Mommy by Day and Full-time Employee by Night

So this was my first week working second shift…while initially I thought this would be different, up until Rose was born I did work a lot of nights at Bed Bath and Beyond, so it was kinda old hat. Although I do think that being a mom with a child to run around with all day does tire me out much more, so by the time midnight comes around, I am really exhausted!

Since we were still at the beach Monday, I only had to work 4 nights this week and since I am also off Memorial Day, it will only be 4 days this coming week :)

The change has been totally worth it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE having the mornings with my baby girl. We went to 2 speech sessions, a horseback riding lesson, and had lunch with Rose’s great-grandparents! Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had our struggles…some little girl does not want to get out of her PJ’s, EVER ;) But overall I am so happy to have mornings with by baby and once I’m done training I will have 3 whole days each week off.

So like hundreds of others in Berks County I was caught in the hail storm on Thursday. I was in the Target parking area, IN MY CAR, while it was plummeted with ice. I got a crack in my windshield, both mirrors broke, two lights broke, the rear wiper is gone, some other pieces broke off, and there are dents EVERYWHERE. The Jeep is older, so we’ll see what happens when the insurance agent takes a look. 

We all enjoyed our beautiful warm weekend together. Justin finally cleaned off the deck and Tahnee and Meow really appreciate it!

All things Rose :)

It is so enjoyable to just relax and play with Rose. I feel like I say it all the time, but this kid has AMAZING play schemes (especially with baby dolls).

We feed babies (sometimes sand), we change babies, we are baby’s doctor, we bathe babies… Some days I think I run a child care facility for all of Rose’s babies J

Since we were outside a lot this week, Rose even moved her doctor's office to the trampoline! I would probably go to the dr more if the waiting room was a trampoline...

Rose is a little dare devil :) When not asking to go 'really really high' on the swing, she has decided that this is now the best way to go down her slide...I can FEEL my hair turning grey ;)

She even goes down the big slide with no help...but on her bottom, feet first!

Rose is also fast becoming a little photographer. After I take some pictures of her, she insists on taking some pictures too. Here's what she found photoworthy this week: 

Tahnee and Meow are also having lots of fun with Rose. After Meow sat in the chair, Rose rocked him for a little bit and then gave him a bunny :)

Rose was also willing to share her baby's water with Tahnee :)

Saturday night daddy and Rose got their hair cut by grandma. This was Rose's FIRST haircut! Honestly for the first year of her little life, I thought Rose would never grow any hair, but she did...slowly :) Grandma took tons off of Justin's and gave Rose a little trim which she loved!

We also had a fire outside and got to roast hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner

So, this post is a day late...although when the new work hours start, Monday will probably become the regular day, but here's why it was late this week: we went to the BEACH! Cape May, NJ. No one was happier than Rose when she woke up Sunday morning and knew it was 'beach day!' Rose is a beach kid and I love it :) She wanted to do nothing more than stay at the beach all the time. Sunday, Justin brought back lunch to the beach so Rose could stay and play. We had to beg her to go get ice cream and  we also had to say 'good-night' to the beach before bed on Sunday. When Rose woke up on Monday, she thought we could skip breakfast to go the the beach faster :) Rose played with her baby, took lots of walks, and flew her first kite. Rose loves the beach and we love her, so there will definitely be more beach trips in our future!

Weekly Wrap Up and Mother's Day

Rose was up to her usual playfulness this week :) Maybe we are more easy-going them some and it's probably a lot easier since there is only Rose, but typically unless someone will get hurt or something damaged, we let Rose explore and play (always with a parent close by!). Lately Rose has been setting up a picnic outside for her stuffies or dolls as I get dinner ready. She likes to get all the plates and utensils in her drawer and some real utensils from the drawer above hers. I did have to wash some silverware before dinner this week, because the little cutie emptied the WHOLE drawer!

Rose also helped get out some warmer weather clothing for me this week...she also got naked and tried on some of mommy's clothing ;)

Oh, and she decided to have a siesta on the porch swing too! I hope Rose is enjoying her childhood, because I really am :)

Saturday night we went out to Red Robin. Justin had his free birthday burger coupon that expired if it wasn't used...so we used it :)

Rose assisted daddy in coloring while we waited for our burgers. 

 Justin also got a birthday sundae...Rose was all about the whipped topping

After dinner we went shopping to finish up our Mother's Day gifts. My family is kinda weird...we like to make my mom cry. Really we judge our success at gifts and tell stories about how much mom cries :)

I wanted to give my mom a replica photo of her with me and me with Rose. I got my baby picture book and decided on using pics from our first Christmas. The pics aren't exactly the same, but I think it;s kinda fun that mom is also in the pic of Rose's first Christmas. 

ANYWAY, she cried, a bunch! So I win :) 

Happy Mother's Day!

(yes, we are wearing our matching skirts! Rose pointed to hers and mine and said 'match'. then she pointed to a freckle on my arm (I have tons) and one on hers (she only has about 5 on her whole body) and said 'match' again. she is totally my girl!)

70 years and new starts

It's been a busy week full of fun and change. I realize those two words aren't usually placed together, but let's be optimistic!

Rose has started with the BCIU for speech services. I think her first session went well and we got some new tricks to try along with some homework. (That said, we REALLY miss our 0-3 Early Intervention speech therapist.)

I also had my last week as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator :( About two months ago, I applied for another position at the company and after initially not getting the position I applied for, I was offered another position. Starting Monday I will work in the Crisis Department as a Crisis Interventionist...it's gonna be a BIG change. Not only will I work with a totally different population with different concerns; after I am fully trained, I will work Thursday-Sunday from 2 pm to midnight (since I'm usually asleep by 11pm, we'll see how that goes!). The new position appealed to me for several different reasons, but mostly because I will be home with Rose more, especially during the day to get her to all her therapy sessions and do fun stuff :)

The biggest drawback of changing positions: I will really miss the amazing women I have worked with for the past 4 years!

Rose had a great week. 

She has perfected inserting the key and starting the Jeep, now she just has to wait 13 years and she can drive :)

Now that the weather is nice she has switched from playing with soap to sand...the kid loves messes (please don't suggest soap in the sand)! 

Did you notice that she was in PJ's in the last few pics? Rose LOVES her PJ's and it is always a challenge to get her dressed in the morning! Usually we just let Grandma or Nana figure it out ;)

Saturday night we met up with about 40 of my closest relatives to celebrate the 70th Wedding Anniversary for my grandparents! Justin, Rose, and I don't even add up to 70 yet ;) They were married at 18 and 20 years old. They went to the same one-room school house and lived close to each other growing up. Grandpa was diagnosed with diabetes in his 30's and at the time they didn't think he'd live past 50...at 90, he's still going :) They raised 4 children, have 12 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren with another 1 due in June! They have experienced great hardships and great joys, through it all they have remained together and committed! I am so thankful they are my grandparents.

(on another note...is Justin getting taller...am I shrinking...)

Here's hoping for a great week!