Ramblings from an Exhausted Mom

Where do I start?  I wanted to give you an update about what's been going on lately.  It's been an extremely busy week.

Last Friday - I got to do a long run in the A.M. kid and husbandless.  It was amazing.  Then in the afternoon, we closed on our new house.  Yep, that's right, we have a house. It's official and it just so happens to be the one we thought we lost.  We couldn't be happier.  Friday night S and I spent all evening steam cleaning carpets.  It was then that I realized how big the house was.  We were exhausted but I felt a little piece of mind knowing it was done.



Saturday - We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned.  From 9:30 to 6:30 we washed down walls, scrubbed bathrooms, dusted blinds, etc.  You name it, we cleaned it with help from an amazing woman that comes ready to tackle any job.  (I totally should've taken her picture).

Sunday - I thought we'd be heading home for my nephew's baptism however, E had a different plan.  Around 4 AM he started crying a cry I had never heard before.  I couldn't get him to calm down.  Long story short...we spent all day in the Children's ER while they ran every test they could think of on this poor kid.  The only thing they could diagnos it as was "abdominal cramping".  Regardless, they sent us home, and after a nice LONG family nap, he woke up and it was like nothing had ever happened.  He was perfectly fine.  Strange and Scary!  When we got back to our temporary housing, I captured this moment between father and son and about lost it for the millionth time that day.  Can you feel the love in this picture?  It still makes me tear up.

Monday - MOVING DAY!! We had painters and movers at the house from around 11 to 5.

 

Tuesday - Unpacking, more painting and our first night in the house.  We stayed there last night and it felt so strange.  Even though it was our bed and our sheets and our stuff, it still felt like we were staying at someone else's house.  I've almost got the kitchen unpacked.

I'm working on the list of projects that need to get done.  So far we've done a couple critical things:

1. S, his mom and dad removed and recaulked the shower in the master bath

2. S and his dad replaced the shower heads in both upstairs showers

3. They also added this to my kitchen.  Before, there was no designated spot for a trash can.  Now I have this. 

Source: lowes.com via Katie on Pinterest

4. I tried this but you have to have a really strong rod or they just all fall

Source: ms-notsoperfect.com via Katie on Pinterest

I've been capturing all my ideas for the house on Pintrest.  You can check out all my boards at:
http://pinterest.com/katie_mcfarland/

Do you use Pintrest?  My goal is to do one project a month from my boards.  I'm doing pretty good at the moment.  We'll see what happens when school starts next week.  Oh yeah, did I tell you I start Graduate School next Friday?  Should be a lot of fun!

Guest Post - Get Your Children and Family Up and Moving

I'd like to introduce you to Emily Patterson.  She has offered to provide a ton of great tips for getting active with your family on behalf of Primrose Schools. For over 25 years, they have helped individuals achieve higher levels of success by providing them with an AdvancED® accredited, early child care services and education.  Through an accelerated Balanced Learning® curriculum, Primrose Schools students are exposed to a widely diverse range of subject matter giving them a much greater opportunity to develop mentally, physically and socially. Emily has written a number of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the importance of volunteering.

Enjoy!

• The percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states. (Source: Trust for America's Health)


• Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese nationwide.

(Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Experts suggest that young children need to accumulate at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity. Unfortunately, many children do not even come close to reach this. It is clear that along with poor diet, physical inactivity has contributed to a large increase in childhood obesity in the United States in the past 20 years.

Research has shown that children who develop basic motor skills such as throwing, catching, kicking, jumping, skipping, and balance are more likely to grow into healthy active adults. Studies have shown that daily physical activity helps children academically as well. Learning basic physical skills is essential to the healthy growth and development of your child. But children do not learned this physical skills or behavior on their own…if needs to start from guidance and assistance from adults.

So, what can parents do to teach their children about the importance of being physically active and help them learn these necessary skills? Trying the tips below will help you and your family create a fun environment for physical activity and will contribute to everyone’s physical health.

Tips for Getting Your Family Active:
Find appropriate, safe spaces for quality physical activity: Provide safe spaces inside and outside for your child to be active.

Ensure the availability of age-appropriate supplies: Being physically active is like learning to read, write, or do math problems in that each requires proper materials or equipment.
• Provide abundant supplies of balls, hoops, hockey sticks, bats, racquets, jump ropes, etc. They need balls of all sizes, shapes, and weights such as beanbags and rubber balls.


• Equipment should be soft, lightweight, and made for children.

Be active with your children: Don’t just send your children outside to play--be a role model and join in! Go outside with them and participate in games and other activities that require physical exertion!

• Use sidewalk chalk to create your own four-square or hopscotch grids; blow bubbles then chase them around the yard to see who can catch them; go on a walk around the neighborhood or through a park as a family; play music and dance inside or outside; and when the weather is nice put on your bathing suits and run through the sprinklers or take a dip in the pool.


• Promote a feeling of success when you play with your child. If your child is not yet able to successfully throw and hit a target, encourage them to move a little closer so they can be successful. Skills are acquired incrementally. Children who do not experience success have a tendency to quit and not practice.


• Acknowledge their efforts with specific comments. No matter what your child’s skill level is, be a supportive coach. They will benefit from your encouragement.

When children come into the world, physical activity is at the very center of their lives. They have a mission to learn to crawl, walk, run, throw, catch, and kick. If they are going to enjoy participating in physical activities now and as adults, they need to build on that foundation of success and enjoyment that begins in infancy. So, grab a ball, badminton racket, or jump rope and set aside time each day to play with your child!

Oh Boy..Let the Tantrums Begin

Man, I didn't know that tantrums would begin this early.  E had one this morning that I couldn't help but laugh at.

Let me set the stage...

• 7:09 A.M. (we're supposed to leave at 7:00)
• E has woken up and I go to get him from his pack and play (because we still in temporary housing)
• Upon doing so, I smell something a little foul
• Walking him into the room where I change him, I feel something slimy on my hand that's wrapped around his back
• Wanna guess?  If you guessed Pooo, then you're right!!
• I'm in my work clothes trying not to get it on me and he starts getting upset.  Now granted, he was just waking up but I'm now in supermom mode trying to get us out the door.  Needless to day, he was not happy with my lack of empathy for his condition. 

If you can't see the video, here's just a few images of the end of the video.  I wish I could've gotten the first part of the tantrum but my hands were a little full.

10 Months Old Time to Start Party Planning

My son, yes my son is 10 months old today. I can't believe how fast time is flying. I feel like he should still be a couple months old. Just look how cute!

This milestone also means it's time to start planning E's first birthday party.  First things first..theme.  S and I are both huge baseball fans so we're going with the easy one. 

Celebration of "E's Rookie Season"

It's going to be all baseball themed.  Right down to the napkins.  The food will include a nacho bar, hot dogs, hamburgers, and of course a dessert bar.  Here's a couple of the parties I'm using as inspiration. 

Source: thepartydress.net via Katie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Katie on Pinterest

I like the idea of the invitations mimicking a ticket or a baseball card.

Source: etsy.com via Katie on Pinterest

Ok, so I don't claim to be a professional party planner so I'm going to do my best.  With all the house drama, a hectic work schedule and graduate school starting next month, the party will give us something to look forward too.

Do you have any other ideas for what we can do?  I love all the cute cut outs and labels but I don't know how to make them.  Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Weekend Recap - Summer is Coming To An End

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 Wow, what a crazy weekend.  We officially moved out of our house, had a family reunion and a very special first birthday party. 

I couldn't believe how much stuff we had in our little house.  The movers got there at about 8:30 on Friday and stayed till 1:30. They filled a huge truck with our stuff and then drove away.  When they left we still had enough to fill a room in my in-laws house.  Seriously!  I feel a purge coming on.  It took us all weekend to get it all out.  We finally made the last trip today before the official closing.

It was fun to watch E with all the little kids.  He's really starting to show some personality and he loves the ladies.  In our circle of friends, boys are definitely the minority which works to E's advantage. 

The birthday girl loved her cake.  So much so she ate about the entire top tier.  :)

The men "watched the kids" outside.  You can tell just how well they watched them. 

Ok, so S did do a feeding here and there.  It's funny.  E's really starting to warm up to S.  I had been feeling a little bad because he was so much of a momma's boy.  I'm starting to see a bond forming between these two.  Pretty soon Mom won't be cool at all. 

Unseasonably cool weather made both of these outdoor events extremely comfortable.  E was so relaxed outside he decided to take a little snooze but not before giving some loving to his Aunt. We miss seeing her and Big D, they currently live in LA and live the glamorous life all the way.  Ashley is a producer for E! and Big D does real estate.  We get to live through them. 

Blog Hop Fun

A blog hop is a linky list that is SHARED ON MULTIPLE BLOGS.
When several blogs put the same linky list code on their blog, the
exact same list appears on each blog.

Blog visitors can submit their entries on any blog that contains the list.
The entries will appear on each blog where the list resides.

Blog readers see the same list on each blog, and can "HOP" from blog
to blog seeing the same list of links to follow: BLOG HOP!

Stop and Smell The Roses

Yesterday I read, among all the other great blogs, Sweet Leigh Mama's.  In it she was discussing a current medical situation she's going through with her young son.  In that discussion, she talked about how as a Mom you are many things to many people and you don't always have time for yourself (emotionally speaking).  Here's an excerpt:


"I went out to dinner with my BFF mama friend the other night (no babies, no husbands, just us! LET THE ANGELS SING!!) and I realized that I am holding a lot of my emotions on this inside. I talk about it with my husband every day, but I'm keeping myself from really feeling it. I talk about scheduling the appointments, about the great doctors we will be working with, about how each day (especially over the last week) we both have noticed the increasing size of D's forehead and the "smushed" look of the side of his head. But I don't let myself get too deep into the emotion of it. I'm holding back on that. Because if I let myself go there now, I might not be able to get through the next few days of appointments without completely losing it. When I start to feel the pressure of tears build up, I tell myself that if I can just get through the next week of appointments and find out what the next steps will be, then I can let go. And I will... it's inevitable." 

I felt for her as we all would but I left it at that.  Then, last night, as I was putting E to sleep I started crying.  I really hadn't been upset or had any real emotional swings one way or the other so I was a little surprised when it started.  Then I just went with it and that's when it HIT ME.  The emotion of everything going on with the house. I don't want to even try to compare it to what Sweet Leigh is going through but for us right now, this is a big event.  Life changing and I've been orchestrating it but not dealing with it.  I've been packing every night for the past three weeks, little by little.  I've been talking to agents, lenders, appraisers, and inspectors.  I've called every utility company known to man.  I've done it all except reflect.

This house, which I bought by myself over 5 years ago, has gone from brick and mortar to part of my heart.  It holds soo many memories that mean so much to me.  It's where I started my family and until last night I just treated it like a house.  Then, as E and I sat in the glider in his room, I realized that I needed to move out mentally too.  I needed to pack all those memories up and store them away.  They aren't gone when we leave. I did that last night.  I sat there for an extended period of time just thinking, crying and realizing that this place will always be in my heart.  

Here's today's lesson...

• If you're a new mom or about to be a new mom - Don't let the chaos of the moment consume you.  Roll with it.  If you don't you won't be able to enjoy the little memories that are hiding there.  Take a breath and just be for a minute.  I promise you won't be disappointed in the result.

• If you're a seasoned veteran, you've probably been told this a lot and just like the rest of us, tossed it aside for the sake of efficiency BUT here I am telling you again.  STOP!  Stop what you're doing, look around and appreciate everything that is your life.  You've worked hard to make it what it is and it's meant to be enjoyed and cherished. 

No matter what, enjoy your day!

Lessons Learned

Before we get into it, let me start with a little something to make you smile.  This picture was taken yesterday as I was trying to fold sheets.  You can see that there was somewhat of an obstacle in my way. 

I promise this will be the last post about the house saga until we've moved in.  I've been trying to find the silver lining on this grey cloud that is our home drama.  I was playing with E this afternoon and then it hit me. 

Before I let you in on the lesson, I have to give you the whole story about the house we lost.  We had gotten through the home inspection with just a few small repairs and then the appraisal.  That's where things went wrong.  Long story short...the appraisal sunk the deal.  So we don't get to buy the house because we our loan would only be for the amount of the appraisal and I'm not paying out of pocket like that. 

We are in a stressful situation but nothing like the sellers.  How do you explain to your kids what you've done?  That's when it hit me.

The lessons we teach our children come in all shapes and sizes and happen all through their lives.  Fiscal responsibility is definitely difficult because the best way to teach it is through practicing it yourself.  My parents have always lived within or below their means (I didn't need those LA Gears afterall) and I can't thank them enough for teaching me the importance of money.  I feel bad that now these sellers kids are going to have to learn this lesson the hard way and my family is displaced.

Bottom Line...the lessons you don't teach your children are just as important as those that you do.

Ok, I'm getting off my high horse.  I've got to go look for houses.

Watch Out World...Here He Comes

My 9 month old is walking. We're talking baby steps but still. I can't believe it! I was soo hoping this wouldn't happen until we were in the "new house" (wherever that is) but now I'll this memory will be tied to this house as with so many other memories which will make it much tougher to leave next Friday.

LOVE THIS VIDEO!  SO CUTE!

The Family Without a Home

Let me tell you a story about a little family without a house.  Remember the story of Little Red Riding Hood?  Yep, that's us.  We keep trying on all these houses but none of them fit.  We've bid and lost on 4 houses now all with varying circumstances none of which I can control which makes this all EXTREMELY frustrating. 

If I could sit here and tell you that we're just not finding any or that we're not trying very hard, then it would be a different story but that's not the case. 

At this point, we are going to be homeless next Friday.  Talk about a crazy feeling.  I don't even know how to pack for that because at this point, I don't know how long this will be the case.

So we're back at the house hunt tonight.  Expanding our area, which I don't want to do for a number of reasons.  I'm just comfortable where we are.  I love our church, our gym, everything.  I might as well move to an entirely new city...Denver here we come!! (I wish)

Current Stats:
Homes Viewed Electronically - 100+
Homes Driven By - 50+
Homes Visited - 35+  45
Homes Bid on - 4
Homes won - 1
Homes Lost again - 1

Maybe this will be our  new house..

Source: weheartit.com via Jessica on Pinterest

E Has Friends in High Places

We made our typical trek to the gym yesterday.  (I'm not going to discuss my extreme lack of motivation right now).  It's no secret around here, that S and I are creatures of habit.  We've been going to the same gym for about 9 years.  Funny thing is that everyone else there has been as well.  Everyone knows everyone.  When I got pregnant, the entire gym followed my progress and provided commentary along the way.  Flashback to October..

Anyway, when E was born we introduced him to the gym as soon as we could.  He loves it there and everyone has had fun watching him grow up.  One person in particular.  This is the Mayor of St. Louis.  He's a great and personable guy who, I can tell, is dreaming of his own grand kids someday.  In the meantime, he likes to interact with E.  Who am I to refuse?  :)

Current and Future Mayor

Another Video of a Sleepless Child

Picture it...It's Sunday late morning, I'm cleaning around the house.  I've just put E down for a nap and as always, I've turned his music on (Sirius Spa Chanel type stuff, he LOVES IT), turned his Cloud b Sleep Turtle and the baby monitor.

I go about my business cleaning and I happen to glance down at the monitor to find the following.  NOW I do put him down awake (slightly sleepy) and let him do the rest.  Most days he's asleep pretty quick.  Yesterday though, not so much.  This went on for half hour before he finally conked out.

On another note, we did a little furniture shopping this weekend for the house we HOPE to have.  We found some great stuff.  E seemed to have his own opinion on what we should put in his room.

OH..And I almost forgot.  E has a new cousin!  He's three weeks old now but I wanted to introduce you to JACK!  We love him.  He's going to make a great addition to our clan.