Road Trip / 3 Day weekend!

Saturday morning Beckett and I had plans to travel to Fairfax to see one of my best and oldest friends!!!  I woke up to this and giant snowflakes!!! 

This was not going to stop us :) I was so looking forward to and needing to get out of Richmond and spend some time with just B. Luckily the snow turned into light rain and we were on the road at 9 am.  We stopped for gas and snacks before getting on 95 - Beckett was in heaven.  He literally said "This is SO fun!"  in the gas station after picking out teddy grahams and apple juice....too sweet.  2 hours later we made it to Brandy's!  

When we got to her house we hung out and caught up for a bit!  She looks amazing as always and Beckett and Olivia hit it off right away bonding over Justin Bieber Barbies.   We needed to get the kids out and play so we went to hades Chuck E. Cheese.  It was packed and humongous compared to the one here! Beckett of course got stuck in the tunnel slide, Olivia tried to carry him down :)  Then I had to regulate on some crazy kids whose parents were no where to be found.  After using all of our tokens on candy and 2 little toys we headed to Sweet Frog for some yummy froyo.  Brandy is doing the points also so we loaded up the fruit on ours and only used 2 points!!! 

Motion Game!

Racing Car!

Yummy!!!

Sleepover!

After a fun Target run (got some Eater basket stuff!) and Beckett calling the check out man his Grandpa we headed back to Brandy's to feed and bathe the kids!  We got them all situated with a movie and had lots of time to talk and talk and talk.  We probably could have talked for 3 days straight.  Love that we can pick up where we left off and it seems just as easy as it did 14 years ago!  After a bottle of wine and some Channing Tatum replay I headed to check on the kids and fell asleep ;) Sunday morning we just hung out until it was time to go! We will definitely be back very soon! Thank you cute Fernandes family for the hospitality!!!

We stopped by Unc Unc Jason and Aunt Nancy's in Arlington on our way out of Fairfax.  Great to see them as always!!! Their wedding is in June and I can't wait!!!!!  It's going to be spectacular! :) 

Beckett was so tired from his weekend of playing that he was out....the traffic was ridiculously slow on 95 so we had to stop in Fredericksburg to potty!! He is doing SUCH an amazing job with potty training! He didn't have any accidents all weekend and kept his undies dry for the long car ride.  We had some Joe's Crab shack dessert before heading home.  I really enjoyed my alone time with my big boy.  He is such an awesome kid and I was glad to be able to give him all of my attention for a weekend!  Emerson and Neal had a fun daddy/daughter weekend.

Monday, President's Day, we hung out with my mom and did some shopping!  We rearranged my bedroom, got new bedding and it looks really good! Thanks mom!  

I lost 3.5 lbs. this week at my Monday weigh in bringing my weight loss total to 12.4 lbs.!!!! SO excited my goal is so close!!! 

Monday night one of my friends and I finally got to see Safe Haven!!!  Josh and Julianne were such perfect actors for the movie!! There are a lot of details in the book that weren't in the movie but it was still very good.  She also gave me the sweetest card ever and it totally made me cry and I cried again sharing it with Neal...thanks friend!!!!! :)  

There are a lot of uncertainties and challenges with the year ahead but I am so lucky to have a wonderful family and supportive friends to help me along the way! 

This morning B came in our room at 6:15 and when I asked him to be quiet and lay down because it was still dark he turned to Neal and said "Mommy grumpy. Mommy not happy at all."  We all know I'm not a morning person....so we trudged downstairs and after I got my hot tea in Beckett ran up to me with a big ol hug and said "Mommy happy now!!!!!"  You bet buddy :) I really need to work on the morning person thing....

Valentine's!!!

Valentine's Day in our house was full of love!  We all spoiled each other with sweet cards and gifts! My mom made dinner and I surprised Neal and made him blush with his gift ;) The kids had tons of fun with their presents!

Sensory Table Fun (Valentine's Eve)

Neal's "Book of Love" boxers, gum and a new wedding band!!!

Books for me!!!

Yaya <3

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

On their table after bedtime...

14th Valentine's together <3

Pom poms Valentine's morning!!!

Cars!!!

Plateau....

Well, I've hit the plateau!  Didn't lose any weight this week at the weigh in.  I have been busting my behind at the gym and staying in my point range every day.  I definitely think I have gained some muscle from weight lifting.  I can tell mostly in my arms and legs however my post-babyX2 stomach still has purple train tracks across the pizza dough like creation. Everytime I look in the mirror I think that surely cannot be a part of my body!  I am starting to think plastic surgery is the only route to fix that. It is discouraging to not see the number drop on the scale and have last year's pants not fit yet!  I will keep keepin' on though.  Lent starts tomorrow and while I will be making some *positive* changes I am also going to give something up - alcohol!  Empty calories and word vomit - don't need it right now in my life!

Anyways, today is Tuesday - my cleaning day, take out the trash day and savor moments with my kids day.   

Every morning from 7:30-9ish I try to stay at my laptop and do school work, answer emails if need be etc.  Well my kids were NOT having it this morning.....exhibit A.  I now have two climbers!!!  

Our time inside was not going to last long!  I needed to fill up my tank before the Goochland drive x3 this week so we did that.  While I was getting gas I got a message saying Neal's ring was in at Jared's! He lost his wedding band about six months ago during a Saturday shopping day and we never found it.  So, I thought Valentine's would be a perfect occasion to get him a new one (same ring).  My kids went nuts-o in there.  Thank goodness they have a play area but we got a lot of looks - I was the only female shopper in there this close to Valentine's day - surprise!!! 

We then headed to Petco for a trip to see the animals.  We do this regularly and I must say it is one of our favorite things to do! It's FREE and it's fun :)  So we played with a kitty named Sadie (tear) and looked at the fishies, stuck our entire arm in the fish tank (B) and got separated a few times but it was still fun!

After making a potty stop for my big boy in our front yard we headed on to the park.  It was the perfect play day!!! We were 2 of 3 kids at the park - perfect.  They had a great time and I didn't have to worry about older kids knocking them down :) 

I couldn't choose just one swing shot because I love all of their expressions!!! They are just the sweetest kids ever.  How did I get so blessed???

After the park we came home, made dinner, had bath time and a nice visit from YaYa. Beckett even put himself to bed tonight!  I sent Neal out to get the kids a couple more things for Valentine's day and to get something for our babysitter.  He came home with a stuffed owl and candy (Valentinesish) - you can never go wrong with owls!!! It's actually really cute - she will love it.  I need to finish Neal's last present tomorrow :)  

Lucky to have so much love in my life!!!  Valentine's Day is getting me all giddy like Christmas!!!!  Now if only I could get off this plateau! 

Rainy days and Mondays always get me....

It's supposed to be down! But, I'm not down! So, I stopped the lyrics right there ;)

We had a fun weekend! Emerson was getting over someTHING - could have been Hand, Foot, Mouth - looked like a chemical/allergic reaction.  Still not sure what it really was but it's gone now thank goodness.

We kept the kids home Saturday just in case they were contagious.  So, Neal and I alternated gym times to keep the kids out of that germy place. 

Emerson had an exciting weekend....she has been VERY into "pee pee potty" and if anyone goes to the bathroom she wants to go and she is slightly obsessed with toilet paper.  So, I put her on the potty Saturday and she was so proud.  Miss independent.    

Yay, Emerson! My goal is to have her potty trained before July so we can use my mom's pool since they don't allow swim diapers! I was a miracle child and potty trained at 18 months - I'm confident she can do it too ;) High hopes!

The kids spent the rest of the day playing drums on Gracie's bed, going on a walk in the beautiful weather, eating Sonic and playing peek a boo, or "baby boo" as E calls it. 

Neal came home with Diet Cherry Limeades because he had a craving for them ;)  Luckily, he brought Emerson a corn dog which she chowed down! My good eater!

Zero points!!

All in all a perfect day :) 

Sunday my mother-in-law came up for the day and we went out to lunch at Rico's.  My first time having Mexican in months!!! I had the shrimp salad with no dressing, just salsa.  It was ok - you know I was missing the cheese covering the whole thing.  Sigh...

Then I took the kids to Whole Foods for the cookie decorating! The toppings were heavenly - white chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips, pink and red jelly beans, yummy icing. Beckett only ate the toppings they were so amazing.  The heart shaped cookies were covered in pink sprinkles.  Lots of fun! We went on another walk (not as warm today!!) got some Jack snuggles in, a little gym action and ended the night with Grammy's and Gracie on the couch. 

The weekends do pass entirely too fast.  I know last year at this time I said I would NEVER want to be a SAHM but I am SO looking forward to it!  The older my kids are getting they are just so FUN! I love being with them and doing things with them.  It really is the absolute best time of my life.  No doubt.  Just have to get through 3 work days this week - Valentine's is always a fun day at school!  I need to finish  Neal's presents too....pictures to come :) 

Have a great Monday!!! Don't let it get you down! :) 

I was a little busy in January....

So, it's February! I haven't blogged since December....woops! 

But if you want to hear my excuses we have been really busy :) 

January called for some new changes in the Routson household! We don't do resolutions. We do changes. Right, Neal?!

The first change we made was to a find a church that fit our family. Check. 
Thanks to my dear friend we have been attending Hope (A Good Place To Find Life) for 6 weeks and it is aaaaaaaaaaaamazing to say the least. It is very contemporary, awesome music, Neal feels welcome there, the daycare is fantastic and huge, AND the messages are moving beyond belief. Like, I have literally cried every single time we go there.  Amazing. 

The second change we I made was I decided that I really needed to do something about this weight loss problem that I was sick of dealing with last year!  No resolution to lose the weight, just change. Again, thanks to my supportive friend I joined Weight Watchers and have so far lost....are you ready....
9.8 pounds!!!!!!!  I have been going to the gym 3-5 days a week, combined with the points program (helping me keep track of what I am eating) the weight is f i n a l l y coming off!!! I won't "blame" Miss Emerson anymore - it's not her fault ;) Just definitely harder to lose it with the 2nd child for me!

The third change that I we decided was that I am going to stay home next year.  After 2 years of me teaching part-time and all of the different daycares, babysitters, daily changes, different schedules each day that we are DONE. I am very fortunate to be able to take next year off to just BE with my B & E.  I could not be more excited.  Of course it will have it's monetary & patience challenges but I am preparing now - taking credit card info out of my favorite online stores and unsubscribing from all my daily deals :( The sacrifices we make for our families.....It is what is best for our kids though for sure!

2013 has started out absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to see what else it will bring!!!!! Happy NEW Year from the Routsons!

It's going to be hard to beat this photo this year!! My favorite of my sweet babies so far :)