Our daily routine...

As hard as it may be, I really LOVE being a stay at home mom.  I love taking care of Emma and the house, and my husband.  Sorry...that's so corny and lame:)

 

Around 6am, I get up.  Brent sometimes (about 2-3 days a week) gets up before then to workout - sometimes at 4:45 (ugh..).  Most of the time, I am up before 6, which doesn't bother me because I like to eat and have coffee in peace.  Emma *used* to get up around 7-7:30.  But this past week, she has gotten up at 6:30ish.  This isn't so bad, because she's in a good mood.  It just makes for a LONG day....and I mean LLLLLOOOOONNNNGGGGGG.

 

Anywho....I eat the same breakfast everyday.  Since January.  I may have a problem. (In case you care, it's Quaker's Steel cut oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts.)

 

Emma has started coming out of her room on her own.  She used to just sit up in bed and wait for us to come get her.  One morning a week or so ago, she opened her door on her own, turned her fan off, shut her door, and came looking for us.  Now, it's her routine.  I kind of like it...it's a sense of independence for her, and I don't have to keep checking the monitor to see if she's up or not.

She drinks chocolate milk, religiously, every morning while watching some her shows on TV.  (I have no idea where she gets her sense of routine from!!??)

 

If Brent works out, he gets home around 6:40, makes himself some breakfast, and watches TV with us.  I usually am checking my phone and drinking coffee - anything to drown out kid TV.  He normally leaves before 8am.

 

I usually have made childcare reservations at the gym around 9 or so, so we leave the house about 8:45.  Emma prefers wearing dresses, and getting dressed herself.  This adds about 15 minutes to what used to be a 3 minute process.  I have gotten into a little routine at the gym and I am loving it.  I also love, as weird as it sounds, that I'm usually the youngest one in my classes:)   I feel like all these mother hens watch out for me - except at Ballet Burn - more people my age take that class:)

 

Mondays: yoga and either elliptical or the bike

Tuesdays: spin class

Wednesdays: yoga at lunch

Thursday: Ballet Burn

 

Emma has no problems whatsoever going into childcare, and I love it.  I am not fighting her to go, and she has a great time.  I love having some time to myself, too:)

 

Afterwards, we run errands - usually the grocery store or whatever needs to be done for the day.  Sometimes, I'll take us to lunch.  And once a week or so, I try and take her in the pool with me after my workout and we will swim for a bit, then shower at the gym.  She really likes doing this together.

 

During the afternoon, I try and have rest time for Emma.  She *was* napping, but has since stopped.  I may try it again....not sure.  I do make her either rest in her room or on the couch with a movie.  I use this time to clean, do laundry, or make jewelry.  And sometimes I just veg out and do something mindless like watch my own TV:)

 

After rest time, we either run another errand (depending on whether we have been out of the house enough!!), or go outside and play on the playset.  She loves her playset and has such a good time on it.  The weather has been nice, so I have not minded being out there one bit.

 

I am trying to do one fun thing with Emma a week - lake trip, movies, museum, park, fun errand (like the candy store), story-time, play-date, etc..  (today we are going to see Finding Dory)

 

I try and have dinner ready by 6:30 when Brent gets home.  We are trying to eat healthier - but I am all about some easy recipes...any suggestions???  I am running out of ideas:(

 

Dinner time is usually chaotic - we are both yelling at Emma trying to get her to eat or stay in her chair, etc...  It really is exhausting.  And by this point in the day, I am done.  Emma is sweet, but she pushes the limits and can definitely be defiant.  Triggers seem to be: meal time, getting ready to go anywhere, getting ready for bed, and getting in the car.  I have no idea how people with multiple kids get anywhere on time - they must leave like an hour early just to be there 10 minutes late. 

 

We try and get Emma to bed by 7:30-8.  This is a challenge.  She gets this sudden burst of energy about this time and I feel like we live in a circus trying to get her pj's on and her upstairs.  Someone usually loses it (me), and I have to walk away for a few minutes.  We brush teeth, and use the potty (Emma has stopped pull-ups at night and has done great so far), and read 2 books.  Then one of us stays with her for a minute or two to says goodnight.  We take turns, but Brent gets to do it more since he is gone all day (oh, and my patience has ended at this point too - I'll own that).

 

Once Emma is in bed, we usually clean up the kitchen, and make coffee for the next day.  By this time, we are both so tired, and it's only like 8:30 (we suck).  We love to watch Parenthood on Netflix, or Fixer Upper.  Most of the time, we are in bed by 9-9:30, and I always fall asleep before Brent.

 

Phew....so there's a typical day.  This was a super boring post, but I know I will want to look back on it someday.

 

Some things on my mind lately:

 

Emma has been getting up earlier, going to bed later, and not napping.  What. the. heck.

 

I need to get Emma some swim lessons.  And even then, I have no idea how I won't freak out watching her go under the water and play on her own without swimmies.

 

Why won't my child eat?

 

It's been 3 weeks at home, and I'm already needing a break.  I'm sure that's normal, but Emma may be going to camp earlier than planned this summer......whoever invented summer camps was a genius.

I need to work on patience.  I have none these days.  I go from sweet mom to Mrs. Trunchbull in 20 seconds.  I hate it, but my fuse is short these days:(

 

I have a lot of house and yard work to do....I feel so overwhelmed.  I have no idea when I'll get it done.  I think I've passed the stressed out point and have just given up:(

 

I could go on and on, but I know no one cares!!  I'm off to make more jewelry for an etsy order and an appointment at a local store Friday:)  Then it's yoga and the movies for me and Emma!  Happy day to all!

 

 

 

Mid-week randomness

It's been a strange few weeks - between Emma being sick, being out of town, and now Spring Break at work...routine has been thrown out the window!  But, that's ok! 

This is life for us lately.....

Emma has been watching these (awful) shows lately, like Little Charmers (gag), and requested a side pony tail.  It's been her hair style of choice these days, and I can't say I hate it...it's kinda cute.

I watched the UNC vs. UVA game at Carolina Ale House on Franklin Street a few weekends ago, and celebrated a friend turning 50.  Angie does not look anywhere 50.  She is taking this picture behind the bar...because when it's your birthday, you get to do that:)

It was a fun night out with friends:)

We watched my niece play volleyball in Cary one Saturday, and Emma really enjoyed playing with this ball.  She has never shown much interest in sports, so I was glad to see her make an effort to not play tea set or baby or princesses...

I tried taking Emma to Bible Study with me (like normal) last Wednesday, but she was really clingy.  We finally left and went home after she started balling and saying she felt bad.  She did have a high temp that wasn't going down with meds, so we went to the doctor.  Emma ended up napping on the floor, she felt so bad.  I was super bummed I missed Bible Study (I'm selfish sometimes).

Emma was terrified of the doctor, after her ear flushing experience 2 weeks prior.  Luckily, the doctor took one look at her throat, grabbed a quick swab and did a strep test.  It came back positive, and Emma's fever was reading 103 there:(

She certainly deserved a treat after the doctor, and I wanted to do anything to cheer her up...so we got smoothies!

Amazingly enough, she was fine after Wednesday - no fever and no bad reactions to the antibiotics!

Friday night, we went to Town Hall Burger with the Winslows - Emma and Brooklyn had a really good time together and played well.  Emma isn't always the nicest to sweet Brooklyn, and I know their age difference plays into that....but I was glad this night went well.  And the food there was delicious!

Confession: life as a family of three has been challenging.  When it is Emma and I, things are great.  When Brent is around, Emma wants nothing to do with me.  After a rough Saturday of feeling like I had leprosy, Brent went out to watch the UNC vs. Duke game, and Emma snuggled with me on the couch.

Brent snapped this photo in Lowe's while I went to the grocery store ALONE.  I can't get over how big and grown Emma looks here.

Other random things on my mind:

Are we skipping spring altogether and going straight into summer?  High 70's??  I'm way too pale for short sleeves, let alone tanks and shorts (gasp!)  But, warmer weather means trips to the lake are not far off...and I'm super pumped to get in the water again.

Brent and I have some big decisions to make in the next few months regarding our future, so these are weighing heavily on us.  Work, living, school for Emma.......

I constantly feel like I'm having a hard time belonging - working part time in another city, trying to make lasting connections with friends in different places...it's really been a struggle.  I'm trying to trust that God's plan is the BEST plan.  I just don't know what that is:(  My heart laments not being with Emma while I'm at work.  And I also wish I had the connections I know other stay at home moms have - and the playdates with preschool friends, etc...  It's a sense of guilt wondering whether I am making the right choices for Emma and myself (because I know that me being happy is just as important as Emma's happiness).  Sometimes it just feels like I am trying to fit a square shape into a circle...sometimes the corners make it in, but I can't ever quite get it to fully fit...anyone else ever feel like that????

My dear friend Bill is home from the hospital, but still not well, and still no diagnosis.  His family is lobbying hard to have him checked into a better hospital..

I have a wedding to attend in 2 weeks....what does one wear to a March wedding? It's not warm enough yet, but winter style won't work either....suggestions?

I have a few friends getting ready to have their second child...and I want to do something nice for them.  Any ideas besides meals?  Was there anything you wished someone would have done, brought you, did for you, etc...  for your second child????

Brent is doing "the bull" with his F3 gang this Saturday.  I don't know exactly what it entails - a lot of running and working out (so naturally, I'm not doing it).  I'm really proud of him for getting up 2-3 mornings a week to hang out with some great guys and fellowship...oh and they work out.  I've grown accustomed to waking up early too, which gives me a chance to eat breakfast, read, and have some coffee before the day truly begins.  

Brent's Grandma is turning 99 this Saturday...so we are going to celebrate with her this weekend:)  Unfortunately, we were also offered 6th row Garth Brooks tickets for Saturday night too....haven't yet figured out how to be 2 places at once.

While I am still lamenting the winter we didn't have...I do love the warm air and sunshine this week.  Emma and I have a date to look at some belties after Bible Study tomorrow at Fearrington.  Happy first week of March, y'all!

Randomness

Just some snippets of random life this week...the LAST week before Christmas:(  Why, oh why, does it have to come and go so quickly?!?!?

Emma loves her accessories...and has perfected the skinny arm pose..something I fail to do every picture.

She also LOVES Sam Hunt..and who doesn't, really?  She belts out "Break Up in a Small Town" like it's her business.  Car rides are much more fun with Sam:)

I had wrapped some gifts this week (woohoo!!) and Emma found these empty paper rolls and started running around the house with robot arms.  I have NO idea where she got this from, but it was hilarious.

Brent scored last minute tickets to the UNC game...we had fun as usual, and left Emma at home with my mom (Thanks, Mom!)

Thursday, we had a lunch date with dad, but it was not until 2pm (WHO eats lunch that late?!?) Anywho, we stopped at Dulce cafe on the way for a muffin.

And they had the cutest gingerbread house display

I picked up some last minute gifts from a small store next in Sutton Station and saw these napkins.  I NEED these in my life...I am a total germ-a-phobe.  I won't let Emma play in the mall play area because I am so paranoid. 

Ms. Virginia, at Brent's store, gave Emma a dress up set and she was in heaven.  She put it on and wore it the whole rest of  the day.  I'm pretty sure all of Five Points could feel her beaming smile here:)

She even had a purse and earrings:)

When we got home, I let Emma play with some salt dough ornaments we had made in February.  We were picking ones out to put on gifts for friends and family as ornaments.  Next thing I knew, she had written an "E" on the back of them, because she had seen me write her name and the year.  Talk about a proud mom moment!!!  I know I will look at this tiny "E" in about 10 years and bawl my eyes out.

That's all for today's randomness...today is my last day of work, then it's full on Christmas mode for us!!  I hope everyone has a wonderful, restful last week before Christmas!

Life lately....

With the approach of Thanksgiving and Christmas, things are starting to get busy around here.  Here's a look at last week for the Talley's:)

Emma's been obsessed with candy and chocolate lately (thanks, Halloween...)  

I submit Exhibit A....

and Exhibit B, as proof.

Last Sunday, Brent helped a friend move (that's what happens when you have a truck), so Emma and I went to church together.  She was so cute taking in our neighbor's Operation Christmas Child box.

She requested we sit in the balcony (where we sometimes sit because Brent does the lights).

She also wanted to sit in the VERY LAST ROW.  Nosebleed church seats:)

Wednesday, I took Emma to school and took the day to run errands, after Bible Study.  It was heavenly to be able to have some time to myself.  I picked her up early, though, and brought her this cake pop from Starbucks.

Brent called late that afternoon and said he had some great seats (and a parking pass) to the UNC basketball game that night, and since I didn't have work the next day, I said "let's do it!"

This was Emma's first basketball game, and she rally liked it!  It was way easier and more fun for her than football games.

She even got into the game and clapped (at the right times, too!!!)

It was a great evening, and I hope we get to do it again soon.  Many thanks to the Franklin's for generously giving us their tickets:)

Thursday morning, we had our annual cardiology appointment.  I had been praying and praying over this for the past few weeks.  Emma has a condition where one of the valves in her heart is slightly closed, causing a murmur.  If it didn't open up in a few years, she would need surgery.  Of course, this is NOT what you want your child to EVER go through.

So, we cuddled extra long the morning of:)

And had a donut before hand!

Emma did great at the office - she always does.  It is never crowded and the staff is soooo nice!

I took a billion pictures - partly because it entertains her, and partly because I knew I would want one of her on this day.

Dr. Robinson came in and listened to her heart a few times.  Emma did great and was super cooperative.  He told me that he did not hear her murmur anymore that was caused by the tightness in her pulmonary valve, and I swear I cold have lept up and screamed!  I could feel tears of joy welling up inside me, as we would no longer have to worry about it.  He did want to see us in 2 years just to make sure, and Emma did have a stills murmur (which 50-75% of all young children have).  But I am so relieved - certainly an undeserved blessing from God.

That afternoon, we went to daycare to pick up our friend, Brooklyn, whose parents were out of town.  Emma did such a good job, being a big helper.  She really thought she was something coming to pick her up at school with me:)

 Friday, Brent was off work and we headed down to Washington to do Thanksgiving with his family.  

We did a lot of playing with cousins on our short trip.

And tried to take some good photos of all the grandkids.

 That night at dinner, Great Grandma has a mini-stroke (we think).  It was scary, and the kids were upset.  I corralled them upstairs and we prayed for her.  The adults called 911, and thankfully, they were there in minutes.  My sister-in-law is a nurse, so she knew what to do.  She was only out of it for a few minutes, and then came to and was responsive.  But it was awful.  Brent rode in the ambulance with her and stayed there for a few hours.  All her tests came back normal, and since she is 98, they didn't see a reason to do an EKG.  She was back hanging out with us the next day, and we were grateful!!

Saturday, we watched the UNC game and enjoyed some sunshine during halftime.

We went back after the game ended, because Brent and I both had commitments at church the next day.  Unfortunately, I woke up Saturday night with the worst abdominal pain in my life.  I thought for sure I was going to throw up everywhere and I had some supernatural noro virus strain.  Luckily, it went away after a few hours of lying on the bathroom floor.  But Sunday was a mess for me - loss of sleep, didn't eat much - so I felt crummy all day.  Brent was awesome and took care of me and Emma so I could rest.  He even cooked an awesome, hearty dinner (that I did get to eat!)

I'm so thankful for all he does for us.