Whew.

You all watch T.V. right? E.R., Grey's Anatomy or watch movies like John Q and other health institution related shows. You all know that at one time or another there are the practice drills for bomb threats and intruders and something always inherently goes wrong? Well  our family experienced something similar but all WENT well. There is nothing like a text message earlier in the day from your husband indicating they are sweeping the hospital due to a "bomb threat" to get the juices flowing.  You remember in times like these that being calm is important. Though you are not there you are now  in the know so how you react is also important. That happened last Friday. It was 6:29 pm and Byron has now spoken to me on the phone indicating the hospital has called and "all clear" and he is on his way home.  At 2:30 pm I was unsure what our evening or weekend would look like when I received the text from Byron stating he was going to be late this evening due to the threat. He was clearing each of his areas.  I immediately went online looking for "BREAKING NEWS" but nothing. This was either very good or bad. Maybe it was a surprise practice drill for the hospital. I texted Byron indicating that we love him and to be safe. I love you was stated all around. It might be real and not a drill. A few text messages a lot of silence in between.

I left work early in order to spend time with Ty and remove myself from work.  Thoughts of worry certainly enter your mind in these situations because you never know.  The press has been instructed not to air the information by police and staff. But all ends well.

WHEW just thankful to see Byron, to continue to have him and his presence in our lives!

We've reached the pedals!

Today was extraordinary and for special reason. Today was the day that Ty used his tricycle pedals and rode his tricycle around the garage! He looked like such a big boy and proud I might add. He even decided to put on his helmet.  He spent 30 minutes telling me about the pedals, and asking me to watch him (though I was already). We celebrated this little milestone by cheering, clapping and he even gave me a hug! Next it is on to a bike.

Lately Ty has been using different words in his language, physically demonstrating his kicking and throwing skills and always amazing us at every turn.  I am proud of my little man!  I hope to post video soon.

Evolution of Coffee

This morning's cup of coffee is much needed.  I think getting used to the busy schedule called LIFE has been a rough one for me this year. Although I will say it hasn't deviated much from what Byron and I have been doing for the past two and 1/2 years with little sleep.  There are days when I think I should give up drinking coffee and others when I say, "you must be on crack!"  That is my crutch for sure.  If nothing else a treat, habit and my time. There is nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee to start your day! The aroma... the taste... the touch the feel of cotton the fabric of our lives.... Oh sorry I digress.... ha ha ha.

I was trying to remember the first time I new about coffee or when I first  began to drink coffee. I know it was early on in my either preteen or teenage years. Certainly in high school it was important.  I remember I was just like my brother Mike, dumping mounds of sugar into black coffee with a splash of milk. I believe the brand of coffee might have been MJB Coffee (the big can) or some other generic brand of canned coffee. Then I moved to putting a packet of hot chocolate into my coffee in order to replicate a mocha type of drink.  It wasn't bad however, the best parts of working as a teenager and the best part about working at a theater was I could have all the espresso drinks I wanted. Boy howdy. I remember feeling buzzed with caffeine all day long with the number of shots, flavors and what have you.  GOOD TIMES..

There is a point to my rambling and that is ... Ty is at the stage where he needs to do things like his mother and father do.  We order a coffee from Starbucks, he must order a coffee from Starbucks (really a kids hot chocolate that he calls coffee. He has to be part of the group. He is growing up. Each day he surprises me with something new, a new phrase, word, sentence, action, showing feelings such as empathy, potty training. He makes us smile, laugh, chuckle to ourselves when we know we are not supposed to laugh.  


There are days that I wonder what it will be like in 5 and 10 years with our little Ty man.. and then there are days I go back to drinking my coffee only to enjoy the moments and adventures we have that are daily and hourly because these times will go by quickly!

New found respect

I have a new found respect for working single parents. Not just mom's out there, though I am sure there are many, but the working single dad's too! I get to experience this when Byron works relatively late. I have had the pleasure of this three times this week.  WOW it is crazy. Thank GOD I work the hours that I do and not some craziness of a grave yard shift or swing shift, (I have spent time doing that as a teenager though). I also have a new found respect for those spouses that get up early before their kids awake and arrive home after a long days work and their kids are asleep. TOUGH.

We each have responsibilities to parent, provide and have balance in life. I am reminded of this each and every day that I work a full 8 plus hours, come home and work another 4 and then have a few moments to myself while ignoring the rest of the "WORK" related household chores that did not get completed because I was spending time with Ty.

WOW the energy a 2 and 1/2 year old takes and exudes.  I love the boundless energy but it is tiring. I have given myself and Byron permission to rest a few minutes in the evening and not get bogged down with what was not accomplished.  This is only to support balance in our lives. The interesting part is that I would not trade our life for the world. We enjoy the times that Ty surprises us with a new word in his vocabulary, a new laugh, a new  funny dance and all the, "I miss you daddy, I love you" and, "I miss you momma, I love you's."  Even with the two year old teething fits, I would not change our life for the world!

Haiku for Ty from Papa Johnny!

going wishin'

the toddler tells his mom

as he baits the hook

Papa Johnny

I Wishin Mama!

WOW never underestimate what your 2 and 1/2 year old son can do! For the first time Byron and I took Ty camping and fishing! Knowing what an outdoors man he truly is we knew this adventure would certainly be just that, an ADVENTURE.  Little did we know that the CARS (Pixar Movie) red fishing pole would reel in the biggest fish of our trip.

I will say that once we got settled in the drift boat, a boat we have never put into the water and dropped both anchors the "wishing" began.  Byron realized for the first time why his father was never able to enjoy fishing. This reality came when he continuously changed bait, put new hooks on the line, grabbed the net for either myself or Ty and removed the hooks from the fish' mouth then placing them on the string back in the water.  Byron enjoyed every bit of it though. He was able to throw his line in and reel some in as well. But this was not on his time frame. Of course when he caught a fish it was not at the most opportune time. :-)

I was the first to catch a fish on this day.  My first wasn't very big. It was keep-able but barely.  We released this one and a few more like that throughout the day.  Ty was next to catch the biggest fish of the day! He was such a trooper reeling in his line. He would reel and reel. I don't think he actually knew what was going to be on the other end. But once he did he beamed! We scooped the fish into the net and Byron a proud father sat to have the first photo of the day! All Ty could say was, "my wishy, my wishy" and point.  He was unsure of the fish flopping around in the boat.  After his catch he decided he would help others.  Such a guide!

All in all he loved the drift boat, tried to row, fished a little and tried to pull the anchor. Ty was equipped with blankie and binky, snacks and of course fishing bait that he picked out at the store.  I might add it was great bait.  The next day we went "wishing" again.  For the second time, Ty reeled in the biggest fish and his fishing expedition was complete!  The camping resort even took a picture of him with his fish! I am  hoping they posted it online but I have not been able to find it as of yet.  (I will have to check again).

Ty is such an outgoing, active kiddo and has such good instincts about activities and even people it amazes me.  There is nothing that this kiddo can't do!

Early Morning Risers

Back to work I went this past Monday. Amazing how years ago when I was a child I dreaded but loved the day I had to return to school. Nothing has changed. I have enjoyed a wonderful (short) month off, packed full with travel plans, staying up late, relaxation and more. Back to work I went.  Though as I awoke this morning I was not prepared to see darkness outside (5:25am). The realization today (my third day back) was huge, "I AM BACK TO WORK!" Not only do I need to settle myself into a work routine, early mornings, early evenings, I must adjust to the changes in weather and the light. I must also get Ty back into my routine. Such cruelty I say, but necessary for all involved.

Work provides another dimension into my life. I am a mother, a goal oriented person and I am proud to work. I do a damn good job if I say so myself.  I am constantly multitasking. Even as I write this blog! (Drinking coffee, listening to the news and also planning in my brain all the things I have to get completed prior to leaving this morning.) Ty goes to daycare again this week, he is very excited to see his playmates though I haven't told him he won't be going for approximately a month yet. His daycare provider Meg will be popping a child out any minute these days. We are just waiting for the call. Good thing I am right down the road from her I can swing by and pick him up!

So yes I am settling back into my routine, grabbing my quiet time in the early morning hours and preparing to get to work. I must say, the transition this year was not as emotional as they have been in the past.  "It is what it is, is my belief so I must go back to work.  It is a love hate relationship. I like it when I am there, I hate it when I am on vacation!