Life changed...

Charley changes my world

I become a mama!

Henry is welcomed surrounded by love.


Yesterday was Mother's day and I spent the day with my two boys and my husband. Charley was born on Oct. 25 and that is when I became a mama. It is when my life changed. This weekend I asked Ed if he remembers what life was like before we became parents and both of us have a hard time remembering how we spent our time, what we ate, and how we spent our time. Did I mention...time...what in the world did we do all weekend? Becoming a mom has been the biggest life changing event. It is the most important job I will have during my lifetime. It is the most exhausting, inspiring, draining, self-sacrificing, amazing journey one can experience.

I remember when I had friends that started having their second and I remember thinking...now those are "REAL" moms. Because I had managed to figure out how to be a mom of one...I wondered if I could ever do two! When we had Henry in my head I became a "REAL" Mom too. I think I thought differently of mom's with two because I knew both hands were always busy, both parents were always "on", a van (or mom mobile) was a more logical vehicle, laundry seemed to quadruple, and time...well there was no more time. With Charley we could take turns with him and enjoy a little quiet. With two our family has become that much more busy. And to think we are thinking of having a third...

Becoming a mom is the toughest job but with good friends, supportive family,and an amazing husband it is the most worthwhile experience one can have.

This mother's day I put Ed to work and had him cross of some things on his to do list. He didn't stop all weekend. I didn't either. Ed tilled our garden. I learned how to mow the lawn and we cleaned out the garage. We reorganized a closet or two, enjoyed a margarita or three, and had a nice family dinner at Charley's favorite restaurant. My camera that I got a few weeks ago was my mother's day gift. But I also received the most precious book from Charley. He had collected nature with his Grandma Charlie and from what I understand, he wanted to put it in a book for me. So they taped each item in a book that he stapled together. LOVE IT! So I wouldn't say mother's day was a day of pampering or taking a break from the family. Instead we worked hard together to accomplish some things that were important to me. I said to Ed, "I can't believe we did the garage without a fight!" I hope you all had a great mother's day.

When it rains...

Charley and Henry open up their own pet shop. They build cages! They walk, clean, and feed the dogs, fish, frogs, bunnies, and eagle. They are busy.

To all the mamas in my life...

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms that impact my life in all of the many ways.

Thank you to all my mommy friends who email, chat, get together for play dates, go on outings, etc. You make my day to day life as a mom that much more enjoyable. I have no idea how moms do it that isolate themselves and don't have a network of support to ask questions, vent frustrations, celebrate little or big moments, and laugh and enjoy life. You are an amazing group of women! Pamper yourself on Sunday. Find a moment to realize the job you do and the vital role you play in your family's life. Rest and then call me for a play date!

Thank you to my incredible mother-in-law. You have raised a wonderful son who chose me to spend his life with. You support us, help us, hang out with us, and love us so much. I learn from you and enjoy spending time with you. Thank you for listening to me babble and ramble all my thoughts about life.

Congratulations to Becca and Raina - two new moms this year! Becca your journey has begun. I hope you enjoy the week up north surrounded by all that love you. Raina- pamper yourself on Sunday because you are a mama already. You are sacrificing, protecting, and loving that little miracle that is going to arrive very soon!

Most importantly, thanks to my mom. She sees and hears my ups and downs and yet she still tells me what a great mom I am. I have learned from the best. My mom inspires me from moment to moment during the day. I wonder how she survived the day to day life raising us three kids. Keeping us busy, safe, clothed, happy, etc. How did she make meals, get the house cleaned, take care of the rest of family business, and still find time for herself. She continues to support me as a mom and a friend. She told me once that being a mom is the most important job a person has. In my eyes, you are a "master mother". The three of us are happy, healthy, living independent and loved by many. Thank you mom for all that you gave up, put on hold, skipped, and waited for. You amaze me!

Happy Mother's Day all! I do not tell you enough how important you all are to me.

Love,
Sarah

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Charley decided he would try napping today. So we went up, I read some stories, and then shut my eyes...and within 10 minutes he was snoring! So it is Friday afternoon and both boys are snoozing! Oh happy day!

Thinking about this more...I have wondered lately if he has needed a nap. He has been losing it over outfits, clothing, toys, etc. He doesn't want to play a game things when I ask him to play. He throws extraordinary fits that don't fit the situation. I am guessing with summer activities starting in a few weeks....he will have such busy mornings playing outside. Naps might start up again...which means that he can play outside in the evening later with daddy, mommy, and the neighbors. Isn't that what summer is all about!

Or maybe, today is a fluke and just a little gift to me to kick off the mother's day weekend.

Peace, quiet, sunshine, and healthy boys napping upstairs. Life doesn't get much better than this.

Oh -and Ed - we got you something to day and we are so excited to show you!

My boys and books...

One of the things my mom treasures about Charley is his love of reading. She notices how he hangs on every word as you read a book. He will sit for a long time listening...and when you think he might not be listening - you are wrong. He listens, comprehends, and enjoys. We have read to him before bed and nap since he was wee little. I hope someday he realizes this gift he was given- a family that finds time to read. His daddy reads with him just as much as his mom.

As a past teacher I was saddened by those families who never visited the library and allowed their children the experience of picking out a bag full of books. Charley loves to go and fill his bag and reading with him is that much more enjoyable when there are new books to journey through. The first week of summer my mom would take the three of us to the library and sign us up for the summer reading program, let us pick out an enormous amount of books and listen to us excitedly read her the titles on the way home. A gift - free (unless you turn them in late ...like me) But still well worth the small late fee that occurs occasionally!

My mom gets a bucket of books before we visit and it is fun to see what she picks out. Charley knows and enjoys the libraries in both his grandma's towns. hmmmm....libraries!

Henry has started sitting very nicely for books too. He won't sit to listen to a story but he will sit and look and point and talk about each and every page. His favorite books these days are Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Polar Bear, Polar Bear! Cracks me up! He has to find these two books and he gets so excited and hurries over to the chair to read them. He is loving animals!

Reading is a must in our household before bedtime. It is a constant and I hope that forever, they enjoy the value and impact that books can bring a person.

Makes me happy

Open windows...
spring breezes....
green leaves appearing on trees....
hearing life pass by outside.

When we moved into our house we realized that because our house is situated near a major road we can hear traffic. In the spring and fall when leaves are off the trees and windows are open we tend to notice the traffic more often. Some people mention the traffic when they come to our house..."doesn't that bug you?" I guess, it is just the sound that we are used to. Some people deal with noisy neighbors, trains, planes, barking dogs, construction, etc. When our windows are open I can tell in the morning before I open my eyes if the world is waking up...I don't really mind the noise. It is soothing, constant, and hearing it makes me feel lucky to be home instead of buzzing around. Now, would I rather hear and quiet...maybe...but do I find the positives in the sounds we are surrounded by...I sure do. It is a beautiful day! Come home Charley! Wake up Henry! I want to go out and play!

Saves the day...

6:05am - I am awakened by a quiet voice informing me, "Mama, I will play quietly in my room until the clock says 7. okay?"

6:15 - running feet arrive in my room to announce, "Mama, I found my microphone under my bed. Isn't that cool." I responded yes, but play quiet. Henry is still sleeping.

6:20AM! - Singing...I am guessing with the microphone.

6:30 - "Mama, I have to go to the bathroom."

6:32 - once again pattering feet back to his room and shutting his door. Which finally wakes Hank.

7:00 We head downstairs and I tidy up the kitchen and make breakfast.

8:00 We head up to get dressed. This is when it becomes apparent that Charley has been up since 6. He isn't happy with any of the clothing options I suggest. I really don't care today what he wears and I let him pick. The only thing I do boycott is the brown socks hiked to the knees with his white soccer shorts and green soccer top. He cried in his underwear for 45 minutes. I couldn't suggest anything that he liked...even the thing he wanted in the first place (his Star Wars shirt). Even when I could put my hands on that he wasn't happy. This would be one of the reasons I do not like cartoon character shirts. He becomes obsessed and we have these issues. However, today, the Star Wars shirt didn't solve this.

8:45 I backed the car out of the garage and sat and watched him in the doorway crying in his underwear. If he had his pjs on I would have taken him in those. However, his underwear ... not gonna stoop that low. I went out to the car three times and came back in to try and get him dressed and finally after a hug he got dressed.

9:05 We arrived at Henry's class and Charley went off to his classroom to play.

10:30 we got in the car to head to the doctor. Charley was once again crabby and whining that he wanted a snack. Which I had with me but he was sitting in the third row so I couldn't pass it back to him.

10:45 Arrived at the doctor's office but Charley shared that he had taken off his tie shoes and socks. So after trying to get him to get on his shoes we ended up carrying the shoes into the office and sitting on a bench inside to put them on. Mama was not happy!

11:10 finally saw the doctor for Henry's 15 month appointment...yes, I know..a month late. Ed and I both flubbed on knowing he was supposed to be seen at 15 months. We both thought so but then weren't sure and I kept forgetting to call. Oops! Poor guy got shots but proved to be a healthy boy.

12:00 Home - lunch
1:00 Mom's club board meeting
3-5 watched a friends twin boys. Fun play date but mama was running in three directions watching kids inside, outside, and of course Henry.




5:30 Fed the boys...Henry was losing it fast. He only napped for 1 1/2 hours today. And with shots he wasn't feeling top notch. Charley too was losing it quickly. What to make the boys for dinner started to cause breakdown...but then...I saved the day or I saved the dinner by suggesting a surprise cereal. So I made spaghetti and surprise cereal. I bought one of those sample packs with the different types of cereal. I have been placing one at Charley's eating spot every once in a while and it makes him smile. I usually don't buy the kinds of cereals that are included in the small box variety packs. Growing up we only got them when we went camping. I don't normally buy things like this because I try to buy things in larger packages to avoid all the packaging garbage. But tonight...this saved us from another breakdown. Both boys shovelled it in.


6:00 Up for bath

6:15 Henry down..I know early but he needed it.

6:45...Charley saying night night! He was sleeping by 7:20

6:30...ed arrived home with Chipotle and when I arrived downstairs after reading books with Chuck, there was a tall margarita sitting next to my big burrito.

It was a busy day...But busy was good because I know if we had been less busy there would have been far more breakdowns...by all.

Boys in Action

Saturday up north...

It was a relaxing day up north today. The boys were in heaven playing with Grandma while daddy fished. Mama read, chatted with grandma, and enjoyed an afternoon movie date with Ed. Charley got to try out his new golf clubs...daddy too. Henry explored the park very bravely!

Time up here is always a blessing! We slow down, snooze, play, and forget about the busy life at home. Thanks for having us!

Life is Good...

Life is good! I found this t-shirt at one of many garage sales we hit this morning. Charley loves to garage sale and he gets that mama isn't going to buy him something at every sale - such a blessing! We found a neighborhood garage sale this morning and went from sale to sale. Charley hopped in and out of the car like such a big boy. Henry got out for some sales and giggled at us from the window while we hurried to and from the car. I scored some great deals on clothing for the boys. I am determined to take advantage of garage sales this summer for the boys clothing this year. It will be more work than the usual consignment store or mall shop. But I got a nice start and only spent $20.00.

We pack this afternoon and then head for the northwoods! We will finally get up to Grandma and Grandpa Wroblewski's. It has been awhile. Opening fishing for Ed and his dad. The boys can't wait to play with Grandma!