Guess Who!

Both boys at 6 weeks, can you tell who is on the left and who is on the right?? I will take more in the same outfits..i think this is a fun game!

Library and Cookie Time Wednesday!

So as previously mentioned I LOVE being home with Mason and Wyatt. When I was home on maternity leave for the month before Wyatt was born, I looked forward to the days that Mason went to school. I was so huge and uncomfortable and wasn't able to be energetic or play with Mason, and my patience was very short. It made me worried that in general my passion for being with my kids was gone. 

However, after losing 20 pounds in the 2 days after having Wyatt, and another 10 in the following week - i found that as i felt great, my enjoyment of being mom was back, and more than ever! I love being with them so much that part of me weans to pull Mason from his school so i can spend more time with him and save money to boot. But he is settled there, loves it, and it gives him some big boy time with kids his age - as well as Wyatt and I some time to be alone - and for the time being to run errands too!

One of our pretty consistent routines is to go to story time at the Novato library on Wednesday mornings. Getting two kids ready for leaving the house by 9:30 is a little hectic. Two diapers changed, one diaper bag packed, one baby nursed, two sets of clothes on and shoes on. And yes, i need to be dressed and have shoes on too. We sing songs, have books read to us, and do some dances with Librarian Carla.

But we aren't done there! After story time we  go to the bakery across the bridge. They give the kids a free "library cookie" Mason loves it because there are sprinkles on it! I get an almond croissant. However today was a special day! Grandpop-pop came over and so did Dad - their office is just next door! and when mason looked in the display case there were cupcakes with green frosting and a football on top. How could we say no...here is what happened with poor cupcake

Playing in the sprinklers

It was so hot today. The plan had been to go to the beach for the first time...but I was feeling under the weather and decided with only half energy that it wasn't fair to adventure out. BUT when we were watering the lawn tonight Mason decided it would be fun to run through. Most days when he "helps" mom set them up he gets upset with the cold water getting on him. But today was hot enough that loved them

Discovery Kingdom Outing

About a week ago we took a trip to Vallejo to enjoy Discovery Kingdom - when i was younger it was called Marine World - and i loved this place! Present day version did not disappoint. We have season passes that paid for themselves in just one visit - score!

We started off with the elephant show and arrived just in time to see the star getting herself ready:

The boys had matching outfits for the occasion.. I know it is pathetic, but for as long as they are willing and they are in the same size category I can't help myself!

Unknown to yours truly they even have a Thomas the train town there - Mason was in love. we took a ride on the train, but didn't make it to all the rides because Mason found the Harold the Helicopter ride! Now here is the thing...Mason doesn't watch TV. He doesn't know these characters except that he just got a train table and Grandpa Jim just sent him a Harold the Helicopter figure. Since this outing he has seen one or two shows and couldn't believe his friends are on TV.

We only scratched the surface, but needless to say we will be back - it was a hit and only 30 minutes from our house!

Career Change?

Here is a photo of Mason reaching up to hold onto Wyatt during a walk. He pretty much always wants to hold his hand when they are both in their stroller

I have always wanted to stay at home with my kids to capture these kind of moments...but my salary and benefits have been safe and needed. When i was on maternity leave with Mason i loved hugging and holding him and couldn't imagine leaving him with someone else so i could work. But i did. And now that i am home with Wyatt and Mason i love the cuddling and hugging - but i love seeing mason interact with his world, i love having fun with him, and i love building a relationship with him that honestly i can't do in the same way on just the weekends. I can't make what I make working at a restaurant at night, or most other hourly jobs so I have felt a bit trapped for the past year of so doing what i do. Kurt could find a more stable job - but we both believe in Real Estate turning around - his earning power is limitless potentially, and giving that up for a temporary change doesn't seem to make sense.

For a number of reasons I am not going to be returning to my old job when i go back to work. That gives me some flexibility in timing about when i go back to work, it has also given me a chance to explore other options.

Since i gave birth to Mason I have wanted to be a doula (birth attendant or coach). For both of my birth experiences my doula Kari made my birth experience possible. She has become a friend, and member of my family as only someone who has gone through that with me can. I want to be able to provide that experience to other women. She let me push my body past what i was convinced were it's limits. She provided comfort, compassion - and i could trust her. But, this is not a sales pitch for her :)

So the question is do I return to what I was doing but for a different company - a job and industry that I have lost a passion for and have become a bit disillusioned with but that provides for my family, or take a leap for a change?

I think that answer is both. I will do the training to be a doula, and work "on call" in my previous field as much as i need to to pay the bills. With the hope that as the doula work increases that my on call status could decrease. Being a doula you only work a few nights/days a week depending on how many clients you take and how long their births take.

But a change is scary, and letting go of a career that I was very good at is a bit daunting. But to be able to spend time with my kids - that is so worth it!

Catching up

I knew I was behind in my blogging, but didn't realize it was 6 months behind!! So much has happened - trip to Disneyland, moving back into our house, and a new baby was born!

Wyatt James vonHartmann Engel was born May 15, 2010 at 6:45 am. He was 9lbs 7oz, and 21.75 inches long. He was born after 7 intense hours of labor without any medication. It was the birth i had hoped for and wanted and only able to be acomplished because of my wonderful doula Kari who has become not just a friend, but like family to me!

Here is Wyatt about 5 hours after being born:

Although we got to come home 12 hours after Wyatt was born, we didn't have Mason come home that night. The next morning Mason got to meet his brother. He had his choice of Wyatt and a present on the bed. He chose to unwrap his truck, gave some of the wrapping paper to "baby" and then wanted to hold and hug Wyatt. They have been buds ever since!

I was terrified of being home alone with both boys - but I have been loving it, they are great together for the most part - and fun! And Mason is a great big brother, and loves Wyatt. Here is a picture of me and my little monkeys!

As i get more time with both boys napping at the same time i will try to go back and post some of the fun things we have done, before and since Wyatt has come!