Fancy Pansy

Hollin is hilarious! Seriously! She might possibly be the funniest kid ever. No I am not biased, I hear this often from many!

One of Hollin's favorite books ever is Fancy Nancy (or as she says, Fancy Pansy). She loves all of the books, accessories and most importantly feeling Fancy herself. Our life is CONSUMED by Fancy Nancy (she even has Fancy Nancy panties). We talk about things being "posh" and "extraordinary" daily. You can count on her to say "ohh la, la" at least ten times in a given day. It is great and I love it.

This past weekend we went to a wedding for a dear friend of mine. It was beautiful and Hollin was able to attend. She had a blast from the beginning. She looked "divine" and daddy was our "chauffeur." It was great. At the reception she met a wonderfully sweet lady whose name was Nancy. Hollin was in complete la-la land. She thought she was meeting Fancy Nancy in real life! She watched Nancy all night and commented on her beautiful dress and elegant shawl. She was enamored. Hollin was also very consumed with the cake (what three year old isn't?) and waited so patiently (or not so patiently) for the big cutting of the cake ceremony. The time was drawing near and she was so excited that she had to "go tell her new best friend Fancy Pansy. It was adorable and Nancy ate it up. It was great!

Meanwhile, Johnny also was able to attend the wedding and he looked adorable as always. He had some madras shorts and the matching madras golf cap on. The woman loved him and he loved all the women. OH MAN, what am I in for? My little hunk of love is always going to be MY little hunk of love! Got that Johnny?

Comparing

Comparisons stink! I am a teacher, who CONSTANTLY tells parents NOT to compare their child with other children in their class or age cohort. What have I been guilty of lately? Yep, you named it- compare my children to other children in their age cohort. It is pathetic but yet I do it. Johnny isn't walking but another baby, who is a girl, is and really good. We are not talking the drunk sailor walk but rather full on running! My little boy is not running or walking yet. Is this something I really need? Can't I just embrace my little boy for what he is! ABSOLUTELY! Of course there are things he isn't doing yet but there are things he is doing! Has anyone ever seen a kid eat like mine? Doubt it! Also, he is a better army crawler than any army guy. I love him! All of him, my little hunk of love!

So I am fully aware of the fact that I am not going to compare Johnny but does not mean I don't compare Hollin to other children that are three almost four. And I am proud! My daughter is a CHAMP of a swimmer and quite good at gymnastics. Can she do the crap walk? No, but why bother! I mean really who does the crab walk, and likes it! She struggles with listening and after some major reflection what three year old doesn't! Don't get me wrong I am not making excuses but I am also not going to over analyze it.

So my kids aren't perfect, and like every other kid. Please tell me which kid is! That in a nutshell is why I love kids and devote so much of my time to kids. They are all so unique and different and bring us light we didn't know existed. And for this I am grateful and blessed. I love you peanut and boo bear! ;)

Mom as a teacher....

Well Hollin finished her first set of Swim Lessons today. She is taking them all summer but they are in two week sessions. Part of her lessons today was jumping off the diving board. My dad took Hollin everyday this week and I must admit I was not ready to see my BABY jump off the diving board. I will also admit that when she did it I cried. Yep, I am a cry baby. It was tough.

After her swimming lessons today she got a "report card." And on the report card it said she needs to listen to directions more carefully. As a teacher, and someone who writes comments I took it pretty hard. I didn't know what and continue not to know what to do with that. I know she is three (almost four) and I know she gets pretty excited about swimming but I see that lack of listening here at home. So as a teacher, and someone who selects comments carefully when placing them on a report card I take it very seriously. The question I ask is how serious should I take it? Her swim instructor is a college girl, and she does have four other kids in the class that refuse to put their heads in the water. My daughter loves swimming and swims without fear (hence the need for swimming lessons) and therefore, she is underwater for most instructions and therefore, her swim teacher is constantly saying, you need to stay above water to listen to directions. This is where I interfere and reinforce what the teacher says. We are a team right? I am worried, nonetheless, I never wanted to have that kid that doesn't listen. But she does, because of excitement, not to be naughty or defiant. So I am really confused. Does she listen to everything I tell her to do at home? NO! But what three (almost four year old) does? Or am I making excuses? So parents, teachers, grandparents, adults, ANYONE!!!! Help me!

Besides swim lessons we have a chipmunk here at our house. No, not JOhnny! You give him food, he eats it. No ifs, ands or buts about it. It is great. However, Hollin on the other hand, cracks me up. She does not eat so easily and normally we fight her for dinner but tonight she ate it all! It is all in her mouth! We had London broil with pasta salad and tomatoes. She is not such a big fan of steak but she put it in her mouth and 30 mins after dinner it remains there! She did this last time we had steak and to be perfectly honest it cracks me up. I can't believe she would rather have her steak in her mouth for hours (like last time) than to just swallow it and be done. It is funny if you ask me! :)

Speaking of dinner... I am cooking! Yep, you read that right! I have had two weeks of successful meals and I am proud of myself. Last week we had cheese enchiladas, chicken burritos, linguine with clam sauce, and turkey stuff burgers. This week we have had kabobs, flank steak, chicken sandwiches and panini's! I have made it all and I have made all the sides! I am proud! I will continue to be proud. This is from someone who has not turned on a grill or cooked a meal her ENTIRE life. I am suddenly domestic! I am proud!

Life is about being proud for what you have... my daughter, my son, my hubby, my cooking it all. I love it! Hollin will listen, Johnny will walk, my hubby will always love me and I will continue to try my best to cook. I am proud!

Back in the Day

A long time ago... well about 4 years ago when I was sick I got to lay in bed or on the couch until I was better. I really had nothing better to do. My soul mission was to get better... no matter what ailment I had. I hated being sick and I always made it worse by just laying there and doing nothing. I thought I was dying everytime. Well those times have changed. I have been sick for almost four weeks! It started with "cold like symptoms" and has resulted into bronchitis, both ears having a double ear infection, and of course a sinus infection. I am sick, really sick. But I don't have time to lay on the couch or in bed until I am better. Now looking back I realize that well it might make me better quicker it really isn't worth it. I am a mom, a wife, a friend and a teacher. I don't have time to be sick and I can't spend it laying down. I have to go about my usual life. I get up each morning (much earlier than I use to), change Johnny's diaper, make breakfast, feed kids, get kids dressed, do Hollin's hair, make believe like I am doing Johnny's hair, and then get myself presentable (or close) for the day. This is what I do, healthy or sick. I can't let being sick slow me down. I won't let being sick slow me down. I do feel like I now know what death feels like but hey, it didn't stop me. I am a mom, a wife, a friend and a teacher. I get to scratch the teacher title for 8 weeks but I am still a mom, wife and friend. I am woman, hear me roar! I will be better sometime and until then I am going to keep on truckin'. I love it! I love my life!

House and Home

As many of you know, Johnny is HUGE! He is only in the 50th% but he seems much bigger to me. In fact, it makes me a little worried because that means 50% of children are bigger than him, which I simply can not fathom. Big or little I love him and always will. Hollin was 17 lbs at her one year appointment and she still remains petite and I love her too. I have a petite girl, and a future line backer! And I love every minute of it.

Since Johnny is so big he eats a TON of food. It doesn't matter what it is. He only dislikes two things. He hates tomatoes and sugar (cake). He really loves meat and potatoes. My grandfather would be so proud and I truly believe he has something to do with it. Back to his eating. He eats so much and just simply loves food. He is now starting to realize a time to stop which is great because he would normally just keep eating until we would cut him off. Some of the foods that he has eaten and wants more of are, pickles, steak, potatoes, beans, tacos, quesadillas, guacamole, fruit, veggies, you name it. I love that he has such an incredible palate and continues to "test" items and love everything. I am afraid if I am going to be able to afford his eating habits when he is in high school and playing as a linebacker. But until then I am going to enjoy how adorable he is and how he loves to eat. He smiles constantly and what more could you ask for.

One last note, as I write this Johnny plays My Little Pony with Hollin. Man kids are truly a light in your life.

Time to catch up...

WOW! I have a lot to catch up on... last time I wrote I shared that I was on bedrest. Well I had our little (little is used loosely here) on May 11, 2009 and he came three weeks early at a whopping 9 lbs. 8 oz. I ended up needing an emergency c-section because of how ill I was but in the end it all turned out great in the end.

The first three months of Johnny's life I spent at home for the summer. Then sadly I had to return to work. I started a new school year and Johnny and Hollin went back to the daycare they know and love at MommyAnn's. It was all great but still bittersweet. I hadn't worked in about 9 months and I didn't really know what it was going to be like again.

I started work and I was lost. I felt like I had forgot everything about teaching. After a couple weeks I got it back and realized all my obligations and everything else I needed to make for a great school year for my students and myself.

So the school-year flew by and so did Johnny's first year. Before I knew it we were celebrating his FIRST birthday. It was a blast and shared with family. Even though Hollin had seriously the biggest first birthday party ever we decided to keep ours small and just make it family. It was a great decision.

So here I am with four school days left and then I get time to be the busy mom that I dream of being. I am so looking forward to it. So here is to another summer! Cheers!!!

And Baby Makes 4... and one bored MAMA waiting!

Well, as many of you know I am pregnant with our second child, who happens to be a boy! I am due May 28th but due to a condition, Placenta Previa, I am already on bedrest and will more than likely have the baby early via c-section. I am bored, very bored but it will all be worth it in the end. I am just hoping that a tough pregnancy equals easy baby- Hey, it worked with Hollin. :)

This pregnancy has been a roller coaster! Here is how it all went down. I found out I was pregnant while on a scrapbooking retreat with some friends. That was September 21st. Then I went to the doctor to confirm the at home pregnancy test on Monday, September 22nd. Where they saw two sacs so they were guessing it was twins. So, I drove home in SHOCK... and I was not telling Ted I was pregnant until his birthday on the 24th. I had it all planned. He gets Hollin up and dressed and I was going to make a shirt that said... Happy Birthday Daddy I am going to be a big sister. But since I was in such shock I was not what you would call my usual self. This meant that Ted came home from work and wondered what was wrong. I couldn't quite tell him and I told him when I was ready I would tell him. He made a phone call to his mom and right after he started the phone call I immediately instructed him to get off because I was ready to tell him what was wrong. He did! I then told him I was pregnant and they thought it was twins. At this point we were happy but both a little panicked. So much for my birthday surprise!

Meanwhile, we went about the week thinking about everything and what we were going to do. Then, our next appointment was my birthday the 29th... where they saw only one heartbeat! We were thrilled... we would have been thrilled with twins but I never wanted the kids to out number the parents. We are just not that family. :)

The next couple months, consisted of lots of vomiting, no appetite and getting fat fast! I finally finished with morning sickness (more all day sickness) around Thanksgiving. Then the Sunday after Thanksgiving, my kidney's started to KILL! I was diagnosed with a severe kidney infection that if it hadn't cleared up was going to end with me getting a luxury visit to the local hospital. I didn't end up getting that luxury visit and was finally able to return to work on Thursday. I felt great! It was great to see the kids and I was back to my old self.

THEN... I had a scary call (to keep this so people actually want to read it) that required me to leave work immediately and head straight to the doctor. They gave me a basic ultrasound to make sure the baby was OK but I had to go back and get a more detailed ultrasound to find out what the problem was. The baby was great- whew what a relief. I on the other hand, got diagnosed with Placenta Previa and put on bed rest. BUMMER- but again all worth it in the end. The plus side was, I found out what we were having... a boy!

So here I am several weeks later still on bedrest. Looking forward to next doctors appointment and hoping things changed and bed rest is done. I was told not to expect this though so I am trying not get my hopes up but it is so hard.

So... we have Hollin Hope and in May we will have John Theodore and he will go by Johnny. I will continue to keep people posted.