Showing posts with label Elena. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elena. Show all posts

A Few Minutes for Me: Reflecting over the past five months

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Well, it's been about five months since I grabbed a warm cup of coffee and thought to myself, "Today is a great day to visit my lonely blog."  The last trimester of my pregnancy had me like, "hello, sofa! Kids, watch this movie and let Mommy close her eyes!" It was also full of nesting, welcoming my two gorgeous new nieces to the world, finishing up some photo sessions before it was time to welcome our little guy in August, and lots of visits to the pool to wear out Ty and Elena.  Summer is always a crazy time of year, but I definitely feel like this summer was jam-packed and flew by. 
It was a Sunday night in late October... the night before Ty's first day of preschool that contractions started. I was in denial that we were in labor, but I labored all night and at 12:15 on Monday afternoon, we welcomed our third blessing to our family. It only took us an hour of his life to give him a name, but he,without a doubt, is Noah Alexander. The name fits him perfectly and he is the perfect addition to our clan.
Needless to say, the past five and half weeks have been pretty much a whirlwind and all the days and nights have run together.  People always told me and Justin that the transition from one to two kids is the hardest and all the rest aren't bad. I would beg to differ. 
Learning our new routine and being outnumbered in our own home was quite the adjustment.  This combined with Ty starting school all in the same week made for an incredibly emotional ride for a post-partum mama. But I can definitely say that it's been worth it.  

We are starting to get some sleep again because Noah is a great sleeper.  And we are getting into our real-life routines again after Justin went back to work from his month-long paternity leave (thank you, Jesus, for that!).  

I must say I have a whole new appreciation for mamas that have multiple children.  It really is a labor of love to keep things moving and making sure all the kids are happy and fed.  Let alone finding time to shower and even use the bathroom.  

There have been several moments when Justin and I just look at each other and start laughing because it is unreal to us that this so quickly became our life.  Once upon a time (only four years ago) we were going out mid week for dinner and drinks and thought we were busy with work and whatever else we had going on. Somehow though, in merely three and a half years we are neck-deep in diapers, carseats, soccer games, and picking up teeny tiny pieces of pretty much anything but the kitchen sink off the carpets all through out the house. How does it happen so fast?

I'm doing my best to really soak this time in. As fast as it came, I know it will go and I will look back and miss the chaos.

If I find time to catch up on the blog, I call that a win.  In the meantime, I have also been working on building my photography business and run this household. We stay busy. We stay crazy. I have no brain most days.  I hands have never been this full.  My laundry machine has never run so much. My sink has never seen so many dishes.  But my heart has never been this full.  I am so grateful God chose me for this life. I am thankful He chose Justin and me to be Ty, Elena, and Noah's parents. 

My favorite time of year is upon us and we have so many family activities planned, from pumpkin patches, to Halloween parties, to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I cannot wait to see how we manage the holidays as a family of five.  
To all the mamas that have done it and done it well, you rock.  To all the mamas that are starting out and adjusting to life with a child for the first time, you rock. Motherhood is a wild ride. And that is the understatement of the year. 

Cheers to me for finding the time for me this morning. To sip a cup of coffee and write while my kids watch Daniel Tiger and baby Noah sleeps peacefully in the rocker. Happy Thursday!

A Day at the Zoo

Monday, May 16, 2016

On Saturday we went for a visit to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. This was Ty's second visit and Elena's first time.  We were all so excited for our trip!! It was the most perfect day for the zoo. Weather was gorgeous and all the animals were out roaming in their habitats. I must say... it's alot of walking for a mama of two who's 25 weeks pregnant! The kids weren't the only ones exhausted at the end of the day! 
E checking out the gorillas

these three cuties loved hanging out together!
the double stroller was clutch 
The elephants were the best part! They were so close!
We are already excited for our trip next year! Ty walked almost the entire day and both he and Elena were passed out before we made it out of the parking lot on the way home! SUCCESS for the Schneider family!
Linked up here!

Friday Favorites: St. Patty's edition

Friday, March 18, 2016

It's FRIDAY!!  I'm linking up with  NarciErika and Andrea and sharing some of my favorite things from this St. Patrick's Day! Yesterday was a BIG day in our house and by the end of it, we were rich in gold and covered in GREEN!

ONE: A Naughty Leprechaun Visits!

A naughty little leprechaun came to our house and used the potty in every single toilet. Ty couldn't believe it and wanted to check all the toilets in the house. His excitement about a leprechaun at our house was infectious!

When the kids got their morning milk, they both saw that the little leprechaun also turned it green. No worries,though! It still tasted just as YUMMY!
On our coffee table the leprechaun left some leprechaun rocks for the kids to drop in *magic water*! Even Justin was enthralled by this special delivery! 

TWO: Mommy makes GREEN eggs!

Before dropping the leprechaun rocks into the *magic water*, I had to get in on the action and make GREEN eggs to power through the day. Ty was not amused. HA.

THREE: Leprechaun Rocks!

Time for some leprechaun rock ACTION!
One at a time, Ty dropped his rock and Elena's rock into the water.  They loved watching them FIZZ!
Once the rocks fizzled away, the kids discovered a gold coin in each. AMAZING!

FOUR: Gold Hunt at Pullen Park

After all this excitement, we decided to head to Pullen Park for a gold hunt with our friends.
Ty was so excited when he found gold in the brush and trees!
He and Nathan turned in their gold for LOOT! Ty LOVED his new green whistle... more than Mommy. 
We needed some time to play at the playground. This was Elena's favorite part! She is all about the walking and climbing these days!
Ty was about the rocking and neighing!

FIVE: A Train Ride with my LUCKY CHARMS

What's a trip to Pullen Park on a gorgeous day without a train ride?! Elena thought this was just the cat's meow!
By the time we had our picnic lunch and headed home, we were all worn out! And I was lucky enough for a nap by both kiddos! 

I hope that everyone had some LUCK yesterday and through the weekend! We have some Easter egg hunting on our agenda! TGIF!!

Elena's 1st birthday tea party

Thursday, March 10, 2016


I won't lie. From the second we found out we were having a girl- at 16 weeks pregnant- one of the first things I got excited about was throwing a GIRLY GLITZY birthday party fit for a princess.  I had the best time planning Elena's party! Here are some of the details for her afternoon tea...
smash cake with her gold sparkler candle
tea sammies
gorgeous pink ombre cake
food for the kiddies
a tea party wouldn't be complete without tea!
bubbles and beer bar
the spread
monthly pictures
slide show
favors for little friends
one of my favorite details... faces of elena
homemade gold decor (thanks, pinterest!)
Most of our friends and family were able to make it to her party, which made it extra special, and our little social butterfly loved every second of her time in the spotlight...and I loved watching her!
the birthday girl!
lighting the candle
smashing her cake
grandpa
presents!
Needless to say, you could hear a pin drop in our house that night. Both of our kiddos were exhausted and slept so soundly after the big day of celebrating!  I will never tire of birthday parties!
 
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