Stats

She's three now but boy was she little not too long ago. I figured I would share the stats on my firstborn. She is now 37" tall (50%) and 29.4 lbs (40%). When she was born she was fatty tipping the scales at 8 lbs 12.5 ounces but she was only 19.5 " long. I don't see the WNBA in her future but at the rate she plays doctor (multiple times a day) Glenn and I will need to stock pile a ton of money for higher education!

Reflection

As we part ways with 2008 I am taking time to reflect on this past year. December always brings reflection, especially with my daughter, as I put her annual video together. The video always gives me a couple of evenings early in the month to reflect on all her changes. Then the Christmas Holiday pops up and I am caught up in it and my reflection ceases momentarily. The past few days have brought back reflection as well as the thought of changes.
The best of 2008 came in a small package on March 3rd. The birth of our second child brought a jolt to the Sharp clan and made my family even better. I can't believe how fast he is growing and that we will be celebrating his first year in a couple of months. I am so amazed that I have been blessed with this wonderful family. I can look back & it doesn't seem that long ago when there was no Glenn, no Ryleigh, no Evan....but time is always moving forward and I admit I've enjoyed the ride so far.
Beyond the reflection is the thought of new hope, what will this new year bring to myself, family & friends. I hope it is a good year, with ups and downs. I appreciate the downs because it makes you realize when things are really good, just how good they are...
My resolution post will be tomorrow... I've been really thinking about it and can't wait to share some of it with you (need you to keep me on my toes).
Happy New Year my friends! I hope you're safe and happy.

The best part (for me)

I have two things this year that made my heart sing this holiday season. The first, was a couple weeks before Christmas when I had the privilege of dropping off items my MOMS Club donated for a family. We Adopt-A-Family every year and this year I had the responsibility of getting the items to the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center. When I dropped them off, I was overcome with the true meaning of Christmas. The entire center was filled to the rafters with items for several Adopt-A-Families. It was truly incredible to see such selfless giving.
My second favorite was being able to play Santa for my own family. Once all the wrapped items were under the tree and everything was set up I admired my handy work. All the wrapping, beautiful tree and the image of seeing my daughter so excited the next morning danced through my head late Christmas Eve.

My little reindeer

Finally some Christmas Posts

She did it!!! She finally sat on Santa's lap (after many attempts throughout the season) and requested Cinderella Movie (5 times I might add). However, Santa Grandma had purchased this some time ago and was planning to give it to her at her house the afternoon of Christmas. After much persuasion by friends and husband, I contacted Grandma and told her I NEED THAT MOVIE here so my baby girl can open it on Christmas morning, otherwise all hope in believing in him could be lost at the ripe ole age of three!

It's that time of year again...

Untitled from Maribeth Sharp on Vimeo.

It's been awhile

I haven't been posting because I've been sucked into Facebook. I am trying to decide if FB is a good thing or a bad thing. I love seeing old friends, pictures and finding out what everyone is up to. The downside is it can be addicting. And I am a girl with too much time (sort-of)...

Last week was uneventful as far as holidays are concerned. Glenn was gone (what else is new) and so I went it alone with the kids. We did go spend a lot of time at my parents because my sister came in for a night, my cousin was there on Thanksgiving, etc. It was nice to spend sometime with family... but it's hard. It's hard because I am without my best friend. I have a love/hate relationship with the holiday season. Love them, because I just always have, hate them because I am alone more than I like.

The good thing is Glenn will be home for Christmas. I am very happy about this, not only for myself, but our kids. We have lots of stuff coming up this month so I will keep you all posted. If you don't catch me here...you can always find me on Facebook (ugh)!

Evan's new friend

Addyson & Evan hamming it up for the camera!

Lesson #1042

I've learned a valuable lesson today. Do you know the saying about anticipation? I can't remember exactly how it goes but something along the lines of...the anticipation can sometimes be the best part. Anyhoo Glenn and I have been siked (if that's possible) about taking Ryleigh to see Elmo Live today. We bought floor tickets when they went on sale in September. We made a plan not to tell Ryleigh at all. Our reasons, she has NO concept of time and we didn't want to be harassed on a daily basis for 2 months. We decided to wait till the night before to drop the bomb. She seemed pretty excited and even told us she needed to go to bed and get a good night's rest (huh?!?).

When we told her we also gave her an Abby shirt to wear to the show. Glenn tried his best to explain exactly what we would be experiencing (that it wasn't COSI). We also told her that Grace (her friend) would be coming with us. She was very excited about this part.

This morning we pulled ourselves together, got Grace and headed to the show. We tried to take pictures but only Grace was willing. This is a new thing with her...NO PICTURES...so as excited as I was to create a moment I let it go (although I snug in few shots and she cooperated enough to take a photo with Grace after much pleading). When the curtain opened it seemed all was going well again. Although Ry wasn't nearly as excited as we had hoped. She was never unruly (okay once) but she didn't want to stomp her feet, try to sit on a lap to see better or point at any of favorite characters.

Grace, on the other hand, had a great time. She is a pretty quiet girl and although she didn't speak more than 10 words the entire time she was with us, her body language and smiles gave me much joy. I was so happy she had a good time. Her parents were smart and told Grace several days prior to the show. Lesson learned here! I will now let my child enjoy her own anticipation as I enjoyed mine.

I don't want my picture taken!

Before the show

A good moment! Glad Glenn caught it on film.

Oh I almost left out the meltdown... we got her and Grace Elmo balloons at intermission. Right before the show started again they asked us to put the balloons under the seats. We obliged but right before the show was to start again Ry accidentally kicked her balloon and it went flying to the rafters. I tried my best to grab it but hey I am only 5' 2" so it wasn't going to happen. Ryleigh erupted in tears and I grab my wallet in the hoped of buying another $8.00 balloon! Call us suckers but what can I say, it was part of the experience. Anyway, I hightailed it to find another one. I found out we could get one after the show. Thank goodness. By the time I arrived back in my seat Ry had settled down (thanks Glenn!).

A Shared Moment

There are times when I feel I am not the #1 parent. Okay so it shouldn't bother me but with Glenn's comings & goings with work and I being the primary parent most times I should be the apple of my kids eyes. Now I know the naysayers are out there but come on...
Last night, I got to feel the joy of my daughter putting me above her daddy. He had just come back from a four day trip and it was ME she wanted. I couldn't have been more happy...
Except she chose her moment in the middle of the freakin' night. Ry woke up at midnight and Glenn was on it. He went and checked on her. I came running in shortly after and gave her a couple of snuggles and tucked her back into bed. Then 2 hours later the FUN began.
She woke up around 2ish. Came into our room and wanted in our bed. So I grabbed her and put her in between us. Now we don't typically have our kids sleep with us...there just isn't enough room but when you're tired you do what you need to do. She couldn't get comfortable so I offered to grab her little pillow in the hopes she would fall asleep. Well she didn't. She tried but it didn't work...so I took her back to her room and tucked her in. This little dance went on until 3:30 am. She must have been up down at least 1/2 dozen times. I was starting to suspect she would get hungry and she did. So we went downstairs and had a bowl of cereal at 3:30.
The two of us just sat at her little table and ate a bowls of cereal. Silently munching... and for as tired as I was I was really happy because during the past hour and half she wanted her mama!

Guess who couldn't play nice?

Evan enjoying the infant water table for the first time!

Sam. There is a love/hate relationship with him & Ryleigh

See what I mean...

Grace, cute as a button. Her & Sam could have played hours at the water table...

But SHE would have none of it!

We went to COSI with some friends about a week ago... imagine who couldn't handle it???? Yup, she refused to stay in one spot. It was like she was on speed. She had the 'been there done that' attitude. Needless to say, it sucked!

Trick-or-Treat

In September Ryleigh & I discussed costume options and she wanted to be a butterfly. I began looking at costumes trying to figure out which direction to go and Ryleigh found her old costume from last year. She put it on and I asked if she wanted to be a bumble bee for Halloween. She told me yes, and so Ryleigh was a bumble bee a second year in a row. HOORAY for that! Although last night will be the last time she gets in that costume...it's starting to get a bit snug.

My folks came over to help with the trick-or-treat festivities again. We had a good time. My mom walked with Evan so I could take Ry around to all the houses. My dad stayed behind and passed out the candy to all the neighborhood kids (and those who drove into our neighborhood to trick-or-treat). Ryleigh was a lot of fun. She was able to walk all the way to the entrance of our neighborhood. She actually ran most of the time. She always greeted neighbors with a "Happy Halloween" then proceed to say "trick-or-treat". I also was very impressed with her thank you. All in all a good night. She didn't seem to notice that I took all of her candy but 5 pieces for her to have over the next 5 days!

Fall is in the air

This month is flying by and I have not posted much since I caught the facebook bug. Glenn is back to regular traveling and we are settling into our fall routine (MDO, Colds, Halloween, etc). This past weekend was family weekend. Friday we went to COSI to check out the new exhibit, Sesame Street presents the body. Ryleigh really enjoyed it. She played at Mr. Hooper's store, listening to Oscar the Grouch from inside his trash can & took a quiz with Bert & Ernie.

We also went to our local rec center that evening for a Halloween Party with the kids dressed up. It was fun and we kept it short & sweet due to the time.

Saturday we headed to Leeds Farm for some pumpkin fun. We got a late start though and Ryleigh's disposition was in rare form. We stopped at Wendy's She threw a tantrum at Wendy's that lasted through the time we were there, the remainder of the drive home and continued for another 4o minutes at home. It was comical.

Firehouse Fun!

Sunday was family day in the Sharp Household. Glenn was home and our local fire department had an open house. It was lots of fun and Ryleigh really enjoyed herself. She loves the fire dept (she also went last year for a tour with my moms group). Evan was good as gold and really loved his red balloon.

A new favorite

The joys of the political season & SNL!

Are they related?!?

I am looking at old pics of Ryleigh to see if I see any resemblance between her & Evan. I came across this picture and it was the day of her first haircut. She wasn't even 6 months old yet. It just completely cracked me up. I will have to say that there is little resemblance in the hair department!

Weekly update...

I always remember coming home from vacation as a kid at the end of August and after a few days home we would start back to school. That is how it has felt around here this past week. The preparation of getting ready for our fall routine and the beginning of fall activities have finally begun!

First, Ry & Evs have started Moms Day Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay can you tell I am excited. They both attend the program on Wednesdays. I drop them off at 9:30 and I pick them up at 1:00. Glenn played golf and I did some window shopping. It was a nice break to just do my own thing.

Ryleigh also started "Ballerina Enchantment" class. It's just one of those fun rec center classes where Ryleigh can let out some energy. She loves it and followed the teacher around the entire time. I took lots of photos but my actual favorites aren't the best photos but I thought I would share anyway.

It's good to be home! I am looking forward to the weather changing and the upcoming pumpkin season! Ryleigh's already talking about Santa (geesh that's a bit early but at least I can remind her to be good). Hope everyone's autumn is starting well too.

Here I am...Rock ya like a hurricane

I think I've watched The Weather Channel too much. I have this whole ad campaign in my head with the Scorpions tune in the background and Jim Cantore standing in the pelting rain of the outer bands of a catergory 5 hurricane holding onto a palm tree. Yes, this is how my vacation was spent. I was on the up and up of my HURRICANE AUTHORITY (thanks twc)!

Glenn, the kids and I (plus my folks) went to Hilton Head labor day weekend for what was to be a relaxing 7 day trip of beach, sun & fun! Our days in HH were nice although we cut the trip short due to Tropical Storm Hanna. We made lemonade out of lemons & headed to Crozet, VA (minus my folks...they went home) to visit my sister's family.

And now for pictures....

My new 'favorite'. He is sitting in the tripod position so not quite sitting up on his own yet. Love that face and expression! He is really a good boy. I am so blessed.

Not the best pic of these two but the eyes... it's all about the eyes!

Feeling Good

I know I've been a bit absent. As you know from the prior post I have been feeling like a washed up mom for awhile. Well last night I got a new lease on life. I got a new haircut!!!
I have been hating on my hair for awhile and wanted to chop it back however the hubby isn't a big fan of short hair. However my hair looked horrible. It had been cut into layers and there was a disconnect and it was just awful. I made an appointment yesterday because I knew I needed to see myself 'pretty' again or else my self image was going to continue going down the drain. It was fantastic. Lisa did a fantastic job. She gave me a scalp massage, a mini-facial (for free) and cut my hair. I love it!
Now I am off to do it for the first time! Hopefully it will be a breeze (I suspect it will). Also I am back on the horse as far as diet is concerned. I am not going extreme but I hope to do 20 in 20! Just thinking about that makes me feel good! So here's to everyone feeling good and pretty today!!!

Limits

Okay you know when you reach the point where you physically feel as if you're about to boil over? I am there! I have been there for the past few hours. I've put myself in a time-out & it doesn't seem to be helping. Hubby is out of town, kids are being fairly good but I am just done. Put a fork on me, I am done. I am ready to pack my bags and get in my car and drive away from it all (figuratively speaking). I am not really sure what is going on in my head but here are a few of my complaints:
Tired of the same day in/day out routine. I feel as if I have set my world to revolve around 1 two and half year old. I could go into the ins/outs of our typical day but I just can't... I just feel as if I got lost in the shuffle of 1 demanding & spoiled two year old.
Tired of this post-pregnancy body. You know when you just don't feel pretty... I am there and have been sitting here for oh about 1 year! I think the last time I felt okay with my appearance was at my friend Kim's wedding on 7/7/07.
Tired of being jealous...yup I am incredibly jealous of my husband and his ability to get away from it all & having a life of his own outside of this family. That little green monster gets the best of me when I am down in the dumps and I wish it wouldn't.
So there you go, a washed up mom's pent up angry spewing out on the page of her blog. I KNOW I should be appreciative of the time I have with my children and how it all such a blessing but EVERYONE gets sick of their own life and wants to step out or step back from it. I don't care who you are we all feel this way. I know I don't have 'readership' that comments so I know I won't feel any hate but in case you are out there and are ready to comment think twice because I am breathing fire right now!

Not all is lost

He is FINALLY taking a nap in his crib! Rejoice!!!

Fancy Nancy

Last night Ryleigh and I read Fancy Nancy. It's all about a little girl who loves being fancy and how she wants her family to be fancy too. This morning I took Ry to my mom's for an overnight. She decked herself out for the car ride. She now goes by the name Fancy Ryleigh!

It started

Bedtime procrastination! Got to love it. She's been up twice so far. Once to go potty and then to ask for a tissue... I wonder what is next.
What is your favorite bedtime procrastinator's story?

UPDATE: She just walked out and walked back in to her room and closed the door. No words were spoken... (my favorite thus far)

Thank You

When we came home there was a package sitting on our front step! We love packages. Thank you so much Mallika for the wonderful bags. Here is our attempt at thanking you...

This is the start of another long friendship

Clara & Evan July 21, 2008

I went to visit my friend Courtney and her new baby girl Clara. Courtney is my oldest friend in the world. We've known each other since kindergarten. We've floated in and out of each other's lives for 28 years. What makes things interesting is our children.

Clara was born on June 30, 2008. Evan was born March 3, 2008. They are just shy of being 4 months apart by 3 days.

Elliot was born on April 11, 2006. Ryleigh was born December 14, 2005. They are also just shy of being 4 months apart by 3 days.

Elliot & Ryleigh May 2, 2006

Elliot & Ryleigh June 21, 2008

Fruit & Flowers

I can proudly say I've been married four wondeful years to my best friend. I am so glad we get to hold hands through life together! All my love & hugs - me

Happy 4th of July

Thank you to the Lundy clan for letting us tag along to the Orange Twp. Parade this morning. Also for the yummy lunch! It was a fun but wet morning. I think the kids loved scooping up all the candy.
Hope you're fourth was just as fun!