Moody Me

Do you ever have those days where everything makes you angry? That has definitely been my day today. I hate these days, when I just can't snap out of my pissy mood. People make me mad, TV makes me mad, my hair makes me mad, messes make me mad, you name it and it would probably tick me off today. These are the days I wish I had a punching bag but I guess a large Golden Spoon with fudge will have to do.

This year

I really want to make Christmas stockings for our family. Every year I say this and every year I fail to do so. In my head it seems so simple, cute fabric and a simple pattern. Then I wake up from my simple dream and realize that I have no sewing ability nor do I own a sewing machine. Maybe this will be the year I finally learn or maybe this will be the year I finally commission a great seamstress to make them for me!

Done and done

A month or so ago, Josh began throwing his binky out of his crib any time he was put down. At first we figured it was done accidentally and when I checked on him, I would always place it back in the crib. Then he started chewing through the binks and I figured it was just teething. I remembered Emma had done the same thing and so I just bought him a few more. With these binks the same thing happened and recently he started refusing them all together when put him down, shaking his head no everytime we tried to give him one. I decided who was I to argue with a child not wanting the binky. The last one was chewed up last week and Josh is offically binky free, amazing! No struggle and no binky fairy coming to take it away (Emma gave hers to the binky fairy at 3). Hopefully potty training will be this easy too!

Lucky

I feel so lucky that Eric and I have our immediate families living close by (minus one sister who best make her way back here soon!) I have a number of friends now who are here in AZ without any family and I just can't imagine how hard it must be for them.

It is so nice to have a babysitter whenever we need one. Eric and I have never missed a trip out of town because our parents are always willing to watch the kids. It is wonderful having a niece that is willing to babysit for us on a Friday night so we can go to dinner or a movie together.

Even beside the babysitting, I love that we can spend time with our families when we want. I love that my children really know their grandparents, aunts, and cousins. This was not something that I grew up with and sometimes really felt like I was missing out. I am glad that Emma and Josh will never have to feel this way.

I truly do feel so lucky to have our families, and love them all dearly!

Klutz

It has become painfully clear to me lately that Josh is following in his mommy's footsteps when it comes to his lack of grace, coordination, balance, or whatever you want to call it.

As a child I injured myself every other year or so. I can remember a sprained ankle. so bad that it was completely black and blue all over with mega swelling. I broke each arm once, sprained my wrists, tore tendons in my left foot which required a walking boot, cast, and eventually surgery. I have so little coordination that I am actually embarrassed to play sports. I trip over invisible objects when I run and it's just not pretty. I am jealous of people who can do step aerobics and Zumba because I just can't and believe me, I have tried.

Yesterday I counted the number of bruises on Josh's body and I came up with 8. Poor boy trips over the same invisible objects that I do, falls off of everything, and can't seem to stand straight half the time without tripping over his own feet. My one hope for him is that he will grow out of what I never did. And if not, I guess I will always have a Clyde Crash Cup of my very own.

A new home

This weekend St. Mary Magdalene celebrated mass in our new building. The church has been waiting for this day for all most 6 years and it was wonderful getting to be a part of this moment.

We began attending St. Mary Magdalene shortly after Emma was born, when we found that traveling over to St. Tim's with a new baby was not an easy task. We kept going back and forth between the parishes for over a year struggling with the decision to leave the parish that Eric and I grew up in, started our relationship, and were married at. Once Josh was born we both felt that God was moving us to Mary Magdalene and after a couple of obvious signs from Him we registered at our new parish.

Every Sunday for the last few years we have attended Mass in a school building, sitting on lunch tables and bleachers. It was strange at first, but then was like second nature and did not bother me. Today was strange being in the new building for the first time and the kids were a little out of sorts. I think they have gotten used to the school cafeteria too and sitting on normal cushioned chairs in a building with high vaulted ceilings that echo every word whispered was odd.

The new building is beautiful and I am excited that we have been led to this parish, that in a sense is just beginning. I look forward to raising my children in this parish and one day watching them get married in the beautiful church that we will call home.

A style all his own

Josh is now 18 months and his personality is really shining through. He has finally gotten passed the screaming for everything phase and has got some pretty good words along with a few signs. My favorite is when he says his own name Josh-oo-a and when he signs please, both are so sweet.

We have found that Josh is slightly obsessive about things and doesn't forget anything. He loves Emma and copies everything that she does (and I mean everything). He is a sweetheart who loves cuddling and kisses but also has a temper when he doesn't get his way. He is a bruiser and I fear for smaller children everywhere, he does not come close to understanding the word gentle yet. He is a fantastic eater most of the time and is a great independent player. He is still my crazy sleeper and has a mind of his own. Lately he is in bed by 6:30 and up by 6:00. I always said, he was going to be my early riser.

I think, my favorite part of seeing Josh grow is how he has a style all his own. He is so different from Emma and it amazes me to watch him become his own little person in front of my eyes.

Counting down

This week my little sister Danielle and my brother in law Kevin were home from North Carolina. It was nice having them home for the week and it was hard saying goodbye today. Thankfully goodbye won't be for too long this time as Emma and I head to NC in one month, we are counting down the days until we go! We miss you already Dani and Kevin, see you soon!