I left you hanging there, didn't I?
You want to know what my decision was?
I decided to stay home with the little guy next year.
You want to know how I decided?
I added it up. I sat down, and crunched the numbers. And it just doesn't make sense to send both kids to preschool in September. I would be spending what I made to cover the cost of it.
You want to know how else I decided?
I thought about how hard it would be to leave them from 8am to 6pm every day. And I just can't do it.
I am by no means judging those who do, and am so grateful I have a choice, but I am not at a place right now where I can imagine leaving the kiddies for that many hours a day.
I am usually a great Mom and quite enjoy it when I have only 1 kid around (if I do say so myself). In all honesty, I am not as effective or relaxed when I've got both with me, but I still think it is better for them and for me if we stick it out together for a while longer.
In September 2012, the babe will start kindergarten (public and free!), and at that point I think we'll all be better prepared and possibly ready to handle the challenges of living as part of a family with 2 working parents.
And who knows, perhaps I will get really good at this Mommy thing and won't be so torn anymore. Only time will tell. But for now, I am breathing a huge sigh of relief that the little guy and I have more time together and that I will be able to continue seeing the babe's excited face as she runs towards me at pick up time every day after preschool.
Cheers to the good life and to all our many blessings.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Belated Wishes
On December 23rd, my beloved husband turned 40. I'm not going to go on about it, but I am eternally grateful to this man for giving me love, understanding, friendship, companionship, and 2 amazing little children. I love you and wish you many, many more happy days.Happy Birthday, dear husband.
On December 24th, my sweet little baby boy turned 2 years old. I am quickly having to come to terms with the fact that he isn't a baby anymore. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to hang out with him every day and watch him learn and grow. I think you savour things a little more when you know it's your last child. I am trying to slow down and enjoy the little things more with him. Every development, every new word and every new day with him seems like such a gift. I can not imagine tiring of kissing his little feet and fat cheeks.
Happy birthday, little guy. Your Mama, Papa and big sister all adore you.
And to all the other December birthdays out there, hope you had a great one!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Sweetest Sorry
"Sorry, Mama."
That's what the little guy said to me today right before his nap. He had just thrown a toy across the room as I was getting him in his pajamas. I responded to his energetic display of carelessness with a curt "No throwing."
He looked at me, hugged me close and said "Sorry, Mama."
This may not seem like a big deal, but it is the first time my son has ever apologized to me. He appears to have picked up the word "sorry" this week. We told him to say sorry to his sister last night after he had been pushing her around. He walked over to her, hugged her, and said "Sorry."
Perhaps it's that we have just returned from 16 days in Canada and Canadians say "sorry" more than Americans. Perhaps it's that we have been encouraging apologies between the 2 siblings for some time now and the little guy has gotten used to his big sister frequently hugging him and saying sorry.
Whatever the explanation, I was extremely touched by this simple apology. So touched I had to get myself in front of the computer and document it.
Perhaps this was all I needed to come back to you, 24-7 Mommy.com.
Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to continuing my Motherhood journey with you.
That's what the little guy said to me today right before his nap. He had just thrown a toy across the room as I was getting him in his pajamas. I responded to his energetic display of carelessness with a curt "No throwing."
He looked at me, hugged me close and said "Sorry, Mama."
This may not seem like a big deal, but it is the first time my son has ever apologized to me. He appears to have picked up the word "sorry" this week. We told him to say sorry to his sister last night after he had been pushing her around. He walked over to her, hugged her, and said "Sorry."
Perhaps it's that we have just returned from 16 days in Canada and Canadians say "sorry" more than Americans. Perhaps it's that we have been encouraging apologies between the 2 siblings for some time now and the little guy has gotten used to his big sister frequently hugging him and saying sorry.
Whatever the explanation, I was extremely touched by this simple apology. So touched I had to get myself in front of the computer and document it.
Perhaps this was all I needed to come back to you, 24-7 Mommy.com.
Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to continuing my Motherhood journey with you.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Happy Birthday to My Girl
I know I haven't been writing, and I apologize, but you've heard my apologies before. What can I say (a lot, actually).
I really just wanted to wish my beautiful girl a very happy 4th birthday.
I am sorry she was under the weather today with a bad cough and that I dragged her to the pediatrician downtown. But I'm glad her Papa got to stay home with us for a breakfast birthday party.
Perhaps I will keep her home tomorrow so she can continue to rest and eat rice crispy squares with her brother and I.
I can't believe the babe is 4.
Last night she and I looked at pictures from her first week of life. My huge stomach before I left for the hospital. Her screaming 9.6 ounce body on the nurses table as she was measured and inspected. And her swollen little face after she was bundled up in a hat and swaddled in her blanket. It seems like so long ago now. But looking at the pictures reminds me that she is still my little one. She is old, but she is so young.
Happy birthday my sweet, amazing, beautiful, challenging, wicked smart, and inspiring girl. You made me a Mother, and I am grateful for every day you have been a part of my life. I love you.
I really just wanted to wish my beautiful girl a very happy 4th birthday.
I am sorry she was under the weather today with a bad cough and that I dragged her to the pediatrician downtown. But I'm glad her Papa got to stay home with us for a breakfast birthday party.
Perhaps I will keep her home tomorrow so she can continue to rest and eat rice crispy squares with her brother and I.
I can't believe the babe is 4.
Last night she and I looked at pictures from her first week of life. My huge stomach before I left for the hospital. Her screaming 9.6 ounce body on the nurses table as she was measured and inspected. And her swollen little face after she was bundled up in a hat and swaddled in her blanket. It seems like so long ago now. But looking at the pictures reminds me that she is still my little one. She is old, but she is so young.
Happy birthday my sweet, amazing, beautiful, challenging, wicked smart, and inspiring girl. You made me a Mother, and I am grateful for every day you have been a part of my life. I love you.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Decisions
Lately it seems like everyone is asking me if my son is going to go to preschool in September 2011. Applications are due soon and the process of guaranteeing your spot is a serious one.
This has brought up a lot of issues for me. Do I go back to work and put both kids in preschool all day, every day? Do I put them in school until 3:30 pm and get a nanny to watch them until 6:30 pm every day? Do I try and find a part time job that will give me more flexibility?
OR
Do I just embrace what I am doing and keep my son home with me for at least another year? Just because his older sister was so obviously ready for preschool at that age, it doesn't really mean he will be.
I have been a Stay-at-Home Mom for 4 years this month and I've never really had a long term plan. I've been hoping the right answer would just come to me. It hasn't.
And I don't like that I am feeling pressure to make a decision. I had my hair cut today (it had been a loooong time), and my hair stylist asked who was pressuring me. Good question. Maybe I'm the one putting all this pressure on myself.
Anyway, I don't usually read my husband's Wall Street Journal, but today there was an interesting set of articles on the state of Motherhood. Check out Mother Madness by Erica Jong for an interesting perspective. And then check out the author's daughter's perspective, Growing Up With Ma Jong.
Common sense would lead me to conclude that I really just need to do what I feel is right for my family and I. Only problem is, I don't know what is right!
To be continued....
This has brought up a lot of issues for me. Do I go back to work and put both kids in preschool all day, every day? Do I put them in school until 3:30 pm and get a nanny to watch them until 6:30 pm every day? Do I try and find a part time job that will give me more flexibility?
OR
Do I just embrace what I am doing and keep my son home with me for at least another year? Just because his older sister was so obviously ready for preschool at that age, it doesn't really mean he will be.
I have been a Stay-at-Home Mom for 4 years this month and I've never really had a long term plan. I've been hoping the right answer would just come to me. It hasn't.
And I don't like that I am feeling pressure to make a decision. I had my hair cut today (it had been a loooong time), and my hair stylist asked who was pressuring me. Good question. Maybe I'm the one putting all this pressure on myself.
Anyway, I don't usually read my husband's Wall Street Journal, but today there was an interesting set of articles on the state of Motherhood. Check out Mother Madness by Erica Jong for an interesting perspective. And then check out the author's daughter's perspective, Growing Up With Ma Jong.
Common sense would lead me to conclude that I really just need to do what I feel is right for my family and I. Only problem is, I don't know what is right!
To be continued....
Late, Late, Late
I'll admit it. We are late for school every morning.
Something happened when we moved to our new house. I'm not sure what has changed in our schedule, but all of a sudden getting out the door in a timely manner is impossible. As organized as I think I am the night before, something always comes up to throw us off.
I hate to be late. And I am pretty hard core about keeping everything moving tickidy boom from the time I get out of bed. I may be staying in bed a bit longer these days as it's colder and darker. And I may be letting the babe sleep in a bit more because she has been coughing for weeks and weeks and I want her to get all the rest she can. But really, it's starting to get to me. Apparently I'm not the only one.
Parents from my daughter's school receive frequent emails from the administrators keeping us all up to date on classes, activities, bake sales, and the like. On Friday we got a reminder about daylight savings time and timeliness. It went something like this:
Just a reminder, please drop off your child at or before the 9:15 a.m. start time. If you drop them off after 9:15, one of the staff will take your child to the classroom. We are still in the 3-month acclamation time frame and we want to insure the least disruptions to the school day as possible. We also do not want there to be crowding by your child’s classroom for safety reasons.
My husband asked if I had read the email and proceeded to ask if it was directed at me specifically. And yes, I admit that I have been a fairly consistent offender. And yes, I am trying to change. But no, I am not the only one in this boat. And no, the email was not specifically directed at me (I can easily list off a number of other Mom offenders).
Somehow I'm going to figure this one out. The fact that we moved 5 minutes further away should not make us 20 minutes later. There are 15 minutes I have to account for and the fact that I have a bigger house isn't a good enough excuse.
If you have any awesome morning routine secrets you'd like to share, feel free to do so!!
Something happened when we moved to our new house. I'm not sure what has changed in our schedule, but all of a sudden getting out the door in a timely manner is impossible. As organized as I think I am the night before, something always comes up to throw us off.
I hate to be late. And I am pretty hard core about keeping everything moving tickidy boom from the time I get out of bed. I may be staying in bed a bit longer these days as it's colder and darker. And I may be letting the babe sleep in a bit more because she has been coughing for weeks and weeks and I want her to get all the rest she can. But really, it's starting to get to me. Apparently I'm not the only one.
Parents from my daughter's school receive frequent emails from the administrators keeping us all up to date on classes, activities, bake sales, and the like. On Friday we got a reminder about daylight savings time and timeliness. It went something like this:
Just a reminder, please drop off your child at or before the 9:15 a.m. start time. If you drop them off after 9:15, one of the staff will take your child to the classroom. We are still in the 3-month acclamation time frame and we want to insure the least disruptions to the school day as possible. We also do not want there to be crowding by your child’s classroom for safety reasons.
My husband asked if I had read the email and proceeded to ask if it was directed at me specifically. And yes, I admit that I have been a fairly consistent offender. And yes, I am trying to change. But no, I am not the only one in this boat. And no, the email was not specifically directed at me (I can easily list off a number of other Mom offenders).
Somehow I'm going to figure this one out. The fact that we moved 5 minutes further away should not make us 20 minutes later. There are 15 minutes I have to account for and the fact that I have a bigger house isn't a good enough excuse.
If you have any awesome morning routine secrets you'd like to share, feel free to do so!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Putting It Together, Part Deux
I did not push him to say this, he chose these words to be his first 3 words put together all on his own. Although I will admit his sister was going through a phase where she kept wanting us to play the game.
The little guy and I have been reading Silly Little Goose! (by Nancy Tafuri) at night, and although it is not about the game of "duck, duck, goose," it does have a goose and some ducks. He now points at it and says "duck, duck, GOOSE."
Regardless, I am one proud Mama. I never thought those words could sound so sweet.
So, here's to duck, duck, goose.
That Time of Year
I have been a little sick for about 11 days. It started out strong (fever, exhaustion) and calmed down pretty quickly. Some days I have felt I am on the upswing and some days I have felt I am on the down slide. Today was a down slide day.
I am washing my hands frequently, drinking fluids, not getting enough rest, and drinking wine.
I also have a sick daughter. She has had a cold and cough for longer than I have been under the weather. The problem is that she is unaware of how to prevent spreading her germs everywhere. She picks her nose, wipes runny snot onto her shirt sleeve, coughs onto everyone (although I know she's trying to remember to cover her mouth with her arm) and she has no problem touching everything and anything with her germy hands. It is overwhelming to try and correct every germ spreading behavior every time I look at her, because it feels like it's constant. There's only so much I can nag.
She, like me, has had some upswing days and some down slide nights. Last night was a down slide and had us all up for about an hour and a half due to the babe's hacking cough and inability to calm down long enough to fall back asleep.
I called the pediatrician today and was told I could:
-NOT give her cough medicine
-give her homeopathic soothing honey type substance (not available at a standard drug store)
-give her decaffeinated tea with honey (yes, I did remind them that she is 3 and not yet a tea drinker)
-keep a humidifier running in her room (while the dehumidifier runs simultaneously in the basement)
-use saline drops to loosen the mucus (squirting this up her nose caused her to almost throw up)
If we see a fever, notice any trouble with her eyes, notice ear pain, or anything funky, we are to call immediately. If the cough doesn't get better by next week, we are to call for an appointment. At this point it seems like every kid in her class sounds the same, and they are all just spreading their germs back and forth to each other. I suppose this is the age where this kind of thing is pretty standard.
Anyway, if you have any tips on how the babe and I can return to our former glory, please feel free to share.
I am washing my hands frequently, drinking fluids, not getting enough rest, and drinking wine.
I also have a sick daughter. She has had a cold and cough for longer than I have been under the weather. The problem is that she is unaware of how to prevent spreading her germs everywhere. She picks her nose, wipes runny snot onto her shirt sleeve, coughs onto everyone (although I know she's trying to remember to cover her mouth with her arm) and she has no problem touching everything and anything with her germy hands. It is overwhelming to try and correct every germ spreading behavior every time I look at her, because it feels like it's constant. There's only so much I can nag.
She, like me, has had some upswing days and some down slide nights. Last night was a down slide and had us all up for about an hour and a half due to the babe's hacking cough and inability to calm down long enough to fall back asleep.
I called the pediatrician today and was told I could:
-NOT give her cough medicine
-give her homeopathic soothing honey type substance (not available at a standard drug store)
-give her decaffeinated tea with honey (yes, I did remind them that she is 3 and not yet a tea drinker)
-keep a humidifier running in her room (while the dehumidifier runs simultaneously in the basement)
-use saline drops to loosen the mucus (squirting this up her nose caused her to almost throw up)
If we see a fever, notice any trouble with her eyes, notice ear pain, or anything funky, we are to call immediately. If the cough doesn't get better by next week, we are to call for an appointment. At this point it seems like every kid in her class sounds the same, and they are all just spreading their germs back and forth to each other. I suppose this is the age where this kind of thing is pretty standard.
Anyway, if you have any tips on how the babe and I can return to our former glory, please feel free to share.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Congratulations!
A few words of congratulations to some good friends:
K & B had a beautiful baby boy on September 2nd, putting the labour back into labour day weekend! Good work guys!
K & S had a sweet little girl on October 16th (I was hoping she'd arrive on my b-day which was the 20th, but no luck). I can't wait to meet her (and her older brother!). Why is the West Coast so far away?
And my friend Kimberly Palmer, writer and mother extraordinaire, just released Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing and Giving Back. You should definitely check it out! You can also check out her blog, Alpha Consumer, at US News and World Report.
K & B had a beautiful baby boy on September 2nd, putting the labour back into labour day weekend! Good work guys!
K & S had a sweet little girl on October 16th (I was hoping she'd arrive on my b-day which was the 20th, but no luck). I can't wait to meet her (and her older brother!). Why is the West Coast so far away?
And my friend Kimberly Palmer, writer and mother extraordinaire, just released Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing and Giving Back. You should definitely check it out! You can also check out her blog, Alpha Consumer, at US News and World Report.
It's Been One Month (and a day)
Looks like I just took a break. Yikes. The more days that went by, the harder it was to log in and write.
I have been too afraid to look at my site meter stats, but the last time I looked it was pretty bleak. Who could blame you? I wouldn't bother checking in with 24-7 Mommy either!
But here I am. In my new house. Setting up our old routine. And trying to keep things moving tickidy boom. It has been a crazy few months but I finally feel like we are getting to where I wanted: the "new normal."
The babe and the little guy have adjusted quite well to our new home. We have a few more night wake ups than we were used to, but I figure it will pass. I am thrilled to walk in the door and am still in shock that it's our home. I feel blessed.
I wanted to share a little story, since I'm here and all. For the past 5 days I have been tearing apart the house in search of the Winnie the Pooh costume my daughter has worn for Halloween the past 2 years. I desperately wanted the little guy to wear the same one as it's just so freakin' cute! I was also looking for the baby cow costume both kids wore as wee youngsters to lend to a friend. I knew these items were located somewhere, in some box or other, and was pretty determined to find them.
I apparently didn't give myself enough credit, because this morning, when I was about to break down and head to Target for Halloween stuff, I dug into a bin of "too big/new clothes for the future" and low and behold, guess what was in there? A bag with 3 Halloween costumes and a Halloween themed orange size 4 shirt for the babe to wear to her class party on Friday. Looking at the price tag, I apparently bought it last year after Halloween for the bargain price of $2! I had also bought a race car driver costume for the little guy to use a few years down the road. I appear to have shockingly been organized enough to put all of this stuff together in a "safe" place so I could find it easily.
Now I realize that all those messy boxes I looked through were just trying to teach me a lesson. And that lesson is that I need to continue on with my dream of having everything organized and in its place. As a stay at home Mom, I am committed to making this dream a reality. I dream big, don't I?
I have been too afraid to look at my site meter stats, but the last time I looked it was pretty bleak. Who could blame you? I wouldn't bother checking in with 24-7 Mommy either!
But here I am. In my new house. Setting up our old routine. And trying to keep things moving tickidy boom. It has been a crazy few months but I finally feel like we are getting to where I wanted: the "new normal."
The babe and the little guy have adjusted quite well to our new home. We have a few more night wake ups than we were used to, but I figure it will pass. I am thrilled to walk in the door and am still in shock that it's our home. I feel blessed.
I wanted to share a little story, since I'm here and all. For the past 5 days I have been tearing apart the house in search of the Winnie the Pooh costume my daughter has worn for Halloween the past 2 years. I desperately wanted the little guy to wear the same one as it's just so freakin' cute! I was also looking for the baby cow costume both kids wore as wee youngsters to lend to a friend. I knew these items were located somewhere, in some box or other, and was pretty determined to find them.
I apparently didn't give myself enough credit, because this morning, when I was about to break down and head to Target for Halloween stuff, I dug into a bin of "too big/new clothes for the future" and low and behold, guess what was in there? A bag with 3 Halloween costumes and a Halloween themed orange size 4 shirt for the babe to wear to her class party on Friday. Looking at the price tag, I apparently bought it last year after Halloween for the bargain price of $2! I had also bought a race car driver costume for the little guy to use a few years down the road. I appear to have shockingly been organized enough to put all of this stuff together in a "safe" place so I could find it easily.
Now I realize that all those messy boxes I looked through were just trying to teach me a lesson. And that lesson is that I need to continue on with my dream of having everything organized and in its place. As a stay at home Mom, I am committed to making this dream a reality. I dream big, don't I?
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