Big Kid Date Night

Last night we took our two big kids on a very spur the moment date.  We changed our plans for the evening, raced home to "dress up" and within an hour, we were dropping Stella off at Nana's house and heading out to dinner and a movie.  We called it a Big Kid Date.  Honestly, it is the first time since Stella was born that we took both big kids out to do something as a family, without our littlest member.

Kids-Pick dinner took us to Noodles and Company (of course).  As we sat waiting for them to bring us our food, both kids were excited and bubbly.  Gushing about the surprise date, the movie we were going to see...everything.  Then Myles said, "This really reminds me of before Stella was born when it was just the four of us."  My heart skipped a beat.  My mind was racing 1,000 miles a minute.  Afraid of the answer, I asked, "So, do you miss her, or do you like this time without her?"  I had decided that even if he said he liked the time without her, it was okay...  We all need time away sometimes.  His answer brought me nothing but pure joy.  He responded, "I miss her.  It seems really quiet.  I definitely miss her."  Jillian chimed in that she did too.  My momma heart jumped for joy, sighed relief, and smiled.  Of course, when we added a fifth member to our family, we considered the change and adjustment for Myles and Jillian.  I know they love Stella with all of their hearts.  Yet, to hear his actual answer, brought such an awesome confirmation to what we have known for a long time, sibling love is strong.

The rest of the evening went just as planned.  Of course, three quarters of the way through the movie we had a freak out and one wanting to leave the theater because it is "just so scary".  At that point, you just gotta finish it out...Of course you need to make it to the end to see that Paddington makes it out a-okay.  Oh - and don't call me out for being a spoiler, because if you didn't think that everything was going to be okay at the end of a Paddington Bear movie, then...I'm not even sure what to say about that...

We made it through to the end and rushed home to pick up our baby girl.  Back to the five of us.  I'm not exactly sure why, but after all of the kids were in bed for the night, I came here.  I came to read old posts.  I'll be honest, I rarely ever do.  I'm not exactly sure why I don't, but I don't.  Maybe last night my mom heart was drawn to read because of Myles's comment.  I have no idea.  I read, I laughed, I cried, and I remembered things that I had totally forgotten.  Those memories were preserved because I had written them down.  It reminded me why I love this little corner of the web for my little family.

I hope you were able to make some memories of your own this weekend.  It's not always the big life events that matter the most.  Those little things, on those random days, add up to a lot of memories to cherish.

They add up to a life.

Perspectives Of My 10-Month Old

I've had many conversations with people over the years about wishing we could know and understand what babies think about the world around them.  At 10-months old, Stella is full of life and love.  Our whole family can't get enough of her.  This list is a glimpse into what I think she would say to all of you if she were posting this post herself.

• Hi!
• Are you my BFF?  Have I never met you?  Doesn't matter.  I will greet you the same way with my squeaky little, "HI!!" that I greet any and everyone I see.  On the off chance that you don't hear me...I will continue to say hi, until you say hi right back.  I have high expectations in small talk.
• There is nothing funnier than walking to Myles or Jillian.  They reach out their arms and step by step I get closer to tackling them.  As soon as I reach them they always fall back and hug me.  I love it.  
• The coolest place in my house is this thing that my mom doesn't let me play with very much.  She calls it a lazy susan.  You know why I love it so much?  There are sprinkles in there!  All different colors!  When you shake them, they rattle.  When you shake them REALLY hard, sometimes you can even get the top off!  It rains sprinkles!!
• When I put my head on the floor and my bootie in the air, my momma will give me a push and I can flip!  I LOVE it!!
• There is this doll.  I love her.  I can't get enough of her.  One day my sis gave her to me and I haven't let her far out of my sight since.  When I get out of my crib, I try to give her to my mom before I get out, just to make sure she comes with me.  Santa gave me this really pretty doll with my name embroidered on her.  She even looks like me.  But, I like this other one better.  My mom calls her Dora.  Not sure who that is, but she is so cool.  I'm not sure my mom likes her as much as I do.  Something about TV characters?  She always tries to give me that doll from Santa, but I only have eyes for my special baby.

                                          

• I never liked the food my mom put in this loud machine to make for me, but I like little cut up food.  You know, real food, like Myles and Jillian eat.  As long as it isn't dairy.  My mom freaks out about anything having dairy.  What is allergic?  I don't know, but it definitely gets my mom going!

                         

• My mom has put up these gate things.  I hate them.  They keep me from where I want to go and sometimes even who I want to see!
• I love giving kisses and hugs.  People always smile and seem really happy when I do!  I open my mouth as wide as I can.  If I want to make them squeal, I'll just spit my tongue out too!
• Do you like to climb?  Climbing is fun.  My mom tends to squeak when I climb.  Maybe I should do it more.
• I like doggies.  Now that I know how to pet them, they like me too!  Pulling their ears and tail doesn't work. 
• My brother and sister are HILARIOUS.  Everything they do is funny.  They make faces and noises that no one else makes!
• Are there any babies around here?  I love to play with babies. 

I hope I get to play peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake with you soon.  Don't worry, I'll do all of the peeking if you boo and the patting if you sing!  It's pretty fun, you know!  Bye Bye!

Year of Sustainment

I'm not exactly sure how many, "New Year: New You" posts, articles, and status updates I have seen in this first week of the new year, but there have been quite a few.  Certainly the beginning of the year brings a fresh beginning, new journeys to travel, and sometimes even resolutions to fulfill.  This year for me, I have decided (at least what is within my control), is not necessarily a year of change for me, it is a year of sustainment.  I plan to settle in and enjoy all of the changes that have already taken place for me.  I love that the new year brings reflection on the year in review and looking forward to what is to become in 2015.

Last year was a year of change for me.  Big changes.  For our whole family.  The kind of change that takes a few weeks to come out of the haze and whirlwind around you to realize what is going on in the rest of the world.  Of course, in February, we welcomed our sweet Stella Rose into the world.  Immediately, she fit right into the puzzle like the missing piece that was needed to complete the picture on the puzzle box of our little family.  The "newborn haze" was amazingly very short this go-round.  Certainly not because I have the hang of this baby thing down, because frankly, we never really have the hang of that.  Each baby is so different, challenging, and special in their own way.  Rather, Stella just decided to make the transition super easy on us.  She must just love being in our little family so much, she wanted to fit right in.  :)  As usual, maternity leave whizzed by and before I knew it, it was time to return to work.  It is so interesting to think back at that corporate-minded woman and mother that I was just a few short months ago.  I have changed.  A lot.  I have grown.

In August, I made a huge leap and left my reliable and comfortable corporate role and went out on my own, consulting.  Full Bloom Market Development was born and my career as a consultant began.  Starting your own business changes everything around you and your daily life.  Not to mention, it changes you.  Being on your own without the umbrella and shelter of an employer brings a vulnerability that I have never experienced before.  Will anyone be interested in hiring me?  Will they like my work?  Can I hack it? Will I make enough to do what I need to do?  Am I prepared enough?  Am I good enough?  The only thing even remotely relatable in my life prior to taking my leap, was pressing publish on my very first post on this little blog.  And even then...it was my husband that posted it to Facebook...without telling me first.  The most awesome thing comes out of that vulnerability.  Confidence.  Over those first few months, working with clients large and small, I began to see that I could answer the questions.  I could help make their businesses even more successful.  I could do this on my own.  I could even figure out how to handle my taxes.  I love that the vulnerability and confidence is a never ending cycle.  Everyday the vulnerability shows it's face in new challenges, new customers, and my own inner psyche.  Most days, the confidence can find some sort of rooting to pull me through it.

So, 2014 was amazing.  I loved it.  It was one of my favorite years.  I am so thankful.

2015...I want to continue to grow and embrace my vulnerability.  I want to show my children through example that you can control your own career if that is what you want to do.  I want to enjoy and love every minute of Myles, Jillian, and Stella that I can get.  I want to work in Jillian's classroom, playing sight word BINGO with her and all her little classmates.  I want to support Myles in all of his ambitious ideas and plans.  I want to treasure and savor all of Stella's firsts...my last set.  Oh, and maybe show a little more patience...especially when we are in a hurry, leaving, or in the presence of bickering children.  Well, I'll try.  I can't promise that I will write here as often as I used to...time seems so short between three littles, their activities, and running a business...but I will try and post more often than I have been.  Thank you to the two readers that sent me messages requesting a post this week.  This one is for you!  Just a little inside scoop, I've been blogging all along, just under the pen name of different companies.



 

The photos...are completely unrelated to this post.  But, I love pictures...and these were a few of my favorites this holiday season.  Wishing you your best year yet. 

P.S.  I think this photo is my favorite of the season.  It captures one of my favorite moments.  A sleeping baby in my arms, sitting back watching my family have a blast playing Christmas Minute to Win It.  She slept through all of the fun.