Focusing on me

Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the fact that I'm getting some bites on the job front, maybe it's because neither of my kids have been hospitalized in the past month or maybe I'm just settling in...but I'm feeling better. I am just now realizing the damage the past year and a half has done. It has been an extremely difficult time which has included a cancer diagnosis and surgery for my mother-in-law, the birth of my second child, the death of my mother, the resulting train wreck that has been my father, a move to a new state and a string of illness unprecedented in our household. It's just been non-stop and I've been comfort-food eating my way through every step. Not good. Especially for someone who tends to keep the pounds on once they settle in. Over the past month or two, as I emerge from what only can be described as depression, I realize that I need to cut myself some slack...emotionally and physically. What I also realize is that I can't continue to neglect my well being. That's a tough thing to do when you feel like shit all the time, but I'm ready. It's time to start focusing on a healthier all around me. So, one thing I'm doing is running the 5K Race for the Cure in May in memory of my Mom and Grandma (who both battled breast cancer...yes, that genetic lottery definitely freaks me out). I figure what a better way to honor their memory than by doing something good for ME, their daughter and grand-daughter! I know my mom is looking down as I write this and smiling. She's where I learned to give so much to the people I love, but she is also where I learned that you have to be good to yourself too. I'm starting to realize, as life spreads me thinner and thinner, that the later is just as important. It feels fantastic to give more to myself...more breaks, more time alone, more time with my children, more time to health. More time nourishing me.

First timers

This past weekend I went solo to Seattle to meet my friend's new(ish) baby. MS is around 5 months old and well on his way to crawling, eating solids and becoming a pre-toddler. It was so great to meet him and, as expected, I fell instantly in love. While I enjoyed watching his every move...and his killer smile...what I found equally fascinating was watching his parents. MS is their first kid. There's nothing particularly remarkable about their actions, they are great loving parents for sure, but what struck me is how anxious first time parents are! I know I was exactly the same way, but to see it from a third party perspective was fascinating. Watching them made me wonder how I ever made it through year one! They are doing great and their child is thriving as a result, but I feel for them as they make their way through this particularly difficult phase. The sleep deprivation alone made me glad my kids are a bit older and that, even though pre-schoolers and toddlers give you plenty to be anxious about, at least I've made it this far!

Best word so far!

Yesterday I heard IA attempt to say her brother's name for the first time. What a thrill! It sounded enough like his name that I knew what she was trying to say, but not enough where the phonetics were all that neat. I don't know why I loved hearing her try. Maybe it's because she so clearly adores him. Maybe it's because I know how much I love my own brother and can see that type of relationship budding with my own kids. Or maybe it's just super cool when your kid learns to say a new word. Whatever the reason, it was awesome.

The excitement is building

In two days I am going to meet my best friend's baby for the first time!

MS is around 5 mos and I have never met him. This feels incredibly weird. I love his mother so much that I feel like I should know and love him just the same...so to be in a spot where we are complete strangers feels, well, weird. I am totally anticipating love at first site. I stalk him over the internet, so I am versed in his progress and cuteness. But to see him move, smile, spit up and babble...I am so psyched! Along with meeting him, I am also going to get to spend a little time with the children of one of my dearest friends. MC and GC are almost the same age as my own kids (only a day...WA and MC...and a month...IA and GC...apart). Their mom was my college roommate and because of our freakishly similar experiences, I feel very connected to both her and her children. Not to mention that MC stole a little piece of my heart last time I visited. Anyway, I am now so ridiculously excited to see my Seattle boys that I almost can't stand it...and thus this blog:). 2 days!!!! Weeeheeee!

Everyone needs a vacation

Over the past month WA has been exhibiting dramatic "3 yr old little boy" behavior. For those of you blessed with only girls or pre-2 yr old boys, let me enlighten a bit...

A 3 yr old little boys love to:
1. jump
2. run
3. not listen
4. play "fight" or play "superheros"...which generally involves running, shoving, pushing or actual thumping others on the head, neck, back or chest
5. throw toys
6. do all of the above especially when told not to

As a result, we had been getting plenty of frown faces on his daily sheet. His teachers put either smileys or frowns to denote good or bad days. Actually a really smart idea because the kids can look and see, with a visual aid, if they had a good day or a bad one. While the behavior is generally worse at daycare, sometimes his listening ears do not exist at home either. These make for loooong weeks.

Since WA is blessed with a great set of (now local) grandparents, his grandmother offered to take him for a few days. I'm not sure if she was showing me mercy or if she truly missed WA! WA ended up spending two days in heaven. As I've blogged before, he gets completely spoiled when he is there (as he should!). This time he came back with a healthy appreciation for Frosted Flakes (or the Tiger cereal as he calls it). He even tried to con me in to a box, but I told him it was a special treat for Grandma's...and thankfully he bought it.

It reminds me of a story about my niece. When my Mom was alive, KF would go to visit my parents. My parent's special treat du jour was chocolate ice cream. KF would gorge and then go through withdrawal once home. On one occasion she woke up after returning and insisted "I WAAAANT ICEEEE CREEEEEEAM!". It was breakfast and my brother and sister-in-law had to talk her down from the ledge. Just goes to show you how great spoiling is for the grandparents and how not great it can be for the parents:).

So back to WA....after having spent a couple days at my in-laws he came back completely refreshed. Like a new kid. He was listening and being his sweet self. Had great days at school with plenty of smiley faces. This got me thinking...do we not give our kids enough credit? Maybe everyone just needs a little vacation now and then. Right?!?

Brighten your day

This past weekend I was wiped out by an ear infection. 10 days and 2 courses of antibiotics later and I still can't hear out of my left ear. Along with my half-deaf state is accompanying dizziness and nausea. Really a treat...especially after the winter we've had. So there I am on Sunday, feeling kinda crappy and playing with IA. WA and my hubby went out for a bit to give the house some relative peace and quiet. They came back late in the afternoon and WA burst through the door. "Mama! Mama! Where aaaaaare you???". I called back to tell him that I was in the playroom with IA. He came running straight at me with a huge smile on his face and a large white package. "Mama, Daddy and I got you theeeese!" Plop, right in my lap. (Ok, so he needs to work on his "smooth" delivery) I look down to find a sweet bouquet of my favorite flowers hand selected by WA from the farmers market. My boys got flowers to brighten my dizzy, nasty, deaf day. And it worked:).

Words, words everywhere

IA has started forming new words. She is on the cusp of a vocab explosion and it's starting to get exciting. Some of words she's mastered so far are...

Hi/Hello (which she says in to her play cell phone)
Byebye
Doggie
Kitty
Mama
Dada
Grandma (which she said yesterday. very thrilling for both me and her grandmother!)
Cow
Owl
Meow
Quack Quack
Banana (she's still a little shaky with the pronunciation though)

IA's 15 mos stats

IA went to the doctor this week for her 15 mo check up (granted we were two weeks late...but what's a working mom to do?!?).

Here's how she's shaping up:
Height - 97%
Weight - 95%
Head - 50%

Her height is staying consistent (and leading her toward a career in the WNBA), but her weight is coming down slightly (probably due to her extremely picky eating) and her head is growing! Her peanut noggin gained 25%...whatever that means. I suppose for all practical purposes it means I can now buy her a hat that fits.

My 15 month old little redhead....