Thursday, October 1, 2009
Goodnight Moon
When did bedtime become so complicated? Our nightly routine used to be so scheduled and quick. Now it seems something new is added each night. One story becomes two, then a song, then a kiss, we say our prayers asking God to bless everyone in the family (listing each by name), another kiss, "night light please", search every corner of the room for bear bear and duck duck, then another song...Aaaaah! Mommy's so tired! I still cherish this wonderful routine with my daughter every night but Megan, cut Mommy some slack!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Dear Skinny Jeans
Dear Skinny Jeans,
It has been too long since we've been together. I know you are still there in the deepest recesses of my closet, begging for light. I know you've seen me hanging around new, bigger jeans. You've watched as I've cheated on you with far more comfortable wide band maternity pants. But those days are over. I've given away all of my maternity pants once and for all. I've tried you on and nothing. I've pleaded with you to zip and begged your beautiful denim to caress my hips. Can you ever find it in your pockets to forgive me? Can't you remember the way you wrapped yourself around me and we danced all night? We looked so great together back then. I know I have to work at it, but I want you back in my life. I'm tired of pretending with my fat jeans. Sure, they zip...but they'll never make me happy. I've given up M&M's and donuts, sweet tea and Coke. I'm doing more crunches than I have in years. Does that mean nothing to you? What more do you want from me? Oh, SJ come back to me! We belong together.
It has been too long since we've been together. I know you are still there in the deepest recesses of my closet, begging for light. I know you've seen me hanging around new, bigger jeans. You've watched as I've cheated on you with far more comfortable wide band maternity pants. But those days are over. I've given away all of my maternity pants once and for all. I've tried you on and nothing. I've pleaded with you to zip and begged your beautiful denim to caress my hips. Can you ever find it in your pockets to forgive me? Can't you remember the way you wrapped yourself around me and we danced all night? We looked so great together back then. I know I have to work at it, but I want you back in my life. I'm tired of pretending with my fat jeans. Sure, they zip...but they'll never make me happy. I've given up M&M's and donuts, sweet tea and Coke. I'm doing more crunches than I have in years. Does that mean nothing to you? What more do you want from me? Oh, SJ come back to me! We belong together.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Megan-isms
"Mommy Cheese" = macaroni and cheese
"Tooper n Wawson" = Cooper and Lawson (our dogs' names)
"Booty n Beans" = Beauty and the Beast
"I'm poopin', I'm poopin', I'm poopin' " = "empujon, empujon, empujon" (in an episode of Dora the Explorer, they are pushing a pirate ship and singing "empujon, empujon, empujon" - which is the Spanish word for push)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Milestone
I can't believe Jackson just rolled over for the first time today at only 9 weeks old. I put him down for a nap on his tummy and he woke up on his back. What a big boy! This precious time is passing far too quickly. My babies are growing before my eyes. Can't I freeze time and keep them little forever?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Two Sleeping Angels
We've just returned home from a 3 week trip to Arkansas to spend time with family while Nick is deployed. The trip home should take about 10 hours of driving time...but with a 2 month old, a 2 year old and two dogs, it now takes about 17 hours. My parents drove back with me and we stopped halfway in Yukon, OK for the night. Exhausted after a long day in the car, we quickly bathed and put the kiddos to bed. My room had two queen beds. I tucked Megan snugly in her own bed and set Jackson's bassinet beside my bed. The dogs quickly settled in at the foot of my bed. I had just settled in and laid my head on my pillow when I heard, "Mommy, mommy's bed pleeeease?" Being of the school of thought that children shouldn't sleep in the bed with us, I quickly said, "No." Megan has always slept in her own bed from day one. But I looked into her eyes and after another adorable, "pleeeease?" I gave in. She crawled into bed with me and we said her prayers and sang Jesus Loves Me. She quickly drifted off to sleep. Although exhausted, I laid there in bed listening to the sounds of the room. The dogs were already sound asleep, snoring and chasing rabbits in their dreams. Jackson was singing his usual "sleep song", cooing away in dreamland. Megan was gently sighing with the rise and fall of each breath, her little hand resting on my arm. The only thing missing was Nick by my side. Tears welled up in my eyes and I prayed to God for Nick's safe return and thanked Him for my two sleeping angels.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Women's Support Network
Not to sound like a stay at home mom cliche, but I was watching Oprah today and this topic came up. I wanted to share my thoughts:
This era of multi-tasking mothers has taken on an incredible amount of extra-curricular activities and responsibilities. We are constantly on the go. From grocery shopping to playgroups, soccer practice to dance recitals, birthday parties, trips to the zoo, doctor's visits, not to mention everyday household chores such as cooking, cleaning, picking up after the kids (and most of our husbands), etc. Most of us are sleep deprived. Some by choice because we try to do a million things at night once the kids are in bed, or try to spend a few minutes alone with our husbands. Some haven't slept in months because of a new baby. Face it, we don't take care of ourselves. As mothers, we seem to have put the sole burden on our shoulders. We don't ask for help and we become frustrated and overwhelmed.
Why are we, as women and mothers, so critical of other women? We are so quick to judge the parenting styles of other mothers. Jealousy runs ramped in women as we strive to be the kind of wife or mother that Susie So and So is. Have we not ALL made mistakes? Have we not ALL been so exhausted and overwhelmed that we have been quick tempered with our kids? Have we not ALL yelled and cried because our husbands left their laundry in a pile on the floor six inches from the hamper or left the empty toilet paper roll hanging there? Ok, maybe that last one is just me.
I am a stay at home mom of two beautiful children, Megan who is 2 years old and Jackson, 2 months old. To me, being a mother is the most trying and most rewarding job I have ever had in my life. I said to my husband the other day that I don't feel I have any quality time with my daughter. I am constantly telling her "No!" Stop that! Put that down! Get that out of your mouth!" My husband reassured me that I get most of the quality time. Sometimes we get so overworked and under appreciated that we just overlook the good.
Whether we are stay at home moms or working mothers, the mother of one or the mother of five, single moms or happily married or even unhappily married...we all share a common bond. We just do the best we can. We all want what is best for our children and families. We should be working together as women...as wives...as mothers to support one another.
I am thankful that God has blessed me in so many ways. I strive to be the best wife and mother I can be. So, if you are a wife or mother who is overworked and under appreciated, I want you to join me in a promise:
"I promise to take time for myself. I understand that no one is perfect. I will strive to be patient, loving and generous. There is no shame in asking for help. I promise to ask for help BEFORE I get overwhelmed. I promise to keep my head held high and not to compare myself to other women. I will concentrate on how to better the relationships in my life. I will support and uplift the women in my life and will be a stronger woman for having done so!"
This era of multi-tasking mothers has taken on an incredible amount of extra-curricular activities and responsibilities. We are constantly on the go. From grocery shopping to playgroups, soccer practice to dance recitals, birthday parties, trips to the zoo, doctor's visits, not to mention everyday household chores such as cooking, cleaning, picking up after the kids (and most of our husbands), etc. Most of us are sleep deprived. Some by choice because we try to do a million things at night once the kids are in bed, or try to spend a few minutes alone with our husbands. Some haven't slept in months because of a new baby. Face it, we don't take care of ourselves. As mothers, we seem to have put the sole burden on our shoulders. We don't ask for help and we become frustrated and overwhelmed.
Why are we, as women and mothers, so critical of other women? We are so quick to judge the parenting styles of other mothers. Jealousy runs ramped in women as we strive to be the kind of wife or mother that Susie So and So is. Have we not ALL made mistakes? Have we not ALL been so exhausted and overwhelmed that we have been quick tempered with our kids? Have we not ALL yelled and cried because our husbands left their laundry in a pile on the floor six inches from the hamper or left the empty toilet paper roll hanging there? Ok, maybe that last one is just me.
I am a stay at home mom of two beautiful children, Megan who is 2 years old and Jackson, 2 months old. To me, being a mother is the most trying and most rewarding job I have ever had in my life. I said to my husband the other day that I don't feel I have any quality time with my daughter. I am constantly telling her "No!" Stop that! Put that down! Get that out of your mouth!" My husband reassured me that I get most of the quality time. Sometimes we get so overworked and under appreciated that we just overlook the good.
Whether we are stay at home moms or working mothers, the mother of one or the mother of five, single moms or happily married or even unhappily married...we all share a common bond. We just do the best we can. We all want what is best for our children and families. We should be working together as women...as wives...as mothers to support one another.
I am thankful that God has blessed me in so many ways. I strive to be the best wife and mother I can be. So, if you are a wife or mother who is overworked and under appreciated, I want you to join me in a promise:
"I promise to take time for myself. I understand that no one is perfect. I will strive to be patient, loving and generous. There is no shame in asking for help. I promise to ask for help BEFORE I get overwhelmed. I promise to keep my head held high and not to compare myself to other women. I will concentrate on how to better the relationships in my life. I will support and uplift the women in my life and will be a stronger woman for having done so!"
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