Happy New Year Everyone! We are back from Florida, and getting back into the swing of things here. I am currently experiencing a high level of Hope for 2011. How do you feel about the new year?
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Here's a quick post with photos from our trip to Florida. It was a great time.
*charlie + max, thanksgiving 2010.
If there is nothing else in the world that says everything else doesnt matter but this, this picture says it all. For everyone.
Charlie is one half of the twinkies and is the shy one, or the one who likes to do things his way, and he'll come around when he wants to. Up until now, he really hasnt shown any interest in Max. On Thanksgiving, he came right up to Max on the carpet, laid down with him on the floor, and started playing and being loving.
My heart swooned so big, and then it melted.
My Thanksgivings as a child were spent at my grandmother's house in Philadelphia with my cousins. I recall me, my brother Andrew, my cousins John and Ian, all just running around, hanging out, up to no good in the basement. Grandma would yell from the top of the stairs 'stay out of there!'. There = the pantry or my grandfather's workshop. Somehow she knew.
Watching the above made me miss my grandmother. Lots. I know we cant live forever, but I am SO thankful that we are a family where family is important, and spending time together is just as important. I want the same for Max.
This picture will get printed and put somewhere where I can look at it everyday (most likely that'll be work!) and remind myself what's important.
Feeling very overwhelmed today. I think its a combination of working full-time, caring for Max, caring for my mom while she is healing (which by the way she is doing awesome), maintaining the family budget, finding time to prepare meals, catch up on my reading and writing (ie, the lack of posts here). Throw in a couple of phone calls with friends and out-of-town family, an average of 4 hours of sleep per night and it makes for one exhausted Me.
Today as I instant messaged with my friend Rich, I listed out all of the above and he said, 'Wow those are really good compelling reasons NOT to do it', when discussing my writing. I tried to explain to him that I dont have any 'Me' time any more, its always 'Max' time. I am surely not complaining because if I have to spend any time with anyone on this planet, he is my first choice. This is just a HUGE adjustment for me, learning the balance between Me, Us and Him.
I am open to any advice on how to juggle it all, especially being a working mother.
Sunday, Andrew, Kelly and the boys had made a visit at my mom's house. Kelly and I were able to do our best in getting some shots of the three boys together. You can see Charlie is not all that interested in Max, but Tyler is. Tyler shared his blankie with Max, but took it back right away as if he was saying, 'See! Its soft and cuddly and makes you happy. Now, let go!'. Here are the good ones.
Thank you Charlie and Tyler for always being so fun to hang out with!
There is nothing like coming home to see a box like this on your front porch, with immediately identifiable handwriting.
Then think, 'what did I ask her for?' or 'what did she say she was sending me?' Only to find out when you open the box and these pop-out (literally).
It is then you realize this is type of mail you LOVE to get. Then you dump the box on the kitchen floor and you see ALL the goodness that was packed inside.
This was an awesome surprise to finish out a Wonderful Wednesday!
(Note: this totally goes with the whole 'recycle' idea of living I am holding. Thank you really to Nicholas, Erika and Zachary for sharing these awesome goodies with Max! We have Kermit sitting on the dresser who will say every morning, 'Its not easy being green!')
Ali Edwards, as you can see I follow her blog, wrote a post about a quilt she had commissioned someone to make for her. I read that post and thought to myself, I have a house full of family heirlooms! This quilt, made by my beautifully talented Aunt Syrl, for Max. Its absolutely gorgeous. I love it, and I am sure Max loves it as he has tummy time on this quilt. He works so hard on focusing on the different patterns.
This will be an item that will get stored away and saved for Max when he is older, to pass along to his family. Along with a afgan that belonged to my step-father's mother. It was her wedding gift from her mother. It sits on the edge of my bed. I love it. Love all the colors, love the fact that its a twin bed size (because you know they slept in twin beds way back when!), love the fact that it was made with love from a mother to a daughter. I was honored when I was told I could have it.
I love the fact that my home is filled with these types of items. They just radiate love and warmth. I so prefer that over anything else.
Usually Memorial Day weekends are spent with friends and families attending barbeque's, hanging out and spending as much time outdoors as possible, as it technically marks the begining of Summer. Today, we did just that at my brother's house. Here are a few from our Memorial Day weekend celebration.
We introduced the twinkies and Max. Charlie wasnt all that interested, though Tyler would point to Max when we asked, 'Where is Baby Max?'. Max, yeah he wasnt sure what the noise and activity was all about!
Having the twinkies and Max be so close in age, and living in the same area (Chicagoland), makes my heart swoon with happiness that they will be able to have a relationship with each other. And this just strengthens the bond between Andrew and I as siblings.
Today, Grandpa Ken and Cathy arrived to meet Max. Plus visit with everyone else. Dad and I took Max on his first walk in his new stroller. He seemed to like it as he slept through the entire mile walk. It is such a beautiful day out, we couldnt have passed up going outside!
*photo by Laura
Its always good to see Dad and Cathy. I will add the group photo above to Max's baby book .. and this one... just because he is too stinking cute!
I love him.
Yesterday we celebrated by brother Andrew's birthday by stopping by for a visit and a little early dinner. Before we left though, I did pull out the camera (my way of getting used to it again) and snapped a few of the boys. Tyler was interested in the lense, because I think he saw the shutter open and close. Though the pictures taken look more like he is some SUPA-STAHHHH and he's blocking the papp from taking any photos!
Kelly purchased matching Dad and Me Cubs hats for Andrew and the twinkies. Look how cute they are!
Happy Birthday Day Andrew! You are the coolest, bestest brother a girl can have! = )
Today, Mom and I went over to my brothers to babysit the twinkies while he was at school and my sister-in-law volunteered. The boys were so much fun! Charlie even walked up to me looking for a hug. What a little cutie! I still cant get over how well they played together. There was only one argument over a toy. That's when Grandma stepped in and distracted them with something else.
They really enjoyed the blocks and putting them together. Tyler wanted the blocks out, by reaching into the basket holding the top open with his head! Then when the bag was sitting out, Charlie wanted to move it to the table. Innovative little buggers!
*you can see Charlie doing his best to carry the bag, Grandma helping*
My favorite is of the two of them hanging out at the front door, just scoping out the hood.