Although, my family is not celebrating Christmas for a few days, I find myself reflecting on my Christmases past. Growing up, a large Christmas event on Christmas Eve was always the highlight of my season, as any large family get-together always has been. As an adult, I was not really a fan of the Christmas season.
Looking back nine year ago to 2006 (my first Christmas as a real adult), I recall spending the holiday alone as my ex was deployed and having an older friend buy me beer at a 7/11 so I could sit a home and drink alone. It was possibly the most depressing holiday I have personally experienced.
The following few years brough more family into my life as I spend the next several Christmases in Quincy with my family. Although, outside of those celebration, my holiday spirit was non-existant at home. In 2010, I decorated and put up a tree for Morgan's first Christmas and adopted the motto of "fake it til you make it" regarding Christmas cheer.
Although I was happy to give presents to my daughter and see how much she liked Christmas decoration, lights and seeing Santa, I was still just doing it for her each year and found no joy in the holiday myself.
That is until about three years ago. Riley was not concieved and Morgan was just over 2. It was our first Christmas with Shain and it was like a light had gone on inside. I found a new joy in Morgan's joy and excited. I loved seeing Shain anxious to give Morgan and I the gifts he had picked out and seeing him put lights up outside our duplex. I wasn't with my large family that I adore, but I had this amazing feeling of completeness in our small home with our family of three that I had never felt before.
Now each year, I get more excited about the holidays and the great things I can teach my children about the season. This year Morgan is learning about Jesus and giving and appreciation for what you recieve, no matter what it is. I'm excited to turn on our tree each day and to see the "Merry Christmas" sign on my door. It took me quite a long time, but I think I finally found my personal reason for the season and love being able to be surrounded by my amazing kids and wonderful husband each year (even if none of our other family can be with us).
So Merry Christmas to everyone and congrats if you made it through my rambling.
Showing posts with label mommy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mommy. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Best Thermometer Found
As a mom to two young kids, I take temperatures often. In my four and a half years in momhood, I have gone thought about 7 different thermometers, ranging from combo ones to standing stick ones to nice ones that I spent $50 on. None of them seem to last and they have either lacked in accuracy or not been anywhere near fast enough for my taste. It has been a big struggle for me.
When I was given the change to test out the Nanny's Choice Thermometer, I agreed to post my thoughts on Amazon. However, after using it around my house, I have to share my thoughts and experience with my blog readers as well because it totally deserves the praise.
This is probably the great thermometer I have ever used and I have owned several of them. My most recent thermometer was an ear/temporal combo one and I didn't feel like it was very accurate and often froze up on me. I have had zero issues with this one. Not only does it take the temperature incredibly fast (about one second) but you don't even have to touch the person to take their temp! Just point it at the forehead about 1-1.5 inches away and push the button. The color display helps you know when a temp is normal, slightly high or really high I think that is a nice guide for anyone who might not know when to really worry on a temp.
My favorite feature that is unlike any other thermometer I have ever owned is the ability to get the room temp or take a surface temp as well as the body temp. I like to take the room temp to see if my thermostat is working well or not. I used the surface temp setting every night to check the kids bath water. I also found out that my hot water on max heat comes out at 113 degrees! I might need to adjust my water heater!
The Nanny's Choice Thermometer is so easy to use, I am just amazed. Switching between the modes and taking the temp is all so quick and easy and done with just a push of a button. As a bonus, they include a wonderful box to hold it in so it can say clean and safe and away from so many things that would likely harm or hurt a thermometer. I don't think I will ever get another thermometer!
When I was given the change to test out the Nanny's Choice Thermometer, I agreed to post my thoughts on Amazon. However, after using it around my house, I have to share my thoughts and experience with my blog readers as well because it totally deserves the praise.
This is probably the great thermometer I have ever used and I have owned several of them. My most recent thermometer was an ear/temporal combo one and I didn't feel like it was very accurate and often froze up on me. I have had zero issues with this one. Not only does it take the temperature incredibly fast (about one second) but you don't even have to touch the person to take their temp! Just point it at the forehead about 1-1.5 inches away and push the button. The color display helps you know when a temp is normal, slightly high or really high I think that is a nice guide for anyone who might not know when to really worry on a temp.
My favorite feature that is unlike any other thermometer I have ever owned is the ability to get the room temp or take a surface temp as well as the body temp. I like to take the room temp to see if my thermostat is working well or not. I used the surface temp setting every night to check the kids bath water. I also found out that my hot water on max heat comes out at 113 degrees! I might need to adjust my water heater!
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Terrified of the World
I hope every generation of parents think something like what I am about to write, only because I don't want to be the first in a lifetime of scary futures.
I am afraid of the world I have brought my children into.In my sweet, small, humble hometown, a 12 year old boy was shot and killed in cold blood. A week later and they still don't have any answers, or at least not any that are being made public.
Someone is walking around that town free, and that someone who took the life of a child. Maybe that child was not the most innocent, maybe he was involved in something that he shouldn't have, maybe the parents allowed him to get involved in something illegal. I don't know, but I do know that he's gone and there is no reason for that.
I don't want to imagine how that mother felt when she found him laying dead in the road. I can't imagine it because it overtakes me and I start be nothing but a ball of worry.
In a world away from my hometown, a dear friend of mine has had her world turned upside down. A person she loved and trusted violated her and her children in ways that can't even be described. For years, her trust was given fully to this person and the whole time this person was abusing her trust and love and kindness. While she is thinking how wonderful this person is, the person is wronging her in every way possible. In the worst ways possible.
I don't know how I would feel in her situation, and I pray and pray and pray every single day that I am never even in the same dimension as her and her pain. I want to take her pain away so badly. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. No one deserves this.
I know that no one gets what they deserve in the real world. Good things happen to bad people and bad, horrible things happen to good people without explanation. Those are kind of things that can shake the faith of even the truest believer. The question of why is often on everyone's minds.
My question is not why though, for I know that I will never understand or be able rationalize it. My question is "When will this end? Will it keep getting worse? Are my children doomed to live in a world that is too scary to even face the reality of everyday life?"
Bad things happened around me when I was growing up. People were hurt in accidents, a good friend lost his two young sisters and his grandma in a car accident and his family is still trying to heal at least 15 years later. People died of cancer and surprised their loved ones by committing crimes and hurting those around them. It happened bad then and we just have to accept that and stay away from bad people as much as we can.
But today... the world today is much worse and scary than anything I ever knew was possible. I find myself terrified of my children being out of my sight for a second and worried about who I let around them. I'm not only afraid of them falling and scraping their knee, but I'm afraid of someone taking away their innocence and ruining their core goodness.
I'm petrified of someone taking their lives.
It is to the point that when someone I don't know approaches me in public, I hold my breath and immediately start praying and looking for help. But that isn't the worst part. The worst part is that I'm not being unreasonable to have these fears. It's very plausible that any random person can and will hurt me and/or my children.
That is the reality of our world. It is enough to make me wonder if I was being a terrible, selfish person by bringing them into this world of chaos, hurt, anger and pain. Would I have made the same choice today to have children, knowing the state of our world and what it can very easily become? I love my children and I am so blessed and lucky to have them; they are my world... but that doesn't change a single thing about our society, so would it change my answer?
I can't answer that question with a solid yes.
And that is also terrifying.
I am afraid of the world I have brought my children into.In my sweet, small, humble hometown, a 12 year old boy was shot and killed in cold blood. A week later and they still don't have any answers, or at least not any that are being made public.
Someone is walking around that town free, and that someone who took the life of a child. Maybe that child was not the most innocent, maybe he was involved in something that he shouldn't have, maybe the parents allowed him to get involved in something illegal. I don't know, but I do know that he's gone and there is no reason for that.
I don't want to imagine how that mother felt when she found him laying dead in the road. I can't imagine it because it overtakes me and I start be nothing but a ball of worry.
In a world away from my hometown, a dear friend of mine has had her world turned upside down. A person she loved and trusted violated her and her children in ways that can't even be described. For years, her trust was given fully to this person and the whole time this person was abusing her trust and love and kindness. While she is thinking how wonderful this person is, the person is wronging her in every way possible. In the worst ways possible.
I don't know how I would feel in her situation, and I pray and pray and pray every single day that I am never even in the same dimension as her and her pain. I want to take her pain away so badly. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. No one deserves this.
I know that no one gets what they deserve in the real world. Good things happen to bad people and bad, horrible things happen to good people without explanation. Those are kind of things that can shake the faith of even the truest believer. The question of why is often on everyone's minds.
My question is not why though, for I know that I will never understand or be able rationalize it. My question is "When will this end? Will it keep getting worse? Are my children doomed to live in a world that is too scary to even face the reality of everyday life?"
Bad things happened around me when I was growing up. People were hurt in accidents, a good friend lost his two young sisters and his grandma in a car accident and his family is still trying to heal at least 15 years later. People died of cancer and surprised their loved ones by committing crimes and hurting those around them. It happened bad then and we just have to accept that and stay away from bad people as much as we can.
But today... the world today is much worse and scary than anything I ever knew was possible. I find myself terrified of my children being out of my sight for a second and worried about who I let around them. I'm not only afraid of them falling and scraping their knee, but I'm afraid of someone taking away their innocence and ruining their core goodness.
I'm petrified of someone taking their lives.
It is to the point that when someone I don't know approaches me in public, I hold my breath and immediately start praying and looking for help. But that isn't the worst part. The worst part is that I'm not being unreasonable to have these fears. It's very plausible that any random person can and will hurt me and/or my children.
That is the reality of our world. It is enough to make me wonder if I was being a terrible, selfish person by bringing them into this world of chaos, hurt, anger and pain. Would I have made the same choice today to have children, knowing the state of our world and what it can very easily become? I love my children and I am so blessed and lucky to have them; they are my world... but that doesn't change a single thing about our society, so would it change my answer?
I can't answer that question with a solid yes.
And that is also terrifying.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Last Children's Step Stool You'll Ever Buy
When Morgan potty trained last year, we had to get her a step stool so she could reach the toilet and sink easier. Due to urgency, we purchased the first things we found locally, a 2-step stool we got from WalMart. While it worked really well for the purpose, IT WAS SUCH A PAIN. It didn't collapse and so it took up like 12 inches of floor space in my very tiny bathroom. We were always tripping over it, having to move it or put it up and then scrambling to find it when she needed to go potty--not ideal for a potty training toddler at all.
A couple weeks ago I found this on Amazon and just to have it. Why? It folds. It's pink. It will support every member of my household. It has hearts. And its PINK, did I say that? So how did it fair in actual practice? Here's what I think:
It folds/collapses.
The folding feature is not only super convenient and helpful, but its really easy to do. Both my 4 and 1 year olds can fold and unfold it with easy (and do as they kind of think its a toy sometimes). I love that you can just grab the edge of the heart and lift it off the ground to fold it up. But even better is that when they push it over, it just folds up on itself.
Very well-made.
The plastic is wonderful too! It's very thick and sturdy and it also has little bit of a texture with it so I think it helps grip the feet of whoever is standing on it. Much better than the smooth texture of our old one.
hearts. Pink. Need I say more?
But most importantly, IT'S PINK AND HAS HEARTS! I was soooo excited when I saw it (so was my daughter). The hearts are super cute too and it makes her excited to use it.
Supports up to 220 pounds and very light!
It is really lightweight and easy to carry around for her. I have also stood on it (being only 5 foot tall) and not felt like I was too much for its weight at all, and it is advertised to support and hold up 220 pounds!
I donated my old step stool (and my easily attached daughter didn't even care) and I would never go back. This is best step stool we have ever used and I'm considering getting more for my house!
I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
A couple weeks ago I found this on Amazon and just to have it. Why? It folds. It's pink. It will support every member of my household. It has hearts. And its PINK, did I say that? So how did it fair in actual practice? Here's what I think:
It folds/collapses.
The folding feature is not only super convenient and helpful, but its really easy to do. Both my 4 and 1 year olds can fold and unfold it with easy (and do as they kind of think its a toy sometimes). I love that you can just grab the edge of the heart and lift it off the ground to fold it up. But even better is that when they push it over, it just folds up on itself.
Very well-made.
The plastic is wonderful too! It's very thick and sturdy and it also has little bit of a texture with it so I think it helps grip the feet of whoever is standing on it. Much better than the smooth texture of our old one.
hearts. Pink. Need I say more?
But most importantly, IT'S PINK AND HAS HEARTS! I was soooo excited when I saw it (so was my daughter). The hearts are super cute too and it makes her excited to use it.
Supports up to 220 pounds and very light!
It is really lightweight and easy to carry around for her. I have also stood on it (being only 5 foot tall) and not felt like I was too much for its weight at all, and it is advertised to support and hold up 220 pounds!
I donated my old step stool (and my easily attached daughter didn't even care) and I would never go back. This is best step stool we have ever used and I'm considering getting more for my house!
I received this product at a discount in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Meet Lulu!
Meet Lulu is a magical coloring book that includes a stylus crayon for your iPad or Android tablet app (download of the app is free).
Here's how Meet Lulu is different than most other coloring books for kids: you can color on the pages or you can scan the pages into the app and color on your tablet device.
I tested this out with my 4 year old daughter. She looked the pictures and was really excited to have a special crayon that she could use on my iPad. Each page has a QR barcode that you can scan in the app to bring up that page, but it was kind of unnecessary because the app has the whole collection of coloring books listed and the pages easily displayed for the child to choose to color.
The stylus crayon worked, but not the way I wished. It has a rubbery tip and I wish it would slide along my iPad screen a little better, but my daughter didn't notice or care. The worst part is that my daughter decided to put the crayon in her mouth and bit it on the tip so it does not work pretty much at all anymore. However, the app works just fine without the crayon stylus and she still has the coloring book to use real crayons on.
The illustrations in the book were very adorable and my daughter thought they were so cool to color. It's really ideal for traveling or in the car because my child can color without needing any crayons--just her finger and my tablet.
I didn't see an option to save your progress on a page and come back to finish coloring it, but my daughter was a big hog of my iPad so I can't be sure that there isn't one somehow.
Great app and lots of fun for both of us. Neat idea!
Get yours here
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Here's how Meet Lulu is different than most other coloring books for kids: you can color on the pages or you can scan the pages into the app and color on your tablet device.
I tested this out with my 4 year old daughter. She looked the pictures and was really excited to have a special crayon that she could use on my iPad. Each page has a QR barcode that you can scan in the app to bring up that page, but it was kind of unnecessary because the app has the whole collection of coloring books listed and the pages easily displayed for the child to choose to color.
The stylus crayon worked, but not the way I wished. It has a rubbery tip and I wish it would slide along my iPad screen a little better, but my daughter didn't notice or care. The worst part is that my daughter decided to put the crayon in her mouth and bit it on the tip so it does not work pretty much at all anymore. However, the app works just fine without the crayon stylus and she still has the coloring book to use real crayons on.
The illustrations in the book were very adorable and my daughter thought they were so cool to color. It's really ideal for traveling or in the car because my child can color without needing any crayons--just her finger and my tablet.
I didn't see an option to save your progress on a page and come back to finish coloring it, but my daughter was a big hog of my iPad so I can't be sure that there isn't one somehow.
Great app and lots of fun for both of us. Neat idea!
Get yours here
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Depression Lies Because I Am Blessed
"Today I left some dishes dirty,
The bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before,
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall,
Will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those window panes,
Will Still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby til he slept,
I held a toddler while she wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone,
With dark brown eyes and soft brown hair.
If that is true... I've done my share."
One year ago, I was struggling more than I ever have in my life. I was a new mom-of-two and I felt like I was failing more than I was allowed. I felt like Morgan needed me more than I could give and Riley was dependent on me for more than I had. I was in an emotional haze and I was not living up to my own expectations.
One night, I called my husband in a panic and demanded that he come home immediately. I told him the thoughts that I couldn't get out of my head, thoughts that I had NEVER heard in my own mind before. I had looked at my life, and felt certain that everyone would be better off without me in their world, that my children were done a disservice for getting me as a mother and they would be so much better taken care of without me. I thought I should no longer be a part of this world.
Instead of listening my head, I called my husband and asked for help. I wept to him about all my failings and told him how scared I was of all the damage I was doing to our kids by not being a good mother....
And he reminded me that depression lies and that I was dead wrong. My children needed me and he needed me. He helped me take a deep breath and look at my sweet offspring. Riley was laying peacefully on my bed resting with his angelic face and Morgan was adoringly watching a show on her LeapPad next to him. Both of them were safe and healthy and well taken care of. The only person's expectations I was not meeting.... were my own.
So I convinced myself to give myself a break. And I am still here one year later, and my kids? Well my kids are... they are happy and healthy and well taken care of and amazing and smart and wonderful. They make my life worth living and remind of all the good I have done in this world by having them and teaching the best way to be an important part of our society.
I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom and I am blessed to have these small humans love me so dearly. I am blessed to have a husband who cares about what I think of myself and continually reminds me that I am doing an amazing job.
In short? I am blessed.
The bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before,
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall,
Will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those window panes,
Will Still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby til he slept,
I held a toddler while she wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone,
With dark brown eyes and soft brown hair.
If that is true... I've done my share."
One year ago, I was struggling more than I ever have in my life. I was a new mom-of-two and I felt like I was failing more than I was allowed. I felt like Morgan needed me more than I could give and Riley was dependent on me for more than I had. I was in an emotional haze and I was not living up to my own expectations.
One night, I called my husband in a panic and demanded that he come home immediately. I told him the thoughts that I couldn't get out of my head, thoughts that I had NEVER heard in my own mind before. I had looked at my life, and felt certain that everyone would be better off without me in their world, that my children were done a disservice for getting me as a mother and they would be so much better taken care of without me. I thought I should no longer be a part of this world.
Instead of listening my head, I called my husband and asked for help. I wept to him about all my failings and told him how scared I was of all the damage I was doing to our kids by not being a good mother....
And he reminded me that depression lies and that I was dead wrong. My children needed me and he needed me. He helped me take a deep breath and look at my sweet offspring. Riley was laying peacefully on my bed resting with his angelic face and Morgan was adoringly watching a show on her LeapPad next to him. Both of them were safe and healthy and well taken care of. The only person's expectations I was not meeting.... were my own.
So I convinced myself to give myself a break. And I am still here one year later, and my kids? Well my kids are... they are happy and healthy and well taken care of and amazing and smart and wonderful. They make my life worth living and remind of all the good I have done in this world by having them and teaching the best way to be an important part of our society.
I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom and I am blessed to have these small humans love me so dearly. I am blessed to have a husband who cares about what I think of myself and continually reminds me that I am doing an amazing job.
In short? I am blessed.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Catching up by taking a break
I have been so behind on reviews and mommy duties lately that I haven't spent any time to make a post for myself. I am still behind on about 5 reviews, but I have to share a mommy secret I have found recently that, I believe, may save my sanity.
Whenever I am overwhelmed and overrun by my life--the dishes are overflowing in my kitchen that is only equipped with a dishwasher labeled "mama" <<freeze here while I remember that I have not refilled my daughter's 8th cup of chocolate milk like she asked me before her brother pooped>>
OK where was I?
All over the place?
Sounds like me.
Anyway, I was talking about how overwhelming life can be! I have two small children (almost one and almost 4--love the birthday season in our house almost as much as I despise it) and a husband who works a lot to provide for our family so I can be home with our tiny blessings.
Let's not forget about the two dogs, the crazy cat and any other family relationships I have to foster. With all of that, I spend a lot of my days helping or caring for others. Do you know what though? I wouldn't have it any other way.
Please read that accurately: I wouldn't have it any other way.
Meaning: I love my life, I love my kids, I love my husband.
I do not love the limited number of hours in a day.
I do not love all the things I have to cram into those few hours.
I do not love cleaning up animal or even human excrement <<yes, we potty training -- and excuse me while I refill aforementioned chocolate milk and find a new shows for my daughter and quickly act out the previous episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates>>
Resuming with... ummmm .... what I do to distress on days when I feel like the list of things I have to get done are deafening me? Well, I tried a lot of things:
I tried to organize myself better for maximize time efficiency -- but I ended up spending way too much time organizing and getting stressed out when things didn't go as planned.
Let's face it, you can't plan meltdowns or potty accidents or what times your baby is going to need his mommy to hold him every second of the day.
You just can't account for those things, which is why I am always late to E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Seriously, I am late to the grocery store. How? Talent. Natural talent.
Insert very important tip here: ctrl+z is a mommy blogger lifesaver --and so is my husband who I just called in a panic because I was unsure how to fix my mistake over typing over THIS WHOLE POST! Thank you for bailing me out calmly, love! <<hitting SAVE now>>
OK OK So what is my secret if not any of those things they normally suggest?
I do nothing. Nothing at all.
<<I just had to stop my son from eating the toilet paper so my daughter could use it to wipe while on the toilet. Does any mother think this is what their life will be like?>>
Nothing, you ask? That seems ... highly unproductive? Don't worry, you are right, it is. Doing nothing gets nothing accomplished.
And some days, that is what you need more than a clean house -- trust me
Instead of cleaning or stressing or organizing or making phone calls or setting up appointments or balancing our account, I spend time with my kids just enjoying their childhood.
And it is beautiful.
My son whistles, yes whistles, while he plays and I don't know the last time I found something so thoroughly entertaining.
My daughter has mastered the art of reenacting scenes from her favorite shows, she dances almost all the time and she talks just. like. me. I am both terrified and thrilled at this new development.
My children found the time and ability to play together with minimal catastrophes, while I was busy stressing over the Fruit Loops on the high chair and the water in the bathroom floor.
This morning I took a time out with my daughter while my son napped and my husband was out for his morning run. We put together a puzzle and I was shocked at how smart she is and how I could let my control freak-ness rest while she took her time to figure out where the pieces go.
So that's my lesson: take your time figuring out where the pieces go and love every minute of it.
Whenever I am overwhelmed and overrun by my life--the dishes are overflowing in my kitchen that is only equipped with a dishwasher labeled "mama" <<freeze here while I remember that I have not refilled my daughter's 8th cup of chocolate milk like she asked me before her brother pooped>>
OK where was I?
All over the place?
Sounds like me.
Anyway, I was talking about how overwhelming life can be! I have two small children (almost one and almost 4--love the birthday season in our house almost as much as I despise it) and a husband who works a lot to provide for our family so I can be home with our tiny blessings.
Let's not forget about the two dogs, the crazy cat and any other family relationships I have to foster. With all of that, I spend a lot of my days helping or caring for others. Do you know what though? I wouldn't have it any other way.
Please read that accurately: I wouldn't have it any other way.
Meaning: I love my life, I love my kids, I love my husband.
I do not love the limited number of hours in a day.
I do not love all the things I have to cram into those few hours.
I do not love cleaning up animal or even human excrement <<yes, we potty training -- and excuse me while I refill aforementioned chocolate milk and find a new shows for my daughter and quickly act out the previous episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates>>
Resuming with... ummmm .... what I do to distress on days when I feel like the list of things I have to get done are deafening me? Well, I tried a lot of things:
I tried to organize myself better for maximize time efficiency -- but I ended up spending way too much time organizing and getting stressed out when things didn't go as planned.
Let's face it, you can't plan meltdowns or potty accidents or what times your baby is going to need his mommy to hold him every second of the day.
You just can't account for those things, which is why I am always late to E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Seriously, I am late to the grocery store. How? Talent. Natural talent.
Insert very important tip here: ctrl+z is a mommy blogger lifesaver --and so is my husband who I just called in a panic because I was unsure how to fix my mistake over typing over THIS WHOLE POST! Thank you for bailing me out calmly, love! <<hitting SAVE now>>
OK OK So what is my secret if not any of those things they normally suggest?
I do nothing. Nothing at all.
<<I just had to stop my son from eating the toilet paper so my daughter could use it to wipe while on the toilet. Does any mother think this is what their life will be like?>>
Nothing, you ask? That seems ... highly unproductive? Don't worry, you are right, it is. Doing nothing gets nothing accomplished.
And some days, that is what you need more than a clean house -- trust me
Instead of cleaning or stressing or organizing or making phone calls or setting up appointments or balancing our account, I spend time with my kids just enjoying their childhood.
And it is beautiful.
My son whistles, yes whistles, while he plays and I don't know the last time I found something so thoroughly entertaining.
My daughter has mastered the art of reenacting scenes from her favorite shows, she dances almost all the time and she talks just. like. me. I am both terrified and thrilled at this new development.
My children found the time and ability to play together with minimal catastrophes, while I was busy stressing over the Fruit Loops on the high chair and the water in the bathroom floor.
This morning I took a time out with my daughter while my son napped and my husband was out for his morning run. We put together a puzzle and I was shocked at how smart she is and how I could let my control freak-ness rest while she took her time to figure out where the pieces go.
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| This is true beauty. These minutes were so much more productive than cleaning that crazy thing called a kitchen behind her. Life is made up of moments like this and I am going to soak them all in. |
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