My life as a mom & wife!

Goodbye Summer 2011

2011-08-27T22:36:00.001-04:00

Can you believe that summer is almost over and autumn will be here in 26 days???
This summer has flown by. Ryan started school and Erik is almost 4 months old. I have been so busy this summer, yet vacation was not on my list of things I did. I was well for one, healing from my 2nd c-section and getting adjusted to a new baby again. Life is wonderful. :-)
This summer kinda went out with a bang. This past week alone, we had an earthquake and a hurricane. Insane!!!
So here is what the next few months look like:

Tom (taking online class, two more till he has his Masters)
Me, taking Chemistry this semester
Ryan started a new preschool and boy do these teachers have a bunch of field trips and parties planned.
Erik has his 4 mo appt soon :-( a shot appt.
A mountain trip is planned next month. I am so excited to finally be getting away.

It's kinda bittersweet saying goodbye to summer. It means my baby is getting older, my son is back in school, and life is going forward in fast mode. I will miss my husband having summer hours at work (half day fridays). Going for family walks after dinner, and it still being light out. Just so many memories this summer.

As Fall approaches, there will be many new memories. I am so excited for Ryan's birthday he turns 5, can't I freeze him at this age? And Erik starting solid foods, and learning to crawl and walk. And of course Christmas is gonna be a blast. I truly love my family. And even though I have my bad (depression) days, that never changes.
So (raising my glass) here's to saving summer's memories, and looking forward to many more in the seasons to come. :-)

~LEIGHANN~

Erik Rylee

2011-05-20T22:38:00.000-04:00

is here!!! And I am sooo in LOVE with him. :-) I could not be happier, and with coming on Mother's Day....what an amazing gift.
Here is my sweetie:

And if that wasn't cute enough.....
Look at my two boys...I am such a PROUD MOMMY!!

Sunny Days...Sweeping the clouds away!!!

2011-04-04T15:29:00.000-04:00

Its such a beautiful day here. And I am for once...in a GREAT mood. I swear the weather has a MAJOR affect on my moods. I think I need to move to Hawaii, what do you think? :-)
So I woke up...and felt pretty good, considering I was up every hour peeing. (sorry TMI) And then I vacuumed my whole upstairs, or what I could, around all the toys. And then carried my vacuum down the stairs and vacuumed each step. And came down stairs, straightened up and vacuumed the family room.
I then went to Dunkin Donuts for an egg/cheese wrap and a Iced Caramel Latte. Then went to Harris Teeter and did food shopping...which I think I did an awesome job at. Still didn't get everything on my list, but bought:

A Gallon of Milk
Fruit Loops Sprinkles Cereal
Apple Juice Boxes
Capri Sun
Small Cans of Coke
Half a watermelon
Grapes (green or white)
Pineapple cups
Half a lemon bundt cake
Bag of Steamed corn
Hambuger Meat
Chicken Strips
Salad Mix
Tomatoes
Tuna (packet)
Elbow Macaroni
Stuffed Chicken
Crunch n Munch
And some other little stuff.

And it only cost me......$54.00 WOO-HOO!
Go Me!

So then we stopped at Sonic, and I got me and my hubby a slushie! Ryan didn't want one.
On our drive home, someone was cutting grass, and it smelled so good. Smelled like summer, and with the weather (85*, Sunshine, no clouds at all), it made me feel soo happy.
So nope...NO ONE is gonna kill my happy mood. Go ahead try me!

My Reality

2011-04-02T00:14:00.003-04:00

Is so hard, and I just don't think most people even realize for a moment how hard it really is.

Yes, I did move away from PA (where all my family and friends were). It was a VERY hard choice. Tom was working for Merck, and his department was closing since his boss was retiring. So Tom tried to apply for other jobs at that location, but only found one that was 3rd shift. Some may ask, why didn't he look into a different company? It took Tom many years to even get into Merck. And its a company where you have to know someone, luckily his dad works there, and that was an in, but he still applied there for many years, and finally got in. Once you get in, you don't wanna leave. Anyway, Tom's boss recommended North Carolina to him. We both were still young, Ryan was only a 1.5 years old. And we were already an hour from our family (which by the way they acted, you would have thought we lived 10 hours away, that's a whole other story though), so we figured...whats the worse...we already do everything on our own. We can do this. So we traveled to NC in April of 2008. And I just fell in love with it here. People were sooo nice, and welcoming (a huge change from what you get up North) and the weather was to die for. Sunshine, Warmth, trees and flowers bloomed. So we went back to PA, and we talked and talked about it. We finally decided to at least apply and see what happens. In the meantime I prayed...I told God that if he got the job, then we would go, and take it as a sign it was meant to be. If he didn't get the job, we would stay put. Also let me add that Reading, PA is not the most eventful town. And Tom was driving an hour each way to work. Was not a very fun place. It was the cheapest we could afford at the time.
So....Tom finally got a phone call...that they wanted to interview him. I was excited...another chance to get to be in NC. So we packed up and off we went. In May of 2008, Tom got the job and we packed up and said goodbye to PA. Our family was not supportive at all. They did NOT want us to move. I had heard all their excuses, and complaints, but I knew this was God's will, and what was best for our family.
Let me also add, that Merck did not pay any kind of relocation fee. We moved at THE worst time, when the economy just fell to pieces. Our house was on the market, but no bites. We had a house still to pay for and our apartment here in NC. Most of our stuff was still in our house in PA. We rented furniture here in NC, and just made the best of it. Our 6 month lease here in NC was almost up and our house still was not sold. Tom had done so much traveling back and forth, that we were really unsure of what was gonna happen next, where were we gonna go? We finally switch realtors, and took a low ball offer, just to get rid of the house. We had to find a place to put all our stuff, so we rented a townhome, and used the one car garage as storage. Purged alot of stuff. We then moved into our new home in June 2009, and had to start fresh!

We have now been in NC for 3 years now. We were able to have a house built for us (I actually got to help design it), and met such wonderful people (who are from all over, NC is a HUGE relocation area), and Tom has never done so well at a job before. He has just taken off so well, with bonuses, raises, and promotions. Something we would never see in PA.

So yes, there is some plus sides to all this. Much more, I could make a list. But without my old friends, and my family, it can get very lonely and very depressing. We see our family, maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Think of how many times you visit someone in your family in just a month. Can you imagine 2-3 times a year? I went for a drive on Christmas evening, and cried the whole drive. As I could see inside people's homes, all I saw were families sitting around a table eating dinner, cars lined up in their driveway, smiles on their faces. I then came back home, and pulled up into my empty driveway, no lights on. I walk inside, and Tom was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a normal dinner. Ryan was playing with some toys in the family room. And that was it, it was just us. No special dinner, no family, nothing. Granted, I am very appreciated of Ryan and Tom, but they are ALL I HAVE! Most holidays, we spend alone, we don't make big dinners, since its just us 3. And on a daily basis, we don't get any visitors, and our phone hardly rings.

I manage to do it ALL. Tom leaves for work at 6am. Ryan and I get up at 7-7:30am. We miss Tom very much. I usually try and find stuff to do during the week with Ryan, I know he is extremely bored. So we go to the mall, or movies, or playdates. He does soccer every Friday morning. I go to work meetings once a month (taking Ryan with me), we have doctors and dentist appointments (also with Ryan in tote). And then on the weekends and evenings, I am trying to complete two college classes online. So...no matter how I feel, or what I have to do during the day, I always have to take Ryan with me. No date nights with Tom, since we don't have a sitter. So....we just stay home alot. I will tell you, it is NOT easy at all. Probably why you see me on Facebook all the time too. I need the communication, the support, and just someone to talk to.

So that is a look into my reality, my life, the one the God has chosen for me. It may not be easy, but I somehow hope its all worth it in the end.

Facebook Explanation

2011-03-29T16:38:00.001-04:00

If you are a friend of mine on Facebook (here), then you may have ~~seen~~ read my wacky ups and downs.
Well let me please explain myself before you all think I am an ungrateful, heartless, biotch. I have depression and anxiety, have since I was 16. I am currently on an antidepressant, which normally works, but mixed with pregnancy...its not going so well. I feel like I am a manic depressive on no meds. I do have an appointment to see a psychiatrist to see what i can do to control these mood swings. But...aren't mood swings normal anyway during pregnancy???
On to the next part, I have been in horrible pain. Apprently second pregnancies are worse than the first. And because of my petite frame (4'11"), the weight is causing horrible pains. I have been advised to not do too much walking. Or it will get worse. Not that I have to be on bedrest, just take it easy.
And I just don't have patience when I am home all day with a 4 year old. That in itself is exhasuting. And trying to finish my college classes before the baby comes. Having a hard time getting a proctor, since I don't know anyone really. And then the general public making comments on how huge I am. That really really pisses me off.
So please...when you read my facebook comments, just know where those feelings are coming from. And know that I am sore and exhausted, and just use facebook as an outlet for my stress.

LOVE:

Go ME!!!

2011-03-27T14:25:00.000-04:00

I was always taught to not brag about what you have or be conceited. Well I beg to differ on that one mom.
I had to take a minute and step back and look at all that I do. I am a F/T stay at home mom to a 4 year old (~~worst~~ best age ever), and I am going to be coming up on 33 weeks pregnant, with another boy. I am taking 6 college credit classes and managing a B average. And I am also a CNA part time. So I think I have the right to brag at how good of a job I am doing. I actually for the first time, am really proud of myself.

And how can I be sad and grumpy, The Secret Life of the American Teenager starts back up TOMORROW!!!!

Baby Blues

2011-03-17T08:45:00.001-04:00

Lately I have been experiencing depression on a whole new level.
Ever since I was 13, I started to get angry alot. Mostly angry with myself. How I felt about myself and how people saw me, were two different things. Then I started to put myself down. I just figured that other people saw me more clearly than I did myself. Then when I was 16, I started to have anxiety attacks, so bad I didn't leave the house for a while. I think I have been on every antidepressant out there. At one point, they wanted to put me on a beta blocker. We tried it all. I am now 29 and still suffer from the depression and an occassional anxiety attack.
But this pregnancy (especially) the 3rd trimester has really hit me hard. I cry at everything, my moods are up and down. I just don't even feel like myself. My self esteem has plummeted to a record breaking low, even for me. I just am so uncomfortable, sore, moody, disgusted. I told my OB, that I HATED pregnancy, literally HATED it. So glad when she told me, this was not the first time she has heard that from patients. So...I am not the only one. Part of my problem is my height...I am only 4'11", and you add an extra 20-30 lbs, thats like adding 50-60lbs to someone taller. Can you even imagine how uncomfortable I am? I am not gonna go into the complaints, just know....I have a list.
So I tried to see a counselor, to get my anger, frustration, depression out...and they give me an appt, a MONTH away...seriously? Thank God, I am not suicidal. Geez! We are thinking of trying to get a sooner appt or going somewhere else. I mean I need to talk to someone before the baby comes.
Anyway, for the time being...I just don't wanna talk about pregnancy or babies. I wanna feel normal, and for the past 31 weeks...that is all that has been on my mind. Unfortunelty...the belly is there to stay, but I can take my mind elsewhere...and I think thats what I need to do.

OH BABY!!!

2011-02-25T10:56:00.000-05:00

This little boy will be here in about 10.5 weeks and that's hoping I make it to my scheduled C-section date of May 11th. I can't believe how fast this is all happening. I still have soooooooooo much to do! I can't wait till I finish the nursery and show you all how beautiful it is!!!!

Serenity

2011-02-15T19:25:00.000-05:00

My Bathtub, My Serenity!

I am sick of complaining, I know everyone is sick of hearing me. I could make a list of the stuff wrong with me lately, but instead....I will post this prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Sickies....

2011-02-10T10:20:00.000-05:00

UGH...I am sick of being sick. All of us have been sick, but I think I have had it the worst.
Thanksgiving - I had a head cold and a clogged ear (was on 3 antibiotics)
January - Had the stomach bug and it was both ends.
February - Another head cold, sore throat, cough, congestion.

As I wrote this, my throat is sooo sore. I just wanna feel better. And to add pregnancy ontop of it, its not fun. I feel like I haven't worked out in forever. I haven't cooked a home made meal in so long. Its just freezer foods. I am slacking so much, and I want my life back. :-(

On a good note: I have 13 weeks left till we get to meet our baby. And in a few weeks we are doing a 3D/4D ultrasound just to confirm this baby is 100% boy. :-)

15 weeks to go??

2011-01-30T23:07:00.000-05:00

Well this week I will be hitting 25 weeks of this pregnancy. Actually after this week I only have 14 weeks, since I am doing a C-Section a week early. I can't wait to meet our new baby boy. I have been slacking so much though. With having another child, and taking 2 college classes, I barely have time for myself, let alone time to do the nursery. I do have the crib up, clothes and blankets ready. I just need the essentials, some bedding, curtains, and the dresser/changing table back from Ryan. We have been looking for a dresser for his room, but everywhere I look its like $150-$250 for a small dresser. Its insane. I don't need anything fancy, just 4-5 drawer dresser for a kid.
Well thats about it...my Acid Reflux is starting up again :-(
I think I will get something to eat, watch my DVRed shows (at 11pm...only time I get to myself), then off to bed.

Trials and Tribulations!

2011-01-06T15:44:00.000-05:00

This is how I feel lately....like I am on a roller coaster. My life has its Ups and its Downs. And I feel like just lately I was having a Down. And now I am just spiraling down and down and down. I am hitting so many road blocks in my life right now, its kinda hard to even think. I have two big decisions in my life, that I just wanna turn my back and not make. I am not happy with many things right now. And you add me being pregnant into that...it makes for one NOT happy camper. HAHA!
I am hoping that these problems resolve themselves soon. Been praying that the Lord will help me make these decisions, and soon.

I also just started school. Math and Psych. Well they are advanced classes, so its MUCH harder than I expected. Math really isn't that advance, but its still a major challenge. I mean really....WHO CARES what "x" equals!! I wanna be a nurse, not a mathematician. I know being a nurse means knowing math...but some of this stuff is crazy. Do nurses really use, prime and composite numbers?? HUH?? haha!

Signing out...as going crazy!!!

NAME??

2011-01-02T19:33:00.002-05:00

I need a name for my blog...any suggestions??

BE NICE PLEASE or your comment will be DELETED!!!

Post a day...

2011-01-02T19:29:00.000-05:00

Would be nice from me. And as much as I would love to make that promise, its not one that I can keep. Anywho...went to Old Navy today. Had a gift card. And bought two shirts, that are apparently not online at Oldnavy.com. One was on sale for 4.99...super cute. And one was 16.50...I really wanted it. HAHA!
I am exhausted...my latte had caffeine in it. I just don't know how you can work at a place like Dunkin Donuts and not listen for DECAF when someone says it. GRRR!! So now I am suffering from anxiety and dizziness. Good one..DD! So I took 2 Benadryl, since I am pregnant and its the only thing I can take, and hoping it helps calm me. I do feel alittle woozy...and in my own little world over here :-)

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T13:54:00.002-05:00

O Christmas Tree!

2010-12-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Our Christmas Tree!

Our Mantle with all the stockings hung...waiting for Santa to come. (Notice Baby Boy Platt's Stocking)

~LEIGHANN~

Crazy Dayz...

2010-12-16T19:39:00.000-05:00

It has been CRAZY over here at our house! I have had dr's appts, Ryan's school, shopping for gifts, making cookies, making Christmas cards, working, etc, etc.
And ontop of it all, we had an ICE storm!

That is our house covered in ice! So...with being pregnant, doing all that, and having a 4 yr old. I am exhausted!!!!
So...what do I have left to do before Christmas?
- Finish Christmas Shopping.
- Pick up my cards, address them, send them out.
- I work this Saturday.
- Pick up my paycheck from work, cash it.
And then the day after Christmas, my inlaws are coming, which means....CLEANING!!!
Do I ever get a break?? That's what I would like for Christmas...a nice day with nothing to do. :-)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Holy Heck...

2010-12-12T22:00:00.000-05:00

I have been on a blogging strike I think. HAHA! I am feeling much better in my pregnancy, just drained everyday. Sooo Soooo Soooo tired.
Getting ready for Christmas, still have some shopping to do.
Having family the day after Christmas.
Starting school in January, taking Math at one college, and Dev. Psych at another college. Good thing is, they are both online. :-)
And Wednesday is the big day, we get to find out if we are having a BOY or a GIRL!

Have a wonderful week! :-)

MIA = MS

2010-10-04T13:51:00.001-04:00

I have been MIA lately, due to my MS (Morning Sickness). I was fine up until about 6 weeks, then it all hit me like a ton of bricks. I was sick mostly at nights, and now its all the time. Then ontop of that, I got a stomach virus. So nothing was staying in me. I already am having a rough time with this pregnancy, thank God, this is my last child. I can not go through this again. Ryan was easy in the beginning, and it got worse towards the end. This pregnancy already has me showing, out of breath, dizzy, tired, sick, etc. And I am only 8 weeks. 8 WEEKS!!!! Thats it. And thank God that I am doing a scheduled c-section. I want this baby out ASAP. With Ryan, he wasn't born till 41 weeks and some days. It was insane and pure torture.

So lately I feel like I don't have a life. All I do is sleep or rest, or get sick. Which is fine, I guess, but I feel like I am missing out on my family time ALOT. Plus with working the weekends, not sure how much longer I can deal. Work is gonna have to give sooner or later.

Well that's my Monday Rant! Have a great week!

Are you Hooked on Houses?

2010-09-26T21:43:00.000-04:00

Are you Hooked on Houses? Give yourself a point for each of the following statements that you agree with:

If there’s a “For Sale” sign in my neighbor’s yard, I can tell you how much they’re asking for their house–and whether it’s worth it. X - Yup...I can even tell you how much my neighbor's paid for their house and how much its worth.

I have a habit of checking the real estate listings online, even though I’m not planning to move. X - All the time, I love to see what I am up against, if I were to sell someday.

I think the best time to take a walk is at dusk–after people have started turning on their lights, but before they have closed their blinds! X - LOVE doing this. I love to see what the people are doing. I wonder what their lives are like.

I’ve been known to visit Open Houses and model homes, just for fun. X - ME, ME, ME...all the time. I even walk through the houses being built in my neighborhood daily.

I will stop to take a photo of a beautiful house if I have a camera with me. X - I take my camera with me on walks, to do such things.

When I visit someone’s home, I immediately start looking around to see what changes they’ve made since the last time I was there. X - I like to see other people's decorating style for ideas.

I get upset when I see a beautiful old home that looks neglected and unloved, and I fantasize about “rescuing” it.

I would go to a neighbor’s party just to get a look inside their house. X - Especially if its a BIG house.

I have considered becoming a real estate agent, or have been told I should be one. X - I have considered it, after I sold my home in PA.

I’ve been known to check out the local house listings when I’m on vacation to see how much it would cost to live there. X - Yes, especially in a resort area or the beach.

If I drive through a pretty neighborhood, I slow to a crawl so I don’t miss anything. X - Yes, especially the million dollar home neighborhoods. I do this on our slow days. Go for our "Sunday Drive".

I’m always redecorating my house. It’s never “finished.” X - Always, now I redecorate for each season.

There are certain movies I have watched repeatedly because of the houses featured in them. X - Love seeing the beautiful homes on TV. I am always looking in the background of a scene. :-)

Fall is among us...

2010-09-23T09:14:00.000-04:00

Well some of us, that it is. It's still high 90's here in North Carolina. But I have started started to decorate or fall, in hoping that it will bring on some cooler weather. So here is it:

Things coming up:

2010-09-21T10:02:00.000-04:00

We are going to Myrtle Beach, SC in 1 month and 4 days for a week!!!

Ryan's 4th Birthday in 69 more days!


Tom and My 6 year Anniversary in 11 days!

The cat's out of the bag.

2010-09-15T21:04:00.000-04:00

And I am pregnant!!!

People....

2010-09-14T14:21:00.000-04:00

I am not gonna give any names, but I will say its not just one person. Its...people!
Do you ever have people who make comments to you, knowing that it hurts your feelings or makes you feel like crap? I mean I wonder why people do that? I never intentionally say stuff to people unless I am mad. I get this happening to me quite often. Or maybe its the way I take things, but there are just somethings you don't say to people.
I have to say, I am quite happy with my life. I know I can be a debbie downer, its very hard here away from family and friends back in PA. But this is just a stepping stone to success. :-)
I have a beautiful home, a handsome, smart son and husband. A cute lovable dog and cat. And I think I am a pretty cool, fun chick. I have a handful of people, that I can say are my true friends...everyone else....your just acquaintances. HAHAHA!!!

New Signature

2010-09-13T15:27:00.001-04:00

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL??