Things You'd Never Thought You'd Say

Thinks you'd never thought you'd say to your perfect children.

*Stop climbing on the piano!

*Put the knife down.

*Stop chewing your food then dropping it on the floor!  Swallow!

*Get off the dishwasher!

**Stop unloading the dirty dishes in the dishwasher!

***Stop grabbing knives in the dishwasher!

****You cannot be in the kitchen when Mommy is working on the dishwasher.

*Don't bite my foot, ok, honey?

*Don't wipe snot across your entire face.

*Don't jump into the bathtub with your diaper on!

*Please stop licking the window.

I reserve author permission to add to this blog when new sayings arise. :)

I Blog, Therefore I Am

Yeah, yeah.  Cliche title.  But I don't care.  There's nothing new under the sun, right?  Anything to settle for mediocrity at this trying time in my life.  There I go feeling sorry for myself again.  Isn't self-pity ugly?  

I feel like a split personality - on one hand, life is SWELL GREAT WONDERFUL.  I have a supportive, unconditionally loving husband and a beautiful bouncing baby boy who makes me laugh whenever I am with him.  But on the other hand, life is so hard right now cause I have a jumble of emotions concerning how I spend my day.  I'm not talking about making dinner or cleaning the house - I gave up on those a long time ago.  I'm talking about not having a job.  It's such a fight to have your lack of employment define you.  And I'm learning to accept that It's So Hard To Look For A Job!  You get called and go for an interview, and your emotions soar (even though you are trying with all your heart to just be level-headed) cause it feels like someone likes you!!  And even though you know that's not what it means in your head, that's what it feels like it means in your heart!!!   It's times like these that I wish I was a boy - men are able to separate emotions from logic easier, it seems to lil ole me, than women.  Then you get rejected via phone or the dreaded letter* (more in a moment about that).  And you say, ok, it's not me, it just wasn't a good fit.  God has a bigger plan for me than the small one I have for myself that was confined to that job I obviously was not supposed to have.  (yeah, if you're me, you're not only long-winded with other people, but to yourself as well)  *

The last thing I'll say about this topic is that the letter REALLY isn't necessary, people.  If you call the person and tell them they don't have the job, you really don't need to send a letter.  I think we get the point.  I guess everything has to be put in writing, but this, really?  It's not like I'm going to go down to the school and pretend like they offered me the job.  Although I admit that on a recent nameless interview, I parked in the Teacher of the Year spot because there were no other visitor spots available, I swear.  I felt like a criminal ducking away from my car as quickly as I could before anyone could associate me with the slacker car who took the Precious Spot.

So I blog, something that makes me feel human again.  I turn on Bob Marley, dance with Reilly, and I'm ready to wipe the slate clean and try job searching again tomorrow.

First Day of New Preschool

Today, when I picked up Reilly at his new preschool, he did not want to leave. All a mother can ask for is for someone to love their child and give them the attention they deserve for the 7-8 hrs you leave them in their care. And I believe we got it. Reilly felt comfortable from the moment we walked in, let the director (a male, to boot) carry him to his class (while Joe & I tagged along to drop off his "gear"), was greeted by 3 nice ladies, one of whom immediately grabbed Reilly and started playing with him on the floor. Amazing what these little things do for a child. Reilly was immediately at home and smiling and laughing and playing. I had a good feeling leaving him there, and then felt even more elated when I picked him up tonight. When I walked in, a teacher was still playing with him (Reilly wasn't sitting in front of a t.v.) and he was still having fun!!!!! I know these things seem elementary, dear Watson, but I have first-hand experience that told otherwise. And then I got his glowing report. He ate all his food, was comfortable enough in this new place to take 1.5 hr nap, and played nice with all the other kids. Of course, I didn't need a report to tell me what kind of day Reilly had - I know it sounds arrogant, but I can tell what kind of a day he had from the look on his face. I think you moms understand what I'm talking about. And he smiled, laughed, and kept playing. I actually had to say to him, Reilly, it's time to go now, and even after that he still kept playing as I chatted with the director and gathered up his stuff. Can we say, halelluiah? 180 degrees different than preschool #1. Here's a look at my happy, excited boy when we got home. I am soo grateful that I have one less worry tomorrow. It's been an awfully long, worrisome January, but so far February is looking up!

My Little Maestro

Reilly's last day at daycare #1 was Fri, Jan 30th and we were all eager to start him in his brand-spanking new daycare on Monday. Would he cry? Would he feel comfortable? But, alas, God had another plan and we were forced to delay his attendance for one week while he got over a double ear infection and conjunctivitis in BOTH eyes (a parting gift??). His pediatrician suggested I give Reilly a break from the outside world so he could have a chance to get better without picking up any more ailments. Since it would take 48 hrs to be sure he wouldn't spread his illness to other unsuspecting children (and, gulp, parents) we decided that it would be in Reilly's best interest to stay home for a week. In my structured mind, that fit well, because it gave processing time and complete closure of daycare experience #1 and complete readiness to encounter daycare experience #2 (yes, my affinity toward psychology trickles down to how I interpret my son's life, too). I realized very quickly that the "extra" time was a gift from God before I went back to work (no, I don't have a job yet, but I have a feeling one is sneaking up very soon). Happily, and most contrary to my blog name, this mommy didn't "run" around like I normally do. It was a wonderful time.  Yes, he wanted me to hold him more than usual because he didn't feel well, and boy is my boy getting heavy! Yes, he threw up on me a few times which incidentally doubled my overwhelming laundry obligation (his puke-y clothes + my puke-y clothes plus whatever else got in the way). And, yes, I did finally get sick with exactly the same ailment as my little cookie. But guess what? I don't care. All I could see (by the grace of God, which luckily stamp out my OCD tendencies) was the extra time I was allowed to spend with my little buddy and all I could feel was the urge to do any and everything I could to make him feel better. Once again, note to self: THIS is what unconditional love is (more on that in another blog). And today, Mon, Feb 9, my boy was 100% ready to go to his new daycare where we were all greeted with the wonderful news that Reilly was the only child in his class today. This meant he had 3 smiling ladies greet and encourage him to join them on this very iffy first day, not just one. Not one single tear was shed (like at the other daycare).  Rather, he actually seemed excited to play with new toys and people. Now, I don't mean to be getting ahead of myself, but let's just say my mommy instinct is telling me that FINALLY, finally, FINALLY, everything is going to be all right.

**Oh, and the pics above show what insisted upon doing most of the week. No, no concertos yet.**

Rock Paper Scissors

Just a word of warning to pregnant and/or new moms: don't be surprised when you and your spouse jockey for position in your baby's life.  No, I'm not talking about being baby's #1 "person" (as Gray's Anatomy terms it) but being baby's #2 person when he/she screams during the night or wakes up exceptionally early.  Teach baby DAILY to say, Da Da.  Trust me, it'll help later on when the cute wears off (not permanently - just at 3 AM).  Enough said.