If one more person tries to make my mundane, everyday lifestyle choices into a political debate or tries to indicate they are a political stance, I might just stop biting my tongue.
I'm trying to figure out how what I eat, where I shop and whether or not I recycle is a political statement, and even if it was, why it's okay to make loud remarks about it to someone you don't know even casually.
I mean, really.
To be truthful, while my life used to revolve a lot around politics, most of my politics now involves campaigns to get Woodstock to use the potty or eat something green or to get Pebbles to realize that blowing raspberries at 3 in the morning was only cute the first 1,476 times she did it.
Yet even at the height of my political awareness, none of it had anything to do with politics, politicians or party affiliation (or not - since I haven't been officially registered with a party in 10+ years).
Yes, I have opinions, but no I am not subliminally declaring them by what is, or is not, in my grocery cart.
Rant over. I feel much better now.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Slumberless Sleepover
There are three things about being a mother I have dreaded so far, and not just casually dreaded, but dreaded-deep-down-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach dreaded.
1. Weaning Woodstock off her binky
2. Moving Woodstock into a "big" bed
3. Potty training
We accomplished 1 in December. After a month of talking about the binky fairy and a week of counting down the nights until the binky fairy arrived, one Thursday night in December Woodstock awoke to find her binky had been replaced by a note and a Curious George puzzle. (She strategically came on a Thursday night to ensure there were two non-work nights to deal with any fallout).
Surprisingly (or maybe not, since she was clearly ready to give it up), there have only been a couple of the briefest mentions of binkies since.
So I decided to tackle #2 on my "dreaded list of mothering a toddler tasks."
On Tuesday night, after having her "big" bed in her room for 5 months, Woodstock finally agreed it might be fun to sleep somewhere other than her crib.
One should note that Woodstock LOVES her crib. Never has she tried to climb out (though she can climb in - more worrisome at the moment, as the last thing I need is her trying to co-sleep with Pebbles!). Never has she wanted to sleep anywhere else (except when sick - she wants to sleep on the couch - weirdness). So it was a big deal I convinced her that it was high time she move up in the world.
Since Himself was out of town on business, I suggested we have a slumber party. I put both girls down - Woodstock on the trundle bed (low to ground), Pebbles in the crib and, after they had both gone to sleep, I crashed on the day bed. They thought this was very cool (well, I'm assuming Pebbles did, she didn't protest, after all). I thought it was a good way to spy on Woodstock to ensure she didn't try to sleep with her sister (a valid concern, it's happened before when Pebbles was in the bassinet in the other room).
They both slept like rocks all night.
I woke up every single hour. First, it was the darn nightlight that Woodstock insists on having so she can read before she sleeps (I tried turning it off after she went to bed - she inevitably wakes up and yells "my yittle yight is not on, come fix it!".
Second, it turns out that the day bed mattress is the one I put the plastic mattress pad on. I do not sleep still. It meant a night-long ordeal of hearing "crinkle, crinkle, crinkle" every single time I moved.
Third, I do not wear footie pajamas and the blanket on the day bed is not long enough for a full-sized adult (easily rectified, but annoying nonetheless).
Fourth, while Pebbles is a blissfully quiet sleeper, Woodstock is not. And since the trundle was right next to the bed I was in, it was like she was snorting right in my ear.
Fifth, Woodstock woke up at oh-dark-thirty and proclaimed "All done syeeping!". No amount of cajoling could convince her it was a full 2 hours before her normal "wake up time." Pebbles, apparently wary of missing out on the fun, then awoke herself. Realizing it had been 10 hours since she last ate, she refused to reconsider going back to sleep as well.
Somehow, my "sneaky plan disguised as fun" ended up as a joke on me.
1. Weaning Woodstock off her binky
2. Moving Woodstock into a "big" bed
3. Potty training
We accomplished 1 in December. After a month of talking about the binky fairy and a week of counting down the nights until the binky fairy arrived, one Thursday night in December Woodstock awoke to find her binky had been replaced by a note and a Curious George puzzle. (She strategically came on a Thursday night to ensure there were two non-work nights to deal with any fallout).
Surprisingly (or maybe not, since she was clearly ready to give it up), there have only been a couple of the briefest mentions of binkies since.
So I decided to tackle #2 on my "dreaded list of mothering a toddler tasks."
On Tuesday night, after having her "big" bed in her room for 5 months, Woodstock finally agreed it might be fun to sleep somewhere other than her crib.
One should note that Woodstock LOVES her crib. Never has she tried to climb out (though she can climb in - more worrisome at the moment, as the last thing I need is her trying to co-sleep with Pebbles!). Never has she wanted to sleep anywhere else (except when sick - she wants to sleep on the couch - weirdness). So it was a big deal I convinced her that it was high time she move up in the world.
Since Himself was out of town on business, I suggested we have a slumber party. I put both girls down - Woodstock on the trundle bed (low to ground), Pebbles in the crib and, after they had both gone to sleep, I crashed on the day bed. They thought this was very cool (well, I'm assuming Pebbles did, she didn't protest, after all). I thought it was a good way to spy on Woodstock to ensure she didn't try to sleep with her sister (a valid concern, it's happened before when Pebbles was in the bassinet in the other room).
They both slept like rocks all night.
I woke up every single hour. First, it was the darn nightlight that Woodstock insists on having so she can read before she sleeps (I tried turning it off after she went to bed - she inevitably wakes up and yells "my yittle yight is not on, come fix it!".
Second, it turns out that the day bed mattress is the one I put the plastic mattress pad on. I do not sleep still. It meant a night-long ordeal of hearing "crinkle, crinkle, crinkle" every single time I moved.
Third, I do not wear footie pajamas and the blanket on the day bed is not long enough for a full-sized adult (easily rectified, but annoying nonetheless).
Fourth, while Pebbles is a blissfully quiet sleeper, Woodstock is not. And since the trundle was right next to the bed I was in, it was like she was snorting right in my ear.
Fifth, Woodstock woke up at oh-dark-thirty and proclaimed "All done syeeping!". No amount of cajoling could convince her it was a full 2 hours before her normal "wake up time." Pebbles, apparently wary of missing out on the fun, then awoke herself. Realizing it had been 10 hours since she last ate, she refused to reconsider going back to sleep as well.
Somehow, my "sneaky plan disguised as fun" ended up as a joke on me.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Help for Haiti
This is a plea I received from my friend, Erin (you can read about her here). I am posting it in case anyone is interested in helping out with this medical relief mission to Haiti.
--
Dear Friends,
Forgive me the mass email. I can't recall a time where I've sent out such a mass request to so many friends. I am leaving to go to Haiti as a rescue volunteer with the Utah Hospital Task Force on Thursday. And I only found out today (Monday) at 2 pm. Things are moving fast and crazy around here. I will be serving as the press secretary, assistant to the director, and as medical support for 21 days in Haiti. Conditions are going to be awful there. This is no vacation!
I am writing you all today to ask for your support. I am looking for all kinds of support. From links from your personal blogs to our website, to donations of medical or hygiene supplies to help us in Haiti. If you are a blogger, or have a personal website, would you mind giving us a link? (http://utahhospitaltaskforce.blogspot.com with the anchor text "Send Help to Haiti")
I am also hoping to collect medical and hygiene supplies to take down with me. We need items such as baby wipes, rubbing alcohol, gauze, bandages, clean new socks, iodine tablets, ziploc bags (of all sizes), etc. These will be used both by the volunteers and given to the victims of the earthquake. If you don't live nearby but would like to make a contribution, you can send me money via Paypal (erinannie@yahoo.com) and I can buy the supplies myself.
Personally, I only have a few days to prepare for a 21 day trip to Haiti, as well as work in the offices fundraising, getting publicity, and helping with logistics. I know I am asking a lot of my friends. But this isn't for me. This is all for Haiti. This earthquake has already claimed over 110,000 lives. No matter how much we do, it won't be enough to undo the devastation that has already taken place. But we can all make a difference, even if it is just a small cash donation, or a box of baby wipes.
I understand if you are not in a position to help right now. If you can't help with donations, I'll always be grateful for your prayers for our safety while we are down there.
Thanks,
Erin Ann McBride
PS- and if anyone nearby happens to have a pair of women size 8 work boots that I can wear down there, I'd really appreciate it. (You'll save me about $80!)
--
Dear Friends,
Forgive me the mass email. I can't recall a time where I've sent out such a mass request to so many friends. I am leaving to go to Haiti as a rescue volunteer with the Utah Hospital Task Force on Thursday. And I only found out today (Monday) at 2 pm. Things are moving fast and crazy around here. I will be serving as the press secretary, assistant to the director, and as medical support for 21 days in Haiti. Conditions are going to be awful there. This is no vacation!
I am writing you all today to ask for your support. I am looking for all kinds of support. From links from your personal blogs to our website, to donations of medical or hygiene supplies to help us in Haiti. If you are a blogger, or have a personal website, would you mind giving us a link? (http://utahhospitaltaskforce.blogspot.com with the anchor text "Send Help to Haiti")
I am also hoping to collect medical and hygiene supplies to take down with me. We need items such as baby wipes, rubbing alcohol, gauze, bandages, clean new socks, iodine tablets, ziploc bags (of all sizes), etc. These will be used both by the volunteers and given to the victims of the earthquake. If you don't live nearby but would like to make a contribution, you can send me money via Paypal (erinannie@yahoo.com) and I can buy the supplies myself.
Personally, I only have a few days to prepare for a 21 day trip to Haiti, as well as work in the offices fundraising, getting publicity, and helping with logistics. I know I am asking a lot of my friends. But this isn't for me. This is all for Haiti. This earthquake has already claimed over 110,000 lives. No matter how much we do, it won't be enough to undo the devastation that has already taken place. But we can all make a difference, even if it is just a small cash donation, or a box of baby wipes.
I understand if you are not in a position to help right now. If you can't help with donations, I'll always be grateful for your prayers for our safety while we are down there.
Thanks,
Erin Ann McBride
PS- and if anyone nearby happens to have a pair of women size 8 work boots that I can wear down there, I'd really appreciate it. (You'll save me about $80!)
Friday, January 22, 2010
More on Monsters (and Childlike Faith)
As I mentioned a few days ago, Woodstock has a newfound fear of monsters - which apparently inhabit every dark corner of our house.
In an attempt to help arm her with tools that she could use to banish the monsters herself - therefore preventing me from having to "rescue" her over and over (and over) again - I told her, "When you are afraid, say a little prayer and Heavenly Father will help you."
Several nights of me going in to help her say a little prayer later (thinking "this is not going how I planned") ...
Tonight Woodstock called out from her crib (yes, she's still in a crib; no she hasn't tried to climb out yet; yes, we have a real bed for her; no, she isn't interested in it *sigh*), "Mama! I scared of da monsters, but is okay, I say a yittle prayer." I then heard:
"Heabenly Fader, Dank you for dis day, pa-yease bless Woodstock to not be afraid of da monsters. And help Mommy and Pebbles to not be scared of da monsters. Jesus name AMEN."
I could hardly keep from laughing for the sheer cuteness of it and crying from the absolute faith she has.
10 minutes later, the monsters returned. Woodstock called out, "I scared of da monsters, but is okay, I say anoder yittle prayer."
Sometimes, being a parent has payoffs much greater than I could have ever dreamed.
In an attempt to help arm her with tools that she could use to banish the monsters herself - therefore preventing me from having to "rescue" her over and over (and over) again - I told her, "When you are afraid, say a little prayer and Heavenly Father will help you."
Several nights of me going in to help her say a little prayer later (thinking "this is not going how I planned") ...
Tonight Woodstock called out from her crib (yes, she's still in a crib; no she hasn't tried to climb out yet; yes, we have a real bed for her; no, she isn't interested in it *sigh*), "Mama! I scared of da monsters, but is okay, I say a yittle prayer." I then heard:
"Heabenly Fader, Dank you for dis day, pa-yease bless Woodstock to not be afraid of da monsters. And help Mommy and Pebbles to not be scared of da monsters. Jesus name AMEN."
I could hardly keep from laughing for the sheer cuteness of it and crying from the absolute faith she has.
10 minutes later, the monsters returned. Woodstock called out, "I scared of da monsters, but is okay, I say anoder yittle prayer."
Sometimes, being a parent has payoffs much greater than I could have ever dreamed.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
You Must See These Kids
You must see these kids.
They're beautiful.
We won't discuss how much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth occured on the part of their mother during the TWO photo shoots (two because one 3-hour session of torture wasn't enough to get good shots).
These photos are evidence that there is a good reason why their mother is not the photographer. While she was off worried that nothing was going "just right," the photographer was capturing memories of her beautiful girls.
Woodstock is the big one. Pebbles is the little one.
Their mother is in absolute heaven.
They're beautiful.
We won't discuss how much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth occured on the part of their mother during the TWO photo shoots (two because one 3-hour session of torture wasn't enough to get good shots).
These photos are evidence that there is a good reason why their mother is not the photographer. While she was off worried that nothing was going "just right," the photographer was capturing memories of her beautiful girls.
Woodstock is the big one. Pebbles is the little one.
Their mother is in absolute heaven.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Beware of the Monsters
Woodstock has discovered monsters ... where I'm not sure, but she doesn't like to go into dark rooms because "I scared of da monsters!"
Apparently, Pebbles is ALSO afraid of the monsters - who knew an almost-5-month-old could even be aware of such things? Apparently 2-year-olds. Anytime that Pebbles yells or cries or anything of the like, Woodstock rushes to her side and yells, "Mama! Come get Pebbles. She's afraid of da monsters!"
She has also made up a song to sing to Pebbles until her very lax, very slow mother can come rescue her.
Don't be scared.
Don't be afraid.
It's okay.
Da monsters won't get you.
Of course, Woodstock thinks that in order for Pebbles to be properly comforted, she must be IN the bed with Pebbles. "Because she's afraid of da monsters. She needs me."
Certainly.
I hope they love each other this much in another 13 years.
Apparently, Pebbles is ALSO afraid of the monsters - who knew an almost-5-month-old could even be aware of such things? Apparently 2-year-olds. Anytime that Pebbles yells or cries or anything of the like, Woodstock rushes to her side and yells, "Mama! Come get Pebbles. She's afraid of da monsters!"
She has also made up a song to sing to Pebbles until her very lax, very slow mother can come rescue her.
Don't be scared.
Don't be afraid.
It's okay.
Da monsters won't get you.
Of course, Woodstock thinks that in order for Pebbles to be properly comforted, she must be IN the bed with Pebbles. "Because she's afraid of da monsters. She needs me."
Certainly.
I hope they love each other this much in another 13 years.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Contemplating the Eternities
Tuesday wasn't a very good day.
First, the earthquake of epic proportions hit Haiti. Second, our around-the-corner neighbor lost his 7-week battle with cancer. He was 49, four kids - two still at home.
Gives one a lot of perspective.
I attended the funeral today and I watched his four children and his wife stand and give beautifully composed messages. I laughed and cried right along with them.
Life is too short.
As his kids talked about him and their favorite memories of him, I wondered what mine would say. Would Woodstock comment on the one where we went on her first trip to the dinosaur museum on a day when my "natural self" felt particularly burdened by the adage "work before play?" Will she realize what a massive effort it took for me to leave the house as is, shut the door, load the girls into the car, and drive 30 minutes south to spend my last weekday as a Stay-at-Home-on-Maternity-Leave Mom with my two favorite little girls? Will she ever know how much I wanted to cry as I listened to her squeals of delight about "Oooh, dat's a BIG dinosaur!" or as she played in the sand at the hands-on exhibit?
Would Pebbles realize that I inadvertently messed up our whole sleeping schedule for weeks by failing to implement a bedtime routine when I should have, because I really just wanted to stay up and snuggle her longer? When she's 13 and shouting, "You don't love me, you don't understand! You're mean!" will she realize how much I will miss having her ride in her Snugli next to my chest and how I cry thinking she may be the last baby I have that is mine?
Would Woodstock remark "Silly mommy!" (as she sometimes does) if she knew that I come in, every night, before I go to bed and kiss her good night a second time? Would Pebbles wonder if mom had lost her marbles if she knew I'm probably procrastinating moving Woodstock into her "big bed" because it means there are no more excuses for having Pebbles sleeping in her bassinet next to my bed?
Would the people I love the most know just how much I love them? Does my heart say one thing and my actions another?
Every day, my resolve to lower my expectations hammers home. Life is too short to spend it wishing it away.
First, the earthquake of epic proportions hit Haiti. Second, our around-the-corner neighbor lost his 7-week battle with cancer. He was 49, four kids - two still at home.
Gives one a lot of perspective.
I attended the funeral today and I watched his four children and his wife stand and give beautifully composed messages. I laughed and cried right along with them.
Life is too short.
As his kids talked about him and their favorite memories of him, I wondered what mine would say. Would Woodstock comment on the one where we went on her first trip to the dinosaur museum on a day when my "natural self" felt particularly burdened by the adage "work before play?" Will she realize what a massive effort it took for me to leave the house as is, shut the door, load the girls into the car, and drive 30 minutes south to spend my last weekday as a Stay-at-Home-on-Maternity-Leave Mom with my two favorite little girls? Will she ever know how much I wanted to cry as I listened to her squeals of delight about "Oooh, dat's a BIG dinosaur!" or as she played in the sand at the hands-on exhibit?
Would Pebbles realize that I inadvertently messed up our whole sleeping schedule for weeks by failing to implement a bedtime routine when I should have, because I really just wanted to stay up and snuggle her longer? When she's 13 and shouting, "You don't love me, you don't understand! You're mean!" will she realize how much I will miss having her ride in her Snugli next to my chest and how I cry thinking she may be the last baby I have that is mine?
Would Woodstock remark "Silly mommy!" (as she sometimes does) if she knew that I come in, every night, before I go to bed and kiss her good night a second time? Would Pebbles wonder if mom had lost her marbles if she knew I'm probably procrastinating moving Woodstock into her "big bed" because it means there are no more excuses for having Pebbles sleeping in her bassinet next to my bed?
Would the people I love the most know just how much I love them? Does my heart say one thing and my actions another?
Every day, my resolve to lower my expectations hammers home. Life is too short to spend it wishing it away.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
I Hereby Resolve
For the past two weeks, scores of people (okay, really more like a half dozen) have asked me what my New Year's Resolutions are. I typically don't set any. January is not a month in which I am terribly motivated. In fact, I'm convinced I was made to hibernate right through January, February and the first half of March. That said, my "new year" starts somewhere with the appearance of the apricot blossoms and the rising of the mercury.
However, this year, I did make one resolution. A single resolution that could honestly revolutionize my entire existence. I've been loathe to share it though, and have usually muttered, "I'm resolving to do better" or something equally as generic.
The past 48 hours though I've been testing it out - and since no one has gasped in horror and exclaimed, "what kind of resolution is that?!" I'll share.
Shocking, I realize. If you don't know me well, you might think, "Oh sure, you're resolving to just skate by."
But that's not it at all. In fact, I'm resolving to lower my expectations so I don't feel like I'm just skating by because I can't possibly keep up with myself.
I'm realizing my house will not be perfectly de-cluttered and the floors won't be as clean as I'd like and that people will drop by when those house looks its absolute worst (Friday nights).
I'm conceding that the fat/tissue/skin that migrated from my thighs to my middle this last pregnancy is probably permanent and it will cause me to have to find a whole new style of pants/shirts that don't look like I've swallowed a spare tire.
I'm realizing that sleep is critically important and that all things cannot be shoved into life simply by eating into sleep time. Eliminating things is more important than losing sleep in order to accomodate them.
I'm vowing to love more freely, spend more time doing good and less time wondering if I am, in fact, an intrusion instead of a help. I'm going to expect no more of people than they tell me to. I'm going to ignore nonverbal communication "noise" and focus on what the person says. If he/she says "it's fine" I'm not going to drive myself crazy wondering what he/she really means.
And, hopefully, I will stop comparing myself to an impossible list of standards I cannot possible achieve and start living life a little more in the moment.
However, this year, I did make one resolution. A single resolution that could honestly revolutionize my entire existence. I've been loathe to share it though, and have usually muttered, "I'm resolving to do better" or something equally as generic.
The past 48 hours though I've been testing it out - and since no one has gasped in horror and exclaimed, "what kind of resolution is that?!" I'll share.
In 2010, I resolve to lower my expectations.
Shocking, I realize. If you don't know me well, you might think, "Oh sure, you're resolving to just skate by."
But that's not it at all. In fact, I'm resolving to lower my expectations so I don't feel like I'm just skating by because I can't possibly keep up with myself.
I'm realizing my house will not be perfectly de-cluttered and the floors won't be as clean as I'd like and that people will drop by when those house looks its absolute worst (Friday nights).
I'm conceding that the fat/tissue/skin that migrated from my thighs to my middle this last pregnancy is probably permanent and it will cause me to have to find a whole new style of pants/shirts that don't look like I've swallowed a spare tire.
I'm realizing that sleep is critically important and that all things cannot be shoved into life simply by eating into sleep time. Eliminating things is more important than losing sleep in order to accomodate them.
I'm vowing to love more freely, spend more time doing good and less time wondering if I am, in fact, an intrusion instead of a help. I'm going to expect no more of people than they tell me to. I'm going to ignore nonverbal communication "noise" and focus on what the person says. If he/she says "it's fine" I'm not going to drive myself crazy wondering what he/she really means.
And, hopefully, I will stop comparing myself to an impossible list of standards I cannot possible achieve and start living life a little more in the moment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)