Hi everyone (or mom).
After months of having people sporadically tell me I should blog about my life as a stay at home mom to my four kids, I've finally decided to do it. I know this isn't any type of breaking news that a stay at home mom would actually blog (where do we find the time!?) but hopefully my vast computer knowledge (of all the great shopping sites/discount coupons/creative and crafty sites) might be useful to you, and I can entertain you with a few stories about my children, which are always (in hindsight, of course) pretty funny.
If you don't know me, or know me through facebook, I'll give you some details about my life. I tried to sum it up in my profile, but will give you an idea about me. My past: I grew up in Massapequa, NY and had an awesome HS experience. I wish that everyone could enjoy HS like I did. I don't know if I learned all I should, but damn...we had fun times. I went to college at Penn State University. I've always had a feeling that I would go there. I don't know why, although my mom told me that when I was younger, I saw someone wearing a PSU sweatshirt and I liked it, so that's where I was going to go. And if you haven't caught on, when I put my mind to something, there is pretty much no other option. I'm a tiny bit stubborn. Anyway, I digress. I had an awesome time at PSU. Same deal as high school. Don't know if I learned all that I should have, but holy hell, it was awesome. I graduated and went to work in the hospitality field, but the long hours and crap pay wasn't all that I wanted. I eventually ended up in Bethesda, MD and worked in sales. Now that was more my speed. I had flexibility with my schedule, wasn't tied to a desk, and got to drive in my beloved Mercedes. It was a CLK320 and I loved it. Black exterior, cream leather interior...it was my baby. It didn't matter to me that the engine was crap and I was always having to bring it in to be fixed...I poured my money into it, but loved it none-the-less. I also spent way beyond my means in other ways too. I was addicted to Louis Vuitton bags. I would go to
www.eluxury.com and order a bag here, a wallet there, luggage (that was my CRAZIEST Louis purchase...I was soooo scared after I hit that button, but my good friend Carla assured me that it's a lifetime purchase. She was so right...I mean, Louis' never go out of style...who cares that it's a canvas bag for a months worth of pay) Anyway, when those purchases would arrive in their beautiful white gloss box with the huge purple bow, it was like my birthday and Christmas all together...aaaah, the days.
I met my husband when I lived in Bethesda. We dated for 6 months before he bought a house because I just couldn't fit my stuff into his condo that he begged me to move into. Who the heck was I?! Anyway, we moved in together into our first house and got engaged about 6 months later. Luckily, right after we moved in together, Dave asked my dad for my hand in marriage. We went to the Bahamas on vacation and got engaged. Poor Dave was trying to ask me to marry him the second night we were there. He asked if we could go to the beach at sunset and take some pictures. I wasn't in to it. We went there and I felt pretty stupid sitting on the beach with him taking my picture, so I goofed off and kept making faces. Ruined attempt 1 for the proposal. We went off to dinner where he was planning attempt 2...but instead of the romantic restaurant he envisioned when making the reservations, we were surrounded by families and (gasp) kids running everywhere as fire dancers and entertainers ran around after them. It was a cool restaurant, one we'd go to now, but he was not so happy as attempt 2 was ruined. We went back to the hotel room, he ordered champagne, I wasn't feeling well, so I fell asleep and he drank the bottle alone. Poor guy.
Luckily on day 3, we went on a Booze Cruise which stopped at Rose Island. It was a beautiful place and we took a walk around the Island, and he just stopped me and took my sunglasses off and started saying all these things. I was taken aback a bit, until I realized what he was doing. I don't remember what he said, but I remember him getting on his knee and then me walking backwards, away from him. What?! I know...I just wasn't expecting it then and there, but I came to my senses and came back to say yes, and of course check out the rock. The guy might not get my clothing size or shoe size right (ever) but he knows his jewelry! So we got engaged, and celebrated the rest of the day...it was awesome...amazing...so happy I foiled the day prior! When we got off of the boat, I was feeling really, really woozy. Sea legs, of course. And Dave said I probably just needed to drink more. We stopped to get a drink, and for me to buy my first Bride magazine, of course. I felt like my world was spinning. Ugh. Not fun. But, I had a mimosa when we got back to the room, and I felt a bit better....
Tried to call my family and friends then, but ALL the phones on the island were out. It was so weird. Finally the next day, we walked to Atlantis, and I was able to make a call from the lobby. My parents thought something had happened (like I said no) because here it was 4 days into our trip and we hadn't called with the news.
Anyway we went home at the end of the week...I made a doctor appt. for when we got back because I was still feeling so sick. I thought I might have a blood clot (I have a blood clotting disorder). The doctor asked if I could be pregnant. Hell to the no. No way. So I called Dave and asked him to bring home a pregnancy test that night. We both had a laugh...he came home and I casually took it, not worried at all. As I went to put the stick on the counter and wait my 3 minutes, I looked at it and saw PREGNANT. Is this stick right? I just peed on it 5 seconds ago. I walk out, stick in hand, and into the kitchen. Dave looks up and he gets a huge grin, and shouts an excited, "No way!". In all my dramatic flair, I fall to the floor and start sobbing. That was the beginning of what is now my biggest achievement ever: the start of my family.
Fast forward to December that year, we have Alex...he's perfect. We decide we want to move closer to my family in NY, so one night over a batch (or 2) of Mojitos with some friends from the PA area, we discuss moving up by them. My friend Rob is a realtor (go figure) so he whips out his computer and starts showing us new construction areas. Over now our 4th round of Mojitos, we plan to come visit them in PA the following weekend. We head up that next weekend, and leave with a deposit on a piece of land. Guess we're building a house!
Then we decide to start trying for our second. We were lucky. First try and we're pregnant. During the pregnancy, we move to our new house. It was sooo stressful (hindsight: not so much). But, it was great. In October, we welcomed our son, Will. 6 weeks later, after my doctor appointment, I had a drink with my husband. First one. 3 weeks later, I'm still feeling weird. Oh no. Not again. Head to Target with my mom. I have Will in my cart and Alex is with my mom. I make sure to checkout at a different lane than my mom so she doesn't see the pregnancy test in my cart. We get home, I run into the bathroom. It took the full 2 minutes, but shiiiiit. PREGNANT. Again, I come out of the bathroom, and in full dramatic flair, I fall to the floor. But I don't cry...my poor mom thinks I'm having an asthma attack or something. I tell her I'm pregnant and have to tell Dave. She is dumbfounded. My newborn is still sitting in his car carrier and my almost 2 year old is playing with blocks. I get into the car and start driving to Dave's office. I stopped at the Dollar Store and picked up a Congratulations balloon with pink and blue faces all over it. I strap it into the car seat and call Dave to tell him that Alex wants to see him and I'm stopping by. 5 minutes later, Dave comes walking to my car. I tell him to get Alex out of the seat. He opens the back door to the balloon. He turns and says, "No way"...not as excitedly as the first pregnancy suprise. We hug, share a quick, nervous laugh, and he walks into his building, balloon in hand, shoulders a bit slumped. Fast forward a few weeks, we go into the first sonogram appt. Dave is feeding Will, and Alex is asleep in the stroller. The tech gasps....we look over and she says, "You're having twins". Dave laughs, I curse. This is the beginning of the Ely Family...party of 6.
Fast, fast forward and I'm now a minivan driving mom to four little ones. 4 kids in 2.5 years. So yes, I'm a little off my rocker these days. My minivan is always dirty, my purchases no longer get sent to me in white boxes with bows. I don't get birthday cards from Neiman Marcus anymore. I should start getting them from Target though...you would think they would do that with the amount I spend there. But life is fun. Right now, Alex is 6, Will is 4 and the twins are turning 4 on Friday! We are in full party planning mode....that's what I do now, by the way. Instead of hosting cocktail parties (which is a good thing since my closet full of expensive clothing still sits up there...waiting for me to drop the 15 pounds that I've earned over the last few years), but now I host playdates and birthday parties, that I try to do up with a Martha Stewart-ish flair (which does NOT always turn out that way!) But, I've made it this far without being put in a straight jacket, so I'm feeling pretty good.
So there you are. My life in a nutshell. This is just the beginning. I plan on sharing, if you're interested, in our lives. This week, like I mentioned, it's all about the twins upcoming Tea Party. I will post pictures and the sites that I've found some of the more creative things I've done in preparation.
Thanks for reading this...keep posted...some of the sites I've come across are super helpful for you parents out there!
Melissa
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