Grandma Jean (the amazing woman that watches little bug every day) called me this morning at 7a to tell me she was sick.
So that meant that (since daddy stayed home with little bug yesterday) mommy was on deck!
I am not going to lie - I love my job...I love going to work everyday and feeling like I am really good at what I do...especially because being a mom is one of those jobs that you really never ever feel like you are good at what you do...
But I was pretty excited to spend the day with my bug and the dogs...I figured we could play, watch sesame street, clean, run to the store, do laundry...I will stop there, I had a few more things on my list of things I wanted to accomplish today - but anyone who spends a day with their 17 month old knows that my early morning aspirations were totally unrealistic!
So here we are - it's 3:40 and bug went down for her nap about 20 minutes ago...and I am sitting here debating whether to use this time to take a shower or finish cleaning or fold laundry or lay down and call it a day...HOLY CRAP!
I am about ready to skin my dogs, the house is a mess, i tossed dinner in the crock pot but who's to say i did that right, I am a freaking mess, I have food, dirt, dust, and weird stains on my clothes...the same ones that I had on when I woke up this morning...my hair is a disaster...I seriously look like a homeless person and all I can think about is who I can bribe (the hubs?) to pick up a bottle of wine for me so I don't have to leave the house to "relax"
I text two of my friends who are stay at home moms...I make it a point to tell them how much I respect what they do and how hard I know they work...but I really felt the need to share this with both of them once more.
my text went something like this...
"1) I have so much respect for you 2) I need a glass of wine 3) If I stayed home everyday I would find ways to justify cracking open a bottle of wine or beer right after the last sip of coffee in the morning"
Oddly enough...I can manage a multi-million dollar ad budget, foster the relationship between my company and our agency, motivate and manage four employees and collaborate with a highly efficient, hard working, brilliant team of successful individuals...and not to pat myself on the back, but I am pretty darn good at all of that...
but for the record...this SH!T is HARD!!!!
CHEERS!
11.21.2012
11.05.2012
that moment...
You know that moment when you look at your baby...and realize they are no longer a...baby?
I was looking through pictures that my mother and sister in law took of little bug...and as I was scrolling through them, it hit me...like a freight train hitting a brick wall...she is not a baby any more. This little girl...with a personality, opinions, thoughts, ideas, imagination and love...where did she come from and when did this happen. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital in clothes that were way too big for her because she was four weeks early...or getting excited when she rolled over, sat up, or crawled...
Now I look at pictures, or watch her play, or listen to her as she explores her world...and I am blown away at how much she has grown!
I am sure that I am preaching to the choir...and that moms with daughters (and sons) much older than mine are asking themselves the same questions.
I was looking through pictures that my mother and sister in law took of little bug...and as I was scrolling through them, it hit me...like a freight train hitting a brick wall...she is not a baby any more. This little girl...with a personality, opinions, thoughts, ideas, imagination and love...where did she come from and when did this happen. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital in clothes that were way too big for her because she was four weeks early...or getting excited when she rolled over, sat up, or crawled...
Now I look at pictures, or watch her play, or listen to her as she explores her world...and I am blown away at how much she has grown!
I am sure that I am preaching to the choir...and that moms with daughters (and sons) much older than mine are asking themselves the same questions.
I took a friend's senior pictures a few weeks ago...and I could see it in his mother's eyes...she was asking herself these very same questions.
oh time...please slow down - if only for a moment so that I may catch my breath and not miss a second!
What a difference a year makes...here is Lainey at 4 months old - this was taken around the end of October last year...
 |
| four months old |
one year later...a little less baby...a lot more attitude!
 |
| 14 years...I mean...16 months old |
 |
| 16 months old |
11.01.2012
The Killion's Halloween
I have learned over the last 16 months (almost 17) that things are just a lot more work when you have a child...add a mother in law, a sister in law, two dogs (both dressed up) and your friends/neighbors who also happen to have two dogs and a five month old...and well - it becomes an experience!
For last night's festivities...we dressed up both dogs and Lainey. I wish I could say that we just strapped on their leashes, plopped Lainey in the wagon and headed out - which we did...after 25 minutes of getting ready to simply leave. However, after extensive preparation - we headed out to "take on the neighborhood" with Zoe (minus her hair & bows), Neighborhood Watch and iPudge.
It was a lot of fun...especially when we met up with our neighbors to walk around the neighborhood. All in all, there were six adults, four dogs, a toddler and a five month old...and the toddler was the only one that was actually trick or treating.
Lainey had so much fun, she was determined to walk (not ride in the wagon) to every house. She had no interest in walking on the sidewalk - but felt the extra leg workout was totally necessary as she hiked over the stones and rocks (remember it's New Mexico).
My favorite story from the night...
Mommy and Lainey walked up the driveway to a house at the end of the street. Lainey had a pretty full (for a toddler) treat bag, but was, in true Lainey fashion, determined to "do it herself" and carry her treat bag from house to house. When we got up to the door, Mommy rang the bell and a very nice older man brought a bowl of candy out. He picked a few things that he thought would be a good option for Lainey, and handed them over to her to put in her bag. She politely took them, smiled and dropped them in her bag. She then looked down and started to rummage through her goodies one by one until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a full size twix candy bar, looked at the nice man, and handed it up to him - as if to say - I picked this just for you because I thought it was perfect...and I want you to have it. He said thank you - but didn't want to take it from her. She proceeded to push it towards him with her typical Lainey assertiveness (wonder where she gets that from) and made a small noise as if to say...Take it! He finally took the Twix bar, pretended to put it in his pocket and then took it back out and handed it back to her. She smiled, took the candy bar and dropped it in her bag. She waived good bye, turned on her adorable little heel and started walking down the driveway.
This totally warmed my heart...that this amazing little girl is so kind and loving, she had been getting candy from nice people all night, and she was ready to give back. I might be looking too deeply into this - but my mission in life is to raise my children to be good people...for no other reason but that it is the right thing to do.
Thank you Lainey Bug for listening to Mommy when she says that you have to be kind and nice and caring and compassionate! In that small instance...you have melted my heart and made me so proud!
Here are some of the pictures (more to come) from last night's festivities...
For last night's festivities...we dressed up both dogs and Lainey. I wish I could say that we just strapped on their leashes, plopped Lainey in the wagon and headed out - which we did...after 25 minutes of getting ready to simply leave. However, after extensive preparation - we headed out to "take on the neighborhood" with Zoe (minus her hair & bows), Neighborhood Watch and iPudge.
It was a lot of fun...especially when we met up with our neighbors to walk around the neighborhood. All in all, there were six adults, four dogs, a toddler and a five month old...and the toddler was the only one that was actually trick or treating.
Lainey had so much fun, she was determined to walk (not ride in the wagon) to every house. She had no interest in walking on the sidewalk - but felt the extra leg workout was totally necessary as she hiked over the stones and rocks (remember it's New Mexico).
My favorite story from the night...
Mommy and Lainey walked up the driveway to a house at the end of the street. Lainey had a pretty full (for a toddler) treat bag, but was, in true Lainey fashion, determined to "do it herself" and carry her treat bag from house to house. When we got up to the door, Mommy rang the bell and a very nice older man brought a bowl of candy out. He picked a few things that he thought would be a good option for Lainey, and handed them over to her to put in her bag. She politely took them, smiled and dropped them in her bag. She then looked down and started to rummage through her goodies one by one until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a full size twix candy bar, looked at the nice man, and handed it up to him - as if to say - I picked this just for you because I thought it was perfect...and I want you to have it. He said thank you - but didn't want to take it from her. She proceeded to push it towards him with her typical Lainey assertiveness (wonder where she gets that from) and made a small noise as if to say...Take it! He finally took the Twix bar, pretended to put it in his pocket and then took it back out and handed it back to her. She smiled, took the candy bar and dropped it in her bag. She waived good bye, turned on her adorable little heel and started walking down the driveway.
This totally warmed my heart...that this amazing little girl is so kind and loving, she had been getting candy from nice people all night, and she was ready to give back. I might be looking too deeply into this - but my mission in life is to raise my children to be good people...for no other reason but that it is the right thing to do.
Thank you Lainey Bug for listening to Mommy when she says that you have to be kind and nice and caring and compassionate! In that small instance...you have melted my heart and made me so proud!
Here are some of the pictures (more to come) from last night's festivities...
so blessed!!!
Happy 1st of November
xoxo
1.30.2012
hello old friend
its been a while...but a long time ago, in another life, I loved running...I would run 3 - 4 miles five times a week.
like I said - a while ago!
but I am back...not 3 - 4 miles...yet...but 15, 20, 25 minutes...running mostly, but I have a long way to go.
I am fully motivated to get there again and I have to thank my amazing husband for being so supportive in my goal.
feeling good...
mommy's new hobby
On Sunday, I decided that I wanted to take a few pictures of Lainey in her Valentine's Day outfit - and of course to document her seven months...
We got her dressed, vacuumed the floor, and grabbed the good camera. I put her on the floor and "went to town"
check out some of my favorites!
1.16.2012
my promises
I read a blog or article or post or whatever the other day...is it sad or motivating that our news, information, and inspiration comes in so many different social media forms these days...either way...I think it was a blog...and it was something to the effect of the things mothers of daughters should remember when raising these little girls...
it made me think...and in turn...made me write Lainey an email (for those of you that don't know or have since forgotten - it's cool - Mike set up an email account for Lainey and from time to time I will send her emails about life, love, things that are going on, thoughts, her accomplishments, and everything in between)
So I emailed my daughter (at seven months old TODAY!) a list of the things that I promise to her...things that I want to make sure I keep in mind and in action as I raise her to be a confident, strong, beautiful, independent, passionate and motivated woman...pretty much the way my mom raised me.
I am not going to share these...maybe one day I will - but not today...those are between me and her. But that leads me to ask you...
If you were to sit down and write your daughter or son a letter...or even a list of promises...what would they be?
it made me think...and in turn...made me write Lainey an email (for those of you that don't know or have since forgotten - it's cool - Mike set up an email account for Lainey and from time to time I will send her emails about life, love, things that are going on, thoughts, her accomplishments, and everything in between)
So I emailed my daughter (at seven months old TODAY!) a list of the things that I promise to her...things that I want to make sure I keep in mind and in action as I raise her to be a confident, strong, beautiful, independent, passionate and motivated woman...pretty much the way my mom raised me.
I am not going to share these...maybe one day I will - but not today...those are between me and her. But that leads me to ask you...
If you were to sit down and write your daughter or son a letter...or even a list of promises...what would they be?
amazed
on (almost) a daily basis, I meet, visit with, run into or am reminded of the amazing women that surround me. Whether it is because of her uncanny ability to manage home, work, herself and our friendship...or her passions, drive and motivation...I like to think that I have inspiration at every turn.
While I could devote a blog post (or 20) to each one of these amazing women...and over the course of time, I hope that I am able to...I wanted to focus today's post on one woman who is courageous, smart, devoted, loving, kind, caring, and above all...AMAZING!
I met Moira 3 years ago (well almost three years, but it feels like she has been a part of my life for way longer) Our husbands' careers and company brought them, and so in turn, us, to Rio Rancho, New Mexico...but here we are...three years later and what I like to think, a whole lot wiser.
I am not going to pretend that Moira and I are the best of friends...but over the last three years, if ever there was a time that I needed her...she was always there.
Ok Ok...this blog post is not a trip down memory lane...but more a "you're amazing my friend" type of acknowledgement...because let's be honest...we all deserve a little (ok A LOT) of acknowledgement for the effort, balance, and sanity we manage to approach life with. There is a lot to be said about managing to look like you have it all together...even when everything is falling apart...
so, Moira...you are amazing, my friend. You manage to put a smile on your face, and look adorable even when I know you are at your end. You make seven months pregnant look beautiful, especially as you are chasing after a 2 year old. You are an inspiration to me. You gave up your passion for your love and now have a life that anyone would be proud of. You have made a sacrifice that most women can't or wouldn't and for that you should be commended. You are not surrounded by family or even life long friends...but you do it...and, I will be honest, you make it look easy.
I am not sure what motivated me to sit down and write this...but at a point, where I feel like women...and mothers, don't get the credit they deserve...well, this is my way of giving credit where credit it due.
You inspire me...
While I could devote a blog post (or 20) to each one of these amazing women...and over the course of time, I hope that I am able to...I wanted to focus today's post on one woman who is courageous, smart, devoted, loving, kind, caring, and above all...AMAZING!
I met Moira 3 years ago (well almost three years, but it feels like she has been a part of my life for way longer) Our husbands' careers and company brought them, and so in turn, us, to Rio Rancho, New Mexico...but here we are...three years later and what I like to think, a whole lot wiser.
I am not going to pretend that Moira and I are the best of friends...but over the last three years, if ever there was a time that I needed her...she was always there.
Ok Ok...this blog post is not a trip down memory lane...but more a "you're amazing my friend" type of acknowledgement...because let's be honest...we all deserve a little (ok A LOT) of acknowledgement for the effort, balance, and sanity we manage to approach life with. There is a lot to be said about managing to look like you have it all together...even when everything is falling apart...
so, Moira...you are amazing, my friend. You manage to put a smile on your face, and look adorable even when I know you are at your end. You make seven months pregnant look beautiful, especially as you are chasing after a 2 year old. You are an inspiration to me. You gave up your passion for your love and now have a life that anyone would be proud of. You have made a sacrifice that most women can't or wouldn't and for that you should be commended. You are not surrounded by family or even life long friends...but you do it...and, I will be honest, you make it look easy.
I am not sure what motivated me to sit down and write this...but at a point, where I feel like women...and mothers, don't get the credit they deserve...well, this is my way of giving credit where credit it due.
You inspire me...
1.11.2012
Treadmill
I have wanted a treadmill for quite sometime, but I am feeling the urge even more as of late.
With pregnancy comes an amazing end result...a baby...but I have also been blessed with 15lbs, and more flab than I have ever seen on my body at one time.
As I have yet to figure out a way to fit 26 hours worth of stuff into a 24 hour day...I really don't have a solid 1.5 - 2 hours to devote to getting ready, driving to the gym, working out and then driving back from the gym that won't directly impact the time I get to spend with my family...time that is often too little for my personal liking.
But I will be honest...I miss running. In my prime, I was running four miles a day and I felt amazing! I want to get back to that soon!
Well hopefully sooner rather than later!
With pregnancy comes an amazing end result...a baby...but I have also been blessed with 15lbs, and more flab than I have ever seen on my body at one time.
As I have yet to figure out a way to fit 26 hours worth of stuff into a 24 hour day...I really don't have a solid 1.5 - 2 hours to devote to getting ready, driving to the gym, working out and then driving back from the gym that won't directly impact the time I get to spend with my family...time that is often too little for my personal liking.
But I will be honest...I miss running. In my prime, I was running four miles a day and I felt amazing! I want to get back to that soon!
Well hopefully sooner rather than later!
And we're back
After more than six months, a new job, several holidays, many visits from friends and family and, well, a new adventure pretty much every day...I finally feel like I am ready to blog again.
Delainey Grace is now almost seven months old...SEVEN MONTHS!!!!! Holy cow...where have the last seven months gone?
Lainey Bug (that's our official nickname for little Lainey) is sitting up. And even bigger news...she is on the verge of crawling. She is so close...I am both totally scared and increadably excited for her to reach this crazy milestone. She is such a busy body and she just wants to move...hopefully her crawling will be the catilist to help me lose the last 15 lbs of my pregnancy weight.
Back at it...I will try to blog regularly with all the random things running thru my head...this will be a nice release!
Delainey Grace is now almost seven months old...SEVEN MONTHS!!!!! Holy cow...where have the last seven months gone?
Lainey Bug (that's our official nickname for little Lainey) is sitting up. And even bigger news...she is on the verge of crawling. She is so close...I am both totally scared and increadably excited for her to reach this crazy milestone. She is such a busy body and she just wants to move...hopefully her crawling will be the catilist to help me lose the last 15 lbs of my pregnancy weight.
Back at it...I will try to blog regularly with all the random things running thru my head...this will be a nice release!
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