Family Time

Today has been a family fun day for the Fitzgerald's.  Rylie and I spent the first part of the day at her recital pictures.  She loved getting all dressed up in her costume! She looked adorable.  She has her first dance recital next month and I can't wait to see her perform!

We spent the rest of the day at my parents having a barbecue and swimming.  Rylie is a little fish, she will spend hours in the pool if we let her! Liam is the complete opposite and screams every time we try to put him in the pool.  I think it might be a little too cold still for him, but hopefully he gets used to it soon!

He doesn't like to get it wet, but sure sports it well!

Our little fish

This weekend also meant the start of summer school.  Biomedical ethics and Pathophysiology will be among my summer reading list.  It will be a long 12 weeks I'm sure.

We are excited for summer and hope to have some fun things planned for our family!

One Proud Mama of Two

On Mother's Day, I took some time to reflect on my children.  When you have more than one child, people often compare them and mine are no different.  I hear comments like she was an easier baby or he wants to be held more than she did.  Even though they have the same parents, they are different ages, different sexes and completely different children.  Here is what I love about my children:

What I love about her:

1.  I love how strong willed and independent Rylie is.  I have no doubt she is going to be a woman to be reckoned with when she grows up.
2. I love how she shows concern for others.  Even without saying anything, she knows when someone isn't themselves and just needs a hug.
3.  I love her sense of humor.  She comes up with the funniest things to say and has some pretty cute knock-knock jokes.
4.  I love how smart she is.  She can recite and memorize things at first glance.  She does very well in preschool, even being advanced for her age.
5.  I love her creativeness and her imagination.

What I love about him:

1. I love how loving he is. Liam always gives lots of hugs and love.
2. I love his determination.  He will try and try to figure something out until he gets it.
3. I love how curious he is.  He doesn't let anything get past him and wants to figure out how it does that or why.
4.  I love his sense of humor.  He laughs all the time, even at himself, cracks me up.
5. I love how he shows his love for his sister.  They even sympathy cry for each other.  His face lights up when he sees her.

I could go on and on about what I love about them. Through the years as they grow and change, they may have some things the same but I'm sure more things different. To me they are equally perfect and I wouldn't change a single thing about either one of them.  I am one proud mama of two!!!!!

Motherhood is not for Sissies

In the spirit of Mother's Day, I had a couple more Mother's Day posts to share, so a little late here they are.  On my first Mother's Day, I had been in a glow of motherhood of our baby girl who was about 6 weeks old.  I thought I had it all figured out. She was a happy, healthy, sleeping baby girl(maybe not a great sleeper) but I was on top of the world.  My husband for my first Mother's Day made me a steak dinner, flowers, card and this book Motherhood is not for Sissies.  I kind of laughed when I first saw it, thinking motherhood is great, couldn't ask for a better baby, it had been easy so far.  So yesterday as I celebrated my 5th Mother's Day and now being a mom of two, I realized motherhood is kind of like a game of survivor, us against them.
Not everyday is without some tears, the house isn't always spotless and even sometimes I think, "Wow, kids score 1 and mom 0."  I've learned, as long as they are healthy, happy, fed, loved, clean and housed, that's all that really matters.  While everyday isn't glamorous in motherhood, everyday is amazing for so many reasons.
Here are some of my favorite quotes form the book:
"Motherhood is not for sissies.  A mother needs strength, courage, patience, a big heart, and, most of all, a good sense of humor.  Raising children is not for the fainthearted; they disturb your sleep, add wrinkles to your brow, and test limits of your physical endurance."

"All mothers are working mothers."

"That million-dollar smile doesn't come cheap."

"Never tell a child anything you wouldn't want the whole neighborhood to know.

"In the cycles of motherhood, there is never a dull moment.."

"Laughter is like changing a baby's diaper.  It doesn't permanently solve any problems, but it makes things more acceptable for a while."

I truely love being a mommy, mainly because I get to be Rylie and Liam's mommy.  I am thankful and blessed everyday to have been given these two children.

Some things I learned from my mother...

My Mom and Liam

So with mother's day here, I want to share a little bit about my mom.  My parents divorced when I was between 6 and 7 years old.  I chose to live with my mom for certain reasons, mainly because even at that age, I knew I would have a better life living with her.  She supported us all by herself, even working two jobs to provide for us.  I never felt like I was without and it was the memories we made, just her and I that I always remember. We went shopping, to car races,  concerts, camping, different community events, we were a pair.  Every year for six years she spent her only vacation with me at the fair, helping me with my animal, staying up late washing my show clothes for the next day, cheering me on as I showed.  She was at every dance recital and barrel race, she was my number one fan! She always put me first and did everything to give me the best. I could write pages on how much my mom means to me and here are some of the things I learned from my mother:

1. Always tell the people you love that you love them when you have the chance because you never know when that moment will be the last time they here it.
2. It doesn't matter how much money you have, the car you drive or where you live, the memories you make with your children and how you share your life with the people you love is what they will remember.
3.  Always keep your word and promises to your children, whether it be a reward or discipline, your child will have much more trust and faith in you when you follow through on what you say.
4.  Always support and love your children no matter what decisions your children make, trust in the way you raised them and understand that sometimes they have to go through their own learning experiences to find their way.
5. There are never too many "I love yous and I'm proud of yous."
6. Always keep open communication with you child and be a listening ear, not just a mouth of advice.
7.  Everyday encourage your child to be their best and praise their every attempt in doing so.
8. Even when you aren't with them, they remember the morals and values you taught them.  Trust in that when you worry about them when they're away from you.
9. A child remembers how much you love them by how you show them and not just by what you give them. Children remember moments more than things.
10.  She always told me, "You'll understand one day when you're a mom."  Well guess what?, I realized how she raised me was through the love she had for me and her fears for me being out in the world would soon be my fears as I raise my babies.

I wouldn't be the woman I am or the mother I am if it weren't for my mom, she is one kick a** lady and I hope I can be half as good of mom as she was to me.  I am forever grateful for the choices she made for us and for the best life she gave me!!
Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!
Love, Me

Happy Birthday Day Liam

I can't believe a year has gone by already, one year since I gave birth to our second child.  Birthdays are bittersweet for me(my husband rolls his eyes at this comment) because I can't believe how fast my babies are growing and even though I have to work, I don't want to miss a second, a milestone or smile of them growing.
Liam's birthday was on Thursday, and I can't tell you how many times I told him Happy Birthday and gave him kisses.  We had to do our yearly doctor check-ups, which I decided to try to be super mom and take both kids to the doctor for shots and physicals at the same time.   Not my best mommy idea, and I don't plan on doing it again until they our older. Lucky for me my husband decided to come and his extra hands were much appreciated.  Liam weighs 21lbs 8 oz and is 30 inches long, according to his doctor he has a big head too.  Oh and I got to hear the "when is he going to get any hair?" comment again.

Mommy and Liam at Baby Time!

                                                    Love that handsome face

I made Liam his own birthday cake so we could celebrate his birthday just the four of us.  It wasn't the prettiest cake, but it was made with love by mommy and he ate it.  Yes I am a crazy mom that thinks your child should have cake on the actual birthday even if they are having a party a different day.  Yep my child got cake twice!!!
Today we had Liam's birthday party at the park.  Our family and close friends came to celebrate our little guy's first birthday.  Poor Liam had not been feeling well and was extra tired.  He didn't have as much fun as I hoped he would have.  We still had a great time and our household birthdays are officially wrapped up for this year!!! 

                               He was shy when everyone started singing to him

                                              Poor guy, too tired to eat cake

It has been a fun birthday season with Bill's surprise party, Disneyland for Rylie, and Liam's sports themed party!!! I am so proud of my family I've been blessed with and today on my birthday, that's the best present!!!

Mommy Guilt

It has been a crazy couple of weeks with all four of our birthdays being in a month of each other; Disneyland/San Diego, 3 classes, working, Rylie's dance etc.  Well last night as I had dinner on the stove/oven, sitting at the table doing homework while Liam was crying, pulling on me to pick him up and only wanting mom, I began thinking am I a bad mom?  Yes the number of hours I'm away from them are few and far between, really only when I have to work or have something to have to do with work. The time I am taking for school to do homework or tests while they want me to play or Liam is crying for only me to hold him though, I began thinking if it's worth it or should I postpone school until they are in school full time?  I know in reality that there is never going to be a "great" time to go to school while raising children but it still doesn't help my guilt though.  Last night Rylie said, "Mommy I miss you." and she was laying right next to me :(

Then this morning while feeding Liam breakfast, I realized my gosh tomorrow he is going to be 1 years old, a whole year has gone by already!!!  I thought he is going to be a year and I'm sure there are details of this year I have forgot, his baby book isn't even closed to being finished, his 1st year calendar is missing milestones and goodness Rylie's first year scrapbook is in the closet taunting me as it still needs finishing touches!!!!
I wish I had more time! Time to spend with them without having to do school stuff, time to get their pictures scrap booked and baby books done, time for my husband, time with friends!  I realize as a busy, working mom of two that "Father Time" is not on my side but to make the best of the time I get and to prioritize the important stuff.  I know I am always going to wish I could do more but showing and telling my children how much I love them and love being their mommy means more than doing.
I will probably be up late tonight though trying to get Liam's baby book up to date and pictures organized to start scrap booking!!!

All for now from this proud, busy, feeling guilty Mommy!!!

Happy Birthday Rylie in Disneyland!!!

Last night we just got back from our 4 day vacation to San Diego/Disneyland for Rylie's 4th birthday!!! We had a great time and this mama needs a little vacation after the vacation!!!!

Wednesday afternoon we drove to San Diego and stayed with Bill's sister Melissa.  Thursday morning(Rylie's b~day) we drove to Disneyland! Here are some highlights from our trip and just a handfull of pictures(one camera had 605 pictures on it):

Thursday:  Happy Birthday Rylie Jaymes!!

We checked into our hotel(The Grand California at California Adventures) and headed to the park.  Rylie's first ride she rode was Monsters Inc. and then the lady bugs.

The highlight of Rylie's day was the Junior Live on Stage Show.  She got to see all the Mickey Mouse Characters, Little Einsteins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Handy Manny. She was dancing away and didn't want to leave when the show was over.  Bill and I did the Hollywood Tower of Terror!  After a few rides at California Adventures, we went over to Disneyland for Rylie's Mickey and Minnie Birthday party. She got to decorate her very own birthday cake and meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse. 

                                                     We all decorated cakes!

                                                        ~Daddy and Rylie~

                                                       ~Birthday Girl

                                                ~Rylie's cake that she decorated

                                                      ~Party Animal

After the birthday party we went back over to California Adventures for Rylie's birthday dinner at Ariel's Grotto! She loved the dessert tray and her own birthday brownie they brought out for her! 

                                                   Happy Birthday Rylie!!!
After dinner, we rode more rides.  Rylie did the jumping jellyfish and the Mickey Mouse farris wheel.  That night we saw the World of Color show.  It was a beautiful display of music, color, and Disney images protected onto water.  Later that night after we put the kids to sleep(Melissa stayed with them), Bill and I went back to Disneyland to ride some rides.  We rode Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain before the park closed!
Friday: Day # 2
We started of day # 2 of our trip at Disneyland! We started the day with a character breakfast at Paradise Pier Hotel.  Rylie loved seeing all the characters and even danced on stage with Mickey and Pluto. Liam cried when Pluto came to our table and wasn't pleased with them. 

After breakfast,we made our way through Toon Town and Rylie was able to see Mickey and Minnie at their "houses".  She rode Alice and Wonderland, the Merry-Go-Round, me and her rode the tea cups(gave mama a headache!), her and Bill rode Dumbo and Thunder Mountain Roller Coaster!  After some rides, we went to Fantasyland and she was able to meet some of the princesses. She met Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel.  It didn't take long before she noticed other little girls in princess dresses and she wanted one too!  We took her over to the princess shop and for her birthday from Nana and Papa Fitzgerald and Auntie Melissa, she got her Ariel princess dress, shoes, crown and magic wand!!! She was so excited. She kept saying, "I'm Princess Rylie and that's my castle Rylie." 

After some lunch, the kids passed out in their strollers.  Bill and Melissa went on Pirates of the Caribbean and Melissa and I then Bill and I went in the Haunted Mansion.  That night after dinner, we went back to Disneyland for the show "Fantasia" (a character and water color show) and the fireworks!!!!
Day # 3 Saturday: Wrapping up Disney

We spent our last day between the two parks.  First thing in the morning, Bill, Rylie and Melissa rode the water rapids ride.  We all were able to ride(including Liam) It's a Small World, the Jungle Cruise and the Winne the Pooh ride.  We all rode the Toy Story ride at California Adventures and Bill, Rylie and I did Soarin' Over California.  Bill and I did the Screamin' California roller coaster too.  To end the day, Bill, Rylie and I rode Buzz Lighteryear and the kids were able to meet Pooh, Tigger and Eore!! Liam didn't cry this time!!

We had some yummy ice cream and headed back to San Diego that evening.
In a nutshell, that was our trip! We had a great time and Rylie had a very special birthday!!!!