John and Ansley

…and I’m just now getting around to announcing it on our sad, neglected blog. But before I go writing something about the birth of our second child and the 5 months since then, I need to go complain to John about how ugly our blog looks. Clearly I forced these colors on him during one of my crazy pregnant hormonal brain blips.

Also, since it has taken 5 months for me to even mention that we had a baby, you shouldn’t expect to see the next post for about a month. I don’t know how people do it, but I don’t have the time or brain capacity to write a post. I’m already light-headed from typing this much.

Charlie is obsessed with superheroes and frequently creates his own identity. Last week, he was The Scheduler. He wore my dad’s motorcycle helmet and carried a clipboard around to make sure that everyone was on time.

When I was four years old, I had long hair and owned hundreds of those little Goody barrettes that were so popular in the 80’s. Remember these?

One day, while my dad and I watched TV, I decided to put as many as possible in his hair. He’s bald on top with hair on the sides, and I was able to gather a few wispy hairs that still grew on top of his head too.

I have no idea how long we watched TV or hung out indoors, but at some point Dad decided to go outside and work on the gutters. Being the ultimate Daddy’s Girl and his little shadow, I was nearby when this well-dressed lady approached us from the driveway. She was in a business suit and looked very professional.

My dad was friendly but also busy, so he stayed on top of the ladder while she introduced herself as a census taker. While she went through the process of asking him all the nosy government questions I watched my father responding to her and scooping out leaves. I recall thinking to myself, “Does Daddy know that he still has my barrettes in his hair?” The thought was quickly dismissed because both adults acted very adult-like and no one ever acknowledged the hundreds of tiny ponytails all over his head. Clearly I was an excellent stylist.

Only later that day when Dad was using the restroom did he notice his colorful hairdo. I was very disappointed to have to take it down.

It’s one of my favorite memories, picturing my dad working way up high on his ladder with hundreds of barrettes in his hair and acting as if it was the most normal thing on earth.

Charlie played in his first official organized sport today! I don’t know who had more fun – John and me or Charlie – but we are super excited to be starting sports and are looking forward to years of exciting times! I took a few pictures but won’t share all 61 of them with you…9 seems like a much more reasonable number.

Charlie is quite the athlete! No surprise there with a dad like his. The coolest moment of the day when his coach said, “Charlie, if you keep this up, I’m going to have to put you on my 5-year-old team!”

Did I mention how much I love that his team color is neon yellow???

My parents are not the most internet savvy and never read our blog, so I don’t have to worry about embarrassing them.

I am proud to say that I have The Greatest Parents That Have Ever Existed. Do you know what they were doing for a week before Thanksgiving??? Without even telling me, they were out shopping for an SUV to help me with getting Charlie in and out of the car without killing my neck every time. It hurts like hell to stoop over and strap him in his car seat, so Mom and Dad decided to shop for an SUV. You have no idea how much that means to me. Not only is it the most thoughtful thing in the world; they are retired teachers. They have no business buying me an SUV. But it was that important to them, that for a few moments every day I had some relief from what I’ve been going through. They were willing to sacrifice a lot of money for a little relief in my life. I still cry every time I think about it. After a few hours of visiting car lots, I told my parents that I would not let them buy me anything. For that much money, it would not make enough of a difference in my life to go from driving a car to driving an SUV. Like I said, they’re retired teachers. Bless them, they are the best people on earth and I am so proud to have them as my parents. Not just because of this situation, but because that is how they have always been. They will do anything for their children unconditionally. Growing up, I had no idea how rare that is.

Now I want to share something my mom wrote a couple of months ago. I don’t need to tell you how it makes me feel – you’ll know when you read it.

When I think of all I’ve learned from you
I am totally in awe
I’ve watched you grow into a wonderful woman
who amazes me every day with your strength, love, kindness
sensitivity, thoughtfulness and intelligence
A mother who loves her child with all her heart
who finds humor in all things difficult
who faces each day with laughter.

When I think of all I’ve learned from you
I am totally in awe
I’ve watched you grow in your Dad’s and my best friend
who tells me sometimes things that I need to know about myself
when there is no one else who can or will
A daughter who loves with all her heart
who accepts our shortcomings but treasures us still.

When I think of all I’ve learned from you
I am totally in awe
of a wife who loves with all her heart
in spite of the pressure of living with imperfect people
who is loyal and trusts and adores and shares the daily problems
with the love of her life.

When I think of all I’ve learned from you
I am totally in awe
How could I have given birth to such an amazing and
beautiful daughter?
What a gift I have been blessed to receive.
I thank God for you and strive each day to live
my life with love and thoughtfulness just as
you have taught me.

WOW.
I don’t think I deserve a Mother so amazing.
Btw, the line after being a wife that loves with all her heart in spite of living with imperfect people does NOT have anything to do with John. My parents love John unconditionally.

Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why??? Why? Why? Why? But why???

This is all I am hearing. All day long. I am EXHAUSTED.

…we didn’t make it. There was no way to know just how big a commitment it was until we started doing it. Between everyone in the family getting sick, and me still having days where I hurt too much to do a lot of cooking, it got to be too much. But we have so many new positive habits and behaviors that we developed from our time spent in the program. First of all, John lost a significant amount of weight. I didn’t (of course). But our food choices have changed dramatically and we are still eating so healthy!!! It definitely changed the way we look at food and the way food tastes. We both feel better and empowered to keep up a healthy eating lifestyle.

Speaking for myself (and hoping that John will chime in someday), I did not give up easily and I don’t feel like a quitter. There are times in your life that you have to accept that you can’t take on certain challenges because you have too much else going on. I was beating myself up for a while until I let it go – the Whole30 plan is just not realistic for me right now. I was supportive of John continuing without me, but he realized that he can’t keep it up without me fixing everything for him.

In spite of quitting, our diets are SO different than before we started. It has changed us in so many ways! I am looking forward to doing the Whole30 at a time in my life that is not quite so bonkers.

I’ll end this by saying “GO KELLY AND AARON!!!!!!!!!!” They have been kicking ass and taking names and I love reading about their Whole30 experience.