My last week!

A little background....

Since Blake was born in Jan 2006 - I have worked but mainly part time or fit a full time schedule into 3 days so I could be home more with Blake. After working with the gov't for over 2 years and finding out we were finally pregnant with Grayson, I decided to resign from the government and went driving school buses for the county so they boys could be with me and we would have great health insurance. It saved the family a lot of money by me working part time because I received full time benefits. So after a year of subbing and then driving a route for a few months - it just wasn't my thing. I liked the kids that I drove but I didn't love it needless to say.

So fast forward to now - I start a new job next week and it seems too good to be true. I randomly applied for a background investigator job but come to find out - I have been out of law enforcement one too many years but they saw my resume and wanted me for a full time position that they wanted to fill. After considering the options - I just did not want to go back to work full time and leave the boys in daycare. We had pulled Blake out when he was one and were able to have them at home with me or Brianna (billy's stepsister) at one point. So I asked if they would consider part time - well they pretty much created a part time job for me under one of their contracts and so I finally completed the process and start next Monday. I am looking forward to it because they seem super flexible and willing to work around Blake's preschool schedule. I will miss the boys dearly and worry about them but I am also excited to enter corporate world again even if it is part time. I am not 100% on my job duties but I will be dealing with a lot of background investigators and cases. I am excited about the new challenge and think that I have found a great solution to daycare for the boys. I will save that for a later post. Another plus with my new job is that it will be 1 mile from Billy's office so we will commute together once again.

Ma,Ma,Ma

Sweet words are being heard from Grayson the last few days. He has started saying Ma, Ma, Ma and it is always directed at me. Both boys have said Ma, Ma first - Poor Billy will have to wait for Da,Da,Da....

Last night - we discovered that Grayson likes to play games. He would throw his paci and Billy would tease him and pick it up. Grayson would laugh everytime Billy would say something about him throwing it and then he would put it in his mouth for a second before tossing. This went on for a long time but it was so cute because he totally got that that he was throwing it and cracking up because we would pick it up. Even Blake found it funny that Grayson was being so full of it. Blake should be proud that he has paved the way nicely for Grayson.

Monkey see, Monkey do...

Blake was copying Grayson during this messy photo shoot. Two hams that don't shy away from the camera.

Need I say more!

Should I explain .....I think this is the perfect picture for blackmail later. I am trying to figure out the easiest way to do this.

From head to toe - here we go....

The hat belongs to Grayson and I put it on Blake earlier today to keep his cowlick down and so he put it back on tonight.

The shirt was the only normal part of the outfit from the entire day.

The white brief looking thing is Blake new protective gear for his upcoming soccer season. It came in the mail today so he saw the "package" and wanted to open it. Which then turned into trying it on over his pants.

The pants were something to replace his wet/dirty khakis but they are on the smaller side hence the high waters

Spider crocs replaced his wet sneakers.

We are proud parents regardless of what they might look like.....

Recent Pictures

Grayson actually drinking out of a juice box that Blake gave him to hold.....

Blake decided to wear Grayson's sweatshirt - "Big Boy in a little shirt"
Blake wanted to nap with Grayson but Mommy and Grayson kicked him out.

Peek-A-Boo - a favorite game in the Conner household.

What?

Mr. Blake has been dying to go the movies with Mom-mom but there isn't anything out until next week. Blake loves the whole experience of popcorn, drink, butter, and watching the movie. Knock on wood - Blake has been seeing movies since before he was two and we have never had to leave one early or anything. He has become this date thing with Mommom and Bob.

So Mom-mom was nice enough to come over last night and watch a movie together. Poppop is sick so he stayed home with Doodles and Belle. They watched an old classic - Who framed Roger Rabbit? So it had a fair bit more violence and language than we remember but it was a hit overall.

Anyhow - Blake had a few comical moments.....

I asked Blake to stop for a second so I could talk to him and he turned to me and said "whaaaat?" as he closed both eyes for a second. He wasn't being rude or mean but he sure didn't want me to say that he wasn't allowed to go over the back on the couch again.

Blake went potty and came out without his pants and underwear as usual but decided to bend over and look though his legs and say to Mommom - "I can see you"

Everytime he did something funny he would look at Mommom and say "That was funny"

Blake is pure comic relief which might not do him any favors in school but currently he teachers love him for being him.

Streamlining

The last week has been so nice because Billy is home, the weather is finally getting nicer, and we are getting yard work done. So while Billy was gone, I discovered that we could be on a better schedule. I like schedules but I don't believe in being super strict about them for so many reasons. So being a single mom for 3 weeks made me realize that I could streamline a few different things to make life easier and it has worked like a charm. Billy was surprised with how easy I get the boys done and clean up in a short amount of time. Billy and I had started to be pretty lax on Blake's bedtime routine which was not doing any of us any favors. So now after dinner - we might play outside for a little bit then we go upstairs for a bath. The boys love taking their bath together. One time I made the mistake of trying to give Grayson a bath by himself and he cried. I had no idea how attached he was to Blake until that moment.

After bath - we put PJ's on and read books, play cars, or something that involves the whole family. Then I get baby G down while Blake gets to watch one of his favorite shows (Tom & Jerry, Scooby Doo, or something like that) in our room and then lights are out at 8pm. Usually whoever isn't giving the bath is folding laundry or doing something constructive upstairs. Like tonight - Billy had Grayson's crib lowered and changed his sheet within 20 minutes. It feels like we have a good team and the boys are doing super with it.

So I know that this is the funniest post or anything but there is more to come of those. We never have a shortage of funny moments around here with 2 little boys.

Great Wolf Lodge

Billy made it home safely and we hit the road to take the boys on a little getaway. Billy booked us a night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. We had a great time and Blake had a total blast. Our boys love the water so this was the perfect place to be. Blake did everything possible and Grayson joined in the fun where he could. The water was perfect temperature and it was a sweet little getaway for us after 3 weeks of missing dad.

Of course, I forgot to pack the camera because I was brain dead after 3 weeks. We did take some snapshots of us in one of those booth so once I scan it then I will post them. We had a great room and were amazed with how busy it was. The lodge was packed on Sunday night and the boys enjoyed story time after dinner. They really do make it an experience and we would go back next year when Grayson would enjoy it even more.

2 days left...

Billy will be home on Sunday morning.....Yeah because I am finally admitting that I am just tired. After 3 weeks of playing single mom - my hat is off to all moms who go about all the time by themselves. I try not to complain because it hasn't been that bad because the boys are typically very good for me. It is all the little things that Billy helps me with that have added to my plate. Oh yeah - the two dogs (Chance and Dakota) add to my day of things to do. We had a great day today - we went to the gym and then off to Chuckie Cheese. OK - I am not typically a fan of Chuckie Cheese because it is always crazy and never all that fun but today was different. There was 5 moms that met up and had lunch and let the kids play. It was busy at all so typically I could see Blake at all times which made it helpful. We all tried to watch out for each other and it worked out well. I also learned that Blake doesn't really get the whole token thing but once he figured it out - I would give him one and then he would come back and get one at a time. It worked out really well because I always knew where he was. Sometimes I do surprise myself with good safe mommy ideas. :)

Just a swingin

Baby G swinging and enjoying the beautiful weather. I can't believe that my baby is 7.5 months old already. I am going to blink and he will be 1. He is my sweet pea but don't let him fool you. He is just as full of it as his big brother Blake. Like today - Grayson was cracking himself up in the car because he is big to sit up partially in the seat and turn his head to see me and Blake. I would turn around and say Peek-A-Boo and he would crack up. This went on for 10 minutes at least. The sweetest part was that Billy was able to listen while on the phone. Only a few more days till Daddy gets home.

Fire in my house

While enjoying all this great weather, we had a fire in the house.... No, not a real fire....Gotcha, huh?

Blake found the hose and pulled it up into the play set because he said that there was a fire. He was so cute and sure would make his father and papa proud of his firefighter capabilities. He fought his fierce fire from inside the structure...What a brave big boy....

I hurt me!

Tonight - I was attempting to get G down and Blake decided that he needed something to drink so I asked to him to wait a few minutes and I would go downstairs to get him something. Apparently this answer was not sufficient because I hear him downstairs saying Oh me, I hurt me....Oooh Ohhh I hurt me over and over. But he wasn't crying to screaming - it was like he didn't want me to hear him. So I find Blake on the stairs eating a carrot and asking me to pour him some juice.

While he is staring into fridge with his back turned to me - I thought I would ask. Here it goes..

Mom: Blake - did you hurt yourself?

Blake: Yes

Mom: Where did you hurt yourself?

Blake: My hiney (as he points to it)

Mom: Did you jump off the stairs?

Blake: Yes

Mom: Are you supposed to jump off the stairs?

Blake: Uhhh yeah (which is a big fat no)

Mom: Are you okay?

Blake: Yes ....kiss it

Mom: kiss what?

Blake: kiss right there ....my hiney

Trying to pull himself up

I am bracing myself because Grayson was determined to get these balloons tonight so he grabbed ahold of a table and halfway pulled himself up before tumbling over. Grayson has this quite determination about him. Blake only wanted to G to have a certain train track but Grayson was determined to get a different piece so when Blake was not looking - he took it anyway. As much as G loves his big brother - he is learning quickly to just do what he wants to do and not what Blake thinks he should do. Two strong personalities - imagine that...I have no idea who they get that from (not me, right).

Back to Normal

My big boy Blake as he would say was back to normal today....Yeah!!!! He went to preschool like normal and then he and Grayson had a playdate with Connor and Collin. It was a busy day for me but totally worth it when we finally got home. The boys and I climbed into our bed and took a 2 hour nap. I don't normally take naps but I sure did today and it was totally worth it. It was sweet to see the boys napping by each other. I love my boys as busy as they are and rowdy sometimes - I wouldn't change it one bit.

What a morning!

So no picture will describe my morning that I had with Blake. I would love to say my boys are perfect but needless to say that this morning was less than perfect. To make a long story short - Blake had the biggest and I mean the biggest meltdown in our history. We went to a playgroup and for the first time in my short parent history - I packed up our stuff and we went home very early. I will spare the details (for the grandparents sake) but it was heartwrenching to have to do it but knowing the whole time that it was the right thing to do. The boys and I usually get along very well and I have an easy time with them but I caught the raw end of the deal today. Most know that Billy and I don't believe in spanking the boys but Blake sure did know what "go to your room" meant today. It was sad for me because he is growing up so fast and it makes me realize that he truly gets what goes on and understand way more than he is given credit. I have never sent my baby to his room today and it broke my heart but I hope that drove the point home. Blake wore himself out so much that he told me he was taking a nap and he sure did for the next few hours. I have to give a lot of credit to Billy for calling me the minute I sent an email. I knew he was about to catch another flight to god knows where but he called the minute I got it. I felt bad brothering him while he has enough on his plate but I needed to vent to him. Thank you for calling when I needed you most and the boys really do miss their daddy. We'll be glad when he gets back.

Cooking up a storm

Blake loves to cook and help in anyway possible. I take advantage of his help and plus I feel like it is some quality time that we get to spend together. I often feel caught up with the daily grind but I really enjoy the time that I have with the boys and am thankful that he wants to learn and be such a big helper. This time I thought it would be cute to include Grayson and let me be part of our fun. Blake made sure that Mommom read the instructions and had everything before mixing. As you can tell - Blake is very serious in what he is trying to do while little man next to him is busy blowing on his spoon. It is such a treat to be able to watch the boys interact and simply enjoy being together.

Snow in March

We finally had some snow and it just happened to be in March. It was a cold snow but Blake was the big man of the house and helped me shovel the patio in the morning and then the driveway in the afternoon. If Blake only realized that he was tiring himself out by helping me. I should take advantage of the help before he realizes that it is work after all....

Ta-Da

Blake has started saying a new phrase lately whenever he finishes something or is proud of something. I am assuming that he learned it in school or something like that. I am sure most of you can't picture Billy or myself saying "Ta - Da"..... It is so sweet to hear him say things that we have no idea where it came from.