Friday Favorites!

Thank goodness Friday is here!  The week has gone by really fast but BUSY!  Here are my Friday Favorites: 

What I'm Laughing At: 
If Toddlers Texted.  I think I peed my pants laughing.

What I am Reading:

This book is seriously the best.  READ IT.  

What I'm Loving: 

Paul's new obsession with taking pictures.  When we were running errands Tuesday he told me we should take a picture for Daddy! 

Nap time.  These two usually love each other and they would DIE to sleep with each other.  But would they sleep??

Paul is READY for Christmas!  We are finally going to put up all our decorations this weekend and I know he's going to LOVE it.  

Happy Happy Friday! 

Weekend Recap- Some Fun and some Throwing Up!

Well it is Monday again!  How does that keep happening?  We had some good times this weekend and some throwing up in my car.  Not by me, which is good I guess.

Friday after work Ryan and I escaped for a date night.  We went to the Botanic Gardens to see the Chihuly exhibit.  It was cool, different, and looked amazing when it turned dark!

Then we went out to dinner based on a recommendation from our co-worker.  Joe has the best recommendations.  He first gave us a tip when we were in Sonoma/Napa and I still think about that meal.  Friday night was amazing as well and we drank wine (well some people drank whiskey) and laughed and laughed and laughed.

The next day Paul threw up.  In my car.  All over my yoga mat. And himself.  The fun was over. Charlie gave him the sickness (I'll tell you where Charlie threw up tomorrow) and of course I felt bad for him because he was STARVING but anytime he had a morsel of food he had to throw it up. Saturday looked mostly like this:

But actually it helped us hunker down and we both graded some papers and read books and cuddled both boys on the couch.  Charlie was sweet to him and gave him knuckles, high fives and hugs.  So this week we had two kids throw up.  PLEASE universe do not let Ryan or I got this bug.  Please.  Do you think that plea will work?

Sunday I got up and went to yoga.  The yoga studio is doing a "make your own challenge."  Did you know there are only 10 weeks until Thanksgiving.  Seems pretty crazy for me.  Anyway, the idea is to write an intention for the next 10 weeks, hang it on the wall to be accountable but to also encourage others with their goals.

Some people want to commit to going to yoga a certain amount of times or try new teachers or eat more smoothies.  Mine is to remove refined sugar from my diet.  I only watched the trailer for the documentary Fed Up and it scared me.  I don't think it would hurt to be more aware of what goes in your body, what all those "weird" ingredients are and since the movie clip compares sugar to cocaine, I think I should probably take a break.  But I am still drinking wine.  Because hello. You only live once!  And really the only reason I am writing this on here is so I'll feel bad sneaking chocolate chip cookies.  Or dark chocolate.  Wine and celery go together, yes?

Later in the day the neighbor boys asked Paul to come over to play which was SO SWEET but Charlie cried because he was not invited!  I love neighbor friends!

How was your weekend?

I believe.

I believe:

1. There is no better sound then laughing children.

2. That getting up 15 minutes early every morning to have some quiet time can change the direction of your entire day.

3. You should always read before bed.  Even if it is only a couple of pages.

4. You need lots of girlfriends.  And laugh with them.  A lot.

5. People are doing their best at that very moment most of the time.

6. Day drinking is a fabulous hobby.

7. A clean house can make you feel like you can take on the world. 

8. A manicure can put a pep in your step.

9. Yoga can heal most things.

10. My husband is my biggest fan. 

There's Always the Light

Last weekend I was mad/disappointed/sad at the world, as I watched the news unfold the events that occurred at Arapahoe High School.  The same high school I attended for four years.  It made me sad as a parent that I am going to entrust the universe with my children and one day the phone could ring to notify me that one of my boys is in a dangerous place: School.  Of course it also made me sad as a teacher.  That I personally need to be worried for my safety if a student and I don't see eye to eye.

I took Charlie to the doctor yesterday for his one-year old check-up.  We were in the waiting room with some older gentlemen and Charlie was walking around and smiling and being super cute.  Obviously.  The men took a liking to Charlie right away, asking how old he was, what he liked to do, telling him how adorable he was.  Then they looked at me and said, "you are doing a great job at being his mom.  Just look how happy he is.  What a blessing."  It took everything in my body not to cry and hug these sweet strangers.  Of course I loved these compliments but it was also just what I needed to restore my faith a bit in society.  That people I had no connection to, would probably never see again were so kind.  To me, my child, the world.

The universe is actually filled with incredible, thoughtful, caring people.  This holiday season, I am going to focus on that.  The light will always outshine the dark. 

Baby Loves

The days I stay home are a little crazy.  It takes a special dance to maneuver between a toddler and a two month old baby.  Everything will be going perfectly fine, until Paul wants to eat lunch, Charlie wants to eat boob, the dog needs out, the doorbell rings, and I need to use the bathroom.  All at the exact same time.

Usually, I put Charlie in his swing at 1:00 pm and take Paul up for his nap.  He needs books and cuddles, and several "I loves yous" before he is satisfied to close his eyes.  Then I get downstairs and clean up the million cars and puzzle pieces and toy animals that are scattered throughout the house.  I wipe down the counters, maybe vacuum and restart the dryer for the 4th time.  Then I try to have one hour for myself.  To watch a Real Housewives, or read a book, or take a little cat nap.

But his weekend, after I got Paul down and rushed through my chores, I cautiously (and stupidly) took Charlie out of his swing and walked him upstairs.  I carefully laid him on our big bed and snuggled up next to him.  I smelled his sweet newborn head and listened to his breathing.  I covered us both with a blanket and let my eyes close.  I know alone time is important to regroup, recharge, and get ready for the next part of the day.  And I really try to follow that rule .  But I am never going to get a little baby who wants to snuggle again.  Before I know it, he will be jumping off furniture, running around my house screaming, demanding suckers and muffins for breakfast.  And as beautiful as those moments are, there is something so peaceful, so calming about a tiny baby that literally curls up in your nook and finds comfort laying his head on your chest.  These are the moments to remember.  To cherish.  When I let myself break my own rules, I find a little more love.