I love wearing rain boots and a rain jacket all day as if any moment the doors of the house might fling open and the waters come rushing in. Were that to happen - I am prepared! I may not be prepared for much else these days but give me a rainy day and I am ready! Rain boots are like no other boot to me - they must be worn for the rain or the chance of rain - not just on a whim. Cowboy boots? Maybe. You don't have to go jump on a horse to be able to wear cowboy boots around town but rain boots - no sir...for the rain only. And since it is 100% chance of rain in the Atlanta area the next two days we are sporting our rain gear and our optimistic smile! You see, a rainy day - let alone two in a row - for a stay at home mom is like a day of no internet at the office for some. It makes you want to pull your hair out and while the rain allows for many other productive things to occur, ie - folding laundry, cleaning the house, that is not at all what I want to do on a rainy day. Luckily this morning we got out in the rain just so this afternoon wouldn't be like a tornado on steroids at our house. We had some play time at the gym and then at our friend Caleb's house. Caleb's mama and I have decided long ago that Caleb and Brooks would be college roommates one day just after they back each other on the high school football team. They are both about as "boy" as you can get and at this age they enjoy hitting each other and pushing each other over but then sealing it with a sloppy kiss. Isn't it funny...kids this age really know nothing on their own more than what they can mimic? They will literally throw each other on the floor and then if I ask them to kiss or hug they do it without hesitation. Oh, to be a child again and hold no grudges and move past things so easily!
Other rainy day subjects - I have a new found love. Hello, FatBoy ice cream sandwiches! Last week I put a box of ice cream sandwiches in my grocery cart. This was one of those -"hmmm, I haven't had this in a long time...I wonder if I still like them" type of grabs at the grocery. Luckily, when I got to the check out counter I talked myself out of the frivolous purchase remembering that "oh, yeah, I am not pregnant anymore and I can not eat ice cream if I ever want my husband to think racy thoughts about me again." Four days later I am still thinking about the purchase that I had surpassed. So yesterday I found myself at the store again for the some essentials - milk and ice cream sandwiches. The box I selected advertised that they were only 100 calories and half the fat as the regular ice cream sandwich. Nice. I buy them happily and rush home so they don't melt. Just as the boys went down for a nap (because when Brad is home they nap at the same time but when I am by myself they stagger their naps. How thoughtful?) I burst into the freezer to pull out my new find! I was pleasantly surprised that the "Slim-Fatboy sandwiches" were soooo tasty! I was unpleasantly surprised to see that the only reason they are half the fat and calories is because they are literally, half the size! What? I hate false advertising but I hate it most when I am a sucker to it! Anyway, I guess I only need the 100 calorie treat anyway.....So once again today, boys go to sleep and I enjoyed every lick of my new favorite thing! This is why I ever had kids - so I could buy food for them to "try" knowing that ultimately, I would get to enjoy the food that I normally wouldn't buy. Last week I bought a box of Kix for Brooks. Brooks didn't ever eat one piece of the cereal and they are all gone. And that is how the story normally goes.
Pictures posted next of our field trip to the Yellow River Game Ranch. Like a Zoo....only better. Hold on to your hats....
Happy rainy Monday (and Tuesday per the weather man)!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Starting to see the forest through the trees
This morning in my mom bible study (that I am absolutely obsessed with) a lady spoke about her family which included her 7 children. Count them- SEVEN. And there are not seven kids because she couldn't afford birth control or because she was trying to pull some publicity stunt. She talked about how she was drowning when she had her second but how over that time she and her husband began to formulate their family "plan" and through scripture they knew that plan would include many kids. Not only does she have 7 children - she has 7 babies in heaven who never made it through a full term pregnancy. So that would make 14 pregnancies total. I was floored.
Here I am barely staying afloat with our two little ones. I mean, they are fed, and sometimes they are clean though every 3rd day I find a rare animal or toy underneath William's 3rd chin (so obviously I am feeding him well). For the most part they are healthy (I swear by breast feeding babies for as long as I can (*note* - this is just a reminder to myself for those days when I get weary and I am ready to have my body fully back to myself!)) and generally pretty happy (sans the last month of the teething monster). But - thriving??? I wouldn't necessarily say any of us are thriving, rather surviving. So just like any stage of life that we enter - it seems to be all that we will ever know. I remember laying awake many nights at the Terrace, the best home to 4 single girls in Atlanta, wondering if anyone would ever see the spark in me that I was quite sure I had....and that's not arrogant at all - I just wondered if another person would ever see the me that God created. I had gone out with several boys that liked pieces of me or liked my energy but they never seemed to "get" me. Enter Brad - stage Left. And, thank goodness, I didn't resolve to think that my stage of singleness was all I would ever know.
A
nd then I can easily recall the "ugly year" as I remember it - working five different jobs in one year all in hopes to find my golden ticket. Oddly enough, this year ended in me being pregnant for the first time so I guess somehow it lead me to my now "career." But still, that year I would drive home as the sun was going down from my seemingly perfect job down town just wondering when I would ever be in a place in my career where I felt like my gifts were truly used. So, now after 12 weeks I am starting to see the bigger picture. As I listened to this woman speak of her 7 children this morning I was truly humbled at my own view of my circumstances right now. My view is just that - a view all about me. When will I ever have a day to myself? When will I ever feel like I can actually teach my kids something rather than just change their diapers and make sure they are fed? When can Brad and I ever have time to dream about some of the things we want for our family? When do I get my energy back? (Does it ever come back?) Basically.....when will God show up and make this whole phase a little lighter....a little less to carry?
I am so thankful for my Tuesday morning bible study. I am so grateful to get to hear stories of women 3-20 years ahead of where we are in the game called Life. I am encouraged each week by their tenacity in parenting. These women take their role of being a mom and wife very seriously and they consider it the most noble thing to raise children. I certainly don't feel like there is anything noble about my days but I am given a glimpse of the forest each Tuesday....
Soon Brooks will not even need me to place the right shoe under the right foot and he'll be able to finish the songs we sing him at bed time before we get to the end. He won't need me to lift him out of the crib each morning and he certainly won't need me to use the bathroom. ANd while all of that sounds really freeing - I do understand that my light and momentary troubles right now are building on something far greater. It's just nice to have some other families ahead of me to see that it is all worth while.
On a similar but different note - we are going on 77 minutes of a quiet house. Oh, I am soooo favored today. And what have I done with my quiet time? Started to fold the 3 baskets of laundry? Cleaned the mashed banana off the floor? Sorted through the drawers and drawers of mail since June? NO, No, and NO! I have sat staring out the window, once again stifled by the silence. One day I'll learn how to actually get myself to work when the house is quiet. Yes, so much to do but the quiet is so rare........and so much more refreshing if I choose to do nothing!
And on another note - here are some pictures of the two boys. The objects in the pictures appear more innocent than they actually are on most occasions. Ha!
Brooks' First haircut. Surprisingly, he loved it! I am still a little weepy when I see that his baby-rat tail is gone. He's all grown up now!
William at 12 weeks. Whoa! Where did 12 weeks go?
Brotherly love.
Here I am barely staying afloat with our two little ones. I mean, they are fed, and sometimes they are clean though every 3rd day I find a rare animal or toy underneath William's 3rd chin (so obviously I am feeding him well). For the most part they are healthy (I swear by breast feeding babies for as long as I can (*note* - this is just a reminder to myself for those days when I get weary and I am ready to have my body fully back to myself!)) and generally pretty happy (sans the last month of the teething monster). But - thriving??? I wouldn't necessarily say any of us are thriving, rather surviving. So just like any stage of life that we enter - it seems to be all that we will ever know. I remember laying awake many nights at the Terrace, the best home to 4 single girls in Atlanta, wondering if anyone would ever see the spark in me that I was quite sure I had....and that's not arrogant at all - I just wondered if another person would ever see the me that God created. I had gone out with several boys that liked pieces of me or liked my energy but they never seemed to "get" me. Enter Brad - stage Left. And, thank goodness, I didn't resolve to think that my stage of singleness was all I would ever know.
A
nd then I can easily recall the "ugly year" as I remember it - working five different jobs in one year all in hopes to find my golden ticket. Oddly enough, this year ended in me being pregnant for the first time so I guess somehow it lead me to my now "career." But still, that year I would drive home as the sun was going down from my seemingly perfect job down town just wondering when I would ever be in a place in my career where I felt like my gifts were truly used. So, now after 12 weeks I am starting to see the bigger picture. As I listened to this woman speak of her 7 children this morning I was truly humbled at my own view of my circumstances right now. My view is just that - a view all about me. When will I ever have a day to myself? When will I ever feel like I can actually teach my kids something rather than just change their diapers and make sure they are fed? When can Brad and I ever have time to dream about some of the things we want for our family? When do I get my energy back? (Does it ever come back?) Basically.....when will God show up and make this whole phase a little lighter....a little less to carry?
I am so thankful for my Tuesday morning bible study. I am so grateful to get to hear stories of women 3-20 years ahead of where we are in the game called Life. I am encouraged each week by their tenacity in parenting. These women take their role of being a mom and wife very seriously and they consider it the most noble thing to raise children. I certainly don't feel like there is anything noble about my days but I am given a glimpse of the forest each Tuesday....
Soon Brooks will not even need me to place the right shoe under the right foot and he'll be able to finish the songs we sing him at bed time before we get to the end. He won't need me to lift him out of the crib each morning and he certainly won't need me to use the bathroom. ANd while all of that sounds really freeing - I do understand that my light and momentary troubles right now are building on something far greater. It's just nice to have some other families ahead of me to see that it is all worth while.
On a similar but different note - we are going on 77 minutes of a quiet house. Oh, I am soooo favored today. And what have I done with my quiet time? Started to fold the 3 baskets of laundry? Cleaned the mashed banana off the floor? Sorted through the drawers and drawers of mail since June? NO, No, and NO! I have sat staring out the window, once again stifled by the silence. One day I'll learn how to actually get myself to work when the house is quiet. Yes, so much to do but the quiet is so rare........and so much more refreshing if I choose to do nothing!
And on another note - here are some pictures of the two boys. The objects in the pictures appear more innocent than they actually are on most occasions. Ha!
Brooks' First haircut. Surprisingly, he loved it! I am still a little weepy when I see that his baby-rat tail is gone. He's all grown up now!
William at 12 weeks. Whoa! Where did 12 weeks go?
Brotherly love.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Full circle
My friend is having her first baby maybe as I type...... if not already.....We are all so anxious to hear the news.
I am so giddy over this new life and the reminder of what this dear little life means to me personally. This baby girl reminds me that everything in Gods plan does come around - full circle in His own timing. My friends shared the story that many of you are familiar with - the story of infertility...or so they thought. My friend is the best friend to a new moms that you will ever meet and all the while she has had the longing to carry and give birth to her own child. When I found out we were pregnant unexpectedly with William I did the most shameful thing. I didn't trust God with my friends heart or her story. I was too embarrassed for a few days to tell anyone that we were yet again expecting a child but especially her for fear of enabling her disappointment in her own plan for children.
Nearly two months later after a very uplifting week away at a retreat my friend had come to the beautiful place in her heart that God would give her a child naturally, without resolving to science in the form of IVF. In this case, it wasn't that IVF was wrong - she just knew she was supposed to wait. I can remember the day on the phone. Brooks was napping, I was pregnant and living in Savannah. I walked around my front yard on the phone with my friend hearing the most peaceful voice I had heard in a long time. She knew our sweet Father would make her a mommy one day and she was okay to wait on Him. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait very long and was pregnant within a few weeks. What I can remember better is the day I ran into my friend on our usual walk in our new neighborhood in Atlanta. I had a feeling that something was different and before the words could come out of her mouth I was a hysterical mess. Tears of joy fell to the sidewalk. Joy for my friend and her husband that their prayers had been answered but also tears of repentance because though I had said that God had a plan for her - I didn't fully believe it myself......She had waited for so long and had been such a selfless servant to so many of her dear friends, including me, as we walked through our own pregnancies.....when was God going to come around for her? This is where my view of God was so wrong. I wouldn't have labeled it as such at the time but it is clear - I had aquaited God's blessings with our behavior and my view had failed me. If my sweet friends behavior had been so perfect - so trusting - even during her time of sorrow then why hadn't God provided for her? My heart aches to think of my misunderstanding of grace at the time. But thankfully, God also had me in mind when he created this little girl. He knew that I, too, would get to experience His grace just as my friends did just by witnessing His perfect timing for a blessing in the form of a baby girl.
I am so elated that today they finally get to meet their baby girl that has been the desire of their hearts for so long. More so, I am so thankful that God allowed me and so many others to experience His perfect timing in bringing them a child at the most perfect time. I truly believe He does come around full circle....it's just in His own time - which is the time He can receive the most glory and praise for what He has done.
Happy Birthday, baby girl! Your life already has so much purpose and has already been used greatly. What a way to come into the world......
I am so giddy over this new life and the reminder of what this dear little life means to me personally. This baby girl reminds me that everything in Gods plan does come around - full circle in His own timing. My friends shared the story that many of you are familiar with - the story of infertility...or so they thought. My friend is the best friend to a new moms that you will ever meet and all the while she has had the longing to carry and give birth to her own child. When I found out we were pregnant unexpectedly with William I did the most shameful thing. I didn't trust God with my friends heart or her story. I was too embarrassed for a few days to tell anyone that we were yet again expecting a child but especially her for fear of enabling her disappointment in her own plan for children.
Nearly two months later after a very uplifting week away at a retreat my friend had come to the beautiful place in her heart that God would give her a child naturally, without resolving to science in the form of IVF. In this case, it wasn't that IVF was wrong - she just knew she was supposed to wait. I can remember the day on the phone. Brooks was napping, I was pregnant and living in Savannah. I walked around my front yard on the phone with my friend hearing the most peaceful voice I had heard in a long time. She knew our sweet Father would make her a mommy one day and she was okay to wait on Him. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait very long and was pregnant within a few weeks. What I can remember better is the day I ran into my friend on our usual walk in our new neighborhood in Atlanta. I had a feeling that something was different and before the words could come out of her mouth I was a hysterical mess. Tears of joy fell to the sidewalk. Joy for my friend and her husband that their prayers had been answered but also tears of repentance because though I had said that God had a plan for her - I didn't fully believe it myself......She had waited for so long and had been such a selfless servant to so many of her dear friends, including me, as we walked through our own pregnancies.....when was God going to come around for her? This is where my view of God was so wrong. I wouldn't have labeled it as such at the time but it is clear - I had aquaited God's blessings with our behavior and my view had failed me. If my sweet friends behavior had been so perfect - so trusting - even during her time of sorrow then why hadn't God provided for her? My heart aches to think of my misunderstanding of grace at the time. But thankfully, God also had me in mind when he created this little girl. He knew that I, too, would get to experience His grace just as my friends did just by witnessing His perfect timing for a blessing in the form of a baby girl.
I am so elated that today they finally get to meet their baby girl that has been the desire of their hearts for so long. More so, I am so thankful that God allowed me and so many others to experience His perfect timing in bringing them a child at the most perfect time. I truly believe He does come around full circle....it's just in His own time - which is the time He can receive the most glory and praise for what He has done.
Happy Birthday, baby girl! Your life already has so much purpose and has already been used greatly. What a way to come into the world......
Thursday, November 4, 2010
hangman
_t'_ qu_ _ t
I am scared to fully write the phrase that is dancing in my head right now for fear that once it is spoken or written it will no longer be true. For this very moment, it is true and the thought alone is rejuvenating! All of a sudden the burning that has lived behind my eyes this week and the soreness that has taken over my muscles is gone and I feel like my old self....lively, energetic, and ready to tackle anything!
I actually have other things that run through my head other than children themed thoughts and though I keep writing sentences that only relate to napping, pooping, and other such things that embody my day - I have deleted every one of them in attempt to truly savor my qu__t time at my house and think and talk about anything but juvenile subjects. I never thought this would be a challenge but I guess this is reality.....
So, let's talk about the other fascinating things in our world for a little bit.
Brad's beard.
It's back and I couldn't be happier. Brad, I know you stopped reading the "family" blog because you were tired of hearing about the craziness of our day twice - once by reading and then again in person but you should read this one because I'm talking about you. I am seriously attracted to the boy underneath the beard. Never in my school girl dreams did I picture myself snuggling with a grizzly man (good thing I didn't because that would have been odd for a school girl) but I now know I was missing out. I love the confidence that seems to come with just a little hair on your face. Granted, your goodbye kiss this morning may have exfoliated my dry skin for a month but I suffer the discomfort just to get to look at the new husband that has lived at our house all week. Your beard screams "I take charge", and "I may be a banker but I don't care" and "You wish you knew me better." Which, that is what you are going for right? Anyway, please this time let the beard hang around a little while longer than it's first debut. I'll tell you when we are ready for a change but for now we like your manly-makeover. We feel safe and protected when your around. {Did this make anyone feel uncomfortable reading? I hope not, that was certainly not the intention.}
In other news.........Never mind, the qu__t has already ended and my wild thoughts suddenly went out the door. Back to diapers, naps, Bob the builder, ideas on discipline, and all the other fun stuff that has overtaken me these days. But I sure did enjoy the few minutes while it lasted........
I am scared to fully write the phrase that is dancing in my head right now for fear that once it is spoken or written it will no longer be true. For this very moment, it is true and the thought alone is rejuvenating! All of a sudden the burning that has lived behind my eyes this week and the soreness that has taken over my muscles is gone and I feel like my old self....lively, energetic, and ready to tackle anything!
I actually have other things that run through my head other than children themed thoughts and though I keep writing sentences that only relate to napping, pooping, and other such things that embody my day - I have deleted every one of them in attempt to truly savor my qu__t time at my house and think and talk about anything but juvenile subjects. I never thought this would be a challenge but I guess this is reality.....
So, let's talk about the other fascinating things in our world for a little bit.
Brad's beard.
It's back and I couldn't be happier. Brad, I know you stopped reading the "family" blog because you were tired of hearing about the craziness of our day twice - once by reading and then again in person but you should read this one because I'm talking about you. I am seriously attracted to the boy underneath the beard. Never in my school girl dreams did I picture myself snuggling with a grizzly man (good thing I didn't because that would have been odd for a school girl) but I now know I was missing out. I love the confidence that seems to come with just a little hair on your face. Granted, your goodbye kiss this morning may have exfoliated my dry skin for a month but I suffer the discomfort just to get to look at the new husband that has lived at our house all week. Your beard screams "I take charge", and "I may be a banker but I don't care" and "You wish you knew me better." Which, that is what you are going for right? Anyway, please this time let the beard hang around a little while longer than it's first debut. I'll tell you when we are ready for a change but for now we like your manly-makeover. We feel safe and protected when your around. {Did this make anyone feel uncomfortable reading? I hope not, that was certainly not the intention.}
In other news.........Never mind, the qu__t has already ended and my wild thoughts suddenly went out the door. Back to diapers, naps, Bob the builder, ideas on discipline, and all the other fun stuff that has overtaken me these days. But I sure did enjoy the few minutes while it lasted........
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The worst thing I know
Hello, Misses Negative, right? Is that what you are thinking? I could write about how much I love the fall and all of it's holidays and the time for family and the things that smell nice in the fall....apple pie, pumpkin spice lattes, tailgates, and fires burning. I love the smell of fall! Or I could write about how much fun Brad and I had trick-or-treating. Didn't you know we had kids so I could eat snacks all day long and Brad could trick or treat?Those two things make the hard work of children worth it....promise. Or I could write about how happy I am to not be pregnant and to be turning 30 in a few months. It is true....I am excited about 30 and all the wisdom that will come on that splendid day....so I am told.
(Dont be fooled......Brad was a happy trick or treater but the little guys smile didn't last too long....not even with the lure of chocolate)
But instead I am going to go there. I will now write about the-most-horrible-thing-I-have-yet-to-experience. It starts with a "T" and ends with "MISERABLE." In the middle you will find these seemingly small white pieces of bone in your toddlers mouth.
Just to give you a taste of how awful our experience with teething has been - here are a few of the other worst things I know. Then take the awfulness of these few examples and compound them together and times them by 8 and you almost have the misery of my teething toddler.
So, a few terrible things -
1) INSOMNIA. Yes, this was by far the lowest season of my 29 years. Lonely, frustrating, and exhausting. But yes, teething has been worse and much more exhausting.
2) My fluffy dog throwing up in the middle of the night and then me - at 30 weeks pregnant - stepping in it on the way to one of the many middle of the night potty trips. Awesome. Yet, teething has this one beat, too.
3) A big ole nasty cockroach falling off our ceiling this past winter and falling on my husbands face. Thank goodness it was his face and not mine or this may have been worse than teething but the memory alone is just plain horrid.
4) Losing to the Florida Gators in overtime in Jacksonville after an attempt at a come back last weekend. I just don't like Florida and it really has nothing to do with football - as I am not that silly to have a ruined day over football - but more so over the way the loss of that one football game always ruined a great few days at the beach during my college years. Still....teething is so much worse than the Florida Gators.
5) Changing 6 yucky diapers all before 10am is no fun at all but the little boy who is screaming up stairs in his crib because of this monster called teething is even yuckier.
There you have it. Teething stinks. For several of my friends who are not yet in the baby stage of life let me draw this out for you. For over a year I have fallen for this little person that mimicks what I do and say and every few minutes flashes me his precious toothless grin. I didn't mind the toothless grin and I would have been fine with his old man smile for 5 more years. This same person that follows me around all day making me laugh and smile also takes naps....or used to. I admit - naps are God's gift to moms. I used to take naps for granted. I thought all little people napped and all moms had 2-3 hours a day of selfish/"me" time to search for unnecessary things on the internet or to write thank you notes or look up recipes (or lets get real - check out facebook and other such educational sites). Well ever since this devil entered our house naps are a rarity and giggles are held out for night time when daddy gets home (and seemingly, when "teething" seems to have gone away). This once amusing little person now throws his milk at my forehead for no reason, Screams "MaMa" in the car so loud that the other little person gets all upset and cries real tears, throws himself on the slate floor and bangs his head repeatedly, crawls into a ball in his crib when I come to get him in the mornings and continues to cry with his mouth open so wide he could seriously grip a tennis ball, and oh, by the way - doesn't nap. To add to it all, the poor thing can't talk in the first place. I couldn't imagine being in the worst pain I know throughout the day and night and not being able to complain to Brad or my mom - the two people that care or have made me think they do over the years. So this little persons only mode of communication is crying. This type of crying is the best kind too.......wide mouthed, high pitched, annoyingly sounded, and just all together disturbing. It's the kind of cry that unfortunately doesn't draw too much sympathy from a crowd.....rather, it's the one that has the strangers walking by and shaking their heads while thinking - "thank goodness that isn't my child." This cry is the best birth control you'll ever take.
Anyway, we are so nap and sleep deprived over here that no one makes any sense anymore. Everyone told me raising two babies would be demanding. There's no shortage of things to take care of at any given moment and honestly I could handle this role with much more grace were I just given 20 minutes of quiet time. That's all. TWENTY. But ever since the teething goblin hit our house there truly aren't 20 minutes. What used to be quiet now consists of fits, crying, pouting, and screaming. I just can't believe that a little person can have so much frustration and anger in his little body.
So, please, little teeth....pop through! Let's get this over with. I want my fun toddler back. I miss his smile and his belly-laughs. I miss my few minutes of quiet and the refreshing that comes with just a little tiny "me" time. I miss sleeping in until a whopping 7am. I miss the learning that was happening all day that has now given way to throwing ourselves against the wall and the floor every 5 minutes. I want my favorite little boy back, please! Off to get my helmet and knee pads on to handle the rest of the afternoon with the non--napping, teething little man......this should be exciting.....
(Dont be fooled......Brad was a happy trick or treater but the little guys smile didn't last too long....not even with the lure of chocolate)
But instead I am going to go there. I will now write about the-most-horrible-thing-I-have-yet-to-experience. It starts with a "T" and ends with "MISERABLE." In the middle you will find these seemingly small white pieces of bone in your toddlers mouth.
Just to give you a taste of how awful our experience with teething has been - here are a few of the other worst things I know. Then take the awfulness of these few examples and compound them together and times them by 8 and you almost have the misery of my teething toddler.
So, a few terrible things -
1) INSOMNIA. Yes, this was by far the lowest season of my 29 years. Lonely, frustrating, and exhausting. But yes, teething has been worse and much more exhausting.
2) My fluffy dog throwing up in the middle of the night and then me - at 30 weeks pregnant - stepping in it on the way to one of the many middle of the night potty trips. Awesome. Yet, teething has this one beat, too.
3) A big ole nasty cockroach falling off our ceiling this past winter and falling on my husbands face. Thank goodness it was his face and not mine or this may have been worse than teething but the memory alone is just plain horrid.
4) Losing to the Florida Gators in overtime in Jacksonville after an attempt at a come back last weekend. I just don't like Florida and it really has nothing to do with football - as I am not that silly to have a ruined day over football - but more so over the way the loss of that one football game always ruined a great few days at the beach during my college years. Still....teething is so much worse than the Florida Gators.
5) Changing 6 yucky diapers all before 10am is no fun at all but the little boy who is screaming up stairs in his crib because of this monster called teething is even yuckier.
There you have it. Teething stinks. For several of my friends who are not yet in the baby stage of life let me draw this out for you. For over a year I have fallen for this little person that mimicks what I do and say and every few minutes flashes me his precious toothless grin. I didn't mind the toothless grin and I would have been fine with his old man smile for 5 more years. This same person that follows me around all day making me laugh and smile also takes naps....or used to. I admit - naps are God's gift to moms. I used to take naps for granted. I thought all little people napped and all moms had 2-3 hours a day of selfish/"me" time to search for unnecessary things on the internet or to write thank you notes or look up recipes (or lets get real - check out facebook and other such educational sites). Well ever since this devil entered our house naps are a rarity and giggles are held out for night time when daddy gets home (and seemingly, when "teething" seems to have gone away). This once amusing little person now throws his milk at my forehead for no reason, Screams "MaMa" in the car so loud that the other little person gets all upset and cries real tears, throws himself on the slate floor and bangs his head repeatedly, crawls into a ball in his crib when I come to get him in the mornings and continues to cry with his mouth open so wide he could seriously grip a tennis ball, and oh, by the way - doesn't nap. To add to it all, the poor thing can't talk in the first place. I couldn't imagine being in the worst pain I know throughout the day and night and not being able to complain to Brad or my mom - the two people that care or have made me think they do over the years. So this little persons only mode of communication is crying. This type of crying is the best kind too.......wide mouthed, high pitched, annoyingly sounded, and just all together disturbing. It's the kind of cry that unfortunately doesn't draw too much sympathy from a crowd.....rather, it's the one that has the strangers walking by and shaking their heads while thinking - "thank goodness that isn't my child." This cry is the best birth control you'll ever take.
Anyway, we are so nap and sleep deprived over here that no one makes any sense anymore. Everyone told me raising two babies would be demanding. There's no shortage of things to take care of at any given moment and honestly I could handle this role with much more grace were I just given 20 minutes of quiet time. That's all. TWENTY. But ever since the teething goblin hit our house there truly aren't 20 minutes. What used to be quiet now consists of fits, crying, pouting, and screaming. I just can't believe that a little person can have so much frustration and anger in his little body.
So, please, little teeth....pop through! Let's get this over with. I want my fun toddler back. I miss his smile and his belly-laughs. I miss my few minutes of quiet and the refreshing that comes with just a little tiny "me" time. I miss sleeping in until a whopping 7am. I miss the learning that was happening all day that has now given way to throwing ourselves against the wall and the floor every 5 minutes. I want my favorite little boy back, please! Off to get my helmet and knee pads on to handle the rest of the afternoon with the non--napping, teething little man......this should be exciting.....
Monday, November 1, 2010
Everything has a place now
Oh y'all, I have never been so happy with myself and my husband for that matter. For some reason we started cleaning out the drawers in the house yesterday. It took all day and I spent much of the afternoon today finishing the project. I am happy that we finished something that we started. I am happy that everything now has a home - from the pictures from college, to Brad's random bird feathers from his hunting days, to the batteries for the remote control. Please come to my house and ask me where my scissors might be located? Or better yet, do you have a letter opener? Sure we do! I never knew we did but we do and now that I know I want some letters to open!
Really since last fall when we were living abroad (aka The Coast) and we then found out we were soon to care for another child - things have not been in there right place. Yes, the things in the house have been out of sorts just like other things - bigger things - like our dreams, goals, time for each other, and our ability to see the big picture. I can finally say with much certainty that things are looking up. Brad and I have started to dream together again. We had our first date night since the baby was born last week. And now we know where paper and pens are so we can actually right some goals on paper. We've never been too big on goals. As you can tell, we just tend to let things happen. I like life that way and luckily so does Brad but as THIRTY nears we do need to have a little direction or else I will truly be the old woman who lived in a shoe. Yes, some planning is a must!
So, expect a little more from me this fall. Maybe a few "projects" with the kids. maybe a little organizing my addresses, recipes and the library of magazines I have collected for a year now! Oh, and I WILL finally get to the baby books and picture albums that I once started and have yet to pick back up. ANd I am talking about our wedding album first. Yes, pathetic! Trust me, we weren't thinking there would be two mostly precious-sometimes-rambuncious little boys to interrupt these many projects we once started but rest assured - we are getting back on our feet. Get this - Brad and I have actually been reading books at night while the boys snooze. If anything screams normalcy and calm than reading a book is it!
Okay, two more drawers of love letters Brad and I have given to each other of the few years to sort through - and only about 10 more minutes of nap time......
Oh, happy happy day when everything is in it's perfect place.
Really since last fall when we were living abroad (aka The Coast) and we then found out we were soon to care for another child - things have not been in there right place. Yes, the things in the house have been out of sorts just like other things - bigger things - like our dreams, goals, time for each other, and our ability to see the big picture. I can finally say with much certainty that things are looking up. Brad and I have started to dream together again. We had our first date night since the baby was born last week. And now we know where paper and pens are so we can actually right some goals on paper. We've never been too big on goals. As you can tell, we just tend to let things happen. I like life that way and luckily so does Brad but as THIRTY nears we do need to have a little direction or else I will truly be the old woman who lived in a shoe. Yes, some planning is a must!
So, expect a little more from me this fall. Maybe a few "projects" with the kids. maybe a little organizing my addresses, recipes and the library of magazines I have collected for a year now! Oh, and I WILL finally get to the baby books and picture albums that I once started and have yet to pick back up. ANd I am talking about our wedding album first. Yes, pathetic! Trust me, we weren't thinking there would be two mostly precious-sometimes-rambuncious little boys to interrupt these many projects we once started but rest assured - we are getting back on our feet. Get this - Brad and I have actually been reading books at night while the boys snooze. If anything screams normalcy and calm than reading a book is it!
Okay, two more drawers of love letters Brad and I have given to each other of the few years to sort through - and only about 10 more minutes of nap time......
Oh, happy happy day when everything is in it's perfect place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
