Long time no speak

I've been off the blog'osphere for a bit. Summer has kicked off in Ohio with a bang. The kids are enjoying nice long days, and a bedtime that seems to be creeping away from 8 toward it's older brother 9. Ice cream is now in the freezer. I've been tipsy a few times (hey, it happens when neighbors come over with wine!) The bounce house has been out and the water slide in action. It's been fun, but has kept me away from my beloved iPad. So now, get ready to follow Allman summer '11.

The weather outside is definitely frightful

The East Coast is in the midst of getting hit with a Nor'easter that is expected to dump up to 20 inches of snow. I'd say were currently at 8. Our travel plans are now delayed and to pass the time we hooked up my niece's new Wii. WA is a master at boxing (which requires pure bursts of movement), I kicked butt in bowling (embarrassing but true) and my brother cleaned house in "Are You Smarter than a 5th grader" (the dude is an idiot savant). It's great fun and I literally almost peed my pants watching my brother kayak (hey, I've had two kids). All in all not a bad way to spend a snowed in day.

All good thing must come to an end

I just accepted a new job. Regretfully I am leaving one that I love, with the hopes that this new role is equally as fulfilling. I spent the past 5 years at Travelocity and worked with a slew of really great people. I've loved most of what I was asked to work on and did it well. For the past 3, or so, years I've worked out of my home office. I never really found this difficult. Both my kids are in daycare and I have a separate work space, far away from distractions but not nearly as far from the kitchen as I'd like! I will dearly miss the flexibly afforded to me by my bosses and the work at home structure. There were plenty of nights where I worked after the kids were in bed in exchange for leaving early. That can...not...be...beat. It's made the first few years of my children's lives so great and special to me. I was able to be as much of a Mom as possible, but also have a thriving career. I am afraid that is about to change, but I'll have to wait and see...and adjust where necessary. I also think my husband is in for a bit of a shock. Working from home, not having a commute, having the ability to empty a dishwasher during lunch, etc, has made his life easier (though I'm not sure he realizes just how much). He is also going to have to make pretty big adjustments. I'm really nervous about how to avoid the scenario where my kids spend 9-10 hours a day in someone else's care. That's upsetting, but again I've been lucky to avoid that for as long as I have. I know what my Mom would say "All good things come to an end". Maybe, but I don't have to like it.

1 year

Today I am completely and utterly wiped out. I have not been this emotionally tired in a very long time. It is the first anniversary of my mother's death. I attended mass this morning in my hometown and so many of my Mom's friends and family were there, it was extremely emotional for me. After mass I had to say goodbye to my close cousin and my aunt for the last time before we move to OH. That was very hard too. To top this all off I got a call from my mother-in-law after WA was nipped by their dog this morning. WA was pretty upset and kept screaming "I want my Mommy, I want my Mommy". I could tell he was shaken and scared and to not be near him was heartbreaking. With all the activity, packing, duel households and goodbyes I've goodbyed over the past couple weeks, I am completely and utterly wiped. Tonight I envision collapsing in a heap at around 8pm. Hopefully I will sleep well.

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. The first without my mother. I have been reflecting this week about what makes my life so great and it all comes down to family; JA, WA and IA, as well as my in-laws, my own dad, my amazing brother and sister-in-law and my aunts/cousins. Without them I would have crumbled this past year. I am also very thankful for having the opportunity to grow up with, learn from and love a woman as special as my Mom. I still miss her daily, but am so lucky to have had her in my world for so long. My friends, near and far, have helped me stay true to me, and again I am grateful for that. My life would not be my life without those who feed it....I love and am thankful for each and every one.

The floodgates are open

Today brought move tear numbers 2 and 3.

I picked up the kids at daycare today and was doing fine until I walked in to WA's class. It was a bit of a madhouse, since all parents seemed to converge at the same time because daycare got out early due to the holiday. They children had "movie day" and were just finishing Blue's Clues, so they were all somewhat distracted. WA's teacher took him aside and said some very nice words and gave him a gift. He then gave a hug to his very first girlfriend, MK (that one definitely made my eyes tear) and said bye to some of his male buddies. The children in his class made him a card, and I could not read it there...I knew it would be waterwork city. WA also said goodbye to some of the teachers that have made his experience there great...including Ms. N. We made it out the door, but not before I was getting a bit sniffley.

Once home we got a visit from WA's other favorite teacher, Ms. C. Ms. C hung out for just a little bit before she had to hit the road for T-day. WA was excited that she was at his house and told her that she needed to stay "ALL DAY LONG". They played for a bit and then it was time to say goodbye. WA played coy thinking that if he didn't really say goodbye to Ms. C, that she wouldn't really go. Finally he gave her a hug, as did I. We stepped outside so WA could wave as she went out the driveway and then it was back indoors. That's when I lost it. I am very fond of Ms. C, always have been, but I think what hit me most was saying goodbye to someone who clearly cares for my kids. It was also tough saying goodbye today to people who have enriched my child's life, and Ms. C, Ms. N, MK, LP, LS, JM and AS...they all have and it was tough to see that literally and figuratively walk out the door.

Next is saying goodbye to my brother and sister-in-law. Oh lord, wish me good luck for I teared up just writing that sentence!

The end is near...

Me:
It's all becoming real. This move to Ohio. I have to admit I am SO ready to be a one state family. While I really have treasured most of the moments with my kids over this past month, I'm utterly exhausted. Taking care of two kids on your own is no picnic...there's zero downtime and it's even rougher when everyone is still not sleeping through the night. It's not all warts and rocks though, there has been an upside too. Being the only day-to-day love and support for my children has given me a special present....some excellent and unexpected bonding. Both of my kids have needed extra from me and I have been happy to oblige with hugs, cuddles and kisses. WA has also used me as his confidant becoming more verbal, expressing his thoughts and telling stories. The roller coaster ride is almost over and, for the most part, I'm glad the end is near.

IA:
IA is blissfully unaware of any change (ah, to be young:)) and is doing great. The only issue with her is that she is a packing blocker. Whenever she is in the same room, she wants to play or be held...and she's hard to resist! When my husband calls she mutters "Dada, dada, dada", so she is clearly missing him in her own way, as do we all. She's gonna do great and will likely never really remember living in CT (though we will be visiting often). 

WA:
So tomorrow is WA's last day at his daycare. This experience has brought my first (and definitely not last!) associated move tears. The thought of him leaving his buddies is really tough. There are a few that he just loves and that have been with him for almost his entire life. He's also leaving behind some of his favorite teachers, the lovely Ms. Cherine and his first love, Ms. Natalie. I'm not sure how much of this WA really understands, but hopefully his last day will be a good one. He's had a rough go with all the flux happening recently and I look forward to life getting a bit easier on him.

18 days and we'll all be Buckeyes. Yup, it's real.

O to the H to the I to the O

Ohio here we come! Our move is now official and there is so much to do before then I think my head might actually explode. My husband is already in Ohio and has started work, so I am in CT attempting to hold down my full time job, take care of two kids, get all move/mortgage/daycare logistics figured out, pack and nurse my daughter through ear surgery. Oh, yeah and let's not forget Thanksgiving. Aye gavolt. Am I excited? Not at the moment. But I will be once we are there and settled. Until then, I'm just trying to hold it all together.

(so please forgive the sporadic posts, this blog many lean toward the "Random" in Spiffy and Random through the holidays or at least until things even out a bit)

Dual Personalities

Last week I was in Dallas on a business trip and my hubby stayed home with our two kids (along with my mother-in-law, thank you MB!). I missed my babies something fierce, but it was also really interesting to be in a "corporate environment" once again. I woke up and had only myself to worry about. I got ready (and actually dressed in something other than sweat pants!), watched the Today Show, grabbed a Starbucks tea and it was off to the office. I work from home, and find that I am really effective doing so; but being in the office is a different experience...sights and sounds constantly bombarded you. The fact that I got to actually SEE the people I work with felt pretty novel! The intensity of the week was great and a lot was accomplished in a short period of time.

I l-o-v-e being a Mom. It's my favorite thing ever. More so than being a teenager (I was lucky to have had some great teen years), more than college (ok, college did have some pretty kick ass times, but that's completely different) and more than being a career gal. Still, I found last week to be really fulfilling. It's just nice to exercise my corporate muscle in such an intense way every now and then. It kind of re-charges a distinct side of me.

I don't think I could live being just one or the other...mom or career girl...and this business trip has made me reflect on how happy I am that I am able to succeed in both areas of my life. Granted, I may not always be perfect, but I always get the job(s) done.

Pass the tissues please

This picture made tears well up in the corner of my eyes...



It's a shot of my niece heading off to her first day of Kindergarten this morning. Honestly, I can't believe it. I first fell in love with KF when she was nothing but a swaddled peanut in a Boston hospital room. To look at her now, dang, it's unreal. KF is about 2 years older than WA and if my reaction to this picture is any indication of what I'm going to feel two years from now...well then, I better buy stock in the Kleenex company! Congrats KF, you're gonna absolutely rock the 'garten!!

Go team!

My husband and I are often two different parents. I'm the softy, he's the hammer. I'm the kisses and cuddles, he's the tickles and tackles. All parents have differences of opinion, and we certainly have ours, but usually you either work them out, go with the flow or cede to your spouse. That's part of the deal. Recently I've begun to really, really appreciate the ways in which we compliment each other. One thing I've noticed is that my hubby is pushing WA to do things for himself. Things like getting dressed, cleaning up and trying again if he gets frustrated. Things I have a natural inclination to just unconsciously do for him. That's definitely an area where I'm not the best and I'm glad my hubby is there to pick up my slack. WA is better off for it. Isn't it nice when the teamwork just kinda clicks?

I can't stand it

This is my cousin's kid. I just can't stand the cuteness and HAD to post. It sums up her personality (much of which comes directly from her mama) to a T! Honest to god, she's just too much! Love it:).