Change is Coming

First Day of Pre-K for N

First Day of Pre-K for A

Written at 5:45 a.m. - Today is the first day of school after the Christmas break. B will go back to her usual routine but today is the first day of Pre-K for my twins. All they have ever known has been to see Chris and I walk out the door of our home while they stayed behind with our nanny to play - all day long. not that they won't do that at school of course, but I am a bundle of nerves. Will I get a phone call to pick up my son N early because he is throwing a temper tantrum or he doesn't want to share the communal crayons? Will my daughter A not sit in her seat during lunch (as she does at home) and ask for milk and fruit all day long? Yes, change is never easy and it is never really as difficult as we make it to be. At this moment it is the biggest deal to me because it's just one of many claims of independence that they will have over me ... and I just want them to be my babies again.

Revised at 10:00 a.m. - I'm back home from the drop-off and I can't tell you the last time I was alone in the house. The loudest sound is the ticking of our kitchen clock. I cried a bit on the car ride home, but I'm starting to think Chris was right  - I  could bust out the Risky Business dance moves at any moment. I know some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

My Top 10 Extraordinary Little Things of 2012

Happy 2013! It's been a while - over a year and half, actually! Life. I started writing this post two days before the end of 2012, now it's the beginning of a whole new year with days left to be filled. So, first things first. In looking back at my posts I thought it fitting to reminisce on a few of the little things that have come to mean the most to me. I love, love, love lists! So, here is my list of the Top 10 Extraordinary Little Things that made my 2012. What was an Extraordinary Little Thing for you?

1. Kids Artwork: My little Picasos have showered us with stick figure drawings, coloring pages, crafts and piles of printer paper and construction paper sheets with tons of stickers. 
2. First Day of School: With B entering pre-K this year I was reminded of how quickly time passes and how lucky we have been to spend so much time with her and the twins due to our flexible work schedules. For that, I am grateful.
3. Not-so-Kid-proof Tech Gadgets: I smile when I picture the kids maneuvering their way through these tech gadgets. From puzzles and games to selecting Pandora stations on the iPad and humming along. Call me Maybe and Home were two heavily requested songs. Their use of our iPhone cameras forced us to delete tons of kid-snapped pics and videos. It was a view of our world through their eyes. Again, I smile. 
4. The Art of Marriage: Seven years, baby! No easy feat, but we know we're stronger together.
5. Domestication in Progress: Having kids makes you think twice about what you're eating. Sure, it's about health, but picky eaters don't help the situation. I do not proclaim myself a cook by any means. Just ask my husband. It's still a work in progress for me, but this year I was more willing to try new recipes with help from Pinterest, Crockingirls and my awesome, time-saving crock pot, and friend recommendations (i.e. Food by Betsy). I can now say I make a mean meatloaf.  
6. Our Own Supernanny: In February 2010 we hired K to care for our kids at home. Entrusting your children to others is never an easy choice. However, she was - and will always be - one of the best decisions we ever made.
7. Noise: It is life. Sometimes, it is life on overdrive. Most times, it is three kids fighting over everything.
8. Little Praying Hands: Every night before bed B has always held her prayer angel and followed along to the recorded prayer. In 2012, the twins started following along. The words were mostly unclear but they clasped their hands and mumbled along. It is a display of their innocence every time. I know I will not always have control over it but until then, I will protect it as only a mama bear can do.  
9. Wine: Why, yes, thank you Costco membership! THIS girl has her vices too.
10. Asking for What I Want: I came to realize that there are people out there whom will help you get to where you want to go -- if only you ASK! Who knew! This determination paid off and I am even more excited for where this will lead me in 2013.

May your 2013 be full of extraordinary little things!

I Love You the Most

Lately, around our home B has been more affectionate than ever. When they're smaller they wiggle out of your arms to crawl and discover their new world. Then, when they become mobile they do the same to proudly show off their new-found independence. At the age of 3, B wakes up at her usual early hour and barges into our bedroom with her pig pillow and blanket, climbs into our bed and says "I love you Mommy. I love you Daddy." What I've yet to mention here is that she is in absolute love with her daddy. Yes, she's a daddy's girl. She runs to him (at full speed) from the opposite end of the house when he arrives from work. She hugs him tighter and longer. She follows him around the house and sometimes she'll cry when he leaves. She wants to be climbing and playing with him all the time if she could.  Is there a bit of parent jealousy here? Perhaps. Can I understand it? Absolutely! I grew up one of four girls -- and we all fought for our Dad's attention. So, yes, I understand it and I find it endearing to see B love Chris so much. I remember when I was dating Chris that I'd watch him with his nieces and nephews and think that he'd make a wonderful father one day - and so he is.

Lately, their conversations go like this:
B: I love you Daddy.
Chris: I love you too.
B: I love you more.
Chris: I love you the most.

How could a daughter not love the first man in her life that sets the bar for how she should measure every other man that she will ever meet? Luckily for B and I, we have some incredibly high standards.

B and her Daddy

Me, my Dad and my sister

Top 10 Extraordinary Little Things I was Grateful for in 2010

The holidays came and went and 2010 ended as best as it could get for our family. I didn't get a chance to write a Thanksgiving post. I thought about it. Sure, we're all extremely grateful for family, friends, and good health but sometimes it's also a few of the little things that come to mean the most to us. Now we're in a new year and I think I have to pay written homage to the uncanny'things I was grateful for in 2010.  So, here is my list of the Top 10 Extraordinary Little Things that made my year.

1. Little Fingers and Toes: There is nothing like small hands that wrap around your neck in an embrace or small fingers that touch your face to explore (or innocently scratch or hit). Such small fingers and toes are a reminder of time and that they do not remain that way for long.
2. Noise: It is life. Sometimes, it is life on overdrive.
3. Silence: It is golden. I revel in it and enjoy it it in small doses. 
4. Being My Father's Daughter: My Dad lost his manufacturing job in mid to late 2009 at which he had been employed for more than 10 years; but he did not lose his optimism. He attended classes, learned new interviewing skills and compiled a resume. In February 2010, at age 60, he started a new career at a new company and I couldn't be prouder of him. He is the essence of poise.
5. The Science of Parenthood: Just when we thought we knew what were doing as parents of one child, Chris and I finally realized we were outnumbered with three this past year. It's a formula we're hoping to figure out.
6. The Art of Marriage: What began as a clean slate when Chris and I were first married five years ago has become a compilation of work in progress. It does require work and patience, but I wholeheartedly believe that this life - our life together - will be a beautiful masterpiece.
7. Our Own Supernanny: In February 2010 we hired K when I returned to work after my maternity leave. She loves our kids just as much as a supernanny can love children and it comforts me to know that they are in trustworthy care while I am away. She was the undeniably the right choice for us.
8. Wine: Merlot or Chardonnay? Why, yes, thank you.
9. Wine Accompaniments: The perfect pairing after 8:30/9 p.m. when all the kids were in bed were DVR'd shows like Dexter, Mad Men, Bravo marathon reality shows, AND yes, Jersey Shore. All mindless, guilty pleasures.
10. Lip Gloss, Haircuts and Color: I only get a few minutes to put on make-up, if at all. Thank goodness for Burt's Bees lip shimmers! And finally, ANY woman, especially a mom with kids, knows the feeling of going to get an overdue haircut and/or color and then stepping out of the salon feeling like a new woman. Which reminds me - to do: schedule appointment for 2011.

May your 2011 be full of extraordinary little things!

I See Christmas

Today, B made us laugh and stop to pause as well. Chris had arrived home and we were all monkeying around, as the kids usually jump all over Chris if he's on the floor with them. Out of nowhere B jumped up and bolted to the front room, pointed out the window and said "Mommy, Mommy, look!" When we asked her what it was she said, "I see Christmas!"

Christmas to B was a tall and fully lit Christmas tree pressed against the window of a second floor apartment building across the street from our home. It was the candy cane lights on the windows and the giant inflatable snowman on the front lawn of another home a few houses down. I am reminded today of how wonderful it is to experience the holiday season through the eyes of a child.

Oh, Girlfriend!

On Sunday, I met up with an old college friend for a late dinner. I hadn't seen her in 11 years. Wow! I can't believe it even as I write it here. We had become fast friends and we were roommates for one semester after I had studied abroad. After college, we lost touch. Eleven years, three kids and a husband later (for her and I) we finally caught up with each other thanks to good ol' Facebook. I was so happy to see and hear from her again. Everyday I am reminded of how lucky I am to have had and still have such a solid group of girlfriends in my life. Although I can't keep a plant alive for the life of me (in fact, I don't even own one) I think I have done fairly well in maintaining friendships. I'd like to believe that I'm a loyal friend. Sure, it's become more difficult over these last few years, but I'm talking about quality, not necessarily quantity here. I still keep in touch with a great friend I met in third grade. I see and talk to friends from high school and college days as much as I can. One-time co-workers have become best friends and like part of my family, even becoming Godparents to my daughter A. Just as recent as two years ago I stumbled upon a group of five incredible city moms after I had B and was preparing to go back to work. Little did I know that I would appreciate their friendship as much as I do today.

Friendships are truly serendipitous. I can't count on how many occasions my friends have been there for me. Sometimes in ways that they probably didn't even realize just how much it meant to me. Just recently, those familiar faces were mixed in a crowd of family and friends at the twins' first birthday party. In one overwhelming moment I paused and acknowledged that all of them were here to share yet another special moment with us, as many have done over the years. Old friends hold a special place in our hearts because they know who you were and what you have become; and through it all they have remained. Yes, our lives change and so do these relationships. And yes, time may pass without seeing or speaking to friends, but if any of them needed me today I'd be there in a heartbeat, just as I was on Sunday. But girlfriend, just don't ask me to take care of any of your plants.

Why Do Women Do That?

On Monday, as I was turning on the TV for B's episode of Dora the Explorer (she is addicted to the show) I was temporarily sucked in to a morning talk show that was discussing what women shouldn't do. Supernanny Jo Frost was seated as a guest at the table. She knows a thing or two about handling difficult situations; so when she speaks, I listen. I guess there is a Twitter page that allows people to post anonymously about the things that women shouldn't do. I am not on Twitter, but it's an interesting topic. Supernanny said that women should stop hating on other women. My ears perked up and to B's disappointment my remote was not functioning properly to change the channel for the next few minutes. Why is it that women are so intimidated by other women? Maybe it's because we're always measuring ourselves up to those that seem like they're prettier, happier, smarter, funnier, taller, thinner, bustier, more organized, better daters, better moms, and on and on. However, it's all perception and we are our own worst critic. I mean, we don't know that the grass is greener on the other side. By hating on other women aren't we just projecting our own insecurities?

I previously worked in a place where a majority of the staff was female. I now work in an industry that is male-dominated. If given a choice I would choose a male-dominated work environment again. I wouldn't say it's because I'm (sometimes) intimidated, but rather, it's because I don't like the drama. Emotions can get the best of most women. On separate occasions, two successful (female) executives I know gave me the advice that I should never go into a meeting thinking about being the only woman in the room. The fact that they were willing to share that advice, and more, has made me a fan of theirs. I admire them for what they've done to achieve their current roles professionally and personally. That being said, what if women followed JoJo's advice and rather than hating on other women we complimented other women more often? Men do it all the time.