Pretty Sandy Feet

Hello. And Goodbye.

katelin — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 16:15:36 +0000

A year ago, I accidentally stopped writing.

Nothing started it. The pandemic hadn’t officially shut down our lives yet. But I just stopped. Somehow I felt like I ran out of words to say. Which is weird, as this blog had been a part of my life for almost fourteen years.
How does something some vital to your life just stop?

Well, clearly, there are logical reasons behind it. Like I literally ran out of time. Between job searching, freelance jobs, reading, binge watching TV shows, raising tiny humans, trying to be a good wife/human/friend/daughter/sister and the occasional sleep – this blog fell to the bottom of the list.

Admittedly it makes me incredibly sad, but also – it makes sense.

So I’m not stepping back into this blog to say I’m back to writing on it again. Instead, I’m signing on to pretty much sign off again. To give Pretty Sandy Feet a proper farewell.

This little blog brought so much joy to my life and it still does. Looking back on past posts (even some of the cringeworthy ones), and the community I created and felt. That is truly what this blog brought the most. It connected me to so many wonderful people and truly made me feel less alone. Who’d a thought I’d join bloggers in Las Vegas or go to conferences solely about blogging or that I’d still message with people who have kids my kids’s age who I’ve never met but truly adore and feel like I really know them.

This blog has been there through my first real job to getting engaged to the ups and downs of marriage and adulthood and the struggles of becoming parents and ultimately the adventures that came with parenthood.

I owe this space a lot. I owe you, whoever is reading this, a lot. I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without this space.

The blogging world has morphed so much over the years and although my writing won’t be here I’m still around.

So come on over, say hi somewhere.

And thanks for joining.

Love,
Katelin

Great Expectations.

katelin — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:10:57 +0000

If there is one thing that motherhood has taught me, it’s keeping my expectations in check. Sometimes I think I know exactly what my kids want or will like and I am just so far off it’s almost laughable.

For Riley’s birthday last week we took him to Disneyland and California Adventure. I was absolutely sure it was going to blow his little mind. We didn’t tell him anything about it. I would have bet money that he was going to get so excited when he saw Spider-Man or Captain America or Mickey or literally anyone.

I. WAS. WRONG.

I mean, he cared. He thought it was cool. But it was nothing like I remember being as a kid. He was barely phased. And I, admittedly, was upset. Why? I have no idea. Maybe because I see all these other kids go bananas over meeting Anna and Elsa or whatever other fictional person they like, and my kid was just like “meh.”

Now, I will say, Riley was also a bit sick and pretty exhausted. He literally coughed the entire day we were at Disney so I know he was tired. And not his regular self. But still.

I have to admit that I was a bit bummed.

Instead of a placated shock and awe and an attitude that basically tolerated me, I was hoping for more. But as the day wore on, I kept reminding myself that I was not my child. And he was not me. Matt even told me that as a kid, he didn’t really care. I, on the other hand, still have a book of autographs that all the characters signed for me.

Kids are different. People are different. And this trip was a great reminder. I have no idea how my kids will react in certain situations. I mean, I think Rhys, would go crazy. But then again, I have no idea. Clearly.

Basically what I’m saying is that, parenthood always comes with a learning curve. And a balance on expectations.

And also a great reminder that even if my kids don’t care about stuff, I can always act a fool and pose for photos, because that’s just what I do.

On Turning Five.

katelin — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 13:30:35 +0000

Dear Riley,

I tried writing this letter a few times and every time I started, I didn’t know what to say. More so, I didn’t know how to say it.

On Wednesday you turned FIVE.

FIVE!

Five seems so big. And yet, you’re still so small. You love superheroes and ABBA. You want to dress up like Ironman and dance to Newsies. You give your brother kisses and you also straight up do things to taunt him.

You love running around and playing every single sport. You are the most active kid I know, and yet, you could also spend the whole day watching movies and be totally fine.

I love that you love frozen peas and banana pancakes. I also love that when we were at Disneyland for your birthday, you asked if we really went to space after being on a ride. Every day you seem like such a big kid, but it’s moments like those that keep you small.

Riley Charles, I love being your mom, even on the hard days. Even on the sick days and the tantrum days. I love being your mom.

I hope this year brings you joy, brings you fun, brings you less coughs, more giggles, more first, lots of hugs, less fights with your brothers, more laughs with your brother and all of the love.

I love you sweet boy.

Happy 5th Birthday Riley!

Heavy.

katelin — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 17:45:35 +0000

Welp. The end of 2019 truly tested me. I feel bad whenever people ask me how the holidays were, because I’ve been pretty frank about it. Between December 21st and January 1st, four people that I know died. My cousin, my great aunt on my mom’s side, my great aunt on my dad’s side and my sister’s best friend’s husband.

It was an emotional rollercoaster of a time. When I was trying to do holiday things and keep the Christmas spirit for my kids, I was in an internal battle of sadness. It was a lot. On New Year’s Eve both of my kids were sick and our oven broke. It was one last thing to end the ridiculousness of last year. And I almost lost it.

Instead I cried a bit and went to bed at 10. I don’t remember the last time I didn’t stay up to ring in the New Year. But I didn’t care. I was so over 2019.

And now, we’re at the end of January and it’s the first weekend I’m not going to a funeral. Instead I’m going to two kids’s birthday parties. And I couldn’t be more excited about it.

I will say, in the midst of all this sadness, every time I told someone about the year or the end of the year, I was met with hugs and sympathy and an agreement that it was just a shitshow. Friends dropped off care packages and checked in with texts and family joined together. Matt was my rock as he watched the boys so I could go to each funeral without worrying about chasing little gremlins around. And he held me each time I got the news that someone passed and I just cried.

I know this is a part of life, but I’m hoping the sadness will stall out for a bit. The next few weeks hold some exciting plans (the boys’s birthdays, parties, girls’s night out, date nights) and I’m ready for some good times.

So let’s do this 2020. Bring on the good.

Thanks for listening. xo

Dear Santa.

katelin — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 14:25:39 +0000

Dear Santa,

This has been A YEAR.

Seriously. Can you just take note to whoever is in charge, that I’d like a nice and easy 2020? Please? Pretty please?

I also decided that I’m not too old to write you letters and this year I have a few things on my list. So here goes:

– Just ONE NIGHT of eight hours of sleep. Just ONE. It’s all I need. I mean, I will gladly take more. But lately I’ve been running on four or five hours and mostly broken up sleep and it’s just not a sustainable life model.

– HAMILTON. It’s coming back to the Pantages next year. And yes, I’ve already seen it (and it was AMAZING). And it’s becoming my new Wicked. But god, what I wouldn’t give to go see it again.

– The TODDLER UPGRADE. Wait, is that a thing? Am I making it up? But is there some way you can make my kids not be constantly insane? I mean, yes we have our moments. And they are super cute. But goodness, I feel like the tantrums and the meltdowns are at an all time high with both boys lately and I just need this part to MOVE ON ALREADY.

– Chewy Sweet Tarts, Peanut Butter M&Ms and Skittles. See? Not all of my requests are ridiculous. This one’s easy. Just toss it in my stocking and all will be fine. My dentist might object, but whatever.

– If you can’t deliver on the sleep, I will gladly accept coffee in all forms (gift certificates, actually beans, delicious creamers or Bailey’s to liven up my mornings).

– Some new flats. And some new clothes that make me look and feel like an adult and not someone pretending to be an adult.

– A money tree. K? Thanks.

I promise I’ve been good this year Santa.

Thanks, in advance.

Love,
Katelin

The Second Child Moment.

katelin — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 18:19:23 +0000

A few weeks ago when Rhys was refusing to nap, I watched him dance around his crib and start to scream and make random noises. It was amusing. Until Matt and I noticed that he was starting to climb out. And not just attempt to climb, but get full on horizontal.

Now, if you remember, Riley attempted this as well. And the minute Riley was horizontal I was SPRINTING back to his room to get him. I’d go back the second he was attempting to climb out. Or I’d talk to him through the monitor. Basically I did anything to stop him from getting out.

Fast forward to Rhys’s escape attempts: We just watched.

No joke. We were laughing together as we watched our youngest do some crazy acrobatics trying to maneuver out of his crib. At one point he was hanging off. And did either of us move? Nope. I did try talking to him through the monitor, but to no avail, he was determined.

So we continued to watch our little daredevil as he went from horizontal to straight up landing on his feet outside the crib. He did it, much to his (and our) surprise. He then sauntered over to the door and walked on out to us. Man was he proud.

And man, did we laugh about how much he’s a second kid and how much we’ve relaxed as parents.

So now, we just keep him in a sleep sack and hope for the best. Because I am not ready to move this kid into a big bed. No way, no how. Alas, this kid is going to keep us on our toes, I just know it.

Changes.

katelin — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 13:10:06 +0000

Guys, apparently I don’t do well with changes. WordPress changed its layout. Flickr changed its layout. And it really put a dent into my whole “let’s get back into writing” mojo. Seriously, trying to figure out all these new shenanigans and goodness, I feel old.

So yeah, I’ve had a post in the queue for a while that was all about Rhys turning eighteen months (on September 9th) and then I just stalled out again. Perhaps I’ll publish that post and maybe I’ll figure out how to put pictures back in without it throwing off the whole freaking layout.

In the meantime, I finally caught up with the world and watched the first season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, I just finished reading my 38th book of the year, I’ve taken on a bit more freelance work and ultimately, I feel like I never sleep.

So that’s where I’m at these days. I’m trying to find more hours (hell, even more minutes) in the day when I’m not chasing Rhys around or playing a crazy game of UNO with Riley just to have some time to put my thoughts down. Or share a story. Or you know, just be.

So, if you’re still here and reading along, thank you.

3,287 Days.

katelin — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 12:00:01 +0000

Nine years later and our wedding day is forever one of my favorite days.

Nine years later and I would marry you all over again in a heartbeat.

Nine years later and our wedding day is forever one of my favorite days.

Nine years in and this has been one of our most challenging years. But we’re in it. We’re working it. We’ve got this.

Nine years later and I love seeing our boys light up when you walk in the door.

Nine years later and wedding stories still make me swoon, especially ours.

I love you, Matt. Happy Nine Years! xo

The Big Kid.

katelin — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:00:02 +0000

This summer, Riley turned into a big kid. I don’t know how it happened, but it did.

Maybe it started with summer camp. He went for three weeks. I dropped him off and picked him up every day. And every day I felt like he was getting a little bit more confidence and just a little bit older. A little bit more of a big kid.

It’s wild how it just happens.

All of a sudden this kid who I spend all my time with, is off doing things without me with people I don’t know. He’s making his own friends, solving problems on his own (I hope), listening to new adults (I hope) and making his own way.

It’s still a bit surreal.

Somehow summer camp flew by and summer overall has been winding down and now he’s in preschool five days a week. He’s only going for three hours a day, but it’s a bit crazy.

Before I know, kinder will be here and the real fun begins.

Here’s to big changes and exciting times ahead for my little big kid.

Hello, Again.

katelin — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 13:00:28 +0000

Lately, when night rolls around and the boys are in bed, I sit alone and wonder where the hell the day went. Although today, it’s more like, where the hell did the last three months go?

It’s the longest break from writing I’ve ever taken in my twelve years of owning this space. And it felt pretty weird. But at the same time, it felt needed. This space is definitely not the same thing it used to be. And I’m getting into that weird territory of spreading myself too thin.

I want to be present, and yet I find myself constantly checking Twitter and Instagram and updating my new Facebook page regularly. In between I’m scanning emails and making sure I’m caught up on everything from my new client work.

There just aren’t enough hours.

And yet, I just can’t totally seem to let this blog go.

I don’t want to let it go.

I want to keep writing here.

I want to share the weird parenting adventures I come across.

But I also want to figure out the boundaries. And how much of my kids I keep sharing. And my own limits. And I don’t want to tap out.

So we’ll see what happens.

In any case, HI. I MISSED YOU. WHAT’S NEW?