Terry

I am staying up a little bit late tonight to get some extra work done.  It has been awhile since I posted so before I decide to turn in for the night I will write out a quick five.

1.  Playdate with the Harris bunch
It has been unexpectedly hard to coordinate but we finally saw Sawyer, Eloise and Jess.  I was able to give the kids lots of hugs and actually have a real conversation with Jess.  I think that this was one of the first REAL conversations that I have had with him in over a year.  It was therapeutic but easier than I anticipated.  I am really glad that I went.

2. Our new vacuum
I have had the same vacuum for over 5 years and it is not the best.  My mom helped me pick it out at Kohls a few years ago and I used a million coupons to make it affordable but holy moly I am so excited for my new, $70 vacuum from Target.

3. Clean House
While we are talking about cleaning.....my whole house is CLEANED.  Yesterday I busted out some major cleaning and it is finally all done.  I wish it could just stay like this forever.

4. Pre-pregnancy Jeans
I finally tried on my pre-pregnancy jeans and THEY FIT!!!  Now I just need to get into my pre-Mike jeans.  I don't think that it will ever happen -- but a girl can dream.

5. Another week down.....almost
It has been a rough adjustment for me as the boys are adventuring off to Kindergarten.  I am having a lot of worry and anxiety over their well-being.  I don't want to wish time away and I especially don't want them to grow up anymore.  I want to be there making sure that they are protected, happy, and safe.  I am not sure how to channel this anxiety so I am just trying to continue to stay connected to them and to their school.  That being said... I am grateful that another school week is over so I can spend my weekend with them.  It's insane...I know....but it's the truth.

Last but not least, I want to mention Uncle Terry.

Today Terry lost his battle with cancer.  He has been fighting really hard for the past few years.  REALLY hard.  There were many times that we would see UT and think "this will be the last time that we see him."  He would surprise us over and over with his determination and fight.

Terry was a fabulous role model to Mike.  He was consistent, dependable, easy, and fun.  Mike knew that Terry would always ALWAYS be there for him and that Terry loved him like he would love his own son.  I am so grateful that Mike had this strong man in his life who helped him develop into the wonderful man that he is today.  Terry's joyous spirit and incredible soul will be greatly missed.

Swim. Bike. Run.

1. Sweet Baby Jack is a BABY

My littlest one is growing up too fast.  Tonight we had to put his crib to the low position.  Another milestone I didn't want to reach yet.  It is bitter sweet because having a 6 month old is a TON of work....but holy moly he is so stinking wonderful.

2. Heidi's Triathlon
Grateful that this woman is in my life to inspire and motivate me.  On Saturday morning I took all of the boys out to Eagle Creek and we cheered Heidi on during her first event.  It was a beautiful day and nice to do something different.  I stole the picture below from her Instagram.  I want to point out the sign -- Owen wanted to make her a sign so I took a page of one of his paintings.  On the back side of this sign is a water color painting of Captain Hook.  That morning before we left the house we were trying to think of what to write on the sign.  He wanted it to say, "GO GO GO somewhere"  We settled on "Go Heidi Go."

3. Antibiotics & House Tours
I finally saw the mansion.  I must say, it was pretty fabulous.  OH-- and grateful that this stud did FABULOUS for this breathing treatment. ....AND grateful for the free antibiotic from Meijer.

 4. Trip to Cleveland
On Friday Night they decided to put UT into hospice.  We had been anticipating this transition for months but it actually transpired over the weekend.  Since we did not have much going on this weekend Mike left late Friday evening and spent a few short hours with his uncle.  I am so grateful that he was able to make this trip.

5. Goal Update
I must say...I am pretty excited to be doing well with my 2015 New Years Goals.  Tonight Mike and I actually did some laps in the pool.  I was NERVOUS going into the whole thing because swimming KICKS. MY. ASS.  ....and it did.  It was just as I expected and super hard.  Regardless --- this triathlon goal is starting.  It will be a long road of training....but it will happen.

6. Nash Shots
Yesterday I was making a TO DO list.  We are going to the beach in less than a month so I added, "Nash Shots" to the list.  Owen was watching me make the list, asked what I wrote, and then we had a bit of a conversation about it.  Cameron said, "oh yeah, so he doesn't get chicken pox."  I said, "No that isn't actually why he gets shots."  Cameron and I proceeded to go back and forth until I decided to let him win.  And he said, "Yeah, that is why you get shots.  So you don't get chicken pox.  I told you."  This boy is so crazy.

And so it goes….

As always it has been crazy around here.  I get up around 445/5 am and then don't usually sit down until about now (8pm) when all of the boys go to bed.  This week I have been working at North so I have not been able to update the blog while I am at work.   As always, there is a ton to be grateful for….

1. The bachelorette party

Mike and I went for a day of drinking on Saturday.  My parents watched all three boys ALL DAY.  It was fabulous.  Cheers to Kara and Suz!!

 2. Rouzer Cleaning Services
Holy hell Mike has been hard at work on his new business.  It is insanely busy and a bit overwhelming at times.  Last week he got a package of new gear and it looks great!  Proud of my husband for working so hard.

 3. Sam played Down by the Bay
On Sunday afternoon we got an unexpected call from Mike's cousin, Sam.  He lives in Columbus and recently graduated college.  He was visiting his girlfriend in the Indianapolis area and she had just broken up with him and shattered his heart.  He came to stay with us for the evening and we took him to the bus station to get back to Columbus on Monday morning.

The night was low key.  Mike and I were still exhausted from the festivities the night before and Sam was somewhat of a zombie so all three of us walked around in a daze.  It was great to have him here and briefly catch up (though under terrible circumstances).  My favorite part of the evening was Sam quickly taught himself how to play, Down by the Bay and the boys sat and sang it while he played guitar.  I was in the kitchen cooking dinner while it all went down and it made my soul so happy.

 4. New Soccer Stuff
Greg sent us some new stuff for soccer this fall.  It seems that our league starts SUPER late but that is ok with me.  We are just starting to get into a new groove.

 5. Jack got ANOTHER tooth
Last night Jack was up almost every 45 minutes.  In our slumber we didn't figure out that a new tooth popped though.  It wasn't until 6am this morning that I realized how much he was actually awake and wanting to be held.  Anyways….this evening I noticed another tooth came through.  Yes, it took me awhile to figure it all out.

But that's not all.  He is also sitting up on his own, eating like a champ, and bouncing in all of his play things.  All four of us are obsessed with this little dude.

It's almost 5 am.

1. Bike Ride

Yesterday we dropped the boys off at the YMCA after school and we were able to go on a 13 mile bike ride.  It seemed easy at the time but this morning my legs are a bit sore.

2. Easy transition to Kindergarten
We have had issues with the bus and timing but overall the boys have had a smooth transition to kindergarten.  We have not had many meltdowns in the evening and getting up in the morning has not been a problem.  I am sure that their brains are on absolute overload.  The picture on the left is Owen peeing in the bushes at the bus stop.  He didn't pee when he woke up in the morning.  What??!!

3. Chores COMPLETE
Yesterday after dropping the boys at the bus stop (for 35 minutes) I started in on my To-Do list.  I weeded the back mulch area, took a trip to Target, did laundry, mowed the lawn, prepped some meals....the list goes on....

4. Working at North
For the past few weeks I have been picking up work at North.  I love how it is so close to home but it is also very different and can be challenging.  My days go by quicker and I am grateful for the change.

5. Spanish
I am so happy that the boys were accepted into Forest Glen.  I wish that I had this opportunity when I was entering school.  Soon they will be speaking fluent spanish.  Amazing.

The Everyday

1. My husband

On Saturday I went to Terre Haute with the women in my family for book club.  I left around 11 and didn't get home until 11.  During that time Mike finished the kitchen window, fixed our leaking roof, and made sure that all of the boys survived and had fun!  Here are some of the pictures that he sent me.



3. The weekend
Last night Mike and I sat down exhausted and fullfilled.  We got a TON done this weekend.  We went to bed with a clean house, folded laundry, and happy children.  We both felt that we actually had our shit together.  We even watched a movie for an hour or so after the kids went to bed!!

This morning we woke up late but still made it out the door in 15 minutes with healthy lunches packed.  Have to celebrate the wins!

 3. Jack is EATING
Jack was refusing to eat last week.  He did well at the beginning and then all of a sudden stopped.  Yesterday it was like he flipped a switch and he started eating again.  Yay!

 4. Day in our pajamas
Yesterday I played catch up with laundry & chores.  We all stayed in our pajamas and after we all took showers around 5 pm -- we got back into pajamas.  It was pretty fabulous.

5. RUNNING
On Friday evening after work I went for a run.  It was nice to get back out there and actually work out.  It has been over a month.  I need to figure out schedule to make sure it happens more than once a month.  This sweet boy feel asleep during my 25 minute jog. 

Mike and I are going to do an triatholon together.  We made the goal now we just need to work on accomplishing.  I am not sure how we will get it done ....but that is the plan.

Fiasco

A few quick stories instead of the normal five.

 

Cameron lost his first tooth last night.  We were all hanging out and all of a sudden, "I lost my tooth."  He was so excited.  He was even saying, "I am so excited."  To see the defeat on Owen's face was a bit hard for me.  He REALLY wanted to lose his tooth first.  He took it like a champ and was thrilled for his brother.  Cameron can not stop smiling. 

 

Last night he was up for HOURS waiting for the tooth fairy.  I think he originally fell asleep but then something woke him up around 1am.  After that it all went down hill.  Eventually I brought him into my bed and the tooth family visited.  He was so happy.  He received a dollar and all morning he was figuring out what he should do with it.  He decided to save it for the beach.  ....LOVE this dude.

 



 
The school bus --- FIASCO.

I want to document the stressful week that I have had.  I am not sure how to write it all out and I am not sure how to properly express my stress and frustration level.  Also -- I am still very heated feeling very uncomfortable in the pit of my stomach. I am not sure how much I can write out without raising my blood pressure.  I know that these days will soon be forgotten so I want to document some these shennanigans.

On Wednesday, the first day of school, the boys were never picked up by the bus.  Mike ended up driving them.  They got onto the bus after school that afternoon but never made it home.  They drove around for two hours and then got brought back to school.  Mike picked them up and was guaranteed the problem would be solved. (I am sure you can imagine how we were feeling)  On Thursday we waited another 50 minutes for the bus while speaking with multiple people on the phone I ended up taking the boys to school.  We were missed again.  I spoke with the principal when I got to drop off and we decided I should pick the boys up in the afternoon.  The school and I both worked with transportation to make sure the problem was fixed.

Today many people were trying to get us onto the bus.  It was still a disaster.  We still waited for 40 minutes. The boys on the other hand were thrilled to get onto the bus.  In this picture below Owen was sitting on my lap and then Cameron on his. 

As the boys finally got on the bus and it drove away tears welled up in my eyes.  Rough week.  Glad it is Friday.

Last update -- NO tumors in her brain.  YAY!!!!!!  Yesterday we went to Harry & Izzy's to celebrate my mom's bday.  It was fabulous. 

Kindergarten

1. Forest Glen

Today was the first day of Kindergarten for these two boys.  We waited at the bus and it never showed up so Mike ended up taking the boys to school.  Owen has been NERVOUS to go to Kindergarten.  He is worried about the Spanish and bullies in his class.  Cameron hasn't really said a peep and is just his normal, silly self. 

 2. The morning was seamless...almost.
Grateful that Mike essentially prepped for the morning last night.  All lunches were packed and ready.  Once the bus didn't show up our day changed a bit but glad that we were not rushing around crazy all morning!

 3. Results today
In 4 minutes my mom is getting a scan on her brain.  She is then coming up to the office for results.  My heart is beating out of my chest but I am trying to stay focused & positive.  This picture was taken last evening. 

4. New window
This is the last new window for awhile.  Grateful for a functional window in front of my sink and that it is out of my garage!

 5. 6 months
Yesterday sweet baby Jack turned 6 months old.  I have absolutely no idea where the time has gone.  My favorite thing is still holding him when he falls asleep. He has started eating foods, trying to sit on his own, and he is falling into more of a routine.  Last night he even slept from 8-615 when we had to wake him up!  He also said "da-da" yesterday.  What??!!! 

DC

Last Thursday we made a trip to DC.  The boys were still in Chicago so it was just me, Mike, and Jack.  It was a great trip and WONDERFUL to spend some time with Mike and family.  

1. Spending time with Mike.  Alone.

I absolutely love my children, but I also absolutely love my husband.  With the craziness of life it is hard to get past the day to day grind and just sit and talk to each other.  We had HOURS and HOURS of time to sit, talk, and enjoy.  

We spent most of our time walking around DC looking at the monuments and popping into the museums.  We also did some restaurant and bar hopping.  No trip would be complete without that!

 This was Mike's drink from my favorite bar we stopped at, POV.  It was an open air rooftop bar and our view was of the white house.

2. Jack's first flight was a success
This kid is the bomb.  Glad it was a short, direct flight.

 3. Pat & Michael
I think that I can easily say that these two are the best hosts EVER.  Michael will agree that it is mostly Pat thinking of every. single. detail. It is awesome.  Her fridge is FILLED to the brim with all of our favorite foods.  Her bathroom is filled with all of the toiletries you could ever need.  She has our favorite wine chilled and her bar stocked.  This woman is the best.

They sent us to a hotel for one night in the city and took care of Jack.  The other nights we stayed up drinking wine and laughing.  Grateful and so much fun.

4. Solid Sleep
While we were in DC Pat kept Jack in their room.  Yes--we are spoiled.  I only had to get up to pump.  We did go to bed pretty late...but still...it was pretty fabulous.

5. The boys are BACK in town
We arrived back in town on Sunday afternoon and the boys got back on Sunday evening.  Ahhhh.....I am so excited for them to be home.