Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day was great...spent time outdoors with nice weather for a change! Took the boys to Storybook Island (a great park here in Rapid) and Zane enjoyed helping Daddy "mow grass!" Sean really liked the photobook I made, even though it hasn't arrived yet. I was able to show him the draft online at least. He just wanted to spend time with the boys and make some good memories. Zane is Sean's shadow these days and really observes and imitates his every move. Cruz is more alert than ever before and spends all his waking moments watching Zane. As the mom, It's really enduring to sit back and watch all my boys interact and I cherish these moments. 

Father's Day Pressure

OK...anyone out there feeling the need to make Father's Day a miraculous, special, over-the-top, one-in-a-million day? With a new baby in the house and Sean deploying in a month, I just feel that I should be doing something extra special this year! I've exhausted my brain and have been trying to put together a photo book of him and the boys using My Publisher. That's a great website for those that don't have the time or energy to scrapbook anymore. The book's going to be nice, but it won't make it here in time for the big day! It's been hard to find spare time to work online and keep it a secret. So, now I need to do something else as well. I'm usually so good at these kind of things..love to add that sentimental touch, but I'm just lost for ideas. Father's Day is Sunday...

Zane is Two

Well, it's official..my first born little baby is NOT a baby anymore. He is quite the toddler, but I wouldn't go as far to say he's the "terrible" two (yet!). Sean finally came home from training in Vegas just in time for the festivities. The birthday theme was a no-brainer due to Zane's obsession of bananas; plus we call him our little monkey! I am not what I would call the domestic type, but becoming a mom, you feel as though you have to compete with all those truly domesticated moms out there that are always baking something neat or planning the best "get-togethers." Sooooo, I decided that I would make the "Monkey" cake for the party. Me..the "I'd rather do ten loads of laundry than cook" girl is going to bake the cake. My Type A personality doesn't allow me to do things with mediocracy, so a few trips to Michael's was needed to educate myself. I am always in awe of those cakes I see other moms manage to whip out; how hard can it be, right? After purchasing the entire aisle of the baking section in Michael's, I was ready for the "trial-run" cake. Yes, I had to make it twice in case it was a total failure and I had to resort to plan B. Plan B was ordering a cake from the old reliable, Wal-Mart! I must say, after 6 hours of mixing, baking, cooling, coloring icing and learning to use the icing decorating tips, the Monkey Cake was complete! My kitchen was a disaster area, but I thought the cake looked pretty good and tasted yummy! I didn't find out until too late that you can freeze your cakes until party time..the children at Playgroup got to sample the "trial-run" cake. It seems like a lot of work for such a small thing, but looking back, I'm glad I made it twice because the second time was much quicker and I had more confidence. I have to admit, I actually enjoyed myself once it was all said and done. Zane had a blast at the party despite the cold, rainy weather. Sean and I were stressed to the max trying to make things run smoothly, but a friend of ours reminded me later: "Don't you know that birthday parties are always stressful for the parents? What matters is that your child had fun." She was so right! 

Mommy vs. The Beast

I have a love/hate relationship with my ever-so-lovely Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller; otherwise known as "The Beast!" I don't have to use it too often unless I need to corral both boys in a central location to prevent any chance of escaping. For the past 3 weeks, this has been more necessary since Sean's away. Grocery shopping  with The Beast is horrific! Well, grocery shopping with children in any shape or form is NOT FUN! Since it's impossible to fit both boys in the cart along with groceries, I just use the stroller's rather large basket to pile in as much as possible. Today, it was pouring down rain and pretty chilly out, so I left Cruz in the car seat carrier attached to the stroller and put Zane in the front seat. We spent all morning at play group, so they were pretty tired, but I had to get a few items. Seems like as soon as we got through the first aisle, Zane was out cold! I tried to wake him several times, but that was no use. This would've been great for most instances...kids sleeping while Mom shops, but the front seat of The Beast sits completely upright when the car seat carrier is behind it. Poor Zane!! Head flopping all over the place, unable to even lean to the side. I tried to stuff a blanket beside him, but that only made his head lean forward even more. As I searched for items on the shelves, I would just hold his head in my hands all the while getting remarks from those passing by. I so wish I would've had my phone with me to snap a picture. All I can say is thank goodness for the harness straps! Needless to say, I paid for bananas, milk and a pack of diapers while holding Zane in my arms, trying to control The Beast along side. Luckily, Cruz did manage to be a good baby for this trip. Arms exhausted, soaking wet and frustrated that I didn't get the groceries needed, I piled Zane, Cruz and The Beast back into the 4Runner. As I sat down, seat belt on, started the car, I looked back in the rearview mirror only to discover Zane wide awake asking for a snack. Deep breathe and a smile, "You can have a banana when we get home, honey!" 

Hypochondriac

Today marks five months that my sweet, baby Cruz has been on this earth! I cannot believe how fast time has flown by! Although I've been a mom now for almost 2 years, I still consider myself a "newbie." Today just reinforces that thought. One of Cruz's eyes has been irritated and red for the past two days and I noticed that Zane had a mark of some type on his forearm after the air show yesterday. Not too concerned until this morning, when I I decided (self-diagnosed with the doctor's degree that I think I have) that Cruz has pink eye and is going to lose his eyesight and that Zane has been bitten by a deadly spider and will lose his arm or poison will get into his bloodstream if I don't rush them to the doctor! Mind you, it's Sunday, but our wonderful pediatrician has weekend hours, so I called and gave the whole speech that goes something like this: "I know this sounds silly and I'm probably just being a hypochondriac, but I'm a first-time mom and I'm not sure if this can wait...." BLAH BLAH BLAH! I have come to realize that the phone call is really for my own reassurance that everything is going to be fine, but the nurse can't ever tell me anything, except bring 'em in! I mean can't she just give me counsel over the phone, risking liability without even seeing their life-threatening illnesses?!?! So, I take them in, thinking the worst and 10 minutes after we arrived, I was wheeling that dang double stroller back out to the car with my pink checkout sheet in hand that read: Bug bite-keep clean, observation and Eye mild irritation-warm, wet cloth, observation...(They didn't even charge me for the visit...) Yeah, feeling pret-ty stu-pid! Yet again, I bet I got a few eye-rolls and snickers as I left the office. Any other hypochondriacs out there? Please share!