I posted this onto my Facebook page earlier today and the response I got was overwhelming. From people's responses, to reposting, and one even making this their profile picture. I thought I just have to share for all of you non-Facebookers out there. (Click on the article to enlarge)
I am often so exhausted at the end of the day but wonder what I've done to become so exhausted? When Brett asks what I did today, I only list a handful of things and then try to add more to that list to make my day sound more fulfilling ... but I can't think of anything. How can I be so tired when all I've done is gone grocery shopping, fed the kids, gone to the gym, ran a package to the post office, and put the boys to bed? Am I not utilizing my day enough? Should I make more time for friends? Then I came across this article and it all made sense to me.
Two things came to mind. One - Kids are exhausting. And two - When I have a moment of peace, I'd rather spend it resting than socializing. More than half of my phone calls come from my car because that's the only time I have to talk on the phone. I'd like to kiss the inventor of BlueTooth because without it, I would never talk to anyone aside from friends at the gym and my kids.
So please friends, try to understand why your friends with kids don't return phone calls or hang out ... it's because when you have toddlers you are never alone and when you have a moment to yourself, you'd like to keep it that way!
This is a video of one of my favorite songs, "1,2,3,4" by the Plain White T's. To me, it embodies pure happiness. I played it on my iPod today for the first time in a long time and visions of Gavin, Andrew, and Brett danced in my head. This song is my family.
I then realized I haven't written any updates on what the boys are doing these days. I'm not doing this so much for all of you, but more for me so that I can remember how they were years from now. Since my Gavin turns three in a couple of weeks, I'll write about Andrew in this post, and fill you in on Gavin on his birthday.
Andrew
How can you not fall in love with this precious little face? Seriously, Andrew knows how to turn on the charm and people fall for it all the time. For example, we passed a group of childcare workers at church yesterday and I overheard them saying how Drew is the sweetest baby, always saying please and thank you and ready to give hugs - this is not a rare occurence. I hear it all the time and it's true. I am constantly amazed at his manners. He is always screaming "Dank Goo!" (thank you) or "Peeeeeease!" (please) to me, his brother, Brett, strangers, everyone ... I hope it continues!
He is also easy going, fearless, and has an extreme personality. What is an "extreme personality" you ask? Well, when he's excited, he's very excited and when he's happy, he's very happy, and when he's upset, he's very upset. Andrew amplifies everything and lucky for us, it usually falls on the side of pleasantness rather than anger. He loves being loved, but only for a second ... he craves that quick hug and he's done, at least until he runs up to you three minutes later for another.
He can be exhausting. 100 times more so than Gavin ever was but all I need is that smile and hug at the end of the day and I melt to his charms over and over again.
Other things Drew is doing at 20 months:
- Every letter is B and C. I think it'll be a while before he knows his alphabet.
- He's a great dancer and dances anytime he hears music.
- Has perfected crying crocodile tears.
- Doesn't have his canine teeth yet ... isn't a bit late? **My SC BFF, Dana, has informed me that these are the last to come in. Thanks Danja
- Favorite food is rice - brown and white
- He's a daredevil.
- Great at sharing.
- Sleeps solidly from 7:30pm (usually) to 8:00am
- Screams "Nnnnnnnnno!" to everything
- Kisses me if I close my eyes because he thinks I'm crying then he'll stick his finger in my eye to try and open it.
- Still sucks his fingers
- Tells you he has a dirty diaper by pointing to his butt and saying, "Poopoo"
- No "real" haircuts yet. Just the mommy kind.
- Runs like a mad man if let loose. If I recall correctly, Gavin was the same way so I am hoping that he learns to follow me eventually.
- Favorite words and expressions include : Dank Goo, Peease, Nnnnnnnno!, Yeth (yes), Momeeeee, Dada-daddy, More juice, My juice, More (while giving the sign), Poopoo, Packpack, Booboo (while walking up to you for a kiss), Vrooooom (car), Woofwoofwoof (dog), Baby, Nana, Hat
It's hard to believe a year has passed since our friend and former squadron buddy, Sara Sullivan, passed away. Her husband, Brady, continues to be faithful to their blog and continues to update with pictures of Chloe
Sara's story continues to inspire and her legacy lives on! Please view the 2010 Dallas Komen Promo... How inspiring!
Please click here to donate to Team SaraStrong. You must select a sponsor in order to donate. Please select Brady Sullivan so that he can reach his goal! Every dollar counts. Happy donating!
Well, I finally accomplished one of my "Things to do in my lifetime" goals. This past weekend I competed in a figure competition!
A great friend and trainer, Missy Corrigan (http://www.fitgirlintraining.com/), has been guiding me for the past eight weeks and helped me to get in shape in order to enter the Stewart Fitness Figure Competition.
After a lot of time at the gym and trials and tribulations with eating clean (didn't work too well - I LOVE my sweets), I competed in the bikini division which didn't turn into much of a competition since I was the only one in my class. (Hey, 1st place in my first competition isn't bad ... even if I was the only one competing, right?!) I loved the stage - something that completely shocked me. I thought I'd drop dead from nervousness until I took that first step onstage, then a whole new Debra appeared. Who'd have thought I'd pose for complete strangers in 4.5" heels and an itty bitty bikini? I never thought I would!
Are there more competitions in my future? Who knows, it was exhilerating and fun and I now have pictures to show to the grandkids in the far future. I can see myself saying it now, "Who wants to see pictures of Granny in a bikini and lucite heels?" I'm sure they'll come running. In the end, I'm proud of myself for achieving my goal and not chickening out. Mommy power!
A huge THANK YOU to Missy (middle) who was with me every step of the way (literally)!
With Laura, a figure competitor, who also trained under Missy
First stop? Krispy Kreme. Mmmmmmmm ...
And a BIG thank you to Gram and Gramps who drove up from Savannah to watch the kids while I was in Columbia all day. Thank you thank you thank you!
We celebrated Brett's fini-flight today. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, a fini-flight is a pilot's last flight with his current squadron. Tradition is that when Brett exits the jet fellow pilots tackle him, tie him up, and spray him with water/champagne/etc. This is followed by a lunch in the squadron bar, which we cater. We were lucky enough to have Gram, Gramps, and Aunt M here to attend Brett's fini-flight. We had a great turn-out of fellow pilot wives and an all-around great time! Thanks for coming ladies!
Gavin getting his rest this morning. He had a full day planned!
He hates the jet noise yet refuses to wear ear protection.
Brett parking his plane.
The guys lining up to tackle Brett
Me getting prepared to spray him.
He hopped out the opposite side of the jet in hopes of escaping capture!
Family pictures
Labor Day in Savannah
We spent the Labor Day weekend in Savannah. Ray's daughter, Karen, came in from Atlanta with her husband, Randy, and two kids, Zach and Zoe. We mostly hung out at the house but did enjoy a nice birthday dinner (for Gram) at the Boar's Head. We always have a great time at Grams!
Posts
