Tales from the McWade: September 2008

9.15.2008

On the farm again...

We just can't wait to get on the farm again! Hannah loves the farm and although she was really fearful of the 4-wheeler noise at first, her fear quickly disolved into fits of giggles as Ginger ran beside us. Of course we also made a visit to Dan and brought carrots and apples for a special treat. Hannah really connected with Aunt Jamie and spent nearly the whole weekend by her side. Jack on the other hand, spent most of his time in Lacey's arms. Ryan and I were left wondering why we don't spend more time with Jamie and Lacey...haha!

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Many people ask where Jack gets his red hair...

Hannah giggling on the 4-wheeler...

Ginger running down the road with us...

A carrot for Dan

Hannah and Ginger running up the drive

Jack's first ride on the 4-wheeler

Splish! Splash!

Splish, Splash!
Two kids in the bath!

Jack is a kickin' fool!
He thinks he's in a pool!

Hannah laughs and holds his feet,
Giggles and giggles -- so sweet!

Puyallup Fair 08

Hannah had a blast this year at the fair and rode on rides ALL BY HERSELF for the first time! She loved the animals too!

Finger-lickin' good

Jack is big on food and he will stare you down during an entire meal. Regardless of if he has his own food available to him. Recently, we had BBQ ribs and couldn't resist letting Jack have a taste of what he seemed to want so badly. He LOVED it and we practically had to wrestle the bone away from him. (He doesn't have teeth yet, so obviously wasn't eating any meat -- just sauce and bone.)

I scream for Ice CREAM!

These kids love their ice cream. Yes, Jack has the sweet tooth too...

9.04.2008

Sweet Child O' Mine

Such great shots! These 2 really love each other and it's so fun to watch their interactions and affection grow.

A 'Baby' moment...

I fear there are few "baby" moments I have left. Jack is always wiggling around and trying to get away, to see and do, experience new sights and sounds. He rarely cuddles and though he loves the attention and face-to-face time, he is no longer a newborn. That's for sure.

Rainy Day

August brought some weird weather, many cool nights and A LOT of rain. Hannah was getting antsy being cooped up, so we put some rain gear on and let her outside. Check out the rain coming down (as highlighted against her black umbrella)! Didn't faze her though, she thought it was cool

Cloth Diaper Bottom

Here are some pics of Jack trying out his new cloth duds. We are slowing making the conversion to cloth. I think he likes.

Glamour Shots by Mom

Hannah and I played "make-over" and here are the resulting glamour shots. She's not taking calls right now, but you can leave a message with her agent (aka: Dad).

Daddy Daughter Date TRIP!

2008 Daddy Daughter Date Trip (Hannah's words.)

In the span of Hannah and Ryan's annual 2-night camping trip, Hannah has officially grown from toddler to little girl. I can't believe it! These pictures brought tears to my eyes -- seeing her look so grown up. *sigh* My little girl is gone...and more a daddy's girl than ever.

They camped at Bumping Lake up 410 on the other side of Rainier. It's really beautiful up there.

That's Domestic Director...

Originally posted on my smidgegreener.blogspot, I needed a pep-talk. I have been recently applying for some part-time work and wonder why I didn't add this to my resume? I thought I would post here in case anyone else needed the same pat on the back. You mom's do good work!

As you may or may not be aware, I stay at home and care for my kids, the household and food. Along with those not-so-simple responsibilities, I also facilitate art projects, home-made cookies and accessibility to clean clothing -- to name ONLY a few.

I manage not only my time, but that of at least 2 others(sometimes 3...) and keep all schedules as insync as I know how. I coordinate meetings with grandparents and inlaws. Set-up play dates and social interactions for my kids. Fearing a 2pm meltdown, I consolidate outings and events into neat little chunks of time, taking into consideration naps, snacks and quiet time. I brainstorm new meal options to avoid the snack traps of goldfish crackers and string cheese as well as break through the tediousness of chicken for dinner, again. I ensure that little minds are being challenged and enlightened. I attempt to teach and try to slow down enough to play. So much more than changing diapers and running bubble baths!

Through the course of this often thankless and constantly demanding and needy position I hold, I find myself missing the work world, all shiny and sharp. Downtown traffic, high heels and always a few minutes late. Morning coffee, office meetings and real-world chit chat. I miss the competance I once possessed for jobs I excelled in. I miss the adult comraderie and conversations over current events, music and what's for lunch.It's always easy to see the grass as greener on the other side. And nothing quite says 'boring' like "stay-at-home mom". I shrink a little anytime someone asks me what I do. Answers like "mom" and "I'm not working" seem to immediately end the conversation. No one seems to find interest in a job such as this. Someone would much rather talk about driving a UPS truck than the ins and outs of raising children and managing a home.

A good friend of mine was speaking to me about the importance of having a title as she is embarking on the beginning of a family and no longer plans to work. She is embracing the notion that we aren't "just moms" and we don't "just stay home with our kids". I really like her way of thinking and it's been making me wonder about a title for myself. So no longer will I be a "stay-at-home mom", I will now be Domestic Director. Afterall, doesn't that much better sum up the myriad of roles we play? Though we may be at home, I would hardly call it 'just staying at home'.

So to all those moms out there looking to reclaim a little bit of their former 'working' self: grab a thesaurus and make a title.

Then own it.

Tales from the McWade