Making Money Doesn't Always = Happiness

We have decided that we have our perfect family of four. One girl, one boy.  There are no plans for a third child. Our second one has shown us that we aren't as young as we used to be.

SO WHY AM I SAD THAT I'M SELLING ALL THE BABY STUFF? Out with the old, in with the new. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for the freed space that I'm hoping to receive, but sad at the same time that I realize that I won't experience another baby moving inside of me, and I won't have a tiny bundle of joy to hold tight all day long and night.

So far I have sold my infant carrier and the bases as well as the snap n go stroller. Baby must haves.. So I guess if I'm selling the essentials, I'm really done, right? The swing is up next (excuse me while I grab a tissue). I never thought I'd be sad to see these things go, but yet I am. I almost teared up as I handed the items over to the two expectant moms who are lucky to have my "treasures" and fond memories (and at a steal, no less!). They are the ones supposed be having the hormone issues, not me.

On a up note, I've decided to split the money from each sell and start savings accounts for the kids. Since they are not being brought up Catholic, they kind of lost out on all the free savings they would have received if they were christened, so no time like the present to start their savings. Right now, their "account" is actually their giant empty piggy banks, but hopefully If I can find time and not cry when I go through the remaining baby stuff and clothes, I'll make them some decent cash!! If anyone wants to contribute to Matthew and Carson's savings plans, and you are expecting a baby (or not), come see me!!

Starting Over

I'M STARTING OVER.  A new look to my blog and hopefully new resolve to write again. I know no one is out there now, but maybe one day they will come back!!

2011 has been so good to us. We have had some bumps along the way, but my husband and I both have a job (finally!), we have 2 beautiful, funny, and sweet children, We are all healthy (knock on wood), and thanks to Steve's layoff and new job - we actually got ahead a little bit financially this year!! (funny, huh?)

Thanks to the crappy economy and the almost government shutdown in March, most of the meetings for this year were shelved- meaning up until now, I have had to travel very little this year. NOW, both Steve and I will be juggling travel this fall- almost like a well choregraphed dance. We'll get through it. At least we have jobs!!

Matthew (aka BUD) is 9 months old now, and IN TO EVERYTHING!!! He's crawling, pulling to stand, letting go for a second, and on record pace to be walking shortly! He has one tooth so far, and I'm sure the others are not far behind. He's over the baby food mush and likes to eat almost everything we are eating , and still loves his bottle too! Yesterday at his 9 month checkup : 22.8lbs. and 29.5 inches

(translation: 18 mos clothes)

He really keeps us on our toes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Bud completes our little family! You know he's a keeper when he PEED all over me at the doctor's office yesterday, and I didn't care that my entire shirt was completely soaked through :)

 Carson is the most affectionate big sister out there!! She sniffs Matthew daily and has started pulling on his ears and making choo choo noises. She makes sure that he doesn't touch her toys but warns him of any danger! She's even tried a few wrestling moves on him! She is really wonderful with him, and she still gets upset if she thinks someone is going to take Bud home with them, or if we start packing up the car and he's not in there- I hope this love and devotion stays for many years to come!!

Carson is starting her second year of pre-school tomorrow. She's pretty excited. Mrs. Heitmann is her teacher, and she has 2 friends from her class last year that will be with her this year. She is 4 years old now, and cannot wait to turn 5. Her friend is about to turn 5 and she's anxious to catch up him. :)

So, hopefully I can find my way to get back on here. I really do want to say something, its just finding the time and words.

A big change is coming!

Seasons are changing here.. and I have realized that I haven't blogged since last December! Shame on me. Well... to catch you up: Carson is a BIG girl now.. She turned 3, has mastered potty training, has given up her sacred pacies, has a new big girl room with a big girl bed, started pre-school.. and most importantly will be come a BIG SISTER in November!!

I am currently 34 weeks pregnant with (they tell me) a BOY! He's quite the active one.. can't imagine what we'll be in for once he's born.. but we are all very excited about "baby Brother". Carson is going to her big sister class at the hospital this weekend. She already tells us that she is going to help feed baby brother and change his poopy diapers! We'll take all the help we can get!

The three of us had a great summer visiting family and friends, and checking out our touristy favorites -such as Thomas the Train at Edaville Railroad, Tweetsie Railroad (NC), and of course York Beach, ME - the P family summer get-away.

Now we are focused on making room for baby! Lots of room switching, painting, organizing, and now waiting! I think we are almost ready for his debut! He is due right around Thanksgiving... so stay tuned!

Growing Up so FAST!

Today is all about Carson. Carson had a HAPPY day! (not that she doesn't have these all the time, but today she told Daddy that she was happy!) Last night she bought (and paid for!) Dora the Explorer big girl panties! She's on her way.. She's not wearing them full time yet.. but she's wearing big girl panties a few hours a day!

Today, she got her "big girl school bus bed"! three of her cousins have slept in this bed, and now the bed is Carson's. She was a little nervous at first when we were taking her crib apart.. but once she saw the school bus bed intact... she was in love!

Finally, she got another day of play out in the 10 inches of snow that we got overnight, along with some hot chocolate and homemade cookies to go with it.

Yes, it was a happy day and now she is fast asleep in her big girl bed.

Christmas Checklist

So here is my Christmas checklist:
1. Deck the Halls - CHECK
2. Buy Presents - CHECK (and with 2 weeks to spare too!)
3. Wrap Presents -CHECK!
4. Pull out Christmas China - CHECK
5. Visit the big guy in the red suit - CHECK

I'm all done! Now what? I guess I can bake some cookies. We are all ready for Christmas! I must say.. I'm not used to having everything done so early... I'm usually scrambling around until the last minute. I guess I can thank my clients for that.. I'm usually still up to my eyeballs in meeting planning at this point. This year no conference between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Woohoo!! I could get used to this!

Carson visited Santa. She was "brave". She's very much into the idea of Santa, Christmas trees, lights, and presents. Meeting him was a whole other story. She was miserable last year when we tried to sit in his lap, and I guess she remembered the experience, because she was not eager to meet the man who would bring her toys. She did end up meeting him and she told him that she wants "Dora and Dora's friend Boots" for Christmas. Hopefully she'll be pleased with what Santa and family bring her!

Merry Christmas to all and if I'm not on here before.. Happy New Year too!

We're back!!

Anyone out there? I wouldn't blame you if you gave up on the blog. It has been a while! As you can imagine, life with a 2 year old is pretty fast paced! We have had an incredibly busy summer and fall. Between family happenings and work, there really hasn't been a moment to stop and breathe until now. With Thanksgiving coming up, I just want to say how thankful I am to have such a great family. Quite a few members of my family have had their share of medical drama this year, and I'm glad that everyone is healing (or have healed) nicely! In the midst of our jammed packed Fall, Steve and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary!! We didn't get to properly celebrate the occasion, so we are planning a trip to New York City really soon to toast to our 5 years of wedded bliss!!

Can't forget about Carson! She is 2.5 years old now.. Hard to believe. We're those parents.. We're the ones that sit there at the dinner table and marvel at how cute she is.. (we're biased.. we realize this) She really is that cute though. Such personality. I'm still hoping that she has a career on Broadway one day. We're working on the singing and dancing. She's got the flare for drama.. so we could be on to something!!

Like most 2.5 year olds, we too have hit the stage where Carson tells us "NO" (with a point of the finger) and "IT's MINE"... We're also getting into the "IT's YUCKY" phase too. Please don't be offended if she says this to you. We're working on this issue. ;) She may pout or give you a mean stare (see above note about flare for drama) when you first come up to her... give her a moment.. she'll warm up to you. Carson also thinks she is scared of a lot of things that she wasn't afraid of previously. We hear "Carson scared" a lot... I'm not sure if we'll be seeing the big guy in the red suit this year. She freaked out when she saw him from a distance this past weekend. sigh.

Halloween was a blast. She ended up as a Fairy Witch, after her stint as a chicken proved a bad idea. Just like last year, she had the best time going from house to house saying "trick-or-treat" Getting her into a costume was a challenge.. but in the end, she enjoyed her witch costume and didn't want to take it off.

The holiday season seems to be in full swing already, and it is only the 18th of November. Since I won't be traveling for work this November/December.. I plan to fully enjoy the holiday season.. The radio stations are already playing Christmas music 24/7. I will be decking the halls really soon!!

You can find us out back...on our new deck!

Old Deck....................................... New Deck!!

We finally put a real deck put on the house! If you are ever looking for us... try out back on the deck. We'll be living there the rest of the Spring/Summer. (more pictures on the picasa page for those who follow).

Oh, and since we were experiencing wonderful Summer-like weather on the very weekend that our deck was completed.. we grilled out. A lot. Carson (who loves corn) got to experience her first corn on the cob. She's a fan (just like her momma!).