Okay, Who At Apple Has Been Reading My Blog???

I had been debating whether or not to get the new iPhone, when the little man made the decision for me by accidentally combing my phone with a soaking lasagna pan. Eww. While the phone (shockingly) survived it's initial submersion, over the past few weeks it has been losing it's charge after only a few hours, and over the weekend the thing finally gave out.

After refusing to play the whole "wait in line so we can build some hype game" I was able to reserve one online pretty easy, and yesterday I picked up my new favorite toy. No, Siri is not quite as awesome as she thought she'd be, but damn, the processing speed certainly makes up for it.

As I was leaving I remembered that I needed to pick up a case, and saw this:

Hey now! Okay, who at Apple (err Kate Spade) has been reading my blog??? Does this remind you of anything??? *hint look at the page you are reading this on*

You know I had to get it!!!!

P.S. Sorry for the unexplained absence yesterday, I blame it on what I call "new phone suck." You know, where you sit down to look at your new phone, and two hours later you look at the clock and say "holy crap, where has the last two hours of my life gone?" Luckily, for me I had a trail to follow. At the 15 minute mark I figured out that Siri will actually cuss. Cut to the 50+ text messages that I sent my sister, trying to figure out just how far she will go. (For the record, she is one nasty girl and will say just about anything!!!!) Good to know, right?

Staring Contest.

For the record... baby always wins.

Who needs toys when you have a big brother???

Happy Sunday to you all.

Happiness.

The other day, my husband and I toured an independent school in the area (which of course, we love and feel is so unbelievably perfect for our little guy that I will now be devastated if I have to send him anywhere but*) and while we were sitting down for our "interview" with the admissions director, she asked us where we saw our child in 20-30 years. When asking this, she acknowledged that this was a difficult question, and not one that we had probably given a lot of thought or discussion to.

She was right.

With little kids, you have to be so caught up in the day to day, that I have a hard time even thinking past next year, let alone, the next 2 or 3 decades. It is so hard for me to imagine my kiddies as the men that they will someday be. We all know how much can change in even a year, that, no we hadn't discussed it.

I, of course, gave, the stock answer, "I hope that he will be a success, whatever that word will mean to him. That he will have graduated from at college at a minimum, and that he will be surrounded by people in his life that love and inspire him."

My husband on the other hand said something that 1) reminded me why I married him, 2) reminded me why I had kids with him, and 3) couldn't have been more true. He said very simply, "I want him to be happy."

The admissions director looked at him and paused, apparently no one had ever said just that.

Happiness seems like such a simple thing, but with all the hopes and dreams, along with the pressure,  we pin on ourselves (and especially our children) it sometimes seems like something that is elusive and unattainable. I would consider both my husband and I to be very happy people. He loves his job and will often remark that he can't imagine what it would be like to go to work and "punch a clock" essentially hating every minute his work day. While the kids nap on the weekends, or in the early morning hours before we wake, you will often find him at work, not because he needs to be there, but because he loves what he does. While our days couldn't be more different, I too love what I do. I get to spend all day with my boys, maintaining my home (which I am still in love with), cooking good food, seeing my best friends and their beautiful kiddies a few times a week, and now, spending time best friend/sister on an almost daily basis. Our evenings are generally the same.. baths and dinner for the kids, some one on one daddy time, bedtime, dinner for us, and catching up on one of our favorite shows. On Saturdays, we try to go to an early dinner as a family, or have some semblance of a "date night" and, as you all know, we try to travel as much as we can with little kids in tow.

It's a pretty quiet life, and it's one that I wouldn't have any other way.

As far as I'm concerned, life doesn't get any better than this. I also realize that the things that make us oh so happy, may not be the same things that will make my children feel the same. I can only hope that they find careers that they love, a partner who is first and foremost their best friend, good friends, a loving family, and a desire to make a positive difference in the world. However, if in the end, if all they can say that they are "happy" with their lives, than I know that we will have done our job, if only because we lead by example.

*For those of you who have emailed me re: the issue of delaying kindergarten by a year, the LM would enter a pre-k program that has combined hours with the kindergarten. His day would go from 8:30-3 and his studies would be comparable to a public, or traditional kindergarten program. The school itself is very small and will tailor the curriculum to his individual needs. If they see that he is at K level, we will have the option to put him in first grade. More likely he would do a second year in the K program as an "older kindergartner" to give him the chance to master the basics before entering the next year.  He would stay at the school for grades 1-6 (with the option of continuing until grade 8.) The school itself is extremely socially progressive and diverse. It is not at all what I would have thought a private school would be like, and I know that if given the chance, he will thrive in such an environment. I also not so secretively love the idea that he will start college (assuming that's his path) at an older 18, rather than a 17 year old. Plus this means we get an extra year with him living at home! ;)

I Year Ago.

Exactly one year ago today, I found out that this little 8 cell embryo had decided to take up occupancy in my uterus.

(Baby's first picture)

We all know that the road to get him there was long, and there were some bumps along the way. Looking back now, a year later, I wouldn't have had it any other way, because all that was necessary to bring me my sweet little boy.

Here's the little guy during a sick visit to the doctor yesterday (yep, another cold.) Can't you tell he feels like crap? (I'm pretty sure that there is NOTHING in the world that could get that smile off the little guy's face.)

What a difference a year makes.

Whhhaaaaaaaat???? I Don't Even Have To Get Pregnant For This?

Did you all see this line from a company named Hatch that was featured on A Cup of Jo, yesterday? AMAZING is the only way to describe it. When I went to the company's website, I literally had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Each piece is designed to be worn before/ during/ and after pregnancy, but I'm going to focus on the whole "after" pregnancy piece, and incorporate all (err some) of this clothing deliciousness into my Spring wardrobe (yes, I know it is barely Fall, but if I promise not to open the box until April, then I'm pretty sure that counts as a Spring wardrobe. Doesn't it?) Are these sister designers kidding me?  These clothes are not only beautifully tailored and so sophisticated and cool, but they are also absolutely perfect (and some* would say essential) to a Mom wardrobe. Prepare yourself, this is about to blow your mind.

Hello "errand" dress. Yes, I will happily wear you at school drop off/ the grocery/ while running around town/ to a play date for the rest of my life. 

 I'm not forgetting about the "afternoon" dress. Of course, you can come too.

Is anyone really this cute pregnant? Please tell me it's just the clothes. Oh, "soiree" dress, where were you 4 months ago?

Please say hello to my new favorite dress on the planet. The "dinner party dress." *die*

Equally as cute in cotton. (BTW I am obsessed with that leather jacket... obsessed.)

Well, hello, adorable short sleeved trench. Can you do any other tricks?

Ahh, yes you can. I heart you.

What is the cutest thing in this picture? (hint it's that beautiful cozy wrap) Okay, okay, the wrap is a close second to that adorable baby, but you have to admit... it is close. 

I told you. Mind blowing. I hope this is just the first of many collections from this awesome team!

*The someone would be me.

P.S. It is not lost on me that I spent my entire pregnancy wearing "non-maternity" clothes, and now that I am no longer with child, here I am lusting after things meant for those with a baby in the belly.

P.P.S. No this does not make me want to have another baby, just a bigger closet.

So Mean and So Funny.

Have you all seen this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live? It is so unbelievably mean and equally as funny. I'm pretty sure that the kids at the end are exact replicas of what my boys will be like in two years. Gray chillin and sucking his thumb, and the LM throwing out all kinds of attitude!

Current Obsession: Homeland.

For the past few weeks there hasn't been a day that goes by that I haven't called my sister or husband and said, "OMG, I can't stop thinking about Homeland!!!!" The scary thing? It's actually true. What I don't tell them is that I probably think about it a couple times a day. Could I be more of a dork? I'm sorry, I just can't help myself... it's THAT good.

People, trust me on this one, you have GOT to watch this show. If you don't have Showtime (which also houses my 2nd and 3rd favorite shows (Californication and Dexter *die*) this is the reason to get it, or at least make friends with someone who subscribes. As in, change Match.com profile to read, "looking for a man who subscribes to Showtime and won't talk (or watch football) on a Sunday night." Period. End.

For those of you who don't know, the basic premise of the show is that Claire Danes is a CIA agent who receives some information from a terrorist, minutes before his execution, that a POW has been "turned." Months later, a man who has been missing in combat for some 8 years is found and Danes is sure that he is going to be the sleeper terrorist. The POW comes home to a family, with a crap load of issues, and Danes herself is shown to also have a few screws loose. What happens next is crazy, and I won't give any more away. Except that it's just amazing. 

The only thing that could make the show better? If Jordan Catalano could just magically appear, standing by a locker, smoking a cigarette. I guess that isn't fair, because that sight would really make ANYTHING in life better. Am I the only one who can't not think of him when I see Claire Danes?

Enough reminiscing. Back to Homeland. Watch it. You won't be disappointed. Feel free to discuss if you agree or don't. Come on, I know there are a few of you who are obsessed as I am!

Two Peas In a Pod.

Remember yesterday, when I said that I despised breast-feeding. Well, today I take it back for one reason, and one reason only.* The gilt free eating of the LM's halloween candy. Seriously, if there is an excuse to have more kids... this might be it. Sure, you could buy it, but it just tastes sooooooooooooo much better when it comes from a Batman bucket, that you know was carried around by your favorite superhero all night long. The problem is that I'm pretty sure I am going to need to start replacing what I've eaten, because someone keeps sorting and organizing (and re-organizing) his loot, and I'm pretty sure he is going to notice the extra large dent that I've put in it. Oops.

Anyway, back to Halloween. I said it last year and I'll say it again; Boston has the best Halloween. Yep, I'm calling that one. No where else can you find such excitement, in a safe and controlled, child friendly environment. My Sis was with us for the first time this year, and she commented that after seeing a Beacon Hill Halloween, that she was pretty sure she was cheated out of her entire childhood. I'd have to agree. This year beat all other years for two very clear reasons; 1) the boys were so completely into it, I almost wanted to cry. There is nothing like seeing superhero best friends leading the charge in search of sugar. My LM was so funny, he kept trying to trade with people when he got to a house that had candy that he liked better... and 2) people were serving adult "treats" this time around as well. I've decided that my new favorite drink is (heavily) spiked cider, on a cold Halloween night!

Here are some pics from what was one of the best nights ever!

First, what I refer to as the "child army." My two bestie's kiddies, and the LM. (If you can believe it there are 3 more babies not pictured!) I think this may be my favorite picture of all time! Do you think as an adult we are EVER this happy?

Like last year, we HAD to ride the "hay ride" around the block.

And... my two peas in a pod.

Last night the LM said that Halloween is better than "his birthday + Christmas." As much as I love both... after Monday night, I'd have to agree!!!

* (okay, maybe two, because I do love the snuggles that come with feeding the little guy.)

Don't Worry... The Aliens Would Have Sent Me Back!

I received an email from a reader/friend asking if I was 1) alive, 2) if the kids were alive, and 3) if I was missing due to an alien abduction??? I am here to put any kidnapping rumors to rest, and to apologize for my unexplained absence. Holy crap, has it really been a week since my last post?

I'd like to say that we were all sick (actually I might have to re-phrase that one, because thankfully everyone has stayed relatively healthy despite the 50 degree, two week temperature swing) or that I have some monumental news that I have been waiting to post (I have to laugh at the twitter follower asking if I was unexpectedly pregnant? I. couldn't. even. imagine.) or that there was some good reason for staying away from the blog as long as I have.

The truth is not very exciting. Life just sort of got in the way.

I'm finding life with two kids much easier that I expected. Easier, but a hell of a lot more time consuming. Easy in that, somehow every day, we are able to make it from place to place, and to and from our daily activity relatively unscathed. We are usually on time, the kids are dressed and fed, and somehow the house still looks decently put together. Most nights (err some nights) we even have a home cooked dinner together. It has taken A LOT more planning to get things done, but most of the credit goes to the two boys who are both so awesome that they make getting around possible, and dare I say... fun? I think I was prepared for life to be a total shitstorm for the first year, and anything but has been a welcome surprise.

That being said, I feel there are just not enough hours in the day to get to everything done. I try to get to most of my errands with baby, while the LM is in school, and everything else done in the hour and a half that they are both sleeping every day. Yes, I mastered the double nap. No, it's never enough time. I've also tried to get in some time at the gym a few hours a week, but that has meant a few hours away from my little boo boo, and so I have to make those up by staring at and making out with him every chance I get. In between all this I have tried to find some time to get to the blog (which I still love and have missed dearly) but last week a few things came up that required some attention. Hence my absence.

The biggie was that we unexpectedly decided that we were going to look into putting our LM in private or independent schools next year for kindergarten vs our town's public schools. We had planned on keeping him in his school for another year and putting off kindergarten until he was 6. His birthday falls 5 days before the kindergarten cutoff, and given that he is a very energetic little guy, we felt that he would benefit from another year of pre-k. This plan was quickly discarded, last week, when we learned that we had no option for an extra year if he went into public school, AND our town has some kind of screwed up lottery which is great if you get the school you want, and sucks if you don't. We will still play to see what comes up, but I think we are leaning towards putting him in a school which will allow for the flexibility of a delayed kindergarten. Which means paperwork. Lots and lot of paperwork. Paperwork+ tours+ interviews+ blah, blah, blah. If someone had told me that it was easier (and cheaper) when I applied to Law School, than it is for kindergarten, I would have laughed. They would have laughed right back, because they would have been through the process, and they would have been right. I am very much of the mindset that whatever school he goes to isn't going to make that big of a difference in terms of his higher education, but I do think it will play a part in what type of person he is going to become, and because of that I want to find the perfect fit.

Then there is Gray.

Gray is great. Gray is flexible. Gray is just about the sweetest thing ever. I love every second with him. I still melt every time I look in those puppy dog eyes and I pinch myself every day just to make sure he is really here. While I have endless love for him, I feel the exact opposite about feeding him. Or should I say breast feeding him.  For whatever reason, I just can't seem to keep my milk supply up, despite every effort to do so. We went three months straight without a drop of formula, but when I found out last week that he was a few ounces under where he should be, I didn't hesitate to work a bottle into our daily lives. And now it's two. Soon it will be three. Even though I've been down this road when the LM was the same age, I still can't help felling like a bit of a failure. Last time around, I went into a bit of a downward spiral over this, but now, we are busy enough, sot as long as he's happy and healthy, I can't worry about much else. It took a few trips to the lactation consultant, and then the pedi to get okay with everything, but long story long, he's growing and that's all that matters.

There is plenty more that has been keeping me away, including my odd obsession with reading about Jenna Lyons' divorce... so scandalous!!!  planning a romantic getaway with the hubs (more on this later) and even ordering our x-mas cards (I'm psycho) but I promise to not disappear again any time soon. I've missed you all and have appreciated those of you who have reached out to say they have missed me in return!

I have a whole lot more to write about and will definitely try to be more consistent in posting!!!

And... you all know the aliens would have sent me back, right?????

P.S. It is not lost on me that when I went to publish this post the time stamp was that I started it almost 4 hours ago! That's what happens when both kids wake up early from their naps!!!