motherhood

1. Typically what time do you wake up? Lately? 2:00 am, 4:30 am, 6:45 am, and then finally between 7:30 and 8:30. That may be a bit of an exaggeration... but not much! I wish someone could remind James that, until 6 months ago, he used to be a good sleeper!

2. On a good night what time are your kids in bed? Most nights it's between 6:30 and 7:00. Rarely later than that... except nights that we are at my in-laws or decide to go on a "family date."

3. How long have you been a mom? About 3 1/2 years... 4 years in November.

4. How old were you when you became a mom? 23 years old.

5. What is your favorite kid TV show/movie? Charlie and Lola is a super cute show. And on Sundays I like to watch VeggieTales with William...

6. What is your least favorite kid TV show? Thomas... so boring. Caillou... I'm convinced that kids become more whiny after watching it. It's a Big, Big World... I really dislike that one. Oh. And Barney... I think that comes from having to watch it with Rachelle when I was in 6th grade.

7. What is your favorite chore? Growing up I liked to clean the bathroom... I have a feeling that will change when William finally gets potty trained. I don't really know if I have a favorite chore now.

8. What is your favorite meal to cook? Anything easy. I like making pizza because Rich likes it so much.

9. What is the meal you cook most often? I don't know if I cook anything too often. I like trying new recipes and I try to mix it up a bit.

10. What is your kid’s favorite meal? Mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese since that's about all we can get William to eat. Oh he really likes pancakes and waffles. Everything else is a battle just to get a nibble. Just today he told me that he didn't like food. James on the other hand loves anything but especially chicken nuggets.

11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? I love that Rich gets up with William on Saturday mornings... and most every morning... so that I can sleep in a little bit. He also plays with the boys all the time--they LOVE their dad. He even comes home at lunch time to be with us.

12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you're being a mom? When James puts his little head on my shoulder. When William tells me "Good job mom!" "Mom is beautiful" or something equally as nice and sincere. When both boys are asleep. When the boys are playing nicely together for an extended period of time. When my boys are laughing.

13. If you could take your kids anywhere where would it be? I want to take them to the beach. Our first beach excursion, last April, was no good. It was a giant sand storm... and freezing! We're hoping it will be more successful in July. And, like Katie, I've been thinking it would be fun to take them to Disneyland one of these days.

14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? We are actually pretty lucky that we get to do this nearly every week--thanks to Rich's parents. Thursday Rich and I went to a dinner party for the 25th anniversary of the company Rich works for. It was a great dinner and we got to hear Col. Oliver North speak. It was incredible! Then on Friday night and Saturday I went to Time Out For Women and listened to some good music and amazing presenters. One of my favorite religion professors, Camille Fronk Olson, spoke which made it even more fabulous!

15. What is your favorite past time/activity to do with your kids? Lately we've enjoyed taking bike rides (William rides his trike while James and I walk).

16. Name 1 thing you said you'd never do as a mom. I can't think of anything except what Katie said. I'll never put my kids in daycare.

17. What is your favorite quality that your mom has? My mom has a million great qualities. She is really great at finding fun in everyday things... especially for little kids. I wish I could do that better with William.

18. What is your advice for new moms? Oh goodness. I remember some advice that was given to me before William was born. She said "You can have a clean house next year." Don't worry about having a perfectly straight house. Don't focus on 'what did I accomplish today?" Spend time with your little baby because they grow up way too fast!

19. What is the scariest or most heartbreaking moment as a mom? I remember laying in the operating room and realizing "He's not crying. William was screaming his head off." Then Rich pointed him out to me across the room and explained that he was unresponsive. I couldn't believe it. The first time I really saw him he was hooked up to a million tubes.

20. What is your most joyful moment of being a mom? There are so many. It could be when William was born and I officially became a mother. It could be when they released James from the hospital on the same day as me--much earlier than expected.

21. When was the last time you were told 'I Love You' by one of your kids? I'm sure that William has told me at least once today.

22. I tag: Amy and whoever else would like to play along.