Papa

This post is going to be all about Papa.  He IS basically the 3rd parent around here :)

Papa for those that don't know is Steve's father, so my father-in-law.  He became our hero when Brady was 5 months old.  Brady had been in daycare for all of 2 months, of which I hated every single second.  Papa got hurt at work and called Steve to say he wouldn't be returning and said I will watch Brady.  Steve told me...to which I said "can your dad watch a baby?"  And Steve said I think so???  So he was hired (on the spot).  Haha no references or resume needed.

He used to drive all the way from West Seneca to Tonawanda to pick Brady up everyday at like 5:30am.  I used to leave for work 6:15.  He did this twice a week.  And then Steve would pick up Brady at 3:30.  We finally decided to move to West Seneca to be closer to Steve's parents.  Our house is exactly 1.5 miles from theirs.  This made it a little easier on Papa.  Brady started pre-school and I popped out another one.  Papa said "if I can take care of 1, I can take care of 2"  Seriously BLESS THIS MAN.  And so he did, and then I got pregnant when Pierce was 7 months old.  And then in all honesty, papa freaked out a little.

He was scared of 3...and I was scared he was gonna give up.  He said he would give it a try.  We hoped he would give it the old college try because seriously, daycare for 2??  But here we are.  Who knew he would be taking care of kids 8 years later.  I tell him all the time to tell me if it gets too hard.  But he just keeps on trucking!!  It helps now that he knows we are officially done having kids and that we are pretty close to them all being in school.  

So let me just tell you about our papa.  His entire family is shocked that he does this: takes such good care of our boys, is so in love with them, will not let 5 days go by without seeing them.  That's right his brothers and sisters never thought they would see the day!  But these boys have melted him.  Yes he still smokes and drinks and rides his motorcycle...but I have seen this man cry real tears when the kids get hurt.  I think he aged about 10 years when Reid had his first seizure and he still didn't give up.  I can't take him with us when the boys get shots, he is the one crying and then I can't cry.  Last time he had to "step out."  But His love for them amazes me.  When I tell him he only has 1 day this week, he calls me by Friday and stops over just to see them.  Or he will call Steve and tell him to take me to dinner so we can bring the boys over.

He even does the dishes!!!  Yes that's right - by hand.  And I love their lazy pajama days!!  I love when Reid asks "papa come home?" Like this child of mine DOES know he doesn't live here right?  Geez you would think I worked all the time!  And being able to tell Papa usually as I walk out the door because I take it for granted (being able to go to work when the kids are sick) oh by the way P has diarrhea or Reid has croup is seriously a GODSEND.

On Mondays and Fridays, our children are taken care of by Papa.  If you see them with their pajamas on, or in non-matching clothes at McDonald's, rainboots in the summer, etc.  - they are being cared for by him.  And we are incredibly blessed to have him!!!  

Remodel

It's almost done.  I say almost because there are some things I want to take my time with.  And I'm sure things will evolve when the time is right.  I am obsessed with my mantle and tv over it.  I am SO happy the kids cant go behind the tv and pull out wires (no more watching tv in black n white till daddy gets home to fix it) and no more fingerprints - can I get a hell yeah? Frames are from Target and those candle holders are Pottery Barn.  I wanted the entire fireplace area to be white and simple.  It's hard to tell in this pic but the tile has a wave pattern to it that I love.  

One of the smarter things I did was float our furniture in the family room and give the kids their own space behind the couch between the windows.  It hides the mess!  Curtains from Target and rug and furniture from Pottery Barn Kids.  Some day when I don't need to have a ton of toys in my family room I would love to build a big long window seat!

We got rid of our kitchen table to add an island with seating and storage.  I now have my mixer in my kitchen instead of downstairs!  And the kids love to sit at the island.  Our island top is a quartz called Coarse Corrara.  But I forgot how much light countertops show everything!!

Helloooo Big Giant table for this big giant family.  (not really but it feels like it) I love that we all sit together.  Table is from Wayfair and curtains from Target.

Sconces are Pottery Barn, mirror Pottery Barn Kids, Buffet is Home Goods, lamp JC Penney and that picture was done by ME!

Settled In

Ok we have finally! settled in to our new schedule.

It is weird having 2 in school in the morning. Sometimes I catch myself "like wait I only have 1 child" but thats how many I am supposed to have. Reid has gotten so much better about the gym now.  He tells me "no tears" and goes in and plays with the other kids.  It is nice to spend time with just him.  He is my cleaning buddy and the kid could go to Target everyday - my kind of guy :) It will be totally bizarre next year when I have mornings to myself - but let's not rush that.

Halloween is almost here!  The oldest Brady wants to be a Bills player.  I honestly think he just wants the cool helmet the costume comes with but I will go along.  Pierce the middle child wants to be Spiderman, his favorite superhero.  And Reid, the little guy, is getting a hand me down of course. But actually Reid LOVES cats and dogs.  He wanted a dog birthday party and the costume is adorable!  I got 3 uses out of that costume.  (thanks pottery barn)  This will be the last year I have any say in their costumes so I'm going to enjoy the heck out of that little puppy dog!        

And is anyone else in the mood to make soup like everyday!  If it has Mexican in the name, calls for black beans and gets topped with sour cream - I"M IN!!!! Today I am making Chicken Parm Soup - for the hubs.  Who is actually home for dinner tonight.

This mama has to work tomorrow but I have a date with my Sweetheart for Sweetest Day that may include some margaritas - so work better go fast!!!

Me

I thought I would do something fun with this post and make it about me.  Let's face it once you have kids it is NEVER about you again.

So, 10 things about Me

1.  I can eat Crunch N Munch until my teeth hurt.
2.  I always said I would never have 3 kids.
3.  I think Bison Chip Dip is the best thing EVER.
4.  I regret all those years spent waxing my eyebrows and laying in the tanning bed.
5.  I drink Iced Coffee every day at 3:00pm.
6.  I LOVE nap time!
7.  I hate pickles.
8.  I am a burn survivor.
9.  I am horrible at math, last week I couldn't add 37.5 + 37.5
10.  My first car: silver camaro

And speaking of me, I am so impressed with Kat Von D lipsticks I ordered another 2 pack! It took me a while to get used to the matte feel, probably because I have been wearing gloss for so long, but I love it now!  

My kids are camping with my sister this weekend so hubs and I are in the middle of a kid-free weekend over here.  We are headed up to the outlet mall to do some shopping for the kids and us!  We deserve it!!