Today I feel like I am being pulled in 12 different directions. We are down to one car, we have Christmas programs, Christmas shopping, moms coming in to town within the week, I have had to drive the kids to their dads and back (which is an 80 mile round trip venture), nursing a toddler, chasing a toddler, trying to clean the house, AAAAHHHHH!!!!
Today is one of those days that the Art of Being Mom looks like a Pablo Picasso painting on crack. I am writing this while nursing the baby to sleep, talk about multi-tasking. I have to go pick up Christmas cards, pick up the kids, pick up the hubby, dinner, get the kids dressed and ready for the Christmas program tonight, make myself presentable, toddler, hubby can definitely dress himself thank God.
I just feel very stressed, and like I am unable to enjoy this time of year. With all the running and chasing, and doing and going, I feel like I cannot even enjoy what this season is supposed to be about. I need a break. Maybe I need to just start earlier, like March.
I hate to sound like a BAH HUMBUG, but sometimes, that is how I feel. Of course that all changes when I look at my kids and see how excited they are for Christmas to get here.
Okay, baby asleep, check! Now, to lay her down for a nap and grab a shower....I hope that smell isnt me, I am pretty sure it is the dog...another task for my ever growing TO DO LIST.
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Monday, December 17, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Co-sleeping....
What we do with our 15 month old is what I call modified co-sleeping. She naps every day in her own bed. At night she sleeps mostly in our bed. Last night she slept the whole night in our bed. After the happenings of yesterday I needed the extra snuggle of my littlest angel. I just had to listen to her breathing, see her chest moving up and down while she slept, just know that she was okay lying there next to me.
Typically, she wakes up frequently. She wakes up every 1-2 hours. I start her off in her bed, and then at some point I move her to our bed so that she can continue to nurse and I can get some sleep. I love her snuggly little self, but I also love having my spot back in the bed. It's a tug of war every night. At first I was being given greatly divided advice on co-sleeping. I turned to Dr. Sears for information. Upon reading the information I was so happy that I am NOT in fact screwing my child up forever. I am NOT going to smother her, thank God. She will actually be perfectly happy and healthy.
That being said, I am working on getting her out of my bed. Why? Well, as I mentioned before I am not getting as good sleep as I was before her. I have about half the space in the bed, which leads to me being awakened mroe frequently. I have sleep issues to begin with so this is just adding to my sleep deprivation.
I stay at home, and thus, am with my little one all day. So being all day, and all night, I am having a little trouble with not having any time that is alone time. Not that I would be alone, my hubby is in the bed too. But I need to feel like I am not constantly in Mommy mode, even if I am. It's psychological really. But it is my reason and therefor valid enough.
So there are benefits to co-sleeping. Better sleep for parent and baby (I am the odd mommy out in this one apparently), better physiology for baby, decrease in SIDS, and better emotional health. No one says co-sleeping is necessary for a well developed child. But co-sleeping is certainly not detrimental to a baby's health and well being.
Co-sleeping is a personal, parenting choice. I choose to do modified co-sleeping, and that works for our family.
Typically, she wakes up frequently. She wakes up every 1-2 hours. I start her off in her bed, and then at some point I move her to our bed so that she can continue to nurse and I can get some sleep. I love her snuggly little self, but I also love having my spot back in the bed. It's a tug of war every night. At first I was being given greatly divided advice on co-sleeping. I turned to Dr. Sears for information. Upon reading the information I was so happy that I am NOT in fact screwing my child up forever. I am NOT going to smother her, thank God. She will actually be perfectly happy and healthy.
That being said, I am working on getting her out of my bed. Why? Well, as I mentioned before I am not getting as good sleep as I was before her. I have about half the space in the bed, which leads to me being awakened mroe frequently. I have sleep issues to begin with so this is just adding to my sleep deprivation.
I stay at home, and thus, am with my little one all day. So being all day, and all night, I am having a little trouble with not having any time that is alone time. Not that I would be alone, my hubby is in the bed too. But I need to feel like I am not constantly in Mommy mode, even if I am. It's psychological really. But it is my reason and therefor valid enough.
So there are benefits to co-sleeping. Better sleep for parent and baby (I am the odd mommy out in this one apparently), better physiology for baby, decrease in SIDS, and better emotional health. No one says co-sleeping is necessary for a well developed child. But co-sleeping is certainly not detrimental to a baby's health and well being.
Co-sleeping is a personal, parenting choice. I choose to do modified co-sleeping, and that works for our family.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Explaining to the Kids...
When I picked my kids up from school today I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew they were okay, obviously, but just seeing them made my heart finally relax. I cannot fathom being a parent and receiving a phone call that there has been an emergency at my kids' school, only to get there and get the news that my child has been shot. Not just any old emergency, but my ELEMENTARY school child has been shot, and is dead. This is not within the realm of my reality. I cannot even imagine.
I had to drive my girls to their father's house for the weekend. We usually hit really bad traffic on the way down, it's northern Virginia the only traffic we have is BAD traffic. I told them that something sad and tragic happened today. I explained the events of the shooting. They were quiet. My 10 year old said how said it was that the children died, and how scared everyone must have been. My 8 year old took it to a whole other level.
My precious, loving, caring little 8 year old baby said, "Hmm, right before Christmas. Those poor people. I bet those parents have bought Christmas presents for their kids, what are they supposed to do this Christmas without their kids?" I was a weeping mess by the time she said Christmas the first time. I had not yet let my brain wander to that thought, that harsh reality. I had not even given consideration to the idea of these families missing the most important part of Christmas...the children.
My daughter then proceeded to say a Hail Mary and an Our Father for the kids that were lost, and all the people affected by this horror. Her sister said it with her, and so did I, but it was her idea. She is the most caring, affectionate child. She wants attention more than any toy on the market. She wants acceptance more than any video game. She wants everyone in her world to be happy more than she wants any material possession.
Telling our kids about this tragedy is important, depending on the age of our children. Mine are old enough to need to have this explained. They watch the news sometimes, they read things, they pay attention to what goes on in the world. I kept my explanation simple, stright forward, and age appropriate. That is the best advice I have.
They need to understand, but they need to have it in a perspective that they can grasp at their age. They need to know they are safe and sound, and that we will do everything we can to protect them from the cold, sometimes cruel world.
So when you talk to your kids about this or any other life event, keep it simple, to the point, and age appropriate. Give them no more information than what they need to understand the basic information. They have an entire lifetime to be jaded by reality, save as much innocence as we can for now.
I had to drive my girls to their father's house for the weekend. We usually hit really bad traffic on the way down, it's northern Virginia the only traffic we have is BAD traffic. I told them that something sad and tragic happened today. I explained the events of the shooting. They were quiet. My 10 year old said how said it was that the children died, and how scared everyone must have been. My 8 year old took it to a whole other level.
My precious, loving, caring little 8 year old baby said, "Hmm, right before Christmas. Those poor people. I bet those parents have bought Christmas presents for their kids, what are they supposed to do this Christmas without their kids?" I was a weeping mess by the time she said Christmas the first time. I had not yet let my brain wander to that thought, that harsh reality. I had not even given consideration to the idea of these families missing the most important part of Christmas...the children.
My daughter then proceeded to say a Hail Mary and an Our Father for the kids that were lost, and all the people affected by this horror. Her sister said it with her, and so did I, but it was her idea. She is the most caring, affectionate child. She wants attention more than any toy on the market. She wants acceptance more than any video game. She wants everyone in her world to be happy more than she wants any material possession.
Telling our kids about this tragedy is important, depending on the age of our children. Mine are old enough to need to have this explained. They watch the news sometimes, they read things, they pay attention to what goes on in the world. I kept my explanation simple, stright forward, and age appropriate. That is the best advice I have.
They need to understand, but they need to have it in a perspective that they can grasp at their age. They need to know they are safe and sound, and that we will do everything we can to protect them from the cold, sometimes cruel world.
So when you talk to your kids about this or any other life event, keep it simple, to the point, and age appropriate. Give them no more information than what they need to understand the basic information. They have an entire lifetime to be jaded by reality, save as much innocence as we can for now.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Over Extended
You know, there is a stigma that stay at home Moms are lazy. That we sit around all day Facebooking and blogging, neglecting our homes and our kids....hey wait, where't the baby??? KIDDING! She's NURSING! That is how I have a moment to blog. Anywho, I digress...
Do any of you stay at home Moms have issues with over extending yourself, mostly out of combatting the stigma of being thought of as lazy?? Do you sign up to do every party, bake every snack, contribute to every art project your kids have going on because you, "are home" and "have the time" to do everything under the sun?!?! This is an affliction, I recognize this, and I quite frankly have this affliction myself.
This week I have two class picnics to attend and contribute either snacks, toys, tent, or time too...if not all of the above. I have to schedule a dr appt for the baby, I have to take my car in to be tuned up, I have dinner to cook, lunches to make, breakfasts, a house to keep clean, a dog to walk and pay attention to, and the baby...God bless her soul, my sweet baby who keeps me on my toes every second of the day that she is NOT nursing, or eating somehow.
I have a very busy life, and yet, I often feel like I could be doing more...not sure when I think this should be happening, but I do know it's all psychological. I would go to counseling for it, but who has the freaking time?!?!
So I will continue to keep doing everything I can for the kiddos, and you know what, in the long run....they will look back and appreciate that they could always count on Mom to be there....even if it was just to bake some goodies. They will look at their childhoods and recall me juggling everything I could just to make sure they know I love, support, and will be there for them as much as I can.
That makes it all worth it.
Okay, time's up, gotta run....
Do any of you stay at home Moms have issues with over extending yourself, mostly out of combatting the stigma of being thought of as lazy?? Do you sign up to do every party, bake every snack, contribute to every art project your kids have going on because you, "are home" and "have the time" to do everything under the sun?!?! This is an affliction, I recognize this, and I quite frankly have this affliction myself.
This week I have two class picnics to attend and contribute either snacks, toys, tent, or time too...if not all of the above. I have to schedule a dr appt for the baby, I have to take my car in to be tuned up, I have dinner to cook, lunches to make, breakfasts, a house to keep clean, a dog to walk and pay attention to, and the baby...God bless her soul, my sweet baby who keeps me on my toes every second of the day that she is NOT nursing, or eating somehow.
I have a very busy life, and yet, I often feel like I could be doing more...not sure when I think this should be happening, but I do know it's all psychological. I would go to counseling for it, but who has the freaking time?!?!
So I will continue to keep doing everything I can for the kiddos, and you know what, in the long run....they will look back and appreciate that they could always count on Mom to be there....even if it was just to bake some goodies. They will look at their childhoods and recall me juggling everything I could just to make sure they know I love, support, and will be there for them as much as I can.
That makes it all worth it.
Okay, time's up, gotta run....
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Barefoot Executive
Have you read this book? I just started it. I am digging it so far. I am feeling like Carrie and I have similar personalities. So hopefully I can gain some great direction.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Affect Change Through Positivity Not Through Brut
I am a strong advocate of standing up for your beliefs, but the way in which you stand up can be an art form. Those that stand up with diplomacy, conviction, and ration are more likely to be heard and to affect change. People that stand up with brut strength usually just cause an equal and opposite reaction in the situation they are trying to change, or get change out of fear and loathing.
In the USA we are all entitled to our beliefs and opinions, and expressions. But we still have to live within certain boundaries and limitations. I am proud to say that one of my strong character traits is my ability to be open, diplomatic, and still get my point across.
This is something I am passing on to my girls, because out in the real world, it can come in really handy.
In the USA we are all entitled to our beliefs and opinions, and expressions. But we still have to live within certain boundaries and limitations. I am proud to say that one of my strong character traits is my ability to be open, diplomatic, and still get my point across.
This is something I am passing on to my girls, because out in the real world, it can come in really handy.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Vinegar...
Did you know there is a Vinegar Institute?? I had no idea! There are countless uses for vinegar, and I love it!! So here I share with you, a link to The Vinegar Institute
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