I must be the very worst mother ever as my son still cannot sleep. He wakes at least three times a week during the night while we are asleep and nearly every night right as we are going to bed. It is so exhausting, mostly for hubby who stays at home (because he rules). I wish so much that we would have been able to gird up and let him cry it out sometimes, but alas, we didn't and 17 months later, still no consistent sleep. Pray for us!
Boy has holiday madness. He cannot sleep and is so full of energy. I am grateful for such a lovely family, but I am more excited about the opportunity to go to bed tonight when he does!!
Why do children go SO FAST. Boy simply will not slow down for anything. Everything is running and rushing. And if he had some semblance of control, it would be fine, but, he is merely 17 months old. Are all kids like this? Is it a boy thing?
Either way, bumps and bruises and coming much faster and much more furious.
My inlaws make me crazy. The challenge here is how in the world am I going to not poison the well for Boy? I would say without a doubt this is my worst habit that must stop (oh, yeah, swearing too!).
You see, Boy it turns out is a little quick on the verbal uptake. He pretty much understands everything we say now. He answers questions and can follow directions.
So, when I grumble about MIL, he hears that. I can't let him hear it, but the woman makes me insane.
So, 2008 is going to be the year of the language alteration program (or LAP for short). I will have a mouth full of blood from biting my tongue, but the LAP must go into effect...NOW. This blog will be the saving grace as Boy cannot read yet (key word, yet!)
This year I am proud to say that despite all of the chaos and upheaval, I had what really could be the perfect Christmas. I accomplished all I set out to do. I baked cookies, settled into a new home, trimmed a lovely tree, bought my son a bevy of gifts from Santa, and spent time with my family both core and extended.
This Christmas was full of joy, pride, warmth, love and happiness. What was last year's loneliest Christmas ever was nearly erased from memory by this one. We were surrounded by family and people who love us. We received small gift from my parents and they really gave their grandson really fun things. He learned who his grandparents are which is in itself a real gift.
Being back in the Midwest reminded me of all of the goodness in people. Little gifts and baked goods were left on my desk each day from coworkers. And seeing the wonder and awe in the eyes of my child brought me to tears of joy many times. He is growing up so fast. I am in such a better place now to be able to truly enjoy these moments and relish them as they only happen once.
Greetings and salutations from the scenic Midwest. Since my last post (an embarrassing three months ago), the following has occured:
I quit my job
I got a new job
I shipped two cars and a dog
We moved 2,200 miles to a new city
I started the new job
We lived in two different corporate housing apartments (& cried)
We sold a house
We bought a house
We moved into house
We baked Christmas cookies
We celebrated Christmas (& cried)
We played Santa
We visited family
And now...back to our regularly scheduled programming!
I have finally managed to find balance in life with a child. It was hard and long and really draining, but I did it. I am finally ok with where I am and I think I am doing right by my little angel.
Even though I feel I have found this balance, there are still things that are challenging. I plan to write about those in the coming weeks and months. It is nice to be back and blogging after the chaos that was my life.
A few really great friends have found out they are pregnant lately and it has caused them some anxiety about what kind of a mom they will be and although in the past I have blogged about different kinds of moms it made me really think about it. Honestly, I have determined there is no prototype for moms. A mom can be anything, come in any shape, size, or form. The only requirements are love and kindness. All moms are different and make all kinds of choices. I like that. I like the mom I have become and I relish every day of my new role.
