All up in the kool-aid, dont even know the flava

Bath Time Fun

Thanks for all your positive comments about not going to the playgroup meet up. Today, I have invited a friend over, and her nearly two year old, for a playdate at my house. I'm a bit anxious about it as well, our first time hanging out one on one, but it will be fun I am sure.

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No captions, but here are some pictures from Jackson's bathtime.






Have a good weekend!

I am a loser

Many of you suggested I join a playgroup in order to:

A) Get OUT of the house
B) Get some adult interaction during the day
C) Ward off insanity

and sure, it would be great for the kids too.

Well, I took your advice, and joined two local play groups. They have websites, which I  became a member of, and have been checking their calendar and chat boards daily for a few weeks now. I cant really determine if one play group is better than the other, but one definetly has a more user friendly website. I dont know any of the members in either group, but on their websites, I suppose they all seem fairly normal.

I RSVP'ed to attend a stroller walk at a local park this morning. I'd only have Little Man with me, as Emma started her 9-12 summer camp on Monday (loving it by the way, both of us!).  So, when getting dressed this morning, and I use that term fairly loosely as I take Emma to summer camp in my pajamas... (hey, don't judge, I never have to really get out of the car, they come out and get it her!), anyway, when getting dressed, I put together an outfit, still possibly considered pajamas, but boarding closely also on "leisure wear" and "work out attire". I added a touch of makeup, and threw my hair into a ponytail. After I dropped Emma off at camp, Jackson and I headed off to the park.

I saw the other moms gathered on one side of the park when I entered the parking lot. I was pretty nervous, so I drove to the far end of the lot and sat in my car for a bit, watching them. (Yes, I would do well as a stalker apparently).  More moms came, more strollers were taken out of cars. All of the moms seemed to be sporting the same pajama/leisure/work out wear that I was. So at least I had no reason to feel uncomfortable with my dress choice.

Finally, I put the car back into gear and drove over to the meet up area.

But I didnt stop.

I kept driving. RIght on out of that parking lot and back home.

I am sure they were nice women. I just couldnt bring myself to meet them. They ARE strangers after all. I dont know if I'll be able to meet them ever.


(It's a shame all the meet ups are in the morning or I could at least have a glass of wine before hand to loosen up.... JUST KIDDING)

I suppose I'll try again eventually.

Monkey Joe's! Monkey Joe's!

In the next town over, there is an indoor inflatable wonderland for kids.

 

Giant inflated slides and obstacle courses for kids to bounce  around on.



Oh sure, it might look like fun. But those slides are HIGH UP. Jason mostly goes around with Emma (she's too little to go by herself right now), but I tried it once. TERRIFYING. Sitting at the top of those slides and looking down,......oooooooh. While it IS fun, I am not sure that outwieghs the scariness of looking down.



Emma LOVES it.






For age two and below, its only $5 to play as long as you want. And on Wednesdays, its 1/2 price!!! Awesome. We've been twice and I think we will continue to try and take Emma once a month.

When we go, I btring Jackson in his stroller so we can take turns playing with Emma and watching him.

I'll tell you, you just cant imagine what a good work out it is to try and keep yourself balanced in these giant bouncy houses. Dodging the big kids (yes, 6 year olds terrify me) and hoisting your toddler over the bigger obstacles. Jason and I were both sweating!

Memorial Day Recap

What could be better than hanging out with the family, enjoying gorgeous outdoor weather, and eating lots of great food?

My inlaws have a wonderful huge covered deck that is just perfect for cook outs. You still get a great breeze, but you also get shade Yesterday we went over to my inlaws for a Memorial Day cookout. We brought Emma's new pool with us and set it up so she would have something fun and safe to do outside.































My little Emma is a great eater and she enjoyed grilled chicken, couscous salad, watermelon, and cookies. Lots of cookies.

Later, her cousin showed up and they played in the pool together.



This was Jason's brother's first time meeting Jackson.



Jackson had a great time hanging out.

 














I brought Kristie's Patriotic Banner over to help celebrate. It was a big hit!

Well, I've got more to blog about but no time at the moment. Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

Book Review

How many books have I read this year so far?

So far:

Paula Deen's Autobiography
Running With Scissors
Eat Pray Love
A Bend in the Road

and now you can add to that:

Where are you now? by Mary Higgins Clark
Gordon Ramsay, the Biography
Three Weeks With My Brother, Nick Sparks

The latest Mary Higgins Clark thriller did not dissapoint. I would write more about it, but I read it maybe 4 weeks ago and don't remember a single detail. Don't hold that against the book, its just my very very bad New Mom Memory.

The Gordon Ramsay biography was HORRIBLE. A good book usually takes me 2 days to read. I struggled thru this biography for 2 weeks and never really made it all the way thru.
A) I dont like biographies, I like autobiographies. I had read Paula Deen's book earlier in the year, and had high expectations for this book. Not so.
B)It read like it was written by a  middle schooler. Very poor writing.

Three Weeks With My Brother was EXCELLENT. I just finished it this morning and loved it. I wont ruin it for you if you havent read it yet (GO READ IT NOW!), but you will experience a range of emotions. I really enjoyed learning more about Mr. Sparks.

Next up on my Library List is THe Choice, by Nicholas Sparks.  In fact, I am going to stop blogging right now and go start reading! The kids are asleep, surely not for much longer, but I  have a few minutes to spare...

Doctor's Appts

Wednesday, Jackson had his 1 month check up. Technically, he is 6 weeks old, but, that's the way life goes.

Jackson weighs in at 12.2 lbs now! His little legs are filling out a bit. He didnt have to get any shots this time, but he will starting next month at his 2 month

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Today (Thursday-when I am writing this), was my 6 week post-c-section appt. I avoided getting an internal exam because, as my super cool doctor said, nothing happened down there, so why go rooting around now?

I thanked him profusely for making my 2nd c-section experience so wonderful. Really, I look back at Jackson's birth and felt I really was able to enjoy everything I was experiencing because of a wonderful doctor, hospital and staff.

Then we talked about my....birth control options. As I've said before, I'd rather not have any more kids in the next few years. After that? When Emma starts school? We'll see. Long story short, I've opted for the Mini-Pill for now. As I am not a pill person, I have delegated Jason to be responsible for me taking it every day. He said, "No problem. I 'll just give you your pill at night like I give Alfred his pill. In a little mini marshmallow. "

:)

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Today I turned in my letter of resignation at my job. I met with my bosses, they knew it was coming, and they said they were willing to work with me on any sort of part time plan I could come up with. Problem is, I've done a lot of thinking, and I just couldnt come up with a part time plan that would would benefit them and make me comfortable. They understood my decision and commended me for choosing to stay home.

They also said that if I one day decide to come back to the work place (and I might when Jax turns a year), to give them a call and they will see if they can find a position for me. They also asked if I might be interested in being a contract employee and working on projects for them from time to time. YES! Great idea.

I walked away feeling very flattered and thankful for how comfortable the meeting was. I then packed up the personal belongings I had in my office (oh my office! My beautiful,private, huge, corner office!!!) and turned in my keys and drove home. Sigh.

I cried for a bit in the driveway before going into the house to face Jason and my two children. I'll miss that job a great deal. I'll miss being that person.

My children have surpasssed me in coolness...

Where do I see myself in 5 years?

Punchy asked me this question a few weeks ago, and it has been weighing heavily on my mind ever since.

I decided to focus less on material goals and more on personal ones.

In 5 years, this is what I hope my life is like....

• I want to have a good circle of girlfriends that I can call anytime AND that I hang out with regularly. It would be fair to say that I am close to some of you that I am to any girlfriends around here. Oh sure, we are close with our friends Kim and DT, but not really at the call anytime just to chat about something phase. I think their unluckiness with getting pregnant thus far is hindering our closeness. I would very much like some close girlfriends.
• I would like to excercise in some form (walking, running, yoga, whatever) regularly and feel comfortable in my clothes AND in my skin.

Right now obviously I am not is so great of shape. I have a sizeable baby pouch. It's a combination of lots of loose wrinkly skin (that's what I get for gaining more weight this time!) abs that have not re-atached themselves and are poking out, and some fat.  But, it gets better every week, and I know  it takes time. But, I've never been a big physically fit, excercising concious person. I want that. I need that. Shoot, we all need that to live a long and healthy life. I want to be an active person so my kids will be active.

• I want to be singing regularly.

THis could be in the church choir, the community chorus, the Charlotte Opera chorus, SOMETHING. I was blessed with a voice and not using it is just wrong. I need to push myself to take some time for MY interests.

• I want to respect myself enough to not feel guilty about getting regular haircuts, occasional highlights, manicures, and clothes that are stylish, well-made and fit my body appropriately.

I dress like a slob. Right now I can blame it on just having a baby, but I've really let my wardrobe and personal upkeep (hair and makeup) go in recent years. My clothes fit sloppily on me, I havent bought new clothes really in years, I dont know anything about makeup etiquette, and all I do is blowdry my hair.  I want to look well groomed. I want to look more my age and less college student like. I want my confidence to shine inside and out.  I get too hung up on finances or the importance of other things to spend money on myself, and I REALLY think Jason would be ok with me taking a bit more time/effort on my apperance even if that means he has to wait on some new home entertainment device.

• I want to have some sort of role at my church AND in the community.

At church- I'd like to be someone who contributes to the church as a whole. Maybe that's the choir, or maybe its volunteering to cook meals for an event, or maybe its to help on Yard Day. I want to do my share, regularly.

In the community- I want to step outside my shell and volunteer in some way that benefits the future of the community I have chosen for my kids to grow up in. Maybe volunteer at an annual festival. Maybe help out with Habitat For Humanity. Maybe work REGULARLY at a soup kitchen. Lead by example.

• I want to show my husband how much I love, appreciate and respect him.

Raising two little ones is tough stuff. We're fairing pretty well, but I want him to always feel loved, and not just nagged. I want to go on dates, I want to be romantic and yes, I'll say it- I want to have regular.....relations. I think all of this will be easier when we get past the baby/toddler stages.

I'm sure there is more, but this is what I've got now.

Thanks Punchy for the question. I wrote out my thoughts in a private journal as well, and will look back on it often, maybe adding to it along the way.

In 5 years, I want to be a truly confident, giving, selfless person that respects herself, her family and friends and community.

Weekend Recap

 

Jason worked this weekend (two concerts with the Army), so our "weekend" was mostly Friday, on his day off.

We went to Walmart in the morning and decided at the spur of the moment to get Emma a little inflatable pool.

$20!!!

 

 

You can hook a hose up to a palm tree and it sprays water out!

Emma loved the slide. (although it really doesnt slide well)

I spent most of the time hanging out in the pool with her.

We set it up in the front yard for a variety of reasons. Mainly because Jason was planting some new shrubs and flowers .

Curb appeal her we come! (I'll take pictures when they are all planted. We ran out of potting soil. It will get finished Wed)

I dont remember the name of these flowers, but they come back every year. So they say.

'

Jackson hung out on the porch.  In dreamy land.

With the perfect weather, the pool, the gardening, the neighborhood kids playing, I felt like we should have all been singing Patriotic songs. Ah, that's the life.

Comparisons

Emma: About a month old

Jackson about a month old:

When Emma was born, everyone said she looked JUST like Jason, and she continued to look just like him for her entire first year and then people said she was a mixture of the both of us, although more him.

When Jackson was first born, he looked like Jason, but then he started to look different. Now the family cant decide who he looks like. Maybe he will be a pure 50/50 mix of the both of us? Maybe he'll look more like me? Right now we cant tell.