The Week Got So Much Better

After my horrible Monday last week, I was ready to throw in the towel for the rest of the week. I mean, when you have a bad start to a week, there's very little promise of it getting much better. (At least that's how I always feel.) But I was pleasantly surprised by how the rest of our week turned out!

Tuesday: We had a play date at 10:00 at the house of the lovely lady who started our playgroup. She has two little girls and a playroom that is basically devoted to all things girly! Toy kitchen, toy laundry machines, baby dolls, princesses, etc. Sarah was in heaven! There was so much for her to see and do! She kept herself so busy playing that she stayed out of trouble, well mostly! Andrew decided that since he's a little young for most toys, he'd sleep nearly the whole time. So I was able to lay him in a crib and  focus on my busy toddler. Needless to say, after our crazy non-sleeping cranky Monday, Tuesday was much better. Sarah ate a huge lunch and then we headed home for a LONG nap!
Ryan and I went out with our life group for some much needed adult time as well. We had dinner and dessert and I got the chance to socialize and de-stress! My in-laws took the kids for the night (like they usually do) and we were able to get away for the evening. And I got a wonderful email from my mother in-law offering to take the kids off of my hands for a day and take me baby clothes shopping sometime in the future! (Love cute baby clothes... although Sarah has graduated to 2T now.)
Wednesday: We had a late start to our day. Both kids slept past 10:00 which was to be expected since they refused to sleep until almost midnight! But I prefer late nights to early mornings, even if I do get a bit stressed by it all. Anyway, we had a day full of playing at home. Building blocks, shaking rattles, and playing with each other. Then we had a great night of games and dinner with some friends. They recently moved back into the area and are our only friends from high school/college with a kid. So instantly we still have something in common. Plus the wife of the couple runs an in-home daycare, so once again Sarah was in heaven with toys and lots of room to play. And I was able to use an awesome swing for Andrew. We have another game night planned for this upcoming Wednesday! It's nice to have other parent friends who understand not wanting to find sitters and things like needing to be home for bedtime!
Thursday: The weather was beautiful outside! We've completely skipped winter this year, and I think I am okay with that. It would be nice to take Sarah out in the snow once, but I'm not a cold weather fan. So anyway I took the kids out for a stroll around the neighborhood after breakfast. I let Sarah walk and she had a blast pointing things out and just being outside. I was so glad that we did it. Andrew fell asleep while we were on our walk, and Sarah was super hungry and ready for some one on one time with Mommy when we got back! So I made her some lunch, and then we played until she was ready for her nap. After she went to sleep, I  just relaxed and soaked in the silence of the apartment. My stress level was way down and I was in a good mood because of how dramatically things had improved. Plus my toddler had decided to be an entertainer rather than a button pusher! She kept doing things like this all day!

Look who is feeding her baby!

Friday: This was Mama's day off! I got the kids dressed and fed and sent them to Grandma's for the day! I love my kids, I truly do. But sometimes I just need a break from them. I was able to catch lunch with a friend and go (window) shopping with her at the baby stores in town. She's expecting her first baby so we were out looking at all the new bedding sets and cribs and all that jazz. *I know, I get a day away from the kids and surround myself with baby things!* But it was fun to get out sans diaper bags and be able to look around for as long as I wanted. Granted I did have to pump every few hours, but it was well worth it.
Then my mother in-law (Seriously, I lucked out in the in-law department! I love this lady so much!) offered to keep the kids into the evening so that Ryan and I could have a date night! I often feel guilty when I let someone else watch the kids multiple times a week, but I think I need to get over that! My day off and date night with the husband were fantastic and much needed.
Saturday: Everyone slept in again. For the first time in months, maybe even a year, Ryan slept past 10:00. The kids were kind enough to allow us some decent sleep! We were up long enough to do breakfast and watch a few cartoons before doing lunch and naps! It was the epitome of lazy Saturdays and I totally soaked it up! I love it when we can all relax as a family and laugh together at Curious George or Tangled.
Sunday: We got up on time for church and I enjoyed this week's message a lot. After church we went to Ryan's parents' for some lunch and catching up. Sarah had a ball being back at Grandma's house and was really sad to leave, but the girl has got to take naps. After nap time we headed to my parents' house for the Super Bowl. I missed out on most of it because I had set up for MOPS, but at least Ryan had extra hands with the kids right?
Monday: As I am writing, it's technically Monday morning and I am winding down for bed. Looking back at the past week, I can see that being around other people is what made my no good week turn around and become something enjoyable! So thanks to all my family and friends who helped me and the kids have more good days than bad! And here's to another good week, no matter how it starts!