15-Month Checkup

This morning we ventured out to the pediatrician's office for Chase's 15-month checkup.  We decided to make it a family affair, with both Jordan and I going and Austin tagging along too.  Our big guy weighed in at a hefty 25 lbs. 10oz. (70th percentile) and 31" short tall (50th percentile). And that big ol' head of his is still in the 75th percentile, too.  After they weighed him in, I wasn't surprised at all, as I feel every ounce of his weight as he latches onto me lately.  I've been calling him a little capuchin monkey, because he wraps his legs around me, crurls his toes in, and grabs old of my neck, not willing to let go these days. Anyways, after getting the look-over from the doc, the mean nurse came in to give our boy two shots.  Chase screamed, of course, but calmed down quickly as soon as Momma bear scooped him up.  As we walked out to the car, Austin said, 'That wasn't so bad, Chase!'.  Oh, you just wait sweet child; it will be your turn in a few months! :)

It's all about me!

Yep, it sure is! For a change, it's all about momma now.  Between busy season having taken a toll on me this year, my approaching 30th birthday, and anticipation of my sister's wedding festivities in a few months, I have got to regain control over my life and start taking better care of myself.  As a mother, I tend to put everything else before myself.  Since work took over my life the past two months, I too often resorted to running through the drivethru for dinner for us.  It was just too easy and I was just too tired.  My daily runs to Sonic for a delicious drink after picking up the boys from daycare have got to stop too.  So it's time to start making myself a priority.

Starting tomorrow, I will venture into a healthier lifestyle, with better eating habits and a more routine workout regimen.  I feel like my body will go through withdrawals of the caffeine, chocolate, and the other crap that I fill my body with daily.  I know it will take some getting used to, but I'm committed to finally making a lifestyle change.  And I start a bootcamp on Tuesday; it starts at 5:30am. I know I will be cussing myself come 5am, wondering why in the world I would sign up for a workout before the sun even rises.  But the looming reality that I will have to be in a swimsuit in Vegas in two months with some skinny bridesmaids and a dress in three months, is all the motivation I need right now.  I don't want to be 'the big girl' in the group when we're hitting the town in Vegas.  Yes, I am that girl in comparison to my fellow-maids.

Not only will I be making some physical changes (hopefully!), I'm going to make some 'me-time'.  I used to love to read.  Then life got busy and I was too tired to read.  I even recently canceled my subscription to People magazine, because they were just piling up and being abandoned.  Thanks to my reading teacher of a sister, she recently read the Hunger Games and suggested I read it as well, and to catch up on all the hoopla surrounding the movie release.  Well, I read it, in two days.  I was back to my old self, reading a great book as speedy as ever.  Then I turned to our handy iPad, and downloaded the second book of the Hunger Games trilogy and read it in two days.  And tonight, the third one is downloaded.  I enjoy the peace and quiet, with no tv, no 'Mommy, Mommy'.  Now I have a list piling up of what books I want to read next.

But I'll also start the week off right, finally getting a haircut after 3 or 4 months since the last one.  And maybe a pedicure. :)  So, wish me luck on my journey!  Cause remember, if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

I'm a Survivor!

WOOOOHOOOO! Somehow, I have survived another busy season at KPMG.  I am soooo thankful that today is March 30th and we managed to get my last client's 10-K filed, although there was a point yesterday where we weren't sure that would happen.  Eeeeek! The thought of that just made my stomach turn, thinking that my busy season would not end.  The amount of hours that I charged for the month of March is ridiculous.  I've been a little cranky this last week, drinking about four Diet Dr. Peppers a day, and eating nearly everything in sight. (I'm a stress eater, what can I say.)  I probably haven't had more than 5 hours of sleep a night all month long.  But it's done, and there's no sense in whining about it.  What's done is done, and what's important is that I won't be doing it again.  As tough as busy season was, I had such a great team working for with me.  My staff and seniors are incredibly hard workers and just power through it.  They have eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner in that dang audit room for weeks now.  I guess I had it a little easier, since I was able to take a 'break' from working to come pick up the kids, eat dinner, and put them to bed.  I seriously don't know why we do this to ourselves year after year.  It's not like they pay me millions.  Okay, maybe close.  Hah, just kidding!  But it's definitely all about the people, and I'm thankful for the other members of my teams that busted their butt in getting this done.

Now, onto more important things.  No work for me for the next nine days!!  YAY! I don't have to be anything other than a Mommy and a wifey.  Okay, well, and a party planner.  My sister's bridal shower is in two weeks and I have got to kick it into high gear and start throwing this party together.  After all, I do consider myself the hostess with the mostess. :)  And I will get to experience Canton for the very first time this weekend! How have I made it through my life without ever venturing off into this crafter's haven? I don't know, but I'm ready to see what all the fuss is about.

I know I have a week off, but I have lots of appointments and a long to-do list:  Chase's 15-month check-up, endocrinologist appointment for me, date day with my hubby, prep for Easter Bunny arrival, etc.  Man, when am I going to fit in my required naps!?

Oh, and guess who decided to finally let go and be a big boy! This guy, right here!  He still definitely prefers to crawl, because it's faster for him, but he's starting to get a little daring on his own. Love him!

This is it!

Oh, the month of March, how I despise you. I'm torn between playing outside in this beautiful 80 degree weather and staying in to be glued to my laptop for work. It's a fine line, because I will spend every moment with the kiddos that I can. Even if it means that I will be up til 1 or 2am doing work. Which is what I have been doing lately. Surprisingly, I'm not even really all that tired. I guess your body just gets used to the amount of sleep at some point. I'm just over it. But we've finally reached our 'finale', if you will, and we will be wrapping up this week.  Thursday if I'm lucky, but knowing my clients, most likely Friday.  So, now we're just in the final push to wrap up everything.

The only thing keeping me going right now (and not making me gouge my eyes out and throw my laptop across the room) is that I'll be going into my new rotation in a few months. That means this will be my last busy season for at least another two years.  My hope is that I won't return to client service after that, but that's a whole other blog! So, here I go. I will be living and breathing auditing nearly 24 hours a day for the next week.  Ugh!

I will miss these smiling little faces this week! Thanks to my amazing husband, in-laws, Miss Candace from the boys' school, and Meow-Meow & LoLo for helping pick up the slack lately and getting us all through it!  The end is in sight!

Batter Up!

I knew that after I had one son, I would be involved with sports for the next 18 years.  Then another son, so my life with definitely be consumed with sports.  So, it begins. :)  Austin loves sports, any and all.  He's enrolled in the 'Amazing Athletes' program at school where an outside group comes in once a week to work on different sports activities with them.  He's taken quite an interest in baseball I've noticed.  Could it be that Uncle LoLo lives for baseball and has started to rub off on him?!  Possibly!  Anyways, I've been wanting to get Austin signed up for some organized sports.  Soccer had just started; and let's face it, March is not the best time for me to be toting him around to practice/games with my busy work schedule right now.  But we're just in time for t-ball!! We're so excited!  And one of his buddies in his class is signed up as well, and we're hoping they'll be on the same team.

Austin has a little plastic t-ball set, but that just wasn't going get the job done for actual organized t-ball. So, off to Target we go this weekend to pick up a bat, some balls, a glove, and an adjustable tee.  We even got in some good practice sessions this weekend .  He's definitely got the batting part down and can hit a line drive for sure.  But he still needs to work on the catching part.  He expects the ball to just go right in there, without him having to move his glove anywhere. Such a silly boy.  I picture him being the kid in the outfield picking flowers. :)

I'm excited to find out what team we'll be on, who he plays with, and all the fun antics that come with 3-year olds playing some t-ball!  I even signed up to be Team Mom! Not sure what that job entails, but sign me up!

Who's Got The Most Handsome Blue-Eyed Boy?!

I do!  Couldn't resist sharing these awesome pics I snapped of Chase this afternoon!  (Austin wasn't in the mood for pics, so he's MIA from this post!)

My Boys!

Love these boys!  They constantly put a smile on my face, no matter what!  I'm slacking on taking pictures of them lately, but I'm trying to be in the moment with them. :)

Austin taking Chase for spin on a beautiful day!

He gets serious when it comes to his food!

My technology-savvy 3-year old on the iPad