Carl and I recently took a trip to Idlewild with Savannah - just Savannah. We left Luke with Grandma for the day. (He is too little to ride anything, would be hot and miserable thus making us hot and miserable, plus it was nice for Savannah to get time with us like it used to be.)
She amazed me. We were prepared to spend the entire day in Raccoon Lagoon, where all of the "kiddie" rides are located. Once inside the park, that idea quickly vanished. She instantly wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel , the Spider, the Howler, the Balloon Races, the Scrambler...all of which she was tall enough (over 38 inches!) to ride as long as Carl or I rode with her. She looked to be the youngest one on all of those rides, but she loved it all. She rode the Spider with me (lots of up, down, and spin around) and at one point I saw Carl motioning to ask if she was crying (she was pressed close against me)...I looked down to check. No crying - she was grinning! She was close to me because she couldn't scoot away due to all the gravity, etc. on her. When she rode the Scrambler, Carl could watch and he said her face was bright with grins and giggles the entire ride. I know she was laughing with me for most of the ride!
She was a brave girl and got in the wave pool too. We put her in a life jacket and waded in. She held my hand and Carl's hand and as the waves came she'd just jump into them. She played in the splash pad area and the kiddie pool...she did everything. There was minimal whining, lots of smiling, and lots of fun.
It was so wonderful to spend time with Savannah and Carl (and our very, very good friend Patrick {hes practically family!}). We all had such wonderful conversations and laughs and fun. Savannah enjoyed being the center of attention, even if just for one day. She could have us all to herself for a bit. It was such a gorgeous, stress-free day. It was one of those days that bits of pieces of the memories will last forever in my mind. I know the moments of silliness on the Scrambler will be tucked away in my mind for years to come...the sound of her laughter intermingled with mine, with carnival music in the background, a light warm breeze, the love of my life watching with adoring eyes...it was just truly magical (who says Disney owns the right to be a magical place?!)...it made coming home just a tad difficult. No one wanted the day to end. It was such an amazing day...I think Savannah will have those memories tucked away also.
I missed Luke a lot though...more than once I found myself thinking about him and wanting to cuddle him. I was tired, but happy to see he was waiting up for us when we got home. I got in to quality cuddle and tickle time with him before bed. He was so delighted to see us when we walked in. He didn't know I was home, so when I picked him up and turned him so he could see me, he just grinned at me. It melts your heart when your children are just SO happy to see you. I love him so much too.
I think yesterday cemented my need to be done having children. I cannot wait for Luke to be a little older and have days like yesterday with us. I am so excited to see both Savannah and Luke riding rides with us...and Carl and I splitting up and spending a little time with each child...for us to get to ride as a family...for us to just have fun together. The idea of the four of us doing things together is just so exciting and tempting...and pregnancy was so difficult when I had Luke. He wasn't particularly problematic, but I worried the entire time. I still catch myself fearing that it will all disappear, that I really didn't have another amazing little baby. I think even Carl may be growing out of the stage of having babies, to just enjoying our babies. We are settling into a new phase of our marriage...we delight in each other as adults now. We are more than just newlyweds...we've survived a lot of ups and downs. This year has had a lot of rough patches (car accidents, sick family, etc) but we have had a lot of bright spots...one of which is our marriage growing stronger.
Our family feels complete. We are happy. We love each other. We are a solid unit. Our trip to Idlewild was just the beginning of many, many beautiful memories in our little family's mind. I am so excited to create more!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Baby Fever? Already?
I think not. (Although you were thinking something else, I'm sure!)
I will say the idea of a third child is tempting. I really do love being a mom...and Luke is growing out of his temper tantrums {somewhat}. I love watching them grow and change. I love watching Savannah and Luke together now. I am really hoping that as they grow older they will bond and be the closest of buddies. Not only do I love being a mom, but it seems like just about everyone is pregnant or talking about being pregnant. Just this week I have learned of four new pregnancies! In addition to the four on the way, three other friends have openly talked about getting pregnant again soon. It is so tempting to just jump on the bandwagon and want another one...but my logical mind won't allow it.
Just the other night Carl and I were lying in bed, talking about all the new babies on the way, and I said that I didn't think a third would be financially smart for us. As it is, we save $50 a month for Luke's education, $65 a month for Savannah's (each year we increase the monthly amount by $5 - so Luke will be getting $65 saved when he is three also), we spend $160 a month on preschool for Savannah, Luke will be in preschool next year, Savannah is going to start gymnastics at $40 a month, we pay my mom to watch our kiddos (it is minimal, but at least it helps with gas to cart our two kids everywhere!)...and that's just big expenses...we have birthday parties and Christmas presents and food and diapers and clothes...once they get older they will be in more activities. If they were in the HS band (that Carl and I were both in), we'd be shelling out $2500 per kid to travel to the Rose Parade this January....and you know if they were in that parade, Carl and I would want to go too...so that could be a $10,000 commitment! Vacations, cars, houses...all things that have to be paid for.
Carl is still crossing his fingers that I'll change my mind and go for a third. He just said we should wait until Luke is two and see where we are financially....maybe we will have a different financial outlook. I suppose he's right...but at that point I may be content with a family of four. There is a little part of me that would love to surprise our family and friends with a third child, and to have a gender reveal party, and to hold a tiny baby in my arms again (Luke was 16 pounds 4 oz and 26 inches the other day!)...some days the idea of a third is SO tempting...but then there are evenings like last night. Carl was cleaning out our old car in the parking lot of his mom's apartment (we gave it to her) and both my kids were in the backseat...Luke getting fussy, Savannah yelling out the window to Carl...and I spotted a young couple getting out of their car and walking into their apartment with just a single grocery bag from Target in their hands. At that moment I was so wistful of the time before kids. Carl and I used to shop for groceries on any day of the week, at any time. We used to stay up late and play games. We could get out of the car in two seconds flat (no children or bags to lug around). We could go shopping just for one thing. It was simple. It was easy.
On our drive home I told Carl about what I'd seen and felt. He said, "Well once the youngest child is five things will be easier." That's true...but if we have another child, then that "easier time" is still at least 8 years away! I don't know if I want that...
I feel like we are in a transition phase of our family's journey. I feel like our family really is complete. Even though it sounds kind of selfish of me, I also want to have time with Carl again that doesn't always involve children or a babysitter. I did decide to marry Carl so that we could spend the rest of our lives together...it would be nice to get back to enjoying each other after our kids are raised. When we were taking that drive home I said that when our kids are old enough to be left alone (or have moved out) that I hope we aren't so old and crotchety that we don't have the energy to go out on dates spontaneously. I think I'm ready for the time to come. I'm excited for all the new things we can do with our kids...all the experiences that will be open to us. I'm excited for the years of fun (without all the work of caring for a tiny one).
Saying that, I am also really excited for all the new babies on the way. I'm excited to share in the joy of new little ones. I'm excited for the parties and surprises and wonderful times. I am happy in my life and where I am (even a little wistful of where I was).
I will say the idea of a third child is tempting. I really do love being a mom...and Luke is growing out of his temper tantrums {somewhat}. I love watching them grow and change. I love watching Savannah and Luke together now. I am really hoping that as they grow older they will bond and be the closest of buddies. Not only do I love being a mom, but it seems like just about everyone is pregnant or talking about being pregnant. Just this week I have learned of four new pregnancies! In addition to the four on the way, three other friends have openly talked about getting pregnant again soon. It is so tempting to just jump on the bandwagon and want another one...but my logical mind won't allow it.
Just the other night Carl and I were lying in bed, talking about all the new babies on the way, and I said that I didn't think a third would be financially smart for us. As it is, we save $50 a month for Luke's education, $65 a month for Savannah's (each year we increase the monthly amount by $5 - so Luke will be getting $65 saved when he is three also), we spend $160 a month on preschool for Savannah, Luke will be in preschool next year, Savannah is going to start gymnastics at $40 a month, we pay my mom to watch our kiddos (it is minimal, but at least it helps with gas to cart our two kids everywhere!)...and that's just big expenses...we have birthday parties and Christmas presents and food and diapers and clothes...once they get older they will be in more activities. If they were in the HS band (that Carl and I were both in), we'd be shelling out $2500 per kid to travel to the Rose Parade this January....and you know if they were in that parade, Carl and I would want to go too...so that could be a $10,000 commitment! Vacations, cars, houses...all things that have to be paid for.
Carl is still crossing his fingers that I'll change my mind and go for a third. He just said we should wait until Luke is two and see where we are financially....maybe we will have a different financial outlook. I suppose he's right...but at that point I may be content with a family of four. There is a little part of me that would love to surprise our family and friends with a third child, and to have a gender reveal party, and to hold a tiny baby in my arms again (Luke was 16 pounds 4 oz and 26 inches the other day!)...some days the idea of a third is SO tempting...but then there are evenings like last night. Carl was cleaning out our old car in the parking lot of his mom's apartment (we gave it to her) and both my kids were in the backseat...Luke getting fussy, Savannah yelling out the window to Carl...and I spotted a young couple getting out of their car and walking into their apartment with just a single grocery bag from Target in their hands. At that moment I was so wistful of the time before kids. Carl and I used to shop for groceries on any day of the week, at any time. We used to stay up late and play games. We could get out of the car in two seconds flat (no children or bags to lug around). We could go shopping just for one thing. It was simple. It was easy.
On our drive home I told Carl about what I'd seen and felt. He said, "Well once the youngest child is five things will be easier." That's true...but if we have another child, then that "easier time" is still at least 8 years away! I don't know if I want that...
I feel like we are in a transition phase of our family's journey. I feel like our family really is complete. Even though it sounds kind of selfish of me, I also want to have time with Carl again that doesn't always involve children or a babysitter. I did decide to marry Carl so that we could spend the rest of our lives together...it would be nice to get back to enjoying each other after our kids are raised. When we were taking that drive home I said that when our kids are old enough to be left alone (or have moved out) that I hope we aren't so old and crotchety that we don't have the energy to go out on dates spontaneously. I think I'm ready for the time to come. I'm excited for all the new things we can do with our kids...all the experiences that will be open to us. I'm excited for the years of fun (without all the work of caring for a tiny one).
Saying that, I am also really excited for all the new babies on the way. I'm excited to share in the joy of new little ones. I'm excited for the parties and surprises and wonderful times. I am happy in my life and where I am (even a little wistful of where I was).
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Chores and Macaroni
Most people in my very small social circle are aware of my addiction to Pinterest. I'm an avid pinner - no secret there! The other day I stumbled upon a blog about chores for your toddler. I thought, "What a great find! I could totally use some extra help around the house!" As I started reading the list, I began to realize that I've already done a pretty good job of teaching those things to Savannah. She puts her dirty clothes in the laundry, she puts her clean clothes in her drawers (matches them up to the pictures/words I set up for her when she was 18 months old!), she feeds the cats, she puts her dirty dishes in the sink (or the dishwasher if it's open), she throws away Luke's diapers for me, she gets her own utensils, she gets her own water to drink (we leave an open cup next to the fridge and she uses the automatic dispenser), she dresses herself, she vacuums with me, she helps wrap the vacuum cord up, she picks up all the toys before I vacuum...she really does a lot to help me. And the other amazing part? She loves doing it. She feels so accomplished and it is a unique way for she and I to bond. She is turning into such a little person - it is just so joyous to watch.
I did learn some things from the list of toddler chores...she really likes to wash things (she was "washing" her bathtub the other night)...and the list suggested giving your child a rag with non-toxic cleaner on it (I use 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water to clean a lot of things) and having them scrub cabinets. I would love for her to wipe down all the below counter cabinets...it's getting harder on me to crawl around on the floor to clean those! She also could help clean the windows (heavens knows she's the reason they need cleaned anyway!). So I have a little pint-sized helper in Savannah - it's great.
As a side note, here's a little treat for you - my Granny's Macaroni & Cheese recipe!
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups of water
Dash of salt
2 cups of macaroni
1 cup margarine
1/3 log of Velveeta
Directions:
Put water in a large pan. (Make sure you measure it - this recipe never drains off the water!) Add salt. Bring to boil. Add macaroni. Return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally (approximately 15 minutes). Add butter. Cover. Cook 10 minutes. Take off heat. Cut Velveeta into cubes. Add Velveeta. Return to heat until cheese melts.
This recipe turns out slightly soupy to start with, but after cooling a bit it turns into melty, creamy deliciousness!!
I did learn some things from the list of toddler chores...she really likes to wash things (she was "washing" her bathtub the other night)...and the list suggested giving your child a rag with non-toxic cleaner on it (I use 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water to clean a lot of things) and having them scrub cabinets. I would love for her to wipe down all the below counter cabinets...it's getting harder on me to crawl around on the floor to clean those! She also could help clean the windows (heavens knows she's the reason they need cleaned anyway!). So I have a little pint-sized helper in Savannah - it's great.
As a side note, here's a little treat for you - my Granny's Macaroni & Cheese recipe!
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups of water
Dash of salt
2 cups of macaroni
1 cup margarine
1/3 log of Velveeta
Directions:
Put water in a large pan. (Make sure you measure it - this recipe never drains off the water!) Add salt. Bring to boil. Add macaroni. Return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally (approximately 15 minutes). Add butter. Cover. Cook 10 minutes. Take off heat. Cut Velveeta into cubes. Add Velveeta. Return to heat until cheese melts.
This recipe turns out slightly soupy to start with, but after cooling a bit it turns into melty, creamy deliciousness!!
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