All Work and No Play

 

Everyone has been very kind and not gotten on me about my blogging frequency lately :)  I am making a serious effort to get caught up, though, so keep an eye out!

John and I have been so so busy.  What's new, right?  Or Duh, you have two small kids.  But we have been extra busy with the extra stuff lately.  

John started working for a friend's uncle who does home repair/remodels about four months ago.  It started out as just a couple days a week.. on the week days that I wasn't at the office or he wasn't at the firehouse.  A particular project kept getting larger and John wanted to be there more to help out so he started asking LeeAnn to watch the kids on the days I worked at the office, ya know, just for a couple weeks or so.  "Or so" has turned into a couple months now.  Logistically, it's completed fine.  LeeAnn is happy to spend the day with the kids and John gets to work an extra day.  The not so obvious part is that John seems to be working all the time.  And considering the work he is doing, the poor guy is worn out!  Some morning he gets home from the firehouse, having been up all night or up since some crazy early time like 2 or 3 am, changes and has a quick breakfast with us and off he goes to do manual labor for 8-9 hours, only to come home and have two crazy kids demanding his energy and attention (and a wife who is desperate for another adult to interact with and lend a hand!).      

I have spent the last couple months getting caught up with my jewelry at the shop since the busy Christmas season.  My display needed some serious work.   I asked John for some help and he went above and beyond...he did more than a face-lift and instead spent a few evenings on building a completely new one.  He exceeded my expectations with what he came up with and it is AWESOME!  I have room for so much more, which was great because I spent a lot of time (during naps and after bedtime!) getting restocked.  I also added another section of baby items... which has been so much fun putting together and buying for.  My mom was a HUGE help in putting her sewing skills to work.  She made lots and lots of burp rags and diaper straps for me to sell and they have been a huge hit so far.  I also sell stuffed animals, books, headbands, chewbeads (which are way cool...), and wubbanub pacifiers (ya know, the kind Rudy was obsessed with).  I love being a part of the shop.  It is an awesome creative outlet to have.  I work there one day a month and it is alway such a fun day.  My co-workers are all awesome ladies and the customers are always a lot of fun, too.  BUT it has taken up a lot of my time recently.  Between adding a new line, getting caught up from Christmas, and trying to get over-stocked for the months after Ben is born... I'm not able to use my free time for much else!

 

Pretty awesome, right?!

 

Gypsy Baby

 

... except of course my CPA job...

I'm working on a project that has lots of work to be done.  It has really come at a good time for me because I'm happy to work extra hours and save up for the weeks after Ben is here that I won't be working at all.  And even more importantly, I want the firm to know that I will do my part and do extra when I am needed.  This work arrangement has worked out so well for me and my family.  I want the firm to feel just as happy to have me as I am to be there.  So if that means working extra at a busy time, I'm happy to!  (Who needs all that sleep anyway?!)     

 

Even though we are busy with our own things, we have been really good about putting the kids first.  At times we have felt spread pretty thin, but we also know this isn't "normal" and things will slow down.  We just can't pass up these opportunities that won't always be there.  John doesn't complain and is his best self whenever he's at home.  He can get those kids laughing like no one else can.  And I don't try and do my extra stuff when the kids are awake.  That time is for them.  But I have no choice but to do things I used to do when they were sleeping when they are awake now... it's good for them, though.  Rudy loves to vaccuum, Avery is a big helper when it comes to switching laundry, and keeping up with the house keeps us busy!         

 

Real soon I'll be caught up, work will slow down, and John is going to scale back his extra hours.  It will be really great to not just maintain the house (which on some days barely gets accomplished!), but get other things done (like a nursery for Baby Ben!)  And just to be able to do more fun things!  Not to mention, the kids and I are really looking forward to having John at home more!!

 

(I really don't mean to sound as if I am complaining (that's what I have my mom for :)).  I am so happy and fortunate to be able to be home with our kids and I love that I can spend time focusing on my interests as well.  I wouldn't trade my position for anything.  And John loves his day job and loves that he is learning new skills and doing what he loves.  He works very hard for our family.  Some times will just be busier than others, and these months have just happened to be one of those times!) 

 

  Avery woke up early one day and was happy to help me finish my last thought...

And Rudy... already learning the art of multi-tasking...

Beating the Winter Blues…STILL

 

Winter does not want to go away! 

 

One morning I decided to bring in the slide from outside.  Rudy and Avery helped to clean it off and they were thrilled to get to playing with it!  It's been sitting on our patio all winter, and it never occurred to me to bring it in.  Then I got to thinking and when we bought it a couple Christmas' ago, Rudy would have been about Avery's age now and he was just the right size then.  Not to mention, it was indoors all winter that year... so why not?!  Of course I had to put it back outside each night because I didn't feel comfortable with them playing on it unless someone was right there watching.  Can't trust those two not to hurt each other!

 

But anyway, that first day (and several days since) Avery must have gone down that slide 100 times.  She just did a continuous loop... slide down, walk around, climb up, slide down, walk around...she was loving it! 

 

Rudy has been working on his basketball skills... 



I'm sure... No, I know... the kid doesn't realize playing ball is typically an outdoor sport. 



Our latest find and biggest hit has been the Gym Zone.  A few days a week they offer a one hour open gym for $5 per kid.  Robyn had mentioned going in the past and I'd heard other great reviews, but we just never could get to getting there.  Well we finally made a conscious effort and joined the Sundquist's and Davlin's one morning and the kids had a BLAST!  Oh my goodness.  Rudy was so funny.  When we first walked in, he was so overwhelmed.  I could tell he didn't know where to begin, but he couldn't wait to jump in!

...quite literally!

This place has a couple floor trampolines, balance beams, tunnels, mats to climb, a foam pit, balls, cones, and all kids of random things to play with/on.

Levi and Rudy were so brave and attempted to swing on the rope into the foam pit... 

And the girls kept up!  They were all over the place, too!

Jenna and I must have talked it up enough that John and Ryan were compelled to try it out because the next time we went back they were able and willing to join.

Fearless...

...and I'm not sure who had more fun - the kids or the dads?



Dad's Barber Shop

Besides the one time, Rudy has always gotten his hair cut in the comfort of his own home.  It's usually a difficult and grueling process, filled with lots of tears.  The waterworks usually start a few minutes in, after the hair starts itching.

So what seemed like the perfect present for Dad?  Some fancy barber shop tools, of course!  Rudy was so brave this last time around.  We fastened on the cape and I stood by with the brush (the kind they use to brush off the little hairs at the salon).

Rudy was a champ.  No tears!  It wasn't a walk in the park and he was nervous still, but he powered through (and learned quickly how to command me to give him a brush)!        

And Sis?  She sat at the table, perfectly content with a package of fruit snacks :) 

Preschool

Can anyone else believe I am talking preschool?! 

We took the kids to Blessed Sacrament School's open house a few weeks ago to check out the preschool and school.  I had talked up the night to Rudy all day.  By the time it was ready to go, he was pumped to go to "me own cool" - and my "talking ups" did not disappoint.  

We walked in the front doors and Rudy was a bit hesitant.  He stayed close by our sides, and just took it all in.  We had to sign in and get our "tour guide" - which happened to be Aunt Jennifer - lucky us :) As we made our way to the preschool classroom, Rudy seemed silently in awe, but still stayed close by.    As soon as we got through the door, he dropped my hand so fast and was gone.  Just like that.  I had to give myself a silent pep-talk to keep it together and not embarrass myself or my family.  I was seriously holding back tears.  Did that just happen?!  I felt like it could have been a movie… it was like slow motion, his hand slipping out of mine as he took off for the toys/books/games/etc.  And then the rest of the evening was in fast-forward and almost a blur.  

The kids were unstoppable.  They were on the move, exploring and running everywhere!  It took sooo much energy to keep up with them, all while trying to scope it out myself (which is also why this post has zero pictures!).  We saw the gym, which was a HUGE selling point for Rudy.  We ran into the Davlin's and the kids had fun running around the gym, climbing the bleachers, and cheering on the boys during their basketball practice (we didn't stay too long once it started… the toddler clapping and screaming, "Let's go!" was a bit distracting I'm sure :)).  He loved the library.  They both picked out books and settled into a reading rug to flip through some pages.  The cafeteria was pretty awesome, especially since they were serving cookies and punch.  The art room was sensory overload and the kids were in awe - Avery even snuck back for a second look.  We got to see Isabela's classroom and desk and meet her teacher, along with several other classrooms.  Seeing Rudy walk the halls, all confident and as comfortable with the place as if he'd been there 100 times, was surreal. 

We heard, "John Cicci?!  These are both yours?!  And another one coming?!  Has it really been that long??  I just loved having you in class!" and the like over and over.  John obviously left his mark, and something tells me Rudy will be doing the same… and then Avery and Ben will follow right behind, keeping everyone on their toes :)    

We took home a folder of information and as I sat in bed that night reading through it all, I couldn't keep the tears back any more.  My little baby is growing up too fast.  They gave us copies of the most recent newsletter, lunch menu, etc.  And it just became too real.  Before we know it, our lives are going to be full of practices, plays, games, packing lunches, washing uniforms, school events, new friends and faces… all of which I am so excited for, but is this really happening??  Thank goodness it's just preschool and I still have a few more years until kindergarten. 

A week or so later was registration and it's a "call-in" process that starts promptly at 9 am.  We had heard all kinds of stories about how hard it is to get through and how you better call at 9:00:01 and nonstop until you get an answer because it fills up fast and the last thing we wanted was to not get in!  I called and called and after about 12 times of getting a busy signal, I started to worry.  I called mom and asked her to start calling, too - of course she got through on her first attempt.  She called me back and this is about how our conversation went:

Mom (laughing at herself and still a little frazzled):  "I panicked.  They had all these questions that I wasn't prepared for!  They asked for his birthday and I blanked.  But then I remembered and told them August 14th."

Me:  "Mom!  His birthday isn't August 14th.  It's August 7th."  

Mom:  "Oh that's right!  Well Tony's, Avery's and Dad's are all the 14th…"

Me:  "It's fine, I'm sure I can call and change it." 

Mom: "Then they asked for your email address and I couldn't think of it!"  

Me (thinking, but didn't say):  You have emailed me 1,000 times.  Really?!

Mom: "I almost said 'Anthony' when they asked for his name, even!  That was a lot of pressure."

Crack. Me. Up.

A quick phone call to Jennifer and we were all situated.  Mom probably got through about 9:07.  Jennifer said we were number 12 on the list and by 9:15 the class was full.  Incredible.   

We got our packet of information this week and after filling out some paperwork, collecting official copies of important stuff, and writing a check, we will be set to go.  

     

Rudy is going to love preschool.  Like seriously love it.  I am beyond thrilled for him to get started, but you better believe I am soaking up our time at home together.     

Surpise "Sprinkle"

About a month ago (yes, I am really behind…on everything!), John told me on a Monday that I had plans on the coming Saturday.  He had to work, but my mom was going to watch the kids and I needed to be ready about 9:30 (which meant, "so you need to shower" in a nice way).  And that was it.  He was giving no more details.  Really?!  5 days of anticipation?!  It was a long week.  About mid-week he told me it wasn't something he planned, but that didn't really help my curiosity, only heightened it.  I didn't want to ask any of my friends for clues because I didn't know who was or wasn't involved and didn't want to spoil any fun, either.  My mom didn't know any details either so I couldn't get her to cave with any information.  The night before I ask John if he could at least tell me what to wear… trying to get any clues I could.  He had too much fun with that question.  He responded, "You are supposed to dress as your favorite super hero."  Then later, "No, I was wrong.  It's hawaiian themed.  Think grass skirt and hawaiian shirt"  And his fun continued on...He's so hilarious.  

Saturday came and Sam, Robyn's sister, arrived at my house with Robyn in tow about 9:30.  Sam had a fun car ride listening to Robyn and my stories of what we knew/thought we knew/our guesses of what was happening.  

We pulled up to Jenna's and all our friends were there for a surprise "sprinkle" for Robyn and I -- get it?  As in, not a full-blown "shower" but more of a "sprinkle".  Of course Jenna doesn't do anything less than 100% and she and Sam had all the details covered.  It was "relaxation" themed, complete with soothing sound machine tunes, a spa bar where we made our own face scrubs and masks, mani/pedi kits for favors and all kinds of blue treats - for our little boys on the way :) 

It was a GREAT way to spend our Saturday morning and made us feel so incredibly special.  I am so fortunate to have some of the most amazing friends… couldn't imagine life without them!

Fight for Air Climb

Months ago, during a team meeting at work, the American Lung Association "Fight for Air Climb" representative came to our office to talk about the event.  Long story short, the organization raises lots of money to help those in need in a "Fight for Air Climb" consisting of participants climbing all 32 flights of stairs at the Hilton hotel.  It's a really great event, and sounded like a great thing to be a part of.  I was convinced to join the team because they needed just one more.  Since I am only in the office one day a week (why of all days did I happen to be there that day?! :)) and was relatively new, I felt compelled to "be a part of the team" - even though in the back of my head I was thinking how ridiculous it was to even consider since I would be 6 months pregnant at the time of the climb.  It's not like I was going to have time or energy to really train for this! 

 

Normally I am very on top of our calendar.  Our family schedule is anything but regular so I always check our calendar first before signing up for anything and I always put our commitments in our calendar... except this one time :) 

 

The Climb happened to fall on the same weekend that we had planned to be out of town for a wedding.  We had known about this wedding for so long… and were really looking forward to it… why it wasn't in my calendar, I still don't know?! 

 

BUT ... instead of using that as a cop-out, I decided I needed to do the climb anyway (just a different day) for myself and for all of those who were so generous to donate on my behalf. 

 

So the weekend before, when the kids were asleep and John was relaxing by the fire, I drug myself to the gym to "climb" 32 flights of stairs on the StairMaster.  Unfortunately the Hilton is very strict about people training or practicing on their stairs so I couldn't go there.  John argues that the StairMaster is much easier.. but I don't care!  I did it!  32 flights!…I may have been a little winded :)   

Although, the hardest part was probably getting proof of my efforts.  If I stopped climbing, the machine screen went off.  So I had to climb and try and take a picture at the same time… I'm sure that was a laughable sight to anyone around!

And later that evening, John got his fair share of exercise, too.

Who needs a gym when you have these two around?!

Valentine's Day Festivities

The week of Valentine's Day:

With conditions like this...

we have had to put  a lot of effort into coming up with activities to keep us busy.  

I've been stretching meals as much as possible… making an effort to actually make things ourselves (i.e. not rely on the microwave so much!) and getting the kids involved with "helping" me.  When we have lots of time to pass, why not?  (On a side note… it is such an odd position we are in right now… so much time to do nothing, but no time to do anything!  I'm always so busy getting nothing accomplished!)

Anyway…

 We have been baking muffins or other similar stuff in the mornings (still the "just add milk" kind -- I'm not that ambitious :))  The kids are such big helpers.  They love to dump the mix, stir it up, help scoop it into the pan...

…and of course lick the bowl afterwards!

Everyone knows I love a holiday, so we had lots of activities related to Valentine's Day this year! 

Like this one:  We painted plaques and stamped them with empty toilet paper rolls rolled (folded?) up into the shape of hearts.  We also added glitter and sequins...

…which also required a strip-down because it started to get really messy really fast!

The finished products:  One-of-a-kind masterpieces :) 

A couple of firsts - 

Rudy learned how to use scissors.  He sat like that cutting and snipping away for probably 30 minutes.  He was so concentrated and focused.  He then later glued all his clippings to a piece of paper.

Avery drew her first picture!  I've tried giving her markers or crayons in the past and she might make one mark but then tries to eat them and I end up having to take them away.  But this particular day she actually kept on scribbling! 

And she was quite pleased with herself!

We had a Valentine's Day party at the Davlin's and Jenna really went above and beyond planning it all out! 

The kids made their own pizzas,...

decorated their own placemats and boxes for exchanging their valentines,...

and the big finale was making and eating banana split sundaes!

Jenna put together a tray full of toppings and the kids were able to pick and choose what they wanted… 

YUMMMM!

Rudy approved!

The gals :)

On Valentine's Day we took some treats to the fire house and visited Dad.

 When we got home these beautiful flowers arrived :)

 And Rudy had his own flowers to give Gran when she got to our house :)

 The next morning we finished up our celebrating with Dad with our valentine's for the kids and Dad's special heart pancakes… 

I think Avery likes it :)

 Rudy sure loves presents!  He takes after his mom in her younger days, or so I hear.  

 Displaying all his new big boy underpants… boxer briefs for a toddler, how funny is that?

 Loving their pancakes!

What a week!