I feel there are many, MANY things I have apologized for this year and many more apologies that should have been said but weren't.
I'm thinking this is as good a place as any to wrangle all those regrets at once, vow to to better and sail into the land of THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO GET IT TOGETHER, or, er, 2014.
So here goes:
1. To those who ask quite regularly about when another post will get written, when I will update the blog or when the next edition of the chaos that has become my life will be available- I am sorry. Here it is. Not quite sure if these will start coming with any sort of regularity or not. You see, my brain has died, my home has been taken over by wild animals and my free time has about gone to zilch. Not a whole lot left over at the end of the day to craft something meaningful, memorable or somewhat clever. But in 2014, I vow to try.
2. To my neighbor across the street (whose name I still have not learned)- I am sorry for the amount of times you have had to see me in my pajamas, with matted hair scrambling to wrangle a 20 pound baby while chasing a five-year-old around the corner who has managed to escape out the front door. I am sorry for screaming "GET IN THE CAR" for the 50th time when you are simply trying to enjoy your Tuesday morning latte. I am sorry for the naked baby wrapped in an over-sized throw that happened to get dropped on the driveway just at the exact time you walked out your front door to go to work. I know you think I am crazy- but revert back to #1 where I mention my brain has died- it really did. I now forget to bring the diapers in the house until we are completely and totally out and I have just taken the last one off of my child, whom I can't leave on the changing table... insert blanket on the couch on my way out the door to retrieve the diapers... and add in 30 mile an hour wind, and there ya have it. Again, I am SO, so sorry. Really, in 2014 I vow to look a little more presentable, and try to keep my naked children inside.
3. To my colleagues and co-workers, I am sorry for the amount of times there has been something unidentifiable on my clothing- nine times out of ten it is probably spit up (or perhaps something worse). Or the amount of times you have wondered if I brush my hair or sleep in my clothes. I realize the gray hairs have multiplied and the lack of sleep has taken it's toll. I appreciate the many times you have keep these thoughts to yourself... I promise to attempt to use my iron this year, and actually style my hair rather than sport my go-to "messy" ponytail look.
4. To my dear friends and family whose birthdays, anniversary's or special moments I have forgotten- I am sorry. These days, it's a win if I can remember a card for my mom or husband. I am sorry for the deflated and belated well wishes I post two days too late when I finally get the chance to check my news feed. I am sorry to my sweet niece whose performances, Christmas pageants and who-knows-what-else I have missed. Trying to be in six places at once has simply done me in. Even when I think I can get somewhere, and be on time... chances are someone in our new family of four will be sick. That's one thing I can pretty much count on. In 2014 I promise to complete brain activities proven to increase memory. And... will take my vitamins. If I can remember.
5. To my other new-mommy friends- I am sorry for the lack of home-baked meals I have brought as you welcomed your new bundle of joy. The art of the frozen-casserole drive thru and the Publix Meal Deal has become second nature. After our second, I was happy to have a Tombstone pizza to eat between feedings, so I hope you are okay with the fact that I can no longer spend an afternoon in the kitchen whipping up Poppyseed Chicken. It might be 18 years before I can pull together a home-cooked meal again. Not making any promises on this one. Although- I do drop that take-out off with A LOT of love :).
This year has been insane. My disclaimer is that we are so very, very blessed to have welcomed our fire cracker of a daughter into this world. She is a precious as she is head-strong and as perfect as she is exhausting. I am so grateful to have completed our family, and our lives were probably more organized a year ago, but also a great deal more dull.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
From Self-Soother to Sleep-Depriver
It is shocking to me how different my kids are.
I used to be that mom who didn't understand why people couldn't let their babies cry it out. It annoyed me how there was a population of weak mothers that wouldn't allow their infants to self-soothe, choosing instead to deprive themselves of any decent sleep whatsoever.
You see, I did the whole cry-it-out thing with Wyatt, and it was easy. Yes, he cried... for 2.5 minutes and then would sleep for 12 hours straight. The kid also napped a minimum of 5-6 hours during the day. I remember laying him down in his crib, watching him roll over and say "nigh nigh". As I exited the room, I would smugly think to myself that those 2.5 minutes of whimpering were so worth it- I mean it produced the best sleeping baby in the entire world. If every new mom would just buck up and refrain from running into their child's nursery at so much of a sniffle, then there wouldn't be an issue of babies not sleeping throughout the night for no apparent reason.
Then, my darling daughter was born. She is now eight months old, and I am still rocking her to sleep- every night. We have tried putting her down drowsy, wide awake, swaddled, unswaddled, in a sleep sack, out of the sleep sack, with the soother on, with the soother off, with the sound machine, without the sound machine, lights on, lights off, lamp on, lamp off, night light, no night light. You get the picture.
The end result? The kid screams, and screams, and screams. Her face turns purple, snot pours out of her nose, she vomits, we start the process all over again. It's awesome.
Her naps suck too. I count myself lucky in she will go down for 30 minutes. I cannot for the life of me figure it out. Who wouldn't want to sleep?!?! I mean the only thing she is missing is watching me fold laundry or rather move the pile of laundry in an effort to get some shut eye.
The only thing that I have found that works is to rock, in the dark, with a paci held firmly in her mouth until she is in such a deep sleep that I can pray and wriggle and tip toe out of the blackness without her feeling her body leave mine. The whole process takes about 45 minutes, but she won't have it any other way. And, secretly, neither will I. No self-soothing for my girl- in fact, at this rate, I might be rocking her to sleep up until she leaves for college. Better enjoy it while I can :)
I used to be that mom who didn't understand why people couldn't let their babies cry it out. It annoyed me how there was a population of weak mothers that wouldn't allow their infants to self-soothe, choosing instead to deprive themselves of any decent sleep whatsoever.
You see, I did the whole cry-it-out thing with Wyatt, and it was easy. Yes, he cried... for 2.5 minutes and then would sleep for 12 hours straight. The kid also napped a minimum of 5-6 hours during the day. I remember laying him down in his crib, watching him roll over and say "nigh nigh". As I exited the room, I would smugly think to myself that those 2.5 minutes of whimpering were so worth it- I mean it produced the best sleeping baby in the entire world. If every new mom would just buck up and refrain from running into their child's nursery at so much of a sniffle, then there wouldn't be an issue of babies not sleeping throughout the night for no apparent reason.
Then, my darling daughter was born. She is now eight months old, and I am still rocking her to sleep- every night. We have tried putting her down drowsy, wide awake, swaddled, unswaddled, in a sleep sack, out of the sleep sack, with the soother on, with the soother off, with the sound machine, without the sound machine, lights on, lights off, lamp on, lamp off, night light, no night light. You get the picture.
The end result? The kid screams, and screams, and screams. Her face turns purple, snot pours out of her nose, she vomits, we start the process all over again. It's awesome.
Her naps suck too. I count myself lucky in she will go down for 30 minutes. I cannot for the life of me figure it out. Who wouldn't want to sleep?!?! I mean the only thing she is missing is watching me fold laundry or rather move the pile of laundry in an effort to get some shut eye.
The only thing that I have found that works is to rock, in the dark, with a paci held firmly in her mouth until she is in such a deep sleep that I can pray and wriggle and tip toe out of the blackness without her feeling her body leave mine. The whole process takes about 45 minutes, but she won't have it any other way. And, secretly, neither will I. No self-soothing for my girl- in fact, at this rate, I might be rocking her to sleep up until she leaves for college. Better enjoy it while I can :)
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Top 10
Top 10 Ways You Know Your a Mom to Two ... (or more)
Yes, these actually happened. Within the last week.
10. Your child sticks a broom in the fire pit during a marshmallow roast and you lack the energy to care.
9. You have wavered on your once-upon-a-time opinion that leashes are only for dogs.
8. You leave your six-month-old with the poor Target cashier because you have pee so bad wetting your pants is not out of the question, and the thought of hauling the pumpkin seat and 10,000 groceries into the ladies room is more than you can bear.
7. During a very rare trip to the store, alone, you fight the urge to let out a very Mel Gibson-esqe "FREEDOM!!" at the top of your lungs while simultaneously flinging you and your cart down aisle 10 in Walmart.
6. You contemplate starting your own logistics company.
5. One glance at the family calendar and you start sweating.
4. Statements like "Mom! I lit a spider on fire!" no longer shock you.
3. You stopped worrying about the color of the baby's poop about 5 years ago, when your first was an infant.
2. You can't remember the last time you had your hair done and trying to squeeze in a 30-min pedi might as well be mission impossible.
... and the number one way you know you are officially a mom to multiple children:
1. At some point during your 10-minute morning lunch/backpack/purse/briefcase stuffing craze, you end up with a miniature batman in your purse and much to your horror, the five-year-old inherits your tampons. And uses his new "missiles" as material for show-and-tell.
Yes, these actually happened. Within the last week.
10. Your child sticks a broom in the fire pit during a marshmallow roast and you lack the energy to care.
9. You have wavered on your once-upon-a-time opinion that leashes are only for dogs.
8. You leave your six-month-old with the poor Target cashier because you have pee so bad wetting your pants is not out of the question, and the thought of hauling the pumpkin seat and 10,000 groceries into the ladies room is more than you can bear.
7. During a very rare trip to the store, alone, you fight the urge to let out a very Mel Gibson-esqe "FREEDOM!!" at the top of your lungs while simultaneously flinging you and your cart down aisle 10 in Walmart.
6. You contemplate starting your own logistics company.
5. One glance at the family calendar and you start sweating.
4. Statements like "Mom! I lit a spider on fire!" no longer shock you.
3. You stopped worrying about the color of the baby's poop about 5 years ago, when your first was an infant.
2. You can't remember the last time you had your hair done and trying to squeeze in a 30-min pedi might as well be mission impossible.
... and the number one way you know you are officially a mom to multiple children:
1. At some point during your 10-minute morning lunch/backpack/purse/briefcase stuffing craze, you end up with a miniature batman in your purse and much to your horror, the five-year-old inherits your tampons. And uses his new "missiles" as material for show-and-tell.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Silence
Where do I begin? I have no earthly idea.
The last six months have been, well, a roller coaster.
It's been one foot in front-of-the-other, minute-by-minute, and most days, complete and utter chaos.
My sweet baby girl is a doll. She is beautiful and precious and high-maintenance as they come. I have been overwhelmed with two children and the adjustment to a family of four has been more than I bargained for. Add in going back to work full-time, a family health crisis and a beach trip from hell - it would be enough to send a Mother Theresa over the edge. On top of that, my second precious niece was born in April, my brother-in-law was married last month-- and my baby boy turned 5.
Did I mention Wyatt started Kindergarten this week? The emotions are running high, folks.
I didn't purposely mean to leave the blog out... just one more thing added to my plate seemed insurmountable. I remember life with Wyatt got bearable around three months, and at the six month mark I finally was able to keep my head above water. I am hoping we are rounding a corner. And, if not, I have got to have a place to vent. Even if no one reads it- it's my little corner of the world to simply get.it.out.
Plus, if you can laugh about it after the fact, it makes it a little easier. In the meantime, I posted pics of my sweet thangs- as I call them- although, there are a lot less pictures these days. I guess that's what happens when you are tired to the bone and there are messes to clean and spit-up to wipe and sheets to change and carpool lines to sit in... cheers to motherhood!
The last six months have been, well, a roller coaster.
It's been one foot in front-of-the-other, minute-by-minute, and most days, complete and utter chaos.
My sweet baby girl is a doll. She is beautiful and precious and high-maintenance as they come. I have been overwhelmed with two children and the adjustment to a family of four has been more than I bargained for. Add in going back to work full-time, a family health crisis and a beach trip from hell - it would be enough to send a Mother Theresa over the edge. On top of that, my second precious niece was born in April, my brother-in-law was married last month-- and my baby boy turned 5.
Did I mention Wyatt started Kindergarten this week? The emotions are running high, folks.
I didn't purposely mean to leave the blog out... just one more thing added to my plate seemed insurmountable. I remember life with Wyatt got bearable around three months, and at the six month mark I finally was able to keep my head above water. I am hoping we are rounding a corner. And, if not, I have got to have a place to vent. Even if no one reads it- it's my little corner of the world to simply get.it.out.
Plus, if you can laugh about it after the fact, it makes it a little easier. In the meantime, I posted pics of my sweet thangs- as I call them- although, there are a lot less pictures these days. I guess that's what happens when you are tired to the bone and there are messes to clean and spit-up to wipe and sheets to change and carpool lines to sit in... cheers to motherhood!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Ella Cate's Birth
Anyways, my induction was scheduled for Jan. 29th ... one week short of my due date. We arrived at 5:30 a.m.- and she was here by 11:01 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces and exactly 20 inches long.
It was incredibly fast and seamless (minus the two epidural takes) that all of my fears regarding inductions were laid to rest. She is absolutely perfect and dainty in every way. Other than the typical middle-of-the-night feedings, we have had no issues. She is the epitome of sweetness- only making a peep when hungry or in need of a diaper change.
Recovery had also been easier this time as well. As any new mother, I am bone tired, emotional and ready for some semblance of a schedule around here. Right now its all hands on deck.... and splitting my time between two children is something I am not used to. I know our "new normal" is around the corner- in the mean time, I am trying to focus on today - instead of the next 18 years. She is so precious. Five years ago I would have felt unproductive sitting around cuddling a baby - now, its my top priority.
Wyatt adores his sister... it makes my heart sing to see the two of them together. We are all so happy she's here.. the Lord has certainly blessed our family!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Almost Here!
Whew... the big day is almost here. The day we welcome our darling daughter into this big world. It seems so surreal. I think we are ready- the nursery is complete, the bottles are washed, the car seat securely installed. I wonder if we will ever truly be ready for what's in store.
I have dreamed about this day for such a long time- and all the days to come. The princesses and pedicures and proms... wow. I seriously can't believe I am about to meet my baby girl.
I am feeling pretty good- keeping my fingers crossed that with the serious amount of heartburn I have endured over the last nine months, that she will have a serious amount of hair :) Especially since all these hair bows will probably look huge on her tiny little head. Yes, lots and lots of brown curly hair sounds good to me- but if she comes out bald- she will still be the most beautiful baby in the whole wide world ;)
I am praying our sweet Wyatt knows in his little heart how much we love him- how that our hearts just grow and adapt and nothing will ever, ever take away from the love I have for my precious son - our first born.
I ask for your prayers as we make this journey to four. As with the birth of any child- there is a lot of unknowns. I know the next few weeks will be tough- but I pray that God grants me the patience to both endure and enjoy the moments ahead. I know they grow so very, very fast and the sleepless nights, the fussiness, the crazy and chaotic newborn stage passes within a blink of an eye...
Here we go!
I have dreamed about this day for such a long time- and all the days to come. The princesses and pedicures and proms... wow. I seriously can't believe I am about to meet my baby girl.
I am feeling pretty good- keeping my fingers crossed that with the serious amount of heartburn I have endured over the last nine months, that she will have a serious amount of hair :) Especially since all these hair bows will probably look huge on her tiny little head. Yes, lots and lots of brown curly hair sounds good to me- but if she comes out bald- she will still be the most beautiful baby in the whole wide world ;)
I am praying our sweet Wyatt knows in his little heart how much we love him- how that our hearts just grow and adapt and nothing will ever, ever take away from the love I have for my precious son - our first born.
I ask for your prayers as we make this journey to four. As with the birth of any child- there is a lot of unknowns. I know the next few weeks will be tough- but I pray that God grants me the patience to both endure and enjoy the moments ahead. I know they grow so very, very fast and the sleepless nights, the fussiness, the crazy and chaotic newborn stage passes within a blink of an eye...
Here we go!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
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