Yay for Friends!

Well, I think it's safe to say the Deneault's have "gotten their groove back!" Ford and I are finally starting to make some really good friends! San Antonio, a year later, feels like home; thanks to special friends like Miss Mattie, Miss Emma, and Miss Kate!  Now we just need to find Senor Ford a few boys, to hang out with, not that Ford's complaining obviously, look at these cutie pa-tooties! :) 

I used to be a human.

So as a Mom, I'm sure you've heard over and over again "You need to put yourself first!" and of course this line works wonders when I hire a babysitter to watch my child so I can steal two hours to get my hair done (when I force myself to schedule it!). But realistically, the rest of the time, it's an ongoing battle.

I have to honestly admit----I am soooo not one of those Mom's whose got it all together. You know the ones I'm talking about--- The Moms who go shopping with their children, and casually push the stroller around Nordstrom's with their latte's while their calm child let's them browse the shoe section--- yah, so not me. Or the Mom that run's around in her workout clothes and looks adorable and effortless (did she even work out!!!??!?), yah, not me either. I WISH!!!! I just have not mastered the art of looking like a human while raising children. Hopefully, I'll get better, uhhhhh maybe?

Children's constantly changing schedules make it hard to find time for yourself. And as a new Mom, I find that my biggest "struggle," is my guilty conscience. Even as I type this, the internal battle between "what I want to do," and "what's best for Ford," is waging inside my head. As usual, Ford's winning.

Ford has been sick on and off for about two weeks. He started with cutting his final molar, then he got a stomach bug, then he got a nasty cold. So for two weeks, he's been going to bed later, waking up earlier, taking inconsistent naps and well, just plain puzzling his Mama. Even when I've had a quiet moment to myself, the fear of him "waking up," has almost paralyzed me from starting anything for fear I'll be interrupted with a crying baby.

The one quasi "consistent" thing is his nap "time" despite the longevity of the nap, this child is like rain man when it comes to his nap--- must go down between 10-11 AM. I had hoped that all the inconsistencies would help push it back, but alas no, we're still an early napper. Which on a normal day makes it hard bc all Ford's buddies (like most NORMAL children) take an afternoon nap. Meaning, if we want to hang out we've got to do it super early! It's a pain!! The morning's are usually my time (we run errands, go to the gym etc.).

So, with all that said, this Mama is tired and I'm  honestly wondering.... How do you Mama's do it? Especially you Mama's with two, three, FOUR kids..... Oh god, that's just terrifying.....How do you make time for your child(ren), make time for your husband, keep your house sort of clean, and still feel like a human???

What's the secret?????

Sometimes I just really miss home.

Ok, so let me just say for the most part, I really dig SA. And generally I'm pretty happy here in the Lone Star state, I really am. But right about now when the weather's hot, the sun is super bright, and there's not a drop of salt water in sight---- I start aching for my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. I'm a beach girl to my core and spending more time in cowboy boots than swimsuits just hasn't become old hat yet.... This girl needs a saltwater breeze and a boat drink! 

The problem is... every time we go home, we're so consumed with whatever event we're going home for--- a holiday, a baby shower, a wedding, etc. that we never get to just chill and do any of the things I miss so terribly about my little piece of heaven. Usually we're at this house, then this house, then saying "hi" to these people etc. It's a whirlwind, we're in, we're out and then before you know it's time to go!

 I haven't been to the beach in almost two years or on a boat since we moved..... THAT'S A LONG TIME!!!!!! I'm grateful that we've got a beach trip to look forward to this August in Gulf Shores, Alabama, but I sure wish we could sneak into the Burg for a little R&R. Grrr! But for now, I guess I'll settle for our little Community Pool; even though we're not "supposed" to bring cocktails, maybe I can slip a little mojito in my Tervis and pretend I'm at the Sand bar..... :)

Long time no see....

So, I swear, it wasn't my intention to take a month off from blogging, but holy smokes---- it's been a BUSY month! 

So what have we been up to?? Well, if you follow me on FB you know we had family in town. They'd never visited us in SA, so needless to say- we showed them the town.... You know, SeaWorld, Schlitterbahn, The Alamo, etc....  and yes Senor Ford tagged along for all of it- he was such a trooper! We had a blast, but I cannot lie, if I never see another theme park again, it'll be too soon :). 

Then, immediately after they left, I hopped on a plane and headed to West Palm Beach to celebrate one of my besties nuptials. In true Crispin fashion, I didn't take any pictures, argh. But here's one that I stole from my friend Ashley.... The wedding was a blast and as much as I missed my boys, it was fun to have a little "time off." Wasn't KT stunning???

During all these fun festivities, my little etsy shop, Tres Bien, has truly been taking off! I've received more support then I ever expected and I can't thank you enough for helping to make Tres Bien such a big success. I love having an artsy "outlet," especially one that helps pay for Mommy's little shopping addiction. :) So a big thank you to anyone who has "liked" the shop, referred a friend, bought some cute little onesies or tees, or just sent some love my way! I really appreciate it! 

Tres Bien

So, anyhoo, that's what I've been up to! I promise it won't be a month before I post again! Even though, I haven't been writing, I've kept track of all the things I've thought about blogging, so get ready-- I've got some fun posts coming! 

Hope ya'll are having a GREAT Summer!

It's crazy around here!

My schedule has gone all kinds of crazy lately and well this Mama is EXHAUSTED and frankly- off her game. Tyler's been out of town during the week for the past two weeks and let's just say--- single parenting is not my forte, that's for sure! Coupled with Ford's molars coming in and the thunderstorms we've conveniently been getting in the middle of the night which wake up my light sleeping child and my truly NEUROTIC dog..... I tell you, I'm keeping my eyes open with toothpicks, I swear. 

I don't know what it is, but when T goes out of town, my schedule does too. I haven't eaten a solid "real" meal in two weeks. I mean, who wants to cook for one? I haven't gone to the gym (probably because I haven't had three hours of solid sleep in two weeks), and I've had a weeknight glass of wine, one too many weeknights, which, hah, also might contribute to my absence from the gym. I'm a walking, talking, train wreck of a zombie....  

Needless to say this Mama is VERY excited for NEXT week, when my hubby will be home, hopefully Ford's molars will have come in, the weather will be better, and I'll get some MUCH NEEDED sleep, but  for right now, I'm in the trenches people, the trenches I tell you, bare with me and my sporadic posting, I'm coming back--- I swear :). 

Oh you little pistol.....

Today was a rough day. Ford has his molars coming in and he is NOT a happy camper and well, who can blame him---- ouch. But, honestly by five PM this evening I was counting the minutes till the kid went to bed. The crying and the whining had taken it's toll. I put him down around seven and then he woke up in a tizzy around nine- completely inconsolable. I rocked and rocked him and finally brought him into my bedroom where I laid on the bed with him as he clung to my neck whimpering.... He finally cried himself to sleep, but then as I tried to move and wrangle my way lose from his grip, he just grabbed tighter over and over again. He was not letting his Mama go--- be still my heart. This child can be moody, stubborn and well, honestly, a downright pistol, but God when he's sweet.... watch out, he's got his Mommy wrapped around his little finger...... And then it occurred to me, he's kinda like someone else I know. I guess it's true what they say--- the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I love the TWO pistols in my life more than words can possibly express; I am one lucky woman. 

Feeling blessed. 

Mom was right.....

via

Time  does go by, it goes by so, so, so fast....

But that's not "really" the point of this post. Actually, it's to moan and groan ( just a little--- I swear!) but it needs to be said--- I'm having a moment...

Wasn't I young like yesterday??? What the heck happened? This past weekend I was checking out at our local grocery store when a big "CHECK customer's I.D. if they don't look at least THIRTY" popped up on the cashier's screen. Guess what? The high school kid ringing me up, did NOT ask for my I.D. and NO I didn't have my child with me..... shoot me, apparently I'm old. I wanted (actually I still want) to punch him. 

Then hubby and I were flipping through the channels this weekend and came across an episode of Friends that we love..... but guess what---- It was on NICK at NITE people! I remember when Mr. Ed, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Dick Van Dyke etc. were all on Nick at Nite! Surely Friends isn't old enough to be on Nick at Nite, seriously!? We (I) were flabbergasted. We checked the original air date..... Ok, ok so it was seventeen years ago, BUT STILL where does the time go!!?!?

Yesterday morning when I was having my morning cup of coffee and watching GMA--- a nice British newscaster was doing a segment on Prince Harry. He explained that while "Kate and William were rolling into their middle age, Harry would keep the Royals young....." Kate and William are NOT middle-aged! She's twenty-nine for goodness sake!!!! Seriously, I'm twenty-nine- I AM NOT MIDDLE AGED!

And finally, the icing on the cake came when I opened my Lilly Summer Look Book and saw all of these fourteen year old girls parading around in the shortest shift dresses EVER. Clearly, something I will not be wearing this Summer as I chase my one year old around-- I about had a coronary! I have loved Lilly my whole life and let's be honest her style (up till now) has always been a bit "older," and now when I'm finally hitting the age where I still want to be cutely dressed, but want to be comfy, Lilly goes and seemingly revamps their whole line and gears it to a younger crowd---ugh. 

I don't mean to drone on and on. And seriously age doesn't scare me, or even really bother me. I love the place I am today and frankly wouldn't trade it for all the twenty-one year old, in-experienced moments in China.... I just can't believe how fast it's gone.... I went to bed fifteen and now suddenly I'm waking up (gulp) thirty!?!?!? Mom was right, time does fly and seemingly even faster when you have children. 

Just yesterday I could've sworn the media was claiming forty was the new twenty and now they're telling me twenty-nine is middle-aged. Someone just take me out to the pasture and shoot me because next thing I know, tomorrow I'll be old and senile. So I guess the point that I'm getting at is that we should all just enjoy life right now, at this very moment, because tonight you may go to bed thirty and tomorrow you might wake up eighty..... I'm just saying.....