I Have Officially Hit the Bottle...

...it's not my fault. I don't buy the stuff for the very reason listed in the post title. My husband got it.

I will say though... I have a better understanding of the phrase 'kids driving you to drink'.
Hey, it's non-alcoholic.

"B.C." & "A.D." Times have New Meaning

Because...
     In B.C. [Before Children] times:

I just THOUGHT I got overtired and didn't get enough rest.

My memory was better (I never mailed our truck's registration payment back to us).

I could eat chocolate whenever I wanted... didn't have to worry about ruining someone's dinner appetite or worry about the caffeine that would get passed through breast milk and keep someone up AWAKE when they needed to sleep.

I could eat on the run & didn't have to plan ahead meal/food-wise.

I could go on vacations on a whim.

I didn't have to clean throw-up, unless it came from something that barked or meowed.

I didn't need to worry about college funds.

I didn't need to be concerned of our whereabouts when it came to hanky-panky.

I could turn the TV up while watching a movie in the evening and not worry about waking little beings.

I could eat in the living room.

I could poop in peace EVERY time.

I could stay outside when the summer sun subsided into the horizon and get just ONE MORE thing done outside while it was so nice.

I could get on the computer and not be interrupted by ??? who knows what (by the way, this post has already taken several short trips over a few weeks to get this far).

No one asked me to scratch their 'bottom hole'.

I didn't need to be concerned about media influences (I could watch what I wanted all the time).

I could have cookies for breakfast.

I COULD SLEEP IN.

     In A.D. [After Delivery] times:

I learned that a human could sleep sitting straight up all the while loud banging, in the same room, persisted via a 4 y/o and a baby's teeth created an indentation on one's nipple.

I learned that all the little splatters of strawberry laden throw-up are easier to spot because the bright red made it stand out on the carpet when one is half asleep in the middle of the night trying to clean it up.

I learned that even though I breast fed for 14 months before, one still have to go through the bite the bullet stage at around 2 to 4 weeks post delivery because your nipple hurts like a mother when your baby latches on.

I realized what it really means to be anal-retentive ... one literally has to be (anal-retentive) with a hungry screaming baby and/or crying preschooler all wrapped in a whirlwind of ...oh, I forgot to feed the dog (point is: sometimes one has to hold their poop when you have children). Hey, it's true.

I realized that you feel better when you don't have cookies for breakfast.

I learned that letting your child stand her last plastic horse up in the 'corral' can make the difference between the next 25 minutes being smooth going to bed or not.

I learned that children do come hard hard-wired to a large extent... and you can tell this at 6 months (actually earlier).

I realized how much my parents did ...and at a MUCH younger age... and made it work.

I learned that sometimes all it takes is a kiss to make the whole world seem better.

I found that I just thought I worried about important things.

I realized how truly important the Little Things are.

Why is it?

WHY is it that if you have more than one child- that neither seem to sleep a little bit later ...AND when/if they do, they don't do it ON THE SAME MORNING?!?

She's Still Three... but not for long.

Our little girl is growing up. She will be four soon... in a week.. but she is still 3 years old and will not be 4 until that day. That day that marks another year... another fast, ever-changing year. A year marked by growth, tears, smiles and hugs and by me walking the fine line of parenting... "Am I being too soft??" "Am I being too hard?? Gosh, I hope I'm not teetering this way or that too much."

**sighhh**

I hope she knows I am doing my best and question so very often my actions, responses, and way of being. I hope. I hope she knows that I love her More Than Words Can Say.

So, before Miss E becomes a year older, I thought I'd post some things that she has said or done over last couple of months (I've emailed myself over that time saving these up).
Enjoy...

Daddy's a great 'kill-a-bugger'. (said after her daddy killed a spider).

(telling the horse vet, while out at our place, what she's going to be when she grows up): I'm going to be a wild animal care-taker.

Mommy, pick me up please.

Mommy, how does the lava stick together to make the sun?

I want to wear my ballerina dress with my new flip flops [said after getting a 'surprise' for having a dry diaper overnight (about the 9th one now)].

I miss Daddy (told to mommy after daddy left to work on a Sunday b/c of BP leak).

E: Mommy, I'll take care of you when you're older.
Me: Maybe then, you will pick me up.
E: No, I won't (was not said in an uncaring way, just thinks it's 'undoable').

Mommy, if there were no people when dinosaurs were here, how were people born?

Mommy, this rice sure is good. You're the best cooker.

Mommy, talk about what's inside our lungs (heart, head, how food goes in as food and comes out poo-poo..etc.).

Nooo, I want to do it THIS way (insert multiple things where the word "it" is).

Mommy, I'll miss you picking me up when I'm older.


[background info: When my mom's here to visit, Miss E follows her around just about everywhere ... including the bathroom. That, coupled with the fact that my mom had a hysterectomy at a very early age (25) and never was a very hairy person (arms/legs), lends to the following... ].
I was getting Miss E ready for the morning one day and she says: "You know, Mommy, Grandma had surgery that makes her not have hair here and here (she points to her eye-brows and private parts), then says, "She draws hair on her eyebrows. She needs to draw hair here too" (while pointing you know where).


Miss E and I were doing her calendar where a child can also choose their 'feeling' for the day. Miss E left "Proud" up from the previous time she had a dry diaper. I asked if she wanted to change it to "Happy" this morning? She said, "No, I want to leave 'Proud' up because I'm proud to have the best momma." (so sweet!).

E: Mommy, what would it sound like if a windmill sneezed?
Me:I don't know.
E: It would go, "Wih-wih- chooo".


E: Mommy, what if I'm just imagining it?
Me: Imagining what?
E: My life.

I was playing a song for my husband on the computer and, since we were in the other room, I turned the speakers up LOUD. Miss E wanted to go back into the computer room and I didn't want her in there, potentially damaging her ears. So, when she started in that way, I said, "No, don't go in there." She said, "Why?". I said, "Because I said 'No'". She said, "No, why?" Her daddy then said, "Because we love you." With that not satisfying her curiosity, she then said, "No, that's not the reason daddy, let mommy explain."


[while in the garage where our cat brings her kills...]
Me: See any bird guts in here?
E: I see a clue.
Me: What?
E: A feather! Maybe a momma bird was in here. We have a mystery we need to solve.

Upon asking, for the umpteenth time, if Miss E was done going 'poo-poo'. When she said, "No." I sighed and she said, "It's a long poo-poo day."


E: Mommy, I want a pig.
Me: Oooo, E, pigs stink.
E: Don't worry mommy. I'll put a wire clip on your nose so the pigs won't stink so badly and you won't smell it.

(said 1/2 awake when she woke momentarily, when I went to check on her in the wee hours of the morn)... Mommy, when will I be able to skate on ice?

While sucking a lollipop, Miss E says, "Mommy, I made up an expression". I said, "What's that?" She said, "Pop your lillipop" (not lollipop). I said, "What does that mean?" She said "It means 'come on'".

[after coming back from the bathroom and previously talking about camping sometime in "The Enchanted Forest" (our front grove of trees)]: Mommy, I realized something while I was in the bathroom. I realized something that was not in my brain. I don't have any sleeping bag memories. We don't have any sleeping bags, do we?

Happy Birthday Miss E.

I love you More Than Words Can Say.

He's a Breast Man...

....ughhhh, to say the least. I have tried getting this boy to eat SOMEthing other than ...nursing off of momma (ughh again).
FINALLY have him doing half/half breastmilk/formula once, say, every other day to keep him used to a bottle (boy, that was an ordeal). Although I do plan to breast feed for at least a year (did my daughter for 14 months)... I would still like him to be versatile enough to take straight formula.
ANNNND being almost 6 months old and HUGE, I have been trying to get him to eat; cereal with formula, cereal with breast milk, tried baby food (peaches) yesterday. This boy just wants to suck... will not do food. I know, I know, in time...
I'M READY NOW!
:-)

Something Might be Wrong with Me...

....because this morning, while changing my 5 month old son's diapers, I said, "What a cute little package you have!".
It was. He was cold (apparently) and all had about disappeared and shriveled (poor little guy)... but it was cute.
Ok, call the authorities.
:-~

A Note to our Little Someone:

E Sweetie,
I have been savoring as much as possible our time until your little brother comes (cesarean is in 6 days, unless I go before then). I will miss the time alone with you. Things will be different, but I think we will see you in another light as well... an additional one. You will be a wonderful big sister. But, yet ...at the same time, you will always be my favorite little girl.
I love you more than words can say.
Your Momma/Mommy
***
Sweetpea,
I have been noticing you more than ever now that we all are about to have the newest member of our family join us in our home. You have benefited from our full attention and now.....that is about to change. You will adjust just fine. I think your intelligence and desire help out will see you through this change and allow you to develop in a way you otherwise wouldn't have. I look forward to watch you teach your little brother the ropes. Especially with reading and writing. The foot races will be a sight for sure but this time, I won't be holding your hand. I melted the other night when I was washing your hands and I said to you that I just love the little Emma. You said to me " Why do you say that Daddy?" I said "I am afraid if you get big you won't want to give me hugs and kisses." You replied " Silly daddy, I will always want to give you hugs and kisses."
Hugs and Kisses,
Daddy

While You Were Sleeping

Last night, 1:04 AM and I hear a low muffled whining on the monitor. I don't jump up as, often, Little Someone puts herself back to sleep. I just listen. Then I listen and watch (the monitor) because it continues. Well, once it turns into low crying & talking, I get up as I know it will only escalate.

The problem?...the stuffed lamb was in her room, not the living room (ugghhh). Okaaayyy, so I move it out. Once all the good-night routines are taken care of and we are just about ready to let go holding hands and say our final Night-Night...

Little Someone toots and asks, "Do you smell that?"
Me: No, but I heard it.
LS: You heard it?"
Me: Yes, I heard you toot, but I don't smell it.
LS: I smell it.
Me: What's it smell like?
LS: A skunk.

How Quickly They Grow

Our Little Someone is grrrooowwing (this is said in a forlorn tone).

You see, a few days ago, I combed through our daughter's clothes to separate all that she has outgrown. I have done this a few times now... and it always leaves me with a bittersweet aftertaste~ a "right in front of my very eyes, this shirt fit her not long ago" realization that she is growing, which is another symbol of Time Flying.

Just one of the shirts that our Little Someone has outgrown.

Before you say, 'well duh!'. First, I would ask if you have kids. If not and you're one of the, 'Well duh-ers' ...you don't count (sorry, it's just that your perception is inherently different). If you do have kids and you still say that... hmmm-I just don't know what to say... maybe you never had the total task of being your own child's caretaker.

You see, I'm a "stay-at-home-mom"- so, with the exception of when she sleeps and I take an errant shower (just kidding, it's not 'errant', but half of the time, my daughter and I take baths together-it's quicker!)... ANYway, with the exception of those times, she is in my presence. That's darn near her every waking moment. So, I see her all the time. Thus, I don't notice her growth. And I don't always stop and take note of time passing. So, when something waves at me with banners and flags yelling, "Hey, you! Just LOOK at this!" ...and it's symbolic of Time Flying, I get a little ... ? somber.

You know, it's Time that we cannot buy, beg for, grow, borrow or steal. It is absolutely out of our control (insert curse word). My husband and I had our daughter later in life. My husband and I were together 19 years before she came along. I'm not saying that we would change our timing decision, but... (sighhh)... I just hope we are around a long time for her... we both do.

**sighhh**

One Of Those Things You Learn Once You Have Children

I have amassed many new Wisdoms now that I am a mom.... little known facts that, to a childless person, don't amount to much.

But, like so many things... it's the LITTLE things in life that can make a day nice or not.
So, the latest tidbit of parental knowledge: though strawberries can stain, strawberries can be of benefit when one's child ingests them before that child throws up in the middle of the night. For the color aspect alone, makes it easier to see where all the... throw-up landed.