Christmas is really here

Well tonight I finally found it! The Christmas spirit is within me. I am part of an amazing group of women in my industry. Tonight was our "Holiday Party" Come on people, it is CHRISTMAS! *steps off soapbox*

My friend Sharon is one of the most generous and welcoming people I have ever met and is the one who hosted the party. It was a magical evening. I saw old friends and teared up just at that. I met a couple new people and that was fun.

Sharon lives in an area called Manchester. What this means is that she has the most amazing view from her house of the entire Seattle Skyline. It was awesome. Then as we are all chatting and having a grand time, Sharon yells "here come the boats!" For 59 years the Christmas boats have been cruising the Puget Sound and making stops along different places. Tonight was Manchester's turn. 5 boats came up and anchored. they are part of the http://www.argosycruises.com/themecruises/xmasSchedule.cfm Argosy Cruise lines. Now not only are they decorated with Christmas lights but they have a choir on board. Yes, a live choir. The choir then is put on a loud soundsystem and they stop long enough to provide Manchester residents with 20 minutes of Christmas joy.

It was a freezing night as I stood out there with other women holding my hot buttered rum. I didn't have my coat with me and Sharon says, Oh Aime, I have lots of coats. She came out with a FUR coat! Oh my gosh. I stood on a beautiful deck on a beautiful crisp December night with hot rum, a fur coat and my friends all around me listening to amazing Christmas music.

I teared up with how blessed I felt tonight. This is not about presents, or trees or shopping. This season is about the gift that was given to us. About friends treasuring time with each other and about Family being blessed to have each other.

Christmas this year, as it should be every year, will be my treasure with my family. Bundling my children to take them to Grandma's house. Seeing my sister with her family. Enjoying the warmth of the morning and the music of the day. Enjoying my parents and my day of appreciation for the things that matter the most.

I am truly one of the most blessed people in the entire world.

Random musings

My (Not so original) thoughts from the other day

When you really sit and listen to your children, you will undoubtedly hear yourself.

What do you want to sound like? Driving in the car the other day, I listened quietly while my 3 year old talked to her "little friend" Nisha. Nisha arrived around the time Ethan was born. What Jaiden said over and over and over that day was "No, not today" "Another time" "Maybe later" Wow, Nisha must have been very disapointed to hear that Jaiden didn't have time for her. Last night, I skipped bath time, and I skipped Ethan time. I went straight to my little girl's room and played castle. We built castles with the blocks her Grandpa made her. We made stairs and created a "crocodile lake". I do not say "OK, now is a great time" nearly enough.

Thought for the day

Be careful. In your efforts to have everything, you may just end up with nothing.

Halloween

The most sinister thing about Halloween is the candy that your kids bring home!

Lessons from Mom

Believe your mom when she tells you that bath time is a treasure. Never take for granted the time your kids are in the bath.

You will learn about their day, their thoughts and their favorite things. What an amazing thing, to be forced to sit and listen to your children.

To see your son smiling at you as he is getting all clean and learning to kick in the tub.

What a blessing.

What a treasure.

OH Noooo!

Lice at Daycare! We are fortunate to be able to keep the kids home tomorrow, but Thursday and Friday we are forced to take the risk.

Wish us luck! I don't know what I will do if my baby girl comes home with lice!

Tempers Flare

Sometimes you just need to be proud of the fact that you were able to reign in your temper enough to just speak VERY sternly and not beat your three year old to a pulp.

Today was a poor Love and Logic day. But I look at it this way. Now I know I definitely have better heights I can strive for!

tomorrow is another day.

Busted

I was busted today for throwing away an art project that the little one brought home from Day care. Oh boy was that some fast talking. Needless to say, the coffee grounds covered squirrel is happily living on the fridge right now!

I, of course, had no clue that it was in the garbage and was soooo grateful to her for finding it and making sure it was not lost forever! She just couldn't understand how it got in there. Goodness neither could I! I mean it had been on my counter for a week, how could it have hopped into the garbage? I told her the dog must have done it! LOL

In the end I was found innocent of the charges. I wonder if she will take me to civil court next?

Fun in the Sun......Roof

Get it? Fun in the Sun... roof? This is what happens when you teach your 3 year old that it is a good idea to lock the car when you get out. THEN you leave your keys in the car - you are just running in for a second! LOL

Thankfully my niece was around to re-live her declining youth and crawl on top of the car.

Living day to day

I think reading my sister's post here at http://www.jennsjazzygems.typepad.com/ has made me really think about priorities and what I need to accomplish in the time I have. I constantly feel guilty about the things I am not getting done when I decide it is time to go to bed. I want to be the best mom, the perfect daughter and sister, then still be the inspirational friend that some look to me to be, all while having the perfect house and a healthy dinner on the table each night.

I can not do it all. So when I have to feel lacking in one in order to feel good about the other, I have to sit down and take a breath. What do I want my kids and family to remember me as? The perfect housekeeper and employee, or the mom that sat down and played before bedtime. Maybe the daughter that left the dishes and laundry to spend the day with her mom. Maybe that day, it would be more important to be the sister that I want to be, listening and supporting and loving my sister the way that she deserves.

I know I do not have many outside of my mom and sister that read this, but if you do, please visit their blogs, as their insight is much better then mine. After all, I can't do it all!

I did truly enjoy walking at lunch today taking in one of the last crisp days we have left of fall!

Hope you all can do the same. Love the time you have with the ones that mean the most.

First days of Day Care

Tonight I learned that I can feed my baby and make my daughter dinner at the same time!

So yesterday was Jaiden's first day and it seemed to go well. Today was Jaiden and Ethan went together and Odessa seemed happy as a clam to have my screaming, but adorable little man with her.

We came home and I fed Ethan while I made dinner for Jaiden. Then off to the baths for them both and story time and kisses.

My hubby brought me ice cream for dinner so that was very nice :) Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I gave up on soccer so Saturday is free, free, free! I will ignore the house as much as possible.

Back to work

Bibs are the bomb! Don't tell my mother I said that though! I never used them with Jaiden and have finally found out how great they are.

I am back to work and Ethan is growing so fast. Today I did the laundry, cleaned some gutters - which was not fun with my fear of heights, played with Ethan and Jaiden, worked in the yard some and made a gourmet dinner of eggs, applesauce and toast!

Phew, now I am watching a cheesy movie and writing these few sentences.

There, that is the last few weeks in a nutshell!

Step by step

Ok, I know normal people would only post the final picture. But since you never know when I might turn the sewing machine on again, I am not normal and will share each step.

The top part is all done and I am ready to put this thing together and quilt it. Now it will be interesting to see how long that takes to get me motivated enough to finish!

I love spending time with my sister (missed you mom!) outside sewing the day away. Well sewing in between feedings, tantrums, meltdowns and throwups at least.

I did it again

I did it again! I actually used the sewing machine. Ethan laid on his new play mat and listened to classical music (which I personally can not stand) and I sewed my blocks together!

He then slept all night until 4 am. That boy is getting good.

Today I might try to venture out for Backing and Batting for my new wallhanging, but that might be too much effort and I will wait for another day.

Parenting

A patient parent can help to show patience in the child. An angry parent can teach anger in the child.

What a concept. I hope I can remember this as my children grow. This is proven each day as we raise our kids.

Needs...

I need a small stroller to keep in the car at all times.

I do love my front carrier, but wish it was more comfortable.

My Mother

I felt like I was coming close to becoming my mother today.......

I told my daughter she could either eat her dinner or sit in her room with no toys until bed time.

It only semi worked........

Ethan is really growing fast. It seems that he loves his swing more then his Mother's arms, but I am trying not to take it personally. The more I think about it, I am thinking it is because he feels more stimulated? He laid in his crib for a while tonight just happily staring at his mobile.

His eyes are really starting to search things out around him. I can see him taking it all in.

Oh and he gets cuter as the days go by as well.

Jaiden's 3rd birthday is tomorrow. I look at her and wonder where the time went. I still feel like it was just a few months ago that she was the size of Ethan. Back in the good days when she didn't ask why. Oh and then there is "Are you OK mom?" Mom? Mom? Mom....

I can't imagine what I did with my life before these two amazing little people came into it.

Let's just hope I don't screw them up too badly! But their Grandma says it is OK, I just need to save for their therapy later in life!

More lessons learned

Baby Swings are God's Gift to Mothers.

Thank you God.

Life

I have discovered that I can actually function pretty well in life with only one arm. Ethan has helped me to find this out about myself.

Two Kids!

Well today my sister and I attempted to take both kids to the mall. It was definitely a challenge for me. I am an "out of the house" person. With just my daughter that never seemed to affect me too much. But now with a 3 year old and an infant..... a different story.

I think this is going to be an adjustment for me that will take some getting used to. It is time to admit maybe I can't do everything I want. Ha Ha! What a concept.

Meltdown's are done now and both kids are sleeping. I will be shortly too.

I did it!

All I have to say tonight is this.............

I used my sewing machine.

The end.

New Little Man

Well since my last post, we have had our baby boy. He is so perfect. Ethan was born on July 13th, 2008 at 8pm. He came in at 7.8 pounds (same as his big sister) and 19.5 inches long.

Boy does he have his daddy's temper. Ha Ha. The last ten days have been a semi blur. I am tired, and forever grateful for my husband with all the help he has given. He is cooking and cleaning and helping take care of both kids. I am finally starting to feel better and am helping more today and yesterday.

It is great having my family so close to be able to come visit as well. I have had great help from my friends as well. One brought me drugs from the pharmacy! One brought us dinner (delicious!).

This weekend we are going to a baby shower for my niece. She is having her son in 5 weeks and I couldn't be more excited to meet him!

It has been hard being off work and I have found myself getting online and "checking in" to see how things are going. I can say for sure though that I do not think I am cut out to be a stay at home mom!

Our daughter is adjusting very well, with some small attitude issues, but nothing we can't deal with. Of course by the end of today I was very done with hearing "Mom?" Oh and did I mention she loves to say MOM? Ha..

More updates to come! I hope.....

Baby Shower

Well last Saturday brought very nice weather and a beautiful day for me and my daughter. We went to my Baby shower that my friends at work threw for me.

It is amazing what this job has done for me the past year. I have found confidence in myself and my decisions, I am challenged in new ways. But best of all, I have met this group of people that are amazing. These are friends that know how to have fun, know how to worship and know how to love thos around them.

I don't know what I would do without these people in my life today. Thank you to everyone for the day and the gifts for Ethan.

On the baby note, I went to the Dr. today and she says little Ethan is growing fast, so I am set for an ultrasound on Thursday to find out exactly how big. We shall see! I am pretty excited about seeing him so big. On the last ultrasound he was only 1 pound. This one, who knows! I think she said I am measuring at 39 weeks but I am only 36 1/2 weeks. So he will be a real baby in there!

I will try to learn how to post more pictures of the ultrasound when I get it.

First Blog

Welcome to my blog. My mother and sister have motivated me to begin this journey of blogging. My sister has created a great little blog at http://www.jennsjazzygems.typepad.com/ and my mom started it all at her blog site http://valsdailythread.blogspot.com/ - though don't believe the title. She does not blog every day.

I have a MySpace Page at http://www.myspace.com/aimerenee, feel free to visit me there any time!

I have a daughter that is the light of all of our lives and a son that is expected to be here within the next month. We are all excited about his arrival. Jaiden, my daughter may have a very rude awakening but once she gets used to not being the center of the universe, I think she will make a great big sister.

As soon as I have more time, I will get some pictures up and begin to share about my life with my family and my friends.

I work full time and truly love my job. Many look at me oddly when I tell them that I am in Insurance. The eyes blur over and they come close to saying "oh I am sorry". But this is a great job and fits me well. I love working with people and I am constantly learning new things. It is a challenge that I enjoy every day.

Today is Father's day. HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all you dad's out there. A special one to my dad, who is the only man that has always been there for me and was there to love me and raise me to be who I am today. He is the best dad I could hope for and I love him more as each year passes. And to my husband, Ted who helps me raise our family and comes home to us each night. Thank you and happy day tso you.

Ok, I am off to get ready to go dinner with my family to celebrate their day!

I look forward to sharing with you!