We're Back!

This blog has been pretty low on my priority list as of late. Well, it's been almost an entire year since I've blogged. No excuese...but I have them anyway...

• Steven graduated from college
• Ian turned 10
• I got a new job
• We celebrated our 1 year anniversary
• Rosemary Mae was born
• We had Thanksgiving and Christmas as a family of 4, plus Clyde
• We were snowed in for whole week

Loving this new season of our life and ready to get back to this blog. Lots of fun things happening and can't wait to share.

In the meantime here are some pics of what's been going on in our sweet little life.

My maternity pics were by the fabulous Three Pennies...you can check them out here, http://www.threepennies.com/

A very fresh Rosemary Mae. 8lbs. 11 oz. 21 1/2 inches long.

Rosey and Daddy.

Ian and Rosey. Pretty sweet.

Rosey.

When I said "I jumped in head first" I meant it. I just didn't know it at the time. Didn't know what that really meant.

This will be fast...this is what I've jumped into in the past week:

Lice - do not get this. It is a nightmare to get rid of. We cut Ian's hair and then found it in mine. And after a breakdown on my part we've successfully treated our entire house and everyone in it, twice. My water bill will be high, but we will have no critters living in our head.

Poison Ivy - The boys have this, but I might as well with how much I hear scratching and have to put medicine on Ian.

Gnarly rug burns - This is Ian, and it is truly gross. I won't go into details, but it's hard for me not to gag when I clean it.

Clyde - He has been "off" lately. We're keeping a close eye on him. But with the gag me poop in the house and throw up in the car today, I'm hoping that he just got into something outside and is working it out on his own. He's currently napping in the corner and I'm sure he'll be back to his old "piranha" mouth self this evening.

I know this is normal stuff that just goes along with being a mom and owning a dog and being a human. I keep telling Ian, I've never done this before, so give me some grace. As I say that I realize, I need to give him grace. Grace to be a 9 year old boy just enjoying Spring Break. I should be worried when there isn't anything going wrong or anyone running around the corner with something bleeding, because it's about to happen.

Thankful that I'm ending this 1st trimester and feeling more like myself. I don't know if I could deal with all of these smells without adding to the mess. Thankful for hot water and a washer and dryer. Thankful for a husband to help me and share the memories. Thankful for a mom that will check my head for lice. Thankful for carpet cleaner and peroxide. Thankful for nights with nothing to do and good weather so that I can keep my windows open.

-On to dusting that pollen now.

Next blog will be more reflective and insightful...this is just a quick vent.

Blurg.

News!

Long time no blog.

Let me catch all of my avid followers up on what is going on in this roller coaster of a life that I call mine.

We became proud parents of Clyde. A 6 month, now almost 8 month old puppy. He seriously solidified this family. I really think it was a great decision that we made. And Ian is in love with him, not as much as Steven is though. Steven has his own special language for him, I've learned so much about my husband.

Doesn't get much cuter does it?

We think he is a Shepherd/Beagle mix...but who knows really.

Clyde loves to do things like eat poop and chew up new area rugs. He also loves to snuggle with me in the morning and talk to Steven when he's on his computer. Steven understands, I kid you not.

Here are Steven and Clyde, doing what they do best.

And...the big news! We're pregnant. Oh, yes. It's true. As I currently type this I'm also growing a baby. We were actually pregnant when we got Clyde, just didn't know. Needless to say, we were super surprised. But getting more and more excited.

Ian is stoked and convinced that it's a boy. He asks regularly, "How big is your baby now?". Priceless.

Steven and I went to our first appointment a few weeks ago and talk about emotional! As soon as I saw that baby up there and heard it's heart beat - the heart that she'd/he'd have for the rest of their life, I knew that I was in love. Overwhelming.

So, I've made my list of projects to do on the house so that when my nesting phase kicks in I'm completely prepared. I don't know if Steven is though.

Other going ons -

Steven graduates in May and is trying to find a new job. One that he is happy at and is able to use his degree.

Ian turns 10 this summer, so he's already planning his big birthday bash, and I need some creative ideas.

My desk needs to be cleaned and organized, per usual.

Until next time, and I assure you it won't be 2 months.

Young Love

Remember your first love? I had lots of crushes. Many stories of me chasing boys around the playground. Josh Smith and I started going out when I was in 3rd grade, it wasn't love. I knew it wasn't going anywhere when he asked to hold my hand and I ran.

But first love, ugh. It still kinda hurts to think about it. Puppy Love. The kind that you stay up all night on the phone saying nothing.

We were watching the latest Harry Potter the other night, there is so much more high school love in this. I looked over at Ian and just had pity. He's got it coming. He's so stinkin' cute, and funny, and what girl would fall head over heals for him. Oh, and he's going to hurt. I said something along the lines of, "One day some girl that you think is the world is going to break your heart". (You'll learn I'm not so graceful with words all of the time, I'm not one to beat around the bush...I say that and it's usually just because I can't think of a better way to say something other than what it is - I usually regret what I say once it's out too). I followed it up with, "But then one day you'll meet someone awesome and you'll love her, and we'll love her, and she'll love you and you'll be best friends forever". I realize this is lame.

He just listens and then confidently states, "Oh, that's ok. I'll just go on match.com". Steven and I double over in laughter. This is how we met. (Another story for another time).

Ian came home from school last week mortified that someone told all of his friends that he liked this certain girl. I try to tell him, "Just play it cool, own up to it. Girls like a guy who knows what he wants". Didn't work.

Yesterday I hear him running from the bus after school shouting, "April! Guess what! Kirsten likes me!" Well of course she does, she'd be crazy if she didn't. His face was the sweetest thing. He's yet to have a conversation with her. He, however, remembered her haircut and her outfit from that day. What is happening?

It's just been setting in more and more how short of a time we really do have left with him. He's 9. In 10 years he'll be college. That scares me. There are things I want him to know in these last few impressionable years. Things that he can take with him his whole life and never have to question.

Here is my list so far:

1. He is loved by his Creator. NO MATTER WHAT

2. His Dad and I unconditionally love him.

3. He matters.

4. A clean toilet goes a long way.

5. Respect others.

6. Take your vitamins.

7. Do what you love.

The list will grow.

I realize that even though Steven and I want to instill these things in him, somedays we just want to make sure he is fed.

Do you have a list?

Balance

I've already gone back on my "word" for this blog. It's been a good month and a half since I've written in this. So, apologies to all of my followers. (Thats a joke, as I think maybe 6 of my close girl friends read this...so, sorry to Aubrey, Sarah, Nikki, Bekah, D., and Steph)

I realized that I really needed to get back to this oh, 3 minutes ago when I was leaving a comment on one of my favorite blogs and I just was on a roll...you know, being the annoying comment leaver that writes about 3 paragraphs worth of crap thinking other people would actually be interested in it.

The question that I commented on was, "What's the single hardest thing about parenting?"

If you leave a comment you automatically enter into a contest to win a new book that I really want to read...http://simplemom.net/steady-days-a-journey-toward-intentional-professional-motherhood-giveaway/comment-page-5/#comment-67722, which is why I left a comment...only the second time in my life I've done that...

OK, back to the subject...

The sing most hardest thing about parenting...for me...BALANCE...learning what that actually means for me. I usually don't realize that I haven't been living a balanced life until I'm on the verge of explosion. Poor Steven.

I've been a wife, a roll I absolutely love, for 3 months today! Compared to being a mom full time, being a wife is a cake walk. Steven can stay home by himself if I want to go to the book store and stroll around for no good reason. But, because of where we are in life right now, Steven works a lot, and I am at home with Ian...A LOT. And this morning I really just want to leave and go out by myself. It's really small situations like this that make me go crazy, thinking I'm super selfish, I am, for wanting something for myself. And then thinking, when was the last time I went out and did something, just me, besides driving to work or to the grocery store...and I have to say it's been oh...since November. BALANCE.

Something else that I find as being a mom is the control to change your perspective. Like right now, instead of getting bent out of shape about not being able to get out and do what "I" want, I get to hang at home, get some things done (in my p.j.'s), and spend some time with Ian.

What a eye opener family life is. You hold this huge mirror up all the time. You see yourself for who you really are. I find more and more that I want to say "Thank you" and "I'm sorry" to my mom. I love Ian more and more. And I know that I'm growing on him too, I know because he gave me a good night hug on his own last night...usually I have to force his arms around me. That's worth it all.

Today's theme song...Mushaboom by Feist.

This is Ian and I this morning, being a couple of lazy bones.

"Count Your Blessings"

Thanksgiving has officially come to a close, but before I declare that Christmas is in full swing I need to do the ultra predictable thing and just state what I'm thankful for. It never goes out of style does it?

- 2009 has been a big year for the Dukes family - the 2 daughters were married 6 months apart (sorry mom and dad), so our family has extended with 3 official new members.

- I've gained a best friend for life - officially. I get to hang out with a very cute man and I get to call him my husband.

- I've become a full-time step-mother to Ian. A roll that is stretching me and making me admire my mother and fall in love with my husband even more.

- We live in a very comfortable, work in progress, cute home. We have more than we need.

- My in-laws are incredible. I've been blessed and I'm so excited to grow old with them as well.

- We have jobs. They may not be our dream jobs, but we have them.

- We live in America.

- I have AMAZING friends. Several of which flew down for our wedding. Talk about a humbling day.

- I have a relationship with my grandparents. We enjoy one another and I actually get to see them for the holidays.

- My parents are in love.

- My sister and my sister in law and I are friends. We love to hang out.

- My husband is friends with my brother and brother in law. - Rich.

- We have an amazing community of friends who celebrate life together.

- God is good.

This list could go on. And on.

So, to officially declare that the Christmas season is here, watch this old favorite of mine.

Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2-XXzYU77E

-a

brusha brusha brusha

(check out this awesome blog for other fun vintage posters http://ajaxallpurpose.blogspot.com/)

I've never had a cavity. NEVER. Knock on wood. My mom was super obsessed with teeth, still is. She would love it when one of us had a loose tooth...it was our worst night mare.

Well...I've become my mother. I wonder how many times I'll say this in my life. It's happened more and more recently.

Last Tuesday I took Ian to the orthodontist. I realized several things, a few are:

1. Being committed to a nine year old's dental hygiene is very time consuming.

2. I'm OK with people knowing that I don't know what I'm doing...I asked an insane amount of questions (especially when it came to the finances.)

3. I didn't take into account all of the small things that come with fully mothering someone.

4. I worry that people judge me based on my child's ability to brush their teeth.

5. I feel like I'm living someone else's life.

So, Ian has to have 2 phases of orthodontic care. What? What ever happened to just getting braces in high school. He's 9.

He's super stoked about it. His father and I are still trying to decide when we'll do it. Meaning, when we'll decide to fork over 3 grand for Ian's grill.

Here is a link to a great blog that I've recently fallen in love with (thank you Abby Jartos). This little tidbit is very encouraging. She is a mother to more that one child...and has time to make homemade toothpaste. I'm trying it, as soon as the Crest runs out.

http://simplemom.net/natural-beauty-clean-skin-teeth-and-lips/

Happy brushing!