each other in disbelief.  He will go "I wanna snack Mommy" or "Where daddy go?" Obviously his pronunciation needs work, but HE'S NOT EVEN 2!!!

I'm so focused on that and I think it's so funny. He's almost 2, but still only 1. I think every parent does that with their youngest at the time. Tries to keep them young forever!!!

Emma is just a little sweetheart these days too. True, she has her moments, but I feel like she is just turning into the cutest little caretaker with Matthew. She shares with him and gets so upset if he cries.

She's been having some trouble waking up early, so we bought a "Ok to Wake, OWL". Now she can't go to sleep without it. Her nighttime routine is getting so structured and I think she loves it more than we do sometimes.  We got her a princess toothbrush and toothpaste, so now that is a MUST, which is awesome.  We read 3 books and we pray. Than after everything she says "can we snuggle and cuddle for a little bit"...........i mean i guess i will :) :)  :)

I never thought I would be praying with my three year old every night. It's not something that I take too seriously or make long or too structured, but it's something that she actually likes to do and it certainly can't hurt anything.

Matthew is my champion though. Bathtime, Book, Bed......LIKE A FREAKIN BOSS! Rarely he will wake up and need a cuddle in the middle of the night, but it's so rare that I actually kind of like it sometimes. Let's not get crazy though.  His nickname is still sticking like glue  - CHEWY!!! I love my little chewables.

The "are they twins" questions have officially started since he is only about 3 inches shorter than Emma now.

Their diets aren't perfect, but they love fruit and green vegetables. Apparently Matthew now has an appetite for almonds as well. all i think is CHOKING HAZARD, but what else is new.

DH and I are working like crazy.  We don't tend to our outside home aesthetics as much as we should, but I'm ok with that being a low priority right now. .Grass is cut, house stays clean (with help) and my kids are happy. Seeing weeds out the window could be worse.

We had our annual beach vacation and Matthew and Emma LOVED IT. We had treats every night and sand and sun every day. They loved the waterpark and it just made me happy to see their smiling faces.

I love writing my blog. I need to do it more. It's a release and it's always nice to reflect on the good times that are flying by so fast.

Until next time..........