June B.U.G.

June was a pretty fast going month!  It began with a weekend away!  Followed by a week of potty training and finishing up sleep training!  Followed by another weekend away for me and Mark and weekend in Coldwater for the boys.  Followed by a week of a stomach bug & re-sleep training.  Followed by a week of dealing with a kid bug.  Ugh!  

I heard 3 is worse than 2.  And, its true!  That sweet little face you see below is FULL of attitude and stubbornness.  I've no clue where he gets either!  We've had a couple not so easy weeks and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we've figured out (for now) how to deal with the "Trying Three's"!  (Sad thing is, is we're not 3 yet!)  But, the big boy has done an awesome job potty training!  Papa got him to poop in the potty for the first time while the boys were in Coldwater and Mark and I were ridiculously excited.  I always thought parent's who took pictures of first poops and jumped up and down were off their rockers, but had I been there, I too would've captured the moment!  Not long after, Jack had a poop so big that he clogged the toilet!  Guess who was the first to congratulate him and give him a high five!  Yep, I'm one proud (and disgusting) Mom!!!!

New big boy swing

Another "fun" happening this month was our participation in the Tough Mudder.  We signed up for the event not long after I had Roman.  I've got to say, it was a great way to get my tired toosh to the gym, and do more than just read a trashy magazine on the elliptical.  The event started out glorious!  It was an amazing gathering of people, and some of the most fit people I'd ever seen.  (Bodies to be jealous of!)  I was anxious as our heat gathered in the starting gate.  I teared up when they played the National Anthem and when we were praising our military.  And then, it began.  12 miles of hell!  Mark's desire to run amazed me.  (He's not one to do cardio...ever.)  I was actually the one who told him we needed to walk (it was hot and the course was hilly and uneven terrain).  He encouraged me through the obstacles, threw my ass over 10' walls, and helped me up when I slipped in the mud (a lot)!  And then, somewhere around mile 10, the sky's opened and the mud became muddier and the exhaustion and desire to sit down and be "done" hit.  But, somehow, we trudged through the last 2 miles both slightly disappointed that due to the weather, obstacles were closed (although some I knew I was going to attempt (ie electric current fields)).  But, we finished - together!  I know, it sounds sappy, but it was a great event for the two of us to do together!  Mark may participate in the Mudder again.  I think I'll try my hand at a 10k, on a paved road, and maybe have some fun at a Warrior Dash!

Tough Mudder (before)

The "Sweat Hogs"

Post event, I spent a lot of time spraying our clothes and laundering them multiple times in attempt to get all the mud/clay out.  After an extra night in Coldwater, Jack decided to show us how strong he is!

I need a banana!

And Mr. Roman has mastered the art of sitting up.  And he's sleeping through the night!  He is such a happy little stink and craves constant attention from anyone!  And, he is wanting desperately to be on the move.  Every day he's getting a little closer to figuring out how to crawl.  He'll turn in circles on his belly and his constant rolling over gets him into some interesting locations!    

Concentrating on the buttons!

The difference a week makes

A week ago, Mark and I were in Vegas - celebrating my milestone birthday with great friends from college.  Did we win you ask?  Depends...money, notsomuch!  Well, I won $8.50...and then I returned from drowning a $.99 margarita and it was gone!  Sunburns?  Obviously - its the desert!  Quality time together?  It was much needed and I didn't miss the boys until our return day!

Look at those chandeliers!  At "Paris" (I think ;-)!)

And this week, we're back to reality!  Jack is being potty trained!  He had a day of accidents and has done great ever since.  He still doesn't tell us when he needs to potty, but we'll get there!  And Roman has slept through the night and started sitting up.  We had to deal with a day of the boys coming down from being at Grammie and Pop's house...you know, the constant attention/being held, different rules, back-to-reality adjustment!  It was a fun day and I was definitely ready to book another flight to anywhere =)!

Look who's sitting up?  (With a little help from Tonka!)

Someday he's going to kill me ;-)!

"Picinic" lunch!  Sandwich cheers!

So far, this summer has been great and we're only a week in!

Where do I begin?

Frankly, I'm not sure!  It's been quite some time since I last logged in to share about the loves of my life!  Certainly, I should have tons to babble about or a lengthy list to be bullet pointed.  However, I do not!  We've been busy...with every day life.  The joys of two kids = Less time for everything other than them! 

After a looong 4 1/2 months, Roman finally turned a corner!  Well, that was awhile ago, since today my happy little baby turned 6 months old!  We're on our 3rd reflux medicine and yet another formula!  He loves eating food and is finally consistently drinking 6oz bottles!  He's a rolling machine and continuously watches his big brother!  He is our little extrovert!  He cannot be in a room by himself and I hear myself asking Jack to go to whatever room he's in, because that's all he really wants!  As for sleeping through the night...we're getting close!  He just needs that paci popped back in his mouth and a quick snuggle! 

 Jack is getting so old!  His brain is constantly going...so much so that he's blabbering about well after his bedtime, and being put back to bed, numerous times!  He can be such a great helper and such a sass!  He's constantly making us giggle!  The other night we had grilled pineapple, which he was refusing to eat.  However, in order to be given a treat, he has to eat everything.  After being handed his fork to help him, his response to the pineapple - "Mmm...DOLICIOUS"!  (Also, imagine the cutest 2 1/2 year old's voice, inflection and all!)  Not to mention a trip downtown with Mark, to which he described the buildings as being Castles!  He also has his moments that break my heart (and make me rephrase my "no") because he'll whine, "Mommy, say yes".  (Maybe he hears "no" a little too often!) 

The boys have become buddies!  Roman wants to be everywhere Jack is and Jack will usually grab various toys for Roman or share his cars!  Although, first thing in the morning or post nap, Jack still wants to snuggle with me!  I'm not going to complain!  Roman can't return hugs and kisses yet =)!

Skipping with Excitement!

My day began with a cold tootsied, wet pantsed little boy waking me up at 6:45.  After a quick diaper and pj change I kindly brought him in bed to cuddle (not letting his cold feet touch me) hoping he'd fall back to sleep.  That didn't happen.  Especially when the other one woke up at his respectful time of 7:00.

This regular early morning was brought on full force with coffee, Mickey, and the search for something delicious to bake.  The original request was cinnamon rolls...don't have any.  Blueberry muffins...mix poured in a bowl, all to discover, we're all out of milk.  Thankfully I had a box of Trader Joe's Cinnamon-Sugar coffee cake.  Why can't cereal be enough?  Who needs milk?  (Jack sure doesn't!)

Anyway, finally, it was time to hit the gym.  But, I figured I'd make a call while in route...for excitement #1.  Setting up lawn care service!!!  What has happened to me?  I used to be excited about new shoes?  Now I'm excited about my yard being weed free!  YIPPEE!

Then, my second excitement for the day!  A treadmill workout = 30 minutes of non-stop running.  Well, I lie, I did stop, once, to fix my iPod which inevitably ran out of charge.  That's right...3.25 miles in 30 minutes.  I couldn't help but think that the 2004 Erin would be disappointed in the pace of this run, however, the 2012, post-baby Erin was super pumped!  To make it even better...I stayed on that treadmill and finished out the mile with some intervals!

Excitement 3...taking a walk in our new double stroller.  I won't dwell on how short the walk lasted (down to the end of the street).  Hopefully someone learns that his Mommy likes to take walks and he'd better get over it!

And of course I'm super excited about this awesome weather we've been having!  The scent of magnolia and honeysuckle are filling the air!  I love the Easter flowers in bloom!  I love the green grass!  (And in a demented way can't wait to see all the weeds die and watch a lush lawn grow in its place!)  I love the sun shining so much that Mr. Hollywood needs his sunglasses and Romy needs his hat!  (If only both boys would have an overlapping nap in the afternoon I could REALLY enjoy the spring UV's!)

So, for now, I'll bask in the excitement of all that makes me happy and save the eye-rolling miserables for a day when I can look back and say, "I don't remember it being that bad"!

Leapin' Lizards!

Change!  I try to embrace the inevitable!  I attempt to control what I can and roll with the punches in what I can't.  Some days I handle change better than others!  Some days I'm glad to pour myself a chilled glass of white to help myself relax into the adjustment.  Other days I clap and giggle with glee as I witness my world spinning!

February was a month filled with change!  The return to work was a dreaded change!  How would I handle waking up for the day daily at 5am?  Get 2 boys ready in the morning?  How would Roman adjust to going to the sitter?  Well, let me tell you...waking up at 5am, some days, its like sleeping in!  There have been days where Roman doesn't want to go back to sleep at 4am.  Or between Roman and Jack, I get 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep - from 10 - 1 before the trips bouncing between bedrooms begin.  I do it because I have to!  Thank goodness for coffee!  And Roman's adjustment, normal!  But, upon my return to work...conversations with adults!  Making the world have healthier oral hygiene daily!  I love it!  What I don't love, seeing my boys for less than 2 hours daily.  

Jack teaching Roman how to knock down blocks!

Change 2 began 2 weeks after returning to work.  We decided out day care situation needed to change.  I struggled with this change.  Mostly about Jack's adjustment.  Thankfully it didn't take us too long to find Cindy and Ashley!  The first week was tough for Jack.  He tested Cindy's boundaries.  And ours.  But after only a few weeks, we've seen so many positive changes in Jack!  His language is better!  His manners are better! He plays better and instead of asking for Mickey during his morning diaper change, he's asking to play!  And, it only took him 2 weeks to ask about "going to Cindy's" on our Friday at home!  

Change 3 brings me to what I first mentioned of clapping and giggling with glee!  Jack peed in the potty!  YIPPEE!  We're  not quite to the point of officially potty training, but, we're getting closer!  And I bought pull ups in anticipation!

Mr. Hollywood!  (I couldn't take a picture of him using the potty ;-)!!!)

Change 4...Roman eating rice cereal!  I figured at 3 months old, we'd give it a whirl!  We did with Jack!  And you know what...he got more down the hatchet than I thought!  Although, it didn't help him sleep through the night! 

Yummy Cereal!

 Wow...how much more can happen?  Well, we spent a long weekend at Grammie and Pop's!  Elizabeth and Ben came home and we had so much fun!  Ben and Jack took seconds to warm up to each other and were soon running laps around the house, giggling and squealing with glee!  (There were multiple attempts at pictures.  Although, these boys were always moving...there were lots of blurry photos of the backs of their heads ;-)!!)  Poor Roman spent most of the weekend either watching the big boys, dreaming of joining them, or crying.

Grammie, Pop, & the boys!

Ben & Jack playing

At the zoo!

We're still dealing with digestive issues and have him on reflux medicine.  Although, after a few weeks on it, I'm not sure reflux is our issue.  Ugh!  I know he'll outgrow this and its a change I'll embrace with open arms!  Likely giggling and jumping for joy!

Bowling!

When Romy's not crying or sleeping, he's smiling!!!!

So Long, Farewell...

"I leave and heave a sigh and say Goodbye"...

This is the last full week of my maternity leave.  I can't believe its been 8 weeks!  Eight weeks of sleeping in increments of 2 hours or less (except for those few nights of Grammie/Nana help).  Eight weeks of attemping to get household chores done, shower, eat, and hopefully nap at some point during the day.  Eight weeks of going to the gym every day - well, that's a huge lie!  Only 4 weeks of that, and every day...did I mention how long it takes to get household chores done?  Not to mention having to time out running any sort of errand?  I think I've gone to Target atleast 8 times in the past 8 weeks!

Afternoon Stroll

I wish I could say that in 8 weeks time, I have a baby sleeping through the night.  It was my goal!  At 4 weeks.  I'm still going to hold out hope that by 12 weeks, this dream will come true!

In 8 weeks Roman has grown (to a whopping 10 lbs), gone through 3 different kinds of formula (not to mention breast milk), had an ultrasound, an EKG, and his first illness.  [Ultrasounds for clicky hips and his butt dimple and the EKG for his heart murmor.  All "concerns" are normal!] Yep, we've gone through formula...I don't remember Jack having such digestive issues, but, maybe he did!  And he's a Croup kid.  Hopefully this will be his 1 and only time, but I have a hunch its unlikely!

Happy Boy

Playing Outside (apparently Mommy's nap wasn't long enough)

Oh yeah, and Jack seems to like him now too!  He gets excited to see Roman in his swing or bouncer and gives him short little snuggles...always when he's being burped!  And Roman definitely likes his big brother!  He's starting to watch him and always smiles when Jack is near!

Roman's first UD vs XU game!

And Jack has grown up this month too!  His language and combination of words is getting better and he likes playing with our new Tablet.  His imagination has also evolved...not only in play, but in general...thus leading to nightmares (that he's actually able to tell me about)...like the big scary fishes!  (Def: the lobsters getting out of their tank at the grocery.)

Playing games on the Tablet

Reading all by himself!  (Daddy set up the foot-rest the 1st time, but now Jack does!)

Wee!  (Sledding is fun this year!)

We've also experienced our first case of the tummy bug too.  Not so much fun!  A full load of laundry has never been produced so quickly!  And I was forced to have both boys to myself.  I know, this is slightly horrible, but I have a long way to go to master the art of giving both boys the attention they want and need simultaneously!  Jack tends to want/need something as soon as Roman starts crying and he dives in for the cuddles as soon as Roman is placed anywhere but my lap.

Teaching Jack "Go Flyers"

So, in my 8 weeks of maternity leave, I bid adieu to not getting out of bed until 7 or 8, morning snuggles with both boys over a cup of coffee and episode (or 2) of Mickey Mouse Club House, trips to the gym, a DVR that isn't filled with all my shows, a clean house, laundry baskets that are rarely full, daily naps, wearing comfies, and dinner on the table every night between 6 & 6:30 (not to mention new recipes being tried)!  I am ready to get back to work, but Mark has commented on how nice its been that I've been home.  (I think he likes the fact that he doesn't have to take Jack anywhere in the mornings, and he can come home and crack open a beer and know dinner will be served shortly!)  Maybe someday, this will be the norm...but for now..."Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye"!

My little sports fans!

Jack - September 2009

Roman - January 2012

I told Mark after I took Romy's picture today that it reminded me of the picture I took of Jack 2 years ago.  (Obviously using the same spot on the couch too!)  We sure do love our Anderson Redskins and Dayton Flyers in this house!