What to do on a hot summer day? Play outside, run through the sprinkler, and eat the best tasting juiciest watermelon EVER...it was divine!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
"Push Present"
So what are you thoughts on a "push present"? Until today I had no idea what that was. You can read the article The Forum had on it today here. Personally, I am not one for material gifts from my husband. I have sent him back to the jewelery store twice to return items I just didn't feel were necessary. BUT I am not a jewelery girl. LOVE my wedding ring but forget to wear it half the time. I also love some nice big chandelier earrings when I want to feel a little sexy. Not that I think it is wrong if you are a jewelery girl, my mother-in-law and one of my best friends love their jewels. Good for them, they both deserve it. I on the other hand would prefer to take a vacation (hmm...that has been awhile, maybe I should ask for a vacation push present) or have a nice dinner out with my husband without the kids.
Anyways...Back to the "push present". I think it is ridiculous that we as mothers should be rewarded for our labor. Does it suck that it has to be us to go through all of the pain? YES! Is it fair that we have to deal with the backaches, sleepless nights, heartburn, and many other unmentionables-NO! But do I think that because I have to go through all this that my husband needs to go buy me diamond earrings or upgrade my wedding ring? Absolutely not! Isn't that baby suppose to be the reward after all those hours of distress? Hasn't it all been building to see this little person, hold them, coo over them?
I remember when Anthony was first born I felt like he wasn't mine. I didn't have that immediate mother bear instinct. I panicked! Was there something wrong with me? Nope, actually it is pretty normal. Especially with your first one because you build up this birthing moment in your head and when it doesn't go exactly as planned your in shock. I think the push present I needed after 32 hours in labor pretty much drug free only to have a c-section was a Bud Light but the nurses wouldn't buy it.
I think if your husband wants to give you a gift to signify the birth of a child and its his idea-fantastic! I just don't like the fact that anyone should expect to be rewarded. On Alex's wall I had a saying put up on his nursery...“The most important things in life aren't things.”
Anyways...Back to the "push present". I think it is ridiculous that we as mothers should be rewarded for our labor. Does it suck that it has to be us to go through all of the pain? YES! Is it fair that we have to deal with the backaches, sleepless nights, heartburn, and many other unmentionables-NO! But do I think that because I have to go through all this that my husband needs to go buy me diamond earrings or upgrade my wedding ring? Absolutely not! Isn't that baby suppose to be the reward after all those hours of distress? Hasn't it all been building to see this little person, hold them, coo over them?
I remember when Anthony was first born I felt like he wasn't mine. I didn't have that immediate mother bear instinct. I panicked! Was there something wrong with me? Nope, actually it is pretty normal. Especially with your first one because you build up this birthing moment in your head and when it doesn't go exactly as planned your in shock. I think the push present I needed after 32 hours in labor pretty much drug free only to have a c-section was a Bud Light but the nurses wouldn't buy it.
I think if your husband wants to give you a gift to signify the birth of a child and its his idea-fantastic! I just don't like the fact that anyone should expect to be rewarded. On Alex's wall I had a saying put up on his nursery...“The most important things in life aren't things.”
I can tell you that I believe that wholeheartedly and always have. So are you a push present kind of girl or not so much? I promise to not judge you either way, we all have our vices...
On a funny side note we were driving in the car and Anthony asks,"Mom, after the baby is here, are you going to get skinny again? No offense." I laughed out loud. Kids are brutally honest-gotta love it!
On a funny side note we were driving in the car and Anthony asks,"Mom, after the baby is here, are you going to get skinny again? No offense." I laughed out loud. Kids are brutally honest-gotta love it!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sassy Pants
My seven year old is really giving me a hard time. Not us, me. He would never speak to his dad the way he speaks to me. Very free, very sassy, always with a remark back. Today I was clutching the steering wheel so tight I had visions of it breaking off. Anthony started speaking very clearly at a young age. People would always comment how well he spoke. He stated what he wanted hitting each syllable precisely. He was very good about using his manners. I enjoyed him because we could converse in a conversation very young. That enjoyment is now weaning to frustration. He now chooses to talk to me like a fellow adult. Erik points out to me on a regular basis when we are in an adult argument that I always have to have the last word. I now see how irritating that is when I am in a heated conversation with a 7 year old. I hear my mother in my voice. I say all the cliche' things. But one I stand by is I would never have spoken to my mother the way that he speaks to me. I never would have sat down as a child. Wooden spoons were not just for mixing bowls in our house.
So tonight he was suppose to spend the night at grandma's, treat for him, treat for me. Alex will now be going on his own because Anthony will be picked up by me to help with chores around the house. He will not be bringing his bike to the lake tomorrow. I am throwing down the gauntlet this weekend. Anthony is going to earn every morsel of potential fun this weekend by helping me with laundry, scrubbing floors, and doing dishes tonight. I will not waver when he cries. I will not cave when his lip quivers. He will not woo me with his beautiful eyes. Because this mama has had enough! Alex is at the stage where he soaks everything in that Anthony does. He absolutely adores his older brother when he is not being called names or kicked by him. He will not learn that this behavior is okay.
The big threat I have is,"wait until your father gets home." That will stop him in his tracks. A stern conversation with dad and he flips a switch. I do not have that luxury and for the life of me cannot figure out what Erik does that makes that happen. But I am bound and determined to figure out our switch before I go NUTS! So child labor it is. Starting tonight. Just the way I wanted to start my weekend off. Isn't motherhood grand?
So tonight he was suppose to spend the night at grandma's, treat for him, treat for me. Alex will now be going on his own because Anthony will be picked up by me to help with chores around the house. He will not be bringing his bike to the lake tomorrow. I am throwing down the gauntlet this weekend. Anthony is going to earn every morsel of potential fun this weekend by helping me with laundry, scrubbing floors, and doing dishes tonight. I will not waver when he cries. I will not cave when his lip quivers. He will not woo me with his beautiful eyes. Because this mama has had enough! Alex is at the stage where he soaks everything in that Anthony does. He absolutely adores his older brother when he is not being called names or kicked by him. He will not learn that this behavior is okay.
The big threat I have is,"wait until your father gets home." That will stop him in his tracks. A stern conversation with dad and he flips a switch. I do not have that luxury and for the life of me cannot figure out what Erik does that makes that happen. But I am bound and determined to figure out our switch before I go NUTS! So child labor it is. Starting tonight. Just the way I wanted to start my weekend off. Isn't motherhood grand?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bliss
Yesterday was bliss. No work means time to spend with the boys as well as Leslie and Stu. Since it was raining we headed out to their house to swim-I think I love her pool more than she does by the way. The boys swam ALL AFTERNOON, Leslie colored my hair-so needed. I was starting to look like Stacey from "What Not to Wear" except my gray pieces were natural and not wanted. I had a doctor's appointment at 4:30 so Les kept the boys for me so they could swim, jump on the trampoline, and not drive me crazy at my appointment. Two more appointments and Talia is going to be here. Don't you love that name?
She is measuring pretty big. Not shocking since the boys were both over 8 pounds. The doctor guesstimated that she will be about 8.5 pounds upon arrival. I have only gained 8.2 pounds so hopefully when I start breastfeeding I will end up kick starting some weight loss. Now that no more babies are coming out of this body I would like to get down to what I weighed when we got married.
After my appointment Les dropped off all the boys including Stu so she could go to Zumba-also dropped off spaghetti for me since they had already ate supper at her house. Bonus-did not have to make supper or do dishes. My sister came over and gave Alex a bath. Threatened Anthony until he hopped into the shower-not willingly. Rubbed my feet and painted my toes.
The boys went to bed exhausted and I didn't have to get up to pee until 1 am...all in all a very successful day!
She is measuring pretty big. Not shocking since the boys were both over 8 pounds. The doctor guesstimated that she will be about 8.5 pounds upon arrival. I have only gained 8.2 pounds so hopefully when I start breastfeeding I will end up kick starting some weight loss. Now that no more babies are coming out of this body I would like to get down to what I weighed when we got married.
After my appointment Les dropped off all the boys including Stu so she could go to Zumba-also dropped off spaghetti for me since they had already ate supper at her house. Bonus-did not have to make supper or do dishes. My sister came over and gave Alex a bath. Threatened Anthony until he hopped into the shower-not willingly. Rubbed my feet and painted my toes.
The boys went to bed exhausted and I didn't have to get up to pee until 1 am...all in all a very successful day!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Talia
Talia
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Talia meaning and name origin
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Today
Is a day that seemed awfully normal. We woke up at the lake, grazed on some mini donuts and cereal bars. Cleaned up the camper while daddy slept in. I cleaned, the kids watched Cars. When Erik got up he helped me finish up loading everything so we could head home to spend some time with his family and celebrate Father's Day. I gave Erik his card from me. I have an obsession with the cards that play music when you open them up. My card for him was a naughty couple (G Rated) on the front and when you opened it up the song was bomp..bomp..chica..chica..oh yeah...SO FUNNY! Anthony did a fantastic job shopping for him with Grandma Eileen...all dedicated to the MN Twins or golf. He knows his father very well.
Once we got home Erik mowed the lawn, I did laundry. He took a well deserved nap and I showered. Once he was up he took Alex to go pick out a DQ cake to bring over to his dad. We pulled in to his parents driveway and I could feel myself tear up. The boys run around back to greet Papa who is already grilling, I walk inside and my mother-in-law asks me,"How are you today?" I can feel the tears come, my face get hot, and realize there is no way of stopping. I begin to sob. Yep, seemed like a totally normal day until we pulled into their driveway. Then the world felt like it was ending. Not sure what made the switch but my hormones are in full gear. WOWZER! She knows how to handle me like a fine tuned fiddle. Once I had my ten minutes of tears and was able to vent how I am tired of being pregnant, I am not getting any sleep, my boys are driving me nuts fighting, how am I am going to handle another? She fed me full of sweets, ice cream cake, and a whole can of Coca-Cola.
I am now content...so today I should be raving about how good of a father my husband is. I should be talking about how I am so grateful for him and how kind he is. How he makes me laugh almost everyday and how I had such a great time with him and the boys at the lake this weekend. Which I did wholeheartedly. But instead all I can do is pray I go two hours apart tonight without having to pee. That when I sit down to go I hear a full stream instead of a tinkle. That when I wake up it doesn't say Midnight, 2 o'clock, 3:30, 4:46, 5:53....that it will be 6 am like the good old days. I remember being in the hospital and so happy that I didn't have to pee every hour. I can't wait to wear pants without elastic. To not hear myself heavy breathing after having to bend down to put my underwear on.
I had said all this to Erik this weekend. What he said next touched me. He said that I will do the same thing with this baby that I did with the others. As soon as she arrives I will start telling them how much I loved carrying them and I miss it. Never even realized I did that. He then recited the stories that I tell both boys verbatim. He told me they are some of his favorite. Now I am crying again. I am one hot mess of a pregnant chic. 3 weeks and 2 days to go...please pray for us.
Once we got home Erik mowed the lawn, I did laundry. He took a well deserved nap and I showered. Once he was up he took Alex to go pick out a DQ cake to bring over to his dad. We pulled in to his parents driveway and I could feel myself tear up. The boys run around back to greet Papa who is already grilling, I walk inside and my mother-in-law asks me,"How are you today?" I can feel the tears come, my face get hot, and realize there is no way of stopping. I begin to sob. Yep, seemed like a totally normal day until we pulled into their driveway. Then the world felt like it was ending. Not sure what made the switch but my hormones are in full gear. WOWZER! She knows how to handle me like a fine tuned fiddle. Once I had my ten minutes of tears and was able to vent how I am tired of being pregnant, I am not getting any sleep, my boys are driving me nuts fighting, how am I am going to handle another? She fed me full of sweets, ice cream cake, and a whole can of Coca-Cola.
I am now content...so today I should be raving about how good of a father my husband is. I should be talking about how I am so grateful for him and how kind he is. How he makes me laugh almost everyday and how I had such a great time with him and the boys at the lake this weekend. Which I did wholeheartedly. But instead all I can do is pray I go two hours apart tonight without having to pee. That when I sit down to go I hear a full stream instead of a tinkle. That when I wake up it doesn't say Midnight, 2 o'clock, 3:30, 4:46, 5:53....that it will be 6 am like the good old days. I remember being in the hospital and so happy that I didn't have to pee every hour. I can't wait to wear pants without elastic. To not hear myself heavy breathing after having to bend down to put my underwear on.
I had said all this to Erik this weekend. What he said next touched me. He said that I will do the same thing with this baby that I did with the others. As soon as she arrives I will start telling them how much I loved carrying them and I miss it. Never even realized I did that. He then recited the stories that I tell both boys verbatim. He told me they are some of his favorite. Now I am crying again. I am one hot mess of a pregnant chic. 3 weeks and 2 days to go...please pray for us.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Working Mom Guilts
So number three is going to be here in 29 days! We are literally counting down each day, sometime the hours-no joke. I cannot wait to hold her, stroke her, and just breath in newborn baby. I am also excited to have some time off of work to spend time with the boys, especially during summer vacation. BUT I am also thinking about how work is going to be without me-how will they survive without my genius-who will take care of my clients, emails, phone calls? Is anyone else capable of doing it? OF COURSE!
I work with an amazing company that will run just as it did before me like a well oiled machine. But it makes me nervous. As soon as the thoughts come charging at me, even in my dreams I then relent to guilt. I should be relishing this time with the family, only focused on them. Unfortunately, I am not one of those mom's that can turn off the fact that I do like to work. I like to have a place that is not completely connected to my family where I am my own person. But what goes along with that is the guilt that is associated with thinking,"Am I a selfish person because I need that time?" Is it okay that other people spend more time with my kids during the work week than me? Is it okay that I can be preoccupied with a spreadsheet when I am sitting on the floor playing legos? Is it okay that I am preoccupied with my maternity leave at work? Really ladies, does the guilt ever cease?
I think being pregnant, especially in my last month my hormones are a little crazed to say the least and the guilt sets in faster and longer. My nights are consumed with caring for my family, not to mention the early hours of the morning but sometimes it is just not good enough. When does the balance come in?
With both of the boys I was very lucky that I was able to spend their first year of their lives with them with minimal childcare. With number 3 I don't have that luxury. I will be taking 12 weeks off but not fully. The first 4 weeks will be without work completely. The next 4 I am working part time from home with her and the last 4 will be working full time from home. She is not even here and I am fretting about the 13th week when I have to put her in day care. I still have not found full time care for her and Alex come this fall. The original place I planned on bringing them closed after 30+ years last week. I shed a tear, literally.
Balancing work and family is hard. The more we grow, it seems the harder it gets. My mother-in-law mentioned to me that is why most women stay home when 3 come into play. If our kids were maybe closer in age I think I would consider it more but not long from now Alex will be in full time preschool and then it would just be baby and me. We don't have the luxury of living off one income so regardless I would have to assume an income one way or another in the evenings or weekends. Then I miss out on family time when Erik is home.
Interesting enough, that I do know that when she finally arrives nothing else will matter to me. I remember that feeling...nothing else matters except their safety, security, and your love for them. Cannot wait for those endorphins to tell this mom guilt to stick it.
I work with an amazing company that will run just as it did before me like a well oiled machine. But it makes me nervous. As soon as the thoughts come charging at me, even in my dreams I then relent to guilt. I should be relishing this time with the family, only focused on them. Unfortunately, I am not one of those mom's that can turn off the fact that I do like to work. I like to have a place that is not completely connected to my family where I am my own person. But what goes along with that is the guilt that is associated with thinking,"Am I a selfish person because I need that time?" Is it okay that other people spend more time with my kids during the work week than me? Is it okay that I can be preoccupied with a spreadsheet when I am sitting on the floor playing legos? Is it okay that I am preoccupied with my maternity leave at work? Really ladies, does the guilt ever cease?
I think being pregnant, especially in my last month my hormones are a little crazed to say the least and the guilt sets in faster and longer. My nights are consumed with caring for my family, not to mention the early hours of the morning but sometimes it is just not good enough. When does the balance come in?
With both of the boys I was very lucky that I was able to spend their first year of their lives with them with minimal childcare. With number 3 I don't have that luxury. I will be taking 12 weeks off but not fully. The first 4 weeks will be without work completely. The next 4 I am working part time from home with her and the last 4 will be working full time from home. She is not even here and I am fretting about the 13th week when I have to put her in day care. I still have not found full time care for her and Alex come this fall. The original place I planned on bringing them closed after 30+ years last week. I shed a tear, literally.
Balancing work and family is hard. The more we grow, it seems the harder it gets. My mother-in-law mentioned to me that is why most women stay home when 3 come into play. If our kids were maybe closer in age I think I would consider it more but not long from now Alex will be in full time preschool and then it would just be baby and me. We don't have the luxury of living off one income so regardless I would have to assume an income one way or another in the evenings or weekends. Then I miss out on family time when Erik is home.
Interesting enough, that I do know that when she finally arrives nothing else will matter to me. I remember that feeling...nothing else matters except their safety, security, and your love for them. Cannot wait for those endorphins to tell this mom guilt to stick it.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Silence
This last weekend my boss went on a silent retreat. He was delivered to a small cabin in the woods with no electricity or modern day amenities...including a loo. I told him that right there would not work for me since I am 35 days away from giving birth. I have to use the loo about every hour on the hour. I digressed...any how he was able to journal, hike, and had a basket of very simple foods delivered to him everyday. Upon first hearing about this adventure I thought he was insane. My initial thought was there was no way in hell I would be able to pull that off. First off, no talking! C'mon! Secondly, no computer, phone, ipod...yeah right! Thirdly, no children commanding orders of what they want to eat on an hourly basis. My ears may quit working without all of that chatter.
Fast forward to Saturday night. My husband insists I go meet my other pregnant friend Tiffany for dinner at the lakes and spend the night. We had a great girls night out, even had an n/a beer that ALMOST tricked me. We got caught up, gorged on nachos, and enjoyed Zorbaz's rooftop deck. As the night came to a close she was headed back to her hometown Perham and I thought I would do the same. I called Erik and could hear the boys fighting in the background."If I were you I would stay and enjoy the peace," was Erik's comment. I kept repenting saying that I didn't want to be by myself, it was too quiet, what was I going to do? Erik is one that enjoys the quiet, he can kick back with the best of them and quite frankly is something I have always been jealous and sometimes irritated by. Because with me it is really hard to slow down and simply turn off the noise. So I decided that he was right and I was going to take my stab at my own "silent retreat".
I headed over to the Cormorant Store and rented Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Phillips, a movie that I would not be able to pay my sweet husband to watch. A total chic flick that I thought was all around good-very realistic when it comes to relationships. I also bought my breakfast for the next morning which consisted of a bran muffin and chocolate milk plus a big water because even those the Zorbaz nachos were delicious I was regretting them, I felt and looked like a gigantic water balloon. I have since decided no more salt the remainder of this pregnancy. Anyways.....I watched my movie and afterwards dove into a book I have been trying to finish for the last month.
Even thought my silent retreat wasn't a far reach from stimulation it was still a small vacation for me to shut off all the white noise and enjoy some much needed down time. In the morning I woke up early and read a little more. Ate my muffin, watched the sun come up, and took a morning nap without interruption. I thought about how right now is the silence before the storm that is soon to be here. Now is the time to slow down, enjoy the peace while we have it near us. The drive home was serene. I could drive through lakes country every day. I stepped out of the car into the garage and was immediately greeted with shrills of excitement. My time of peace was over but my mind was at peace which makes the day better for all of us. What I learned is sometimes you just need to find your own version of silence and enjoy it. Recharging the batteries is healthy. Find your silence and bask in it. I know I did.
Fast forward to Saturday night. My husband insists I go meet my other pregnant friend Tiffany for dinner at the lakes and spend the night. We had a great girls night out, even had an n/a beer that ALMOST tricked me. We got caught up, gorged on nachos, and enjoyed Zorbaz's rooftop deck. As the night came to a close she was headed back to her hometown Perham and I thought I would do the same. I called Erik and could hear the boys fighting in the background."If I were you I would stay and enjoy the peace," was Erik's comment. I kept repenting saying that I didn't want to be by myself, it was too quiet, what was I going to do? Erik is one that enjoys the quiet, he can kick back with the best of them and quite frankly is something I have always been jealous and sometimes irritated by. Because with me it is really hard to slow down and simply turn off the noise. So I decided that he was right and I was going to take my stab at my own "silent retreat".
I headed over to the Cormorant Store and rented Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Phillips, a movie that I would not be able to pay my sweet husband to watch. A total chic flick that I thought was all around good-very realistic when it comes to relationships. I also bought my breakfast for the next morning which consisted of a bran muffin and chocolate milk plus a big water because even those the Zorbaz nachos were delicious I was regretting them, I felt and looked like a gigantic water balloon. I have since decided no more salt the remainder of this pregnancy. Anyways.....I watched my movie and afterwards dove into a book I have been trying to finish for the last month.
Even thought my silent retreat wasn't a far reach from stimulation it was still a small vacation for me to shut off all the white noise and enjoy some much needed down time. In the morning I woke up early and read a little more. Ate my muffin, watched the sun come up, and took a morning nap without interruption. I thought about how right now is the silence before the storm that is soon to be here. Now is the time to slow down, enjoy the peace while we have it near us. The drive home was serene. I could drive through lakes country every day. I stepped out of the car into the garage and was immediately greeted with shrills of excitement. My time of peace was over but my mind was at peace which makes the day better for all of us. What I learned is sometimes you just need to find your own version of silence and enjoy it. Recharging the batteries is healthy. Find your silence and bask in it. I know I did.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Baby Astrology...Wowzer!
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Baby Girl's Sign
This is a feeling child who learns through her emotional memory and this is the best way to teach her. She learns in proportion to her emotional responses to the teacher and the subject. She strongly relates to others but needs the security of family and routine, soon disappearing into her shell if she feels insecure. She is generous and willing to help others.
Personality key: Protective, nurturing, needy, emotional, kind, thoughtful, expressive, sympathetic and a creature of habit.
Parent power: Give constant reassurance to build up Baby Cancer's self confidence.
Personality key: Protective, nurturing, needy, emotional, kind, thoughtful, expressive, sympathetic and a creature of habit.
Parent power: Give constant reassurance to build up Baby Cancer's self confidence.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19) Alex's Sign
This child will always be a total original. He is a born innovator and will not dance to anyone else's tune. He may respond to a less regimented learning programme, quickly and energetically absorbing information. Often quicker to learn than his playmates, this may become frustrating. He likes to be seen and appreciated for what he alone can do. He values his freedom and independence highly.
Personality key: Individual, original, eccentric, extreme, defiant, irreverent, experimental, erratic, disruptive, innovative, independent.
Parent power: The trick is to keep Baby Aquarius occupied and therefore interested.
Personality key: Individual, original, eccentric, extreme, defiant, irreverent, experimental, erratic, disruptive, innovative, independent.
Parent power: The trick is to keep Baby Aquarius occupied and therefore interested.
ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20) Anthony's sign
This child approaches life with high energy and speed, being impulsive and rather a daredevil. Activity is all - he is 'headfirst' into everything, sometimes quite literally. He will be the archetypal bumps-and-bruises toddler. Passionate and committed, he'll assume the role of initiator and leader and expect playmates to fall in with his right to lead.
Personality key: Passionate, forceful, independent, aggressive, energetic, courageous, brave, egotistical - he has bravado, willpower and strength.
Parent power: Parents can smoothe the way by teaching Baby Aries the idea of compromise.
Personality key: Passionate, forceful, independent, aggressive, energetic, courageous, brave, egotistical - he has bravado, willpower and strength.
Parent power: Parents can smoothe the way by teaching Baby Aries the idea of compromise.
If you want to read up on your little people check it out here. Thought it was pretty interesting. Both of the boys' are pretty much spot on. We will have to see how the new chica compares to hers in 40 days!!!
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