It’s official, I am an addict

Posted by Mari Jo on April 2, 2011 about Family, 1 comment

We all have our faults, our propensity to desire things that are not exactly healthy, or even explainable. I am in no way an exception. I am truly addicted to something, and I can’t find a way to stop, and what is worse, I am not even sure I want to.

So, you heard it here first, my name is Mari Jo, and I am a snuggle-aholic. Yes, I am addicted to holding the kids. Now, that may not sound too awfully bad, and truth be known, it isn’t. However, I am the worst kind of snuggle addict. I am the sort who sneaks into her kids rooms at night, and wakes them up just to hold them.

What is wrong with me? Who in their right mind wakes an infant up in the middle of the night just to rock him back to sleep? Me. Me. Yes, it is me. Who in their right mind wakes up a three year old just so I can pat her back until she falls back to sleep. Me. Me.

I have really tried to break the habit, and truth be told, I am only sneaking in for extra snuggles a couple of times a week, but still, I am addicted just the same. Right now, everyone (yes, including Brandon) has been asleep since 7:00, and I am sitting here trying to resist the urge to sneak into the kids rooms just to hold them. I thought maybe if I made a post detailing my ridiculousness, then it might keep me from doing it.

And yet, here I am, the post is almost over, and the urge to snuggle is overwhelming. Maybe tonight I could just get by with a quick peek into the rooms. Or maybe not…

Might as well face it, I’m addicted to love!

Disney or Drop!

Posted by Mari Jo on April 1, 2011 about Family, Comments are off

My usual saying is “Disney or Die”, but I learned the hard way that I have to censor my saying for my three year old. When she heard me say it she looked up at me with big huge eyes and said, “Die? What do you mean die?” So now it is “Disney or drop baby!” Basically it means when we go to Disneyland we stay ALLLL day and do EVERYTHING. No naps, no stopping for lunch, only emergency trips to the restroom. This is not your mothers trip to Disney.

On Feb. 13th Brandon, AA, Landon and I headed down for Disney. We traveled at night, which turned out to be my best idea since adding more butter to my chocolate chip cookies. The kids slept the entire way, and we had a chance to stop for a quick visit with Grandma Nita in Bakersfield.

I was very nervous, as this was our first big trip out of town with Landon. I knew he would be ok sleeping outside of his crib (or at least I hoped) since he has stayed the night with Mamaw and Papaw, and Meme and Pa and done very well. So, we decided to bite the bullet and head down South for some Mousey fun.

The first day was Valentines day, and Brandon and I wisely chose to not go to Disneyland that day. Instead we spent the day hanging out at the pool, doing some shopping, and finally having dinner at Joe’s Crab Shack, which was a ton of fun as usual. Meme, Pa, Aunt Amanda, Uncle Robert, and Micah came down as well, and the next day our whole crew descended on Disneyland.

We spent the first day in California Adventures. Aubrey Ann was finally tall enough to ride some of the big rides. Well, she was tall enough as long as she stood up very straight, and batted her eyelashes at the person checking her height. Her first big girl ride was “Soaring Over California”. Months later, this girl is STILL talking about this ride. It is a very “adult” ride. No cartoon characters, or silly music. She loved it, and still calls this her favorite ride.

Landon rode on several rides with me, sometimes strapped to my chest and napping, other times happily bouncing on my knees. He didn’t seem to mind being toted around all day, and I can honestly say he did WAY better than I had expected. He ate well, slept well, and was overall a pretty happy little guy.

The next day we headed to Disneyland. I like California Adventures a LOT, but I LOOOOOOVE me some Disneyland! As we walk in I can immediately see the look of “magic” all over Aubrey Ann’s face. She is so excited, and I just feel so grateful to be able to share that excitement with her. I feel the “magic” too. It is a magic that is gone from adolescence until you have a child of your own.

The whole day Aubrey Ann had been gearing herself up to ride on the Matterhorn. She had tried riding it the night before, only to get to the front of the line and change her mind, so I decided that she needed some prompting to help her get over her fears and get on that bad boy! And boy did she ever! She did great, her first real roller coaster, and not one tear was shed, and she even stuck her tongue out at the “Abominable Snow Man” at the end of the ride. Thatta girl!

The kids did great, and I don’t think Mommy and Daddy did too bad either! We made it! Disney or die…errrrr…. drop baby!