This blog isn't the only new thing..

So here I am blogging... I swore I would never do this again since my failed attempt in 2008, but I figured it is my duty as a newly promoted stay at home mom to communicate our happenings with the outside world.  A friend, neighbor, full-time breadwinner, and mother of two children about the same ages of our children inspired me.  Actually, after seeing that she:
a. had time to keep up with it...
b. didn't seem lofty or overly funny, which I found refreshing.  I have always felt incapable of blogging because I am neither witty, smart or very politically savvy, and I assumed all of these things were requirements of blogging...
c. was basically doing what I've been doing with facebook but added a few captions and the occasional story about her kid's latest new trick... 

I figured what the heck, I'll give blogging a second go-round.

So here's our latest:  As of the 22nd, I am officially a stay at home mom, which means two things: my hair is blown dry and we are incredibly poor.  This was a good change for our family, but has taken some adjusting.  Luckily, most of the adjusting has been for the better.  I no longer have to wake up at the crack of dawn, herd cats into their car seats without a glance in the mirror, drive a two hour commute, sit at a computer all day, do the daycare dash in the evening, race to find something in the kitchen that might be a meal, herd cats to take baths and possibly consider sleeping, and then clean the house and possibly consider sleeping myself.  The relaxed approach to the day has been nice.  I refuse to be one of these women who lets herself go since she's not facing many adults during her typical day, so I am showering each day (yes, that's a luxury), chasing the same cats around the house, cleaning as we go, and going to the grocery store during non-peak hours (again, this is a luxury). 

I was personally worried that staying home would be difficult because dealing with two under two is hard, but I have been pleasantly surprised that I am able to handle and enjoy being with them.  Jimmy and I have arranged for Thursday nights to be my night out on the town, which means I go to the Legion with our friends and shoot pool, and that has been a real treat.  I've already had someone other than my husband buy me a drink (don't worry he's about 30 years my senior, but at least I know I still got it!  HAH)  I'm only two weeks on the job, so I know that much of my delight comes from the fresh comparison to what was, but I'm hoping to stay positive and keep the main thing the main thing.

In other news, Jimmy just started a job with New Carrollton Police Department and seems to enjoy it.  He's training to learn the streets for about another week and then will get into a shift that is predictable.  Presently he's working 12 hour days, which is long, but does allow for more days at home with us. I'm hoping that continues but there's a chance that he'll be moved to a shorter shift.  We'll see what happens.  Now that he's back on shift work, I was disappointed to have him miss Halloween.  I'm sure you've seen our pictures on Facebook, so I won't re-post them.  In the future, we might have to start celebrating holidays on different days so that he doesn't miss out on these important memories.   As he keeps telling me, everything will work out, we just need to be flexible and plan ahead.  The good news is that he is gainfully employed, we're all very happy and healthy (except for Ashton's minor cold).  And with that reminder, I will leave all complaining out of this post. 

Anyway, back to my main thing... here's a few shots of our beautiful babies clowning around yesterday:

 Sweet Reagan is always smiling...

 Ashton politely waking Reagan up from her nap.  (That's a block he brought her)

 Paci in mouth, check.  Paci in hand, check.  "Booping" Reagan's belly button, check!

Ashton wanted to sit with Reagan, so he just plopped down in between her legs.  Of course, Miss Happy Snappy had no problem with this. 


Well, nap time is officially over as I have Ashton tugging on my leg!  Until next time, over and out!