Teach Me How to Mommy

Kelly is our most featured guest-poster.  In other amazing news she came back to CT!  She's written about being a new mom , mom instincts and going back to work .  Now she's, "home" and starting a new chapter by "staying home" and moving forward with a few of her passions.  I say a few because unlike many people (ok, me) she's good at so many things.  Read on for more... So I have decided that I am too old to sleep in a sleeping bag on the hardwood floor, even just for one night. Let me back up… … We decided to make the move from RI to CT to be closer to family. Our house sold in 2 weeks (thank goodness, it was hard to keep picking up all of the toys for showings). We would close after the school year, pack up a truck, move in with my parents’ in CT, and put our stuff in a storage unit. It makes me laugh to think about our whole little house packed into one tiny (ok large) room, I wonder what all of our stuff is doing in there? The Mayor of...

My temporary-stay-at-home mom status this summer has been an adventure.  We are currently doing the beach life thing and it is equal parts amazing and tiring.  No complaints here, but I am allowed to yawn right?  Anyways, before we left I got to thinking that much of my identity is tied to the fact that I live with, care for and am attached to two toddlers 24/7.  In case anyone didn't know, I've compiled a list of tell-tale signs. 1.  If you get peed on you just keep going.  This weekend we went to Lake Compounce and while waiting in line for the merry-go-round John peed on me.  Yes, he was wearing a diaper - No I have no clue why it came out more like a flood and less like a stream.  I didn't bring a change of clothes (for me) and they still wanted to go on rides.  What's a mom to do?  Shut up, air dry and keep on trucking. (Sidenote - I didn't even end up showering until 10 that night, oh well). 2. My phone tells me every night my...

Rhode Island has been a sanctuary for my family and I for as long as I can remember. The beach is literally at our finger tips anytime we want it!  Ice Cream, Bagels, Coffee.... a warm summer wind. The bonus to heading to Rhode Island is that Colin loves visiting his Grammie and PapaLou.  He'd sit next to his Papa forever, and follow him around, and tell him stories about chickens.... As wonderful and full of memories this trip was..... This trip was challenging for me.  Colin went on a sleep strike.  He usually takes a little bit of time to get down anyways, but this was full blown I WILL NOT SLEEP.  The nights we were there, it was 11:30 before his body finally shut down and he collapsed in my arms.  It's frustrating for me because I require those precious few hours at the end of the night to unwind, and I felt like I had done everything right up to that point to have a smooth nap/bedtime.  He was just too excited, to amped up, and I was too tir...

Recently, Amy and I have been talking about our comfort zones and how they have been shattered (purposely or not) this summer. 5 minutes into our visit and my anxiety is through the roof. Markers on Nana's new deck. AHHH! I am working on being a little more impulsive .  Instead of having everything scheduled for the kids, I am trying to go with the flow.  Hence, this week I decided to pack a few bags and bring the kids to the beach.  Of course I am lucky to have a place to go (thanks Mom and Dad).  I packed enough for a few days thinking if it goes well we will stay, if I get too tired or things are too hard I can leave. I have a lot of pride so escaping was never really an option, but boy I came close.  The kids started pushing the limits immediately.  What can I climb?  What snacks can I pillage? Where can I run off to?  And, of course the ever popular how late can I stay up? With Jerry these questions and rebellions are easily manage...

We've seen some recent lists about summers in CT and we wanted to echo and add our two cents. .  These are things we want to do, but never have OR want to do again. Can't wait to do it again: Roger Williams Zoo   - I took the kids to the RW Zoo a few days before the end of summer.  It was literally the best day trip.  They have a water park for toddlers.  YES, a water park for toddlers.  It's a bad-ass splash pad.  We went there first, got cool and then walked the whole zoo.  It is spacious, clean and had lots of great animals.  It was the best day. Mini-Golf Farmington - We always take the kids mini-golfing and this is my favorite place.  If you go early it's dead and it's lovely.  The kids don't really golf every hole (or any hole) so it's nice to have space.  They have ice cream and the Farmington River.  Out of the way and worth it. Beach Days, RI  - Self-explanatory.  Days are better with Amy a...

My sister and Kelly are best friends raising best friends too. This week you will read a guest post from a new mommy, a true favorite of mine.  I have known Kelly Peterson for almost 30 years.  It can't be 30 yet because she's not 30, that's the only limiting factor.  Our mothers are best friends, therefore even if we didn't like each other our lives would be intertwined.  Luckily, she's a doll.  A truly lovely person who (luckily for the world) created a smaller, male version of herself a short time ago.  Gus is four months old and his nursery is "explorer" themed.  Kelly and Cole take his photograph next to a big stuffed broccoli and did I mention they named him Gus?  No, it doesn't get any cuter. Kelly is really talented.  She can re-do furniture, decorate homes, take photographs, make dream catchers, act and make people laugh. She's also a second grade teacher.   Exactly, she's one of those type of girls, except she's also real...

Is there anything better than a long weekend?  Nope... didn't think so, and even though summer reigns king in terms of seasons... anyone from New England knows that Fall is where it's at!  I barf at the thought of pumpkin spice... but I am a sucker for a good pair of sweatpants, Uggs, and a big ole blanket wrapped around me. What a view for our last weekend in RI. Fall also means it's time to say goodbye to long and lazy weekends in Rhode Island.  And just as we did last year, the Hayes three along with my parents hit the Cottage one last time.  The weather was gorgeous, minus the drive down.  I don't either my mom or myself ever want to relive that... purple thunder and a very unhappy baby made for a very long two hours and we have never been so happy to pull down Elm Road!  BUT..... that put NO damper on a weekend full of fun festivities!  We essentially spent the weekend keeping Colin happy, going to all of our favorite places, and eating....