It's May Already?

Hello all! We've moved (again) and are starting to get settled. Still waiting for our house to sell, so we are in a pet-friendly lease to purchase house. That's right. After three months of living in a furnished house, we moved again and have reunited with our fur babies.

Big M and Riley

Big M and Lucky

Big M even rationed his Cheerios to share with the dogs

Jonesy (napping on my sweaters)

Wiccey (testing out Little m's crib)

Both boys (M&m) have been busy in Massachusetts. Big M started nursery school in March. His age group goes two days a week for about six hours a day. We also joined the local YMCA when Little turned three months old--allowing me to put both boys in child watch while I released some endorphins! Big M has already finished his first swim class at the Y and he loved it!

D really likes his new job, but it has kept him very busy and away from us more than we anticipated. D has been traveling a lot lately, so I have been a single mom. His trips are usually a week in length, so I do what I can to keep Big M busy while continuing to nurse Little m. As long as Big M is busy moving, working a puzzle, watching a video, playing on the iPhone or iPad, or playing with trains he is happy. If he gets bored, he climbs, tries to escape, or help himself to something out of reach; he is very, very smart and busy!

M&m playing in the Thomas tent
(m is still adjusting to the flash)

M lining up the cookie cutters
(an animal train)

M playing with trains

M&m having tummy time

Little m started eating solids last week and he has loved it. He's been ready for a few weeks (grabbing my cup or plate when I ate or drank anything), but I wanted us to move before starting him on rice cereal. After his second bite, he grabbed the spoon and tried to feed himself. He is teething and hungry. D set up Little m's crib after we moved, so I am getting him acclimated to his own bed and hopefully getting him out of ours! He has napped a few times successfully and slept one full night in his crib, but his swollen gums have upset him and the transition is a continuing work in progress. I am looking forward to a few good night's sleep in a row...

That's about it for now. The boys and two moves have kept me extremely busy. Let me know if you would like to visit us in the Cape. The weather is mild and we are walking distance to a recreational pond.

My apologies if I haven't responded to an email or call. It's been pretty hectic with two moves, two kids, two cats, and two dogs...too bad there isn't two of me. Please keep in touch and I will do better about doing the same on my end. Big hugs!

Please note, regarding blog updates and photo sharing: I typed this on my iPhone (it's a lot easier to hold than a laptop when nursing a baby) and will share photos and videos when I am near a computer--you know, in my spare time!

On the Road Again...and Under Pressure

What a crazy week it's been here. We found out last Friday that moving will come a month earlier for us. We have to be out of our rental by the end of the month and D is traveling a lot this month. We were originally supposed to stay through May, but our landlady sold her second home and the family needs a place to stay for Memorial Day weekend near the ocean. Yes, this is their summer rental--AKA third house. What a predicament for them, right?!? 

We would like to find a place that allows pets so they can join us from where they are kenneled out of state. Also, we cannot buy until our house sells in KY so this might not be our last move. 

We have spent the last two weekends looking at houses. We would prefer to not move again, so we are looking at lease to buy options--which are few. We are also hoping to buy something that will not require many upgrades or maintenance, as we really do not have the time or money to do so at this time. 

This situation has put a lot of stress and pressure on us. On top of D's work, caring for two kids and household responsibilities, following rental and real estate leads, and negotiating between realtors, this leaves little to no time for us to connect. It is ironic how we tend to push the buttons of those we love the most and hold so near and dear to our hearts when under pressure. Alas, there is at least a month of stress and more major changes coming for us. 

I am trying to focus on the kids and not think too much about everything else. As difficult as it is, I need to try and remain calm for my hubby and the kids. Life isn't going to stop for us, so it's best to make the most of the situation. I love my husband and I love my boys. We are going to get through this and will be better off in the end. There is an end in sight and I look forward to getting there very soon. 

Dory: Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory: [continuing] Ha, ha, ha, ha, ho. I love to swim. When you want to swim you want to swim.
Marlin: Now I'm stuck with that song... Now it's in my head.
Dory: Sorry.
Finding Nemo (2003)

What's Going On?

Sorry I've been MIA lately. It's been quite hectic. Here's a bit of what's been going on around here.

The carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow that I had while pregnant has not subsided. I joined the local YMCA a few weeks ago in hopes that exercise would help, but I actually feel worse. I'm trying various exercises and also NDAIDS and stretches. It worries me that the pain and numbness might be much worse when I'm older. Big M is over 40 pounds and is starting to look like a little man. Little m is 17 pounds and long. My neck constantly hurts from nursing and from lifting them. My big fellas are both very sweet though. ;-D

We've all been sick here. Big M was sick about four weeks ago. The rest of us got sick a few weeks ago. I took Little m to the doctor twice at the onset of his illness just to avoid another hospital stay. It's viral, so there's nothing to do but make him comfortable. It's very similar to the bug we had in January, but Little m has managed to cough up the mucous and not strain to breath. We have all had hacking coughs and our ears and nose have been congested. I look forward to feeling better and getting some sleep soon.

Big M has been in nursery school almost a month. He goes twice a week and seems to like it. I opted for extended days so he can get more interaction, as he bores easily with me. He really likes the older kids' afternoon room because it has a wooden train set. The playground has sand and the weather has been nice, so he's been outside a lot. He loves playing outside and is very much in a train phase right now.

Big M also likes the child watch at the YMCA. He really likes being around other kids. We started swimming lessons and he really likes the pool. I started leaving his vest off so he wouldn't have a false sense of security and will get used to his own buoyancy. It is vital to keep him busy and I have finally found some successful activities for him.

Got him some wipe off pre-K books and a book with accompanying music. I am hoping he will start sitting down a bit for me, even though he is only two. He tends to learn more via interactive toys and songs, so I am going to try some new tactics. The sit down and learn trick didn't cut it for him and it frustrated me. He's much too smart and busy for this! He really likes to hum and sing, so I will incorporate music into the lesson.

We have only had two house showings. I don't think they have actually had an open house yet! I am disappointed with our realtor. A lot of their actions are automated and they don't seem to know what is going on; also a lack of communication between personnel and a slow follow up. Many of the things they told us never happened. We are getting nervous, as our rental house is booked for May and the rental prices go up five fold or more during the peak season. Also, I miss the cats and dogs so much. Big M was actually looking for the cats in the basement the other day. He gets excited every time we see a dog or cat. I wish we were in a house of our own, weren't living out of boxes, and had our critters with us.

Are you still awake or did I put you to sleep? Here are some photos to make you smile.

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."
-Winston Churchill

"If you are going through hell, keep going."
-Winston Churchill

In Search of Vanilla

Tonight is my FIRST outing since Little m arrived. It is a planned outing with ladies, no kids, and no husbands. The theme is karaoke and wine. I am so excited!

I plan to bring cookies. Nursing a baby always leaves me craving sweets, so I might as well bring enough to share. Never go to someone's home empty handed, right?

One of the simplest cookies to make is no bake cookies. There are about eight ingredients and no baking required. In addition, it contains two of my favorite ingredients: chocolate and oatmeal.

The boys were sleeping, so now was the time to make the cookies. I removed the butter from the fridge to soften (an ideal trick for successful baking) and then proceeded to lay out the other ingredients. Then came the vanilla. I hadn't yet found the vanilla among the multitude of boxes in the basement. How hard could it be to find a bottle of vanilla?

I walked to the basement and began sifting through kitchen boxes. After finding other items I had previously needed--Equal, toddler containers, plastic bags, etc.--I realized that I had been through all of the "kitchen, dry goods" boxes. I had probably sifted through about ten boxes and still didn't have any vanilla.

In the meantime, Big M was awake and screaming at the top of his lungs. I'd better rush upstairs so he doesn't wake Little m. Big M was wide awake and hungry. I changed his diaper and prepared him a snack. Shortly thereafter Little m awoke. Time for another diaper change and a feeding. So much for making cookies.

An hour later and I am hoping to run to the store for vanilla. Time to load up the kids and be on my way. If I'm lucky, I will get back in time to make the cookies, pump milk for Little m, and possibly get myself ready for the evening. Here's to wishful thinking. I'll let you know how it all pans out for me. Stay tuned!

In addition to a vanilla quote, I am sharing a sound clip:

"I'll have a vanilla... one of those vanilla [expletive] things. You know, whatever you want, some vanilla [expletive] latte cappa thing. Whatever you got."
-Larry David

Source: http://www.famousquotesabout.com/on/Vanilla#ixzz1Hdk2g094
What Up Vanilla Face Sound Clip and Quote

More Chocolate

Big M was invited to a birthday party today. It was his friend's third birthday. The theme was Caillou. M had so much fun!

We arrived to a parade. Everyone was dressed in a costume. M played pin the tail on Gilbert (Caillou's cat). The birthday boy's mom is a teacher by training, so she had lots of fun activities planned for the kids.

It was so cute to watch the kids eat their cupcakes. There was a cupcake sitting in front of each kid. Watching the kids wait in anticipation as they waited for the birthday boy to blow out his candles before thy could eat their cupcakes almost looked like torture. They were almost sitting on their hands trying not to lunge at the sweet goodness sitting in front of them.

Everyone had fun at the birthday party. Little m slept through the entire thing. Big M fell asleep as soon as he got in the car. Upon waking, M opened his party favor bag and discovered M&M's. He learned that they melt in your mouth and your hand:

"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate."
-Linda Grayson

I Need A Church Buddy

I need a church buddy. I have attempted to go to mass three times since we moved here and all have been minor disasters. It is time for me to find a buddy to help me with the kids.

Last night I took both kids to the Ash Wednesday evening service. First, I was misinformed on the time so we were 30 minutes early. Second, I opted to put Little m in the Baby Bjorn carrier. Third, Big M took a long nap (after skipping one the day before) and needed to physically exert himself. These three mishaps made a recipe for disaster.

Rather than attempt to entertain/contain Big M for 30 minutes, we returned to the car. I let him play in the car while I nursed Little m. Then I got the bright idea that I would put Little m in the baby carrier rather than tote him and the car seat into church. I thought this would free both hands for Big M.

We returned to a rather full church and found a spot near the front. Big M started acting up instantly. He began to throw a fit in the aisle right as the elderly priest approached. The priest told M to be good and mind his mother. M stretched his arms up and gave the priest a great big hug. The congregation gave a big "ahh" in unison. There was no doubt that all eyes were definitely on us--not the first impression I wanted to convey.

M was his usual friendly self. M flirted with the lady behind us. At one point, he tried to climb over the pew to get to her. He climbed into the laps of two other strangers, simply wanting to be held. I tried to hold him on my lap a few times, but he resisted. Guess he wanted my full attention.

We stayed through the ashes. Shortly thereafter M was saying that he wanted to go bye-bye. After hitting his head a few times trying to crawl under the pews. It felt like such a failure on my part and left me frustrated. At least I tried, right?

One of M's classmates was at mass. She was sitting quietly and behaving. Why couldn't my kid behave during mass? I really needed that time to reflect and be reminded of all my blessings. Sometimes my cup runneth over, but at least there is something in my cup.

On top of feeling frustrated, we were all a bit sick. Big M is recovering after two weeks, but still wheezing a bit. Little m is coughing and spitting up some. My throat hurts and a have a rotten cough. Also, D is sick. On top of m coughing in the middle of the night, I awoke to a sore upper torso. Guess the weight of both kids (~60+ lbs) at mass was more than my body could handle. I am hoping ibuprofen kicks in and the pain subsides before tonight's workout. We shall see.

Living Out Of Boxes

When I said that we were currently renting and that ALL of our belonging were boxed up in the basement, I wasn't kidding. Here is proof...

...this gives you a tiny glimpse of the basement. D did a great job organizing the insanity that is all of our possessions. Doesn't make it any easier though. 

At least Big M is having fun!