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Heather

Teen Years- Expectation vs. Reality

Now that Nicholas Joseph is 13, we have all teenagers in the house. BTW, found this pic, wasn’t he just adorable??

Nicholas Joseph- 6 months

Though it has been a couple of months, I thought I would share some  thoughts on my baby turning 13.  We have been down this path before.  Our oldest, is 17 and almost done with his teen years.  When Robbie turned 13, I thought I knew what to expect. Well, there are the expectations and then there are the realities.

Expectation – I have boys, so the teen years will be easier.

Reality- NO WAY! We still worry about the same things.  Am I doing right by them?  Am I screwing them up?  Are they being tempted by drugs and alcohol? Will they kill themselves behind the wheel of a car?  You get the point.

Expectation- Teenage boys are less moody than teenage girls.

Reality- Wrong again!  I found my son to be as moody as I was as a teen and I expect nothing less from his brother.  There are times I walk on eggshells because I just don’t know what mood he will be in when he wakes up or gets home from school. 

Expectation- Buying clothes for boys is easier.  Just purchase some jeans, shirts and sweatshirts, right? 

Reality- My oldest is the world’s pickiest dresser.  He will wear only crewneck shirts. No V-neck, no mock turtleneck, no half zip shirts, no jeans, etc. Taking him clothes shopping is painful. It is hardly a pleasant experience. Nicholas has not reached that point yet, thank goodness.

Expectation- They will reach a point where they will not want to hang with you.  

Reality- I feel blessed in that both my boys still want to go places (for the most part) with me. 

Expectation- They will eat me out of house and home.

Reality- They eat me out of house and home. :)These are just a few  things I could think of off the top of my head,  I am sure there are many more, but you get the point.  Now, this could all change with number 2.  Nicholas may be totally different. I have 5 whole years to figure it out

Welcome to the teen years baby boy.  Momma loves you to infinity and beyond!

And We have a Winner!

Guess where I was the Friday before Christmas? At a Geography Bee of course!! Nicholas earned one of 9 spots to compete in his school’s Geography Bee. The winner has the opportunity to compete at the state level.

It was an exciting competition. Each participant was allowed one incorrect answer. It came down to the final 3. Nicholas and a young lady were left to battle it out for a spot to compete against the other remaining contestant. The third contestant had not answered a question incorrectly, so he was automatically entered into the championship round. Nicholas and the young lady went back and forth, each answering correctly. Finally, she answered one wrong and it was off to the championship round. The first one to answer the best out of 3 wins and Nicholas did it! It was so exciting. Next up, taking the pre test to see if he qualifies for the state Geography Bee. Look how happy he looks.

It was a great way to end the year and start the Christmas break.

The Days are Long, but the Years are Short

17 years ago today I became a Mama for the very first time. At 10:09 am, this 8lb 14 ounce, 21.5 inches long baby boy stole my heart. He was everything I had hoped and prayed for. He was perfect in every way.

Robert William

It was not an easy entrance. My water broke at 5:30am on December 1st and he arrived via c-section on December 2nd. It was rough, but one look into his eyes and I melted.

It has been a busy few months for my boy. He passed his driver’s test and started his first job at a local hardware store. He has grown into a kind and funny young man. He has a passion for sports and, with this brother, could have their own sports talk show. Each and every day he makes me proud to be his Mom. I am excited (and anxious!) to see what the next couple of years will bring. Happy Birthday Robbie Rob. Mama loves you to Infinite and Beyond!

Welcome to My Blog!

Hi and thanks for stopping by! My name is Heather. I live outside of Boston, MA with my husband Bill, my 17-year old son Robbie, my 13-year old son Nicholas, my yellow lab Bauer, and our two cats, Tek and Oreo.  I am an attorney and online health and fitness coach.

For a while now, I have wanted to start a blog.  I have had a lot of change in the last six years.  At the age of 40, I started running.  I had always wanted run and finally took the plunge.  What started as running for exercise, soon became signing up for races and running for bling!  Two years later, I lost my 61 year old Mom  to cancer.  She went quickly and her death rocked me to my core.  She was the center of our family and the loss is felt each and every day.  Losing her in the way we did, made me realize how short this life truly is.  Her death has helped shape many of the decisions I have made over the last 4 years.  I have pushed past my comfort zone and have tried and done things I may not have had the courage to do, if not for losing her so young. I  became an online health and fitness coach. I ran my first marathon! I have traveled more places with my family. Speaking of family, I can hardly believe it, but I have one child almost done with high school and another one that will be there in no time. There has been so much going on over the last few years, and so much more to come, that I find myself growing and discovering who I am outside of motherhood.  I look forward to further self-discovery and sharing it with you all along the way.