My life isn't always cheerful and humorous. I spend the majority of my time doing the same tasks over and over again. I am tired a larger part of the time. There are days where I whine all the way from the top of the stairs with my mammoth basket of dirty clothes down into the laundry room. Every once in a while I burst into unexpected tears (like when I change Max's sheets in the morning and notice after his nap that he dumped his sippy all over the crib mattress and I have to change the sheets AGAIN) or yell at no one in particular just to get my frustration out.
It is hard to remain calm. That moment when your tiny little sweet toddler throws a tantrum which results in food all over the kitchen walls, floor and ceiling.
It is hard to be a good role model. That time your elementary school child caught the attitude bug and you heard yourself in her snippy tone.
It is hard to be selfless. In the dead of the night you hear your baby crying. Stumble over the oblivious husband and go see what's the matter. Spend the next hour and a half calming baby down.
It is hard to smile sometimes. Your child is super excited about... oh God, I don't know, is that a book or something? You just wanted to finish paying the bills online. Not happening now. Take a break and listen.
It is hard to be patient. Your meal, which is always made last, has to sit on the counter getting cold while you give your infant an emergency bath after his diaper explosion.
While there are limitless obstacles in this race, it is impossible to regret my career choice: Mom. No matter what the crazy, insane circumstance is, I still LOVE my husband, my kids and my life. I might bite my nails with anxiety over the bills or cry while I scoop buckets of water off the bathroom floor, but this is worth it.
My baby woke up now and is crying upstairs, so I have to go. :)
It's definitely worth it.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
This one's for you, kids
I want to remember these precious moments:
Carrying you downstairs in the basket of laundry (Maximus)
You saying, "I like your butt Mom." (Hailley)
You saying, "Thank you for today Mom." (Swaylynn)
How you style your hair yourself and I let you go to school like that, even if it's a little "different" (Swaylynn)
How you took 3 steps towards your family and clapped along with us for your achievement (Maximus)
How proud Daddy is that his little boy is obsessed with all things electrical (Maximus)
When you and I giggled hysterically while reading The Big Sister Book: I was laughing because you knew all the words and were saying them with such excitement, and you were laughing because I was (Hailley)
The day you were overtired and kept wandering around the house saying, "I'm down in the dumps today!" (Swaylynn)
How you follow your sister around like she is the greatest person on the face of this earth (Hailley)
Since you heard me say it, now you randomly say, "Thank you God!" (Hailley)
The way your little face scrunches up and bursts into tears when you think I'm leaving (Maximus)
Every time Grandma Deb leaves, you rush over to her demanding hugs and kisses, then you say, "BYE! LOVE YOU! THANKS FOR COMING! BYE! LOVE YOU! SEE YOU LATER! BYE GRANDMA!" (Hailley)
How I am pretty sure you are a writing prodigy but I'm afraid to brag and make the other moms feel bad (Swaylynn)
The day that my old friend died and I was so sad, you went down to the furniture shop in town (of all places kid!) and got me three little star decorations in red, white and blue to remember her by (Swaylynn)
How you get into my Tupperware cupboard and when I attempt to shoo you away, you get this gleam in your eye and a little crooked smile that apparently you already know works on the ladies (Maximus)
How sometimes you crawl on your knees and other times you crawl using your toes (Maximus)
The way you curl up next to me with your blanket on the couch saying, "I want to snuggle with you Mom." (Hailley)
The way you lounge around reading Goosebump books instead of pestering me to play video games (Swaylynn)
I love each one of you SOO much! You are so different from each other and so fantastically amazing in your own way. I thank God every day that you are mine for a while on this earth. I can't wait to see what you grow up to be.
Love always and forever,
Mom
Carrying you downstairs in the basket of laundry (Maximus)
You saying, "I like your butt Mom." (Hailley)
You saying, "Thank you for today Mom." (Swaylynn)
How you style your hair yourself and I let you go to school like that, even if it's a little "different" (Swaylynn)
How you took 3 steps towards your family and clapped along with us for your achievement (Maximus)
How proud Daddy is that his little boy is obsessed with all things electrical (Maximus)
When you and I giggled hysterically while reading The Big Sister Book: I was laughing because you knew all the words and were saying them with such excitement, and you were laughing because I was (Hailley)
The day you were overtired and kept wandering around the house saying, "I'm down in the dumps today!" (Swaylynn)
How you follow your sister around like she is the greatest person on the face of this earth (Hailley)
Since you heard me say it, now you randomly say, "Thank you God!" (Hailley)
The way your little face scrunches up and bursts into tears when you think I'm leaving (Maximus)
Every time Grandma Deb leaves, you rush over to her demanding hugs and kisses, then you say, "BYE! LOVE YOU! THANKS FOR COMING! BYE! LOVE YOU! SEE YOU LATER! BYE GRANDMA!" (Hailley)
How I am pretty sure you are a writing prodigy but I'm afraid to brag and make the other moms feel bad (Swaylynn)
The day that my old friend died and I was so sad, you went down to the furniture shop in town (of all places kid!) and got me three little star decorations in red, white and blue to remember her by (Swaylynn)
How you get into my Tupperware cupboard and when I attempt to shoo you away, you get this gleam in your eye and a little crooked smile that apparently you already know works on the ladies (Maximus)
How sometimes you crawl on your knees and other times you crawl using your toes (Maximus)
The way you curl up next to me with your blanket on the couch saying, "I want to snuggle with you Mom." (Hailley)
The way you lounge around reading Goosebump books instead of pestering me to play video games (Swaylynn)
I love each one of you SOO much! You are so different from each other and so fantastically amazing in your own way. I thank God every day that you are mine for a while on this earth. I can't wait to see what you grow up to be.
Love always and forever,
Mom
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Out of Babes' Mouths
One of the saddest ordeals with babies is the inevitable diaper rash. I have worked tirelessly to avoid this painful occurrence, but every once in a while my success streak is broken with a rough outbreak of the red tush.
So is the case with my son recently. I'm not sure which one of us has cried more over the matter. Desitin flows freely, and the air is tainted with the ever-present scent of baby powder. My heart breaks because I can't wash his pain away with one of his Pampers baby wipes.
While his rash is getting better, it's not improving fast enough for me. My attempt to fix his poor butt faster inspired me to leave Maximus's tushie free from diapers today (for as long as I can handle it!) Hailley, my two-year old, and I chose a nice warm long sleeve shirt for him and let the rest hang free (if you are picking up what I'm putting down here).
Hailley was quite amused by Max's attire. She kept repeating, "Look at his butt Mom! Look at his butt!" Yes dear, it is indeed a butt. Rare thing in these here parts. All parents know though that when it comes to conversing with a toddler, especially one that talks all day long, one of the best responses to remarks such as these is "Yes dear". Keep it simple and save yourself from having a ten minute conversation about cheese or something when you could have been finishing your chores early. I continue picking up the baby room as I mumble yes dears to Hailley.
Finally I catch the comment I was waiting for. I hear my daughter say "awwww, look at his little tail!"
So is the case with my son recently. I'm not sure which one of us has cried more over the matter. Desitin flows freely, and the air is tainted with the ever-present scent of baby powder. My heart breaks because I can't wash his pain away with one of his Pampers baby wipes.
While his rash is getting better, it's not improving fast enough for me. My attempt to fix his poor butt faster inspired me to leave Maximus's tushie free from diapers today (for as long as I can handle it!) Hailley, my two-year old, and I chose a nice warm long sleeve shirt for him and let the rest hang free (if you are picking up what I'm putting down here).
Hailley was quite amused by Max's attire. She kept repeating, "Look at his butt Mom! Look at his butt!" Yes dear, it is indeed a butt. Rare thing in these here parts. All parents know though that when it comes to conversing with a toddler, especially one that talks all day long, one of the best responses to remarks such as these is "Yes dear". Keep it simple and save yourself from having a ten minute conversation about cheese or something when you could have been finishing your chores early. I continue picking up the baby room as I mumble yes dears to Hailley.
Finally I catch the comment I was waiting for. I hear my daughter say "awwww, look at his little tail!"
Friday, October 5, 2012
Naptime...?
Naptime. That glorious period during the day where my house is kind of clean and totally quiet. I can watch TV that doesn't have catchy jingles about counting to ten. I can read books that are not full of pictures. I can fold clothes without having a child rip the piles off the bed. Yes! I love naps!
Hailley, my two year old, does not feel the same as I do about this period of the day (or nighttime for that matter). She cries, she begs, she throws herself down on the floor and writhes around like a dog rolling all over a dead animal. I am not a woman to be deterred by this behavior though, and so every day around noon she gets a nap. I am willing to compromise with Hailley however. I will leave the door open if she promises to stay in her room and go to sleep.
My plan backfired. Miserably.
I put Maximus in his little crib, kissed him, and left the door open a crack. I led Hailley into her room, kissed her, and told her that after she sleeps, we will get up and play again. I left the door open to pacify her.
I went downstairs. I planned on taking a nap myself, a rare and magnificent concept. I crawled into my bed and dozed off into a beautiful, poop-free dream world.
Thirty minutes later, I heard Maximus crying.
I tried to ignore him. Surely he will drift off to sleep again.
Nope.
I dragged myself out of bed and went upstairs to see what his deal was. I figured he must have a dirty diaper, or he was scared, or..
his sister was sitting in his crib with him.
She laughed when she saw me, as though I had said a great joke she would have to remember and tell others later. How the he** did she climb in there?? I pulled her out and set her on the floor. Hailley was thrilled at her adventure; she kept giggling and telling me that she was "in his crib, Mom!"
Needless to say, naptime had failed. Both kids were wide awake, which required me to stay awake too. I shook the air of discontentment off my shoulders and scooped up Maximus. Hailley chattered at my knees as we headed towards the stairs.
"I want to get up now Mom." I'm sure you do honey.
Hailley: 2 Mom: 0
Hailley, my two year old, does not feel the same as I do about this period of the day (or nighttime for that matter). She cries, she begs, she throws herself down on the floor and writhes around like a dog rolling all over a dead animal. I am not a woman to be deterred by this behavior though, and so every day around noon she gets a nap. I am willing to compromise with Hailley however. I will leave the door open if she promises to stay in her room and go to sleep.
My plan backfired. Miserably.
I put Maximus in his little crib, kissed him, and left the door open a crack. I led Hailley into her room, kissed her, and told her that after she sleeps, we will get up and play again. I left the door open to pacify her.
I went downstairs. I planned on taking a nap myself, a rare and magnificent concept. I crawled into my bed and dozed off into a beautiful, poop-free dream world.
Thirty minutes later, I heard Maximus crying.
I tried to ignore him. Surely he will drift off to sleep again.
Nope.
I dragged myself out of bed and went upstairs to see what his deal was. I figured he must have a dirty diaper, or he was scared, or..
his sister was sitting in his crib with him.
She laughed when she saw me, as though I had said a great joke she would have to remember and tell others later. How the he** did she climb in there?? I pulled her out and set her on the floor. Hailley was thrilled at her adventure; she kept giggling and telling me that she was "in his crib, Mom!"
Needless to say, naptime had failed. Both kids were wide awake, which required me to stay awake too. I shook the air of discontentment off my shoulders and scooped up Maximus. Hailley chattered at my knees as we headed towards the stairs.
"I want to get up now Mom." I'm sure you do honey.
Hailley: 2 Mom: 0
Thursday, September 27, 2012
10 Ways to Win an Argument With a 2 Year Old
1. Fake an injury. She will forget about that snack she has been begging for (after refusing breakfast!) and become concerned over your "owie".
2. Imitate him. He will be shocked by your atrocious behavior and hopefully move on to another subject.
3. Keep agreeing with her, but don't follow through with your agreement. The clash of your actions versus your words will mystify her little mind, and before you know it: what Dora show?
4. Offer an off-limits item as a truce. "I will let you play with Daddy's wallet if you stop bothering me..."
5. Hide in the bathroom until the argument blows over. Mommy just needs a little privacy, okay honey?
6. Threaten a nap if that isn't already the subject of your fight with him. Hey, us parents only have a few aces in the hole. Sometimes we have to use them.
7. Run in the other direction. No matter how out of shape you are, her little legs are no match for yours.
8. Pretend to be asleep. Can you believe kids actually fall for that stunt?
9. Offer Mountain Dew, Red Bull, Shocktarts, Betty Crocker's double fudge chocolate cake, Double Bubble, Snickers...whatever throws him off the scent of that new Elmo he's begging you to purchase.
10. Give in to her demands. Is this really worth you missing your show?
***DISCLAIMER: All above comments are for comedic purposes only and do not reflect the views or actions of this blogger.***
2. Imitate him. He will be shocked by your atrocious behavior and hopefully move on to another subject.
3. Keep agreeing with her, but don't follow through with your agreement. The clash of your actions versus your words will mystify her little mind, and before you know it: what Dora show?
4. Offer an off-limits item as a truce. "I will let you play with Daddy's wallet if you stop bothering me..."
5. Hide in the bathroom until the argument blows over. Mommy just needs a little privacy, okay honey?
6. Threaten a nap if that isn't already the subject of your fight with him. Hey, us parents only have a few aces in the hole. Sometimes we have to use them.
7. Run in the other direction. No matter how out of shape you are, her little legs are no match for yours.
8. Pretend to be asleep. Can you believe kids actually fall for that stunt?
9. Offer Mountain Dew, Red Bull, Shocktarts, Betty Crocker's double fudge chocolate cake, Double Bubble, Snickers...whatever throws him off the scent of that new Elmo he's begging you to purchase.
10. Give in to her demands. Is this really worth you missing your show?
***DISCLAIMER: All above comments are for comedic purposes only and do not reflect the views or actions of this blogger.***
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Just when I thought...
I went away for the weekend with my girl friends. It was wonderful; we enjoyed a child-free, carefree weekend together. I slept in! I sat in a hot tub! I shopped for myself! (Kind of.) I left my two younger children; Maximus, now 10 months, and Hailley, 2 1/2, in the care of my husband during this time.
Now I trust my husband completely. I was slightly worried about the state of the house upon my return, but I was pretty sure my kids were in capable hands. When I came home Sunday afternoon everything seemed pretty good to me. The kitchen looked like it had never seen a dishrag, every possible plate and silverware piece we own was unclean and the dog bowls were bone dry, but I can settle for that.
I asked Blake, my wonderful husband, how his weekend was.
"Great!" He responded cheerfully. The kids were bathed and napping he told me. He relayed his weekend activities and I divulged mine, and then we resumed our lives.
The next day I was giving my son a morning bath and I noticed that the caps to both the baby shampoo and the baby wash were closed. This may not sound abnormal to you, but it struck me as odd because Blake is incapable of shutting any lid, ever. He leaves open ketchup tops, water bottle tops, baby wipes, cupboards, etc. You name it, he leaves it open. Well that is sweet of him, I thought. He actually remembered to close two lids!
I was wrong. I ignored my instincts. I went against my intuition in defense of my husband, the father of my children, the love of my life. I hoped he closed those lids.
The day after my suspicious observation, I noticed what lid Blake had left open in the bathroom: the lid for the dog shampoo.
Now I trust my husband completely. I was slightly worried about the state of the house upon my return, but I was pretty sure my kids were in capable hands. When I came home Sunday afternoon everything seemed pretty good to me. The kitchen looked like it had never seen a dishrag, every possible plate and silverware piece we own was unclean and the dog bowls were bone dry, but I can settle for that.
I asked Blake, my wonderful husband, how his weekend was.
"Great!" He responded cheerfully. The kids were bathed and napping he told me. He relayed his weekend activities and I divulged mine, and then we resumed our lives.
The next day I was giving my son a morning bath and I noticed that the caps to both the baby shampoo and the baby wash were closed. This may not sound abnormal to you, but it struck me as odd because Blake is incapable of shutting any lid, ever. He leaves open ketchup tops, water bottle tops, baby wipes, cupboards, etc. You name it, he leaves it open. Well that is sweet of him, I thought. He actually remembered to close two lids!
I was wrong. I ignored my instincts. I went against my intuition in defense of my husband, the father of my children, the love of my life. I hoped he closed those lids.
The day after my suspicious observation, I noticed what lid Blake had left open in the bathroom: the lid for the dog shampoo.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Praise for Mommy
I had her trained. I had Hailley going to the bathroom all on her own. It was marvelous, stupendous, thrilling! She was performing beautifully: going, wiping, emptying the potty, the whole works. And then.. Hailley had a toddler moment, and realized that she didn't want to continue going potty in her little princess potty chair.
It all went downhill from that moment. My husband Blake and I quickly learned that we couldn't make her go, and so therefore potty time became optional for Hailley. For her that meant she was not going to go anymore at all. This was a devastating backslide for the person who had to change her (ME!) but what could I do?
I decided to invite her into the bathroom when I needed to use it, just to see if she would regain her interest and excitement over being "a big girl". What, you may ask, were the results of this action? Hailley praised me for going potty. She cheered me on, examined the toilet to see what I did, and even gave me high fives for my achievements!
I couldn't believe it. I suppose I can at least be grateful she knows that using the toilet is a good thing, and I know she will be using one herself before she starts preschool.
Hailley: 1 Mommy: 0
It all went downhill from that moment. My husband Blake and I quickly learned that we couldn't make her go, and so therefore potty time became optional for Hailley. For her that meant she was not going to go anymore at all. This was a devastating backslide for the person who had to change her (ME!) but what could I do?
I decided to invite her into the bathroom when I needed to use it, just to see if she would regain her interest and excitement over being "a big girl". What, you may ask, were the results of this action? Hailley praised me for going potty. She cheered me on, examined the toilet to see what I did, and even gave me high fives for my achievements!
I couldn't believe it. I suppose I can at least be grateful she knows that using the toilet is a good thing, and I know she will be using one herself before she starts preschool.
Hailley: 1 Mommy: 0
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