{Picture Day}

As a parent do you worry about your child's school picture? For some strange reason, picture day is stressing me out. What do I put them in? Will they stay clean? I've been chasing Landen around with Chapstick and Vaseline trying to keep his lips from being chapped. And do you know what he did tonight on the eve of picture day ? He decided to head butt Aaron. Ugh! Seriously, all we need is a goose egg too! 

I got to the point where I went to the office today and found out what time life touch is setting up so I can swing in before school starts and ask if we can take their pictures before school. Talk about being a micromanager! In all honesty part of me is just trying to take the weight off their teachers and the other part of me is doing it for myself-it's a chunk of change for these pictures! Okay, I can see your eye rolls and hear your sighs....I'll just stop. I mean what's the worse that could happen?

It's time for this Momma to relax, watch some good TV and have a glass of vino! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{Mommy Confessions:Target}

Yesterday Aaron, my husband, calls as soon as I step foot into target. When he asked where I was he replied with an, "uh oh..." I knew what he was thinking. I too know that when I enter into that big box store I have no self control. I can't make it out of the dollar spot, which oddly is now a three dollar spot-aggravating and not worth three dollars! , without putting most of it in my cart.

{First Parent Teacher Conference}

 Its so fun having 'first' moments with Aaron.  When Landen and Caroline were born we had a lot of firsts. First diaper change, first trip to the beach, first holidays, first steps and of course the big one-their first birthday! While there are lots of developmental firsts that are exciting past the age of one, It just doesn't compare to the whirlwind of firsts you experience in the beginning.  I have to say, days like today have become really sweet! 

Heading into work today I was mentally going through my work day. I was thinking about the conferences for the day reflecting once again on each child and what I wanted to convey to the parents. Then the phone rang-it was Aaron. We were chatting and then remembered we were meeting at noon for L and Cs conference. Aaron said, "shouldn't we have questions for her?"  Ah! I hadn't even prepped for our own kid's conferences. We quickly gathered a few thoughts and questions so we were prepared. 

Noon came around and Aaron and I walked up to Landen and Caroline's classroom. I was so excited! Moments like these I feel 110% like a new parent- really, who gets excited over conferences?! We had a great conference with Landen and Caroline's teacher. She's lovely and the classroom is lovely.  Both are what you dream of for your children's first experience of school.  The classroom has a colorful mural of Noah's Ark on the wall and is well stocked with various toys and manipulatives and the teacher herself has been busy creating a 'space' themed room complete with a rocket ship and solar system that is suspended from the ceiling. 

It's evident their teacher  has been working hard on her classroom so it's fun and engaging for the children-heck I'd love to hang out in there all day! We had suspected everything was going well overall and our feelings were confirmed-even Landen seems to be making progress with speaking more. They are having fun, enjoying their friends, and playing well. What more could parents ask for. It warms my heart and makes us both so happy. I'm glad I jumped at the chance to send them to preschool this year. 

As a parent, what are your hopes for your child(ren) at school? Do you have high expectations academically? Do you want your child to just be happy and successful in their own way? Do you wonder if they have friends? I can see where it's easy to want your child to be challenged and excell quickly in learning but I think as parents we need to help our children by keeping realistic expectations. Our children are growing up in a fast paced world and It is so easy for us to get caught up in it. I really want to protect Landen and Caroline's childhood. My hope is we will...here is to a great first part of the year! I hope your children are all happy and well! 

Keep Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxoxo

Danielle 

{Conference Eve}

Tonight as I drove home from parent-teacher conferences I was reflecting on how the experience is different from when I wasn't a parent myself. I have to say my thinking and approach towards conferences has certainly shifted with my new parent perspective. Certainly in a positive way. Tomorrow I will enter into Landen and Caroline's preschool conference with Aaron and we will be on the other side of the table for the first time hearing about our children from their teachers. I am nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. 

I think I have mentioned it before but Landen does not speak as well as Caroline. Granted they are 2 1/2 years old and he is a boy the teacher in me says he needs more time to develop but the parent in me is freaking out. We asked the pediatrician last weekend about his speech/Language and of course all he did was scream so her comment was developmentally he's okay at this point based on some questions she had asked. 

Trying not to be a helicopter mom but also being proactive I asked my friend to listen to Landen when she has a chance. Knowing she is an expert and trusting the Dr.s, you would think I would feel taken care of and that I could relax a little bit...but that's not happening.  It's funny when your 'parent hat' is on, your emotions and your reactions are totally different (even when you are a teacher by profession!) and I'm thankful that I have the teacher inside of me calm me down-although that is hard to do sometimes. 

As a parent I just want Landen and Caroline to love, learn, play, grow, and make friends. What hat do you wear that is difficult for you?  I have to say I'm still VERY green at parenting and I certainly am feeling it on the eve of our  first parent-teacher conference. I can't wait to let you know how it goes tomorrow night. 

Keep a Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

{I'm a WHAT?}

Thank you time change! It's 8:00 and the kiddos are tucked soundly into bed! My only problem is keeping myself up too! Now that it is dark around six, I too feel like I should be headed to bed. I then have the delima of do I go to bed or try and fight it and watch all my shows that I have on the DVR. I am SO behind on my shows because I've been falling asleep on the couch..I must say, I've felt very rested this week and our new couch is being broken in too!

If you read my previous blog {THAT Parent}, you'll know I've been gathering winter gear for the kiddos.  Tonight I made my stop by Once Upon to see if they had some snow pants and some good winter boots. I love trendy, but I'm not ready to spend 100 bucks on boots my kids may wear three times and out grow.  So I stopped in, found what was practically like new items and headed to the checkout. If you ever run into me at the store when I'm shopping for L and C watch out!  I am likely to be loaded down-tonight was no exception. When shopping I am usually making the most of the trip to the store (especially if I'm alone!) which means I  have to make sure that I got two sets of everything for each kid-thus avoiding a morning like yesterdays.


I got to check-out said hello to the lady checking me out and another young girl said, "I know you from somewhere."  I smiled politely and said, "You do?" She asked if I worked at a school and I ran the gamete of schools I've been at since college. Nothing rang a bell for her at the time. She insisted that she knew me though. I asked her name and don't you know we quickly connected the dots.  I actually was her teacher in the latchkey program at Fairfield and Aaron and I were neighbors to her aunt when we lived on the West Side (as in the West side of Cincinnati-the French Corridor to be exact).   My sister, Summer, had this young girls  other aunt  as her teacher in high school. Small world-Right?!

For the first time in my life I had that "moment" of meeting a beautiful girl that was once a little girl I cared for, gave snacks too, and played with.  I remember her vividly now and it is just the craziest feeling seeing her as a young adult.  I wonder what impression I left on her-I hope it was a good one.  I am also amazed that she recognized me-guess I haven't changed or aged too much over the past ten years.

 I think after today, I officially feel like an adult. I've been teaching for seven years, I have twin two-year-olds, and I drive a minivan....go figure it would take a five minute conversation with a young lady to make me finally realize I am in fact an adult. 

I'm not sure that I'm ready quiet yet to run into another past student, but I do have to say that running into her was a great reminder of the impression teachers leave on children's lives.  I think that is applicable in a Mommy way too. As mothers, we have the opportunity to really make a difference in our children's lives. It will take time to see the results of the love and care we give to them each and everyday, but I know the time and effort will be worth it in the end.

Here is to being amazing, caring, and loving Mommies!!


Keep Calm and Mommy On!

xoxoxo

{THAT parent}

Let's be honest. I have struggled more the past two days with the time change than Caroline and Landen. I have fallen asleep on the couch exhausted around 7:30/8:00. This morning, I woke up on the couch at 5:15. I decided I might as well get up and make some coffee before heading upstairs to get ready. While I'm waiting on the coffee, I began getting the backpacks and lunch bags together in a tote. I looked around for their coats and they are no where to be found. In an instant I panicked and thought, "Oh my gosh I'm THAT parent!"

Guest Blogger: Angela Jolley

It is my pleasure to introduce to you our guest blogger: Angela Jolley.  Angela and I know one another through high school. While we weren't in the same 'circle' back then, we are now a part of the Working Mom's Club.  She is a business owner, Mother of a two-year-old with another sweetie on the way.  She is going to share with you her experience with infertility as well as her business and Mommy-must-haves! Please be sure to visit Dulce Designs Candy  

FAMILY

KC&MO: Tell us about yourself and your family! 

Angela: My husband and I met while I was in college at Eastern Kentucky University.  He was graduated but came back to visit his fraternity brothers during a formal. We became instant friends for years and once I graduated and moved back to Cincinnati, where he was living, we immediately started dating. I know it is cliché to say but he is 100% my best friend and is one of the funniest people I have ever met. He is the hardest working person, and because of that I am able to stay home with our son while running my own business.  I am blessed to have him for a husband. Together we have a 2 year old son named Nolan. Nolan is hilarious, assertive, extremely active, kind, polite and very bossy at times. We are also expecting our second son, Grayson, in March!

KC&MO:How will baby number two change things for you? How is it different from preparing for your first?

Angela: Life is going to get so much crazier but a lot more fun too. I think having two of the same gender really helps in preparing for their arrival, we already have almost everything we need. With the second pregnancy I am much more relaxed and not as nervous as I was the first time around. I think our biggest obstacle will be starting over with the newborn stage after having a toddler that can do a lot on his own. I am having a C-section again with our second and I am nervous about the recovery of that while trying to care for a newborn and toddler. I know there are a lot of challenges with having a toddler and a newborn but I will survive with the help of my family, friends and some wine!

 KC&MO: What are you most excited about with your growing family?

Angela: I am so excited to give my son a brother/sibling/best friend and at times worst enemy.  More than anything I am beyond blessed to be pregnant again after at one time being told I would probably never have children. I will admit, I am the WORST pregnant person ever…just ask my loved ones!

TACKLING INFERTILITY

KC&MO: What can you share with moms who struggle with infertility? What's your story? 

Angela: To be honest, I never really paid much attention to infertility until it became a large part of my life about four years ago. It was then that I found out really how common it is, and I am noticing it especially with a lot of people my age. We tried on our own to get pregnant for almost 9 months with no luck, I know they say to wait a full year before seeing a specialist but I just knew something what wrong so my doctor had Adam and I go in for a couple of tests. Adam had to do a sperm analysis where they found out he has perfect “super swimmers” so we knew the issue was with me. With him cleared, it was my turn.  The first test was a Hysterosalpingogram or better known as the dye test where they test the condition of your fallopian tubes. It was after this test that they discovered I had endometriosis and it was so severe that I had only one working fallopian tube. After further testing they also found that I had low ovarian reserve…meaning that I had a lower egg count and the eggs I had were not of great quality.

With that knowledge we started fertility treatments at the Institute of Reproductive Health under Dr. Scheiber. It was here that we underwent a total of 6 artificial inseminations (iui’s) before we decided to move onto in-vitro fertilization (ivf). None of these fertility treatments were a walk in the park and all included a series of medicine…especially the ivf’s where I was giving myself up to 4 injections a day in my stomach. I was moody, tired, and emotional while starting to put on weight from all of the medicine…top that off with negative pregnancy tests monthly and I was starting to also get very depressed. We ended up doing 2 ivf’s both of which I never made it past egg retrieval because my egg quality was so bad that no eggs fertilized. The next day after our second IVF retrieval I received a phone call from the IVF nurse letting me know that nothing took and that we could not move on with the second part of the procedure was one of the darkest days of my life. I remember Adam coming home from work immediately and just lying in bed with me, holding me while I sobbed.  Fast forward a few weeks and in that time we had decided to look into egg donation as well as adoption. It was during this time that I went off all fertility medicine and started acupuncture with the amazing Carole Paine. I was eating organic and doing yoga and praying more than I ever had in my entire life. I noticed my period was a little late and my lower back was aching which I thought was so odd. Just for the heck of it I took a pregnancy test and imagine my total shock when I saw those 2 pink lines. I took three more tests that day just to make sure.  Our first son, Nolan is a true miracle baby and it is never lost on us how much we went through to get him!

KC&MO: What is your message to women who are struggling with infertility?

Angela: That you are not alone, infertility is actually really common and does not define you as a person.  I love that it is being talked about more and more in media, blog pages etc. If you do have or have had any sort of infertility do not feel like you have to hide your feelings.  It’s ok to be sad some days!

Once I became pregnant and was so sick with constant morning sickness I felt like I could never complain or ask for help because that is what I so desperately wanted and prayed for…what I want to tell people is it is ok to be honest about how you are feeling. You don’t have to love being pregnant every second of the 9 months; you are not ungrateful for feeling that way.

KC&MO: What got you through the tough days of infertility? 

Angela: Talking about it with my loved ones while also going to a counselor and of course praying…lots and lots of praying. I think it is so important to have a strong support system in life, people you know you can really count on to get you through your darkest days and those who also rejoice with you in your happiest.  I felt so surrounded by love from my friends and family. I was not always very open about our infertility but as soon as I was able to open up and talk about it, the better I felt. The biggest eye opener for me was learning I was not alone; that infertility is very common!

KC&MO: Did the infertility cause any stress to your marriage? How did you and your husband stay close and connected? 

Angela: The weird thing is it brought us closer than ever.  Nobody knew better than him what loss and heartbreak we were experiencing. I was never alone; he was with me every step of the way.  At first, I felt guilty for not being able to have children, like it was my fault because the infertility was with me. When we got married we had these dreams to start a family and I felt like I was to blame for not being able to fulfill that dream for us. He constantly reminded me that I was not alone, we did the infertility shots together and he would listen to me when I needed it and hold me when I had nothing to say.  For that I am forever grateful!

WORKING AND BEING A MOM

KC&MO: Tell us more about Dulce Designs Candy! How did you begin? Where did the idea come from?

Angela: Dulce Designs is a DIY candy/popcorn buffet company helping you create artful events and stylish celebrations without breaking the bank!

Growing up as a child and even now as an adult, I have always had the biggest love for anything sweet (especially chewy candy!). As I was planning my own wedding, I wanted to incorporate my love for candy and desserts.  After talking with dozens of favor and dessert providers, I decided to design my own candy buffet for all my guests to enjoy.  My passion for design and addiction to sweets was the perfect combination needed to plan a yummy dessert table.

I remember on our wedding night cleaning up my candy buffet in my wedding dress and thinking, “There should be a company that takes care of all of this for brides!” and thus the idea for Dulce Designs really came to life. It has been 5 years now and I thoroughly love what I do. I love setting my own schedule, I enjoy that it allows me to be creative; I have met some of the most amazing people…but most of all I love that working from home allows me to be home with my son (soon to be son’s)!

KC&MO: How do you possibly work from home and take care of a little one all while being pregnant with baby number two?

Angela: The key for me is organization and not being afraid to ask for help from family members when I need it. When I have a large event on any particular week then it is not uncommon for our house to turn into a candy shop and for our mom’s to be over offering a helping hand. I have to keep my little guy active so I try to plan fun activities for him weekly. Pre-school has also been a saving grace lately…he loves the kids and it gives me some quiet time to work or rest.  Nolan being happy and well taken care of allows me to be able to get what I need done for work smoothly, without distractions.

KC&MO: What is the key to your success at your business?

Angela: Changing with the times and staying relevant with what is popular now. The wedding and party industry is constantly changing and I need to stay current with that to keep new clients coming in. Pinterest is a big help to me in that department!

KC&MO: How do you keep organized?

Angela: I believe you can never have too many lists; I literally have reminders and lists for me all over the place.

KC&MO: What is your mom must have?

Angela: It is not really a tangible item…naps and schedules are my mommy must have.  I know they are not for everyone but they are very important to us in the Jolley house. It keeps mommy sane and our little boy happy and smiling (when he is not throwing the occasional two year old tantrum)! I really look forward to spending time with my husband at the end of the day,  just unwinding and talking about all the fun things Nolan did or said that day and watching anything besides Disney…being on a schedule and having a bedtime for our little one allows us to spend that much needed alone time together. 

KC&MO: What do you do to treat yourself?

Angela: I LOVE to read books, it is my ultimate escape! I also really enjoy getting manicures…I feel like if my nails are painted I am more put together, even in my daily sweats and pony tails!

KC&MO: Can you share your website/Facebook page with readers? 

http://dulcedesignscandy.com/

Thank you, Angela for being so candid about what it’s like to be a Mom.  Your strength as a woman is amazing. Your drive to be a creative success is admirable!   Thank you for being an inspiration to us Moms!

Keep Calm and Mommy On!

Xoxoxo