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.

A Mother's Wish

I'm still here I promise. I may just be a little more tired, move a little slower and may look like a hot mess on some days, BUT I'm still here. Before I had Kylie, friends told me I would find a way to get things done or get out of the house and, miraculously, I have. It may not always be pretty, but things do get accomplished. And as I am learning, that basically is motherhood. You find your own way, do what works and you're off. Granted, when I do have a window of free time it's a mental game of "What can I start and possibly finish before Kylie wakes up and before Braedan notices he's playing on his own and asks me to join him." But given all the juggling, both mental and physical, I am having so much fun...fun with every aspect of doing this a second time around. I love watching Kylie fill out and grow little Michelin man rolls on her arms and legs. I love watching the hubby interact with another girl in the house. I love shopping and dressing Kylie, another fun fact I have found to be true which mom friends of girls also warned me about.

But the best part I love is watching Braedan with his little sister. He truly adores her, always thinks of her, protects her and already desires that she play with him. I can't wait to see how their bond will develop more as she gets bigger.

It's hard to believe Kylie turned three months this past Saturday, but according to Braedan and his wish for her to play, time isn't moving fast enough. Meanwhile all I can think is that I wish time would stand still for just a little bit.



 

Daddy's Girl

Wanting to be her photographer



Ensuring she had a car during playtime

And one of many kisses he gives her during the day