Even though I'm not an avid blogger, I feel like it's been ages since I've posted and I almost feel guilty about it! If I had time, I'd probably write every day!
This school year has been absolutely insane for me...more work than ever and a lot more stress. I've been loaded up with 260 students (and growing) and literally teach sessions all day long. I have to prepare for three different English courses per day, including one high school level course in another program than the usual middle school platform I was used to using. I could go on forever about how crazy it really is, but I'm trying not to devote any further personal time worrying over it. It's a job and that is that is what I have to say to myself to reprogram my mindset each day. I've never been the type to view jobs like that, but it's come to that.
Our basement flooded in the recent hurricanes and other heavy rains, so we've been an entire play area short for the past month or so. That has caused unwanted clutter in my view throughout the rest of the house. (All toys). We are still in the process of trying to fix that issue. We were about to have the carpet re-stapled down this Friday, but now we are supposed to get these crazy heavy rains again and another possible hurricane, so we figure we better wait and make sure the issue is fixed. Greg was a not a fan of shop-vaccing water out of the basement for a week. Poor guy.
Aside from crappy work and a flooded basement (and depressing economy...won't even go there), we've been good. The girls are loving their new routine for the school year. Brielle goes to preschool four days per week and Camryn goes to our neighbor's house for the mornings. It's a great set-up for us because Holly is our friend and she has a 3 year-old girl that Camryn adores. Holly does little things with the girls every day and Camryn cannot wait to go there each morning. I hate leaving my kids, but it sure is a lot easier when they are excited to go where we leave them!
Brielle has made leaps and bounds over the past few months. She is now in advanced beginner swim class which is for 5 to 7 year olds. She is a young 4 year old, but that is not why I am so proud. In the beginning of the summer, when she began lessons, she was the kid who screamed her head off the ENTIRE lesson. The owner of this "safe-zone swim" program assured me she would get over it eventually and to just keep bringing her. When I say screamed the whole time, please take that literally. The other parents would stare at me because it was my child! It was horrible, but it really only lasted about 3 or 4 lessons. One day though, something clicked in her and suddenly she loved going. She went from being terrified of the water to now doing the freestyle, back stroke, jumps in, dives down to retrieve toys, etc. She can fully swim now and is doing amazing! She takes lessons at the country club we belong to and the classes are very small and over the summer, she even scored a few private lessons, which probably helped a lot! We were going to stop lessons at the end of the summer, but we decided to keep her in for now. Around November, we are going to make the switch to ballet for the winter.
Camryn is doing her own version of excelling with soccer, spelling her name out loud and counting to twenty! The spelling of the name is probably the most interesting because she is two. She has her big sister to help her out with stuff like that though. They are an amazing support for one another and almost daily, they bring tears to my eyes by how well they get along and encourage one another. So sweet!!!
Baby Bayly 3 seems to be doing just fine down in that cozy womb, too! I'm 19 weeks today and we have our ultrasound next week. We are not finding out the sex. I think I really want to find out this time, but Greg is so against doing any such thing. I have felt this baby moving since the beginning of my 16th week, which is crazy!! With Brielle, I felt her move around week 21.....with Camryn I was 17 weeks and now 16 with this one. Does this mean I am just that much more in tune with it third time around, or are my babies just getting bigger and bigger? yikes!! Regardless, I LOVE being pregnant and wish time would slow down!!!
Something else that has been significant in our lives is following a cancer battle of a local little 5 year old girl. We don't know the family directly, but have a couple friends and relatives that know them, so we were immediately involved. The father of the little girl wrote in a blog and it has changed both Greg and me. Gabby was just a normal five year old girl and nothing was wrong until this past Memorial Day when she was admitted to CHOP for dizziness and feeling off-balance. By the next day she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. It was some rare, agressive type that takes the lives of children within nine months 90-95% of the time. This one took Gabby in four short months as she passed last week on 9-11-11. I think about Gabby every day and it definitely makes you stop and hug your kids a lot more than usual. And we hug our kids a lot, so I wonder if they wonder why we are constantly hugging and kissing them all day long now! The final blog concluded with the father's regrets. He has regrets of not spending more time with his family and working so much over the past five years. He talks about the things that really matter in life. Now, I really do consider myself someone who counts their blessings. Greg and I do reflect often about how blessed we are, but it doesn't mean I don't become a little greedy sometimes. I can't help but to long for a bigger house, more money...maybe the opporunity to not have to work.....but this story has really helped me put life in perspective. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the people you love and the relationships you have. I think about Gabby's family...her two older sisters...her mother...her father everyday. I cannot even imagine going through something like that. Greg said he wasn't going to read the final blog because he just couldn't handle it anymore, then he caved and read it today at work (of all places!) and he said he was sobbing at his desk. I'm not at all surprised by this, but I was surprised by his decision to read it at work! Regardless, we aren't really talking about it anymore, but I get the sense that we are both thinking about it as we gravitate to one another and the girls more than ever. Every moment counts, every moment matters and we really do have so much to be thankful for.
Well, that is just about everything that's been on my mind lately and everything that is going on with us! Greg and I celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary this Saturday!! Still loving him up just like I did over ten years ago when we started out! You all know that though ;)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Our Very Special Brielle
I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about the things Brielle says to me. She is such a smart and profound four-year old girl. She really thinks and processes more than your average four-year-old----at least I think so. Ever since she was a tiny baby, she would sit all day for books. She would literally sit on my lap for hours and listen to me read her books. She never wriggled off my lap and to this day, a book is such a treat to her. This is an English Teacher Mother Dream!! Now, we love our sweet Camryn, but it wasn't until recently that she would sit for a book and she is very selective about what book we read!
Additionally, Brielle is at that age where she asks a lot of questions and follows up with a lot of "why's." What amazes me most about her, though, is how much she appreciates life and all of her blessings. Of course I have tried helping her understand these concepts, but they really seem to resonate with her. For instance, several months ago, she said, "Mommy, I am really glad God gave us Camryn." This honestly came out of no where and brought me to tears. We really aren't very good with the whole church-going thing, but I try to explain God to her in terms she can understand. God made the trees and the flowers, etc etc.....Not entirely sure how she translated that to Camryn, but I'm glad she did! A few weeks ago we were taking a walk through the neighborhood on the walking trail and Brielle said to Greg, "This sure is a wonderful world, isn't it Daddy?" She was just walking and appreciating nature. Are these really things four-year-olds say?? Then yesterday, she said to me while swinging on her swing, "I'm so happy to be in this world, Mommy." Chokes me up!! None of these statements are prompted at all...they literally come out of no where.
One thing I have taught her is that not all children get to experience all the nice things that she does. I explained that not all children get to go to the beach and the pool all the time, not all children have as many snacks and delicious food as her and not all children have as many toys as her. I forget why this came up one time, but my goodness, she has not forgotten it. She told me the other night that she wants to pack up the toys she doesn't play with so she can give them to kids who don't have any toys. And now when we go places, she will say, "I am a really lucky girl, aren't I?" She feels joy, then reflects on it. I feel this is just a really special quality about her. I fear she may turn into a worry wart, so I certainly try not to make her think too much, but I am proud of her ability to be thankful. When I was in high school, I came across a scripture that became my favorite instantly and it is something I try to remember daily. I think it sums up how I aspire to be and how I wish my children to be.
Additionally, Brielle is at that age where she asks a lot of questions and follows up with a lot of "why's." What amazes me most about her, though, is how much she appreciates life and all of her blessings. Of course I have tried helping her understand these concepts, but they really seem to resonate with her. For instance, several months ago, she said, "Mommy, I am really glad God gave us Camryn." This honestly came out of no where and brought me to tears. We really aren't very good with the whole church-going thing, but I try to explain God to her in terms she can understand. God made the trees and the flowers, etc etc.....Not entirely sure how she translated that to Camryn, but I'm glad she did! A few weeks ago we were taking a walk through the neighborhood on the walking trail and Brielle said to Greg, "This sure is a wonderful world, isn't it Daddy?" She was just walking and appreciating nature. Are these really things four-year-olds say?? Then yesterday, she said to me while swinging on her swing, "I'm so happy to be in this world, Mommy." Chokes me up!! None of these statements are prompted at all...they literally come out of no where.
One thing I have taught her is that not all children get to experience all the nice things that she does. I explained that not all children get to go to the beach and the pool all the time, not all children have as many snacks and delicious food as her and not all children have as many toys as her. I forget why this came up one time, but my goodness, she has not forgotten it. She told me the other night that she wants to pack up the toys she doesn't play with so she can give them to kids who don't have any toys. And now when we go places, she will say, "I am a really lucky girl, aren't I?" She feels joy, then reflects on it. I feel this is just a really special quality about her. I fear she may turn into a worry wart, so I certainly try not to make her think too much, but I am proud of her ability to be thankful. When I was in high school, I came across a scripture that became my favorite instantly and it is something I try to remember daily. I think it sums up how I aspire to be and how I wish my children to be.
Be joyful always;
Pray continually;
Give thanks in all circumstances for this
is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:16-18
(I didn't look this up and think I got it correct, but if not, you get the idea.).
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Symptoms: Fatigue, Nausea, and Increased Appetite (to some things)
Diagnosis: Preggers.
This news isn't broadcast-able yet, however, since I know I only have about three readers, I figured it was safe.
So yes, surprise! Surprise to me, surprise to you. Baby Bayly #3 is scheduled to arrive around February 15th, 2012 (which probably means February 22nd considering my last two were a week late).
If you know me and my obsessive-controlling personality, you would immediately know this was not exactly planned. As a teacher, I normally plan these things so I can deliver at the beginning of summer when I have paid time off. So, it wasn't planned, but I think this is the beginning of a new me. The "me" that is starting to realize you cannot plan or control everything. People plan. God laughs. And hey, it's a baby. A true blessing.
The good news is that we were definitely on board for another baby...we were just talking about waiting another year or two. But, in Greg's reacting words, "So we're having a baby now. Cool."
Another surprise in this pregnancy was that when I found out, I was already eight weeks along. So I went an entire month not knowing I was pregnant. And not because I don't pay attention to things.....my last period turned out to not be a period. Apparently it was "implantation bleeding." In hindsight, it now makes sense why it was so short and light and seven days before I expected it! Anyway, I will spare the rest of the details.
We just told the Grandparents a few days ago and have not told any friends just yet. I am eleven weeks along and just started feeling better. Haven't been sick in the past two days, so I think the worst is behind me. I will probably tell a few friends after next week's doctor's appointment. We had an ultrasound at nine weeks and the baby looked great and had a strong heartbeat. I just want to hear that beat one more time next week before I tell anyone else. I am pretty sure my 'best friend' is going to be a little annoyed since I am in her wedding on September 10th. Oh well, hopefully she'll get over it. She did clearly warn me that she didn't want any pregnant bridesmaids, so we'll see. If she's mad, I'll tell her to go suck an egg.
Now we are in the process of deciding between another twin bed or bunk beds for the girls' room. A four bedroom house would be really cool right about now, but doesn't look like it's going to happen any time in the near future, so we will just have to rough it. The girls will have to share a room. They know that is going to happen, however, they do not know why yet. I figure it would be easiest to tell them when I have a more prominent bump.
So there you have it. I love being pregnant and I am fairly certain this is the last round for us, so I hope it goes really slow. Now, the only thing I really need to work on is reversing a promise I made to Greg. I told him if we have a third baby, he can use his beloved girl name if it's a girl (which is probably is). I told him this a long time before I ever got pregnant and I really don't want this particular name, so I need to work on a strategy to change this possible girl name. I have 29 weeks. Wish me luck. (And no, I'm not revealing the name- haha).
Love, love, love.
This news isn't broadcast-able yet, however, since I know I only have about three readers, I figured it was safe.
So yes, surprise! Surprise to me, surprise to you. Baby Bayly #3 is scheduled to arrive around February 15th, 2012 (which probably means February 22nd considering my last two were a week late).
If you know me and my obsessive-controlling personality, you would immediately know this was not exactly planned. As a teacher, I normally plan these things so I can deliver at the beginning of summer when I have paid time off. So, it wasn't planned, but I think this is the beginning of a new me. The "me" that is starting to realize you cannot plan or control everything. People plan. God laughs. And hey, it's a baby. A true blessing.
The good news is that we were definitely on board for another baby...we were just talking about waiting another year or two. But, in Greg's reacting words, "So we're having a baby now. Cool."
Another surprise in this pregnancy was that when I found out, I was already eight weeks along. So I went an entire month not knowing I was pregnant. And not because I don't pay attention to things.....my last period turned out to not be a period. Apparently it was "implantation bleeding." In hindsight, it now makes sense why it was so short and light and seven days before I expected it! Anyway, I will spare the rest of the details.
We just told the Grandparents a few days ago and have not told any friends just yet. I am eleven weeks along and just started feeling better. Haven't been sick in the past two days, so I think the worst is behind me. I will probably tell a few friends after next week's doctor's appointment. We had an ultrasound at nine weeks and the baby looked great and had a strong heartbeat. I just want to hear that beat one more time next week before I tell anyone else. I am pretty sure my 'best friend' is going to be a little annoyed since I am in her wedding on September 10th. Oh well, hopefully she'll get over it. She did clearly warn me that she didn't want any pregnant bridesmaids, so we'll see. If she's mad, I'll tell her to go suck an egg.
Now we are in the process of deciding between another twin bed or bunk beds for the girls' room. A four bedroom house would be really cool right about now, but doesn't look like it's going to happen any time in the near future, so we will just have to rough it. The girls will have to share a room. They know that is going to happen, however, they do not know why yet. I figure it would be easiest to tell them when I have a more prominent bump.
So there you have it. I love being pregnant and I am fairly certain this is the last round for us, so I hope it goes really slow. Now, the only thing I really need to work on is reversing a promise I made to Greg. I told him if we have a third baby, he can use his beloved girl name if it's a girl (which is probably is). I told him this a long time before I ever got pregnant and I really don't want this particular name, so I need to work on a strategy to change this possible girl name. I have 29 weeks. Wish me luck. (And no, I'm not revealing the name- haha).
Love, love, love.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Love and Basketball
I am pleased to share that I am now playing women's basketball again. I have looked for women's leagues around here in the past and was unsuccessful. Finally, I noticed a posting for a new women's pick up league in the Downingtown Rec. Spring flyer. I signed up right away. The first night, I was so nervous. The first person that walked into the gym after me turned out to be a girl I roomed with back at Keystone Invitational Camp back in 1995. We remained friends after that summer for another year, but then once college started, we lost touch. It was so fun to catch up with her. And so very random! I didn't know anyone else there, but after a few weeks, I already feel like we are all teammates. The first week kicked my ass. I was so tired...we played full-court for two straight hours--no subs. I could barely walk the next day. You'd thing I'd be in decent shape since I just ran a 10 mile race----nope....totally different kind of running!
Anywayyyy....I honestly feel like a little part of my youth has been restored. Out of all the millions of activities I had the opportunity to engage in as an adolescent, basketball was the one constant. I loved it to the core. I practiced with intensity and passion and I never missed a practice or a game. I thought about it day and night. I think the reason I love it so much is because when I am playing, I think about nothing, but that. I have to focus on it so much that I can't stop and worry about grading papers or if my kids are getting enough vegetables. It just kind of takes me away from any other worry or stress. And it's healthy!! I was about to say that a few nice glasses of wine suffice at times too, but at least with basketball, I am burning calories and competing.
I just feel different now that I am playing again. Maybe "playing" is the key word here? The motto of United Sports Training Center where Greg works is "Never Stop Playing." I totally get that now!
I am fully aware that my 'playing' may be severely limited once my kids are old enough to start activites of their own. Brielle starts ballet in the fall and I can only imagine what the future holds beyond that!
Oh and, I have also learned that playing basketball is like riding a bike because well....I STILL GOT IT! Ha!
Anywayyyy....I honestly feel like a little part of my youth has been restored. Out of all the millions of activities I had the opportunity to engage in as an adolescent, basketball was the one constant. I loved it to the core. I practiced with intensity and passion and I never missed a practice or a game. I thought about it day and night. I think the reason I love it so much is because when I am playing, I think about nothing, but that. I have to focus on it so much that I can't stop and worry about grading papers or if my kids are getting enough vegetables. It just kind of takes me away from any other worry or stress. And it's healthy!! I was about to say that a few nice glasses of wine suffice at times too, but at least with basketball, I am burning calories and competing.
I just feel different now that I am playing again. Maybe "playing" is the key word here? The motto of United Sports Training Center where Greg works is "Never Stop Playing." I totally get that now!
I am fully aware that my 'playing' may be severely limited once my kids are old enough to start activites of their own. Brielle starts ballet in the fall and I can only imagine what the future holds beyond that!
Oh and, I have also learned that playing basketball is like riding a bike because well....I STILL GOT IT! Ha!
Happy Birthday Cami!
Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Camryn!!! She is full of smiles and happiness today. She totally gets that it is her day and she's just so overjoyed! The things she is happiest about are the balloons and the cake. Any time the cake is mentioned, all she says is, "and and and and a fork!" That means she wants to make sure we give her a fork to eat her cake when she gets it! Brielle is being very good about Camryn getting a lot of attention today. If Cam gets too much, she'll say, "No, it's Hoppy Birthday Baaaaaa." She calls Brielle "Baa" so I think she feels bad after awhile and wants her sister to share in the joy. The love between those two girls is seriously awesome.
Their swingset arrives tomorrow and we have someone coming out to install it early next week! That is their big gift from the Grandparents! (All of them)!
Their swingset arrives tomorrow and we have someone coming out to install it early next week! That is their big gift from the Grandparents! (All of them)!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Refreshed!
Greg and I finally had our much needed Boston getaway! We dropped the girls off the Bayly Grandparents in NJ and continued North to Boston. We could not have asked for better weather or a better time. We walked around the city, ate a lot, drank a lot and hung out with some random people. Well, I guess I should not refer to my own brother as random. We were actually there to watch him run the marathon. Everything else we did was just random. The day of the marathon was a blast because it's always a challenge to navigate through an unfamiliar city trying to gauge my brother's location based on his pace. We had to use public transportation and the city was crazy due to Patriot's Day. We ended up catching him at the 20 mile mark in Newton and then again at the 25 mile mark downtown. We did the same thing a couple years ago one of the times he ran the NYC marathon. It was just fun running from place to place, getting on packed subway trains, etc. It was actually a lot of work to just see Michael run past me for three seconds at a time, but it was worth it to cheer him on. He kept a 6:30 mile pace and finished in 2 hours and 50 minutes. Not bad, eh?
Apart from that one major activity, we just did whatever we felt like doing and it was just fun. Once in awhile, when life is really crazy, I try to figure out what in the world Greg and I did together before having kids. I mean, there were six years? We actually talk about this sometimes.....what on earth did we do? Well, I really don't even have much to say about what we did those two days in Boston, but I know I enjoyed every last minute of it. Granted, on the ride home we were both craving hugs and kisses from our babies, but what a blessing to have grandparents near us so we can do little things like that! Not to mention, I can guarantee I was a much better Mommy after that little break!
My baby is almost two!
She cleans up nice, huh? I am obsessed with this dress! I wish it came in adult sizes! Camryn, though a very 'tough' girl, really LOVES dresses. Before we got a child proof lock on her walk-in closet, she was climbing out of her crib, going into her closet, closing the door behind her and pulling down dresses and attempting to put them on! It's kind of ironic because in other instances, she is so rough and tough! At any rate, this (big) little girl turns two years old on May 19th, 2011. She is so kissable.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Parenting Policy Altered
We have been forced into the crib-to-toddler-bed transition way sooner than I would have liked. Camryn started agressively climbing out of her crib over the past month and while I hoped it was a phase, it persisted and we finally decided it was time for the transition. She is nearly two years old, but we were planning to keep her in the crib until age three. As much as she enjoyed climbing out, she didn't want us to take it away either. Whenever we tried to get her excited about a "big girl bed," she would say, "no, baby," which means "I am not a big girl, I'm a baby and I want my crib." So today's nap was her first time in her new bed (well, it's actually our neighbor's old toddler bed, but it's new to her). We had to change the door knob around so we could lock her in the room, otherwise, she would just come right out. After about 45 minutes of waiting for her to fall asleep, she finally started banging on the door screaming, "MOMMMEEEEEEEEE." I asked Greg if he thought maybe I should go sit with her and he said he absolutely thought it would be a bad idea. (And normally I totally agree because Camryn thinks it's party time whenever there are people around her). Then he went outside to fertalize the lawn and I decided to go in there and ask her if she wanted me to stay with her. She said "uh-huh." (The only way she says 'yes'). So I laid on the floor next to her tiny bed and told her to go to sleep. She lifted her head about three times to make sure I was still there, then she passed out. This was a big deal for a couple reasons. One, it's pretty much against my parenting policy to stay in the room with my kids when they go to sleep. I never rocked them to sleep (after three months of age) and never laid with them until they fell asleep. I need my kids to be self-sufficient when it comes to sleeping because I work from home and do not have time to sit with them until they fall asleep. The number two reason this was a big deal was because I SO ENJOYED watching my baby fall asleep. Once she was asleep, I had a hard time leaving the room. I just wanted to sit there and watch her sleep. I honestly think I could watch her all day. Cam is a tough kid. She's still such a baby, but she's a big, BIG girl and she has always made it her mission to keep up with her big sister. Watching her sleep is just a peaceful reminder that even though she is the wildest, craziest baby I know, she is really still such a baby. A sweet little baby. As much as I enjoyed it, I certainly can't afford for it to become her sleep-routine, but hey, it's okay once in awhile!! My baby girl was uneasy about her new bed and she needed some comfort from her Mommy! I just love being Mommy.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Being Cool: Bulbs, Fences and Minivans
At some point in the fall, Brielle, our nature-obsessed daughter, and I planted tulip and daffodil bulbs. I do have an interest in all the green stuff, but unfortunately, it's just not something I have a whole lot of time for right now. So this was my first time planting anything! Brielle was beyond excited on that fall day. She continued to talk about the bulbs all winter. In fact, after one of our many snowfalls this winter, she saw some of the dead bushes poking through the snow and somehow thought they were our bulbs coming up! (haha). Well, I was so happy to see our little bulbs popping up out of the dirt this week! I could not wait to show Brielle when she got home from preschool and she was sincerely elated. We are going to do some more planting in the next few weeks, so maybe I'll get some pictures up!
Hopefully the forecasted snow tomorrow will be our last of this year!
In other news, we are getting a fence. I feel that this investment is going to change my life. Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true. We have an awesome backyard, but a not-so-hot front yard. The front of the house is very close to the street and cars have a tendency to drive much too fast for a neighborhood full of children. Because of this, I have to be on top of the girls every time we go outside. This fence will allow me to let them run free! It will allow me to sit on the deck and maybe even read a book, work or just relax! The girls will be thrilled because I will probably let them outside way more than usual and I will be happy to not have to worry. It's a win-win. Greg hates putting too much into this house since it is not our "dream house," but the fact is, we could very well be here for a few more years, so why not make it the best we can? Right?? We have asked our parents to buy the girls a swing set for their birthdays this year.....They are going to love it.
To add to my coolness, we did some car shopping today and after looking at just about every (semi-affordable) SUV that comes with a 3rd row (does this mean I get my third baby, Greg???? TBD still), I finally decided to at least look at a minivan. Just like most people my age, I never thought I'd even consider a mini-van and I think they are incredibly dorky looking. Well, I might as well buy some elastic-waisted jeans and a soccer mom sweatshirt because I AM SOLD. Those babies are SPACIOUS and wonderful inside. The ease of putting kids into a minivan verses a cool SUV sold me. It is just so accessible and COMFORTABLE.
Seriously? I used to be cool. I think? It wasn't long ago that I shopped for designer jeans, purses and concert tickets. Now I find great joy in getting a fence in my backyard and shopping for minivans!
I like to think that some day, I will full regain my cool, but for now, I'm pretty content. Life is good. :)
Hopefully the forecasted snow tomorrow will be our last of this year!
In other news, we are getting a fence. I feel that this investment is going to change my life. Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true. We have an awesome backyard, but a not-so-hot front yard. The front of the house is very close to the street and cars have a tendency to drive much too fast for a neighborhood full of children. Because of this, I have to be on top of the girls every time we go outside. This fence will allow me to let them run free! It will allow me to sit on the deck and maybe even read a book, work or just relax! The girls will be thrilled because I will probably let them outside way more than usual and I will be happy to not have to worry. It's a win-win. Greg hates putting too much into this house since it is not our "dream house," but the fact is, we could very well be here for a few more years, so why not make it the best we can? Right?? We have asked our parents to buy the girls a swing set for their birthdays this year.....They are going to love it.
To add to my coolness, we did some car shopping today and after looking at just about every (semi-affordable) SUV that comes with a 3rd row (does this mean I get my third baby, Greg???? TBD still), I finally decided to at least look at a minivan. Just like most people my age, I never thought I'd even consider a mini-van and I think they are incredibly dorky looking. Well, I might as well buy some elastic-waisted jeans and a soccer mom sweatshirt because I AM SOLD. Those babies are SPACIOUS and wonderful inside. The ease of putting kids into a minivan verses a cool SUV sold me. It is just so accessible and COMFORTABLE.
Seriously? I used to be cool. I think? It wasn't long ago that I shopped for designer jeans, purses and concert tickets. Now I find great joy in getting a fence in my backyard and shopping for minivans!
I like to think that some day, I will full regain my cool, but for now, I'm pretty content. Life is good. :)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Winter---bleh
Well, it's officially winter. This is probably my most dreaded time of year. My lips have been chapped for weeks, I wear fleece pants daily and my cuticles keep cracking. I do appreciate the beautiful scene after a fresh snow, but it's only a matter of hours before it becomes just dirty, grayish, dismal slop. We keep saying we want to move somewhere warm all year round, or at least some place with less intense winters. I still think this is a possibility, but when and if this day comes, I also know it'll be hard to leave.
On a brighter note, I registered for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia for May 1st. It's a nice 10 miler, which is perfect for me. A 5k isn't challenging enough and a full marathon is plain old ridiculous in my opinion. My brother Steven is now running 3-4 marathons per year and my brother Michael just finished the NYC marathon in 2:52--professional status. Michael just started training for the Boston. I'm proud of both of them, but I can't say I feel the passion like them! My goal is just a shmidge higher than I-just-want-to-finish.
Brielle and Camyrn just started up a session of Lil' Kickers. This is Camryn's first organized class and she's not quite as excited as I aniticpated. She likes to go and wear her shirt, but once the class is in session, she kind of acts like it's 'kid stuff' to her. She's in the "Bunnies" class. Brielle is now in "Hoppers" and she's doing excellent! We stopped taking her about a year ago because she just kept running away from the class and didn't listen to the coach. Well, she must have matured because now she listens, participates and is learning quite a bit. Once this session is over, I am hoping to enroll her in a session of ballet. She wears tu-tu's daily, so I know she won't give me a hard time getting dressed!
And this is just about everything that is going on in the life of the Bayly's. Greg continues to be the most amazing, supportive husband and father anyone could ask for. We've been trying to "date" more and it has really put a fun vibe on things. We were so inundated with raising babies the past couple years that we never really made much time for just him and me. We still don't have too many opportunities, but we do our best. I am sincerely overjoyed. Life is really, really good. :)
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