Archive for June, 2010

ME Time

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Tonight I was at a family party, and one little girl was upset because she just wanted to be alone. She claimed that she was ALWAYS with her mom or dad or sister or brother or a friend. She just wanted a few minutes to herself. In the words of a 4-year old girl “I just need some ME time.” How wise this little lady is already. Her words got me thinking about today’s post.

I will be honest, for the first four years or so of Brady’s life I didn’t like to be away from him at all. Even for our hour-long church service, I belted out the door to his classroom to pick him up. There is much that can be said for those first few years and the volatile environment that Brady was around before the divorce. So maybe a lot of it was more of a “mama bear” protection need than anything else.

But whatever it is, I have recently discovered the joy of “ME” time. The first time I went to get a pedicure while Brady was in a class, I did feel a little guilty – but as soon as the massage chair was turned on, I got over it! ME time might be lying in bed and watching TV, getting a pedicure, or browsing my favorite sites on the web.

So to all of the moms like I used to be: feeling guilty leaving your little ones, or just holding on to them so tightly that you forget about yourself…. Go treat yourself to something fun tonight. Because being a mom is hard work – and you deserve it!

Don’t Blink

Friday, June 4th, 2010

The owner of daycare always tells parents not to blink. I thought it was strange advice the first time I heard it. I don’t think I’m alone in that assessment because he follows it quickly with, “They grow up so fast, if you blink, you miss something.”

My little guy is fast asleep on my shoulder as I write this post. He had an amazing time up in Maine with daddy, grammy, and papa last week. He got to see moose. He flew in an airplane. Rode in a boat. Ate lots of ice cream. Played on a playground.

And that’s just the little bit I managed to pry out of him while he was running around my parents’ house, stuffing himself with Os and racing his trains around the kitchen.

Even though he was only gone for the better part of a week, I feel like I missed so much! Andrew came back from Maine pacifier free. I still don’t know how hubby broke him of the habit.

Andrew’s trying to read books. So far we’re working on “that’s not my puppy” and “caps for sale.” He combines “no more monkeys jumping on the bed” with the parts of the book where the peddler is yelling at the monkey to give back the caps. It’s so cute, but very hard not to laugh.

He’s talking up a storm and making more sense with most of his sentences than he did before he left. And he’s got one heck of an arm for a two year old…

I’m so happy to have him back. I’m even thrilled to have him snoring in my ear right now. And more than ever right now, I’m reminding myself not to blink because I’d hate to miss anything else!

Summer School!

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Yesterday morning was Jack’s first day of Preschool.  He is warming up for the fall session with a summer program that consists of 2 days a week for three hours.  I thought this would be a great opportunity for him and me.  It will give me a little time to myself before the next baby arrives and a little social time for Jack.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been trying to get Jack excited about school.  Unfortunately, every time I talked about it he didn’t seem too interested.  He shrugged his shoulders and with a sad voice he would say “mommy, I don’t’ want to go to school.”  I had a feeling he would have some apprehension  since he’s only ever been home with me.

Yesterday we woke up and at breakfast I told him our plan for the day.  He had a much better attitude toward school.  He was excited and wanted to meet new friends.  We got dressed, had his backpack ready to strap on and were on our merry way.  We arrived to the school and entered his classroom.  There were lots of toys and other kids already playing.  He went right towards the toys and ignored a few of the kids who clung to their mommies in tears.  I thought for sure I was going to be one of those mommies.  I told Jack to have a good morning and I’d be back to pick him up and sure enough he said “ OK, mommy, bye.”  With all my wacky hormones running through my body, here I’m the one trying to hold back tears.

After the morning was through, I picked him up and he had the biggest smile on his face.  He was talking a mile a minute and I could barely understand anything, but I knew by his expression that he had fun.  I asked him what his favorite part of the day was and he said “juice and cookies.”  Food always seems to keep him happy.  His teacher let me know that he was very good and used the potty with no accidents.  I guess we are off to a good start.