Thursday, November 4, 2010

Giving Thanks to Santa Claus

I've been reminded by friends that I'm way overdue for a new blog.

This topic has been a huge conversation ever since midnight struck on Halloween night. Is the next holiday Thanksgiving or do we skip right to Christmas. It seems every year we all stand around "the water cooler" talking about how we went to Wal-Mart, Target, Meijer, etc...and they already had there Christmas items out. GASP! Like it's a real surprise. The real problem is that we aren't the kids anymore and Christmas just isn't the same to us anymore. I've seen recent facebook posts from parent saying "Halloween just isn't the same as when I was a kid" & "why did we forget about Thanksgiving." It is the same, just not for you because you are 30 something years old and you are now the one who has to find/make the costume and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on Christmas. DUH!!!!! IT'S Called STRESS!!!

I really do love the holidays just not like I did as a kid. Just enjoy it through your child. Take it all in stride and let the kids show you how it's done. In my opinion, if everyone cooked like my Grandma Stella, no one would ever overlook Thanksgiving!!!! She is the master!!! Just don't forget to remind your kids of why we celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas. As fun as it is to get gift after gift and eat cookie after cookie, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

NO such thing

Have you ever heard the term, "sick as a Mommy"? No? There is a reason...Because we aren't allowed to be. As I write I am with tissue in hand enjoying a moment of quiet on the couch. My head has felt as if it were going to explode for three days. Nothing in my day to day life has changed. Still busy as ever and getting more busy by the minute. If I were a man, I would have possibly missed work (maybe not) and required a nap. I want a nap! I want to lay in my bed when I'm sick. I'm not complaining though. Mama just wants one full day to recooperate. I need a fairy godmother:)

Friday, August 27, 2010

Silent Night

I don't know about you other Moms out there but bedtime means "lay on your butt and enjoy the silence" time. I struggle with the fact that it should be time to sit and talk to my husband, catch up on things that don't deal with homework, sports, or boo-boos. He just doesn't understand why I want to sit by myself in silence. By 9:00 PM I don't want anyone within 5 feet of me and I don't want to answer any questions. What is a Mother/wife to do? This is why date nights and "Mommy-Daddy time" is so very important. If you don't take an evening or a whole weekend off every once in a while, one day you'll look at your husband and say "Hey, I remember you. What's your name again?"

As a mother you have to not only balance family time and parent time. You have to get Mommy time. Daddy needs that manly time with his O so manly friends. I am not done. You also have to make sure each child gets individual attention and special time with each parent. There isn't enough time in a day, week, or even a month for all of this. It's a struggle but we do our best and when all else fails...listen to your kids. They have a way of telling you when they need something extra from you.

I apologize to all of you extra energetic Moms who do all the laundry, clean every dish, and pick up every last toy, before dragging your happy butt to bed. I think you all are CRAZY!!! Something my Mom told me long ago rings so true to me today. Your children won't remember how clean your house was or how fabulous you dress (I added that for all the Mom's who show up dressed to the 9's, full makeup and hair all did up to drop off their kids at school.). What they will remember is all the memories you make with them. Your house can look pretty in 18 years or so. Let it be Messy and enjoy LIFE!!!!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The WEIGHTing game...

Ok, so if you're a Mom you know the story. Your body is never the same after having a baby...that is unless you are a Victoria Secret model (my theory is they go right into plastic surgery after giving birth). Ok, so honestly I was never happy with my body. I could never be happy with what I had. In high school I was physically fit, athletic, and a size 5/6. What was there not to like(Can I please get that back!)?

After baby #1 and even #2 I came to terms with the changes, dealt with it and moved on and kept drinking and eating what I wanted. I attempting exercise every so often when I had just a little bit of motivation but it never lasted. I looked pretty good despite all this. Oh, this brings to mind my dislike of this phrase, "You look great for having 2 kids!". ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! Is that suppose to be a compliment. How about a simple You look Great! Ok, back on subject...No one tells those that want more then 2 kids that the 3rd pregnancy completely obliterates any chance of being pretty, and somewhat thin without even doing anything. HELLO!!! WHere was my mother when I told her the exciting news? I can't remember but she must have been standing in a corner giggling and saying to herself, "No more pizza for you!".

So, after I have my little bundle of boy, the usual happens. I lose most of the weight within the first few weeks. It's what happened a few months after is where the shock comes in. I started gaining, to me, so quickly. I knew I was bigger then I ever had been but I don't think I ever let myself notice, if that makes sense. Just recently I would see pictures of myself and be disgusted and it would make me sad. So sad I would eat cookies, or ice cream, or some chips. As an intelligent human being, I know that was not the brightest thing to do. It takes a while to get past just being plain old pissed off that you can't have all the goodies anymore and still look good.

Recently I went to my 10 year class reunion. Bought a new dress, shoes, & jewelry. Couldn't wait to see everyone but most of all I was nervous about being bigger then the size 5/6 I was 10 years ago. I had a great time and look back at all the photos and I looked great...for a Mom of 3. I guess since then I have been really feeling down. I finally woke up this week and told myself it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself. No one can change it but me. So, here I am craving cheeseburgers, sweet tea, guacamole dip, etc etc etc... I have lost 3lbs and I am walking as much as possible and working my way up to running and I'm actually enjoying it!!! I'm even enjoying counting my calories and learning about all the good and bad that is in all the foods I eat. Can this last? Could I really be on my way back to a thinner me? YES YES YES!!! I'm confident I can do this. Not to say I won't stumble and eat something bad for me every now and then but I'm hoping for the best. Here is to waiting for big weight losses and a healthier life!!!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Warning! Warning! Warning!

This blog is about to change! As much as I love keeping everyone up to date on my lovely family, I'm pretty sure if you're my facebook friend you know what's up. I am going to use this as my way to vent, share, discuss, etc... There is so much you learn every day as a wife & mother, some good & some bad, and I want to share my experiences with you. You lucky ducks!!!

The daily life as a stay at home Mom to others seems easy, routine, and all about eating bon bons and watching soap operas. Let me put those assumptions to rest. Don't knock it until you try it! Even my husband thought I had the easy life until he stepped in my shoes a couple times back in 2006 (when we only had 2 kids). He had both kids for a weekend to himself on two seperate occasions. Let's just say he doesn't question me nor does he want my job after that. Let me also note this is in no way to diss or judge the mothers that work outside the home. I have oodles and oodles of respect for all good MOMS!!!

Now that we have that clear, let me introduce you to me. My name is Abby. I am a 29year old wife and mother of three beautiful, smart, & energetic children. I have been a stay at home Mom since I had my first child back in 2001. I also have attending college while being a Mom. I am hoping to eventually finish my nursing degree but right now I'm focusing on my family. I'm a christian,conservative woman and believe in a traditional family and way of life. My husband is a hard working man. He's worked hard his whole life, working his way up the ladder, and doing whatever necessary to provide for our family. He is one of the most caring men I've ever met. To know him is to love him! My oldest son, Riley, is 9. He is Mr. Popular, an athlete, and a very smart cookie!!! He has a huge heart. Stella, my princess, is 6. She is all girl and in charge. She has so much imagination, loves to dance & sing, and she's not afraid to tell you what is on her mind. Drake is turning 2 next month. He is all boy. He loves to get dirty and he is so in tune with everything around him. He loves the outdoors and if he doesn't have a ball in his hand, he must be sick.

Being a mother of 3 means there is never a dull moment. I think sometimes us women choose to judge each other instead of helping each other. Letting another mother know you've been through what they are dealing with at that moment can sometimes be all she needs to help her through. Instead of staring down the Mom with the screaming toddler in the restaraunt, super market, or the airplane...How about a kind word of encouragement. You have no idea what that person's day has been like or what they are going through. So these are my confessions...

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Another Beautiful Girl!

Jill & Kody Keys are the proud parents to Adelynn Sophia Keys. She was born April 27, 2010. She was 9lbs. 8oz. and 20.25 inches!!!! Addie is a baby sister to Big brothers Kyan & Kaden! She is such a sweet baby girl. I hope to get to hold her a lot this summer. Congrats to the Keys on a beautiful baby girl!




Tuesday, June 1, 2010

All Grown UP! Well sort of...

My kids are looking so much older. Took a few photos of them before Riley's first Klondike baseball game. I can't get over how old Riley looks. Such a handsome young man. Stella is officially looking like a grade schooler and my Drakey is for sure a TODDLER!!!




Mother's Tea/Columbian Park

On May 10th Stella's kindergarten class had a Mother's Tea to celebrate Mother's Day. Stella made me a hat, a decorated pot with flowers, and a recipe book with a special recipe from each child and reasons they love their Mom's. I really enjoyed spending this one on one time with her. She loves to do things like this and she enjoyed herself and was so proud of herself. I am quite proud of her myself!


Then we packed a lunch and went and had lunch at Columbian Park while we waited for Riley and his class to meet up and play at the park. We had a lovely day and all the kids had fun!













April photos of Drake




April birthdays

We all gathered at The Sorrells house and celebrated Courtney's 31st and Dad's 62nd birthdays! GOOD TIMES!















AFC and the ZOO!
























































The kids and I headed to the Indianapolis Zoo back in April with Cara & her boys, Meghan & Will, & Courtney, Matt & the twins. (While Daddy was finishing our fence. This was the twins first zoo visit. We had a really great time and Damien & Riley even met Gordon Hayward and got his autograph!!! They were super pumped about that.


Drake loved loved loved the all the fish and the penguins. He & Sophia & Claire also loved the farm animals. Everyone enjoyed getting wet after seeing all the animals.

The Princess is 6!

Yes!~ Once again Stella wanted a princess party for her birthday. Last year we had a Princess Tea but this year we just went for tiaras, wands, & a disney princess cake.

Her celebration started on her birthday early in the morning with her present from her parents and brothers. Jason & I got her a much needed new and bigger bike and the boys got her some new shirts. She also requested chocolate and powdered donuts and pop tarts for breakfast!









Later that afternoon we took her & her friends to a local pottery painting store! They all picked out and painted their own pieces and enjoyed cupcakes & ice cream. Stella really enjoyed spending time with her friends. They are a really great group of girls.












We then celebrated with family on Saturday. She had a fabulous birthday and she received a lot of great gifts. I can't believe it has been 6 years since she was born. She has filled our life with so much laughter and joy I can't even describe how blessed we are with our Stella Marie!!!
















Thursday, April 1, 2010

Reminiscing

This was right before I had Drake!



I found this picture a few days ago. I was thinking of how I couldn't even remember what it was like before Drake came along. Then I thought even further and realized it's hard to remember when it was just Riley or even when it was just Jason & I. Good thing we have cameras and video to capture all the memories. What a journey it has been...


Wednesday, March 31, 2010

It's time

Well after my goal date came & went I finally got the courage to take away the pacifier. My goal was 18 months. Riley was 18 months when we took his away and we had no trouble at all. Stella got rid of hers on her own at 10 months. Drake loves his paci for bedtime and he has come to rely on it when he has anxiety in big crowds and when people come around that he is not comfortable with.

So, this morning I sat him down next to me on the couch and we had a talk about being a big boy and how big boys don't need pacifiers. I asked him if he was ready to throw away his baby pacifier and he climbed down off of the couch and went into the kitchen and threw his paci away!!! I couldn't believe it but I know he's also 18 months old and may think that was just for a while and want it back.

This is Day 1 of NO Pacifier and naptime went a little different today. Usually he falls asleep on his own in his crib or in the car on the way to pick Stella up from Kindergarten (around 11:45am). So when he didn't fall asleep in the car, I put him down when we got home with his favorite dog, Ruffy. He didn't go down on his own and so I had to hold him until he fell asleep (at 12:30pm). He did way better then I expected. The true test will be bedtime tonight but so far he is doing great! I hope this for sure the end of the pacifier!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Stats



Drake's 18 months stats are below.

Height: 25lbs. 3 oz
Weight: 30.5 inches
Head : 48.2 cm

Monday, February 22, 2010

17 months

Yes, that is right. Drake is almost a year and a 1/2. He is one of the funniest boys I've ever been around. He is ALL BOY! He loves to make loud crashing noises and bangs onto everything. He can practically hold a conversation with you. He loves to sing and dance!!! He loves bathtime. Ask anybody what his favorite toy is and they will tell you just to give that kid a ball and he's happy! He loves to read and when he grabs books he always says, "I want read!". He looks up to his big brother, Riley so much. They have a lot of fun playing ball and wrestling together. Riley is always good about including him in everything he does. He adores his big sister, Stella. He can't wait to pick her up at Kindergarten everyday and has to know where she is at all times. He relys on her for lots of hugs and kisses. She is a little mother hen and he loves the attention from her.

I would assume he is somewhere between 22 & 23 lbs & 30 inches tall. He takes one 2-3 hour nap a day now and goes to bed around 8:30 and get up between 7 & 7:30. He has become quite the Daddy's boy and Jason is in heaven! They are buddies for sure! His favorite meal of the day is breakfast. He loves pancakes, waffles, sausage, & fruit. I would say his favorite dinner is pizza. He completely stopped eating veggies. So my fabulous friend, Jill introduced us to YoBaby yogurt. He really likes it and it has a serving of veggies and fruit in it. He is very picky when it comes to food. It's hard to get him to try new foods.

Drake has added so much joy into our lives the past 17 months. He is an amazing little boy and we love him sooooo much!