Figuring it all out

You know, I never posted the, "I am 30 now, oh crap!" or any kind of blog post like that. I am not concerned or worried about 30. I am basically where I thought I would be... married... kids... house... job... etc. I guess I kind of thought I would be a stay-at-home Mom. That obviously isn't happening, but that is okay. I still get a 3-day weekend and that will have to be good enough. I keep telling Tim that he needs to get a better job so I can stay at home. However, I don't know if I would like that either :-) Overall, I have to say I could not be happier with where I am at.

ALTHOUGH - where should I go now? I am only 30 and isn't 30 the new 20 or some crap like that?? What should I do? Go to school? Find a new job? Quit my job and stay at home? What should I do when I grow up? (Emma told me the other day that I need to stay this size and I can't grow up because she doesn't want me to get as big as a house! Where would she get that? I have no idea!)

As said before, all is great here. Kids are fabulous, Tim is wonderful - I couldn't be happier.... but, kids are sleeping, I am watching TV, and zoning out. I just watched "The Good Wife" I enjoy that show. That is one of my new favorites in the TV lineup. Although, it has Mr. Big in it. Even though he plays a bad guy so far in the Good Wife, I still can't help but like him. Always will I guess. Ahh - how I miss SATC.

Evan is slowly starting to take more steps. Every day he is a little more brave.. he toddled and wobbled for 2 steps the other day, then fell. Yesterday he made it about 4 steps and today was even more. It is so cute! My baby is getting so big! Although, along with the brave steps, come the unfortunate tumbles. He fell pretty good yesterday and got a bloody lip. That, he doesn't really enjoy. It doesn't hold him back though - even after he fell and cried - he was up a few minute later playing/crawling/and getting into everything!

Emma is so looking forward to Sunday School! We had the little meet and greet last Sunday and that didn't nearly live up to her expectations. My fault partly, because I told her that school was starting and we had some craft projects and tried to get her really excited for it. We did have projects, but really, she was only there for 5 minutes. So- hopefully, this week will live up to her expectations. It will be a full hour - full Sunday school with all 12 kids (none of which are as adorable as my child, of course!) She is so excited for fall AND her toddler trot which is this weekend. We are still happily training for that and my 10K. So - wish us luck! It sounds like it is going to be a pretty crappy weekend, so we may be running in the rain. Oh well - the point is to just have fun.

Tomorrow is the big T's birthday- ha! We have some small family things planned - cake - presents- nothing overly new and exciting. He is happy; it is fall so it is hunting season, so yes, you will be hearing from the hunting widow again :-) At least this year Evan is a bit older and more independent, so it should be a bit easier to get out of the house and do stuff.

I leave you with pictures of last night. We had a quick movie and popcorn night. Or, As Emma called it, "The popcorn night with water, movie, AND a napkin MOM!" Emma really enjoys doing that and Evan is getting into it a bit more also. He loves popcorn, runs in the family, so it is fun. Anyway, I thought these pictures were pretty cute. Emma, again, being goofy, but having so much fun! It pretty much captures how things are. Evan looking up and loving his big sister and Emma just being goofy!

Miss Kelly is feeling a bit overwhelmed

Or - Kelly if you want. I don't know if I can get 12 little three year olds to call me Miss Kelly or not. But, I will let you know after this Sunday. Yup - I am fully enveloped in Sunday School training right now, 2 out of 3 classes accomplished. So far, it has been good, overwhelming but good. There are 3 teachers, 2 are required to be there each class. So far, I am very impressed with the program. Everything is laid out very well, we are provided crafts/songs/prayers/bible stories/lesson plans - basically everything we could want. We have little Jesus dolls and disciple dolls for the kids to play with and act out bible stories. There will be a preschool concert in February, so that should be cute. Overall, it should be good. However, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the actual ACT of teaching 12 preschoolers. We were told that you can plan on one minute of attention span per year of age. So, I've got 3 minutes to work with. It should be interesting.

Emma is very excited. She has gotten over the whole "my Mom is my teacher" thing. Although, she thinks she is riding the school bus there, so that will be a bit of a disappointment.

Overall, once again, all is pretty good in the Heuer house - just another day, I guess. Work for me has been pretty stressful, so that stinks. Evan's world must be a little stressful too, as he hasn't been sleeping well lately. I think he is getting more teeth. But overall, for that little man, he couldn't be much happier. Well, unless you take the TV remote from him or pull him down from climbing on something. He says Hi very well and he is starting to say "BA" for ball or balloon. He still isn't much into walking. He can tear it up behind a walker or pushing a bike, but on his own, he just doesn't want too. It doesn't help that he took two pretty big diggers last week. Plus, he also was dragged behind our little kiddie jeep last week from an inattentive sister (not long, but it still left an impact). NO - that did NOT go over well for Emma. And Evan - just let go, honey! When in doubt, let go. And for me - do not turn your back... ever!

Emma is good too. She is dancing more and more every day and really wishes that she were in a dance class. We missed that one and swimming class for this session and she never lets us forget it. She is so cute too when she dances, she gets in the middle of the living room, spreads her arms out wide, closes her eyes and starts singing some song, and then let's her body go. Moving/swaying/somersaults/ anything is fair game really. What can I say? She has a flair for the dramatics! She must get that from her dad...

Not much is new for Tim and I. Well, besides Sunday school teaching and studying for the GMAT. I am going back and forth again about the MBA. I know I want it, sometime, but maybe not now. Maybe I don't have the time now?? But-really - will I ever have the time?

Some cute kid quotes:
***While walking over to the neighbors house, Emma tells her friend Kaylee: "Kaylee - you need to tell your Daddy to turn on the sprinklers. The grass is really dry." (hmm... I see her father's particular lawncare habits are rubbing off)

Well, I guess that is all I can think of right now. To be continued on those....

My birthday week

Where does the time go? Ah yes - work - two kids - grocery shopping - errands - more work and more chasing after two kids. And no, I wouldn't change a thing :-)

I decided to defer my birthday week to the week following my birthday since I was suffering from a cold last week. I figure it is no fun to celebrate when you are stuffed up/sneezing/ and can't taste anything. But, this week has been great! Last Friday (my actual birthday) Tim and I went out to Jax Cafe- my favorite place to go... well, one of them. It was wonderful to be out alone with my husband, but at the same time, both of us had colds. Mine was going, his was coming, so we didn't enjoy it like we could have. Then, we went to the cabin on Saturday. It was kind of the last hurrah for playing in the lake, so we took advantage of the warm fall. Emma and I went tubing, although she was bound and determined to try water-skiing again. We got the skis out, put them on her feet, and she changed her mind. I think next year will be the big year for that! So, after much outside playing, we made a fire and had campfire food and lit off some fireworks - it was wonderful!

This week brought work, obviously, but daycare was closed for 2 days, so the kids had a mini-vacation down at the farm with Nana & Papa. They had a great time - that is all Emma could talk about! She was going to help Papa milk the cows, feed the calves and go for a tractor ride. Both her and Evan had a very busy time down there feeding kitties/ playing outside/ and being big helpers on the farm. They love going there, which makes it easier for me to drop them off. Even though I was looking forward to spending some quiet time here, it is always difficult to see them go. So, Tim and I went out to eat again one night, thankfully both of us were feeling much better, and then we had a cook night last night here. It was fun. Plus - we decided (finally!) on our siding for our house. (we have hail-damage, so we are replacing siding). Let's just say, if you stop by in approximately a month, our house will look completely different. YEA!

The next few days are sure to be fun too - which, they should be for it being my birthday week :-) Tomorrow night, Kristen and I are making some meals at Let's Dish to put in the freezer. (Let's Dish is a place here where you sign up for a certain amount of meals, go there to make them, pay for them, and bring them home to put in the freezer. We are each making 8 meals.) We have never done it, but decided with how busy we are getting, it may not be a bad idea. After that, maybe cocktails or a fun dessert somewhere. Friday night is book club here (YEA!) with a campfire and the traditional campfire fare. We read an awesome book (Candy Girl by Diablo Cody) a memoir about a Minneapolis gal stripping in the clubs for a year. Granted, this book is not for everyone who may read my blog (Hmmmm... Mom) but for the gals who like good chick-lit, this was an awesome quick read.

Then, this weekend, I start Sunday school training. Wish me luck with that. I am a bit nervous as I don't fit the traditional Catholic girl model, but I am happy to help out and I would much rather volunteer with the younger kids than the older ones.

Kids are good - Evan is still getting over the cold, as is Tim. This was one of the longest colds I think I have ever had. It is has been a week & a half and I am still coughing and blowing my nose. No good. Still no signs that Emma will get it and I hope it stays that way.

I am off - popcorn and GMAT studying. I know, I know, does it get any better for a Wednesday night?

My birthday week

Yes, we are celebrating two birthdays in the Heuer House. Very nice! I have picked up a few things now and then for my birthday. A cute little pair of flats at the Gap... a cute little pea-coat at Old Navy... very fun! I am trying to re-vamp my style now that I am (gulp) almost 30! Eek! Revamp my style to what, I am not sure yet... maybe - mature/sophisticated/fun/ hip Mom? Can that be a style? Anyway - that is what I am going for.

Unfortunately both Evan and I are suffering from colds at the moment. Kind of dampens my birthday week a bit - so, I may declare next week my birthday week. I worked at home today and stayed with the little man as he was pretty down-n-out. It was his first illness and he didn't like it one bit! He NEEDED to be held at all times, otherwise his little world was turned upside down. It made my "work" a bit difficult to get too, but when he napped, it went pretty well.

I also volunteered myself today to be a preschool, Sunday school teacher at our church. I am kind of looking forward to it, a bit nervous, but it should be okay. I spoke with the coordinator and there will be 3 Mom's volunteering, but only 2 will be there at a time. We will have 15 pre-schoolers in our room.. including Emma. When I told her I was going to be her teacher - she looked at me and bust out laughing. Not quite the reaction I was hoping for, but what is a person to do? I start "training" soon and will meet the other teachers and work out a game plan and a schedule. I am sure I will have some fun stories from that. Me thinks me is crazy....

Tim and I are planning on going out to eat for my birthday at Jax Cafe in Mpls on Friday. I LOVE THAT PLACE! However, Tim now feels as though he is getting a cold, so that may be put on hold until all parties are feeling good. Then, I was planning on having a small get-together for my birthday, but plans are being post-poned due to some possible Sunday School Training. Not sure about that yet, I should get my schedule soon.

Not sure if I know too much else. Here's me wishing for a fun birthday - that is a non-cold/ very healthy birthday for all family members and possibly a Cold Stone Cake. YUM!

Evan's birthday

Yes, I will say it again... this will be the last time, I promise :-)

My little boy is a year old! How can that be? I don't like that time flies by this fast. Although... looking back, I must say it is nice that he is sleeping through the night. It is pretty nice that he can play by himself now for a little while. And, It is pretty fun to watch him learn new things every day and interact with us a little more each day. So, I guess this is a good thing, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard sometimes.

I found myself thinking this week... "Gee, a year ago today, my aunt and cousin came up to visit and I was in the hospital with the stupid kidney pains and I missed them." "Now, a year ago today, I was lying on the couch watching "The Waitress" because I couldn't move because of the stupid kidney pains." (that movie will always have a special place in my heart!" "Let's see - now I was toughing out the contractions at home, while Tim was sleeping (nice, I know...)" over and over again I had these thoughts... it is fun to reminisce and I have a feeling I will continue to do that as the kids get older.

Let's see - Evan at a year... where is he at?
-- crawling around all over and still uncertain about walking. He will walk between people sometimes, but still prefers crawling. He has taken 4 steps between people though all on his own! Today, Tim even saw him turn away from the door and take a few steps on his own! It won't be long!
-- has discovered all the things he can use to crawl on things... his toys such as musical chair or retro rocket make a great stepstool! His new favorite?? Drawers! I can see this going on in Evan's mind: "You just pull those bad boys out and step on them to get into the higher ones. It is genius!"
-- Loves food! really loves food - there is nothing this kid won't eat. He shoves like 5 raspberries in his mouth at once - fruits are his favorite I think. That and cake... and cookies... he takes his oreo's apart and licks out the creme filling.
-- Sleeps really well - from about 7:30pm to about 6:30 am usually. We turn on his glow-worm, cover him up, and he rolls to his side and that is usually it. He likes to bring the blankets up to his cheek and snuggle.
-- Does not enjoy snuggling with us. He doesn't have time - he is a busy kid.
-- Enjoys crawling up the steps on the swingset and going down the slide - all by himself. This started about a week ago. He will climb to the top, get his little legs in front of him, then push himself down. He will usually roll over on his belly and go feet-first down the slide. He loves it!
-- He likes pushing toys, but I see this with other friends that have little boys. Instead of sitting in the crazy coupe car, he has to push it. His little "bike", he doesn't sit on, he pushes.
--Likes cars and says "vrooom" when he pushes them.
--Bath time may be his favorite part of the day. He bounces up and down when it is time for bath. He enjoys filling up my recycled plastic bottles with water and dumping them out! However, when bath time is done, he is extremely impatient and needs his bottle STAT. That is his cue for bedtime and he knows it.
-- When he is mad or sad, he will collapse forward, head on knees, and start sobbing as though we have just broken his little heart.
--Still at the stage where everything goes in his mouth. I don't like this stage.
-- Loves crawling up the stairs and if the gate isn't up - he is magnetically drawn to the stairs. He will look back to see if we are watching him too - then he crawls as fast as possible until we get him.
-- Just the other day, when I was attending to Emma, I turned around and Evan was gone. Where did he go, one may ask? Well, he had opened up the patio door, crawled down the 3 steps to the deck and was making his turn to take the long steps down to the grass. Nice... now that door is always locked.

That's all I can think of for now. I guess that is enough - If I can think of more, I will post them. Since I am not so good at writing in his baby book, this (when I make the blog book) will be the baby book.

And - a few more pictures of his big day.

It started with chocolate chip pancakes, because he loves those. Supper was pizza and cupcakes - one of his favorite foods!


Evan and his Daddy - see a resemblance??




unwrapping presents



(Emma and Tim - a nice picture and Emma NEVER smiles for a picture lately!)



another cupcake



YOU! This thing that he and Tim do. Evan even says "YOU!" kind of...