Thursday, January 24, 2013

Reading

Our Thursday morning routine is to go to the 11am story time at the local library. While Colin got his chooo chooo on in the kids play area ( he really LOVES thomas the train right now), I came across this book and brought it home with me, it's been so nice to read something that validates the importance of what I do every day. It's easy to take the everyday things for granted and sometimes it can feel a little mundane but I have to say this is the happiest I have ever been in my life. Staying home with Colin is a true joy, and although I don't say it enough or always show it, I am eternally grateful to Evan for supporting me in this role and working so hard for Colin and I. I'm also grateful to everyone else who has supported me here, from my parents and in-laws, to my friends and ex-coworkers, and my boss who was so supportive when I uped and left my job.

I often think the stars were aligned just perfectly for this to happen. Evan worked double time to beef up our savings because he had a feeling I wouldn't want to go back after Colin came ( he was right!)At work, I was able to take advantage of an enormous opportunity to sell my practice,which meant I was able to arrange a way to leave and still get income, which has been so nice to have to feel like I still contribute monetarily to our expenses. And then the ease and luck we've had renting our house in Ybor. How did this all come together, I'll never know but I do thank God every day.

There are so many obvious benefits to staying home with your child...the giggles, the hugs, the kisses for the boo boos, the teaching opportunities, never missing those firsts, just being able to play and play without feeling like I'm supposed to be doing something else. I could go on and on about it all, but I'd say the top thing I love about being at home is never having to rush anything. The most important thing I'm doing at all times is being with Colin and making him my priority. I am very conscience of this luxury. I think it has been good for our entire family too. Sure there are days where I'm tired and cranky, but for the most part I feel like I greet Evan with a smile, a hug and warm plate of food when he gets home....if I was still at Ameriprise I don't think this would be the case.

If Colin ever reads this blog, I hope he understands how much I loved this time in my life, just being his Mommy. Right now I am his favorite person, ( with Daddy quickly coming up on my heels, I think I might be replaced soon!) and I love every moment of it, even the times filled with tantrums or crying. I hope he looks back and appreciates that I was here with him and that I ( hopefully ) will always be here. My dream over the next years as our family grows ( no I'm not preggo) is to continue to stay home with our children, that Evan is in a private practice which will have good hours ( are we dreaming in the medicine world?) where his wife and children can come often, and that as my children are older, I can be home when they are home and continue to manage our real estate and any other side jobs/businesses or community work as my interests allow and my schedule opens up.

I know this stay at home gig isn't for everyone, but so far it's worked great for me, and for that I'm so happy!


P.S. I am also  grateful to my own parents. To my mom, who stayed home with me and Andrew and gave us the safety and security that came with it, and to my Dad, for working so hard to give us everything we needed and wanted and for always bringing me along in whatever he was doing.






 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Gasparilla children's parade

This is a huge tradition in Tampa, I have many memories as a child myself going to the parade and trying to catch all the beads, so it's fun to be able to give Colin these memories as well. Colin didn't have a nap so I was nervous he'd be cranky but he did great and had a blast! Evan was post call but was able to meet us for the last half hour.











Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Busch Gardens

Riding cars, seeing Elmo, and inches away from a cheetah. Not a bad afternoon!













Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Take me back to St. Pete Beach!

We had a great time at St. Pete beach over Colin's birthday/New Years weekend. The first day it was a bit cold from the windy conditions but the rest of the days were absolutely BEAUTIFUL weather. I can never tire of our serene beaches and gulf. Living in Tampa, we don't go to the beach nearly as much as we should. This trip really lit the fire under me to find us a place while Evan is working at Bay Pines hospital this spring....and luckily we found a place! We will get to spend all of March in this paradise.
Thanks to the Tummel's for the whole trip, it was nice to catch up, enjoy the beautiful views and see Colin having fun with his"yiyi" and "pa".
I had trouble uploading the pictures to the blog, so you can see the pictures here

Monday, January 7, 2013

Belly Boops

Colin and Kyler have quite the time together. Belly boops is one of their favorite things.

I feel like I sound like a nagging mom, but I feel the need to constantly remind Colin to "be gentle" "no pushing" "no hitting"...gaah I hope I don't have my work cut out for me in that regards and this is just a phase!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Saturday morning

Bed head, Pink iced donut frosting all over his mouth( donuts courtesy of daddy) and Elmo!

Friday, January 4, 2013

The greatest show on earth

Wednesday night Colin and I went to the circus. My friend Kelly had won tickets and invited us along. The show was at the forum downtown, so we met at our place in Ybor so we could ride the "choo choo" aka the trolley to the show. Both Colin and Kelly's son Kyler are obsessed with Thomas the Train so the trolley was a big hit.
The show started at 730 but they had a preshow that allowed you to go on the stage floor and get a close look at some performers and the elephants. Colin was up on my shoulders for most of that and was mesmerized to see the elephants so close.( as was I!)
The actual show was quite impressive and even more impressive was that Colin and Kyler lasted a good hour in our seats before we called it a night. My favorite parts were the tigers and the acrobats...amazing but scary to watch! All in all it was a great night! It was hard to get pictures but here are a few...