Motherhood And Accepting Change

May 2, 2016

Probably one of the hardest things we are asked to do in life is accept change.

Sometimes, I think Motherhood is all about that. Our ability as human beings to accept and handle change.

As a female it begins the moment two pink lines appear. Suddenly, you have changed. Life has changed. No more drinking wine. No sushi. No deli meat. Forget a hot dog. No Cinco de Mayo festivities. Who needs sleep? Loved those jeans? Yep. They no longer fit. Invest in belly bands. You will pee. A lot. All of a sudden stretch marks appear. No, you can’t see your toes. You can no longer breathe. Water breaks. Pain like ever before. You will be amazed the female body is made to do that. Nothing is the same. Your body has forever changed.

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The New American Dream

April 29, 2016

Lately I have found myself thinking about the American Dream.

When I think about that term, the image that typically comes to mind is one similar to the image below.

A smiling, well dress, well behaved, quite near perfect looking family. The funny thing is I Googled, “The American Dream Family” and these are the images that popped up.

Yep, all the same and completely 100% stereotypical, really. The American Dream was ultimately about success. Rising from poverty to defeat all barriers set before them to raise children, buy a home and emerge to a “comfort” status that was once the markings of success, contentment and happiness. The wish to set forth and make a life that was better than your parents. But, even that dream scenario, predates the images pictured above.

The American Dream was about opportunity and more importantly, hard work. It was about getting married, buying a home, starting a family, rising in status (whether that be corporately or socially or both) and living a comfortable life. To me the definition was defined by achieving successes within one’s life.

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

April 19, 2016

Mom, Mommy, Mam, Mama, Mudda or Mother – whatever you can her, well it is her day and it is right around the corner.

May I suggest a homemade or well-written card / letter, a home cooked meal, a spa treatment, or a bottle of wine? All those things will do. After all she deserves it after putting up with your crap since the last Mother’s Day. Just kidding. Or, am I?

All joking aside, Mother’s Day is a day dedicated to motherhood and all of its goodness. I had to chuckle, when I looked up the history of Mother’s Day and read this sentence, “traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts.” Basically, we want your gifts, folks.

Anna Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia can be credited to the early roots of Mother’s Day. She began a “Mother’s Day Work Club” to teach local women how to care for their children. It wasn’t until 1905, when Jarvis’ daughter, Anna Jarvis truly developed what is known today as Mother’s Day, shortly after her mother’s death. The idea was that Mother’s Day was to be honored throughout the country, but on a personal level with mothers and their families.

One – 20.00 | Two – 26.00 | Three – 45.00 | Four – 150.00 | Five – 18.00 | Six – 10.99 | Seven – 19.99

Want to know the irony? Young Anna Jarvis worked in the floral industry and by the 1920’s, you know 15 years after starting this wonderful day, she became disgusted with how the holiday was over “commercialized.”

“Hey, Anna. Were you making money on your flowers?” Shaking my head. So according to my source, “She outwardly denounced the transformation and urged people to stop buying Mother’s Day flowers, cards and candies.” She also launched a few lawsuits here and there over the use of the “Mother’s Day” name. By the time she died in 1948, she completely disowned the holiday she created.

The article never shared so I did some digging myself, Anna Jarvis was never a mother.

So, I am sure if she was alive today she would despise my post on Mother’s Day Gift Ideas. She would block me on social media and she probably would send me a comment detesting my commercialization of this holiday. My response would be, “Hey, Anna, I haven’t sleep in 16-months and I have entered the whiny toddler phase, followed by epic meltdowns, I think I would thoroughly enjoy breakfast in bed and some hot pink Hunter Boots. Thank you!”

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I’m Social Media & Technology Obsessed & I Refuse to Apologize For it & Here is Why

April 16, 2016

Recently I was asked for a baby photo of myself. It took me two weeks to find one. Two weeks! My mother had taken the time many years ago to sort her five children’s photos into collections for each of us to have. I think she quickly realized that my baby sister Liv, who is 15 years younger than me, ultimately, had the largest collection of us all, both in quantity and quality of the photos. I on the other hand maybe had five to ten hard copy photos from my first year, and I was her first child! I take that many pictures of Lo, per day!

I always have my cell phone nearby. In my hand, on my hip, in my purse. I am ready to snap a picture or shoot video. “Wait, I need a picture” or “Hold on, let me grab my phone.”

Eyes roll. My husband will yell, “Do you always have to be on your phone?” I am certain those around me consider me “social media and technology obsessed.” They are right. I am.

My biggest fear in life is that I will forget moments in time. I am scared I will forget memories with Lo or Nathan, or anyone or anything that makes me happy for that matter. I worry, that over time the story that I am writing will become blurry. Honestly, that is why I love this Blog and Social Media so very much. It allows me to capture these moments in time, that somehow I know my brain cannot and will not always remember, process and present back.

They say, “memories last forever,” but already I feel like my story of Lo’s birth is cloudy in sections, and to this day I so regret not paying the extra money for a videographer for my wedding, or heck just setting a video camera on a tripod in the corner of the room. The sad reality is memories don’t last forever.

During my wedding day, I can’t for the life of me remember who all was in the house as I got ready. I forget the speeches. In fact, just last night, I asked my sister, “Do you have your speech written down? Can I see it, again?” I forget what and if Nathan said anything to me at the end of the aisle, I forget the drinks on the menu, heck, I forget the menu. I forget the moves to this dance with my father, as we surprised the guests with our father daughter dance.

For Lo’s birth, I don’t remember the details as clearly as I did before, as I recall now how my labor progressed. I forget the faces of the nurses in recovery. I cannot remember how many tries it took for Lo to start breastfeeding properly. I forget the meal other than Subway, I made Nathan rush out to buy me (I was in the hospital for a few days). I forget the first night home with Lo, other than it was a blizzard outside and we ate KFC Chicken Pot Pies.

The memories do not last forever. I can guarantee you that. However, one thing does and that is the way you feel in a moment.

I know for certain, my wedding day was 100% a fairy tale because I can remember the pure joy and excitement surrounding it. I remember the fun and that my face hurt from smiling. I remember the love in the room and among my guests. I remember the excitement and the happiness with my Dad after we danced that dance pictured above. I remember how I never wanted the day to end and I remember that Sunday morning when I woke up, there was a pit in my stomach because it was over.

With, Lo, I remember the night my water broke in our kitchen and Nathan rushed around the house preparing for the hospital, showering and cutting his hair! All while, I nervously paced the hallway. I remember the anxiety that grew as I watched the clock and yelled, “I think we need to go now!” I remember the fear when we started the car and the gas light came on and I swore this baby was going to be delivered en route on the side of the road. I remember I was in pain but not the pain itself. I remember the fear when the Doctor was called for an emergency c-section. I remember the panic of surgery. Then, more than anything I remember the burst of happiness and explosion of love when I saw Lo. I remember the feeling of overwhelming joy, and the emotion that is so big you cry tears of happiness.

And, I just bring up these two examples, because they were both two of the happiest days of my life. Two days, I always thought I would remember forever. But, nearly four years after my wedding and a year and a half after my baby’s birth. Details fade. Memories fade.

Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

How very true in general for life? You will forget the details and memories in the moments. You will forget the funny thing your toddler said that you swore to yourself you would never forget because it was that funny. You will forget the hurtful words you and your spouse said to each other during your first real, dirty fight. And, if you are like me, you will forget the words of your Maid of Honor speech on your wedding day and you will forget the first outfit you put on your newborn baby girl. But, you won’t forget how your chest hurt as you fought back tears listening to your sweet sister read her speech on your wedding day and you won’t forget the sigh and sense of peace when you first smelled the head of your newborn baby girl resting on your chest.

So, when I do want to take a walk down memory lane, I have this corner of the web for my story. I have my Facebook and Instagram Feeds. I have a cell phone to flip through and photos saved on my computer. I don’t despise technology and social media. I do not feel like it is “ruining our worlds.” I do not feel like it is “replacing social interaction.” In fact, I argue it enhances. It allows me to snap pictures, moments, details that I will and do forget. When I look at my personal collection of baby photos compared to Lo’s while the story is not richer or fuller, because of the technology today, she and maybe more so, I, have a strong collection of memories to reminisce upon.

At the end of the day, call me social media and technology obsessed. I do not care nor will I argue. While my heart holds all the feels from these special days my cell phone and social media contain glimpses and moments in time that are a part of our story.

Snap away, friends!

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10 Hotel Hacks When Traveling With Kids

April 6, 2016

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make commission off clicks and sales. Thank you for your support.

Request a Kitchen Efficiency
If your hotel of choice offers a Kitchen Efficiency, take it! Well, I mean make a reservation. If not, at least request a mini refrigerator and / or microwave. Baby Lo still takes a bottle at bed and a refrigerator and microwave are necessary for overnight trips. Plus, the convenience of these two appliances are great for storing snacks, juice boxes and even drinks for Mom & Dad, you know what I mean, (oh, wait not about us?) While you are at it, don’t forget to pack a sponge and dish soap. It helps for washing bottles, sippy cups, dropped binkies, you name it.
Lysol Wipes
Yes. I am that Mom. I Lysol the heck out of a hotel room. “Don’t touch anything!” That is me as a bore ahead of Nathan and Lo, ready to tackle any germs. If you are neurotic like me, I would suggest wiping down the following: light switches, door knobs, remote controls, telephone, heating / cooling controls, and bathroom handles and knobs. I know. I am nuts. Clean, but nuts.
Be a Safety Officer
I bet it never crossed your mind the safety of your room. You probably unload and unpack and jump right into vacation mode. Although, I suggest taking a moment to get eye-level as it relates to your children. Check for any small items that were left under furniture – safety pins, pills, buttons. Basically, anything that could be hazardous and while you are at it, check the placement of your crib or pack n’ play for cords from curtains. If you have very young children it may be helpful to pack outlet covers and a roll of tape to secure ropes, cords, etc.
Pack an Extra Sheet
This is a hack for those with super young children who are bound to the floor with their rolling and crawling. You can easily throw a sheet across the room’s floor and place baby and toys on top for safe and clean play.
Bring Your Own Pillows
Staying in a new space and new room can be hard on young children. Heck! It is sometimes hard for adults. Missing the comforts of home and your own bed is natural. Pack your own pillows for comfort. The smell and familiarity will assist in helping your children fall asleep.
Pack a Portable Crib
Avoid roll away and crib rentals when at all possible. They cost you extra money, can be bulky and again if you are a germaphobe like me, you just are not a fan. Bring your own pack n’ play for little kids. It will provide comfort and you, peace of mind.
Pack Plastic Cups
Don’t use the glassware in your hotel rooms. Just don’t. Instead pack the good ol’ Solo Cups and use, use, use. You will avoid children fighting over that one glass that exists, because we all know a sibling wants the one thing the other sibling has. Plus, I always question the disinfecting and cleaning of glassware in rooms. Yuck! Plastic cups are the away to go. Trust me.
Bring Extra Trash Bags
Kids are messy individuals. They have this insane ability to generate trash like it is a supernatural power. If you have a little one in diapers then this is a must. You do not want to be stuck in a room with stinky diapers in an overflowing waste can. Plus, have you ever seen hotel trash cans? Super tiny. Just pack some trash bags! Plus, another tip. I throw all dirty clothes in a trash bag and cart out for travel back home. This way, when I walk in the door, I head straight for the washing machine and immediately start a load of laundry.
Always Lock The Doors
This may seem like a no-brainier, but I doubt you have even thought about this let alone acted upon it. We are conscious that our rooms are not accessible from the outside in. Although, the concern is for the children inside, getting out. Use the latch to lock the door as soon as you enter. That way if your little explorers decide to open the door to peak out the hallway and make a mad break for the oh-so-fun, must run down that hall, the latch will not allow the door to open all the way. Resulting in a child locked out of the room and a panicking parent. Most recently, we stayed a unit that did not have a latch but a hard to turn secondary bolt. I highly recommend investing in the Travel Door Alarm (under $15). This system will alert you if the door is opened from the inside or out. Another great tool is the Portable Door Lock, which can be used in so many situations outside of travel. Again, reasonably priced (under $20).
Leave the Expectations at the Door
Or, in the hallway for that matter. I suggest going into a travel situation with children with an open mind. Setting goals and preconceived ideas on what your vacation should or must be, just places unnecessary pressure. It is too hard to live up to the expectation. Plus, with children, anything can happen. Our last vacation, I forced myself to go-with-the-flow. It was the best thing I ever did. Lo was great and our vacation was better than I expected.

What hotel hacks when traveling with kids would you suggest?

For more Parenting Hacks, check out the following articles:

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Lately

April 4, 2016

Lately… It has been quite awhile since I visited my favorite little corner of the web. As a newbie to blogging I have learned that “vacations” from your Blog are not the most positive thing to do. That thought nagged at me. The neglect to my Blog was not an easy decision but it was necessary as I tackled some scheduled work projects.

All I can say is that the past two weeks have been incredibly, let me repeat, incredibly stress-filled and sleepless. I missed writing. I missed you!

So as I sit here, sipping my Chai Tea, I thought, “Let’s check in.”

Easter came and went.

Lo mastered “egg hunting” and the art and act of running. She also was 100% disinterested in plastic eggs that contained no contents. I know who does that anyway? Umm, this Mom, after realizing that she immediately inhaled whatever was inside. Even after the Baby M&M’s spilled out and mixed with the earth. We also picked up a new trick that has since remained. We now place any tiny little item we find on the floor, in our mouth. Damn you, Baby M&M’s.

I actually, had to head into work about 10 minutes after this picture was snapped. I cried. And, my daughter, who has learned to cry on cue with fake tears, made fun of me as I tearfully said goodbye. The thought of being away from family, away from Lo on Easter ate away at me as I drove my hour commute into work.

And, when exhaustion sets in and you just reach your breaking point… wine and milk always makes everything better. This was snagged after a long day in the office and a late night reunion.

Since we last spoke, Lo has developed an additional skill. She now bottle feeds her babies. It is the sweetest thing. The first time I “caught” her in the action I nearly cried. I know, I am crying a lot these days. No, I am not pregnant.

It seemed like yesterday that she was as dependent as that baby doll and I held her in my arms feeding her. I found myself thinking about a year ago and my sweet girl would have been four months old. It is fascinating how fast time moves by. It feels so slow until you take a step back or see your baby feeding her baby. The amount of knowledge and skills that babies, infants and toddlers take on is so overwhelming. Watching her grow and learn has been the absolute greatest joy.

And speaking of joy and growth. As her motor and verbal skills increase, her little personality presents itself. Ladies and gentleman, I have one ornery, busy-body on my hands. Nathan and I could not stop laughing as we heard clanking in the living room and walked in to see that Lo had set up the new swing we bought her, yet haven’t installed, on the floor and was sitting in it swaying front to back as to make herself swing. This kid.

To add on the whole personality point. Whining. Tantrums. Meltdowns. Yep, whatever the heck you want to call them, they exist and we experience them now. Sometimes daily. She looked so pretty as she was about to head out the door for church, she just wasn’t mentally prepared. As I joked on my Instagram page, she was in her Sunday best but not quite acting it.

So, I did what every loving Mom does in such a moment. I snapped a picture.

Last thought before I decide to delete this whole post because it is complete randomness, sort of like life these days. Bathroom selfies. Lo and I fail miserably. She looks so darn cute after baths, all wrapped in a plush towel. I admire all you hot chicas who can capture yourself so beautifully in a bathroom reflection or all you lovely Momma’s who show off your parenting and photography skills with the click of a button. Lo and I on the other hand, well, this is the best we could do.

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Don’t Take For Granted What Is Right In Front Of You

March 20, 2016

I think it may be a bit ironic that on the first day of Spring (Happy Spring, friends) I am sharing a picture of snowfall. But, it is actually quite perfect because it sums up life… which is in one word, unpredictable.

All over social media many were cursing the return sight of her, and by her, I mean snow. Many the same people who in October could not contain their excitement and were the first to post her grand appearance, as we do when we finally see a long awaited friend. But, now after a few months of hanging out with her, we are done and ready to move onto bigger and better things. Spring, but let’s be honest, it is really Summer.

But, how can you curse her sight when this is what you see? She is beautiful.

Last evening as Nathan, Lo and I were heading back down this very road to our home, and, yes this is our road to our home. I know, we are lucky. My husband stopped the car and said to me, “Get out and take a picture.” Actually, he said, “Get out and take a picture. This may help us sell our home one day.”

While I chuckled, the point was in that moment he saw the beauty of life and its unpredictable ways. It hit him so hard, that we pulled over and stopped the car.

To be honest, I was so caught up, in the backseat of the car, sitting next to Lo and playing on my cell phone, that I would have never looked up to see the beauty let alone capture this photo to share.

Which leads me to say, Don’t take for granted what is right in front of you.

The unpredictability of this life is what the ride is all about.

We live in a highly-connected, super sensitive, ultra-demanding society. And, sometimes life has a way of casting bigger shadows for the smaller, more irrelevant things. How have we lost touch so much that we devote our attention on the very things that can mean the very least? Can you relate? Because I can.

I jumped out of the car when my husband asked me to because immediately upon looking up and removing my nose from my phone, I too saw the beauty before my eyes. She is beautiful and so are so many other glimpses of nature, human interactions or signs from God. But are we looking and taking it in? Probably not. I know I am guilty of this.

I fail each and every day as I drive my hour commute to look out the window at the beauty of the mountains, the rolling hills, the views and the four seasons that we are blessed to call home. I take all of that for granted until a stranger comes into town and remarks on such.

I fail every day to really look at my baby who some days is cranky, yet most pleasant as she playfully entertains herself on our bed as I rush to get ready and grumble about the stress ahead. I take for granted her being, the very present, the happiness she brings to me. The fact that she should be the very reason none of those grumblings even matter.

I fail every day to see the beauty in our messy home. I trip over toys, pick up random socks, always see dishes and never have an empty hamper. I always see our home as a chore. I take for granted the roof over my head, and more poetically the character our home is in our family’s story.

I fail every day to see the commitment and love my husband has for our home, Lo and me, as he contributes and helps so much because he knows my work life, and how it disrupts our personal time and this so-called “work-life-balance”. He knows, yet I fail to see that he is that… my balance.

I fail on so many occasions and on so many examples to see what is right there in front of me. Slapping me in the face, saying “Look at what I have placed before you. Take it in. Hold tight. Relish.”

I complain. I whine. And, if you ask certain people, I am sure they will say, “Yes. All the time.” I try to be positive, but I circle back to our highly-connected, super sensitive and ultra-demanding society I mentioned above and realize how quickly my positivity turns to negativity on any given day.

So, I have to say thank goodness for the unpredictability of life. They can open our eyes, wake us up, take our nose out of our phones. And, they can make us realize that sometimes the very thing that we view as a negative can really be a great positive in disguise. Just, like this Spring snow.

Here she is today. I snagged a few pictures this morning too from our back deck.

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Easter Basket Ideas For Toddler Girls

March 13, 2016

Gone are the days of leisurely roaming in and out of stores and outlets, with no schedule but my very own. I use to take my sweet ole’ time as I looked for the best sales. I would throw items in my cart for an afternoon of Fitting Room therapy. Yes, I actually enjoyed Fitting Rooms.

Just the opposite, gone too are the days of having a to-do list a half a page long and a mere hour to accomplish. I could whip into a parking spot, jump out of the car, rush in and out of stores and off to the next stop without even thinking. It was like I was a contestant on Super Market Sweep (remember that show?). And, if I was on the Interstate, just near my Exit, and remembered I forgot something at the grocery store, I would turn my car around without blinking an eye.

Today, life mimics the later of the pre-baby shopping scenarios. Merely because shopping consists of rushing and tackling to-dos. The major difference is I no longer can tackle the same lists in an hour, with my little sidekick. Instead rushed shopping trips are part of a well-strategized plan that is centered on Lo’s nap and dining schedule. We must plan which stops are most important, knowing that depending on her mood we may have to abandon our shopping experience.

The last time I ever tried on something in a Fitting Room, Lo was a mere 3 months old and I remember cooing and signing nursery rhythms as she playfully starred from her stroller. I often spoke up and said, “You are being a good baby!” just so anyone sharing the Fitting Room with me did not think I was a complete lunatic. And, now if I am on the Interstate and remember any item except for milk or diapers that I forgot at the grocery store, I take my chances.

Why am I sharing this with you? Because we spent an hour and a half in WalMart shopping with Lo for her own Easter Basket gifts. I felt like a bit of a jerk just blatantly using her for her reactions to know which toys to buy. I failed! I came out with one toy and two knick-knacks for the basket, so I decided to regroup and refocus on smarter choices. After some serious web surfing in the evenings, when she was tucked in bed, I rounded up some of my favorite Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers, to share with you.

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First Family Road Trip to Splash Lagoon, PA

February 29, 2016

I am kicking back, relaxing and reflecting on the fact that we successfully researched, scheduled, traveled and experienced our first family vacation and guess what? We are actually not sleep deprived! Well, who am I kidding? We have a toddler so we are always sleep deprived, but honestly, my daughter slept better in the hotel room than her own crib. I told my husband, I am moving in or buying black out curtains and a really loud heating system.

By the way, the picture above? Yep! Only picture of our little family from the whole long weekend in Erie, Pennsylvania, centered around Splash Lagoon. Must. Get. Better. At. Photos.

We did not go on this little weekend alone. It was a joint weekend away that we shared with Nathan’s sister, Amie, her husband, Corey, and their four daughters, all under the age of 7. Yes, four daughters under 7. And, yes 5 children under 7, accompanied by 2 adults. We were outnumbered.

That whole concept at first was a little overwhelming. As we traveled by night, in a snowstorm, to our hotel, I am sure we weren’t all thinking, “Oh, this is going to be one expensive disaster.” No, not at all.

But, seriously, how can it be a disaster with these cuties?

So, we checked in around 7 pm, snapped an obligatory “group photo” for memories and decided to order in. The great thing about Splash Lagoon is that it does have three connecting hotels, as well as a connecting Sport Bar / Restaurant and a handful of local area restaurants that will deliver directly to your hotel room. It was super efficient and convenient.

Our first night in the hotel was perfect! Lo did so well. It helped too that our Hotel Rooms each came with a kitchen efficiency which included a mini refrigerator, freezer, microwave and sink. I was able to pack bottles, snacks, meals, etc that I need for our bedtime routine.

Our rooms were not side by side but close enough that we could bounce from each family’s room. Friday morning we got up and prepared to spend the day at the indoor waterpark.

These photos are terrible quality but I had to show off the excitement and the toddler’s new swimsuits. I bought them Here and would highly recommend this suit. Lo is fearless which makes me a nervous one in the water. She tried to swim out of my arms and face plants over and over trying to dunk her head. Semmer down child or I will have to start drinking at 9 am.

Anyways, Splash Lagoon was great! It occupied all of our children’s attention given their differing ages. This included us adults who built up the courage to tackle some “big kid” slides. To break it down a bit, the park includes multiple age appropriate pools, hot tubs, or play areas. There are water fountains that come out of the floors and water features with buckets and waterfalls in the pools. Slides for parents to take kids down, even for Lo! It may not have been pretty each time, but we did it and had fun.

They had a pool of basketball hoops and floating basketballs, a lazy river (we spent enough time to prune up!), more slides than you have time to wait in line and ride and a giant tree house that releases gallons of water over your head! Don’t worry, an alarm sounds minutes before so you can run to the action or if you are like me, scream like a child and run (no, walk super fast) to steer away.

After a few hours of play, we pushed the little ones to their nap time. I mean, seriously look at those eyes?

Not his. Hers.

We had passed test #1 with bedtime the night before but test #2 came in the form of our first hotel room nap experience. Lo is pretty routine with me and needs her crib at home. So, I was fearful that I would have one cranky baby who would refuse to go down. Little did I know high chlorine waters, mixed with hours of play does wonders. Test #2 success.

Lunch followed our nap, then we changed swimsuits. That is when I caught this little moment.

Someone likes herself!

We headed to one of the largest indoor wave pools I have ever seen, complete with wall murals, palm tress and large airplane style propeller ceiling fans that I am sure has something scientifically to do with the waves but I took it as recreating the sea breeze in your hair.

The lifeguards were on point. I got the whistle blown in my ear when I tried walking into the pool with Lo with no life vest. To be clear there were no waves and I was going to sit on the “shore.” They did provide complimentary wave pool life vest for the kids and good thing too because once the waves started I realized their concern.

We had reservations that evening at 5 pm (late night – whoop whoop!) at the connecting Sports Bar and Restaurant, Hooch & Blotto’s. The restaurant offers bowling complete with menu and craft beer options. Sold!

We ordered beer for the adults, juices for the littles and pizza for all. And, somehow among the missed afternoon nap (ouch!), free-range of bowling balls, 7 other lanes of restaurant guests, bowling lanes that just welcomed children to walk straight down to play with pins… we made it work, and work well. Heck we even tried to get another hour on the lane! Darn Birthday Party guests.

My daughter even made her first spare. Just kidding, no one can make splits!

Since, we only had an hour reservation, we took the kiddies to the arcade at Splash Lagoon to blow off some additional speed before bed.

I know, we acted liked we owned the place!

It was zero fun for us adults. Zero.

My daughter learned a valuable lesson on this trip.

1 ticket gets your nothing, NOTHING, at any arcade. Sorry about your luck, kid!

Full Day #2 in Erie, PA was reserved for sightseeing.

We packed the kids in the car, swung through a Krisy Kreme doughnut for the kids (yeah, right, it was totally for us Moms!) and headed to Presque Isle State Park. We are outdoorsy people so it was cool to see the Bay frozen in spots with ice fisherman and the island’s Lighthouses, but if it wasn’t 28 degrees out we would have explored more.

We did get to walk part of the sandy beaches of Lake Erie and see the ice. I could imagine that summers would be a blast, and apparently the beaches of Presque Isle turn up some great sea glass!

We met a Ranger who shared that the park receives more visitors per year than Yellowstone!

Afterwards, we stumbled upon this gem, The Brewerie. This Brew Pub opened in 2006 and is situated in the historic Erie Union Station which opened in 1927. The food was great and so was the building. It was actually fascinating. We snapped the picture below just to prove that we had accomplished this much of our trip so far and were actually SITTING down for lunch. No takeout, no drive thru, hello, new, children, we like you. We think we will keep all of you.

The guys then departed us to explore the area and waterways in the region a bit more, so Amie and I took the kids downtown to The ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum. Children 1 and under are free and general admission is $7. It is a super affordable experience and engaging for the children (and us Moms)! Our 5 littles had so much fun!

The OldTowne Village was my favorite, I mean the kids!

They even had a mini Wegman’s complete with a Meat Counter, Sushi Counter, Produce and Bread section, coffee station, circulars and check out.

We learned about Aerodynamics. Just kidding. We pushed plastic balls across the floor.

I would highly recommend this museum! Mommy approved.

The day ended with a return to our hotel, nap engagement which failed miserably in both hotel rooms and a return to Splash Lagoon for an evening swim, treetop canopy tour and a wild animal show.

Super pale. I know!

When Sunday morning arrived, Lo be like, “No! I don’t want to go.” I agreed.

It was a great weekend! I highly recommend all the locations highlighted in the blog post. I also highly recommend letting your guard down, quit worrying and have fun. I think all 5 of our kids surprised us with how well they handled the hotel, the water park and the whole trip.

If you have any questions, please leave them below or email me. Glad to assist with recommendations, etc.

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Our Marriage Foundation

February 9, 2016

Ten years ago when we started a courtship (is that a word anymore?) we were very young, wild and free. When I think back to those early years, fresh out of college, renting an apartment, living among piecemeal furniture and hand-me-downs, going out late regardless of the day of the week, making time for friends, eating grilled cheese and burning meals… I smile. It was a chapter in our lives that I can only describe as fun and carefree. Many days, I miss it. Many days, I look in the mirror and miss her and even miss him. We were different then. It was pre-career demands, pre-mortgage and bills, pre-who will handle our health insurance, pre-should we stain the deck this year, pre-what the hell is for dinner tonight and pre-who is on the next shift with a teething baby. Pre- all the stresses of “real adulthood” moments that seem to magnify when you start a family.

But, we always knew we wanted a family. He more than I most times. I went through a phase of, “I am a career girl.” I could not fathom how the two could mesh, a family and career (honestly, some days I still don’t understand). It was always he who pushed for a family, and he who patiently waited for it to finally happen.

The day the pregnancy test showed a positive sign, I cried. And, it was not happy tears. It was scared shitless, panic, omg how did this happen so fast tears. I hate to admit it but I went through a wave of emotions because I was so certain I was not ready. What had I done? What had we done? Will everything change?

Well everything did change.

There will be no sugarcoating here. Things changed even while Lo was growing inside me. Immediately, we began caring about someone other than ourselves and each other. Once Lo arrived, our little home was picked up, flipped upside down, twirled as if a giant held us within his palm and placed us back down.

Things were not easy. Some days it felt as if we were pushing each other a part while trying to fight to stay on the same page. It was a huge adjustment. Trying to live the same life, while managing the same stress, all while caring for a new person. Whew!

What I have learned over the past year, as a new parent, is that the foundation of parenthood is our marriage. And, even past that, through having a baby, marriage is really all about teamwork and partnership.

Tonight, as I was bathing Lo, it hit me. While some days he frustrates the living hell out of me and some days I whine that he just doesn’t get it, in reality he is the best teammate I could have asked for.

During the workweek, he picks-up Lo from the babysitter (AKA MiMi, AKA my mother) which allows me to work longer hours these days. By the time I arrive home he is prepping her dinner, which allows me to get in a few snuggles before I can start our dinner while he feeds her in her highchair. Once she is done eating either we trade off dinner prep while one or the other cleans-up and entertains Lo, before sitting down and eating together. I typically do bath duty next, while he does the dishes (he also reminds me daily of this). Once Lo is out of her bath and I am dressing her, he is usually a step behind with blanket, bottle and binkie and kisses while I move on to bedtime routine. Some nights I come out to him lazy on the couch and I want to scream because I just wrestled an alligator to sleep but most nights, actually a majority of nights, I come out to the kitchen cleaned up and I am free to pour a glass of wine and blog. 🙂 Thank you, dear hubby!

Then it is just a musical chairs of alternating turns caring for Lo until she finally falls asleep. Looking at each other while she screams from her bedroom, reassuring each other it is okay for her to cry another minute or two and then giving the nod when one says, “I will get her.”

I could go through the same routine for our mornings. Now through the night, well, Daddy could do some work. Ha!

But, my point is even when we are both so frustrated from a bad day at work, family drama, long commutes, whatever it may be, when we get home and are together, we tend to be a well-oiled machine. We can be screaming mad, throwing fighting words or just holding grudges and mildly speaking and we work together to care for Lo, our home and each other like we have the same brain. It is scary. It is teamwork. A true love in partnership.

And, it is far from perfect! Dear God knows our struggles. Some days we downright suck at being married to each other. Believe me. Although, the last 14 months I have learned so much about him and our marriage and his commitment to our marriage and our team. Just like players out on the field, all working together for one common goal, the win, so are we, together, play-by-play, in tandem.

So, back to ten years ago, when I think of us… he missing the gray on the side of his hairline and I definitely missing the signs of wear in the form of wrinkles around my eyes and forehead. Honestly, ten year ago Ashli and Nathan were thin and super tan. Well at least that is how I envision us dammit. Yes, we were carefree. Yes, we were balls of energy. Yes, we flew by the seats of our pants and were spontaneous, and yes, I miss those two young cats from time to time. Although, while we were fun we were also selfish. And, while we lived under the same roof and managed many of the same things we do today, we still roamed through life on our own schedules and with our own cares.

This team we have now, developed as we added players. 🙂 I know, cute huh?

One thing those two young, tan souls don’t or will ever have on these two, tired partners is the underlying care, understanding and love for each other that came with becoming a family. For that, for him, for Lo. I am so thankful for.

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