Lazy Sunday

Coffee, pajamas, sweet babes playing, music is on...it's a lazy Sunday!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

My beautiful baby girl.  She is going to do big things!

Good for the Soul

Do you ever just need to feed your soul?  Feeling run down, or blue or just like your life is lacking something?  Well, with Danny being out of town for 2.5 weeks I was starting to feel like something was missing.  I realized while he was gone that he is so much more than just my husband and father to our children.  I realized how much I crave companionship.  How much I can do without him, but how much I don't want to do without him.  I pretty much rocked the single parent thing.  I got us up and ready on the days I had to work, I made sure everyone was fed and bathed and kissed and loved while Daddy was gone. 

I didn't get a lot of time to myself as I played Mommy and Daddy.  I was on the clock pretty much 24/7.  Not that I'm not "on" the clock when Danny is home, but I never got that sense of being able to relax and only worry about myself.  My parents did help when I went to visit but packing for a weekend trip for myself, two kids and two dogs is a lot of work!  The day before Danny came home my in-laws took the kids for the night and I had a night to just be me, fill my imaginary cup of life and spend time with great friends.

Erin and I drove to Richmond to meet my best friend Cierra for the night.  We got dolled up, drank wine and went to a little dive for dinner.  After dinner we went back to her apartment, filled our wine glasses, looked through old pictures and yearbooks, read our love-scopes and laughed.  It felt so good to just sit and laugh with friends.  I haven't had a grown up girls' night/sleep over in so long.  We stayed up too late but I woke the next morning feeling so fulfilled and ready to get back to my babies and await for my husband to come home.  

(The rare FB self portrait)

I've learned that life isn't about how many friends you have or how many "likes" you get on Facebook; it's about having true friends you can count on and having someone you can just be yourself with.  I missed Danny so much while he was gone, but having friends to lean on is just what I needed to celebrate making it through 2.5 weeks on my own!  It was a good ending to a long 2.5 weeks.

Lucky Number 13

Danny was supposed to come home today but instead he extended his travel plans until Saturday.  We're still hoping he will get to come home before then but it is not looking too promising.  I miss my friend.  I miss my husband.  I miss our companionship.  In all honesty, the kids haven't really been that bad.  They've had their moments, a few sleepless nights and a few tantrums but that's not the hard part.  The hard part is not having my soul mate here to share these times with.


On a happy note, Dylan has officially started walking!  He turned 13 months old on Wednesday, it must be his lucky number.  He is so cute when he walks and is so proud of himself.  He holds his arms out like he's a zombie and gets the biggest smile when he knows you are watching him.  My babies are growing up so fast!


I went to my parent's house this past weekend.  Today is my dad's birthday so I wanted to go up and spend some time with them.  We had a nice time.  Mom and I went to two wineries, Cave Ridge and Shenandoah Vineyards.  It was fun and it was nice to get out of the house for a bit.  We watched the super bowl and hung out around the house.  My brother came down to visit and we mostly lounged in pajamas!

Hanging with Mimi

Dad bought an old Bronco so we took it out for a ride in the fields.  Perfect for a beer ride since it has no heat in it. ;)  

We also stopped at my friend Sara's house on the way up to my parents.  We had a play date with our kids, she has a son who is almost 2.  It was nice catching up, I've missed her!  On the way we passed by Dinosaur Land.  I can't wait to take the kids when they are a little older, I loved it as a kid growing up. I still have pictures of my brother and I running around and posing with dinosaurs and cave men. 

Wacky Wednesday Pics

Mommy did something that Daddy never does...I put Marissa's hair up before going to the sitter's.  Danny usually gets Marissa ready on the mornings that I have to work while I get Dylan ready.  He doesn't do hair, I'm lucky if he even brushes her hair before we leave the house.  Fun fact: Something else that Daddy doesn't normally do...is put her shirt on backwards!  I accidentally put Marissa's shirt on backwards this morning.  I didn't noticed until we got to the sitter's.  She laughed and said, "well at least her hair is up!" 

This little guy didn't want to be put down, so he helped me cook dinner.

So proud of herself doing her puzzle!  And sneeking her hand on my mouse while she "works."

Apparently Tarzan lives at our house.  Dylan woke up with his pajamas halfway off.  

It's been an interesting week without Daddy home...only one week to go!

Passing the Time

With Danny being gone, I've had a lot of time on my hands.  Not exactly a lot of "free" time...but a lot of time.  The kids are keeping me busy.  I must say that when 7 o'clock rolls around, I'm ready to get them in their pajamas and in to bed.  I am go, go, go...all day long!

I have managed to take a few pictures of the kids while Danny has been gone.  Dylan of course hammed it up for the camera, Marissa not so much.  She is a tough one to capture.

Of course Teddy had to make an appearance!

Dylan is trying to give kisses now.  He will lean in and practically lick your face when you ask for a kiss. 

He is too much!

My crazy little girl. At least she was looking at the camera. 

I sent a few pictures to Danny and his response was..."did you get one of them both looking at the camera at the same time?"

Ha, ha, ha, ha....HA!  He's funny!  Clearly he has never tried taking pictures of these two by himself. 

4 of 12

We're on day 4 of 14...it feels like an eternity.  Okay, not really but I seriously can't wait for my husband to be home.

The day after Danny left, we got a small snow storm so I ended up staying home on a day that I normally work.  I had to take my truck to the shop because the front axle was leaking.  Then I found out that I will likely be on furlough come next week.  Of course everything has to go wrong when he isn't here.

So the babies and I have spent a lot of time these past few days in our PJ's...snacking...and staying inside where it's warm.  We're finally seeing some winter weather and winter temperatures.  Hello 14 degree low!

Dylan was snacking on a chocolate covered pretzel.  He had it everywhere!

And this little guy has been pushing the shopping cart all around the house.  Today he took THREE WHOLE STEPS all by himself!  I was so proud and excited for him!  I'm just sorry that Danny missed it. 

Every morning Marissa wakes up and says "I go jump on Daddy."  It breaks my heart to tell her that Daddy isn't home.  She's actually doing really well with him being away, though.  Overall she has been well behaved and she has talked to Danny on the phone a few times.  

Every year my dad and his two brothers get together for their annual birthday luncheon.  They all have birthdays in either January or February so they like to get together and celebrate.  Two years ago we went to Ruby Tuesday's in Warrenton.  I drove Marissa and myself, got lost on the way thanks to GPS, was running low on gas and when we finally made it to the restaurant Marissa was cranky and didn't want to be there.  She was only about 6 months old at the time.  Last year we went to Applebee's a little closer to home so Danny and I brought both kids with us.  It took forever to get our food and again Marissa was not in the mood to sit in a high chair.  Basically, what I'm getting at is every year it is pretty much a disaster when we come.  Today, my dad invited us back to Ruby Tuesday's and on a whim I decided I would pack up the kids and drive an hour and fifteen minutes by myself to go to lunch, right in the middle of nap time.  I was prepared for it to be a disaster but much to my surprise the kids were angels and loved seeing Mimi, PupPup and Uncle Fuzz.  Marissa did make 5 trips to the bathroom in our 2 hour stay, but she was very well behaved so I didn't complain!  It was nice to get out of the house and break up the monotony of being home all day long.  

Don't tell Danny...tonight I hit up Danny's keg and am enjoying a well deserved ice cold, fresh, hoppy, something or other IPA.  This whole single parenting thing is serious business.  I'm so glad that I don't normally have to do it on my own.  I am so thankful that I have a soul mate, a best friend and a wonderful father for my children.  Counting down the days until February 5th!