We have a climber...

What a morning, for whatever reason I have been really a little grumpy the past two days.  I feel like I have been yelling and getting onto the kiddos nonstop this weekend.  My mind has been a little preoccupied, as we are getting closer to Monday, and I have another procedure in the morning, and to say I'm a little nervous, is an understatement!  Not to mention, I will have to get up before 7:00 (yes, I stress about having to get up early) so I can enjoy my Dr. Pepper and breakfast, since I have to go 6 hours without food.  But I have been stocking up this weekend, eating everything in sight, so I should be okay for those 6 hours. 

  This morning, I was on another kick with wanting to cook breakfast (what the heck is wrong with me), so I was on the internet searching for something good.  I was limited on what I could fix, since my kitchen isn't loaded with food.  I came across a recipe for cinnanom toast.  I know how to fix cinnanom toast, but this recipe was a little different, and it looked interesting so I gave it a try.  It was very tasty, both kiddos enjoyed their breakfast this morning, yay for that.  But I have learned that trying to fix breakfast in this house isn’t easy.  Both kids are pulling on me, fussing, screaming and getting into everything, trying to get my attention.  So, in order for me to fix breakfast without my kids having, it's the end of the world tantrums, I need to get up before they do, and that isn’t probably ever going to happen.  So, what happens when mama's in the kitchen... 

What is A doing…

Something she shouldn’t be…

We bought this toy bin back at Christmas time...

Spring forward 8 months later, and you get this…

She was so proud of herself, me not so much…

She didn’t stop there, she decided to go to bubba’s room, and continue to show mama what she could do…

And the little man decided to join her…

All was going well, until bubba decided he didn’t want her on his bed anymore… 



Yes, he pushed her off the bed.  Not a highlight of our morning...

It's been a pretty entertaining morning, with me yelling and getting onto the kids for breathing, and them getting into everything, so they could hear me yell.  A great Sunday morning. 

How have you spent your Sunday morning?

I could use a spa day… Oh how I miss my spa days…

  Maybe one day, we will meet again…

Happy Sunday!

xoxo, Shanna

A little power nap...

Whoever said taking a power nap at a red light wasn't a good idea!?!  Not me, while some people are going to happy hour, I’m the one falling asleep at the red light, and getting woke up by people honking at me. They were probably also saying a few choice words, but I didn’t make eye contact with them as they passed by, I don't see you.  Darn it…  But that little 5 minute power nap was awesome.

This is what happens when you are extremely exhausted.

The kiddos have been fighting over mama most of the morning, so it’s been a little nerve wracking.  If A is being held, then M wants to be held…  If A is holding on to my leg, then M wants to hold onto my leg…  When I’m sitting on the floor with M in my lap, A comes and sits on M’s lap, and then M gets upset and pushes her off…  I’m sure you get the idea of how my morning has been.  A lot of complaining, crying, screaming, and not wanting to listen to anything I have to say.  Is it nap time yet!?!

I did wakeup this morning craving pancakes, I have never made pancakes before, but thought I would give it a try.  I was in luck, I had all of the ingredients, I just needed time without two kiddos to make them…  So since I didn't have the free time without two kiddos, a few of them came out burnt, since I had two kiddos pulling & fighting over which leg they were going to hold on to, I just don't understand.  But the others came out okay.  The recipe I used, called for a little more suger than I like in my pancakes, they were a little too sweet for me.  But the little girl tore them up, so I take that as a sign they were good.

This is probably as exciting as my Saturday is going to get, making pancakes!  It is too HOT for us to go outside, and all I want to do is go back to bed.  It is going to be a long day trying to find stuff to keep the kiddos entertained… The TV isn't doing the trick anymore, so we need to move on to building blocks, but that will require me having to get off my butt.

Happy Saturday!

xoxo, Shanna

Why...

  Because I said so! 

What a sweet face!

Do you ever find yourself saying, because I said so, over and over, and over and over all day long!?!  It is never going to end, ever.

M get off the stool… Why… Because I said so…

M be gentle with your sister, please… Why… Because I said so…

M we don’t jump on the couch… Why… Because I said so…

M please stop playing with your food… Why… Because I said so…

M it’s time for bed… Why… Because I said so…

M lets brush our teeth, please… Why… Because I said so…

M it’s bathtime, okay… Why… Because I said so…

M lets eat our dinner, okay… Why… Because I said so…

M stop playing with the TV… Why… Because I said so…

This could seriously go on for pages. 

What is it you find yourself saying on repeat, every time you turn around?

my son telling me how he feels about the "because I said so"...  by giving me the middle finger. i understand little man.

Today is one of those days, that I’m looking for to bed.  I was really looking forward to a nice glass of wine, but we don’t have any wine, so bed is going to have to do.

Tomorrow is Friday, I have made it through my first week back at work.  I’m exhausted and ready to kick my feet up on the couch.  I would love a lazy weekend.

I can’t believe both of my kids are in bed, and it is not even 8:30.  Yay for peace and quiet time, and maybe even a movie night with the husband.

Goodnight sweet angels!

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xoxo, Shanna

What I Wore Wednesday...

Happy Wednesday, hope everyone is having a fabulous week and staying cool. It is just effin HOT!  I'm ready for a major cold front to come my way, and for it to stay a few days, if you know what I mean.  This 107 degree weather, is for the birds.

  With me being down and out the past few weeks, I hadn’t been getting dressed, I seriously spent 4-5 weeks in my jammies.  It's funny, the first few days I enjoyed not having to get up and get ready.  But after the first few days passed, I started to get a little down, plain and simple I didn't take care of myself.  After the surgery I gained about 10lbs, and I all I wanted to do was complain about everything, while eating everything in sight to deal with the stress.  Am I the only one that eats like crazy when I'm stressed!?!  I sure hope I"m not alone.  Last week we went on vacation, and it was nice getting out of the house.  The walls were starting to cave in on me, and I needed the fresh air, and the beach was the best place for me to get away from it all for a few days, before the reality life set back in.  Yesterday was my first day back at work.  That meant getting back into the routine of getting up to an alarm clock, and rushing around the house like a mad woman, trying to shower, fix my hair, put make-up on, and get dressed so I can get out of the house by a certain time to be at work on time.  By the time I do get to work, I feel like I have already put a full day in.  Don't know about you, but that morning routine can be a little exhausting at times, especially when you have two little ones getting into everything.   

Since I did get dressed this week, I will be joining the dress up party over at The Pleated Poppy, for What I Wore Wednesday.

Tank - J Crew

Skirt - Anthro

Belt - Target

Necklace - Alvin's Beach Shop

Sweet babies - All mine:)

Tank - J Crew

Skirt - Anthro

Belt - Target

Sandals - Target

Necklace - James Avery

Top - Banana Republic

Maxi Skirt - Express

Sandals - Target

Happy Hump Day, and cheers me hopefully making it through the week.

 

xoxo, Shanna



A little time away...

Our little escape to the beach.


Gulf Shores Vacation 2011

  I love vacations, I love going to the beach, I love being lazy and getting to sleep in, and I love spending time with my loved ones.  

We went to the beach, we played in the sand, we swam in the pool, the guys went fishing, we enjoyed lots of family time, we went to the zoo and got to feed & pet the baby animals, we got feathers in our hair, and then we got sick. 

And pretty much in that order.   Our last day on vacation, the little man got sick, and then the little girl ended up with a bad rash all over her body. 

The kiddos played hard, and wore the adults out.

Sweet little man getting to play with the rabbit.

Petting the goats...

Feed me...

Little girl getting to feed the goats...

Taking a break...

And our vacation left us exhausted…  But it was a wonderful escape.  

Goodnight sweet angels!

xoxo, Shanna

Road trip anyone...

Who’s up for a road trip!?! I’m not a fan of being locked in a car, but we thought we would give it a try.  Few things I learned from our little family road trip.

1)   Don’t start out on a road trip, when you have drank 8 bottles of water and a large Dr. Pepper from Sonic.  You won’t even get an hour down the road before you have to go the bathroom.  We didn’t make it three hours on the road without having to stop four times.

2)   Don’t let the husband get directions…  They are always bound to take a short cut, and the short cut isn’t a short cut.  You will get lost, or add an hour or two to your trip.  True story, my husband is famous for his short cuts.

3)   Make sure you leave on a full stomach, or you will be stopping at every fast food joint you see.

4)  Make sure you have plenty of snacks for the kiddos, or it is going to be a really long trip.

5)   Leaving at night is best for the kiddos, but if you and the husband haven’t had any sleep, you are only going to make it an hour or so before you have to pull over for the night.  And since the kiddos have been sleeping, they most likely will be a little energized when you do stop, meaning you aren’t going to get much sleep.  

6)   Don’t pack like you aren’t ever coming back!  Our car was loaded to the max, and made for an uncomfortable ride, since we didn’t have any space to move or stretch out.  I will give myself some credit here, we did pack our stuff in plastic storage boxes, and it made it super easy for loading the car, and the storage boxes carried a lot more than suitcases.  So go me!

7)  Be prepared to hold everything for the driver, meaning water, sunflower seeds, hats, phones, etc…  Between my purse, backpacks, iPad and all my husbands stuff, I had no room.

8)   DVD players are great for the road, but when your son knows you have different DVD’s, he will throw a fit every 5 minutes wanting to watch something else, or watch something you don’t have.  Not to mention, every time we get in the car now, he thinks he gets to watch a video.

9)   When you are going on a road trip, pack a little bag with a toothbrush and set of clothes.  This will come in hand, if and when you have to stay the nigth some where.  Meaning the husband won't have to unload the car, for a 4-5 hour nap before getting back on the road.  Yeah, both going and coming we had to stay the night in a hotel, and I didn’t have my toothbrush or a change of clothes. I was very excited when we got to our destination, so I could brush my teeth, and change clothes.

10)Lastly, don’t leave the resort town when everyone else is leaving.  Most hotels/resorts have a checkout policy for 10:00, meaning that is when most people leave.  It took us two hours to go 30 miles.

Vacations are always nice, and you always look forward to them, but there is nothing like coming home from a vacation, walking into your house, being amongst your own stuff, knowing you get to sleep in your own bed.

I have to start perparing myself for our next road trip, in 11 months and 2 weeks from now… Yes, I will start stressing about it now.  I know, I feel sorry for my husband too, sometimes…

Goodnight sweet angels!

xoxo, Shanna

As time goes on...

My sweet baby boy sure does love him some mama, and mama sure does love her some baby boy!

My how things have changed so much over the last few months.  Back in February the little man hardly said a word, and now I can’t believe some of the things he says or comes up with.  Almost everyday he catches me off guard with something.  And he has the cutest little voice, I love to hear him ask for something, and for him to say peas (please).  It puts the biggest smile on my face.

 

I just never thought my baby boy would grow up so fast.  Last year at this time, he still had baby features, and now he looks like a little boy.  I always get sentimental when I go through pictures, or clean out the closets.  I will sit in the middle of the room sometimes and cry, I’m sure it’s a combination of sadness and joy.  We are going to be going to the beach for our family vacation this year, and everyone is excited.  I was looking back at the first time we took the little man to the beach, and how little he was.  He had just learned to crawl.  It was such a wonderful time, going on our first family vacation.  But this will also be a first, with the little lady.

 my baby boy at a year old!  just too adorable, and still is!

The little man has been going to Bug Camp, and is having a blast.  He is making new friends, and doing what boys do, play with bugs.  He painted a beautiful butterfly last week, that we framed for him to give to sissy for her first birthday.  It was the perfect gift!

 

I was so excited about this gift...  Baby girl loves it!  And it looks great in her bedroom.

This little man of mine loves his sister...  He loves giving her hugs and kisses, and making sure she is okay.   He has also taught her how to get into everything, and then will turn around and tell on her, it's kinda funny at times...  And not only did the little man help out with the decorations and party favors for sissy's birthday, he also helped her open all her gifts.  He felt he needed to show her how it was done...  I have a feeling he is going to be very protective over his sissy.

 

I miss him so much when he isn’t here during the day, the house feels a little empty without him.  But he is having loads of fun, and I know at the end of the day this is good for him.  And as the day comes to a close, I get to spend it with him cuddled up on the couch, and I wouldn’t it any other way.

Goodnight sweet angels!

 

xoxo, Shanna

What's to come...

Sweet little girl of mine, she’s going to let it shine…  Sweet baby girl had her one year check-up today, and she weights a whole 19lbs and is 28.50” long!  The doctor told the husband the little girl’s weight has fallen off a little.  I don’t see how that is possible, she eats non-stop, or so it seems.  And don’t tell the husband, but we have been eating cupcakes everyday since the party, so that should have helped her some.  The girl is just like her mama when it comes to sweets.  I’m ready for the cupcakes to be gone, we have two left, and I bet by tomorrow morning, the little girl and I will have finished them off.  Who said a cupcake or two for breakfast wasn’t healthy!?!  Not me that’s for sure!

 

I felt so bad that I missed this appointment, I always try to make the good-well check-up appointments.  I get excited to see how much they have grown since the last visit, and the fun things that we get to look forward too, over the next few months.  But today, I had to keep the appointment I had for myself.  My poor Aunt & Uncle, they have been taking me to all my doctor appointments since after my surgery.  And the doctor appointments seem to keep getting longer and longer.  They were at my house today a little before noon, and we didn’t get back home this evening until after 6:00.  It was a very long afternoon, and very stressful.  I wish I knew what my future held for me, but then I don’t.  I don’t want to think about everything that is getting ready to happen, but yet I do.  It has now been confirmed by four doctors that I do have RSD, and now Fibromyalgia.  I had a lot of blood work done today, along with a lot of x-rays.  I’m being tested for Lupus, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She knows I have something, but these three have a lot of the same symptoms, so we are going to have to leave it up to the blood work, and x-rays to determine which one I do have, so we can begin the treatment.  From the x-ray that was done before my surgery, I was told I had Lupus, that is what lead me to today's appointment.  She told me today that I had a long road ahead of me, that there wasn’t going to be a quick fix.  But the reality of it is, I will be dealing with this the rest of my life.  I just want to scream and cry, and throw myself to the floor like my daughter.  But I don’t think it will work for me, like it does her.  When I pick myself up, I’m going to still be faced with the same problems.

 

Yes, I'm talking about you!  

I’m trying to not let this take over my life, but this is all I have been able to think about.  Last week I was so busy getting every thing in place for my sweet baby girl’s party, I didn’t have time to be bothered with the reality of my life.  But the party is over, and I’m left with all of this to deal with.  I’ve had two major appointments back to back, and I haven’t had time to process everything from yesterday’s appointment, to get hit with another load today.

I know in the end everything is going to be okay…  As I noted a few weeks ago, I need to let the doctors do their jobs.  It’s just hard, but I’m sure as time goes on, I will find a way to deal with all of this.  I’m just a little (A LOT) scared!  As I’m sure anyone would be.  I feel like I keep getting hit by a semi, each time I visit the doctor’s office.

The kiddos are in bed, the husband is playing on the iPad, and I’m getting ready to try and get some sleep myself.  I’m hoping come tomorrow, I will be in a better place.

Goodnight sweet angels!

 

xoxo, Shanna

The big day...

The big day finally arrived, we celebrated and celebrated a little more…

 

My sweet little angel is now a year old!  It has been a long couple of days, getting everything ready for her big day, but it was perfect!  We were surrounded by family and friends, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

 

Nothing like getting to enjoy some yogurt to celebrate your 1st birthday!  Look how grown up she looks sitting in the chair next to daddy!

I’m still having a hard time with it already being a year since I brought my precious angel into this world, I just can’t get over how fast it has gone by this time around.  The last few nights I have held her a little tighter, given her a few more kisses, and have whispered non-stop into her ear!

 

My dear beautiful sweet precious daughter, I love you so much!  Your personality has really started to shine through the last month or so.  And I didn’t think it was possible for your smile to get any cuter, but it has.  I love watching you go up to your brother and give him a hug from behind.  There is no greater gift in my life, than you and your brother!  Your brother worked very hard helping mama & daddy, to get everything just right for your special day.

You are walking & running like the rest of us now, no more crawling.  And you are just as curious as your brother.  You two, are into everything.  Everything in our house has had a lock of some sort applied.  Between the two of you, nothing is safe.  And you want to be everywhere your brother is.  Most of the time he is okay with that, but sometimes he wants mama or daddy to himself.

 You have developed a love for food, you not only clean your plate, but everyone elses.  You love some rocky road ice cream, yogurt, and cake!  You tore up your birthday cake, and mama enjoyed watching every minute of it!  Just note, this will not happen every day, a total bummer I know, because mama loves cake, yogurt and rocky road ice cream too!

 

Sweet baby girl, Happy 1^st Birthday!  You are perfect in every way!  I know there is going to come a day where we might not agree or see eye to eye, but always know, you are my baby girl, and I will always love you!

Thank you sweet baby boy & girl, for the joy and happiness you bring me each and every day!  Thank you for showing and teaching mama what life is all about!  I truly wouldn’t have my life any other way, and I’m so grateful for the many blessing we have in our life!

Goodnight sweet angels!

xoxo, Shanna