A Chik-Fil-A Christmas

Living in Maryland is very non-traditional for Jared and I. Not only are we both full time working parents, but this is our first season of COLD...no flip flops this year for Christmas time. It's all about freezing rain, beanies and warming up our car before we go anywhere.

Well, this Christmas was VERY non-traditional. We unfortunately don't have family nearby, and because we work so much, we have not been able to establish any super close "friend" ties with anyone. So...that leaves just me, Jared, Wesley, Austin and Wrangler to celebrate the holidays.

With it being so darn cold outside, our options are limited. The boys tried going for a ride on their quad, but after the wind burned their eyes red and they had frosty fingertips, the boys opted to go back home. No parks. No playgrounds. Just cold.

On Christmas Eve, we were all going stir crazy at being home for so long. So, we broke out into the cold and headed off to.....Chik-Fil-A. Fun times for the Wilson Family! Between our chicken nuggets, and the indoor playground, it was just plain ol' funny for Jared and I. We kept thinking, "What are we doing here!" But, the boys were able to get some energy out. Even Jared climbed up through the slide to play tag. We weren't the only weirdos around though, a few random stragglers came in for some food, so I didn't feel completely silly.

Christmas day didn't get much more exciting. This was our first year where Wesley actually knew about Santa and how this whole thing worked. We left the Oreo's out for Santa, we talked about how he would come through the chimney, etc. First thing he did in the morning, was check under the tree. He then came running back to our bedroom where he said, "Santa took out all of the presents and put them under the tree!" He was thrilled! It was a classic moment for any parent. Austin is still asking me, "Where are all of the presents?" He doesn't get it that they already opened them, and he's been playing with them...he keeps looking for the wrapped gifts.

So, this year, on Christmas day, we were very quiet and low key. I took down all of our decor Christmas day. No need to prolong the holiday this year, Chik-Fil-A was enough for me. We are hoping that next year we will have a bit more interaction with people and not feel so alone.

I sure am glad to have Jared around to laugh with me! (Happy Birthday honey! Tonight we are going to a murder myster dinner/show. We are excited to check out the night life here in MD!)

Wal-Mart love

This time of year, no one wants to go out shopping. Between the long lines, the empty shelves and overpriced items....it definitely can feel like "'tis NOT the season."

Jared's only day off is Sunday, which does not allow for errands, etc. So, he has 1/2 day on Monday's that he can spend with us. I always take advantage of those quick Mondays. Today was no exception. He still had to go into work for some items, so by the time we were on the road (after cleaning house, heaven knows I am not about to do some mopping with my big ol' belly), it was close to 1:30pm. With Wesley dropped off to preschool, we were on our way.

We both wanted to check out the Super Wal-Mart in a nearby town, 1/2 hour away. There was the Holiday traffic, and by the time we arrived, it was already 2pm and we had to pick up Wesley in 45 minutes. No good! This was our Super Wal-Mart, something that we have NOT experienced in our 6 months of living here, and we were both anxious to look around. The closest one here in town is not a Super Center, so you are limited!

I started mad dashing through the produce, getting anything and everything I could, knowing that I was limited on time. . It was so exciting, yet stressful b/c I knew we were so crunched for time.

Let me compare a few items that I miss being able to get at Wal-Mart:

Cream of mushroom soup ($.52 vs. $1)
Tortillas (much larger selection)
Life Cereal ($2.75 vs. $4.50)
Oreos ($2.50 vs. $4.00 on sale)
Pears ($1 vs. $1.98)
Freschetta Pizza ($4.98 vs. $6.98)
Ocean Spray Juice ($2.98 vs. $4.50)

Is it sad that I find these savings exciting! You can see why I have a HARD time shopping at the local stores here when I know there are big savings elsewhere.

I was able to call a friend to go and pick up Wesley for me, and that allowed us 1/2 hour extra to do our browsing. I know that this was a simple thing for everyone else in the world, but we were just pleased as could be with our long lost Wal-Mart!

Anyway, so this is just a shout out for Wal-Mart....even with the sketchy employees, usually dirty bathrooms, and bad rep, our hearts are true blue for our favorite store to do our budget shopping and to have a great selection on everything:)

Playing with a new camera

YES....THE BELLY...LARGE AND IN CHARGE...ONE MORE MONTH!!! 4 WEEKS!!!
Playing with my new (Christmas present) camera...put a few different lights on that belly.
I woke up one morning to Super heroes! They love to take off their shirts and show their muscles.
Our humble tree.
The Ward Christmas party
Santa...always a favorite
Austin told him he wanted, "candy" for Christmas.
The first snowfall of the year. Hopefully not the last, we maybe received 1/4 inch and it was gone by the following day.

We call Austin our little "french toast" b/c that is what his puffy coat says on the front. He is so adorable running around in it with his tiny feet and beanie.

What does this mean?

67 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

When's your baby due?

I am grateful to be pregnant, don't get me wrong. I love feeling the baby kick, I love the hiccups he has, and I even love knowing that "heartburn means more hair on his head!"

BUT....this does NOT mean that I enjoy the comments I am getting from EVERYONE I see and meet....with no exaggeration.

Saturday at work, I had no less than 35 people ask me, "When is your baby due?" "Is this your first?" And also including several comments like, "Did you forget to take the turkey out of the oven?" or,"You look like you are ready to pop!" "You look really big! I thought you were further along!"

The attention from all of these strangers is not something I am enjoying. Instead of asking me for help as a DirectBuy service owner, they are more interested in making comments about my body. No more please! I really am feeling more and more insecure as the people look me up and down and continue to make all of these comments. I feel like they can't get over the fact that I am this pregnant, running around, bending down to pick things up, leaning over tables to help them find things in the catalogs, and continue to work just as much as a non-prego mama.

For the last time...I am due next month, no I am not ready to pop, yes I am excited, no this is not my first child, but yes this is my third boy...and yes, we'll probably try for a girl next time.

I think my next response to all of this attention from strangers will be, "I am not pregnant, I just like to eat."

And next time I see a "Big Mama" (that is what I call myself these days), I will just tell her, "You look great and I wish you the best of luck with this next baby!"

Black Friday

This is my third year in a row, would've been easier if I weren't 8 months prego...

10:45pm: arrive home from my cousin's in VA from a yummy Thanksgiving dinner. I ate way too much...not enough room as it is...what was I thinking going back for 2nds?

11:20pm: crawl into bed with a serious belly ache

2:15am: Startle myself awake with severe heart burn

3:00: More heart burn

3:15: Wesley comes over to our bed for some leg cramp relief

3:30: More heart burn, finally roll out of bed, slither down to the kitchen for some tums

4:45: Austin starts coughing

5:00: More coughing. I get up, put Vicks rub on his feet (which I don't think works), give him a Nyquil and cough drop

5:05: Austin is crying that he wants to sleep with mama. I get Jared out of bed, he tucks him back in while I lay in bed

5:10: OUT THE DOOR! Can't handle the heartburn, belly aches, or Austin's coughing. OFF TO SHOP I GO

5:30: Arrive at Wal-Mart parking lot. Circle several times to finally get a spot at the Target store across the huge parking lot.

5:35: Inside the store where there is an anthill of people. I am fully layered with my coat and sweats on b/c of the 35 degree weather, but it is HOT and STUFFY inside. No cart for me, too big to manuveur...my belly is enough to get around!

5:38: Quickly take glances at what people are purchasing and what is going fast. I want to know what is on SALE and what is a MUST have for this crazy morning! I learned quick.

5:40: No more Leapsters! That is why I went so early! I spot one out of place, a PINK one nontheless, but no worries, Wesley can adjust or later on I will swap it out for green.

6:30: Back in line, sweaty, hot, feeling contractions, loaded up with DVD's, remote control cars, and DVD's for my kids. Can't wait to get some fresh air. $100 spent (not bad considering all I got!)

6:35: Head over to Target...nice cool air! Leapster games are on sale...$15 bucks vs. $30! Load up on a few, get some more board games, playdough (only $6 for a 24 pack) and DVD's.

6:45: A much smaller wait in line, not as sweaty and less crowded.

7:00: Walk over to Best Buy. Two words: BODY ODOR. It smelled so nasty! Took a quick browse, but wasn't interested in the Wii or X-Box, etc. My boys are fortunately too small to care.

7:15: Walk over to Kohl's. Line is literally 2 HOURS wait, wrapped around completely to the other side and back again. Nothing is worth waiting that long for! I can get all of that stuff through DirectBuy anyway:)

7:45: Back at home. Boys are up and rummaging through the fridge. Lay back down for 1/2 hour while kids run and make lots of noises.

10:45: Here at work once again!

Overall, a pleasant experience. I am glad my Christmas list is done (as well as Wesley's b-day on the 30th). Now Jared and I need to think of gifts for each other, then I am done! Feels good:)

Twilight

I did it. I went and saw Twilight. Any preteens dream movie about vampires and love. I LOVED the first book (out of four), and the movie was based on that first movie. It was decent. I enjoyed the gorgeous scenery up in Oregon (lots of greenery, ocean and blue clouds), and the photography was also excellent. Edward was NOT my dreamboat that I imagined he would be. But, I think towards the end of the movie, he did grow on me a bit.

The best part of the movie were all the girls giggling, screaming, sighing and cheering for the movie....there were several groups of preteens just drooling over Edward and that was fun to be a part of and remember what it was like to be a teen. (Although, I think I was more into NSYNC).

Jared is also out of town, so I am playing the role of pregnant, single, working mama for this entire week! He went to San Francisco for a conference of DirectBuy. I decided to stay back, not too anxious to fly that far being 8 months along and then chase my kids through a hotel all week long while attending meetings. Just not too family friendly and I wasn't up for that physical contact. Instead, the boys and I are staying cuddled up in our warm home (it gets down to 19 degrees at night and a high of 30 in the day), watching movies, eating oatmeal and getting excited for baby Isaac to come out. It's harder for me to kneel down with them for prayers, to bathe them, to get up at night for their bad dreams, but I am so happy to be with them!

The intruder

Yes....we have MICE in my home. No good! It is a creepy thought thinking of these little critters running up and down my stairs, perhaps crawling into bed with my boys, or leaving their little drops all over our food. I can't handle it.

So, I bought a mice sticky trap...and yes, we have already caught one. Jared did the "deed" when he took it out and in one swap killed it. I felt bad enough that it was stuck, blinking and looking at us...wishing he could move his little legs and arms.

Both Jared and I are animal lovers and I think it affected both of us at the end of the day. But, I am convinced that we still have more running around and I am anxious for them to be GONE.

I guess Wrangler does not make a good cat, which is understandable. Still, we have dealt with quarter size cockroaches in AZ, to huge spiders in TX, and now mice in MD. What next?

Pumpkin Pleasures

Here Wesley is with his best friend from preschool. They speak Spanish with each other and communicate very well! This warms my heart so much, and I think it's adorable that they went off to "chat" and eat suckers together during the preschool Pumpkin Day Carnival.
Austin wanted to join in the fun as well. He cried when he couldn't go into the classroom after the activities were over...soon enough my sweet pumpkin.
We went pumpkin patch hunting! All bundled up and had a great time. Of course I found a pumpkin that was about the same size as my belly. And just as hard too!~
Here the boys are showing off their "scary" pumpkin face that they carved...it was so cold when they were carving outside! I am NOT used to fall weather at all.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I went to AZ for 3 days for some serious girl time. It was way OVER due and I loved every minute of it. Arianne Pearce, April Ashton and Leslie Boley really made my trip so enjoyable. They loved on me, loved on my belly and just spoiled me with attention. Who wouldn't love that? It's a good thing I left when I did b/c we stayed up WAY too late every night and by the time I left, I wasn't functioning very well...especially with my 3 hour time difference (although Arianne said that was still NO excuse for plopping down on her couch at 1am every night to rest!). Thanks again girls for making me feel like a cute mama once again!!!


Yes....the baby shower...Arianne is here holding me down and the belly is at large!
It's always so fun to have girls get together to celebrate a little baby! Marc Isaac Wilson
Only with a BFF could you go to a store, strut around in high heels with a HUGE belly, laugh about it and take pictures. That was ridiculous!

Richmond VA with Grandpa Lowe

Grandpa Lowe came all the way from Mexico to "share joy." He missed all of us and we were super happy to have his company around....Wrangler especially loved on him all week long!
We went to Richmond, VA for a few days while Jared was in some training. We took advantage of some beautiful parks and petting zoos. The fall colors were brilliant...I haven't experienced a "fall time" for 5 years now! My eyes soaked it all up.
We walked all over...I loved being with my boys and away from my work responsibilities.
Check out these handsome gentleman, and those great colors!
Grandpa Lowe and I also took the boys to the Richmond Metro Zoo while Jared was away. Here is Wesley feeding a giraffe for the first time. What a great face.
Check out this long, purple and sticky tongue!
Can you get any closer to this lovely giraffe? They were breathing down OUR necks!
Austin is showing me the "monkey face" on the poster.
We also checked out the Richmond capital. Good thing no one was looking while my boys climbed all over George Washington! A definite no no.
It was a fun day for us.

A cute shot with a cute boy and smelly roses.
The following day we took the kids to their first "Children's Museum." This place was fantastic. The kids are encouraged to run WILD, climb on everything, get dirty, be loud and have fun. These places need to exist in every city...it was my first time as well and I only wish I lived closer to one! The boys loved fixing the car "como papa."
Here we are making huge messes that I did NOT have to clean up. Gingerbread houses!
Here the boys are "crying" like baby dinosaurs...they truly can be best friends and I love it.

Thoughts

You know your kids spend too much time with their nanny vs. their parents when they start calling you "Rosa" instead of "Mama." So sad!

You know you work too much when everyday your kids ask you, "Are you going to work today mom? Why?"

You know that your belly is getting big when your 4 year old compares your belly size to the neighbor's belly, who is obese!

You know you miss your kids when you can't wait to get home, kiss on them and even wake them up to get a good night snuggle.

Modeling Boys

My boys looked adorable in their new haircuts...so, we went ahead and got their "3" and "5" year old portraits.

Check them out....If you want some (family members!), you can pick out your favorites and order them.

Thanks!

http://www.thesmilestation.com/asp/tss_view.asp

Customer Name: ADRIENNE WILSONAccess Code: LTTT0901100312TAR

Photos of my life

Here are some pics of these last few weeks. Because Jared and I only have one day to spend with our boys a week, I have been anxious to make sure every Monday is "special."

This last week was no different. We took Wesley out of preschool, missed their once a week soccer class and headed out to Baltimore, MD. It is an hour away, but the boys were excited to be on this road trip. The parking is over priced, so we paid the $16 just to find a parking stall. Our goal was to go to the Children's museum, which we had heard was great. We hit up the nearby McD's...not good food, but of course the boys loved it...another $20.

We walked over to the museum, only to find that it was CLOSED on Mondays! What the heck! A true dissapointment for sure. Not to waste our hour drive, and $40 that we had already spent in half hour, we stared walking around. The mugginess was pretty intense, and b/c we didn't know the weather could change so quickly, we were very overdressed with our long pants.

We were going to have a fun day dog gonnit! We roamed around the Chesapeake Harbor and to our lovely surprise, spotted some Dragon shaped paddle boats. Those were a hit with our boys! We loaded up (another $16 for just 20 minutes) in the purple dragon and Jared pumped his legs hard all around that harbor. Those life jackets were just adding to our sweaty mess that we were already in! It was fun.

Not much else....walked around quite a bit, sweated, watched cars go by and decided that we had had enough of Baltimore for the day. We headed back towards our house where we hit up the local movie theatre. This was a big treat for our boys. We were pretty shocked to find that the matinee was $30 for us 4. But, we all enjoyed a silly movie about some Chihuahuas in Hollywood.

Needless to say, and $100 later...it was an enjoyable day with our boys.
Here is an adorable picture of my two boys and their cute hats.

Jared is always a good sport about letting the boys jump to him like "Spiderman."
The purple dragon!
We did another HUGE MILESTONE today...and after my apprehensions of it all...the boys got haircuts from their favorite stylist, papa.

BEFORE:

And AFTER:
Wesley is a true model at heart. He loves to pose. I thought he looked extra sharp in his suit. He lifted his leg on his own, without me even encouraging a pose!

The boys always love to read with papa.

And I loved their long pants with barefeet...
BEFORE:
Austin really needed a haircut. He was looking very mousy and fluffy.
What kind of parents still allow the "tail" or "mullet" hairstyle? Hilarious!
And AFTER: His big eyes and giraffe-like eyelashes sure do POP out now. If you look up close, you will see he is full of glitter on his mouth, he loves to slather on any type of chapstick...or make up that he can find.
A picture of my big belly at 25 weeks along...
And if you can believe this...this is our backyard and neighbor's house! Beautiful fall leaves all around. The boys loved throwing the leaves into the air and chasing the gray squirrels around.