Back to being a working mom

Written on 8-23
Today was my first day back at school, even though I don't meet my new students until next week. I had been in complete denial about going back. So much so that it kind of felt like it hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday. I broke out in tears several times just thinking about it. I even made a comment to Ray about Kenley & I having our last breakfast together, and he responded, "honey, you're not dying!" I know it's dramatic, but I feel like I'm in some kind of mourning of my summer. I know I'm going to miss so much over the hours each day I am at work. It kills me.  And it killed me even more to hear a few of my colleagues say that they were ready to come back to work, to get away from their kids, and that they could only handle going to the park so many times.  I was pretty surprised to hear that from some moms that have kids right around Kenley's age. But, I also know a lot of my colleagues were probably sad like I was to leave their kids.


I know I have to suck it up. I know that I'm lucky to have the summers off, and I know that so many moms do not get that perk. I know I will get through this year and be greatful when a 3 day weekend, or Chritmas break, and especially another summer rolls around. But, me, I thoroughly loved my summer with my girl.  I loved our mornings eating breakfast in the kitchen when she would want to "cheers" her milk with my iced coffee. I loved our afternoons of running errands, going on play dates, splash parks, playing in the backyard, and just having fun. And, our countless times at the park were no where near enough for me. I could push her on the swing & run around from slide to slide all day. I loved hearing all the new words she learned and laughing when she said funny things.  Even though she is having some tantrums that mostly start over the "I do it!" or hearing "No" powerstruggle, I loved that I got to experience them, soothe them, and eventually laugh about them.


I knowI am going to figure out this schedule again.  I might not be there for every moment, but I will make the ones I am here for count.

Kicking the Habit

Compared to my last few posts, this one may seem really boring, but I wanted to write about it because it is a milestone in my book. We are officially one week pacifier free!  I was a little to hesitant to write about it before, and as you can see, I have had more fun things to post about the last few days.

One of my goals this summer was to break Kenley of her pacifier addiction.  She mostly only used it for naps and sleeping, but a few weeks back when she got sick, she seemed to get more attached to it.  I know it was comforting her when she wasn't feeling so good, so I let her have it.  Then, when we were on vacation, I was worried about her not napping or sleeping well being away from home, so she had it a little bit more then too.  The last few weeks, she also would ask for it by saying, "The Pac!  The Pac!" Or asking for her blanket and "Pac Too!"  I knew it was time to try and take it, even though I dreaded it, and thought for sure it would be a few days of Hell.

So, she went to bed with it one last night, and when she woke up in the morning I took it, and I hid all of the other pacifiers laying around the house too. (so I thought)  I cut the tip off of one of the pacifiers and when she asked for it I gave her the "broken" one.  She threw a big fit, but I distracted her and then we left the house for the day.  I showed her the broken one a few times throughout the day and when she was in a really good mood I asked her if she wanted to throw the paci away.  Of course I had to say it in a voice that seemed like this would be something really fun to do, so she did it received a big round of applause afterward. 

She did not ask for it anymore that day, but a few hours later when it was time for bed, I knew that the hard part was just beginning.  She cried in her crib for almost an hour, feel asleep for about 2 hours and then woke up and cried a bit more before going back to sleep, but then slept through the night!  Ray and I didn't even have to use he ear plugs that were on our bedstands "just in case." 

The next morning I told her how proud I was and how she was such a big girl.  She only asked for it once or twice over the next day or two.  We only had one little setback.  We were in my room and I was straightening up, when I looked over and saw her sucking on a paci!  I have no idea where she got it from or how she found it, but I immediately snatched it away from her.  Again, she was not happy that I took it away after she only had a few seconds of being reuinted with it, but there was no way I was going to undo the 2 days of hard work.

The last few days she hasn't asked for it once, and she has been going down for naps and bedtime really good!  I am proud of Kenley and proud of myself for not giving in and knowing it would be a few hard days and then (hopefully) it would be over, and it was.  Although, I have to admit, looking back at all these pictures makes me remember the good old "baby" days with her paci. 

Here's where it all began, at the hospital!  I should have known by the way she was gripping it that it would be hard to say goodbye!

Yee haw!

To celebrate our anniversary, Ray and I have gone on vacation every year right around August 2nd.  Since we went to New Buffalo a week early this year, we still were going to make plans to do a little weekend get-away following that trip that would be just the two of us.  I was thinking maybe we would go to Lake Geneva, or stay overnight in Oakbrook.  When I mentioned this to Ray the weeks leading up to it he told me he had it all covered and had planned something.  I knew it was killing him keeping a secret, and then while we were in New Buffalo he surprised me by telling me that we were going to see Carrie Underwood....in Nashville! He gets major husband points for this one.

We had the best time in Nashville and stayed at the most amazing hotel, The Grand Opry Resort.  It was huge and beautiful with waterfalls, plants, resturaunts, and shops.  It was comparable to the nicest hotels in Las Vegas.  We had a chance to meet up with my cousin Darcie and her husband John and go to lunch with them.  Then we explored the main strip of bars listening to many amazing country bands.  We stayed out in that area the whole day and went to all the main bars Tootsies, Honkey-Tonk, Ripps.  We also met up with another couple that we are friends with from home when we found out through facebook they were in Nashville too! 

The next day we explored our hotel, went to the pool, went shopping, and then went to the Opry.  It was so much fun being there.  I loved every second of the show and all of the groups that played.  I was even suprised myself that I really enjoyed one of the gospel groups that performed.  It was so cool being at such a small venue, and they did a great job of mixing the old and new country acts.  Carrie Underwood was amazing, and she sounded better live than any cd.  I will never forget that concert. 

We had a great weekend, and it was fun being just the 2 of  us.  I feel so lucky that Ray would plan something so special for me.  Of course, we really missed Kenley while we were gone, and we were excited when we got to see her.  It sounded like she had a great time spending the weekend with our parents, and I know she got spoiled! I have only seen her for one hour so far because she napped, then went right back to sleep, and she has been sleeping for 14 hours!  Those grandparents really know how to party!

Here are some pictures from our trip!  4 Years and I wouldn't change a thing!

Welcome to the World!

My niece, Kayla Ann Cooney, was born last night on August 9, 2012!

What a surprise she gave to all of us!  Katie's due date was August 23rd, but this week we found out that she would be having a scheduled c-section on August 16th.  Katie ended up getting really sick from the antibiotics that they gave her a few weeks ago when she was in the hospital the first time with an infection.  She was so sick the last 3 days that on Wednesday night, my parents ended up taking her to the emergency room.  Greg was working, and met them there once Katie was checked in.  So, Thursday morning she was in the hospital and while they were treating her they noticed she was having a lot of contractions. 

I stayed in contact with my mom, and she kept me updated.  Around 3:00 I talked to her and she said that the nurse was going to have Katie's doctor come check her out because it looked like she might be going into labor.  The next call I got my mom said that most likely the c-section would be that night, and an hour later we got another call saying it was probably going to be soon!  Ray and my dad were supposed to be going to the Bears game with Ray's mom and uncle, but stayed back because they wanted to be there.  So, Ray and I took Kenley and went to the hospital.  We said hi to Katie and Greg, and within about 15 minutes they were wheeling Katie into the operating room.

Us, my parents, and Greg's parents all waited anxiously in the waiting room.  They said the c-section would take about an hour and ten minutes total, and believe me, we were all counting down.  Every minute beyond that seemed to take forever!  Kenley entertained us and she was so unbelievably good. I think she was just as excited to finally meet her cousin who we have been talking about for months. Finally, a nurse came and said everything went great, and then the Proud Daddy, Greg. came in to see us.  We were all asking a million questions, but knew we had to wait a little longer to meet Kayla and see Katie. 

Katie looked so content holding Kayla, and she was just smiling ear to ear.  Kayla was all bundeled up with a little pink hat on, and her eyes were open.  She has the cutest little face, and seemed so tiny!  We all took turns holding her and took a bunch of pictures. I am so excited about the newest addition to our family, and I am so happy for Katie & Greg!