New York City

This past Saturday I returned from a fantastic trip to New York City with two of my closest girlfriends, Krista and Amber. We have been friends since high school and I could not think of two better girlfriends to go on this trip with. So a big thanks to Amber, who allowed Krista and I to tagged along on a business trip.

We were there for five days and for me......it was not long enough. I absolutely loved everything about the city. If this trip was taken ten years ago (before marriage and children), I am pretty sure I would have packed up my Honda Civic and lived a very poor lifestyle in New York City. I have always been drawn to the city lifestyle, tall buildings, beautiful architecture, history (lots of history), museums, an unlimited supply of entertainment, subway systems, etc. It's all a far cry from suburbia Texas. Life's funny that way, but truth be told I wouldn't change a thing. Besides, New York City will always be there and I have a feeling when winter were to come I would be hightailing my rear end right back home to warmth!

Five days really is not long enough to do everything we wanted to, but we were able to see some amazing sites, shop, eat some wonderful, but very expensive foods, experience a Broadway play on Broadway, shop some more, master the subway system and sleep in. Below are a few of the 300 photos I took (yep, you read that right!) I am hoping in the next week or so I will have the rest uploaded to a site and I will share them with you.

This first two photos are views from the Empire State Building. We were on the 86th floor. We went the first day we arrived in town. You can actually go all the way up to the 102nd floor, but the observatory was closed due to the weather. It was a little hazy out, but the view was still amazing.

Below is a photo of handmade tiles. These tiles were made by family members and friends of victims who bodies were never recovered after 911. The picture really does not due the memorial justice, but I thought I shared it anyway. The tiles actually covered a chain link fence that went on for about half a block. Every year during the anniversary of 911 family members and friends gather here to honor their loved ones.

The firetruck below is from the Fire Station right across the street from where the Twin Towers stood. Everything is still under construction and being there was very difficult. There was a tour you could take, but none of us were ready to do it. Maybe the next trip.

The Gershwin Theatre where we saw the Broadway show "Wicked" which was fantastic. If the show comes to your town I highly recommend going to see it. It might be pricy, but I promise you it is worth every penny!

Time Square at dusk. This was the site we saw everytime we walk out our hotel. Loved it! Not to mention the larger than life picture of Johnny Depp! At night it was so bright with all the lights that it did not even feel like it was night.

The top of the Empire State building. Just checking the zoom on my camera.

The ball drop at Time Square.

A random apartment building and a hint of plant life surrounded by so much concrete.

Central Park, which was so beautiful. It's amazing that 800+ areas of greenry is located in the middle of the city. When you walk in the park you forget you are surrounded by huge buidlings and city life.

Our main source of transportation during our trip.

We saw several funny signs. I am not really sure how they enforced this one considering you could sing a tune to the amount of honking cars.

And of course, no trip would be complete without a picture of the Statue of Liberty. I took this photo from the Staten Island ferry. She reopened on July 4th after 911. You can now go inside and up to the crown. Tickets were completely sold out while we were there. I think the earliest we could get tickets was for September. This is a must on my next trip.

I had a great time and can not wait to go back. In fact, when Brynn and Braden get older I think they would enjoy it. Believe it or not, but there was actually lots of things to do with children (older children).

Brynn's Recital

It was a big weekend for little miss Brynn this past weekend as she experienced dancing for the first time on an actual stage in front of a real audience. She did really well and we are very proud of her. The attached video is of the dress rehearsal (we were prohibited to record during the actual performance) which was held Saturday morning. The actual recital was Saturday evening. She was a little shocked by all the lights and not having her dance teacher leading the way. Her dance instructor was on the side of the stage, which you will notice because all the girls have their heads turned in that direction.

A few warnings before the video starts: it's me holding the camera, so expect some shaking (next year I will make sure to bring my tripod) and of course you will hear me taking at one point when someone is standing in my view (I was a little frustrated - just ignore me.) Otherwise, enjoy!

Last night was Braden's first night in his 'big boy' bed. We worked really hard this past weekend getting his room ready for this next chapter of his life. We removed the old carpet, painted his room (including the closet doors and the baseboards.....part of the project list from earlier in the year.), had new carpet installed and moved in the new 'big boy' bed and furniture. We are still working on the decor, getting everything organized and back in the room, but all he cared about was the new car sheets on his bed (it's the little things). They by far surpassed anything else we had done to his room.

I was a little nervous about making this transition. He is our 'on the go kid' and I figured getting him to actually stay in a bed that didn't resemble a cage would be incredibly challenging. He proved us wrong last night and I am an extremely happy mom right now. Now I realize you're probably thinking it is only the first night, but with him usually the 'first' reaction is a good indication on how he will handle the change. I am sure naps will be somewhat of a challenge, (good luck, Dan).

There was a moment of panic last night when I was awaken by Brynn screaming bloody murder at the top of her lungs. It was 12:30 or so and I jumped out of bed and ran to her room only to open her door and find her literally lost in her own bedroom. She also received a 'room makeover' this weekend with freshly painted walls, doors, baseboards, new carpet and new placement of her bed and furniture. All that, combined with the need to go to the bathroom and complete darkness (oops...we forgot the night light) well lets just say.....she had me scared to death. After I got her calmed down and settled back into bed (this time cracking the door and leaving the bathroom light on). I decided to check in on Braden and see how well he was fairing in his new bed. As I got closer to his bed, I realized I did not see him. Okay, so now I am really panicked; he wasn't on the floor, he wasn't in Brynn's room, he wasn't in our room or any other room in the house. All the doors were still locked. Where was he? It took a few minutes and some serious shuffling of the covers, when I finally noticed two little feet poking out at the head of his bed underneath the pillows. He had somehow moved himself to the head of the bed and was lying against the wall with his pillows still in place and completely covering him! I have no clue how he managed that, but I felt really relieved and had to laugh when I found him.

Needless to say.....it was an eventful night in the Boatright household!

Conversation with Brynn...

Anyone who knows my little girl knows, THE GIRL CAN TALK. Infact, we are so used to her rambling on and on at times we have to tune her out (especially in the car). But the other day while we were driving to the store she really grabbed my attention and it went something like this:

Brynn: Mommy?

Me: Yes, Brynnie

Brynn: When I am a mommy, I think I am going to change my name.

Me: Why?

Brynn: Because sometimes people call me Bryan. Why do they call me that? I am not a boy! (a little disgust detected here)

Me: No, you are not a boy. Sometimes people make mistakes when pronouncing other peoples names, it happens to mommy all the time.

Brynn: Well, I am still changing my name. What name do you like?

Me: I like Brynn, that's why I named you Brynn.

Brynn: What about Daisy? People can say that.

Me: Isn't that a flower?

Brynn: Well, maybe...I'll think some more.

Me: Don't worry, you have lots of time before you become a mommy, so you should take your time and really think about it.

Brynn: Yeah....your right it will be a long time before I am ten.

Me: (gasp) Oh, it will be a lot longer than ten my dear!

And that was the end of that conversation!

I will post again....I will...I know I will....just not tonight :o)

Hope everyone is doing well!

A working mom update....

It has been two full weeks since I started back to work full-time and I must admit the change was a little harder than I expected. The first week was really non eventful. I was awaiting system access and security clearance so there was not much to do but sit. I never anticipated sitting in a chair 7-8 hours a day would drive me absolutely crazy, especially since I did it for years before kids and never had an issue. I never realized how little I actually sat before when I was at home. Although things were slow-going at work, our home life became extra crazy. It probably was not the best week to start a new job. Braden turned two the day I started back to work and had his two-year check up on my second day back (which was the only appointment I have ever missed). Then on Wednesday evening Brynn and I made cupcakes for her class at school to celebrate her birthday for Thursday. Brynn's actual 4th birthday was Friday and G-ma, Grandpa Jerry and Erin arrived late Friday night (around 11ish) just in time for the birthday bash on Saturday. All week long I was constantly on the go, picking up stuff for the party, getting birthday presents, cakes, goodie bags put together, etc. Throw in Danny working at night, getting lunches ready, getting clothes ready, two hours of traffic per day, finding time to have a conversation with my husband, play with the kids and ....well you get the point.

With that said my second week did get better. I received most of my access and was actually able to start working. Time is going by a little faster at work and I am adapting to sitting. I do find myself drinking lots of water...it gives me a reason to get up every hour and stretch my legs. Things have started to slow down at the house as well. Danny is handling being a stay-at-home dad with ease. I am so lucky to come home to a clean house and dinner every night so far. Right now I am feeling a little 'showed up'. Last week he encountered his first challenge when he had to take Brynn to her four-year check up. Anytime shots are involved (she received four) it is a HUGE ordeal. To make matters worse I was not able to meet him (like I had originally planned) and he had Braden along for the ride. Long story short, there was lots of screaming, crying, excessive drama, but he pulled through. Brynn makes these types of visits heart-breaking and for my sake, I am kind of glad I had to miss it. He's doing a great job.

I have mixed emotions about working full-time and being away from the kids. I miss my time with them a little more than I thought I would. Some mornings I am gone before they wake and when I get home (between 5:30 and 6:00 pm) it is a rush to eat dinner, play, get baths, read stories and get them in bed all by 8:30 pm. The hardest part is missing the little things they do throughout the day that made me giggle to myself. I have no idea how working mom’s do it. I am working on finding a good balance.

I don’t want to end this post on a sad note, so I would like to list a few positive things that have happened over the last couple of weeks I do enjoy….like say for instance, eating a full HOT meal without being interrupted or better yet, not having to share any of my food. I have also had several conversations with adults about ‘adult’ things without any interruptions. I get to listen to anything I want on the radio. I am catching up with my old radio show in the morning, JB &Sandy and listening to loud music (that just might have a few curse words) on my way home. Oh and the most important….I get to pee by myself!

A baby no more...

Dear Braden,

Two years ago today you came into my life and changed my world forever. When I first saw your precious face, I prayed your life be touched with grace. Each night I laid you down to sleep, I gently kiss your head and cheek. I'd count your tiny fingers and toes and memorize your eyes and nose. I'd linger at your bedroom door, awed each day that I loved you more.

As if it were impossible, today I find I love you even more. My baby boy is now a toddler. And today I see two little eyes discovering what's new, two little hands touching everything in view, a sweet little voice asking me why and a little boy with a mischievous smile.

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Man!

Changes...

I am one of those people who believe change is good. In fact you could almost say I love change. It's the twists and turns of life. Change presses us out of our comfort zone and has an adjustment period that varies within each individual. It can be uncomfortable and awkward, but in the end you find you've grown and that my friend is important. Change is here to stay.

With that said, the Boatright household is entering a whole new world of change. Friday, April 10th was Danny's last day of work at the company he has worked for the past 12 years. We knew it was coming and started preparing early. Danny took on a part-time job working at night and more recently we made the decision I would return to work full-time after receiving a phone call from my old employer.

It was never in our 'original' plan for me to return to work this early. We figured he would work part-time (while job searching), collect unemployment, I would continue working part-time and his severance would help fill the void. But, when my old boss called out of the blue and offered me a job, I felt I would be a fool to turn it down. With this economy there is no telling how long it will take Danny to find another job, so its "hi-ho hi-ho, off to work I go".

This opportunity is defiantly bittersweet. I will miss my little world of being a stay-at-home-mom. I will miss being with the kids; seeing first hand all the 'ins and outs' of their daily lives. There is no way to know what it is like until you have been there and I feel fortunate to have been able to be there for the past four years. The hardest part is I know what I will be missing with them. At the same time I have often wondered what it would be like to be to work outside of the home full-time. (To have actual adult conversations without the interruptions.) Now I have my chance and the timing could not be better. Worse case scenario is I hate it and return to my current position (providing we have other income).

The best part is Brynn and Braden will be home with Danny. Yep, Danny is going to be a stay-at-home-dad while he is job hunting (and I have a feeling several weeks from now, the hunting will pick up dramatically). It will be good for them and for him. He has worked long and hard for our family, it will be nice to take a little break and enjoy some time with the kids. He also has a list of house projects (you didn't think I'd let him off that easy, did ya?).

Seriously though, it will be a big change for our household, but I think we are up for the challenge (at least Danny and I are). Braden really has no clue what is about to happen to his world. But, Brynn keeps asking, who will do her hair, pick out her clothes, make her lunch, and take her to school and dance class? (The list goes on and on.) I assured her Daddy can take her to dance and to school, I would lay out her clothes the night before and we may just have to cut her hair short (I'm joking, kinda). She did not like the last answer.

I have the funniest little boy. This morning he spent nearly two hours in his sister's princess skirt and shoes (and of course I followed him around the house snapping pictures with my camera). The really scary part is he can walk and run in the little plastic heels with no problem at all! I might even have to question his 'manhood' if he didn't act like a little boy in every other aspect. (For you serious people out there ~ that was a joke!)

He's having fun now, but I am sure the day will come when he will ask why I never bought him a superhero's costume to play "dress up" in. I know his sister would appreciate it, then she would not have to share her stuff with him. Right now, it is just too darn cute and funny, plus I am building quiet the collection of 'black mail' photos (do parents do that?).

Enjoy the photos!

Braden running into living room after Brynn helped him get dressed.

Braden playing with his truck and 'under the sea' puzzles.

Braden calling for 'kitty cat' (you know...our cat).

Braden stopping to catch a little 'Max & Ruby' (a show I can not stand).

Sleep Anyone?

I don't know about you, but I have never been one who could fall asleep just 'any where'.

I remember in high school being in class looking over at a fellow student next to me and they would be dead asleep. I never understood it, but there they were using their arms as pillows and drooling on their notebooks. Sometimes you would even hear snoring. Call me crazy, but I need comfort (like a bed or couch), a blanket and a pillow before I could even think about sleeping, none the less snoring uninhibitedly.

Don't get me wrong I would love to be able to sleep anywhere and at anytime, but it just does not happen for me. I can't sleep in a car when traveling long distances, long lay-overs at the airport or even when I am flying in a plane. I once flew 15 hours to Japan and I was awake the whole time (and that did not include my 3 hour connecting flight).

I am also not the person who lies down in bed and falls to sleep within minutes. As long as I can remember it has taken me at least 30 minutes or so to wind down once I get in bed. I guess this is why I often find myself talking to myself a lot at night. I'll think my husband is listening until I hear snoring or dead silence when I am expecting an answer to a question. He is one of those people....you know, head hits the pillow and two minutes later he's out. Must be nice.

So now you are probably wondering, why on earth I have become so obsessed with sleep cycles and am giving you my life history regarding my sleep habits. Well....of course there is a reason.

Yep, there she is my lovely daughter at the dinner table tonight. Danny and I are having a conversation and Braden is yelling, "Brynn", "Wake up, Brynn". We both look over and she is dead asleep. Now you know she did not get this from me!