Signing off

It's been fun to write this blog and connect with you. I have enjoyed your perspective and sense of community.

Recently I've had some wacky spammer comments and I feel that its time to end this project.

It has been a good exercise in fleshing out thoughts and connecting with other moms. I feel ready to take the idea of this blog and merge it onto my private blog.

Thanks for being a part of my life and I hope to hear from you on my family's blog!

Lots of love,
Amy

Birthdays are stressful

I put pressure on myself to have a perfect day on February 13th. But the reality of 1, 5 and 7 am wake-up calls by two little sweeties, plus a full morning of a whiny and cranky three-year-old, and a teething 5 month-old made me wonder, is this what my special day is supposed to be about?

I had two wonderful friends offer to baby-sit and had plans to go out with My Hero, but after looking around at the state of hysteria in my household, I had to cancel. I hung up the phone and tended to my poor baby who was dealing with his first tooth and realized: I'm needed.

We didn't do anything terribly special or different today but every time I looked at my beautiful husband and kids I couldn't think of anything else I wanted in the world.

"Oh Nothing"

I recently read, "The 7 stages of motherhood: making the most of your life as a mom" by Ann Murphy. I got to see into the future and imagine what my children might be like in a few years. It made me nervous to realize that conversations may end up going something like this:

"Hi sweetie! What did you do today?"
"Nothing."
"How was school?"
"Boring."

Yikes!

So today when I let out a little sigh, Missy asked, "What's wrong Mom?"
"Oh nothing" I said.

It was then that I realized that I was getting into a bad habit and setting a negative example. So now I try to give her an honest answer like, "Oh, I'm just tired."
I'm sure this will not solve my parent/teenage communication problems but I figure it may start us on the right path.

What do you worry about the most for the future? Can you imagine your kids growing up?

Redefining "me" time

We've all heard it. We all need "me" time. Lately, I've been feeling a bit low and wondered what I should do to perk myself up. I try to think of "extra" things I could do to feel better, but start to feel overwhelmed.

Yesterday, I felt complete bliss as I peeled a pomegranate while my baby slept peacefully and my daughter happily played "Diego/animal in trouble" at my feet. I had a goal. My mind was focused on getting all those ruby red seeds out without splattering my clothes and I felt so much anticipation for a treat that would be entirely mine since no other member of the family cared about those delicious morsels.

Then, it hit me. This is "me" time.

My Hero is in a Tuesday night bowling league, which basically leaves me to take care of the kids all day. I try my best to be supportive and manage to squeak out, "Have fun" after he has only been home for an hour. Of course he senses my begrudging attitude and wants me to have fun too. Today he called me before he came home and asked what I wanted to do. He suggested that I go out and do something fun like a movie or something. I toyed with the idea of a haircut and maybe new shoes, but was completely amazed at my response. I told him, "Honey, all I want is a nap, a shower, and a clean house."

Yep. That is what "me" time is all about these days. It's not about "getting ahead." It's about "catching up."

How do you get your "me" time?

Quite possibly my favorite compliment

We all struggle. We are all trying to get through the day the best way we can. And sometimes we feel like we are coming up short. The dishes don't always get done, every item isn't in its place, the kids seem to be more cranky than happy and dinner looks more like breakfast (eggs anyone?)

Because we all struggle, we all need a lift.

Today, I dropped Missy off at a friend's house and my little guy and I went to the dentist. After the hygienist cleaned my teeth the dentist walked in and asked, "How old is your baby?" "2.5 months," I said. I thought she would mention how big he is so I was surprised when she said, "You look great." I blushed. What exactly does that mean? Oh well, I'll just make up something in my mind like she thinks my abs are rock solid and my hips aren't the size of the grand canyon.

The best part of the compliment came when she said, "You look like you have live-in help." Whoa. She thinks I have my act together? She thinks my house is clean? She thinks all my meals are healthy? She thinks I know how I'm going to get the YW mutual activity ready by Wednesday, get to a baby shower Thursday and have a talk ready by Sunday all while keeping a 2.5 year-old-non-napping-preschooler and a 2.5 month old baby fed, entertained and cared for?

Wow.

So yeah, we all need compliments and that definitely gave me a boost.

What has been your favorite compliment as of late?

I thought I was unfulfilled

Tonight after a pretty blah day of just trying to keep up with the house and kids plus a big bedtime blow-up with my daughter, I asked my husband if my life was fulfilling. Of course he told me I needed to decide that for myself. I told him that I felt like life was moving on without me.

Then...I met Abby on the TV show "The Biggest Loser." She lost her husband, daughter and baby boy in a car accident. After hearing her story, I sobbed. I realized how much I love my family and how important they are to me.

So even though day-to-day life isn't terribly interesting and I feel like I'm just keeping my head above water, I'm doing it because I love them.

How has motherhood been treating you lately?

I Quit

Today is the eve of my due date, so I decided to quit life for a little bit. I've had contractions all day and I feel a little stretched. I decided I don't need to be as physical as I have been lately. Not that I've been working out..no...no...no...far from it. But I have been out shopping, hauling boxes up and down stairs and setting up house. Today I should have gone in to get the car fixed but fortunately, they didn't have the part yet. Good thing because I think I just need a break. I watched a movie last night and will hopefully find something good tonight. I had My Hero help with dinner and clean-up AND Missy's bath time. Ahhhhhhhhhh. I feel like I'm really getting the night off. I usually feel bad when I have My Hero help out after he's had a long day but since I'll be spending a few days and nights in the hospital I want him and Missy to get used to each other.

I'm thinking...if I'm ever pregnant again I do not want to move, fly, have hubby away, or be enrolled in a class. I want to live in one place and just wait.

Yep...I quit. And it feels pretty good. :)