Monday Check-In

1. Jack is feeling better....

Last week/weekend Jack was a mess.  We are use to a easy, smiley baby.  This tike was not happy.  I snapped this picture of him when he FINALLY fell asleep at Geoff & Amy's house on Saturday night.  Holy moly.

2. My parents
I am always grateful for my parents.  They are extremely helpful and are always there when we need them.  To be honest the past five years would not be possible without their hard work and love towards me and the boys.  And those who know them -- know that they are wonderful. 

In the past year a LOT has happened and a LOT has changed.  I think that my parents have aged 15 years in the past year.  My dad is in poor health and my mom's memory is essentially non existent.  It's like she has been in a fog since Erin passed away and her mind has been clouded. 

Yesterday I was at a point of frustration and to be honest I wanted to call my sister and hand over the baton for a moment.  The entire dynamic of our family has changed and it's hard.  Very hard.  I know my parents are trying their best.  And I am trying my best.  They are just different people now.  We are all different and it's hard.  I miss the way it was before. 

I needed to write this out because this is the REAL of my life right now.  And I don't want to forget the struggle. I am so grateful for these two people.  But we all miss my sister....a lot.

3. The weekend
We had a great weekend.  Mike and I woke up on Saturday with no interest in doing chores.  We walked around the neighborhood and went to garage sales.  Then Saturday evening we had dinner at Geoff & Amy's house.  On Sunday Mike played with his new smoker and made us a fabulous dinner.  I did a few hours of reading and I went over to the pool for a bit.  Easy and wonderful -- I am sad to be back at work.

4. Raw cookie dough
I am out of my oatmeal balls....so I have started buying packs of cookies and eating raw cookie dough.  I have issues.  BUT it is amazing. 

5.  School Supplies
I love buying school supplies.  I would love it even more if it was someone elses money.  But I think the actual school supplies are fun.  Mike agrees.

Exploding

1. Date with my husband

As I noted in the last post Mike and I don't get much time to sit down and catch up.  Last night at 430 I looked at him and said, "In 30 minutes I need you to stop working so we can spend some time together."  He was in beast mode and it is rare that I cut into his productivity.  Especially these days when there is so much to get done.  Once we got out of the neighborhood (we turned back twice) we went to eat on the patio at South of the Border.  We ate SO MUCH.  Both Mike and I thought that we were going to explode.  It was so nice to sit in the sun and talk about nothing.  We eventually left because Jack pooped for the 5th time that day and was not happy when I had to change him in the bathroom.

 2. Last night RARELY happens
The over indulgence of Mexican food did not help....but our night was MISERABLE.  Mike and I both slept terrible.  And then on top of that -- so did Jack.  We both woke up thinking that we had less than 3 hours of sleep and aching to go back to bed.  Jack started a new cold last night and clearly did not feel good.  He is not a screamer but he loves to be held and he protests when you put him down.  He is also getting his next tooth in on his left side so I know he is unhappy.  Regardless--the night is over.  All three of us survived. 

3. The twins come home in a week
It's actually more than a week...but I am soooo looking forward to seeing their stinky faces. It has been a long summer without them here.  I feel grateful that they enjoy spending time in Chicago and I am grateful that they will be back home soon!

4. Dish washing bottles
I am so happy that I have such a huge supply of bottles for feeding and pumping that I can throw them in the dishwasher and not hand wash them multiple times a day.  It has been fabulous. 

5. Library books on my kindle. 

Post-It

1. I Returned the swing

The twins had an obsession with their little lamb swing.  It was a saving grace in our house.  Not Jack.  He never really liked the swing.  Yesterday I was able to return the swing without the box!!  Not only am I glad that it is out of my house but I am glad to have the money back.

 

2.  Medela Pump

Have I mentioned this yet?  Shelby is letting me use her pump and it is SO. MUCH. BETTER. It has changed my life the past week and I feel like I can actually make it a few more weeks of pumping!

 

3. Roof is fixed

We have had sooooooooooo much rain. So. Much. Rain.  Last week Mike discovered that our roof was leaking in the garage.  So that is awesome. 

 

Anyways, this weekend when I was in Chicago, Luke came over and fixed the roof for FREE.  So grateful.

 

4. Aux
This morning I drove the van to work.  I have been driving the pilot to work all summer because the van goes where the baby goes.  This morning I took Jack to work and I was TRILLED to take the van.  I listed to the Ted Radio Hour on podcast and it was a fabulous drive.

5. The Business
Mike and I are struggling to find hours in the day.  We are "go-go-go" and sometimes just pass in the hours of the night.  I am happy that we are starting the business and grateful to be paying our bills but holy moly it is LOTS of work. 

LGheartWillbrand

Holy -- what a crazy, WONDERFUL weekend.  I went to Chicago to celebrate my best friend from high school, Lauren.  I spent the weekend with some awesome women.  I left exhausted, happy, and inspired. 

 

1. Lauren

I cherish my friendship with this lady.  She is one of the friends who I can always pick up with right where we left off.  Now that she lives in St. Louis we don't get to see much of each other but being around her is always so much fun. 

 



2. The beach
On Saturday we went to the beach in Chicago.  It was insane -- there were thousands of people out.  Things like that made me wish I lived in the city.  ALWAYS something to do and something going on.  Plus I would love to just walk everywhere!

 3. Bottle Service
On Saturday night we went out to a club and had so much fun.  We had bottle service all night and though our bill was outrageous it was fun to do something different and experience a different lifestyle than normal. 

 4. My Stylist
Courtney became my stylist this weekend and it was FABULOUS.  She did my makeup both nights, my hair on Saturday, AND I wore some of her clothes.  On a normal basis I put so little time and energy into myself that it was nice to feel good two days in a row.  After a weekend of hanging out with successful, strong women who seem to have it all together...I decided I needed to put some more time into myself. 

5. Cucumber Drinks and Espresso Martinis
Enough said.

6. To be home
It was a great weekend but I am so tired.  I maybe slept 12 hours all weekend.  I am running on fumes.

Finally

1. Columbus

To say that we are "tired" does not really express how we are functioning right now as the adults in our household.  We have had very little sleep since last Thursday...but I only use Thursday as an example because I don't remember what type of sleep I had that night. 

 

This past weekend we made a trip into Columbus. It started out a bit rocky.  On the way out of town I ran over a huge bolt.  Mike changed the tire in the Kroger parking lot while we all sat and watched.  Then we drove back home, switched everything into the Pilot and finally got on the road a few hours late.  We made 3 stops (including both boys needing to poop) in our 3 hour trip and hit some nighttime construction traffic but we finally made it.  After getting settled we went to bed around midnight.  Though we hit millions of small road blocks that evening we were all in good spirits.  

 

On Saturday morning we went to the Columbus zoo.  I am not usually a zoo person but this experience was great.  Sara works there and met us at the gate.  Having your own personal guide really makes things MUCH better.  The zoo was huge with tons of animals.  It was hot and extremely crowded but still glad that we went. 

That evening we went to a Clippers game.  Ironically they played the Indians that night but with three little ones in tow I didn't watch much of the game.  Hands down the best part of the game was Jared and Bdale taking the boys and spoiling them for the night.  Everyone left the game smiling and exhausted.

Once we got back home on Sunday Mike took the car to get fixed and then mowed both lawns while I unpacked, worked on laundry, and did chores around the house.  It was a VERY full weekend and we still have not recovered.

2. Slumber Party
On Monday night Sawyer and Eloise came over for a slumber party.  It has been MONTHS since the last time that they spent the night.  It was hard.  The kids had fun...we think.  But it was hard.  No more slumber parties for awhile. Grateful I got to get in some time with these two crazies.

3. Arm Band
I purchased a new armband to use while I work out.  I don't have it in my possession but I am pretty excited to use it in the next few weeks.

4. Morning hugs and silly giggles
We are exhausted BUT the kids have all been great.  It makes it a bit easier to survive life. 

Don't get me wrong, they have not been perfect. We still have lots of discipline.  LOTS.  But the hugs and giggles make it much better.

5. Warm showers
I know someone who doesn't have a shower in her home.  She is older than 50 and not in the best health.  I can't imagine how she does it every day with just a bathtub.  THEN she told me of a friend who doesn't have hot water!  What??!!!! 

This morning my hot shower felt AMAZING.  I was looking forward to it for hours and it did not disappoint. 

Split

I have not been keeping up on the blog this week.  I have had some crazy days at work, Jack has been terribly fussy, and then I got a miserable cold and lost my voice.  I decided to do it short and sweet with some pictures at the end.

1. Mike made me breakfast in bed.  I was dead asleep and then all of a sudden, an omelet, bacon and coffee appeared.  It was an amazing surprise.

2. Jack was extremely fussy on July 4th but then that night he slept ALL NIGHT LONG.  Hello.  Fabulous.

3. I had a four day weekend over the holiday.

4. I am starting new skin care products and I can tell a difference in my skin!!

5. Before going to celebrate the 4th Mike and I created a new drink and played cards while Jack napped.  

6. I cleaned all my baseboards in the kitchen. Long. Long. Overdue.

7. Clean bathrooms.  How can you not be grateful for clean bathrooms?

8. Homemade cupcakes.  Mike found a recipe for "skinny cupcakes" They were strawberry with lemon & coconut flavored icing.  

9. Podcasts.  I have obsessions.  

10. Jack's belly laughs.  If you get him going....he will not stop...and it is hilarious.  

11.  Hair on my head.  That means it hasn't all fallen out.  This is for real. 

12. Dinner with Lauren last night.  I haven't caught up with her in ages!!!

13. Early morning doctor appointments.  I was able to get in for an appointment at 740.  I love that.

Sleep

1. Travel

I am obsessed with traveling.  I am my best self when I am on a trip.  I am able to fully relax, read lots of books, and enjoy the small moments.  Last night I was looking through pictures and found these of our San Fran & Napa trip.  I was extremely sick and also ran my first (and last) marathon.  It was such a great time.  My parents are there now and boy am I jealous.

2. Lactation Consultants
I am having a really hard time with my pumping lately.  It has really been heavy on my heart and I think that I am close to throwing in the towel.  Breast feeding for the year has been a serious goal of mine and I cry to think about giving up so for now I am going to keep plugging along.  Grateful to be able to reach out and get more advice.

3. Date Night
Last night Mike and I went to Bw3 with a gift card and then we stopped by Dairy Queen on the way home.  We planned on using a coupon but at the last minute I changed my mind and wanted a blizzard.  It was great to get out.

4. Phone Interview
Mike had a phone interview for teaching today!!!!!  AHHHHHH!!!!  We are super excited but also not getting our hopes up.  He is still working on getting his license renewed and we also have the issue of our new company but we decided not to stress and just let it play out.  I am excited that he his having some of his dreams come true.

5.  I slept IN
I usually do the morning feeding.  I am up pumping and then Jack usually wakes up a short time later.  After the feeding I jump in the shower and head to work or stay up with him and start my day.  This morning my level of exhaustion took over and I went back to bed.  When Jack woke up at 7am I rolled over and asked Mike to wake up.  He did without hesitation.  I slept for another 90 minutes and though I woke up still a bit sleepy it was wonderful to sleep in.

July

1. Aunt Erin

I love this picture of Erin.  I think that she would love this one too.  Miss my friend.

 

2. Busy Day Off

I like to stay busy.  Here is snapshot of my day.  Up at 5am, feed & pump, take Jack and Nash on a walk, call different insurance companies for business quotes, 3 loads of laundry, sign up with Care.com and contact people, pick up house, more pumping, feeding, naps for Jack, company research, my mom brought food over before their trip, showered, dinner for Kara at work, and then bed.  It was a full day and a lot of time spent with sweet baby Jack.

 



 This was my creepy face trying to get him to smile in our selfie in the mirror.  Clearly we don't take many of these.

 

The pictures below are from dinner last night.  It was great to get out of the house.  Shelby and I stayed later than everyone else and enjoyed another beer. 

3. FaceTime
I am grateful for this invention.  Makes it SOOOO much easier to see the twins.  I miss their craziness around the house. 

4. Frozen Milk
My supply has taken a dramatic turn for the worse.  I am starting to freak out because I have a bachelorette party in a few weekends and I think that it will deplete my stash AND I won't be able to pump as much.  This morning I had to defrost three bags in order to make it through the day.  My hope is to pump more this weekend to hopefully get my supply back up.  It doesn't look like I will be stopping after Thanksgiving. 

5. June/July Goals
I have been doing fairly well with my PowerSheets and goals.  I need to do better with meditation and exercise.  I also never weed my flower/mulch beds (but what's new).  Looking forward to a fresh month and making things happen.