Thankful Thursday

When I used to religiously sit here and write I would dedicate my Thursdays to being thankful.  It's been a damn long time since I've done that.  Probably because for the past year I have mostly felt anger and sorrow - but that cloud is finally lifting, as I was repeatedly assured it would. 
So, while Brenna is plugged into possibly the worst cartoon ever (I mean really, why would My Little Ponies turn into humans and why would they have a rock band?) I am going to sit in the cat's sunbeam and have my coffee and be a little thankful.

This Thursday I am thankful for:

• My husband.  He was traveling the first part of this week and I am so thankful he is back in town; even if he is going away for two more days this weekend.  We've been married 12 years so obviously we've totally got this whole marriage thing perfected (please read that with a sarcastic tone).  To be fair there are plenty of days that we want to kill each other or we stand on each other's very last nerve, but when push comes to shove he's always the first person in my corner.  He encourages and challenges me.  He is the captain of my cheer squad.  He gives our daughters unconditional love, sometimes it's tough love, but it's always unconditional. 

• My minions.  My minis.  My little ladies.  My god they drive me to brink of mental breakdown but they also show me the promise of tomorrow.  They show me endless love and open adoration.  They remind me that life continues and that time doesn't stand still.  They overflow and sometime break my heart, but they also keep it beating.  I am thankful for their curiosity, their wonder for the world, their kindness and gentleness and energy.  I am even thankful for the exhaustion and the frustration I feel because of them.  They are my soul.

• My messy, hilarious extended family.  You know who you are - you who brighten my day with a simple text or a kind note.  You who curse like longshoremen but love fiercely.  You who push me to try harder and be better.  You who think I am a better person than I really am.  You who reach out on dark days and bright days and consistently make me laugh.  When I think about my village you, all of you, are thought of.

• My mother and my mother in law.  My god, these women never say no.   They always say yes.  They always show up.  Talk about crutches, I am not sure what I would two with out this pair!  For taking my kids overnight so I can run; or for a few hours so I can have dinner with an actual adult conversation.  For cleaning my stovetop or making sure my bathrooms have extra rolls of toilet paper.  For being so loving to my goofy daughters, but also always willing to show them tough love when necessary.  For being wise, and kind, and generous, and so very present in our lives.  I could not be more thankful.

• My ridiculous band of friends.  My home team. The ones who call for no reason and send the most inappropriate texts.  The ones who push me to think harder, try harder, be better.  Those people who see my comfort zone and forcefully shove me out of it.  Those friends that refill my wine glass and push me out the door for a run.  Those people who can read my mood from hundreds of miles of way and put up with my constant complaining.  The friends who sit on the back patio for cocktails or stand on the driveway with coffee and listen just to listen.  Without my home team I'd be lost.

• Finally getting my What's App to synch up with my dear friend who lives such a drastically different life than me, across the world, but still somehow remains a touchstone. 

• Finding fresh smoked cheddar and wine infused goat cheese in my refrigerator.  If that doesn't say someone loves me and totally gets me than nothing does.

• Getting a text, just now, suggesting a playdate for Brenna so I can go log a five mile training run (yes, I am doing another half marathon, no it won't be pretty, but that's a rant for another time). 

With that offer looming, off I must go and try to be thankful that this aging, achy body will carry me through the miles ahead.

Thankful Thursdays

This Thursday I am thankful for:

• Practically having a full night of sleep last night.  I was up later than I intended watching Blacklist (side note:  I must stop binge watching Netflix shows.  I must.) but I was not awoken at any time in the middle of the night by Miss B.  For about the last five weeks Brenna has struggled with not only going to bed at bedtime, but with staying in bed throughout the night.  She hears every car on the street, plane in the sky and creak in the house when it's bedtime and is compelled to get up and investigate and wake mom up to aid in the investigation.  Over the weekend she was up every 2.5 - 3 hours, it was like having a newborn all over again and my brain just about exploded.  Luckily, last night she stayed snug in bed until 6:25 this morning - I feel like I could run a marathon today.

• Time spent with my amazing Aunt Janet.  She was in town for just under a week, and it felt far too short.  When my mother updated Facebook about her visit a friend commented that Aunt Janet "leaves a sweet, soft footprint everywhere she goes, with multicolored sparkles from heel to toes", which is exactly true.  Our week was full of adventures, laughter, cooking  and joy.  The girls were spoiled with attention and mom and I were showered in comfort.

• Getting myself moving again, I am scheduled to run the Girls on the Run Half Marathon this Saturday in Columbus.  This is one of those things that I agreed to do with my cousin Elizabeth back in January after a few too many glasses of wine. There have been definite moments that I have regretted that decision - when my knees have been on fire, hips throbbing and back killing - but overall I am thankful I signed on.  Refocusing on running has given me a new appreciation for what I am capable of accomplishing.  I haven't run like this since before Addison was born. I forgot what a high of good run felt like.  In fact this time last year I could barely eke out an 11 minute single mile and two weekends ago I ran over 10 miles at a pace that wasn't totally embarrassing.  I also forgot how head clearing running can be - I am able to reflect on or plan my days, rehearse difficult conversations, or just get lost in the scenery and the music.  Simply put, I am thankful for finding time to run again, even if it hurts a little.  Okay, a lot.

• The people who push me out the door to run.  My mother, who has eagerly and willingly watched Brenna for midweek runs and who consistently tells me how good I look after a trying run.  She also, with ease, detects a  foul mood and suggests I go pound it out on the pavement.  And, of course, Andy, who not only has pushed me out the door and covered some early weekend mornings with the little ladies, but understands exactly how to get inside my competitive head to push me to go further faster.  Without either of them I would have never made it past a five mile run.

• The sounds of my children being together.  Ninety percent of the time they play together lovingly with laughter and imagination and excitement.  They play school, dance recital, princess castle and house.  They color and paint and swing and slide and explore.  They're mommies to their dolls, supermodels at the fashion show, center stage ballerinas, rock stars, doctors and artists.  The other ten percent of the time they annoy each other and get under each others' skin and push each others' buttons like crazy.  But at the end of the day, they give each other a hug and a kiss and say I love you and they mean it.  I'll be thankful for that for as long as a it lasts.
   

Thankful Thursday

Wow.  Remember this?  Being intentionally thankful?  Yeah, I barely do too - but here it goes:

On this Thursday I am thankful for:

A wonderful week with friends who redefine the phrase "friends are the family you choose".  Nothing compares to being with people who know you, all your flaws and falsehoods and love you all the same.


A better week in school.  At least a better week of mornings.  No raised voices or stomping feet or angry Neyer ladies.  I am thankful for a few moments spent at the bus stop as opposed to running for the bus.

The chance to learn how to edit the few images I manage to  grab that are worth keeping.  Wednesday nights this month I have been taking a Photoshop Elements class - two hours on my own learning about something that interests me.  I'm also pretty excited that my neighbor generously lets me borrow her 75-300mm lens.  Wowzers.

Twenty two months.  What a blast twenty two months is.  I had forgotten how silly and sweet and chatty an almost two can be.  Brenna chatterchoos all day long.  Asking questions, naming the people she knows, pointing out everything she can label, singing, calling to the kitty.  Nap time is blissfully quiet, but the sound of her little voice is oddly missed.

The arrival of fall weather.  I know that I should have been loving and soaking up every minute of the 80 degree weather that we've been bombarded with, but I am an Autumn girl.  I have been waiting for my clogs, for long sleeves and scarves, and at last it's here.

8:00-8:30 each morning.  Brenna climbs on my lap with her milk, baby and bunny, snuggles up and says ooh aah aah please.  Ooh aah aah mommy. And just like that Curious George is once again a part my everyday life.

A quite weekend on the horizon.  Family time, a Saturday play date and dinner.

Chapter books at bedtime and request to be sang to.  One asks for Baby Mine, one demands You are my Sunshine (sunshine mama, SUNSHINE.)

Finding a few moments to sit down and type.  I miss writing, sharing, analyzing, documenting.  I miss being here.

Not to be completely outdone by Miss Meredith Brenna wanted to prove that she, too, can walk -she just rarely chooses to.

 

And while I am here:

 

I am very thankful this Thursday for:

 

A Skype account that connects me to Hong Kong.  I spent last night sipping a decafe coffee and chatting with my two favorite Brooks girls.

 

Kind doctors who believe in mothers intuition.  Brenna ended up in Urgent Care on Saturday with a yucky case of croup - the steroid they gave her helped her (and me) breathe a bit easier.  We followed up on Tuesday at our doctor, the croup evolved into bronchiolitis and an ear infection.  Two days later on meds my little lady is feeling much better.

 

A few really wonderful days with Addie.  Her addietude has been under better control lately and she's truly been a joy to be around.

 

Making it to day 22 of working out.  I took two days off since working out, but today started phase 3 of the 30 Day Shred.  It hurt. A lot.

 

Last holiday weekend.  Andy and I (well, Andy really) finished up the little things that had to happen in the kitchen; we got to go on a date with good beer; we got to plan out our next year of travel and home improvement; and most wonderfully, we got to spend some time chilling out as a family.

 

A husband who cooks, particularly when I am tired and grouchy, which is rather often.

 

Some fun plans made for March - a girls get away with my cousins to Pittsburgh.  Those three ladies make me laugh and I anticipate not only a fabulous new look, but aching cheek muscles.

 

The few minutes I got to myself today - Brenna is sleeping, the school bus isn't home yet and I am enjoying some blissful quiet.

Thankful Thursday

 I am thankful for these little guys :

Addie & Evan at the zoo Fall 2008

Buds 2008

and the fact that four years later they have turned into these guys:

Evan and Addie at the zoo Fall 2012

Buds 2012



We had the good fortune of having Renata, Evan and Violet come to stay over the weekend.  They were back from Hong Kong to take care of some family business, and luckily for us family business brought them to Dayton, 45 miles from us. 
As always Addie and Evan played together perfectly, they played dress up and superheroes and Sorry.  They colored and ran wild and laughed.  Violet did her darnedest to keep up and Brenna was just generally amused by the older kids' antics.

We enjoyed a fire pit and roasted marshmallows.  Renata and I enjoyed a glass or two of wine and early bedtimes.

Monday as it was full of laughter and a little bit of grown up time, followed by a kitchen full of friends making semi-edible chocolate chip cookies.

Having my husband unexpectedly home for two days.  The last months have been a whirlwind of travel and work with very limited amounts of time at home.  Thankfully one trip was cancelled and we get some much needed family time.

Crafty plans for Saturday and the hopes of getting life a little on track as we enter the holiday whirlwind.

Having a baby for one more week - this time next week I'll be the mother to a precocious one year old. 

Thankful Thursdays

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Sunny blue skies.  Pumpkin patches. Brown eyes.

 Visits from friends.  Trips to the zoo.  Wine tastings.

 

Playing at the park.  Sitting by the fireplace. Handprint crafts.



Being given a dandelion to tuck behind my ear (and realizing it's still stuck there after hours of errands).

Thankful Thursdays

On this Thursday I am thankful for:

An early morning.  It is rare that I am thankful to awoken at 5 a.m., but oddly today I am.  I got some sweet snuggle time with Brenna, have done five loads of laundry, logged a workout, cleaned Addie's room and am enjoying a second piping hot cup of coffee.  To be this productive before 9 a.m. is a good feeling.

A lunch date with my neighborhood friends.  While I see each of them almost every day, I feel like I am usually waving from the driveway or shouting hello as one of us heads off to run errands.  Yesterday we got to sit down, while the kids frolicked in the yard, and really talk and catch up - a perfect midweek break.

My memories.  It's no secret that these days I can barely remember where I am, but earlier this week I was able to sit in a few moments of silence with my memories of a beautiful, loving, hilarious man and truly feel enveloped in his love.  It's hard to believe that it's been four years since Bob passed.  I am so thankful that Addie and Rylan knew their Grandpa, and I know all our stories will keep their memory of him alive and create a legend for Brenna and Cameron. 

Seeing such an amazing man live on in his grandkids.  I particularly see him in Brenna - she has his ridiculously tan-able skin and the same mischievous sparkle in her eye that he always had.  Ry and Addie have his stubborn streak and his quick ability to laugh.  Genetics are an amazing thing.

It being Thursday.  Thursday means that Andy will be home.   He has been on the road pretty much for the last two weeks and while we got to spend fun times in Chicago last weekend with him, his ladies are ready him to be home with us.

A wonderful Chication.  We escaped to Chicago for a few days last week, taking in an amazing Ben Harper concert, playing at Navy Pier for several hours, exploring the beautiful Loyola lakeshore campus, meeting up with Papa and Grandma Johnson, and unwinding with a slew of our Chicago friends.  We were spoiled with laughter, RumChata and a fabulously fun Oktoberfest gathering.  We are always thankful for the wonderful friends we have in Chicago, but even more so when they let us invade their homes and lives for extended periods of time (Gracias Keelin & Berto, Sean & Ali!).

A few days spent cleaning and organizing our home.  I feel as though I have been away from our little nest all summer - and trust me, it needed some TLC.  I rearranged and cleaned out the play/guest room; scrubbed and freshened up the first floor and made some minor updates to our bedroom - all of which make me feel oh so productive.

The fact that my dear friend was not on the ferry that sank in Hong Kong.  Everyone knows that I can be  a bit of a drama mama, but I must say that when I saw the news story about dozens of people dying during the Mid Autumn Celebration in Hong Kong I was worried.  I knew that our friends had plans to join in the festivities and I knew that their five year old desperately wanted to check out the ferry system.  I managed to keep pretty calm, but I must say the email letting me know that all was okay was one of the best emails I had gotten in awhile.  It's okay to mock me...I know I am fretter.

Thankful Thursdays

On this Thursday I am thankful for:

Surviving that first hellacious week of Kindergarten and enjoying the second week much, much more.

Strong arms and a soft lap - without them I would not be able to rock my sick baby until she fitfully falls asleep, as I had to do for over an hour last night.  Without them I would be unable to steal cuddles first thing in the morning from my kindergartner.

Having freshly painted walls and new kitchen lights - we are 98 percent done with our kitchen redo.  It has been a long, educational five months of remodeling, but the end results are so wonderful that the bother has been absolutely worth it.

The promise of fall like weather for the weekend - I am ready for jeans and hoodies and my beloved clogs.  I am also ready to putter in the yard - planting and pruning and getting ready for the Spring.

Having my nephew over yesterday and not having to mediate even one fight between him and Addie.  The two of them adore each other, but bicker like siblings.  Yesterday was bicker-free and full of fun playing - bliss.

The sound of Brenna's laughter - it is contagious when it gets going.  She is not as generous with her giggles as Addie was, but when she's in the throws of laughter you cannot help but join her.  Of course, 97 percent of the time she is laughing at her big sister's antics.

Setting a goal and working toward it.  Brenna will be a year old in a little over two months - and I can no longer claim to be battling baby weight.  Lazy weight, yes; Baby weight, no.  I have set a  goal for my health - Andy is on board and I think I can do it.  In the past I had an awesome group of ladies to workout with - now I am on my own, as Brenna naps during our meet up time.  With any luck when I finally rejoin them I will have done enough work to be able to keep up.

Thankful Thursday

On this Thursday I am thankful for:

An impromptu date with my husband that included very greasy pizza, a pitcher of beer, and no kids.  It's been a long month of barely seeing each other, so it was nice to steal a few hours in the middle of the week.

Kindergarten.  Kind of.  I am thankful for Kindergarten because I know how wonderful it is for Addie - I know that she will thrive.  The kind of part comes in, because since starting Kindergarten Addison has been horrendous.  Eye rolling, foot stomping, sassy mouthed horrendous.  So bad that even Miss Kelsey, her beloved babysitter, noticed it.

Morning naps - Brenna is still a helluva good napper.  Right now her schedule seems to be get up at 7 a.m., down for a nap by 9 a.m..   Up at 11:30 a.m. down for a nap by 2 p.m.  The morning nap is always and hour to an hour and half long, the afternoon nap is even longer.  Lovely.

Plans for a weekend sleepover at the Lee's.  We are super lucky to have good friends from Chicago live about a half hour away.  We've been anxious to play with them, but their new little baby makes playing a bit complicated.  So instead of orchestrating babysitters and making elaborate plans, we all decided to have a sleepover and a fun night in.

Being home for a few weekends.  It has been a whirlwind few months of traveling and I am ready to be planted in my own home for awhile. 

Getting that much closer to being done with the kitchen remodel.  The new light fixtures should be up this week and the painting contractor for the foyer, kitchen and mudroom will hopefully be hired.  Once I sand and paint the baseboards and we finally decide on window treatments, it will be all done!

Finally organizing a girls weekend for the end of November - it cannot come soon enough.

Finding a few minutes to sit down and write.  I don't feel like I have much to say these days, but I always feel a bit better when something has been said.

Thankful Thursdays

On this Thursday I am thankful for:

The sound of rumbling thunder through our morning.  It has been hot and humid and the lawn is fried - a good deluge of rain is more than welcome around these parts.
Making decisions - we have been working on our kitchen since April, although admittedly we haven't done a thing to it since early July.  This week we plowed ahead picking out a backsplash, paint colors and lighting.  I am ready for this project to be done.
A few stolen hours with my Flaherty family.  We headed up to Columbus for a family reunion Friday night and got to see a bunch of people who make us laugh, well worth the road trip.  I also got to take the girls and their cousin Jackson to the Columbus Zoo for an adventure, it was hot and exhausting, but fun.

Addie & Jackson with Big Hank

Getting to hold a sweet new baby boy - our friends welcomed their baby boy, Greyson Edward, to the world while we were in North Carolina.  I've now gotten to snuggle with his tiny little self twice.

 Knowing that next Thursday morning I will be waking up at Gramma's house - enjoying the last day of my 34th year surrounded by three of my favorite ladies; Mom, Addie and Brenna. 
Being a home.  It feels like my family has been living out of suitcase for well over a month and it feels good to be home, unpacked and settled for a few days...at least until I pack up our suitcases for the next trip.
The Olympics.  I love watching the Olympics and it turns out so does Addie.  She is in gymnastics camp and is completely enthralled with the gymnasts; particularly the vault and bars.  She'll watch anything that's on though and asked Andy if they could "cuddle and watch the Lipsticks".  Olympics, Lipsticks, it's all the same to a five year old.

Olympic hopefuls?

Thankful Thursdays

It has been so long since I have sat down to be thankful ~ so on this hot, humid, incredibly sunny Thursday I am thankful for:

Deciding to join the YMCA for the summer.  I have yet to take advantage of the work out facilities, but the heat of this week has inspired some trips to the pool for cooling off.  It is not as crowded as I had feared it would be, Addie's buddy from school is sometimes there providing her with a playmate, and it turns out that Brenna is a very happy little water baby. Yes, they have matching suits - little girls are so darn fun!

For running water, installed counters and organized cabinets.   Our kitchen is ninety percent of the way done and it feels so good to have a functional space back.  The living and dining rooms are no longer piled high with tools, screws and drawers.  The office is almost emptied out of extraneous kitchen supplies and life is feeling a bit more normal.  We now just have to power through, finishing  the trim and the butcher block counter and picking out a backsplash and new lighting.  The broad strokes are now done, the details are still lingering.

A weekend spent with our very dear friends.  We did a lot of sitting and eating, talking and laughing.  Somehow I took practically no pictures of the first annual "Croquet and Rose" weekend - hopefully Keelin will share her pictures once her week of crazy slows down.  Although this one picture does make my heart smile.   Being together reminded me how lucky I am to have such enduring friendships. 

Roberto and sweet McKenna

One good day with my daughters.  I have found that I am becoming that overwhelmed, harried mother that I always pitied.  I am short on patience, easy to anger and a little less than serene these days.  After a little introspection I realized that I had to find a better way to respond, particularly to Addie.  Raising my voice just wasn't working - it was making me feel like a monster and making her act out even more.  Yesterday I decided to attempt a "yell free" day - and it was a great day.  I am thankful that I was able to see what wasn't working and try something new.  Now I just hope I can maintain this new attitude.

A napping six month old - er, practically seven month old.  Much like her father, Brenna needs her rest, and her pesky teeth seem to be getting in the way of good naps.  I have figured out that she need to go down for a nap, awake, almost exactly two hours after getting up in the morning.  It limits our mobility in the mornings, but it makes for a much more enjoyable day.  Yesterday, after her nap, we headed to the pool for a little over two hours - quickly after we got out of the water, she was snoozing again.

The end of tee ball season.  Not that we didn't love it - we did.  But it is getting Hades hot here in Cincinnati and my little princess doesn't like to be sweaty.  Addie was the only girl on her team and lived the phrase "ladies first".   I am thankful that Andy helped coach, giving he and Addie a little time together each week, and I am thrilled that at her last at bat Addie knocked that ball all the way to second base.  Addie learned and almost lived the phrase "There's no crying in baseball".  At last week's game she got hit in the face with a ball and sobbed to her father "I got hit with a ball and I almost died", proving that you can be a drama mama and a ball player.  It was a great season - the team came together and really learned some ball skills, but I am thankful to have my Friday nights back.

Addie & the boys of Martin's Barber Shop

Hitting it to second

Thankful Thursdays

Late on this Thursday, I am thankful for:

Being so tired these days that I fall asleep 79 seconds after my head hits the pillow.  And, with the exception of one night in the past week, I have been blessed with a baby sleeping through the night.  Through the night.  (I am sure I have now jinxed myself for tonight).

Having a crazy, chaotic and wonderful weekend with my family and friends.  The recital, the baptism, the beginning of the end for our kitchen - but most importantly family and friends, their love and laughter.

Getting my laundry under control - my room and laundry room no longer look like I am auditioning for Hoarders. (My living room and dining room, however, are housing over a dozen cabinets, a range oven, and a dishwasher.  My refrigerator is also plugged in at the front door...)

Snuggles at story time, requests to be sung to, and morning chats about last night's dreams.

The promise of Friday night entertainment in the form of Addie's first T-ball game. 

A night away in Louisville without the kiddos - a fancy dinner at 610 Magnolia, a hotel with a pool, and exploring the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Tuesday at 6 p.m.

My ridiculous husband.  He works all day.  He coaches t-ball, he cooks most of our dinners and now he is demolishing our kitchen, more than a little at a time.

Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Thankful Thursdays

On this beautiful Thursday, I am thankful for:

Blue skies, sunshine, daffodils and trees in bloom.  Our neighborhood is peppered with the white blossoms of pear trees, cherry trees and magnolias.  I don't know what is blooming in our front yard, but I can't inhale the scent  of it's flowers enough.  Addie's unadulterated enthusiasm for spotting bright, yellow daffodils can't help but put a smile on my face.

The arrival of spring - even if it showed up with summer-like temperatures.  Spring always makes me feel more alive, reminds me to recommit and helps me to become inspired.  I love the open windows, the sound of the birds and opportunity to go on walks with my beautiful girls.

Quiet moments.  When I was the mother of just one little girl I don't think I realized how I would cherish quiet moments.  Quiet moments to myself in the morning with a cup coffee, quiet moments as I tuck a four year old into bed, quiet moments sitting with my husband, quiet moments in the wee hours of the morning while I rock with a baby.  It is in these quiet moments that I feel happiest - they happen every day, but I don't always remember to revel in them and be thankful for their existence.

Friends who remind me to be me and accept me for who I am.  I am thankful that they love the train wreck side me just as much as the "got it together" side of me.  I am thankful that I am able to celebrate with them and lean on  them and look to them for guidance.  I hope they never doubt how deeply thankful I am for them.

Family - we've had some health scares in my family over the past few weeks and there is nothing like worrying that you could lose someone to make you realize how much you love them.  I am thankful to be part of such a large, crazy family and I cherish the people who make up my circus.

My darling daughters - lately I have felt my patience waning for a certain four year old and I don't like who I am when that patience is so thin.  I am trying to remind myself to not get so caught up in the details and the drama, and instead enjoy the sweet silliness of my little diva.  Every day she seems to be eons older and I am trying to remember that these childhood days are numbered.  Seeing Addie so grown up has helped me to slow down and enjoy the babyhood of Brenna.

And I am thankful that while there are moments like this:

there are much more moments like this:

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I remembering to thankful.

Addie is thankful for her stuffed Uni

I am so very thankful for my family.  I am thankful for their opinions, their oddities, their voices, their hugs, their health.  An old friend unexpectedly lost his amazing brother this past week- thinking of all he is going through makes me realize how lucky I am for family have.  Yes, at times we don't see eye-to-eye, and of course each of them can drive me batty in their own special way, but they are my family and I love them.

I am thankful for my husband.  He gets up every day and goes to a stressful job, yet he still manages to come home to our chaos with a smile.  He knows when I am at my breaking point, takes over the girls and orders me upstairs to the bathtub with a glass of wine.

I am thankful for friends who pick up the phone, shoot off funny texts, get on airplanes, and drive for hours for a visit. I feel so lucky to have friends near and far who let me rant, help me laugh and keep me sane.

I am very thankful for my daughters.  Both of them.  I love the one that coos and ahhs and shrieks and dirties diapers.  I love the one that has endless questions, demands attention and is generous with hugs and kisses.  I am thankful for who they are helping me become.


I am so very thankful.

Thankful Thursday

On this balmy 60 degree day in December, I am thankful for:

Baby booties, Johnson & Johnson baby wash, large burp clothes and little hands.

Three nights in a row where I have logged three straight hours of sleep.

Good recipes that make great dinners - tea braised pork, chicken pot pie, ham and swiss stromboli - we've been eating well in the Neyer household.

The totally undainty noises of the newest Neyer - no coos and ahhhs around here, friends.  Nope this little lady is all chirps, grunts and gas.

Fridays - they mean the start of the weekend and, for the last few weeks of the month, they also mean half days of work for my fabulous husband.

A clean house decorated for the holidays - red glass, ornaments and twinkle lights just make everything so much more lovely.

My wonderful neighbors and their endless support - from supplying us with baby coupons and hours of Addiesitting, to taking us out on errands and stopping by just to hold a baby - we are so lucky to have landed in this neighborhood.

Guiness and Rivertown Winter Ale - my love of wine is on the back burner and I am having a pretty hot fling with dark beers.

Photo Christmas cards - I love getting a peek at my friends' lives.  Today I got a card from a Chicago friend who I haven't seen since moved to Ohio - it made me smile be remembered on her list and get to see that her toddlers are now "kids".

The heart of my four year old - sure at times she can be an absolute beast, but underneath it all she's a true beauty.

Being in the final days of Christmas madness - soon all that will be left to do is the sitting and enjoying.

Capturing just hint of a smile.

Thankful Thursday

This is going to be short and sweet.  And I know that I haven't done any blogging since last week, but friends, this girl is uberpreggo and when I sit down I tend to fall asleep....

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Homemade burp cloths and baby blankets.
Clean bath tubs and warm water.
A shrinking To Do list.
A new hair cut and color.
Chicken salad sandwiches from Tag's Cafe - I am averaging about two a week now.
Friends that make me laugh and play dates that are drama free.
Early morning whispers of "Mama?  Can I cuddle with you?".
Knowing there are only two more days to stress about the preschool craft show fundraiser.
A husband who puts up with my moans and groans and huffs and puffs.
Excellent tickets to see Wicked tonight with a tall, dark and handsome date.
Free babysitting from my wonderful mother in law.
Keurig Apple Cider, Juicy Juice Mandarin Tangerine Juice and apple-strawberry sauce.
Being 99 percent of the way through with laundry.
Having plans to see my cousin and his fabulous family this weekend
Being told by the doctor that good progress is being made and who the on call doctor will be this weekend.
Knowing that the pregnancy finish line is in sight.
For the gorgeous fall weather that stuck around for a few days, allowing me to snag this stinking cute picture.

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for many things - but I have decided to highlight just one.  This Thursday I am thankful for this body of mine.

Different, right? 
I have spent much of my life hating my body.  Growing up I hated how short I was and that I wasn't covered in freckles like my friend Marie.  I hated my Johnson feet and the fact that my fingernails were never as perfectly oval as my mother's.  My hair has always been my nemesis - the wrong color, wrong length and full of cowlicks.  I hated my body for betraying me in adolescence - all my girlfriends were getting real boobs and I was being teased about my anthills. I was covered in zits, had braces on my teeth and braces on my knees.  I wore glasses, and for a short while, hearing aids.  My body was my sworn enemy.

This body of mine has put up with a lot though.  I managed to miss out on the coordination gene and have made my body work over time healing broken bones, dislocated elbows and endless stitches.  I have made it grow a new ACL and I have completely removed the menisci in one knee.  I have had countless xrays and MRIs and should have had a frequent flyer card for the emergency room.

In it's younger years my body bent and stretched its way through gymnastics and acrobatics.  It sashayed, did the jazz square and tapped its way through dance class after dance class.  It chased soccer balls and climbed high up into pine trees.  My body has probably run hundreds of 5Ks, has hurled down ski slopes and has cross country skied up mountain trails.  It's gone parasailing and white water rafting. 

This body, that I complain about, has been subjected to ear piercing, tattooing, hot wax treatments, thousands of pounds of deep fried food, cigarette smoke and alcohol.  It rarely is rewarded with enough water, enough sleep or enough fresh vegetables.

It's held its own when dealing with changes.  It survived puberty, car accidents, bike accidents and surgeries.  It's dealt with my weight fluctuations, from the 30 extra pounds of college to the emaciation of depression.  It slimmed down for my wedding and added muscle as I trained to run the marathon. 
It got me to the end 26.2 miles unscathed and unknowingly three weeks pregnant.

This body has done its job - it has maintained two healthy pregnancies with almost no complaint.  And I've realized, this week, that this tough old body of mine ain't so bad. 
Sure there are things that sag and jiggle in ways that are upsetting.  I still wish I was taller, more slender, more graceful.
Sure, in its current manifestation I have very little control.  My belly is enormous, my feet are a mystery.  My back and legs ache and my hands swell.  Those boobs I wished for in adolescence?  Yeah, in pregnancy those have shown up to work overtime. 
My legs are covered in spider veins - but they still allow me to chase after a four year old and squat down to get a great picture.  My back is sore and uncomfortable, but it can still carry load of laundry and a sobbing child.  Sure, my eyes are permanently bloodshot and tired, but they can still convey a smile.

And this belly?  This enormous, shape shifting belly? 
It is cocooning a baby. 
Another little lady. 
It has kept her safe and warm.  It has provided a nest for the last leaf on our family tree - where she has heard my heart beat, her sister's silly stories and her father's deep laughter.  This belly has been a safe haven for two babies - it has done it's job and done it well.  And in a few months, when it is wiggly and flaccid with extra, worn out skin, I will remember to be thankful, because this belly sheltered my girls,  let my husband feel tiny kicks and hiccups, provided a pillow for a tired four year old. This pregnancy has reminded me that my body is so much more impressive than I ever give it credit for....and for this imperfect, aching, aging body, I am eternally thankful.

Thankful Thursday

This cold, rainy Thursday I am thankful for:

Homemade chicken pot pie, banana chocolate & peanut butter chip muffins and good conversation.  After preschool pick up today Addie and I got to lunch with Genna and Liam, as well as my friend Kelly and her kindergartner Maddie.  Genna did all the cooking and baking, so I knew Kelly and I were in for a little spoiling - I could've licked the pot pie crock.  Kelly is due about a week and a half before me and it was good to have someone who truly understands the exhaustion, aching back and uncomfortable sleep.

A rare chance for an uninterrupted phone date with Chrisite.  Me with a toddler and her with an infant is a recipe for limited phone time - today was the exception.  She's a gentle reminder of what I am about to be plunged back into and I am a gentle reminder to her that "this too shall pass".  Ahhh, motherhood.

Finally getting the nursery into baby shape.  Lamps are plugged in, decorations are on the wall, onesies are folded in the drawers.  While folding littlest lady's clothes earlier this week I was in awe of how tiny everything was - how in the world was Addie every so bitty?

Being "this" close to finishing Addie's Halloween costume.  Of course she wanted to go trick-or-treating as a princess, and without a second thought Cinderella was her choice.  I went looking for a costume early this year, hoping to find a good one, since I knew I would be uberpreggo by the time Halloween rolled around.  However, every Cinderella costume I found was cheap looking and not at all cheap to buy - I bit the bullet and bought a pattern and fabric.  This dress has not been as hard as I thought, but it was not been a breeze either.  Many phone consultations with my mom and sewing meetings with my mother-in-law have gotten me through it.  End result, however, is a pretty happy four year old.

Taking advantage of getting out of the house.  These days I am feeling about as big as a house and happily would spend the day feet propped up, eating candy corn.  Addie, of course, has other ideas.  Earlier this week we headed to Parky's Farm and frolicked in the sunshine - I was exhausted after, but that's okay, because she was pretty happy.

Thankful on a Friday with a Photo

Early on a Friday morning I am thankful for:

My Thursday.  It was cold and rainy but relaxing and wonderful.  For Mother's Day Andy and Addie had the foresight to buy me a prenatal massage, which I cashed in on yesterday morning while Addie was at school.  So wonderful. 

After my massage I couldn't go straight home - because the cleaning ladies were there.  I actually spoke this sentence to my girlfriend, Kate:  "I just finished with a massage, but now I am going  shopping because the cleaning ladies are at my house."  And then I laughed out loud at how fabulously spoiled it sounded.  That really is no way a snapshot of my life, but it sure was fun to live it yesterday.  Then instead of heading straight to shopping I had an impromptu lunch with my handsome husband.  So lovely.

Finding a six foot long mirror at a ridiculously good price.  We took the down the three large pieces of "art" in our family to add them to our repainted basement and the enormous family room wall has looked rather naked over the past few weeks.  Now it has a huge mirror on it and today I am going to bargain hunt for a sconce or two.  So well priced.

My, Addie and Nicholas' trip to the pumpkin patch on Monday.  The weather was perfectly autumn - crisp blue skies, gentle wind, cold enough to need a light fleece.  They played and smiled and I sat and watched.  So sweet.

Being one week closer to meeting Baby.  My belly is constantly shape shifting and there is no denying that she is getting positioned to make her grand entrance.  I am up at 6 a.m. because she's been up since 4:30 - might as well keep her happy and enjoy a few moments of sweet silence, as I think I am going to be rather short on silence and solitude in the coming weeks.  So much anticipation.

My very clean house.  The bathrooms and kitchen alone make the price of a cleaning lady worth it.  I promise not to get used to this arrangement, it's only to get me through the last moments of pregnancy and first moments of mothering two, but I will enjoy it.  So sparkling clean.

A planned lunch date with Kate, the possibility of baking Funfetti with Addie, an XU evening of fun with the family tomorrow and an hour or so sitting in my chair with my cup of decaf this morning.  So relaxing.

Earlier this week I tried to do a self "portrait" of 35 week pregnant me but was unable to get any kind of decent angle using the timer.  Instead snapped a picture of me and my mini me that I am positive 10 years from now, when she's telling me she hates me and that I don't know anything, I'll look back on and remember that at one point in time she loved me more than chocolate.  Okay, as much as chocolate.

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for:

Addison's suggestion of spaghetti, meatballs and Italian sausage for dinner.  It's cold and rainy and a big pot of meatballs seems like the perfect antidote to the gray skies.

The discovery of  the Green Lantern pizza at Dewey's - mozzarella, artichoke, mushroom, garlic, pesto and goat cheese.  Um, what??  I am also thankful for eating that pizza with a good friend in the middle of the week.

Having started Addie's Cinderella Halloween costume.  I've put together the bodice and most of the skirt and haven't yet cried.  Of course I have called my mother a dozen times and set up a sewing consultation with my mother-in-law.   Who knew sewing could be so darn hard?

Last weekend.  It was wonderful to be among friends and their unconditional love.  Not to mention the laughter, appetizers and the sweet smile of baby McKenna.

Getting some sleep.  I still wake up and need to pee constantly, but somehow I have managed a few hours of consecutive sleep each night this week. 

Watching Addie experience the theater for the first time.  Her wonder and awe made my cup runneth over.

My health, the directive from the doctor to take it easy and stay off my feet and my amazing husband who has picked up the slack without a complaint.  He paints, he builds bars, he cooks, he does the dishes, he reads bedtime stories.  Oh, and he works full time.  So very thankful.

Having cleaned off the 1300+ photos that were stored on my Blackberry - no worries, I kept a few of my favorites.

Seeing these darling faces in my rear view mirror - their friendship truly makes me smile.

Don't worry, I wasn't driving - we were parked in the preschool carpool line.