A week in the McLife: Saturday

Day 7: A Week in our McLife

6:22 AM: I was awoken out of a dead sleep to a screaming baby. I feed her and put her back to bed. Matt runs with a group on Saturday mornings at 6.

9:23 AM: I wake up and check the clock. Holy cow! I slept in and the kiddos are still sleeping too.

9:35 AM: Parker wakes up so I bring her out and we play.

9:38 AM: Lane wakes up and asks for Cheerios and milk (separate, of course)

9:41 AM: Matt comes home and brings me Starbucks and Lane a surprise (a pink doughnut from SB)

10:03 AM: I put Parker in her seat and start making her breakfast while drinking my Starbucks-chai latte.

10:10 AM: Even though Matt is on his 2nd breakfast, he asks for eggs so I make everyone eggs.

10:15 AM: Lane asks to help me cook so I let him crack the eggs into the bowl.

10:17 AM: Parker gets a scrambled egg yolk with cheese and gobbles it all up. I think she's still too young to eat the whites. Allergy-risks. I know it sounds weird to just eat the egg yolk. I think we're (as adults) really supposed to be eating just the whites. She also eats a pancake and some yogurt.

10:30 AM: Even though there is still a mess in the kitchen from yesterday's cooking, I need to take a shower because we are headed to look at siding, door knobs, interior doors, paint palette's and tile. It's a perfect day to do so because it is overcast and sort of rainy. 

10:35 AM: I jump in the shower while Matt finishes breakfast with the kids and gets them dressed.

11:50 AM: We jump in the car and we are off to GBS Lumber.

12:47 PM: We stop at the granite place because Matt wants to double check the name of the granite we picked out for our kitchen.

12:50 PM: Since we are in the area we stop at Lowe's to look at tile and paint even though that's not where our tile and paint are coming from. At least we can get some ideas.

We are leaning toward something like this for the accent tile in the guest bathroom shower. We'll probably use white subway tile and accent it with something similar to this. PS-Parker naps the entire (almost) 2 hours we spend at Lowe's.

2:23 PM: We are hungry and we stop at the hot dog stand outside of Lowe's for lunch. Perfect $10 lunch for the 3 of us. Parker starts to wake up while I'm eating, but she is content still in the Ergo.

2:53 PM: We head to the new house to scope it out and get the mail.

3:13 PM: Not much is done so we head to the apartment to get ready for a birthday party we have at 4.

3:53 PM: We grab the present, change Lane into his suit and head to a 2nd birthday party for Dean. 

4:10 PM: We spend the next 3 hours celebrating with our friends, eating pizza and chatting. 

7:10 PM: We head back home.

7:23 PM: We decide to take a walk around our complex. There is a big open field with a fire pit and some chairs as well as a volleyball court. There are several landscaping areas with big bushes and Lane decides he wants to play hide-n-seek so we do! Harley always wins at hide-n-seek, but he's not very good at hiding. We walk a little bit more and then head inside.

8:16 PM: Matt puts both of the kids in the bath and I tackle the mess of a kitchen that's been waiting for me since yesterday.

8:40 PM: We get the kids to bed and put on some music while browsing through catalogs for house stuff. We look at some of the door knobs and hardware catalogs we picked up from GBS. The original house has glass knobs and I think I want to continue that through the house. I love how they look!

10:40 PM: Night all!

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A week in the McLife: Friday

Day 6 of A Week in our McLife

8:06 AM: I wake up on my own. No crying alarm clocks. 

8:34 AM: Parker wakes up. She sounds happy!

9:06 AM: I hear Lane so I go in to get him and ask him to go pee pee and get a pair of undies out of his drawer. We play around for a little bit.

9:34 AM: I get breakfast for both of them. Parker has banana pancakes and I also cut up a plum for her. Lane, actually has Cheerios this morning. It's a miracle! He likes to eat them dry in a bowl with milk in his cup.

10:12 AM: I put Parker down for her morning nap.

10:23 AM: I make waffles for myself and check my email. I have a Webinar for Macaroni Deals on Tuesday at 8PM so I RSVP for that. 

10:39 AM: Parker is fighting her nap.

10:56 AM: Lane and I browse for some "craps" (crafts) to do on the Internet. I haven't been outside yet, but it's cloudy and rainy.

11:06 AM: Lane says "how 'bout that crap" and that has me laughing pretty hard despite the fact that Parker's whines have now turned into full-blown screams.

11:15 AM: It's been an hour since I put her down and apparently she is not going to sleep. I go in and get her.

11:20 AM: We play tractors on the floor.

12:48 PM: I get Parker lunch-broccoli cheese nugget and an apple turkey stick.

1:03 PM: I put Parker down to try for a nap again.

1:34 PM: I fold the laundry in the dryer and start a new load.

1:43 PM: I walk outside (for the first time) to see what kind of "craps" we have in the garage and it is freezing and rainy!

1:53 PM: I do not find anything within reach so I'm back to the drawing board.

2:00 PM: I put in a frozen pizza for Lane and I for lunch and make a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I'm pretty sure I consumed half of the dough before I put them in the oven.

2:30 PM: Lane and I eat pizza and I start browning meat for spaghetti sauce. I plan to make a big batch to use next week for various meals. Spaghetti, lasagna and eggplant pizzas.

2:49 PM: Parker is awake. At least she slept some.

2:58 PM: We play ball on the floor and I remember a box that Matt brought home from the new house. It's from my mom and packed with stuff we left. That's always a given after a long trip.

3:00 PM: I open the box and find it contains a little more than just our stuff. This is perfect because it's raining and I have no plans to leave the house today.

3:05 PM: I let Lane peek inside and he finds stamps (Toy Story 3), a ball (mickey mouse) and a light. It's one of those you would put on your key chain to see. Lane LOVES that kind of stuff. Dollar Tree store success! The stamps and the rest of the junk keeps him busy for the next hour.

3:30 PM: I finish my spaghetti sauce and assemble my lasagna.

4:15 PM: Meanwhile, I put laundry in the dryer and clean the bathrooms.

4:30 PM: Lane comes in mid-toilet cleaning and wants to help. So I let him. You can never teach a man how to clean a toilet early enough, right?!

4:45 PM: I straighten up the living room.

4:55 PM: I look at the kitchen and decide that my spaghetti sauce, lasagna mess is not as important as a shower for me.

4:56 PM: I put Parker down for a quick (what I hope will be) nap.

4:57 PM: Lane and I jump into the shower.

5:15 PM: I get myself and Lane ready.

5:57 PM: Parker wakes up.

6:03 PM: Matt gets home.

6:15 PM: I change Parker and we head out the door for Main St Fridays.

6:30 PM: We arrive downtown and chat with a few people we run in to. Mike Roche's Dad (a good friend of ours from high school) is moving to Greenville and we run into him again. We've seen him downtown the last couple times we've been there. We also run into a couple we are friends with. He used to work with Matt.

6:55 PM: Carter and Lisa (our regulars) arrive kidless. Wha?! They dropped Devon and Noah off at gymnastics night. I break the news to Lane, but he isn't too sad.

7:05 PM: We relocate to the Bounce House-kid area and let Lane go to town. I think he has fun with the attention of all the adults. Carter and Lisa are like family to us. They are the ones that took Lane when I went into labor. He runs from Bounce House to Bounce House and in between our little circle where we are talking and runs to everybody's legs and hugs them. It turns into a game.

7:30 PM: I give Parker dinner in her stroller-pumpkin and banana puree and cereal.

8:00 PM: Lane asks for a sandwich from Subway so him and I walk to get him something.

9:15 PM: The event is over. Lisa and Carter leave to pick up their kids and we head back to the car.

9:17 PM: Matt and Lane stop to look at a cool motorcycle on Main St. Funny because the owner is walking up to the bike as well. He asks Lane if he wants to sit on it. Lane is hesitant, but decides that sounds fun. He's had practice on Grandpa's motorcycles.

9:41 PM: We arrive back home and get the kids ready for bed and into bed.

9:51 PM: I let Harley out while Matt heats up the lasagna that I made earlier.

10:30 PM: I start watching "The Wedding Planner" but I'm tired so we call it a night!

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A Week in the McLife: Thursday

Day 6: A Week in our McLife

7:24 AM: My lovely alarm clock wakes me up. No really...she is pretty cute! ;-) 

7:50 AM: We come out to the living room to get Parker changed and play.

8:12 AM: I put Parker down for a nap. We have a play date today and I'd like her to sleep before we leave.

8:34 AM: Lane's awake and he gets french toast sticks and milk for breakfast.

8:50 AM: Parker's still not asleep. She's protesting in her bed, but I'm gonna let her work it out and jump in the shower. 

9:01 AM: She's finally asleep and I get dressed and blow dry my hair.

9:11 AM: I throw in some waffles for breakfast and put on some make-up.

9:24 AM: I post yesterday's schedule to my blog and write on Mac Kid's Facebook wall. It's cloudy today so I offer some indoor options.

9:36 AM: I eat and get Parker's breakfast ready. I get Lane dressed and ask him to throw a pair of socks in my purse. We're headed to Giggle Bugs and socks are required.

9:55 AM: I let our friends know that we will be late because Parker is still asleep.

10:01 AM: I wake her up and get her dressed.

10:11 AM: We are out the door.

10:30 AM: Arrive at Giggle Bugs and play for the next 1 1/2 hours. I feed Parker her breakfast when we get there. Apple, sweet potato and carrot puree with cereal.

11:47 AM: Get the kids ready to go. We run through Chick fil A so Lane and I can split a lemonade. They have the best! 

12:11 PM: I chat with my friend Susan on the phone and head toward Woodruff road. I need to make our car payment and I'm not sure where the closest BB&T is located. I'm familiar with a few downtown, but we are in the "suburbs" today. I figure if I drive on Woodruff Rd. I will run into one.

12:15 PM: Bingo! Hello BB&T...sorry this payment is a day late. (story of my life these days)

12:30 PM: We head to Costco. 

I have one main thing on my list....aaaaannnddd...I forget to pick it up. But, of course, I remember the dark chocolate covered pomegranates. Doh! And I also remember $139 worth of other amazing stuff. :-) Just not the thing I actually needed. I make a mental note that Matt and I need to head back there this weekend to check out the furniture. They have lots of good stuff. 

1:15 PM: I get gas at Costco before we leave. If Matt gets in my car one more time and sees I'm on E, he'll kill me! (and I'll get the "don't let your car get that low-it's bad for the engine" speech) On my way home, I realize I forgot (yet again!) to buy my sister a b-day card. It's on Saturday and since Tuesday I have been forgetting. Ay-yi-yi

1:23 PM: I unload a lot of the stuff into the garage (and wonder why I bought this butter) 

(If you can't tell how big it really is...each container is 32 ounces (2lbs!) Really?!)

I mean we needed butter, but we don't have room for this much butter. I guess I get caught up in the Costco awesomeness. Good thing my mom will be staying with us in a few months. She'll deplete the butter supply!

 and then the kids and I head inside our house. 

1:28 PM: I make lunch. Blueberry protein pancakes for Princess Sparkle Pants and ham and cheese on Triscuits for Lane. I get nervous because we are running low on our last box of Triscuits. I wish they sold those at Costco.

1:53 PM: Princess Sparkle Pants is a Princess Blueberry mess. 

I get her cleaned up, change her and read her a book before nap.

2:20 PM: She squealed for a bit, but I haven't heard from her in a while. I think it's safe to say she fell asleep. Phew!

2:30 PM: I get Lane some yogurt covered raisins and make lunch for myself. I realize he didn't eat the ham from his ham and and cheese on crackers sandwiches.

2:56 PM: I think about a nap for Lane, but Curious George is on at 3 and he has been dying to watch it. I decide to let him stay up to watch it. Besides, I've got the kids tonight so maybe that means an earlier bed time.

3:01 PM: Lane is jumping up and down with excitement from seeing Curious George. I decide he hasn't eaten enough so I cut him up half a kiwi and some strawberries.

3:10 PM: He eats all of them up and asks for more of each. I cut the other half of the kiwi up and some more strawberries.

3:25 PM: Parker is awake. I'm thinking if a baby wakes up screaming from every sleep, they really aren't ready to be awake. She does it every time. She used to wake up talking and cooing. I wonder what happened?

3:30 PM: I rock and cuddle her in her room. She clearly looks tired, but isn't going back to sleep.

3:45 PM: I bring her to the living room to play with her brother.

3:50 PM: I run out to my car. It looks like a hoarder lives in it. I grab 2 bags and start throwing everything in it. It's gross! I also go into the garage to look for nail polish. Parker and I both need pedis.

4:10 PM: I bring both bags in from the car and sort through them. Most of its garbage, toys, bottles, sippy cups and mail from our new house.

4:30 PM: I clip both kid's nails and toe nails and put Parker in her seat for a snack while I paint her toes.

4:50 PM: 20 minutes later a few carrots later and some kiwi later Parker literally has painted TOES. OOO EMMM GEEE it's so hard to paint her toes. They look terrible. I put some remover on a Q-Tip and try to clean them up.

5:00 PM: We get down and play tractors with Lane. He has my phone and takes a million pictures like these:

5:41 PM: The kitchen looks disastrous even though I've cleaned it 3 times today. I empty the clean dishes from the dishwasher and re-load it. I also do a few pots left over from dinner last night and organize the cupboard with cups and the cupboard with Tupperware. Those get out of hand pretty quickly.

6:00 PM: Matt gets home. I give Parker an Apple Turkey stick and a broccoli cheddar nugget. I also give her some bites of yogurt in between cleaning.

6:03 PM: Matt changes and gives her the rest of the yogurt. Lane asks for pancakes. While I was cleaning out the silverware drawer he found a cookie cutter-one that we used on Easter for our pancakes. Luckily, I have some banana pancakes in the freezer. I heat 2 of them up. If he'll eat 'em, I'll make them! I'm desperate at this point.

6:05 PM: Lane uses his cookie cutter to make shapes and eats most of the pancakes.

6:07 PM: He asks Matt to play with him. They go into the tent.

6:29 PM: Parker is getting full and antsy. She is so ready for bed. I wipe her up and get her into her pajamas.

6:31 PM: Lane cries when Matt leaves. He's going to a beer tasting with friends. I console him and put on his PJ's.

6:40 PM: I feed Parker and cuddle with her on the couch. She's a cuddly baby. She sings and talks to me.

7:03 PM: I put Parker down to bed.

7:12 PM: She was squealing a bit, but I don't hear her anymore. She was exhausted.

7:15 PM: I put on my PJ's and wash my face. I come out and make Lane dinner. Chicken nuggets and rice.

7:20 PM: I heat up a piece of chicken leftover from yesterday and have some rice. I open a Bud Light Lime (from a can-they're my pool beers) and pour it into a glass. Nothing but high class around here! haha

7:45 PM: I clean up dinner and turn on Bravo while Lane watches construction trucks on YouTube. He has a weird new thing with that.

8:15 PM: I play a few Words with Friends and prepare Lane for bed.

8:20 PM: He tells me he has to go poop and I help him on the toilet. He calls me when he's done (he likes his privacy :-) We brush his teeth and wash his face and hands.

8:40 PM: We read books and chat and then I put him to bed.

9:00 PM: I come out and watch a little TV and play Words with Friends. I haven't repainted my toes yet, but I'm too tired. Maybe tomorrow.

10:30 PM: I head to bed and text Matt Goodnight!

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A week in the McLife: Wednesday

Day 5: A Week in the McLife

7:07 AM: Parker cries for a minute, but it sounds like she fell back asleep.

7:48 AM: I hear her again, so I go in to get her and feed her.

8:08 AM: We come out for breakfast-mango and pancakes (she's taking forever to finish that mango I cut up earlier this week)

8:38 AM: She's looking and acting tired so I'm thinking she needs to go down soon, but I really can't tell!

8:43 AM: I hear Lane so I go get him and make him, you guessed it!...french toast sticks with milk for breakfast. He asks to watch trains on the computer. Matt started him on YouTube watching trains, just random trains crossing railroad tracks. He's actually  pretty good at picking another video and using the mouse to play it. 

8:53 AM: I decide to put Parker down. She fusses and plays and it doesn't look like she's going to cooperate.

8:59 AM: I make waffles for myself and remember I put in a load of laundry yesterday that still needs drying. (I hope it doesn't stink. It contains Matt's clothes from his gym bag)

9:03 AM: Parker is still not sleeping so I go in and bring her out to play.

9:20 AM: Lane goes onto play with his toys and I publish a few posts on my blog and check email. 2 articles have come through for my newsletter so I have to get those put in before I publish at 2.

9:55 AM: I sit by Parker on the floor and we read a few books. She swats at the pages and I wonder if she will love books like Lane did (and does!)

10:00 AM: I change her and try to put her back down.

10:05 AM: She goes down this time and I finish those articles and email a few people about Macaroni Deals. I chat with a publisher from Louisiana about the new site. It's sounds neat, but I really need to figure out what I'm doing to make it work. 

10:15 AM: I'm sitting at the computer oblivious to what's going on when I hear Lane say O, A, R, K...Park! I turn around and he is pointing to letters in one of our new library books. He mistook the P for an O, but he got all the other ones right. I get down on the floor and give him a hug and some praise. I really need to start working with him on letters and words.

10:30 AM: I fold the clothes I took out of the dryer to put the new ones in and put them away. 

11:40 AM: Parker wakes up and we play in Lane's tent. I start to get hungry so I make lunch for all of us. Parker has eggplant and beef puree and some peas and mango...yes, more mango, but she finishes it! Finally! Lane has strawberries, blueberries and grapes. I have a leftover French Dip sandwich from dinner.

12:17 PM: Apply sunscreen to some naked cuties!

and we head to the pool. Our play group was going to the water park today, but I'm not a water park person. Maybe it's the...um...should I say "interesting" people it attracts. It also sounds like a lot of work with a little one so I'm happy walking 20 ft. to our pool.

1:30 PM: Parker is tired and I put her down in her stroller while Lane swims. 

2:12 PM: Parker falls asleep several times, but keeps waking up. I decide we should leave and go home to nap.

2:22 PM: I put Parker down and she cries. Lane protests a bit, but he lays down too.

2:35 PM: Parker is still crying. Lane is out like a light.

2:45 PM: Parker is still crying. I keep going in there. I sing, I rub her back, I pat and I finally just tell her it's night night time.

2:59 PM: Still crying. I watch The Bachelorette on Hulu. (Why do I waste my time?)

3:16 PM: She finally stopped crying and sounds like she is sleeping. I text Matt to see if he wants to swim after work (I promised Lane). He asks if I forgot about Spin. Why yes, yes I did! I haven't been feeling the exercising lately. Plus everyone at home told me I need to eat a sandwich or 2. I kind of agree. I don't feel like taking a Spin class tonight, but I tell Matt I will check if there are any bikes. Then I eat an ice cream sandwich. :-) 

3:56 PM: I finish the Bachelorette and Parker wakes up (already). She's crying so hard she can hardly catch her breath so I hold her until she calms down and then she plays on the floor. I don't know what's going on with her.

4:00 PM: I decide to finish the cooking I was going to do yesterday. 

4:08 PM: Shoot! Matt text me and says there are 2 bikes with our names on them. But I don't wanna. Hmph!

4:29 PM: I give Parker some yogurt and a blueberry protein pancake I just made. Not the best choice considering we have to leave soon and she is blueberry stained!

4:43 PM: I change into workout clothes and open Lane's door and turn off his fan.

4:53 PM: A few minutes later I hear him call me and I go into get him.

5:05 PM: Matt calls and says he is on his way. I am feeling annoyed because I really don't want to Spin today and I think we need to leave at 5:00 to get there on time.

5:15 PM: Matt is changed, I am still crabby and we head to the car for Spin class. Boo!

5:33 PM: We arrive at the Y. I get the kids squared away in the nursery. Matt gets our bikes set up.

5:35 PM: I am a little nervous about Parker. She hasn't been to the Y since she was a tiny infant in her car seat.

5:43 PM: I get on my bike and start pedaling. It's a new bike from the last class I took. Many emotions and memories wave over me. Last time I was in this room, I had a 1 1/2 year old and I was 20 weeks pregnant.

5:44 PM: I look at Matt and tell him I'm sorry for being a crab and that I did really need a workout after this long day.

5:45 PM: We pedal for the next 45 minutes. Holy cow I'm sweating! This is hard!!!

6:30 PM: 20 miles later we stretch out and go pick up the kids.

6:32 PM: I always like to show up and watch the kids before they see me. Lane looks a little concerned. There is another little girl in there crying and I bet he's nervous about it. Parker is still in the SAME spot as I set her. I wonder if she crawled around at all??

6:35 PM: Lane is super happy when he spots me through the window. The lady in there picks up Parker and she looks like she is about to cry....until she sees us. Then she jumps out of her arms and right to me.

6:40 PM: We head outside and Lane wants to look at the fountain so we let him. We both forget to leave our towels so Matt runs back in and returns them.

6:50 PM: We stop at Hillcrest. The masonry work is complete and they begin framing tomorrow!!

This in standing in the back yard looking at the side of the house.

Lane standing in the front of the addition.

Parker and Matt standing in the dining room/kitchen.

7:23 PM: We arrive back at home. Matt gives both kids a bath and I start dinner-An easy version of Chicken Cordon Bleu. SOOOOO GOOOD and extremely easy. Let me know if you want the recipe!

7:53 PM: Matt puts Parker down and Lane comes out to keep me company. I give him yogurt while he waits to eat.

8:23 PM: I jump in the shower and we all sit down to eat.

8:59 PM: Lane doesn't eat a bite of his chicken so we read books on the couch with Matt and then Matt takes him to bed.

9:15 PM: I clean up dinner and play Words with Friends with a few people while Matt gets his stuff ready for work tomorrow.

10:20 PM: I'm tired and bedtime sounds divine. Night all!

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A Week in the McLife: Tuesday

Day 4: A Week in the McLife

7:48 AM: Wake up call from Miss Lou Lou. I bring her in bed and feed her and then we play for a few minutes. This morning she looks at Harley and says "woof woof." She is most vocal in the morning when it's just her and I.

8:20 AM: We come out to the kitchen and I make her some whole grain banana pancakes. I cut up a mango for her while she waits for her pancakes and after a few bites I realize she is rubbing her eyes and wants to go back down to bed.

8:55 AM: I put Parker back down. She fusses a second, but falls asleep soon.

9:00 AM: I come back out to my pancakes and hear a big sigh from her big brother. I go in to get him. I put a waffle in the toaster and pour him a glass of milk. He watches ETV while I take a shower.

9:20 AM: Before showering, I post on Mac Kid's Facebook wall about some activities for today. I realized I signed up for Pinterest (you can follow me here! Let me know if you need an invite) a few weeks ago and I am just getting around to sign in and check it out.

9:48 AM: I finally decide I need to shower.

10:20 AM: I finish getting Lane ready and I hear Parker awake. I bring her out and cut some pancakes and more mango up for her. She eats while I blow dry my hair, slap on some mascara and get dressed.

10:30 AM: I change Parker and bring the stroller and bags out to the car. I make a breakfast sandwich to take with and if the microwave didn't continuously beep when it's finished, I would have forgotten it.

10:45 AM: Packed in the car and ready to go when I realize my sandwich is still cold. I eat half anyway. It's not our scheduled Meals on Wheels day, but we are filling in for someone.

11:00 AM: Pick up our meals and we are on our way!

12:00 PM: MOW took longer than usual. One of our clients wasn't answering. Her door was locked, but I could hear her. I call for help and they find that she has fallen in the bathroom. She isn't hurt, but no one has seen her for quite some time. I am grateful that I waited around and didn't leave right away after she didn't answer.

12:15 PM: I stop at our neighborhood dry cleaner to pick up Matt's dry cleaning and alterations. (It's a hefty bill today...$50...he will definitely be paying me back for this! ;-) I chat with the lady about the weather and almost leave without taking the clothes...duh!

12:20 PM: We stop at our new house to check on the "progress" and get the mail. They broke ground and poured footers for the addition...they were supposed to start framing 7/1...they are 10 days behind schedule.

12:30 PM: We head to the library to return a book that I didn't realize we had when I dropped off all of the other ones. We decide to go in since Parker is getting antsy in the back. I pay the $.60 fine and we head to the children's section. I give Parker a bottle while reading them a book. We pick out 4 more books to take home.

1:00 PM: We head back to our house for lunch and naps. Parker gets green beans (from a can) and yogurt (I just started giving her the Stonyfield yogurt blends.) She is really into her finger foods these days and I'm sure Lane isn't the only almost 3 year old who requested chicken nuggets for lunch. He gets green beans too while watching Calliou. I snack on Triscuits, the Rosemary and Olive Oil kind with Swiss cheese, while feeding the kids until I can make myself something. (We are on our 4th box of Triscuits since last weeks grocery trip. Yikes!)

1:44 PM: I bag the pancakes I made this morning to put into the freezer in between bites of yogurt for Parker. Will she ever finish!??! It's nap time!

1:46 PM: She's rubbing her eyes so the other half of yogurt will have to wait until after nap. I walk into her room with her and she immediately lays her head on my shoulder. She tries to get comfy, but then decides her bed looks best. She practically dives out of my arms to get there. I rub her back and she sings to sleep.

1:53 PM: I come out and Lane requests squeeze yogurt. He ate the last one yesterday so he settles for one that Daddy takes in his lunch.

2:20 PM: I haven't heard a peep from Parker. I take it she's down. Much better than yesterday. We'll see how long it lasts. I pull up more finger food recipes and get to cooking. Menu: Apple Turkey Loaf Sticks, Broccoli Cheddar nuggets. baby meatballs, blueberry protein pancakes and veggie pizza. We'll see how much I get done!

2:30 PM: Lane goes down and I get to cooking. I am interrupted with a phone call from my mom who says she commented on Sara's blog and it landed under my name. She still hasn't got that commenting thing down!

3:16 PM: I hear Parker crying and wait a few minutes before going in. Her cry doesn't sound like it's the "I'm awake and well-rested" kind. I rub her back and she stops, but as soon as I walk out she cries again. I get her up and change her diaper. Poop was the culprit! She plays on the floor and I check my Turkey Sticks.

3:25 PM: I start my broccoli cheddar nuggets and realize I haven't made that lunch I am hungry for.

3:45 PM: Parker is fussy. It's so not like her. I can tell she's still tired because she starts crying about everything and as soon as I pick her up she lays her head on my shoulder, but she won't nap. I put her in her seat for a snack-yogurt melts-and hope that occupies her so I can finish my cooking.

4:15 PM: I finally get around to eating that lunch. I had the baby spinach with taco fixings on top again.

5:00 PM: The worst part about cooking all day is the cleaning. (those beers are not from today)

5:30 PM: I wake up Lane and get a call from Matt that he is on his way. I am going to work on Mac Kid again tonight.

5:35 PM: Lane sees me and Parker on the kitchen floor and comes to play. We are laughing at Parker's crazy hair (it's from her bow) She's loving her new found freedom of crawling to other places than just the living room. She also pulls up on one of our chairs today too.

Lane wants to take our picture so he snaps several shots of us (LOL!)

6:03 PM: Matt walks in the door and I am ready to go!

6:20 PM: I choose Barnes and Noble for my workplace today and find a table in Starbucks.

8:30 PM: I head home to start dinner-french dip sandwiches and rice-and watch Flipping Out!

9:00 PM: Matt puts Lane to bed and we eat and watch Flipping Out.

9:10 PM: Clean up dinner and start watching a movie that just started-You, Me and Dupree. 


10:15 PM: Matt heads to bed and I am right behind him. Lights out!

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A week in the McLife: Monday

Day 3: A Week in the McLife

6:58 AM: Parker's wake up call. Matt is in the shower so I go and get her and feed her. She looks tired still so I put her back to bed after she eats.

7:58 AM: I check Facebook, blogs, email and chill in bed a bit. I usually go grocery shopping on Sundays, but yesterday we were hiking all day so I didn't have time. I think about when I will go today.

8:30 AM: Confirm plans with Kerry to swim at our house. They'll be here at 10. 

9:00 AM: I strip the sheets from our bed and wash them and then have breakfast.

9:20 AM: I blog about our Friday night downtown and Lane wakes up. He eats french toast sticks and I'm thinking I may have to text Kerry that 10:15 will work better, but I wait until it gets closer to 10.

9:40 AM: Parker wakes up and I change her and slather her with sunscreen. I put apples and sweet potatoes with cereal in a to go container to take to the pool. I slather Lane with sunscreen and put on his swim trunks. (He's still not one for getting dressed completely by himself.)

9:58 AM: Put both kids in the stroller and head to the pool with floats, towels and pretty much everything but the kitchen sink in hand.

10:05 AM: Kerry and Dean arrive at the pool and we swim for the next 3 1/2 hours.

12:00 PM: I put Parker in her stroller for a nap. It takes her a bit to fall asleep and she wakes up two times during her nap, but at least she gets some ZZZs.

1:30 PM: We head back home from the pool for lunch and naps.

1:32 PM: I speak with my Dad on the phone about Lane's fall while we were hiking and get Parker some cut up peas and carrots for lunch.

1:42 PM: Parker goes down for a nap, but not easily.

2:00 PM: I think she's finally asleep after going in several times to calm her down. I tell Lane it's time for a rest too. (We don't call it naps these days and if I tell him I will wake him when the timer goes off, he doesn't have any problem going down. I check on him periodically and when he wakes up I say "The timer went off!)

3:10 PM: Parker's up prematurely. She's still tired, but does not want to sleep anymore. I think her reflux still bothers her sometimes because it seems she wakes up bothered occasionally. I bring her out and let her play on the floor. I move our sheets to the dryer and start a new load.

4:15 PM: I start to wonder about the shopping trip I still need to do. Lane's still sleeping and I don't want to wake him. I upload some pictures from the weekend onto Photobucket and put away a load of laundry that I took out of the dryer when I put the sheets in. It had been there for a while.

5:15 PM: I finally hear Lane start to stir so I go in and do my spiel: "The timer went off! Did you have a nice rest?"

5:28 PM: We get into the car and head to the grocery store. I dread the 5 PM shopping hour, especially on a Monday. I have a big list and 2 littles with  me.

6:25 PM: I am checking out. I knew it's be a big one-$186. I have a lot of ingredients for some new finger foods for Parker on there.

6:28 PM: I get a text from Matt-Where art thou family?


6:36 PM: I call Matt on our way home and ask him to meet me at the car because I have a lot of bags to bring in.

6:46 PM: I run in with Parker and a few bags of groceries. I put some stuff away and Parker in her seat. I had plans to work on Mac Kid at 6 PM tonight and I am running behind.

6:50 PM: I jump back in the car and head to Panera. I feel bad leaving with bags of groceries that aren't put away, 2 babies that need dinner and baths, but Matt reassures me he's TOTALLY got this and to go ahead.

6:58 PM: I set-up at Panera and work for a few hours.

7:58 PM: I guess I should purchase something while using a table and their wireless network. A lemonade sounds good!

8:48 PM: I close up shop and head to the grocery store (again). I forgot to return that movie to the Blockbuster kiosk and it's due at 9 PM.

8:59 PM: I return the movie with one minute to spare.

9:04 PM: I walk in the door and am greeted by Lane. He is watching Bob the Builder on YouTube and asks me if I got all wet in the storm even though it's not even raining. (The last time I left and came back I went running and it started to storm mid-run. I came back sopping wet (and scared) with a fried phone.)

9:15 PM: Matt puts Lane to bed and we decide on leftovers since it's late.

9:17 PM: I warm up leftover taco stuff and go jump in the shower.

9:23 PM: Matt makes a few tacos for himself and I throw my ingredients over baby spinach (cause who doesn't need a little folic acid?!)

9:50 PM: We finish dinner and I clean up. I really want to sit on the couch and catch up on RHO(NJ and NY) I'm in luck because the cable guy who installed our Internet and phone (we have a phone line, but no phone because it was cheaper?) didn't have the correct trap so we still get BRAVO. (my favorite channel)

10:20 PM: Matt finished up ironing his work clothes and putting together his gym bag and calls it a night.

12:00 AM: I finally head to bed after 2 episodes of Housewives and some Words with Friends. Why did I stay up so late?

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A week in the McLife: Sunday

Day 2: A Week in the McLife

8:30 AM: Wake up call from Miss Lou Lou. She eats in bed and then has lots to say.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

9:00 AM: We come out for breakfast. I cut up an apple for her, but she's not digging it. We stick with fruit-avocado and banana puree and cereal.

10:00 AM: Lane wakes up and has french toast sticks.

11:00 AM: Both kids play on the floor and I clean the kitchen, check email, blogs, etc.

12:00 PM: I suggest we go hiking so we start packing lunches, applying sunscreen and getting dressed.

12:25 PM: We head to Jones Gap for hiking!

1:30 PM: Arrive at Jones Gap and hike for the next 4 hours. (Post (with more pics...duh!) soon to follow)

2:00 PM: My heart smiles when Matt catches up to me on our hike and says Lane just said "I'm so happy!" I guess he was having a good time!

6:00 PM: Arrive home and shower up.

6:30 PM: Parker gets dinner-yellow squash, cut up carrots and peas. She gets a bottle and heads to bed.

7:00 PM: I start dinner-tacos and chat with Matt while Lane watches Toy Story 3.

7:20 PM: Matt decides to run to blockbuster kiosk to get a movie. I request Bridesmaids, but it wasn't there so we settled for Just Go With It. (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston)

7:30 PM: We have dinner with Lane and start the movie. I turn it off because I don't want Lane watching it. It's very mellow, but I don't know if it will stay that way.

9:00 PM: We put him to bed. He likes when we both come in and read stories so we do that and after he's down we start the movie again.

11:00 PM: Movies over. I actually stayed up for the entire thing. (RARE!) It was cute, I recommend it. Lights out!

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A week in the McLife: Saturday

I've always wondered what my mom's (and our) days were like when we were kids. These next posts will probably bore you to death, but I'm sure my kids will enjoy reading when they are older!

Day 1: A Week in the McLife. 

9:30 AM: We all wake up due to our late night downtown. Except for Lane who is still snoozing.

10:00 AM: We come out for breakfast. Parker has peaches and cereal.

10:30 AM: Lane wakes up and requests french toast sticks.

10:45 AM: Parker didn't sleep enough last night. She goes back down for a nap.

11:00 AM: I start making my grocery list for this week's trip. It's going to be a big one since I haven't been on a real one in a long time. I also straighten up the kitchen and start a load of laundry.

12:00 PM: I decide to hit the pool. I ask Lane if he wants to join, but he wants to stay with Daddy. I go by myself with my Kindle (I'm reading The Help) and look forward to some alone time!

1:15 PM: Matt and the kids join me at the pool. I run back to the house to get Parker's hat and pack a lunch. When I get back we all eat and then we jump in the pool.

2:00 PM: Matt goes back with Parker. She still needs sleep. Lane stays with me and we swim a little longer.

3:00 PM: We head back home and I lay on the couch with the Kindle and read. I end up falling asleep! That NEVER happens. I wake up at 3:45 and jump in the shower to get ready for a birthday party.

4:30 PM: I wake up Parker and we head to Jayce's 2nd b-day party.

7:30 PM: After celebrating with our friends we head to our new house to see if any progress has been made. It's starting to rain and there is still just a giant hole in the ground. We grab the mail and head home. Lane falls asleep on the way there.

8:30 PM: Lane and I take Harley for a little walk while he blows bubbles that he got from the party. Matt gives Parker a bath and puts her to bed.

9:00 PM: I give Lane a bath. He plays for a little bit and then Matt reads us books and puts him to bed.

9:15 PM: Matt and I are both hungry so I make pesto and noddles for a "snack."

9:30 PM: My mom informed me that Walgreens was running a special on their photo books. A FREE 8x11 Linen one. I decide I can't pass up on a free book so I gather pictures from our summer and make a book.

10:30 PM: Books complete, snack is eaten and I play a few Words with Friends words with the various opponents I have at any given time...let's see: Luke, Lacey, Molly H., Meliss and Matt. We're addicted!

11:00 PM: Nothing on TV. We decide to call it a night! Lights out.

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