Tokyo is For Lovers: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #31: Sunny, Blue Skies+Heather+Botanical Gardens+Friendly's Sundae=The Perfect Day (Also Sawyer's latest trick and A Sample of our own Botanicals)

One second after this photo was taken Sawyer had his leg in the fountain. I have no idea how it happened so fast. He walked around for the rest of the day with a soggy shoe.

Sawyer's Latest Trick:

Our Bougainvillea Bloomed this Month!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #30: Finally! A smile!

Our family passed around a nasty cold the last couple of weeks resulting in some pretty trying days for all of us. Yesterday and the day before were the worst days I have had as a mom so far (There will be far worse days ahead of me, I realize). I actually called and made Jonathan come home early from work yesterday...he brought home a large hot chocolate from Starbucks to help calm my nerves. But today the rain stopped, the clouds parted, and a few rays of sun shone through. For the first time in days, I'm not only writing with tired, burning eyes, but also a satisfied smile.

However, by the way the day started, you would have never believed it could have ended so pleasantly. By the time Jonathan left for work, sawyer had thrown at least two tantrums and Lyla had a burn on her hand from touching the tea kettle that needed a doctor's attention. Our house was a disaster, like the kind of disaster that threatens hygiene safety standards. At 10am we got in to see the doctor to learn that Lyla's burn would be fine but that she has an infection in her eyes and that her two bottom teeth were just breaking through (no wonder she was screaming all day yesterday. Poor Baby.) By lunchtime I was beat, but that's when the tide turned. Sawyer went down for a nap...and so did Lyla! Sawyer slept for three hours and Lyla slept on an off for most of the time as well. I was able to clean the kitchen! I was able to lay down on my bed! I was able to check my email!

When the kids woke up, they were happy. Lyla didn't require constant bouncing. Sawyer didn't throw a fit about me not letting him turn on the TV. We played! I cleaned up. I even made a tasty dinner! Sure, Sawyer threw a tantrum about not getting to eat ice cream from dinner, but who wouldn't? And he did eventually eat his food. Both kids were all snug in their beds asleep by 7:30!

I finished cleaning. Ate my dinner. Bragged to Jonathan, who is still at work and probably won't be home until after 11pm. And now...now here I am writing a blog post (in a clean house with two sleeping children). Success.

Sawyer and Lyla, Mama loves you. I'm sorry we had a rough couple of days. Hopefully, we will heal from the experience quickly and are not left with any emotional scars.

Here is the first smile that Sawyer gave me in DAYS (what a cute kid):

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Strads 364, Entry #29:

Monday, January 28, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #28: #Tantrum, #TerribleTwos, #ScreamingUntilHoarse, #MomNeedsABreak, #HelpMe!, #Boogerface (plus a couple of cute shots)

The Calm Before the Storm

Let the Games Begin:

Somehow, We Are Still Friends at the End

Here are the cute shots:

This is Lyla's little friend Taylor. They have a lot in common. Taylor is a miracle baby too. Her mom found out she was pregnant as she was going into surgery to treat her infertility (Nice save). These two had the same due date, BUT they ended up being a month apart. Taylor was born two weeks early. Lyla was born two weeks late.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #27:

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #26: "Fry!"

Friday, January 25, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #25: Lyla

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Strads 365, Entry #24: Esquire

The "trek" started in August 2007 and has finally come to an end today, January 24, 2013. Today Jonathan is officially and legally a LAWYER. It only took a measly six years, lots of work, and plenty of student loans, but today Jonathan passed the finish line. And even though it was frigidly cold outside (-1F), Sawyer was still recovering from some kind of sickness, and the ceremony was scheduled during nap time, I was determined to be there at the end to congratulate him on his accomplishment.

We woke up early, packed the kids in the car and drove to Albany where Jonathan was interviewed and took the oath of office along with 700 other candidates, to "support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State of New York, and that [he] will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of attorney and counselor-at-law, according to the best of [his] ability."

I wish I could say the trip went off without a hitch, but of course, that's not the case. Remember, I don't just have two kids...I have two babies, and keeping them both happy and quiet during nap time is absolutely impossible. So, most of the ceremony I spent dealing with melt downs, brushing off stares, and actually ignoring the loudest public shush I have ever heard (yes, someone actually shushed me and my children, a mean, violent shush in public). Humiliating. Several women rushed to my aid during the ceremony. Yes, Lyla did vomit all over one of them. Yes, she was in her Sunday best. She pretended not to care. Sweet lady.

BUT, Jonathan took the oath. He now has the title Esquire. I was there to see it! And I am SO PROUD of him.

(I don't have great photos because how could I take photos while Sawyer was kicking and screaming?)

Can you see him?