Vacation Weekends

Because when on vacation, why not work?

Saturday, Tony and I had to go to Modesto. We took the boys to Nana and Papa's house. They ask me at least daily to go to Nana and Papa's house. They'd move out if we'd let them!

Collin has been asking to paint his bedroom green for months. I don't know where he got the idea, but he brings it up once a week or so. Sunday, we decided that this was the weekend to paint!  It was the first project we successfully finished in one single day!  Especially impressive since Collin was helping to paint. 

Would you believe I made it all the way around the room and the tape line actually matched up?  It did!  I mean, it should have, I used a level the whole way around the room, but when does planning actually make a difference with home improvement projects?  Almost never. 

Collin loves it, and I'll get used to it. I've been wanting to do something creative with his room, now I find myself planning Ethan's room decor. 

After a while, Collin got tired of waiting. And he was plain tired from playing at Nana and Papa's house, so he went to lay down and i let him watch TV. 

While I was painting, Tony was in the garage building shelves and creating storage space. It's so much nicer in there!

I even BBQ'd a nice dinner which the boys didn't eat, but Tony and I really enjoyed. It was a good weekend. 

I Love Shoes as Much as I Love Coffee

I had to go to Modesto today to retrieve my husband. I thought, I'll go early and shoe shop while he does whatever. I've been wanting to check out a particular store for some time. Due to small people, as I pulled into the parking lot, hubby texted to come get him. I was bummed. 

In the end, Tony went shopping with me, laughed with me when I asked him to hold my purse (it's magenta), and talked me into a couple of pairs of great heels I would have talked myself out of.

And then we went to lunch. It was a good outing!

A Pain in the Neck

When I finally get the boys to sleep and collapse into bed, I know that I won't get to sleep through the night. These two, together, are worse than a newborn!

Collin first came into our bed at 11:30, a mere 45 minutes after I finally fell asleep. He wouldn't go himself, so I stumble-carried him to Homs bed. Tucked him in, kisses and "love you's". 

A couple hours later was time for round two. Again, he wouldn't go to bed himself, so I stumble carried him. 

When my alarm went off at five, imagine my (non) surprise at his presence in my bed. Imagine, if you will, we have a queen size bed. Tony sleeps like the dead and cannot be disturbed. 

Therefore, he's got of the bed, Collin has a third of it, and I've got the sliver that's left over. Seriously, laying in my side, and my butt is overhanging the edge. That's how little space I had!

But it's time to get ready for work, so I stumble to the bathroom. And when I got to put my hair up I realize that I can't move my head without excruciating pain! I can't look to the right, look up, or even hold my head in its normal position!  I blame the child, sleeping like an angel, drooling all over my pillow.  

I've been to my Chiro twice today, and he let me borrow the electrical stimulation machine (I operated it for ten years in us office, I'm qualified!) and here I sit, end of the day, and I can still barely look up or to the right. Driving was something awful!

And when I told Collin to stay in his bed until my alarm goes off, he replies "I am!" I reminded him, "No. You were in mine and Daddy's bed three times last night. He stops, "oh." 

My children...

They Grow Up Too Fast

My baby turned two today.  I'm a little sad about it.  Maybe nostalgic is a better way to describe it.

About a month ago, Ethan discovered he had an opinion.  He discovered "NO!" and how to use it, how to open any door knob every made, avoid sleeping at nap and bed time for at least two hours, and have absolute meltdowns for no reason I can think of. And he looks so darn cute while he does it!

He's my little rough and tumble kid.  He loves to rough house, climbs on everything, and bolts outside as fast as he can, while giggling, into the street.  He's a runner, this one.  I have to hold the hood of his sweatshirt to keep him from running out of daycare.  Then he discovered that my hold allows him to deny gravity and walk at a 45 degree angle, so he tries to run anyway.

Every morning he wakes up, stand at in the door (appropriately hindered by a baby gate) and calls for me.  At least once.  Then he demands his daddy. He tries to bolt to find daddy, and I have to catch him to change his diaper and dress him. He demands that he turn on the light, then complains that it's bright.  IN the end, we do the whole procedure with his blankie over his face, and he talks to me from under the fluff.  It's adorable!

He and Collin are finally playing well together.  We caught Ethan sneaking into Collin's bed twice the other night.  He loves his brother!

If you lay down, he will stop what he's doing to come lay on you.  He gives great kisses, but sometimes forgets to make the smacking noise, he thinks a hug is putting his head on your shoulder, and says the cutest "I love you!"  Sometimes, hugs, kisses, and I love you's are even spontaneous.

He eats like his food is vanishing in front of him, and begs for more until I cut him off for fear that he will do harm to his stomach.

We're starting to have conversations more, I love listening to the back and forth between him and Collin. Any phone call is "PAPA!".  Last night it was, "PAPA! NANA! GG!" It was Papa.  He wins!

He's generally happy, outgoing, and very loving.  He cares about others, and tries to help out.  And if you don't let him help, he demands you let him.  Lights.  Doors. Cooking.  And any/all buttons.

I love this little guy!

It's Been a While

(I wrote this is January, bet never got it posted) 

We have been really busy this last month!

Let's start with my new job.  I has opened my own law practice in August.  It was going well, but I already getting burned out of the back and forth the constantly occurs in family law issues.  And I wasn't making any money, because I'm a sap.  Nobody should let me manage my own billings...

On the 16th of December I was by the courthouse when I ran into an old professor of mine who had also been my supervisor for an internship I had done. He's always been one of my favorites. We chatted for a minute and then went on our way.

The next day I was at the office when the professor randomly called me.  He asked if I was interested in legal research and writing motions.  He said there was a very good firm in town who needed some help. If I was interested, he'd give them my name. (Turns out the partner of that very good firm was in professor's office during the call.)

One Friday I had an email from one of the associates to schedule an I review for the following Tuesday. The next Tuesday I had another interview with the partners. Wednesday I had an offer in my email, which I accepted. And, oh, by the way, I started at the beginning of the year. 

Short story, in the course of three weeks I my name was submitted for a position, and I interviewed, closed my practice, moved out, and started the new job in an entirely new field!

On top of the holidays, illnesses, and everything else. Seriously. Busy. Whew!