Vacation...here we come!

We are taking a break.  A much needed one.  With a summer kind of put on hold because of this transfer looming, we didn't have anything planned.  Well.  Two weeks ago we decided that we would go ahead and book that beach trip to the Outer Banks.  With Will having two weeks left until school starts, its the perfect opportunity.  And we are going for it.

I am really excited that we are headed there because this will be our last time there, for awhile.  Moving to Atlanta or Chicago will not allow us this easy drive to the Outer Banks.

We will get to share and create new memories with our boys.  We are going to get our pictures taken, as a family of four.  Hoping the boys cooperate and we get some great shots.  

Speaking of boys.  Wow!  Mine are a handful.  I hear it's hard when they are young and as they get older, a lot easier.  Who knows.  All I know is Will is growing up before my eyes and Eli wants to do everything Will does.

Did I tell you Eli is full on walking?  Like, it's all he wants to do.  He just turned 10 months.  Crazy!

Will loves making movies with his trains, godzilla and really anything.  We have even recorded a couple.  Such an imagination.

So...we are off.  For a week.  

Eli on his 10 month birthday.  I gave him a miniature cupcake.  Yep.  He loved it.

My sweet and curious first born.  Those long lashes and rosy cheeks.  Love.

Because it's one of our favorites...

Broadneck Park.  A wonderful little jewel that Willsy and I fell in love with when we moved over to our little peninsula.  Trails, dog parks, fields, the exercise loop, and of course the park with the "new" not so shaky bridge.

We have had fun showing Eli our little gem the last couple of months.  He loves the swings and this last trip he walked across the "shaky" bridge with mommy's help.  He got to drive the fire truck and it's big ole' wheel greatness.  He loved it just as much as Willsy does.

Willsy of course continues to swing on his belly, using his wonderful imagination.  A super hero one day, Godzilla the next.  Flying through danger and thunderstorms, he always saves the day.

He is Mr. Social Butterfly, always plays and makes new friends easily.  I hope this quality stays with you forever because it surely makes me smile, all the time.

We continue to make memories in our favorite places, as the uncertainty of our move is constantly lingering.  To add to the mix of it all, there might be a chance Lew is transferred to Chicago.  I know.  I know.  So crazy.

It wouldn't be our life, if there wasn't a little chaos involved.

Brotherly Love...

Willsy...You love having a baby brother and often try and be a big helper.  Although, there are moments when you like to close your door and play by yourself.  I guess that is to be expected since you are a little older.  This summer has been rough because we haven't done a lot of the stuff that you love because of this move.  It is now almost September and I regret not getting you into more camps.  But, we just didn't know if we would be here.  So...digging, swimming in your pool, going to the playground, fishing, and taking exploration walks have been our summer.

I am thankful that I was able to get you into your preschool, because again, we are still here.  You love school and being with friends is a great outlet for you.  I have to admit, I will miss you those first couple of days.  You will get to go for lunch bunch and spend the whole afternoon at school, like the big kid you have become.

And because this summer has been low key, no vacation was had.  Daddy and I decided we needed a getaway.  So, we are headed to the Outer Banks in two weeks!  I love sharing a place like the Outer Banks with you because this is where I spent a lot of my summers growing up.  You will get to fish, build sand castles, and most importantly dig and swim in the pool.  Can't wait to spend this time with you, my sweet Bubsy.

Eli...Where to begin.  You are something special.  Definitely the baby.  Always wanting mommy to hold you.  But, if Willsy is around, forget it.  You would rather be close to him and do what he is doing.  It is the best of both worlds.  I have a feeling you will be easy to potty train because you will want to do what Will does.  Thank goodness for that.

You are still not the best sleeper.  Part of it, I know is that you need your own room.  You will go a couple nights, sleeping all the way through.  Then you just randomly wake up and want me to hold you and give you a bottle.  I know that you will start to sleep through the night on your own.  There are nights when I do ignore the crying and you fall back asleep, it is so hard when you are right there though.

You love to eat.  You can almost eat as much as your brother!  The only thing you haven't loved so far is pears.  Maybe it is the grainy texture.  Not sure.  You love protein for sure.  Chicken, hamburger, turkey, roast beef.  I think you might be a meat and potatoes kind of guy.

You are a bruiser, which is the nick name that Nana gave you.  You get into everything, climb everything, try and walk everywhere.  You are a VERY adventurous little baby!

Willsy and Eli...My wish right now is that you grow up to be best friends.  That you support and love one another, no matter what.  I love you both, always more than air.

Making Memories

With a move on the horizon, I realized that I need to capture as many photos in all the place we love.  Even if some of them are from our own house and backyard. This year has flown by and both my boys have grown so much.  Being a mom can be sad sometimes.  When you see your babies sprout up like weeds and knowing they won't be that tiny again.  But, you have those amazing firsts, and being their mom, I get to witness a lot of those.

Meet Ruby...

Our brand new VW Routan minivan! Yes. We like naming our cars here. Have a great weekend!

It's Bananas I Tell You!

What you are about to see, totally amazed me!  I have to say, I am one proud momma!  9 Months...that's how old you are in the video, Eli.  You surprise me everyday.  

Love you more than air.

P.S. Didn't have a shower at this point in the day.  So, I am kind of a hot, morning mess.  Ignore.  Please look at cute baby.  :)

Favorites and Random...

=> Loving Deer Park Orange Sparkling water.  Delicious.  Plain water gets old after a while and I needed a change. => Still no news on our move.  Lew is in a meeting today, so hopefully something good comes out of it.  Keeping my fingers crossed. => Totally cried when Gabby won the gold medal, like I was her mom.  => Peanut Butter M&M's.  Yes.  Oh Yes.  Not on the meal plan but oh so good.  =>  Getting really anxious about this move because so much will have to be done.  Getting Will's schooling figured out.  Definitely been a challenge. =>  Chipotle...so good and wish I could eat it everyday.  =>  Kashi Go Lean Berry Crunch cereal...so good.  Who needs Fruity Pebbles?!  =>  Wish we were headed to the beach again but with this move looming we have been staying close to the home front.  =>  At the end of the month we will be getting a new car.  A VW Routan (mini-van).  I could not be happier for this switch as my Jeep is just not cutting it anymore.  Many thanks to my sister who is hooking us up, since she works for VW.  => Anything lavender.  Bath and Body works cream and Body scrub in Lavender chamomile is amazing.

1. Look at those lashes.  Totally gets it from daddy.  2. He is getting Justin Bieber hair and I love it!  I am not planning on cutting it anytime soon!  3. In a trance from baby einstein.  4. Brotherly love for the moment.  It is hard to keep two boys still for a second.

Happy Friday and weekend!

Sleep and Weight

I know.  How original can that title get?

But.  I have been struggling.  Sleep deprivation is something that I can manage but not for 9 months.

And neither can my weight.  I am currently holding on to my last 5 "eli" pregnancy pounds.  I am so over it.  I work out.  I eat healthy, most of the time.  I preach to my clients about eating right, getting enough sleep, and doing the right amount of exercise.

I never thought I would be in that position where I am struggling to lose pregnancy pounds.  Now I can relate to my "mom" clients.  In a way its a good thing.  Show them what works.  Frankly, I really haven't found that magic ticket yet.

With lack of sleep, I am not working out like I did before Eli.  I am doing what I can at this point.  I am probably not eating enough, considering I try to shovel food in my face while feeding the boys. Which, just doesn't work.

I need to find my time again, my motivation, and possibly get some sleep so my metabolism speeds up again.  UGH.

So, to all my fellow moms out there, I understand.  The jeans fit but just not the same.  Yoga pants feel better because your stinkin' exhausted, and frankly why disappoint yourself trying to fit into those jeans.

I think I just might repeat the mantra, "Sleep through the night, Eli" over and over while doing yoga.  Maybe that's the ticket.