Feb 25, 2013

Confessions from a mama with a 4 year old...girl.

I'll confess...I'm struggling.  I work full time and my hubby works during the day and goes to school at night...so Monday through Thursday...this mama is basically alone with the kiddos.  So...I'm going to start writing...in hopes that I will give me an outlet to relieve some stress.

My day starts at 5:30 when my hubby leaves for work and I get up to get showered.  I get my oldest up at 6:15 to start getting ready for the day and by 7..I'm screaming because I have to leave for work and she is still sitting there while my 17 month old daughter is glued to me drinking her bottle. (I may laugh at this scene one day...but right now..it's not funny)

After work..it's pick the kiddos up get them home, feed them, bathe them, get them to bed and then make lunches, iron clothes, clean up the mess that was created in the 2 hours that we were home for and eventually...around 9 crawl into bed out of exhaustion.  There is time for exercise...but honestly I don't do it because I'm just too blasted tired.  So..on top of everything...I feel fat (even though I am far from it) and lazy.

My 4 year old is a good kid. She is...honestly. BUT...she tries my patience and pushes every single limit that there is. I feel like my brain is going to explode from screaming in the mornings just to get out of the door.  No matter what I do...she just doesn't want to do what I ask.

It's me...I know it is.  Daddy doesn't have these issues when he is around.  (And of course having daddy tell me that it's partially my fault just makes me angry) The mother daughter relationship can be great...and it can be horrible.  She will be fine all day long for other people...I walk in the door and it's instant melt down before I even speak two words.

So my question is how.in.the.heck do you get a 4 year old to obey? Because this mama is going to commit herself to an institution if something doesn't change...fast. (just kidding...but seriously..we do need some adjustments in our home now that daddy isn't around much) How...can I make my life any easier...or more organized.

Jan 9, 2012

My Girls








(ok..so the picture of Abigail sticking her tongue out just may be my favorite.)

Oct 9, 2011

And...she's here!

Abigail Rose Moses

Born October 3, 2011 at 7:09pm weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces; 20 inches long

Sep 19, 2011

37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain: 34 pounds...I actually lost a pound at my last appointment.

Maternity clothes? yes...and at this point...they are even getting small.

Sleep: Horrible.  I toss and turn at exactly every hour and I get up at least twice to use the bathroom.  Much different than my first pregnancy considering I could make it through the night without getting up.

Cravings: Still chocolate.

Best moment this week: Not sure what the best moment was this week.  Probably just hearing her heart beat and knowing that very soon, she will be in my arms.

Movement: Constant and I think the poor girl is just as uncomfortable as I am.  At this point, it's actually painful when she moves.

Gender: Girl....

Labor Signs:  Sure...definately some braxton hicks.
Belly Button in or out? Depends on how she is sitting.  Sometimes it's flat..other times it pokes out.

What I miss: My body.  I am done sharing it and really would like it back to myself.

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep as much as possible.

Milestones: I'm officially full term!!

Favorite Moments: Spending the last few weeks with Isabella as an only child.


Technically...I was only 34 weeks pregnant in this shot. Sisterly love is such a wonderful thing!

Sep 13, 2011

First Day of Preschool

Well...my munchkin started preschool this year.  Last Tuesday, the 6th, I took her in to meet her teacher and introduce her to her classroom. She immediatly asked the assistant to play with her, which warmed my heart needless to say.  She got to color a fish and hang it on the bulletin board and was just full out loving it.

Thursday was her first official day and I tried to prepare her and tell her that she was going to go by herself and that's when she said "no mommy...you are coming with me."  My heart broke and I prepared myself for a battle.  Well...when it came time to go in, the teacher bent down to greet her and my little Bella ran into the teachers arms, gave her a big hug and said "Can I color a fishy?"  The teacher said "your fish is hanging up, but there is something else for you to color at the table."  With that, Bella ran into the room without ever looking back to see if I was coming with her.  I walked away feeling so proud of her...knowng she was in great hands and that she was happy.

As I was walking away, I walked with one of the other moms who was left in tears (her daughter had followed Bella's lead and ran into the room as well to play without looking back.)  I told her it was going to be okay.  I guess one perk to not being a stay-at-home mom is that I'm used to leaving my child.  So I encouraged her and told her I would see her in two hours. 

When it came time to pick Bella up...she came out, walking in a straight line, holding onto the rope with all the other kids.  When the teacher released her to me, I got the biggest hug I've ever gotten from her.  It was, and is to this day, one of the best feelings I've ever had.  She was so happy and had such a great time in school that she literally just kept rambling to tell me all about it.

So...from all of this I have learned that being a working mom does have it's perks and that I literally just made the best decision I could have made for my child.  What's even better, is that my work is allowing me to leave every Tuesday afternoon early to go get her.  So...I don't even get to miss out on that.  God is so good to me...all.the.time!


Here are just two pictures that I took with my phone.  She wanted nothing to do with pictures..but instead just wanted to get in that room to play.

Aug 29, 2011

And...we are officially moving

Ok...so for the past two months our house has been on the market.  As many of you may know...it's a great time to buy..not a great time to sell.  Never the less...my hubby and I said that we would try to sell for a while and if it didn't sell by the time we had the baby (due in 5 weeks) then we would rent it out.

Well..this weekend we got a phone call.  A dear friend knew of someone who needed a home to rent asap so they recommended our home.  Within the blink of an eye our house is now rented.  Since these people need a home asap...we have about 1 week to pack up all our stuff and get out.  EEEKKKK!!!

Stressful....yes, but and that's a huge BUT we know this was God's timing.  We were not looking for a renter and hadn't planned on it for a few more weeks.  God is totally providing for our family so we do what we have to do.  And, surprisingly...the house is getting packed quicker than I thought.

So...after work I'll be heading home to pack up as many boxes as possible until I just crash.  But I'll leave you with a little picture of my family...before we add one more (which may be here earlier than we think after all this mayhem.)

Jul 29, 2011

We made it!

So...here's the story...and I'm sorry if it's a bit long.

Since our first daughter was born, we have dreamed and even planned some on our next house.  We quickly started outgrowing our 3 bedroom twin.  We tripped over swings here...stepped on tubby toys there and overall, I just felt crammed.  (granted...our house is very nice and is a GREAT home!)

When we found out baby number 2 was on her way...I felt the pressure even more.  Nesting? Possibly.  So...my husband and I started looking at some larger homes within Downingtown School District because that is idealy where we would like our kids to go to school.  (Considering that's where we both went, we are a little biased)  Well...we just couldn't find something that we liked and that was in our price range.  So...diappointed we said we will just have to make due with what we have and never forget that God blessed us with this home for a reason.

About 2 months ago, we got a call from my parents saying that the woman who lived in the house next door could no longer afford the home.  Her children had abandoned her (she is 72) and she just couldn't take care of the property.  In addition, she was having a hard time getting up and down the steps to even get into the house. (The house is on a hill)  So...my parents had asked her if she was interested in selling (as per a suggestion from her son) and she JUMPED at the opportunity, knowing she could get a small, first floor apartment somewhere and be really happy.

With that...things moved forward.  We came to an agreement on price, drew up an agreement and started working on the process for a loan.  Now..I will say that this house is in no where near good condition.  In fact, when the appraiser from the mortgage company came out, they deemed the house "uninhabitable."  Yep..they were basically saying that the house should be condemned.  So we had a huge list of things that needed to be done in order for the mortgage company to give us the money.  According to the appriasier, it should have taken about one month to do and $8,000.

But...we pushed forward and God provided many helpful hands.  We were able to do all the jobs in half the time and for half the price.  God is SO GOOD!!!  The appraiser was very impressed when he came back and all he could say was "wow!"

So...as of yesterday, at 4:30pm my husband and I became the owners of another home.  In Downingtown school district, with 1.5 acres of land, right next to my parents.  I see the house finished and it will look nothing like it does now.   My husband will have a detached garage for a workshop and we will have a two car attached garage for the cars.  Our girls will be able to play in the back yard without me worried that they will run into the street.  And the BEST part is that they will be able to see their grandparents whenever they want!  The thought of watching my girls run next door just warms my heart.

Today...I am thankful to God for this opportunity.  For giving us above all we ask or even think.  I trust him completely with the sale of our Thorndale home and if it's His will for us to rent it, then so be it.  I know that he will give us a sense of peace during this transition, especially with a new baby on the way and I trust that He will provide our every need.