Happy Easter!

Ok, so I'm a little late for wishing a Happy Easter, but still, I hope your Easter was good. We had a busy weekend, but a fun weekend, and our Easter gathering was great.

Ava enjoyed coloring eggs...

 As did the others.

 But really, Nolan was the dedicated one. Dave boiled 2 dozen eggs (even though I told him 3!) and the kids went through them so fast. When Dave realized I was right and he should have done 3 dozen, he said it's because the kids go through them so fast. When he was little, they used to make such beautiful eggs. (His words, not mine.) I cracked up. But, then he boiled the other dozen, but Nolan was the only one still interested and loved coloring every one of them. Beautifully, I might add!

 You could tell which eggs were Ava's.

 Dave's beautiful egg is the bottom right.

Ava was dedicated to finding all those eggs. (Which, for the record, I think there are still two missing. YUCK!). She would not let anyone take any out of her basket, and she was so proud to carry them all around.

 Hello, Easter Bunny!

 Ava and "baby" Kate on Easter. Ava loved holding her, hugging her, kissing her, poking her.

 The clan. Kate, not so happy.

 The clan, plus Gram and Grumpy. They got all the grandkids glow in the dark Animal shirts. They were a hit.

 And the favorite Easter pasttime... Wii!

The weather turned out to be so nice, that Wii didn't last too long. We got to take a walk to the park, and play outside, and get some of the kids' energy out! It's a crazy house when we all get together, but we do have a lot of fun!

The new me

I have a new look to go with my new job... thought I'd share!

Happy birthday, crazy kid!

Nolan is seven today. SEVEN! He was just turning 4 when I "quit" work, and now he's seven. That seems so much bigger than 6. So much older. He's definitely a kid with his own sense of style, humor and questions. He loves sports, both basketball and baseball, and has just discovered who Michael Jordan is. He got Heelys for his birthday, and took them off tonight only to put on his cleats for baseball practice. I don't think he ever stops.

The kids are so lucky that they get to celebrate their birthdays so many times. First was last Saturday, when Dave and Mayur (across the street) took Nolan and Kyan (Mayur's son) (who also shares the same birthday) to Stonefire Pizza (Chuck E. Cheese only nicer) with two friends of theirs. I think the boys, both young and old, had a good time.

 Nolan, Payton, Nick and Kyan

 Dave has a new title... cake decorator!

 A conspiratorial look, I think.

 Big wishes!

 And afterwards, they came home and played, what else, Wii!

Then, on Sunday (also Easter), Nolan celebrated again with his cousin Chad, who turns 8 on Sunday.

 Even Grumpy was in a party mood!

Then today, we celebrated the actual day with him. Then, this weekend, we'll celebrate with Dave's family. Like I said, lucky, lucky kid!

For Abby, I wrote about what I remember about when she was born. Well, with Nolan, I woke up around 4 AM and realized my water broke. When I told Dave, he told me he wasn't thirstay. What?? Apparently he was still asleep. Then he asked me if he had to get up. Well, yes. I would recommend that. Then I called the doctor, took a shower, called the neighbors to come stay with Abby and headed out. Then Dave realized he forgot his wallet at work, so we made a pitstop at his office (yes, really). Then we finally made it to the hospital around 8 AM, I was dialated to about 6. Perfect. I don't remember much inbetween then and him being born, but he came into the world at 1:52 PM and was my biggest kid at 8 lbs., 2 oz., and 22 inches. It was so nice out the day he was born and the day after, I just wanted to go outside. But the day we went home, it was miserable, cold and rainy.

I wrote Nolan a letter in the hospital, and found it last week when I was transferring from one planner to the other. Because I can't guarantee I'll find it again in the next seven years, I'll type it here:

Dear Nolan--I have to write small because this is the paper they gave me, and I feel like I have so much to say to you! You were scheduled to come into this world on May 2, but made your appearance a little early. At 8 lbs., 2 oz., I'm glad! My water broke at 4 AM, and from there it just kept going. All in all, you were pretty easy. The nurses kept making fun of me because every time they checked me I would be further along, but not even a sign of pain! I'm hoping that means you'll have my laid-back personality! They're already saying you look like your dad, but that's ok! I'm sitting here watching you, and you're just starting to wake up. You're such a sound sleeper! I had you in the room all night and barely heard you. I wonder if you'll stay that way? Well, the doctor just took you to check you out. I hope all goes well. They tested your hearing last night, but one side had problems. We'll see when they do it later what happens--I'm sure it's ok!

You met your big sister for the first time yesterday and she was so proud of you! She wouldn't let anyone hold you but me. When the nurse took you to give you a bath, Abby screamed and screamed! She kept touching your head (and poking your eyes!) and giving you tons of kisses. Since she wouldn't let me hold any baby before you were born, we couldn't have expected any better!

Well, you just came back from your follow-up hearing test, and no problem. Maybe it just means that I'll have to tell you everything twice!

I sure am excited to go home with you and our new family of four (plus Sadie!). I can't even imagine how the same or how different it will be than with Abby. I think you're lucky that we got all the first parent mistakes out of the way with her!

Just like you, I was a second child, and I have no idea if your dad and I will have more little kiddos or not. As a second child, I know that you won't get as many pictures taken, your firsts will be the "second" firsts after Abby, and you may always be compared to her. But I can tell you this--You will always be 100% loved as Nolan. No matter what you do in life, you'll always be my son, my love. I can't wait to watch you grow.

Love, Mom

Decision, made

Last week I got a job offer from Kohl's. The next day I got a full-time offer from Direct Supply. A good place to be in, but a difficult decision to make! The compensation was nearly the same, as were benefits, vacation and other extras. I know Direct Supply, the good, the bad and the ugly, all demons that I already know and am already frustrated with. Kohl's is a fresh start, and demons, if any, that I don't know.

In the end, it came down to what do I want to do. The Kohl's job was much more operationally focused. It was within a business unit and, while I think I could have really been successful and probably even happy, the Direct Supply job is much more what I want to do with my life. More coaching, more facilitating, more organizational developoment... whatever that means!

And so, on Monday, May 2, I'll return to work full-time, at my old company. In a way, since this will be such a big change, it's nice to do it in a place that I already know, with people I already know. It makes it that much less daunting, for sure!

Another Maxism

Max (crying): Ava is going to bereak my toy!

Me: Ava is not going to break your toy.

Max (sweet as sweet can be): Ava, do you want to break my toy?

Ava (who heard "Ava, do you want my toy?"): Nods her head yes.

Max: See? Ava wants to break my toy!

This happens ay least 5 times a day, and it never fails to crack me up!

Customer service, please

On Monday, I took Nolan and his friend Kyan to pick out their birthday cakes. They're doing a joint "party" because their birthdays are on the same day, but really it's just two friends, plus Dave and Kyan's dad (and Abby) going to Stonefire Pizza (kinda Chuck E. Cheese's) and hanging out for awhile. So anyway, I took them Monday for their cakes, and Kyan wanted white cake a frosting and Nolan wanted chocolate. Ok. They both like baseball, but Kyan is a Yankee fan and Nolan While Sox. Ok. So we looked through the cake book, and most of the logos other than the Brewers were crossed out except for one page. So, we asked about the logos, if they could do half chocolate half vanilla, both cake and frosting, and explained it the best we could. I also asked if they would call me on Tuesday if they couldn't make the cake so I could find someone else who could.

Well...

The called THIS MORNING, Friday morning, to tell me they didn't have the logos. WHAT? How could you not know that when we ordered the cake? How could you not tell me that on Tuesday so I could find someone who could do it? And now, Friday morning, I can't give anyone the 48 hours they need to make the cake, especially one that's a little, well, specific. I was NOT happy.

Fortunately, they gave me 30% off the cake. And, fortunately, I am married to a creative person. Dave is currently trying to put the logos on the half white, half chocolate cake. We'll see how it goes!

AND THEN...

We ordered pizza from a place in Hartford for dinner tonight. I gave them 30 minutes or so and then went to pick it up, and they told me it would be another 20 minutes. Really?? So I went to grab some groceries and got back and they still weren't done. Geez! They guy tried to tell me it was because it's Good Friday. Give me a break. When I asked if it should really take over an hour, he said it usually is about 40 minutes. Then I asked if I came in and ordered if it would take that long, he said about 30 minutes. So, it would have been quicker if I came in and ordered it, and he said yes because those go to the front of the stack. REALLY??? That just seems ridiculous. I got a free 2-liter of soda. That I can't even drink until Sunday. Woo hoo.

Bottom line? Do it right the first time. If you don't, make it right. There's no better impression on somone than that.

Max's shark

When we got home from vacation, Max had a little scrape on his nose. We asked him where it came from, and since then, we've gotten several versions of the story. But mostly, it goes like this (Max speaking):

I saw a shark and wanted a tooth for my necklace. So I swam after it and pulled his tooth out. I pulled it out and swam away, but he came after me and bit me on the nose. Then I cried.

Hey, he could have said he just scraped himself. You can't fault the boy for his imagination!

My nemesis

For the past few lents, I've given up soda, specifically Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi, depending on my preference at the time. It's always been a challenge, especially since at work we have free soda, and I tend to take full advantage, continuing the constant drinking at home. But while it's been a challenge, I've always made it--never a soda for 40 days.

And then there's this year. Seriously? I just can't live without it. I was fine at first, but knew I would have it during vacation. I can't fly without it, and, well, vacation is vacation. Then we got back and I was all ready to go the rest of the weeks without, but we also brought back really, really, really good rum. And I couldn't let Dave drink it all, so decided Diet Coke would be ok when mixed with rum. Suffice it to say, I drank a few more rum and cokes than I should have, all in the name of not drinking Diet Coke.

Finally I realized how stupid to drink rum and coke instead of just Diet Coke (plus we ran out of rum), and so I started drinking Diet Coke alone. There's always and excuse... I don't feel well, have a headache, would eat instead, need the caffeine. But I'm pretty disappointed in myself.

And it really wouldn't matter, except for Abby. Abby also gave up Diet Pepsi, and candy. She's been very good about it, and when I have a Diet Coke, she asks me why, I always give her an excuse. She asks me if she can have a drink, and even when I say sure, she still usually forgoes that in exchange for water, or even Sprite, which she doesn't like nearly as much. She certainly has more willpower than me this lenten season.

So, my commitment. There's not much time left, but I'm not having any Diet Coke until Sunday. I know, big deal, right? Well, it's something, anyway!

Run run run

Awhile back, I signed Abby and myself up for a fun 5K at the Y for today. I had hoped the weather would be nice, we'd have some fun outside, and get some exercise in. And then this morning dawned, rainy and cold, and I regretted signing up, but decided we should go anyway. I kept telling Abby the goal was to jog the whole thing, regardless of how slow. I thought we'd run some, walk some, but was pleasantly surprised that, when I allowed Abby to set the pace for the whole thing, we jogged the entire way, all 3.1 miles! I think the longest Abby had ever run before that was 1 mile, so that was pretty good. I was very proud of her and, more importantly, she was so proud of herself.

It won't be long before I'll have to set the pace because I won't be able to keep up with her!

It's so different, and so the same

This week marks the completion of year three of this blog. Year three! Last year, I made books out of each year before, and just tonight made one out of the previous year. To commemorate, I went back to re-read the first year, April 2008. Nolan was almost four, Max almost 1, Abby 5, Ava wasn't even a thought.

Oh my goodness, we did some funny, crazy things. They said things that had me rolling on the floor... again, three years later. There were things that happened that I forgot, that I never thought I'd forget. And there were things that I can't believe were already three years ago (Sadie's been gone almost that long? Really?).

I wrote a lot in those first months of the blog, of everyday things, of everyday life. Lately it's been harder to do that much writing, but after seeing everything I'd forgotten, I think I should try. I mean, if I don't write it in the blog, will the kids remember what life was like some days? Or maybe it's better that they only remember the general and not the specifics. Maybe they'll be scarred for life!

Today marks the end of the first week of Dave at home. It's been good and he's finished lots of projects. Abby doesn't like it because he cooks more, which means she has to try more things. It's strange to go to work and not have to worry about daycare anywhere.

Tonight, the kids found their own fun, grabbing a sleeping bag and riding it down the stairs. Yes, all four of them, sitting in a row, sliding down the steps. Something tells me we wouldn't have allowed Abby to do that when she was Ava's age. But then, Abby didn't have a big sister to push that envelope for her. A blessing and a curse!

Tomorrow Abby and I are going to run a 5K in the cold, wet weather. Bleah. Then Abby's heading to a birthday party, then we're going to a neighbor party. Something tells me Sunday will be spent with a lot of couch time... unless the weather is nice. Then I will for sure be soaking that up!

Way too big, way too quick

Who is that big girl, with screwdriver in hand? Why, it's Ava, taking apart her crib. Taking apart her crib? Why would she be doing that?

Because she's a a big girl, of course! With a new set of bunk beds to share with her big sister.

My, my. How could that happen just so quick? First the nuk. Second the crib. Next up? Diapers!

Times they are a-changin'

Three years ago I started this blog a few weeks before I quit my job (quit, but worked a day a week anyway). And now it's looking certain I will be going back full time again. Crazy, I know!

Last week I had an interview at Kohl's (if you're reading this and are very interested in my work life because, well, you work with me, please be assured that I've let anyone know who should know!). I think it went very well, and I should hear this week whether I'll get a second interview or not. I hate to even write this here because I don't want to tempt fate. And even more, I don't want to be embarassed if I don't get an offer, which I will have to then publicly (or at least bloggily) announce.

I am also looking at full-time positions at my current company, too. I've been exploring that route for about seven months now, which feels a little excessive. But, there's something about the devil you know. While it has its challenges working there, I also know how flexible it is, and I've paid my dues. It's hard to start a new place and hard to be the new person.

But mostly, a change is now mostly precipitated by Dave's job. It's been in limbo for a few months now, with a buy-out imminent, and the buy-out is still in government review. We've wanted a change, and for him to travel less, for about seven months now, too. This morning he had a meeting with his boss' boss, they talked about the travel required coming up, Dave's commitment level, and the going forward plan. They mutually agreed it was in the best interest of both for Dave to tender his resignation. It worked for them, because they want someone who can devote their entire life to it, and it worked for Dave, because he got a good package, including unemployment, and the summer off with the kids!

And so, things are a little in limbo. But I have faith that we'll land on our feet.

Random

Just realized this never posted... Sorry!

As I was transferring vacation pictures to my computer, I realized I had some old ones on there, too. Just for fun, I thought I'd post a few.

A new house is being built next to us. It's not every day the kids get their own dirt pile to play on!

It's cold here. This picture was followed by a picture of Ava in her swimsuit. I'll take the swimsuit, thank you very much!

Ok, I know this is kind of a, ahem, risque picture, but I have one of Abby and Nolan doing the same thing. I think it's funny how Max and Ava do a lot of the things I remember Abby and Nolan doing together. It all goes around!

Ava and the boys were waiting to get on the plane in NY. Definitely carry-on size!

Wii. It's a family game!

Awww.

Check out the fingernails!

And the ponies!

Say Cheese!

Rough housing with the boys.

That's all. Just for fun!

How was your vacation?

I've been asked so many times how our vacation was, and it's funny because I just can't even say. Great! Awesome! Really nice! Relaxing! All those words are true, and yet so inadequate. Simply amazing that a year later, we still love it, still didn't want to come home.

The next question is what did you do on your vacation. And again I struggle. We did... nothing? We ate, swam, played in the sand and then did it all over again. And we swam with some dolphins in there too. But mostly? Ate, swam, played in the sand. It was perfect. Oh, and we met some amazingly nice people. In fact, everyone we met was so nice, from Ohio, Jersey, New York, Quebec, everywhere. There was great conversation, other kids for our kids to play with, and just general merriment.

And so, maybe you'll get sick of seeing my pictures. Most of them will be of the sand and the water. But when you spend seven days, just taking it all in, I guess that's what you get! Here we go in whatever order this blog program likes best...

First stop, Abby's hair! Just like last year, she got it all braided, and they're actually all still in yet today.

The very first day we got there, it rained. We took heart that it was 85 and raining, and it didn't phase the kids who stayed in the swimming pool the entire time. At the end, we even got a rainbow. And then 6 more days without a cloud in sight.

Lunch on the beach bed, can't go wrong.

All the kids slept so well. Nolan put himself to bed every night, regardless of what else was going on. Max was dead to the world in the morning. Ava and Abby fell asleep two minutes after hitting the pillow.

Abby's favorite chair. Also a picture of our living room, after we bought our timeshare. It was so nice!

 They gave us a golf cart to use... not sure who like driving more, Dave or Ava.

 Too cool in the sun.

 Dave and his girls, sharing a drink at the bar.

Ava was easy, slept in whatever cabana we put her in!

Part of our hotel pool.

 At Ocean World, ready to go snorkeling.

 Hi, Ava!

 Feeding the birds. Ava was okay with it until they actually landed on her. Then she wasn't so sure.

 Abby, Nolan and Dave praying before feeding the stingrays.

 Then Abby, out of the water, deciding she did not want to feed the stingrays. Dave said the trainer guy kept saying "Don't hold your hand like this, you'll get bit. Don't put your foot like that, you'll get bit." Nolan was the only kid out of four who stayed in the water. Abby was embarassed that she couldn't do it. I didn't blame her one bit!

 Nolan looks a little worried.

 And then onto the sharks. Nurse sharks to be exact.

 Crazy Max. The second we got out of the plane his hair curled so tight!

 Oops, back to snorkeling with the sharks.

 Foosball. The kids couldn't wait to play, and played every chance they got. They got pretty good at it!

 Dominican butts. We have the same picture from last year. I guess it makes it a tradition?

 Something for everyone... Dave sitting on the pool, the kids playing in the sand. There's also, of course, a bar and an ice cream boutique kind of like Coldstone Creamery.

 The kids swinging... I should have taken it from behind to get the awesome ocean view from here.

 The ice cream boutique. Open from 11-5 daily. Visited at least twice every day by every child of mine.

 What a life!

 And again.

 Serenity Beach has these huge Lazy Loungers. So comfortable, as you can tell!

 An awesome place to take in the scenery, look for shells, and, and Nolan did for an entire day, gather hermit crabs.

 A girl on a mission.

 Every day, the kids wanted to dig a big hole and bury themselves in it. More power to 'em!

 The happy family.

 The happy family again. But that's because it was before we were going in for dinner! We've always said that we don't go there for the food. It's good, but it is different. The meat and cheese have a distinct taste. But still, everyone gets plenty to eat. We usually go to the buffet because it's just easier, but we also have the chance to make reservations. We went one night to The Blue Lagoon, which is a Carribbean Seafood place. It was good and nice to sit down and be served. In the picture below we're standing in front of Trapiche Paradise, the Mexican Restaurant. We ordered, and everyone but Dave got their appetizer. Then after another hour we still didn't have our food. We ended up leaving and I felt bad, but the kids just couldn't sit there anymore... and neither could Dave! We hit the buffet. :)

 Ahhh, the V.I.P. Pool. There's also a Sports bar, disco, V.I.P. beach and restaurants.

 Not too shabby.

 Information about the sharks that Dave and Nolan swam with.

 Abby really, really didn't like the birds. The guy put bird seed in her hair. This is about the only second she was smiling about it.

 Mt. Isabel. Miss Biron, this one's for you! Abby studied mountains while on the beach!

 We went to Ocean World two days, one to do the dolphin excursions, and then I took the bigs back to do the other things. This is one of those things. A huge slide and trampoline in the water. I went down two times, and it was really fun. The problem, though, is getting up it. The guy literally has to go under water and boost you up so you can climb up. I had no dignity left after that!

 No matter where we are, Abby will find a tree and climb it.

 A different cabana. With the most comfortable pillows ever.

 Max and (gasp!) Amelia. Sorry Rayva... Max had a new girlfriend for the week!

 And Nolan and Andrew. It was funny because we met people who had a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, the same ages as our neighbors across the street that Nolan and Max hang out with. They even look similar. Strange!

 One of the three huge tubs in our suite.

 The old room. It was just a plain hotel room, and we had two of them. It's the same one we had last year, so we knew what it was and were fine with it. But then we got upgraded. And realized what we were missing!

 New room kitchen.

 New room bedroom #1. The other bedroom had a king size bed.

 New room living room.

 New room balcony. That lounge over there? My spot.

 New room dining room.

 Me and my baby girl.

 Dave, dancing at the V.I.P. party with a bunny and all the little kids.

 In front of all these people.

 The kids climbing the rock. Also where Nolan collected hermit crabs with his new friend Nick from North Carolina.

 You can see the scar on Abby's thigh. So many times over the course of the week I was so grateful that we could even make this trip at all.

 Look! A shark!

 Everyone got buried.

 Consistently throughout the week, Max would say, "Daddy, I need a drink. I need a pina colada." Me too, Max!

 Our hotel pool again.

 And the dolphins. They were so fun!

This would have been a great picture, if I hadn't gone up too high so you could see the dolphin jumping over Dave, Abby and Nolan!

 Lovin' the cabanas at Harmony Beach.

 The boys on our balcony.

 More foosball, this time with new friend Nick. Nick is 9, and his sister Katie is 16. Katie ran around with Max and Ava for at least a half hour. It was great! The funny thing is last year there was a kid, Ole, who showed up everywhere we were. It was fine for a little bit, but got annoying. This year, the kids made friends and it was perfect. They weren't there everywhere we went, but it was enough that it gave them stuff to do.

 Max loves his dolphin!

 Abby and Nolan dolphin dancing.

 Nolan getting a push from a dolphin.

 And Abby getting a push.

 Dave hitching a ride.

 Playing on the beach at sunset.

And there it is. Domincan 2011 has come and gone. The plane ride home was fine, with Ava throwing a fit at random, sometimes for 2 minutes, sometimes for 20. But it was so, so worth it. Now, how do we go next year from January through April???