Thursday, August 22, 2013

Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

wish I could sneak in a car nap!
I have so many things to do. All the time. It's never ending. And the OCD side of me has a little nervous breakdown  when things don't get done JUST RIGHT. I can't help it. I try to tone down my crazy for my kids sake. I don't want them to feel stressed when things are not going perfect, but unless I walk around in a constant state of wine induced intoxication (which actually sounds like fun right?) that's just who I am. And with my husband's recent job situation - we never know when he's going to work or be off - I took on a work from  home job. I had big dreams for this gig. I was gonna work just three hours a day and bring in some helpful extra income. HA! JUST three hours I said! NO big deal I said. Well  I've come to realize that unless I stay up past midnight or get up at four am , or maybe both, three hours ain't gonna happen. If my kids are awake they don't allow me the peace and quiet I need to work. as I type this post I have already gotten juice, changed a diaper, pulled dog food out of the baby's mouth, put Miss B in time out for feeding the baby dog food and taken three phone calls. So my choice is to do this thing in the morning before every gets up or at night after they are asleep. That doesn't leave me much sleeping time. But I haven't slept for eight hours in over a year so why start now right?

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Time Flies When You're Havin' Fun



Why does vacation takes so long to get here and then fly by so fast? Last Thursday we packed up the kids and drove the two hours to Gatlinburg for our first family vacation. This is the first time in a long time that any kind of trip was just about us and not centered around visiting somebody. We did the full on tourist thing (even though we've been to Gatlinburg so many times I don't think we really count as tourists there) and stayed at the Wilderness Adventures of the Smokies waterpark resort. It really was a blast. Most of the vacation centered around Miss B, but that was totally okay. I had fun just watching her have fun and experience new things. This WAS our first trip to the area with kids. I'm not normally a promoter of places, but I would recommend this as a place to take your kids for the weekend. There's loads to do, and a full service bar in the waterpark (obviously for mom and dad). Even being there with the baby wasn't hard. We're going to try and make this family vacation thing at least once a year. I trip for just us. I'm already ready for next year!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Attitude With a CAPITAL A

Dimples is nine and a half month now, and giving his sister a run for her money in the drama department. Miss B was never one to throw tantrums, so I guess her brother is making up for it. He bites me when he's mad and bangs his head on stuff when he's really really mad. I'm almost afraid to take him for his next check up! The boy has bruises and scrapes all over the place. They're going to think I abuse my children. Oh and heaven forbid I don't let him have something he's reaching for. I swear he tried to bitch slap me yesterday when I picked up to keep him from climbing up the stairs.


 
 
 
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I guess it's only fair. Miss B was a really easy baby. She never got into stuff, never put anything in her mouth, and was a breeze to wean, get sleeping in her own bed, and potty train. Of course, I feel like since she skipped toddler and went straight to teenager, I thought that debt was paid.

I guess I couldn't have two easy babies. All I can hope is that this means he will be an easy toddler. Otherwise I might go crazy, (Pretty sure I already am!)

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

"We Don't Negotiate With Terrorists"

When our children are babies when can't wait for them to start talking right? We put our faces in theirs and say "mama mama" over and over again. Unless your my husband and you are trying to make it your mission for the first word to be "da da." But when they are cute and babbling, we don't ever think about the fact that not long after talking comes talking back.

Nick Jr, late at night, airs programming aimed at moms and one of their shows is called "Take Me To Your Mother."  The show follows comedian and new mother Andrea Rosen as she gets advice from all sorts of women from a variety of cultural backgrounds on raising kids. Last night, in an episode where Andrea was speaking with a group of chic French mommas, one of the women jokingly said, "we don't negotiate with terrorists." She was of course referring to the kids.  (watch this episode here :http://www.nickmom.com/tv/take-me-to-your-mother/videos/andrea-gets-some-grace/)  

It got me thinking about parenting philosophies and how we raise our kids. I was brought up in a household that allowed for no questions or explanations. What mom and dad said was law, no ifs ands or buts about it. This of course frustrated me to no end, especially as a teenager, and I always said that when I had kids I would listen to them. I would hear them out, let them express their opinions, and give reasonable explanations for my decisions. I guess I didn't realize that kids aren't always reasonable.

I never wanted to be that mom that said, "because I said so," but I've reconciled with the fact that sometimes "because I said so" really is the best response. So what about you? Is your house a dictatorship or a democracy? Something in between. I'm sure that just like with everything else when it comes to parenting, there is no one right way.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Dear Daughter

Dear Daughter,

Four years ago you came into my life and changed me in ways I could never have imagined.
Because of you I know love that is unconditional and worry that will never cease.
I only want the best for you in life, and I hope you know that I am doing the best I know how.
When you are happy, I am overjoyed, and when you are sad my heart is broken.
Having you in my life has taught me about the things that matter the most.
Smiles, hugs and kisses.
When I am sad, having you around makes me better, and when you are not around I will always be just a little bit sad.
We will have rocky times ahead. Lord knows we have already had a few.
But no matter what happens in the years to come, as you grown and become your own independent self, no matter how many fight we have over dirty rooms, homework, and boys, you will always be one of the most special things to have ever happened to me.
Thank you, daughter, for being mine, and bringing out the best in me, because you ARE the best of me.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Little Shoes, Big Sigh

Dimples got his first pair of shoes. He's almost walking now and since the weather will be turning in another month or two I want him used to wearing shoes before it gets cold. While I was putting his new shoes on him, it really hit me that this is it. I made the choice of only having two, and I still don't regret that, but I have to admit it makes me a little sad that my kids are growing up so fast on me and then that will be it. This is the last time I will be buying first shoes. Sigh.