Do you ever have those days where you just can't remember if you took 2 minutes to breathe?
I actually have those days. And I've found that the only way to relax and get back to things is to blow things up.
Worried yet?
I don't know when playing a video game became my go-to relaxation technique, but it is. I'm not violent, I don't even kill spiders, but when it's been one of those days, playing a Lego game on the 360, or maybe Star Wars the Old Republic, has become therapeutic.
And for the record, when James has given daddy a run for his money, daddy jumps into Mass Effect 3 and defends planet Earth during nap time to regain his focus.
I guess it's just a way to step away from it all and not have to think too much.
How do you put yourself first? How does taking time for yourself make you happier?
That's the question this week over at BlogHer and you should go and join the conversation with me. Everyone has a different way to handle things, and it's interesting to see some of the ways people find to focus on themselves and the effect that time can make for their own well-being.
Also, take a moment to share a moment here and be entered to win a Kindle Fire!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Noisy Neighbor Dilemma
The way our complex is set up, we do have a couple of common walls with the neighbors, but overall is hasn't been too bad. We were also smart enough to put James in the bedroom where his common walls are with our closet, the outside world, and his bathroom. It means his room is cooler in Winter, warmer in Summer, but that's why we have centrail heat and air!
With all of us at home everyday, we've noticed that we can hear things going on next door if they get loud. Or even upstairs if they vaccum.
Again, nothing horrible.
The only thing that doesn't work is us having a common wall in our bedroom with our neighbors.
When we moved in, we purposely positioned our bed so that nothing touched that wall. I'm not saying that there is some wild things going on in our bedroom we wouldn't want others to hear or know about, but just in case we did decide to have special adult playtime and were loud, we didn't want to disturb anyone.
How we both wish our neighbors knew this.
They first moved in last Summer. At first, there was the occasional thumping on the wall at odd hours. Which I seemed to have fixed by getting up and using that wall to thump my hand against on the way to the bathroom.
You do that too, right?
Apparently they rearranged furniture, because that stopped.
But I guess they became a little more comfortable with one another.
And so began nights of trying to fall asleep while giggling because Meg Ryan faked an orgasm better than this woman next door does. It isn't EVERY night, but if they are enamored with one another, it can last a bit.
Would it be rude to applaud at the wall?
This last Saturday, we were able to leave James for the day with his great grandparents and enjoy time out together.
Do you know how exhausting adult time out is? Maybe it's cause we normally go out and focus on him, but when it's just us we relax, and then come home and want to sleep.
Which is what we were gearing up to do at 10 on Saturday night. I know, party animals, right?
My husband went into the room and came out 2 minutes later. Apparently the neighbors were having special adult playtime and there was no way we were going to be able to sleep.
But that isn't what started the jokes that had us giggling yesterday. And about an hour ago.
Apparently, someone misbehaved, because they were getting spanked and my husband could hear an audible "OW!" through the wall. Then there was the all time favorite "Who's your daddy?" and "Tell me how much you love my c##k!".
Internets, I cannot make this stuff up. The cheesy lines you think no one actually says in bed were being said.
Oh, and did I mention the common wall between us is on MY side of the bed?
Yeah.
So, we fired up the 360 and played Lego Harry Potter 2, waited until at least 11, and then went to bed. All the while giggling and making inappropriate comments about the noises from the other side.
And I have to make a confession:
I have, over the last 2 nights, made inappropriate references OUT LOUD while in our bedroom in the hopes they can hear me and know we can hear them.
For example, I may have lifted my nightgown off my thigh and spanked it while standing next to the wall. I also may have yelled out "Not the c##k!" as if awakening from a bad dream. I also may have also told my husband, in a louder than necessary voice, that he was not my daddy.
Which made him giggle himself to sleep.
Well, it's that or next time I am going to be leaving a post it on their door with the answers to the questions we hear.
And for the record, I plan to write that if she doesn't know who her daddy is she should try hiring a private investigator and begin the search.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Mommy Monday
Today's advice comes from the sister of James' great grandma. And she's pretty concise:
"If things go bad call grandma. Patience is the real thing."
"If things go bad call grandma. Patience is the real thing."
Thursday, March 22, 2012
No One Warned Me
When I signed up to read John Green's The Fault In Our Stars I didn't know what I was getting myself into.
Dearest reader, I have become addicted to BlogHer's Book Club. I've always wondered what a book club would be like, and thanks to this group I've been introduced to books and authors I honestly have never heard of and would probably not have touched.
This book. THIS BOOK. It caught me off guard. I read it in under 24 hours because I couldn't stop and wanted to know what came next. Wanted that happy ending. At one point, I was crying and couldn't tell you anything more than it was so beautifully written, and the characters spoke to me.
For the record, my husband is thinking of limiting my reading of selections because this has been happening a lot over the last 3 months.
It was wonderful to read a story about intelligent teenagers who didn't want the sparkly vampire or local bad boy werewolf to notice them. While I admit those books are good fun, The Fault In Our Stars put them to shame.
I'll be looking for more books by John Green to read, believe me. And you should definitely read this one when you have a chance and join the conversation here and get to know more about the story and its author.
Please have tissue handy. Trust me.
This is a sponsored review for the BlogHer Book Club. While compensation will be forthcoming for taking the time to write about the book, the opinions stated are all mine and mine alone.
Dearest reader, I have become addicted to BlogHer's Book Club. I've always wondered what a book club would be like, and thanks to this group I've been introduced to books and authors I honestly have never heard of and would probably not have touched.
This book. THIS BOOK. It caught me off guard. I read it in under 24 hours because I couldn't stop and wanted to know what came next. Wanted that happy ending. At one point, I was crying and couldn't tell you anything more than it was so beautifully written, and the characters spoke to me.
For the record, my husband is thinking of limiting my reading of selections because this has been happening a lot over the last 3 months.
It was wonderful to read a story about intelligent teenagers who didn't want the sparkly vampire or local bad boy werewolf to notice them. While I admit those books are good fun, The Fault In Our Stars put them to shame.
I'll be looking for more books by John Green to read, believe me. And you should definitely read this one when you have a chance and join the conversation here and get to know more about the story and its author.
Please have tissue handy. Trust me.
This is a sponsored review for the BlogHer Book Club. While compensation will be forthcoming for taking the time to write about the book, the opinions stated are all mine and mine alone.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Almost Full Circle
Today is the first day of Spring. It also happens to be my mom's birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!
I realized when scrolling through a feed today that James is a Spring baby. He was born in the last week of May, but it's still Spring at that time. He has experienced his first Summer, Winter, Fall over the last almost 10 months.
And now this is his second Spring.
He is this interesting little person, who has sprouted 4 teeth suddenly and without warning, who loves his trucks, lets me put sunglasses on his face and take pictures while he grins.
His appetite is up, he only wants 1 nap a day, and he is trying to stand up on his own.
There is a big part of me that is loving this new personality and way of doing things.
But a little piece of me can't believe he is getting so big.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!
I realized when scrolling through a feed today that James is a Spring baby. He was born in the last week of May, but it's still Spring at that time. He has experienced his first Summer, Winter, Fall over the last almost 10 months.
And now this is his second Spring.
He is this interesting little person, who has sprouted 4 teeth suddenly and without warning, who loves his trucks, lets me put sunglasses on his face and take pictures while he grins.
His appetite is up, he only wants 1 nap a day, and he is trying to stand up on his own.
There is a big part of me that is loving this new personality and way of doing things.
But a little piece of me can't believe he is getting so big.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
I'm Noticing the Weight Loss!
I am apologizing in advance for the following discussion about my underwear.
You see, we still don't own a scale. I weigh myself via the Wii Fit Plus program each Sunday, and then do an official weight check on the 1st of each month to track the overall total loss.
But there are little things that are happening.
My shirts are feeling a little looser. My jeans don't bunch up on my waist, and if I carry things in my pockets they slip down a little.
But the best part?
My Jack Skellington underpants fit!
I bought these briefs with Jack Skellington all over a while back, and they fit at first, then they didn't fit, then they started to fit, and then I got pregnant and nothing fit.
And now?
They fit!
And they're comfortable!!!
I am still a couple of pounds shy of being at my official weight from the week we found out I was pregnant. I blame Valentine's Day and Girl Scout cookies, and soon Easter, for the fluctuations over the last 4 weeks that have kept me at the same weight.
That and my lazy butt for not wanting to get up.
But the weather is changing, James loves his stroller, and the walk around the complex we do includes 1 hill, so things should be changing soon. We'll know for sure on April 1st!
You see, we still don't own a scale. I weigh myself via the Wii Fit Plus program each Sunday, and then do an official weight check on the 1st of each month to track the overall total loss.
But there are little things that are happening.
My shirts are feeling a little looser. My jeans don't bunch up on my waist, and if I carry things in my pockets they slip down a little.
But the best part?
My Jack Skellington underpants fit!
I bought these briefs with Jack Skellington all over a while back, and they fit at first, then they didn't fit, then they started to fit, and then I got pregnant and nothing fit.
And now?
They fit!
And they're comfortable!!!
I am still a couple of pounds shy of being at my official weight from the week we found out I was pregnant. I blame Valentine's Day and Girl Scout cookies, and soon Easter, for the fluctuations over the last 4 weeks that have kept me at the same weight.
That and my lazy butt for not wanting to get up.
But the weather is changing, James loves his stroller, and the walk around the complex we do includes 1 hill, so things should be changing soon. We'll know for sure on April 1st!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Mommy Monday
This week's tip comes from the significant other of my husbands cousin.
"Put the baby in his car seat, strap him in and put it on the dryer. Turn on the dryer and let it shake him to sleep."
Have I mentioned how happy I am that James never gave us those issues?
"Put the baby in his car seat, strap him in and put it on the dryer. Turn on the dryer and let it shake him to sleep."
Have I mentioned how happy I am that James never gave us those issues?
Friday, March 9, 2012
What I Do Worry About
For the most part, James is your typical 9 month old.
He rolls over so quickly now that we both attend diaper changes to keep him distracted. He crawls like crazy, and moves from sitting to crawling and back again in the blink of an eye. He'll hold your fingers and walk a few steps, normally to catch the cat's tail or see his daddy. He still loves his bouncer, and has recently discovered his voice. He will babble at you, and try to involve himself in conversations if you aren't talking at him directly. His first tooth is visible, and based on the slight fever the last couple of days I think we are due for the next one. He has amazing posture when he sits, and has figured out all his toys and will play for hours without asking for anything if you let him. If you give him something new, or just the remote or an iPhone, he doesn't try to taste it. He turns it in his hands, examining every inch of it, looking for buttons to push so noises will happen.
Yesterday we got the call and confirmed he will have surgery to correct the cleft palate in May. We both were a little emotional, remembering how the last surgery went, and how hard it was to turn him over to a surgical team.
During the call, the contact we have at the clinic and I reviewed if he needed to be seen by the team at the Cleft Lip/Palate clinic he has been going to. I reviewed everything I listed above with her, and she said he sounded fine and that we would probably not have to go in until May, just before surgery.
The call ended, and I was relieved about her comments.
You see, in some ways, he isn't so typical.
Because of the cleft, he has a special nipple for his bottle that must be held in a certain position to eat. He doesn't understand that, and there's no way to force him to hold a round bottle a certain way. So, we have never encouraged him to do that. We don't try to make him hold it, and while he does grab it, you can tell that he is quite content to just let us do the work.
The same goes for trying to teach him to use utensils. Or feed himself anything too big. The constant worry that he'll get something stuck in that opening and hurt himself has us in a state of wanting to show him things but not able to because of the outcome.
I know that after May he'll be able to do all that, and at the rate he learns things it will be a quick teaching process, but I still worry. And I know that A does as well. Probably a little more for his little man.
He rolls over so quickly now that we both attend diaper changes to keep him distracted. He crawls like crazy, and moves from sitting to crawling and back again in the blink of an eye. He'll hold your fingers and walk a few steps, normally to catch the cat's tail or see his daddy. He still loves his bouncer, and has recently discovered his voice. He will babble at you, and try to involve himself in conversations if you aren't talking at him directly. His first tooth is visible, and based on the slight fever the last couple of days I think we are due for the next one. He has amazing posture when he sits, and has figured out all his toys and will play for hours without asking for anything if you let him. If you give him something new, or just the remote or an iPhone, he doesn't try to taste it. He turns it in his hands, examining every inch of it, looking for buttons to push so noises will happen.
Yesterday we got the call and confirmed he will have surgery to correct the cleft palate in May. We both were a little emotional, remembering how the last surgery went, and how hard it was to turn him over to a surgical team.
During the call, the contact we have at the clinic and I reviewed if he needed to be seen by the team at the Cleft Lip/Palate clinic he has been going to. I reviewed everything I listed above with her, and she said he sounded fine and that we would probably not have to go in until May, just before surgery.
The call ended, and I was relieved about her comments.
You see, in some ways, he isn't so typical.
Because of the cleft, he has a special nipple for his bottle that must be held in a certain position to eat. He doesn't understand that, and there's no way to force him to hold a round bottle a certain way. So, we have never encouraged him to do that. We don't try to make him hold it, and while he does grab it, you can tell that he is quite content to just let us do the work.
The same goes for trying to teach him to use utensils. Or feed himself anything too big. The constant worry that he'll get something stuck in that opening and hurt himself has us in a state of wanting to show him things but not able to because of the outcome.
I know that after May he'll be able to do all that, and at the rate he learns things it will be a quick teaching process, but I still worry. And I know that A does as well. Probably a little more for his little man.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
10 Years Ago, I Would Have Named My Blog This
Last weekend I sat down to read Diary of a Mad Fat Girl by Stephanie McAfee and found myself completely unable to put it down.
As a fan of Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes, this book, with it's smart Southern women, and strong story, had me laughing, crying, and cheering them all on. When it ended, all I wanted to do was start again from the beginning and get to know them all over again.
I call this one a "quick read" because it was something I devoured in two sittings and was able to just read and enjoy without having to over think. The main character keeps things moving, and I felt such a kindred connection to her and the way she felt about herself and how people perceived her. Her friends reminded of me so many different women in my life, especially her best friend who just made me think of my sister with all the texting.
So, if you have a chance, and are looking for a book that will make you smile, pick this up. Diary of a Mad Fat Girl has earned a permanent spot on my nightstand for reading again and again. And I invite you to join the BlogHer Book Club conversation here to learn more about the book and the author and her amazing story about getting this published.
Seriously, Internets: read this book!
This is a sponsored review for the BlogHer Book Club. While compensation will be forthcoming for taking the time to write about the book, the opinions stated are all mine and mine alone.
As a fan of Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes, this book, with it's smart Southern women, and strong story, had me laughing, crying, and cheering them all on. When it ended, all I wanted to do was start again from the beginning and get to know them all over again.
I call this one a "quick read" because it was something I devoured in two sittings and was able to just read and enjoy without having to over think. The main character keeps things moving, and I felt such a kindred connection to her and the way she felt about herself and how people perceived her. Her friends reminded of me so many different women in my life, especially her best friend who just made me think of my sister with all the texting.
So, if you have a chance, and are looking for a book that will make you smile, pick this up. Diary of a Mad Fat Girl has earned a permanent spot on my nightstand for reading again and again. And I invite you to join the BlogHer Book Club conversation here to learn more about the book and the author and her amazing story about getting this published.
Seriously, Internets: read this book!
This is a sponsored review for the BlogHer Book Club. While compensation will be forthcoming for taking the time to write about the book, the opinions stated are all mine and mine alone.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Mommy Monday
As promised, I opened another envelope this morning. This one is from my best friend, Dawn.
"Remember to breathe. Take a moment to yourself. Remember that this too shall pass. Call me if you need to. I love you."
She's always been there for me, and reading this has me missing her so much.
Something tells me that these cards are going to only get more interesting from here.
"Remember to breathe. Take a moment to yourself. Remember that this too shall pass. Call me if you need to. I love you."
She's always been there for me, and reading this has me missing her so much.
Something tells me that these cards are going to only get more interesting from here.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Yes, The Cat Still Lives
Shadow isn't too thrilled with the latest changes.
At first, a crawling baby didn't seem to bother him. And in all honesty, James wasn't interested in Shadow at all. He had better things to go after. Like his toys.
And my iPhone.
But that's changed.
He still wants my iPhone. And the TV remote.
But the cat is something new. Though it may not exactly be the whole cat he wants.
Mainly just the tail.
So far, no one has been hurt. A little startled by the fact that someone won't just sit there and wants to try to eat his tail.
Which is interesting to watch.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Down Another Notch
I've always heard people say that once a baby becomes mobile that things seem to speed up.
Yeah, that's happened.
He went from not wanting to roll other than from his stomach over onto his back to suddenly crawling. That introduced him to being able to get places faster, and he's jumped from there.
Last weekend he showed us how he crawls from one end of his bed to the other. And then grabbed the bars on his crib to pull himself into a half kneeling position.
Two days ago he showed us that he was rolling all over the place, very quickly, and that we need a changing pad for this changing table with a safety belt to keep him down.
That was in the morning.
That afternoon he was crawling in his play area and suddenly we looked down and he was sitting. He didn't even look at us. He was playing with toys and trucks, laughing and making noises, then crawled to something else and sat back up to play with that.
So, yesterday we dropped the crib mattress another notch.
His official 9 months stats are 19 1/2 lbs and 27 1/2 inches long. Once more, he is in roughly the 50th percentile for those stats, though his head is measuring bigger.
Have I mentioned how happy we were the c-section last year?
James is moving more and more, squirming to get out of arms and be let down to play. He's anxious to explore, and we're still trying to figure out how to baby proof everything we need to.
Currently, he appears to be winning.
Yeah, that's happened.
He went from not wanting to roll other than from his stomach over onto his back to suddenly crawling. That introduced him to being able to get places faster, and he's jumped from there.
Last weekend he showed us how he crawls from one end of his bed to the other. And then grabbed the bars on his crib to pull himself into a half kneeling position.
Two days ago he showed us that he was rolling all over the place, very quickly, and that we need a changing pad for this changing table with a safety belt to keep him down.
That was in the morning.
That afternoon he was crawling in his play area and suddenly we looked down and he was sitting. He didn't even look at us. He was playing with toys and trucks, laughing and making noises, then crawled to something else and sat back up to play with that.
So, yesterday we dropped the crib mattress another notch.
His official 9 months stats are 19 1/2 lbs and 27 1/2 inches long. Once more, he is in roughly the 50th percentile for those stats, though his head is measuring bigger.
Have I mentioned how happy we were the c-section last year?
James is moving more and more, squirming to get out of arms and be let down to play. He's anxious to explore, and we're still trying to figure out how to baby proof everything we need to.
Currently, he appears to be winning.
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