"It Makes Me NER-Bous"

Me: "Ayden honey, I'm going to have to ask you to stop getting more food and drink out. You have helped enough and we have all we need for dinner. Thank you for your help. We need to find another way for you to help now."

Ayden: "Mommy it makes me feel NER-Bous when you tell me that I can't" (said with a super sad face and puppy dog eyes)

Me: [thinking....is he saying the word nervous???? How did....where did....what!?!??] "Is that word 'Nervous'?"

[I look up and catch J's eye in the background clearly as floored and surprised as I am]

Ayden: "Yes, NER-Bous. When you say No and I want you to say Yes, it makes me feel NER-Bous."

Me: "Do you mean frustrated?"

Ayden: "No, I not frustrated! I feel NER-Bous."

Me: "Are you worried or are you upset?"

Ayden: "I am upset"

Me: "Then I think you are frustrated, not nervous."

Ayden to Daddy: "Daddy I am frustrated when mommy tell me No."

I think my three year old has more self-reflection than most grown men I know :)

Ayden's 3rd Bday BASH

"Bash"

I think that appropriately describes the event. It was planned to be on the larger side, but I didn't realize just how much fun it was going to be for adults and kids alike.  I also didn't realize just how SPECTACULAR the new house would be for parties!!

We ended up with about 50 guests of all ages.  We had a Toy Story jumping castle, a buffet of mexican food and scrumptious cupcakes.  Despite being the 'invitor' of all these people, and obviously being friends  with them all.... the amount of kids that showed up was jaw dropping. I knew we were reproducing...but wow! It was awesome. The older ones entertained themselves, sometimes under the watchful eye of an adult...sometimes not...and the younger ones made their rounds from adoring arms to adoring arms.  We had kids swinging, kids riding bikes, kids playing with rocks, kids drawing on the sidewalk, kids sleeping (wahoo for a Gavin nap despite the party) kids in the playroom, out front, out back, in the family room, in the workroom.....phew!!  And yet, there was not the slightest sense of crowding - oh how we (and someday the kids [scary!]) are going to enjoy this home.

Without a doubt my most favorite part of the day was when we sang Ayden Happy Birthday. What would be really really cool is if I said here watch this video so you can get the full experience....but no. I failed you and myself yet again. No camera in my hand and no video....of the WHOLE PARTY!!  Thankfully, Hillary did some shooting. I will put a link at the bottom of the email for you to check them out :)

But...back to Ayden and the birthday song.

Everyone gathered around as we pulled Ayden from him concentrated playing into the big family room. Jeremy approached him, cupcake in hand and flaming #3 candle on top, as we all started to sing Happy Birthday. Between the number of voices and the acoustics of the huge tile-floored room, the sound was quite startling. And startle Ayden did. He gave a little jump, looked around in surprise, then decided that clearly he too should be singing, like everyone else, at the top of his lungs. As he sang (read, belted) he looked around searching for who in fact we were singing for. Not until about half way through the song did Ayden realize this was all for him; he was the center of the universe for that moment and he simply beamed. With a smile from cheek to cheek, Ayden blew out his candle.

We then proceeded to devour the delicious cupcakes.

The party and company was purely perfect. Thank you for all who were able to come and celebrate Ayden's big day with us as well as to those who sent their love and well wishes.

Here are pictures from the Ayden's Party.

Living the Life of Riley

Livin' the Life of Riley....really I don't think there is a better title for my blog (for so many reasons)... but not the least of which is the fact that my life rocks (in my opinion). My husband, my kids, my family, my friends, my hobbies, my work....just life. Are there downs....of course, but man those downs are fewer and further between when I keep my perspective.

This past week was one of these downers for me. I think it was the combination of sleep deprivation (from running RAGNAR which while be explained in another post) and serious lack of work at the office. One might think a light week at work would be great, but for me, right now, it is possibly the worst thing that could happen to me (perhaps a little exaggeration there). Let me explain why (it took me three days to do some self-reflection on this).  As you may or may not know, my job requirements are "simple".....make my billable hours for the year - which translates into a certain amount of hours each month and then each day. [For those who are not familiar with "billable" hours, it means that I can count time that I spend doing something substantive for a client. In other words, time spent going to the bathroom, copying, printing, checking email, checking anything social media, reading a news article, talking to a co-worker, thinking about my training or plans for the weekend...(I think you get the point) does not count.] So, simply being in the office doesn't cut it. Due to my training schedule and time with kids schedule, I only have between the hours of 7:00am and 5:00pm to make my billable hours (minus a two hour 'lunch' on days that I have more than one workout). Soooooooooooo, if I do not have the work to put in billable hours one day or one week, my schedule is screwed - initiate operation panic. There is little to no time in my schedule to work at night or really even on the weekends much, thus, I must be kept especially busy and productive during the allotted working time :)  [this is sounding a bit Type-A].

Long story short, I was super depressed this week and I couldn't figure out why. Well...that is why. I couldn't enjoy my light week at work because I MUST be super productive each day to make sure I make my hours AND do everything else I have scheduled everyday. Also, I must continue to build a bank of hours to fall back on when my training increases and I have more two hour lunches and finally a week and half off for participation in Ironman and then family vacation. Despite asking the partners numerous times for more work....I got almost nothing...except things that were fires and despite being bored all day, came up at 4:30pm and made me late for my kids at home.....not the kind of work I had in mind :)

Any who, the actual purpose of this post besides my whining, is that life is still good. Today I got up and ran the most beautiful path at Saguaro National Park East with four of my good friends. Then, we all drove over to the Eller's house where a delicious and nutritious breakfast was waiting along with many many many other friends, my boys and lots of adorable kids.  As I was driving across town blaring my radio and taking in the chilly morning air and bright sunshine, nothing could have wiped off the goofy grin plastered across my face - this, my friends, is what life is all about!!

Yummy...

Either this kid has a wicked sunburn, or he just thoroughly enjoyed a full body baked ziti dinner :)

F is for....

FUN FILLED FEBRUARY!!

There have been so many amazing events this february (bdays, vacations, races...) that I simply must write about.... but because of these events I simply haven't had the time!!

Catch 22?????

First, a little business.....the Wellness Checks.

In the beginning of February, both boys went in for their wellness checks (1yr & 3yr). With both boys, mommy, daddy and Sarah in tow, we were quite the traveling circus.

Chaotic? Perhaps. Fun? Always.

Gavin's One Year Stats:

Despite our thinking that Gavin was our eating maniac, Gavin's weight came in at a measly 33%. He is holding strong with the Riley height genes at 66% and last but certainly not least...(or surprising)....Gavin's noggin weighed in at 98%!!!!  Woohoo! The G man also gets the vote for happiest baby on the block....was there ever so content a child??

Ayden's Three Year Stats:

This was Ayden's first wellness visit as a 'big boy' who had to stand on the adult scale and against the wall for his height. It brought a little tear to my eye.

Weight: 81% (apparently we are talking about one solid kid!!)

Height: 70% (he will be bigger than me so soon :( )

Ayden loved taking (playing) his competency test (game) and breezed his way through all of the questions, amazing the Dr (and his parents) as always.

When I got home I looked back at my post from Ayden's 1yr apt, take a look!

Bottom line: Both boys are healthy and happy....simply perfect!

Stay tuned for more February Fun Filled Events to come...

Year Three

Someone pinch me....

Many days I can't believe I have two kids....that are mine.....that I (with help) created.....that I am responsible for.....that depend on me.......that look to me for love, care, nurturing, help, guidance, teaching......but more often than that I cannot believe I have my Ayden.  My big three year old Ayden.

Where does one start to describe Ayden?  To me the first thing that always comes to mind is "Awwww." Good old jaw dropping amazement.

Dearest Ayden,

Each and every day of your life you have amazed me. These days I await with excited anticipation, all of our interactions, for with each, you teach me things about you, about the world, and about me. You are growing and learning faster than I could possibly imagine. Your uninhibited kindness, caring and empathy is simply astonishing for an adult, much less a three year old in the 'egotistical stage'. Your ability to comprehend our world, remember everything, and negotiate is incredible.

As I am writing this, I'm listening to you show daddy how to complete a brand new puzzle you got for your bday. I can hear you explain to daddy how this pieces goes here because it has a little bit of this on it, and correcting daddy when he tried the wrong piece (true story!), and explaining to daddy that maybe we are not ready for this piece yet. I can't pinpoint when you stopped being a toddler and became a little boy. You hold full conversations (ALL DAY LONG). Sometimes I catch myself speaking with you as though you were an adult, forgetting that you are only three.

You are this little person filled with ideas, plans, stories, desires, and an imagination to fulfill them all.

One nugget that I continue to adore is your passion for airplanes. While my education and common sense would tell me that most kids, certainly boys, go through phases such as this, I can't help but hope that one day you learn to be a pilot and I can share with you the hours and hours and hours (and hours) we have talked about airplanes, sat outside and looked for airplanes, gone to the Pima Air and Space museum and airport, watched YouTube videos of planes taking off and landing and taking off and landing..... While you enjoy trains and cars and other typical little boy things, there is something in your eyes when you see or hear an airplane that I deep down hope grows into a life-long passion.

And passion you have (I have no idea where that might come from...). Passion you wear on your sleeve and runs deep to your soul and effects your every being. I observe as your excitement consumes you, as well as your frustration. I'll never forget a few months ago when you were watching a Backyardigans show and daddy walked in and noticed you had tears running down your face.  He asked what was wrong. You shared with him that you were sad because the Backyardigans had lost their friend.....true compassion. I hope you never lose that compassion though the world may try and harden you, and probably will in some ways, it is better to feel everything than nothing; it will serve you in your personal, social and even professional life. 

Admittedly, knowing from experience what life is like with intense emotions, I harbor some motherly anxiety about the negative emotions you will inevitably experience throughout life. Though it took me decades to learn how to positively utilize or experience a strong negative emotion, I hope to be able to use that experience in nurturing yours. 

Last and certainly not least, you are social. You crave the presence of good friends; a trait you get from both of us. I pray that your life will be enriched by friendship as are ours. I hope you always remember the importance of good friends and how to be a good friend yourself in any relationship you are in. Your jobs will come and go, your things will come and go, your healthy may have its ups and downs, your age....well it just keeps going!...and throughout it all and in the end, what you have left are your relationships.

I love you to the moon and back and know you will never cease to amaze me. 

Happy Third Birthday to my big big Boy.

Love,

Mommy

Year One

My Dearest Gavin ("Didi"/ "Little Red-Head"/ "Trouble"),

I have held back tears numerous times now before my fingers even touched the keyboard. I am not sure I will find the time, or more importantly the words, to express how you have transformed my life this past year. There is no denying that with your birth came a new phase of my life. Your presence instills a calm in me like I have never experienced. Your face, whether smiling and bright or sad and snotty, gives me instantaneous perspective.  You have been the catalyst for trying new and different things, whether on a grand scale or small -   they are new and different nonetheless.  Though you be only one, your first year has forever changed my perspective on life, my values, my goals, my balance........simply put, me.

So, with that, I will keep it short. I am blessed to be your momma.

Love,
Your One and Only Momma

************************************

I hope someday when you have children of your own, you and Ayden will look back at these posts and see yourself in your own beautiful children.  Here are some of things you do today that I never want to forget...

- The way you say 'DA!", in so many different tones and inflections that tells us preciously how you feel, what you want....and certainly what you don't want.

- While Ayden was a easy going calm child, you too are very easy going, but you certainly have your fiery, red-head side that is so cute [for now :)] and bossy at times.

- Boy can you eat. I mean seriously. You have only TWO teeth!! Yet, I have not placed a thing in front of you (or you haven't gotten your hands on anything) that you haven't devoured and enjoyed.  To name a few...a slice of pizza, black olives, chicken nuggets, apples, avocado, cheese, green beans....how you chew it is beyond me, but you have perfected the art of two-teeth eating.  As Mimi once said, "he must have really sharp gums".

- The way you yell for Ayden. You always have your ears and eyes out for your big brother. You adore him and everything he does. You meticulously watch his every move and then try and repeat it. Just a few days ago you were watching Daddy and Ayden horseplay and I could see your yearning to be a part. So, I watched as you promptly crawled yourself over there and climbed on daddy too, throwing your head back on his chest and trying to play as Ayden was.  It was adorable....and scary (for daddy's sake) to think that soon both you and Ayden will be coordinated and strong enough to really wrestle daddy.....good luck hon.

- You are so similar and yet so different from your brother. While Ayden was linguistically and emotionally inclined. It is clear that your mind works differently. You are very mechanical. You watch how things work, think about it for a few, then go right to the root of its operation. It is not the ball rolling down the track that interests you, it is how the ball makes the wheel turn, or the like.

- The comedy hour (read 5min) you put on for me just before you peacefully lay your head down on my chest and slip into your nightly slumber.  Your sense of humor just kills me. And the way you can read me even when it is pitch dark. But to end each day with the weight (and I mean weight!) of your little red head again my chest as we slowly rock and sing.......the worries of my day melt off, we are frozen in time and untouchable.