Thursday, March 10, 2011
Ryan becomes Catholic
Ryan was one of 8 babies baptized Sunday afternoon by our pastor, Fr. Troy. The ceremony had lots of singing and a great homily. Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jeff proudly became first time godparents to Ryan. Ryan was wonderful...not a peep from him, and the music even put him to sleep. He woke up looking very curious when the holy water was poured on his head, but quickly fell back asleep. Just like Kyle and his cousins, he wore the same gown that my sisters and I wore. We were hoping we might get a picture with Fr. Troy after the baptism like we got one with Deacon Kossegi after Kyle's, but he quickly exited the church and did not return! Aunt Kelly was our photographer during the ceremony (some of the pictures are dark because we forgot to show her where the flash was!). Afterwards, we all headed back to our house for a celebration. It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy our time outside.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Three months
Today is considered Ryan's 3 month "birthday" since February only has 28 days. He is a very patient and happy baby...laughing, smiling, and cooing lots. He has adjusted well to school and when I picked him up yesterday he was sitting in the exercauser, pillows in front and back. He looked so cute, and like such a big boy. Ryan recently discovered his hands, and they are VERY exciting! Here he is tonight sitting with his elephant for his monthly picture.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Back to the grind
Below is a “raw” entry that details my role as a working mother.
You’ve probably heard motherhood described as “the hardest job there is”, and I’d say that’s true – it is. I returned to work Tuesday after my 12 week maternity leave, and I can honestly say that being a working mother is the hardest job there is. While on maternity leave in my temporary “stay at home mom” role, I was able to nap, go on the Internet whenever I wanted, go shopping, etc. I even did some cleaning. Key word there, some. Needless to say, I had quite a bit of down time. Kyle kept his routine of going to school everyday, which allowed me the time I needed to bond with Ryan. Keeping Kyle home was a whole other story. This is not to say that I wasn’t busy on those days alone with Ryan, especially when he took a 45 minute nap when it was “supposed” to be 2 hours! I know it gets harder as the child gets older and more active, but I was loving my “freedom”. I now know that my nights and weekends are going to be even busier than before, especially with two kids of different ages and needs. There will be no more relaxation after the kids are asleep…there are lunches to prepare, baths to give, and clothes to set out. No more watching The Bachelor the night it airs…thank goodness for DVR! My relaxation comes in the form of a nightly shower and going to sleep. I’m lucky that Russ has been a tremendous help - he has really stepped it up since Ryan joined us. He prepares Kyle’s milk/juice cups the night before – even when I was on leave.
I did a lot of thinking while in the shower the other night. While working with 2 kids is not my ideal situation, it is what is best for our family, and therefore our future, at this point in time. I take great pride in knowing that I make a significant contribution to our income. This satisfaction will be exemplified when our kids head off to college and have minimal (or maybe zero) student loans as Russ and I were lucky enough to have (thank you mom and dad!). I had Russ show me exactly how, in monetary terms, I contribute, and that helps me with the big picture for what we have planned down the road. I am thankful for my job, especially in this economy.
I am at ease knowing that Kyle and Ryan are in excellent hands (Ms. Vita has been in the crib room at Westchase Methodist School for 25+ years and she loves her job!!). While I really miss them during the day, I do not feel that I miss any milestones. If Kyle did something at school that he hadn’t done at home yet, such as crawling or walking, they didn’t share this, and let us witness it with our own eyes. I start back to work and “muddle through it” as I like to say. I've shifted my hours to have more time with the boys at night...that extra hour has made a big difference. When I get the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, I know a new challenge will await me. I am also aware that, as mom says, “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”.
You’ve probably heard motherhood described as “the hardest job there is”, and I’d say that’s true – it is. I returned to work Tuesday after my 12 week maternity leave, and I can honestly say that being a working mother is the hardest job there is. While on maternity leave in my temporary “stay at home mom” role, I was able to nap, go on the Internet whenever I wanted, go shopping, etc. I even did some cleaning. Key word there, some. Needless to say, I had quite a bit of down time. Kyle kept his routine of going to school everyday, which allowed me the time I needed to bond with Ryan. Keeping Kyle home was a whole other story. This is not to say that I wasn’t busy on those days alone with Ryan, especially when he took a 45 minute nap when it was “supposed” to be 2 hours! I know it gets harder as the child gets older and more active, but I was loving my “freedom”. I now know that my nights and weekends are going to be even busier than before, especially with two kids of different ages and needs. There will be no more relaxation after the kids are asleep…there are lunches to prepare, baths to give, and clothes to set out. No more watching The Bachelor the night it airs…thank goodness for DVR! My relaxation comes in the form of a nightly shower and going to sleep. I’m lucky that Russ has been a tremendous help - he has really stepped it up since Ryan joined us. He prepares Kyle’s milk/juice cups the night before – even when I was on leave.
I did a lot of thinking while in the shower the other night. While working with 2 kids is not my ideal situation, it is what is best for our family, and therefore our future, at this point in time. I take great pride in knowing that I make a significant contribution to our income. This satisfaction will be exemplified when our kids head off to college and have minimal (or maybe zero) student loans as Russ and I were lucky enough to have (thank you mom and dad!). I had Russ show me exactly how, in monetary terms, I contribute, and that helps me with the big picture for what we have planned down the road. I am thankful for my job, especially in this economy.
I am at ease knowing that Kyle and Ryan are in excellent hands (Ms. Vita has been in the crib room at Westchase Methodist School for 25+ years and she loves her job!!). While I really miss them during the day, I do not feel that I miss any milestones. If Kyle did something at school that he hadn’t done at home yet, such as crawling or walking, they didn’t share this, and let us witness it with our own eyes. I start back to work and “muddle through it” as I like to say. I've shifted my hours to have more time with the boys at night...that extra hour has made a big difference. When I get the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, I know a new challenge will await me. I am also aware that, as mom says, “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”.
The boys headed to school early last week
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Breakfast playdate
Friday morning, I hosted a breakfast playdate with my friends Lindsay, Kathleen, and Amy. We had lots of breakfast treats and we girls got to enjoy a cup of coffee on a very cold morning. Too bad Kyle chose that morning to wake up before 6 AM. Needless to say, he was tired, cranky, and did not want to share his toys with 5 other kids! Below is a picture of all 7 kids. Too bad I didn't sit Ryan up...we were in a rush to get the picture before someone got out of the frame!
L-R: 2 Orrs, 2 Bartas, 1 Nieman, 2 Grays (aged 3 down to 2 months!)
L-R: 2 Orrs, 2 Bartas, 1 Nieman, 2 Grays (aged 3 down to 2 months!)Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Storytime
This morning I read one of Kyle's favorite books, The Best Nest, to his class. Kyle was very excited to have me read this book...he told me on the way to school that he wanted to say the book was by P.D. Eastman. Russ always reads the author and illustrator when he reads a book, so Kyle likes to repeat this whenever a book is read. Kyle was also excited to show off his brother, and told his classmates who Ryan was (even though they've met him before). As you can see in the pictures, Kyle wanted bear bear to hear the story, but he knew bear bear had to go home with me when the story was over. The kids enjoyed the book, and Kyle had fun helping me read...he has this book nearly memorized.
Take 2: a better one of Kyle, while Nikola gets whiplash
L-R: Nikola, Gavin, Alin, Camila, Kyle, me (Not pictured: Josie)
Take 2: a better one of Kyle, while Nikola gets whiplashSuper Bowl (and super cold) 2011
This year for the Super Bowl, the Brocks came over for dinner and the 1st half of the game. The boys were able to busy themselves while the game and commercials were watched. I get a kick out of watching Nolan...his expressions and actions just crack me up. It will be fun to watch him be the big brother when baby boy #2 is here in 4 short weeks!
Being sweet to each other
Being sweet to each other
Ryan bundled up on Thursday when we briefly went out in the freezing temps
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