The Not-So-Terrible Twos

Happy Wednesday, Friend(s). It has been difficult getting back in the swing of things after such a wonderful holiday weekend.

I have so many directions I want this blog to go, so please bear with me.

I am going to start with Wednesday night, just because it was so much fun. I had one of my dearest friends over for dinner. Don’t let me fool you, i didn't cook (not that anyone that knows me was thinking i did); but she picked up a delicious dinner and that was perfect for us . We planned for her to get there in time to see Gates before we put him down for the night. This isn’t easy since he goes to bed earlier than most kids ever, but she made it in time and i really believe it meant as much to her as it did to me, to be able to say goodnight to him. She loves him. And as much as she loves him (and of course as much as I love him) it is so much easier to talk once he asleep - and we had lots to talk about. There was nothing that anyone else would see as extra special about the night but we just don't get to see each other near often enough so it always makes for a special visit. This sweet friend reminds me of what is most important in life; friendships, love, happiness. I cherish my time with her and always feel better about things after a good visit with her.

Thursday was nothing exciting except that every Tuesday & Thursday are special to me since I get to pick up Gates from school. That is my FAVORITE part of the day. Seeing his adorable expression when I walk into his classroom never gets old; and I can’t imagine that it ever will. It always amazes me how independent he is and how grown up he seems when he is surrounded by other kiddos in a classroom environment. Melts my heart. Every. Single. time.

We decided to head to the ranch for Memorial Day weekend even though we knew it would be hot and the chances of us spending all day inside were possible. Cam's parents were going and we had not seen much of them lately so we were excited at the thought of getting away and spending time with them. While we waited for daddy to finish up at the office on Friday, Gates and I got up and at 'em, preparing for the weekend. We made our bi-weekly Target run and then ran by the store for the few items Cam requested for the weekend. Then we made it home in time to pack, eat a little lunch, and take a nap. When Cam got home, we loaded up the car and hit the road. Now - for all moms out there, you know it isn't as easy as that (loading up the car and hitting the road) - i wish i could really put emphasis on the word LOADED. But, we have noticed that we don't need to pack near as much now that Gates is a little bit older. So although the car is still packed tight, we know we are carrying a lighter load than trips past.

We had not been to the ranch as a family since Thanksgiving (yikes - that's too long) and although i have wonderful memories from that trip with our family (Cam's parents and sister and hubby), it was still an exhausting trip because Gates was at such an in-between phase. He was walking but he wasn't as stable as he is now. He couldn't handle stairs very well, he didn't quite understand ‘no’ (or didn't listen), he didn't see the fun in some of the things we tried to introduce him to, etc. Oh, and the car ride for that trip - wow. let me just say that it was a good thing i wasn't pregnant then because as soon as we made it to the ranch i was in need of a stiff drink.


This trip was different from the start. Bittersweet really, because although I am SO grateful for the stage Gates is in now, it also reminds me how quickly kids grow up. Gates was 'talking' for most of the drive there. Some of it we could understand, most of it we could not. But he was so aware of everything that we passed on the road. It was sweet.

And as soon as we arrived - he was off. he wanted to check out everything. he was pointing at trees and tractors, cows, donkeys, ants (yes, my son is obsessed with ants), etc. He loved it. And as soon as Granddaddy got there, he went on a ride on the ranger. he never stopped smiling. He even got to drive and honk the horn. and on one of his many rides, he found a turtle shell (so cool for a little boy). He made rice crispy treats with Sissy (Cam's mom) and helped her shuck corn. He watched Bambi and read books and stayed up WAY past his bedtime. He got to play with water guns and real arrows (without the tip on them to avoid poking an eye out) while he watched granddaddy shoot his bow & arrow. it was as if this trip made me realize what a big boy i have. And how independent he is becoming.

This trip also allowed me to make a mental note while preparing for our newest member in November – two is the magic number. You hear all these horror stories about the terrible twos, but what you don’t hear enough about is the magic behind it all. When they start recognizing things, learning how to do things, and really engaging in things that you always thought were way out of their league. Don’t get me wrong, Gates still needs us in a lot of different ways (and thank God for that) but the difference between him now and six months ago left me in a whirlwind of memories on our drive home. (and let me not downplay the terrible twos, either. Sometimes I can’t even believe he came from my womb.)

After such special weekends, i get real cheesy, deep and emotional. But it doesn’t seem to bother anyone and I certainly don’t mind it. It keeps me thanking my lucky stars and saying to myself “My cup runneth over!”

Next up – Gates’s big birthday bash! Stay tuned!

Being a mommy

The joys of pregnancy - the second time around.

This pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Gates. I hope it isn't a sign of things to come. When i look back on my first pregnancy, i don't remember much except time flying by. Granted, we were busy trying to get our lives settled (sell my house, plan a wedding, etc) but the time really did just zoom on by.

Fast forward to now - i feel like i have been pregnant for 19 years. i can't believe i am not even half way there, yet. And i promised myself (and others around me) that i would soak up every bit of this pregnancy; the good, the bad, the ugly. and i can tell you, it has been ugly. I cry at everything. i mean, really. We were sitting at a family dinner in a public place a couple of weeks ago and i turned to my husband and told him i was about to lose it (start crying) right then & there. for no reason. nonsense, i tell you.


And i have been sleeping like a bear in hibernation. I go to bed before most people are getting home from work.


food - i can't get enough. and it wouldn't be a bad thing if i was craving and eating good-for-you stuff. but instead it is everything the doctor tells you stay away from. fried gooey goodness stuff, donuts, ice cream, candy, fast food, etc. If it is remotely healthy, keep it as far away from me as possible. Within 4.5 hours of finding out i was pregnant, i had gained 5 pounds. this has to be all mental, right? I mean, how is that a positive pregnancy test all of a sudden makes you SO tired, sick, hungry, and fat. My poor husband.



What i do love about this pregnancy is knowing whats in store with the sweet baby in my belly. Gates made me a mommy. He taught me how to love like this and i know that this baby will be no different. i already feel so much emotion for this little avocado (week 16 - that's the size).



As i was going to sleep last night i was thinking of my mother - which is almost a nightly thing. I tend to think of funny sayings we shared or things she taught me. And sometimes, i get lost in the list of things i want to tell her. And at the very top of that list is - "i totally get it now, mom. " She would tell me often that i will never understand until i am a mom. but i would argue her on that, in a playful manner. It went something like this:


Mom: "I love you, Katy. To the moon and back"

Katy: "I love you more!"

Mom: " That's impossible."

Katy: "But mom, i have loved you all of my life and you have only loved me half of yours."

Mom: "Just wait until you are a mommy, you will then understand."

And with that, i would let her 'win' that fight but only to be nice. I really believed i loved her more. but now that i am a mommy, i see who the real winner is. Mom is always right.

Why I Should be Bethenny's BFF

It is unfortunate that i have become so obsessed with reality tv. i am aware of how mindless it all is - what a total waste of time it is. but i can not help being sucked in. It is my guiltiest of pleasures, especially when Cameron is out of town and Gates is asleep. i sit back, with remote in hand, and go through my DVR with excitement about how many hours of entertainment i have ahead of me.

In all of this reality tv watching, i have fallen in love with someone who i believe REALLY is just as she appears in her 'reality' show. and i also believe we have so much in common that she should be my BFF (no offense to all my BFFs, you would still remain BFFs but how fun would it be to include Bethenny in all of the BFF fun? Especially now that she is a millionaire). yes, i am talking about Bethenny Frankel from Bravo's hit show, Bethenny Ever After.

And we do have so much in common -
-we both got pregnant out of wedlock (this sentence was difficult to type but who are we kidding, it is a fact that can't be hidden).
- we both got married at 6 months pregnant (its a tie on who looked better on their wedding day ;))
- we both lost a parent shortly before (or during) our pregnancy
- we both come from crazy childhoods that we continue to try to sort out
- we both love to drink (i feel like this is a huge bonding opportunity)
and the list could go on & on (not really, i have run out of things but thats ok).

She is a total mess. And she cries in every episode - which makes me crazy. and her silly sessions with her therapist, are you kidding? That guy gets paid the big bucks for that? But i still love her. All 82 pounds of her.

Inspired...

So, i set up this account in January of 2009 - shortly after finding out i was pregnant with my sweet little nugget who is now turning two next month! I hate that i never wrote a single entry because by now i would have a full journal of my first pregnancy and the first two years of Gates's life. But oh well - never too late to start. So here I am - inspired by a friend
(http://texaswolfgang.blogspot.com/) who has started her blog to document her experiences while raising twin boys.

A little about me - even though i am certain that if anyone is reading this at all, it is the friend i mentioned above who already knows everything about me.
I am an overly compassionate, sensitive, and neurotic woman. Mother to my precious Gates - who has taught me everything in the world there is to know about loving so completely and deeply. I am also the wife to a wonderful man who taught me, from the very beginning, to live life to the fullest without fear or regret. I am blessed to be expecting again - another boy with whom is yet to be named. This little nugget, in my belly, will complete our little family of 4. Least i forget to mention, Baxter & Peanut, our two annoying as hell chihuahuas who once were the center of our attention and now just fit into the background somehow. I promise you, we do still love them.

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