This post has been brewing for a few weeks now, but honestly it's been so long since I last hit "publish," that I've really struggled with where to begin. I feel like there's so much ground to cover that I haven't even known where to start. Well, who woulda thunk that it would be a case of head lice that brought me back to my blogging roots?
That's right- my parenting nightmare became a reality when I realized yesterday evening that there were in fact tiny little creatures skittering through Crosby's and my hair. *shudders* I spent upwards of four hours scrubbing, shampooing, and combing through all our hair. I managed to go through the entirety of my childhood without getting it, but ah yes, the joys of motherhood. I promise, I'm really trying not to be overly negative or dramatic about this- but head lice is one of my biggest irrational fears and I cannot even tell you how much I'm freaking out right now. So much so, that I used a sick day (that I do not have to spare because it seems like my children are literally always sick) to stay home and wash every last linen and article of clothing in our house.
So, while I sit here in my freshly laundered bed suffering from phantom itches all over my body, I figured I'd do something relatively productive with my downtime (anything to distract myself!) and publish the post that has been a long time coming.
When last I left off at the beginning of the year, I was spending my cold, winter months trapped inside organizing my house and attempting to upgrade my wardrobe. I shared that I was still in full-on study mode at work and that Chuck and I were going back and forth on whether we wanted to have another child. In March, Crosby celebrated his half birthday so I threw together a quick 2.5-year interview post. And then I checked in on some bucket list goals.
Now here we are, over two months later and my blog is like a desolate, Mommy blogger wasteland. Allow me to catch you up to speed...
STAY-CATION: 2019
I think that about gets us up to speed on life with the Stuckerts! I haven't had much desire to blog lately because I was so burnt out from studying and wanted no part in anything that felt remotely like "work." But I have missed it. And even if it is a dying art, this blog has been with me for over a decade now and bears witness to the best moments of my life. I am in no hurry to say goodbye. So stay tuned, hopefully I'll be back with some more regular content- including some updates on our finances, the books I've been reading and loving and other beeautiful, mundane stuff!
That's right- my parenting nightmare became a reality when I realized yesterday evening that there were in fact tiny little creatures skittering through Crosby's and my hair. *shudders* I spent upwards of four hours scrubbing, shampooing, and combing through all our hair. I managed to go through the entirety of my childhood without getting it, but ah yes, the joys of motherhood. I promise, I'm really trying not to be overly negative or dramatic about this- but head lice is one of my biggest irrational fears and I cannot even tell you how much I'm freaking out right now. So much so, that I used a sick day (that I do not have to spare because it seems like my children are literally always sick) to stay home and wash every last linen and article of clothing in our house.
So, while I sit here in my freshly laundered bed suffering from phantom itches all over my body, I figured I'd do something relatively productive with my downtime (anything to distract myself!) and publish the post that has been a long time coming.
LIFE LATELY (v9)
When last I left off at the beginning of the year, I was spending my cold, winter months trapped inside organizing my house and attempting to upgrade my wardrobe. I shared that I was still in full-on study mode at work and that Chuck and I were going back and forth on whether we wanted to have another child. In March, Crosby celebrated his half birthday so I threw together a quick 2.5-year interview post. And then I checked in on some bucket list goals.
Now here we are, over two months later and my blog is like a desolate, Mommy blogger wasteland. Allow me to catch you up to speed...
HEALTH & FITNESS
I felt like we spent so much of our Spring just battling sickness. We had two bouts of strep, a couple ear infections and other assorted ailments. It's remarkable how you can be the healthiest person in the world and as soon as kids enter the picture, it's game over.
On a more positive note though, I'm back at it with half marathon training (Version 2.0). You may remember that I trained last year and at the last minute wasn't able to run due to some unfortunate circumstances outside of my control. Thankfully, I was able to defer my race registration until the following year. Which sounded like a great idea at the time, but now it means I actually have to be able to run 13+ miles NEXT WEEKEND. Eek! I'll be honest, I haven't been as motivated as I was last year, BUT I've managed a couple 8-mile runs which gives me hope that I might actually be able to pull this off. Now, I'm just praying that this Ohio humidity takes a hike!
On a more positive note though, I'm back at it with half marathon training (Version 2.0). You may remember that I trained last year and at the last minute wasn't able to run due to some unfortunate circumstances outside of my control. Thankfully, I was able to defer my race registration until the following year. Which sounded like a great idea at the time, but now it means I actually have to be able to run 13+ miles NEXT WEEKEND. Eek! I'll be honest, I haven't been as motivated as I was last year, BUT I've managed a couple 8-mile runs which gives me hope that I might actually be able to pull this off. Now, I'm just praying that this Ohio humidity takes a hike!
STAY-CATION: 2019
Since I've been actively saving up to buy a minivan in cash, we knew there was no way we could swing a vacation this year. Instead, I made my birthday week in April a Staycation week. While I devoted my week to studying for my professional exam, scrubbing every square inch of our home, and all the other house projects I haven't had time for, our handyman friend Dale spent the week installing a window in our upstairs spare room that will eventually become Charlie's big boy bedroom. It's been a really slow process because working full-time with two toddlers doesn't lend itself well to getting projects accomplished, but as we're currently in a season of bed-sharing right now, I honestly don't think the boys are ready to sleep in their own rooms anyway. I'm hopeful that the timing will fall right into place. (This picture doesn't look like anything special, but just try to imagine what the side of our house looked like prior without the second story window):
WORK
I think I've only mentioned it a few thousand times, but I spent basically all of the past year studying for two professional exams. I passed the first in December, and then sat for the second in May. I am so happy that I passed because let me tell you- all that cramming was brutal. This is the first summer since becoming a Mom in which I haven't had a job that requires me to work on Saturdays, so I have been relishing all of this free time to spend with my kiddos. I've been doing a lot more reading, trips to the farmers' market and church on Sundays these last few months. I will probably study to obtain a professional designation at the end of the year/beginning of next year. But for now, I'm giving myself a much-needed break!
THE FAM
I am absolutely delighting in my boys these days. While their physical energy leaves me in a perpetual state of exhaustion, they are still so much darn fun. Charlie is 4.5 and Crosby will be three in less than 2 months! Crosby is talking more and more and is honing his sense of humor. He is silly, still affectionate as ever, and copies every little thing his big brother does. Charlie is becoming a big boy before our eyes- he went to summer day camp for the first time this year and loved it. Although it rained the entire week, he didn't know the difference and was completely reluctant to leave every evening at pick-up. He starts Pre-K next year and is bursting to be able to ride the school bus and points out his new school every time we pass it. I adore his personality and just love spending time with him. They're both the very best and I couldn't possibly love them more.
SUMMER
THE FAM
I am absolutely delighting in my boys these days. While their physical energy leaves me in a perpetual state of exhaustion, they are still so much darn fun. Charlie is 4.5 and Crosby will be three in less than 2 months! Crosby is talking more and more and is honing his sense of humor. He is silly, still affectionate as ever, and copies every little thing his big brother does. Charlie is becoming a big boy before our eyes- he went to summer day camp for the first time this year and loved it. Although it rained the entire week, he didn't know the difference and was completely reluctant to leave every evening at pick-up. He starts Pre-K next year and is bursting to be able to ride the school bus and points out his new school every time we pass it. I adore his personality and just love spending time with him. They're both the very best and I couldn't possibly love them more.
SUMMER
Our summer has been so much fun. It's been very laidback, but we've managed to fit in some stellar friend and family time. Chuck's brother was remarried in June and it was the boys' first wedding. They TORE UP the dance floor and we all had the time of our lives. The weekend of July 4th, my Mom came to visit on her three-wheeler. We had to be on "back door watch" because all these little toddlers wanted to do was go outside and sit on Grandma's motorcycle! We also took them to a friend's house for a July 4th party where Charlie proceeded to take up residence in the pond and basically had to be dragged out. He was a little wary last year, so I was so impressed by my eager little fishy! We don't have too much else planned for the summer except a Labor Day trip up to NY. Chuck and I will be attending a friend's wedding while the boys go camping with Grandma and Grandpa.
I think that about gets us up to speed on life with the Stuckerts! I haven't had much desire to blog lately because I was so burnt out from studying and wanted no part in anything that felt remotely like "work." But I have missed it. And even if it is a dying art, this blog has been with me for over a decade now and bears witness to the best moments of my life. I am in no hurry to say goodbye. So stay tuned, hopefully I'll be back with some more regular content- including some updates on our finances, the books I've been reading and loving and other beeautiful, mundane stuff!
Since it's been awhile, I'd love to know who (if anyone) is still reading this blog. Leave a comment and tell me all about your summer!
