Who knew that making slight decisions would make such a huge difference. You would think that something that has a major outcome would take a sit down, talk it over, maybe even sleep on it decision making process. Not the case with kids.
It's more a fly by the seat of your pants and see what happens. I recently won the mother of the year award for one such decision.
Gus had a very bad day at school, and continued to have a bad day on the t-ball field. I needed milk, so the decision to stop at the grocery store was already made. I threatened Gus with his usual threats, and gave him some rewards to look forward to if he was good. Well, he was very good. He sat in the buggy, helped me stack some groceries and was very good to his brother. It all took a turn for the worse when we got to the parking lot. I unloaded all of the groceries while Simon sat in the buggy and Gus stood on the front. I grabbed my purse and Simon and went to put him in the car-"don't move Gus or you'll get hit by a car" turn, walk, "don't push the buggy Gus, you'll hit a car" turn back, "Gus stop doing that or you'll fly into that car" turn, put Simon in his seat, out of the corner of my eye, catch a flash of cart+Gus headed towards a car 3 spots over...run...rescue, turn the corner and cue Simon falling head over heals towards the pavement. I lunge forward and my purse goes sailing spilling out all of the contents into the gust of wind, fall on my knees and get my hand under Simon's......foot. Yay. I saved his foot and let his head hit the concrete. Perfect outcome.
Other people are walking through the parking lot looking at me like "How on earth did you just let so many things go wrong at one time" "Where is DSS when you need them?" I felt like the worst mom on planet earth, and planet 51. Which kid to save-the decision seemed easy-the one in danger. But as I'm learning, someone is always in danger. Usually, everyone is in danger when kids are involved. So everyone is fine except for my shin which suffered road rash.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
These days
Now that I'm back to work and life is going 100 mph, I've got time to blog:)
Being back at work is not as hard as I thought it would be. I guess once you've left the 1st one, the 2nd one isn't so bad. You realize that they will be there at the end of the day. I miss holding him while he goes to sleep and the sweet smiles and giggles. Simon is such an easy going kid. If I would have had him first, I would have told you I would have 10 more kids. Gus...however did not cause that same feeling.
He has loved being back in school and is excited to tell us his days events. He's equally excited if he goes into or avoids the grumpy seat. To him, pride can be for doing good or bad! He's starting to get the hang of it though. We signed him up to play t-ball and his world away from mom and dad has begun. He goes out on the field and listens to his coaches, throws a random ball, slides into 2nd, and leaves us behind. He does like to come over and get high fives after making it all the way around the bases. I have a feeling we are going to be spending a lot of time on the sidelines for the next 18 years (or longer if they apply themselves unlike their father...still hate seeing those recruiting letters from colleges) Gus is into baseball, football, soccer,basketball,volleyball,kickball,hockey,golf, and if I've missed anything-then that too.
Track is still going on. 2 kids made it to regionals and will compete on Saturday at WCU. I have the annual CF walk on Saturday morning and then will be headed up town to hang flyer's for the SSG Charlie Bagwell Memorial Scholarship fun, and then hopefully a little time with family. The following weekend will be our actual benefit, then the next weekend is Gus' birthday party and White Squirrel Festival. May is the never ending month, but I'm so glad to be a part of everything that I'm involved in.
Life may be going 100mph, but I have learned how to take the time for important things, like hugs, pulling snails out of the dryer and slobbery kisses!!
Being back at work is not as hard as I thought it would be. I guess once you've left the 1st one, the 2nd one isn't so bad. You realize that they will be there at the end of the day. I miss holding him while he goes to sleep and the sweet smiles and giggles. Simon is such an easy going kid. If I would have had him first, I would have told you I would have 10 more kids. Gus...however did not cause that same feeling.
He has loved being back in school and is excited to tell us his days events. He's equally excited if he goes into or avoids the grumpy seat. To him, pride can be for doing good or bad! He's starting to get the hang of it though. We signed him up to play t-ball and his world away from mom and dad has begun. He goes out on the field and listens to his coaches, throws a random ball, slides into 2nd, and leaves us behind. He does like to come over and get high fives after making it all the way around the bases. I have a feeling we are going to be spending a lot of time on the sidelines for the next 18 years (or longer if they apply themselves unlike their father...still hate seeing those recruiting letters from colleges) Gus is into baseball, football, soccer,basketball,volleyball,kickball,hockey,golf, and if I've missed anything-then that too.
Track is still going on. 2 kids made it to regionals and will compete on Saturday at WCU. I have the annual CF walk on Saturday morning and then will be headed up town to hang flyer's for the SSG Charlie Bagwell Memorial Scholarship fun, and then hopefully a little time with family. The following weekend will be our actual benefit, then the next weekend is Gus' birthday party and White Squirrel Festival. May is the never ending month, but I'm so glad to be a part of everything that I'm involved in.
Life may be going 100mph, but I have learned how to take the time for important things, like hugs, pulling snails out of the dryer and slobbery kisses!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Blues
Some days are worse than others. Some weeks even. Last week was my "grey week". It was a combination of constant rain, Gus on his worst behavior, and Simon having several issues. He was teething, he was getting bullied and he was fighting sleep every chance he got. I quickly became overwhelmed and crawled inside myself unable to regain control. I think a lot of moms feel this way, but don't talk about it much. I felt like I was gonna explode. Like it was "groundhogs day". Being a stay at home mom, I start and end my day in the same place. 24/7. This job is not for everyone-including me. I was craving my desk, my computer, my office, my silence. Originally the plan was to go back to work in September. Then I decided August was a good month, and now the start date is July 1. We'll see if it changes again:) I know I will miss my boys, but I also know that I'll be home to see them at the end of everyday! I'm just not the "make my own play-doh, let the kids paint the walls, and every Tuesday is library day" kinda mom. I wish I could afford to do more things out of the house with them, but living off of a "generous" teacher's salary-I can't. Gus loves the structure of school. We are so pleased with Little Blessings Learning Center for all that they provide Gus. He is a different kid on the days he goes to school, so I'm ready for him to be full time like- tomorrow! Dusty will be home this summer, so he can hang with Simon till school starts. Then we'll piece together the remainder of the time till he gets to start at Little Blessings in September. Anyway, I tried the stay at home mom thing and for the most part, I have enjoyed it. I've loved my time with Simon as an infant. I didn't get to have that with Gus and knowing that we aren't having anymore kiddos, I don't regret this time at all. But I'm not built to sit inside while the rain pours down. I don't think that I'm a bad mom, or a bad person for wanting to work. Women put so much pressure on each other one way or the other depending on their personal beliefs/situations and it's not fair. Do you, and I'll do me...at an office...and then I'll come home to my boys who will love me just the same:)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Gardening
Sitting here watching Simon crawl around pushing a yellow bucket and thinking how happy kids are. Not a trouble in the world. He is so proud of himself for his accomplishments that he just throws his head back and laughs. Gus is carefree most days, as long as the llamas are not in our yard. The llamas worry him, especially when they get near the garden. "Hey llamas, you get away from our garden. Uncle's gonna be so mad atchoo!" Somehow the garden only belongs to Gus and Uncle. Abbey and I pulled weeds, cleaned off last years bean row, planted seed and plants, hauled sod, filled the burn pile with branches and unearthed never ending grapevines. Gus said "We didn't see you workin. We saw you talkin & sittin in the grass." What? We were both offended by the 3 year old. He may be 3, but he would outperform a lot of adults in the garden. He digs, he hoes, he plows 2 inches behind uncle (with his plow) he rakes, pushes the wheelbarrow, and is our #1 potato gatherer. He can tell you what is planted where and if it grows above or below the dirt. When we aren't in the big garden (or various little gardens) He has plowed up his own garden in our front yard. It seems to be to scale of the big garden. He has a burn pile beside it, just as our big garden does. He plows, hoes, rakes, plants, waters and harvests...and that's all in an hour:) He's very serious and focused on his work. In the shower, he has a watering can, so once again-he plants, waters, & harvests. I'm glad he enjoys it so much, but wish he would give his Aunt Abbey and ole Mom a little credit. Gus and Uncle....gonna be a long summer!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Hazard's on, let's go!
It is extremely rare that my sister-in-law, Abbey, and I get to go and DO anything. Saturday night, we were going to seize that rare opportunity and get crazy. I got everything ready for the "boys night in" which consisted of Dusty, my brother, Gus, and Simon.
As we were leaving, Gus started acting really sad about me leaving and said he didn't want me to go. I loved him up a few extra minutes and told him he could have some yogurt if he wanted it. He said "but they won't let me" with the most pitiful voice and face you've ever seen. I assured him that he could have some and shouted inside that I was leaving and Gus could have yogurt.
We left the house and talked about how excited we were to have this time together, and headed towards Rosman to the Miss Bengal pageant. (told ya we were wild) Abbey parked the car and we got out. We had gotten about 20 feet away from the car when the phone rang and Abbey picked up "Do you miss me already" and then I watched as her face changed and so did her direction..we were headed back to the car and my stomach sank. Jeremy said that Simon cut his finger, it was a long story, but he might need a stitch. I felt physical pain.
On the way home I tried to call, but no one would answer. I figured there was a finger missing and no one wanted me to be alarmed. I knew for them to have called me back that it was serious and that Simon was crying uncontrollably. Boy was I right.
I walked in and grabbed Simon. Gus was running circles in the front yard and Jeremy and Dusty were running circles inside. I saw paper towels and scotch tape laying on the table and almost laughed, but my baby was crying. I held him tight and tried to see the wound but it was bleeding too bad. I wrapped it in a burp cloth and starting spitting orders. You-get a bottle. You-get a towel. You-what happened?
Dusty was cutting open the yogurt that Gus had asked for, with scissors, while holding the infant child. Simon, of course, tried to grab the scissors and snip!
We finally all got everything together and got into the car. "Hazard's on, let's go" So we're on our way and I say, "I think you're allowed to speed when there's an infant bleeding in the back seat, and you're in a passing zone" Dusty said "yes but there was a line of cars, can't you see" "No, I was praying" "Oh" We then got behind a van that apparently felt that hazard lights were pretty to look at. No matter how many steering wheel slams and "Come on people" we were stuck until finally, we hit the 4 lane. Free at last!! Except for that state trooper. You're kidding me right?
Dusty weaves in and out of traffic all the way to the ER. Check in and..........wait. No one looks quite as emergent as my child. Except that my child is fast asleep and the bleeding has stopped. We all feel entitled to be first in the ER don't we. "No one is as sick as me or my child" We register and wait again. Get called back into a room and...wait again. At one point, I told Dusty he was going to have to start taking care of himself because he was hurt worse than Simon was. Poor guy!! 2 1/2 hours later and thankfully with Simon still sleeping, the Dr comes in, glues it, slaps a sticker on and we're out the door in less than 10 mins.
I see a market for dermabond-Parents. Sell it, and we will buy it. I personally will buy in bulk. It will save us hours! We can even use what's leftover on household projects.
As we were leaving, Gus started acting really sad about me leaving and said he didn't want me to go. I loved him up a few extra minutes and told him he could have some yogurt if he wanted it. He said "but they won't let me" with the most pitiful voice and face you've ever seen. I assured him that he could have some and shouted inside that I was leaving and Gus could have yogurt.
We left the house and talked about how excited we were to have this time together, and headed towards Rosman to the Miss Bengal pageant. (told ya we were wild) Abbey parked the car and we got out. We had gotten about 20 feet away from the car when the phone rang and Abbey picked up "Do you miss me already" and then I watched as her face changed and so did her direction..we were headed back to the car and my stomach sank. Jeremy said that Simon cut his finger, it was a long story, but he might need a stitch. I felt physical pain.
On the way home I tried to call, but no one would answer. I figured there was a finger missing and no one wanted me to be alarmed. I knew for them to have called me back that it was serious and that Simon was crying uncontrollably. Boy was I right.
I walked in and grabbed Simon. Gus was running circles in the front yard and Jeremy and Dusty were running circles inside. I saw paper towels and scotch tape laying on the table and almost laughed, but my baby was crying. I held him tight and tried to see the wound but it was bleeding too bad. I wrapped it in a burp cloth and starting spitting orders. You-get a bottle. You-get a towel. You-what happened?
Dusty was cutting open the yogurt that Gus had asked for, with scissors, while holding the infant child. Simon, of course, tried to grab the scissors and snip!
We finally all got everything together and got into the car. "Hazard's on, let's go" So we're on our way and I say, "I think you're allowed to speed when there's an infant bleeding in the back seat, and you're in a passing zone" Dusty said "yes but there was a line of cars, can't you see" "No, I was praying" "Oh" We then got behind a van that apparently felt that hazard lights were pretty to look at. No matter how many steering wheel slams and "Come on people" we were stuck until finally, we hit the 4 lane. Free at last!! Except for that state trooper. You're kidding me right?
Dusty weaves in and out of traffic all the way to the ER. Check in and..........wait. No one looks quite as emergent as my child. Except that my child is fast asleep and the bleeding has stopped. We all feel entitled to be first in the ER don't we. "No one is as sick as me or my child" We register and wait again. Get called back into a room and...wait again. At one point, I told Dusty he was going to have to start taking care of himself because he was hurt worse than Simon was. Poor guy!! 2 1/2 hours later and thankfully with Simon still sleeping, the Dr comes in, glues it, slaps a sticker on and we're out the door in less than 10 mins.
I see a market for dermabond-Parents. Sell it, and we will buy it. I personally will buy in bulk. It will save us hours! We can even use what's leftover on household projects.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
MOM UP
There are some things that mothers do, that are so completely super human, and then some things that they do that are just so disgusting that no man could ever imagine.
I am able to grow a human, feed this human with my own body inside and outside of the womb, go days on little sleep, have spit-up in my hair, literally be pooped on, spend all day with little ones and manage a clean house, dishes washed (by hand) bottles washed, bottles made for 24 hours, pull splinters from the depths of hands and feet, fix broken doors when they get slammed off their hinges, clean yogurt off of sliding glass doors, floors and the back of Simon's head(found that about an hour later), diapers are changed, kids are clothed, beds get made, I keep everyone alive, and I even manage to blog.
The other day, as some of you know, we found out that Gus had a major bowel impaction/blockage. We had to give him meds in order to help him pass it. DISCLAIMER:Stop reading if you're easily grossed out. Well, he passed it. The whole IT. I knew it wasn't going to go down in it's current "form" but what was I to do. I walked around the house knowing exactly what had to be done. But I didn't wanna do this. Was there any tool that I could use? Kitchen utensil...no cause I'd have to throw that away. Oh Lord, help me in this moment! So I sat down on his little bathroom stool and said to myself (outloud of course as crazy mom's do) "Emily, you gotta Mom up right here!"
Thank God and SC Johnson Company for rubber gloves!!!
I am able to grow a human, feed this human with my own body inside and outside of the womb, go days on little sleep, have spit-up in my hair, literally be pooped on, spend all day with little ones and manage a clean house, dishes washed (by hand) bottles washed, bottles made for 24 hours, pull splinters from the depths of hands and feet, fix broken doors when they get slammed off their hinges, clean yogurt off of sliding glass doors, floors and the back of Simon's head(found that about an hour later), diapers are changed, kids are clothed, beds get made, I keep everyone alive, and I even manage to blog.
The other day, as some of you know, we found out that Gus had a major bowel impaction/blockage. We had to give him meds in order to help him pass it. DISCLAIMER:Stop reading if you're easily grossed out. Well, he passed it. The whole IT. I knew it wasn't going to go down in it's current "form" but what was I to do. I walked around the house knowing exactly what had to be done. But I didn't wanna do this. Was there any tool that I could use? Kitchen utensil...no cause I'd have to throw that away. Oh Lord, help me in this moment! So I sat down on his little bathroom stool and said to myself (outloud of course as crazy mom's do) "Emily, you gotta Mom up right here!"
Thank God and SC Johnson Company for rubber gloves!!!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Mommie struggles
Every single day of Mommyhood presents new challenges. My life is no exception to this rule, by far. Most of my friends are mothers to one child. I noticed this more when I became pregnant with Simon. Was everyone else smarter than us? Were they on to something? Was I going to be able to do this? In an earlier blog, I expressed my fears of 2 children. How to juggle, share, feed and clothe. I've noticed that adding a childing doesn't just add to your load, somehow it quadruples your load, and subtracts from your brain.
An example is getting ready for church on Sunday's. With one child you get 3 people ready and pack a small bag. With two children, you start packing bags and bathing on Saturday night just to show up half-way through Sunday school. You hand off the baby, take the toddler to his class and sit in a tiny chair pretending like you're going to hang around. You excuse yourself "to the potty" and don't go back. Get half-way upstairs and remember you didn't tell them when the baby ate or was changed and what's in the bag. Go back down and explain your brain was not in the bag you packed last night and head back to your class. Sit down and grab your tea that you lovingly prepared, only you forgot the teabag so it's hot water with sugar and milk...mmm.
I do not complain because I understand and am thankful for my two beautiful blessings. I blog about it because I think we mommie's have struggles internally about our children everyday. I wonder when the boys are going to cast me aside for a girl, how they'll call their dad and ask for advice and say-don't tell mom. We can love them as much and as hard as we want to for now, but they'll grow up and move out all the same. I worry about everything that Gus is going through with sensory integration disorder. I worry that we "caused it" Did we spank too early? Did we hold him enough? Were we too quick to anger? All we can do as parents is learn from our mistakes, just the same way that we tell our children to do. "Don't do that again!"
Being a stay at home mom now, I'm learning how to relax and enjoy more. Being a working mom, I was always so rushed with our schedule and the next thing on the list. It was a rush from the moment I got home from picking Gus up, getting dinner ready, cleaning dishes, packing bags and lunches, bath time, bedtime and the day was done. I didn't make time to go to church because I used my family as an excuse, when all the while we would have still have family time for the one whole hour of church. I couldn't just sit on the porch and watch Gus play, or push him in the swing, go for a walk and throw sticks in the river, without thinking of what I had to do next.
We all need to give ourselves permission to stop and slow down, enjoy these blessings God has given us. I'd rather have an overactive toddler that bounces off the walls than one that can't walk. I'd rather have my chunky little baby than one that can't gain weight for medical reasons. In every complaint, someone else would be jealous. "One woman's floor is another woman's ceiling"
An example is getting ready for church on Sunday's. With one child you get 3 people ready and pack a small bag. With two children, you start packing bags and bathing on Saturday night just to show up half-way through Sunday school. You hand off the baby, take the toddler to his class and sit in a tiny chair pretending like you're going to hang around. You excuse yourself "to the potty" and don't go back. Get half-way upstairs and remember you didn't tell them when the baby ate or was changed and what's in the bag. Go back down and explain your brain was not in the bag you packed last night and head back to your class. Sit down and grab your tea that you lovingly prepared, only you forgot the teabag so it's hot water with sugar and milk...mmm.
I do not complain because I understand and am thankful for my two beautiful blessings. I blog about it because I think we mommie's have struggles internally about our children everyday. I wonder when the boys are going to cast me aside for a girl, how they'll call their dad and ask for advice and say-don't tell mom. We can love them as much and as hard as we want to for now, but they'll grow up and move out all the same. I worry about everything that Gus is going through with sensory integration disorder. I worry that we "caused it" Did we spank too early? Did we hold him enough? Were we too quick to anger? All we can do as parents is learn from our mistakes, just the same way that we tell our children to do. "Don't do that again!"
Being a stay at home mom now, I'm learning how to relax and enjoy more. Being a working mom, I was always so rushed with our schedule and the next thing on the list. It was a rush from the moment I got home from picking Gus up, getting dinner ready, cleaning dishes, packing bags and lunches, bath time, bedtime and the day was done. I didn't make time to go to church because I used my family as an excuse, when all the while we would have still have family time for the one whole hour of church. I couldn't just sit on the porch and watch Gus play, or push him in the swing, go for a walk and throw sticks in the river, without thinking of what I had to do next.
We all need to give ourselves permission to stop and slow down, enjoy these blessings God has given us. I'd rather have an overactive toddler that bounces off the walls than one that can't walk. I'd rather have my chunky little baby than one that can't gain weight for medical reasons. In every complaint, someone else would be jealous. "One woman's floor is another woman's ceiling"
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