We are all born into a community. Our family is our first community; our town, school, friend-base, etc. become our extended communities. Some of us excel at joining and forming these communities, while some of us just exist within them by chance.
When I was a child, i was a loner. Anyone who knows me now (with the exception of a few of you) may not believe that this could be true, but it is. I always thought i wanted to join in, belong, be part of things, but the second i got invited in, i would bail. I liked drawing, writing and playing my video games more than doing what the masses did. As i aged, through high school and college, the communities i belonged to were like extended families- we all formed by fate and we all worked well.
When i moved here, i did a complete 180. I wanted so badly to feel like i belonged, that i joined EVERYTHING i could find. I found a Womens' Group, i joined an Outdoors Adventure Group (before I was outdoorsy or adventurous), i joined book clubs and movie clubs and writing clubs and more! When M was born, i joined moms groups! i was constantly trying to find where i belonged. Now, nearly nine years later, i am extremely comfortable and grateful for the people that i found and the dear friendships i have gained from my constant search for community. I am also grateful that I have been able to stop the search. I am 100% satisfied in my life, with my friends, with my community.
And now, here i am, on the verge of this newest chapter of our lives (i.e. kindergarten- as you may have noticed it's the fresh topic around here), i am realizing that i am going to be propelled into a whole lot of new communities (welcome or not.) I am now part of the kindergarten class C4 community, the elementary school community, the neighborhood parents-with-kids-at-this-school community... the list may never end. While i am no longer searching for these vast communities, i am a at good place in my life where i will no longer turn them away. i will belong and do my parts to be active in these new communities. Who knows- i may even find a community that is once again formed by fate that we can all live well in.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I will Survive!
First day of kindergarten; first day of my REAL life starting, and not one tear was seriusly shed. Yes, there were a few renegades who held fast to the bitty corners of my eyes, but they held in there (i'm slightly convinced it was because i put on my mascara first thing this morning without thinking, and my subconscience knew i couldn't handle a tammy faye baker reputation on day one!)
Whatever it was, both M and i (and even the baby) accepted gracefully!
On a somewhat side ote, i am usually humbled by something daily. It could be the pink horizon at the end of a not-so-great day, reminding me that the future is bright. It could be a simple, but powerful giggle from one of my girls, reminding me to not take things so seriously. Today, i was truly humbled by the sheer amazingness of my family and friends. I don't think a few minutes went by without someone checking in on us via call, text or email. The outpouring of love that M and i received today was truly breath-taking. I am grateful, as always, for the very wonderful people i have in my life!!!
Whatever it was, both M and i (and even the baby) accepted gracefully!
On a somewhat side ote, i am usually humbled by something daily. It could be the pink horizon at the end of a not-so-great day, reminding me that the future is bright. It could be a simple, but powerful giggle from one of my girls, reminding me to not take things so seriously. Today, i was truly humbled by the sheer amazingness of my family and friends. I don't think a few minutes went by without someone checking in on us via call, text or email. The outpouring of love that M and i received today was truly breath-taking. I am grateful, as always, for the very wonderful people i have in my life!!!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Whole New World!
Some people are defined by distinct moments in their lives. Turning 16 marks an era of newfound independence. Turning 21 creates a virtually untapped world or whirl of fun. The other night, at my girlfriend's 30th birthday dinner, we spoke about the moment you feel like a real adult, with real responsibilities, and consequences. She felt that turning 30 was it for her. Another friend said having her first child, others may feel it's the day of their wedding or acceptance of a major job or profession.
I realize, as i am literally staring out over the precipice of kindergarten tomorrow, that this is MY defining OH-MY-GOD-i-am-for-real-a-grown-up moment. Not that i haven't lived through each of those other "adult" moments- i'm married, i worked my way through ladders of corporate mayhem, i've turned 30 and birthed two amazing kids. I've even moved nearly 600 miles away from my world to start anew! I'm no stranger to the definitive moments in life. But this one, this placing my baby in the halls of a foreign land, sending her off into the wild to fend for herself (ok, fine, slight melodrama, i know...). I just feel like this is it. For the rest of our lives, my children will officially spend more time away from me than with me. Another person will hear M's funny stories and her friends will probably elicit more laughs from her than we will.
I'm excited for her, because she's excited and she's smart and mature and ready (way more than her mother, no less) for anything that comes her way! For that, i am excited. For my own selfish wishing that i could spend the most time with her, i'm a bit sad. I know it will all be ok, i just wish it wouldn't be so hard to get through the now to get to the ok.
I realize, as i am literally staring out over the precipice of kindergarten tomorrow, that this is MY defining OH-MY-GOD-i-am-for-real-a-grown-up moment. Not that i haven't lived through each of those other "adult" moments- i'm married, i worked my way through ladders of corporate mayhem, i've turned 30 and birthed two amazing kids. I've even moved nearly 600 miles away from my world to start anew! I'm no stranger to the definitive moments in life. But this one, this placing my baby in the halls of a foreign land, sending her off into the wild to fend for herself (ok, fine, slight melodrama, i know...). I just feel like this is it. For the rest of our lives, my children will officially spend more time away from me than with me. Another person will hear M's funny stories and her friends will probably elicit more laughs from her than we will.
I'm excited for her, because she's excited and she's smart and mature and ready (way more than her mother, no less) for anything that comes her way! For that, i am excited. For my own selfish wishing that i could spend the most time with her, i'm a bit sad. I know it will all be ok, i just wish it wouldn't be so hard to get through the now to get to the ok.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
End of the World as We Know It!
I just sat down with B's preschool calendar and M's kindergarten calendar. Holy Moly- are we going to be busy, batman!?!? How did one (as would be me) get to add even MORE social activities to my (and my children's) already over-filled social lives?!?!
We're already double-booked tomorrow and school hasn't even begun. Nor has sleep (for me. thankfully, my kids CRASHED hard tonight!)
I have to drop B off for ballet/acrobatics at 10, then rush M over to a kindergarten picnic, then actually miss the eating portion of the picnic to rush back to pick B up form her hour and a half class... Then we have every single day booked from now until then with my kids' activities! (with my one and only guilty pleasure s for myself: BRUNO MARS Concert!!!!!!) And all of this is okay, except i feel like i'm in one of those movies that is making fun of parents' lives who are over-taken by their overly social kindergarten and almost 3-year-old's lives!
so, there we go... all aboard the Kindergarten Express! As P and i said to each other yesterday (while looking through the mail and calendars and god-forbid-trying-to-plan-something-for-ourselves, etc): "This is the end of the world as we know it..." but i feel fine ;)
We're already double-booked tomorrow and school hasn't even begun. Nor has sleep (for me. thankfully, my kids CRASHED hard tonight!)
I have to drop B off for ballet/acrobatics at 10, then rush M over to a kindergarten picnic, then actually miss the eating portion of the picnic to rush back to pick B up form her hour and a half class... Then we have every single day booked from now until then with my kids' activities! (with my one and only guilty pleasure s for myself: BRUNO MARS Concert!!!!!!) And all of this is okay, except i feel like i'm in one of those movies that is making fun of parents' lives who are over-taken by their overly social kindergarten and almost 3-year-old's lives!
so, there we go... all aboard the Kindergarten Express! As P and i said to each other yesterday (while looking through the mail and calendars and god-forbid-trying-to-plan-something-for-ourselves, etc): "This is the end of the world as we know it..." but i feel fine ;)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
A long Day's Night
I think it's been nearly five months since i've written a post. five months of nothing to say? Or five whole months of excitement, action, fun, and the remainder of loveliness!!!!!
Here i am in the beginning of august. my daughter will be starting kindergarten in less than 3 weeks (and i praise those last 3 weeks, because up until two days ago, i thought she started in a week and a half...)
i'm not even writing about that yet, because i am in deep denial (1- that i have to turn my sweet angel daughter over to the state for 8 hours a day) (2- because i will miss her around me nearly 24/7) and (3- because OH MY GOD- my baby is starting kindergarten!!!!!!)
so, what am i writing about? well, i don't know, because i can act like this whole kindergarten thing isn't bothering me... (like all those other moms who say stuff like, "i CAN'T WAIT for kindergarten to start- why did they wait the extra week?" or maybe... "my kid starts in a week. what should i have done...?" or even... "yeah, i got it. kindergarten... whatever..." )
so, as you see, i don't discriminate on parental stupidity... if you WANT your kid in school full-time, this probably isn't the blog you'd prefer.... if you have no idea what to do with your kid to prepare for school, go on-line- there are seven billion resources (and then share them, please!) If you "already got it", well, you may not learn anything here, but you could help us to love and grow and learn and feel... (And, we'll happily take your encouragement and advice as we all go!!!!)
If you want to know where i stand (besides BIGGEST procrastinator and NEVER-WANT-TO-LEAVE-MY-CHILDREN), then stick around... because here i am. And there's that after my five month hiatus. Enjoy your end of summer, All!
Here i am in the beginning of august. my daughter will be starting kindergarten in less than 3 weeks (and i praise those last 3 weeks, because up until two days ago, i thought she started in a week and a half...)
i'm not even writing about that yet, because i am in deep denial (1- that i have to turn my sweet angel daughter over to the state for 8 hours a day) (2- because i will miss her around me nearly 24/7) and (3- because OH MY GOD- my baby is starting kindergarten!!!!!!)
so, what am i writing about? well, i don't know, because i can act like this whole kindergarten thing isn't bothering me... (like all those other moms who say stuff like, "i CAN'T WAIT for kindergarten to start- why did they wait the extra week?" or maybe... "my kid starts in a week. what should i have done...?" or even... "yeah, i got it. kindergarten... whatever..." )
so, as you see, i don't discriminate on parental stupidity... if you WANT your kid in school full-time, this probably isn't the blog you'd prefer.... if you have no idea what to do with your kid to prepare for school, go on-line- there are seven billion resources (and then share them, please!) If you "already got it", well, you may not learn anything here, but you could help us to love and grow and learn and feel... (And, we'll happily take your encouragement and advice as we all go!!!!)
If you want to know where i stand (besides BIGGEST procrastinator and NEVER-WANT-TO-LEAVE-MY-CHILDREN), then stick around... because here i am. And there's that after my five month hiatus. Enjoy your end of summer, All!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Sooooo long gone.
I haven't run more than a tattered mile in over a month. Until today. A glorious 46 degrees and a bright, brilliant sun gave me the stamina i needed to make it 3 1/2 miles this afternoon. i was shocked i could do it, because it's been so long! it was like this amazing shedding of stressed-out skin for me! i haven't felt that good in... well, over a month. i love the runner's high! i just need to promise myself to make the time/energy to give that gift to myself as often as possible!
Friday, March 15, 2013
The Seven year (& 3 week) Itch
Most of you know that i've been playing single mom for the last three weeks, as my husband gets trained on all the exciting ins and outs of his new business adventure! On a whole, the girls and i have kept sane and very busy! Honestly, we have potentially done more in the last three weeks than we have done in a very long time! Most of which- we've missed P terribly...
The major event over the last three-week-long-adventure was my experiencing whole-heartedly the Seven Year Itch! I had heard and read and wondered about this phenomenon, but boy oh boy, did it hit hard!!! (By the way, i've been married for 10 1/2 years...) The itchy-itch is with my house! Home sweet home and i are having some issues...
On feb 11, 2013, we celebrated our seven-year-anniversary in our home! Seven years seems impossible as i remember in vivid detail every moment of that day!
But, here we are, one month later, one able-body down, and the house may as well be crumbling around me...
In these last three weeks without P at home, my dishwasher broke, then worked, then it broke again. It was just fixed after two visits from the technician, an hour ago! Horray!!!! The dryer broke, but did not regain a short-lived second wind like its cousin. Thankfully, my hoarding has come in handy as we have lived well over a week and a half on clean clothes... But it's going to be a long day of laundry when we finally get a new dryer!!!
I was convinced that our super-state-of-the-art sleep number bed broke the other night, too- but it's just tempermental and is fine now!
In and amidst the decline of my home, I also had to complete my final three weeks of my coursera.com class (including 2 papers), i consigned over 200 items at a big sale, cleared out our old storage unit, and have managed to get the kids to school (somewhat on time), me to work (mostly on time), and the dog fed (nearly on time) every single day!
We survived a three day surprise trip to PA and a 48 hour fever...
At some point, i managed to throw out at least eight trash bags full of junk that my genetically-induced hoarder children have stashed throughout my house, and even managed to keep my husband's work space clean!
Whew! that sums it all up in a nice and neat package! and, rIght now, on this gorgeous afternoon in march, awaiting the arrival of my long-lost husband (in 9 or so hours, that is...) i am relaxed. And enjoying it!
And i can finally say, as they always say, all's well that ends well!!!!
The major event over the last three-week-long-adventure was my experiencing whole-heartedly the Seven Year Itch! I had heard and read and wondered about this phenomenon, but boy oh boy, did it hit hard!!! (By the way, i've been married for 10 1/2 years...) The itchy-itch is with my house! Home sweet home and i are having some issues...
On feb 11, 2013, we celebrated our seven-year-anniversary in our home! Seven years seems impossible as i remember in vivid detail every moment of that day!
But, here we are, one month later, one able-body down, and the house may as well be crumbling around me...
In these last three weeks without P at home, my dishwasher broke, then worked, then it broke again. It was just fixed after two visits from the technician, an hour ago! Horray!!!! The dryer broke, but did not regain a short-lived second wind like its cousin. Thankfully, my hoarding has come in handy as we have lived well over a week and a half on clean clothes... But it's going to be a long day of laundry when we finally get a new dryer!!!
I was convinced that our super-state-of-the-art sleep number bed broke the other night, too- but it's just tempermental and is fine now!
In and amidst the decline of my home, I also had to complete my final three weeks of my coursera.com class (including 2 papers), i consigned over 200 items at a big sale, cleared out our old storage unit, and have managed to get the kids to school (somewhat on time), me to work (mostly on time), and the dog fed (nearly on time) every single day!
We survived a three day surprise trip to PA and a 48 hour fever...
At some point, i managed to throw out at least eight trash bags full of junk that my genetically-induced hoarder children have stashed throughout my house, and even managed to keep my husband's work space clean!
Whew! that sums it all up in a nice and neat package! and, rIght now, on this gorgeous afternoon in march, awaiting the arrival of my long-lost husband (in 9 or so hours, that is...) i am relaxed. And enjoying it!
And i can finally say, as they always say, all's well that ends well!!!!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Day One Down!
Today was our first day of Daddy's new job. One where he is out of the house and not able to help us do all of the menial morning chores that he has always helped us do. While it is an amazing opportunity for us, and one that we have been hoping for, and now celebrating, the girls don't quite seem to get why we are celebrating daddy being out of the house... all the time!
It's been quite an adjustment period over the last 24 hours, but i will say that i seemed to have gotten more done since yesterday afternoon than i have in possibly two years. Keeping the girls and myself in motion has seemed to lessen the blow a bit!
Yesterday, I mentioned the fact that when i got the double-jogger cleaned up, we could all go for a spin... thanks to the endless encouragement of my 5.5 year old, we pulled the old thing out of the gunk, cleaned it up, drove to the gas station to fill up the tires, and i even managed to run a slow and grueling 1.5 miles with them around the track at the Y! Impressive for pushing a whopping 65 lbs of children plus the probably 20 lbs of my old rusted not-state-of-the-art machine and two whole years of unaccompanied running!
Today, I managed to not only get M to school (with lunch, snack, homework, teacher appreciation gift, and a full belly), but we were on time... something we don't normally achieve even if the whole wide world is pitching in! I even fed the dog and enjoyed three whole cups of coffee before we left the house! After that accomplishment, B and I headed to the mall to return a few items, window shop for even more, and a quick spin on the carousel- it was fun and somehow relaxing! we made it back with plenty of time for me to wash all of the dishes that had not been cleaned since Sat (because, i stupidly hadn't noticed the error message on the dishwasher, and just kept trying to re-run the load when it didn't come back clean.) Yes, I had dishes piled up since Sat, and i had to hand-wash every single one! I don't know how my dad and his clan have managed this long without their's running! Thankfully, though, after picking M up from school, the girls graciously offered me their help with the dishes and we got so much MORE done in so much less time!
We then headed out for a playdate at Monkey Joes, where i thought letting off all of the their steam would equal instant bedtimes, but no- alas, i was wrong. my children, much like me, feed off any and all excitement. the fun they had at Monkey Joes was only a small taste for them (even after two full hours of non-stop jumping, running, climbing, playing...) No, they wanted MORE. and More and More and More fun and excitement and entertainment- straight through until almost 10:00 tonight!
Once they were asleep, I worked on my course, which i felt i had been slacking on a bit on. And now i am 100% up-to-speed! I am heading off to dive head first into a novel (yes, actual entertaining reading- no more journal articles about mentally ill patients displaced in Uganda for tonight!) and then to sleep!
Day One - Success! Thank God (in every aspect; in every way!)
It's been quite an adjustment period over the last 24 hours, but i will say that i seemed to have gotten more done since yesterday afternoon than i have in possibly two years. Keeping the girls and myself in motion has seemed to lessen the blow a bit!
Yesterday, I mentioned the fact that when i got the double-jogger cleaned up, we could all go for a spin... thanks to the endless encouragement of my 5.5 year old, we pulled the old thing out of the gunk, cleaned it up, drove to the gas station to fill up the tires, and i even managed to run a slow and grueling 1.5 miles with them around the track at the Y! Impressive for pushing a whopping 65 lbs of children plus the probably 20 lbs of my old rusted not-state-of-the-art machine and two whole years of unaccompanied running!
Today, I managed to not only get M to school (with lunch, snack, homework, teacher appreciation gift, and a full belly), but we were on time... something we don't normally achieve even if the whole wide world is pitching in! I even fed the dog and enjoyed three whole cups of coffee before we left the house! After that accomplishment, B and I headed to the mall to return a few items, window shop for even more, and a quick spin on the carousel- it was fun and somehow relaxing! we made it back with plenty of time for me to wash all of the dishes that had not been cleaned since Sat (because, i stupidly hadn't noticed the error message on the dishwasher, and just kept trying to re-run the load when it didn't come back clean.) Yes, I had dishes piled up since Sat, and i had to hand-wash every single one! I don't know how my dad and his clan have managed this long without their's running! Thankfully, though, after picking M up from school, the girls graciously offered me their help with the dishes and we got so much MORE done in so much less time!
We then headed out for a playdate at Monkey Joes, where i thought letting off all of the their steam would equal instant bedtimes, but no- alas, i was wrong. my children, much like me, feed off any and all excitement. the fun they had at Monkey Joes was only a small taste for them (even after two full hours of non-stop jumping, running, climbing, playing...) No, they wanted MORE. and More and More and More fun and excitement and entertainment- straight through until almost 10:00 tonight!
Once they were asleep, I worked on my course, which i felt i had been slacking on a bit on. And now i am 100% up-to-speed! I am heading off to dive head first into a novel (yes, actual entertaining reading- no more journal articles about mentally ill patients displaced in Uganda for tonight!) and then to sleep!
Day One - Success! Thank God (in every aspect; in every way!)
Thursday, February 21, 2013
why?!?
why did i dream about a rooster last night? one called very affectionately as a cockaroo... and why, when i was just now watching a lecture for my coursera course did they just call the rooster a "cockaroo"?
i know i always look way more in to dreams than most people, but this one has kind of freaked me out. i don't normally dream about roosters. i don't normally hear speeches about roosters. and i, for sure, do not have intertwining dream/lectures where we all call rosters the very cordial name of "cockaroo."
so, there's that.
i have so much more to write, but i may have to wait until i dream again and see what i hear about tomorrow...
i know i always look way more in to dreams than most people, but this one has kind of freaked me out. i don't normally dream about roosters. i don't normally hear speeches about roosters. and i, for sure, do not have intertwining dream/lectures where we all call rosters the very cordial name of "cockaroo."
so, there's that.
i have so much more to write, but i may have to wait until i dream again and see what i hear about tomorrow...
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Overjoyed and overtlyThankful!
Today God smiled upon my family! A welcome and eagerly awaited change has ocurred for my husband and my family, and i honestly cannot explain the joy and thankfulness in my heart!
A life can only be what we make of it, and by God we have made this one rxactly as it was meant to be! And i hope we can continue on this route! Thankfully and earnestly! Amen!
A life can only be what we make of it, and by God we have made this one rxactly as it was meant to be! And i hope we can continue on this route! Thankfully and earnestly! Amen!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Homeward Bound!
We drove from 2:15 this afternoon until 11:30 tonight... We arrived not only in one piece, but somehow happily and mostly still sane. My girls were amazingly awesome on this trip... Holding on to the hope of seeing their cousins and family SOON!!!
We survived five states and about one hundred songs, stories, games, and a seriously minor case of the whinings or the flat-out blues!
P & i even managed to listen to some comics on the radio while the kids played some games!
And how well the hours in the car paid off!!! Although the cousins were asleep when we got here (they thankfully don't have M's & my genetics...), we had a warm welcome (filled with pint glasses of cold welcoming beverages) from aunt j and uncle m! B went straight to bed, but M relaxed, played, and enjoyed the adults to herself!
My sister and i had conversations that just can't be justified over the phone- making me miss ber that much alreafy (even though we just arrived and aren't even leaving for a few days...)
I love when we're homeward bound, the excitement of the road trip all around. But there is nothing nicer than pulling into this driveway, being welcomed at the door, and sitting down to real live family life! Thank you, God, for my family! Thank you for getting us home to them tonight!
We survived five states and about one hundred songs, stories, games, and a seriously minor case of the whinings or the flat-out blues!
P & i even managed to listen to some comics on the radio while the kids played some games!
And how well the hours in the car paid off!!! Although the cousins were asleep when we got here (they thankfully don't have M's & my genetics...), we had a warm welcome (filled with pint glasses of cold welcoming beverages) from aunt j and uncle m! B went straight to bed, but M relaxed, played, and enjoyed the adults to herself!
My sister and i had conversations that just can't be justified over the phone- making me miss ber that much alreafy (even though we just arrived and aren't even leaving for a few days...)
I love when we're homeward bound, the excitement of the road trip all around. But there is nothing nicer than pulling into this driveway, being welcomed at the door, and sitting down to real live family life! Thank you, God, for my family! Thank you for getting us home to them tonight!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Psychological overload
I don't remember how i used to do it- take five pretty intense courses, keep facts and dates and assignments straight, and still manage to have an active social life. I'm not even trying for a social life here... or more than one course, yet my brain is fried.
I have a whole new respect for parents who go back to school, or take classes, or who have jobs that require advanced thinking (as opposed to which color construction paper should we use tomorrow!). My brain is fried from only two lectures and one journal article- i still have four more lectures, another journal article and a 600 word essay due by monday- not to mention valentines day, family road trip, and a wedding to attend!
Ahhhh- it will all get done. I know this. I just wish i could remember how i used to do it so effortlessly!!!! I guess that's the almost 20 year difference :|
I have a whole new respect for parents who go back to school, or take classes, or who have jobs that require advanced thinking (as opposed to which color construction paper should we use tomorrow!). My brain is fried from only two lectures and one journal article- i still have four more lectures, another journal article and a 600 word essay due by monday- not to mention valentines day, family road trip, and a wedding to attend!
Ahhhh- it will all get done. I know this. I just wish i could remember how i used to do it so effortlessly!!!! I guess that's the almost 20 year difference :|
Monday, February 11, 2013
baby battles... baby babbles...
My sweet Baby B had me on a super roller coaster today. Super sweet smiles first thing this morning led to an all-out battle of the bulge in the dollar store (and not because she wanted to buy something or i said No. simply because she wasn't ready to leave the aisle we were in, so she dug in her heels, and i dug in mine.) at least 10 minutes worth of us refusing to give in led to me grabbing her, and her screaming the entire rest of our shopping trip. then we had valentine's playdate #1, which began with her moaning and crying to go to the playroom upstairs, even though everyone else was downstairs. we battled for a while until sweet aunt L let her go on up... she was fine again for a while... until she wasn't. which was about the time she spotted the M&M packs of valentines. which she screamed for, repeatedly. in case you haven't gotten the gist yet, i don't give in to screaming. in fact, it turns my stomach in a thousand different ways and makes me madder and meaner than we all started. i nearly left her there i was so mad, but sweet aunt K gave her the M&Ms and then she was happy for a while... until she wasn't.
She slept on the way home from our playdate and then continued to sleep on me for another hour. this, my friends, was absolute heaven to me! i can't even remember the last time that baby so much as sat still for 30 seconds, let alone slept on top of me for an hour! this was the wonderful, wonderful part of the ride today!
Until she woke up, screaming bloody murder as if i had just held her in restraints against her will for that last hour. somehow we recovered and made it to valentine's playdate #2. thankfully, D had so much excitement going on that B and i could have a bit of separation from each other and not get too into each others' ways. besides a few minor melt-downs (she refused to say please, threw her popcorn on my feet when i told her she couldn't bring it to the playroom... you know, the norm), we survived the chaotic fun of that party!
Fast-forward to dinner time, when I told the girls that they could watch Ice Age while we ate (but not "Peppal Pig*," which they had just watched anyway, but are both obsessed with. M happily accepted the movie. B screamed BLOODY MURDER for over 25 minutes. seriously, seven minutes into her screaming, i removed her from the table and put her in her room. i told her she could come back when she calmed down. she never calmed down. all we heard was wailing and moaning and "PEPPAL PIG" being beckoned from the back of the house. i tried to bring her back out to eat dinner, but she could not stop screaming for one second (can we say stubborn?!?) and so after the full 25 minutes of insanity, i put her to bed.
once she finally calmed down in my arms, rocking in her chair, reading books, we did all right. then i turned her light out and that's when her sweet baby babbles filled my heart up again. to the tune of, "1-2, buckle my shoe," she sang - "6,7,8- ginger-ale;" "6,7,8- banana;" "it's raining, it's pouring, daddy come in here now. no. sleeping." "6,7,8- chocolate milk;" "rain, rain, go up the hill..."
anyway, you get the point. her sweetest little heart came through in her babbles, and i truly felt like an angel's voice was coming through... thankfully, since i was somewhat convinced someone from another place was trying to emerge earlier.
ahhhh, the ups and downs of motherhood, especially with a baby like B!
*My children call the tv show- Peppa Pig- "Peppal Pig." It sticks.
She slept on the way home from our playdate and then continued to sleep on me for another hour. this, my friends, was absolute heaven to me! i can't even remember the last time that baby so much as sat still for 30 seconds, let alone slept on top of me for an hour! this was the wonderful, wonderful part of the ride today!
Until she woke up, screaming bloody murder as if i had just held her in restraints against her will for that last hour. somehow we recovered and made it to valentine's playdate #2. thankfully, D had so much excitement going on that B and i could have a bit of separation from each other and not get too into each others' ways. besides a few minor melt-downs (she refused to say please, threw her popcorn on my feet when i told her she couldn't bring it to the playroom... you know, the norm), we survived the chaotic fun of that party!
Fast-forward to dinner time, when I told the girls that they could watch Ice Age while we ate (but not "Peppal Pig*," which they had just watched anyway, but are both obsessed with. M happily accepted the movie. B screamed BLOODY MURDER for over 25 minutes. seriously, seven minutes into her screaming, i removed her from the table and put her in her room. i told her she could come back when she calmed down. she never calmed down. all we heard was wailing and moaning and "PEPPAL PIG" being beckoned from the back of the house. i tried to bring her back out to eat dinner, but she could not stop screaming for one second (can we say stubborn?!?) and so after the full 25 minutes of insanity, i put her to bed.
once she finally calmed down in my arms, rocking in her chair, reading books, we did all right. then i turned her light out and that's when her sweet baby babbles filled my heart up again. to the tune of, "1-2, buckle my shoe," she sang - "6,7,8- ginger-ale;" "6,7,8- banana;" "it's raining, it's pouring, daddy come in here now. no. sleeping." "6,7,8- chocolate milk;" "rain, rain, go up the hill..."
anyway, you get the point. her sweetest little heart came through in her babbles, and i truly felt like an angel's voice was coming through... thankfully, since i was somewhat convinced someone from another place was trying to emerge earlier.
ahhhh, the ups and downs of motherhood, especially with a baby like B!
*My children call the tv show- Peppa Pig- "Peppal Pig." It sticks.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Planning in Advance!
Tonight my girlfriends and I stole away for a few hours of girl chat and wine! in the midst of our normal mom-hood banter, we somehow got to talking about summer plans. everyone took out their planners and began thinking about august! AUGUST!!!! i can't even grasp the fact that we're in 2013, let alone start planning out the 8th month of it!
how do we get here? how does time fly so fast? how can we stay somewhat grounded where we are, when we're already thinking several months in advance?!?
how do we get here? how does time fly so fast? how can we stay somewhat grounded where we are, when we're already thinking several months in advance?!?
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Valentine's Week!
We love Valentine's Day in our house! I try to go all out with heart shaped pancakes or waffles, pink milk, and lots of little love treats theoughout the day! We're starting our celebrations early this year and pretty much planning on enjoying the holiday all week!
I'm making mini strawberry cupcakes for the two valentine-themed playdates we have on monday! We'll also exchange valentines there!
I've got to get on the ball because i usually make the girls shirts or hair bows or something for their parties, but i have yet to even begin a thing! We've also got to get moving on all of the handmade valentines the girls need to have done for monday! I'm guessing tomorrow is going to be a pink and red explosion around here!
What are your family holiday traditions? Enjoy all the love with whatever plans you do or don't alreafy have made!!!!
I'm making mini strawberry cupcakes for the two valentine-themed playdates we have on monday! We'll also exchange valentines there!
I've got to get on the ball because i usually make the girls shirts or hair bows or something for their parties, but i have yet to even begin a thing! We've also got to get moving on all of the handmade valentines the girls need to have done for monday! I'm guessing tomorrow is going to be a pink and red explosion around here!
What are your family holiday traditions? Enjoy all the love with whatever plans you do or don't alreafy have made!!!!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Thinking... Writing/ Writing... Thinking...
When I think, I write. When i write, i think. thank God for circular life.
Unfortunately for my blog tonight, i've been thinking a lot, and (again unfortunately) not about my blog... I have been thinking a lot about that novel i started writing seven-ish years ago. i think about it a lot, like a long-lost friend that i always think of contacting. like that stash of clothes you still need to sort, or iron, or depart from. like that pack of love-letters from a long-time-gone love that needs to be gone. Although those are negative connotations; my novel (if you will) is anything but to me. My novel is a spring of hope, love and growth for me...
so, maybe, for some reason, tonight has brought it really to my forethought. so, i should go and write and think... About something all that is hopeful, loving and growth-inspiring!
Unfortunately for my blog tonight, i've been thinking a lot, and (again unfortunately) not about my blog... I have been thinking a lot about that novel i started writing seven-ish years ago. i think about it a lot, like a long-lost friend that i always think of contacting. like that stash of clothes you still need to sort, or iron, or depart from. like that pack of love-letters from a long-time-gone love that needs to be gone. Although those are negative connotations; my novel (if you will) is anything but to me. My novel is a spring of hope, love and growth for me...
so, maybe, for some reason, tonight has brought it really to my forethought. so, i should go and write and think... About something all that is hopeful, loving and growth-inspiring!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
7:30 going on midnight...
It feels like it's hours (and i truly mean HOURS) later than it really is. I made all attempts to go to bed early last night. Got the kids to bed early, worked a little on my course (early), and even shut down the house to go to bed (early.) Unfortunately, as is always the case, the cosmos had quite a different plan for me... So, I ended up sitting up with my sick dog until almost 1:00 this morning. I can't really explain what was wrong with him, because i honestly couldn't tell. he looked more terrified than actually hurt, but he was definitely in pain. somewhere in his hind quarters, because he yelped that god-awful dog yelp whenever he jumped up on the bed or couch, or if i touched him there. it was so bad that we actually carried him out to the yard to let him do his thing before bed, and he waited for us to come and pick him back up our two steps to come back in... it was quite pathetic.
but, it's only been just over a year that my kitty died. and i still feel guilty that the whole night before he died he was trying to tell me something, because he was so much more clingy and attentive than usual. so, i sat up with this pup waiting for him to seriously telekinetically communicate that he was either okay, or that he was going to die. i just needed to know.
he did not. so, i went on pinterest and watched my dog from about 10:30 to 1:00 a.m. last night, just waiting for some sort of sign. the kind that doesn't really come.
he is much better tonight. still not 100% back to his playful self, but definitely not the terrified and pained animal i saw last night- thank God! i'll just have to keep a watch on him. he is getting old; maybe he just twisted his leg the wrong way and it took a day to get over. who knows. i'm just glad he's okay...
and so here i am, at 7:45 at night, having already put my children to bed (hooray) and i am about to finish up some work on my course, slip in to bed and attempt to read some of the new Gillian Flynn i finally picked up from the library, and then i am going to sleep! i hope! God Willing!
but, it's only been just over a year that my kitty died. and i still feel guilty that the whole night before he died he was trying to tell me something, because he was so much more clingy and attentive than usual. so, i sat up with this pup waiting for him to seriously telekinetically communicate that he was either okay, or that he was going to die. i just needed to know.
he did not. so, i went on pinterest and watched my dog from about 10:30 to 1:00 a.m. last night, just waiting for some sort of sign. the kind that doesn't really come.
he is much better tonight. still not 100% back to his playful self, but definitely not the terrified and pained animal i saw last night- thank God! i'll just have to keep a watch on him. he is getting old; maybe he just twisted his leg the wrong way and it took a day to get over. who knows. i'm just glad he's okay...
and so here i am, at 7:45 at night, having already put my children to bed (hooray) and i am about to finish up some work on my course, slip in to bed and attempt to read some of the new Gillian Flynn i finally picked up from the library, and then i am going to sleep! i hope! God Willing!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Non-stop Action.
We woke up at a reasonably normal 8:15a.m. I got the girls together surprisingly well considering P had a meeting, so i was on my own. We were able to drop M off at school (only 11 minutes late) and make it to Target, Michaels, a kid's consignment store to look for new (sic) swings, and to the park by 10:15 for B to have a play date with her two friends. It was gorgeous out- 65 degrees by 10:30! We played and played and played until it was time to go. We picked M up from school and met up with friends to then play on the playground for another hour and a half! We got home around 2:30- only to have to girls attack their new swing set with a vengeance! They played and played and played until it was time to leave for gymnastics. I dropped B off at the Y's child-watch for the first time in almost two years. She cried and cried and cried (approximately 27 out of the 30 minutes i left her- in which time i tried to record-breakingly run the outdoor track... only to have to respond to several seemingly important texts and answer a damn service call from the credit card company...) We picked M up from gymnastics. Made it home by 6- what did they want to do, head straight for the swing set! hooray! ran them ragged! they crashed like two big bricks at bedtime! hooray!
so, now why do i feel like i just ran ten marathons, when all i did was watch them play all day? i have no idea... but i'm beat! good-night to the action!
so, now why do i feel like i just ran ten marathons, when all i did was watch them play all day? i have no idea... but i'm beat! good-night to the action!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Baby Blue...
Tonight wevhad an extremey imptromptu dinner party (which equalled pizza party) to celebrate a new life into this world! One of my very best friend's found out that she is having a BOY today!!!! While we had planned for her to reveal her big surprise to our other best friends and me on Friday night, it turned out that none of us could wait... So we had to throw together an extremely last- minute dinner party (ok, pizza party) to be able to be all together to find out!
L's reveal was super sweet with a creative play on words and a beautiful appetizer tray full of dyed-blue tahini dip, a block of cheese carved into the word BOY and little pinned bue diapers!
We all pretty much screamed snd jumped and danced around! It wouldn't have mattered either way if the tahini had been blue or pink- as long as we'd heard that healthy report, whivh there was! The celebration is so much more about one more little life about to join this crazy clan we have!!!!
Love to my families away from family!!!! Congrats on the baby brother, L!!!!!!
L's reveal was super sweet with a creative play on words and a beautiful appetizer tray full of dyed-blue tahini dip, a block of cheese carved into the word BOY and little pinned bue diapers!
We all pretty much screamed snd jumped and danced around! It wouldn't have mattered either way if the tahini had been blue or pink- as long as we'd heard that healthy report, whivh there was! The celebration is so much more about one more little life about to join this crazy clan we have!!!!
Love to my families away from family!!!! Congrats on the baby brother, L!!!!!!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Successful day!
My coursera essay is complete (a whole 11 hours before the deadline... Well, original deadline. They changed to deadline to weds, because so many people were having technical difficulties...). But i'm glad i'm done!
The girls' swingset was built today (only after two months of sitting in our yard in pieces...)
Now, if only my children would stop fighting bedtime, we'd have success all around... We did have a good friday, sat, and sunday nights, so at least a good roll of three... But tonight, i'm about ready to plop my earplugs in and shut the door and pretend they're already asleep!
The girls' swingset was built today (only after two months of sitting in our yard in pieces...)
Now, if only my children would stop fighting bedtime, we'd have success all around... We did have a good friday, sat, and sunday nights, so at least a good roll of three... But tonight, i'm about ready to plop my earplugs in and shut the door and pretend they're already asleep!
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