My baby is 2!

I'm pretty sure I will be am one of those moms who will call their kids "babies" forever. I suppose there are worse things though, right? Although once my babies are teenagers, I can only imagine how much they'll appreciate it. Thankfully, that's a long time away because I can barely handle TWO (and 4 1/2 years old).

Where did the time go? How can it be? My memories of her birth-day are so vivid and fresh, it truly feels like yesterday. When Anna was born, she cried a little more, her eyes were wide open for hours, and I quickly noticed the differences in her features, from her sister. While the practice of comparing isn't necessarily beneficial, for me, it highlights their uniqueness and makes me appreciate their individuality. I mean, it just wows me, that two little people could be so wildly different. It goes without saying that I love my girls beyond words, and each of them has taught me something and helped me grow as a mom.

Anna is petite, and has a larger than life personality bursting from her at all times. She's feisty, animated, sneaky and determined. She's as sweet as they come with affection galore, but she knows what she wants and will not shy away from manipulation to get it! She challenges me and surprises me sometimes, and there have been numerous occasions where I've admitted - I just don't know what to do. Challenging moments aside, she wakes up so happy and is non stop laughs and action all day, until she's pleading at bedtime to stay up and play with her sissy. She's easy going, and flexible and can function just fine with no nap... although when she naps, she's extra happy in the afternoon. She loves playing with her sister, antagonizing her too (already - uh oh!), singing, playing with anything that makes noise, coloring and being outside. Her zest for life is infectious, and she's our constant entertainment. I love that she keeps us on our toes, and reminds us she can't be left alone (how do we forget!).

I love you Anna-nana girl - thank you for bringing us so much joy! Cheers to you, and let's do this TWO!

Some pictures of our girl, and our little celebration!

 

Kindergarten

Hold your horses! Stop the presses! Say it ain't so! It is official - Miss Madelyn Jayne is registered for Kindergarten. Oh, my, gosh. I thought I might cry, but I didn't. After the work putting all the information together, the actual meeting for registration, was quick and easy. Sort of anti-climatic if you will. I'm sure on the first day of school, or the week or two leading up to, you will find me flying through tissues as I bawl my eyes out... but for right now, I'm ok. I just can't believe it. We all know that time flies, but every now and then its as if the reality of it just hits us upside the head.

A few months back I went to a pre-registration meeting for all upcoming kindergarten parents. It was very informative and insightful as we looked ahead to the coming year.  Madelyn had only recently turned 4, and the start to kindergarten was almost 10 months away, so it felt like I had time. Time to process, adjust and cope with all the changes coming up. One speaker had a few great tips about prepping our little ones for their new adventure. In addition, they touched on how a large part of a smooth transition has to do with Mom and Dad, and how we handle it. Sure, I can be excited for her and speak positively about it, because I am looking forward to her experiences. However, seeing that this is our first time, there is a whole lot of more to it, for me. So, forgive me but letting go just wont be that easy.

(There they are... the tears, that were hiding)

My sweet baby girl seems to have grown leaps and bounds lately, both physically and mentally. She's essentially the size of a 1st grader, and she seems (to me) to be fully equipped for learning, reading, writing and all that will come next year. But, I am not ready. Thankfully I still have a few months until day 1. Starting school is like real big-kid status, it's the real deal. I have so many worries, so many hopes, and most of all, so much love for my little munchkin. I hope she doesn't ever lose her innocence, her spark, her empathy and love for others, and I hope she has f-u-n. They recently did a whole lesson on butterflies at school, and it seemed appropriate - that's just like her. She's beautiful and delicate, and I've loved to watch her grow.

We painted the lyrics to this song on the wall in Madelyn's nursery in our old house, and now a few years later, it holds even more significance as we're looking ahead to this big milestone - my wishes for my little butterfly:

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

The Swoon Series

Not sure why, but I liked my Swooning post so much, I thought I'd start a Swoon Series.  I'll share whatever I'm daydreaming about, happy with, or obsessing over at the moment. My first swoon share was our new bed, which quite honestly, months later I am STILL swooning over. But, moving along, now I wanted to share some really inexpensive things I've picked up recently. Totally swoon-worthy!

 

Disclaimer- I may have spent years working in fashion, but I do not claim to be a fashion expert. I just know what I like and what works for me, in my budget. I do not intend to blog often about fashion either, because I'll probably disappoint or under-impress. However, recently, I've picked up a few things, that have become fast favorites and I just have to share! I tend to try to make things last year after year, and really don't shop much... but it's so fun to pick up a few new things in the spring. Obsessed, might be an understatement when it comes to these 4 things, probably because in addition to fitting well and being comfortable - they were inexpensive! A win all around.

 

1. The MOST comfortable (and adorable!) Espadrilles from Payless
2. I love this cute shirt for warm summer nights, or cooler spring days and it has the perfect fit!
3. My new go-to chunky necklace for a pop of color from J. Crew Factory
4. A relaxed boxy fit - I couldn't believe this online purchase was a keeper - I am obsessed!

Happy (almost) Spring! Happy shopping :)
XO

HOOKY

On Wednesday, the girls and I played hooky, and had so much. I can remember hooky-days well from my childhood. They didn't happen often, but just when you least expected it, my mom would say - lets not go to school today! And, we would break out in celebration.

I get 10 vacation (and some sick) days a year. Coming from 30+ days off a few years ago, this is a struggle for me/us.  To have had that time while I was single didn't mean much, but I have a different appreciation for it now since having a family. It certainly is true, hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Anyway, 10 days mean I have to chose my days wisely. While we've had lots of family time over the last few weekends, I just wanted to the day off to hang with my kiddos. So I did something that was hard for me, I lied and called out sick. And, it.was.perfect :) We got a (dreaded) doctors visit for shots over with for Madelyn, went shopping and to lunch with Mimi, took great naps, and then got to play outside before dinner. It was a great day, and the extra bonus was that it hit 70 degrees! I came back to work yesterday, all better from my illness ;) refreshed and happy, and now it's Fri-yay!

Have a great weekend! XO

My thoughts on having a house cleaner.

My opinion about having a house cleaner has greatly changed over the years.  I actually feel a bit guilty for my previous thoughts about it. Prior to being married, having a dog and kids, when we lived in a shoebox apartment - I totally passed judgement on people who regularly had a cleaning lman/woman. My thoughts were - its not that hard to dust and clean bathrooms, and why would you pay someone to clean up after you. I mean, no one really likes the tasks, but you do it. Flash forward a few years, and I want to confess how terribly wrong I was, and that I feel bad about my judgments.

I recently agreed to have our house cleaned on a regular schedule, and it's changed my life. I didn't even really have the OK from my husband, but when presented with the opportunity, I didn't hesitate. This was one of those decisions, that I had to make for our family, and most importantly, for my sanity. Sorry Bri, there's no turning back now - I'm hooked.  

From time to time, I'd have someone come to do a big cleaning either before a party, or when it seemed time for a deep clean. All the weekends in between, it was up to me. Over the last 6 months, it was becoming more and more of a challenge to find the time and energy to spend doing it. Since I work so close to home, sometimes I would come home on my lunch break, just to sneak in 45 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning/tiding. I did very little each night to tidy and clean, so come Saturday morning, our house was a mess and I resented the work I had to do. I don't like living in a mess, but quite frankly I found it hard to keep up with.

I was excited about the (obvious) benefit of a super clean house every two weeks, and me not having to do that work. But, I've also found that it's help me in other ways. Since, I'm relieved of the serious cleaning, I'm way more on top of the regular day to day cleaning. So, our house is tidy, clean and more organized over all.  That little bit of stress-relief and added organization, has gone a long way! I wouldn't have thought it possible, but only a few weeks in, and I feel less stressed, and more at peace while we're at home. The housework isn't overwhelming anymore. I've found I'm more present when we're home, because I'm not as distracted by my list of things I have to do. Another silly thing, but I'm wondering if a cleaner house will help us keep the germs out. That'd be an great added bonus :) 

So, just in case you are considering getting on someone's regular schedule - I highly recommend it! Dog or no dog, kids or no kids, if you can swing it financially, it's one less thing to worry about, and I'm all about that :) That's my randomness for the day... hope you are well! 

Happy Hump Day!

XO

Time for a phone photo dump!

For over a year, I've had an issue not being able to link my phone photos to the blog. So, anytime I had photos to share, I'd have to email them and save them, before uploading them. Not a big deal, but a pain nonetheless, so I just shared less. Whatever just happened, suddenly we're in sync again! So, it's your lucky day - here's a look at the photos on my phone from the last month and change :) I don't know about you - but TGIT!!

Cousin fun!

Off to Florida!

 

I don't mess around on date nights ;)

 

 

our beach babes

 

  While the girls napped, we snuck out for a spontaneous, fun lunch date! <3

 

My MIL and I went to see Barry Manilow!

From sunny to Florida, back home to snow!

Madelyn's haircut - from moia!

Anna's new hair cut - not from moia ;)

Our friends birthday party at a great farm

 

Her - don't tell me what to do - face

 

60 degrees in February - smiles all around!

 

This girl wants to play dress up, all day every day. We're not just talking a dress here and there, she pulls it all out - accessories, phone, clutch, lip gloss and heels. Pretty funny but it makes her happy - so it makes me happy :)