Balance? I hope so.

It's that time - back to school. I've had 6 fun filled weeks as a stay at home mom. Anna and I have had our fair share of: tantrums (yes, both of us), days playing outside, trips to the park, trips to the zoo, endless games of hide-and-seek, coloring with markers, and play-doh play. I can't forget the hundreds of books we read or our family vacation - both good.

I value the extra time I spent with Anna learning all the things she knows and watching her enjoy life. She is so full of life and happiness - sometimes more life than I know what to do with. I had my moments of insanity, my moments I could barely stand to be in the house any more, and my moments of questioning my parenting skills. Even with all those moments, I wouldn't trade the time Anna and I spent together this summer.

I'm ready to get back to school, to get back to a routine, to get back to a balanced life. I think it will be good for my sanity. I have a parenting book that I'm enjoying and believing in so far and the name of a good therapist if work doesn't ease my mind. I love my girl. I love spending time with her. I like working. Here's to hoping for a great school year balanced with home life.

Today I'm thankful for:

• getting my room unpacked and set up
• new casual gym shoes - 2 pair, so I probably need to just pick one and return the other. We'll see.
• One more day of summer

A few more tidbits...

Some other vacation memories:

• Anna liked the boat, but only if it was moving - fast


• Anna, Bryan, and I were the first ones up everyday. It doesn't SEEM that long ago when I was the last one up everyday. Oh, how life changes.


• Bryan, Scott, Dad, and Rob (friend) went to the casino and all won a lot of money playing craps.


• Bryan and I made tacos and these chicken enchiladas - they were mighty tasty.


• We didn't make it to the Sleeping Bear Dunes because of the rain, but we did eat ice cream at the Pine Cone in Glen Arbor.


• We got souvenirs in Fish Town, aka: PePe Town


• I thought my step mom wouldn't like one of the boy's names I like (no, I'm not pregnant - I just like to pick out names) because of a negative association, but she does like it! So, Blake is back on the top of the list - with Carter a close second.

Leland, MI - 2010

I've been on hiatus this past week, and for a great reason - V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! My step mom's family has a house on Lake Leelanau in Michigan. It's a really nice lake, big and relatively empty. They (my step family) have a pontoon boat, a speed boat, a jet ski, and a great yard . We were able to go this year along with my dad, step mom, brother, his friend, little sister, and her friend. We had great weather until Thursday, but that's the way it goes sometimes. We were nervous about the ride up with Anna, but she did really well. We got a DVD player for the car, and she actually enjoyed some of the shows: The Wiggles and Baby Einstein videos. We tried other shows, but she wasn't interested.

Anna had so much fun. I think it might be a tough week back - no perfect temps, no big kids to play with, no water to swim in, no jet ski to ride. She loved waking up every morning to run around the yard and explore. Even more fun was after her nap when she could get her suit on and go for a swim or a jet ski ride (very slow, very close to the house). She bonded with my little sister, Sydney, and her friend, Erin. She called them, "my girls." She got a chance to get to know my dad, step mom and brother better too - so thankful for that family time. She was so tired she slept most of the ride back today, so did I.

Today I'm thankful for:

a fun family vacation

a safe trip home

Anna did great in the car

we met with Bryan's family for lunch on the way home

I got all the vacation stuff put away and the laundry started

Love You!

I've been meaning to write this for a few weeks...Anna tells us "love you." It's so darn cute. It sounds more like "ya you." My favorite time that she says it is at bed time. She picks her head up, peaks through the crib, and says "ya you" as we are closing the door. Seriously, so cute.

She's doing really well with her speaking. She almost always tries new words she hears. She is speaking in 2 and 3 word phrases. It's so funny because her words and syllables get all mixed up if she tries too many words together. She doesn't have her "f" sound yet, so anything with an "f" makes a "p" sound, so food = "poo". As in, "Mama, that Shellshell poo?" Many of her words sound the same: "papa" is sprinkler and pretzel and caterpillar (The Very Hungry One). I still need a context to figure what she's talking about.

Ya You, Anna!

Today I'm thankful for:

• blueberry muffins
• seeing Eclipse - again
• school supplies are in stores now - I really get excited for school supplies. Cool, right?

Happy Anniversary

I think I've mentioned my love for Bryan, but here we go again. We were married 4 years ago today! We got married outside - it was beautiful, it was hot, it was romantic, it was fun, it was perfect. Since that day 4 years ago, we've had countless Friday night dinners, plenty of cuddle time on the couch, a new house, a few vacations, and of course our beautiful baby.

Our marriage works, not because we're perfect, but because we compromise, and we're honest. When we tell each other what we need, we work to be better partners and meet those needs. Bryan loves me even though I get crabby. I love him even though he likes to push my buttons. It's good to love and be loved.

Today I'm thankful for:

• time to get things done
• an awesome book: Fortune's Rock by Anita Shreve
• another year of marriage to look forward to
• I'm asking for more help, and Bryan is helping with the little things more often

a great weekend

On Saturday afternoon we drove to Cincinnati, dropped Anna off at my mom's, went to dinner (just Bryan and me!), watched Toy Story 3 (awesome), and had Zip Dip (the world's best creamy whip). It was a really fun date night. We hadn't had one of those in a VERY LONG TIME, so it was really nice.

We spent the night at my mom's then went to the zoo on Sunday morning. It was hot, but manageable. Anna loves the zoo, and Bryan and I enjoy it too. I think she loved the petting zoo the best. She got to pet and feed the goats and babydoll sheep. She refuses to ride in her stroller - even with candy and snack bribery. She kicks, screams, contorts, what ever it takes to get out. So, maybe our stroller days are over?

We had a family dinner at my dad's that night for my little sister's, Sydney, 8th grade graduation party. Catholic school graduation from 8th grade is a big deal. It was nice to see my family - aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, sisters, brother, dad, and step-mom.

All in all...a great weekend!

Today I am thankful for:

1. Bryan has the day off
2. I got my class list for next school year - always exciting!
3. sleeping in my own bed

Things I've learned so far

So, my summer is at about the half-way point (yikes!) Anna and I have been making the most of the hot humid days. I've been to Target more than Bryan would like - but I'm getting it under control, I promise. I've also been doing a little tutoring and even less cleaning.

Anna's great. Yes, she's dramatic and whines at every little thing and fights for control every chance she gets, but here are some things I've experienced with Anna since we've been together so much. These are the things that make her wonderful, and make me so proud to be her momma, momma, momma, mommy, mommy...

• She knows that A is for Anna, and D is for Daddy. I kid-you-not. Yes, she gets confused and forgets sometimes, but I'm telling you she knows A and D! I'm not even trying to be "crazy mom" making her read at age 2; she asks so many questions that I realized she knows those letters.
• I think reading is her favorite activity. We read the same books over and over and over and over. Then she starts "reading", ok, saying some of the words with me or after me.
• She is so curious and wants to learn everything she can. Kids are such sponges. She asks about a million questions a day, but half the time she's just repeating the same thing over and over to be sure that I'm telling the truth and giving her my full attention.
• She likes to copy our movements. If I bend down and touch my toes, she bends down to touch her toes. B and I keep saying we need to watch our mouths because I just know she's going to drop the F-bomb one of these days. I've gotta stop with that potty mouth.
• She likes to play hide and seek. She stands right in front of me, puts a blanket over her head, and says "Annnnnaaaaaa." That means I have to guess where she is. I guess a few places, and then I find her - what a trickster - standing under the blanket again! We do this over and over and over (are you seeing a theme).
• She sleeps in until around 8 everyday! How lucky am I? Come on now, I should at least get one easy thing.
• She loves to be outside - playing, taking a walk in her stroller, and looking for animals. She also likes to point out the stop signs.
• Some days she likes to use the potty regularly and other days she doesn't. I'm not pushing it. She'll let me know when she's ready.
• She loves Lady Gaga. She can sing along to the "la, la, la" and "ga, ga, ga" parts.
• I'm seeing some improvements in the "following directions" category. I'm learning how to get Anna to do what I want/what she needs to do while working with her. She needs to feel like she has control in the situation or I lose; I'm trying to win.
• She is so full of life and never has a dull moment. We go, go, go all day long.
• She is probably one of the sweetest and most loving children I've ever seen. She gives hugs and kisses to everyone and everything she possibly can. We often tell her that she can't hug that dog because we don't know it. She gave some old lady at the pool a hug and kiss - I guess she thought she needed a little love. B and I each get about 5 hugs and kisses each night at bedtime; it would be more, but we have to say, "last one," or we would be there all night.

I really love her. Sometimes it's tough being home all day, but I really love her so much and feel so blessed to be her momma, momma, momma, mommy, mommy!

I am thankful for:

1. a three day weekend with B
2. Eddy's real fruit popsicles - so yummy
3. my beautiful, sweet, loving baby

4th of July fun

We headed downtown for the 4th of July festivities. We decided to go down early because Anna usually does better in the mornings. We walked around and looked at the crafts, let Anna play in a few bounce houses, and visited the petting zoo. While at the petting zoo, she got to pet and feed goats, sheep, bunnies, and what I think might be llamas. She also got to ride on a pony and when the ride was over it was the start of meltdown central. She kept saying, "My neigh, my neigh, I want a neigh." Ohh, the "I want a pony" days have already started. I finally got her calmed down and back in her stroller, and we walked around a little more.

We headed home around 12. We were all hot and had seen what we wanted to see. It was a great day, and we'll be sure to go again next year. Maybe one of these days we'll be able to go down for the fireworks!

Today I am thankful for:

• being an American
• fireworks to watch in the neighborhood
• reading and craft time with Anna