Let's Catch Up

What a weekend.

This is some of the aftermath - three loads in, you guys.  Three large, heavy loads.  Granted, I can't solely credit this weekend for the mountain of laundry in our entry hall.  This morning when he left for work, T asked, and I quote, "I'd really like it if you could do laundry today."  I was all, "Sure.  No problem, big boy."  Then the kiss of death - he said, "AND put it away."  OOOOOOHHHH whoa is me! Foiled by his stupid lawyer brain once again.  I despise folding and putting away.

I made this apron for a white elephant party.  I had it laying on my dining room table the night my sister came over to watch the Bachelor (only God will judge me).  She walked in and exclaimed, "OhMaGawd, Jen!!  You won best Housekeeper!!  You so deserve it!"  I just about peed my pants with delight over both the compliment and the hilarity of the statement (reference above).

The Box had his first sleepover!  Note to all parents who haven't yet made the same mistake - I do NOT recommend it.  Yes, it was the most exciting day of my little's guy's life and a pretty wonderful one for the moms... until we finally got around to going to bed at 1:30am.  The peanuts stayed up until about 9 (well past bedtime), watched The Jungle Book, and ate pizza.  The mom's gossiped, laughed, and drank wine into the wee hours.  We were all so looking forward to snuggling in under downy covers and dreaming those happy, wine-soaked dreams when suddenly we heard that dreaded whine.  First from one room, then a second, and finally all three rooms of babes were alive with cries for "Moma."  Wahhhh wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  It was a rough night and a worse morning.  Even Russell needed Starbucks the next morning.  Chill out mom police - it's just a vanilla steamer.

Jam sesh

movie and snacks

recovery drink

Today I went to Target for cough medicine and left about $80 poorer.  What did I even buy?!  How does that store do it?  Every time.  Dammit.  Also, I got my middlest (not to be confused with my littlest) sister to wear baby S while we strolled through that money pit of a store.  Aren't they cute?

Speaking of that littlest sister, she rang last night at 11pm and was all, "Hey gurrrl.  HEYYYY!!  Oh were you sleeping?"  Little M still thinks I'm cool!  I wish I were 20 again - such a fabulous age to be.

Let's see.  What else do I have for you?.............  I ripped a giant hole in the inseam of my yoga pants at class last night while working my dragonfly.  That was fun.  Also everyone in the house is ill - humidifiers, the NoseFrida, and cough syrup are running on all cylinders.  I know you're disgusted by the NoseFrida. I was when my mom brought it home for me, but seriously, give it a chance.  It is 5million times better than any other nasal aspirator out there!

gross, yet effective.

That's all I've got.  Cheers to you, you beautiful people.

A Brave, New World

I quit my job.  The one that pays actual dollars and cents, not the one that involves caring for and loving three snuggable, but filthy boys, one condescending cat, and a loyal dog who literally eats shit (I can't even).

It's been a slow roll to this momentous occasion in my life.  T and I met while attending university (ooohooo doesn't it sound so pompous when I say it like that?!) where we were both lucky enough to be receiving monetary support from our lovely, kind, and generous parents.  Once we graduated we both got the boot, and I was the bread winner for the first few years of our relationship.  T lollygagged around and got another ridiculous degree.

The first day of training for my first big girl job!

The first day of my first audit.  Way less "Wolf of Wall Street" than I had imagined.

My old office, plus it's awesome view

We then shared the load for another year or so, until we found out that the Box was on the way.  I then decided to go remote and part-time.  That was about three years ago.  Since then, I have been saying that I am a stay at home mom, but as of January 30th, it will be a complete truth and my new reality.

The job has served as an escape of sorts, and was the last real tie I had to the working girl who could have been.  Let's be honest though, working is kind of a pain in the ass.  I would much rather be doing Pintrest projects, working out, volunteering, scheduling playdates, cooking for bake sales, rearranging my linen closet, reading, scrap-booking... oh, the list goes on for sooooo long...  Most importantly, I have dreamed of dedicating myself completely to the love of my own little family since I was pint size.  Now, here I am with the opportunity to do so, and I am grateful for it.  (I'm looking at you, T - you wonderful, loving, faith-filled, hunk of man.)

So, I say to hell with the dollars and cents and hello to happy, full, blessed days of mopping up spilt milk, drying tears, applying kisses to little bumps and bruises, and doing all those things that only a mommy can do, and doing them full-time.

......

You thought I was done, didn't you?  But aren't you at least a little curious about my shit eating dog?  Well, I am sad and disgusted to say that I am actually being very literal.  Remember how I told you that that Box is potty training?  He had an accident.  In the backyard.  Rory, who is not remotely close to being a starving dog, ate the accident.  *Vomit*

My favorite color is... Yoga Pants?

Guess what I did today... I stepped out of my box!  Hooray me!  I only had two resolutions this year:

1) To push myself outside of my comfort zone at least once a week, and

2) To get dressed and shower every.single.day (Isn't that an embarrassing one?  Now you know I didn't shower regularly last year #momlife).

My life motto.

Running is not my forte.  Never has been, probably never will be, and I'm ok with that.  Like I said though, I am trying to push myself.  Also, trying to lose baby lbs for Cabo (see "New Year, Same Old Me" post).  So today, I packed up the boys, my big, orange, double-wide jogger; strapped on some running shoes and drove down to the river trail to run with a local group - Stroller Warriors.  It was an "easy" 40 minute conversational run, just run at your own pace and turn your buns around at 20 minutes.  

You guys - it was not easy, but it was not terrible either!  The other ladies were super nice, and there were several bambinos who were right around R-doggie's (otherwise known as "the Box") age.  I ran 15 min pace miles.  I pray that you won't realize how terribly slow that is, but if you do I'm glad I have provided you a good laugh.  Tonight my legs and tush are all jiggly and jello-y feeling, but I am resolved to go again on Friday.  Maybe it will be easier...  Maybe it won't be.  

Anyway, the moral of this story is to be brave, my friends!  Try new things, and meet new people.  The world is your oyster and whatnot.

Until next time... and just because they are too hilarious not to share:

These are a few of my Favorite Things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs...

But seriously - that movie.  If you haven't seen it, shame on you.  Get off the couch, get in your car, on your bike, or walk that sweet tushie over to the nearest store, and purchase (not rent), "The Sound of Music."  My preemptive, "you're welcome!" inserted here.  

Anyway, back to the official list of favorite things.  Am I as cool as Oprah?  No, but I shall unabashedly post this list regardless.  

Most of these items aren't trendy, most of them aren't new or flashy, but I think them fabulous, and perhaps you will too. 

1. The Pampered Chef Chopper.  It will change your life in the kitchen.  Avoiding recipes just so you don't have to slave over "one finely chopped onion" is a thing of the past!

2. "Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You" - I bought this book when I was still pregnant with my original ride or die, Russ-doggie.  The illustrations are full of life and imagination, and the story - it speaks my heart as a mother.

3. I don't drink coffee.  I don't like coffee, but I love this creamer, and so to avoid looking like I belong in a loony bin, I add coffee to this newly discovered love of mine - International Delight's Cinnabon Creamer.

4. Lippy Tinted Balm by butter London.  My personal shade is Black Cherry, but ladies, there is a shade for every complexion.  It is light in feel and long lasting.  Plus it makes your lips feel like butter.  BUTTER.

5. VS Yoga Leggings - If you know me, you know I have a uniform that I rarely stray from.  These pants are the cornerstone upon which rests the comfy House-of-Me wardrobe.

6. Camelbak Water Bottles for all your hydration needs.  R-dog has this one and I have this one.  

That's all I can come up with for now.  A dreamy, plush pillow is calling my name, and I intend to heed the call.  R-dog is asleep.  Baby S is asleep.  T is pretending to sleep, but is breaking our no phones in the bedroom rule and playing Trivia Crack because he thinks I won't know.  Silly husband; I know everything.  EVERYTHING.

Bonne nuit to all...

New Year, Same Old Me

Old friends, it's been too long.   Has it really been 8 months?  8 months!  So much to catch up on, so little time before nap-time is over.  Let's get started.  

You may have noticed a few slight changes to ye olde blog, or you may not have.  I figured a new look for the new year sounded nice. 

Beyond that slice of boring pie, the White House has added a sweet new flavor.  Baby S arrived in in the wee hours of a cloudy day in early September.  He is now a fat, juicy, smiley 4 month old who lights our life.  The Box is suddenly speaking in full sentences - defiant, entertaining sentences, I might add.  He's also learning the guitar alongside, T.  Speaking of that hunk of man meat, T promoted a few months ago, and we are so terribly proud of him.  Me, well not much new here, but I did just get a cute new headband from an adorable little shop called Pieces to Peaces, and God help me, I am desperately trying to repair the collateral damage baby S caused to this old body of mine before we head off to Cabo in April.  Wish me luck (though I may need far more than that).

Oh my gosh, I nearly forgot the most exciting update of all - the Box is using the potty!!  No more 5billion dollar boxes of diapers for the little cowboy.  He is all grown up, I tell you.  The journey is on-going, but it's safe to say that he's well on his way.  Those adventures are best saved for a future post.

That's all I have time for now, but oh it feels good to be back.  Cheers to a new year and the same old me!