Life Before Blogging: How We Met

I came across some old photos, and thought it might be fun to write about my favorite memories in the days before Live Inside My Bubble blog. I can't count the number of times I've looked back in my archives to remember what I did for my birthday last year, or to relive amazing vacations of the past. I love how my blog is the living diary of our life -- from a newly engaged couple in 2009, to new parents in 2011, to a family of four in 2013. I have only my memories and a few books of photographs to help me recall the 20+ years of life before I started writing everything down. So like everything these days, I want to document those old memories here to 'preserve them' in diary form. My brain is fuzzy on many of the details, but time marches on and that won't get any better. If nothing else, trips down memory lane are fun to remember.

Here's the story of how Andi and I met:

It was 2004, and Andi and I both worked for the same energy drink company. He was a marketing manager in Minnesota, and I held the same position for North & South Dakota. We were both in our early 20's and living the dream really, with little responsibility and awesome (super easy!) careers to boot. At the time we thought parts of our jobs were tedious or difficult, but looking back OMG we had it made in the shade. Most of our co-workers were also in their 20's and 30's, and the company culture breathed excitement.

In August of that year, managers from our regional area traveled to Denver for business meetings. I was fairly new to the position and hadn't met many of the out-of-state managers yet. Andi introduced himself to me on the 16th Street trolley as we both rode the bus to our downtown Denver office. I'm not sure how he identified me as a manager in the company and not some random girl on a bus, but I do remember exactly what he was wearing (white button-down shirt, light wash boot-cut jeans) and how easy it was to talk with him. Of course, part of our conversation was about my then-boyfriend which Andi teases me about to this day. If only fate would've jumped out and slugged me in the arm when it was clear I'd be embarrassing my future self!

During those few days of meetings in Denver, I watched as Andi lead our peers through his presence. He was the first one to step up and take charge of any situation -- from coordinating taxis at dinner to herding our group through the airport. When Andi spoke, people listened. He was smart and witty and genuine. I make him sound like some sort of work celebrity, but he really was inspiring! I completely adored him from the beginning.

This is one of my most treasured photographs of Andi from the first time we met. Flip phone, crisp white shirt, crazy long (for Andi) hair -- I love it all. Is it strange I want to reach out and touch that man in the photo? He gives me instant butterflies with so much anticipation for the wonderful times ahead.

One of our first photos together - August 2004

Andi and I were friends, teaming up for occasionally projects and events as we managed territories in bordering states. About a year later in the summer of 2005, we co-hosted a team-builidng event for our employees in Stillwater, MN. I think it may have been my first time visiting the Twin Cities.

It's funny to think about a time we didn't snap a million photos of the training exercises, our group dinners, the parties after hours. I wish I'd done a better job of transferring files between work computers back then as there has to be more photographs of those times.

Anyway... late one night during that meeting in Stillwater, Andi and I sat in the hallway between our two hotel rooms and talked into the early morning hours. He told me years later that he'd liked me then and I teased him for not making a move. Of course, we were both in relationships with other people at the time. 

That meeting sparked a deeper relationship between Andi and I. He mailed me burned CDs of Gavin DeGraw and Jack Johnson music to listen to in my home office, and our work conversations over the phone quickly transpired into multiple-hour personal chats.

By Halloween, Andi broke up with his then-girlfriend and by Thanksgiving I'd dumped my then-boyfriend. We didn't immediately start dating each other, but deep down Andi and I both knew there was something special between us.

Anniversary Weekend

Welcome back to reality ...

I'm settling into our regular routine this week after spending 48 glorious hours with Andi, free of all responsibility including parenting, and the transition back to real life has been a tough one. Not rocky-bad, per se, but more like "do my lovely children really scream this much? GAH!" And, "is it time for wine yet? Oh, it's only 10:30am? Oof." 

Sometimes, I think it's easier to keep right on truckin' through life because once I step out of the chaos, it makes me a little bug-eyed to eventually plunge back into reality. Not to sound ungrateful as we are very thankful for Janie, my wonderful mother-in-law, who offered to watch Tory and Aden so Andi and I could have time away to celebrate five years of marriage together. And, thanks to my father-in-law Jim and sister-in-law Lindsay who also helped Janie manage the kids. Andi and I really do appreciate it. 

As for our getaway together, Andi and I had a fabulous time at our lake cabin. I'm not sure we've ever been there alone before or if we have, it wasn't for long. Andi and I contemplated traveling somewhere for our anniversary but with only a 48-hour pass, we wanted to make the most of our time. As is usually the case, Andi arranged for some fun activities to celebrate. 

We left Tory and Aden with Janie on Thursday around Noon and headed to the cabin. Along the way, Andi suggested stopping by Dancing Dragonfly Winery for a tasting. We drive by this winery every weekend on the way to the cabin but have never been without the kids, so this seemed like the perfect time to check it out. I have to admit I had very low expectations. I pictured a pole barn with a small counter for tasting wine so I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled into the parking lot of a beautiful stone fortress overlooking the vineyard. Tastings were $10/each with about 15 red, white and dessert wines to choose from. After each trying five wines and purchasing another glass of our favorite, Andi and I were just tipsy enough to start our anniversary weekend on the right foot. Can't wait to come back to this winery when we're without kids again ... which will probably be in about another five years!

Andi and I settled into cabin life with a canoe ride around the lake - sans kids! No one asked for snacks, or needed shushed and entertained. Basically, it was amazing. So relaxing and peaceful. A few minutes later, we were out the door to celebrate our anniversary with dinner at The Tower House. I was craving the delicious fettuccine alfredo dish I'd had a few weeks earlier and we wanted to try out the restaurant's newly opened patio. Unfortunately, the place was slammed and our meals weren't as tasty as they had been the first time we visited the restaurant. It was still nice to spend dinner together though. No complains on the company I kept. 

I won't lie when I say one of the things I was most looking forward to during our 48 hours away from the kids was sleeping. Shamefully, Andi and I were asleep by 9:00pm on our anniversary night and dead to the world until about 8:00am the following morning. Eleven hours of uninterrupted sleep = HEAVEN. 

Friday, Andi planned a fun day for the two of us in Danbury, Wisconsin. We trailered our Polaris Ranger about 45 minutes to some ATV trails near there and spent the morning riding together. I'm as shocked as anyone to admit this, but I enjoy ATVing. It's so beautiful riding in nature, exploring new territory and most of all, spending time together with Andi. We talked. We rode. We sat quietly and listening to music. It was really fun. 

It was also really, really dirty. Andi and I stopped for lunch at the Fish Bowl Bar and Grill in Danbury. When I went to wash my hands in the bathroom, I noticed the exact shape of my sunglasses on my face. Good thing our next activity was tubing down the St. Croix River.

After lunch, we cruised over to Pardun's Canoe Rental to grab intertubes and hop in a shuttle to the drop-off on the river. Andi and I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the sunshine.

No cell phones. No noise. No distractions. Just the two of us floating down the river in nature. It was a beautiful, relaxing ride. Andi even fell asleep on his tube for a few minutes. I kept watch and steered us clear of random low-hanging trees. That's love, right there!

Our cabin friends Joe and Lisa sent a text message afterwards with an invitation to go water skiing back at the lake, so we cruised over to their place upon our return. Andi wakeboarded, Joe slalom skied and we watched the sun set over the horizon. It was a perfect day.

We had Saturday morning alone, so Andi and I met the cabin neighbors to ride ATVs on some trails by the cabin. Janie and Lindsay brought Tory and Aden to the cabin around Noon and we all spent the rest of the day playing by the lake. The weather was gorgeous all weekend -- sunny, in the mid-80's. Perfect cabin weather. Saturday was Aden's first time in the lake (the water's about 80 degrees now) and Tory's first time tubing behind the boat! Our little girl has no fear whatsoever. As she and I climbed onto the tube tied to the back of the pontoon boat, she started to whine because she thought Andi was going for a boat ride without her. After we got going and she realized what was going on, she cheered "wahoo!" the entire ride. 

We ended our anniversary weekend with dinner out at The County Line with our four, plus Janie and Lindsay. Not at all as relaxing as our dinners without the kids, but much more familiar. All in all, a great weekend at the lake. 

Janie and Lindsay left the cabin Sunday morning and we headed out shortly afterwards as the sky clouded up and began to rain. Year Five of marriage is off to a great start. Here's to many more wonderful memories ahead!

Five Years

Five years ago today on a windy and hot summer evening, Andi and I said "I do." Reflecting on our wedding anniversary this past week, I couldn't help but think about how much we've achieved together.

Two amazing kids.
Five jobs.
One successful business.
Three houses and a lake cabin.
Nine cars. Five boats. Four ATVs. Two snowmobiles.
Countless once-in-a-lifetime trips and experiences.

Andi's wedding vows to me started by saying, " Three houses, four cars and five cell phones in the past 4 years ... I have a history of having an itch for something new."

Boy, was he right. Life with Andi is an adventure. Resting on our laurels is never an option. We go. We do. We see. And, you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. I love our life together. We're given one opportunity to experience all there is in this world and how lucky am I to get to do it alongside my very best friend?

Answer: The luckiest.

---

Earlier this week, Andi and I took Tory and Aden to visit Noerenberg Gardens, the place we were married five years ago. What started as an evening reciting our vows to one another has become a tradition to reminisce our wedding day and reflect on our lives together.

Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Year Four

On this evening to celebrate Year Five, our little family of four shared a picnic together overlooking Lake Minnetonka. As Andi and I sat amongst the chaos that is our family right now -- Tory throwing grapes and dancing in the grass; Aden grasping for any plates and food within his immediate reach -- I felt so happy and content in my life. How am I so blessed to share my life with these people?

After dinner, we took our photograph between the white pillars where Andi and I were married. First there were two; then three; and, now four.

Happy anniversary, Andi. I love you always!

Father's Day Weekend at the Cabin

Andi returned home late Thursday night after spending 22 straight days on the road for a business trip. To say we missed him is an understatement! He took the day off work Friday and we hopped in the car early morning to drive to the cabin. I was so excited for Tory, Aden and I to reconnect with Andi over a long weekend at our favorite place on the world.

Unfortunately, the kids and I woke up with colds on Friday morning so we all felt less than stellar. Nothing to put us to bed completely, but Aden slept pretty miserably the night before and poor Tory's eyes were so red and glassy. I dosed her with some allergy medicine to combat the itchy, watery eyes and constant sneezing, wished I could take something myself (darn breastfeeding!) and gave Aden lots of extra baby snuggles because there wasn't much I could do for him either.

Friday afternoon at the cabin was pretty low-key. It was an absolutely beautiful day outdoors, so after Andi and I put the kids down for naps (Dual sleeping! The unicorn of parenting!), we grabbed a drink and sat outside to soak up some sunshine on the pontoon boat tied to the dock. As we sat there, downloading about our past three weeks of life apart, a deer meandered out of the woods and into our backyard. The deer saw us and we saw her, but she didn't seem to mind an audience. Andi and I kept still and watched the animal munch on grass not 50 feet from us. Neat!

After the kids woke up from naps, we hopped in the pontoon and took a boat ride around the lake. Tory happily munched on snacks, Aden was fairly content playing toys and Andi and I soaked up the sunshine. We stopped by the swimming beach per Tory's request, but there wasn't much beach there because the lake's water level is so high right now.

We grilled steak kabobs with rice for dinner, al fresco on our patio picnic table for the first time this season. Too tired to parent the last few hours of the evening (me feeling under the weather; Andi exhausted from working grueling hours for the last month), we loaded the kids into the car to went for a drive. We ended up in town and picked up some groceries, bought bait, etc. -- the regular cabin errands we usually save for Saturday mornings. Despite not feeling the best, Friday was a great day for our family to align back to center.

Andi let Aden and I sleep in Saturday morning and took Tory out for a morning Ranger "truck ride" through the wooded trees by the cabin. Andi said Tory had a blast eating chocolate donuts and drinking apple juice while they saw deer, cows, donkeys and turtles on their morning adventure. Never mind they were both still in their pajamas!

Checking out a snapping turtle on the road

The weather wasn't as nice Saturday - windy and in the low 60's with a chance of rain - so after Andi and Tory returned from their truck ride, we loaded the kids into the car and drove to town in hopes of catching the tail end of the farmer's market. It wasn't taking place, but we did stumble upon the Cumberland Arts Fair near the banks of Beaver Dam Lake. We stopped to browse the vendor tables and grab a piece of pie from the elderly church ladies selling slices for $.50. These little fairs are my favorite -- there's something so nostalgic about them.

Playing at the park near Beaver Dam Lake

Andi's parents joined us at the cabin Saturday afternoon to spend the remainder of Father's Day weekend with us. We did more lounging around the cabin, playing with the kids indoors (too windy and cool to have much fun outside) and ate a tasty lunch of grilled brats, pasta salads, chips/dip and fruit. Andi took his dad fishing on the lake for a bit while Tory and I made homemade bird feeders from pine cones we collected in the backyard. (This was one of those crafty Pinterest ideas I thought Tory would love ... and in reality, she wanted nothing to do with the project and I ended up making them myself. She did have fun collecting pine cones, I guess.) For dinner, we grilled cedar plank salmon with broccoli and mushrooms and it was delicious. Love that we're in the season where nearly every meal is made on the grill.

Andi's parents offered to babysit Saturday night, so Andi and I snuck away after dinner for a fun evening at our cabin neighbors Oscar and Deanna's place on the lake. The weather was chilly and threatened rain but we didn't care because we were kid-free! Deanna and Oscar and their adult kids - including our best cabin friends Krista and Josh - sat around the bonfire, laughed and passed around moonshine cherries Andi'd brought back from a Tennessee photo shoot. Soon it began to thunder and lightening, sprinkle and then rain; yet, we all bundled up and stayed sitting around the fire. Everyone was soaking wet and having so much fun. Later, we moved the party into Oscar's garage when the lightening became a little too close for comfort.

The weather was even worse Sunday (Father's Day) when we woke up in the morning. It was pouring rain, windy and cold, so we stayed inside the cabin. Andi slept in late while Janie, Jim and I played with the kids. Janie made everyone French toast for breakfast, Andi took another mid-morning nap with Aden while the rest of us sat around and waited for the weather to clear up. We were going pretty stir-crazy by the time Noon rolled around. Around that time, Andi's sister Lindsay and her fiancé, Kyle, arrived to the cabin and the weather finally turned sunny. We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon outdoors.

Andi cooked rotisserie chicken and pineapple on the grill and we ate a late lunch outside on the backyard deck. Then, we spent the remainder of the day fishing off the dock with Tory and taking a nice, long boat ride around the lake with Lindsay and Kyle.

The weather redeemed itself and Sunday turned out to be a pretty nice day. We had a nice time celebrating two special fathers in our lives -- especially this one who Tory, Aden and I are so lucky to call ours. Happy Father's Day!

A picture I framed and gave Andi as a Father's Day present

I am a Mom

A question on this blog prompt last week has been nagging me for days ...

Q: What are my hobbies?

A: Being a mom, blogging, traveling

---

I have to admit I was a little offended when I first read Andi's answer. Not by his words necessarily, but more the implication there's nothing more to me than "being a mom." (Well, and blogging and traveling which I do enjoy). Seriously, though? Being a mom is all there is to me these days? What happened to the old me?

(P.S. I know Andi didn't mean it offensively. He was a) taking time out of his busy work day to answer a silly blog questionnaire upon my request and b) answering the question with likely the first thought that popped into his head. No hard feelings.)

But his answer left me reflecting about myself. First of all, the statement isn't completely accurate. I do have hobbies -- I like to garden, be crafty, scrapbook, blog, go for walks, drink wine (I'm calling that a hobby), travel, plan parties, (am learning to) sew, cook and bake in the kitchen, boat, take photographs, try new restaurants and spend every minute I can with Andi, Tory and Aden. 

Second, it's not that being a mom is all there is to me these days ... it's that being a mom is where I choose to devote 99.9% of my energy and focus. I love my kids more than anything else in the world and while I could be lining up babysitters so I can garden, craft, etc., I'm living my dream by spending (nearly) every single moment of my life with my family. I love taking the kids to swimming and music classes, participating in Tory's preschool classroom, making handmade crafts and cards with Tory, helping Aden practice the skill of sitting up, taking my kids to the zoo on a whim ... and the list goes on. Yes, I am a mom and tons of my favorite "hobbies" are rolled into this one incredible job.

Sometimes I feel like choosing to stay at home to raise my children full-time clouded the definition of who I am. When I worked outside the home and people asked me what I did, it was easy to define myself as A Marketer. Oh, I work here and this is what I do. Being a mom and a homemaker were things I was already doing, sort of like always having brown hair and green eyes, so those jobs described more who I was than what I did. Does that make sense? Now 1 1/2 years later, I still cower a bit when people ask me what I do for a living, like being a stay-at-home parent isn't enough to be recognized. Which is DUMB. I work my tail off every. single. day. 24/7. This is a real job and I should proudly let it sum up who I am.  

I think I'll have time again one day to make my other "hobbies" more of a priority, but Tory and Aden will only be this young for a short while. Today, I choose to put my family first. The other parts of me can wait.

---

P.P.S - There's a reason I use the blog label "being a mom" on almost every post I write.

Mr. Live Inside My Bubble

A few weeks ago, my longtime friend Katie let her hubby loose on her blog for a Q & A session. It was so charming to read, I knew I had to steal the idea for myself. So, ...

Meet Mr. Live Inside My Bubble // aka: Andi // aka: Daddy-O (as Tory calls him)

Seriously difficult to find a photograph of the two of us / without a kid(s) in our arms

Andi's not like other guys, and that's exactly why I married him. I knew there was something special about him the minute we met on Denver's 16th Street Mall. He's smart, driven, charismatic and the only person in the world who thinks I'm funny. We're alike in many ways (especially where it counts: raising kids, how we want to live, decorating sense, etc.), and complimentary in so many others (i.e. money: he spends it; I don't).

Never in a million years did I think Andi would have the time in his busy running-a-successful-business daily life to answer questions for my little ol' blog. Nevertheless, I copied Katie's blog Q & A (with a few tweaks) and e-mailed the questionnaire to Andi. A few days later, Andi sent me back his answers. (Did I ever think he'd let me down?)

Let's hear what Andi had to say:

Q: What is the name of my blog?
A: liveinsidemybubble

Q: What do I typically write about?
A: Documenting the life of our family and internal thoughts of what's "in the bubble"

Q: How would you describe my style?
A: Pinterest meets SAHM meets suburban princess

(um, princess?)

Q: Where's my favorite place to shop?

A: Target

Q: What do you know about Pinterest?

A: I know that you get more repins than I do, style must be better

Q: What do you and I like to do together?

A: Laugh, travel, adventure

Q: Am I good at staying on a budget?

A: Yes, except when you go to Target

(Which is, like, everyday.)

Q: What do women keep in their purse?

A: You gave up purses the day Tory was born #diaperbaglife

Q: What do I do in my free time?

A: Ha, what free time?

Q: And what do you do in your free time?

A: ...... same as above. When we do have time we love to spend it at our cabin.

Q: What is your favorite thing about me?

A: That you roll with the punches.

Q: Least favorite?

A: I thought it took you a long time to get ready pre-kids, now add the kid multiple

(It should be noted I'm not the one who poops their pants the minute we're ready to walk out the door. Not that it's Andi who does either ... aka: it's the kids' fault!)

Q: What's my favorite accessory?

A: iPhone

Q: What's an acceptable amount to spend on a beauty item?

A: Let me check my AMEX statement ... well at least it's way less than you spend on kids stuff.

(Truth. $7 drugstore mascara for me; ALL. THE. DOLLARS on cute clothes for my kids.)

Q: What are my hobbies?

A: Being a Mom, blogging, traveling.

(This question made me realize I need to get some hobbies. Who am I anymore?)

Q: What's your favorite memory of us together?

A: Too many to count, more favorite memories based in life phases. I am happy to spend any extra minutes with you.

Q: What jewelry do I wear everyday?

A: Baby slime

(Ha! Sad, but true. Maybe you should change that Mr. Live Inside My Bubble and buy me some bling.)

Q: What's my favorite TV show?

A: Revenge now to replace How I Met

(He only knows this because I've been watching DVR'd episodes of Revenge in 8 minute increments while he puts Tory to sleep at night. Sadly, it's my own kid-free time of the day.)

Q: What's your favorite thing about being a dad?

A: Having those times when nothing is more important than the person you're holding.

(Awww.)

---

I found it interesting to hear Andi's responses to a few of the questions since I'm not a typical make-up / jewelry / fashion girlie-girl. I used to be, but I've really transformed into Sporty-Spice / Outdoorsy Girl since Andi came into my life. Though, I'm not surprised by the answers Andi gave either. They're exactly like him: cute, witty and to the point. 

A big thank-you to my husband for playing along! 

Reflection (Those Dang Postpartum Hormones)

I think my postpartum hormones are in overdrive. Here's the crash-boom-bang I was waiting for in the early days after Aden was born. There's no tears welling up behind my eyes and it's definitely nothing as severe as PPD ... I've just felt very "reflective" about my life and loved ones lately.

Oh, and I've got a left eye twitch that just won't quit. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm running on to zero sleep. Nope. Nothing to do with that little fact, I'm sure. Whenever I'm talking with someone and my eye starts twitching like crazy, I feel like I'm losing it.

My hair's also falling out like nobody's business. Gotta love that little postpartum side effect. Poor little Aden's clothes are covered in hair most days and I was even pulling strands out of his neck rolls this past weekend. Man, it's rough being this little dude.

Love him.

Anyway, it's my emotions that have me really thrown for a loop lately. A pillow-talk conversation with Andi last week left me reeling for more one-on-one time with him. Thankfully, it was my birthday week and Andi's parents watched the kids several different days so we had some kid-free time to go out to dinner, snowmobiling with friends at the cabin, etc. We're very lucky to have them for support. Again, I digress ... It was one of many conversations about our five-year plan that left me thinking about "us." (Why I'm over-analyzing this to death is beyond me because it's one of those things that's so hard to plan anyway. I couldn't have forecasted how wonderful our life would be at this very moment back in 2008. In the last five years, we've gotten married, started a business, had two kids, bought two houses and a cabin.)

But, during our conversation of Where Do We See Our Lives Going, the topic of Third Baby came up (which is crazy because Second Baby just got here; that's postpartum hormones for you) and Andi said how much he misses Us. And, man, I really miss us, too. We love our kids to the moon and back, but these little kid years of parenting are so physically demanding. Between work, kids, running a home and all the other things ... there just isn't a lot of time left for Andi and Heather the Couple. I think we're doing a good job of making time for us with date nights a few times a month, etc. I hope it's enough to sustain our relationship until Tory and Aden become a little more independent. What if Third Baby comes to existence? We'll love he/she to pieces of course, but it's just that much longer And and Heather the Couple are put on the back-burner. It's just a lot to ponder. I think in time we'll know which fork in the road is best to venture downward, but yeah. Deep stuff. With all this reflection, I'm trying to remind myself how lucky we are to have one another and just enjoy the moment we're in today. The days are long, but the years are short .... and all that jazz.

I've also been trying to put myself in Andi's shoes more these days. My husband works so hard to provide for our family, and sometimes I think I take his efforts for granted. When I'm able, I'm trying to pick up a little extra in the parenting / home life department to give him more breathing room. Like the last few weeks, for example, when he's had several big work projects going on. If I can get up with both kids in the night and let him sleep or give him a little "me time" in the evenings to come down from his day, I'm trying to be more cognizant and do so. It's not always easy because I seriously want to pounce him for adult conversation the minute he walks in the door every night, but I'm trying.

I've been thinking a lot about my Tory Girl and I as well. She and I used to spend (nearly) every minute of every day together. Since Aden was born, we've had to find our new groove and I've split my attention between the two. A post Mama Tully wrote a few weeks ago made me realize I need to carve out specific time for Tory and I to spend together. Of course we're together 24/7 the way it is, but I want to find some "meaningful" time to be together because I don't want to fall into the role of custodial parent. So, I lined up Grandma Janie to babysit Aden this week and Tory and I are going on a little date day afternoon. I'm really excited. A few different times, I've found myself wanting to invite friends to accompany us and I've had to stop and remind myself that, no, this time is all about Tory and I. Who knew just "hanging out" with her would be such a challenge. I still haven't nailed down plans for our afternoon together yet. More to come on that one ....

Of course, I want to do the same for Aden when he gets a little older. For now, I'm really trying to be present in the time he and I are together. We spend several hours a day nursing, so I've been focusing on putting my phone and computer away and segregating ourselves from everything else (when possible) so I can just be with him. I think Aden really appreciates my undivided attention and I know he nurses better when there's less distraction.

As crazy-pants as I feel half the time, like I'm barely making all this work, I also feel good about being more present in my time with Andi, Tory and Aden. I hope this sticks and makes a difference in my relationship with each one of them.

Day In The Life - Fall 2013

Linking up once again with Navigating The Mothership's Day In The Life series. Details here.

It feels extra special to document this moment in time as it's one of the last few as a family of three. In (+/-) 30 days, our lives will be forever changed (and inevitably more chaotic) with the addition of Baby #2. Plus, it's the first DITL where Tory's fully talking, so I tried to write down some of the funny things she says these days. Here's a peek into our lives on Friday, October 11.

Tory is 2 years and 1 month old
I am 35 weeks pregnant with Baby Aden

******

12:15am: I wake up to the sound of Tory crying out for me from her bedroom. Tory's been sleeping in her new "big girl bed" for three weeks now and ... transitions are tough. Each night yields 1-3 wake-ups which is just plain annoying considering she's two-years-old and perfectly capable of going back to sleep on her own. I glance at the video monitor sitting on my nightstand table and see she's already crawling down the side of her bed, so I get up to re-direct her back to bed. I tuck her inside the  blankets and take a seat on the corner of her bed to stay with her until she falls back asleep. In the meantime, I sleepily rub my eyes and read a few blog posts on my iPhone. Tory's back to sleep in 10 minutes so I leave her room, then use the restroom before crawling back into bed myself.

12:55am: Tory cries out for "mama" again. Rinse and repeat. I go back to her room and tuck her back into bed. "Rub back, Mom," Tory asks and I do as requested. While I'm sitting on the edge of her bed, I contemplate the next few months and how on Earth I'm going to manage two kiddos awake in the middle of the night. Part of my brain knows I should give Tory some tough love by returning her to bed and walking out until she learns I won't stay with her until she falls asleep ... and the other part of me just wants to soak up the last few nights of semi-restful sleep before I'm up all night with a newborn. With four weeks left until baby, I just don't have the fight in me to tackle sleep-training right now. Following this mid-night deep thoughts on parenting session, I glance at Tory and see she's back to sleep. I exit her room and return to my own bed, half-tempted to get up for a snack since I'm wide awake now.

2:00am: Tory's awake again. Good lord, child. No need to reach over for the video monitor this time because I hear her door handle click open and the pitter patter of little feet on the hardwood floor. I get out of bed again and meet Tory as she's entering into the master bedroom, return her back to her own bed and stay with her again until she falls asleep. This time, she's more awake and shouting demands for "my drink!" and "my monkey!" as I retrieve the various items scattered around her bed. Tory's asleep and I'm back in my own bed at 2:25am. I want to read the Internet on my phone, but force myself to lay quietly in the dark and fall back asleep myself.

6:20am: Andi wakes me up to say he's leaving for work. We briefly discuss our departure plans for the lake cabin this evening and he kisses me good-bye. I close my eyes again.

6:40am: Tory's awake. I hear her door handle open and her little feet running into the master bedroom. She's carrying her pillow, monkey, baby doll and sippy cup in her arms and says "Wake up, Mom. Okay, honey? Turn light on," as she stands by the side of my bed. I pull her into bed with me, turn on the bedside table lamp as requested and roll out of bed (literally, roll out of bed in my giant pregnant body) to use the bathroom again. While I'm up, I get Tory an applesauce packet from the kitchen, then turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the bedroom to buy myself 20 more minutes of laying in bed.

7:00am: Mickey Mouse is over and Tory tells me she needs to potty. I take her to the bathroom and I'm surprised to find her nighttime diaper completely dry. Go, Tory! Our new double stroller is on display in the dining room (Andi must have put it together late last night when he got home from work). Tory plays with the new stroller while I make breakfast. We bought some apple cider donuts at the apple orchard yesterday, so I give Tory and I each one to eat, along with yogurt and oatmeal mixed with peanut butter and banana. We both have orange juice and also have a cup of coffee.

Top: Tory and Baby Boy in the womb
Bottom Left: Can't live without my morning coffee
Bottom Right: Tory taking baby for a ride in the new double stroller 

7:30am: Tory and I sit down at the dining room table to eat. I've been dying to try an apple cider donut this fall to satisfy my latest pregnancy craving. It's ... decent. Perhaps better called a sugar cake donut? I don't really taste any apple flavor. Am I suppose to? I eat my breakfast while checking Instagram and emails on my phone. Tory's too hung up by the donut's sugar dust on her hands to eat much of anything. "My hands! My hands!" she shouts until I get a washcloth to wipe them off for her.

7:45am: Tory announces she has to use the bathroom, then says "fits me" as she climbs onto the step stool and kid's toilet ring. "Watch me? Sit right there," she commands by directing me to sit on the side of the bathtub. Three weeks in, potty training is going really well in our house. Tory's very excited about the toilet ring and step stool for the bathroom I bought her a few days ago.

7:50am: Tory plays with the new double stroller again while I clean up the breakfast mess. "Okay, honey? Ready, set, go!" she says to her baby doll buckled in the front seat of the stroller. She's pushing and pulling baby all through the kitchen, dining room and living room.

8:15am: I do a load of laundry, make Tory's bed, our bed, pick up the kitchen and load/start the dishwasher. My little helper is right beside me, as always. Still crazy to see baby boy clothes as I fold and put laundry away.

Top Left: Laundry Room
Top Right: My little laundry helper
Bottom: Blue (!!) baby boy clothes

8:30am: I usher Tory into my bedroom so I can get ready for the day. I try on fifty-million maternity shirts and finally settle on one that still somewhat fits (I'm getting to that stage in pregnancy where shirts are no longer long enough to cover my belly), then brush my teeth and put on make-up. Tory likes to help me get ready in the mornings, so she climbs up on the master bathroom toilet beside me and reaches for anything/everything on the pedestal sink. "Need brush teeth," she says. "Need eyes, honey," asking me to put eyeshadow and mascara on her face. I pretend to do so and she replies with "thanks."

Tory started using her first term of endearment this week and everything's 'honey' if you haven't noticed. I couldn't figure out where in the world she learned this until I heard myself ask her, "do you have to potty, honey?" Ah, yes. Like mother, like daughter.

8:45am: Next, I get Tory dressed in a gray Gap sweater dress with white leggings. I gather some hair clips and ready her toothbrush with toothpaste while calling for her to come back into my bedroom to finish getting ready. "I know!" she shouts at me from her room. (Already with the back talk, geesh).
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9:00am: We load into the car for music class. Before we're even out the drive-way, Tory pinches her finger in her sunglasses and starts to cry. I stop and console her before we're finally on our way. I turn on her Music Together CD to get us warmed up for class. When I start singing along, Tory says, "No, no, Mommy!" Apparently, my singing skills aren't up to snuff.

9:30am: We arrive at music class which is located in a local church basement. I take Tory to use the bathroom before class, then we sing and dance our little hearts out for the next 45 minutes. My friend, Lindsey, and her daughters Ashley and Taylor are in the class with us. Tory's completely obsessed with Baby Taylor (4 months old) and spends half the time climbing on Lindsey's lap to get closer to the baby. In return, Ashley spends her class time crawling on my lap in search of some non-baby love.

10:15am: Lindsey and I chat with a few other mothers in the class while the girls run circles in the church lobby. Ashley and Tory find some churchy books on a shelf and tell us they're "reading books." Soon, they're running up and down the hallway, gazing outside the window and smelling the mums in flower pots as we slowly make our way outside to our cars. We're in route home at 11:00am.

Teenage Toddlers
Tory and her BFF Ashley at music class

11:30am: Back at home, Tory uses the bathroom (no accidents all morning!) and I start to make lunch. Since she didn't eat much for breakfast, I decide to make Tory's favorite meal - grilled cheese and tomato soup - for lunch so she'll get some food in her belly. "Tory help, too!" she says so I pull Tory up on the counter top to help me assemble our meal. I serve up lunch with fresh, local Sweet 16 apples we picked up at the orchard last weekend.

Noon: We're finished with lunch. My big girl devoured 1 1/2 grilled cheese sandwiches and a bowl of tomato soup. I continue to be shocked by the amount of food this teeny girl can put away when she wants to. This is also the messiest meal she eats, by far. I wipe tomato soup off her hands, face and legs, then give in to her request for a "bath" in the sink. While she plays in the bubbles, I clean up the remainder of the lunch dishes.

12:30pm: Tory heads to the living room to play kitchen with her baby dolls and I sit on the sofa next to her to work on one of my Christmas sewing projects. Obviously, it's not the best time to hand-sew with a sharp needle as Tory continuously climbs all over my legs and the couch cushions beside me, so I put the sewing away. I ask Tory several times if she has to potty. "No thanks, Mom" she tells me. Naturally, she poops in her underwear about five minutes later. It's her first bathroom accident all week, darn it.

1:00pm: Time to read a few stories before nap time. I change Tory into a diaper for nap and we crawl into my bed to snuggle up and read together. Lately, the girl's got ants in her pants when it comes to bedtime and it drives me nuts. She wiggles all over the bed and refuses to sit still and listen to books being read to her. I ask her to lay down nicely a gazillion times and finally she jacks me in the face with her foot while she's horsing around. Okay! Storytime's over. I carry her into her bedroom to take a nap. Now, I know naps/bedtime should be the sweetest time for a mother and her child, but I dread them. Fourteen different times a week (plus all the times I put her back in bed during the night), I fight Tory and sleeping. It gets old.

1:30pm: Toss, turn, toss, turn. "Mommy, hot!" (Tory kicks her blankets off). "Mommy, cold!" (I cover her back up). And, repeat. Today, she's asleep by 1:40pm and I breathe a sigh of relief as I exit her room.

1:45pm: I do another load of laundry downstairs and pick up toys in the living room. I should pack for the cabin. I probably should do some meal planning for the weekend. I had good intentions of making an apple crisp to use up some of the apples from the orchard. But, I'm freaking tired. I sit down on the couch in the three-season porch, turn on the TV and relax.

3:15pm: Tory's up from her nap. She climbs out of bed and finds me sitting on the porch. Now I wish I would've taken a nap myself since she slept for 1 hour 45 minutes, which is a fairly long time for her. Tory's a little fussy while she wakes up so we snuggle together on the couch for a while.

3:45pm: Andi texts and says he'll be home from work around 4:30pm. Are we ready to go when he arrives, he asks? Um, no. I haven't packed yet. I pull my behind off the couch and pack clothes and food for the cabin this weekend. It doesn't take me long to ready a bag since I do it nearly every weekend. Andi leaves a set of clothes and toiletries at the cabin to use, but I don't have enough maternity clothes to get by doing that myself and I'd miss too many of Tory's cute clothes and shoes to leave her stuff up there. I toss together a few short and long-sleeve shirts and pants since it's suppose to be colder this weekend, underwear, pajamas, nighttime diapers for Tory and make-up and hair stuff for me. Done.

4:30pm: Andi's home and shortly afterwards, we're out the door for the 1 1/2 hour drive to the cabin. "Tory's cabin?" Tory asks Andi as he loads her into her car seat. "Daddy come, too?" By the time I settle into the front passenger seat, I'm panting and exhausted from scrambling around the house for the last 45 minutes. As we start off down the road, Andi shoots me a look of annoyance when he realizes I have an estimated 15 miles until I'm out of gas in my SUV. Oops, I meant to get gas after music, but forgot. We pass two gas stations as we approach the highway entrance ramp and Andi tells me he's going to try to get as far out of the Cities before stopping to fill up. Now I'm the one rolling my eyes at him.

5:00pm: We stop for gas just outside a northwest suburb. I guess Andi was right, we beat most of the traffic through town. I'm already feeling car sick, as has been the case during most of the pregnancy. I sit stiffly in my seat with the cool air vents blowing in my face and concentrate on not throwing up in the car. Ugh.

5:30pm: We pull off in a small town along the way because Tory says she has to potty. Andi offers to take her inside the gas station while I sit and continue to feel nauseous. Andi says Tory successfully used the bathroom and her pants are still dry. Wahoo! He loads her into the car and we're back on the road.

6:00pm: We stop (again!) at The Old Log Cabin for dinner. I'm feeling guilty for not preparing something for dinner to eat when we arrive tonight, but Andi turns to me and says he could care less. Thank you, husband. Inside the restaurant, we order fried pickles off the appetizer menu. I'm still feeling a little sick to my stomach, but I know these will make me feel better. YUM. Andi orders battered shrimp for his meal, I order a crispy chicken salad and Tory has grilled cheese and fries. This is our first time at The Old Log Cabin and we are big fans. Service was speedy and friendly and our food is all delicious. By the end of dinner, I'm feeling much better with food in my belly and time out of the car for a bit.

Tory and Daddy at dinner

Is there anything better than deep fried pickles?

7:30pm: We (finally!) arrive at our lake cabin. Andi and I unpack the car while Tory runs to the living room and drags out all her toys. She forgot her beloved Minnie Mouse stuffed animal here last weekend, so she's excited to be reunited again. (I catch her giving Minnie a hug and kiss - so cute). It's funny to me how different Andi and I are at the cabin. When he arrives here, he jumps right into cabin projects. Tonight, he immediately starts opening packages he's had shipped here and starts installing a new light fixture in the bathroom. I like to ... sit down and relax, so I do just that.

Has to "help" Daddy ... but hates the loud noise of the drill

8:00pm: It's already 30 minutes past Tory's bedtime, but she's in good spirits playing toys in the living room while Andi moves onto updating the hardware on drawers and cabinets. We're having a nice time talking and listening to country music, so I let Tory stay up a little longer to play. She tries to shut the sliding glass door because it's "too windy," but she can't manage it on her own. "Help me, Daddy," she says, "tough one," as they slide it closed together.

8:30pm: Alright, time for pajamas, books and bedtime. I get Tory ready for bed and read stories to her in her big girl bed at the cabin. We have about five kid's books here and I've read them so many times I could recite them with my eyes closed. Tory can recite them too, and usually does right alongside me.

9:30pm: Tory's finally asleep, so I roll out of her bed and go back upstairs to find Andi watching a television show in the living room. I'm ... pooped. He asks me if I want to watch a show together, but I decline. I just want to go to sleep. So, to bed I go.

11:00pm: I hear Tory cry out "mama, mama" from outside our bedroom door. She's awake and has come all the way up from the mid-level to retrieve me. I sleepily drag myself out of bed (Andi says I grunt - ha!) and return Tory back to her bedroom. I crawl into bed with her and pass out. I'm exhausted and end up sleeping here for the night. I don't hear another thing until "Wake up, Mommy!" at 6:20am Saturday morning.

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