Catch Up Part 3

PHOTO DUMP!! :)  It's Christmas, baby!!!

Don't eat those, baby!!

They are SO tempting!!

Catch Up Part 2

December 23 - December 24

Thursday, Dec 23..Evan couldn't wait to try out his hat!!

My grandparents and brother and sister in law flew in for Christmas.  They haven't seen Evan since he was about 7 weeks old.  It's been fun sharing all the new things Evan can do.  He has learned to sit up all by himself.  He can play with his toys, reach for them, throw them, chew on them.  He makes all sorts of funny noises.  He smiles and laughs and squeals!  He loves touching everybody's face.  He puts his hands on each side of your face and will pat and stroke your cheeks.  It is so precious and sweet.  More than anything, he just goes and goes and goes and goes...Energizer Bunny style.  Oh my! Every one is so amazed at how much energy he has. 

Oops....how did that picture sneak in here?? :)

I did errands on Friday and then went up to mom and dad's house and basically moved in.  I brought up enough stuff for Evan and I to stay until Monday.  I value time with family and know how important it is to spend time with them and let them love on you in a way that only family can.  It was nice to spend so much quality time with them. I know that Evan will not remember that time, but it was fun to see him grow comfortable with his extended family and laugh at their silly faces and smile when they tickle him. 

So many people in one room! :)

bath time is so much fun!!

After bath time loves!

Christmas Eve, my quartet came over and did a 45 min gig for my family.  It was so fun!  My family knows all of the songs and most of our shtick, but they still laugh and interact with us.  We had a TON of food and sweets for all to enjoy afterward.  There were a ton of stories being told and even more laughing.  It was such a treat.  I love to have so many people in a house that you can't focus on just one conversation.  I love the chaos of trying to keep glasses full and adding more food to the table and sharing a story with a friend and laughing at a fun memory.  It always gives my heart the lift it needs.  Did I mention I feel refreshed and energized by being with people?  :)  This was an almost perfect Christmas Eve (well...you can't expect perfection all the time).

learning to rest

My 2 boys (yes boys) are napping away right now. 

I have a cup of WONDERFUL coffee to the left of me. 

My phone is next to me with the game Words for Friends on the screen...I cannot for the life of me find a good word to play against this person.  I have 7 different games going and I love it.  I win and I lose.  The losing is hard because it's against my little brother. GRR!  Anyway, not the point of this post.

I love that right now, I'm learning to rest.  Usually today would be filled with errands and visits with friends and Evan not abiding by his normal schedule because mama wants to race around like a crazy woman. 

Not today.  Today I am learning to rest.  I went to the gym three days in a row and my body is hurting a little.  Today, I sit on the couch and listen to the steady breathing of my 2 boys.  Oh, did I mention that they are snuggling right at my feet?  Evan is fighting a cold that comes in waves (one good day, one bad day, etc).  He gets to snuggle all he wants with mama and daddy when he doesn't feel good.  So Rolando put him to sleep and then laid on the floor in front of the couch and fell asleep with Evan in the crook of his arm.  So sweet!

Oh no!  I sneezed and woke Evan up!  BUMMER...well, I got to enjoy the rest and peace for a little while :)  Learning to laugh at the joys (and not so joyous times) of being a mom is something I'll master next!  HAHA!

12 in 12

New Years Resolutions...who sticks to them?...why even make them?  I feel like the past couple of years, I've had some pretty good ones that I've actually made a good crack at and then there are ones that I've totally failed at!  Even so, I still made some for this year. :)

1. Lose all of my baby weight (7 more lbs to go!) and then possibly more.
2. Exercise 3 times a week (obviously, this will help me achieve #1).
3. No soda!
4. Read through the Bible (for real this time).
5. Skype with Grams and Grandpa (to show off my beautiful son) at least once a month if not twice.
6. Do not exceed more than 5 miles over the speed limit...ever!
7. Read 2 books to Evan every day, preferably at least one before bed time.
8. Wear my hair down to work at least 2 times a week.
9. Hike Half Dome in Yosemite (my family is going there for our summer vacation...but this one has some stipulations that might make it not so achievable...we'll see).
10. Wash my face every night...I am SOOOO very bad at this.
11. Connect with friends more frequently.  I imagine this looking like coffee dates, walks in the neighborhood, girlfriends night out, phone calls, etc.
12. Remember to love and respect my husband as he should be loved and respected...no matter what.  

I feel good about that.  I think those are all attainable.  We'll see :)

Catch Up Part 1

I was going to make this a catch up entry to cover the last month and a half...but that's more than impossible.  So I'm going to space it out, give myself something to follow up on and hope that it works.  :)  I've also decided to put it in present tense.  It is just easier that way.

December 1 - December 22nd:

What a crazy ride!

Dickens Carolers is in full swing!!

I have so many gigs this year.  It's a blessing and a curse.  A blessing because of the income it will bring to our family.  A curse because it means I have to spend so much time away from Evan.  Am I going to regret this later on?  Am I already thinking I'm the worst mom EVER (yes!)?!?!?  Is this going to be fun (yeah)?  I told myself that it would be good for me to do this, to have an outlet for me...just me.  This is good for me.  As the days go on, as the gigs pass, I realize this really IS the best decision for me.  This is exactly what I need and the exact perfect time.  Everyone warns you that you lose yourself in becoming a mom. That is exactly what happened.  Luckily for me, 5 months into becoming a new mom I had the awesome opportunity to be totally 100% myself!  I couldn't have done it without support though.  My husband helped, my sister helped, but the person who deserves the most credit....

My mom!!

Thank you so much, Mom, for all of the AMAZING help and support you gave me and my little family this month!  I could not have done it without you!  I couldn't have done so many gigs without the peace of mind you gave me that my baby was being loved and cherished and cared for as well as I would have done.  You were there for some major tantrums.  You were there for some major snuggle times.  You were there to read him a book and play with a toy.  You even saw a need for an exersaucer and went out to buy Evan his first Christmas present!  And, I will probably get over my jealousy of the WAY-better-than-my-sons-toy-at-home exersaucer...soon! :)  You fulfilled his every need (except the need for his mama, of course) in such a perfect way.  You're the best mom ever...and the best Mamsie Evan could ask for.  Thank you, again.  Love ya.

So, other than work and Dicken's, my life is pretty much the same.  I turned 30 on the 4th.  Nothing weird or hard about it.  Like my mom always says, "It's better than the alternative!"  My 30's are going to be great.  I have so many goals and ambitions for this decade.  I've been thinking a LOT about them and will share more and I am able.  I'm excited though.  I don't know why everyone freaks out about turning 30.  It was just like any other birthday for me :)  There is a lot to be thankful for.   I am blessed with a very handsome husband and a perfect son!  I have a job, a roof over my head and food on my plate.  I have a great support system...wonderful friends.  Life is good!