A Snapshot of Life Lately

Wow I just skipped over April now didn't I? This year is flying by and before you know it there will be a new baby in my house! 

We did some hiking in the nice weather:

        

Easter and Easter Egg Hunts:

A weekend away sans kids:

A girls' night out:

And the bump continues to grow: 

Not much longer now---less than 10 weeks! Nursey will be soon revealed, one wall to go!

Happy May and may the fourth be with you! 

Taking Time for Us

Before kids, you and your significant other take for granted the alone time you have. Because at that very moment, it's not even on your radar.

After kids, your marriage changes. In some ways, it's stronger because of the bond you share with having children. Or watching one another be a parent to your children can make your love grow leaps and bounds.

In the day to day, we tend to forget about taking time for "us." Personally, at the end of the day with the kids I just didn't have anymore energy. The routine of making dinner, feeding them, cleaning them, getting them ready to bed...it just seemed like I had nothing left to give to my husband.

So in the last few months, I've tried to make more of a effort to preserve the "us" that we once had. We are lucky that our in-laws do watch the boys so we can do date nights. But when they can't, I have made the decision to get a babysitter.

Before we had kids, we used to travel a lot and do fun activities. We might not be able to travel as much as we did, but we have made it work with smaller trips (like Chicago at the end of his business trip), and last weekend we did a winery tour in a town about an hour away.

It was just for one night, but it was so nice just to get away. We toured three wineries and of course wine tasted! Once we finished we went to Putt-Putt golf and dinner. The next day we did something we haven't done forever...we SHOPPED until we DROPPED. We shopped at the outlets which is close to the wineries. It was just like old times and so fun...you know minus the spending money part!

So even though our life has changed, I think it's important to steal away those moments. You'll be glad you did!

Natalie

A Little Here and There

Last week went by too fast and now we are in July! Is it me or is this summer flying by?

Nolan went to three days of Little Gym Camp and loved it. His theme was Green Beard's Pirate Ship, so what boy wouldn't love it?

I also hosted our KMB DIY Playgroup at The Home Depot. The moms loved it, and The Home Depot put on a wonderful class with food and teaching us how to build a raised garden bed. We had so many giveaways and almost everyone went home with a prize!

I finally gave in and went to a minute clinic for this ongoing cold turned sinus infection from the month of May. I'm not one to go to the doctor but I'm DONE feeling bad. Hoping these antibiotics help me kick this yuckiness!

I know I always say this...BUT I can't believe tomorrow is July. A few fun things planned this week...a girl's night in with some friends tonight, on Wednesday I have to get a babysitter for going to the dentist so I figured the husband and I could hit up an early dinner and happy hour, and then of course the 4th of July on Friday. We'll be attending a local parade that we've taken the boys too the past few years.

What do you have planned for July?

Natalie

This Week-Friday 5!

This week was a fast one but slow at the same time. Can that even be possible?

I am super excited to be co-hosting Friday 5 with the fabulous Emmy! We've been bloggy friends for maybe three years? I really consider a friend and love keeping up with her family. She's funny and doesn't take herself too seriously while still having great family values. So be sure to check her out, and now on to the Friday 5!

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5 Thoughts

1) We are adjusting back from the beach life. It's nice to be away from home, but it's also nice to have a sense of normalcy and routine.

2) We have what I call a "soft" summer bucket list. It's not a "must do", but I am trying to do some fun activities with the kids this summer.

3) Last week, I took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese, worked out at the barre gym, celebrated National Donut Day with a visit to Krispy Kreme, and we went to JumpJam a trampoline park. The boys loved it, and we went at the smaller children time, so they wouldn't get trampled on.

4) This week we visited with some friends since she's a teacher and off for the summer. The boys had a blast with the older boys!

5) This week we had a KMB playgroup, and the boys got to make their own pizza. Well Nolan did, Conley was too busy looking through the windows at the pizza makers.

5 Pictures

Conley having fun at Chuck E. Cheese!

Boys being boys at JumpJam! 

Krispy Kreme donut time!

Getting fitted for jeans for a review on KMB!

Pizza makin' fun with KMB!

A little preview of our family photos, more to come soon!

And one more just for fun!

Have a great weekend friends and link up with us! 

---

Natalie

Confidence As We Age

After having two kids and aging, I find new thoughts running through my head.

For instance, I've recently started attending a local barre studio that has mirrors. I realize that I don't look in the mirror CLOSELY that often. So here I am with a well lit room staring at my reflection.

"Wow do I usually look this tired? I really should do something about those black circles."
"I really wish I had a stronger chin..seriously."
"I probably should have worn makeup if I knew I was going to stare at myself."
"Does everyone look as awkward as I do attempting this pose?"
"I wish I could look more natural doing these moves, you know why couldn't I have been more cheerleader like?"

These are just of a few thoughts that run though my mind. Don't get me wrong, it's a great workout, and I'm getting good results. I'm still working on the dreaded "mom tummy area" (thanks Conley for that one!) but it's definitely looking better to me.

I think as I age I have confidence in other things such as raising my kids and my opinions on certain matters. But when it comes to my appearance and how I see myself, I feel that confidence as lessened.

What about you? Do you feel less or more confidence as you age?

Natalie

A Blog Anniversary

It has been a little busy over here...so busy that I neglected my three year blog anniversary!

I can't believe I have been doing this for three years. I love looking back on the past about the boys and my thoughts.

It led to be founding KMB which has been so fun and rewarding! We are hosting some huge events tonight and in a few weeks. Tonight is a Pure Barre class, tomorrow is a dance/music class for the kiddos, an Easter Party event at the local Little Gym, a play date at the local yogurt place, and a fun night out with wine on a patio! The last two are in May so can't wait for the warmer weather...as it has been back to 30 degrees here the last few days. Spring has been such a tease!

The trip I was talking about with just the husband is to CHICAGO! Hopefully we can get everything lined up so I can join him at the end of his business trip.  I absolutely love Chicago and had such a great time last time we went pre-kids.

I feel like this year is flying by but the months are dragging if that makes since. I felt like February lasted forever, and I keep thinking it's April already but we've still got a week of March.

I finished The Goldfinch, and it was a good book. Kind of hard in some spots because it's kind of a tortured feeling that you feel for the lead character. It's amazing how a book can make you feel so many emotions!

It's short and sweet today my friends, and I need a second cup of coffee.

Thanks for being here for the past three years...and I hope to continue this space for many more!

Natalie

18 Months and Life Lately

Last week we had some beautiful spring like days.

And although the boys have been battling a cold we decided to take advantage of some good ole sunshine.

This is the first season Conley is walking outdoors, and he's so fun to watch toddle at fast speeds.

However watching him climb stairs and ladders, not so fun as he has no fear of heights and just dropping off the top of all the playground sets.

Conley is now 19 months old and just went to his 18 month check up. He's around 29 pounds (90th percentile) and 33 1/4 in height (70th percentile). I always think he's so heavy compared to Nolan at this age, but when I looked back at the stats Nolan was heavier and about a 1/2 taller. We'll see if little brother follows the same path as his big brother and becomes just as tall.

Conley is a little parrot and copies everything we say. He also talks in his own toddler gibberish with convincing facial expressions.  I think he definitely talks more than Nolan did at this age.

His favorite words are: cookie, hot, head, poo-poo, yeah, Con-Con, chicken, doggy, car, truck, all done, kitty, daddy, momma, ball, boat, help, heart, up, apple, cheese, blueberries, wa-wa (water), shirt, shoes, hug, uh-oh, up, socks, shapes, moon and probably tons more I can't remember. He also can make most animal sounds, and I am pretty sure he can identify blue, red, and yellow. However keeping his attention for long is not easy!

He also LOVES to get in trouble and mimics us when we tell him to sit on his bottom. He points his finger and does an impression of "on your bottom." This kid is trouble I tell you!  And boy can he throw a tantrum and stomp his feet already.

There have been some exciting developments in our household for upcoming trips, so I'm pretty excited about the next couple of months. Once we pin down the details, I will share...but for now we're looking at possibly two family beach trips and just MAYBE a trip for just the husband and I to one of my favorite cities!

Speaking of the husband and I, we are heading to a wedding tomorrow sans kiddos so we're pretty excited. Also excited to see my gals!

Here we all are, minus Sarah won't be pregnant!

Happy weekend friends!

Natalie

Bits and Pieces

I'm so excited to say that the first KMB Mom's Night Out was a huge success!  I really wanted moms to interact with each other since we get some many comments that moms throughout our area are looking for that sense of community.  I saw many moms chatting away and exchanging information.  This made my heart so full because I remember being a mom before most my friends were and being in search for these types of friendships.

We're having another snow day in my area which means no Valentine's MDO party for Nolan or a Valentine's play group party I was hosting.  I really had some fun treats planned, so I'm a little sad about the snow days.

I'm pretty excited about the next few months...a lot of fun events planned!  My high school friends are coming up for a Girl's Night Out, and my husband and I will be attending a wedding in March out of town with NO KIDS! This will be the first time we've actually been out of town when my in-laws have watched the boys.

I'm looking for some new books to read...any good suggestions?  You can find me on Goodreads to see ones I have already read.  I just finished reading The Fault in Our Stars and pretty much finished it in one day.  I highly recommend it!

And just thought I would end the post with a photo of this crazy guy!

Are you having a snow day in your area?

Natalie

Where's This Journey Going?

It is crazy to think that this March will mark three years of blogging for me.

I feel like so much has changed in the blogging world...or is it me who changed?

When I first started, I had only one child and chronicled his every month and reached out to other moms to find advice.  Then I had my second boy and blogged about his growth but probably not as well as the first. (Oh those poor second borns right?)

I linked up, I blog hopped, I reached out to other bloggers to find a community.

And then I found that community.  I found blog friends that I have followed for almost these full three years.

I love you guys, and I love being a part of your life.  But now as the children grow, I find myself with less and less to write about.  Is it because I started KMB? Or is it just the season of my life right now?  I also find this same feeling in my life online as well.

I don't consider myself a writer...I'm not trying to publish a book.  So the question remains, where will this blog go?  I feel like I've seen this a lot in the blog world lately and as I discussed this very topic with a friend and fellow blogger (who has been doing this WAY longer than me).

Maybe it's just the evolution of the blog, or the evolution of me.  I don't have the answers, but I hope to continue this little space of mine.  As where it will go, only time will tell.

Do you feel the same way?  Has blogging changed for you too?

Natalie

Six Years Ago...

Six years ago...

I married my best friend...

My college sweetheart...

Now we have two beautiful boys, and I love you even more watching you as a father. 

It seems like a short time and other times it feels like a lifetime.

I am so glad you are my partner in this dance called life.

"I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart"---Ho Hey, The Lumineers

Natalie

Looking Back...

As summer is winding down, I find myself reminiscing about this time of year in years past.

I know it isn't the beginning of the year, but due to the fall and school year I always feel like it is a fresh start. 

I remember back in the days of high school and college days feeling the anticipation and excitement of a new school year. What would happen? What friends would I hang out with? What boy would I like? 

Like hearing an old song, the end of summer takes me back to another time. 

And now with being a mom, I wonder if my children will share the same excitement. I distinctly remember loving getting new school supplies and clothes. It probably was one of my favorite times of the year. 

As I prepare Nolan to go back to MDO, I see a little of myself in him. He can't wait to go back to school and meet his new teachers.  He asks everyday if we are going and will wear his Elmo backpack and lunchbox around the house.

Nolan getting ready for MDO last August

I just hope he always holds this excitement...because for me it was always a new year of possibilities.

Do you have fond memories of going back to school?

Natalie

In Moments Like These...

In moments like these....

You want to hug your children a little tighter.

You want to protect them from all the ugliness in the world.

You want to shield them from horrific events and let them continue to play in their little imagination worlds where the sky is the limit.

You wonder what the world has come to and if there is more evil than good.

Then you look at your child's face or the support the country has during this tragedy, and you realize in moments like these...

The good people do still outnumber the bad.

The heart and compassion the American people have is bigger than the anger and hatred that caused these events.

People will pray and help others in their time of need.

I send my prayers to the city of Boston, the runners, and families affected by these events.

Natalie

Lovely Fall Brings Shorter Days

With the days getting shorter, and it being darker in the mornings I just want to curl up under the covers and stay in bed.  How about you?  Does the darker mornings make you want to stay in bed too?

Obviously this is also rubbing off on Nolan--except he thinks the dog bed is the perfect place to snuggle in!

A Tired Thursday

Did anyone else have crazy thunderstorms last night?  The thunder was so loud that it woke up little boy at midnight which NEVER happens anymore.  The lightning was so bright that it kept shining right in his window along with the thunder that was vibrating the walls.  So needless to say I'm lacking some shuteye this morning.  I need COFFEE ASAP.

However I can't drink too much because today I'm having a medical exam for a life insurance policy this afternoon.  You know so if I kick the bucket I can leave the husband with enough money to take care of little boy. So only one cup of coffee for this girl this morning.

So you know how I've been packing up baby clothes in the space bags?  Well has anyone else noticed that they don't work?  I looked in the closet only to find that once was already letting air in and expanding.  This is not the first bag that I've had that does this.  I find this very annoying.  Speaking of annoying, I literally have been behind 4 people this week in the checkout line who were writing checks.  Again, I didn't realize that this still happened but apparently writing checks and pulling the driver's license out for the number to put on the check is still in practice. 

Anyways, hope everyone is gearing up for the weekend...it's almost here!

Back to School...

What I wished my dorm room looked like...a girl can dream, right?

I bet you thought I was going to say I am going back to school however I am not. Yesterday I was at Bed Bath & Beyond...or Triple B as I call it and it was a mad house!  So many parents were out shopping with their future college students.  I had to smile to myself because I remembered many, MANY years ago going with my mom to pick out my stuff for my dorm room.  I love all items meant for dorm rooms from the cute pencil holders to the cute comforters to the matching rugs...I HEART them all.  Yes I am that NERD!  I did not have an all decked out dorm room unfortunately because we didn't have the money but that apparently didn't stop my love for purple.  I pretty much did my whole room in a light purple which is funny because now not a single item in my house is purple.  I remember my mom and I bought a mini fridge on discount because it had a small little dent on the side.  I had the oldest computer on the planet but that didn't stop me from being on AOL instant messenger non-stop (this is the same reason I claim not to be on twitter in fear of creating the same addiction.) 

I was so excited to start school, but as my parents drove off I found myself trying to hold back the tears.  I knew a new chapter of my life was about to begin...and I wasn't sure if I was excited or scared.  Either way I knew things were about to change and nothing would be the same.  I was officially a big girl now. 

Do you have fond memories of going back to school?

On a Serious Note

Yesterday I attended a funeral for my close friend's step-dad. It's been awhile since I have been to one...since my grandfather passed away a few years ago. However it got me to thinking on how short life is and how we really do not know when it is our time to go or our precious loved ones. A few days ago I was just watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition where a 16 year old died because she lost control of her truck on a straight road while she was texting. How sad is that? I mean the end of your life because of a text message? The mother was actually the first one on the scene. I can't imagine the devastation she must have felt when she saw that truck. So I know I'm usually not one for posting serious posts on this blog, but I felt the need after yesterday. Make sure to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you because you never know when it will be the last time you get a chance.

I couldn't imagine not being able to pinch this guy's little cheeks!

In a Much Simpler Time...

After reading Jessica's post about her job at a coffee shop, it took me back to a much simpler time in my life. When I was a junior in high school, I started my first part-time job at Sonic Drive-In. Yep that's right...I was one of those car hops, and no I didn't wear roller skates. Apparently, grabbing customers' cars to help you stop rolling is frowned upon. Anyhow, my compensation was only minimum wage, but I made up for this small amount with tips. During the summer I would work 6 days a week, and I could make up to $90 in tips just in one day! Back then that was huge! I really look back at this time very fondly because it really taught me how to save and manage my money and to develop a strong work ethic that I carried into every job (which I always worked from this first job until I was a SAHM). I would deposit all of my wages and part of my tips into my savings and use the remaining amount of my tips to buy clothes or going out with my friends. With my savings, I paid for my first car with cash, a $2k trip to Europe, clubs I joined in college, and even moved out into an apartment my sophomore year of college. I decided to end my glamorous career at Sonic during my sophomore year of college to find a closer job to my school. My apartment that I shared with a roommate only cost me $200 a month which included cable (even HBO mind you), high-speed internet, and water. The only utility we had to pay additionally was electric which was usually a very small amount. Back then you could survive on $275 of income a month...can you believe that?! Awww the simpler times...when you had no mortgage or large expenses and the only worry that crossed your mind was what boy you were going to go on a date with and where you were going to hang out with your friends that night. Those were definitely the days!

Just Another Day in the Life

When I went to visit my fellow mommy friend Laura last week, we had a discussion on our current life situations and how much everything has changed in just a blink of an eye. In this previous post, I discussed how I am still unsure on how to transfer my strengths into my new role as a SAHM. Laura made a good point when she said that we had been groomed to go to college, and then basically trained to enter the workplace. Those plans all seemed to fall into place pretty easily without much trouble, but now I find myself in "The Great Unknown" as I call it. It's not that I'm what you would call domestically challenged, it's just I don't feel like I'm an all-star in many of my SAHM duties. I feel that I am lacking in excelling in at least one area and that just really rubs me the wrong way. It's not that I completely stink, it's just I kind of feel average. Bleh. Yeah Bleh is the word for it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the mothering part of being a SAHM, and I do think I do a good job in this department. I love my little guy to pieces. It's just all the other stuff that I should be good at like cooking, gardening, or just overall craftiness. When I was a business professional, I had benchmarks and competition that I could measure myself against. Now I don't have those types of comparisons, and my life doesn't just fit into a box or a spreadsheet. Laura put it best when she said that we are just at a point in our lives where we are redefining ourselves. Before in my life, everything fell into place including the SAHM part. I guess my mind just didn't go into much more planning after that. So here I am trying to muddle through to find out...what do I want to be really, really good at? What would I enjoy putting my energy towards? Hopefully I'll have something from the sky hit me in the head to give me a sign. Until then, I will be in limbo as I redefine myself.

It's The Little Things...

It's the little things that drive me crazy...here's a short list from the past week that just drive me batty.

1) Being honked at as I pull out of my street onto the main highway. Look it's a blind curve, and I have to dart out like a bat out of H#$% so I don't get hit from the other direction. Believe me I don't want to endanger my life or my little baby so I really don't want to pull out in front of you. If you weren't going 70 down a 45 mph road, we wouldn't have that problem. So slow down and don't honk at me as if I just randomly pulled out in front of you. I assure you I didn't.

2) Today I saw a lady leave her buggy in between two cars. That's twice in one week! What's worse it was one of those little itty bitty carts. I gave the lady a rude look but she still just left it there.

3) As I was walking in the dry cleaners today with the baby carrier and my bag of clothes to drop off, a lady is walking out. I thought great she can hold the door open for me. Nope...she basically slammed the door in my face. Really, lady? I am not asking for special treatment because I have a baby, I'm just asking for common courtesy. Heck I always hold the door for people even if they don't have a baby. It's just a nice NORMAL thing to do.

4) My dog finds it necessary to bark as soon as the garage door opens. You know it's my husband why do you bark like a maniac? Quit trying to sabotage nap time!

I'm sure there are more, but that's all my mom brain can remember!

The Shopping Cart Lazies...

Yesterday when I made a quick trip to the store, I witnessed the unthinkable. Yep that's right I witnessed what I like to call the shopping cart lazies. Much to my dismay, I watched a lady push her shopping cart between two other cars. She looks to see if anyone is looking, and then makes a mad dash back to her car. Of course, only a few feet from where she abandoned her cart in the middle of the parking lot is the actual place where the shopping carts go. I mean literally it would have taken her a few extra steps. I almost got out and put it up for her, but I had Nolan in the car with another car waiting behind me. Really how much energy does it take to walk those extra steps? These days most people work behind a desk ALL DAY with little exercise, so it would probably be good for a person to take a few extra steps to return the shopping cart. Then because of her inconsideration someone else's car will probably get dented from a runaway shopping cart, or better yet that shopping cart will just sit there and take up valuable parking spaces. You know like when you are about to pull in a space and realize a cart is in your way, so you have the find another place to park. So next time you are in a parking lot watch out for those stray carts or your car might end up like this!