The simple life...

Do you ever feel like you've gone down the wrong path? Like, you've missed a very important step in the life process that has brought you to where you currently are and now you're not sure how to get back on track?

It's strange really, considering a week ago I thought I was exactly where I was meant to be. Nothing life altering has happened...we are still trucking along on this crazy road we call life. So why is my mind suddenly telling me that I've made a mis-step somewhere along the way? I think it ultimately boils down to over-complicating things. Making life harder than it needs to be.

I've found my New Years Resolution - about a month early, but better than being a month late, right?

I will simplify my life - and hope that it will result in a more pure and stable happiness.

And I thought it was going so well...

DISENCHANTED
Definition: 1. Freeing from false belief or illusions. 2. Disappointed with someone or something, and no longer believing that they are good.

Amazing how quickly life can go from good to...well, not necessarily bad. Just...blah! For the last few weeks I've been on a "life high"...feeling like I had found my place and was experiencing a kind of contentment I'm not sure I've ever known. It's a little disheartening (Definition: to cause to lose spirit or morale) to know that it can be taken away so fast.

Maybe I'll share eventually, or maybe not. I haven't decided. For once in my life, I might just keep this between me, myself, and I.

Turkey Day

From our family to yours - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

For the first time in a long time, I feel truly grateful for and at peace with this crazy, imperfect thing I call my life. I suppose that comes with age and acceptance of the things I can not change.

For what it's worth, I pray you find the same inner peace today...

Saturday morning sleepiness...

LOVE: A shiny new faucet - with pull out sprayer and included soap dispenser.

HATE: Spending money on a faucet when we had NOT been planning on it.

The joys of being an adult I suppose. Got home last night, started washing dishes (which was probably my first mistake) when all of a sudden water started spraying everywhere. Broken seal apparently. The guys went to the HD to get a new one, got it installed and there it sits looking beautiful.

Hmm...I guess it kind of makes the sink look dingy. But alas, my powers of persuasion were not strong enough to convince the hubby that we needed a new sink to match. My chances of the sink malfunctioning are slim to none, so I guess I'm stuck with it.

RANDOM SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - ATTENTION DAYCARE PROVIDERS: There are these things called "cubbies". Each one is labeled with a child's name. It would be FABULOUS if you could actually put each child's jacket in the corresponding cubbie so I don't have to spend 15-20 minutes searching, only to find Rya's in Riley's cubbie and Keaton's in an unmarked cubbie in another room. Thanks. This concludes today's Random Service Announcement.

Hair Appointment in t-minus 3.5 hours. Ahhhh...ready for the frump to be gone and the va-va-voom to liven my look up a little. Pics to follow...

Happy Saturday everyone!

Good mood don't leave me now...

Not too bad for a Friday morning. Got up, got ready…all before either child made a peep. Got both kiddos up and dressed with minimal hassle. Well, except for the four poopy diapers I had to change for Keaton while trying to get Rya ready. Oh yes…I said FOUR poopy diapers. No constipation issues with this kid.

Two things that made me smile this morning:

1) We get downstairs and I notice one or both dog(s) has also had some poop issues…ON MY CARPET. **Sigh** So I told Rya to watch Keaton while I picked it up. Seconds later I was done and asked Rya where Keaton was. Her response: “I put him in the closet so he wouldn’t touch the poop.” I walk over, open the closet door and there he was…smiling up at me :)

2) Daycare had a wall of dinosaur art – a plate decorated with a dinosaur for each child. Each had a name, diet, and favorite activity. Most of the kids had diets of strawberries, bananas, or some other fruit for their dinosaur. Oh – not my little Ryasaurus. She was the ONLY one with a diet of PEOPLE! I’m so proud of my little carnivore..hehe ;)

Mama Mack’s thought of the day:

So, we’ve recently made some changes in the McCormack household. The TV has been a convenience for us for a long time – you get off work, you don’t get home until 6pm and now you have to fix dinner with two starving kids grabbing at your legs. TV was something that kept them occupied while Mom and Dad did their thing. It was easy to leave it on and watch while we ate. What we started noticing is that dinner was taking an hour to an hour and a half – all the while we had to constantly remind Rya to eat rather than watch TV. We made the decision that something had to be done. So – as of this past Sunday night, we no longer watch TV while we eat. We all sit at the table (Keaton in his highchair, lowered with the tray pushed under the table so he feels like a big boy) and TALK. Novel idea, right? Personally, I find it gives me more quality time with my kids and ultimately helps them eat better rather than being zombified by their favorite shows. It even gives me some time to talk with the hubby about our increasingly chaotic days – something we rarely get a chance to do when we’re in EVENING RUSH MODE.

The point of this all – as I sat with Roy and Rya on our bed last night before we shipped Rya off to her own room, we joked, we played, we talked…and I realized that for the first time in a long time, I was able to sit and enjoy my family rather than feeling rushed and hurried to meet some self-imposed deadline. It was FABULOUS. Maybe THAT is the ultimate point:

Deadlines and cleaning and planning can wait. Your family can’t. So take a deep breath, put those inner demons in their cages for a bit and just ENJOY!!!!

Happy Friday to all!!

Miss me?

Why is it that I always want to start a blog with ‘Life has been hectic’? I mean, it definitely has been, but couldn’t I type something a little more…dynamic? Something more like: ‘This whirlwind I call life has been interesting these last few months.’ Or maybe even ‘Life…the hectic frontier’….whoa – way too Star Trek! Or maybe it's because I have this hidden guilt for not posting a blog in forever. I know, forever is a bit dramatic, but that's where the guilt part comes in. Ya know, they’re right…less is more…

Busy. That one word has defined the last few months. Working, kids, hubby, holidays, etc. etc. Just seems like there are never enough hours in the day. Can you believe Thanksgiving is one week from today??? I mean, Christmas is practically TOMORROW! As we enter the busiest Holiday Season I can remember, I thought I should take a few minutes and update you all on my wonderfully imperfect children (I say it like that because – to be quite honest – I’m tired of everyone pretending like they have these perfect little lives/families. Mine’s not. Never has been. BUT…it’s mine and I kinda like it that way). Sorry, I got side tracked. Seems to be the order of business today!

So, first up – Rya Faith. She is going to be four in three months. Yes, FOUR! I warn other Mommy’s all the time about enjoying every second because the time goes too fast. This is the PERFECT example. My first born…our own little miracle…has been in our lives for almost four whole years now. I wouldn’t change a single second. I just wish it wouldn’t all pass by so stinkin fast. This past week I had a “parent/teacher conference” with her preschool teacher. Apparently they had given the students in the 4’s class (side note: she’s been in the 4’s class for the last 4-5 months or so…and remember, she’s not 4 until the end of Feb) anyways…the class was given a Pre-K readiness and a Kindergarten readiness test. She passed both with flying colors. Yeah, she’s a smarty pants. The teacher even commented that she can count to 26 – which apparently few kids in the class can do (UPDATE: I heard her count to 39 last night before she said "30-11" because she couldn't remember 40). There are still some social development things we need to work on…the bossiness, the not listening, and the temper she has all of a sudden, but I’m told those are all typical for the age and that when she finally does turn 4 it will be like someone flipped a switch and she’ll be “normal” again. (Another side note for you Mama’s out there – you always hear about the Terrible Two’s. Don’t believe them. It should really be called the TERRIBLE THREE’s! You’ve been warned). That’s where the “imperfect” part comes in. In the last few months she’s been a bossy, yelling one moment – crying the next, little girl who seems to think that SHE runs this family. It’s hard getting her to eat because she plays with her silverware…and her cup…and anything else that may be sitting in front of her. After bath she runs around like a wild woman and we fight to get her to listen. Usually the “I’m going to throw your Halloween candy away” does the trick, but I think she’s on to us already with that one. And sadly yes, we still have Halloween candy. Probably because they only get a piece a day and that’s if they’re good. Let’s see…what else. Her current favorite saying: “Oh my gosh Mom! That is so stinkin cute!” Yeah, she’s totally my daughter. May look like Daddy, but the attitude is all me (hence me not being surprised by the bossiness). I love you baby girl…bossiness and all!

On to Little Man - aka Keaton. The child who NEVER sits still. You may think I’m joking. I’m not. He is on-the-go nonstop. He climbs, he runs, he jumps, and he pushes. He even hit a little girl in the face with a handful of sand while we were at the zoo (luckily she had 2 older brothers at home so Mom wasn’t mad). He’s a little monster…but I love him. We had his 18 month check up on Tuesday. He is 26lbs (50%), 33.75inches (90%), with a head circumference of 19 (50%). He’s right on track with where he should be developmentally. We’re in full blown ‘No’ mode. He even does the hand motions (points the ‘mom’ finger and says No, No, No). He can say Mama, Dada, Rya (his favorite word), thank you, puppy, done, poopoo, Melmo (for Elmo), sit, and a few others. Most aren’t crystal clear – but I understand him. He also knows the signs for please, more, eat, and help. He can point to his nose, eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, teeth, belly button, fingers, toes and holds up his hands and feet. You know those really heavy doors they have in schools – the ones with the glass and push down handles - he can get those open and break free. Yes, this has happened at school. Even at home actually…walked right out the front door. Needless to say we now keep it locked at all times. We haven’t done much with the potty yet, though I’m thinking it’s about time to at least introduce it. He tells you ‘poopoo’ after he’s gone and is much more aware of when he’s going pee. Ugh…I’m really not looking forward to potty training again. I keep trying to convince Roy this one’s on him. I mean, how could I possibly teach the boy about how to keep the pee in the toilet and not all over everything else? He’s purposely ignoring me I’m sure.

And that folks – is life at the McCormack household. It’s crazy, it’s insane…but honestly, I don’t have time to worry about it. I’m just another busy Mother who loves her family and is blessed with a few great friends who make up for all of the others. Thank you (you know who you are). I think you’ve saved me – if only mentally. Find that cure for my exhaustion and I’ll be devoted to you for life.

My new vow – to do this more often. I mean, if I blogged more, maybe then they wouldn’t turn out so haphazard. Hmmm…no, they still would. I’ve got a bazillion thoughts running through this mind at any given point in time. So what if it flies off my fingers and splats into a bunch of words that have random breaks and thoughts. You know you like it…that’s why you read it. So stay tuned world…I’m making a blog comeback!

Where do they learn this stuff?

Keaton is attacking the bathroom (in other words, he's into everything he's NOT supposed to be). Rya sees him with the toilet brush and says, "Look Mama...Brother has the Swiffer Sweeper!" Aside from the fact that it was NOT a Swiffer Sweeper...where did she even pick up the term??

On another note...diet is showing slow signs of payoff. 2.5 lbs down since Thursday. Willpower, don't leave me now!

Already cheating...

Ok - so Saturday morning I woke up with a terrible headache. Probably from the lack of caffeine and food in general. Needless to say, I cheated and had a cup of coffee (the coffee itself is allowed, but the 2% milk and tsp of sugar I used was not). All was going fairly well by lunch time...until I tried 2 different lunches that both turned out to be INEDIBLE! Blech! I modified a third to make it work. Party last night...since I had barely had lunch and skipped the snack, I splurged a little bit on some chips and dip and a caffeine free root beer.

Here we are at Sunday and I've had TWO cups of coffee to battle another headache. Yeah, just call me Miss Willpower...geesh!

On the Mama front...both kids are alive and well. That speaks alot to my abilities considering I'm in diet mode ;)

Day Two...

Day Two – Battle of the Bulge complete. I’m going to let you all in on my diabolical plan…eat crappy, pre-packaged food, work out when the opportunity presents itself and lose weight. Ok, so maybe not that drastic, but pretty close.

Actually, I’ve hopped on the Nutrisystem band wagon. Received my “food” Wednesday and started the official diet yesterday. I’ll admit to being COMPLETELY surprised by the food – I was expecting something along the lines of Lean Cuisine. Nope – not even close. Think……DEHYDRATED…..as in astronaut food. Of the meals I’ve had so far, most are pretty bland…as I suppose most “diet” food is. I will say that I have not been starving – I’m actually pretty full most of the day.

AND…the BIGGEST SHOCKER…end of day two and I’m down 1.5 pounds (almost 2). But it’s the weekend folks and let’s hope that my willpower is strong enough to resist temptation!!!!

Battle of the Bulge - Day 1

First official day of the new diet. If I can stick to this whole deal, it will be a small miracle! Stay tuned...

In other news...

We’re driving to school (aka daycare) this morning and Rya’s singing “The bear went over the mountain”. About 4 or 5 verses in, she stops and says…”I’m kinda tired of this! I like to sing, but c’mon!” She’s SOOOO my daughter :)

In other news…I’ve started STEP 1 of my “Battle of the Bulge” today. I guess – technically - step 1 was completed yesterday when I purchased my fitness ball, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m hoping to have steps 3-5 in the works by the end of the week. Ultimate goal: lose 30 pounds as quickly as possible. Wish me luck – I’m going to need it. These post-baby pounds aren’t going to let go easily…

To be or not to be...

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang

Diggity Dog...

A fairly quiet day in my world. I'm sure it's just the calm before the storm.

But no day is complete without a witty comment from my daughter...

Rya: "Mother, look...I taught brother new tricks!"

He did WHAT?

When it comes to food, nothing is off limits as far as my son is concerned. This includes a half eaten muffin that my daughter had thrown in the garbage can moments before {yes, she got the "starving kids around the world" talk}. I hear the garbage can lid slam as I'm pouring my coffee and I turn around. I see him...discarded muffin being shoveled into his mouth!

Ewwwww is right!!

And it's only 8am!

It was really just a typical morning...at least for us:

CONVERSATION {A}

Rya: "K-K-K-K...Mama, COLD starts with K"
Me: "Actually honey, COLD starts with C"
Rya: "But...K-K-K...see, it starts with K"

This went on for another few seconds before she got frustrated and stomped off into the bathroom. I tried to explain that while C and K sound alike, the word COLD actually starts with a C. We had the same conversation when she said ONE started with a W. Oy vey...the English language is hard enough, but try explaining it to a 3 year old!

CONVERSATION {B}

A quick introduction to my son Keaton - he is 15 months old and a little monster. He has an endless supply of energy and is completely fearless. But he has his sweet moments too...

Rya: "Mama (**CRYING**)...Keaton bit me!"
Keaton: "UH UH...(**looks at me and shakes his head**)"
Me: "Keaton, no biting!"
Keaton: (**Walks up to sister and gives her a big hug while patting her on the back**)

CONVERSATION {C}

Rya: "Mama, my foot is getting married."
Me: "Oh yeah?! To whom?"
Rya: "My flip flop."

And to think...I hadn't even had my coffee yet :)

Just another day...

An introduction to my daughter Rya. She's 3 going on 30. I'm pretty sure that she rules the house - even though the hubby and I think we do. She's beautiful and incredibly bright. Which in my world means lots of laughs over some of the stuff that leaves her mouth.

The conversation started like this on the ride home today...

Rya: "Mother, I want a pet in my room."
Me: "A pet? What kind of pet?"
Rya: "A hamster or guinea pig..."
Me: "Rya, I don't think you're old enough to take care of a pet all by yourself yet."
Rya: "But I can get tissue paper and help it poop!"

So - in a matter of seconds we went from a conversation about pets...to poop. Ahhh...gotta love 3 year olds.

And the chaos begins...

Well hello there! I'll make this brief since I know how precious those few seconds of quiet can be...I'm here to tell my tale of Mommyhood - a tale of a 30 yr old, working mother of two beautiful (but brutally draining) kids, who strives to keep it all in check - including the hubby, the kids, the job, the dogs, the house, the family, the friends...

And look at that...our time is up. Now go pull your own little monster out of the garbage can while I explain to my daughter that I really AM the boss around here.

Yeah, not very convincing, right? ***SIGHS*** Stay tuned...