This Year vs. Last Year

Last December, I had so much time.

Despite the fact that Nolan was a mere two months old, and big brother Aiden was a precocious two-and-three quarters, I had so much time.

I could plan fun activities, like going to the mall to see Santa (something I’d never done as a kid, but wanted to try with my boys), baking Christmas cookies, and all those holiday bucket list items you’re supposed to cross off. It was the PERFECT time of year to be on maternity leave.

This year, there’s not nearly as much time. My Monday through Friday, 9-5 job (which I am ridiculously thankful for, thankyouverymuch) doesn’t afford me as much time—or to be perfectly honest, energy—to plan so many activities. It sucks because I want to do all the things we did last year (and more), but there are only so many hours in a day, and the boys need to be fed and bathed and read to and then there’s laundry and getting things in order for the sitter’s house (not mention my job) in the morning…just not enough time.

This is a tough balance, this working mom stuff. I’m pretty seasoned at it by now—I’ve got nearly 4 years under my belt—and I’ve got a great amount of help from the hubster, but this time of year, with all the fun and pressures brought on by the holiday season, I notice it a bit more.

But I’ve got to get it in gear. I’ve got big plans for 2012, especially in my personal life. Shedding a few pounds is at the top of that list (seeing myself in my sister’s wedding photos has provided a lot of motivation for that), closely followed by a desire to be more healthy in general (let’s face it—I’m not getting any younger). I also want to be a better mom, wife, employee--all that stuff.

So while I may have started off this post a bit whiney, I'm ending positively. Looking forward to 2012, and wishing everyone else out there the Happiest of New Years :)

Merry Christmas to All :)

Wordless Wednesday: O Christmas Tree

Linking up with and then, she {snapped}.

10 Things I Think I Think, I'm Sick AGAIN Edition

10. Sad that I end up doing these lists either when I'm home sick, or home with sick kiddos. Obviously from the title, this time it's the former. Sore throat, throbbing ears, pounding headache, and a fever that had me laying on the couch all day yesterday. Doctor's appointment this afternoon--hopefully she can fix me.

9. Sent the boys to the sitter this morning. I figured I was already paying for it, and I was hoping to take a nap, but the timing of my dr. appt killed that plan. Oh well. Might as well keep them on schedule.

8. THISCLOSE to pulling the trigger on a Kindle Fire. It's my present to myself for doing so well with Scentsy over the past two weeks. Plus I love how it's pre-loaded with a ton of children's books, so looks like A & N will be getting some use as well.

7. Can't figure out how Christmas is less than two weeks away. Maternity leave throughout December last year meant I could really soak in the holidays; now I feel as if I trying to jam it all in. Probably why I'm sick. *SIGH*

6. Still trying to process the changes my employer began outlining last week. I don't typically talk about work on here, and thus I will remain strategically vague, but it is public knowledge. I totally understand why it had to happen, but nonetheless, a few of my friends and coworkers lost their jobs. Such a weird dynamic being thankful that I still have my own job, and feeling so terrible for those that got bad news.

5. Nolan has his own little language. With Aiden, we when straight from "MaMa" and "DaDa" to "Why yes, Mother, I'd love a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios!," so it's fun to listen to Nolan telling us all about his day in words & syllables we can't understand. He's got such conviction when he speaks to us--I smile just thinking about it.

4. Aiden had a checkup for his collarbone last Friday; his healing is going wonderfully well. He no longer needs to wear the brace at night, and on Christmas Day, he'll be done with it for good. Can't say I'll miss that thing.

3. Excited to be able to see all my sisters & brother again in just a few weeks. Christmas makes me insanely excited, as do my impending 10 days off work. :):):):):):):):):):)

2. Just remembered I have tickets to another OSU basketball game next month. The only thing to be excited about in January.

1. When Aiden went to the ER for his collarbone, he weighed in at a whopping 26.2 lb. A few days later when I took Nolan to the pediatrician for a nasty cough, he weighed in at 21.5 lb. That's only a five-pound difference, and they're two years eight months a part. I think Nolan might catch up to Aiden by the spring. Things could get very interesting around here...

Wordless Wednesday: Santa :)

Linking up with and then, she {snapped}.

MEEP MEEP

Ever since I can remember, my nickname has been Beeker. You, know, he of exploding science experiments, crazy orange hair, and a penchant for speaking only in meeps? Yeah, I don't see the connection to he & I either.

Anyways, with the recent release of the new Muppets movie, I've been pretty excited about the availability of new Beeker merchandise. I Googled Beeker today and found some hilarious stuff.

Wonder if Angie would like to try her hand at this? :) (via)

How awesomely creepy!!! (via)

Too cute :) (via)

Must think about for next Halloween. (via)

Definitely want to try this later today... (via)

If I ever get an iPhone, this will definitely be my case! (via)

I. WANT. (via)

So anyways, that's just a brief smattering of the stuff I was giggling at in my Beeker quest. The search continues...

My Week (19) in Droid Photos

Lotsa Buckeye basketball. Bear with me.

Sunday 11/27/11: Broken collarbones suck.

Sunday 11/27/11: Nolan is happy whenever there is food. :)

Tuesday 11/29/11: Doin' what we do.

Tuesday 11/29/11: Archie Griffin. HEART HIM.

Tuesday 11/29/11: Clark Kellogg, famous OSU Alum.

Tuesday 11/29/11: So we sat at the top of the arena--big whoop. Wanna fight about it?!

Thursday 12/1/11: Easily THE coolest necklace EVER.

Saturday 12/3/11: Saw this dude at light. No words.

Want to link up? Head over to Amy's blog!

Duke WHO?!

One of the best decisions I ever made was to join The Ohio State University Alumni Association. It's given me the opportunity to do so many things, both to help my career as well as to satisfy my crazy fandom. This week, Angie & I got to do the second of the two.

You may have heard that Duke came to town to take on our Buckeyes in what was easily one of the biggest non-conference games to ever take place at the Schottenstein Center, especially with OSU ranked #2 and Duke #3. As an alumni, I had the opportunity to purchase game tickets as well as tickets to the Buckeye Bash beforehand. What a great time! We were able to see a brief performance by some of the OSU cheerleaders, and then listen to comments from Archie Griffin, JJ Sullinger, and Clark Kellogg, all while eating catered hors d'ouvers and having a beer (or two, since Angie & I each one a free one). We had a lot of fun hob-nobbing with the other fans in attendance, too.

The Three Muskateers: Angie, Me, and beer. :)

LET'S GO BUCKS!!!

Angie snuck away to get her free beer and ended up with this photo, sans me :(

At least I was able to hit up JJ Sullinger later, though :)

After a quick (if not cold & rainy) walk across the street to the Schott, we bought a few fun things in the team shop and then made our way up to our seats. And by up, I mean to THE VERY TOP OF THE ARENA. Seriously, our backs were up against the wall. No big deal though--at least we where there for a sold-out show!

Even from the top of the arena, the action felt pretty close!

When you're up by 20+ points, you find weird ways to amuse yourself...

And WHAT a show it was--OSU never trailed in the game, and enjoyed a double-digit lead for the majority of the game. Angie & I had a blast; while admittedly a different pace than football, the basketball team was just as entertaining. Which is great, because we have tickets to attend again in January. GO BUCKS!!!