I'm OK...

It's been a whirlwind month. I've learned a lot. Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing, and the answer is -- I'm OK. I'm going to be OK. And I'm taking things one day at a time. 💪🏻👍🏼🤗

Part of this process is recognizing and re-prioritizing what is most important -- my boys, my health, and my marriage. Nothing else can ever truly compare. I can be replaced in my school in an instant, but my family is always going to be there. I want to be the best version of myself for them. Every day and always. 💗💗

This weekend was perfect, crazy busy but exactly what we all needed -- lots of good times with family, friends, and the outdoors. 👶🏻👶🏻💞😎

Summer may finally be ending, and my favorite season is upon us. I LOVE fall. The changing leaves, everything pumpkin, apple cider, apple picking, perfect running weather, and more moderate temperatures. Mmmmm. I'm reminded of my falls running cross country through the beautiful trails of New England. Something about the brisk fall air makes me feel immediately content and at home. That is comforting. 🌟

Having two kids in under 2 years is NO joke. Luckily, Dan is a zen Buddha baby, but 2 is still rough. We are constantly dividing and conquering, and I still have trouble letting go of things. I still want the house to be in order and crazy organized. They say you can't have that AND happy kids or your sanity, so I'm a definite work in progress.😬😬

This school year may not have started as anticipated, but I'm learning more than I thought possible -- about me, my boys, my husband, life, and what truly makes me happy. I know I will have good days and bad days, and that's OK. I will continue to stay positive, work on ME, and keep some perspective in all that I do. 😀

Life is short, so we must take advantage of the days we have. We must remember that we can matter little in the grand scheme of the universe but mean EVERYTHING to those whom we love. At the end of the day, nothing truly matters but them. 💞💞💞💞

Serenity prayer...

I have yet to write much about my exhaustive and life-transforming journey over the past two weeks and promise I will. 

In the meantime, here are some things that are keeping me focused on the positive and taking things one day at a time, all while being gentle with myself:

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars; you have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

And, of course, the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity 

To accept the things I cannot change; 

Courage to change the things I can; 

And wisdom to know the difference. 

Living one day at a time; 

Enjoying one moment at a time; 

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 

Taking, as He did, this sinful world 

As it is, not as I would have it; 

Trusting that He will make all things right 

If I surrender to His Will; 

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life 

And supremely happy with Him 

Forever and ever in the next. 

Amen.

What more can we ask for? 💗💗

A new beginning...

Tonight is quite bittersweet. 😥😩

It marks the end of my almost full/partial maternity leave. And what a blessing it's been! 💗💗

I have treasured the time I had home with Dan and tried my hardest to soak in all the baby snuggles, coos, laughs, smiles, nursing, and yes, even the endless spit-up, poop, and being soaked in my own breastmilk constantly. I will miss it all. 💞💞💞

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new journey for me. After I drop both boys off at school at the crack of dawn (by 6:30 😩😩😩!!!), I will start a brand new position at a brand new school, my first high school experience. I'm definitely a bit trepidatious but mainly excited. I know I have a lot to learn but am trying to remain open-minded, positive, and welcoming of this new opportunity. I will get to work closely with 47 students who have recently exited ESOL services, being their advocate and case manager. I will get to support them directly in their classes and also share and practice new strategies with teachers. I will be as strong of a resource and guide as I can to both these kids and their teachers. 💪🏻👏🏼👍🏼👏🏾

Last week, I met with my new principal, who is coming back to the school after being a successful middle school principal for several years. He seems personable, caring, gracious, hard-working, and extremely kid-centered. He has already expressed great gratitude with me being there and wants me to really make this ESOL Focus Teacher position my own. Flexibility is the name of the game for him. I have a feeling I will be treated like a professional and have my time be respected, both of which are extremely important to me. 🤗

On the parenting front, Will and Dan had their first (almost) full days in their respective new rooms at school. Will loves his new teacher and especially enjoys circle time in his new big boy room. Dan continues to be a calm sweetheart and has already made a lot of friends in the infant room, both old and young. He hasn't slept through the night for awhile now, though, and I think he's going though a growth spurt. Hopefully, he relearns his old awesome habits soon! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

On the workout front, I am really enjoying my Orange Theory Fitness HIIT workouts a few times per week. On weekdays where I'm not going to OTF, I will stop at Anytime Fitness right by my new school to get in a quick workout (via live classes with Skyfit) on the way home before I pick up the boys. When something matters to you, you make time for it. Fitness is my sanity, so I will continue to make it a priority this fall. 💪🏽💪🏻

Some mantras I am trying to start the new school year with:

1. Be kinder to myself.

2. Be OK with not getting my to do list done every single day.

3. Sleep more. - Early to bed, early to rise. 🙏🏻😂💤💤💤

4. Work smarter, not harder. 

5. My boys come first. Always.

Here's to new beginnings!  

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Read this!!

If you're a parent about to send your kid(s) back to school, teacher, or anyone concerned with the well-being of our next generation, this is definitely a must-read. 

This is definitely what our kids need to hear, learn, focus on, and hopefully absorb each and every day. 

Thanks for sharing this, Mary!! 💗💗💗

https://www.facebook.com/glennondoylemelton/posts/10154425315164710

Strauss arrives!

I've always had a soft spot for animals. 🐱🐱🐭🐹🐰🐻🐼🐨🐯🦁

In fact, I am a bit obsessed. I've always been an animal lover and loved having pets. In fact, I'd probably have a pack of dogs and several cats if no one stopped me. Thankfully, for our house, wallets, and sanity, Greg regularly prevents this from happening. And I'm not looking for him to run away either. 😝😝

I've owned many kinds of animals throughout my lifetime -- from fish and guinea pigs to ferrets (best story ever😂😂), turtles, hermit crabs, bugs, cats, and, of course, dogs. I also had a neighborhood pet-sitting service from 5th grade through college. My first dream career path? Becoming a veterinarian. 🐱🐶

Naturally, having a newborn and toddler at home is the absolute BEST time to introduce more four-legged friends to our home. 😂😂😂😂😂

But Kay, as we know, is not normal. 😂😂

Meet Strauss. He's a beautiful 5 year old big gray boy who is such a cuddler and lover. He's coming from a family who had two young boys and was absolutely fabulous -- and so chill -- with them. He may currently still be in hiding in our house after arriving this afternoon, but we are beyond excited to get to know him. And who is THE most thrilled?!! Will, the early animal lover, of course. #hesclearlymyson 😍😍🐱🐱

I've always believed children deserve the gift of pets early on to instill a lifelong love of animals. Pets teach us responsibility, compassion, humor, loyalty, trust, and what unconditional love and joy can be like. What a privilege for any child! 💗

Welcome to our crazy household, Strauss! Despite how insane and loud it may get, we will love you to pieces. 

Always. 💞

And we also love to cuddle. 😍🐱👍🏼🤗

Oh, Will!

It's true. I have been slacking on this blog. 😬😬

And it's all the Olympics' fault. 😝😝

But hey, a girl's got to sleep. And when you go to bed after midnight every night, your newborn has not been sleeping as well recently, and you're teaching first thing in the morning, sleep is precious. 💤💤💤

We've also had quite a lot going on. Shortly after my BIL and his awesome girlfriend (and their two adorable cats) left us (once they found their new apartment in VA as travel nurses in the area), my wonderful, long-time friend Marcia arrived with her father and 1 year old (also named William). We had such a blast introducing our boys to one another and getting to talk about the highs, lows, and unpredictability of motherhood. So candid. So honest. So real. It was a short but certainly awesome 48 hour visit! 💗💗💗

My in-laws arrived on Thursday night in time to begin Daniel's baptism weekend. My parents followed on Friday night, and my aunt and uncle the following day (Those two couples stayed at a hotel; our townhome is big but not THAT big). 😜

Dan's baptism day was certainly memorable, all thanks to his big brother's antics. Throughout the mass and baptism ceremony, I was reminded why we cannot bring Will to church currently. 

Luckily, there were plenty of emergency vehicles for him to play with in the "cry room". 

Still, here are the two main highlights:

1. Will held it together for about 9 minutes in the pew during mass before deciding he needed to repeat everything the priest was saying and continually say "Hi _______!" to each family member around him. He also clapped and yelled "Yay!" every time the soloist sung or responded. Then he started to run his toy firetruck along the pew until he couldn't go any further. "Move, Grandma, move!" 😩

It was at that point Greg removed Will from the mass. 😩😩

2. Perhaps the most impressive Will stunt of the day was his discovery of the baptismal font. The deacon told him he could touch the font water, which resulted in him splashing the water furiously, scooping it out, and drenching his shirt and the entire floor in the process. Then he decided to run his little fire trunk around the rim of the font, telling, "Grandpa! Grandpa!" (Yes, he finally made the association that his grandpa was a fireman). Perfect timing indeed. 🚒🚒🚒

Needless to say, the other family whose daughter was being baptized gave my MIL the look of death. 😩😩😩😩

So, my MIL scooped Will up and ran to the closest door she could find, a small un-air conditioned chapel. And yet we could still hear Will yelling how much he wanted to go outside. 😩

"Can Grandma take you outside?"

"No."

"Can Grandpa take you outside?"

"NOOOO!!!"

#ilovetoddlers

Did I mention it was also the hottest day of the year yet?!!😩😩

You may be wondering where Greg and I were doing this stunt. The deacon insisted that we (the parents and godparents) move to the front entrance of the church to wait and then walk into the baptism area with the baby. It only felt like a few minutes, but let's be honest -- toddlers need only a few seconds to wreck havoc in any scenario. 😇😜😝

Well-played, Will, well-played. 😂😂😂

I heart the Olympics!!

It's true -- I am addicted to the Olympics. I always have been. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Growing up, I would tape record every figure skating, gymnastics, and swimming event in the Olympics and then continually rewatch them, trying to commentate what was happening by memory. I then would write handwritten letters to my favorite athletes and often get return letters with autographed pics! I really need to find where all of them are.😁😁

How fitting that my (part-time) maternity leave would coincide with this year's Summer Olympics. NBC will be continually on in our home for the next 2+ weeks, and I know what I am doing every night.🎉🎉

We even have gotten the boys into the Games. Even Dan has enjoyed seeing the American gymnasts in action!👶🏻👶🏻

I'm not sure what it is about the Olympics that make them so ridiculously watchable and addicting. Sure, there's the grandiose idea of all countries being united for 17 days. There's also the thrill of seeing Americans dominate many of the events. But I think what most impresses me is all of the athletes' dedication, hard work, and commitment to make it to the pinnacle of their sporting careers. We don't see the long, hard days of training over many years these athletes put in daily. We don't see the blood, sweat, and tears involved. And we certainly don't see the sacrifices they regularly make just to continue competing and realize their Olympic dreams. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I am most impressed by the athletes who are parents themselves and are somehow able to balance their lives as athletes and parents. This is no easy feat, and many of them say they have a renewed perspective and appreciation for what really matters since having children. 💞💞

Isn't it the same with all working parents? Aren't we all just trying to be the best examples and role models for our children that we can be? Aren't we all not exactly sure what the heck we are doing and just trying to take things one day at a time?🙏🏻🙏🏻

We may not be racing or competing for gold medals, but we are each running our own kinds of parenting marathons....just hoping we have enough endurance and gas to get us successfully through each day and be the absolute BEST people we can be for our kids. 💗💗💗

You're amazing, warrior women. Never doubt that!! 👍🏼👏🏼🎉💗💞😍🌟💪🏻

A whirlwind week!

What a whirlwind week it's been! 🤗

I successfully survived four days of having Dan in daycare in the mornings and teaching. The teachers there love him, and it certainly helps that he is such a happy and calm baby. #dreambaby 👶🏻💞😍

On Monday, we also welcomed by wonderful brother in law and his girlfriend into our home. They are going to be serving as travel nurses in VA for the next few months and are now in the process of finalizing housing. I really wish they could stay with us, but both of their commutes would be WAY too insane, even compared to Greg's. Fingers crossed everything is squared away for them today!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Kevin and Ashley also brought their two cats, which causes Dexter great curiosity and Will great joy.🐱🐱

We are also continually getting furniture delivered for our new guest bedroom downstairs, which was previously Greg's office. This will help to comfortably accommodate future guests, especially for Dan's baptism later this month!🌟🌟🌟

A good friend suffered a miscarriage this past weekend, so we are taking her out tonight for a much-needed ladies' night out. And yes, I am happily seeing Bad Moms again. Mamas, you MUST see it! Of course, it's hilarious, but the serious message is important too -- and very unexpected! 💗💗💗

I've made it back to Orange Theory for some quality workouts, which have felt amazing. I continue to be reminded of the importance of a little "me" time every day, even if it just means a quick walk with the dog after the boys are in bed.💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Remember to take care of yourselves. If you don't, who will, and how on Earth will you ever be able to really take care of anyone else?!! 👏🏼👍🏼💪🏻💗🌟

Bittersweet!

Today was a strangely emotional day for me. 😩

It's my last full day of maternity leave, my last full day of Dan and me getting to hang out all day. 😩😩

While I know I am ready to go back to teaching part-time -- and know it is good for me -- it's also very bittersweet. This may be the last day EVER that I will get to spend a whole day cuddling and doting on a newborn of my own. It may be the last time I have the luxury of letting Dan call the shots for the day and avoiding things on my to-do list in favor of napping, snuggling, and comfort nursing instead. 😢

I have tried to cherish this time, but the days still went by a bit too fast. I've tried to capture lots of mental "photographs" to imprint these precious moments with Dan in my mind. Hopefully, time won't completely erase them.💗💗

I know I'm not meant to be a stay-at-home mom. I admire those who do, as it truly is THE hardest job in the world. I applaud each and every one of you for what you do and sacrifice on a daily basis. Truly awesome. 🤗🤗

Each of my sons has already made me a better person, and I can't wait to see what the future holds. I hope they grow to see the passion I have for teaching and education and that they feel inspired to do what they truly want to do in life. Always. 🌟🌟🌟

In the meantime, I will try to sneak in as many baby snuggles and toddler hugs and kisses as I can. After all, these moments are FAR too fleeting. 👶🏻👶🏻😍😍💞💞

Time flies...

It's hard to believe that Dan turned 8 weeks yesterday. Where has the time gone?!! 😩😩😩

By this point, I was already back to work after Will was born. And I was ready....mainly. 🤗

I recently made the decision to return to work part-time next week. I will teach two classes at the Chinese learning academy I work at during the school year. This will allow me with a much-needed teaching outlet in the morning while still giving me precious time with my boys in the afternoons. Dan will begin daycare at the same school Will is in, and our back-to-work transition will begin. Hopefully, this will make my first full-time teaching day on August 23rd a bit more bearable! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I have treasured this time with Dan and will continue to do so. We are making an extra effort this week to go on fun outings and lunch dates with a wide variety of great friends. Dan is even accompanying me to my haircut tomorrow afternoon. 👍🏼

I continue to be amazed at what a sweet, chill, and happy baby Dan is. He rarely cries, is such a snuggler, and seriously knows how to sleep. Last night was a 9.5 hour stretch night, which would have been awesome had some idiot not continually rung our doorbell and knocked on our door at 2:40. NOT cool.😡😡😡

My boys are my world, and I continue to feel beyond blessed. We are figuring out our new rhythm as a family of four, which will only to ebb, flow, and evolve over time.💗💗💗

And I have to remember that Dan will not be a baby forever, so I must savor and take advantage of the endless snuggles and cuddling time now.👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻💞💞💞💞💞

Chores!!

I love this concept.

What do you think? How do or will you handle chore responsibilities and/or possible allowances with your children?? 💵💡🚽🚿

http://www.scarymommy.com/club-mid/why-i-wont-pay-my-sons-to-do-chores/?utm_source=SM

We survived!

We survived 9 days. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

9 whole days of having both boys to ourselves with no help from anyone else or school for Will. Add in that a 5 day "vacation," and it's safe to say we are WIPED. 😩😩😩

We were able to host some awesome friends in our home this weekend, though, including great longtime friends (going back to college), Dan's future godfather, and even one of my wonderful former students. 💗

This student, Catherine, is a rising senior at UMD studying bioengineering and kicking serious a** in a very male-dominated field. She was a serious varsity runner in HS and still hits the pavement most days. Most importantly, she has grown to be a beautiful, mature, and thoughtful person, inside and out. I felt honored that she contacted me and we were able to check-up over such a nice visit for the first time in 7 years. Moments like this make me so excited to be working directly with students again this year -- and also make me seriously consider going back to the classroom full-time as an English teacher. We shall see! 👍🏼

On the homefront, Dan had a particularly fussy day as he continues to go through his second major mental development, the world of patterns (Yay for the Wonder Weeks app and book!!). He demanded on being held all day, which made me extremely grateful for the Baby Bjorn Amanda lent me. I will pick up my own tomorrow, thankfully! 💪🏻

Will continues to be hilarious and was quite impressive on his scooter this evening, even in the crazy heat and humidity.☀️☀️

Dexter is SUPER protective of both boys, always. Tonight, while pumping, Dan was making unusual but cute snoring sounds. Dex was so concerned that he attempted to climb up onto his rock 'n play to make sure he was OK. He then didn't want to leave Dan's side once I left the room. For all of the daily abuse and rough play Dex endures daily with Will (and Dan in the future, I'm sure!), he is every the loyal, tolerant, and loving canine companion. 🐶💗💞😍

Now, if I could only convince Greg he needs a feline buddy to keep him company again... 🐱🐱🐱😂😂😂😇😇😇

We survived!!

Well, we're home! We survived!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

And now we need a vacation from our vacation.😩

You fellow mamas know the feeling of sheer exhaustion vacationing with your little ones evokes, the kind that cuts deep into your core and makes you want to hide under the covers.😩😩

Yes, I feel your pain, and yes, traveling with a toddler, newborn, and dog is NO JOKE. We were tested to the limit every day, and despite it all, we wouldn't trade this vacation time for anything else. We LOVED Deep Creek, made memories that will last a lifetime, and cannot wait to go back!🎉🎉🎉

For those of you looking for traveling advice with your littles, please take the following words to heart: 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻

1. Less is more. Over planning and overpacking your day with endless outings and activities is a sheer disaster waiting to happen, for both you and your kids. 🤗

2. Go with the flow. Things will not go as expected, and someone will have a meltdown or a blowout diaper when you least expect it. Breathe. You will laugh about this in a few years, maybe even sooner. 😝😝

3. Keep your kids to a schedule. We had a rough plan for what we hoped to do every morning and afternoon but let the kids' moods and needs guide us. Ensuring Will had his midday nap was a must and kept him much happier and calm.💤💤

4. Figure out a method of organization that works for you. We went to Deep Creek with a loaded minivan, but every bag had a purpose. We kept bags and supplies for the beach in the van and minimized what we dragged back and forth in and out of the house. When you've already got a car seat and toddler to carry, this is key.👏🏽👏🏽

5. Have a bag of snacks, wipes, bottles, sippy cups, plastic bags, and versatile toys on hand at all times. Consider keeping this in the car along with a ready-to-go diaper bag. You will thank yourself later, trust me.👍🏼👍🏼

6. Baby wearing is an absolute lifesaver. My favorites for newborns are the Baby Bjorn and Nesting Days baby carrier. Both are sturdy and easy to figure out. The Bjorn was comfortable to wear during our hiking adventure to Swallow Falls and allowed me to remain mobile and wade in the water at the beach while watching Will. I never used carriers or wraps much with Will, but I'm seeing what a necessity they are with subsequent children. #musthave 🏊🏻🏊🏻

7. Yelp was an amazing resource for us to find kid-friendly eateries, even in the middle of nowhere.🍴🍴

8. As you can, divide and conquer kids and responsibilities with your spouse or partner. Greg spent much of his time with Will and me with Dan, for obvious reasons.🍼🍼🍼

9. Organize as much as you can for the next day the night before, even if it's the last thing you want to do. Believe me - it will make your mornings 10,000x easier, especially on the last morning of your trip when you're trying to load the car while your newborn wants to comfort nurse and toddler is having a hysterical meltdown for no apparent reason.  😩😩😩

10. Don't forget about your significant other. Show and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. Every day. Be kind and patient with them, especially when your kids are being particularly impossible. Yelling and getting impatient and angry with each other solves nothing. A little understanding, empathy, and support goes a long way.💗💗

Yes, we learned a lot this trip, especially about how strong Team LaBanca is. We also gained a bit of confidence in our ability to travel with 2 boys under 2.5 -- and a dog. We both feel strongly about exposing our sons to new places, experiences, and cultures early on. ✈️🚤

And this past week was certainly a step in the right direction.💞💞👏🏼👏🏼

Ugh!!

It's a good thing Daniel is so cute and adorable. 👶🏻

Today was challenging, quite challenging. 😩😩

Take an already really constipated baby and combine that with the traumatic 7 week mental leap, and you've got yourself what we call a HOT MESS. 😩😩😩 This is by far the most fussy and impossible he's been yet. 😩😩😩😩

Our great friends Ally and Matt came all the way from DC to witness this magic. 😁 I think they left our house reminded once again why it's better to wait to have children. 😳 They did just get a puppy now, which is a gateway drug to child, as far as I'm concerned. 👶🏻🐶😍

Once both boys were finally in bed by 9 pm, I hurried around like a mad woman trying to pack all of our necessary 10,000 bags for our 5 day trip to Deep Creek, as we leave tomorrow midday. This is where my OCD and love of packing lists and organization serve me well. In fact, such high intensity packing is like my version of the Olympics, where my gold medal is ensuring everyone has every possible thing they could need while away, even the dog. I find this kind of organization energizing and strangely therapeutic. Maybe that's why I still have so much energy now after midnight, despite not sleeping well at all last night. 😝😝😝

In other news, I went back to the Barre for the first time post-pregnancy! 💪🏻 The opening arm exercise sequence was surprisingly OK; it was the extended planks that did me in. I felt great overall, though! Even so, I am going to continue being kind and patient with my body and take things slowly. After all, a little human exited it a month and a half ago. 😝😜👶🏻

Wish us luck as we depart for our first vacation as a family of four (plus the dog)! Fingers crossed that Dan is over the worst of his leap and that we can ALL get a bit of much-needed relaxation at the lake. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻

Find your sweet spot!

While Greg and I may still be in "the blur" and have a long way to go to get to our parenting "sweet spot" (see article), I already want time to slow down. It's already all going by WAY too fast, most days. 😩😩😩

In parenting, the days are long but the years are short. Be present. Be grateful. Unplug and just BE there for your kids. 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻

And definitely read this article. 

Time may fly, but we can capture mental memories of each stage and maybe even find a "sweet spot" -- or two -- in each. 💗💗💗

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3617506.html

Friends matter!

I really miss being near my extended family. 😓😓

This reality hit me hard this week, especially with Greg working late most nights (tonight until 10 pm, and he has to go back in tomorrow by 6 am!!). 😳😳

It's not easy. Many of you know what I'm talking about.😁😁

My awesome MIL texted this to me tonight: "Thank God for your wonderful friends. They become family when you don't have family nearby." This couldn't be more true for us.💗💗

Tonight I am especially grateful for one family in particular. In addition to always being there for us (physically and mentally), they are amazing hosts and go out of their way to make us feel comfortable and loved. Take tonight, for example. They both knew Greg wouldn't be home until really late, so they invited the boys and me over for a delicious dinner and playdate, even asking what kind of cut of steak I preferred ahead of time. #ridiculouslyawesomehosts 🍽🍽

It was a wonderful evening and always fun to see our sons playing together. Jay even brought Andrew (his 2.5 year old son's) baby swing upstairs for Daniel to enjoy. This allowed me to eat dinner in peace and get some time for real adult conversation and laughter. #justwhatineeded🍷

Amanda and Jay are truly incredible, and I am so blessed that our sons brought us into one another's lives. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Tonight and every day, treasure the friends you have who are like family, regardless of how far away they may be. Especially in parenthood, they can be our lifelines and saving graces.🙏🏻🙏🏻

So, here's s virtual toast to Amanda, Jay, and all similarly awesome friends! Thanks for keeping us happy -- and sane -- on a daily basis! We couldn't do any of this without you. 💞💞💞

#momoftheyear

I am glad I survived today. 😁😁

It was epic. 😳😳😳

And yes, I enjoyed a bottle of hard cider at the end of it.🍾

Some top moments from this glorious day: 😝

1. Having to change Dan's diaper and then breastfeed him in a restaurant bathroom stall. Long story.😡😡

2. Having the lights go out in said stall (Damn motion sensors) and then having to exit the stall with Dan still attached to my boob and dance like a lunatic to activate the lights. They eventually came back on, thank God. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

3. Will acting like a total nutjob during his haircut, screaming like a banshee and disturbing everyone in the shop, including an Autistic teenager, who had to cover his ears and rock back and forth to drown out Will's noise next to his mother. I felt AWFUL. 😩😩😩

4. Attempting to feed Dan and find the exact YouTube school bus video Will requested, which changes every 0.05 seconds. Finally, I thought I found THE one. Oh great, a FIVE minute ad in Spanish to get through before being able to see the video. It held Will's attention for about 2 seconds. Yes, it was the longest five minutes EVER. When the video started, Will screams, "No, Mommy, no no no no no." Cue extraordinary toddler meltdown. I can't win. 😩😩😩

5. Attempting to cook another delicious Blue Apron meal with Greg. Smoke alarm goes off. Greg panics and loses it while disarming the alarm and swearing (Remember I said he has ridiculously sensitive hearing?!!!). Dan wakes up. Cue more comfort nursing.🍼🍼😩

And now cue bed, finally!!

Yay!!!

So, yes, yesterday was an awesome day. ☀️☀️

In addition to my doctor saying how well I've healed and how great my weight is, she also cleared me to workout again. 💪🏻 I know this may shock you, but I have yet to rejoin any of the various gyms I was affiliated with before Dan arrived (Yea, I've always been a little bit of a gym whore 😝). Life has been a bit too crazy on the homefront, especially with a newborn constantly on my boob, a toddler who enjoys screaming and melting down while the newborn is at his most needy, and a hubby with a crazy a** commute. 😩😩😩

I did, however, recently discover an awesome new fitness app -- Skyfit. It offers unlimited on-demand elliptical, treadmill, indoor cycling, strength training, and yoga classes (by fitness level) in addition to running training programs, ranging from the 5K to marathon. It's cheap too -- $9.99 month to month, $49.99 a year, and another in-between option that escapes me currently. I attempted to start a yoga class today, but then Dan woke up. 👶🏻 Can't wait to get started soon! 🙏🏻

Yesterday also marked our 8 year wedding anniversary. Time really does fly! We've actually been together 15 years this fall too! We even managed to have a friend and neighbor baby-sit both boys while we enjoyed a nice local dinner out. Plus, we actually got both boys in bed prior to 8 pm to *almost* be on-time to our reservation. Luckily, it's only a five minute walk away. This time away with just the two of us was perfect and allowed us to reconnect and really enjoy our company kid-free. Bliss! 💞💞💞

I continue to be so grateful to have such a hands-on husband who is an amazing father to our boys. He will be such a strong and influential role model for them, and I can't wait to see what the future holds. 💗

Here's hoping my short-term future involves working out again so I don't go completely insane!! 😝😝😝

Great day!

We took it easy today, and it was awesome. ☀️☀️☀️

Top 10 things/moments I'm most grateful for from today: 💗

1. Greg letting me sleep in after Dan's first nursing of the morning. #sheerbliss😍😍😍

2. Dan slept through the night for 9.5 hours! 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻#keepitupdreambaby

3. It was much less hot and humid today, making a long family midday walk much more pleasant and bearable. ☀️☀️☀️

4. Really enjoying breastfeeding now. I'm so glad I stuck with it and treasure the time I have with Dan during it, despite feeling like I'm his personal cow all the time. Rarely have I been seen more on a chair in front of our TV before!💗💗💗

5. Greg = expert grocery shopper who can actually stick to a list. #goodman🤗

6. Both boys' utter satisfaction in my homemade macaroni and cheese. Tonight's special ingredient = Old Bay seasoning! #itwasahit🍽🍽🍽

7. Will being quite the social and happy boy on the playground, even showing great resilience after falling hard on his knee and drawing blood. #trooper 💪🏻

8. Audible has made it sooo easy for me to experience great audiobooks while BFing and walking the dog. #addicted🎧

9. I've still kept our new Betta fish Gogol alive! #shocker🐠

10. The amazing USA female gymnasts! WOW. Go get 'em in Rio, ladies!!! Definitely worth staying up for!!! #girlpower 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Compromise!

It's hard whenever you watch your better half reach a breaking point. 😩

That definitely happened for Greg tonight. We had a really busy day with both boys -- first at the neighborhood pool and then at a friend of a friend's incredible farm -- and I could tell both Greg and Will were losing it during the latter. They were done, overstimulated, and wanted nothing more than to go home. 😩😩

This is where knowing your partner and making compromises is key. I have always been much more of a natural extrovert than Greg, making friends easily and getting energized from being around others. Greg, on the other hand, is much more wary and guarded, taking awhile to open up to others, trust them, and gradually ease into a friendship. As a result, Greg has fiercely loyal and strong relationships with a small group of close friends. I have that but also a ton of not-so-close friends and acquaintances in several social circles. It's how we've always been. 🌟🌟

By the time he put Will to bed tonight (while I, per usual, nursed Dan downstairs), Greg looked like he had been hit by a truck. I encouraged him to get some alone time and literally had to turn off the lights in the basement so he could fully shut down stimuli and relax. This is how he decompresses and recharges before bed after difficult days/nights. He says his "autism" was setting in again.😩

No, Greg is not autistic, but he's definitely a bit quirky and OCD. He needs his space and time alone desperately, something I'm seeing now more than ever. I guess a newborn and toddler will do that to you.😂😂

So, perhaps today's insanity is a good lesson for me. Perhaps I need to help my boys SLOW DOWN on the weekends and just chill. 💤 Perhaps I need to stop making plans and see what the day brings, including what the current mood and feelings of Greg and Will are. And perhaps I need to be more sensitive to their needs, just as I hope they would be of mine. 💗💗

Balancing personalities, preferences, and energy dynamics in a family is never easy, especially when it involves compromise. Paying attention to what each person needs, however, certainly can go a long way. 💞💞💞

We have absolutely NO plans tomorrow. And that may be just what my boys need. ☀️☀️☀️🤗