Snapshots

I just feel like I need to stay quiet for this post and let the pictures do the talking!

Haircut

Wednesday was my 27th birthday and what better way to celebrate than chopping 13 inches off of my hair. Okay, let me explain...

I've held a service competition with all of my students all year called "The Final Cutdown." Totally doing a play on words from "The Final Countdown," sung by: Europe. But of course my kids are too young and I am too old for them to realize this creative play on words. Anways, the kids could earn points by bascially being responsible, contributing citizens to their family, friends, and community. The 1st place prize winner would get the opportunity to cut 10 inches of my hair! Well, as the year went on, many of my kids lost interest, but the ones who stayed in it got to chop off one of my pony tails and donate it to "Locks of Love." In the end, I had three girls who "won," so I put my hair into three ponytails and they each got to pick which one they wanted to chop.

So as the time was getting closer for the big cut, two of my students decided they wanted to cut and donate their hair as well. It was such a proud, momma bear moment for me. It literally brought tears to my eyes to see how selfless some of my kids could be. One of my girls has never had short hair as long as her family could remember, but she kept telling me, "Well, it's for a great cause, so I want to do it!" I mean WOW!

I know I was nothing like that in 6th grade. I was very egocentric, which most 6th graders are simply from the fact they don't know enough about the world/life yet. I was too caught up in myself to think about the fact that something I did could bring someone else so much joy. Thankfully, I grew up and snapped out of it, but the fact that these girls are already at such a maturity level really makes me smile. I can't post any pics of the girls on my blog, but just know they are both presh and made me one happy lady!

It was definitely a memorable birthday and I am LOVING my short hair. How nice to be showered and ready in 20 minutes...and not putting your hair in a greasy ponytail! Heck, I even shaved my legs in this amount of time. I know, impressive!

The equipment

Before
The first cut, right down the middle

One pony, gone!

I think I'm on to something, look at this rocking 80's hairstyle!

All done!

Whoopsies, looks like they forgot a strand!

After
Total amount of hair donated, 35 inches. So cool!

I think I like it...

Monster blogging that is. Clearly something has kept me from updating my family and friends semi daily about the wonderful happenings in our family- ah yes, that would be my brain. While it (my brain) is still on spring break/maternity leave I will just put the faith in my monster blogging and go from there. 1. Trip to Disney I never thought I would be packing up the car and taking my children to Disney World at the ages of 2 years and 7 weeks, but heck yes I did. My best friend Ashley Stamper (formally Eason) was diagnosed with MS about a year and a half ago. With that being said, it is very hard for her to travel far distances. So, she has not been able to meet Ryan or Darby. Well, I had maternity leave, my other girlfriend, Chrissy, was on spring break. It was the perfect makings to pack up the car and travel on down to Orlando. So, I took on my biggest feat thus far as a mother, being the lone parent in the car with my children for an 8 hour car trip. I cannot even begin to tell you how nervous this trip made me. Crying really stresses me out. It is for sure my weakness as a mom. I think I would rather Ryan punch me in the face than cry for 30 minutes. Bill on the other hand, he is a rock when she starts giving him the old sob story. He can take it like a champ. Yet another reason why we are the perfect parenting team! So, I left my sane half (Bill) and took the trip, praying that Ryan would hold it together for the entirety of the trip. And what do you know, she did it! Yes, Chrissy had to get in the backseat with her for the last 30 minutes of the trip and talk about meeting Mickey Mouse over and over again, but she did it. I was so proud of Ryan. Just another smack to my face that she is growing up so fast. Anyways, the trip was amazing. We went to Disney's Animal Kingdom where Ryan rode her first roller coaster, played in "The Boneyard" the most massive playground ever, ate her first Mickey ear's ice cream, saw the Lion King show, and best of all MET MICKEY MOUSE.

Ryan riding her first roller coaster

Ashley sliding with Ryan at "The Boneyard" Chrissy sliding with Ryan at "The Boneyard"

-----Parents, you know how you find something that your child wants so badly, but you know they will not get it for a while, so it is your saving grace every time they act a fool. For example, Ryan throwing a dang fit at Macaroni Grill because I took away her "dip" the disgusting olive oil that she was pretty much drinking. After one trip to time out already, I pulled out the big guns. "Now Ryan, Mickey does not like to meet little girls who throw fits in restaurants. Mickey loves to meet sweet girls who sit at the table and eat their dinners like big girls. Don't you want to be a big girl? I know if you were a big girl Mickey would be so impressed when you meet him tomorrow." Ryan- "Okay mommy." AND SCENE. Temptation presented, bait taken, mom happy! Ryan enjoying her Mickey Ear ice cream bar.

Every kid should have this picture at some point in their life. I love this one! MICKEY MOUSE!!!!!!! This was a very exciting moment! I see Mickey checking out my butt...

We did have to wait in the line to meet Mickey, but totally worth it. Ryan was a little hesitant at first, but after mommy gave him a hug and he gave mommy a butt tap (kidding), she was warmed up immediately. I told the photographer to just keep shooting. All of the pictures of my are absolutely disgusting because I cannot hold Ryan anymore without arching my back into a breaking position, which in turn makes my gut pop out to the world. But, all of the pictures of Ryan and Darby are adorable. The rest of the trip included super fun things like visiting Down town Disney twice, going in the Toy Story Toy Store, riding carousels, eating at Rain forest Cafe, going to a Disney dance party, visiting the Easter bunny, playing on Ashley's neighborhood playground, and just having the best time with all of Ashley's pets (two dogs and a cat).

I do not even know what character this is supposed to be, but Ryan enjoyed it. With my girls on the Safari bus Ryan participating in the lunchtime drum show. She was pretty fascinated by this man, I mean who wouldn't be?

Just hanging out on some dinosaur

I was more than impressed with Ryan and Darby's behavior and I was so impressed by my two girl's, Chrissy and Ashley, wonderful help. I could not have made it through the week without them. We had the best time and I cannot wait to visit again, hopefully with Bill!

Dance party at Downtown Disney. Ryan was loving every minute of it. BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!

Ryan's souvineers. I put her in this outfit every chance I get, she looks adorable.

2. Trip to Panama City Beach

My soccer team had two friendly games this past weekend in PCB. I got home from Orlando on Wednesday morning around 1 am, so why not pack up the whole family and go on a beach trip Friday morning. Sounds like the perfect way to finish out my maternity leave if you ask me. In my mind I thought, oh this weekend will be so great- family time, relaxing by the pool, walking on the beach, coaching my awesome team with soccer, then going out for a nice family dinner. Okay, not saying most of that did not happen, but we did not just take any trip to the beach, we took SPRING BREAK 2011 PCB TRIP WAAAAAHHHHOOOOOOO!!!!!

---Insert picture here of a college student doing a keg stand------

It was hilarious. As soon as we pulled on the strip of PCB there were kids galore. I mean everywhere. They were all in the teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikinis and backwards baseball caps, holding their yard long mixed drink cups, making out with one another walking down the strip, just CRAZINESS!!

Precious girl playing in the freezing water She fit right in with all of the college kids.

Daddy and Ryan heading towards the falls

This picture makes me smile so big. Ryan's outfit was too much for words, so I had to capture it. Darby was currently laying on the kitchen table- she was sitting there while we ate. I also realized they semi matched.

Prob my favorite picture of her to date. Look at those curls.

Let me tell you, Bill and I looked amazing walking into the Lagoon pool with two huge bags full of snacks and diapers, a Graco stroller, two kids in tow, my boppy (don't leave home without it) and finally my c-section scar wanting to get some sun! Even with all of that around us, we had a blast. Bill hung out in the freezing pool with Ryan and they were quite the pair. He entertained her until she basically fell asleep swimming. All the while, Darby and I were chilling in the sun. Well, Darby was under a palm tree while mommy was baking. It was such an awesome weekend and a great ending to my wonderful maternity leave.

Check out my girls in their matching airbrush t-shirts. We just could not resist. I mean SPRING BREAK 2011!

Adorable

I love this little chick!

Sunbathing with mommy!

3. Back to Work

Yes my friends, all good things must come to an end. This past Monday was my first day back at work. I was OF COURSE sad to leave my precious little girl, but it was a great first day back and I was really excited to be around my coworkers and kids again. Everyone was so happy and cheerful and I was greeted with plenty of hugs from my kids. I will say that life has been 90 to nothing since I've been back. It is really hard to adjust to waking up early again, being on your game all day long, having tons of energy for Ryan, going to soccer, then getting dinner together. Let's just say I have fallen asleep every night this week around 9. It is pretty pathetic, but I will find my rhythm again!

My angel chilling by the pool

I also transitioned Darby from breastfeeding to bottles starting Monday morning. Now that was probably sadder than leaving her at home. She is just the sweetest baby and I really enjoyed our time together with her feedings, but I just wanted life to be as easy as possible and I felt that required me to give her bottles from here on out. The transition has been great. My fabulous mother-in-law, Jolie, has been home with Darby for the week and has spoiled her rotten. She even let Darby sleep with her last night so I would not have to wake up for her 4 o'clock feeding (which decided to return once we switched to bottles, oh well there has to be one hiccup). I did feel rejuvenated this morning and like my old self. I should be able to start running again tonight with no pain.

She is literally the sweetest baby I have ever been around, I just want to munch on her cheeks!

4. Weight Loss

Right at the 6 week post op mark Bill and I decided it was time to trim the fat and get on a diet. So I turned to my old friend weight watchers. The past two weeks have been a little rocky with all of the traveling and yummy restaurants we've gone too, but I've still managed to stay on track. I have not lost weight this week, but am staying steady. I still have a long way to go, but my running should help speed things along. I am also doing P90x 10 minute ab workout 3 times a week. I am such an instant gratification person, this diet is tough because, dang it I want results, but I am really trying to be patient and just know that it will come off.

With the weight loss comes the change in diet. I am happy to report that I cook at home ALL THE TIME now! For those of you who really know me know that I do not cook. It is not that I am a bad cook, I just don't have time/don't want to do it. But our weight and money spending was out of control, so it was time to get in that kitchen and get to work. So far, my fave weight watcher meals are turkey tacos, sloppy Joe's (made with ground turkey), Peppercorn roast, and tilipia with wild rice. I do have to pat myself on the back because I never liked going in the kitchen, now I look forward to cooking for the fam.

Okay, done. I'm out, there is nothing else I would like to update you on except leave you with the most recent photo of the fam. I know, I know, Bill is sexy (Love you honey).