D. Family Coffee Break

Kindergarten can really take a toll on the parents.  (Yes, I meant to say parents.)  I knew we were in for a lot of activities and volunteering, but I did NOT know that it would become a second job to be an involved school parent.  I was told that by volunteering and being involved, it would give your kids (and their classmates) all the benefits.  At a private school (especially a Catholic private school), if there aren’t any volunteers, there aren’t many activities.  So ultimately, I knew I had to participate.  Could I have cut down on the activities I chaired or took part in?  Sure.  Why didn’t I?  [Insert long sigh here.]  Because in the end, I realized that I wasn’t sending my child to a private school because it was better than the public schools in the area.  (We actually have great public schools in our district.)  I was sending my child to a private Catholic school so she could learn about her faith.  The most imp...

Today I am 33 years old.  My adult life is flashing before my eyes. There was a point in my life where 33 resembled more of the hustle and bustle of being a lawyer, rather than the hustle and bustle of working, PTO meetings, playing pretend, and making baby food.  Although my life isn't exactly how I imagined it to be, I truly could not ask for anything more.   At 33, I am abundantly blessed.   FAITH.  My faith is stronger now than it ever has been.  After years of "soul searching," I have discovered my true self in God's love.  I am not perfect, but my faith gives me hope that through my imperfections, God will love me and all things will fall into place, right where He intended for them to be.  I used to think people just said things like that.  (As though that's easy to say.)  I know now that 1- most people don't just say things like that and 2- things like that are not easy to say without conviction.  I am gratefu...

Today marks the end of one very long week.  My maternity leave ended and I went back to work on Monday, which means that Cubby started daycare.  I went all week without singing in a high pitched voice, put on work clothes, drive my 45 minute to 1(+) hour(s) commute, and work.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m glad to be back at work, having mature conversations, wearing clothes that no one spits up on, and actually eating a lunch, BUT I miss my chubby-cheeked Cubby and being able to pick up big sister Bug right when the school bell rings at 3pm.  I miss it.  I miss my kids.  A LOT. Since my last update (which clearly was too long ago, judging from how skinny Cubby looks), Cubby has grown exponentially.  Seriously.  I am not kidding.  This kid has almost doubled his weight and added 4 inches to his length. I feel like I’m raising the most gentle of all giants here.  Buggy has gotten used to having her bro around.  As a result of h...

When people find out you're pregnant with your second child, they start to tell you one of the following: Multiple kids- how hard it is to juggle one versus two kids.  Anything after two requires very minimal adjustments. The age gap dilemma- to have your kids close in age, or to spread them apart.   I'm here to address both points above. When I was pregnant people would tell me how my life would be rocked, turned upside down when my second child came into the picture.  They said that going from one to two kids was the most challenging and having anymore than two really doesn't phase you.  Those people who said all of this to me were right.  Having baby L has truly rocked our world.  Our used to be family of three was set in a routine- a very good routine and now we're back to trying to figure it all out.  We're challenged with getting two kids on somewhat of the same schedule, which is almost impossible considering their age gap (to be addre...

Welcome the newest addition to our family, baby L! 8lbs, 1oz. 19 3/4 inches long Here's here and he's a sweetie.  He was born after a 12 hour induction and 5 minutes of pushing. We were so blessed that Grandma was able to arrive early for the induction and to witness baby L being born.  (Sorry, Grandma. You can't un-see some things.) Clearly having a second child rocks your world even more than having a first.  With the first, the ratio was pretty good:  2 parents, 1 kid.  You have 2 sets of hands and you tag-tam the diaper changes, the feedings, and the clothes changing.  With the second, it's one-to-one.  And after almost 5 years, Dad and I couldn't remember how to even hold a newborn baby.  Thankfully, God was on our side and gave us this (so far) easy going babe.  It's a definite 180 degrees from newborn big sister, who spent most of her newborn days screaming at the top of her lungs, with the occasi...