Mommy's Birthday

Mommy's birthday wasn't what it was supposed to be this year.  But for the most part, it was still great.  I had taken it as a vacation day, the day I was hired.  My goal this year was to take a vacation day on each of the boys and my's birthdays, and we would go on an adventure like we used to and it would be a fun time.  For James this kinda worked, but we were busy with family.  For Joel Andrew, this sort of worked, but I was forced to check email all day long at the zoo.  For me, it did not work at all.  Vacation day cancelled and into work for meetings it was.

I will not even get into what the meetings were about, but they were not fun.  Alas, the joys of change!  My coworkers were great though, buying me chocolates and flowers!  Anyway, down the tubes went my big plan to go to the Topsfield Fair with many friends.  Maybe we will get to go tomorrow?  I can't complain too badly.  I have tomorrow off for Columbus Day, and I get to save a vacay day for another time now.

But the boys were still very good to me.  Joel Andrew sang me happy birthday about 50 times, they got me great things for our upcoming trip to Disney, and James gave me 800 kisses.  Joel Andrew and I watched Cinderella - which he loved (the princess movie), and Daddy got me a new camera (photos to come).  All in all it was a nice day, but an even better weekend.

I am just hoping that in the months to come I will be able to get back a better work-life balance, and keep it!  I miss my little guys!

Mommy's Family Work Day

Oh boy.  Whoa.  This is a biggie.  Mommy took both boys, by herself, to work today.  It helped that I had almost 2-1/2 years experience of being a stay at home Mom and I was super-prepared with wipes, toys, portable high chairs and such, but this damn near killed me.  Combine it with work stresses that did not end even though this was supposed to be our day at the beach, and I need a nap, and a bottle of chardonnay.  Both.  At the same time.

The boys were great.  They were even better than could be expected.  The fun lasted till quarter to two, so without naps from both of them, and late lunches for both of them, things that they did not like to eat - they really were pretty good!  The beach was super fun and I think my co-workers were thinking the entire time: "this is what she goes home to?  My lord..."  My 8-1/2 month pregnant co-worker was sort of horrified, but she is just having one boy.  My other co-workers with older children looked on thinking they were cute.  I think that is so funny, people without kids think you are a mess.  People with older kids think you are "sweet" and "cute."  I only had one co-worker there who was at the same stage with two kids as me, and she and I were too busy to converse, but I bet you we commiserate.

The boys loved the beach and were pretty quickly having a good time.  Devouring the sand and the toys I brought, and stepping in the water, laughing and playing.  They charmed all the ladies, which is good, because I work with many of them.  Some work people did not bring their kids, and I think it was a good plan.  Though I am sad about this. I wanted the day with my kids, I wanted to bring them to the beach and hang out with them, I wanted my co-workers to see them.  But it was a lot.  I think if I did not have other work fires burning at rapid pace, I might have done better.

All was good until Joel Andrew, James and I went for a walk and Joel Andrew went over waist-high in the ocean, having a blast until immediately he screamed in terror.  This prompted me to collect James, who also screamed in terror.  We had to walk the full length of the beach, with two screaming boys in tow, everyone must have thought I was awesome.  But the truth was, Joel Andrew has always had his "itches" - skin rashes since birth.  Dumb me did not realize what the salt water would do to them - poor kid was screaming in agony, until I rinsed him with water and took his swim shirt off.  Then we were ok.  We then continued our beach walk, but away from the water and close to the rocks.  The two worked together to build a castle.  It was nice.

I dressed them, in you guessed it, matching clothes and hats for the picnic.  I have to say, caterer who usually does a great job for super cheap, you disappointed me this year!  But hey, they had fun.  James ate his corn and Joel Andrew had two hot dogs.  We all enjoyed the ice cream truck.  Mommy lugged both boys by herself from beach to car and back again twice - went through two outfit changes and hopefully managed not to insult or anger her coworkers, many of which I had not seen since I was pregnant with number 1. James barely slept the ride home, and Joel Andrew did not.  Mommy had a meltdown on the way home, but more from work stresses.  I had put a lot into this day, a lot of hope for a great time with my boys.  I missed a ton of days at the beach this summer, and it was sad to miss it by being checked out today.  When I got home my husband said: you work now, they should have gone to school and you should have gone to "work" which is what it was today, don't be fooled.  I guess he was right.  Though, I did have a few laughs with my boys.  And, at least hopefully my co-workers did not see me flash when I was carrying both boys and Joel Andrew yanked my swimsuit down...