More than just a Hallmark Holiday

I've never been a girl that has had much luck in the romance department on Valentine's Day. I was always either single or dating some jerk that blew it off. It was typically a day of disappointment. That is until 4 years ago when Kristian invited me over to his house for dinner and to celebrate our first Valentine's Day together. Since we had only been dating about 6 months I didn't really expect anything major. We had already discussed marriage and even gone to look at rings (yes after less than 6 months...we were crazy) but I thought a ring was still a long way off.

Well I was wrong and by the end of the evening I was engaged and had a GORGEOUS diamond ring on my left hand. I guess you could say he made up for all the previous lousy Vdays from my past. So even though most people consider this to be a "Hallmark Holiday" (and I kinda do as well) for me it's more about celebrating the night I was asked the best question of my life.

So in honor of the popular #throwbackthursday on Instagram here are some photos from the night we got engaged - 2/14/09

Kristian decorated the dining room in his condo, prepared an amazing steak dinner and afterwards proposed to me while Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" (our wedding song) played in the background. He hadn't planned on proposing that night, despite already having the ring but he later told me he just couldn't wait anymore.

 

 

A year ago today was another memorable Valentine's Day because it was my first day back at work after maternity leave and Hunter's first day at daycare. I was once again shedding tears on Vday but this time for a very different reason.

I can't believe he was ever that tiny.

 

And here we are 4 years after getting engaged and 1 year after Hunters first day at daycare. This morning was much easier dropping him off than this time last year.

This Ladies Man wants to wish YOU a Happy Valentines Day.

 

SWW

 

Linking up again with Shannon for another So What Wednesday!

 

This week I'm saying SO What if:

 

-I haven't hand crafted any cute Valentine's for Hunter's daycare class. I may run out today and buy something to take tomorrow but let's be real, they are 1 year olds, they don't know what Valentine's Day is.

 

-Even though I know it's a dumb Hallmark holiday I still want my hubby to get me something tomorrow. Who doesn't like presents? And tomorrow is our 4 year Engagiversary.  

 

-I was thrilled last night that Hunter was super cuddly and playful with me, especially after he dissed me the night before.

 

-I watched my DVR'd episode of Revenge last night, rather than the State of the Union. I figured it the President said anything important I would hear about it today anyways.

 

-Last night I told Kristian I was giving up Starbucks for Lent (no we are not Catholic), I am currently drinking a Starbucks White Mocha this morning. Sigh. I would make a horrible Catholic.

 

-I'm so happy that I get to telework on Monday for President's Day. Even though I'm still technically working, it's so nice to not have make my hour long commute and get to spend some extra time with my boys. 

And then I was reminded why being a working mother can really suck sometimes

As a working mother I spend approximately 10 hours away from my son Monday-Friday. I drop him off at daycare between 7:30-8am and get home between 5:30-6pm. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) Hunter never has any issues with being dropped off at daycare. He loves it there. He loves the teachers, the other kids and all the extra toys. He doesn't cry or cling to me when I leave, even though I ALWAYS go back for one last kiss after putting all his stuff away. Granted it makes drop off much easier to leave a happy child but I would be lying if I said that a part of me didn't wish just a little that he was more upset to see me go each day.

When I get home in the evenings Hunter will usually crawl, or now walk to me. If Kristian is holding him he will smile and reach for me. It is definitely one of the highlights of my day. I love coming home to a baby toddler that is happy to see me.

Last night when I got home I walked in the door and stood in the entry hall, as I always do and waited for Hunter to come greet me. I got down and held out my arms and he smiled as he walked towards me....and right past me into the kitchen to play in the dog's water bowl. Yep I was dissed for a dog's water bowl. I realize these things can be distracting so I went in after him and scooped him up for some hugs and kisses and he cried and squirmed wanting to get down. He had absolutely no interest in me or my kisses. And my heart just about broke. I almost burst into tears. After 10 hours away from his mama he wanted to play in a water bowl rather than accept my affection.

And that's when I was reminded that being a working mom can really suck sometimes. I know that Hunter is a very active toddler whose attention span is about 3 seconds long. I know I shouldn't take it personally but in that moment it was hard not to feel rejected. To feel like maybe being away from him all day is causing us to not have a strong bond, especially now that we no longer have the nursing bond to share. To feel like he is more excited to see his daddy or his daycare teachers more than he is to see me.

Kristian tried to reassure me that this isn't the case. He's becoming a moody, independent, active little toddler that doesn't always want his mama kissing all over him. But it doesn't make it any easier. It doesn't make me miss the newborn days, where all he wanted in the world was his mama to hold and nurse him, any less.

I only get a few hours in the evenings with him and I try my best to make the most of them. To help make up for my time away during the day. So whether he likes it or not, I will smooch on him when I get home, I will play with him and follow him around the house and make him listen to me read bedtime stories, no matter how much he would rather be getting into mischief. He can ignore me when he's a teenager.

Weekend =Teeth, Haircuts and Wagons Oh My!

We had a surprisingly good weekend considering we spent last Wednesday and Thursday night dealing with a fussy, unhappy, refusing to sleep, teething toddler. He cut two new teeth including another molar. And since Kristian was away Thursday night with his dad on a hunting trip I was not in the best of moods by the time the weekend rolled around.

You wouldn't know from this picture that he had been up for most of the night. He was happy as a clam Friday morning. I was not.

 

Friday night he was was again Sir Fuss A Lot so we tried a bath, which is a pretty sure fire way to make him happy. He immediately started chewing on the washcloth. Teething sucks. But he was happy at least.

 

He actually slept well Friday night, in fact after a very brief wakeup at 6am he slept until 8:30am on a SATURDAY!!! This NEVER happens. I guess the sleep Gods were finally repaying me for the previous for nights. We were all in much better spirits. So good in fact, Hunter celebrated with moroccas!

 

Even though he slept late he still took a great 2 hour nap while I went to the grocery store. After I got back Kristian and I decided to watch Hawaii 5.0 on DVR. Normally Hunter doesn't pay attention to the t.v. and plays while we watch but he seemed quite engrossed in this episode (yes I realize not the most appropriate television) and really enjoyed eating MY apple.

 

Then of course there was the daddy ticklefest before bed. I love these two so much!

 

After Hunter went to bed Kristian and I actually sat down and watched a movie (Legends of the Fall was on t.v. and I LOVE that movie) and then watched a special on Mumford and Sons and just cuddled and listened to music. It was a great night and just what I needed.

 

Once again Hunter slept til 8:30am on Sunday! I know right! Amazing.

 

Instead of the Sunday paper he prefers reading a little bit of Brown Bear (upside down of course).

 

It was then time to take him for his second ever haircut. Instead of Cartoon Cuts we just took him to the local barber shop since Kristian also needed a haircut.

 

Hunter was NOT happy. In fact he screamed the entire time. Poor kid.

 

The barber made it a little shorter than I would have liked but at least this way we shouldn't need to take him back for a couple months. And I have to say he looks really damn cute.

(Still don't know how we got a little blondie)

 

My mom bought Hunter a radio flyer wagon last year and we finally brought it home last weekend and on Sunday we took it out for the first time. Moxie even tagged along for the ride.

 

They loved it!

 

Two peas in a pod.

 

Does it get any cuter?? Moxie preferred sitting right on Hunters lap.

Now we just need spring to come!

 

Sunday nights I typically try to make dinner since Kristian does most of the cooking during the week. I usually make some kind of casserole or crock pot meal that we can get at least two meals out of (then it's like I'm making dinner two nights!). Sunday night I made lasagna and some cookies. I'm a domestic freaking goddess.

 

After dinner Hunter got his very first official "bubble bath". I think he liked it.

 



 

How was your weekend?

What I've been wearing lately

First things first- I am not a fashion blogger, not even close. I don't have the money or the closet space to be a fashion blogger. However, I like to think that when I put my mind to it, I can come up with a cute outfit or two. Now that I've gone through and cleaned out and reorganized my closet (which I still need to post about), it's been easier for me to see what I have and put outfits together each night for the next day.

Below are some of the photos I've posted on Instagram (sep0522) recently. Most of these outfits are what I wore to work. Fortunately I work for a company that doesn't have a strict dress code. So long as we don't have a client in the office or a meeting to go to we can wear jeans if we want to, however, I do enjoy dressing up a few times a week. If I look professional I feel more professional.

As I mentioned I'm not a fashion blogger and therefore do not have a record of where I've bought every article of clothing that I own but since I buy most of my clothes from Target, Old Navy and Forever 21 (what can I say? I'm on a budget) I was able to list everything below for these specific outfits.  Basically anything I wear that comes from a pricey store or has a designer label is a hand-me-down from my sister-in-law who has more expensive taste than I do.

 

Tank top - Old Navy

Sweater - Target

Pants - I've had FOREVER but probably Target

Shoes - Target

Dress- can't remember but I think Forever 21.

 I bought it 5 years ago to wear on my first date with Kristian

Cardigan- Old Navy

Belt - Target

Leggings - Target

Boots- I've had forever so I don't remember

Scarf and Jeans F21

Sweater, Shirt and Boots- Target

 

Cardigan and Tank Top- target

Pants- Old Navy

Cardigan, Shirt and Jeans- Old Navy

Belt- Target

Shoes- Juicy Couture, hand me downs from my 16 year old niece!! haha

Dress- Old Navy (just bought on sale for $7!)

 

Sweater- don't remember, probably Target

Pants- old, I think from Forever 21

*sorry the next couple are so blurry*

Dress- OLD- Forever 21

Belt- Forever 21

Shirt, boots, boot socks, scarf- Target

Cardigan- Old Navy

Shirt and pants- Target

Shirt- Hand me down from my SIL

Check out the Hunter Photobomb

 

As you can see I'm a bit obsessed with boots, cardigans, skinny jeans and scarves. Pretty much my uniform in the winter.

 

One of my favorite parts of Instagram (beside the photos of cute babies that make my uterus hurt) is seeing what other people are wearing which helps to give me outfit ideas.

SWW

 

It's Wednesday which means I'm linking up again with Shannon for another So What Wednesday!

 

This week I'm saying So What if:

 

-After almost 4 years I found out (by accident) how much my engagement ring cost. I found out when I opened the bill for the premium on the insurance policy for it. He definitely spent more than respectable amount. Good hubby.

 

-I've already given Kristian his Valentine's Day gift. I let him use one my monthly massages (I have a membership) on Monday and made him dinner since I was working from home that day. He said it was the best massage he's ever gotten and he even signed up for a membership there as well.

 

-We really don't have any plans for Valentine's Day, the restaurants are always too crowded and overpriced so Kristian will typically just make a nice dinner for us at home.

 

-I was excited to see that my Ebates check was mailed. The check that comes after Christmas (and Christmas shopping) is always my biggest one.

 

-I really want new bedding and curtains for our master bedroom but can't seem to decide on anything nor do I really want to spend the money.

 

-I've been in a bit of a blogging (and really a overall life) funk. Nothing real exciting happening in these parts but I'm actually okay with that.

Toddler food- My kid eats better than I do

Now that Hunter is solely on "people" food, it's been a fun challenge to come up with ideas for what to serve him for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fortunately for me breakfast, snacks and lunch are provided by his daycare Monday - Friday so during the week I pretty much just have to worry about feeding him dinner and 99% of the time he just eats whatever we are having for dinner.

As for what he gets served at daycare, below is a photo I took of the menu for this week. Seriously, this kid eats better than I do during the day. In case you can't see it very clearly some of his meals include: French Toast, Pancakes, Salisbury Steak w/ gravy (!), Chicken and Rice casserole and Chicken Patty on a bun. I've also seen him have things like baked ziti, shepard's pie (!) and chicken quesadillas. My lunches are not nearly as exciting, not to mention I typically have a bagel EVERYday for breakfast. Boring right?
 

 

On the weekends I try to serve him nutritious meals, even if they aren't quite as exciting as daycare.

 

In the morning he will typically get some kind of fruit- either bananas or a fruit cup (with the juice drained out) and either a waffle or pancake with syrup, eggs or bread with cheese and some Cheerios.  Below is a photo of our breakfast when he stayed home with me on MLK day. I also gave him some bites of my yogurt which he loved.

For lunch I will typically give him some more fruit (kid LOVES fruit) and either chicken noodle or vegetable soup (with the broth drained) and some cheese. I like giving him the drained vegetable soup because it's an easy way to get him a serving of veggies that are cooked and easy to chew.

We also give him some snacks throughout the day which usually include graham crackers, goldfish, puffs or one of the smoothie pouches which he loves.

As I said for dinner he typically eats whatever we do, unless we're having something super unhealthy like McDonalds or something spicy (he's not a fan of spicy food yet).

Hunter is a very good eater and likes most things we give him, though his favorites are definitely fruit, meat and pasta.