Tag Archives: babies

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This past month has been bananas.

First and foremost, I want to say that I think full-time working moms are superheroes. The week after Q peed on my glasses, I continued with a full work week covering more vacations. At the end of that second week, I was ridiculously behind on laundry and housework. Then, I ended up with strep throat and got even more behind. The moms who can do all these things and not end up behind are superstars. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so exhausted in my life.

Since CJ has left his full-time job and is trying to break into his freelance career (chrisbatdorf.com), this week has been busy as well. Until he gets up a steady stream of clients, I’ve been accepting all offers to fill in at work, covering call-ins and whatnot.

Besides still trying to catch up at home, it really just hasn’t been my week at work. Wednesday night was the culmination of my recent bout of luck. I had forgotten my dinner at home, so CJ had to pack up the kids and bring me some. He made me an amazing looking salad with grilled chicken. Once I got the chance to, I added the dressing, put the lid back on and began to shake it. It promptly exploded all over my lap, my desk, and the floor. The nurse working with me and the security officer who saw, both panicked. The nurse began running in little circles asking what he could do. The security officer immediately yelled, “wet paper towels” and ran off for the bathroom to get some. They both awkwardly watched me clean myself and my area, unsure whether they could help or not.

Once all was cleaned, and I was as clean as salad dressing would allow on black scrubs, the volunteer came up to the desk and made a comment about how the area now smelled like Caesar. At that point, the nurse and guard totally lost. I’m honestly surprised it took them as long as it did before they started laughing.

A laugh was a great way to end the week, though. And I’m glad for once that I don’t have to work the weekend. I can’t wait to spend some much needed time with my babies. And my washing machine.  🙂

Naughty Babies

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This week has been rough. People at work have been on vacation, so instead of working only three nights per week, I worked six. The babies have noticed and are acting accordingly. This makes me super excited that it is happening again this week as well, as I have learned that the kids are being a little naughty regarding the loss of “mommy time.”

For the most part, we’ve just been experiencing some listening issues, but in the case of Q, she’s being a little vindictive. At one point during this blur of a week, I disciplined her for something – I don’t even remember what. A few minutes later, she told me she had to go potty. Even though she’s two, she’s completely able to take herself to the bathroom without supervision. Since she was taking too long on this occasion, I went in to check on her. As soon as she saw me, she said “Hi, Mommy” and then pulled something out from underneath her. She had peed on my glasses. She took them off the counter, held them underneath her, and peed on them. Then held them out to me like she was proud. Even after I cleaned them, I still had a hard time putting them on my face.

I have a feeling I’m really going to have my hands full with her by the time she’s a teenager. Heck, even when she’s a threenager.

 

Sorry its been a while…

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Things seem to finally be looking up a bit. Let’s hope they stay that way.

It’s been over a month since I updated my blog because it’s been crazy inside and outside our house. We’ve suffered numerous illnesses, EM was diagnosed lactose intolerant (just like her big sister), my phone decided to break months before it was time to upgrade, and the only car that fits all three car seats at the same time decided to break more than it was worth to fix. Needless to say, we’ve been busy.

Besides getting a new phone and car (and I really love this car), yesterday I was able to see my BFF who was visiting from Wisconsin. We got to hang out and let all the babies play together. It was amazing. I really wish her husband hadn’t moved her so far away. I’m also pretty stoked about the webinar I signed up for tonight. It’s supposed to be writing tips for busy authors. I think as a working mom, I might qualify.  🙂

I’m really looking forward to any tips or tricks it can give me to be more productive in the time I have. Draft one of my first full-length is done, but draft two seems to be taking me forever to complete. And my beta readers all over me for the finished product. I am really proud of the WIP though and can’t wait to share it.

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Today, after lunch, we had two very angry little girls I had to take care of so CJ took MJ outside to help him mow the lawn. Shortly after I heard the lawnmower stop, I went into the kitchen to get some water. CJ was showing MJ how to swing a bat and they were having a great time with each other. They had no idea I was watching and I’m glad I was able to catch such a moment. It made my heart melt. I am blessed to have those wonderful boys and my beautiful girls.

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Lately, I very much feel on the periphery of things. I want to find something to excite me; that makes me want to participate. Most of the time, my writing makes me feel this way, but I am hesitant to being a writing session because I don’t have as much time to devote to it as I would like and interruptions are guaranteed in my house. I dislike nothing more than getting into a good writing groove and having to abandon it mid-stride. I sincerely hope that the things we are planning in the near future pan out the way we hope so I will have more “me” time; for my writing, to find hobbies I will enjoy, to make some friends.

Recently I reconnected with a friend from high school. I last saw her at the baby shower my family threw for me while I was pregnant with MJ, so it’s been over three years. We decided to get together because of any of the friends that we both still have, the only ones with kids live really far away. She just had her first child a few weeks before EM was born. Both our husbands played on the playground with MJ and Q while we chatted and played with the babies. I had a really nice time.

I feel like this post is a little disjointed. These first two paragraphs were written in an exhaustion induced semi-coma. Had to work an extra long shift last night then wake up early with the kids. It was rough, to say the least. I was so proud of Q today though. She was amazing. And I’m really looking forward to taking MJ to his preschool orientation next week. First day of school pictures to come!

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The week from Hell is almost over. MJ and Q have both been sick and decided to share it with Mommy as well. It even got so bad that I asked CJ to use his last vacation day yesterday to give me some help – and a much needed nap. There was no question as far as he was concerned. CJ was glad to do it. I wonder if he truly knows just how much I appreciate him. He does so much for us.

I think we make a great team. We do not have cousins who live next door who can babysit on a whim so we can go out. We do not have parents who take our kids all weekend every weekend. We work alternating shifts; give up time with each other so the kids have what they need. In our 15 minute crossover on days we both work, I give “daily report” and tell CJ when and what to give the kids for dinner before quick goodbyes and “Mommy will call you to say goodnight.” Considering everything, I think we do a pretty damn good job and it hurts me when people who are catered to try to tell me all the things I do wrong or make any other type of comment about my life.

I love my family. Every day I thank God for bringing CJ into my life and blessing me with the gift of being the mother to my beautiful children. All of them. Even the little oopsie currently cooking (for a few more months).

Poke me, tease me, spit in my eye; I will not let it break me. I may bleed, cry, need a hug from my babies, but your words and actions will never be more important to me than what I know to be truth. Such a wonderful man would not love me if I were such a terrible person. My children would not be smart and kind and beautiful if I were not raising them right. I deserve to be as happy as my family makes me ALL THE TIME. So I will be.

YCN #2

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Here is my second article for the YCN. It was supposed to be on when you (the author) decided it was the right time to start a family and if you thought it was advice to share with others.

My husband and I were engaged for three years before we got married. Why did we wait? We wanted to finish school. We were married for two years before we bought a home. Why did we wait? We wanted to be established in our careers.

As we neared thirty, we began to consider starting a family. There were always reasons to wait: someone changed their job, someone’s car broke down, etc. How much time did we want with just us?

I was talking at family function with one of my aunts and she informed me that there is never a perfect time to start a family. There will never be enough money. There will never be enough time. You will never be at the right point in your relationship.

My husband and I sat down and really considered this. She was right, no doubt about it. We decided to go ahead and do it. We only tried for two months before we found out we were pregnant and it was an amazing feeling. Nine months later, our beautiful little boy was born.

Times are hard, things get rough, and I never have enough hands, but I would not trade my little guy for anything. In fact, every time I look into his big, blue eyes, I cannot wait to make him a big brother.

I briefly considered if we make enough money. Do I have enough time to devote to two children instead of just one? My husband and I get along, for the most part. But wait. Here come the words from my favorite aunt:

“There is never a perfect time. If you want children, have them when you want them, not when you think you can afford them. You can always find a way to make it work.”

I am so glad we decided to listen to her and I freely give that advice to others. If you are seeking the perfect time to have your first, you will never find it and time you could be rearing your child will slip away. If you want a child, while you want them, now, is the perfect time.

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So, no post yesterday. Do I have an excuse? Sure…just not a very good one. I just figured my day yesterday did not amount to much and I did not want to sound whiney.

I received a phone call a few days ago from Zales that my ring from my parents had been fixed. This was the real reason that we stopped at the mall yesterday.

While we were there, we decided a nice stroll would be good for us. MJ loves people watching in his stroller; he laughs and yells at the people walking by. On impulse, we walked into Burlington Coat Factory because we have found some great priced things in there before.

MJ is getting too long for his rear-facing car seat, so we went back to the baby department to see what they had. There was not a single car seat there for under $100. We ended up spending $170 on his new car seat. He better keep it pristine! It is crazy to think about how much it costs to buy anything baby related. With how quickly they outgrow things, sometimes I feel as if I am just throwing my money away.

There; that was it. That was my whiney moment from yesterday that I thought I would keep to myself. Today was not very exciting though so I was hoping a combined effort would make my post a bit longer.

Today, MJ got to ride in his new car seat for the first time. He laughed and clapped the entire car ride. I am assuming this means we picked out a good one 🙂 After this ride, he got to play with his cousins for a bit. Whenever I arrive at my sister’s house, I swear her children are always in some state of undress. When I arrived today, the oldest one, D, (she is almost four) looked so pretty. She had dressed herself I was told and was wearing black leggings with a pink and white striped top. I snatched her up and told her, “D, you look so pretty today. Aunt Amber cannot believe how grown up you look.” She acted all shy and gave me some extra hugs. I still cannot believe how much of a difference her outfit made considering my sister normally lets D run around in her underwear all day.

The rest of my day was rather uneventful. The volunteer I worked with today lent me a book, Half the Sky and I am really enjoying it so far. I will share how I feel about it when it is finished.