It's sort of surprising, really, how much my kids adore me. I'm fine with older kids - gifted with them, even. But I usually suck with little kids. Yet my kids really like me. I mentioned to my sister and two college-aged cousins that I'm a better mom than anyone expected. They all agreed - TOO enthusiastically, I might add. LOL. How bad did they think I would be?
I don't parent the way most people I know parent. In many ways, I'm much more strict. In some ways, I'm much more lenient. I talk to my kids - a lot - but I leave them to learn independence, too. They play or babble or swing or draw, without me, except that I'm there, commenting and asking questions, but not doing it with them. The daddy does things with them. I talk to them about it. I already have started using the word "no" with Loki and warning about timeout. At this point, it's for biting. And I'm no fool...he doesn't understand. But how will he understand if we don't practice? The kids can cuddle in bed with me, during daylight hours. Except for a couple of desperate nights early on, Loki sleeps in his crib. Ander still stays in timeout when told. I don't think he knows there are other options. He he!
Oh, and they both LOVE my singing. Ha ha ha! Best thing ever! I sing with them and they tell me to sing some more. If you've heard me at karaoke night, it's quite a treat. Okay, it sucks. But I LOVE singing and they love listening and singing along.
Loki is learning to say "hey." I say "hey" and he says "hey" in response. He grabs for toys and my face. He looks around. He is so much more developmentally on track than Ander ever was. I guess that is the difference between a three week preemie and a six week preemie.
If only Alan could come around to loving my singing.
Etcetera.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Wow I've Been Busy
At work, I have a lot of current cases. Add Christmas shopping, potty training, putting up Christmas trees, wrapping presents (okay, haven't started that yet), hosting a Christening, and taking care of a baby, I haven't even set up my computer when I arrive home. Therefore, I never get to blog. I miss it. I like blogging. Blogging makes me feel good. It's my therapy. Still, I have been having trouble getting it all done and that's what got cut.
Hopefully, I'm back. Hopefully, I'll take a second every day to blog. And to eat breakfast. I'm working on working out. Sigh.
Now, off to eat, pump, and go to a client meeting. It never ends.
Etcetera.
Hopefully, I'm back. Hopefully, I'll take a second every day to blog. And to eat breakfast. I'm working on working out. Sigh.
Now, off to eat, pump, and go to a client meeting. It never ends.
Etcetera.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Changing Carriers
Well, Loki has reached about 13 pounds. As with Ander, I hate the sling, even with the extra strap, at this weight. It kills my back.
Fortunately, my sister got an extra carrier as a gift and doesn't have the receipt. It has a lumbar back strap and crisscross, extra-padded shoulder straps. And Loki loves it.
Finally, a bonus picture of baby feet.
Etcetera.
Fortunately, my sister got an extra carrier as a gift and doesn't have the receipt. It has a lumbar back strap and crisscross, extra-padded shoulder straps. And Loki loves it.
Finally, a bonus picture of baby feet.
Etcetera.
Doris Tagged Me
Two names you go by: only 2!!!!
1. Mommy
2. B-Box
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Maternity long-sleeve t-shirt (yep, I know I already delivered)
2. Sports bra
Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Read
2 People watch
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. To finish Christmas shopping
2. Breakfast
Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. None...I don't do pets.
Two people who will send this back completed:
1. EBeth
2. Rach S.
Two things I did last night:
1. Ate jalapeno jelly, cream cheese, and crackers
2. Visited my new niece
Two things you ate today:
1. Coffee
2. Nothing else yet
Two people you last talked to:
1. Ander
2. Loki
Two things you plan on doing tomorrow:
1. Christen Loki
2. Watch Sunny cross the finish line
Trips taken in the last five years:
1. Leesville
2. San Antonio
Two favorite holidays:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas
Two Favorite beverages:
1. Granita latte
2. Coke over crushed ice
Etcetera.
1. Mommy
2. B-Box
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Maternity long-sleeve t-shirt (yep, I know I already delivered)
2. Sports bra
Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Read
2 People watch
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. To finish Christmas shopping
2. Breakfast
Two favorite pets you have had/have:
1. None...I don't do pets.
Two people who will send this back completed:
1. EBeth
2. Rach S.
Two things I did last night:
1. Ate jalapeno jelly, cream cheese, and crackers
2. Visited my new niece
Two things you ate today:
1. Coffee
2. Nothing else yet
Two people you last talked to:
1. Ander
2. Loki
Two things you plan on doing tomorrow:
1. Christen Loki
2. Watch Sunny cross the finish line
Trips taken in the last five years:
1. Leesville
2. San Antonio
Two favorite holidays:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas
Two Favorite beverages:
1. Granita latte
2. Coke over crushed ice
Etcetera.
I Split My Pants
Actually, it was my skirt. The LAST suit skirt that actually fit. I was on my way to court, sat down in the car, and R-I-P RIP! This leaves me with zero suits. I have a black skirt and black pants that can be paired with suit jackets, but it's clear they weren't made to go together. Basically, it's not very professional. So I need to get a black and a brown or gray suit, soon. Sucks. Like anyone, especially mom of a toddler and a new baby, has time to shop for a suit right now. Plus, I'm a weird shape, so it will take a lot of trying on.
My dishwasher is still not working. My dad will try again tomorrow, and if he can't fix it, we'll need a tech or a new one. It is/was only two years old. UGH!
The roofing guy is coming to give us an estimate, post-Hurricane-Gustav. I suspect our insurance is trying to way underpay. The appraiser did not even look at the side of our house where all the other houses down the street have the most damage. Opps, I missed it...he said. Sigh. And why can't roofing businesses make an appointment. It's all, "we'll try to stop by Friday." Noon? 5 p.m.? 9 a.m.? Ever heard of an appointment?
At least all four court dates from this week are over. I still have a backlog of work and plan to work part of the day today, but at least it's not so bad as it was yesterday. What a horrible week it was for my childcare to fall through for three days at the last minute!
Etcetera.
My dishwasher is still not working. My dad will try again tomorrow, and if he can't fix it, we'll need a tech or a new one. It is/was only two years old. UGH!
The roofing guy is coming to give us an estimate, post-Hurricane-Gustav. I suspect our insurance is trying to way underpay. The appraiser did not even look at the side of our house where all the other houses down the street have the most damage. Opps, I missed it...he said. Sigh. And why can't roofing businesses make an appointment. It's all, "we'll try to stop by Friday." Noon? 5 p.m.? 9 a.m.? Ever heard of an appointment?
At least all four court dates from this week are over. I still have a backlog of work and plan to work part of the day today, but at least it's not so bad as it was yesterday. What a horrible week it was for my childcare to fall through for three days at the last minute!
Etcetera.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Second Shift
If you haven't read The Second Shift, you should. I can't remember (or be bothered to google) the author, but it's about how women and men divide up the household responsibilities.
Let me tell you that after shopping for and cooking Thanksgiving dinner for twelve, hosting a gathering including two overnight people, going through the anniversary of the miscarriage, and having four court dates (one in Baton Rouge, when I only have childcare in Paulina) in four days, I was stressed. Add to that a broken dishwasher on Sunday morning and keeping the house clean (which I have done), and the stress level becomes unbearable. Oh, right, and Loki's Christening is Saturday. I kept the invite list for it small and family-based, but it still means keeping the house clean. The Christmas tree is not up, either.
So when I called my husband yesterday and told him work was running late and I was still in Baton Rouge and still had work to do, ALL I wanted in the whole wide world was to have him say, "yes, darling, I'll pick up the kids right away. Whatever you need." I didn't want to explain, to discuss my parents' attitudes about keeping the kids later than usual, to discuss the details. I just wanted this one thing off my plate so I could call the DA's office about a plea deal, without a crying baby in the background.
"Whatever you need" is not how it went down.
I'm still stressed, tired, and I burnt my coffee this morning (which, apparently, is what happens if you fail to put water in the coffee pot...opps). A major project just came across my desk at work, and I need to deal with it TODAY. I was expecting it, but maybe not today. Oh, and because of a childcare issue this week, I'm working at home on this major project. Excellent. :(
Etcetera.
Let me tell you that after shopping for and cooking Thanksgiving dinner for twelve, hosting a gathering including two overnight people, going through the anniversary of the miscarriage, and having four court dates (one in Baton Rouge, when I only have childcare in Paulina) in four days, I was stressed. Add to that a broken dishwasher on Sunday morning and keeping the house clean (which I have done), and the stress level becomes unbearable. Oh, right, and Loki's Christening is Saturday. I kept the invite list for it small and family-based, but it still means keeping the house clean. The Christmas tree is not up, either.
So when I called my husband yesterday and told him work was running late and I was still in Baton Rouge and still had work to do, ALL I wanted in the whole wide world was to have him say, "yes, darling, I'll pick up the kids right away. Whatever you need." I didn't want to explain, to discuss my parents' attitudes about keeping the kids later than usual, to discuss the details. I just wanted this one thing off my plate so I could call the DA's office about a plea deal, without a crying baby in the background.
"Whatever you need" is not how it went down.
I'm still stressed, tired, and I burnt my coffee this morning (which, apparently, is what happens if you fail to put water in the coffee pot...opps). A major project just came across my desk at work, and I need to deal with it TODAY. I was expecting it, but maybe not today. Oh, and because of a childcare issue this week, I'm working at home on this major project. Excellent. :(
Etcetera.