just be ...

Oct + Nov.

I'm still feeling pretty yucky, yet am starting see more good days than bad.  I was told when I was in my mid thirties that the body starts taking longer to heal.  I didnt believe it.  Well, here I am at *that* number (you know the number after 3-9), and now convinced of it. 

Here's basically what happened in October and so far, November.

1. Halloween Parade at school. 

2.  Halloween Party with twinkies and their 'multiples' group.

3.  Halloween. 

4.  Trip to Denver to visit Aunt Sharon, Uncle Geno, cousins Nicholas, Erika + Zachary.

So that is basically whats been happening in between us just hanging out at home, watching the movie Robots over and over again and living off toast, crackers and applesauce (because I have no desire or energy to cook!).  Please dont report me to the Bad Parent Police! 

What have you been up to?

Right now.

(inspired by SouleMama)

 
Right now, I am...

:: enjoying the sweet taste of gummy bears. 

:: ecstatic Fall is here.  I love this season.

:: feeling so-so.  I’ve been very tired lately, looking forward to a couple of weekends where we have no activity, sleeping in, no errands, just hanging out.  

:: wanting to take a day off of a work and just cook, cook, cook, to put meals in the freezer, to bottle up granola, possibly experiment with homemade ketchup. 

:: riding along on this current journey, one milestone at a time.  One milestone at a time. 

:: enjoying my time with Max.  Since putting down the chores list, and just letting that be, my time with Max has resulted in someone not trying to get my attention in negative ways.  (just don’t come over to my house expecting the kitchen to be spotless.)

:: thinking about finances.  Planning for the future.  It’s a bit of a drag, but the budget needs to be updated.

:: grateful for family.

:: anticipating the cold nights.  Looking forward to using the hand-me-down handmade blanket on the bed.  It was a gift from my step-father’s grandmother to his mother on her wedding day.  I estimate the blanket to be roughly 80 years old.

:: itching to finish some sewing and knitting projects.

:: wishing the trees don’t lose their leaves too quickly.  I’d like to enjoy the beautiful colors for a while.

:: wondering if I should get my haircut. 

:: hoping the blog class I signed up for will be worth the investment.

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I had intended to post this two days ago.  My energy is *zapped* as of late which would explain for the even longer lapse of time between postings here.  If anyone has any extra energy, and would be willing to share, please come on down! 

Morton Arboretum.

Today, I used the last of my Groupon's for the Morton Arboretum.  I am so glad I had purchased these back in the Spring.  I was able to take Max a couple of times to check things out, enjoy nature and spend a couple of hours outside.  I am contemplating joining as a member so that we can go more often.  It is that cool! If for nothing else, to take our picnic blanket and just chill for a while. 

I mostly went to check out the children's garden.  Its pretty cool, however definitely geared for kids older than 16 months.  We still had fun though. 

Here we are helping at the water station. 

Then as the bigger kids started to push and not share or wait their turn, we decided to leave and check out the Secret Stream. 

I was surprised to see encouragement to get in the water.  I was a bit skeptical at first, but Max was putting up a stink and in he went!  He loved it!

Then we stopped for a snack. 

Couldnt resist 'talking' on the phone to Grandma.

Sometimes, a jaunt around the tree with snack in hand is necessary.

Lastly, on our way out, we stopped at the kiddie maze.  (Funny moment, earlier this summer Max and I joined our friend Rich here and we tried the big maze.  Needless to say, two adults - rather intelligent adults mind you - couldnt figure out the big maze to save our lives.  So what did we do?  We quit and went for ice cream instead!)

It was a good afternoon.  We enjoyed ourselves.  And the fresh air did a number on someone as he fell asleep on the way home.  Thank you Mother Nature!

Things from the Weekend.

-Taping and priming the dining room trim.

-Getting in a brisk walk on Saturday morning.

-Cleaning - hadnt planned on it, but when I started doing the dishes after I made another peach frappe, I found myself naturally moving to the floors, then to the powder room, then to the living room.

-The best part? Max helping.

-Summer block party @ my brothers.

-Learned that the head is much harder than it appears, and that falling off a patio chair and landing on the umbrella stand does not mean one will be cross-eyed, and I need to trust my instinct.

-Life is meant for living, and sitting back and watching others live isnt living.  Sunday started the 'Live Life to the Fullest 2011 - or what's left of 2011' campaign.  Have started a bucket list.

-Took Max to the park on Sunday afternoon, after we both had naps.  The sunshine felt good on the skin and the late summer breeze was perfect!

What did you do this weekend? 

Random Pictures.

I've fallen behind in updating this here ol'blog.  Plus, I am embarrassed to say the amount of pictures I uploaded from my camera tonight.  I've been taking the pictures, just havent thought to stay on top of things.  So now that I want to post something, I am feeling very overwhelmed.  So in essence, you are getting a montage of the last few weeks. 

Starting with - Hello! new crab pool!  Not so much.

Fourth of July.

Horseshoe furniture.

Relaxing.

We made progress.  Someone likes the crab pool.

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I have added a list of books we are currently reading in our house over to the left.  Its a mix between what I am suppose to be reading (like I really need to sit down and finish that Frank book!) and what Max is displaying to be his favorites.  He has to go to bed with the Sleepy ABC book.  That was a well $3 spent at the Scholastic book club / school thing.  Pages are already ripped and looks as if its a couple of years old when really, its probably six months tops!

We finally made it to the library last weekend.  I am SO glad we went.  Max was engaged in the toys they had available, plus the books.  Oh, the books.  What I do miss though is the old fashioned card catalogs.  I am hoping this becomes a part of our weekend routine. 

Summer rain.

Today I want to remember.

TODAY I WANT TO REMEMBER:
    -us hanging out on my bed
    -you love being on my bed
    -you squealing with delight
    -you looking at yourself in the dresser mirror. 

Lazy Sunday afternoon.

For as long as I can recall in my adult life, its always rained on Memorial Day (with the exception of 2010).  I sit here at 12:44p, Sunday, its dark, damp and thunder is rolling.  I had high hopes for this weekend.  Unable to leave work early on Friday should have set the tone for the remainder of the weekend. 

Poor guy, vying to be outside.

He received many awesome gifts for his birthday, but some how finds doing this more entertaining.

And this.

Thankfully, now he is doing this, and has been for a while.  I think he is bigger from when I put him in the crib!

Just a typical Thursday night.

**yes, this one is a blurry mess but I love it.

End of chapter.

I'm home now.  Been home for close to 36 hours.  I love it.  I love being with Max.  I love getting to experience our nighttime routine.  I love getting to feed him, to hug him, to hold him (even in the urgent care as soon as I got home).  I missed him more than I knew. 

When I was in Budapest, I felt empty inside.  I felt like I was putting in half the effort I should have (though I still gave 110% as always to my job).  However, I knew being there wasnt where I was suppose to be. 

Before Max was born, I spent about three years traveling the world for work.  I loved it.  LOVED.  I would get so excited to get to the airport, get on the plane, and head off to another country, other side of the world, on the other side of the equator!  I loved setting off on foot to see the sights of the new places.  I loved getting to experience new foods and cultures.  I loved meeting new people.  Coming home some times was a drag for me. 

This time, this trip, was the complete opposite.  I had no desire to see the city of Budapest.  I had no desire to go shopping.  I had no desire to socialize with any one from the office (though I did get to see a co-worker who just had a beautiful baby girl, so happy for her!).  My heart wanted to be home with Max.  When I was walking around Budapest last Saturday, enjoying the sites as much as I could, I realized this isnt who I am anymore.  I am not the world traveler.  I am not the sightseer.  I am not the social butterfly. 

I am a mom to a beautiful little boy.  I am Mom to Max. 

The Travel chapter of my life is over.  And I am not at all sad about it because the Mom chapter is way more exciting and rewarding than any travel could ever be.