Brothers.....I smell trouble.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Don't Look Away
Don't give this boy a single second. He'll get into it all.
PURE joy when he got in the art drawers and dumped all 24 of the colored pencils. Success!
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| PLEASE ignore the huge pile of laundry in the background |
I haven't done this very often...but his soft squishy skin is too lovable to not just let him be nudey boy. But...as soon as I took my eyes off for a single second (ok it was probably 2 minutes) he peed. Atta Boy!
Life is changing. Gotta stay on my toes. (I'm not super stoked that Eli learning to "tattle" on his brother but it is kinda cute "Maaaaaaama Hughie peed!").
** Side note-Hugh is napping while I post this-therefore you can stop wondering what he is getting into while I blog!
Monday, October 29, 2012
3 New stuffs happening round here
Two weeks ago I stopped at Starbucks to buy Andy a coffee. I don't drink coffee and am not always super stoked by the amount a coffee costs when we have a coffee pot sitting right on our counter. But I wanted to treat Andy to a little surprise. And when I do something thoughtful for him spur of the moment, I get really excited. I'm always glad to make him happy and can't wait to see his reaction.
I turned the corner to pull into the drive through lane. I wasn't going fast. I was aware of my surroundings. When my car straightened up I noticed a car behind me. He was straight behind me a little ways. Not really in line....yet. I realized he may have had the right a-way to get in line for coffee? I felt horrible. Was he or was he not supposed to be in front of me? I was embarrassed. I always try to drive by the rules. Had I let my excitement get the best of me? He slowly pulled up behind me and I couldn't really see him through the window. I knew just what I was going to do, and it was all new to me. When I pulled up to pay I paid it forward. Finally! I had been wanting to do this for a long time. I asked her if I could pay for the car behind me and she told me the amount. I pulled away with a smile. I still wonder who he was, what he thought and if he paid it forward to anyone in return.
Andy and I also experienced our first race together. I have done a 5k before, but not many and not recently. Together we signed up for a small 5K/10K. We wanted to do our first race together instead of with friends. We didn't know what to expect. I myself didn't want any pressures of running faster to keep up with someone and not accomplishing my goal: to run the whole thing and not walk. Thank you to my parents who came to watch the kids. Andy and I warmed up together and gave each other pep talks. I didn't have to walk although it was so hard for me that I really wanted to. My bib number was 99, the year I graduated. I finished faster than I thought I would but by no means am I a champion. Andy did well too, although he wanted a better time. We hung around afterwards for a little while, stretching and people watching for a little while. It meant the world to do something new, together. We actually took a few hours and made it just about us.
I finally got a few moments (literally moments) with an old and a goodie. My best friend from highschool (who was also my post-college roommate) stopped over for a visit. She lives far, far far away and she was in the state visiting family. I lucked out to get a visit from her and her cute lil daughter. I miss her all the time. I don't think she knows. Or maybe, she hopefully does. I've been through the thick and thin with her. She's seen me at my bestest of best and my ultimate lowest of lows. I'd take her back as a roommate in a heart beat. But life doesn't work that way. She happily and beautifully married one of my best guy friends and off they went-starting this amazing life together. And they bruoght this adorable little blondieinto this world. I wish I could spend hours watching her. Smiling and giggling with her. Although this visit was brief I managed to snap one picture of the 2 of us with our kids. I can't believe how life continues to fly right by.
I turned the corner to pull into the drive through lane. I wasn't going fast. I was aware of my surroundings. When my car straightened up I noticed a car behind me. He was straight behind me a little ways. Not really in line....yet. I realized he may have had the right a-way to get in line for coffee? I felt horrible. Was he or was he not supposed to be in front of me? I was embarrassed. I always try to drive by the rules. Had I let my excitement get the best of me? He slowly pulled up behind me and I couldn't really see him through the window. I knew just what I was going to do, and it was all new to me. When I pulled up to pay I paid it forward. Finally! I had been wanting to do this for a long time. I asked her if I could pay for the car behind me and she told me the amount. I pulled away with a smile. I still wonder who he was, what he thought and if he paid it forward to anyone in return.
Andy and I also experienced our first race together. I have done a 5k before, but not many and not recently. Together we signed up for a small 5K/10K. We wanted to do our first race together instead of with friends. We didn't know what to expect. I myself didn't want any pressures of running faster to keep up with someone and not accomplishing my goal: to run the whole thing and not walk. Thank you to my parents who came to watch the kids. Andy and I warmed up together and gave each other pep talks. I didn't have to walk although it was so hard for me that I really wanted to. My bib number was 99, the year I graduated. I finished faster than I thought I would but by no means am I a champion. Andy did well too, although he wanted a better time. We hung around afterwards for a little while, stretching and people watching for a little while. It meant the world to do something new, together. We actually took a few hours and made it just about us.
I finally got a few moments (literally moments) with an old and a goodie. My best friend from highschool (who was also my post-college roommate) stopped over for a visit. She lives far, far far away and she was in the state visiting family. I lucked out to get a visit from her and her cute lil daughter. I miss her all the time. I don't think she knows. Or maybe, she hopefully does. I've been through the thick and thin with her. She's seen me at my bestest of best and my ultimate lowest of lows. I'd take her back as a roommate in a heart beat. But life doesn't work that way. She happily and beautifully married one of my best guy friends and off they went-starting this amazing life together. And they bruoght this adorable little blondieinto this world. I wish I could spend hours watching her. Smiling and giggling with her. Although this visit was brief I managed to snap one picture of the 2 of us with our kids. I can't believe how life continues to fly right by.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
8 month love letter
Dear Hugh Robert,
This is my love letter to you. I want to gush and mush all about you. You are such a perfect little baby to me. I adore everything about you. And when I say everything I mean it. Every-THING.
Lately I have been in awe of your cute little pudgy hands. They can do so much! I can tell you are willing them to follow your silent commands to touch, reach, pound, move and squeeze. Something I haven't shared with anybody (nobody, not even papa) is that I like to stare at your little thumbs. They have the cutest little wrinkles right at the knuckle. Love 'em up!
I feel like I need you or my day is not complete. Is that possible? Your days are full of exploring, smiling, grunting, eating, sleeping and screeching. You challenge me at night. I spend hours (literally hour after hour) wondering what I could be doing differently to make each night go a little more smoothly. I know it will happen, right Lou?
This last month you have conquered moving all over a room, but not yet on hands and knees. You like to rock on hands and knees, but you won't move forward yet. You scoot on your tummy, left, right and backward. If I take my eyes off of you for a second half of your body will end up under the couch. Soon Hugh-soon you will catch that train.
It is very hard for me to remember life without you. I feel like you've just always been there. You love attention and will smile and giggle at anyone. But you also have learned to use your voice. You are screeching, babbling and grunting loudly. You make sure to let me know you want another spoonful of food and that it is important that there isn't a single pause between bites. You eat with your arms straight out in front of you (I don't think I could hold my arms out straight for that long) and you have started grooming, if food drips down your chin you very carefully take your index finger and swipe upwards. Papa and I are wondering if you will be left handed. You pick up puffs from your highchair tray with your right hand and very intentionally transfer it to your left hand. Then, and only then, you can place that puff (or shove) right into your mouth.
I love how you keep me grounded. If I am struggling, you turn the day right around. When your big brother is having a tough moment, you giggle and laugh so loud that everyone in the room has to join in. I love that you still need me in so many ways. When I walk through the room and don't pick you up, you grunt and cry. I may groan myself but deep down my heart is beating out of my chest for you. I want to pick you up just as much (if not more) than you want to be picked up. I love your blond hair, blue eyes and squishy body. You are a joy to hug because you have learned to wrap your arms right around me and squeeze.
Ok and here is your newest skill. When the camera comes out, you turn into a big cheesy ham ball. You know just what to do. Big ol' smiles come out. But you don't know how to predict if or when the flash is going to go off. So you squint, peek and close your eyes ALL THE TIME. I didn't get any good 8 month pictures this month because of that. But I got a handful that made me laugh because of all your eye tricks. Check it out.
Ok Hughie, cheers to an exciting 8th month, moving on to the 9th month (I am guessing quite literally).
Love you a lot and all the time,
Mama
This is my love letter to you. I want to gush and mush all about you. You are such a perfect little baby to me. I adore everything about you. And when I say everything I mean it. Every-THING.
This last month you have conquered moving all over a room, but not yet on hands and knees. You like to rock on hands and knees, but you won't move forward yet. You scoot on your tummy, left, right and backward. If I take my eyes off of you for a second half of your body will end up under the couch. Soon Hugh-soon you will catch that train.
It is very hard for me to remember life without you. I feel like you've just always been there. You love attention and will smile and giggle at anyone. But you also have learned to use your voice. You are screeching, babbling and grunting loudly. You make sure to let me know you want another spoonful of food and that it is important that there isn't a single pause between bites. You eat with your arms straight out in front of you (I don't think I could hold my arms out straight for that long) and you have started grooming, if food drips down your chin you very carefully take your index finger and swipe upwards. Papa and I are wondering if you will be left handed. You pick up puffs from your highchair tray with your right hand and very intentionally transfer it to your left hand. Then, and only then, you can place that puff (or shove) right into your mouth.
Ok and here is your newest skill. When the camera comes out, you turn into a big cheesy ham ball. You know just what to do. Big ol' smiles come out. But you don't know how to predict if or when the flash is going to go off. So you squint, peek and close your eyes ALL THE TIME. I didn't get any good 8 month pictures this month because of that. But I got a handful that made me laugh because of all your eye tricks. Check it out.
Ok Hughie, cheers to an exciting 8th month, moving on to the 9th month (I am guessing quite literally).
Love you a lot and all the time,
Mama
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Preview...
A lot is happening over here...but no time to write. Here is just a preview:
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| The blur makes him look REALLLLLLY scary! |
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Candle Light Shout Outs
Tonight I lit a candle and put it on the dinner table.
Eli asked 4 times during dinner why the candle was lit. I told him "it's just something that mama's do in the fall". I thought that was reason enough.
I put both boys to bed tonight. The candle was still burning after Eli was down. But it had been blown out by a responsible Andy while I nursed Hughie to sleep. My dream was crushed. I wanted to blog by candlelight. The ambiance was going to put me in the mood to blog something amazing.
Instead...I'm on the couch watching baseball with Andy by my side. No candle light. No inspiration.
Today Hughie sat on me and grabbed at my face. Clawed at any part of my face that moved. If I blinked, he swatted at my eye. If I giggled he grabbed at my lips. If my nose flared when I laughed he tried to hold onto my nose. It was special and I was lucky enough to walk away without a bleeding "owie".
The above picture is my favorite image of the day. I dream dream dream of the day that the boys can read and get lost in a story on their own. Eli enjoys "reading" to Hughie but he doesn't often page through books by himself. He loves to sit next to me and read book after book after book. I have a hard time sticking to my guns when I say "one more". I am trying to introduce Hughie to books, but unless he can fit it in his mouth, he won't sit on my lap and look...yet. (By the way, I was trying to be secretive and take this picture without the boys noticing, because Eli has a real fake/cheesy grin these days....but Hughie turned and smirked!)
Eli had a great day today. He is still definitely getting over croup or a virus or whatever bug he has. He can't talk well and is more tired. But he still had enough energy to help make banana muffins, make a huge train track in the basement and play "kick" or better known as "Hiiii-ya". He loved to lick the "beat" as he called it. I love this boy---he uses the words delicious, beautiful and important.
So....my shout outs tonight come to you, directly from my heart-despite no candle.
Thinking of you--
JG-I think of you every 15 minutes, wondering if boy or girl, boy? girl? boy! girl! Hoping to get a text that you are having contractions. eeeeeee!
PW-hope you survived your travels
TH-sorry you had to "fight" naps today....cheers to a better day tomorrow
KK-You are SUCH an awesome lady. Special prayers go out for you tonight. You have always been there for me in every which way possible and I wish that last night I had been walking RIGHT next to you, holding your hand.
SW-thanks for attempting to be the COOLEST person in the world. can't wait to find out what you find out ;) winnnnk
LD-wondering how your week with the new day care is going?
I spend a lot of time thinking of my friends and family. Wondering about them, thinking of their hard stuff. Wishing I had more time to spend with them all. Hoping they know how special they are to me. The above list does not include everyone that I thought about today but just who I wanted to give a direct shout out to for today.
I also spend a lot of time thinking about how fast little Hughie's life has gone. He is less baby-ish every single day. I know you are saying "Come onnnnn Raina". I know I know. He's not even sleeping through the night! And he's not even crawling. If you asked me right now, I'd say "yes please", I would like another Eli and another Hugh. No wait...another Eli or another Hugh. Ask me again in about 2-6 months when I can't keep up with H. I love babies. I love the baby stage. And I can't imagine being a woman and not going through this process again. Now...to convince Andy.
On that note...I want to leave you with a smile.
This picture-taken months ago- before Hughie's hair really grew in.
Tough Guy printed boldly on his onesie, while having no choice but to wear the brown boots his mama put him in (poor guy-not so tough I guess).
Eli asked 4 times during dinner why the candle was lit. I told him "it's just something that mama's do in the fall". I thought that was reason enough.
I put both boys to bed tonight. The candle was still burning after Eli was down. But it had been blown out by a responsible Andy while I nursed Hughie to sleep. My dream was crushed. I wanted to blog by candlelight. The ambiance was going to put me in the mood to blog something amazing.
Instead...I'm on the couch watching baseball with Andy by my side. No candle light. No inspiration.
The above picture is my favorite image of the day. I dream dream dream of the day that the boys can read and get lost in a story on their own. Eli enjoys "reading" to Hughie but he doesn't often page through books by himself. He loves to sit next to me and read book after book after book. I have a hard time sticking to my guns when I say "one more". I am trying to introduce Hughie to books, but unless he can fit it in his mouth, he won't sit on my lap and look...yet. (By the way, I was trying to be secretive and take this picture without the boys noticing, because Eli has a real fake/cheesy grin these days....but Hughie turned and smirked!)
So....my shout outs tonight come to you, directly from my heart-despite no candle.
Thinking of you--
JG-I think of you every 15 minutes, wondering if boy or girl, boy? girl? boy! girl! Hoping to get a text that you are having contractions. eeeeeee!
PW-hope you survived your travels
TH-sorry you had to "fight" naps today....cheers to a better day tomorrow
KK-You are SUCH an awesome lady. Special prayers go out for you tonight. You have always been there for me in every which way possible and I wish that last night I had been walking RIGHT next to you, holding your hand.
SW-thanks for attempting to be the COOLEST person in the world. can't wait to find out what you find out ;) winnnnk
LD-wondering how your week with the new day care is going?
I spend a lot of time thinking of my friends and family. Wondering about them, thinking of their hard stuff. Wishing I had more time to spend with them all. Hoping they know how special they are to me. The above list does not include everyone that I thought about today but just who I wanted to give a direct shout out to for today.
I also spend a lot of time thinking about how fast little Hughie's life has gone. He is less baby-ish every single day. I know you are saying "Come onnnnn Raina". I know I know. He's not even sleeping through the night! And he's not even crawling. If you asked me right now, I'd say "yes please", I would like another Eli and another Hugh. No wait...another Eli or another Hugh. Ask me again in about 2-6 months when I can't keep up with H. I love babies. I love the baby stage. And I can't imagine being a woman and not going through this process again. Now...to convince Andy.
On that note...I want to leave you with a smile.
This picture-taken months ago- before Hughie's hair really grew in.
Tough Guy printed boldly on his onesie, while having no choice but to wear the brown boots his mama put him in (poor guy-not so tough I guess).
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
1 extra hour
Today if I had an extra hour I would empty and fill the dishwasher.
(Seems so simple doesn't it, since I am taking 10 minutes to blog?)
Yesterday if I had been lucky enough to have 1 more unplanned hour I would have sat on the floor for extra play time.
Tomorrow if I gain an extra hour I will spend it in the kitchen, dancing and cooking: pureeing baby food and working ahead on dinner.
Last week if I had an extra hour I would have ramped up my work outs. I would have stretch before and after, warm up and cool down appropriately. Maybe I would have even added in some crunches, push ups etc.
Friday if I have an extra hour I will put together Eli's fort and get out his flash light. We will read Halloween books by flashlight. A bowl of popcorn might be in the cards as well.
On Sunday if I have an extra hour, I will dig in this yellow Tonka truck with my boys.
If I had an extra hour every day I would:
-Take a nap or
-call a friend I haven't talked to for a while or
-shave my legs more often or
-vacuum the stairs or
-finish the special (delayed) wedding gift for Greg and Liz (shhhh don't tell them if you know what it is) or
-shop by myself for something that is trendy but not striped or
-work on a leaf project with Eli or
-sing songs to Hughie or
-Find a Halloween costume for this weekend or
-or facetime with my sister
-make a batch of homemade pancakes, french toast or waffles to freeze for breakfasts or
-read blogs and become inspired or
-clean out the silverware drawer or
-go to the post office like I had planned for the last couple weeks or
-read my book or
-try a new gluten free recipe every day or
-work on decluttering my house-room by room or or or or
But right now I'm just busy being a mom to little brother and big brother and that comes first. Sometimes I feel like if I had an extra hour or two, I would be more interesting, more organized, have more energy, be smarter, skinnier, more in shape, more healthy, happy, satisfied and a more engaging wife. But it's not about the hours that I don't have or that I wish I had. I have to focus on the hours that are there, right before me and make the most of them.
(Seems so simple doesn't it, since I am taking 10 minutes to blog?)
Yesterday if I had been lucky enough to have 1 more unplanned hour I would have sat on the floor for extra play time.
Tomorrow if I gain an extra hour I will spend it in the kitchen, dancing and cooking: pureeing baby food and working ahead on dinner.
Friday if I have an extra hour I will put together Eli's fort and get out his flash light. We will read Halloween books by flashlight. A bowl of popcorn might be in the cards as well.
On Sunday if I have an extra hour, I will dig in this yellow Tonka truck with my boys.
-Take a nap or
-call a friend I haven't talked to for a while or
-shave my legs more often or
-vacuum the stairs or
-finish the special (delayed) wedding gift for Greg and Liz (shhhh don't tell them if you know what it is) or
-shop by myself for something that is trendy but not striped or
-work on a leaf project with Eli or
-sing songs to Hughie or
-Find a Halloween costume for this weekend or
-or facetime with my sister
-make a batch of homemade pancakes, french toast or waffles to freeze for breakfasts or
-read blogs and become inspired or
-clean out the silverware drawer or
-go to the post office like I had planned for the last couple weeks or
-read my book or
-try a new gluten free recipe every day or
-work on decluttering my house-room by room or or or or
But right now I'm just busy being a mom to little brother and big brother and that comes first. Sometimes I feel like if I had an extra hour or two, I would be more interesting, more organized, have more energy, be smarter, skinnier, more in shape, more healthy, happy, satisfied and a more engaging wife. But it's not about the hours that I don't have or that I wish I had. I have to focus on the hours that are there, right before me and make the most of them.
Friday, October 12, 2012
What's goin' on around here....
We have literally gone from this:
To this (please ignore that Eli is practicing trick or treating in the background)
And all of this in just a matter of a few days. Any second this kiddo will be physically and literally on the move. And although the name of my blog is titled "Moving on"-I'm deathly afraid of this next stage. I don't want to move on. We were all perfectly peaceful sitting still. Right Hugh? Now comes the stage where he knows he can get to things and he will only want the inappropriate things-like cords, tiny toys and all the sharp knives we have laying on the over our house (obviously just kidding).
This morning when Eli woke up I was still sleepy and so I asked him to tell me a story. He looked around the bedroom and said "Once on (aka upon) a time there was a shirt. And it looked around and it got a hanger. And it hid in the drawer. The end".
When I opened the shades Eli said "The world is beautiful out there". Love this kid.
He thrives on "circle time" or a little learning activity each day. Usually I don't even plan ahead, I just teach him something and then we complete a related project or game. I recently learned it is much easier to do circle time before doing any mama activities (aka emptying dishwasher, paying bills etc). If I try to get my stuff done first, he literally stands at my knee and whines for my attention. But if I give him the attention first, I can (sometimes) get him involved in an activity long enough that I can get my things done.
Eli has a new freckle on his cheek.
I had the dreaded task of a big grocery shop yesterday. I love to grocery shop but it is becoming increasingly hard with Eli. He wants to help and touch everything but this results in broken open yogurt containers and bruised fruit etc. He also wants to talk to me all the time and I can't focus on my list or what is on the shelves. Yesterday I tried a new tactic. This one I'm not entirely proud of but I trust you guys will understand. I packed a bag of "stuff"-you know-little toys with a box of raisins and a surprise. The surprise was a big ol' tootsie pop. No...not a small little dum-dum sucker that would have lasted only through the cereal aisle. I gave Eli that tootsie pop and put him in the front of those ridiculous kid-driver carts. He was quiet. I even got 2 compliments about how quiet my kids were. I made sure to turn that cart at an angle that those old ladies didn't see the 3 year old was quiet due to a sucker. So yeah...I'm sure that people in the store would judge me for a big sucker in my 3 year old's quiet mouth. But that is the key. He was quiet. Which allowed me to get through that store in record time, allowing less people to have time to judge me. Ha!
We had some rain yesterday and this is where Bailee decided to sit and shake.
I'm hoping for some hot apple cider this weekend. Maybe some family photos outside if the weather holds out. A visit from some special relatives. Football. Split pea soup. Long naps????
Happy Weekending.
To this (please ignore that Eli is practicing trick or treating in the background)
And all of this in just a matter of a few days. Any second this kiddo will be physically and literally on the move. And although the name of my blog is titled "Moving on"-I'm deathly afraid of this next stage. I don't want to move on. We were all perfectly peaceful sitting still. Right Hugh? Now comes the stage where he knows he can get to things and he will only want the inappropriate things-like cords, tiny toys and all the sharp knives we have laying on the over our house (obviously just kidding).
This morning when Eli woke up I was still sleepy and so I asked him to tell me a story. He looked around the bedroom and said "Once on (aka upon) a time there was a shirt. And it looked around and it got a hanger. And it hid in the drawer. The end".
When I opened the shades Eli said "The world is beautiful out there". Love this kid.
He thrives on "circle time" or a little learning activity each day. Usually I don't even plan ahead, I just teach him something and then we complete a related project or game. I recently learned it is much easier to do circle time before doing any mama activities (aka emptying dishwasher, paying bills etc). If I try to get my stuff done first, he literally stands at my knee and whines for my attention. But if I give him the attention first, I can (sometimes) get him involved in an activity long enough that I can get my things done.
Eli has a new freckle on his cheek.
I had the dreaded task of a big grocery shop yesterday. I love to grocery shop but it is becoming increasingly hard with Eli. He wants to help and touch everything but this results in broken open yogurt containers and bruised fruit etc. He also wants to talk to me all the time and I can't focus on my list or what is on the shelves. Yesterday I tried a new tactic. This one I'm not entirely proud of but I trust you guys will understand. I packed a bag of "stuff"-you know-little toys with a box of raisins and a surprise. The surprise was a big ol' tootsie pop. No...not a small little dum-dum sucker that would have lasted only through the cereal aisle. I gave Eli that tootsie pop and put him in the front of those ridiculous kid-driver carts. He was quiet. I even got 2 compliments about how quiet my kids were. I made sure to turn that cart at an angle that those old ladies didn't see the 3 year old was quiet due to a sucker. So yeah...I'm sure that people in the store would judge me for a big sucker in my 3 year old's quiet mouth. But that is the key. He was quiet. Which allowed me to get through that store in record time, allowing less people to have time to judge me. Ha!
We had some rain yesterday and this is where Bailee decided to sit and shake.
I'm hoping for some hot apple cider this weekend. Maybe some family photos outside if the weather holds out. A visit from some special relatives. Football. Split pea soup. Long naps????
Happy Weekending.
Rub a Dub
Andy and I had a moment last night. A real live moment. And it was awesome.
We finally got the 2 boys in the tub together. I knew we were both excited about this but I didn't realize the impact it would have on me.
Hugh is now sitting up well enough that we trusted him to sit next to his big brother in the tub. I have never seen Eli take his clothes off and drop them in the hamper so fast. Even that little fact got my heart racing. Big brother was excited to SHARE the bath with little brother. And although nothing spectacular happened, it was awesome. Amazing. Rejuvenating after a long day.
I wish we had set up the tripod and taken a family photo. No....Andy and I were not in the tub with them. But we were kneeling on the floor staring at our 2 boys in the tub together. We literally had our chins on our elbows which were resting on the side of the tub, just watching them.
This relationship of brotherhood that we have given them is the best free present they will ever receive. Andy and I looked at each other, chins on elbows and said "Can you believe we have two boys, in the tub right now?". Andy did his little laugh that I always know means he is in disbelief.
These pictures don't do it justice....because kids in the tub are just cuter in person than what the picture shows. But one thing is true-they look less like each other when they are waterlogged.
Cheers----Here's to many more of these moments for Andy and I (and Eli and Hugh too!).
We finally got the 2 boys in the tub together. I knew we were both excited about this but I didn't realize the impact it would have on me.
Hugh is now sitting up well enough that we trusted him to sit next to his big brother in the tub. I have never seen Eli take his clothes off and drop them in the hamper so fast. Even that little fact got my heart racing. Big brother was excited to SHARE the bath with little brother. And although nothing spectacular happened, it was awesome. Amazing. Rejuvenating after a long day.
I wish we had set up the tripod and taken a family photo. No....Andy and I were not in the tub with them. But we were kneeling on the floor staring at our 2 boys in the tub together. We literally had our chins on our elbows which were resting on the side of the tub, just watching them.
This relationship of brotherhood that we have given them is the best free present they will ever receive. Andy and I looked at each other, chins on elbows and said "Can you believe we have two boys, in the tub right now?". Andy did his little laugh that I always know means he is in disbelief.
These pictures don't do it justice....because kids in the tub are just cuter in person than what the picture shows. But one thing is true-they look less like each other when they are waterlogged.
Cheers----Here's to many more of these moments for Andy and I (and Eli and Hugh too!).
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Dream Job
If you know me fairly well, you know that I have a dream job.
I hypothesize that most people do. You are SO lucky if you are currently doing it.
However, if you know that I have a dream job you most likely do not know what it is.
This past weekend on the trip, the gals had a discussion about dream jobs. I had left to attend a wedding by the time they had this talk, which is probably fair since I would have kept my lips sealed.
The thing about me is that I will not share what my dream job is. There may be 2 people in this world who know what it is. My main reason for not sharing is that I keep it close to my heart and I can be easily influenced by comments. When I say influenced I mean judged. I very easily feel judged. I want this dream job, but I don't want help with it. I don't want encouragement or suggestions (i.e. this could help, attend this conference or take this class, start here, try this, I know this person who could talk to you about it, etc). I am a private person and this is part of me that I keep a secret.
That being said, I do have some other dream jobs. "Other" dream jobs are ones that I wish I could try for a week just to see if I enjoy it. Going into these "other" jobs I would like to have the skill set to full participate and not feel like the new girl or trainee. I need to go full throttle as if I've been there for 5 years. I would like 5-10 days of opportunity and then I could choose to move on or stay put for a while. Here is a list of these "other" dream jobs-which may (or may not) help you to narrow down your guesses of the one true dream job.
1. I would love to work in a test kitchen: Testing recipes and products. I feel I have lost this opportunity as I cannot taste regular recipes anymore with celiac disease. Tasting and adjusting recipes would be essential in this role.
2. Food critic
3. Mail carrier
4. Swim instructor
5. kindergarten teacher
6. Activity Director (for kids) on cruise ship or at resort
7. Front Desk/secretary work (I know weird right?)
8. Librarian
9. Photographer
10. Employee at Humane Society
11. Speech Therapist
So...what do you think? What are some of your dream jobs? Are there any that you truly are chasing? Are there any that you'd like to try for 1-2 weeks at a time?
I hypothesize that most people do. You are SO lucky if you are currently doing it.
However, if you know that I have a dream job you most likely do not know what it is.
This past weekend on the trip, the gals had a discussion about dream jobs. I had left to attend a wedding by the time they had this talk, which is probably fair since I would have kept my lips sealed.
The thing about me is that I will not share what my dream job is. There may be 2 people in this world who know what it is. My main reason for not sharing is that I keep it close to my heart and I can be easily influenced by comments. When I say influenced I mean judged. I very easily feel judged. I want this dream job, but I don't want help with it. I don't want encouragement or suggestions (i.e. this could help, attend this conference or take this class, start here, try this, I know this person who could talk to you about it, etc). I am a private person and this is part of me that I keep a secret.
That being said, I do have some other dream jobs. "Other" dream jobs are ones that I wish I could try for a week just to see if I enjoy it. Going into these "other" jobs I would like to have the skill set to full participate and not feel like the new girl or trainee. I need to go full throttle as if I've been there for 5 years. I would like 5-10 days of opportunity and then I could choose to move on or stay put for a while. Here is a list of these "other" dream jobs-which may (or may not) help you to narrow down your guesses of the one true dream job.
1. I would love to work in a test kitchen: Testing recipes and products. I feel I have lost this opportunity as I cannot taste regular recipes anymore with celiac disease. Tasting and adjusting recipes would be essential in this role.
2. Food critic
3. Mail carrier
4. Swim instructor
5. kindergarten teacher
6. Activity Director (for kids) on cruise ship or at resort
7. Front Desk/secretary work (I know weird right?)
8. Librarian
9. Photographer
10. Employee at Humane Society
11. Speech Therapist
So...what do you think? What are some of your dream jobs? Are there any that you truly are chasing? Are there any that you'd like to try for 1-2 weeks at a time?
Monday, October 8, 2012
Howdy
"Hey hey! What up?" Says Hughie.
I spent a night away from home with a few fun girlfriends. Ladies night out...errr...ladies night in. We were totally content sitting for 7 to 8 hours straight just talking. We snacked and talked. Chatted and munched. The next morning I was surprised at the variety of topics (I'm sure you can imagine) we had covered in an (almost full work day amount of time) 8 hour time span.
The next night Andy and I were blessed with a night out.
Who doesn't love a gal in a white dress?
We were dropped off and picked up at the door. The food was awesome. We spent the night on the dance floor. We got to sleep in. And...my mom made an awesome home cooked (big) lunch to eat while we watched the Packer game. Eli was in heaven playing with Grandma and Grandpa and even went to his first "car show".
We are still working very hard on potty training. He's got the pee thing down...and wears big boy undies during the day.
In case you can't tell...he has his jeans on backwards. A true sign of a boy who is in charge of pulling up and down.
But it's the other part of potty training that is so very hard for this little dude. Everyone has their story right?
He still wears a diaper to bed and so does lil Hugh-Lou of course.
The Packers lost this weekend and that was a huge bummer. The games can be really stressful.
Nobody in our house knows what to think during the games when Andy is yelling so loud at the screen....especially this little man. Just kidding, these shots are of Hughies first attempt with puffs.
Well it was a busy ten hour day at work, followed by an hour of train play, followed by making dinner, cleaning up, jammies and now bed time shenanigans which should have ended at least 45 minutes ago, but you know how that goes and goes and goes and goes. Eli is currently shouting "excuse me" and clapping his hands to get my attention. Just to tell me his turtle light turned off. He already cried for 30 minutes straight about not getting a 4th book at bedtime and various other reasons followed. So for now....I'm going to stare at this picture and try to be in a happy place.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Parking Garages
Do you have any road rage in you? I don't. Usually. It takes a lot for a driver to really irritate me. But it does happen. It certainly happens to Andy. He likes to call other drivers names. It doesn't go much deeper than that (thank goodness). He doesn't try to race or pass or give the finger. But sometimes I fear that another driver will read his lips or hear him and they could get angry. See...it's not me or Andy that I don't trust. It's always the other driver that scares me. They may spill their coffee. Take their eyes off the road for a second. Answer the phone. Look down at their phone. Change the song on the radio. Any little movement where they aren't concentrating and they could hurt someone else.
I work in a Level 1 trauma center. That means we get the flight for life patients...the worst of the worst. I did my share of consults in the ICU's when I worked weekends. I saw patients that I couldn't tell if they were male or female. Most of them not breathing on their own. Usually their eyes are closed and often an emotionally broken family member stand vigil at the bedside. Holding a hand or bandage covered limb. And one thing is for sure, there are too many machines beeping and tubes and wires and nurses and and and. This is enough for me to take my time when I'm driving. You don't need to actually see that for it to give you goosebumps and scare you to death. But when you're driving, you may forget about that. That vision doesn't take over the rage of what that other driver did to you in that instant. You are BOTH trying to get somewhere. Why do they go first, faster, slower, starting and stopping, swerving... Right? Not right.
Remember-everyone is going through something hard today. I know I have posted about this before but it never hurts to be reminded.
I luckily have moved to working in the cancer center (Which is equally as wicked in the terribly scary health care area). There is a parking garage here, which is nice because many of these patients are too sick or tired to walk far. I parked there one night and as I entered I turned on my car lights because it's darker in there. I obeyed all the traffic signs. But someone else didn't. There was absolutely no accident. I just let the person go their way because I was being super cautions-waiting for them to yield and thinking they may not. As I turned the corner behind them I was a little irritated. Why wasn't that driver worried about who had the right of way? Why did she just assume my car wouldn't be there? She didn't even pause.
But then...I remembered when Eli was a baby in the hospital. We parked in the parking garage every day and came and went. I got used to driving in that garage. I knew just where each speed bump was and I knew where the cross walks were-where there might be sick kids and families trying to cross. But driving in and out of that parking garage was a source of tension. I couldn't wait to get in, park and see how my new baby was doing. When I left, I couldn't wait to get out so I could get home and get back. Always rushing. In and out. And those garages, it's like the never ending circle and lines of parking stalls. You could never get to that exit level.
So as I followed this lady in the parking garage, I was slightly irritated-but I reminded myself of that time in my life, when I couldn't get out of that garage fast enough. I remembered that we were in a parking garage for a Cancer Center and I did what I always strive to do....I tried to let it go and move on. Parking garages aren't something we practice driving in every day and maybe she forget the rules. Or maybe...just maybe...she just got diagnosed with cancer and she had no one in the car with her to keep her calm. Maybe she got news that her cancer had spread. It came back. Or, even better-maybe she found out that her daughters tumor shrunk and she couldn't wait to share the news? Maybe the driver had a low blood sugar. It's hard to know. So I gave her the benefit of the doubt and let it go. But in my heart, I worried. I worried about all my friends and family. All my boys. All my relatives. All the special people in my life that are rushing because that is how life is. One big rush these days.
Remember to slow down.
Obey the traffic laws, even if you are late, or the person in front of you doesn't.
Be cautious so you don't get hurt and so you don't hurt someone either. Never text and drive. Be careful if you use your phone at all. Be alert and remember that people are going through hard stuff every single day.
I work in a Level 1 trauma center. That means we get the flight for life patients...the worst of the worst. I did my share of consults in the ICU's when I worked weekends. I saw patients that I couldn't tell if they were male or female. Most of them not breathing on their own. Usually their eyes are closed and often an emotionally broken family member stand vigil at the bedside. Holding a hand or bandage covered limb. And one thing is for sure, there are too many machines beeping and tubes and wires and nurses and and and. This is enough for me to take my time when I'm driving. You don't need to actually see that for it to give you goosebumps and scare you to death. But when you're driving, you may forget about that. That vision doesn't take over the rage of what that other driver did to you in that instant. You are BOTH trying to get somewhere. Why do they go first, faster, slower, starting and stopping, swerving... Right? Not right.
Remember-everyone is going through something hard today. I know I have posted about this before but it never hurts to be reminded.
I luckily have moved to working in the cancer center (Which is equally as wicked in the terribly scary health care area). There is a parking garage here, which is nice because many of these patients are too sick or tired to walk far. I parked there one night and as I entered I turned on my car lights because it's darker in there. I obeyed all the traffic signs. But someone else didn't. There was absolutely no accident. I just let the person go their way because I was being super cautions-waiting for them to yield and thinking they may not. As I turned the corner behind them I was a little irritated. Why wasn't that driver worried about who had the right of way? Why did she just assume my car wouldn't be there? She didn't even pause.
But then...I remembered when Eli was a baby in the hospital. We parked in the parking garage every day and came and went. I got used to driving in that garage. I knew just where each speed bump was and I knew where the cross walks were-where there might be sick kids and families trying to cross. But driving in and out of that parking garage was a source of tension. I couldn't wait to get in, park and see how my new baby was doing. When I left, I couldn't wait to get out so I could get home and get back. Always rushing. In and out. And those garages, it's like the never ending circle and lines of parking stalls. You could never get to that exit level.
So as I followed this lady in the parking garage, I was slightly irritated-but I reminded myself of that time in my life, when I couldn't get out of that garage fast enough. I remembered that we were in a parking garage for a Cancer Center and I did what I always strive to do....I tried to let it go and move on. Parking garages aren't something we practice driving in every day and maybe she forget the rules. Or maybe...just maybe...she just got diagnosed with cancer and she had no one in the car with her to keep her calm. Maybe she got news that her cancer had spread. It came back. Or, even better-maybe she found out that her daughters tumor shrunk and she couldn't wait to share the news? Maybe the driver had a low blood sugar. It's hard to know. So I gave her the benefit of the doubt and let it go. But in my heart, I worried. I worried about all my friends and family. All my boys. All my relatives. All the special people in my life that are rushing because that is how life is. One big rush these days.
Be cautious so you don't get hurt and so you don't hurt someone either. Never text and drive. Be careful if you use your phone at all. Be alert and remember that people are going through hard stuff every single day.
My new obsession
I don't get obsessed and wrapped up in too many things. It's just not my style. So I'm betting my little obession I'm admitting to today is not even close to as in depth as your obesssion that you have goin' on. Sometimes I wish I had something that I spent hours on. Something that just clicks with me and my personality. I feel like a really dry person. Nobody wants to talk to me about anything except beign gluten free or being a mom. But that is not the only thing within me. Things make my heart race. Things make me wonder, question, think, ponder. But as a mother, those things usually take the back burner. But here I am. Pushing through. Being Raina. Sharing something with you. I know I've shared this song before, but I feel a small obsession with this artist. I don't know a thing about him. Nothing. I don't even really like how he looks. But I do love how he sounds. Especially accoustic. And oh my goodness....if someone sang to me with some type of passion-like his or not like his-I can't even finish this statement! (Just like Andy did at our wedding). I'm currently in the process of listening to all of his music. But I'm sharing 2 versions of my favorite song. Which is your favorite? Mine is this next one. (don't stare at the video, just continue on with whatever you are doing and listen.)
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