March 15, 2010

They Say It’s Spring

It was a beautiful day in Wisconsin.  The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the temperatures were in the high 50s.  As my father-in-law would say, “It’s a bluebird day.”

It didn’t exactly start out on the right foot, however.  We forgot about daylight savings time and woke up at 9:00 a.m. thinking we had over an hour to make it to church on time.  It wasn’t until I checked e-mails and noticed my laptop clock had the new time adjusted.  I ran to the shower and started hollering at Doug to get his butt up and ready.  I knew I’d need helping getting Owen and Dawson ready, too.

We made it to Mass at 10:30 on the dot and resigned to sitting at the very back.  Not a single pew was available so we sat in the gathering space (a fancy term for foyer, I imagine) and could barely hear Father speaking.  All the more reason to be quiet and listen intently.  I managed to catch most of the homily.

Post worship we took both cars to the gas station for refueling because we had a grocery store perk card that would give us 80 cents off per gallon.  I love saving money!  Two vehicles full of gas for under $40 is amazing.

Back home I fed Owen and then Dawson found a Star Wars marathon on Spike TV.  He was dead to the world, glued to the TV.  I had to drag him outside to ride his bike while I pushed Owen in the jogging stroller.  We walked to the park and took the hiking path down to the Little Plover River.  Owen loved being outside and fell asleep half way to the playground.

Once we returned home I played soccer in the backyard with Dawson.  He loves to dribble the ball and shoot it into the net I got him for his birthday last September.  He’s getting really good with his soccer skills.  He starts spring soccer at the YMCA next month.  I’m so glad it will be warmer this time around.  Fall soccer was so cold last season.

Here are some fave photos from today:

It was a beautiful Sunday!  I love Spring!

March 2, 2010

Tuesday Without Mommy

I have so much to do.  I’ve been accepted into the Health Unit Coordinator program at our local technical college and now I must complete some informational sessions and online webinars before registration day in April.  I’m going to attend classes in the evenings and some online, so I imagine they are using a combination of in-person meetings and online media to get these pre-admission things out of the way.

Once I complete this year long program (beginning this fall) I will then be working towards an Associates Degree/Bachelors Degree combo.  I’ll be in school for at least 3-4 years depending on how heavy my work load is.  This depends on what I can handle while still working part-time and being a mom of two.  I’m starting to wonder what I’m getting myself into, but I am super excited to finish my degree.

I took a lot of detours throughout my life.  I wouldn’t change a thing because this path has led me to being married to a wonderful guy and having two adorable sons, but I sometimes kick myself for not completing my education a decade ago. I’m only slightly worried about juggling it all.  I’m definitely not Super Woman.

This morning my husband is off work and he has generously offered to hang out with the children while I get things done.  I’m finally using a gift certificate for a massage that I’ve had for a few months, and then I’m going to spend some quiet time at the library, reading and completing some online things I’ve had on the back burner for over a week.

I think Doug feels guilty for leaving me last weekend.  I’m milking it for all it’s worth.

I’m going to have some free time today!  I can hardly contain my excitement!  I hope the boys can survive a Tuesday without Mommy!

February 28, 2010

When Daddy’s Away…

My husband left Friday after work to go on an ice fishing trip with my father, my brother and their friend Rick.  The four of them play darts for a bar league every Wednesday and they decided to spend some of their winnings on this weekend event in Northern Wisconsin.

Two-point-five days alone with two children and no help has been……challenging.

Now, I must confess that I was A-OK with this trip when he first told me about it, back in October when I was still pregnant.  I didn’t foresee any problems.  Now I want to call him and demand that he returns home immediately.

Friday night was tough.  I had to entertain Owen while trying to cook a meal.  Dawson was chasing Murphy all over the house and I was having a panic attack every time he came into the kitchen.  I was boiling water for the fettuccine alfredo and I thought for sure Dawson would get hurt.

It was chaos for a few moments and then I had a moment of clarity.  I dragged the baby swing into the kitchen, turned on Michael Buble, gave Dawson some wooden spoons and told him to play “drums” on the cabinet to keep Owen happy. Then I danced around the kitchen while waiting for the fettuccine noodles to be done.

I was so happy when the kids fell sleep at 9:00 on the dot.  Relief.

Saturday morning I decided it was time for a visit to Grandma’s house.  We went over right after soccer.  My mom hadn’t seen Owen in almost a week and I knew my hands would be free for a few hours with her holding and loving him.  Dawson played with some of the toys Grandma keeps at her house and my sister and I watched bad television for a little while.

When we got home I fed my munchkins and then we made a nest of blankets and pillows on the living room floor.  Owen nursed non-stop (4-month growth spurt I think) and Dawson made a bank out of Legos and simulated a heist.  He kept shouting, “Gimme all the money!” and I asked him what he was going to do with it.  He replied, “I’m gonna go buy 80 million transformers!”

I told him he better not ever rob a bank for real and he said, “Mom, this is just pretend.  I don’t think they got transformers in jail!”  He’s a little obsessed with the Transformers movie and toys these days.  Last month it was Star Wars.  I know more about the Trilogy than I ever thought I would.

After Owen went to sleep we watched some Spongebob and then crashed in my bed.  I hadn’t cuddled with Dawson in so long; it was nice to get some time with him.  Amidst the craziness I had some wonderful moments with my boys.  I still can’t wait for my husband to get home!  I need the extra hands!

February 27, 2010

Photo Planning

Poor little Dawson caught his brother’s cold earlier in the week.  Now I have two coughing kids, although Owen is feeling much better than before, and Dawson is sounding better, too.  He missed school Tuesday and Wednesday.  I realize this is probably why we all went stir crazy these last few days.

Stuck at home with two munchkins is no fun during the winter.  I want to break out the stroller and take the boys for a walk.  Murphy, too.  Poor dog is sick of freezing his paws in the snow.  Dawson is longing for Spring because he just wants to ride his bike!

Instead of yearning for warmer days, we spend our time indoors.  I’ve been taking pictures of everyday things.  I’m in a new phase photographically speaking.  I want to document every day life.  Even the mundane.  I missed beginning the Project 365 for this year.

I’m revamping the plan.  Starting March 17th, I’m going to document my 32nd year (I’m turning 31 this year, so I guess I’m going into my 32nd year of life, right?) as well as my kids’ lives.  We’ll see how it goes.  I’m very excited.

In the meantime, here are some photos taken recently.  Enjoy!