Alone

Last night I was feeling sad and restless. I am excited to celebrate Halloween with the kids tonight, but I hate that Pat is missing ANOTHER event with the kids. I am really missing having my husband around and being a team raising the kids.

I know that we are only apart for 12 weeks this time, but I am anxious to start our new life together in our new home. I feel like we've been apart so much that I am just waiting to finally relax and know that he isn't going any where.

Does it make me a bad mom that I am not able to enjoy my kids like I should when I am all alone caring for everyone and everything by myself? That is something I've struggled with so much and have not conquered. I hate that I am so busy and overwhelmed that I cannot just enjoy the greatest blessings that are right in front of me.  I constantly try to remind myself that each moment is so precious, and I cannot get this time back.

I guess I just sometimes forget to listen to my own advice.

Leah's Ladybug Nursery

Continuing with the tour of our new home, here is one of the rooms I was most excited about decorating.  This is Leah's nursery.  I had it planned out since before she was born, and couldn't wait to finally create a nursery for my baby since this was the first (and last time) I would actually fully decorate a baby's room.

So here it is:

I thought these were full length curtains when I bought them, but it turns out they were only 63". I actually like the shorter length better for the nursery anyway.  The picture frame was a gift and I still need to get a printed photo to put into it.  The blanket on the glider was given to us from the hospital.

I wanted this ladybug bedding set for years if I ever had a girl.  And knowing I would name her Leah made the set even more perfect.  Coincidentally, I got really lucky.  Shortly after we found out Leah was a girl, I went to look at the bedding set online again.  It was on clearance!  I'm not only lucky that I got a good deal, but a few days later it was completely sold out.  I'm so thankful I checked out the website that day or else I would have lost out on the set I really wanted.

Here is a better view of the quilt.

Here are the nursery letters I painted.  I like doing crafts, but they hardly ever turn out like planned.  I could not be more proud of how these turned out though.

Here is a mobile I created.  It is scrapbook paper mod podged onto cardboard cutouts.  It was my first time using mod podge, and this is another craft I am proud of.

Here are a few details in the nursery.  The hamper we got at target and the colors work perfectly in the room.  The closet pull was left in another room by the previous owner so I moved it into Leah's nursery.  The lamp we got at Ocean State Job Lot for $7.

Here is a photo of the hair bow holder and a bookcase my father built for me when I was a kid.  It's nice that I can use it for my child now too.  All the pink outlet covers and stuff were in another room from the sellers, and I moved them into this room.  

And a close up of the hair bow holder I made.  You can read all the details about that HERE.  

So I think it is a perfect room for my perfect little girl :D

Ryan's First Day of School 2012

Last week Ryan finally started school again.  He's had a long break since the end of school back in May.  It wasn't ideal to enter school after the start of the year, but he seems to be fitting in just fine.  He really enjoys school right now so that is what is most important to me.

Here is a photo of my big boy right before we ran out the door for school.

Ryan goes three afternoons to school.  It's not the best time for us, but we're just happy that he is in school to learn now.  I'm still trying to figure out nap time for the other kids with driving Ryan to and from school.  In typical first time parent fashion I'm worried if he's learning all he needs to know for kindergarten next year, but they tell me this class is preparatory for that.

I think as a parent you never stop worrying...even over things you don't need to.

Here's a quick comparison of the first day of school over the years.

They aren't kidding when they say kids grow up way too fast!