The Mom Brain

I've always thought the description "Mom Brain" was a cop-out way to describe one's absentmindedness. I mean everyone has lots to think about. Not just mothers. But if there was such a thing as "Mom Brain," then certainly I was above it. After all, I pride myself on being very organized and present in every situation. Ya know, one of those people that sends a thank you card the minute a gift arrives.

Well. Then I had my second child. And this silly descriptor suddenly described me. Just when I thought we were making our way out of the baby tunnel, I did a u-turn.

I didn't get my baby and Christmas thank you cards out for over a week. And Nate's thank you's took two weeks. It ate at me like a pirahna. But I just had to tell myself that everything would get done in due time. But it didn't help.

And then just today, Lila & I were at Target. We checked out. I paid. And then I walked away from the checkout station without retrieving a single bag. When I heard the checker say "Ma'am," I didn't even have to see if she was talking to me. She was.

And to top it all off, I purchased a 12-pack of Coke and left it on the bottom of my cart in the parking lot.

I know you are probably thinking these things are not a big deal. And they maybe even happen to you from time to time. Well they just don't happen to me. Ever. Well, at least until now.

So I'm a little defeated by this "Mom Brain" stuff. But rest assured, when I do finally make it out of this baby tunnel and up the mountain, I'll be back to my annoyingly organized self. :)

Boyle Central Update

All is well at Boyle Central. More snow today, but not too bad, only 2-3 inches. Totally doable. From the looks of the weather though, it is probably going to hang around awhile. Music to my ears...not so much.

But at least I have these cute kiddos to brighten up the days! Sweet Sister Lou sleeping...she looks so much like Nate here in her face and hands. He would do the exact same pose. And yes, her hair is still blond and wild.

Can you say melt my heart?? Nate reading a book to Lila. I love how her head is turned listening intently to him. They were in there for quite some time entertaining each other and Lila only started fussing when Nate left the room. We are at the point where Nate can keep her attention for a few minutes at a time, which is really helpful when I have something that just has to be done. He is happy to help! At least for now...

Nate Vader...when I brought these boots home, Nate exclaimed, "Mom, you got Darth Vader boots!" Last night he asked if he could wear them and I caved. I think he gets cuter everyday, but then again, I'm biased!

One of a Kind

A special friend passed away on Wednesday. Far too early. Bill Bullard fought a courageous battle with glioblastoma that started just a short time ago. Describing Bill in words is hard for me because he was such a one of kind person. Funny, caring, strong and committed are a few words that come to mind.

I remember the first time I met Bill when I was in high school. He and his wife had recently moved to Charleston and since Bill was an avid runner, it didn't take him long to meet my Dad and Bob Whitehead. They had all just been on a run, probably their first of many together, and ended at my parents house. He called his wife to come get him and when Mrs. Vicki arrived, Dad & Bob put on quite a show. If you know my Dad and Bob, you know what I mean. I don't think Bill thought he was going to get to hang with Wayne and Bob again, but Mrs. Vicki eventually came around to love them...or at least tolerate them.


Bill always took the time to catch up on my life and he and Scott bonded over running and Georgia/Auburn football. And he let my sister Emily dump him in the water a few times on the Sam A. Baker trip. Certainly one of a kind.

Cheers, Bill, we will miss you.

Illustration of Motherhood

Time: 6:00 PM. Fixing dinner. Kid #1 watching TV in the living room. Holding Kid #2 while she cries from being tired, sick and uncomfortable. Stop to take a drink of water. Choke on water. Coughing, coughing, coughing. Hold Kid #2 close to keep from losing my grip as I struggle to catch my breath. Kid #2 screaming bloody murder at the sound of her mother choking. Wonder if Kid #1 will check on me since I sound like I'm dying in kitchen. "Mom??" Oh yes! He does care! "May I have some more juice please?"

And Lila Smiles...

Lila has been perfecting her smile the last few days. She is almost there!

Sorta thinkin' about it here...

Then thought she would just look cute...

And finally we have what resembles a smile...when I removed the bow because she started crying between the last shot and this one...

Lila is doing great - growing like a weed. She weighed 10 lbs last week and had grown an inch. She is sleeping one long stretch at night before eating and will go right back down and sleep until close to our wake-up time. Not all the way there yet, but close. We feel like we are getting pretty good sleep most nights. Or maybe it's just an hallucination!

She has her first cold right now and of course it is so sad to watch! Hopefully she will be on the mend soon. It was only a matter of time!

Nate continues to be great with her - always wants to kiss and love on her...hence the cold!

Lila does not really like riding in the car. On a trip home from school this week, she was crying. Nate leaned over and said,"Sister Lou. There just isn't anything Mom can do about it right now!" Think he's heard that before??

Clean Slate

A new year...a clean slate...A new year...a clean slate I chant to myself on January 1, 2011. What will I do differently this year? Do better? Well I told my dentist on Thursday that I would wear my mouth guard more in 2011. He looked happy, sort of. You see, being the obsessive, compulsive, control freak that I am (did I just admit that...again?), I grit my teeth at night. So much so that I ground down a tooth so far a few years ago that I now have a fake tooth. I'm sure you needed to know all that, but I tell you to illustrate that no resolution is too small. They are about making yourself better and at this time of year, the sky's the limit. Resolutions - do you make resolutions? I tend not to think of them as resolutions but as goals for the year. That way if I don't exactly meet them, I just carry them over. Accountability is a wonderful thing :)

I am excited about this year - it will hold some special, yet some bittersweet memories for us. Nate will go to Kindergarten. Lila will turn 1. Scott will be one year closer to finishing his post-doc, which could possibly end our time in St. Louis. And Scott & I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary, which also means I've been with my current employer for 10 years and Scott has been seeking his career in science for that long too.

Definitely an exciting year, full of firsts for all of us, but especially for Nate & Lila. As I reflect on how important 2010 was for our family, I get a little weepy knowing that we will not have a 5 year old and a 1 month old for long. Each day goes by so fast, even though at the end of the day I'm exhausted because the day was long. But on the bright side, long days mean that I had something to fill it up. My precious munchkins, my awesome husband, and of course don't leave out my sweet Kitty P.

Cheers to 2011!

In Between Week

I love the week in between Christmas and New Years. There is still a holiday spirit and the pace of life seems much slower. This year, Scott's parents joined us in STL to celebrate the "in between week." I didn't take lots of pictures because despite the pace being slower, seems I still had things to do!

Before the Georgia game on Friday...pre hair-combing.

Lila did change to her Georgia outfit, this was her pre-outfit...girls have more than one per day ya know.

Even though we cheered hard, the Dawgs could not pull out a win :(

Nate discovered the iPhone. Enamored.

Clearly more enamored than Paka...

We also celebrated Christmas with Mimi & Paka...

Nate enjoyed opening up Lila's gifts as well - love the Cabbage Patch!

Building a car with his new tools from Lowe's - Nate & Scott have been going to the Build & Grow sessions and now Nate has his very own tools!

Resting on New Year's Day - love the sunshine in the background!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Now off to enjoy 2011 and all it brings - I have a feeling it is going to bring us lots of busy, but apparently we wouldn't have it any other way since I don't remember a time that we weren't busy! Happy New Year!