Getting Ready for Softball Season!

 We found these awesome kid's outdoor chairs at Sams and couldn't resist.  They were only 10 bucks, so it was a no brainer.  They are a must have for our upcoming Softball season, right?  Both Jimmy and I play, so we know that these chairs will be handy for our #1 spectators!

Ashton sits momentarily then springs to action!

Reagan's first time in the chair.

Big hug in the Chair!

  

Eating grapes to get the full effect.

Getting situated and figuring things out!

 ...and a Reagan photo shoot!

Enjoy Every Moment

Baby Liam, Grace, and Reagan.

Play date kids: Liam, Grace, Reagan, Noah, and Ashton.  Notice the space between Ashton and Noah.  This is the closest we could get them without starting the third World War.

I visited a friend on Sunday, and the day was intended to catch up and have the kids play at her house. My friend has a household of kids: a 4-month-old, a 3.5-year-old, and an almost 7-year-old.   The first hour of play time was pretty good, but then all bets were off.  Ashton was literally terrorizing her sweet-mannered 3.5-year-old and I was playing referee, praying that he would cease and desist.  My friend was kind and acted nonchalant about the situation, but I was mortified.  The truth of the matter is that I felt like a crazy person going from one crisis to the next with my only saving grace being Reagan's perfect behavior, since I downright neglected her for an hour.

I suppose the frustrating part is that in these moments people always tell me, "kids will be kids."  And yes, kids will be kids, but I feel like my kid is always the one being a kid and the other children are like tiny adults.  Ashton is so loving and sweet within these four walls, but when we leave, he's like a pent up Rottweiler.  "High spirited" is what I've been told to call him. I happily embrace his energy, especially since I know exactly who he inherited this from (ahem, Jimmy), but the pummeling of other children must stop.

As my friend and I were catching up, she looked at her highly intelligent, helpful, and well mannered 7-year-old and said, "It just goes so fast.  Enjoy every moment." Ha! I nodded in agreement, but couldn't help disagreeing silently.  I was smack-dab in the middle of a moment I was absolutely NOT enjoying...

Over the last couple of months, I have resolved to allow a guilt-free pass to have appropriate emotional reactions to the occasional tornado around me.  I don't yell out of line or act violently, but that does mean that I recognize my feelings of anger, frustration, and/or anxiousness.  Personally, I believe I would be insane to relish in these horrific moments.  This doesn't mean I don't love my kids at all times, but it does mean that I don't always like them. 

When I finally mustered up the courage to call it quits on the play date out of pure exhaustion and embarrassment, I loaded up the kids in the car and breathed a sigh of relief.  Sure, Ashton was screaming for juice and Reagan was complaining about being in her car seat, but at least I was the only one enduring the torture.  I am much better at this when I'm alone.  After about 2 minutes of driving both kids stopped their complaining and fell asleep.  Ahhh... Now this was a moment I happily enjoyed.

Reagan's Favorite Things...

Just wanted to create a quick post, as every time I see Reagan with this collection of things I think that I need to immortalize it on the internet.
1. To Trev and Jo: Reagan loves to put on and take off the rosary you gave Ashton for his baptism.  Seriously, she loves it, which is so weird because I questioned what we were going to do with it until Ashton was old enough to appreciate its significance.  problem solved!
2. To AnnMarie: She loves to chew the glow in the dark bracelet we got at the Arabian Nights show in FL.  I'm hoping it doesn't contain any toxic material!
3. This one is classic... for some reason all children love cell phones and Reagan is no exception.

Reagan's First Steps!

Truth be told, the below video was captured a few days after Reagan's actual first steps.  You see, she took her first solo step while we were at Carmax selling our Jeep.  I was the only one who witnessed it because we were in their play area while Jimmy spoke with the agent.  I yelled, "Ashton, look!  Reagan's walking!" and just as if he had done it 100 times, he bee-lined for Reagan.  Knowing how Ashton is, I too went running, but couldn't catch him.  He pushed her right over as she was lunging to take her second step.  That jerk...

Surprise birthday for Papa

My immediate family decided to throw my father a surprise 61st birthday party.  Since I stay at home now, I decided to travel to Charleston on my own with the kids and be there for the surprise.  Trevor and Joanna were kind enough to let me and my kid-tornado crash at their house the night before the surprise.  It took us 11 1/2 hours to make a 8.5 hour trip-- ugh.  The kids were actually a dream, especially considering the circumstances, but we had to take our time for "pee-pee time" breaks and toured just about every McDonalds playplace on the Eastern seaboard.  I always thought those things were a waste of space, and frankly very unsanitary, but they were a lifesaver and my opinion is forever changed.  I literally could not have made it without them.

When we got to Charleston, Trevor and Jo took us to this very cool BBQ place, that is totally the new Charleston.  Since I left this great city, things have really changed, and a focus on excellent food, drink, and nightlife have consumed the locals.  It is a cultural experience to visit.  Anyway, as soon as we were seated, Ashton was --AHEM-- in a mood, and didn't want to sit in the high chair.  You really can't blame him, since the poor kid had just endured a car seat for 11.5 hours.  He was protesting and required a little help to get him into the seat.  As a good mom, I thought I would redirect his attention to his oh-so-cool-hat.  Well, wouldn't you know it, he grabbed the hat from me and with a huge smile, chucked it behind it head.  As luck would have it - SPLAT - the hat landed on the table of a women, who was just about the meanest person I've encountered in recent memory.  Her face of disgust was apparent to the entire restaurant.  Trevor profusely apologized, gently explaining why the outburst happened, and lifted the hat from her table. Well, the women called over the waitress insisting on a new meal and decided to make a scene.  Thank God for Trevor and his intervention, because I would have probably crawled under the table and cried.  Long story short, the couple stayed at their table shooting us death stares throughout the entire dinner.  After the couple left, two different waitresses came up and apologized to us for what was clearly an overreaction.  Sure, no one wants a hat on their food and table, but the way this woman kept saying, "well, I don't know where that hat's been!!!  You should keep them at home if you can't control them!" just seemed a little much.  On top of it, we sincerely apologized and beyond turning back the hands of time and intercepting the torpedo, there was nothing we could have done.  And frankly that's life.  Kids aren't perfect, and we were all cranky little brats at some point, so a little understanding would be appreciated.

The next day, we were part of the party planning team... I don't know how much we contributed considering the nap times, diaper changes, and the general chaos the two kids cause, but at least I was made to feel like our presence wasn't too much of a hindrance.  Trevor and Joanna cooked all of the food for the party, so they were working overtime as far as I'm concerned.  It went off very well thanks to my mom's careful planning and contingency plans, and Dad seems genuinely surprised.

Although our trip home was even longer than our first trip, it was all worth it in the end.  The kids had a BLAST and didn't want to go home.  I can't wait for another adventurous trip soon!

The happy birthday boy!

Lauren and Dad trying to do the famous "Act," as coined by Chelsea and Lauren in the early '90s.

Oh wait, Chelsea and Lauren shall not be out done!  And guess what?  We still got it!!  Some even debated if the "Act 2011" was actually more complicated the the original...

Power couple.  Trevor and Joanna making the food for the party.

Thumbs up for a great party!

Trevor loves baby Rea.

This is not child abuse... I swear she didn't mind!  Pictured here are Reagan's new fang teeth!

High five from Uncle Trev for blowing out all of the candles!  (Ashton thinks any birthday is his birthday and he is so enthusiastic that I don't have the heart to correct him...)

 

The siblings!

Pictured here with my sister, Lauren.

Lauren and JD were the life of the party!

To see the full album of pictures, visit my public album on facebook.

Fun with a ferret!

Picture Sampling from Febuary.

Spring has sprung!  Reagan was looking too cute in this hat, so we had a photo shoot.  This is the first hat she's worn, other than her snow hats. 

Tessa came over for a quick visit... actually she and Ashton ran into the house from being outside and the two of them had to try out Ashton's new Toy Story Adirondack chairs.

A rare moment- Ashton was asleep, so Reagan and I got to have another photo shoot.  She is so curious of the camera, so I captured her here trying to inspect the lens. 

She has been standing like a champ for months, but just started walking this week.  Pictured here, she's looked to me like she was going to taker her first step, so I was ready to catch it on camera. 

Tyler comes over to play!  We love Tyler sleepovers!! 

Daddy looking dapper on his way to work.  The kids have been getting up at the same time as Jimmy, which is fun to have them say good bye to him, but annoying that they're up at 5 am each day... ugh.

Ashton was a big kid on the playground in Charleston.  He could use every piece of their meticulously manicured play equipment and for once, didn't attack any children.  He is really growing up and we, and all other children that cross his path, are thrilled to be out of that phase!

With no instruction, no other children around to mimic, Ashton climbed the latter like he had been doing it for years.  It was so cool to watch.  My dad and I kept thinking he was going to misstep and fall, but not once did he falter. 

Reagan's first time in a swing.  She loved it!

Happy baby excited to be swinging in Charleston.

Baby girl in the tub.  She is forever happy and we thank God every day for her amazing temperament.

Ashton in the tub too.  The marks you see on his cheek are from a marker he found earlier in the day and decided to "shave" with it.

Mommy HAD to make coffee, as I do every morning, and to entertain Ashton I gave him four coffee filter hats to share with everyone.  This gave me three minutes to make the coffee and gave us countless laughs while the coffee brewed. 

Surprisingly, the filters stay on very well.  I think we all kept our hats on for a good 30 minutes.  HA!