2/23/12

Well, today concluded Week 1 of "school" for the girls. I'm surprised by how well they really did do, and I also realize I was too focused on how they would do AT school, I never realized what life would be like AFTER school. This morning went alright again. We were all up, ready and out the door right on time again. Amelia started crying right away when we got in the door...but while Olivia and I hung up her coat, one of the teachers got Amelia calmed down and was rocking her. Olivia actually started crying this morning, for the first time. I think more because she was really tired, and there was only one other little boy there when I dropped them off, and she didn't like that. Girls!

Work was good. This week has been pretty stressful at work....between dealing with this new daycare transition and having that occupy my mind, it seemed like everything I've been working on at work is just one problem after another lately. Nothing is easy anymore, nothing runs smoothly. Some days I just want to pull my hair out! The days have been going fast though, so I suppose there is a silver lining.

Today I got my walk in at work, a pretty tough workout in when I got home. My diet has been going really well, so far in the month and a half I've been going at this, I've only exceeded my calories once, so I'm super proud of that. My whole diet has changed though, and I'm feeling really good about it. I do feel like I have more energy lately, and just feel better all around. Nervous and excited for tomorrow's weigh in!

Tonight went about the same as the rest of the week. We all arrived home at the same time. Olivia was very well behaved tonight, so that was good. Amelia went through her whole crying/throwing a fit thing for a while, but not ALL night, so that was progress. After baths and a little play time, they were off to bed. VERY exhausted, and I'm sure tomorrow will be a nice, relaxing break for them.

Here is a picture of the girls, kicking back and enjoying a reward for their great first week of school :)

2/22/12

Well, today was another pretty hectic day. My first time dropping off, and Christian's first time picking up, on our own. We were up and out the door on time, and drop off went well. Amelia's real teacher was actually there today, so I was excited to meet her. I said my goodbye's and got the girls settled in and playing with the other kids that were already there. Amelia did come chasing after me though on my way out, and her teacher swooped her up, and took her off to console her. Hearing her yell and scream as I walk out the door is probably ones of the hardest things I've ever done. I know it will get better though, and, the teachers all assure us that she stops after a couple of minutes, so I try not to think about it too much. Christian's pick up went well too, except both of the girls insist on having him hold them and carry them out, which really just doesn't work. Amelia's report today came back with flying colors, again. They said she's always so happy and just a little bundle of sunshine :) YAY. Olivia is just LOVING it, new friends, learning all kinds of new stuff and the director said she just fits right in like she belongs. I just love it!

After work, the carpet measurer came out to measure the basement! I cannot wait to get going on our next project, and get that smell out for good! The girls were pretty moody and tired again tonight. I had to skip my workout again trying to help keep them somewhat under control. After dinner, we did a quick bath and they were off to bed early again. I have to admit...I miss that extra time with them, but it's nice being able to crawl into bed early and watch a show or two, and actually get to bed myself at a decent time!

Here is a rare, happy picture of Amelia tonight :)

2/21/12

It's Here, It's Here...The First Day of School!!!

I was a nervous wreck all morning. We have our little rhythm going already, and we were all out the door, right on time. The girls were SUPER excited. Olivia started getting nervous as we walked up to the door, Amelia was fine, until she saw all of the strangers. There were already quite a few kids there when we dropped them off, so maybe that helped a little. We got the girls' coats and everything put away, said our goodbyes, and got them settled in with the other kids. They all start the morning together, until breakfast, when they split off into their own rooms. I like that the girls get to be together for a while, that's comforting. Olivia didn't even pay any attention to us as we left, Amelia did start to cry, and that was tough.

I touched base with the director mid-morning, and she said they were doing great. Amelia only cried for a few minutes, and they were fitting right in, playing along and making new friends. She e-mailed me again at lunchtime to assure me they were doing great, and even sent me a few pictures of the girls. I'm so happy that she is going the extra mile like this, it makes me more confident in our decision.

Surprisingly, with the stress, work flew by. We were picking the girls up together tonight so we could both get a feel for the pick up routing, and hand in all of the paperwork. We were able to spy in on Olivia, and she was sitting with all of kids, looking SO happy and content. She heard us in the office talking and came running up to us, so excited to see us. Then, we were off to surprise Amelia. She was running from once place to another, playing with everything. She was also super excited to see us, but I think they were both more excited to each other more than anything. It was so cute seeing the big bear hugs commence. The director and the teachers all commented that they couldn't believe it was their first day at daycare. They said the girls were so happy, listened so well and were a great addition to the center. YAY!

The rest of the night, was rough. Olivia was SUPER rowdy, not acting like herself at all. By the time dinner was over, she was pretty much in crash mode, and just sat on the couch. Amelia, had a meltdown the second we stepped in the door, basically until she went to bed. Everything we said or did seemed to set her off...screaming, crying, throwing a fit. We got her calmed down a bit to eat, and that was about it. They were off to bed super early, and we weren't far behind. Hopefully after some adjustment, they won't be quite so exhausted!

Here are some first day pics :)

2/20/12

Presidents Day! YAY. Another long weekend, but still never long enough. The girls and I were home today, and we had a pretty relaxed day. I had a pretty major headache, which never helps. I've been attempting to give up my Diet Dew addiction, starting on the weekends, and it's not going great. Ugh, stupid caffeine!

I was feeling a bit better when Christian got home from work, so I made a quick run to Target for a few necessities. Including, a bottle of Diet Dew. Grrr.

The rest of the evening was filled with preparing outfits for the week, packing up my work food for the week, getting all of the daycare gear together. We chatted about our routine plan for daycare mornings, and I think we're all ready go to. I'm a little emotional about it, and hard having no idea how everything is going to go. But, nevertheless, here we go! In the end, I'm so excited for them. No more being cooped up in the house all of the time, just being around their parents and grandparents. Finally being around other kids, experiencing the real world, learning and taking their first steps towards their future. Ahhhh...

Here is a cute picture of my happy little lady today. Love.

2/19/12

Today was a pretty low key Sunday. Amelia woke up pretty confused, and missing her crazy big sister. Olivia called, SPECIFICALLY to talk to sissy, and it was so cute watching them "talk" to each other on the phone. I've never heard Olivia sound so happy and excited in her whole life. We spent the morning hanging out and relaxing. Christian took his truck over to his parents house so his dad could help him rotate the tires. My mom showed up with Olivia a little before lunch time, and Amelia was SO excited to see her pull up. They couldn't get enough of each other the rest of the morning. Christian installed the car seats in my mom's new car, then it was time for lunch and naps.

While the girls napped, Christian took advantage of the beautiful weather, and took down the Christmas light outside. It feels kind of strange to have them down before mid-Spring! LOL. And, I was able to make a nice Craigslist sale of movies after a LONG hiatus.

After naps, Christian was off to spend a little time with a friend, while the girls and I hung out. They are getting more and more entertaining, every day. They can definitely gang up and exhaust me, but I never laugh as much as I do with them.

Finally, it was time for baths and bed. SO happy I don't work tomorrow. I actually injured myself doing my workout this afternoon...I landed wrong on my leg, twisting my knee, and it's been hard to even walk since. I'm really hoping with some heat and rest, I'll be good as new soon!

Here is sweet Amelia, spying her big sister arriving home for the day! Sister Love!

2/18/12

Well, today ended up being a much more hectic, busy Saturday than we envisioned!

Christian was off, bright and early, to get the oil changed in the truck, while I got the girls up, fed and dressed for the day. Then, we were all off to Lowe's to check into their carpet. They have a pretty good deal going on right now, and we were able to find some in-stock carpet that would go well in the basement, so we're on our way! They'll be calling to set up a measurement appointment, and I'm super excited to have the ball rolling.

On our way home from Lowe's, we stopped at the part to enjoy the weather for a while. The girls were ecstatic to get some time outside and had a blast. We picked up some lunch on our way home from the park, then naps for the girls, workout for me, and Christian was off again, this time with the car for an oil change.

Amidst our morning action, I got a text from Kari asking if we'd go out with them tonight. Luckily my mom didn't have plans, and was more than happy to take the girls for a bit, so we were actually going out...OUT! Fun.

After naps, and dinner for the girls, we were all on our way. Dropped the girls off, and met up with Kari and Jay at Buffalo Wild Wings for the night. It was SO much fun just being able to kick back, chat, laugh and just be an adult for a few hours. The night flew by, and before I knew it, it was DEFINITELY time to go.

We stopped to pick up the girls, and Olivia was not having it. She insisted on staying, she was "too tired" to go home. LOL. My mom agreed to bring her home in the morning, so off we went, one child lighter. It's going to be strange waking up to only one rowdy toddler in the morning!

Here are some pictures, from Lowe's and the park. Fun day!

2/17/12

Friday....I love Friday. Though, this was the first Friday I've had to work in a long time. That part, not so fun. The day did go pretty fast though. Two of my co-workers' birthdays are this weekend, so I stopped to pick up breakfast bagels for the office, and other person is making a lunchtime snack, to celebrate. YAY, birthday fun :)

I started off the day with my weekly weigh in. I was down, but again, only 0.6lbs. So frustrating. BUT, I do feel like I am starting to look different. Maybe only to the point where I can tell, but I definitely know some toning is going on, and in the end, I need just as much of that as I do weight loss! So, I tried to take the low loss in stride.

After work, I picked up the girls, and we headed home for the night. Christian arrived home in time for dinner, and we just relaxed the night away. Welcome weekend!

Here is a picture of Daddy and Olivia, each on their own little electronic device, clicking the night away.

2/16/12

Nothing too interesting happened today. Work was work. Christian had a meeting with "the big boss" about a new position for him within the company. It sounds like it could be a big of a risky move, and probably wouldn't really pay off, until WAY down the road. In the end, he'll probably just stay where he is at for now, and that's not so bad.

The girls have been doing pretty well lately. Today was their "last" day at Christians parents' house. Even though they'll still be going there on Monday's (except next Monday, of course, because it's a Holiday...). I guess his mom was pretty emotional about it. He didn't get home with the girls until 7:00 tonight, saying his mom was having a hard time. This "last" day has been on the books for a couple of weeks, so she had MORE than enough opportunity to take Monday off, knowing it would be her only day with them, but chose not to. So, I really don't feel bad, at all. Decisions like that, are why I don't feel bad or guilty about the change one bit.

When they finally arrived home, we ate and relaxed the rest of the night. It wasn't long before it was time for bed, and that was that. Here is a picture of the girls...Amelia is just as obsessed with the iPod now, so Olivia definitely has some competition.

2/15/12

Nothing too interesting to report on today. Just the usual, work, home, workout, eat, play time, bed. The girls have been doing pretty good this week. I've been trying to talk to Olivia about school as much as possible, and get her excited for it. She says she can't wait to go, and she'll say she's going to learn letters, and read books, and do puzzles, and meet friends and go potty. LOL. At least she has the basics down! I think Christian is much more nervous about the change than I am. But, I think that's more because of his parents than anything. His mom pretty much has him convinced they are going to starve to death, they'll be eating food that might as well be out of the garbage, they won't get any attention, she's going to forget how to go potty and it's just going to be such a horrible transition. So, rather than trying to help with the transition, and be like EVERYBODY else - telling us that they will adjust in no time and love it, they'd rather have him think that it's going to be a traumatic event. And, of course, they are both putting him through a bit of a guilt trip about it, even though his mom acts like this is what she wants anyway. I don't get it, at all.

I love this picture of Amelia today, such innocence in those big browns!

2/14/12

Happy Valentines Day!

Now, I'm the kind of person that doesn't get into Valentines Day. Well, it's more like, I try to convince myself that I'm that kind of person. In reality, we just don't really celebrate it, because we never have the time, or the extra money to "waste" on it. Some day we'll be able to put more of an effort into it, but for now, it's low key all the way.

I left work a little early so I could pick up the girls and spend a little time with them. I gave them their presents...a couple of headbands, some fun straw cups, a little craft box, some stickers, and, of course, some chocolates. They had such fun decorating their boxes and checking out all of their goodies.

Next up, my mom stopped over. I scored some passes to a screening of "21 JumpStreet" tonight, so that was our Valentines date plans. Christian arrived home shortly after, and surprised me with some flowers, which really was a surprise. YAY! Then, we were off! We grabbed some dinner from the food court and got in line. We ended up getting some great seats, and it was actually a really great movie. SUPER funny, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Then, we rushed home to relieve my mom before it got too late.

All in all, it actually was a great Valentines Day. Maybe my opinion will start changing :) Here are some pictures of our day.