Its a school night!

Tonights the night -- its our first "school night" as parents. I just packed her lunch & snacks, rolled up a nap mat, put diapers & and clothes in a backpack, and labeled our sweet girls name on every article of everything we are sending to mothers day out tomorrow (her daddy just had to write her a note on her lunchbox...see pic below). The entire time I was doing my mommy chores I was thinking "seriously? why am I doing this? she's only 17 months!!!". Part of me wants to hold her so close and not allow her to grow up but the other part of me knows that this is the best thing I can do for her. I know that the social development, independence from mommy & familiarity, and being one of a "team" or group will be invaluable to her. Lets not get too carried away here, its only 1 day a week for 5 hours total....baby steps. MAYBE next year I'll let her go for 2 days a week....maybe. ;) I'll do my best to post the pictures of the hysterical mommy and the happy toddler after her first day of Mothers Day Out.




ps. the play room is coming along - the pool table is gone, the toys have moved in, and the sofa is purchased and being delivered tomorrow. Will post pics ASAP but for now I gotta go get some rest for our big day tomorrow! Wish us luck and say a prayer that all goes well.

Man cave to play room = we are officially parents.

Yesterday we (notice the "we" because it was a mutual decision) sold our pool table. We had the total game room - dart board, pool table, pub table & chairs, etc. This room was where we used to hang out on weekends with friends. Well -- times have changed. clearly. friends coming over to hang out is a distant memory (we dis-like this fact) and the pool table turned into a place where I throw my diaper bag, a high place to put things I dont want Mary to get, and most recently our dogs favorite place to take a nap. (we have an english bulldog...how she jumps up onto there we have yet to figure out but she has been caught multiple times sound asleep.)

The old man cave is now being re-vamped into a play room for Mary. She currently only has about 3 ft of play space in our living room which is in the same corner as our wet bar....this is very inconvenient for mommy and daddy when Mary has gone to bed b/c its a major tripping hazard to pour our cocktails! ;) I am so excited to give her a big and open space to play!

I am now shopping for a sofa for our new play room and I'm thinking I'll finally make my first, and i hate to even admit this out loud b/c of my previous hatred towards this place, purchase at IKEA. IKEA is the most insane place ever, I get serious anxiety walking into there. I feel like a hamster. BUT they have some great things for our play room. Here is what I'm thinking...


Big comfy couch along the back wall, a little table & chairs for her to sit at and color, then a place to put her toys in somewhat of an organized fashion. We will also put a "cartoon" tv in there and some lamps, rugs, throw pillows, fun artwork. I want this room to be Marys little retreat and play space, somewhere where she will bring all of her friends over and they can play without being in my living room! ;)
(oh and side note: the only items pictured above from IKEA is the sofa & table, the bookcase is from PBKids....I'm dreaming about getting that book case but I doubt that the hubby will go for it..its rather $$$ and I'm sure IKEA has a look alike for about $ that i've yet to find in the hamster maze).

So - thats my latest "project". Stay tuned for final pictures. I'm still waiting on the pool table to get on outta here... the movers come to take it its new home tomorrow at 7am!

17 months too late?

I feel like this blog is 17 months overdue or actually 26 months overdue (9 months of pregnancy + 17 months of Marys life). I've always followed blogs of others, some strangers, and thought to self that I should really be blogging the events of my life as a stay at home mom with a wild and crazy daughter, Mary. SO - here it goes.

A little background: I am 26 but look like I'm 12 - I have to prove my age literally every single day of my life either through an ID when I'm purchasing my saving grace, wine, or through random strangers asking "is that YOUR daughter" as they stare at me with their judgment...and I always reply "Yes, I'm 26, married for 4 yrs, graduated college, used to have a career, etc". I really just need a necklace w/ my age on it. See how my 1 sentence I say to strangers sums up my life? I am married to an incredible guy, he sells elevators....I know, I know...I hear that all the time...elevators?? Yes. He likes to say, "it has its ups and downs". He thinks he's hilarious. He is. He is also in grad school getting his MBA. I'm sure you will hear a lot about his MBA and the time commitments throughout this blog...stay tuned....to hear me gripe on nights that he's in class and I've had the toddler all day. We have an amazing daughter, Mary who is our pride and joy (what child isnt their parents pride and joy?). She is loud, independent, beautiful, crazy, and the sweetest baby ever. I love her to pieces. Does she nap consistently - no. Does she behave like an angel always - HECK no. Does she eat her veggies - never. Is she 17 months old and still drinking her milk from a bottle, attached to her pacifier & blanket (referred to as her "night night"), and screams if anyone tries to touch her aside from me or her daddy - ohhh yes.

I am a stay at home mom and have been since the day she was born. I used to work at a marketing company and hated it. I always knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom and I truly believe this is that path that God has paved for me. I am ever so grateful for my husband for who has never once second guessed, questioned, or suggested I do otherwise. There are some days that I wish I could go back to my little gray cubicle and sit in peace and quiet, take long lunches, and get showered and dressed each morning. Yes - getting showered and dressed is a big undertaking for me with Mary. I love being at home with Mary even if it means I have syrup in my hair before 8am, have poop up to my elbows (it has happened), and have days where all my "boss" does is scream at me and regardless of what I do. I love it. seriously.

Okay so I'll save the rest for the regular blogging but dont expect too much outta me. I'm setting my goals rather low for 1 update a week....if I do it more...it means Mary has been napping or I'm in a good mood. Brace yourself for the good times, bad times, beauty, and horror of being The Werking Mom!