Yay for holiday weekends!!!

Well, it's amazing how much more energy I have since the last post. Work, kids, and just everyday life have been so stressful, I just really needed a break. Anybody that really knows me, knows that I just do way too much, but I like to make the days fun and special for the kids. So, instead of just relaxing this holiday weekend, which you would think we would do since I've been so tired, and we're doing Jackson's CC in which we wanted to stay close to home, we opted for another fun-filled weekend.

Friday night was a playdate with a friend. We originally went to McD, but it was raining and the roof apparently was leaking, so they had the playland closed, so it was off to Chik-fil-a. We had a good time and got home pretty late.

My membership at the zoo and Discovery Center both expire tomorrow, so we went to DC yesterday and had a great time, we fed the ducks and even stayed late that night on the playground and did a little picnic.

Today we went to the zoo and it felt like it was at least 100+ degrees. Scorching hot, but the kids had a great time which makes for a happy mommy. The only bad part, other than all of the crying and screaming kids, which in turn made Elena cry, and the blistering heat, was the fact that Jackson choked on an ice cube while we were watching one of the zoo shows. At first I didn't realize he was choking, he was crying, then I realized what was going on, and I am so not good at emergencies, I flipped him over trying to get it out, and couldn't, so hubby did. OMG I was so scared!!! I could seriously not live if something ever happened to my kids. It was truly one of the scariest times in my life, right there with the time we couldn't find Jackson. It shook him up pretty good, and me too, but after a while he was fine, and I was just so thankful for my sweet little babies.

Tomorrow we may try to make a playdate and then Tuesday is back to normal for work and school. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Tired

I am exhausted tonight. Usually we're on the go all week and it doesn't seem to bother me , but I guess it's just catching up to me. We had open house at the kids' school and they had a blast. It was nice to be able to chat with the teachers and find out more about what goes on in their classes. I'm not sure yet what's going to happen about keeping them in school. They both like it there, but having 2 kids in full-time daycare is just really tough on the budget. I'd also like to stay home full time with the kids, but I do have work at the shop that I need to do as well. I'd like to try to have the best of both worlds and have the kids do part-time school, part-time home, but their school doesn't do that. It's leaving lots of questions for us to consider and weighs heavily on my mind. I really don't want to pull them again, especially since this is the 3rd school for Jackson in a year, but I guess I just need to pray about it all, and see what I can manage.

Busy, busy

This week has been so busy, it just kind of seems like a blur. Work has been kicking my butt, tons to do there. Jackson got sick Thursday, so we stayed home Thursday and Friday. Just a bug, nothing to do but wait it out, but I took the time to ask the dr about the knot on his face and his constipation issues. The lattter is not going so well, so we might have to go to a specialist, but we'll have to see how the colon cleanse goes next week. That shouldn't be too fun. Poor guy!

My computer at work broke this week, which unfortunately just puts me further behind. Saturday was a good day. Took the kids to Backyardigans and it was so much fun!! I swear I think I enjoy it more than the kids, just getting to snuggle with them and dancing in my chair, trying to get the kids to yell out when they want participation. It's just so much fun! I wondered how they would do, since John didn't come, and Jackson had been sick this week and Elena's been moody and teething. They were great though, we only had one little meltdown from Elena in the bathroom. Not too bad. It was such a cute little show, and I was thrilled that they had a dragon in it, as Jackson's latest fascinations are dragons. I got each kid a cute little beanie baby, Jackson chose Austin, and Elena chose Tasha. Elena kept putting it in her mouth and chewing it like a dog would, pulling it. It was so bizarre and cute.

Then I met my Mom in Nashville, and she took the kids back home with her. Then it was off to get some lunch, and the grocery store. Then home to clean the house, and get ready for a fun night out with a friend, shopping and getting some drinks and dinner. I stopped by VS for my free undies, woo hoo, and got fitted for a bra. Who knew I was a D??? Not me. I used my $10 off coupon to get a fabulous new bra, called Biofit. Very nice bra. I had a great time shopping, eating, drinking, and just hanging out.

Sunday is a day to go to the shop, try to get some work done, and then go meet my Mom in Nashville to get the kids. Mom's already called this morning, Jackson's been throwing a fit about his shorts. I swear, I will be so glad when he grows out of this crap. He freaks about almost every pair of shorts, saying they're " too tight". They aren't, he's just been so weird about it lately. Let's hope that the fits subside, so I don't have to pick the kids up early, since I really need to get some work done at the shop since my computer stuff is a few days behind from all of the drama of the week.

Tiny Dancer

This weekend has seemed like such a blur, so short and yet so long. How is that possible??? Saturday we went to an open house at a dance studio that are customers of ours. I'd been thinking about enrolling Elena in their tiny dancer program. It's for kids 18 months-3 yrs old. We went to look around, and Elena seemed to really like the place, and like the teachers, so I decided to go for it and sign her up. I never in a million years thought I would enroll my daughter in dance. I never wanted to be a ballerina growing up, and am kind of the anti-ballerina/princess kind of chick, but oh how quickly that changes when you have your own little princess in training. lol Never say never, right? So I bought her some tights and ordered the tiniest ballerina shoes that they make. I didn't need to buy a tutu, since I had already found one at consignment. Plus, I'm sure I'll be hitting up Target for a backup. Gotta have my little diva all dolled up. She starts the Monday after Labor Day. It's a Mommy and Me kind of class, so it should be good bonding time for us, along with all the fun things she'll learn. Ever since I mentioned that she and I needed to bond more, we have. Things have been pretty good between us. She's been getting quite mad at her Daddy, why I have no idea. She tried to shove him out of the way, and she has hit him quite a few times. She also wouldn't let him get her out of her crib this afternoon after her nap. I'm just glad that she and I are bonding more.

We really didn't do too much this weekend other than lots of errands, cleaning, playing, and hubby actually cleaned the car out. That was a long job. It's amazing how filthy a car can get when you have two little ones in the back seat. Lots of crumbs, spills, toys, etc. Yuck!!! Oh, we did release our butterflies this morning. We had bought one of those butterfly habitats, and thank goodness it was time to set them free. My cat kept trying to get to them, so we had to keep the butterflies locked away. It was so awesome watching the kids reach their little hands in their and being so gentle with them. The butterflies would land on their little fingers and then we put them on our butterfly bush. How cool!!!

I am totally exhausted now from the long day, and hope to go take a bubble bath as soon as I get my little man to bed.

Grumpy

I'm still here, but just not much to say right now. It's that time of the month, and I've been very grouchy the past few days. I feel sorry for my family having to deal with me right now.

Concern

Well, we made it through another weekend. John took Jackson to the Dr. Friday about the knot from his black eye. We also figured why he was there that they could look at the rash on his tush. The rash was no problem, eczema, which should go away in a few days with cortizonbe cream. Not surprised on that one. I have sensitive skin and eczema, and all my family has issues with their skin, no surprise that my children do. The knot on the other hand has me a little concerned. It's what I thought it was, a calcification, which can actually be quite common. It's kind of like a scar, but under the skin. Well, in all likelihood, it will go away, but the dr told us, best and worst case scenarios. Best, it goes away. Worse, it could stay with him forever, and it could alter his face. Like when he grows, it will shift, and can actually cause a part of his face to SINK IN. IF that bothered us, we could eventually do surgery, but only after he's an adult and done growing. First of all, let me say I am so glad John took him, because if I had, I would have burst into tears when he told me this. Now yes, I realize, this is a WORST case scenario and the likelihood probably isn't very likely, BUT the chance of this eventually happening to my sweet little guy is just awful! I know it would only be cosmetic, and I will always think my son is gorgeous, and in the greater realm of things, beauty isn't that important, but let's face it, kids are cruel and I don't want either of my children ridiculed. I already worry about Elena with her "stork bite" that probably won't ever go away. I got ridiculed as a child for having horrible teeth, and trust me it stays with you. I would want to beat anybody that made fun of my kids for any so called " deformities". So I will hope for the best, and when Jackson asked if his face was okay, I told him it was healing just fine and he's absolutely perfect in every way.

The rest of the weekend was fairly good, although I haven't been feeling too well. Not sure if is stress or whatever. I went to the Precious Angels 1/2 price cosnignment sale and got some good stuff for the kiddos. Saturday we didn't do much, did some stuff around the house and then went on a wild goose chase for a Spiderman set that used to be everywhere last year, but now that my son wants it, for Christmas mind you, and he wants me to buy it and put it away until Christmas now, was crazy. We went everywhere and I finally had to buy it online. Thank God for internet shopping!

Today I wanted to go to a Back to School Celebration, but Elena took way too long of a nap, so we just went to Discovery Center. The kids had a good time and we saw a snake in the water and some turtles. We also fed the ducks and played on the playground. It was a good day.

I tried to spend more time with Elena today. John has brought it to my attention, which I already knew, and it made me feel worse to hear it reinforced that I treat Jackson way differently and better than Elena. I love them both more than anything, but I guess I do have more of a bond with Jackson, plus he ALWAYS wants my attention whereas Elena doesn't. It sitll makes me feel bad though. I don't ever want my children to feel like I felt growing up. I was the second child, and it was always my Mom and sister, and I was the oddball. My sister and Mom have a connection that I will never share with my Mom. It made me realize how much I miss my special time with Elena when I was working from home, and Jackson was at daycare, and it was just us two girls. I need to start making more time for my little baby girl.

The next chapter

I'm feeling a little down tonight. The question was brought up on my Mom's group about would you be a surrogate? Got me to thinking. While I would like to think that I could be a surrogate for somebody very deserving, I know that I won't be one, even if I wanted to, not sure mind you that I could distance myself enough anyway, but I'm sure I couldn't qualify even if I wanted to, since I am to the age you have to worry about Down's syndrome etc. My eggs are past their prime. lol

I also know that we are done, as John has had a vasectomy, and honestly we probably couldn't handle a third. I am very lucky to have the 2 I have, since he was dead set against a second, but the upcoming birth that one of the mom's in my group is approaching and another mom in the group is in her second trimester, leaves me thinking about all of wonderful aspects of being pregnant. I had a hard time with both pregnancies as far as m/s went, and yes, my labors were almost 19 hours for Jackson, and 15 hours for Elena, the actual pushing time was less than 5 minutes for each child. I loved being pregnant, loved the flutters, the kicks, hiccups, just the overall feeling that you were creating this life and the idea that all of those body parts are growing because of you, is just completely exhilirating. I was also the healthiest I have ever been for my pregnancies as well.

I'm entering a new chapter in my life, I'm done with pregnancies, my baby is becoming more of a toddler/child, and pyschologically I guess it can be a little tough. While I have a lot of new chapters opening in my life, I look forward to seeing my children grow, being done with diapers, etc, I still need I guess to mourn the prospects of me never being childbearing again.

Heat and bites

I'm really starting to get tired of this blistering heat. I am so ready for the fall. I love the change of the colors of leaves, and the crisp cool clean air. It also signals that Halloween, Thanksgiving and my fave, Christmas are just around the corner. I can't wait! I'm already thinking this year we will stay home for Christmas. This will be the FIRST year that we've not travelled to at least Dickson and usually Texas on Christmas Day since John and I have been together. Mind you, we've been together for almost 19 years!!! Yikes! So I think it's well deserved to stay home. Woo hoo!!

Sorry to get off on a whole other tangent. Anyway, this heat is awful and EVERY day that we come home, the kids want to go outside and play on the trampoline. Groan. It's so hot and we have horrible mosquitos in the yard. They eat me up pretty good and poor Elena gets huge welts from them. The boys are as tasty I suppose. We load up on the bug spray, but I guess they get the spots we miss, or maybe Elena and I are just too irresistable. lol I would love to just come home and stay inside, but it's important for the kids to be able to go out and play, plus they really have a good time, which makes for a happy Mama, even if I am all itchy.

Work was busy today, I have lots of catching up to do. In fact me and or hubby will be working late most of the week. We couldn't get a sitter, so I guess we will take turns on working late.

Tomorrow I hope to have another productive day.

Our nice little weekend

The weekend unfortunately went by way too fast, but it was a good time. Saturday morning we had pictures in Franklin for Elena. She was getting pics made in a dress that was made by my great great grandmother. It's been in the family for almost 100 years. Overall I think the pictures went fairly okay. Here's a link to them, although they haven't been color corrected or edited at all yet. http://www.apgphotography.com/mp_client/pictures.asp?action=viewphotos&size=thumbnails&thumbpagenum=1&eventid=44403&eventstatus=0&categories=no&keywords2=no&groupid=%200&bw=true&sep=true&ckw=false
They're not bad, but frankly I think John could have done just as good or better, for free, instead of the high cost of the sitting fee, but my Mom was footing the bill and she wanted the pics to somewhat match the ones of my niece from 8 years ago.

After the pics, my Mom took us out to Romano's Macaroni Grill for lunch. Normally I don't think much of the place, but I have to admit, my food was delicious. After that , my Mom took the kids back to Dickson with her, and we went to a friend's art exhibit in Franklin. I even bought an actual painting! Aaaahhh! I've always wanted to own a " real" piece of art, and my hubby liked this small painting of our friend's the best and it was affordable, so we now own a " real" painting instead of just a reproduction. woo hoo!!! I love art! My fave was $2800, which I don't have just lying around, so oh well, maybe another day for me, but it's a nice that I could buy a little something for hubby.

After that we went to see The Dark Knight. It was very good, although very violent, and a little sad at the ending. Heath Ledger did a fabulous job. Afterward we went back to Murfreesboro, stopped by the shop for a bit, then went to Chop House. It was very good, although I ordered some nasty mushrooms with Bearnaise sauce. I had no clue what Bearnaise was, but I now know I dont' like it. lol Oh well, live and learn.

Sunday morning we got up and decided to get some lunch and then once again go to the movies. We never get to go to see movies that aren't animated, so I knew John wanted to see Hancock so we went to that. I had heard bad reviews, but I liked it. It was pretty good and was entertaining. We had a nice time. Afterward, hubby had to go do some pictures for a customer, and I went to Nashville to pick up the bambinos. They had a great time at my Mom's and I was happy that they did. My Mom has been so flaky lately, and while she had a little bit of a hard time with Elena, she still had fun. I was so happy to get the kids back and get back to our routine. Elena was so happy to see me, and Jackson was asleep but when he woke up he was happy too. Awww, I love my kids to pieces. We got home just a few minutes before hubby got home from his photography session, so it was nice to have the timing so good. Then the kids played outside on the trampoline and we did bubbles. It was just a really good weekend!!!