Maddox Family Updates

Life has been a little crazy for the last few weeks so here is a quick recap since my blog is my journal and keeps track of everything.



Roman
Despite his outgoing, loud personality at home he is very shy at school. On Tuesday his teacher came up to me when I was picking him up to let me know that he is talking more and seems to be having fun. YEAH!!! All I want is for him is to be happy and to enjoy school. Little by little he is starting to feel more and more comfortable in his class. When I pick him up he has been telling me, "I had fun." That is all you want to hear from your child. I've realized his personality is so different from mine and I need to find ways to foster his sensitive soul. I am so happy I did the Walnut Avenue 2's program this past year. It has been such a great experience and Roman's little class of 7 is the perfect setting for him.

He is currently obsessed with the movie Beauty and the Beast. He has probably watched it 40 times (which means I've probably seen it 25). I have all the songs memorized. When Angela Lansbury comes on singing, "Beauty and the Beast", Roman looks at me and wants to do a ballroom dance. He says he wants a Belle Birthday cake, so we will see if it is still his favorite in 2 months.

Roman has started becoming afraid of the dark, which has given us some challenges at night. He is finally settling into life without a nap. It took about 4 months to transition, but now he is finally able to make it thru the day without becoming an absolute crazy man at 5pm. We are trying to get him IN bed at 8pm. By IN bed, I mean asleep. This is helping with his overall mood.

Despite his (at times) feisty toddler personality, he continues to make me laugh and smile with his funny sense of humor. I love our special time that we spend together while Paisley naps. I get to cuddle, talk and just laugh with him. He is beginning to talk so much and I love to hear what comes out of his mouth. He is such a special boy filled with such wonder.

Paisley has become a little tornado and is getting into everything. She keeps me busy and is becoming quite the character. She learned to jump this week and makes it about 1/2" off the ground. The look on her face is priceless and she is so proud of herself. Her main goal is to do whatever her Big Bro is doing. She looks up to him so much and gets so sad when he denies her. I've realized it is just the beginning of buying 2 of everything. She still has an easy going, loving demeanor, but can also be dramatic when she doesn't get her way. When she gets really mad she starts headbanging walls and even gave Roman a headbang to the face tonight. Something totally new for us to experience as parents. But seriously...for the most part she is just so chill. Very active, but so happy. Doesn't have a lot of fear, other than the occasional guy wearing a beanie.

She is enjoying her weekly playtime at Saint Matthews, loves hanging with her older cousin Kira and is obsessed with animals. She likes to look thru books, play outside, climb on anything and everything, kiss her doggy, play in water and reorganize every cupboard and cabinet in our house. She is finally getting a little hair and it looks like it may be a little wavy. We cannot wait to see what she looks like with a full head of hair.

As for me, I am happy to be back into a routine after the holidays. This past month I started a new bible study that connects your emotions with your spirituality. Great reality check and reminder on keeping balanced and focused on my faith.

Also, I decided to take the class at Cal State East Bay to get certified in Wedding Planning. It is perfect for me since it meets once a month (8 hours each class) and then allows you to do all your studying and homework from home. By the end of the class, I will have been taught everything I need to know about the industry, while also putting together an entire wedding from start to finish. I debated taking this class, but realized it was really what I needed if I ever wanted to pursue a career in event management. My goal is to have my business up and running by 2013. I am definitely not used to all the homework, but it is fun and teaching me so much. I am excited to be learning and looking forward to the future.

I am still working 2 days a week and keeping busy. At times I don't feel like I have much free time, but for now that is OK. If only I had a maid or someone to put away my laundry. Maybe in another 10 years. Ha ha!

Allright, it is midnight and Jason & I are both still up and have to work tomorrow. Time to go to bed. Good Night!

2012...Here We Go

2012 starts with me turning 33! Can it really be? I think I am now officially in my mid 30's. I think having a Birthday on New Year's Day makes me evaluate resolutions, goals and reflect on the past year even more.


2011 was definitely a challenging year, but also such a wonderful one. Part of the year feels like a hazy dream, but it raced by so quickly since we had so much going on.


2011 highlights included...
Jason got a new job (So proud of him)
Trips to Disneyland, So Cal, Hawaii and Ohio
Went to many fun and very festive weddings
Paisley started walking and continues to be such a happy girl
Roman is non-stop talking and stopped napping. Also started preschool 2 days a week.
Still working part-time as a facility coordinator for Temple Isaiah planning Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Lots of special family time


Life with 2 little ones. What can I say? Life can be crazy, hard, exhausting and a lot of days I feel like I am running around in circles. I often wonder, how can my house ever be organized or clean. There always seems to be a missing piece of a toy, food spilled on the ground and laundry, laundry and more laundry.  BUT...WOW they bring me such joy. For all the work, I feel so much love. I know I have mentioned it before, but I have never been happier in life. I never knew how much joy being a Mom would bring me and I truly live each day to see the smile on my little ones faces.

Roman is becoming such a little boy filled with such personality. His talking and humor make me laugh. He is challenging at times, but oh so funny too. I still look at him and just melt. He will always be my little boy. The no nap has been a real challenge for the past 2 months, but in the last week we feel that he is making progress. We are trying to get him to sleep by 7:45 and it really seems to be helping.

Paisley is on the go. She loves to climb and I am constantly having to keep my eye on her. She is still pretty quiet, but is starting to talk a little. She is also starting to show a little drama (I know I have been warned with having a girl). When we tell her NO, she looks at us, makes a face and then the tears come on so dramatically and with such passion. She loves to keep up with her brother and for the most part is so easy going. We just feel so blessed with this little one.


Now on to a few goals and hopes for 2012...
First and most importantly, we hope for GOOD HEALTH! It has been a tough year with having 2 parents going thru chemo and Tyler having his open heart surgery re-scheduled twice. We continue to pray for healing and strength in the New Year.


GETTING IN SHAPE
It has really been 4 years since I have worked out. I'm embarrassed to admit this. I wasn't able to workout during my pregnancies and then it became a lack of having any time with 2 young babies. It is so important for me to be in good cardio shape, so this is a HUGE goal for me. I realized I have to make this a top priority and find the time. I just re-activated my account at ClubSport Valley Vista and can't wait to start working out again. Even if I need to go at 8pm, my goal is to workout 3 times a week (4 if I'm lucky). My Christmas gifts included new workout clothes and shoes. I am MOTIVATED!


STARTING MY BIZ
For the last 18 months I have worked as the Facility Coordinator at a large Jewish Temple in Lafayette. I have worked with dozens of families helping to plan their special celebrations. Through this I have worked with event planners, caterers and lots of amazing vendors. I quickly realized that my favorite part of my job was meeting with families and helping them throughout the planning process. I loved being able to give them guidance, while also keeping them calm, organized and excited. My favorite compliment (after an event) is when a client says, "I couldn't have done it without you."
I am currently working on a business plan for event consulting. I am also debating enrolling in the Event Planner certificate program through Cal State East Bay (starts this Saturday). I think it will give me the extra confidence needed to take this extra step. I know I am good at what I do, however sometimes I lack the confidence in myself to go for it. I think this program will give me the final push that need. My top priority continues to be at home with Roman and Paisley. One of my goals with starting my new business is to be able to start a career where I can control my own hours, while also being a Mom as my top priority. 

Stay tuned for more details.
In the meantime, here is our logo:

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!  Can't wait to see what 2012 holds. Hoping for a beautiful year ahead.