Mother’s Day 2013

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

cheating a little – this one was taken Saturday. 
Sunday started out with a blank slate – no plans.  “The boys” got me a gift card to my favorite spa for a pedicure and 1 hour Swedish massage.  So looking forward to that pampering!  Theo has been asking to go to Scotty’s for a few weeks now, so I told him to ask daddy if he could take me there for Mother’s Day.  If you’re local, and especially if you’re local and you have kids, you need to go there!  They have a great kids’ menu and kids eat free on Sundays and Tuesdays.  Little did I know that moms received a free dessert as well on Mother’s Day!  All around win.  Food was delicious. The boys cleaned their plates!
Afterwards, we talked about where we could go and what we could do downtown that the boys would enjoy. It was a beautiful day, but a little chilly so the Central Library seemed like a good option. The boys had never been and I had not been there in a long time.  I think we were all awestruck at the enormity of the open space inside.  It is a beautiful, historic building that underwent a huge renovation a few years ago.  Modern function meets classic beauty.  The boys had fun playing on the computers, running from one end of the kids section to the other, and picking over a few million books.  Afterwards, we strolled around outside a little bit and I only snapped a few pics on my phone that I am having trouble transferring to my email/computer. Boo.
We went home and the boys took LONG naps, Ryan cut the grass, and I tore everything out of our bathroom vanity and re-orgainzed like a mad woman. Then cleaned the soap scum out of our shower that had been building for longer than I care to admit.  Doesn’t sound too relaxing, but it’s what I wanted. TIME. Time to do things that go beyond the basic laundry folding and dishwasher unloading.  I need lots more of it, but nothing is so pressing that it can’t wait.  After they got up, we enjoyed a nice dinner and lounged around the rest of the evening.   I couldn’t have asked for a better Mother’s Day!
Oh, the boys were funny.  Dexter kept saying Happy’s Mother Day instead of Happy Mother’s Day.  Then Theo  got confused and kept asking “can you tell me the words again?”  I love those two little crazies.  And their dad is a-okay too. 
xo,
~C~

Dear Dexter (2 year letter)

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Dear Dexy,

Two years have whizzed by and here we are once again, celebrating another birthday.  You have been celebrating for a few days already and we’ve told you happy birthday so many times that you probably have no clue when your birthday really is.  We decided not to have a big party this year, just a few small gatherings with the people closest to our family.
Such a big kid now. 
Every time we drive past a playground, daycare, or elementary school, you shout “mommy, a playground! I wanna go there!”  You are noticing everything in your world and telling us about it. Your vocabulary and ability to initiate conversation has exploded in the last couple of months. I love being able to talk to you in the car about every little thing you see.  
You have boundless energy and enthusiasm for life.  You have started having the occasional tantrum but you don’t hold a candle to your brother in that department. Yet.  Since you were tiny, you have always been this happy little guy.  Content. Laid back and happy to go with the flow.  It doesn’t seem to bother you when your schedule changes. Without a nap, you become more hyper and less willing to listen to redirection but it doesn’t ruin your day.  Like some people (no names!). 
You might end up being our little sports fanatic.  Just like daddy.  You have shown an interest in sports on t.v. and can identify most sports balls.  You taught yourself how to dribble a basketball and will spend lots of time outside in the driveway showing us and practicing.  You also love to just throw a ball.  Or bounce a ball. Or kick a ball. Or roll a ball.  I love that you have this interest because it’s yours and yours alone. This is not something that you like because Theo does.  This is ALL YOU!  
You love mowing the grass!
  
You have such a fun, curious, and mischevious personality, but you also have such a sweet side.  You love coming into mommy & daddy’s bed early in the morning and snuggling between us.  You’ll say “I wanna sun-gull.”  You love having someone gently tickle your back or belly.  You’ll say “kickle my bell-dee!”  You love giving hugs and chisses and frequently ask for them.  You tell us all the time “I love and like you!”  Sweet, sweet, boy.  I love and like you too.  More than you’ll ever know. 
You love to eat!  You are not picky about what you eat.  For almost as long as I can remember, you’ve been stubborn about feeding yourself.  We cleaned up a lot of messes because you started this at a very young age.  Apparently independence is wearing off because now you’ll often ask for help with your spoon or help with your fork when it’s too much trouble or effort for you.  You love meat, fruit, vegetables, cheese, sweets, and salty treats.  You’re just an easy guy to please.
You and your brother are quite a silly pair together.  Sure, you push and shove and take things away from each other but often times, the best part of my day is watching you play together.  Offering to help your brother or accepting help from him.  You love each other.  One of my biggest hopes for you and Theo is that you’ll always be close. That you’ll always love, help, and support each other.  That you’ll love each other’s kids and be the coolest uncles and the best dads in town.  You’ve got a great role model. 
Dexter, your daddy and I cannot imagine life without you.  You are an incredible little boy!  I’m so proud to call you mine, even though I know you’re not, really.  I’m just housing, loving, and teaching you until you are ready to take on the world. I’m honored to be your mom.  Two is going to be amazing!
all the hugs and kisses chisses you can handle,
Mommy

thir-tee-three is okay with me

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

My birthday last year was so bad, I don’t think I ever even blogged about it.  Terrible.  Definitely my worst birthday ever and one of my top 5 least favorite days in life.  I worked for about 18 hours and the weather was crappy and it was just one.of.those.days.  Except there was the expectation that it would be fabulous.  It was a bad start to 32.

But 32 was wrapped up neatly with a little bow and put on a shelf today as 33 took it’s place.  I worked today.  One huge difference between this year and last – I love my job.  I was over my old job by this time last year.  I LOVE my job.  And today I realized just how much I love the people I work with.  I feel lucky to be around people that care so much and went the extra mile to make sure I knew that they did.

I MAY or may not have prepped the boys before they went to bed last night.  READ: “Mommy’s very special birthday is tomorrow so make sure you remember to tell me happy birthday, give me lots of hugs and kisses, and sing to me when you wake up!”

And I may or may not have had to remind them again today, but that’s okay. They delivered.

It was a little hard to focus at work today with my phone buzzing every 5 minutes for Facebook notifications where someone had posted birthday wishes on my wall.  SO NICE!  This is something I am so bad about. But it really did make me feel loved and special so I vow to do better.  Happy birthday everyone!  
A friend at work took me to lunch and we were able to chat and catch up, which was a treat.  I returned to my desk being decorated and this: 
SO NICE.
After work, Ryan’s parents came up to watch the boys so we could go out for dinner and drinks. I met Ryan at the Toyota dealership where I dropped my car off for an oil change. 
Then we headed downtown to a new-ish place (recommended by one of my kind co-workers) called Bakersfield.  
I think I’m obsessed with this place. 
I’m definitely obsessed with the food. 
We tried the Fish (1), Pastor (2), Huitlacoche (3), and Short Rib (4).  Oh, and the chips & queso.  
All dee-lish.
I had the Red Headed Stranger per the server’s suggestion and Ryan had The Drifter.  Both too strong for my liking, but fun to try anyway. 
cheers!
loves.
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful evening to stroll downtown through a couple of charming shops. 
Seriously. So perfect.
Such a neat store. I wish I had unlimited space and money!
It was well after seven and I needed to pick up my car before eight so we headed back to the dealership.  Then swung by Cheesecake Factory on the way home and left with a to-go bag of sinfully delicious desserts.
There’s never any trouble finding helpers when presents need to be opened. 
Gifts consisted of money to buy new clothes and a Hungry Girl cookbook.
YAY!
We put the boys to bed and then enjoyed our hidden and forbidden treats.  Oh yes.
And with that, I’ll be getting RIGHT back to Couch to 5k and eating healthy tomorrow.  
What a day – what a WONDERFUL day.  And thank you so much to anyone and everyone who played a large or small role in my day today!  I’m truly happy. Truly blessed.  Loving 33!
xoxo,
~C~