tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62986624766711845472024-03-12T18:57:01.449-04:00Lip Gloss and LegosMonikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-1775224996490604082013-01-19T14:39:00.001-05:002013-01-19T14:40:19.427-05:00New. Isn't it funny how certain things just tug at our hearts, make our eyes fill with those oh-so bittersweet tears. Looking ahead to the "new" while we cling to the "old"...the "now", wishing to savor it just a little longer. <br />
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Anthony is exactly two weeks away from his third birthday. He is now pretty much potty trained (aside from naps and night time). And tomorrow he finally moves into a big boy bed. He's very excited about his space ship bedding, and can't wait to have an Angry Birds birthday cake. He tells everyone he sees that's he's going to be THREE and go to preschool. And I smile proudly, trying to remember where the time went. Eager to jump head first into this new adventure...holding on to the present for just a bit longer. The signs of any babies living in this house are slowly disappearing - no more bottles or gates, no diapers or changing table, and tomorrow, no more cribs...<br />
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As I write this, he's napping in his crib for the last time. Snuggled up in the far left corner with his mo-mo and puppies. Dream big, sweet boy...new adventures await. Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-42611806005561353182012-12-29T09:19:00.001-05:002012-12-29T09:20:07.837-05:00Weeks 45 - 52I don't know what happened in November, but I only managed to get two pictures. This project was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I mean come on! One picture with my kids a week...? Piece of cake, right? Wrong.<br />
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Week 45<br />
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Sat., Nov. 17 - Bonfire at my brother's house. The kids love hanging out with their cousins, big and small. <br />
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Week 46<br />
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Thurs., Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving Day! Yeah, this is the best I was able to get. Gotta love Matthew's orange mouth. </div>
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Week 47</div>
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Sat., Dec. 1 - Elfie joined our family for the month of December. The boys loved finding him every morning, and still ask about him now.<br />
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Week 48<br />
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Sat., Dec. 8 - Sottile Family Christmas Party. Wes even got a visit from Santa!<br />
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Week 49<br />
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Sat., Dec. 15 - We finally got our Christmas tree! The plan was to go to a farm and cut one down the weekend before, but the kids were sick (since Thanksgiving) so we pushed it off a week. And never made it to the farm. You can't tell by this picture, but the boys *did* have fun.<br />
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Week 50<br />
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Mon., Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve dinner at my parent's house. Ahh, the obligatory forced picture in front of the tree...<br />
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Week 51<br />
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Tues., Dec. 25 - Christmas Day, Anthony playing on my phone after a yummy dinner at mom's...ok so technically this wasn't a new week. And this is the last picture of the year, so I'm short by one. Not too bad, considering that I didn't think I'd make it past June. Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-39541519092032758482012-11-19T14:17:00.000-05:002012-11-20T14:14:34.149-05:00Reconnect. And Repair. Some days, things start out rough but end well. Other days start out great, but go down hill with every passing minute. We've all had THAT day (or week). It's the day your children wake up way too early, and have 18 requests before your feet even hit the ground. It's the day you break up a sibling war before you've even had your first sip of coffee. It's the day that all the aches, fatigue, and stress from the past week build up into one unsuspecting moment, and you're staring at a simple request or conflict turned massive meltdown. For everyone. And it's the day I want to be anywhere but here, in this moment, because I can't stop the cycle. And every spoken word oozes frustration, every breath a tired sigh. <br />
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And it is this kind of day that I think "maybe I need to change my attitude if I want my child to change his". Maybe I need to force myself to laugh. When getting on the floor for a game of "tackle and tickle" is the last thing I want to do, maybe it's just the thing I <i>need </i>to do. When I really didn't want to play cars, I should have just played cars. Or maybe we both need a release. A total utter emotional breakdown. A good, long, gut-wrenching cry.<br />
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Yes. That did it.<br />
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He sobbed into my arms in his room. He cried getting ready for bath. He cried during and after. He cried until the tears stopped flowing and his throat was sore. And finally he said "I just had a really bad day". Me too, buddy. But it doesn't have to end on a bad note; we don't have to give up and let the bad day win. We can reconnect. And repair. Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-55208204211884892172012-11-19T13:30:00.000-05:002012-11-19T13:30:18.642-05:00Weeks 30 - 44Time flies when you're having fun and not keeping up with your pictures!<br />
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Week 30<br />
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Sat., Aug. 11 - Yep, a lovely view of my feet. But if you look past that, and past the sand, you see our boys splashing in the water at Winding Trails.<br />
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Week 31<br />
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Sun., Aug. 12 - Just before Matthew's swim lesson. He has been taking lessons for about 3 months now and is doing so well. This is the same child who needed his face covered with a washcloth while getting his hair washed.<br />
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Week 32<br />
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Sun., Aug. 19 - Goofing off at Babcia's house. I can't flip him around like I used to, he's so darn heavy.<br />
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Week 33<br />
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Fri., Aug. 24 - Vacation in New Hampshire. What a great time we had! My brother, sister, and their families came with us. On this particular day, we all rented a boat and had so much fun! It took Anthony a bit to warm up to it (Matthew as well), but the donut helped. </div>
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Week 34</div>
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Thurs., Aug 30 - Dropping Matthew off for his first day of Kindergarten. So bitter-sweet. He was so excited! I was a mess...I did manage to hold it together until he went inside and we turned around to walk home.<br />
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Week 35<br />
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Tues., Sept. 4 - Between you an me, I have no idea when I actually snapped this. I knew I was behind a week and this was the best I could do without a 3rd party around. I call it "Me and My Shadows"...literally and figuratively.<br />
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Week 36<br />
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Sun., Sept. 16 - Celebrating Julia's 5th Birthday!<br />
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Week 37<br />
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Mon., Sept. 17 - Matthew was off from school so we headed to Auer Farm. It felt like we were the only ones there, even the animals were awfully quiet. By the way, Matthew snapped this picture...not too shabby.<br />
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Week 38<br />
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Thurs., Sept. 27 - I surprised my boy at school and joined him for lunch. The look on his face when he walked in the cafeteria and saw me was priceless!<br />
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Week 39<br />
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Sun., Oct. 7 - A fellow kindergarten mom took this at a birthday party for Matthew's friend Max. He came over to show me his pinata stash.</div>
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Week 40</div>
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Mon., Oct. 8 - My cousin and I took our troops to Foster Family Farm since everyone was off from school. The kids had so much fun running through the corn maze, playing on the train and playscapes, racing go-carts, and just being together.<br />
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Week 41<br />
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Thurs., Oct 18 - Movie Night at the Wolcott Children's Forest. We had our blankets and chairs and snuggled up to watch The Lorax. Matthew spent most of the movie hanging out with the big kids up on the hill. (Photo taken by a kindergarten mom.)<br />
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Week 42<br />
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Mon., Oct. 22 - Vacation on the Cape. We were on our way to hike the White Cedar Swamp Trail, but hopped out of the car to say hello to "Freddy the Horse".<br />
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Week 43<br />
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Thurs., Oct. 25 - We spent the morning at Chatham Beach, one of our favorite places. The weather was so beautiful, I could have sat on the sand all day. In all my (and our) years of going to the Cape, this was the first time we saw seals!<br />
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Week 44<br />
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Wed., Oct. 31 - Happy Halloween! Luckily, Hurricane Sandy didn't do much damage in our area so we were able to celebrate Halloween (unlike last year, when we were without power for a couple of weeks due to a freak snowstorm that hit days before Halloween). We went Trick-or-Treating with Aleksandra, our triplet friends, and their cousin. Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-79084842860465309292012-09-25T13:21:00.001-04:002012-09-25T18:23:11.862-04:00For judging you, I am sorry.Dear sister, friend, and stranger, <br />
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I judged you. I judged your choices before becoming a mother myself, having never walked in your shoes. When you chose to have an epidural, I judged you. Until I begged for one while laboring with my first born. When you gave your newborn formula, I cringed a little. Until I fed my own the same way. When you brought your baby into bed with you, I said my children would sleep in their own rooms, in their own space. Now I bring our toddler into our bed when he cries out in the middle of the night, soaking in his sweet breath on my cheek. "My children would fall asleep on their own", I said, when you laid in your child's bed until he drifted off into sweet slumber. Yet I still sit in my 5+ year old's room at bedtime, and still rock my 2.5 year old for his nap, because one day, they won't want me to. When your two year old was sucking on a pacifier at the park, I thought it looked silly. My oldest had his until almost three. When you read food labels with such intensity and brought out the home-made organic kale chips, I rolled my eyes. "Everything in moderation", I said. Until I learned that not everyone charged with our health and nutrition always has our best interests in mind. I'm now much more careful and selective about what I feed my family. And I love kale chips.<br />
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Oh yes, I was the perfect mother once...before I actually became one. So for judging you, I am sorry. I promise to be more mindful, more empathetic, and to remember that a five minute glimpse into your day only tells a very short story. Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-49281943454375605462012-08-20T23:45:00.000-04:002012-08-20T23:45:48.341-04:00Speech TherapyI've been talking a lot about Matthew, with him turning 5 and starting kindergarten...well now it's Anthony's turn. Oh this child is so sweet and cute and funny. And the other day he had his 6 month speech therapy evaluation. Dawn has been coming to our house once a week, and while I can't quite explain HOW she does it, the sessions have helped him tremendously.<br />
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Just for reference, during her first visit 6 months ago, she wrote down that Anthony had about 8-9 words that he would say on a regular basis; he would point and say Mmm-mm for anything he wanted. He would get frustrated easily because he was not able to communicate his wants and needs.<br />
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Now, just 6 short months later, he is using 3-4 (and sometimes 5) word sentences. He no longer grunts to communicate, he no longer points unless it's accompanied by words. He repeats everything. He sings songs. And while some people might still have a hard time understanding him, his progress makes my heart sing. Even Matthew gets excited and starts cheering him on when he masters a new word or phrase. The next step is to work on articulation, and just keep on increasing the language. These services will end once he turns 3, and if he needs additional help beyond that, we would go through the West Hartford School system.<br />
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We are so very proud of our boy. He's worked so hard (and let me tell you, Speech Therapy is hard work! I'm exhausted after the hour long visit.), and he's so proud of himself. And we could not love this little bundle of cute any more than we already do. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He dressed himself that morning...complete with Matthew's rain boots. </td></tr>
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<br />Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-6035564178435256602012-07-26T15:54:00.003-04:002012-08-20T23:45:17.235-04:00Weeks 22 - 29Week 22<br />
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Sun., June 10 - Anthony and I at the Sottile Family Summer Picnic at Greg and Melissa's house. It was a beautiful 85 degree day! The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins, and we enjoyed catching up with family that we don't get to see very often.<br />
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Week 23<br />
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Sat., June 16 - Skull Island Mini Golf at the Cape. Even Anthony got in on the action. And while we're not quite ready to sign a contract with Titleist, they do ok. More importantly, they love it.<br />
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Week 24<br />
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Sun., June 17 - Father's Day at the Cape. It was a gorgeous day - sunny, breezy, perfect. We went to First Encounter Beach for a bit.<br />
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Week 25<br />
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Thurs., June 21 - Carlie's Birthday! The boys and I spent the day at Winding Trails, awaiting her arrival. The four of us got to visit her just a couple hours after she was born.<br />
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Week 26<br />
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Thurs., June 28 - We had a small gathering to celebrate my birthday. I love the top picture with Matthew, and just laugh at the flame of candles on the second one. There really weren't THAT many on there. And yes, I had two cakes. You can never have too much cake, I always say. </div>
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Week 27</div>
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Wed., July 4 - Hanging out at my sister's house. Matthew was way too busy riding his scooter to stop and take a picture. </div>
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Week 28</div>
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Sat., July 21 - We were at my sister's and Matthew and Anthony wanted to have a dance party. Polka was the genre of choice, which they listen to when in my mom's car. Niki snapped this after we all collapsed on the couch. </div>
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Week 29</div>
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Sun., July 22 - Just another day at the beach. Life's tough, I know...Gone are the days when Anthony would take a nap in the stroller. This day we was so very tired, didn't want to play, didn't want to be in the water, and just curled up on my lap. I started singing to him and off he drifted. He took about a 1 hour nap on me. Loved every second of it. </div>Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-28007810123827020252012-06-28T14:22:00.002-04:002012-07-26T18:04:11.073-04:00Happy Birthday to me! And a list.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Ahhh, the big 3-5. Officially closer to 40 than I am to 30. My 30th was wonderful, I didn't even give it a second thought. I had just had Matthew, things were great. Something about 35, though...it just feels "different". Not bad, just different. My life is very different than it was 5 years ago. Perhaps I've changed in the past 5 years as well? I hope for the better... I'm feeling more comfortable in my own skin, taking better care of myself, more confident in the choices I make, more willing to admit when wrong - ok, so I'm working on that one. Anyway, life is good. And 35 is going to be great!<br />
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So in honor of turning 35, I've put together a "bucket list", if you will. Thirty-five things I hope to do in my 35th year (some before I turn 40). <br />
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1. Run a 5K. An official one (I can already run 3.1 miles).<br />
2. Splurge on designer denim. Don't laugh at me.<br />
3. Take swimming lessons. No, I don't know how to swim. Yes, really. I told you not to laugh at me.<br />
4. Finish the boys' toy room.<br />
5. Organize (and print out) a ton of pictures. This one is overwhelming.<br />
6. Do a wine tasting.<br />
7. Update the boys' baby books.<br />
8. Have a girls' weekend in NYC.<br />
9. Have the main bathroom remodeled.<br />
10. Lose my mom-pouch. If it kills me.<br />
11. Have a sunset picnic on the beach with my hubby.<br />
12. Make a real plan to go back to Hawaii. We keep saying "in a few years", every year. <br />
13. Redo our bedroom. Top to bottom.<br />
14. Fly a kite.<br />
15. Go sledding down the hill at Wolcott Park.<br />
16. Get a full body massage.<br />
17. Have a camp fire in our back yard.<br />
18. Take a vacation to Montana or Colorado...oooh Yellowstone! I'm probably going to floor my husband with this one.<br />
19. Make one of those amazing decorated cakes for Matthew and/or Anthony's birthday.<br />
20. Do more random acts of kindness<br />
21. Read more; aiming for 1 book a month at this point.<br />
22. Master my DSLR.<br />
23. Go back to Disney.<br />
24. Make a piece of pottery with the kids.<br />
25. Enjoy an outdoor concert or performance of some sort.<br />
26. Go to a drive-in.<br />
27. Make a photo book.<br />
28. Get better at this: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants." ~ Michael Pollan. <br />
29. Get Anthony to give up the mo-mo, sleep in a big boy bed, and out of diapers.<br />
30. Get more creative with cooking. <br />
31. Run through someone else's sprinkler.<br />
32. Build something. Anything.<br />
33. Make lasagna.<br />
34. Dance under the stars. Anyone having an outdoor wedding anytime soon??<br />
35. Unplug more, live in the moment more, appreciate more. <br />
<br />Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-85071368409178381642012-06-11T20:02:00.000-04:002012-06-11T20:02:13.689-04:00Still rockin' the oil.So it's been a while since I started using the oil cleansing method, and I thought I'd give a bit of an update for the 1.3 people who care. I think I like it! I don't know that my skin feels any cleaner or softer than when I was applying a chemical filled cleanser, but it sure doesn't feel worse. And the other day, a friend told me my skin looked great, and asked if I had anything done, like a peal or something. Sweet.<br />
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I have since started using castor oil, along with olive oil and a couple drops of tea tree oil. And yes, this concoction still sits in a shot glass on my bathroom counter. I really need to find something else to put it in. I made a batch using 3 tablespoons of olive oil to 1 tablespoon castor oil, and at some point I think I added maybe another teaspoon of castor, which seems to be working better since I have combination skin.<br />
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I think I'll keep up with it. I like having all the ingredients at home, and I love that they are all natural. Plus, a little goes a LONG way (I use about 1/4 teaspoon per wash). If you are even remotely curious about it, try it out. But I will warn you, you really do have to give it a sold 1-2 weeks for your skin to adjust. <br />
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<br />Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-40701060151161368812012-06-02T11:40:00.001-04:002012-06-02T23:07:03.739-04:00Weeks 17 - 21What a busy month it has been!<br />
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Week 21<br />
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Fri., June 1 - Matthew's graduation from Quaker Lane Nursery School. What an amazing day. A year ago, he got overwhelmed and ran to me before the ceremony even began. This year he sang, performing every song, and walked up to get his diploma with such a proud look on his face.<br />
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Week 20<br />
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Sun., May 20 - First Winding Trails visit of the season. Matthew wanted nothing to do with the water, so he was off riding his bike (being watched by my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and her friend Sarah). I had the incredibly hard task of watching Anthony throw pebbles into the water. After the beach, Matthew and I picked Bobby up from the airport, while Anthony went to bed (my mom was with him).<br />
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Week 19<br />
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Sun., May 13 - Mother's Day cookout at my sister's. Believe it or not, this is the best picture we got. I wish my husband could have been there to celebrate with us, but I had a wonderful day and spent it surrounded by my loving family.<br />
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Week 18<br />
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Fri., May 11 - Making s'mores at Michelle's house. That was the day hubby left for Australia for 10 (no, not 9 honey!) days.<br />
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Week 17<br />
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Fri., May 4 - Matthew's 5th Birthday! What a fun day that was. I was the helping parent at his school that morning, we brought in chocolate cupcakes to share with his friends that we baked the night before. We spent a good part of the day playing outside, then went out to dinner at Rainforest Cafe. Anthony hated it, the thunder and loud animals overwhelm him...but he was a trooper for his brother.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-10335962047726030622012-05-15T19:44:00.001-04:002012-05-15T19:46:30.958-04:00A darker shade of green: the oil cleansing method. In my quest to become "greener", I'm cleansing my face with oil. Yes, oil. As in EVOO a la Rachel Ray. <br />
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I first heard about the <a href="http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/" target="_blank">oil cleansing method</a> from an online community I'm a member of. I admit, at first I was a bit grossed out about rubbing straight up OIL onto my face. For crying out loud I cook with this stuff! (And make a mean vodka sauce, I might add...) I don't care for feeling like a greasy pizza...and that's what I envisioned. But the more I read, the more intrigued I became.<br />
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I have to admit, I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to skin care. I don't invest a ton of moola on cleansers and moisturizers. I never wash my face at night...unless I happen to be wearing foundation and blush and such for a special occasion. Otherwise, it's washed in the morning in the shower. And as I approach a certain ripe age of ahem-blah-blah-something-five, yeah I'm seeing the wrinkles and "laugh lines"...not so damn funny I have to tell you. But like the 2 or 3 (hundred) gray hair I find on a regular basis, I don't really get my panties in a twist about it. But I'm told this is supposed to eliminate the need for moisturizers and anti-aging crap. <br />
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So, moving on. Oil cleansing method. I have heard great things about Castor Oil, and while I do want to pick some up I decided to start today regardless, because I ran out of my cleanser and figured now was as good a time as any. So feeling like a teen sneaking a can of beer into the garage, I crept into the bathroom with my bottles of olive oil and tea tree oil. The funny thing is, only Matthew and Anthony were home. Not like they'd raise an eyebrow. I added a teaspoon of olive oil and 3 drops of tea tree oil into a shot glass...that's hard core right there, I know. I mixed it around and applied it to my face, massaging for about 15 seconds. It felt nice. I *think* I might have felt some grit after a while...but it could have been my mind playing tricks on me. Then, I wet a washcloth with HOT water and placed it on my face. Waited until it cooled, and repeated. Then gently wiped the oil off with the same cloth, repeated this a couple of times.<br />
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When I was done, my skin felt utterly...normal. Not tight like it is with a regular cleanser. Not pizza-pie greasy like I expected. Just CLEAN. And soft. It's now the end of the day and I don't have the same dry patch appearing on my forehead. I did feel a little "damp" this afternoon while out and about, but I think that might have more to do with the 387% humidity outside than the oil. Once indoors, my skin feels normal. So far, so good. I plan on sticking with it for a while. And like I said, I want to get some Castor Oil as it is supposed to be super-bad-ass cleansing. Will report back from the field in a week. <br />
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If you have tried this, or plan to, I'd love to hear your thoughts.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-38654832908000910092012-05-13T13:27:00.000-04:002012-05-13T13:27:27.303-04:00Mother's Day.<br />
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My Mother's Day gift from Matthew. Might be the best gift ever. </div>
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He planted this at school last week and was over the moon excited to give it to me. He kept asking "Mommy, do you love it? Is it the best present ever?". Oh it sure is, buddy.</div>
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And yesterday, while we were playing outside, he picked these for me from our yard. With the biggest, brightest smile he said "Happy Mother's Day mommy, you're the best mommy ever!" </div>
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How did I get so lucky??</div>
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And finally, we have a new mommy (of multiples!) in our neighborhood. Cuteness overload, folks! I just want to take them home and snuggle them...but she hissed at me, so I didn't. </div>
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Happy Mother's Day everyone! Hope you're surrounded by love. </div>
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<br />Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-35184984756152897862012-05-12T13:55:00.001-04:002012-05-12T21:34:41.994-04:00Moms, enough.I had the chance to observe and talk to several college students today. I knew nothing about them, but was able to conclude several things about their childhood just by watching them. All names have been changed to protect those with inferior parents.<br />
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When I met Jason, it was clear that he was breastfed way past the socially appropriate and acceptable length of time...whatever that may be. He had such a fascination with boobs, it was quite uncomfortable. And the way he would not leave his mother's side...ugh. Cut the cord already, would you?<br />
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Ben was obviously a bottle-fed baby. He had awful teeth, and the way he chugged from his water bottle...total bottle mouth. Pretty sure he still sleeps with his Playtex Nurser. <br />
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I'm sure Amy co-slept with her parents, actually IN their bed. Can you image? This must be the reason she chooses to commute to and from school, so that she can still co-sleep. We all know that once they're in your bed, you can't get them out!<br />
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Brenda was a crib baby, I just know it. She's totally detached, and I think she still cries herself to sleep and sucks on her 6 pacifiers that her mother used to toss in her crib as a baby.<br />
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And finally Josh. Poor Josh...still strapped to his mother's hip in a sling at the age of 18. How will he ever learn to walk? <br />
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Goodness, didn't their parents know they were doing everything so so wrong??<br />
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Absurd, right? No, these aren't real people. And there is no way one would be able to make such conclusions by looking at a child, teen, adult. So why do we, as parents, do this to each other? Why are we not capable of supporting each other, sharing information and experiences without an agenda? WHY is parenting a competition? The end goal is the same: raise healthy, happy, confident, compassionate children who hopefully turn into healthy, happy, confident, compassionate adults. We're all just getting there a little differently. Some paths are chosen out of necessity, some by accident. At the end of the day, does it really matter how or why we get there? Parents need support. We need to know that someone else is probably going through the same exact challenges, or that someone has been there and can offer advice, or a different perspective. Let's start a conversation, not a debate.<br />
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And to TIME Magazine and their famous, or infamous, cover asking "Are You Mom Enough?"...<br />
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Am I mom enough for parenting "experts"? Probably not. While thousands of parenting books have been written on how to raise the perfect child, none have been written precisely for or about MY children. And I'm not striving for perfect, because it doesn't exist.<br />
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Am I mom enough for other moms? I'm not trying to be.<br />
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Am I mom enough for my children? I think (hope) so. But I'll let them be the judge. <br />
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Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-57006868831903797402012-05-09T22:39:00.000-04:002012-05-12T21:35:03.336-04:00And a Happy Birthday it was!Well, I survived. I had an emotional breakdown the night before Matthew turned 5, and woke up the next morning full of joy and energy. We had such a great day...<br />
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I was the helping parent at his school that day. Love seeing my boy "in action". <br />
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He played and learned.</div>
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And made super special secret gifts (I had to close my eyes and ears).</div>
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And enjoyed a birthday cupcake made by yours truly. </div>
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And played some more. </div>
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That night, we went out to dinner at Rainforest Cafe, per Matthew's wish. Sean, Helen, and Aleksandra even joined us! Anthony hated it. Like REALLY hated it...but he suffered through it for his big brother. (Insert birthday dinner picture here...as soon as I find it.)<br />
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On Saturday, we had pizza and cake at home to celebrate once again. This time with Helen, Aleksandra, Greg, and Nicole. His BIG birthday gift arrived on Thursday, and I finally put it together Sunday afternoon. We still had to charge the battery, but it was all ready and waiting for him when he got home from school on Monday. </div>
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Ready to protect and serve. </div>
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</div>Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-67645820349560204132012-05-03T22:33:00.000-04:002012-05-12T21:35:29.344-04:0010 O'clock on May 3, 2007.We were watching My Cousin Vinny (side note: we were watching this movie both times I went into labor), and my water broke. Contractions came on fast and furious. I called my mom, then my OB. And we headed to the hospital. Longest 10 minute ride of my life. Got settled in, the night went on...his heart rate dropped, we had a couple of scares here and there, got threatened with a C-section because this child would not come out. Fast forward to 6:12am on May 4th and our baby boy greeted us, with his umbilical cord clenched tight in his hand. How beautiful he was, perfect in every way. How he cried when Dr. Watson held him for a picture...then calmed down when his daddy took him and started kissing his face and singing to him.<br />
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And today, he spent his last day as a 4 year old. We went to the library, where he got his first library card and proudly took out 5 books and 2 DVDs (one for his baby brother). We played in the rain, and ate lunch in bed. We played garbage trucks, and made cupcakes for school, and ate a couple for dinner. And we stayed up a little later than usual. Because he was over the moon excited...about nothing in particular. And at bedtime, we rocked, and talked, and sang...like every other night. But it's so unlike every other night. It's the night before he turns 5.<br />
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Dear Matthew,<br />
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Thank you for making me a mommy. For teaching me patience, for showing me the fun in everything. Over the past 5 years your tastes, passions, dislikes have changed. But your spunk, curiosity, and determination stay constant. You are empathetic, and loving, and sweet. And funny, and silly, and wild. And as much as I mourn your newborn, baby, toddler, and preschool years, I am excited to join you on this new journey. You will do great things, Matthew. I just know it.<br />
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We love you to the moon and the stars.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-82548578662566820532012-05-02T15:34:00.002-04:002012-05-12T21:35:47.895-04:0027 Things I love about my 27 month old.1. He is such a snuggler! Oh how this boy loves to cuddle.<br />
2. The way he nuzzles his loveys. He has two "doggies", and he rubs their noses against him when he's tired or just feeling extra cuddly.<br />
3. The way we do "nose, nose, nose" (Eskimo kisses). He holds my face and starts moving his head left to right super fast. <br />
4. The progress he's making in his speech every day, and how proud he is of himself when he says a new word.<br />
5. The way he plays with Matthew, I love watching them. This is why God invented siblings.<br />
6. I love that he knows the difference between a monorail, steam train, subway, etc. And he gets upset if we don't call them out properly.<br />
7. I love watching him drift off to sleep, his eyes getting heavier and heavier, and he curls in just a bit closer into my arms.<br />
8. How he says "Ta-da!".<br />
9. The way he hums the theme song to Bob the Builder.<br />
10. The way he says banana, in a sing-songy voice...banana-NANA!!!!<br />
11. How much he loves playing cars with his daddy.<br />
12. He runs toward me, smiling ear to ear and tell me he was "nunning" (running).<br />
13. His eye lashes. He has beautiful eye lashes.<br />
14. His spunk!<br />
15. He loves to help me cook. Now both boys are up on chairs next to me preparing a meal on a regular basis (now if they would actually EAT it...).<br />
16. The way he stands at the door every morning saying goodbye to his brother and daddy.<br />
17. He loves listening to the soundtrack from Promises, Promises and yells "more, more!" when a song ends. Matthew loves this CD, too.<br />
18. I love that he doesn't try to eat his crayons and actually likes to color, unlike Matthew at this age.<br />
19. He knows the 2 mile path we walk and can tell me turn by turn which way to go. Even in reverse.<br />
20. He picks out which color diaper he wants to wear. Note to self: get more blue and yellow.<br />
21. He plays right along with the big kids. Their size and speed does not faze this little dude.<br />
22. Even when he's angry, he's still so darn cute.<br />
23. His animal sounds crack me up, especially kitty. He has a different sound for big kitty, baby kitty, and sleepy kitty. Melt.<br />
24. The way he says "nah".<br />
25. When I put him down in his crib at night, I ask him if he's tired, and he whispers "yeah". Laying on his tummy, fluffy butt up in the air.<br />
26. The way he says "car": duhr. I'm going to miss this when he starts saying it the right way.<br />
27. I love that he still looks like a baby to me. He's little, and cute, a snuggly and sweet. I can't picture him ever not being this way.<br />
<br />Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-23299961696862182172012-05-01T15:16:00.000-04:002012-05-12T21:36:37.797-04:00Weeks 14 - 16It's getting hard to post every single week. And I know that it missed one somewhere, but I'm still trying to stay with this.<br />
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Week 16<br />
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Sat. April 28 - Matthew's birthday party at Westmoor Park. Notice I'm in costume and he's not. Typical ;-)<br />
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Week 15<br />
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Sun. April 22 - Hubby was in Charleston, and as is the norm anytime he travels, the kids got sick. I took Anthony to the pediatrician Saturday morning, where he was diagnosed with an ear infection and croup. The next day we all needed to get out of the house, so we took our germs to AC Peterson for dinner and ice cream. Matthew snapped this picture. Not bad, eh?<br />
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Week 14<br />
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Thurs. April 12 - Michelle dragged us out for a walk after dinner, so I made her snap a picture. This path cuts through Wolcott Park, our favorite hang out spot. Matthew calls the wooden bridge a draw bridge.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-62590472181922103082012-04-30T09:08:00.001-04:002012-05-12T21:37:29.577-04:00Matthew's 5th Birthday Party!We celebrated our little buckaroo's 5th birthday this past weekend. Months ago, he decided he wanted a Western Ranger theme, with lots of cow print, badges, and "shootin' ya'll". We passed on the shootin', as not everyone shares his...enthusiasm...for guns. The party was held at Westmoor Park, and the day could not have been more perfect!<br />
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The invitation.</div>
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Waiting for our friends. </div>
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The party room AKA Lone Ranger Saloon, ready to receive Matthew's posse.</div>
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Time to giddy up! Party started off with a tour of the farm.</div>
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"Hey partner, you lookin' at me??"</div>
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Inspector Gadget, the angora bunny. </div>
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Anthony's ready to move on to greener pastures. </div>
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Lizards, and turtles, and snakes...oh my!</div>
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Workin' the ranch sure makes a cowboy hungry. </div>
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Time for cake!</div>
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Mommy, remember - NO singing. </div>
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Dad, keep the cake coming!!</div>
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Mmm, that's good stuff!</div>
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Thanks for coming, ya'll!</div>
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My talented friend Evelyn designed the invitation and made the birthday banner. You can check her out at <a href="http://littlestthingsblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Littlest Things</a></div>
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</div>Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-27459833208368896232012-04-19T14:44:00.000-04:002012-04-19T14:44:13.516-04:00"A little help here..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh how this picture makes me laugh. Actually, it's how Matthew makes me laugh. He's got such a quick wit, delivers one-liners and come-backs like an adult at times. No idea where he might get that sarcasm from (ahem..).<br />
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We had gone for a walk after dinner the other night. He decided to ride his bike, even though I knew he'd get tired since he was sick and spent most of the day outside to begin with. But off we went for our 2 miles. When we got to the home stretch, he kept stopping to take a little rest. These rests can start to wear on my nerves, I just want to keep going, keep moving, and get home so we can all rest. But he's only (almost) 5. And he's got an insane amount of energy. So when he needs a break he deserves a break. So I try my best to not show my frustration.<br />
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Anyway, he got off his bike. Laid down on the ground and said "ahhh, that's better". Then he sneezed so hard his legs and arms jerked up in the air. When he was done resting, he held his arms up and said "A little help here??" Pure annoyance in his voice, the same I try hard to stifle at the end of a long day at times. Hmm, perhaps I need to try harder ;-)<br />
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(Thanks for snapping the pic, Michelle!)Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-62910563960635745762012-04-05T22:53:00.001-04:002012-04-05T22:53:43.560-04:00Happy Anniversary to me.One year has passed. One year since the fate I felt coming for months before, came to be. One year since I became a stay-at-home-mom. One year of not being able to say "Oh me? I work at...". One year of being a domestic diva, goddess, engineer...and all the other silly things I call myself.<br />
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Goodness that went by fast. 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days...give or take. I can barely remember a time when I <i>didn't</i> work. A time when a huge part of my self worth was <i>not</i> measured by a pay check. It's quite bittersweet at times. I love being home with my boys. I love being able to be the mom I always wanted to be, running off here and there, park, playdate, impromptu afternoon ice cream run, arts and crafts scattered about the kitchen table. And I feel a little bit of guilt that I wasn't able to be this mom from the start. And I think how funny life can be...you never know what you're capable of doing, or doing without, until you have no choice. Life is good.<br />
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I've been wondering what my next step will be, and <i>when</i> it will be. Feeling a tad antsy at times, as I wait for my "aha" moment. I'm convinced it will come. I hope I notice it when it does. But in the meantime, life is good.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-40158220345425571532012-04-02T13:40:00.000-04:002012-05-12T21:36:37.807-04:00Week 13/52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sunday, Apr. 1 - (Yes, a day late...hush) Dinner at Jimmy and Robin's, you see Izzy the kitty in the background. As soon as we started to pull into their driveway Anthony started saying "Izzy!". The boy loves kitties. And Matthew loves visiting because his uncle Jimmy has all kinds of awesome tools in his garage. He dragged me down there to show me the two different weed whackers and explain the difference. <br /><br />Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-28510034216561774892012-03-27T10:19:00.001-04:002012-03-27T10:19:29.026-04:00Waiting for my "aha!" moment.When I was about 13 or 14, I was what some might call "moody"...I know, shocking, but it's true. My brother used to joke that I was trying to find myself. Which only caused me to be more moody, because I of course knew exactly who I was, what I was doing, and why. Just like any other teen, I knew everything (I hope you can feel the sarcasm).<br />
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Fast forward to now. I think I'm really trying to find myself this time. Almost 5 years into this parenting gig, I think I'm becoming the mother I was meant to be. I've made some adjustments here and there, realized some things about myself and my parenting "philosophy", if you will, and while I know there is always so much more to learn, I can feel a shift occurring in a certain direction.<br />
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But it doesn't just start or end with being a mommy. I feel it <i>within </i>me, I see it leading me to something bigger or more profound. But I have no clue what, where, or how. Which makes me restless. I don't like limbo. I'm a planner. And I want to know what it is I'm supposed to do when I grow up. I'm sure it's no coincidence that these feelings are intensifying as I come up on the 1 year anniversary of being laid off...which was such a blessing in disguise for me, and for our family. But there is this <i>something</i> stirring, working its way into my life, and I'm struggling to identify it, embrace it, and allow it to lead me into the next chapter.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-28076230310673189942012-03-26T15:27:00.002-04:002012-05-12T21:36:37.802-04:00Weeks 9 - 12...ok so I fell a little behind.I was doing so well uploading pictures on a weekly basis. But then, I got hit with Spring Fever (actually Summer Fever since we had days in the 80 degree range), and lost track of things. Fear not, things are once again as they should be. It's cold, and windy, and March in CT.<br />
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Week 12<br />
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Friday, Mar. 23 - It was such a beautiful day. The boys finished dinner and we headed out for an "exercise walk" with our friend Michelle. We spotted a very friendly kitty playing in a yard so we pulled the jogging stroller over and let the boys out to pet her. Thanks Michelle for snapping the picture!<br />
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Thursday, Mar. 24 - The four of us went to Red Robin for dinner. Sad as it might sound, we don't go out to eat as a family very often, so this was a nice change of pace. Matthew was being silly for this picture, but I'm not complaining...I'm just happy he was willing to take a picture. <br />
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Week 11<br />
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Tuesday, Mar. 13 - It was the day before hubby went off to Arizona for a business trip, and Anthony got sick with the stomach bug. All he wanted to do was snuggle on the couch or on our bed, and I was happy to oblige. Luckily, the sickies only lasted a day, and no one else in the family got it. </div>
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Week 10</div>
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Saturday, Mar. 10 - My niece Nicole snapped this one in front of the huge tree in their front yard. We had just stopped by for a visit. </div>
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Week 9</div>
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Friday, Mar. 2 - We had a pizza party at Matthew's school that Friday night. Always love hanging out with our school friends, especially Anthony - he already acts like he owns the place. </div>Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-87013736918406466022012-03-01T21:44:00.003-05:002012-05-12T21:34:12.192-04:00Back the Truck Up. Five??A couple of weeks ago, I started thinking about Matthew's 5th birthday, and his birthday party...do we do a friends and family party? Only friends and an intimate family gathering? Do we invite the class? Etc. And then I started planning. Hard-core planning. I got so excited about this party, looking for inspiration online into the wee hours of the night, having DREAMS about decorations and cake and location...did I mention his birthday is May 4th? Yeah...<br />
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I couldn't quite understand WHY I was diving into this head first, so early. I love planning my kids parties, but we surely don't go to extremes. We tend to stick to family gatherings, at home, a few decorations and (an excess of) yummy food. But this, THIS is different. I feel a sense of urgency to get it just right. A sense of excitement that I've not felt before...not since his 1st birthday.<br />
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And then it hit me. This is a biggie. He's turning 5. Five. FIVE!!! Do you realize how monumental that is? My baby, my sweet boy who I cradled in my arms, the baby who smelled oh so sweet when he was born, my Matthew Angel-face Puppy-dog who cried in French when he was an infant (le-ow)...he's going to be five. And he's going to start kindergarten. And he's going to be older and bigger...and...and this is about the time in this post when my eyes fill up with tears. And I think, goodness how did we get here so fast? I just had him. No, I'm serious...I JUST had him. My water <i>just</i> broke while watching "My Cousin Vinny", and I <i>just</i> got to the hospital at 11pm, and he was <i>just</i> born at 6:12am, and he <i>just</i> came out with the umbilical cord clenched in his fist, and he <i>just</i> cried that first cry as I pulled him up on my chest, and we <i>just</i> met each other for the first time. I <i>just</i> had him...why am I the only one to see that?<br />
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How have almost five years gone by? I think I got cheated. Someone stole the past 4 years of my life. I don't know who, but I want them back. I want to hear his newborn cry one more time. I want to smell his newborn smell one more time. I want to see his first smile, and hear his first giggle, and watch his first step, and everything else he's ever done...one more time. Why is that so much to ask? I don't think it is. I'm not asking for riches and gold. I just want to slow down time, just a little bit. Because I'm not ready for my baby to be 5. I want to keep him little, snuggling in my arms, right where he should be.Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298662476671184547.post-91312506244682660772012-02-26T13:41:00.000-05:002012-05-12T21:36:37.831-04:00Week 8/52<div style="text-align: center;">
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Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Matthew, Anthony and I, along with our friends Hannah, Hailey, Emily, and their mom, Michelle, went to Lutz Children's Museum. Matthew, much like his mom, wanted nothing to do with touching that...shudder...thing, and ran off to play. Anthony thought it was fake and tried to choke it. Here he is doing "gentle touch".</div>Monikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501841940253460692noreply@blogger.com0