Can't We Just Fit It All In?

In my ongoing attempt to both lose weight and get in better shape, I've decided to try to get on my treadmill for 20 minutes a day. So far (two days in) I'm at 100%. Whoo-freakin-hoo for me!!! Yesterday I managed my 20 minutes while shouting at C to 'stay away from the wires.' She kept asking me, "Mommy, where are you going?" Today I got to 30 minutes. Hubby had taken C to preschool today so after the bus stop for A, I walked home and put B to bed and hopped on the treadmill. I caught an episode of Golden Girls--a real classic, the one where Blanche finds out her brother is gay--and got in 30 minutes before I even noticed! What I did notice, however, was that I was sweating like a pig. P.I.G. Heck, I was probably sweating more than a pig!! (It is fair to note here that I have no technical knowledge as to the sweat or non-sweat habits of actual pigs) B was still catching his zzz's so I jumped in the shower. By the time I finished the quick shower, dried my hair and got dressed I had just enough time to squeeze in a quick phonecall before I had to wake B up, change is disgustingly grotesque diaper, and hit the road to go get C from preschool. All in all this was a great morning! I had time to exercise, the baby got his rest, C was at preschool, life was grand. What I find hard to take, though, is this: Because I spent most of my "free" time exercising and recovering from the sweating-like-a-pig part of the exercising I wasn't able to complete other tasks that are best done while the children are sleeping, at school, or otherwise very occupied. Things like calling insurance companies, paying bills, scrubbing dirty toilets, filling out field trip permission slips. As much as I'm thrilled about finding the time to take care of ME, I'm entirely bummed that it means I have to work harder at finding the time to fit in the other very necessary tasks that fall well within my job description. I called Hubby at some point this morning just to see how his day was going and his answer was a good one. He said if his morning just had a few extra hours in it, it would've been perfect. How true that is!! In a way it made me feel better--that it wasn't just the madly insane housewife/SAHM part of me that simply couldn't handle things, that Hubby too had these time issues that prevented him from completing all of his important duties too. More than that though, it still just bummed me out. I sit here this evening worrying that I won't be able to get it all in tomorrow. Will I be happy and well adjusted Mommy who makes the time for her own needs, or will I be the productive do-it-all Mommy who finds time for anything and everything but herself? Why does it have to be either/or?? Can't I just fit in ALL in? Just this once...

Holy Crap, I Have a First Grader!

Somehow--I'm not quite sure how--I became the Mom of a First Grader. Seems like just yesterday there was 2 feet of snow outside my house and I was laying on the sofa just praying that labor would hold off another few days. (of course that wouldn't happen...that's how she got one of her cute nicknames, "The Blizzard Baby.")

Where has the time gone?

While I remember my own Kindergarten year --I really remember First Grade. I remember my teacher that year, Mrs. Mann. (this was always a source of concern for me...her name was Mrs. Mann, yet clearly she was a very nice lady!) I remember that when we did really good work we got a unicorn stamp on our work packets. We made handprints in plaster and then they got painted gold. Did I mention the unicorn stamps?? I remember that Mrs. Mann wanted us all to go to bed by 8:00pm because kids needed a good night's rest. (I must've retained something...my own kids get 12 hours each night!!)

I can't wait to see what this year holds for A. Seeing it through her eyes, remembering what it looked like through my own so many (many) years ago, and knowing that I still get to re-live the First Grade two more times down the road!

Infants & Toddlers (Birth-to-Three) Eval for Baby B

Today was the evaluation appointment for B. I was a little worried that I'd picked a bad time since the appointment was at 9:00am and A had to get on the bus (at the end of the street) at 8:50. As things normally do, it worked out fine, and we were home with time (1 minute, 48 seconds) to spare. We had a RN and a Physical Therapist here doing the evaluation and they did play-based testing on B's social, language, cognitive, and adaptive skills, as well as both gross and fine motor. At this point B is 7 months old. The findings from all of their testing were very positive and reassuring--he is testing in the normal range for all skills, but he does have some atypical development in his neck and shoulder muscles, as well as some tip-toe standing when held up. This fact qualifies us for services through Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers. They will also monitor his receptive language skills, since that was an area of concern a few weeks ago when he was evaluated by Dr. Landa and other researchers at Kennedy Krieger. If a delay were to evolve where that is concerned we would be seen here at home by a special educator, in addition to the Physical Therapist.

I have to laugh though--so many times when we as parents have concerns we call a doctor or ask a professional for advice, and then the same day the child ends up doing, independently, the task that just a day ago seemed impossible. This happened today...one of the questions I was asked was whether or not B drinks his bottle by himself. My answer was no--but late this afternoon he surprised me by swigging an ounce or so all by himself. (To which C exclaimed, "Yook, Benno is feeding him own self.") Ahh...a good day.

Could You Make Mine Sans Crust?

Ahhh...it's been too long!!

I have been laughing at myself lately, thinking of things that I used to swear I wouldn't do--or wouldn't let my kids do--as a parent.

Let's see...well, first there is the whole pacifier thing. (in our house that would be a 'cork' thing) A was pretty good about the whole cork situation. Once we made the decision that it would be bedtime only--it was as good as done. One night we just didn't offer them and we never looked back. It was great--we felt success as parents. Yay...we broke her of that awful habit!!! Yeah--who the hell were we kidding?? C takes this whole 'cork' situation, well, really freakin' seriously! They are not only her corks, (yeah--we're talking multiples here) they are C's "guys." Why, you ask, are they her "guys?" Well duh--doesn't EVERY 3 year old girl use her "guys" as Little People in the doll house? Anytime they are lost I am nearly guaranteed to find them hiding in one of the two dollhouses in her room. Ugh...I always joke that she won't go down the aisle with her "guys" but I'm starting to get a little afraid! One of the guys, the orange and green one, is held together, I suspect, by pieces of DNA or perhaps boogers. Not sure which--but it also is her favorite guy. Seriously?? Yeah--seriously. Way back in the day I worked in a daycare center, with 3 year olds by the way, and a few of them slept with 3 or 4 pacifiers at naptime. I used to be so disgusted--thinking horrible thoughts about the parents of these little beasts. Ha...joke's on me now, isn't it??

The other thing that always got me was kids who wouldn't eat crusts. I've been known to leave crusts on my plate--but to go that extra step and have them cut off??? Ugh--no way, seemed like a silly detail to me. Lately, little Miss C, has started asking for the crusts to be cut off of her sandwiches. Well--that's the sandwiches she'll eat--by the day that number is dwindling. I swear once we're out of blueberry season we may be out of luck on feeding her entirely. Anyway--back to this whole crust business. I really do have a point ;)

We recently were on vacation at the lake--and while I truly am in my blissful glory (most of the time)when I'm there--it is pure hell getting ready to go and getting ready to come home. Packing up my kids and our stuff, whether it is for one night or 10, is mind-numbing, hard work. Plus there are all of these last minute things that I can't pack up ahead of time--like B's crib aquarium, or C's corks. What if I forget a favorite book? ugh...I am getting tense just thinking about this!! On the other end of the trip is this same dilemma--the packing up and going home. Only this time it's improved upon--we've added dirty laundry to the equation! Seriously--this sucks!! This got me thinking about the whole crusts-off-the sandwich routine. The middle of the sandwich really IS the best part you know...especially if you think about a good one, like PB&J! The middle is where the big glop of peanut butter is, and all around it is the oozy goodness of the jelly. Whats on the edges?? Nothing but dried peanut butter and if you're lucky a little purple smear. Once we were on vacation a few days, things got good--really good. Kids were sleeping well at night, we fell into a nice nap routine, great weather (that was luck!), and fun activities with Pappy & Grandma, too. Even going to the few restaurants we did was great! Then came, cue up the 'dum-dum-dum-dum' music, the final day. Between packing the suitcases, packing the cold stuff to go home, and getting the kids in the car, and trying to do so at a time when B would sleep and A & C will at least be quiet....well--that was just impossible. As it turned out--it wasn't THAT bad a drive home. Hubby took his place behind the wheel--I took my designated spot too, behind the driver seat, next to B, and well within snack-reach for A & C. Shockingly, we made it home in three hours. In one piece, I might add! We survived, and we even *gasp* enjoyed ourselves!!! Success feels so good.

I'd still just like mine sans crusts. please.