Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Flip-side of NYC Motherhood

Written two weeks so, amidst the joys of missed birthday blog posts (which I will post soon) and other lovely normal sides of life... Here is a glimpse into the flip side of NYC Motherhood.

Ah, yes there are some exciting times living here, but as many of you know, our routine and normal life is far from glamourous!!!

Today I had one of those days...one of the opposites I try to normally blog about. I have many cute pictures and fun family times to catch up on this blog, but obviously the impact of today has thrown me back into a review of how crazy life can be as a NYC Mom. A wanna-be-but-far-from-Super-Mom. I want to feel strong, and I guess somewhere inside I am to be able to endure the daily living, but really I. Am. So. Exhausted. From. Today!

Started at 8 AM, with an itinerary of five major things: preschool, school tour, doctor appointments for both children (on the east side to complicate it even more), a missed nap and gymnastics. At 8:15 we realized the the kindergarten school tour was at 8:45. Lilly has preschool at 9, thanks to helping hands of friends I got out the door with two freshly showered kids and Lilly got off to school. I literally ran to the school, went to the wrong place and then arrived to catch the end of the intro, thankfully kind people talked me through the walking tour (carrying a 31-lb Benjamin on hip, and hoping he'd stay quiet enough for a peek into all the classrooms we were in).

At 10:30, my tired arms put my baby into the stroller and started home for phase two. The day already felt long. I raced to pack snacks, lunches and find the last minute doctor paperwork. I was reminded of how unorganized I feel since I found everything the night before but still was searching for L's immunization card (which I just saw last week and will probably find tomorrow). B's blessed me with a giant diaper which I'll spare a description (but let me say they are getting worse). I left the apartment late, and ran to pick up L, greet friends and race to the bus, which said bus left right as we arrived the intersection.

We boarded the next bus, bound for the doctors office on the east side (a new office since we normally go on the west side), when I then realized I forgot the address in my planner. Thanks to internet on my phone I found it, totally grateful for technology today! We went the long way around but arrived on time. The new office had the old nurse from the other office (cringe! she inserts shots so slow, previous bad experience). But I smile, herd two tired children into the office to start a 90 minute shared appointment. They had that tired-scattered energy, you know that one? But they got measured a couple times, weighed and looked at. Overall they are healthy children, but interestingly this is the first time we've seen an actual pediatrician (instead of family practice). So she had a very different response to my normal questions, like with B's lactose intolerance and speech, we are now being referred to three appointments to just check it out. Thank you!

But the shots were an entirely different nightmare. Imagine both children, screaming at the top of their lungs, for a very, very long time. It was near hysteria. B was getting shots and he was reacting to L seeing the needle. He was also tortured with the infamous nurse's slow approach to the entire process, I mean slow. All this expanding L's and B's wailing. I was trying to remain calm, understanding, loving to comfort, stern for them to stop, hold arms down for the nurse to stab, hold L back show she doesn't hurt herself. It was not a pretty scene. After three shots for little B, I realized there was no way L was going to do it. After a break, both nurse and doctor returned, I postponed her shots. Then found out they both needed blood work to test for routine stuff. Are you serious?

I think at this point there were a few moments of subtle support (which obviously was an unseen hand from above, which on a day like today I needed Divine help to stay sane - seriously). We walked to the lab for blood work, where I planned to only have B get it for the allergy testing. We waited and then then as we sat in the seat, both, yes both children started the wailing again. Even asking her to be brave for B, she wailed, I turned L in the stroller where she couldn't watch, then two nurses helped me hold B down while they got two viles. The little guy is super strong and fought it with much movement and loud voice. He struggled for a very long time getting enough blood work. Torture for mom! Then literally one minute after he was done, he was smiling again. Really, he is such a little darling! I realized he could be the example to L, so we exited and returned 20 min later. I gave her the choice to either do her three shots or this one for her blood work. She chose well, and even tho we had a third repeat of the extreme wailing and strait-jacket-three-nurse-hold-down, she has been beaming and rejoicing of how brave she was. She is super proud of herself for choosing the right and being brave (and so am I - we even had a talk about that good feeling in her heart and the Holy Ghost). It turned out okay. It was totally exhausting for mom and it was only 4:00.

Now off to take two buses crosstown. And then gymnastics. We thankfully got a seat on the bus and B fell asleep in the carrier. (My chant: I am super mom to carry my 31-lb boy! plus all our stuff and stroller.) We arrived to class on time, yay! I even helped her change with sleeping toddler on my front, sat down and breathed. B awoke during class, he was cute to play with phone games and explore the new place. We left at 5:20, dinnertime, and "treated" at McD's for happy meals. I'm still awaiting my treat...mm, I think I'll finish this and go eat it. Anyhow, we arrived at home near 7:00 bedtime, got ready, B had another gigantic blow out, enjoyed a bath and we closed the day reading the Book of Mormon (L's favorite nighttime story, really).

At 8 PM, I close their door. The house is quiet. I think I can breathe, or cry, or give myself a yummy treat. The day is through. Or I start the home duties to prepare for just another day tomorrow. But, above all, I remember my children's smiles. In all this chaos today, their sweet smile, their tender hug, their cuddle in our rocking chair reading a story is what is etched into my memory right now. And that is what I would truly call glamourous.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Super Moms

Ah, the things we do... We are the Super Moms!

Actually, we are each carting two children around the Big Apple and trying to stay sane. I love these ladies and all my Friends that help me keep my head above water and endure the energy of craziness called Life.

This day we met up after dance class and saw a gingerbread display at a hotel on way to walk 5th Avenue to see the holiday window displays. Five preschool kids. Five younger kids. Fifteen of us. Busy and happy moms are we!

Funny story... John went to attend a school tour for L's kindergarten entrance (for next year, indeed its like college with applications, tests, tours, etc.). Well, I had signed up to host preschool the same day of the tour, and my friends also had to attend so I had their older child with me and John went to the school tour with the ladies. These lovely ladies. It was fun to hear John return, because he heard these wonderful women talk about the stressful things I talk about...balance of kids, the rush of the morning, the craziness of the city, etc. I am thankful he could see the reality of how we women Do and Survive the city and see I'm not nuts, just normal, big-city normal. :)

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Origami Tree at NHM

We went to the Natural History Museum last week for an indoor park day and to see the Origami Tree. It has over 500 paper ornaments including many of the animals in the museum. It is very cool and the kids sat at the foot of the tree for a long time, talking, playing and even drawing what they saw on the tree.
Then all the children learned how to make a little origami and proudly showed off their paper boat standing near the tree.
After seeing the big blue whale in the Ocean room and the origami tree, we continued up the museum to the dinosaurs. The kids enjoyed watching the educational movie clips then sat for a very long time again drawing, talking, playing at the feet of the giant dinosaurs. We love the museums!!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Preschool Nativity

L's preschool group was at our apartment the last Friday class before Christmas. Thus our theme and books was all about the Nativity story. We read various Christmas books, talked about the people and what they or the animals said, learned about sound, hearing and sang "Do you Hear what I hear?" We also made a star ornament and created a picture of the Nativity. The best part was the most hectic at the end when we re-enacted the story... They were so cute!
A (angel & inn keeper), L (angel), B (wise man & inn keeper), J (wise man), E (Joseph), Lilly (Mary) and missing little Ben (3rd wise man)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Macy's Santaland

We went to Macy's to see Santa. The joy and energy of the season was high as we walked through the train to the North Pole, saw the singing tree, little elves and animals, mini cityscapes, lights and happy festive scenes. It was a nice quick twenty minute walk through the lines then we came to Santa. Benjamin was a little shy/scared but became super happy as he gave him a high-five and sat on mom's lap next to Santa. Both kids smiled and talked to Santa. Lilly told him of her list. This was her third visit since we moved to NYC yet this was our very first family picture together with Macy's Santa.
The kids were very excited!
Then we walked through the store, enjoyed the sights and window shopped the sales. Then we walked past all the window displays outside and saw the Make-a-wish magical presentations. We Believe!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Gifts for Jesus

As part of our advent activity list this season, we created this jar of nice deeds and things to do as giving gifts to the Savior for Christmas. I'd like to say we have each done one every day, we haven't, but some days Lilly picks two. We have done many of gifts, such as write a letter to family, give a thank you note to a friend, learn a new game together, read Ben an extra book, give more hugs, and say I love you more.

What I love about this jar is that it is a daily reminder to try harder to give Gifts of the Heart... and to try to remember Jesus and be like Him.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Bryant Park

Took the kids to see Bryant Park, the holiday tree, the ice skating rink and ride Le Carrousel. It was cold but super fun to play with friends and soak in the festivities!
Bryant Park is on 42nd Street just down from Times Square. Such a fun place; we've been a few times during summer and now even for winter activities. They totally transform the entire park! We stopped at Dylan's Candy Bar for a little treat (where we found some unique holiday candies for our gingerbread house and even the Swedish teeth candy which we love so much). The park was buzzing with holiday cheer, the kids ran to their hearts content, the moms talked and fun was had by all!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Letter to Santa

She is really into writing and letters; sometimes we can get them in the right order to write notes. Here is her process of her very first letter to Santa. She even drew pictures for the things she wished for. Thankfully, she is very gracious about this wish list and it has remained the same all season.
(cookies from Trader Joes, yum!)
(American Girl Doll. Ken Barbie. Littlest Pet Shop.)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cars celebration & Turning TWO!

Benjamin turned TWO! This amazing kid is full of energy, smiles and spunk. He makes people smile and laugh, he waves to strangers, hugs his friends, gets down to eye level to babies and blows a kiss as he signs "thank you." He seriously has won many hearts as he shines and plays with a joyful heart. Most of the times he see his little friends he will go up and give a hug and sometimes a kiss; at church he crawled around with a little 9-mo old baby and kept hugging and giving kisses to her (kind and gentle), at playdates he lights up and gives his little girlfriends big hugs, even at the post office last week he made a new friend and stood arm in arm hugging and jumping up and down with delight. He is a real happy and joyful child.
Ben has one speed: fast. He runs, and runs, and falls and gets back up to run again. As a toddler he leans forward and often greets the ground, his size-chunky feet trying to keep up with his enthusiastic head and torso. He is athletic and eager to climb, jump, hang with strong arms and do all the crazy things his dad and sister do. He's tall and (even with his lactose intolerance) he's a happy, healthy big kid.

Benjamin adores his family and shows it by saying "Da" or "mom" ALL the time, clinging to mom, hugging and playing with Lillian every chance he gets, following like a little duck with pure joy as he wants to be with us. He also loves cars (the movie and toy cars), trains (including Thomas), balls, Mickey Mouse "Mo," playing with Little People, dancing, bathtime, and even his sisters dolls and girl stuff as he plays along with her. We have found him looking through the princess books for the prince, dragons, the animals and various parts of the fairytale world, he can appreciate those things too. He is well-balanced for a little brother, but you can always count on him finding Lightning McQueen and Mater from the movie Cars, anywhere!

A few reoccurring comments we've heard about Ben include how adorable he is, talking about his hair ("Its like gold!" we've heard a many times), people taking pictures of him, or commenting on his thumb. Yes, he's still a thumb sucker, which brings some fun challenges in the city with subways, sand, falling and constant wipes and cleaning before he inserts thumb into mouth. He has a full mouth of teeth and just started babbling constantly. He has found a voice and now has different sounds for his feelings, as he pretends with his toys, and when he says his words for: dog, car, choo-choo (train), more, food, ball, (and still signs for most specific things). I hope you enjoy these details darling child :)
Now on to his birthday party! I had some supplies, my friend lent me two darling cake pans and Ben has some little friends to come... so we just had to have a playdate! We had five buddies over to our place for a wee party and it was such fun. It was all about CARS!!

Our guests included: Jones C, Ava T, Arden S, Bart O, Henry R

Ben was thrilled to eat cake, sing the song and loved blowing out candles (still does after we sing HB songs). We finished the birthday celebration by going to the TRAIN SHOW at the Botanical Gardens. It was so fun to have a family adventure together the rest of the day. Both Ben and Lilly enjoyed the 14 trains on display; we loved the impressive NYC creations from plant based materials, full bridges, buildings and cityscape displays. The trains went around and around, we stayed for a while then went through the children's garden and discovery about gingerbread. It was a very festive day!

Dearest Benjamin,
As you turn two and even more terrific, we hope you keep the intense light in your countenance and joy in your smile as you learn and grow up. You have already expressed your deep inner kindness and desire to help others. You give hugs and show you care, as well as give opinions as you climb to reach your goals! Literally, you often show your desire to accomplish much along with a balance of all good things. It is so fun to hold your hand as we walk down the street, cuddle to a show, play blocks or puzzles together. It is wonderful to see how happy you are with yourself, joyful with others, how you and your sister are kind and play really well together. Thank you for being fun, joyful and part of our family. We are so proud of you and love you so much!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Family time for Thanksgiving

In New York we make a Thankful Tree with leaves listing some of the many things we are thankful for. This tree would be much bigger if we hadn't left out of town the week before Thanksgiving and been gone for two weeks. It even has a few pressed leaves from Central Park on it. We are thankful for so much!
In Utah, Heidi and the kids stayed, played for a week and even had an early turkey dinner with the Anderson side of the family. (I don't know why my camera didn't come out more, but here are the very few pictures captured of the festivities.)
Wednesday night dinner, Nate made a TurDuckHen (impressive) and I made a massive turkey with fresh lemon, rosemary, thyme, etc. It was super yummy!!

While also in Utah we spent some time at our old house, which didn't sell and needed some TLC. Here's the view from our front door, sigh.
Enjoying the new trampoline in the lovely backyard.

On Thanksgiving morning we flew out to go to Colorado and meet John at the airport. Yay daddy!
We had a lovely dinner with the Johnson extended family and went black-friday shopping. It was super fun to play there with Oma and Opa!

Heidi returned to Utah for Festival of Trees early, and then John and the kids returned for 22-hours as we went to Opening night and spent a few hours with George & Susan too.
We celebrated Ben's birthday, played with cousins and really enjoyed family time! It will carry us through the holiday season while far away, so again a big Thank You!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cool Cousins

While in UT & CO for two weeks we had such a great time with family and the kids LOVE their cousins. It was darling to watch them pick up right from where they left off months ago, and play to their hearts content!

Here's Maya & Lilly in Colorado:
Sitting in Oma's sleigh while eating popsicles at freezing temps
Kael and Ben playing trains
Ben loved the new member of the family, Tera's dog Rico

In Utah, Emma and Lilly eating cupcakes!
Riley and Emma in capes made by aunt Heidi for Christmas
L, E and B silly and happy from eating cupcakes and playing all day long!