Rockin' a Mom Suit

After giving birth to Evan I wasn't sure what to expect as far as a post-baby body goes.  Obviously the 50 lbs I gained over the course of 40 weeks caused a bit of stretching on my rather slender frame leaving a few permanent markings above my belly button.  Now of course I am my own worst critic, so what I consider noticeably ugly, most every one else would consider obscure or insignificant.  But every one else's opinion can't change the way I feel about myself - I have to be comfortable in my own skin.

When summer finally rolled around I had to decide just how comfortable I truly was with my new body.  I had lost all my weight and was back in pretty good shape, but those two little stretch marks made me decide that my bikini days were over.  I justified my decision by telling myself that I need to cover up a little more any way - I mean I am a mother now.  So I opted for the tankini and actually found some really cute options.  I wore this style for a couple of summers, but just never felt like it did any thing for my figure.

Fast forward two more years - I am now a mother of two.  I am in better shape after my second pregnancy than I was after my first, except of course for a little extra belly - but I have actually come to terms with that addition.  Unless I'm gonna be baring my belly, a six pack doesn't seem nearly as important any more - and quite frankly, requires too much work.  So again, a bikini is no longer a contender and the tankinis just don't do much for me or my body.

I was walking through Old Navy last week and spotted a really classy one piece hanging on the rack.  I have always dismissed this particular style because, COME ON...who wears a one piece these days??  Well, in my opinion...a mother.  But in my mind - not a cool, stylish mother - more like a mom who also sports a fanny pack.  For some reason when I would think one piece I envisioned a Speedo that accentuated all the wrong areas and could make even Pamela Anderson look flat.  So no matter the cut, print or brand I always turned my nose up to a one piece. That is, until last week.

I grabbed this suit to hopefully prove myself wrong about one pieces...

Let me tell you - not only did I prove myself wrong, but I am a HUGE fan now.  This suit is not only stylish, classy and cute, but I felt so comfortable as I pranced around my dressing room.  I realized that all the bending over I have to do at the beach and all the running I do after crazy kids - hell yeah - this was just the right fit.  But the icing on the cake - belly issues?  What belly issues?  Awesome.

So I bought not one...but two!

And it sure didn't hurt that these babies were only $17.50 a piece.  Score.

Happy Birthday DC

We spent a colorful weekend in Southern Pines celebrating Dylan's 3rd birthday with our great friends, Dan and Sarah.  Bouquets of vibrant colored gerber daisies, a bright assortment of balloons and a multi-colored cake brought the rainbow inspired party to life.

Dylan got a brand new outdoor playset for her birthday that Evan was more than happy to help break in. But I'm pretty sure Stan's (Sarah's dad) backhoe was what won his heart in the end.

The kids literally ran themselves ragged as well as most of the adults.  Our early exit to bed made our trip seem even shorter than it really was, but we had a fantastic time as always.  Other than sleeping, Mattie just hung out - literally.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Dylan!

Let's Talk About Poop

Evan's poop is finally making it into the potty.  Yaaaaaaaay!  The poor kid has been terrified to poop on the potty for the past couple of months, but for whatever reason he just decided to start doing it last week.  I can't tell you how happy I am about this accomplishment.  There's nothing worse than trying to hand wash poop covered underwear - I eventually just started throwing them away.  Call me wasteful or what you will, but having poop between my fingers not once...not twice...but more than I care to count is reason enough in my book.

We went back and forth on whether or not we should put him back in Pull Ups, but we were afraid he would digress in his training.  He transitioned so easily to peeing in the potty and was so proud to be wearing underwear that we didn't want to compromise that.  We did try the whole do you need to be back in a diaper tactic, but it didn't work.  He was literally just frightened of pooping.  So we waited...

This waiting period of two months was ridiculous and frustrating.  Evan knew he shouldn't be pooping in his pants, so he began holding his poop for as long as he could - usually two days - until he just couldn't hold it anymore.  At that point he would dance around the house holding his butt, whining and crying that his butt hurt.  We tried to encourage him to sit on the potty.  We would even try to convince him that pooping would feel good and his butt would feel better.  Nothing ever worked.  He would get angry and upset and then shut down.

I'm not really sure what flipped the switch for him.  At one point last week I told him that Lightening McQueen and Mater were upset that he kept pooping on them.  Evan seemed concerned and asked me several times if they were mad at him.  Maybe this helped?

I invited Mimi over for dinner last week and while we were eating (lovely dinner talk) I was explaining to her how frustrated I was the night before trying to get Evan to poop on the potty.  I told her that I had to wash/throw way three pairs of underwear - all in about 10 minutes.  Evan was listening to this conversation and when I was finished he looked at me and said, "Mama, I want to go poop on the potty.  Will you help me?"  At first I was thinking this is not the time to be messing around with me boy.   But he seemed sincere so I helped him on the potty and awaaaay he went!  He cheered when he was through and we told him how proud we were - and the rest is history.

Evan is officially potty trained, my friends.

 

Lazy Sunday

Living a couple of miles from the beach and only a couple of blocks from the pool is more than ideal - in fact, I would consider us pretty damn lucky.  But the amount of energy it takes to pack up two kids to get to these places sometimes just isn't worth it...especially on a lazy Sunday.

Of course we're not gonna spoil all the fun for the kids just because we're too lazy to do the packing.  So we improvised.  We brought the pool and the fun to our backyard and the best part about it - no worries about nap times, snacks, potty breaks or lack of toys.  We were able to relax while the kids had their fun.  It was a win/win Sunday.

It's Your Birthday

Yes, you are a year older which makes you 36 today.  You should feel ancient.   And I doubt it comes as any surprise that I've made it my mission to never allow you to be "younger" than me.  I'll even stoop so low to Photoshop your pictures to look older if I have to.  You will grow older with me - I still need my big brother.

It's baffling how time has flown by since you left us, yet time has totally stood still.  Sometimes I feel like I spent time with you just the other weekend - but then I realize how much has changed in my life over the last two years and I realize you did not play a part in those memories.  I struggle with that.

You share your birthday today with a very special person.  Someone you never had the pleasure to meet.

This is your niece, Mattie Jane.  She is 7 months old today.  She has a sense of humor that you would definitely appreciate.  She makes us laugh all the time.  She's sitting up now, but sometime wavers from side to side and eventually falls over.  She has a dislike for green beans and peas, but loves carrots, sweet potatoes and squash - and all fruits of course.

Her favorite activity is her bouncer swing - you remember, the one that Evan loved so much.  She goes to town in that thing and laughs and squeals the entire time.  She's a chunker, but we tell her to enjoy her rolls and dimples while she can - they won't be very cute in about 10 years.

You'll be proud to know she's a tough little cookie.  Evan has hit over the head with his toys, pinched her legs, laid on top of her and kicked her many times - it doesn't seem to phase her.  She giggles and laughs, just happy that he's showing her attention.  She loves her big brother.  Just as much I love mine.

Happy Birthday, Jonathan.

Field Day

What kid doesn't remember field day?  An entire day spent outside - no class, no work, bagged lunch, sack races and a ribbon or two if you were fast.

I don't think I had the opportunity to participate in a field day as early as two years old, but Evan did.  Belin organized an amazing event today that I'm so glad I was able to attend.  All of the classes were designated a color in which they wore a t-shirt and spray painted their hair accordingly.  Call it Robert's lucky day - Evan's class was the orange team.  He fails to remember - or maybe accept - that in SC orange stands for Clemson.

So there were several orange heads roaming around...

I was only able to stay for the first four events, starting with one of my favorites - the parachute.

Next, the most classic - the sack race.

We moved on to tug-o-war, two year old style - this means a string rather than a rope with out much tension on either end :)

Oh, and the dreaded obstacle course - not sure if any child grasped this concept.

Hula Hooping was the last of what I was able to witness and it definitely didn't disappoint.

And Evan picked me a few flowers in between...

Hi Mattie Girl...

Exhaustion set in around 3 pm - along with tantrums and  bad attitudes.  But at least the first few hours of the day made it all worth it.  Ask Robert and he may have a different opinion on that.

Yay for field day.