Nap Time is Sacred, Man

I have 5 minutes to get a blog post up and get to bed or I will turn into a pumpkin.

It was a busy Saturday, and out of all the stories from our day that I could share, I'm going to write about respecting nap time.

Yesterday I waited around the house for a number of hours expecting a contractor to come by to work on the toilet and sink in the master bedroom.  He never showed up and only called to say he wasn't going to be able to make it 3 hours and 45 minutes after he was supposed to be here.  That is just not cool.

He asked if he could reschedule so I told him he could come by at 3:00 pm today.  My husband was off playing squash and I had gotten the kids to bed for nap time.  I decided to work on the nasty patch of dead weeds in front of our porch.  I've had grand ideas of creating a garden, but haven't found time to start ripping everything out.  I decided today was the day and headed out with a shovel and gloves. 

At about 2:00 pm, a van pulls up and 2 guys get out.  I ignore them because we always have work guys on the street as our neighbors have been expanding their house since February.  But these guys start getting stuff out of the truck and walking up our front path.

I said hello with a questioning tone and they introduced themselves.  I replied that they were supposed to be here at 3:00 pm, not 2:00 pm.  They said they had managed to make it early and asked if they could start working on the plumbing.  I told them my kids were sleeping upstairs and that's why I had scheduled them to come for 3:00 pm.

So they went back to their van and waited.  When the babe and little guy woke up, I let the contractors into the house (they were both asleep when I walked down and tapped on the van window).  They had waited for about 35 minutes, and I was OK with that.

I was not going to mess up my kids nap, and if they thought I was a b#@%*, I didn't really care.  A few years back I probably would have just let them in even though it was an inconvenience.  But I'm glad I'm grown up enough now to stand up for the little things.  Because the little things count.

My Message

My husband caught up on my recent blogs last night after watching his hockey game (which, the Montreal Canadiens won!).  He had some comments for me first thing this morning.  I'm not a morning person so I don't think I appeared grateful for his constructive criticism.  The most important point was that each post should have a "message."  Ten years ago I graduated with a journalism degree, and mentally looking back on my studies, I'd have to say he has a pretty good point (thanks, honey).  But I also remember the importance of "story telling."  I just have to focus on getting my message into my storytelling and I should be off to the races.

Today's message is on SAFETY.  I have been meaning to write about safety for some time, and today is as good a day as any to do it.

A few weeks ago someone very close to me was in a car accident.  The other driver was injured and there was damage to both vehicles.  It was a reminder of how quickly things can happen and the importance of always being on top of your surroundings.

A week later, I was involved in a car related incident that took me by surprise.  I was putting the babe in the car (which is my job), and had the door opened behind me (which is necessary when you're leaning into a vehicle trying to buckle a toddler into a car seat).  I was startled when I heard a sharp bang sound and turned around to see a car slowing down and pulling over.  While I was leaning into our car, this other driver had managed to slightly drive into my open car door in an attempt to avoid an oncoming car.  So, instead of stopping, this flake clips my door and comes pretty darn close to hitting me.  The car was fine (just a super small mark), but I was rattled.  Just another reminder of how careful we need to be and how quickly things can change.

Moving on to fire safety.  As you may recall, we had a nightmare experience with fire in our own home last summer.  A fan caught fire in the little guy's room when he was asleep in his crib with the door shut.  Just thinking about it makes me want to disintegrate into a puddle of emotion.  But what I have been telling people is to INSTALL SMOKE DETECTORS IN YOUR CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS!  And after watching one of the parents on Parenthood close their child's bedroom door on this week's episode, I was reminded that I also want to suggest that you DON'T CLOSE BEDROOM DOORS!  It may just be that I have become a paranoid freak, but even with a smoke detector, having the bedroom door shut just gives me the willies.  I will never forget opening my son's bedroom door and walking into an oscillating fan on fire, a room filled with smoke, and my beautiful little baby boy screaming his heart out. 

I hope today's message on SAFETY helps someone out.  

My Job

Tonight I overheard my husband and daughter talking about work.  My husband was telling the babe that both women and men work.  He was explaining that some people's Mamas go to work in an office every day, just like he does.  He then said that I (Mama) work as well and proceeded to ask the babe what my job is.  "To bring us to the car," she immediately replied.  That pretty much sums it up. 

Thank You

This is a quick note of thanks to all my friends who wrote such lovely comments on my pride wounding post.  Thanks for reading, and thanks for writing.  You're all awesome and I'm grateful to have you in my life.

And thanks as well to those of you I don't personally know who take the time to leave comments.  I can't say how much it inspires me.

I Just Wanted to Sleep Tonight

Kids in bed, husband watching hockey, kitchen clean, and I am sitting in bed with the computer.  Time to do my daily blog thing.

Where to start.  I had some excitement this evening when I ran up to the drug store to buy non-Tylenol acetaminophen for the little guy.  Last night was not pretty.  He was up about 5 times which means I was up about 5 times as well.  I had forgotten how very bad it is to be disrupted that many times at night.  But since Tylenol did there big recall last weekend, I had no pain killer for what was an obvious case of teething pain.  So I sucked it up and tried to comfort him as best I could. 

I decided I was not going to have another night like that, so after getting the little guy to bed tonight, I drove up to the 24 hour drug store for the meds (yes, I know, I should have thought of this earlier).  I turned off our street and managed to get stuck behind an 18 wheeler and about 15 cars trailing behind it.  Not a good sign.  I made it up the hill to the drug store and ran to the "Children's Remedy" section.  I couldn't see any acetaminophen.  So I walked back to the pharmacy (which I had called before I left to make sure they had the drugs in stock).  Some guy was asking a bunch of annoying questions like, "and what is folic acid?," and I just sucked it up and waited.  I saw a woman pick up a pregnancy test and internally wished her luck.  Then boom, a piercing alarm sounds and lights start flashing throughout the store.  We all looked at each other with panic in our eyes.  I saw one guy practically jump out of his skin. 

I stood in shock, and then realized there could be a robbery in progress.  Just my luck!  I only wanted some baby meds so I could sleep tonight and of course, there has to be a robbery.  Many, many scary thoughts raced through my mind (like, "I can't die!  I have 2 little kids!").  We all somehow clued in that it was the fire alarm, and as there did not appear to be a fire, we all just stood there.  I couldn't hear myself think, but I managed to ask the pharmacist about the generic brand's location.  I then ran up aisle 9A and located my drugs.  I sped up to the cash....where there was a long line...and tried to hold my ears (it was deafening).  I was then ushered to a self check out by a helpful store employee where I managed to pay for my purchase.

I ran to my car and heard the fire truck sirens fast approaching.  Please, please, please let me get out of the parking lot before the fire trucks get here.  And yes, I pulled it off.  I got outta there and managed make it home in time to read the babe a bed time book (in French, no less).  Now was that all really necessary?  Guess we'll see how tonight goes.

My Pride

I think I just let myself feel sorry for myself. It is pretty ridiculous, especially after all my musings about needing to be grateful. Today I managed to get the house ready for the cleaning lady (I broke down when the little guy was born and have her come in every 3 weeks), bring the babe into school, get some quick shopping done at Target (where the little guy managed to get his arm stuck in the shopping cart and create a bit of a dramatic and scary scene), and rush home to deal with the HVAC cleaning guys. Not bad for a Wednesday morning.

The pride wounding happened when I spoke to my husband on his lunch break. He casually mentioned that he had had lunch with one of his his best friends (who happens to work a few blocks from my husband). I also happen to be friends with my hubby's best friend's wife (it's hard not using names all the time!). Like us, they are new parents (although they are "newer" than us and have only one child). My friend is a successful journalist who sometimes gets to write about her experiences in the crazy world of motherhood. Not a bad gig, right?

So, my husband mentions that our friend just wrote about an expensive baby equipment purchase they were thinking of making (Budgeting With a Baby in US News and World Report), and that she had mentioned a store (Giggle) that they had been shopping around in (I just happened to be window shopping there last night). Apparently the founder of this lovely national chain has directly commented on our friend's piece.

It became unbelievably clear to me that although I am writing about my motherhood experiences, no CEOs will be leaving comments on my posts, let alone reading them. And I felt kind of like a loser. Like a career less, boring, errand running, domestic bliss coordinator.  My husband didn't understand why my mood shifted so quickly (nor did I for that matter).

So I had a little sulk (perhaps you could call it a pity party), heated up my husband's left over hockey pizza from last night (part of my health kick), and sat down to tell you about my feelings. And you know what?  I feel better now. Sometimes we just need to embrace what we have...and that is a lot in my case. And I'll have to forward this to my journalist friend so I don't feel like a crazy mommy blogger! Thanks for reading...and feel free to leave a comment! I always love to hear from you (even if you're not a CEO type).

Tuesday

Yesterday ended with blood all over my shirt sleeve (the little guy had a bad tumble), frazzled nerves (the babe punched me in the face after I dragged her inside to have dinner at 5:30 pm--needless to say, I did not handle it too well), too much wine and coffee in my system and not enough plain 'oll H20.  I keep saying I'm going to drink more water and attempt to be healthier and calmer, and I keep pulling out the red wine with dinner and the dark chocolate for desert.  I suppose they are the "healthy" indulgences in terms of benefits to the system...but it doesn't make up for the lack of water.  But is does make me calmer. 

What I'm really trying to say is that I went to bed a little too late and didn't sleep very well.  As such, I am wiped out today.  And Tuesday is not a day to be wiped out around here.  After bringing the babe into school, the little guy and I hit the grocery store, dropped off the groceries at home, went downtown for music class, came home and had lunch.  He's now napping.  I've cleaned the kitchen, made the beds and should be doing the laundry and packing up for our next outing.  But since I made a promise to blog every day (and I needed to check my email), I decided to sit down and write. 

After nap time we will pick up the babe at school, drive to Bethesda, play at the park and hopefully have a successful soccer experience.  It will be the babe's third time out with her new "team" and coach.  She is doing really well and I think she may be a natural (or perhaps my mommy meter is not exactly accurate).  But really, another soccer Mom actually asked me if the babe had ever played before.  That must mean something, right?

Then we will race back home, eating snacks all the way, and have an unorganized and chaotic dinner and then clock some chill out time in front of the TV before bath time. 

Believe it or not I also have dinner plans, AGAIN!  The Montreal Canadiens are back on the ice tonight so I'm heading out with a good friend for some wining, dining and catching up.  She is pregnant with her first and I am trying to be supportive and honest with her (no one ever told me how hard it was going to be!).  But I do try not to overwhelm her with too many gory details.  Although she's been over to my house enough that if she isn't freaked out yet, I'm not sure what will freak her out!

Anyway, must get back to my domestic bliss....the laundry and preparing my husband's hockey dinner (a healthy pizza concoction) awaits.  Aren't I a good stay at home Mom/Boss of the house??? 

Grateful

They say you don't know what you've got till it's gone.  How true, how true.  This morning, the power went out.  My heart sunk. Then it came back.  Then it went out again...and stayed out.

From 8:30 am to 1:20 pm, we had no power. This gap in reality has made me realize how much I take electricity for granted.  I felt completely immobilized.  No computer, no music, no radio in the kitchen, no phone, can't open the fridge because I don't want to let the cold air out, can't use the microwave, and oh yeah, the toaster isn't working either.  I was officially roughing it.

So after dropping the babe off at school, the little guy and I went to the grocery store for non-perishable items.  The power was still out when we got home so I decided we should eat a lot of snacks from the cupboard and sit on the floor to play with toys. 

When the little guy's nap time came along I was a tad nervous.  No sound machine to block out the outside noise or fan to circulate the sticky air.  Amazingly he fell asleep without all our usual devices going at full speed.

I called my husband on my very low battery cell and asked him if he had a PEPCO status update and just as he was about to fill me in, the power came back on.  Sweet.  Things are again as they should be. 

How the heck did all those Moms of the past take care of their families without electricity?  In fact, how do all the Moms without electricity take care of their families present day?  Not to mention access to clean drinking water, healthy food, and quality medical care. With Mother's Day coming up, check out UNICEF's Inspired Gifts.  If you're looking for a gift idea for a special Mom in your life, this one would go far to help those Moms who are less fortunate.    

I am so blessed, and sometimes it takes a little inconvenience to just remember to count my lucky stars, even if it has been a gazillion degrees and we're not using our AC until we have the HVAC system cleaned out on Wednesday.  At least I can be hot and sticky with electricity.

Mommy Blogging on Roids

For those of you interested in the whole mommy bloggin thing, I just came across this article,  Honey, Don't Bother Mommy, I'm Too Busy Building My Brand, from the New York Times.  I must admit I found it rather intimidating.  I guess I'm the opposite of all the brand reviewing, big add revenue, high traffic mom bloggers.  While I am still committed to my daily posting challenge (I've lasted half a day!), I'm sure not into joining the world of what mommy blogging appears to have become.  I think I'll be sticking with actually writing about my experiences as a stay-at-home Mom, and not over thinking this thing.

The Challenge

As you know, I am a stay-at-home Mom. I don't know how long I plan on doing this, and whenever I start to think about my game plan, I get overwhelmed. I want to take care of my kids, even though many aspects of the job drive me batty. But I am missing something. I thought I would take up swimming last fall, but that didn't happen. I thought it would be good to join a walking club, but that hasn't happened either. And I think a lot about what I want to be when I grow up. But no practical answers have come to me. People say you should identify what you love to do and work out a way to get paid for it. Can I make a living writing? I wouldn't even know where to start (and the fact that my husband always finds typos in my entries is rather troublesome).

So, after watching Julie and Julia last night (it was a "me" night as my hubby was out to dinner with a friend), I am pondering my rather slack commitment to my blog. I love to write, and I'm looking for "something," just like Julie. I'm not about to start cooking up a storm, but I can start to write more. It seems as though lots of folks are getting attention/coverage/movie and book deals these days by doing something extreme and writing about it (for example, see the On a Dollar a Day project).

I am not ready to do anything overly extreme, but I am pondering the idea of writing a blog entry every day. It does not have to be long and insightful, but it could relay a little nugget of my day to you. I have been happy to share my experiences (however inconsistent I have been) over the past few years, and I think writing every day will provide an outlet and a level of discipline I need right now. Luckily I've been a (rather slack) blogger for years so I don't feel like I'm jumping on the band wagon (even if I kinda am). But if I can find my path by hammering out a daily entry, then I'm all for it.

This is not a really well thought out plan, but I am excited about the prospects and the challenge. Hope you're in for the ride. Here we go....