Strolling right along through June and July

I'm typing this post with heavy eye lids so forgive me if I start to ramble. Since I became a SAHM in June it feels like our life has been put in overdrive. Playdates, home organization/remodeling projects, shopping trips, sports camps and everything else we couldn't work into our hectic schedule when I worked from home has filled up our calendar the last couple of months and that has left me little time to blog.

I'm still trying to adjust to this new life as a SAHM and as a mother of two. One of my friends told me it takes about three months to adjust so I have one more month to get it together. I have definitely developed a new admiration for my SAHM friends and even my own mother who stayed home with all of her children. Every night I try to plan out the next day's activities with Jonah while coordinating it around Meredith's feeding and sleeping schedule. I may not technically be working but I'm definitely continuing to utilize my Project Management skills. I wonder if all this planning and coordination will fulfill my CE (Continuing Education) hours for the year???

Buzy Bees

The title of my blog is "The Daily Stroll" and my tagline reads "Stroll through the Daily Adventures of the Schneider family" yet it's been several days weeks since I posted any news or updates. I don't know where the time has gone this month but it's passed right by me! Of course it takes a lot of time to download, edit and post pictures and we seem to always be busy during the day. For example, just in the few minutes that I have been typing this particular post I have been asked, "Mommy, may I have a glass of Grape Juice?" and "Mommy, will you turn on Wow Wow Wubbzy on OnDemand?" and "Mommy, will you trim my nails, they are too long?!" (my favorite one) and "Mommy, do you like Sponge Bob Squarepants?" My answer to the last question was "No" which means I just spent an additional ten minutes explaining why I don't like the talking sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea. Now that I think about it, Jonah has never seen an episode of Sponge Bob so I don't know where that question came from.

Anyway, I used to try to blog at night after the little ones went to bed but this summer Jonah has developed a habit of staying up late (thanks to Daddy) so by the time he finally falls asleep it's also bedtime for this tired Mommy!

So I'm making a promise to all my blog followers (even though I think the only follower I have is my mother) that I will try to post something everyday going forward even if that means publishing unedited photos or omitting a photo all together. At least my mother will have something to read while she drinks her morning coffee.

Without further adieu, here are some more pictures from our weekend in Georgetown over the 4th of July.

One weekend trip required seven bags for four people. This didn't include the camera bag, the stroller, or Josh's laptop bag.


Christian, someday Kayla will teach you how to drive


Happy boy!


My happy boy!


Happy Girl!


My sweet boy!


"Come on Meredith, let's go get on the swings!"


"What mashed potatoes????"

Celebrating Independence

We celebrated the 4th of July in Austin with family. Popsicles, the pool, and the park entertained the little ones on Saturday and then we headed out to watch the fireworks show that night. We made two, and yes I said two trips to Dairy Queen for blizzards over the course of the weekend but they were so yummy that it was totally worth the couple of extra pounds I gained!

We have only braved the three hour drive from Dallas to Austin twice now with a newborn and both times she has surprised us by sleeping the whole way there. And as long as Jonah has his iTouch handy he is good for the entire trip. I have to say that the iTouch was the best gift idea Santa has ever had! We installed all of Jonah's DVD's on it as well as several games from Apple so he is perfectly content watching movies and playing games.

It was a great time and we were sad to see the holiday weekend end!





Meredith was really excited about the fireworks show, can you tell?!?! Heh!

She's already 3 months old? How is that possible?

Meredith is 3 months old today. Can you believe it?? I can't either. The sleepless nights must have blurred my memory because it seems like she was just born yesterday but according to the calendar I had our little ladybug exactly three months ago.

She seems to have made it through her fussy phase which is good. One night Josh asked me "Will you read me the newborn return policy on the receipt from the hospital?"

Meredith is now back home with me since I was a casualty of "spending cutbacks" at my company on June 18th. Even though she was only in school for two weeks, her teachers were able to put her on a eating and sleeping schedule that has made my life so much easier!

She smiles, laughs and coos all the time now and when one of us walks into the room and makes eye contact with her, she waves her arms and legs in excitement. She loves to be the center of attention and wants to be held all the time.

She is finally sleeping through the night! Can I get a "Whoo hoo?" Mornings are still my favorite time with my children. I lay in bed every morning and cuddle with Jonah and Meredith. I am thankful that I now have the opportunity to spend this quality time with them. These are the moments that I'll cherish forever.

Meredith has transitioned from being a "newborn" to being a "baby." It will be an exciting month as we continue to watch her grow and develop!