Christmas in Pictures

Visiting Santa
Brayden was unsure about the guy in red...but he was a good sport for the picture!

Shopping for the perfect Christmas tree
Best part-Gi pays!



Helping Daddy string the lights.



Pre-Christmas Eve dinner with the Walker Family
These are all the Walker cousins-Brayden & Ethan are the youngest.

Christmas Eve at GG's house

Costello cousins with GG
(Megs is missing and Dave, Amy, Caleb & the boys are extra)



Cookies for Santa

The stockings are hung

Santa came!

I think this basket of food is B's favorite gift....

If only because he can now shove food into E's mouth!

Hanging with Gi at Christmas morning brunch

Making a gingerbread house at Grandpa Walker's after Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas!

Phew!  Christmas is over!  I was happy that it was here but equally as happy that it's over!  It was wonderful spending so much time with friends and family, but it's so exhausting!  I need a vacation after vacation!  Ha!

The boys had a great holiday and were completely spoiled!  I look forward to the years to come as they begin to realize what is happening and can be as excited about the day as I was for them! 

I am now looking forward to the new year and the wonderful things to come as my boys turn 2 and 1 year old!  I can't wait to watch them grow! 

Yay!

I've lost 15 pounds in 7 weeks!  Yay!

Christmas Card 2010: Part One

After several failed attempts to get a picture of my boys together I finally settled for individual pics in matching shirts.  Not exactly what I wanted...but still so cute!  I love them!

Christmas Card 2010: Part Two

Modern Cranberry Noir Christmas

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No Time!

Full time job + 2 babies under 2 + daily gym workouts + some sleep = no time to blog! 

I started a Thanksgiving thankful blog a week before Thanksgiving and I've had NO time to finish it...let alone start a new one! 

 I think I need a couple more hours in the day!!

Back to Work

I made it through my first week back to work!  I have been dreading going back since school started in September.  It's an adjustment for everyone-me, the boys, Dave, my 1st graders....but we did it and we all survived!  Luckily, next week is very short-only 2 days and then I get to spend the rest of the week and weekend with my family!  Being a teacher has some perks and vacation days is definitely one of them!!

4 Months!

My baby is 4 months old today!  I can't believe how fast time flies!  I swear just yesterday I was making plans for his birth (having a scheduled c-section made planning so much easier!).  But it has been 4 months and my baby is growing up way too fast!

We had Ethan's 4 month appointment last week.  He weighed in at 14lbs, 25.5in long (1lb more and 1in shorter than Brayden at 4 months).  Everyone keeps saying that Ethan is "solid".  That he is bigger than Brayden was and is going to be bigger than B in the future.  I just don't get that.  I am pretty sure that B was "solid" when he was a little baby too.  It wasn't until he started moving that he thinned out.  I mean he was never a chunky monkey, but he wasn't a waif either.  Ethan is also not a chunky monkey.....so I just don't understand where it's coming from.  I don't know...only time will tell!

Ethan at 4 months old.

Brayden at 4 months old

So at 4 months my boy can hold his head up and he's been rolling from stomach to back since a month old!  He laughs and coos and loves watching his big brother.  You can just see him looking at B, thinking "Please B, pay attention to me.  Play with me!".  I can not wait until they can play together!  

I look forward to watching my baby grow and learn over the next few months.  Its so fun to see them change....I just hope that it slows down just a little!

Happy 4 Months Ethan David!

Woe is me!

Today begins my last week of "maternity" leave and the thought of going back to work makes me nauseous.  I can't believe that it's been 10 weeks already!  Between my doctor excused month off in June, summer vacation and my unpaid leave, I haven't worked in 5 1/2 months.  That's a lonnnng time! 

I feel so many different emotions about my return to work. 

I feel nervous- I'm going to be the new kid at school, what if the kids like the substitute better?
I feel relief- I will finally have a paycheck again. 
I feel thankful- I was able to stay home without pay for this long.
I feel concern- daycare costs $350/week (how in the world are we going to afford that and Christmas and living in general??). 
I feel comfort- I know my boys will be spending their days with a great person and her babies.
I feel happy- I will have daily adult conversation again (well sorta). 
I feel stress- About getting both my class and my babies on a new schedule.
I feel excitement- I will get to meet a new group of 1st graders and hopefully help them learn.

I feel sadness- I have to leave my babies.

Ethan and I have grown very close since his birth in July.  I am almost certain that he is going to be a mama's boy.  He lights up when he sees me and he quiets easier when its me doing the rocking and the shushing.  He has the most beautiful eyes and dimples.  His smile and laugh are infectious.  I just love him so much.  I was actually worried that I wouldn't be able to love him as much as I love my Brayden, but what they say is true, it is possible for your heart to love the second as much as the first. 

And Brayden, my Brayden.  I have enjoyed so much being able to be home with him (even if it was only Mondays and Fridays).  We got to do fun classes together like Bee, Bop & Tots and circle time at the library.  We got to have lunch with daddy on Fridays and do arts and crafts together.  Don't get me wrong- he tested my patience on most days but it really was a special time for me.  He is turning into such a smart, little boy and I feel lucky that I could spend that time with him. 

Next Monday I officially become a working mom again.  That's what I want.  I want to work.  And its what I need.  I need to work, for both my financial needs (and wants) and my mental health.  I just wish I had a job that was flexible about when I showed up (getting up at 5:30 and getting two babies and myself ready is a little stressful). 

My goal is to enjoy my week and not wallow in my own self-pity.  I will instead be thankful that I get Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Spring break and summers to spend with my babies.  I will be thankful that I was able to have this time with them in the first place.

Dave!

My relationship with Dave began during my freshman year of college.  I was kind of in a bad way....no friends, missing my boy-friend, a pathetic roommate.  I was just plain sad and had my transfer application into Cortland.  During that time my roommate (a girl I went to high school with-worst idea ever!) introduced me to Dave Matthews.  I was hooked.  I listened to the Crash CD, on repeat day in and day out for an entire semester!  I would sit in my room, smoking cigarette, after cigarette, while having a pity party with Dave.  I loved it!  He got me through my first semester at college.  I will always be grateful! 



My very favorite Dave CD!  Love it!

I didn't attend my first Dave concert until after I graduated from college (from Oneonta, never transferred to Cortland-thank God!).  My boy-friend at the time was nice enough to take me to a concert at Giants Stadium.  Our seats were in the furthest, highest section in the whole stadium.  It was awesome!  I had such a great time!  I vowed never to miss a Dave concert-ever! 

My second concert was in Buffalo.  I went with my sister and friends.  Another good concert, though he didn't play Crash and that bummed me out.  But still, it was Dave and I was happy. 

My third concert is a little fuzzy to me.  I know that I went with Tia and some friends.  I drove, I have a picture of us "tailgating".  But I thought that concert was at Montage Mountain.  I have no ticket stub to Montage, but to Hershey Park instead.  Hmmm....I guess maybe that's where we were.  Who knows!  Still...a good time!

Years and years passed.  I didn't go to any concerts.  But I was still in love with Dave.  Thank goodness for I-Tunes.  I was able to get all my favorite songs complied into a play list that I could listen to where ever, whenever I wanted. 

Then last summer I was able to go to my fourth concert.  My mom came to me and said "Shannon, Dave Matthews is going to be at Woodstock.  You should go.  I'll pay. "  SOLD!  I was online getting my tickets immediately.  This time I went with my husband and Tia and I was able to see some friends of mine from college, Allison and Courtney.  I had a lot of fun!  Too much fun actually.  It was my first time away from my newly borne son, and my first time having a "couple" beers.  Needless to say I don't remember as much of the concert as I would have liked to.  Oops.  Oh well!  It was still a great day, a great concert!

My ticket stubs...yes I do.  I save them all.

This year I wasn't able to see Dave because I had just given birth to my second baby boy right in the middle of the summer tour.  I was bummed and even more bummed when I heard that he wasn't going to be touring next summer.  I thought I may never see Dave again.  But then I read a post on Facebook (Thanks Courtney!) that there would be a fall tour. Yay!  I could see Dave again!  I waited patiently for ticket sales to open and got my tickets as soon as I could!

My ticket for Fridays show!!!  I'm so excited!

 We are in the furthest, highest section but it doesn't matter!  On Friday, November 5th I will be enjoying my fifth Dave Matthews show!  I can't wait!!

Trick or Treat!

Yesterday was Halloween and normally I would have been overjoyed, but this year there was a big, black cloud hanging over the holiday.  And that big, black cloud was NO candy for Shannon.  So sad.  Really.  It almost killed me not being able to consume piece, after piece of delicious candy.  I did, finally, let myself have one candy bar right before bed.  An Almond Joy.  Not my favorite, but I could justify eating it by pointing out that there was a source of protein present, the almond, and the coconut must be kinda good for you....right?! 

My one and only piece of Halloween candy.

Anyway, I made it through the day and night....but we have a huge bowl of candy left in the house.  I anticipated trick or treaters early, but there weren't any and then we were gone during the prime trick or treating time....so we have all the candy left.  I've shown great restraint so far but I'm not sure how long it will last.  The candy must go!!

How am I supposed to not eat this?

Brayden and Ethan had a very busy night of "trick or treating".  We don't actually go door to door.  Instead, we dress the kiddos, get in the car and drive from one side of town to the other, visiting with family.  It's very time consuming and very tiring.  Boys in the car seats, boys out of the car seats.  Costumes on, costumes off.  I think we've decided that next year everyone will have to come to us.  Its just too much!  But it's fun and I get to take pictures which is what Halloween is really for! 

My lil' monkey, Brayden

Is he not the cutest pea pod you've ever seen?!

Brayden & Ethan with Zachary, Gracie & Lexie.  Little Sawyer was still napping.

Visiting GG.

Aunt-T & Auntie Gin (Megan)

Hi Gi (Yogi)!

Brayden loves his Nana!

Uncle TC & Chelsea

Ethan with Uncle Alvin

My boys

I love them soooo much!

Overall it was a nice Halloween!  Hopefully next year I will be able to eat some candy! 

Happy Halloween!

Fat, No More!

Today begins Day 1 of my weight loss program.  After gaining 50lbs while pregnant with Brayden and then getting pregnant again 7 months later with Ethan, my body has definitely seen better days.  I have either been pregnant or just plain fat for 2 years and I am over it! 

I haven't actually been trying to lose weight though.  My mentality is it will just come off on its own.  I mean when I was in high school that's how it happened.  One day I was a chubby 10th grader and then all of a sudden I was thin...so why not now?! 

Why not now?!  Well maybe because I am 32 (almost 33) years old and I can't just starve myself anymore.  Or maybe because my already sluggish metabolism has not sped up over the years, but instead, has gotten much, much slower.  Or lets face it-maybe its the fact that I like to eat and I spend much of my time doing just that-eating! 

I have been going to the gym twice a week with my dad for almost 2 months.  And in those 2 months I have lost a whopping 5 pounds!  Maybe I've only lost 5lbs because I don't go to the gym very often.  But more likely it's the bag, after bag of Halloween candy (and when I say bag, I mean the 30 piece bags that are intended to make 30 little children happy ) that I have been consuming since they stocked the shelves at Target.  I have an addiction to sugar.  It's serious.  It may be worse than the addiction I once had to cigarettes. 

So....that brings me to today.  I am meeting with my new personal trainer, Heather!  I sent her an email a week ago, met with her on Sunday and today I will be going to my first session with her.  I have committed to ten sessions and I am hoping with all my heart that this helps me on my way to a better body.  In addition to training me twice a week, she is going to give me a diet plan to follow, as well as workout homework.  I have to keep a food/workout journal (which I started yesterday and just the mere fact that I have to write down everything that I eat has already resulted in me eating a lot less!)  

This is my food/workout journal.  My bible for the next several months. 

I am nervous but I know this will be good for me.  I think that just by having someone to hold me accountable will help me be successful in losing the weight.  That is the mindset that I need to have.  I need to be positive!  Hopefully in 5 weeks I will be happier, healthier and lighter! 

The Blogging Journey Begins

I don't exactly know where to begin.  Do you just jump right in and start blogging about your day? That just seems a little informal or something. 

So.....how do even you write a blog anyway?  Where do you start?  How should you end? 

I read others blogs and they just seem right-like that person knows exactly what and how to say everything.  I, on the other hand, am having a very hard time composing my first sentences. 

I am very self conscious about writing my own blog.  I'm not creative or witty and I don't think I'm ever very grammatically correct (even though I teach first grade).  And the thought of others actually reading what I write kinda makes me nervous. 

But really I am doing this for myself.  As a way to vent and brag about my life-about me, my babies, my husband, my job...everything!  I'd like to have the details of my life with my boys documented so that when I'm old and suffering from dementia I can look back and remember. 

So...I guess I'm just going to write for me and hopefully, on occasion, I will write something worth reading.  So begins my journey as a blogger!  Wish me luck!