Hmmm...Where to begin...

This past weekend the Halvorson's joined us for most of it. Nice and relaxing. Brian helped Erik in the yard. The kids had fun playing, the little ones kind of played for the first time. Alex thought that Ava was pretty funny. The adults rocked out on Rock Band, we all thought that we were professionals at one point in the evening. Seriously if you have not had the pleasure of playing Rock Band it is a must to stop on over at the Tortorice's and jump on the band tour. On Saturday Kami and I decided to go pick up pizza for the clan. Upon coming home I went to check on the big kids and let them know that we would be eating lunch soon. I walk into Anthony's room and at first did not realize why it was so quiet. I look to his closet door and see three hand prints. White hand prints accompanied with giggles in the closet. So far not good. I look around his room and it is covered in baby powder. I open up the closet and find him and Alli. Everything is completely covered including them. I think I still smell baby powder....I used to like how it smelled. The dads claim it was only three minutes they were out of sight....hmmm....I have an awesome video of the encounter but am having trouble uploading it unfortunately.

The Best Things in Life Aren't Things.

That is what I have above Alex's crib in his nursery in big letters across the wall. This past weekend was one of the most fun weekends we have had as a family this summer. Of course it was the 4th of July so the campground was busy with people and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We were lucky to have spent it with Kristi, Rhawnie & Ryan, and Brad & Amy. Anthony had so much fun swimming and playing with his little friends. He was enthralled with sparklers, smoke bombs, and water balloons. Typical little boy. Alex is so laid back he just went with the flow. Never fussed being slathered up with SPF or being passed from one set of arms to another. This weekend at one point I looked around and was so grateful for my family. We are all happy, healthy, and enjoying one another. I feel so blessed. Sometimes day to day a person gets so caught up in making sure that they are on the up and up that we forget to focus on the big picture. I was trying to explain to one of my friends this weekend how her life will change when she has a baby and it is impossible to truly explain how life changing it is. You suddenly could careless if you are able to go on vacation to Mexico or buy a plasma television. Material possessions just kind of fade away and you feel at peace as long as your kids have been fed a decent meal, taken a warm bath, and are sleeping peacefully at night. That is when a person actually really learns the definition of gratitude. My most favorite memory I will carry with me from this past weekend was right at dusk on the 4th of July everyone started lighting off their big fireworks around the lake. Anthony, Erik, and I snuck off to a small hill on the campground. It was just the three of us and their were fireworks going off in every direction over the lake, it was amazing. I looked down at Anthony and he told me,"Mom, your the best. I love you." For that I am truly grateful. Happy 4th of July!

Alex loving his Jumperoo

Alex absolutely LOVES the jumperoo. He is only five months as of the 29th and can really get this baby going. Anthony didn't really care for it but was closer to 8 months and much more interested in trying to crawl/walk. Unfortunately he is now interested in "helping" Alex jump which is not always ideal. Alex actually loves it and they both start laughing at one another but at times it can give mom a heart attack. I am sure the first of many.

First Contract Signed...Woo HOO!!

Well today I received my first contract back signed and agreed upon.. My partner Michael and his wife Heidi shared with me that they are going to be adding an addition to their cute family so he is ready to roll as well. Woo Hoo!!!! Kami and Kristi came over to celebrate. Kristi made stuffed peppers for dinner- delicious! Kami brought over a bottle of champagne- also delicious! Erik was able to finally go golfing today and that was well deserved. He has been working literally 14 hours a day this summer, poor guy is exhausted and in need of some fun in the sun.

Yesterday we went on a family bike ride. Alex was not too keen on the pull along cart. Still a little too wobbly. Anthony on the other hand was cruising like Lance Armstrong. He is in a very competitive phase (I have no idea where he gets it) and in his eyes there is always a winner and a loser. We have been trying to explain to him that there is 1st to 100th place and the goal is that everyone should have fun. Nope, still doesn't get it. "Mom, slow down you are making me look like a loser." Its not my fault that I want to race my four year old and win:).

Alex slept approximately 45 minutes total today. He did not want to miss out on anything. It is 10:24pm and I put him down about an hour ago. I can't complain though because he is in a good mood except for when you lay him down. BUT, I was definitely ready for him to shut those big blue eyes and SLEEP!!!!

My latest job is donating plasma. Let me tell you it is not an easy one. They are serious about getting your blood and will rip apart your veins to get it. But I have to say it is easy money and an hour of peace I get with no one needing a glass of milk or a bottle. So not a bad a gig.

Finally....drum roll please

When Alex was one week old my boss came over to visit. As I am breastfeeding in the lazyboy she proceeds to tell me that she is claiming bankruptcy on the business. She keeps selling me on the idea as to why this is going to be okay for my family and I, to be honest I am not even sure what else she repeated to me. I basically sat there in a fog scolding myself that I fell for all of her promises. Mind you we had just moved into home offices while I was 9 months pregnant so I was going to have the perfect set up, wrong. Since that day I have been trying to figure out what I am going to do for my part in taking care of our family. It has been an every day battle as well as many sleepless nights of indecisiveness. The guilt of leaving my boys with someone else and after receiving my paycheck realizing that my take home pay is hardly worth it. I came to the conclusion that I would wait tables. Put aside my pride and go work the job I did when I was 21. I could then stay home with the boys ensuring that all is well with them and go make some money in the evening to support us. My father tactfully pointed out to me that he highly doubts my husband is interested in working 14 hours a day and then coming home to care for the boys. I am lucky in the fact that I have an awesome support system. My in-laws are definitely willing to care for the boys in the evening. Is it fair to expect them to come care for the boys after they have had long days of work? Not really. So the latest idea was I am going to open a daycare. My husband shot that idea down in 2.5. So I am sitting her yesterday once again stewing as to what I should do. It was as if a light bulb burst and I came to the realization that I need to do what I am good at. I am a kick ass recruiter. Clients and candidates still call me for advice, they respect my opinion. It is time that I respect my opinion and own what I am good at. I began a half attempt at this idea a couple of months ago with my friend Michael. Our company is called Candidate Connection. I have been basically sitting idle because I wanted Michael to be responsible for all of the marketing. Yesterday I made the brave step to actually get on the phone and market. Low and behold I had success! I am thrilled and ready to take the scary step of doing what I love, being able to stay home with the boys more than if I was working a 9-5, and feel good about providing for my family. It is a win-win!!So...wish me luck!

So I'm not Carrie Bradshaw

So last night I was laying in bed trying to get to sleep and began daydreaming about my new blog. I had visions of myself curled up in a cool retro desk chair, smoking, and staring at my laptop with inspirational words to write that the world would soon be reading. Then it dawned on me that I was trying to morph myself into Miss Carrie Bradshaw. Reality hit me square in the face tonight when I was picking up my sweet baby boy out of his jumperoo telling him how much I loved him as he pukes all over my face, I could feel the warmth of it on my lips, but it never enters my mouth and I am seriously thanking the Lord. Gross!!!!!

It is the right thing to do...

So I have been listening to all my girlfriends discuss their blogs and so and so's blog sooo I thought it was time that I join the race. My reasoning to not write one was that the boys will probably have no interest in going back to read my thoughts, prayers, and complaints. Then it simply dawned on me that this is for me just as much it is for them, their wives, children, etc. It it a place to not feel judged and have a solid blog of our family's memories. As I am writing this and almost becoming weepy I hear Anthony my oldest son say,"Mom...." in the tone you know they have done something that is probably not right. I ran upstairs as fast as I could and he proceeds to tell me that he lifted Alex up onto the couch because Alex felt like it. Anthony has never picked Alex up on his own yet. Granted he is 4 and Alex is 5 months but that is one area I have been very protective about. So here I am writing about my dreams...and my youngest son is almost getting dropped on his head by his older brother. Now that is what I call irony. That is what it is pretty typical of my life.

This last week Anthony spent it up north with my parents. He had a blast! He is now covered in tons of mosquito bites and has come to the painful realization that there is also only white milk in his life not just chocolate. It is so fun to see him playing with his cousins and the dynamics that go along in their world together. One minute we love each other the next minute pouting because so and so is on my bike. Just because I walked away from it about 10 minutes or so does not mean that I am done playing with it.

Alex was a complete gem the entire trip there and back. He is such a happy baby when he is not teething and a definitely a joy to the entire family. He gets passed from one set of arms to another and still manages to entertain whomever is holding him with his Jack Nicholson smiles and giggles.