Finally

Just short of the 5 month postpartum mark, I was able to get my engagment ring back on comfortably. The wedding band is a different story-still wearing my pregnancy band, but at least the bling is back!

The Welcome Wagon

Tom was gone for a few days on a much needed golf trip in New York, and we missed him, especially his shadow (AKA-Patrick). In preparation for his homecoming on Saturday, we made Daddy a welcome home sign. Tommy really didn't contribute much, but Patrick used crayons and real markers, and thought it was the best sign in the history of signs.

Somebody was on cloud nine hanging out with dad this morning...

Hidden Blessings

Last week, the battery on my scale died. Probably from me weighing myself after every workout. I think this is for the best and I am going to wait a few weeks to replace it. I guess I need to post my 3 month Crossfit photo next week, but I gotta be honest, I am not where I thought I would be at this time. I had visions of having some defined abs at the six month mark, but as I am nearing the end of month 3, I still have the baby belly. If I want to see abs anytime soon, I am going to have to watch Jersey Shore.

With Tommy still waking each morning at 5:15Am, I am finding it hard to get motivated to go some of these mornings. I am beyond fortunate that I did find Lisa, our new sitter, who has made it possible for me to continue my program past summer. She is amazing and although I am paying her, she is watching the boys solely for the joy of being around little kids.

Seriously.

The former special agent in me should find that statement a little suspicious, but really, she is like a modern day Mary Poppins. She has two boys that she just saw off to college and another 7th grader at home. She knows boys like the back of her hand, and Patrick loves her. She told me she remembers how hard it was to be a mom with really young kids and wanted to help by giving me some time for myself. I know.

I have been the recipient lately of A LOT of help. Oh the joy of going to the grocery store alone! Oh the ecstasy of getting my hair colored on a Tuesday so I don't have to sacrifice my weekend time with Tom! Oh the thrill of knowing that there are two symphony tickets sitting in my mail basket which translates to another date night!

How lucky I am? I can't wait (and must) to pay it forward someday...

Eating School

At one time or another most parents think they have a picky eater on their hands. Not Tom and I though-we have a picky swallower. We kept thinking he would outgrow his tendency to chew and chew, AND chew but not swallow a lot of his food (particularly meats), but it seems to be getting worse.

Sadly, I take some of the blame through genes; I was the exact same way as a child. I hated the texture of most meats, especially steaks and turkey, and would sit for what seemed like eternity at the table with chewed meat stored in my cheeks, refusing to swallow. My mom is probably laughing now that I am getting a dose of what I dished out to her for her years.

So I made an appointment with our children's hospital and Patrick had his first occupational therapy session today. Next week I will bring a lunch with me so they can observe Patrick eat, and I have to write down everything he eats for the next week. Just to rule out other allergies besides his nut allergy, we also got blood drawn. I pray that his issue is only a sensory disorder related to food textures that they will be able to work with, because I can't imagine going through another year of this. I will keep everyone updated.

Trucks Vs. Brothers

When asked whether we should keep his trucks or Tommy, Patrick of course responded, "Trucks".

Good Company

A side effect of moving around so much is that both Tom and I have left a whole host of good friends in the dust each time we move on to the next city. If we are lucky, we see those friends once every couple of years. Last summer the Brown Family (we met them as neighbors in Canton, MS) came to visit us from their new home in Virginia. Their son Hudson and Patrick were born a mere 3 days apart, so hanging out together is always easy with built in buddies. This year we decided to meet up with them at Seven Springs and include them on one of our traditions-taking the kids to Idlewild Park. This was Patrick's second visit and Hudson and Tommy's first. It was BLAZING hot. The kids were troopers and we made it through, but boy were we zapped at the end of the day.

Anna holding Tommy.

Hudson and Patrick playing with clay the first night we arrived.

We look happy because the temps had not yet gone over 85 degrees when this was snapped!

Brad, Anna and Hudson at the entrance to Storybook Forest.

Patrick was too scared of most of the rides to actually want to go on them, but he did put on a brave face for the merry-go-round and the teacups. He also did the pony rides, but chanted "get down" the entire lap.

Hudson (L) and Patrick (R), age 27 months.

Choose Your Own Adventure

I loved those books growing up, so here is one for you guys. One of these explains why I have been noticeably slacking in my blogging.

Carol has a fabulous Saturday celebrating her anniversary then...

A) Her husband surprises her with a week long trip to Hawaii where she remains tipsy on Mai Tais and blissfully free of the responsibilities of motherhood.

B)She falls on her head attempting a handstand push-up during her crossfit workout, sustains a small concussion, and is forced to take it easy for a week.

C) The roofers bang on her roof for 3 1/2 days disrupting her kids' nap schedules, which in turn eliminates any hope she has in napping herself or accomplishing any household chores that need done. Subsequently her kids are crabby from not napping, which makes her tired and cranky and so on and so on.

Those that know me well are ping ponging between B and C, but the correct pick would of course be C.

The roof is done and things are returning to normal. More posts to come.