May Flowers

April showers brought us the most beautiful May flowers, theoretically speaking.

Life presented us with some tough choices and wonderful opportunities this spring. Opportunities that literally presented themselves in such a way that you couldn't ignore or pass up.

After we had Mattie we knew some things had to change in our lives, but we really weren't sure what needed to change.  It wasn't the actual birth of Mattie Jayne that rocked our world.  It was the realization that we only have one life to live this beautiful life that we've been blessed with.

Mr. and I were always stressed to the max and both worked jobs that required our attention or thought 24/7.  That, on top of our family, which obviously needs us 24/7+. We also need each other, but were too tired to give anymore to one another at the end of the day.

We contemplated me not working.
We inquired about me dropping a few hours, working a bit less.
We prayed.
We felt change was upon us, just not sure when it would present itself.

And then one night, on our way to Friday Family Date Night, I got a text that was the change we were waiting for.  An invitation to join a dream team.  An invitation so sincere and real that I was re-charged. Re-charged in myself more than I've ever been before.

43 applicants, 2-rounds of interviews, countless hours of prayer for guidance, and one offer that I couldn't pass up.

I am not the most religious person.  We don't go to church.  I've yet to have my children baptized.  But, I believe.  And I pray and worship with myself often. I know in my heart of hearts with all my faith, that this was the answer I had been looking for...quite possibly longer than I'm even aware of.

So after almost nine years in the advertising agency world, I am now the Marketing Specialist for a local hospital.

From day-one, I knew that this was the perfect job for me.  I'm doing something that I love, for an industry that's second nature to me.  I have the flexibility and support that our family needs.  And my family has me, and it feels good.

May flowers didn't just bloom for me though.

Mattie finally got an open position at Jackson's school.  She'd been on the waiting list since conception, seriously.  She had a rough first few days, but she's finding her routine too.  We absolutely love the school and couldn't be happier knowing that our children are in such a loving and educational place.  Talk about making going to work so much easier...especially since our nanny literally no-showed her last two weeks with us and I don't even want to think about how she may have treated our princess.

First day of Pre-K4 & Daycare. May 27, 2013

5-months and a few days

Two weeks shy of his 4th birthday

Jackson started Pre-k4 the same day that Mattie started at his school...which also happened to be the same day I moved in to my new office.  We decided to cram as much change into one day as possible:)

So that pretty much sums up the changes that transpired into our May flowers that are in full bloom now!

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Jackson's first school picture

Jackson's school had pictures a couple of weeks ago, and we were able to purchase the photos on Friday. I wasn't sure how Jackson would do, especially being that he spends more time in "time-out" then any other student there. But, from the looks of these pictures - I'd say he's a happy kid:)

Please excuse the quality, I took a picture of the photos with my phone. I didn't feel like getting the scanner out!

P.S. Where did my baby go?!? I cannot believe how grown up my sweet boy looks is!!!

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Drop-off meltdowns suck

Sorry the title of this post is pretty lame, but it is what it is - sucky!

Jackson is doing well at his new school.  He comes home with sweet projects and drawings.  His vocabulary triples almost every day.  And he's eating some really great food and is "the best napper in the class". 

However, dropping him off every morning is pure torture.  The first week was great.  Mr. dropped him off and he waved bye like such a big boy.  Weeks 2 and 3 result in Jackson clinging on to either one of us for dear life and screaming at the top of his lungs.  His teacher literally has to peel him off of us while we run away. 

I know that he settles down and has a great day minutes after we leave.  But, hearing his screams when I get in my car to leave just plain sucks! I hate starting my day this way, it just breaks my heart.

We've been dropping Jackson off for child care since January, so this is not a new concept to him.  I'm pretty sure Jackson just hates the fact that he has to share with 11 other kids and isn't as spoiled as he has been...guess time will tell!

At least picking him is a completely different story.  He beams from ear to ear and can't jump into my arms fast enough - it almost makes me forget how sucky my day started, almost.

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First week back to work & the sitter's

I don't know about the rest of you, but this past week was hard. After almost two straight weeks without bedtimes, alarm clocks, and 24/7 emails it was back to reality.  During my time off I did some "unplugging" and soaked up my time with my boys. I feel like Jackson has grown up so fast and I'm missing it. Every time I turn around he's changing!

Speaking of change, the new year meant back to work for Momma and new arrangements for Jackson. Amidst our crazy unsuccessful search for a new nanny our neighbor offered up her services to us. Like I've said before, she has three children of her own and has started watching a couple others as well. So, the situation was perfect! Jackson loves her and her kids, they are all sweet blond babies as well:) Anyway, I was really happy that Jackson would be able to interact with kids his own age. He is such a social little boy!

I packed a box full of food, toys, diapers and wipes to take with Jackson so that we wouldn't have to bring that sort of stuff everything.  Monday came early, and I was running around like a crazy woman.  Mr. ended up walking Jackson over to the sitters so that I wouldn't be too late for work.  He said that Jackson never looked back and was ready to play.  When I got home that evening, Jackson was so not ready to come home.  I know that he missed me, but it made my heart so happy to know that he was having fun!

Tuesday was a little crazy, which was all my fault.  Jackson had his follow-up appointment with his ENT and I totally forgot to set my alarm.  I woke up at 7:45, brushed my teeth, put on some sweats and we ran out the door.  Jackson's appointment was at 8:15! After his appointment we dropped him off and I ran through a quick shower before heading to work...I'm sure my co-workers appreciated that:)

Wednesday and Thursday went pretty well.  Jackson is cutting all four of his eye teeth which has given his little bottom the worst case of diaper rash I've ever seen.  He has also caught a little cold, so my poor boy was a mess by Friday.  I got him in to see his pediatrician Friday morning, oh how I thought these days were going to be in our past! He gave him some medicine for his butt, the diaper rash has turned into a yeast infection?!? He's also on medicine to dry up his nose and breathing treatments as needed...Jackson just can't catch a break.  I'm tried, really really tired.

Did I mention that I weaned Jackson down to just nursing before bed over the holidays?!? My sick boy just woke up from his nap...more on that later.  Happy Saturday loves:)

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SpRiNg Weekend

We finally had a weekend of wonderful SpRiNg weather and it was fabulous! I seriously wish that we lived somewhere that had this climate all year long. Our Spring will soon turn into the oppressive heat and smothering humidity that is South Louisiana Summer.

Friday night we met some friends for dinner and had a nice time catching up. It's sad how much we lost touch with our friends since we've had Jackson. The funny thing is that we are always on the go and out on the town. We've just been a party of 3!

Saturday we opened the windows and I did some spring cleaning. How is it possible for so much dust to accumulate behind dressers and beds??? It grosses me out that we have been sleeping with so much dirt and dust under our bed!

After I purged the house, we took Jackson to the park for a nice long walk. We were even lucky enough to run into our sister-in-law and nephew. We ended the night with Coronas and Fajitas with my parents.

Since the house was already clean on Sunday, we were able to have a completely lazy day. I made us blueberry muffins, which Jackson LOVED. Then we packed up and headed down the road to Avery Island. I'm going to do a separate post because it was that awesome:)

We also hired our new nanny on Sunday, and I am really looking forward to having her. Although, Jackson is teething again and isn't his happy self today. I hope he doesn't scare her away!

We ended the weekend with an awesome dinner made by my awesome Mr. My parents and grandma joined us for dinner. Since my parents have to redo their kitchen they will be eating with us a lot in the next couple of weeks!

If you're still reading this long post, take note that I did some spring cleaning on my blog too. I added some pages and information about us. I hope you take a minute to check it all out.

I leave you with pictures of my muffin man. Be sure to come back and see my Avery Island picture post!

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Nanny Interviews

When I was pregnant with Jackson, we interviewed a handful of girls to be our nanny. We hired the one we liked best, just by gut feeling. Finding someone you can trust to be in your home and care for your children is overwhelming. I mean, you are trusting this person with your life!

As full-time working parents our nanny is with Jackson, during his awake hours, more than we are. It's sad, but true. Our nanny gets to have the everyday playtime, the walks on sunshiny days, the giggles, the leisure. By the time I walk in the door and blink, it's bedtime. Thankfully, we have the weekends. But, you see my point. You can't just hire anyone to be this special person in your child's life, this extension of you.

Unfortunately, our nanny is ready to move on. So we have started the dreaded nanny search process again. We pay well. We encourage our house to feel like home. We don't ask for much, and who wouldn't want to spend their day with Jackson:) Seriously though, being our nanny must be appealing. We have girls lined up to interview every night. It's just hard finding the one. We've learned a lot over the past nine months and know what we're looking for this time around.

The girls all look great on paper. Most sound pretty good on the phone. If I like them from that point, I schedule an interview at our home. Let's just say that we've had a few disappointing interviews. I had really high hopes for the girl we interviewed last night... Mr. and I kept waiting for someone to knock on the door and tell us we were on hidden camera.

Here are a few highlights:

Me: So I read that you've been a nanny before. Can you tell me about a challenging situation and how you handled it?

Girl: Well this one time I closed my eyes for a minute. When I woke up, the kids had tied my hands together and put tape over my mouth.

Me: Really, wow. You must be a heavy sleeper.

Girl: Yah, well it wasn't that bad. They didn't know how to tie a very good knot. I got loose pretty quick.

Me: Wow, that's a good thing.


Girl: Is Jackson allergic to animals?

Me: I don't know, but we don't have any pets so this really isn't an issue.

Girl: I have 10 cats, 4 dogs, a parrot, and had a peacock until a fox ate him.

Me: Oh wow, you must love animals.

Girl: I would prefer watching Jackson at my apartment. I live with the boyfriend. The apartment is pretty well baby proofed. I can come and pick him up in the morning.

Mr: I would prefer him to be in our home.

Girl: Maybe once you get to know me.

Me: Maybe so. Well, thanks for your time. I'll be in touch.

This is a true story. Nothing has been embellished or exaggerated. Where was the hidden camera!?! Needless to say, she won't be our new nanny. She sleeps on the job and I can't even imagine what "the boyfriend" and animal filled apartment must be like!

Here's to hoping tonight brings better luck!

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