Constant Beginnings

Dearest Claire and Mya, Wow, what a whirlwind we've been experiencing. Daddy just returned to us after 5 long weeks away and you are just so excited to have him back in your worlds. So excited. Claire, you actually teared up when he was hugging you and Mya, when you were in his arms, your little legs were kicking with shear delight. It was an absolute beautiful sight. Daddy was at the gym when you woke this morning, so one can only imagine the confusion that you must have felt wondering if seeing him last night was simply a dream. You were both easily assured that he would return after work tonight. The rest of our morning went seamlessly knowing that his face would greet you soon. The past 5 weeks alone with the two of you will be treasured by me always. You are the greatest joys and sources of pride in my life--and you're still babies!! Daddy and I love you like we never imagined possible. We do our best to never leave your side, which many cannot understand. You are my lit...

All good things must come to an end, so with the end of my single parenting episode, I bring you a few other good things of my week. As always, my number one good things--Claire and Mya. I could eat these two up. They are simply adorable. Claire was wearing my boots around. She says , "Momma, I got your knockin shoes on." We got snow Thursday night to which Claire was convinced that Christmas must be coming. She said it several times that night and Friday morning. I just hope Daddy knows the gifts she'll be expecting to fulfill her Christmas wishes;) Mya loves, loves, loves to sing. Claire does too, but Mya seems so little yet that I eat up every word. Her latest song of choice, Three Little Monkeys, to which she then adds "na, na, na boo boo. you can't catch me." Again, I eat up every word. It is adorable, but I think nearly everything these two do/say is adorable. My little whiz, Claire...I discovered a new game for her. Rush Hour, Jr. I was a bit worried...

my new flip flops. polkadots. love them. beautiful girl with a second battle wound. compliments of mya. love that. lisa thought i should post a picture of myself, but can't quite get it done. this is as good as it gets for now. ha. manual practice. more practice with mya doing her kissing face. she is too cute. miss thang puckers right up with her little cheeks sucked in. love that adorableness. practicing again. trying to have her cooperate for pictures is a continual battle. doing the lisa dance to some taylor swift. hee hee. love those fingers. PHew. One more week to go until Chris comes back. Thank goodness. I have told him repeatedly that he has no worries--I won't be divorcing him until our kids are at least 17. I certainly don't want to be a full-time single parent ;) I'll take his long work hours, minimal availability to no availability any time ;) The extra body and change of scenery does wonders for our kiddos. Sundays have...

I love holidays. I love dressing up my children for holidays. Just haven't been so good about that with Mya. I thought perhaps Chris needed some pictures of his baby loves and I KNOW Jessica is dying to see them.... Yes, Claire chose her hairstyle. That is her thing lately. Today was braids--all over. I can't wait until she has aunties around to grant her every wish ;)

We had a GORGEOUS weekend! It was simply beautiful here. One of my friends who is from Florida thinks she's in desperate need of a trip home since the 50 degree temps that we've been feeling actually feels HOT! ha. I am soaking up every degree. The kiddos and I were out and about on Saturday afternoon. We actually had a birthday party at the bowling alley, so our afternoon time was limited. Sunday was filled with a walk to the playground, a playdate at Claire's friends house and more bike riding, car pushing, sliding on the deck kind of fun. We also tackled a major project--cleaning our rugs and furniture. I even went through my closet to complete my "spring cleaning" escapades (our cleaning lady is taking over as I speak) and made the greatest discovery---Jessica, one of my skinny minny sisters gave me a pair of AE denim capris a few years ago. I wore them one summer, got pregnant with Claire and haven't worn them since, but alas, they fit!! Yippee! I will ad...

I am officially 2 months into this healthier lifestyle journey. It was a long first month, but the second month has seemed to sail right past me. Interestingly, I've had less progress per say the second month too. It is funny how the moment I see progress, I begin to sabotage it by making poor choices or not continuing with the exercise as I had before. I have eased up on the diet quite a bit. I am not restricting sugars or carbs, but I eat them in significant moderation. I just feel better without them in my system--less bloated, less hungry, more energy. Here's the update 60 days in: -13 pounds -11.5 inches I am wearing clothing 2 sizes smaller, which I previously wore before I was pregnant with Claire. I can now run for 30 minutes at a steady pace (5.7MPH)  and 2.5% incline. It is slow, but being someone who used to have exercise induced asthma (self diagnosed ;), I am working simply toward increasing time and consistency. I actually crave exercise, which is s...

Mya being a punk. I wanted her to smile, but she had other ideas. Our beauties. Lately, I've been captivated by  how old they seem to be getting. I can honestly look at them both and no longer see babies of any kind. Mya is definitely a little person. She'll be moving into the two year old room at school and has already tested those waters. I am told she can definitely hold her own with the older crowd, but I guess that is to be expected when she is always with her sister. Claire is pushing her way into competition beyond preschool. Tear. Tear. I know growing up is inevitable, but I'd love it to slow down just a tad. Time is flying even though I am trying desperately to cherish each moment. Claire completing the entire box of tangrams. I guess I need to find some a bit more challenging. I downloaded a few educational apps to my Ipod. Claire loves, loves, loves to play them (I am sure Chris is cringing at this idea--he strictly forbids the kids to m...