Quick Takes Friday-July 20th

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I recently made a switch in diapers in order to start saving a few $$. I have always been a bit leery of cheaper diapers after I bought a package and the boy peed through them every single time. So I am a pampers swaddlers girl from NB to 2 and then Huggies Lil Movers from there on. Two of my girlfriends suggested I try LUVS which are more than half the price. I bought a box, and have been pleasantly surprised! No leaks and they smell really good too! woohoo!

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I can't believe my oldest is going to be starting Kindergarten in about 6 weeks. All of a sudden, he just LOOKS bigger to me. We spent yesterday flipping through a Land's End catalog looking at clothes for school and backpacks. I am going to have a school aged kid. Not sure I can even comprehend that yet.

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My middle one has been feeling a bit stuck in the middle lately. He wants so much to be a big kid like his brother and yet he is still a little guy too. I think Zach going to Kinder next year is going to be hard on him because he wants nothing more to do and be everything like big brother. Anyone have tips on how to deal with the sibling separation?

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The youngest is on the verge of walking. Both the other boys walked at 10 and 11 months respectively. He is standing on his own, walking behind and pushing everything but just not quite ready to take those steps on his own. Which is okay with me for now, I am enjoying every moment of him being little still. Or at least I would like for him to wait another week when I am at home so I can see him do it! :)

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I am so excited about taking a road trip to Dallas in a few weeks. All my family lives up there but with working...it seems I can only ever get away for quick trips to see them and miss seeing other friends too. So while we are still off for the summer, I am taking the 3 boys for a trip to go see everyone! We are going to stay with my good friend, Becky and my god-daughter for a night or so and finally see their new house. I am going to have dinner with JackAsh and meet their sweet baby girl. And of course see my family and anyone else who wants to see the crazy Wittliff clan! These are the types of things I am looking forward to doing while not working!

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My weight loss efforts have severely stalled over the summer. Time to get focused...AGAIN. I am doing better at getting back into regular running and still doing boot camp, but I have got to get the eating back under control. I have tried a few new recipes these past couple weeks and need to put up some posts on those. They were healthy and tasty and something new in the rotation is ALWAYS good!

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I am single-momming it for the next 2 days while the hubs enjoys a well-deserved guys trip. I have mad respect for single moms. The boys were pretty good last night actually but after a long day at work, it is definitely tiring doing it all on your own. They were super cuddly though and we enjoyed watching some Curious George together after the little guy went down. Looking forward to our pizza night tonight and daddy being home tomorrow!

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Hope everyone has a great weekend! I hope to sneak out and take the big boys to see Turbo. Zachary had been counting down to July 17th when it came out for weeks!

Thoughts on ending one career...and starting a "new" one...

I've got one more week where I'm a "working mom" before I embark on being a Stay at home mom. The "titles" have always rubbed me a bit because really, aren't we all just moms? That moment a baby is placed in your arms and you are entrusted to care for a child (whether it be through child birth, adoption, fostering, whatever!) you are a MOM. You care for someone else more then yourself. I hate the mommy-wars of sahm vs working because for most people a lot of it is out of their control. It teasr us apart and what we all REALLY want is the very best for our children and for them to know they they are loved unconditionally and forever. So why the justifications and the accusing?

I've been a working mom for 5 years. I've gotten the "I don't know how you do it, I could never leave my child." The truth for me was it wasn't a choice for  MY family. I did it because I had to. I didn't do it all. I failed many times over both as a mom and an employee. I got the looks at work for having to leave early or come in late for a sick child or caregiver. I got it for missing the Christmas or end of year party, for forgetting it was stuffed animal day, or sending in the wrong  x, y or z  to school. 

I know staying at home isn't easy, because after all...I am still a mom every night at dinner, bath, and bedtime. I am with my kids all day long on the weekends. I know there are days of endless diaper changes, wiping noses, playing soccer and candyland on top of cleaning house, cooking dinner and playing chauffer. I still kiss the non-existent boo boos for legs that can't walk at the end of the night and cries for missing stuffed animal that they haven't missed all day....and the morning cries that thankfully happened much less as time went on of "why do you have to go to work again"??

Being a working mom isn't easy either. I don't go to work and "at least get a break and adult interaction". Sure, I'm thankful I've gotten to work with some really great people over the last 9 years. They allowed me to work a modified schedule for the last 4 years in an industry where that's pretty much unheard of. They've picked up my slack and gone through 3 maternity leaves with me. They've consoled me on the days when there was a crying boy on my way out the door in the morning. I wake up early to work out or get to work early so I won't have to miss MORE time with them. I sit in two hours of traffic a day. I get home, tired of dealing with other people and their problems...to come home and be with little hands and feet and hearts that just want to have ALL my attention. I often just want to come home and sit...but really that's never been an option because someone wants milk not apple juice, a bubbly bath, and one more story  at bed time.

I find myself sitting here thinking, what now?  Will I be a good stay at home mom? Will I fall into different criticism now because my kids eat too many fruit snacks and not enough fruit? Days where we still may eat McDonald's or a lunchable instead of a well balanced meal  when I should have time to make one? I don't know. But I do know, that regardless of my career, my boys will be just as much loved as they were today as they will be in two weeks.

Ill be honest, I'm lonely at times now. I have a great, no...wonderful, group of women that I call my best friends but unfortunately time does not permit me to do more with than email at most on some days as far as interaction goes. We dont have neighbors we get to hang out with every weekend and i get to see some of my girls just once a month for book club and on sundays at church. I pray that as time goes on and I come into my new role...that I am able to cultivate some new friendships and strengthen some others. I do have a slight fear of still not fitting in with the stay at home moms and now the working moms too. 

Being a mom is the hardest and best thing I have ever done. I am beyond blessed to be called "mommy" by 3 amazing precocious little men. I thank God every day for that. I know the time is right for my family to take this leap of faith to lose income and gain time. I'm ready to not be tied to the blackberry and checking emails. And I vow to do my best to not judge one woman's situation over mine.   

Not sure where all this is really going, just thoughts on what the new me will be.  I am excited and scared and ready! I know that even though this is what I have wanted for years, there will be tears next Friday as I say good bye....not just to good friends but to the end of an era of sorts. There will be hard days to come being at home all day with the boys and little to no breaks in sight. 

So with one week to go...I say YAY to all moms for simply doing the best we all can do, whether in your business attire or yoga pants! God entrusted us all with the greatest job ever and I am thankful that I was called to do it.

Weekend recap

Finally went running this weekend. Besides the 5k I did a couple months ago and the short run I did on our girls weekend...I have barely ran since I have been doing boot camp. I occasionally run at lunch on the treadmill but that's nothing like being outside. Since we won the lotto to be able to run the big Houston half in January, I know I need to start logging some miles before I really start to train. It was hot as heck but I decided to just run and see what happened.  I didn't check my distance or pace once...and happily clocked in just shy of 4miles. If the midday sun hadn't been pouring down...I think I could have gone longer. Hello running...I have missed you!

My parents watched Luke so we coulda take the big boys to the movies.  It was the first time for us to try taking mark again since the last time when we went to see Shipwrecked...mark and I spent 90%of the movie hanging in the lobby. The boys enjoyed it and we didn't even have to take any potty breaks! Looks like we are ready to take on the rest of the summer movies! :)

We also spent a fun Saturday at a pool party with friends.  I was too busy with kids in the pool to take any pictures but we all had a great time and boys slept well Saturday night!

I'm trying to figure out a way to get it off my phone too...but to tonight I took videos of the boys telling their bedtime stories. You can't see anything in the videos since they are in the dark before bed, but on, they are funny and their little voices so very sweet. If your kids love to tell stories, get em on tape some time. Priceless!

7 Quick Takes Friday-Back at blogging and happy 4th!

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While enjoying a lovely day at my parents' neighborhood 4th of July festivities...my friend told me she missed my blogging.  So here is my attempt to jump back into it!  We had a great day with friends and family enjoying the parade, park, slip n slide, pool, and cake walk!  Everyone won at least once except for Mark who was finally consoled with a cookie from his brother's loot.  We also learned from Miss Kate that Matt is "really really funny".  :)  Wish I had taken more pictures because all the kiddos got along really well and it was super duper sweet.

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It was a very big week in the Wittliff household.  After nearly 9 years at BG, I gave my notice on Tuesday to stay home with the boys full time.  It is going to be a HUGE change in our household, but one that has been prayerfully considered for the past few years and especially since I have been back to work since Luke was born.  I am nervous and anxious and totally excited.  I will be sad to lose Maria, our nanny, as she has been such a blessing to our family these past 3 years but so happy to have more time with the boys.  And not be on call on the weekends, have a 2 hour/day commute, etc.  Looking forward to what's ahead!
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Matt and I are signed up again for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in January.  Since doing boot camp for the last few months I have not been running like I was.  Time to start getting some regular miles in and training done!  Hoping to finish a little faster then my postpartum time from last year!
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Our middle child is becoming a bit of a streaker.  He has no problem with taking his pants off anytime and anywhere to go to the bathroom or change his outfit for whatever reason. It  is slightly funny but also slightly terrible.  We need to work on this.  And then laugh that he is going to be a great frat boy one day.

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Lukey had his 9 month check up on Wednesday.  My dad came and watched the older boys so I could take him on his own.  He loves his one on one time with mommy and is just the sweetest and friendliest little dude.  The Doc even commented on how social he was for this age.  He is in the 86th percentile for weight at almost 24lbs and 98% with height.  Gotta be a big guy to put up with his brothers!  It was also so liberating leaving the office and making up follow up appointments and knowing I could pretty much schedule them any time and any day that I wanted!

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Headed to our friends, the Creller's, annual 4th party tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing some of Matt's crew that live on the other side of town that we don't get to see that often.  And their new house.  I haven't been able to go the last 2 years due to either being on call or being preggo and not up for it.  Tomorrow I will be neither of those so it should be a good time for the whole family!
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It's FRIDAY!  Hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend ahead!
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