My Walking Buddy

So lately James and I have been having daily walks because its been so beautiful and sunny out and completely warm. Its been so nice it would almost be wrong not to get out. Anyways, we have this little route that we always go on, and there are things that we are accustomed to seeing now, out on the road. Of course we point the normal, cars, trees, birds we hear chirping...but there are some unique things that come up on our radar. Like, half way along our trip there has been a woodpecker. Now, we have only heard him twice. Thus, on every other walk we go on and don't hear him, we have to have an in depth conversation as to way. "Is he napping?" "He must have moved to another tree." "Is he waking up?" and back and forth and back and forth until we move on to another subject. It's pretty cute. Then we always walk around the parking lot of the Catholic church by our house. There is a statue of Mary out front of the church, and every time he excitedly points out "Mary!" and once we pass it "Mary Go?" He really likes Mary. Then, we always make a stop and sometimes walk on the lake. It's been frozen for a while, but with the warmer temps I tell James that I don't think we can walk on it anymore because the ice is melting. He looks at me with earnestness and says "Uh huh, can walk." He really doesn't believe me sometimes.

Also, I tell him every time, "James, I like walking with you. We are good walking buddies." Then, with all seriousness that only a two year old can have, "No Momma, me not walk. Me ridding..." He got me. How true that is.

So it's been nice because I am getting exercise, but more importantly, it is precious time that just he and I can share. I also hope that it helps he know that he is completely special and loved even if there is a new little one in the house.

Speaking of....

Sweet Sassy Molassey I'm Tired

There are things roaming around in my head to talk about, but I am to tired to do so now. Maybe if I write them down here, I'll expand more on them later. And they are all completely random and vary greatly on the scale of silly to serious.

- Grandma's funeral...it was very sweet and dear for a very sweet and dear lady.
- The car ride to Indiana for her funeral...two kids, 10 hours in the car all in one day. Surprisingly easy.
- Admitting to myself that I like to watch some Disney channel shows.
- How much of Sam's trifle I can consume in one sitting
- Going back to work tomorrow
- My slimy and organized house (Anyone want to trade work at all? I hate cleaning bathrooms, and Lord knows mine needs it).
- Why the medals for the Olympics were bumpy. It really bugged me.
- Why my daughter won't sleep well for naps (I'm blaming Corie right now...)
- The return of my sweet boy.

That's about all I can get out right now. Mostly, I want to go snuggle with my husband. So I will. Goodnight.

Those Olympians better watch out...

...because I just got out my bright blue running tights. That's right, I have once again entered the world of exercise and fitness. It's been a good six month break, but it felt so good to get out there today. Since it is two weeks since Clara's birth, my midwife said I could start walking. Thank you sweet Jesus! I've felt so locked up in here. Anyway, so today Dave was home and I was able to "step" out for a while. Seeing that it is like, 8 degrees, I had to get prepared. Shorts and a t shirt just wouldn't do it in these conditions. I whipped out my running tights from high school and put them on. Seeing as they are skin tight and bright royal blue, I did feel like an Olympic speed skater at the starting line, though a lot less in shape and a loss less good looking in it, I'm sure. And don't worry, I didn't just wear the tights out as I fear that sight alone would have set people off the road. I put on sweats and bundled up, ready to face the elements.

Let me tell you, it was absolutely amazing to get back outside. It was lightly snowing and the ground was slushy. This slushy part is especially important to note because every time that a car came by, well, I got wet. I went about a mile and a half and I don't believe I've felt that good in a long time. So I am hoping for many more times like this to come.

Okay, well both kids are up from their naps now, so I can't go into all the extensive details that I felt about being outside and walking today. Just know it was beautiful and good for my soul. Amen!

Wishing for spring...

I think more snow just keeps on falling and falling. Why? March is about here, and I am ready for the snow to be gone. Just last week I heard two birds chirping and had one fly in my house. (The fly, sad to say, has since died. It was really to premature for him to come out and think warm thoughts....) Dave reminds me every year, that once it starts getting a little warm or shows tiny bits of spring to not get excited, for this is Michigan. It can snow in April. And every year I tell him, yes I know, I have sorta gotten used to that fact out here, but I can help but be hopeful each spring season. I mean, the forecast for this week was in the high 30's to next week in the low 40's. I guess I am just a wishful girl longing for capris again.

In other news, James was super naughty at the library yesterday. I can't remember a time when he was this disobedient. Long story short, he kept running away from me when we were in the "Wiggler Room" (Where there is story/singing time that we go to each Wednesday which normally is a total blast, for him and me). He would jet out the door and run into the other parts of the library, and many times I had the frantic "I don't know where my child is" feeling. Also, it was my first outing with the two kids by myself, so I had to chase him down, all the while leaving Clara alone in the room with the other parents and wigglers, something I didn't like to do. Anyways, before going down a big venting trail, I was so sad, upset and just ugh! at him that I almost wanted to cry. I know the little guy has a lot happening in his heart right now, and I am trying to be sensitive and gracious to him. But sometimes I am just like, "Seriously?!?!" So to sum up, I had a naughty boy at the library and I wanted to cry. The end.

To make things better though, I had my book club meeting last night, which is always fun to go to. It was even more fun this time because I got to show off my sweet little girl. Now, to tackle two books for the next meeting, I'd better get started!

Let's hope for a good day today!

A Hocker Update

Things are going quite swimmingly at the Hocker household. It has almost been two weeks since we have brought Clara home and I have to be honest, I don't have much to complain about. She is a sweet little girl, who unlike her big brother when he was little, has grown quite accustomed to taking naps and doing them not in the constant hold of another human being. I remember when James was born (and for SIX months after that...), if you wanted him to nap, you might as well get comfy on the couch because you would have to hold him for the entire time. It was ri-diculous. Clara however will be set down for hours on end, which leaves me feeling like I only have one child still and not too. But as my sister in law pointed out, this might not last. For now though, I am enjoying it. She sleeps great in the night and has been a perfect nurser. She has gotten the little cough that both Dave and James have (but I don't! Ha!) and it sounds really awful on her, like she's been a chain smoker for years. It's sad to see her cough, but hopefully with all this sleeping she's doing, it will go away soon.

James, has been sick. And has a new sister. And is two. Suffice to say, he's been a little disobedient lately and taking more patience on my part to handle. Like, if I say no five times, I really mean no! I'm not kidding! He thinks I am, unfortunately. And, for being a predominantly not whiny boy, I am finding some whininess creep in. Like whining about having to eat dinner, or take a bath, or get in the car....etc. So I am being challenged as a parent with how to deal with it, and haven't really come to a conclusion yet. (Does anyone really, though?) Other than that, he is really a sweet boy. And loves his sister dearly. And I love him dearly, it's just a phase, I know.

Dave and I are doing well too, I think. I know that the hospital or any doctor or Child Protective Services would be in utter disbelief if they knew this, but Clara sleeps in bed with us, so we actually get a lot of sleep. I honestly don't know how I would survive if she didn't! She just nurses when she needs to, and I can mostly just sleep through all such events. It's a pretty sweet deal and I know some people might think me a irresponsible mom, but it works for us. We did it with James, and I think he turned out all right.

This is my last week off work before going back next week, so I am going to try and treasure every moment. But I have high hopes and (I think) a good attitude going back to work. Wish me luck!

More updates to come soon, as I want to try to post more often and hopefully more regularly. Cross your fingers!