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Posts Tagged ‘Family’

Update Of The Two Babies In My Life

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

I took a few pictures of my little ones yesterday and today and now looking at them, it just amazes me on how fast the two of them are growing.  I know, it’s such a cliche that all of us parents say, but when you are in the day to day trenches, one tends not to notice to small changes our children go through or have, until they build up and then…bam!  Your baby is turning four years old or your other baby isn’t the smallest baby around anymore, in fact he is quite big!

Brook a Couple of Weeks Before Her 4th Birthday

Brook a Couple of Weeks Before Her 4th Birthday

My Big Man Blake at Four and a Half Months Old...Soooo Big!

My Big Man Blake at Four and a Half Months Old...Soooo Big!

Anyway, yesterday was the first official hot day here and we celebrated by going down to the lake and having Brook jump off of the pier and into my arms.  Abby was here to help, which was a godsend since Blake needs to be in the shade.  We would take turns switching off and watching the individual children.  I am ridiculously lucky to have some help this summer, I’d go crazy without it.  You can call me spoiled, I’m okay with that, it’s better than me going absolutely insane and being a raging bitch or a fumbling crying idiot.  And yes, I would be one of those without the help.  I don’t know why some people are so completely natural at being parents and there are people like me that struggle with the responsibility and the job of molding young lives.  That doesn’t mean that I don’t think I’m a good parent, it just means that this is not an easy job for me.  I get overly emotional and stressed and if I don’t get breaks, to put it simply, I break down.

Wow, that was a deviation of the first point…So, we went to the lake, got ice cream, went to the park twice and just enjoyed the warmth and sun for the day…Here are a couple of pictures of my two little ones getting ready for summer fun!

Brook Dancing Around While Getting Ready to Go to the Lake

Brook Dancing Around While Getting Ready to Go to the Lake

Blake in His First Swim Suit, It Barely Fit Since He Is Growing So Fast

Blake in His First Swim Suit, It Barely Fit Since He Is Growing So Fast

So, summer has officially started and while my garden is growing outside, inside the kids are doing the same!

Where In The World Am I?

Friday, June 5th, 2009

So it seems like I fell off the face of this Earth, when in reality I started watching both kids full time, which means there is only 1 hour in the day for me, if I’m lucky before bed and I’ve been using that to either catch up on email, spend time with my husband, attempt to exercise or read a book.  It goes by really fast and there isn’t much room for multiple accomplishments in that hour.  I know, this seems like a lame ass excuse and if you want you can think that, but in reality, it’s my life…take it or leave it.

Okay, so the last month has been a complete blur, but if you want to know the highlights…well, here it goes.

  1. Everyone got the stomach flu in our tribe…I got it the worst, it was god aweful…like someone kicked me in the balls (if I had said balls).  And the worst part is I got it while in Tucson for my cousin’s college graduation, so I wasn’t in the comforts of my own home when I felt my worst.  I mean, I had a fever and I don’t think I’ve had a fever in well over ten years…very sick.  Oh and to try to be a mom while this sick is virtually impossible, but it doesn’t matter, you get only 24 hours to get better and then you have to be back on the job, even if you still feel like crap and still need to recover.
  2. One day after I was starting to get better, we packed up our trusty rented U-Haul trailer and started our 4-day journey across the United States to our summer cabin in Wisconsin.  It was really hard with a three month old, he didn’t like being in the car for that many hours out of the day and really I don’t blame him.  Also, Travis’s body decided to have the stomach flu while on this drive because we weren’t all miserable enough already.
  3. I literally lost my mind the first week or so that we were in Wisconsin…I was a crying heaping mess who couldn’t do one thing without losing it.  Lovely, I know.  I was a wreak because the intense stress of two kids trying to get comfortable in new surroundings while this cute little cabin was falling apart with at least a half a dozen things broken, (major things like hot water heaters, water pumps, dishwashers and heaters).  Heater in the summer you ask?  Yes, because apparently Wisconsin didn’t get the memo that summer has started and it’s freekin’ freezing around here most days!
  4. I’ve had to, not by my choice, slow editing production down since there isn’t 28 hours in a day.
  5. I’ve almost gained all the the weight I worked so hard to get off…stress, no exercise and eating to cope have all played a part in that demise.  Hopefully, I will get back on track sooner than later…Horrible kick off to the summer of the work out!
  6. I got over most of my anxiety thank god and now we are starting to get in the groove of things…I’m hiring some summertime help, everything has gotten fixed and the kids are doing better…so hopefully the blog will get more action then it’s seen lately :) .

So, that is what you’ve missed out on in a nutshell….hopefully I will be able to keep up a little better in the near future.

TTFN!

First Formal Family Picture

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Today I decided to keep Brook home and made an appointment to have our first in studio family picture taken.  I’m thinking that we are a pretty cute family!  Here is our proof…

The Newman's Being a Cute Family

The Newman's Being a Cute Family

Now, some pictures were just not good…Case in point.

It's Almost Good, If Only Brook Would Have Looked at the Camera

It's Almost Good, If Only Brook Would Have Looked at the Camera

Blake was not having a smiley day…unfortunately at 12 weeks taking pictures is not a very exciting thing.

Blake Refusing to Smile in Any of the Pictures

Blake Refusing to Smile in Any of the Pictures

But, although he wasn’t having fun, Blake must have told Brook something hilarious.  I mean look at this laugh!

Brook Cracking Up and One of Blake's Jokes

Brook Cracking Up and One of Blake's Jokes

But, in the end, we end up getting at least one cute picture of the two of them together…

Cute Picture to Be Cherished...Cherish It!

Cute Picture to Be Cherished...Cherish It!

All in all, it wasn’t that bad.  I wish Blake would have smiled in at least one of them…he didn’t.  He opened his mouth for one, but it wasn’t a smile.  But, in the end we captured a moment of our lives.  We cemented what our family looked like when Blake was 12 weeks old and when Brook was a couple of months shy of four.  This is the first of many, many in studio sessions we will take of our family and it will be fun to one day look back at these and think, “wow, this wasn’t easy, but I am glad we did it!”  I must say though, I am glad we don’t have to do this again until Christmas!

The Newman's In All Of There Family Glory

The Newman's In All Of There Family Glory

Sometimes Others Have to Remind Me…

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Yesterday we took Brook to Mojo’s for a treat (it’s a frozen yogurt shop).  She received a positive report from her teacher this week, which Travis and I thought deserved a little kudos seeing that she was the devil child last week.  For a better understanding of what I mean click here

Anyway, we were eating our frozen treats and I looked across the way at White House / Black Market and asked Travis if we could stop in so I can look around.  I have nothing to wear since the only clothes I have are maternity clothes or clothes I used to fit in before I was pregnant.  On Saturday, I am hanging out with my girlfriend Shannon and I wanted to feel pretty.  So, I went in totally expecting to find something fabulous.

I found a few items to try on and I got into the dressing room.  Oh, how horrible of an experience that was.  Same ole story, nothing looks good on the body I have now and I start to go into a serious depression about what I am looking at in the mirror.  The saleslady kept asking me how I was doing and my response was, “I’d be great if I didn’t have this body…it makes all the clothes look horrible!”  To that she replied, “well, at least you have a beautiful family.”  My god she is right!  Sometimes others have to remind me…because I tend to forget what’s really important once in awhile.

Pat’s Run 2009

Monday, April 20th, 2009

This past weekend marked the beginning of my return to running.  For the past three weeks I have been training to run in Pat’s Run which holds a very special spot in my heart.  For those of you who don’t know, this run is to honor Pat Tillman’s life.  What makes this such a special event for me is really two things.  First, Pat Tillman played football for the Arizona Sun Devils while I was at school.  He was a part of my college experience even though we never knew each other.  The 1996 team that took us to the Rose Bowl is one of the most fun football memories that I have.  I was right there in the stands, cheering away when we shut out Nebraska and I was there when we carried the goal posts down Mill Ave., when Mill Ave. was still eclectic and bohemian.  Having an undefeated season was amazing!  He was part of the dream team, the same team that I cried a little for when we lost the Rose Bowl in post-season.  The look on Jake the Snakes face just broke my heart…but, overall it was an amazing year!  So every time I run this event, it takes me back to some great times that I once had.

The other reason why this event is so special, is that it really encompasses family.  For three years I have done this event with my Mom and Brook.  After the main “adult” race, they have a kids race that Brook has been apart of.  Here is a picture time line of her being in these races.

Brook and Jolene Pat Tillman 2007

Brook and Jolene at Pat Tillman 2007

Brook in Deep Thought 2007

Brook in Deep Thought 2007

In 2007, she was a 1 year old.  Now given, she was getting close to 2, but she was still such a sweet baby in my eyes…oh, who are we kidding, she is still my baby.   I am pretty sure I carried her most of the way during the .42 kid race.  But, it was the foundation for the future.

Brook Running the Pat Tillman Race 2008

Brook Running the Pat Tillman Race 2008

Brook and Mommy at Pat Tillman 2008

Brook and Mommy at Pat Tillman 2008

Here we are in 2008.  She is now 2 years old and I am pretty sure she ran most of the .42 mile race this time.  She was so cute with her arms pumping and excitement in her eyes.  She stole the show with her determination and cuteness.

Brook Running at Pat Tillman Race 2009

Brook Running at Pat Tillman Race 2009

Brook and Mommy Pat Tillman 2009

Brook and Mommy Pat Tillman 2009

Here we are 2009 and look how my baby has grown.  She is now three, going on thirty!  With a mind of her own and a love of running established, she ran the whole .42 race this time by herself.  I didn’t carry her once.  With the same happiness and determination, she completed this year with a stellar performance.  She is already asking when are we going to run again.  I can’t wait till she is old enough to run next to me in the “big” race and to finish right along side me.  That is if I can keep up with her.

Here are some more pictures from this years race…

Cece (my Mom), Me and Bill after the race...I averaged 10:15 minute miles.  Not bad for 3 weeks of training.

Cece (my Mom), Me and Bill after the race...I averaged 10:15 minute miles. Not bad for 3 weeks of training.

Brook Already Loving on the Football Players

Brook Already Loving on the Football Players

Brook Loving on More ASU Football Players

Brook Loving on More ASU Football Players

Travis Loving His Free Rubio's Fish Taco

Travis Loving His Free Rubio's Fish Taco

Travis, Mom, Brook and I Inside Sun Devil Stadium

Travis, Mom, Brook and I Inside Sun Devil Stadium

So as you can see, this race holds a special place in my heart.  It’s 4.2 miles of memories, running and family.  It’s a healthy and exciting tradition that really honors an amazing hero…Pat Tillman.  To give his life to our country and for his wife and family to dedicate their lives to promoting the legacy of leadership through action, I am proud to say that I once went to school, to ASU, with Pat Tillman.