Missing Out

A couple months ago, my parents decided they were going on an Alaskan vacation.  My older brother has been living there in the summer these last couple years, leading outdoor adventures like hiking, climbing, and zip lining.  So, Mom and Dad decided to plan a trip to visit him and see Alaska for the first time.  They were going to meet my other two little brothers there as well.  An Alaskan trip, with free [parental paid] lodging, and a chance to hang out with ALL my brothers who I miss so much.  Sounds awesome!  I was going to try to make this work because it really was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

There were just a couple things holding me back that I had to work out.  Like....the kids. Alaska is not exactly an ideal place to take a toddler and an infant, so they couldn't come.  I'd have to find some family to watch them throughout the week.  I have my whole life with the kids - one week away from me isn't going to hurt them.  And...nursing.  I was still nursing Baby A, so I'd have to make sure to wean her by then because I was NOT pumping all through the trip. I wanted to go 12 months breastfeeding her, but 10 months is still pretty good, right?  As I worked out all these details and planned which houses the kids would hop around to each day I'd be gone, I started feeling more and more guilty and selfish.  The thought of having to pass them around from house to house so I could go on vacation started making me feel sick.  And, after much deliberation over this and the thought of spending a big chunk of our family's money for my plane ticket, I decided that I probably shouldn't go :(

The trip was last week.  And, no, I didn't go.  Needless to say, I felt like I was missing out.  I kept in touch with them the whole time they were there and listened listfully to all the stories of the beauty they saw, the adventures they had, and wildlife they experienced.  They had an AWESOME trip.  We welcomed my parents home last night and had a picture and souvenir-filled night.  It was good to have them back.  Baby A clapped her hands happily as we sat and ate dinner with them.  My dad looked at her, surprised, and asked "When did she start clapping?"

I thought about it for a second, "Oh yea. She just started clapping a couple days ago."  Throughout the rest of the night, my parents kept going on and on about how much she has changed in the last week - how well she can pick up food and put it in her mouth now, how she can hold herself up to standing with only one hand, how she understands the word "no" now, and how she can stand for a couple of seconds without holding on to anything.  Wow, a lot has happened with her this last week!

I keep thinking to myself - what if I would have gone on this trip? I think about baby A's first precious clap.  She was laying on her changing table, looking up at the picture on her wall, smiling her big 2-tooth smile, and slowly brought her hands together a couple times.  She was so proud of herself for learning how to clap and so happy to see my excitement over this accomplishment.  We laughed and clapped together for about 2 minutes.  And although I didn't realize it at the time - that moment right there was one of the most precious moments of my life.  And to think, I could have missed out on it had I not been there.

Opening Day and Week 1

I should have picked a better day for opening the website.  It was rough.  Husband was out of town, it was the day after a big family party so the kids were up late, and it was a Monday - my day to get my life/house back in order after the weekend.  But, of course, hindsight is 20/20.

There were a lot of last minute tweaks I had to do - adding pics of some of some items, fixing descriptions, and fixing some shopping cart issues, etc.  I was a bad mom all morning.  I fed and bathed the kids, but in between those times - the TV was on, toys sprawled out over every room in the house, dishes and laundry piled up, and I was on the computer.  I wanted to open up the site at 5pm.  With the kids usual napping schedule, the timing should have worked out perfectly, but that's not how the world works, is it?

One fell asleep earlier than usual, and one fell asleep later.  So when the 2nd one went down for nap, the other one was starting to wake up!  At opening time I was on the computer trying to get some last minute stuff done while Baby A was back in her room yelling for me to come get her.  When the website first opened up, I found some problems I had to fix.  Although flustered, I was able to fix the issues with a baby in my lap.  So the store opened...an hour late.  I got a few orders the first week, and the timing of everything worked out fine.  It was actually a lot of FUN fulfilling the orders, and packaging them up and sending them off.  It really gave me a feeling of ACCOMPLISHMENT, which has been rare for me since I became a stay at home mom and everything I do is an ongoing task.

So, although it started out a bit rough, the good news is I now have a fully functioning, beautiful web store....and the kids are fine, and my house is still standing.  Even though it took a little longer than usual, the dishes and laundry got done, and the house will be clean again...someday.

Amylou Store

Different Wavelengths

After running some errands yesterday, I pulled into the garage and opened up the van door to get the kids out.  I unbuckled Benjamin and took Ava's car seat carrier out.  Benj leading the way, and 30 pound car seat in arm, we walked up the stairs to the house and Benj decided to stop and the top of the stairs blocking the doorway and insist on pushing the button to open the garage door.  "Come on, Benjamin, you can push the button later. Let's go inside."  He is now fussing and screaming that he wants to push the button.  I kindly explain to him, "Benjamin, Mommy is holding Ava's car seat which is really heavy and I would like to walk inside so I can put it down.  My arm is very tired, and my hands are full so I can't lift you up to push the button.  You need to try to think about how others are feeling and not just yourself."  Benjamin stands and contemplates, looks at Ava for a few seconds and responds, "Ava haves teeth, Mommy." Clearly we are on two different wavelengths.

Opening Day Tomorrow!

I previously blogged that I am opening up the website for purchases on July 11th. Well that's tomorrow! Everything is technically ok and working, but I am not as ready as I'd like to be. There's a few more products I'd like to put out there, but I figure what the heck, let's just do this already! I can always add more products later! So, as originally planned, amyloubaby.com opens tomorrow 7/11 at 5:00pm (CST).

Tutu Cute!

A little tutu preview!

Rainbow

Lime Punch

Mint Chocolate

Ice Cream Sprinkles

Witch's Brew

Pretty Peacock

Ava Grace

Strawberry Kiwi

Our Florida Vacation

The Drive

The kids did awesome in the car.   I made sure to pack lots of DVDs and new books and stickers to keep them entertained.  I brought a bag full of ribbons and thread and actually got to sew quite a few flowers.  On the way down we stopped in Nashville for a few nights to visit family, so breaking up the trip really helped.  On the way back, we drove all the way through, but left super early in the morning so the kids slept the first few hours.

The Beach and Pool

Both kids LOVED the beach.  Little B had a blast letting himself get knocked over by the waves, and as I suspected, Baby A loved the taste of the sand! The place we stayed was a couple blocks from the beach, so I was a little nervous about how naptime was going to go, but Baby A slept great in this little baby tent we brought with us.  The sun and ocean wore her out and there was a great breeze to keep her cool.  The greatest thing about the place we stayed was the pool.  They had a gradual decline pool, so right where the water starts is perfect for babies and toddlers to play (and for mommies and daddies to sit and relax next to them).

Mommy and Daddy
Mommy and Daddy had a good time as well.  Daddy got to play some golf, and Mommy got to do some shopping at the outlet mall.  And I even read a whole book! (from 4 book clubs ago) Although I wouldn't call it a RELAXING trip, it was a lot of FUN, and I'm so thankful we had the opportunity to go.  I just love seeing the excitement in the kids' eyes at the beach.  It takes me back to my childhood when everything was just so magical.