Kindergarten. We came, we saw, we are conquering (or in my case coping)

Well, we did it. We survived the start of kindergarten, we are six weeks in to be exact and moving right along like a well-oiled, sight-word seeing, number counting machine. We've learned how to maneuver morning drop-offs and after school pick-ups, prepare for the daily task of homework and, maybe the biggest, most eye-opening change, buy our own lunch at school.

And I say "we" survived, because not only was this a big change for my guy, but it was a MAJOR change for me. For every new step kindergarten introduced, I have been nervously standing by watching and waiting for the moment he will say he needs my help, because as we have both learned kindergarten is not just a new and exciting world of school and new friends but it is also the time of letting go.

At the start of the summer I ran into an acquaintance who has a little girl of her own in grade school, and she said one of the most profound things I have heard in regard to your child starting school. She said, "This is the only time we have with them." When you talk with fellow moms of toddlers and preschoolers, it seems that you're always sharing little tips or advice on how to tackle daily challenges, and on this particular day, her statement stuck with me because it is so true. I am so grateful and blessed to have been able to stay home with Braedan from the moment he was born, but those five years flashed at the speed of light. The days, weeks, and years are all a big blur of play dates, mommy and son days at the park, tantrums, sick days, hugs, kisses and I love yous.

So I took my acquaintance's insight to heart, because the clock was ticking on our time together. I made sure the summer before kindergarten was filled with as much fun and good times as we could handle, whether we were here at home or out and about.

And here is my kindergartner on his first day of school. 

A Walk to End Lupus Now

In the past I've talked about how lucky I am to have my sister, and just when I think she can't be more amazing she goes and outdoes herself again. With the five year anniversary of my mom's passing coming up this April, she has come up with a way to honor our mother's memory by becoming involved with the Lupus Foundation of America. In late March we will participate in San Antonio's Walk to End Lupus Now, a signature event of the Foundation which raises funds for education, support services, programs and research.

Now, as a mom myself I see the strength a mother holds to do the very best for her family day in and day out, and I marvel even more when I think about my mom. I marvel at how she not only maintained that motherly strength for my sister and me, but that she also did that on top of enduring her daily struggles with Lupus. I only wish we had known more about the Foundation and its outreach, because I know on some days my mother felt as though she was the only one battling her condition. It would have provided a little comfort to be connected with programs or others with the disease and hopefully the funds we raise can do more to educate those affected by it along with their families.

The walk is taking place on Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m at Brooks City Base and if you're in the San Antonio area and would like to join us, please come out and participate. It will not only be a good way to support the Foundation, but it will be a fun time to remember our mother. If she was here with us today I could just hear her say, "Oh Jenny and Jacquelyn, I'm going to need a wheelchair, tan locas if you think I can walk all of that." She would have loved to participate, but she knew her limitations. I know of course some of you are too far away to join us, but if you would like to help with a contribution you can make a donation in my mother's name. My sister set a goal to raise $1,000, and she is a little more than halfway there. She created a page on the Foundation's website, and you can go here to check it out, http://sanantoniolupuswalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1094227&lis=1&kntae1094227=543C54E3B434425EADD2A8B5DF1E042A&supId=398874706&emaillogid=7501804851



 

What does the cow say?

According to Kylie, not "Moo" but "Mmmm." And when you ask her what goes quack she replies with an energetic, "Duck," which makes me laugh, because her level of enthusiasm for that answer equals what yours or mine would be if we were answering a million dollar question. I guess that is one of the best parts about the stage she's in--the excitement and joy for all the new things no matter how big or small. Right now her biggest thrill is standing up and taking a few steps on her own. The most she has done is about five to eight steps, and those few steps have her smiling so big, giggling pretty hard and panting as if she just jogged five to eight yards instead of walked. Part of me is so ready for her to "step" into this first only because she is getting too heavy for me to carry, but I know the moment she begins walking I'll feel a tiny bit sad. Sad because it's just the beginning of her not being so dependent on mommy anymore.

As it is she is already so opinionated and she's only one. I know you think I might be exaggerating, but the hubby can confirm this as well, only he doesn't so much think of it as being opinionated but rather a tendency to be sassy. For example, at bedtime we read two to three short stories, but she has to give them the ok. Her acceptance and rejection system consists of leaning over the arm of the rocking chair while I hold up a book from the pile sitting nearby and she'll either: 1) sit back on my lap and hold Ele the Elephant (her sleeping pal) close to her to prepare for the story or 2) shake her head no and give it a slight swat away with her arm if it doesn't make the cut. She's just like her daddy in that way cut and dry, to the point and no hesitation with the decision-making. It almost makes me laugh when he calls this stuff sassy, because all I see is him. Like him, she knows what she likes and has no problem letting you know and how can you not give in to a sweet face like this.


Her first ponytail, even if it is a tiny one.

Big girl standing up



She can help with simple tasks and during bath time she loves to splash herself and wash her hair.



Looking for something while on our walk, but she needed two pairs of binoculars in case one didn't work.
 

To wear pants or no pants

Nothing annoys the hubby more than hearing the weather report as the top story in the national news, so this post will push him over the edge since that's the my main point of today's update. It's funny to see how soon he's forgotten the negative effects snow and ice can have when you're trying to travel. I guess you can chalk that up to another way we've become spoiled here. But while he listened to yet another riveting tale of last week's polar vortex, all I kept hearing in my mind was the countless protests Braedan would have at the thought of needing to wear pants, or even worse-- a jacket. When I hear the weather reports for Chicago at this time of year I'm thankful we no longer have to endure a winter that leaves lingering effects into April, and another reason I'm grateful is to not have to force him to bundle up in a big puffy jacket. It's bad enough when I have to break the news that he may have to wear pants or a light jacket, so thank goodness we no longer live in an area with winters that pack a bite. Instead we live in one that can't make up it's mind whether to stay cold or mild. I'll take the crazy seesaw action of a Texas winter, because even though we started off last week with morning temperatures at or near freezing, by the end of the week things were looking up giving Braedan and daddy the chance to break out their fishing gear for the first time this year... in pants, a light jacket and all.

Go with what you know

So Tuesday was a big day for me because not only did I update the blog, but I cooked dinner using a leftover frozen meal. Somewhere in between there I got the chance to do a little bit of cleaning and met some friends for lunch. I know you're asking, "Who is this person?" I almost threw in an early morning run, but I decided not to get too crazy. Out out of all those things, the two I'm most proud of are the dinner and my swept and mopped floor. I feel as though maintaining clean floors with kids is always a losing battle so when it happens I bask in my domestic glory for about an hour or two because that's about how long it will last until Braedan, Kylie, or even the hubby, come bounding through and track crumbs or dirt all over it again.

But enough about the floors, because I want to move onto one of the things I love, besides my children, and that is food. I mentioned my feat of using a previous meal to whip up something new, but I can't take all the credit for it. The leftover taco meat I had in the freezer and the addictive yet what did we ever do before it existed, Pintrest, gave me the idea. I know I've only posted a recipe one other time before, a Mexican dish, and sorry for not going outside the box but this one is a Mexican dish also. I made a beef and bean enchilada casserole and you can find the recipe here, http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/10/22/beef-and-bean-enchilada-casserole/.  What I love about this is that it gives you the great taste of an enchilada without all the work of making a real enchilada, and given how overwhelmed I sounded in my previous post you know I need a break anywhere I can get one. The other great thing is that Braeden likes it too (I omitted the green chilies and used a mild enchilada sauce so it's not too spicy). Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it but I did snap a picture of the rice I made to go with it. 

Anyhow, I thought this might be a good meal idea for some of you. Next time I post one I'll do my best to make sure it's something other than Mexican food. But hey, you can't blame a girl, and a Mexican one at that, for trying and going with what she knows.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder (I hope)

I'm sure when you hear from me about an update the idea of order and togetherness don't come to mind since it feels like what seems an eternity (at least to me) since my last post. I wish I could provide a reasonable excuse as to why I've been away for so long, but unfortunately I can't. I wasn't away accomplishing fabulous things. No, I've just been away trying to accomplish life with two kids.

After my sweet Kylie turned one in October I thought I was well on my way to looking like I had things together but soon after that...BAM. Daylight savings time ended and all manner of naps and schedules went out the window and there I was again feeling like I had no clue of what I was doing even though this isn't my first rodeo in the kids department. Keeping her on somewhat of a good schedule and ensuring Braedan is entertained and challenged is about all I could handle the last few months in addition to the day-to-day tasks a stay-at-home mom encounters. Oh, and I can't forget about trying to accomplish all that, plus keeping up with the hustle and bustle of the holidays which seemed to have started the day after Halloween as opposed to what should be an obligatory and respectful waiting period until after Thanksgiving.

And as I type this I feel so inadequate because I think of those moms with three kids, or more specifically, friends and family who work and have kids and I feel like such a wimp. I have to remind myself that I'm doing the best I can, but recently one of my best girlfriends from college, Betty, made me feel better about my motherly faults and she didn't even know it. On the website I share with her and my other college girlfriends we exchanged one of our daily threads, and I can't even recall what the whole thing was about. We might have discussed the need to get things done at home, but all I remember is one line she wrote, I don't know how you stay at home moms do it. Bless her heart, because I'm always thinking on the other end about how working moms do IT along with all the other stuff.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I blame my absence from the blog for the last three months on my lack of good time management skills, sleep deprivation and, for the month of December, the retail world. But rest assured in the midst of my countless self-doubting moments these past few months, both Kylie and Braedan were having a great time. Kylie had a fun-filled birthday with family, presents and one of her newfound favorites--dessert. She really had not tried anything sweet prior to her birthday cake so you know that was a big hit.

By the time Halloween rolled around they both had a great time even though we were eaten alive by mosquitoes while trick-or-treating.

 

During November, we enjoyed visits to San Antonio and Houston where we caught up with family and friends, and in December the idea of Christmas and a visit from Santa Claus in both Corpus Christi and New Mexico helped Braedan to keep us on our toes when it came to planning the gift delivery. (Which by the way, I think Braedan now believes that Santa can make several stops and Christmas just isn't the one day but maybe a whole week long. That is a whole separate post I'll have to tackle some day.)



This year he wanted a tree of his own for his room.

And that was the end of our year in a nutshell. I'm going to try my best to stay on top of this whole stay-at-home mom gig along with everything else, including this blog. 

Saturday Night Fever

My previous post mentions Braedan's enthusiasm for bowling, so much so that we threw him a bowling birthday party. Well a couple of weekends ago we ventured out for a family date night of bowling since he does love it so much, but it wasn't without a lot of begging and pleading. And that was just from mommy and daddy. For the last few months we have attempted to go but one thing the hubby and I have learned about Corpus, besides it being a fun beach town, is that it is a hotbed for bowlers. I know that sounds crazy and like a bit of an exaggeration but the hubby can agree with me because he has been a participant to all of our failed attempts at getting to just one little, lowly bowling lane for the four of us. If there weren't birthday parties taking place, then it was bowling leagues or tournaments getting in the way of my little bowler's dream to get back at the lanes.

But that all changed on just another regular Saturday for us, because when I called at 1 o'clock that day I was told 22 lanes would open up by 5 o'clock so you can bet we were there by no later than 5:05. Braedan had never heard such sweet words from us when we announced we would be bowling that night. And when we walked in, the place of course was hoppin'. I had never seen it so crowded, but after a bit of a wait at the check-in counter we found our way to lane 38 where we could finally live out the dream.

Since it was after 5:00, they turned down the lights for an added bonus.

And I have to share the results of our bowling prowess. Please keep in mind that this was daddy's and my score WITH the bumpers up (and his is the last score posted). He claims the bumpers played a major role in my victory and I'll admit they may or may not have helped on certain frames, but hey they were there so what could I do.

 

But his first game proved to be a warm-up for him because he improved greatly by game two. Thank goodness I didn't marry him for his bowling game.

 

 

 



Confession of a Stay at Home Mom

Here we are, just a few weeks to go until the little lady turns one. I cannot even begin to tell you how quickly it has gone by, and the other thing I can't tell you about...what I am going to do for her first birthday party. Not because I can't decide on the cute themes and craft ideas that I'm sure are just waiting to be pinned on Pintrest, but because I do not have one burning desire to immerse creative energy into trying one. So here's my confession, my name is Jen, I am a stay at home mom of two AND I can't pull off a cool looking kids birthday party. Many of you reading this know I stay home, but I throw in that disclaimer, because for a little while I felt like since that is my role good party planning should be part of my "Motherly Repertoire." But as the hubby knows, when it comes to certain things I'm about as organized as a dog, and don't even let him get started on my indecision tendencies. I think it's safe to say that I would give myself panic attacks if I tried a massive party undertaking.

So as I've become somewhat comfortable in motherhood (I say somewhat because even though I'm four years into it, I still second guess most of my decisions and from what I hear that never goes away), there's one big thing I've learned about myself and that is I will never be the mom who comes up with the cute and fun party theme complete with matching banner, cupcake liners, water bottle covers, party favor bags and fun food to admire and devour. I know I may sound pretty defeated about this, but I truly feel tired just writing about the process. Don't get me wrong, those details look very nice and for a while I was envious of those moms, but while logging my time in motherhood one piece of knowledge I've gained is to know your limits. That realm of craftiness is too far out of my comfort zone to attempt; I'm not that crafty, or crazy for that matter, to squeeze in that kind of work when planning a party.

Since I can't do those other things, the one thing I can do for a party is make a decent cake. I figure that's all that really matters to my little guy and gal anyways. For Braedan's 4th birthday, I chose a construction truck theme bowling party. I know what you party planning moms must be thinking But those two things don't really go together. I'm aware that when you hear bowling it doesn't scream, "Construction" but I wanted to do something fun with his cake and those are the two things he's really into these days.

On the day of his party the only thing he cared about was how much he was going to get to bowl and if the cake had the right construction zone. It was so fun just to see him having a great time. Pintrest did inspire me to make this cake, but like I described it didn't push me over the edge to really get jiggy with it in terms of decorations. I let the bowling alley take over from there.

And as my sweet baby girl turns one next month I know she will not remember If I made her a special banner or if there were special treats made in her honor. I only hope she's ok with having a pretty fun cake and getting to eat it too, because that's all her mama has in her.

Wide awake

So here we are at the beginning of July and in just a few days my little lady will be 9 months, and my little guy will turn 4 a few days after. All I keep thinking is How did we get here so quickly and was I somewhat coherent for most of the past 9 months. If you recall from a previous post, I mentioned Kylie had not yet mastered sleeping through the night, but thankfully she's gotten into a groove with it the last few weeks. Our little Missy Poo, as Braedan and I sometimes refer to her, has grooved her way into a lot of things lately. She discovered her brother's toys are way cooler than hers, she knows she could possibly get to a toy which is out of reach if she would just take that final push off her bottom onto her hands and knees, but at the last second she thinks better of it and returns to her seated position to somehow scoot her way to that toy. And just the other day, she noticed something was amiss with her head--a headband mommy had placed up there which she was trying to snatch off. You can imagine my fear and horror when I caught her; fear because I really don't know how much longer she will want to wear bows and headbands once she realizes she can just take them right off and crawl on her merry own way. I know what you must be thinking, of all the milestones she will begin surpassing this is the one that screams "No" in my brain. But it is just another wake up call to the fact that both she and Braedan are growing, and there is nothing I can do about it.

Mr. Cool at all of almost 4 years old.

And our little lady really does live up to this title, always so proper with her hands clasped together when she lounges, when she eats...and even when she sleeps.

 

 

A Mother's Neverland

After celebrating Mother's Day, I reflected on how motherhood has changed me for the better, and I also looked back on the other little things which have changed for me over the last three plus years. Some of these changes are minor and superficial, I'm disappointed to admit, and others are so comical that I think other mothers who have gone before me chose not to share these life altering events because some you just have to experience for yourself.

I don't know about other moms, but I remember during my pregnancy with Braedan all I imagined was visions of holding my angelic, cooing baby boy and me looking as fantastic as I possibly could, hair and make up done all the time, of course. I like to refer to this mental block as Neverland, as in for example, I never thought I would be ok with going a whole day without a shower. Normally I would be disappointed, while simultaneously disgusted with myself, but other stay at home moms have confirmed this truth so I'm not alone in my misery, let alone filth, on those rare days. When you spend all day with two kids under the age of five, some things are more pressing than personal hygiene.

Another major never, I never imagined not being able to go to the bathroom alone, and now having had Kylie I've probably got another four years to go before that can ever happen again. The hubby mentioned to me once that he doesn't have that problem and that I should just lock the door. Well news flash, don't you think I've tried that only to have one freaked out kid who vigorously pounds on the door as if the big bad wolf is after him and his only safe escape is to join mommy in the bathroom. Now that Braedan is older I do get more alone time and I can actually shut the door. But it never fails, I still have my bathroom buddy check in on me at least once a day even after I have announced I am going there. His roll call procedure consists of him running to the door and asking, "Mommy, what are you doing?" Like I said, once Kylie becomes mobile and aware of all the "fun" to be had in there, I just know she'll be joining me too.

Before becoming a mom I never thought I may have to face the reality of never wearing heels again. And for a self professed girly girl this one is hard to come to terms with still after almost four years. I know I would look ridiculous chasing Braedan or Kylie around at a play date in heels, but I think part of what makes this one hard to swallow is that it emphasizes the fact that I'm just getting older. I say this because when I do get the chance to dress up and be kid free, my first thought when it comes to shoes is which wedge heels do I have that will go with my chosen outfit. But who knows, maybe my heel wheeling days aren't over just yet, and all I need is a little practice to get me back into my old ways. No pun intended.

One final and MAJOR change for me, before becoming a mom I never thought I'd conquer such culinary feats as I have. I've gone from loathing the whole cooking process to actually enjoying it, becoming excited about any new recipes I find and actually thinking the word "fun" about some of them. I've even baked and baked until I don't want to see a mixer for a few months and I've even gone as far as baking my own donuts. Crazy, I know. And recently, I cooked a meal that any preschooler would fall in love with but some of the best known chefs in the world might turn up their noses at the way I put my own twist on pasta, but nothing says love like putting a little hot dog with your spaghetti.

Unfortunately I can't take credit for coming up with this idea as I got it from one of the hubby's co-workers. Nothing screams, "I'M A MOM," more than this. You can bet I never would have imagined going to this great length to make a meal fun, but I never want to let these two down. Even if on somedays I may have to do it without a shower.

No Competition

Every night after both kids are in bed I plop myself in front of the TV to veg out a little, and right before I do that I think of the blog in a longing and guilty sort of way. A longing for energy to sit in front of the computer to actually think and write, which I miss doing, and guilt for not initiating that final step to actually do it. For now I'll have to add it to my constant list of catch up items and hope this improves as Kylie grows and eventually begins sleeping through the night. Something she's done here and there but hasn't fully grasped and partially contributes to my constant "come from behind" status on here.

But a new, major event occurred which has prompted this latest update. I knew it would eventually happen, but when it did it hit me harder than I thought it would. Folks, I've been replaced as the number one gal in the house. Much to my delight, Kylie has not only taken a hold of her daddy's heart but she also managed another major break through-- a coveted photo spot at daddy's office work space which is HUGE. That in itself told me I was out and she was in.

Now you might wonder how I know this since my week days are filled with trips to school and play dates, coupled with the fact that I have never set foot in the hubby's office, but I learned of my fall from grace after a conversation with the hubby recently. One day we happened to be talking about her and who she favors more. During the conversation, the hubby casually threw in, "Our janitor thinks she looks like me because of her big eyes." I laughed and asked if the janitor looked at a photo from his phone, and here is where the hubby sort of laughed at me and replied with, "No, I have her picture as my screen saver on my computer." Up until then I knew she had made her way to the number one spot, but it wasn't until that moment that her position was truly solidified. In the last nine years of the hubby having a desk and office space he has never placed a picture of me anywhere, either in a frame or on a computer screen. I don't even think his first born son ever made the cut.

So as I watch her grow and change from the sidelines, I can understand why she she's moved in. Heck, even her brother is smitten with her, and how can I compete with that.