Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A Day In The Life {Maternity Leave Edition}

*Somedays seem so, so long but most of the time they just FLEW by!  I would sit down at night and wonder what I did all day and why I felt like I had so much to do yet! :)
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[4a] Feed the Baby | I try so hard to savor these early morning with just my little man because I know they'll be gone soon.
If I'm lucky this will be the first time I've fed him, if I'm not I will have been up at 1 or 2a.


[6a] Exercise | Only if we had a good night and the weather is decent--my goal is 3 days a week.  I was cleared to run at 4 weeks, so I try to do some sort of activity {Run, Walk, or a Workout Video}



[7a] Jordyn Wakes Up | I would love to say she lays in her bed and talks all cute, but in reality she yells 'mama' 'mama' 'mama' and kicks the wall with her heels until I run in there!  :)  I go grab her and her blankie {a new habit} and bring her back to bed with me...for about 3 minutes.  When I can't take the jumping and flopping anymore we all get up. :)



[7:30a] Breakfast + Vitamin for Jordyn | Then diaper change and clothing change {+ baths if we didn't do them the night before/aren't going to the pool/splash park}



[8a] Feed Cullyn | I usually have to wake him for this bottle.  After he eats, I change his diaper and clothes.  He typically falls back to sleep after this.



[9-11a] Morning Activity/Errands | I try to take Jordyn outside and give her some one-on-one attention {which is pretty easy since Cullyn usually sleeps}during this time.  We liked to go to Story Hour and the Jump House when it was chilly, but now our favorite thing to do is going to the park or the splash pad.  If we have errands {Target, HyVee, Post Office, Drug Store, Oil Change, Dr. Appointments, etc.--it's always something, isn't it?!} we do them in the morning.



[11a-12p] Lunch | SO often {if it was good weather} we had picnics in the park.  Sometimes I packed sandwiches and sometimes I picked up lunch {Jimmy Johns, McDonalds, etc.}.  A couple of times we met dad and dined our for lunch...which were of course our favorite lunches!



[12p] Feed Cullyn | After he eats, I change his diaper and he typically 'plays' {on playmat or in swing} for 30-60 minutes.



[1-3p] Jordyn Nap | She usually goes down between 1 & 2 and will sleep for an hour or two, depending on how hard we played that morning.  Cullyn typically falls asleep at one and sleeps until 3 or 3:30.  I tried to quickly pick up the kitchen and throw a load of laundry in before laying down for a nap myself.  Towards the end of maternity leave I quit laying down {to get myself used to going without one and also to catch up on projects -- like baby books and photography work}



[3p] Snack Time | Jordyn doesn't typically get a morning snack, but usually always requests an afternoon snack when she wakes up.  Cullyn was usually still sleeping, so we would snuggle and eat a snack on the deck while she wakes up.



[4p] Feed Cullyn | After he eats, I change his diaper and he typically 'plays' with us for 60 minutes.



[4-6p] Play Time | I would love to say this is where I made dinner so it was ready when my husband came home, but let's be honest...that happened once!  Generally, we played in the playroom during this time.  We usually read books for a good portion of it.  But also lots of coloring, playing with chalk, flashcards & puzzles, and dancing/music went on too.  I tried to pick up the living room and switching out laundry during this time.  If we didn't run errands in the morning, we did that after naps.



[6p] Dad's Home! | The rest of the night is pretty 'normal.'  If we don't have plans I feed Jordyn, Adam makes our dinner, we eat {usually taking turns, because I swear we won't eat at the same time until we're 70!}, I give the kids baths and Adam cleans the kitchen.



[8p] Feed Cullyn | After he eats, I change his diaper and switch him to jammies if it wasn't a bath night.



[8-9p] Jordyn goes to Bed | We don't have a set bedtime.  We usually just wait until she gives us the signs that she's tired.  We take turns, but usually Adam would tuck her into bed while I snuggled Cullyn.



[10-11p] Bed | I would usually snuggle C until 10 and then work on photography or home stuff until 10 or 11.  After I went to bed, Adam would feel Cullyn again and then bring him to bed with me.

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One or two days a week {depending on our schedule} Adam took Jordyn to daycare from 8a-11a so I could sleep or catch up on house or photography stuff.  Most days I used this to catch up on JORDYN'S {yep, I was that far behind!} Baby Book and start Cullyn's! :)

**Looking back at all of these photos makes to so thankful for all of the wonderful, fun memories I was able to create with my kids during this time.  I'm one blessed mama!  


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Strawberry Patch 2013 [in photos!]


Last week was my final Wednesday off of work {I've been taking Wednesdays and Fridays off since I went back to work after having Cullyn} and Adam was working late, so I decided to take the kids on a late afternoon adventure to the Strawberry Patch.




Jordyn loved every second of it {until it was time to pack up and head for home, of course!}  She was running across the gravel roads and through the Strawberry Patch with bare feet {A huge deal since earlier this Spring should wouldn't even stand on the grass with bare feet}



I let her do all of the picking, no matter how ripe or not, big or small.  As you can see, some tasted better than others! :)



The only thing I would do differently next time...not wait until it's 100+ degrees, full humidity, & direct sunlight to go picking.  The guy on the phone wasn't kidding when he said we were welcome to come, but he would recommend coming in the morning.  Our post-nap adventure turned out to be a sweaty one!  



Oh, and for the record, Cullyn was with us too.  He just slept through the entire thing!  :)


We were sweaty and sticky and thirsty, but I can't wait to go back and do it again!  It was well worth the 30 mile drive!!

Monday, July 1, 2013

This & That {Lakehouse Weekend Renovations + Photos}


Did this:

Found a lemonade Stand
Worked 3 days
Took J to the Strawberry Patch 
Made popcorn {& s'mores} over the open fire
Purchased new running shoes
Spent the day at the pool with my sister in laws and our children
Walked to the Ice Cream shop with the kiddos
Replaced the windows and side door at the Lake House
Edited and uploaded photos
Took our first boat ride of the season with Gram and Papa

Instagrammed that:



Ate this: 
Chicken, Bacon, Cheesy Potato Casserole
------------------------------------
1 bag frozen tatortots
1 bag shredded cheese
1 lb. cooked bacon
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1/4 cup milk

Throw in crockpot on low for 4 hours

Edited that: 


Shot this:


Scheduled that:
M::This & That of the Weekend
T::Jordyn vs. The Neighbor Dog
W::[pure] Michigan
T::Happy 4th of July
F::Bryn's 18 Month Photoshoot

Monday, June 3, 2013

Maternity Leave | The 2nd Time

[As you read this I'll be in the middle of my first day back to work, so please say a little prayer that I'm making it through the day!]

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I'm sitting in bed with a glass of wine unsure how to even start this post.  My maternity leave with Jordyn was just so, so miserable {if you're new or don't remember, I spent most of my maternity leave with a VERY sick dog, and when I wasn't in Ames with him, I was taking Jordyn to her appointments--Well Checks, Adam to his--esophagus x2, or going to my own--recheck} that I didn't have many expectations for this one.  Maybe that's part of why it was so amazing.  Perfect in every way {except the not sleeping part...that is still far from perfect!} :)

I've taken far less photos this time around {unless you count Instagram of course!}, but I like to tell myself that's because I've been so much more present this time around.  I'm not taking anything for granted; all the little details of a newborn... the snorting noises, the twitches before he falls asleep, even the way his cries go from zero to ten in a millisecond.  I want to remember every thing.  This time around...I'm not feeling guilty for sitting and snuggling him ever chance I get.  I know now this is all gone in a flash.  Before you know it they're yelling 'NO!' at everything you say.  Most of all, I know that if my husband gets his way, this will be our last {Note: It is still very much under discussion!  If I get my way we will have two more little rugrats running around in about five years}.  Just the thought that Baby Cullyn could be my last newborn makes me want to snuggle him and give him whatever he wants, whenever he wants.  So much for the schedule I had Jordyn on!

Okay, this post isn't going anywhere I had intended, so let's get back to it...

Over the past six weeks, I've had the pleasure of taking dozens of walks with my kids.  We've went to the mall, the jump house, and out to lunch.  We've visited the park and taken picnics almost daily!  We went to Gram & Papa's house for a long weekend and the lakehouse for a week.  We've eaten our weight in ice cream, and played outside tons!  Most of all, we've just been doing what makes us happy.

Since we've made no trips to the vet {three times a week} and we've been outside almost daily {It was October-December last time}, that automatically makes it 100 times better!

Even though I have to return to work Monday {today}, I just feel so blessed to have spent the last 6 weeks with my babies.  Hugging and snuggling them.  Listening to Jordyn giggle and give the 'bebe' kisses over and over, and watching Baby Cullyn smile big and sleep so peacefully {during the day!}  I'm not ready to go back to work, but I don't know that any mama is really ever ready to leave her kiddos with anyone else.  I wish I could stay home with them forever, but to maintain our lifestyle, I must go back.  I'm fortunate to work part time {2-3 days a week} through Independence Day, and just four days a week after that.

Most of all, I'm just thankful for each day I get with my babies and I try not to take it for granted.

--I was just informed standard Maternity Leave in Canada is ONE YEAR!  We'll be moving there before we have any more babies!! :)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Mishmash


I'm so ready for a 'normal' week.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good holiday week, but Adam and I both commented that it's time for life to settle down again.  

We've watched several movies lately.  None of them great, unfortunately.  We rented
One For The Money, Tower Heist, The Expendables, The Expendables 2, and Safe House.  I ordered Sons of Anarchy: Season 4 today, so I can’t wait to get that in. 

We Adam and my sister Ashley are planning to paint the guest room turned toy room next weekend, so I’m excited to get that project started!  Photos to come! :)

We went to the lakehouse this weekend and watched our niece [A] play basketball.  She’s a freshman, but made her first basket on the Varsity team this weekend, so that’s exciting.  We also watched the Vikings lose so that was less than fun.  At least we had good friends and good food for the game! :)

Sunday was a much needed family day.  This emotional pregnant mama wanted nothing more than a day with her family.  So we packed up and headed home early.  We sorted through our newborn clothes for the little man and made our first couple of purchases for him! ;)  No worries, we made a few for Jordyn too! 

Speaking of Jordyn, we have her toddler bed {say what?  where did the time go?!} together and in her room.  Oh my word, that is going to be a task!   Girlfriend thinks it’s an indoor trampoline.  For a girl with no fear, I see an ER trip or six in our near future.  We haven’t started the transition yet, but I don’t think it will go down without a fight.  I’m ordering the bedding this week and we’ll go from there.

My youngest sister Alicia started her student teaching yesterday, so we had dinner with her and my other sister Ashley and her new boyfriend last night.  It was fun to catch up.  We've been so busy we haven’t been meeting for our weekend dinner date. 

Only 7 more pay periods before this baby comes, which isn't really what I’m concerned about….it’s the fact that it means there are only seven more times I earn PTO, which means that most of my maternity leave will be unpaid.  Which really sucks because we have to pay for Jordyn’s daycare spot at the new sitter during my maternity leave, when she won’t be there [and I won’t be making any money]. 

I’m itching to get out and take some photos.  Iowa winter is no fun for a photographer.  Maybe I’ll take Jordyn’s Valentine’s photos next weekend…

Friday, December 30, 2011

[Maternity Leave]

Alternately titled: 10 weeks of sickness, stress, & appointments

I'm currently sitting in the waiting room while Adam is getting a procedure done.  It's giving me time to reflect on my maternity leave...or rather, how I feel like I got screwed out of my maternity leave!

Maternity Leave: an employee benefit that provides paid or unpaid time off work to care for a child.

[That italics part is where my anticipated maternity leave is far different than my actual maternity leave...]

When I was planning my maternity leave in my mind it was full of napping with my baby, snuggling on the couch, and dancing around the house until daddy came home.

My actual maternity leave has been filled with...
27 hours sitting at the vet
3 appointments for Adam's Upper GI/Scope procedure
5 other medical appointments for Adam & I [sickness, check ups, x-rays, etc.]
3 pediatric appointments for Jordyn [Expected]
1 post baby appointment for me [Expected]

and endless hours of stress and headaches!  Praise God I have a happy, healthy [read: easy!] baby who doesn't mind being schlepped around everywhere!  :)

I call a redo!

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