Our version of spontaneity

So this NEVER happens. Last night at about 7, when Lane and I were heading into the shower (for the day, whoops!) Matt brought in clothes instead of pj's and decided we were going out for dinner. I must admit I was totally on-board, even though, in the back of my mind 7 is Parks bedtime and Lane's not too far behind. They did both take late naps and Lane was all excited to get a "birgur." So, aww, what the heck! Let's give it a whirl. 

I was worried I would eat my words instead of my "birgur," but tonight I was willing to find out! Just as I was finishing getting ready, Parker was as happy as could be in her bouncy seat watching me apply my mascara. I bent down to talk to her and got a whiff of why she was so happy and then I got a look and suddenly Matt was whisking her away for a quick dip in the tub.

Well, this didn't seem to be starting out too well. But really it was a small bump in the road to getting out of the house. Lane declared he wanted to get handsome, so them mommy got "handsome" and I put Parker in a "handsome" little outfit instead of pj's and Daddy was feeling left out so, you guessed it, he got handsome too!

We even made time for pictures. Matt came out from giving P a bath and said "My date's ready, what about yours?"


Well my date was too busy reading in his toy closet to be bothered with pictures, so I used his date to pose with:


She was compliant as long as she could have her hand in her mouth. (The tip of one bottom tooth has poked through and the other one is not far behind!)

This picture is as sweet as our dinner turned out to be.


I mean, you really never know, do you?! Is someone going to have a meltdown when they ordered mac-n-cheese, but really wanted chicken strips or because they wanted a booster seat and not a highchair and/or they didn't want a booster seat or a high chair, but just to sit on their knees to reach the table. There most definitely is a drink to be spilled, more times than not a toddler playing on the floor underneath the table, and quite possibly a baby who is crying because a) it's bedtime b) she wants you to stand up while holding her c) she wants out of her car seat d) she wants in her car seat or e) all of the above!

But not last night. It didn't look too promising when we pulled up and Parker started to fuss and when Matt put in our name, he was told 40-45 minutes and it was already after 8.

But we pressed on. We went inside, not really believing the wait time and I quickly fed Park to pacify her. Lane played with the games while we waited not more than 15 minutes for our table. We got a quaint booth, that seemed like it was made just for our family of 4. I continued to hold Parker cradled in my arms and she stretched her head around so she could look at all going on behind her. She talked, and she chewed on my arm and just had a good ol' time. There were no drinks spilled, no meltdowns about sitting in a booster seat and when he ordered mac-n-cheese (PS I LOVE when he orders for himself!) he did in fact eat every last morsel of mac-n-cheese and when given the choice of fries or apples, he picked APPLES! Seriously, am I dreaming, LOL!

Matt and I actually enjoyed our food. Okay, I did maybe inhale half of my burger for fear that Parker was going to turn at anytime and I would have to take her to the car. But nope! She just chilled despite the fact that it was 2 hours past bedtime. We didn't have a 4-course meal, but we did order appetizers and after each drinking one beer, ordered one more to split.

If you didn't know us, you would have thought we had these perfect well-behaved children who are seasoned at dining out!

And so, my friends, I had to mark this one down in the record books. It may have given us a little more courage for our next meal out, which will inevitably not go as smoothly, but until then, this one will stay fresh in our minds!

Oh and also for the record:
Lane was coloring at the table when he looked up at the light and said "Dat's a twiangle" Matt and I looked at each other because it was a traingle. Um, what?
"Dat's a twiangle and dere's a sqwere and look momma dat's a circle." So apparently, in school, he has learned his shapes and we, uh-um, cough, had no idea.

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Have I mentioned how crazy I am about this girl?

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes



In my daughter's eyes
Everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light
And the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
Gives me strength when I'm weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes



And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about



It's hangin' on when your heart
Is had enough
It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes



In my daughter's eyes
I can see the future
A reflection of who I am
And what we'll be
And though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone
I hope you'll see
How happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes



~Martina McBride

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Wordless Wednesday {baby blues and greatest greens!]

Wait, what's that? Oh it's Thursday? Silly Me! (This seems to be the story of my life these days!)

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I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age

The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years!




The weekend was great. We spent the entire day and part of the night on Saturday with friends. We went to lunch and let the kids run around and when we had enough wrangling, we went back to their house where the kids could play with toys and we could relax on the patio with a cocktail!

The actual day of my birthday started out very early. Earlier than I had hoped, but such is life with a 5 month old. Parker woke up the entire house screaming. After an hour, some Tylenol and a loooong nursing session...she was back to sleep and the rest of us were left just to look at each other. We were up so we decided to watch Toy Story 3. When it was over, Matt ran to the store for some eggs to make pancakes so I had tea with my littlest guy.

I was so emotional the morning of my birthday...but in a good way. I kept thinking about my 25 year old self and how I never could have imagined that I would be where I am right now. Happily married with 2 beautiful babies. I kept looking at Lane while he was drinking his hot chocolate and getting choked up. I was feeling very lucky. 


Pumpkin and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. A little Ingrid on the IPod. It's my favorite Sunday play list.


After a certain Little Miss woke up, 5 hours later, we got ready to spend the day downtown.

We walked,
We hid in bushes. Well really he just hid in bushes.




We huddled for pictures because after several days of 70s and 80s, 60 felt chilly!






She napped and awoke and ate (and repeat X 3)
Good Morning Sunshine!


We lunched.
At a place I have deemed as one of my favorites.

Paninis, baked ziti, pizza, tomtao bisque, a nice little glass of Malbec


and we were ready for the finale!

Gelato!



I spent some time with Little Miss when we got home while Matt and Lane ran the Sunday errands because apparently, according to Matt, I can't run Sunday errands on my birthday.

We topped the night off with some Hibachi and chocolate cake



and I think it's safe to say, I'm looking forward to the next 30 years.




My next thirty years I'm gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I'm doing here
In my next thirty years.
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years.

~Tim McGraw

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The truth in all these lies...

So, you know like when you have the free will to write what you want you can just write and write and write. But then when someone tells you what to write you totally freeze up? Wait, that's just me? Well, anyway that happened when Jackie tagged me to do this post. Plus I'm REALLY bad at lying, like really bad.

So I enlisted the help of my better creative half and man, did he go to town! He was all into y'all! When he was finished, I had a list of 13 things to choose from. He also confessed (and I agreed) that he is a good liar. More like a "teaser," if you will. When we were in highschool he would tell my mom off-the-wall stuff and she would, of course, believe him. What a jokester!

Anyway, first here are the results:

1. I chewed gum through my entire wedding ceremony.
Not true! My mom would have killed me! Plus, all I can think of is Britney Spears. Remember when she used to chew gum inappropriately like at awards shows and stuff and she would be smacking it during interviews? Ugh!

2. On long roadtrips, I wave enthusiastically at other drivers pretending to know them.
Not true! I pretty much get into a zone on long road trips. If I am not occupying one of the babies, I am listening to music or playing a game on my IPhone. Although, this may sound like something Matt and I would do to pass the time on those long road trips!

3. I've been audited by the IRS.
Nope! I don't do our taxes, would never attempt to do them or even know when they get done. Is the IRS the people that check over your tax records?

4. I've never had a cavity.
Ding! Ding! Ding! This, my friends, would be the truth. Call it genetics. Call it good hygiene. Maybe a little of both, but I have never sat in the dentist chair for anything other than to have my teeth cleaned. Yay! (now watch me have a cavity at my next cleaning)

5. I mistakenly indicated "Yes" for the number of household occupants on my 2010 census.
I did fill our census out, but it was filled out correctly and thank goodness or those census people would have been knocking on my door to "help" me complete it. 

Now for some of the rest of the lies that Matt came up with.
1.  I have a gold tooth.
2.  I once had lunch with _________________________.
3.  I exchange e-mails regularly with Barbara Schutt, the cofounder of "Silly Bands."
4.  The first name my parents gave me (before ultimately choosing Angela) was Emelia
5. I once competed in a coed asparagus eating contest only to place second to my future husband.
6. My favorite movie growing up was "Die Hard."
7. I unknowingly showed up to a Halloween swingers party dressed as a hot dog.
8. I often use the psudonym "Jo Mama" when participating in online surveys.

What a jokester!

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Truth and Lies

Jackie, at The Mathey Family tagged me to do a fun post where I confess 5 things about myself, 4 of which are false. Can you find the truth in all the lies?

1. I chewed gum through my entire wedding ceremony.
2. On long roadtrips, I wave enthusiastically at other drivers pretending to know them.
3. I've been audited by the IRS.
4. I've never had a cavity.
5. I mistakenly indicated "Yes" for the number of household occupants on my 2010 census. 

Now it's your turn to guess which one thing is true about me.

And Andrea, Lacey and Amy you are all tagged to join the fun!

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5 months

Dear Parker,
5 months old today and one day before my 30th birthday. :-) You've brought so much joy to us these past 5 months, you little sweet thing! You've also brought chaos, disorganization, dirty floors, unkempt bedrooms, dusty shelves, dirty dishes...well maybe YOU didn't bring that, but to be honest, since you've been here, I can't seem to keep up like I used to. It's definitely not your fault, Momma just still has to learn how to balance everything because right now that is not happening and the housekeeping suffers. But it could be worse and trust me sister, I would not want it ANY different!

4 months was a big month for you. It seemed to bring a lot of changes, changes in sleep, changes in eating, just changes. We started cereal, but in my heart of hearts, I felt you were not ready for it. We'll try again in a few more weeks. Your gums are very bumpy and you chew and drool. but no sign of a tooth yet. You went from sleeping 9 hours to waking every 1 1/2-2. We're working on getting your sleep straightened out and hopefully it's back to normal soon. You still aren't a fan of your bath. Last night, Daddy and Lane went for a cruise in the Chevelle so it was just me and you. I started a bath and put you in. You cried for a minute or 2 and then you fell asleep. It was hilarious! Maybe your bath time is too close to your bedtime. You would go to bed at 6 if we let you. But we try to wait until 7.

You have a thing with people. You have earned your nickname as DIVA.

:cue the Diva pic:


You prefer Daddy, Lane or me and you are comfortable with your aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas, but anyone else usually gets a very Diva-ish look and sometimes even a cry. There are moments, that someone you don't know talks to you and you give them the biggest toothiest gummiest grins, but most times a really long stare and sometimes a whine. You've got attitude!

A girl after my own heart


"These shoes are fabulous!"


Don't be offended if you try to talk to Parker and she turns her head...she even does it to me!


You did roll from back to belly this month, but it only happened once. When you cry now, you often sound like you are saying Mmmmmoooommmaaaa and that makes it really hard for me to let you cry. Another frequent sound we hear is, what sounds like, Hiiiii, in a really high pitched voice. It's too funny. You are getting better at tummy time, but not for too long and you babble and coo all the time. You have mastered grabbing toys and chewing on them. Your favorite toy is a ring of hard plastic fruit. I never leave home without it! I think it's safe to say your favorite form of entertainment is your brother.



He doesn't even realize it sometimes, but he gets the best smiles out of you!

Happy 5 months Little Miss Lou!


Love,
Momma

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My view from here

was this for most of the day today.


We started off in the morning meeting with friends for a walk to Falls Park and a picnic. We ate, fed the ducks and ran around. Lane was referred to as the "big kid" (crazy!) and Parker was the only girl. All of the other little boys were around 16-18 months and they seemed like babies compared to Lane. (Even though when Lane was that age I didn't feel that way.) We had fun with the group and then decided when they were ready to leave we would stay a little bit longer.

The day was just too nice. So we walked down Main St. and rode the elevator and Lane had a snack in the stroller


and Parker slept.


After a loooong walk, we headed toward where our car was parked and stopped to play at the train for the second time this week. It doesn't move or make noise, but apparently he can't get enough of it! :-)



I fed Parker

and directed a game for Lane that was essentially running hills. Haha! But he loved it! "Run and touch the fence. Now run and touch the tree" "OK!!!!! Momma!"


They are both currently out cold and have been since we got home! I love fresh air for more reasons than one!

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Brain bursting on blog

We ate dinner so late last night that it was a good thing it was a frittata and kind of doubled as dinner and breakfast. I had a hair appointment and that pushed our whole evening out of whack. Matt fed Lane earlier thank goodness. Pre-Parker, we used to be all about eating together as a family, but now Matt and I take dinner as an opportunity to re-connect from the chaos of the day so we usually feed Lane earlier and wait until BOTH kids are sleeping to enjoy our dinner date.

Lane decided he wanted to go to bed with a tractor that has a remote control. He picks the weirdest things to snuggle with. I was uneasy because the remote control was connected by a wire. I tried to sneak it out of his bed before I went downstairs, but he caught me. I went up sometime later. Looked at him and was sure he was totally asleep. I even put my face in front of his and nothing. As soon as I reached my hand over the railing of his crib, he sat straight up and said "No, dat's mine!" About 10 minutes later, I went up to check on him and he was laying flat on his back reading a book. Hah! The kid cracks me up! This was 9:45 mind you. I think he has night owl tendencies like his Daddy.

Lane missed 2 weeks of school when we were in IL and this past Monday when we were finally back home in SC he told me he wanted to go to school. I was worried how transitioning back would go, but apparently it was no big deal. Lane sat behind my table for Macaroni Kid this past weekend and said "Go round dere, momma." So I went to the front of the table. Then he said, "Here, you want a pencil to draw?" I think that was his way of asking me to subscribe. Do you think he's been to enough events with me?!

In the past week we have booked 2 vacations and I am so excited. In August we are going to Siesta Key and September we are going to Folly Beach. It happens to land over Park's b-day so she'll be celebrating on the beach just like her big brother did.  I'm still going strong with my running and plan to run a 10K in Charleston at the beginning of April. I STILL have to do my truth and lies post...I promise Jackie, I'll do it! And today we spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon outside downtown. It was awesome! Post to follow!

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If I could put into words how beautiful this day was

it would say something like this:

The rays of the sun shone down on our face, the warm breeze whipped our hair. It felt like late Spring! I walked with Parker in the Ergo and Lane "rode" his bike that he got for Christmas.



He's too short to reach the pedals so he uses his feet on the ground to power his bike. The birds chirped, the squirrels frolicked and we waved at our neighbors as we passed their houses. We stopped at a "gas station" (ie a telephone pole) for "gas" and went on our merry way.



We resisted the urge to break out the bubbles and sidewalk chalk because lunch time was nearing. Lane ran back and forth "putting rocks in the river."









Parker squinted when the sun hit her eyes and had to catch her breath when the breeze hit her face just right, but mostly she nestled her little face into my chest.


I worried for a minuite when I had to break the news that it was time to go inside to eat lunch. With a little resistance at first, Lane quickly obliged after he asked "wanna have a picnic, momma?" So we did. Our first picnic of the season. I've been waiting for a day like this. Little glimpses of Spring to get me through the month!

To top off this day of love, we went for a family run. It was Parker's first. I think it's safe to say she loved it. Within 10 minutes she was out cold. A perfect Valentine's date...in my book. :-)

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And now a break from our regularly scheduled program

to dote on my husband.

He really is amazing. It's no secret, I've boasted about him before. I'm just blessed to have him by my side in this game we call life. If nothing else, I really want Parker and Lane to read about the kind of husband and father he is and to know how appreciative I am!

We haven't been home for ages. We pulled in at the crack of midnight Friday night and I had to prepare for an event for Macaroni Kid that was taking place all weekend. CUE: Mr {amazing} Mom. After 5 short hours of sleep we were up and at 'em. Matt got the kids ready and we were out the door by 8:30 am. He helps me set up, hangs around a bit to let Lane play and I feed Parker one last time. He kisses me, gives me a "go get 'em" pep talk and they are out the door.

I really don't have to do this event. I'm not getting paid to do it, but I committed to a business and I am enjoying building it. Besides for the fact that it brings in extra income each month, it most importantly has given me a place in this community. Sure, I've lived as a citizen of Greenville for 5 years, but it wasn't until Macaroni Kid that I actually felt a part of it! And Matt knows that...and better yet...wants that for me...and our family. Yes, the money is nice, but it really doesn't beat the other stuff Macaroni Kid has done for me.

And instead of him maybe asking "why do I have to do this" because after all we just got home from being gone 2 weeks, there are 3 suitcases and their contents strewn about the living room floor. We don't really have groceries and the fact that we barely got 5 hours of sleep last night doesn't help the situation. Matt, just does it...no questions asked. Just offers all the support he can, pulls up his mom jeans and takes care of them ALL weekend. And while I'm away, I really don't think a whole lot about them. I mean sure, I talk about my kids when I am there, but I don't think about what they are doing or worry if he can handle it. He provides just as good of care as I do (except he can't breastfeed) :-)

And then I get these pictures on my phone on Sunday, while I am away all day again, my heart smiles and everything is confirmed yet again as to why I fell in love with him and married him in the first place.

So...I am thankful on Valentine's Day (and everyday) for this man:

 

Loving, supportive, kind, caring, thoughtful, responsible, intelligent and easy on the eyes (If I do say so myself!) ;-)

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