Busy Days!

I haven't been posting a lot lately. Things have been very busy lately. I usually take time to blog when the kids are napping in the afternoon. Grace has pretty much decided that she is not napping anymore. We all went for a walk last night and ran into friends of ours. Molly mentioned that Emily isn't sleeping any more either. I 'jumped' on her to say that Grace isn't either. I felt bad after I said it because I try to not be that way but it was such a relief in a way to hear that someone else is going through it. It's trying at times to have to be patient with repeatedly putting Grace back in bed all the time. I have felt like i'm the only one dealing with it and no one else understands and when she said she was going through it, it made me feel 'normal' almost. I know that sounds odd but I feel isolated sometimes because i'm just with the kids by myself all the time. They are coming over on Saturday and I can't wait. I just hope that I can contain myself to not keep saying, "Grace is doing that", all the time. I hate hearing that when i'm talking about something and I hate doing it to other people. (This probably isn't making much sense.) When I said something to my Mom about Grace not napping she keeps saying that kids stop napping around this time, and I understand that however Grace needs to nap. She won't make it until bedtime without a nap. I just don't know how to make her take a nap short of laying down in her bed with her and sleeping also which isn't an option.
We have been out and about every day this week and today will be no exception. I am trying to get everything ready for the 2 parties that i'm planning. The one party is insanely small but something that I really want to do. I just feel pressure when picking out gifts for other people. I always want them to like what I give them, yet I always find myself giving the receipt in case they don't like they can return it and get something they do like. Evan's party is coming quickly and I've only gotten 2 rsvp's so far. I purposely made his party small so that the kids can have fun and it won't be so stressful. We've missed a lot of things lately especially since Matt has been working at Valero so i'm guessing a lot of people won't come to Evan's party since we missed their parties. Eye for an eye I guess. I understand that though. Life is busy. People have things to do. My new thinking on going to "events" is go if you want to. Don't go just to go and then look likeyou don't want to be there. Kwim? Sometimes that doesn't always happen for us like that. In the case of Reese's 3rd birthday party and Emily's 2nd, things just didn't happen in our favor. I guess that's life with 2 small kids.

I better go.

Wild Weekend

We went to Sesame Street Live yesterday and had an absolute blast!! The kids loved it! It was so worth the 18 bucks a ticket! I will totally take them to something like that again next year! I love the Bob Carpenter Center. It's at the University of Delaware and it's in a nice area and very clean and easy to get to. Evan was a little unsure at first because it was so loud but he got adjusted to it and then was clapping and waving. We all got home about 1 and are still tired this morning. Today we have Easter at Grandma's house. I have everything ready for an Egg hunt but it's going to be rainy and nasty out so i'm trying to think about how to do something in her tiny little apartment. I know that she likes having everyone out to her house but it's soooo darn small in there and the family just keeps getting bigger!! I will post pictures soon of Sesame Live since I don't have much time now but wanted to get a post in anyway.
Lots more to say...i'll write more later.

Tagged by Megan for a 'quiz'

A- Attached or single: very happily attached!!
B- Best Friend: IRL-Matt, in Emails-Rebecca U.
C- Cake or Pie: cake !
D- Day of Choice: Any day Matt has off!!
E- Essential Item(s): cell phone, diaper bag, water bottle, glasses
F-Favorite type of music: I like a little bit of just about everything!
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: worms
H- Hometown: middle of no-where, PA
I- Indulgence(s): anything sweet or salty depending on the day
J- January or July: July
K- Kids: 2 -Grace and Evan
L - Last movie: Knocked Up
M- Marriage Date: TODAY!!! March 19th
N- Number of Siblings: 1 sister
O- Oranges or Apples: oranges only if someone peels it for me! lol
P- Phobias or Fears: ELEVATORS!!!
Q- Quote(s): "If you live for one hundred years, I want to live for one hundred years minus one day so I never have to live a day without you!" _Winnie the Pooh
R- Reason To Smile: my kids and my husband
S- Season: summer
T- Tag: Molly
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I love reading my husband's truck/jeep magazines!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Opressor!
W- Worst Habit: losing track of time when i'm playing with the kids and getting nothing done!
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: ultrasounds
Y- Your Favorite Food: seafood!
Z- Zodiac: Cancer

Lots

I don't even know where to begin. I can't seem to get my thoughts together lately, which is why I haven't been posting much lately. The kids are keeping me more than busy, and we're trying to get some 'home improvement' porjects finished as well as plan Evan's birthday party and Easter...not to mention our Anniversary is Wednesday and Matt's birthday is the following Wednesday. This Friday we are going to Sesame Street Live with Greg, Eleni, Megan, Ellie and my Mom. I am excited to go. The kids are going to love it! Grace did last year. Saturday we are having Easter with Matt's family and Sunday with my family. It will be a busy weekend. I can't wait for Matt's 2 week vacation in April. The only thing that is messing up 2 full weeks with NO plans is Debbi and Rob moving. I won't even go there. It's not about them, it's about everyone else. I can't go there......

Matt and I are back talking about a new car for him. His jeep is almost to 200,000 miles and is a bitch to drive 3 hours a day in. I went to a car dealer today to talk about a car and we have since ruled it out. It's just too much. We don't want another car payment, but I think that it's going to end up happening. It's just a matter of time. I give his Jeep 6-12 months until it's dead.

Wagon!!

I took the kids back to Target today to exchange the wagon we bought yesterday. They finally got to take their maiden voyage in the wagon tonight after Matt got home and put it together. They LOVED it. Evan was laughing and smiling and Grace thought it was so neat.

Matt is off tomorrow! The guy that he's training with had a family emergency so since they're training together, they let Matt take the day off also. It was an overtime day anyway. The guy that he's training with, Joe, his Grandmother is dying so he's going to visit her. I feel bad for him and feel even worse that i'm happy that Matt got the day off. We now have a 4 day weekend!! Yea!

I'm having some wine and can't wait to take a long hot shower!! I'll post something a little more interesting tomorrow!

Tick Tock Tuesday

Tuesday's drag for some reason. They are the longest days when Matt's on 4 day works. I am not looking forward to when he's back on swing shifts. It's been nice having a normal schedule with him off weekends. We have no plan for today. We might go to Target so that I can pick up one of Evan's birthday presents that's on sale. And see if I can find them Easter outfits.

I got an email this morning from a 'long-lost' friend! I was so happy to hear from her. She's having some health problems but seems to be doing ok. I miss having her around. She was there for me during some really tough times that I won't get into right now. I want to go see her and see where she lives now, it's just so tough because of the kids. Maybe i'll try to convince Matt to drive down on his vacation in April....hmmmm....we'll have to think on that one.

No other news that I can write publicly in a blog. A 'relative' is going through some difficult times right now and i'm worried about them but can't go into it since it's personal to this person.....

Just found that I have to go to the Target near Mom's work to get Evan's present that's on sale...off we go.

Good Morning Monday

The kids slept in this morning, but I think just because of not being adjusted to the time change. We will see. We went to Walmart this morning and the kids were pretty good. Grace started screaming that she didn't want to go into the store when we were walking in the parking lot but she shaped up when we got to the doors, thank goodness b/c there were things that I needed to get at the store. Grace has definitely been going through some changes lately. She has been slowly getting better though. I had to try some new 'tricks' with her and they seem to be working. I think part of it is my fault. I have been trying to treat her like a big girl and she's responding to it so well. I think maybe I wasn't giving her enough credit. Only time will tell.

On a different topic...Grudges. I have been trying not to hold grudges. Just take everyday as it comes. There are people around me though, that just can't seem to let go. It's like the have a scorecard that they write everything down on. It's frustrating. I don't think I want to be around these people anymore. Don't judge someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. I'm not saying anything about anyone else.....this is just about me. I have 2 kids, 16 months apart. A husband who works in Jersey, works 12 hour days, and swing shifts. Our schedules are CRAZY! In order to have any type of order in my house I have to keep my kids on a schedule. When they're not on it, we have complete chaos. From the moment Evan was born we strived to get the kids on the same nap and bedtimes. They are now and that's the only way that I have any sanity. I get about 1-2 hours every afternoon (God willing) to get things done, pay bills, clean, do laundry, prep dinner, make phone calls, set up craft time...etc. If I didn't have that, I would be up until 2 am trying to do it all. Just because we can't seem to make it to a lot of things, events, parties, helping with people moving and what not doesn't mean we don't care. It just means that in order to maintain sanity we have to say no to things. It took me a long time to be able to say no. Some things I say yes to just don't happen. And I end up feeling guilty because of it but it is what it is. Like I said, walk a mile in my shoes and maybe you will understand. I'm a happier me when I say no to some things and not push my family to the brink just to please everyone else. I'm again not saying that I have a tough life, but it's trying sometimes. This is what works for us. Some days I think that having someone else care for your kids and 'stimulate' them while you are working would be easier. They could think of and set up crafts and painting and playtime, sing songs, play games, teach letters and numbers. And when you get them at the end of the day, you can hear all about their day, know that they were taught something and then just be able to snuggle with them, make them dinner, bath, books and bed. Some days that is appealing to me. Most it's not......I guess it's just whatever works for you. Just don't judge me OR hold a grudge against me. Life is too short.

Have a nice day.

Come on weekend!!

Today is Matt's last day of this week. He's off Friday, Sat, and Sunday! Tomorrow we're taking the kids to get their pictures taken and me to the eye doctor. I desperately need new contacts and glasses, and for the first time ever, we have vision insurance that's actually worth something! I'm excited for some new specs! I've had my other glasses for about 4 years and they've seen better days. I'm also considering getting prescription sunglasses. I had some several years ago and loved them. I hope that the pictures go well. I'm a little nervous because of Grace's attitude lately but we will see. I bought the invitations yesterday for Evan's 1st birthday party! It's going to be a small-ish party with just family and a few close friends invited. We are going to bring the castle bouncer and let the kids play in that and then just do simple cake and ice cream and some appetizer-ish food. We have the March birthdays for my Mom's family on the 15th. I'm actually looking forward to it since it's at 5 instead of earlier inthe afternoon so that we get there on time and then hae to wait around for everyone else to show up. And at least it's at Bruce and Kathi's house so I know that they will be there and so will Laura, Mike and Adam. I like talking to them. I would hang out with them on occassion without it being a family function for something new to do.
As for what today holds, i'm not so sure. I want to go do something but just not sure what. It's supposed to be nice out but I don't want to go far since I have the Jeep again.
Hmmmmmm............

It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand

I drove Matt's Jeep to the store today. I have never liked Jeep Cherokees since my Mom had one and I had to learn to drive in it. Let me just tell you how bad I feel that Matt has to drive in that thing 3 hours every day. It wanders all over the road, and is noisy and just plain beats you to death. The kids like it since it's different, but wow, I feel awful that I get to drive around in the nice new truck and he's stuck in that thing. We have been talking about getting him a new car since he started at this job, we just don't want a second car payment. It's bad enough with one. I think that he just needs to leave me with the Jeep more often. More often than not the kids and I just stay at home or go somewhere local to the grocery store. He just doesn't want to see us stuck by the side of the road if something happens to the Jeep, since it does have 130,000 plus miles on it. But I don't want to knock it since it needs to get us from here to there for a while longer.
My taxes are finally finished. They were harder for me to do this year since Matt works in Jersey, but they're done and we're getting refunds from Federal and State, but we owe all of the local since NJ doesn't withhold it. That's ok though since I knew that and have been saving accordingly.
The kids are napping. Today's been ok in regards to the kids moods. My only issue is that i'm craving some adult interaction. I haven't spoken to another adult all day. Matt is busy training so he has no time for emails, phone or texts. I did email Rebecca so that was something adult, but I didn't have much time to write so it wasn't very long. We might go out for drinks this weekend. That would be nice. I truely haven't been out for a girls night since Grace was born. That's right, since Grace was born. She's over 2!!!! lol But, i'm a good Mommy and love being a Mom so I don't really care.

;)

Sleepy Day

Yesterday was an amazing day. It was a recharge type day. Grace was THE BEST I have ever seen her. She was so well behaved. She listened to everything I said. We went to the playground, which was awesome, and she played so well with the other kids. Then we walked around the walking path and she stayed right with us. She ran around in the grass and then when it was time to get in the truck, she walked right over and climbed in with no tantrums!!!! Evan was such a good boy too! He loves the swings and liked trying to walk around in the woodchips at the playground. He liked the texture of the grass so much! They are going to be so much fun this spring and summer! We went back to drop my Mom off at her work and we fed the ducks leftovers from lunch, and Grace loved doing that. When it was time to leave, she didn't want to leave but didn't throw a fit. I was sooooo proud of her. When we got home, we went for a walk in the stroller and had a snack. Then got cleaned up and made dinner, which turned out to be harder than I thought since the oven stopped working and a repair guy is coming tomorrow. After dinner we went to the library and Grace picked out a new bedtime book. Evan was soooo tired at that point all he wanted to do was cuddle and snuggle so he didn't pick a book out like usual. The day ended with the kids in bed at 7 and we didn't hear a peep out of them.

Sunny Days, sweeping the clouds away

It's supposed to be almost 60 today so i'm going to try to have the kids outside as much as possible today. We're going to my Mom's work for lunch and to feed the ducks and run around the mill, then over to a really cool playground. I am sure the kids are going to love being out as much as I am. I put put each of the kids in new spring shirts that I ordered from the Old Navy baby sale a few weeks ago. That sale was kick ass. I ordered everything online and got 26 items for about $120, including 3 prs of shoes. Nothing was over 8 dollars. I don't like shopping at Old Navy in the store. They never seem to have what I am looking for, but I love shopping it online. I do have to say that i'm a little anxious about Grace today b/c she's been throwing royal tantrums in public lately. That's one of the many reasons we didn't make it to a birthday party this weekend. She was in such an awful mood after we left brithday party #1 that I wasn't going to risk it, and good thing since we got home and she was a terror the rest of the day, screaming, hitting, throwing herself on the floor, punching Evan. She spent the majority of the afternoon in and out of time-out. I never thought I would have to count to 3 that many times in one afternoon. Sunday she was an angel though. Ah, the life of living with a 2 year old. It's days like Saturday that make me think that i'm feaking insane even considering having another child!! I better get moving, I need to finish packing the cooler for today.

Pictures of Grace's new room

Just some pictures of Grace's new room. She loves sleeping in her new bed. And cleaning up her toys putting them away in her new toy organizer.

Whew!

Wowza. Today was a whirlwind. We went to lunch with Matt's family at Shady Maple. First off, I am not really into that place. It's stressful to me. There are sooo many people who are rude and practically shoving to get food as if there won't be any left for them if you let someone in front of you. Come on, a little courtesy goes a long way. Second, we got seated right at the kids nap time so that wasn't the best time but it's what worked for everyone else. They were both really good until the end when Evan started making it known he was sleepy and screeeeeeching really loudy in the place. The shit really hit the fan though when we started to walk out to the car. Grace started protesting that she didn't want to go home and it just escalated into a full blown tantrum. The ENTIRE ride home was her screaming and kicking and growling and being AWFUL. She FINALLY fell asleep about 2 minutes from home and we ended up driving around wasting expensive gas just to get her a little bit of a nap. I'm a little bit upset because I wanted to a least stop in to Emily's birthday party but I knew that would be a disaster. We are going to try to call and stop in to see Emily sometime soon. I can't believe she's 2. I'm sure Molly and TJ feel the same way. Grrr....my battery is dead in my computer. I'll finish this one later.