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EP 139: Out Of The Baby Phase
1.2k Plays3 days ago
This week’s episode is a warm, cozy one. We’re soaking in this stage of motherhood and talking about how much we’re genuinely loving these ages. There’s something really special about being out of the baby phase and into a season where things feel a little more fun, a little more interactive, and honestly… a little more us again.
Before we get into all of that, Candace shares a very real behind-the-scenes look at prepping for Alice and Evie’s birthday party. From the mental load to the never-ending to-do list, it’s a full vent session on what actually goes into making the magic happen. And of course, major shoutout to Vinny for absolutely showing up and putting in the work to bring it all together.
On this episode:
- The reality of party prep as a mom (the invisible load is real)
- Appreciating a partner who steps up in big ways
- Why this stage of motherhood feels so good
- The little moments that are making us slow down and soak it all in
- Finding more ease, connection, and fun in everyday mom life
If you’re in this season too or looking forward to it, this one will make you want to hug your kids a little tighter and remind you that some of the sweetest days are happening right now 💛
Keep up with the Moms and join the conversation on our socials:
📸 Instagram: @momgroupchat
🎵 TikTok: @momgroupchat
Questions/comments/need to vent? Email us at momgroupchat@gmail.com
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Transcript
Reconnecting and Podcast Planning
00:00:07
Speaker
There's no right way to do it.
00:00:12
Speaker
Oh, we're going to get into it. What up, moms? My name is Candice, and I'm here with my best friend, Whitney, and this is the Mom Group Chat Podcast. Hey, friends. It's been so long since I've said that. Ooh, and you did it like boom.
00:00:28
Speaker
I was going to say, it flowed out of my mouth like butter. What's up, dude? i feel like, I mean, we talk every day, obviously, but we haven't recorded. it's We have not recorded in March at all. Isn't that crazy?
00:00:42
Speaker
i don't know how we got so ahead. like Not to give away our secret sauce here, but like I have missed you and I i miss like doing this, but wow, I just like couldn't believe how far ahead we got.
00:00:55
Speaker
so
Party Preparations and Anxieties
00:00:56
Speaker
Yeah. We had a bunch of episodes kind of like banked and prerecorded. We had a lot of guests, which were amazing. But I'm ready to be back in real time, just you and me, you know, shooting the shit. You and I were made for Me too. And I feel like we have a lot to catch up on, even though...
00:01:19
Speaker
I know. i don't know. I just feel like you've been so busy. I've been busy like with work-ish. You've been busy with life and work. Mm-hmm. Yeah.
00:01:31
Speaker
It's been, I'm over, I'm not going to lie to you guys. I'm like really overwhelmed today sitting at this microphone. I just have so much to do this week. There's so much to do with work. There's so much to do for this birthday party we're having. And this birthday party has like taken on a life of its own, and unfortunately, like are not fortunately and unfortunately, like I think that I always underestimate the amount of people in that we know here in Tampa that like would want to attend a kid's birthday party. I think it's that both of our families are here and very large. And then on top of that, like Alice's class and then all of our friends that are not in Alice's school that have kids. And like I literally blink and we have 60 people coming to this birthday party. If anything, I think it's a testament to you know how people like don't want to go to like kids' birthdays. Like that's a thing. Yeah. Everyone wants to come to the Donnelly's party. Well, at this point, I'm like kind of hoping at least five families don't show up because I'm little nervous. Well, I'm about to fly down because I have FOMO. I have FOMO just because like I know it'll be like outside and fun and that there's going to be casual drinks and chats. And i'm like, God, I love it.
00:02:55
Speaker
Yeah, I am. Yeah, I'm excited. i am. And like, I think it's one of those things where I'm like probably building up the stress in my brain more than it actually is. Like the backyard is done.
00:03:10
Speaker
i need to post a video of it because it is done. you I'm waiting for pictures. I know. Well, Vinny has been taking some Vinny's a little ah landscaping content c creator these days. He's got he's taken lots of videos of it. And I will definitely do it before and after at some point. But um I'm waiting for him to mow the lawn because that's when I just wanted to look pretty, and you know. Um, but it's looking so good. So like that's done. i need to, and like, I have all the decorations. It's just like the anticipation, like the food is ordered. The cakes are ordered. The bounce house is being delivered on that morning. The balloon ladies setting up, like everything is done. It's just like the anticipation of like, um,
00:03:52
Speaker
all the last minute details, you know? You know how I get like neurotic when I'm playing these parties. and That's how I feel. I like get so crazy. This is so embarrassing. Sometimes like the day of the party, i start shaking.
00:04:09
Speaker
Like I'm excited and just like I'm anticipating and then I can't calm down. Like I legit, I'm like running around and then I'm just like greeting everyone. And then I'm just like, what it have I been Have i eaten today? I like literally get a little crazy.
00:04:26
Speaker
Yeah, that's going to be me. I can just tell you already. i I think I'll feel a sigh of relief even just when like we're set up and people are about to arrive. I'll just be like, oh, thank gosh. And I've already I have such amazing friends in town that have already been like, I'll like Hannah's husband is going to take Alice to hockey on Saturday morning still so that Alice will be out of the house and I can stay and set up and Hannah's going to come over and set up with me. And so I'm like, I need to just actually, this is very therapeutic ah saying this all out loud. I'm like, I just need to fucking take a chill pill. Honestly, like calm down. No one is dying. We're having a frozen birthday party.
00:05:07
Speaker
That's it. Clip it. Clip it. But I just the um that is probably the biggest help on party day that takes away the most stress is getting the kids out of the actual house so that you you feel like the house is up to your standard and clean and you're looking around. and You're like, everything looks good. The child, you can reenter to the home now. Like that's how I feel. I'm like, I'm always like, um, Chris's family usually will take them to the zoo in the morning and then they come home for nap and we're like set up by that point. And then they wake up and it's time for the party. So it usually works out, but Candace and I were like side chatting and she's like, yo, this is taking me out. I can't do it at home. And I'm like, I would think this year I would just want to do one party at home and one somewhere else. Cause we did both at our house last year. And I was like,
00:05:59
Speaker
It took me out, man. Two back to back a month. was like i'm backing I think the other thing that is stressing me out a little bit is just we've never this is this will be our first like big event here. So and like I said, we had a little party for Evie's actual birthday that the flow like wasn't exactly like how I would like, but the backyard wasn't done then and it was cold. So I feel like those two factors alone like kept people inside. So I think there's just a little bit of unknowns of like, okay, our hopefully people stay outside. I mean,
00:06:37
Speaker
everything everything is go like out there. Yeah. The bounce house, the tables and chair. I have literally tables and chairs that are being set up in the yard, like around and all the food will be outside. Like everything will be outside. So yeah I feel like, like, to be honest, the only way I can see people coming inside is obviously for the bathroom. And like, if they need to change a diaper or they just, if there's like nursing moms, I was going to tell them there's a big comfy chair in my office, go find it. Like, um, so i think it's just the unknowns of like, not knowing how it's going to flow is a little bit overwhelming, but it's hopefully fine. Yeah. Hopefully all good. And if the weather has been anything like it has here, it's been hot.
00:07:23
Speaker
Okay, it is warm, but it's also been beautiful. Like, it's not unbearable yet. And I have been checking the weather like a hawk, and if it's changed... a work See, high of 83, low of 63, sunny.
00:07:37
Speaker
Lovely. We're good. Hopefully that doesn't change. It looks like high winds on Sunday, so I hope... I'm a little nervous that that will move up. But either way, it doesn't look like rain is, like, in the immediate forecast, so...
00:07:52
Speaker
I can deal with a high of 83 because the party's at 11. So it's like b yeah it won't be high of 83. Perfect. Oh, I love a little morning party.
00:08:04
Speaker
Yeah. And that's the other thing Vinny and I keep talking about because if you want to talk about me having anxiety, Vincent's anxiety is times 10. Okay. Like the man is a ball of anxiety. I am the calm. I am the calm force of our relationship. Care less for parties. It's all me. I do everything.
00:08:25
Speaker
It's like, yeah. So he's a ball of anxiety. And so I keep telling him when I'm giving him a pep talk, I'm like, babe, literally people are here for three hours. It's from like 11 to one 30. Like it will, people will be gone by two, two 30 probably. And it's fine if people want to linger, I'm down to have a drink. Okay. And the kids, I'm not even worried about nap. They don't have to nap.
00:08:50
Speaker
They'll go to bed early. yeah, you know what? I was like, maybe I make a pitcher of margaritas for this party, but I would have to make a ridiculous batch for 60 people. Yeah. You just got to have the high noons out there. yeah That's what we went to Costco yesterday. We got the high noons and the beer.
00:09:13
Speaker
You make margaritas for the after party. Like saying maybe I just buy the ingredients and then linger to three o'clock. and there's like five to 10 people there.
00:09:26
Speaker
break out the bars. Exactly. Or they could like go home, let their kids nap and come back. Like, let's keep it going. Yeah. Wow. Love it. i'm coming Okay. Please come.
00:09:39
Speaker
Oh my God. I'm like, Ooh, that sounds fun. Yeah. ah So keep out. We're going to do our April catch up next week. So I'm I will give you all the full update and rundown. And I'm sure you'll see pictures on my Instagram, of course, of like, you know, what's going on and how it came out and all that stuff. So.
00:10:03
Speaker
Well, I'm excited for you. um i love a party. i love kids' parties personally. I'm i'm not one of those that like doesn't like them. I'm like, yay, we have something to do. So yeah I'm excited for you guys and I can't wait to see and I'm dying to see the backyard because it was already like looking so fab whenever I was there. so I'm just like...
00:10:22
Speaker
I want to see it done. It's looking so good. My poor husband, he has been, you guys, he has been a slave. Like he joked, he joked with me over the weekend that he was 12 years a slave and he woke up on Sunday and was like, Don't crack your whip. I'm about to go outside because he is, I have been a true like slave driver because I'm like, this backyard has been in the works now, like really, really since October, November, like we're going on. It's six months like this. It's got to wrap up because we are in our last months of like it being really not unbearable. What's that's not the right way to say that. with It's not miserable outside yet. And I want to be able to enjoy this backyard yeah before it gets absolutely miserable outside.
00:11:19
Speaker
So, yeah. it's ah He's been working so hard, and I need to give him his flowers. He has been... Like, it's actually impressive, all that he can do. And, like, he literally...
00:11:33
Speaker
made a basically like a concrete curb around the play area. Like he created his own like border curb and it's like perfect. And like he made sure everything was level. I mean, he really is so impressive with like everything he can do. He's so like talented and handy. It's sexy. Honestly, we had that when he comes in all dirty from like working it outside, I'm like,
00:11:59
Speaker
and You want to get it? but Not the dirty. or so Honestly, I'm like, take a shower. meet me in the bedroom. Let's go. but i thought you liked the dirty part.
00:12:13
Speaker
Yeah, but I don't like I like the look of it. You know, i don't I don't want to lick dirt off and sweat off of you, but I like the look of it You're licking him. Oh, my God.
00:12:25
Speaker
ah and I don't know what to say. my god. You're crazy.
Kids Growing Up and Parenting Challenges
00:12:31
Speaker
You're crazy, man. Anywho, you're home alone.
00:12:38
Speaker
Yeah, I am. Chris's grandmother sadly passed and day the funeral kind of lingered into the week, so I wasn't able to go due to work, but Chris insisted on taking the kids. So I was just like, what do I even do with my time? I don't- What are you doing? Candice- I don't know what I used to do before kids. Like I am literally a sad shell of a human because I literally caught myself just sitting in Green's room rocking in the chair by myself yesterday. I was like, oh my God.
00:13:14
Speaker
is I'm such a freak. I like hate being alone just in general. So i was going to say this morning when i asked you about like, how did you sleep alone? i remember in the past you've said like, you don't like sleeping alone. I don't, I don't like being alone ever. Like I just want someone around. so i was alone.
00:13:36
Speaker
Great. Like, honestly, you know, you crave all this alone time. And then once you get it and like a few hours have passed, you're like, all right, now what? Like, I remember feeling this way when we went to Claudio and Kristen's wedding in California and we were there for like four days. And Chris and I were like, what do we do all day? Like I remember feeling like I'm wasting time. What should I be doing? Like I'm just sitting here, laying here. Like I'm a, I didn't know what to do. And I kind of felt that way yesterday. i just went shopping for like three and a half hours. I was like amazing fiddling around Nashville and I worked out. I like walked four miles. I'm like,
00:14:16
Speaker
How is it not 5 p.m. yet? Like I will genuinely like, it's two o'clock. Now what? Yeah, that's so nice. It was nice. I will say it was nice. I just miss them.
00:14:30
Speaker
Yeah, I get it. Totally. This kind of is a segue into what we wanted to talk about today because I have been feeling like so sentimental about my kids and just like loving them so much. I feel like we've like crossed a threshold of like – I have little kids now. Like I don't have babies anymore and i just love them so much. They are so fun and like they have their own cute little personalities. And I don't know. It's just like, I feel, I literally texted Whitney this morning and I was like, I think we're due for another warm and fuzzy episode of just talking about how much we love our little ones.
00:15:15
Speaker
um Well, it's really funny that you brought this topic up because I've been talking to, I feel like everyone about it, like strangers, people at work, like my friends that are expecting their third or, or I've talked to like my friends that are done having kids and I was like,
00:15:34
Speaker
I'm all of a sudden feeling like it's so weird. I'm out of the baby phase for real. Like I'm about Margo turns three in August, but I'm like, I'm about to say I have a five and three year old. Like I don't have babies anymore. And I'm like, it's kind of weird.
00:15:52
Speaker
I still love it, but it's like, I've been in that phase for the past five years and now I don't have a baby. I'm just like, what, what am I doing? But then my, you know, your focus like switches to the thing that they're into, but it it is like a weird feeling. Like, I feel like that's been my identity for a long time.
00:16:15
Speaker
h I feel that way too. It's like kind of, I don't know. there's this weird, yeah. It's just like a weird identity shift of like knowing that I don't know. Like you're not even like, like, I don't know if you, this, this is like such a specific thing to mention, but like, I'm not even like carrying them anymore as much. Like they walk, like even Evie, it's like, I'm, we, I opened the door and they both walk to the car and climb in on their own. Like it's this like era of life. And you know, I might still have another baby, but like this era of life where I'm like,
00:16:55
Speaker
I don't know, like carrying them and like doing the baby things is like it's that door is like shut and it's sad, but it's also really happy and exciting.
00:17:06
Speaker
Yeah. There's tons of other things that we've been doing, like same as you that they've gotten into like sports or little activities. So it's really cute to be doing that. And all of a sudden me and all my friends have been joking. We're like, oh,
00:17:22
Speaker
We signed up for this and now there's like practices at 1130 on Saturday. and you're like, but now that's interrupting my plans. Like it's just like really funny that we're all like the consequences of our actions. No, literally. But it's been just so different. And it's just like you said, like you wish that time away so bad when you're like so busy and you're like having to carry around all the bottles and this and that. And now you're just kind of like, huh.
00:17:52
Speaker
Weird. This is weird. Yeah. And we are done. So I'm like, wow. When people, i i'm I'm catching myself when people ask how old my kids are. And I'm like, oh, they're four and two. and they are like, oh, they're still little.
00:18:08
Speaker
And I'm like, but I'm about to say five and three. And that doesn't feel little. Yeah. it doesn't feel as little for sure. And I'm like, now I'm in this new bucket of kids.
00:18:20
Speaker
Yeah. And you're like, um you're almost in like school land too. Well, you are too. I know. Next year. Yeah. Yeah. Graydon and Alice will start kindergarten next year. So, yeah. um I think also something I'm realizing is that I understand why people do fall into that two under two and like having kids two years apart, because I think once you cross the two year threshold, you start to feel comfortable. And like, I'm not,
00:18:54
Speaker
Like, I know I probably sound like a crazy flip-flopper on this fucking podcast talking about a third baby. But, like, I am – now that Evie is two and things are – like, we are in such a good place that I'm just like, how the fuck am I supposed to have another baby? Like, I'm feeling more and more comfortable, like, leaving that behind. Mm-hmm.
00:19:13
Speaker
And so I feel like I'm like, oh, I get it. You just do it while it's still hard and like it's crazy because you like once you start to get out of that, you're like, oh, I don't really want to send myself back there.
00:19:26
Speaker
yeah You know, but ah I think it would feel different with the third because Alice would be in school like there would be like help in other areas. But I mean, it is like.
00:19:39
Speaker
I mean, you're you're throwing a third kid in there, but it'd be 1000% different because of the age difference yeah of Evie. Like there will be three years apart plus. Yeah.
00:19:51
Speaker
Like that'd be crazy. Yeah. Yeah. I do have to say one negative thing because this wouldn't be this podcast without me complaining about
Handling Tantrums and Child Behavior
00:20:01
Speaker
something. But Evie definitely has entered the terrible twos.
00:20:07
Speaker
The tantrums are worse than I ever remember with Alice. Yeah. ah I don't know what switch flipped, but like she has these epic meltdown tantrums. They've only happened probably three or four times at this point, but they're like earth rattling. And one of them happened in Publix produce section. Y'all, everyone was staring at me. Like nothing like that ever happened with Alice. Like Alice was just my...
00:20:43
Speaker
It happened with Graydon one time and I cried. Yeah. I was on the verge of tears and another mom came up to me and she was like, she was so nice by the way. She was like, Hey, you're doing a good job.
00:20:56
Speaker
This, she was like, i feel for you. i have a three-year-old. Like she was witnessing it and she was like, I know that mom needs support right now. It was bad. was bad.
00:21:07
Speaker
That's kind of crazy. Yeah.
00:21:10
Speaker
And all because I wouldn't let her hold the little thing of popcorn chicken because she drops it every time. So I wouldn't let her hold it. And it was just, it turned into a fricking nightmare situation. um And then I described it to Vinny. I like called Vinny almost in tears. And he was like, you're probably being dramatic. It probably wasn't as bad as you thought. Yeah. And then we he witnessed it over an ice cream cup.
00:21:43
Speaker
ah Luckily, that one was here at home. But he witnessed it all happen. yeah And he was like, oh, damn. Yeah, you weren't being dramatic. Like, she was crazy. She threw a bowl of ice cream across the room.
00:21:57
Speaker
Margo's throwing food. I was like, that is not allowed. Oh, my God. So anyways, that – the the The terrible twos have arrived and they are hard, but also like as equal as they are hard, it is also so sweet. And she's talking like amazingly and like her and Alice are playing better together than they ever have. So it's like with the good comes the bad and with the bad comes the good.
00:22:25
Speaker
The other thing I will say is that Alice witnessing Evie act like a fucking maniac has made her like want to be a good girl, i think. Which I don't know if that's like toxic or not.
00:22:38
Speaker
I don't know. I feel like I had a little bit of that because Rob was fucking crazy when he was little. And I wanted to be known as like the good girl of the fam. So, and I think that that has like, I don't know. Okay. I'm getting into like therapy here, but I, I, there's a part of this where Alice has been better than ever because she's witnessed Evie be a fucking crazy person. And she's like, I want to be a good girl for mommy. Because mommy's having a hard time.
00:23:06
Speaker
It's funny you bring that up because my due date group, they all were just talking about the tantrums and just them being, because we're like five-ish months ahead of you. So, you know, they're they're all two and a half at this point. And they're like, it's just so crazy. The tantrums um over...
00:23:28
Speaker
what to wear the tv turning off food like etc so they freak out and margo was on the brink of doing it at target the other day i can't even remember why i don't oh we passed boots that were pink and she was like boots and i was like no we're phasing out of that season and she started to freak the fuck out Honestly, like I get it, girl shoes. Yeah. But i was like, Margo, we will.
00:23:58
Speaker
I was like, i will turn this card around and I will walk out like I will drop everything that we're here for. And I was like, I will leave because I cannot handle what you're about to do And she calmed down and I was like, OK, crisis avoided. But it was it was a real scary there for a second. I was like, I will fucking leave. I'm not doing this.
00:24:18
Speaker
The ones in public are really No, I want to hide. Yeah. Oh, gosh. The one Rachel did was like, we were at the lake and he never threw tantrums. Like, seriously, like he was just not into that. He's wild in other ways, but he just like wasn't a tantrum child.
00:24:39
Speaker
He threw an epic one when we were like parked at Party Cove and he was building a sandcastle and we were leaving because it was like on the brink of nap time. So he was already tired. Oh, yeah. Everyone turned on the boats and we're staring at us.
00:24:56
Speaker
I had to like hand them to my mom and I just was like crying because I was so embarrassed. But now I'm like, it just happens. i don't know. I know it does. i will say at time i was just like so embarrassed.
00:25:09
Speaker
Yeah, it's it is embarrassing. Like I was I can still if I close my eyes, I can feel all those people in the public's produce section staring at me like everyone was staring at me. and i There is a common denominator, though, and it is tired and hungry. That's what it is. Like...
00:25:30
Speaker
I mean, the ice cream one that was here at home was not hungry. Like she was about to go to bed and then he brought home ice cream. But the one at Publix, I pushed, I pushed it going there before nap time. You know, it was one of those things where I learned my lesson.
00:25:45
Speaker
i cannot push it with like in this phase with Evie, if she is hungry or tired and especially both, like I cannot push my luck with things. Like she just gets so hungry.
00:26:00
Speaker
pissed off i know they're just like at this age i don't know margo freaks out about what to wear if it doesn't have pockets she's very into that just like i said if she like has this crazy attachment to her sleep sack if i take it off too soon she'll freak out and just lay face down on the ground and freak out But like, I don't know, something I've noticed different with her versus like Graydon is like, I'll just walk away. I'm like, bye. Like your attitude. I said, I'm like, I'm not doing it. And I'll just walk away and let her like be in her feelings. And then I'll come back. I'm like, you good? And she'll be like, yeah.
00:26:39
Speaker
but Like, I just like let her do it. And I'm like, bye. Like, I don't care what you're doing right now. And I also can't figure out what motivates her. Like we do time out. Like she understands. And like we have a special place in our house where they go.
00:26:53
Speaker
Nothing motivates her like it did Graydon. Like she doesn't care about anything. Nothing. I can't find the thing that. That's interesting. I feel haven't done enough.
00:27:04
Speaker
Yeah. I haven't done enough exploring with Evie. And I also feel like she's on still in the younger. Like she just turned two. So she's not. She's not like. The connections aren't connecting. as far as like this.
00:27:17
Speaker
reward or this punishment is connected to me doing this like that connection hasn't quite been made yet so it's hard for me to like discipline or reward her I feel like it's she's not quite there um yeah and that comes but I feel like Margo is also easier to say sorry like Graydon will dig his heels in the ground and he'll be like no yeah But Margo, if i if she comes out of timeout, I'm like, will you tell Graydon sorry? She'll like, sorry. And so I'm like, okay, that was easy done. But Graydon will drag it out forever. will not say it. So it's just interesting. I'm like, I don't know. Yeah.
Transitions in Parenting and Independence
00:28:02
Speaker
There's also some things that have happened in the past two or three weeks that are making Alice seem so old, like not old, that's but just so grown up. Like she is really a little girl and she is not like, to me, it's almost like she doesn't feel toddler-y anymore. She is really coming out of that. We are officially sleeping in undies for every night and every nap. Graydon can't do it.
00:28:30
Speaker
He will pee. We did it the entire week last week, and she did not have a single accident, which like I'm sure that will come. you know It will happen as happens.
00:28:40
Speaker
And we we haven't experienced like her getting up at night to pee or anything. So that will be an interesting interesting situation. See, Graydon will get up to pee, but he still pees in his diaper too. I'm just like, he is like hit or miss.
00:28:54
Speaker
Well, I knew it was time because we had been going on two or three weeks of every morning her diaper was dry. Well, that's great. Yeah. So I was like, I feel like it's time because you never pee in your diaper. And so we did that. And like that's making her feel like so not a baby anymore. That's so good. And then she just is so smart and learning so much. She recites the pledge of allegiance perfectly. so random, but she like, and I had no idea. Like I, we obviously aren't saying the pledge of allegiance here at home, but I guess they do it every morning at school. And randomly one day she just came into the dining room and put her hand over her heart and was like, I pledge of allegiance to the flag. And and I was like,
00:29:42
Speaker
huh um which was you even i'm dying because you just said it wrong did i yes pledge i mean it's i pledge allegiance not i pledge of allegiance the only reason i know is because i had to say it every day at school too i said it wrong wrong so i don't know Alice knows more than me. It's just she's like seeming so big and so like kid like.
00:30:13
Speaker
And I'm I actually am loving this age. Like I really am is so good. i is I'm obsessed. it It has been my favorite age by far. the he can do everything himself. He's getting ready by himself in the mornings, which have has taken like a huge load off of me because, you know, Mark will be face down on the floor crying over her sleep s sack for 20 minutes. And so then now I can like deal with her a while he gets dressed. And I'm like, thank God that we have this little thing working out for us right now. And,
00:30:51
Speaker
don't know. The baseball thing is so cute. um He's working on- loving all of the baseball content. He's so funny. he can hit the ball. He forgets to run. It's just hilarious. i'm like Classic. that has he He forgets to go to first, but he knows. Yeah.
00:31:10
Speaker
It's just really cute. um I don't know. He's just Are you liking the baseball mom life? Like, do you bring snacks? Do you bring, like, when you're sitting in the bleachers, are people drinking?
00:31:23
Speaker
No, they're not. They're not. um I wish. Am an alcoholic? Or I haven't noticed. and I haven't brought anything, but – We've only had our like one game.
00:31:35
Speaker
They did have, what they've been practicing this whole time, but they had their first game and like the coach's wife brought snacks after. I'm sure we'll be assigned to that at some point, but it's been like really kind of hard because bringing Margo and she's trying to run, she's trying to be that sibling that's running under the bleachers and, just pitter pattering around because they've recruited Chris out there a lot to help.
New Experiences and Emotions
00:32:01
Speaker
Cause So he'll be out on the field. And so I'm having to like try and watch Graydon try. I like have piles of snacks just for Margo. And so she'll just go through it all. And I'm like, once she's done, I'm like, damn, it's been 20 minutes.
00:32:16
Speaker
What am I going to do for another 30 minutes? It's been like kind of hard. a He has the face of a guy you'd ask for help, you know? but Like he just is so nice and like kind. And like, I i feel like I just didn't like, it does not shock me at all that he has been recruited to like, I thought that was funny too because I was like, there there was other dads in the stands, but he was like, hey man, will you help today? And i was like, damn it. Help me with Margo. No.
00:32:51
Speaker
But it was fine. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's tough. I feel like that would be hard. Like if, if i I'm thinking of myself being there with Evie who like is into everything. That's how it is. And there's a, can't sit there so yeah, there is like a really nice playground over there. So like I, the last 20 minutes I gave up and I was like, let's go. and so I took her over there and we played there until the game was over. So I felt bad that I missed it, but I had 30 minutes in her.
00:33:20
Speaker
Yeah. Well, what do you think you will miss the most about this like baby phase? my god The crib. You know, we love like waking them up. I think I'll be sad when she like has her bed and um we'll be like coming downstairs to wake us up instead of me going up there to grab her. I'm going to be like, that was like like always my favorite part of a baby.
00:33:50
Speaker
Yeah. He's waking them up from naps and they're so happy and sweet. And now I get woken up by Gray and be like, mommy, opening the door. And I'm like, jump scare at 6 a.m. I know.
00:34:04
Speaker
The transitions like that are hard. Like we got rid of Evie's high chair recently, you know, and like even not even getting rid of that high chair. I was like, oh this is like a whole new phase like it's sad to get rid of this high chair and like I picture her when I like walk into the room like her in that high chair oh my god it's gonna make me cry again but I it's just those transitions out of those like physical things are always hard I think yeah I know Margo's never been into like me rocking her to sleep so like that's already been gone for a really long time um she's always been good about like honestly
00:34:47
Speaker
i think i just did sleep training with her a little better where she would like fall asleep in the bed versus in my arms and then transitioning so she never really liked being rocked like to this day i will i'll be like you want me to rock you and she'd be like no well i i like still put it on the table as like an option and she's always like no and if she does says say yes i'm i'll do it for like maybe 10 seconds and she goes i'm done like She hates it. Oh my God. That is so funny. but She's like, no, thank you.
00:35:19
Speaker
I just hope that, I don't know, I feel like they're both still in the phase where they both really love mommy and daddy. And so they want to hold our hands. They don't like being held same Evie. Like Margo wants to walk, which I told you was like kind of weird because Graydon, I had to stop because Margo was so little. I had to hold her and Margo told me she didn't want me to hold her anymore. And I was like, ouch, like that hurt my feelings. So that's already done, which whatever. I don't know.
00:35:50
Speaker
I think something I'll miss is like right now it's funny because like Evie doesn't She's not a super, like like she doesn't like to be rocked or anything, but she is a touchy child. Like she likes to touch me and like she'll put her chubby little hands, like when she's like happy to see me, the first thing she does is she like puts her hands my face. Aw, that's so cute. And it is like, I just, every single time she does it, I just want to like, I like want to remember how it feels to have, oh my God, I'm going to really cry thinking about that.
00:36:24
Speaker
Yeah, Margo does something like similar-ish where she'll, if I'm like, am holding her, taking her to bed or whatever, she'll like lay her head on my shoulder and like twirl my hair. It's kind of cute. it's so cute.
00:36:39
Speaker
I just hope she never wants to leave me. i hope she wants to be near me all the time. She's a girl. love her. Yeah. Yeah.
00:36:50
Speaker
i I mean, I was also very sentimental at Disney when we were there on Friday. Like just every time we go to Disney, they're like a little bit older. So it's like a different experience, you know? And oh my God, I was so emotional watching them watch the night parade, which if you're going to Disney anytime soon,
00:37:11
Speaker
let me know. i will help you. But um the night parade, it really is worth staying for. It is late because now that it gets dark so late, like the parade doesn't even start till 815. So wow.
00:37:23
Speaker
It's the fireworks are at 10 p.m.
00:37:27
Speaker
crazy. I mean, they could do it, but that'd be hard. It like you pretty much have to prioritize a nap in the middle of the day if you're going to stay that late, which we did. But um we stayed for the night parade. It really is so magical and it's beautiful. Every like it's completely dark and in the park, like they turn off all the other lights. And so the all the floats are completely lit. And um it's so cool. And I was just watching them watch this parade and i was crying, like full crying, tears running down my face. There were a lot of reasons, obviously, just to like watch them be this little like Evie, every single character that came by. She was she waves like this for some reason, like so close to her face. She's like, hi, Elsa.
00:38:14
Speaker
Hi. And it's so cute. And like just watching them say hi to all the characters and like Disney is so, the characters are trained so well. I swear to God, it feels like they make eye contact with every single person in the crowd. They like look directly at the kids and like blow them kisses and like, you know, do the whole thing. It's so special. And then, yeah,
00:38:41
Speaker
I can't help it. I was thinking about Shannon during the parade because Shannon loved Disney just like I did. And we had always talked about taking our kids to Disney together and like experiencing that and just watching them at this night parade. And like, I just, it will forever break my heart that like she never got to do that with her kids. And like, she never got to experience that. And I texted Hannah hit literally today. And I was like, by the way, i It would really mean a lot to me to go to Disney with TJ one day just to like – Yeah. Like I know Shannon would want that. And like she knows how much I love Disney. And like – So I was so emotional about them getting older even when it comes to Disney World. But there's also so much at Disney that they will be able to do next time when they're a little bit older. So –
00:39:35
Speaker
ah It was such a good day.
Disney Trips and Personal Growth
00:39:38
Speaker
it was a very last minute trip. Like we decided on Wednesday to go and we went on Friday and it was the Friday of spring break here in Florida. So very brave of us.
00:39:49
Speaker
But Uncle Rob Rob hooks it up every time. got us. fast Was it super busy? It was busy, but honestly, we still had an amazing day. I feel like so much of Disney is just managing your expectations. Like we went into that day being like, we know it's going to be busy. We know it's going to be crowded.
00:40:09
Speaker
We may have to wait for some things and like, that's okay. Like we're still going to have a good day. and I feel like we did. And we honestly were able to do more than I thought. Like we, it was totally fine. got to ride Avatar.
00:40:22
Speaker
And I got to ride Avatar, you guys. I have never ridden the Flight of Passage ride. It was insane. So good. Like it was incredible.
00:40:34
Speaker
Although I have something to say. I might cut this part out because it's like a little aggressive and weird. But. OK, so you're like straddling this thing, right? And it's like vibrating and breathing underneath you. All I could think about is like someone's had an orgasm on this ride. like hot I'm sure so you think probably.
00:40:55
Speaker
Yeah. Like some weirdo is like really turned on by sitting on this thing and it's like vibrating and breathing and moving underneath you. Like someone has climaxed on this ride. Oh my God. Probably. um Yeah. That ride is so damn good. Like I haven't done it in many years. It's been a long time, but I just remember crying after I got off of it because it was so freaking good.
00:41:19
Speaker
It is literally like euphoric. Like you're like flying through this and you feel so like real. it is so good. Like, dare I say worth the wait, even in the standby line, if you have the time and you don't have kids with you, like it is so good. i think when it, it was like newish when we went and we waited two hours and I was like worth it. I didn't even care.
00:41:44
Speaker
It was so good. Like, so good. And i all I kept thinking was like, wow, I really do like flying if I know I'm safe and can't fall. Like, I think maybe in another life I'm like a thrill-seeking, like, so so kite surfer or something. So it was so – I was like, I really like this, but I also am deathly afraid of falling to my death. – Yeah, I actually like didn't like roller coasters and stuff growing up until high school. So I i would get invited to go to like theme parks. And i was like that loser that was like, I'm going to sit out and I would just wait.
00:42:23
Speaker
I don't know why anyone invited me to those. Like, i i think I was like, I didn't want to like miss out, but I also didn't want to tell them that I didn't like roller coasters. So I would get invited and then I'd sit and they were like, why the hell did I bring you? thing And then in high school, like all of a sudden got over my fear and I'm like obsessed now. I love them i was to say, you were like, all I've known is like you being into it.
00:42:47
Speaker
Roller coaster. Like you, I feel like you would go to a theme park and ride everything with me. I would now. I don't, I still don't like the one that drops you kind of like Tower of Terror. Yeah, I don't like that either. I don't love those. I will do Tower of Terror, but I don't, it's not my favorite. It scares me for real, but. Yeah.
00:43:05
Speaker
i don't know. I'm just so glad that y'all have fun. And God, you almost made me cry about Shannon. And that's so sweet that you'll yeah hopefully take TJ one day and it'll be great. But I'm jealous that you got has made it, like, you know, Shannon's husband, Andrew, has made it very clear. Like, he's not really a Disney guy. And, like, that's not on his to-do So like I need t j to go with someone who like really loves it and believes in the magic because it does matter. Like you have to be bitten by the Disney bug, you know? i loved your newsletter. You're like, I'm one fourth.
00:43:42
Speaker
Yeah. I'm not a full Disney adult, but I'm like one fourth for sure. i agree. I think I am too. Approaching one half, honestly. Well, you live there. Like how can you not? Like i think it's just um part of the territory.
00:43:56
Speaker
I told Rob, like going this time, we had such a good day, even though we only went for the day that I was like, this trip alone could convince me that I need an annual pass. But I also like, if I'm going to get pregnant again in December, January, then I'm like, i don't really, you know, we will be annual pass holders at some point. It's just, we got to wait for the right time. I think.
00:44:19
Speaker
Correct. I agree. Sounds fun. Well, anything else? ah so What are you going to do with your free evening?
Rare Child-Free Moments and Closing
00:44:27
Speaker
got plans? I'm just going to go to the gym at five because I can.
00:44:32
Speaker
I'm going to the gym at 430 today too. So I'm just going to go to the gym, come home, eat shower. That's all. Watch TV, I guess. I don't know. Wow.
00:44:44
Speaker
I'm so jealous. I'm excited. i like never really go to afternoon classes. So I'm like, yay. Because usually i have to try and go at the crack of dawn. And this morning i was like, I don't have to. i can sleep in. And so then I was like, oh, I'll do an afternooner and it'll be fun.
00:45:02
Speaker
I'll be interested to see what you think because I am normally an afternooner because that's really the only time I can. But then last week when the girls were on spring break, I did an early class and took the girls with me to the childcare. And I felt like I did so much better in the mornings and liked it. I felt like my whole day was better.
00:45:23
Speaker
Yeah, it gives you like so much energy to go. I'll probably be awake all damn night if since I'm going to go do this. But then i feel like if I have great energy during the day and then I get I'm like kind of tired by the time it's night because I've like done so much.
00:45:38
Speaker
Yeah, I don't know. So I like going in the mornings, but I am excited. Okay. Well, enjoy your child-free evening. i am so Jelly Minnelli. If for some reason i hate to see a cheap flight to Tampa for this weekend, just consider it you know? Okay.
00:45:58
Speaker
I'll look. I have no plans. Bring Graydon and Margo. Okay. We can all cuddle in my bed. Perfect. All right. i love you so much. Love you. Thank you so much for being a part of our mom group chat. New episodes drop every Tuesday. And don't forget, the group chat is blowing up on our Instagram page. So make sure you're following along over there. All right. Got to go. My toddler just put something in her mouth.