Some of My Favorite Posts

May 21 - Links to My Favorite Posts

Of course I have some linked in my Important Posts page, but this is a fresh list. Some old, some new. Here are ten:  Chloe's birth story Meeting Eric Video: The Annoying Orange terrifies my child  *Note: Now she laughs and sings along with it. Chloe fails at Cake Smash photos 2012 in review What I'm most afraid of Advice to my daughters A weekday in my world 10 things that make me really happy About Night Terrors
Send me a link to one of your favorite blog posts! 

Five Blogs I Love and Why

Five Blogs I Love and Why

In no particular order, and just the first few I randomly found in my reader:

A Mad Girls Lovesong - I love Sean's blog because I've been following since before she was pregnant, and I love watching her little girl grow up. She's adorable. And because she seems like the kind of person I could really get along with it. My favorite part of her blog is when she pulls out the occasional curse word. It always makes me laugh a little.

 

Because Nice Matters - I love Noelle's blog because she really knows how to tell a story, and has lots to tell. Her daughter Emily has heart problems (long story short) so I always love hearing about how she's doing too.

 

Our Tiny Place - So many of her blog posts have me in tears laughing. So many.

 

Loves of Life - There's just something about the way she writes that I just can't miss a post. I don't even know what it is.

 

The Baby is Fine - Funny stories, cute baby, very relatable. One of the newer blogs on my list but definitely a favorite.

A Typical Weekday in My World

A Day In My Life

7:03 am - Both iPhone alarms go off. At the same time, even though both alarms are always in the same spot. One should be set for later, but somewhere along the lines they got messed up. Boyfriend shuts them off the gets comfy again. I'm half asleep, but still annoyed because I know we need to get up, and the person who shuts the alarms off is responsible for getting lazy asses out of beds. 

7:10 am - We finally get up, get dressed, and most days wake up the girls. Rarely are they up before us. Lucky, I know. I grab Chloe from her crib, and lately let her pick out which long-sleeve shirt she wants to wear. I want her to wear long sleeve ones because soon it'll be too hot for them. 

7:20 am - We make it downstairs and throw a breakfast together for the girls. Usually cereal or toast. When we have a bit more time it might be pancakes or omelets. 

7:25 am - I sneak back upstairs to grab my phone (take 3/4 of the above photos), and lay in bed for a few minutes because I'm cranky and don't want to deal with anyone but Chloe at the moment. 

7:40 am - Get the girls dressed for the day. Madi fights it the whole time, just narrowly escaping a time-out, which she ends up getting soon after when she still fights to get her coat and boots on. 

7:55 am - Out the door, hopefully, with Eric with me on Wednesday and Fridays (which are days that we do our day on a schedule a half hour later). Alone with Chloe on Mondays and Tuesdays. Just me and the girls on Thursdays. Off to daycare we go. 

8:05 - 8:15 am - Arrive at daycare. Take off coat and put on indoor shoes on Madi. Hugs and kisses for Madi, then she runs off. Talk to the daycare chef about her diet for a few minutes, then repeat the same routine for Chloe. Hugs and kisses, then (today only) without being prompted she tells me 'I la', which means 'I love you'. It kills me a little. I'll probably never forget it.

8:19 am - Drive-thru for coffee on somedays. I've skipped it a lot lately, but today I also skipped breakfast, so I got a cinnamon roll. 

8:25 am - 4:30 pm - Arrive at work. Check my email, my voicemail, my Facebook. Do some work. This is where it gets boring. I sporadically eat throughout the day. Snacks, maybe leftovers from the night before, or a nasty cup of microwave KD. Yum yum. Time flies from 4:00 until 4:30 and I'm free to go. To daycare, of course. 

4:45 pm - Arrive at daycare. The girls are usually outside if it's nice out. Grab whichever one sees me first. Usually it's Chloe because her play area is smaller, and Madi is too busy playing to even look up. I grab Madi second, and try to get Chloe to stay in one spot while I dump Madi's boots that are full of sand. Drag two kids to the car and away we go. 

5:00 pm - Drag the girls in, wash their hands, and change their clothes if needed. Turn on some cartoons and give sippy cups and hopes that distracts them so I can whip up some kind of a supper. It works for Madi, almost never for Chloe. She's an attention freak. 

5:15 or 5:30 pm - The kids eat. Rarely, but sometimes I eat with them. Rarely, but sometimes I'll do a few dishes. Usually I just supervise the eating, since Chloe likes to throw it more than eat it some days. 

6:15 pm - Some days we have to leave at this time to pick Eric up at work, now that his car is broken down and we're sharing a car. We did this yesterday. 

6:33 pm - Daddy was late! But arrived a minute later, looking like a creep with a tuxedo t-shirt on. I'd like to burn that shirt. (Ps, how do you like our sunglass collection? We still have two more toddler pairs that are missing from the pile.)

7:00 pm - Snack time! Applesauce or yogurt or raisins or crackers, etc. 

7:20 pm - A new routine: read a book in our bed while they drink their milk. It was semi-successful. They listened to some of the book, but didn't drink much milk. 

7:30 pm - Bedtime! Insert sighs of relief. 

7:35 pm - 9:30 pm - All the relaxing in the world. 

9:30 pm - Bedtime is on my mind usually. 

10:15 pm - Bedtime! Or close to it. And luckily we usually get to sleep through the night until the alarm goes off again at 7:03 am. 

And that, my friends, is what our days are like lately. 

10 Things That Make Me Really Happy

Tuesday, May 14 - 10 Things That Make Me Really Happy

(In no particular order at all!)

1. Coffee. And I need some of that right now. BRB! (Eric and I were just talking about how no one uses TTYL and BRB anymore now that MSN isn't huge. Well, it's gone completely now, isn't it?)

2. Obviously my family, and specifically my daughter. I love just watching her. Watching her play, walking her walk, watching her learn. Listening to her talk and babble. Getting hugs and kisses. 

3. Talking with Madi. Or really, teaching Madi new phrases. This morning she said "Chloe, eat your toast." and "Daddy, what's up?" It was fun. 

4. This guy. Especially when it comes to just hanging out on the couch when he's not feeling so great (top) or taking stupid pictures when we've just gotten up and I'm still half asleep this morning (bottom). 

5. The promise of summer. Summer is my favorite. This summer I can't wait to see a friend who just had a baby in March, and meet her little baby. I can't wait to see a friend who has been living in the Dominican for a couple of years now, doing amazing things. Hopefully seeing other friends who live away, as well as friends who live nearby that I barely see. I can't wait for beaches, and bonfires, and sitting out on the deck with a drink in my hand. I can't wait! 

6. Reading a really good book, which I haven't done in probably years, but if I ever manage to get through this awful 50 Shades of Grey book I've been reading since October, I hope my next one is great. I'm open to suggestions! 

7. This upcoming Monday I think I'm taking a day off work to spend it with my little family. It will be our first day all together in over a month, and I couldn't be more excited. 

8. The beach. I really, really, really just want to go for a walk on the beach at night. 

9. Taking pictures. Especially when they turn out really nice. 

10. Reading a really great blog post. So I'm off to do some reading now!

I'm Sorry for Mother's Day

May 13 - Apology

Dear Boyfriend, 

I just want to apologize for events that have not happened yet. 

I'm sorry that you won't get a card for Father's Day. Not even a scribble between folded up loose leaf paper. 

You certainly won't get flowers or chocolate. Or anything of substance. I didn't expect it anyway. 

I'm sorry that you won't get a meal cooked for you. I'm sorry that instead you'll cook a meal for everyone else instead. 

I'm sorry that you're going to have to do a million loads of laundry. 

I'm sorry that your Father's Day will be as sad and unimportant as my Mother's Day. 

Love, 

Your Bitter Girlfriend. 

Ps. At least Chloe gave me love and affection for Mother's Day. 

Old School Chloe & Things I Miss

All photos from Spring 2012

Sunday, May 12 - Something I miss

I also want to tie in this post with my 'blog everyday in May challenge', and break the 'Silent' rule in 'Silent Sunday'. 

Something I miss? 

I miss more than anything my baby as a baby. Those times flew by way too fast. While she's my best buddy now and toddler-hood is probably my favorite stage, I miss the cuddles, the facial expressions, the giggles of a much younger baby. 

What do you miss? 

Mother's Day Tea Party at Daycare? Nope

Today's Blog Everyday in May Challenge is to write about an embarrassing moment. I'm not in a great mood, so I don't feel like following a prompt, after finding out my boyfriend, who says he never lies, lied to me about something really stupid. Money. Enough money to buy a bag of chips. He could've just not said anything, but instead he made up a lie. A stupid lie. I can no longer say that my boyfriend doesn't lie to me.

Anyhow...

I can't really think of many embarrassing moments anyway. 

Except when I'm in public with my boyfriend and he thinks it acceptable to wear fake Crocs. That's a little embarrassing. 

I don't really embarrass easily. 

It was, however, a little awkward when this morning I decided I would actually attend the 'Mother's Day Tea' that Chloe and Madi's daycare was having. I knew no details on it, except for the start time. I expected all the kids would be around, and it would be nice to see them for a bit.

Nope.

Most of them were outside, but I couldn't find Chloe anywhere. I saw Madi playing happily. I went inside the building, hoping I would see a few mom's and their kids, ready for some tea.

Nope.

Just more kids putting their coats on to go outside, and the toddler room was in darkness - meaning Chloe wasn't in there. I did, however, see one mother hanging around. Madi's mother. Since her older brother also goes to the same daycare.

So to recap, there seemed to be no Chloe and no other mothers except the one I'd like to avoid.

I ended up just going back to my car and leaving. I didn't want to risk one of the girls seeing me and getting upset if I went to ask a worker about the party, and I certainly didn't want to hang out with Madi's mother. Off to work I went. About an hour late.

In a slightly bad mood.

Happy Friday. 

A Moment in My Day

Thursday, May 9 - A Moment in My Day

I'm picking a moment from yesterday, because we all know I won't blog if I leave it until I get a picture tonight. And no one wants to hear about the moments I spend at work.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. The kids were sweaty and sandy when I picked them up from daycare. I couldn't wait to get them fed so I could put them in fresh, pretty summer clothes. That's what we did, and then we got in to the car to pick Eric up from work, with the girls dancing in their car seats as usual. 

Fast forward to when the girls are fast asleep, and Eric and I get to be nerds, working on more bead projects. 

Yesterday was a good day. 

The Thing I am the Most Afraid Of

Tuesday, May 7 - The thing you're most afraid of

I don't know where, how, or when it started, I just know I've been like this for a really, really long time. I'm terrified of getting sick. Not stuffy nose, fever, coughing sick. I'm terrified of losing my lunch kind of sick. 

I can specifically remember most times that I've been that kind of sick since I was six years old. Once when I was 6, once when I was 11, once when I was 17, three times in between because of liquor, once when I was 21, and once when I was 24. How insane is it that I remember that? 

For awhile, I was able to get so worked up just at the thought of it, that I would almost make myself get sick. I would have myself convinced that I had the flu. It's crazy that the body can work that way, but I've learned that it does. 

For the longest time, I was doing so much better. It was practically years where I had almost no panic attacks over it. That was a good time in my life. 

Lately I've been living a little more on the crazy edge though. 

Chloe had the flu the night before Valentine's Day, and I managed not to freak out too much over that one. Until boyfriend had the flu a couple of days later. I went into pure, insane panic mode for days. I wouldn't sleep in the same bed as him that night, or the night after. I was up all night myself, not feeling good, thinking I was going to catch what they had. I washed every single article of fabric that came in contact with anyone. I washed all door handles and everything a hand could touch. I used hand sanitizer every time I so much as stood up. 

That was my worst panic episode yet. 

But I didn't get sick. A couple of weeks after that, one of the kids woke up crying and the second I woke up I went into a panic. I was up for most of that night. I missed work the next day, because after I stopped feeling like I was going to be sick, I was exhausted and slept most of the day. 

I've had many, smaller panic attacks since then. Every little feeling in my stomach, I question. Even if it's just an uncomfortable 'full' feeling. I'm trying to work through it, and make my brain just shut off and stop thinking. I'm trying. 

I'm also starting to believe counselling wouldn't be a horrible option for me, because this does sometimes interfere with my life. It definitely interferes with my happiness. 

And you know what? Actually throwing up isn't that scary. But before it happens, the anticipation? Nearly kills me. 

And that, boys and girls, is what I'm the most scared of. 

What do I really do?

Monday, May 6 - Besides my job, what do I do?

I do daycare pick up and drops off. I struggle to put diapers on and then to take them back off. I make breakfast, dinner, and lunch. I put it on the table, then round up all the bunch. 

I wipe tiny hands and tiny faces. I drag kids around with me to all the places. I kiss and hug and cuddle. I buy the rain boots and rain jackets so we can jump in all the puddles. 

On fun days, I paint little fingers and toes. 

On gross days I wipe a lot of boogers off of noses. 

I put clutter away. I do the laundry. I sweep the floor. I wipe the counters, tables, all surfaces and doors. 

I fill the gas tank, buy the clothes and buy the groceries. The week we had a cat I was in charge of picking out the fleas. 

I remember the appointments, the lists, the forms to fill. I remember the deadlines for all the bills.  

I always want to sleep, have very little time to eat. I'm always on the go. My mind it never slows. 

But this is my life. There are some things I'd like to change, but most of the things I wish  they'd always stay the same. 

My Favorite Quote & Comedian

Saturday, May 4 - Favorite Quote

I had a neighbor, and whenever he would knock on my wall I knew he wanted me to turn my music down, and that made me angry because I like loud music, so when he knocked on the wall I'd mess with his head. I'd say, "Go around! I cannot open the wall. I don't know if you have a doorknob on the other side, but over here there's nothing. It's just flat."  - Mitch Hedberg
Mitch Hedberg is one of my favorite comedians. Or was. He passed away in 2005, which was ironically just a couple of months before I even discovered who he was. I was away for college, living with a roommate when we discovered him on Just For Laughs. We then found all of his stand-up comedy videos and watched them over and over, to the point that we can quote almost all of his jokes. Mitch Hedberg made for many laughs for us, and a lot of fun nights. 
I'm just sad that he's not still around, making us laugh with new jokes.  
"When I think of something that's funny, I go get a pen and I write it down. Or if the pen's too far away, I have to convince myself that what I thought of ain't funny." - Mitch Hedberg

Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

May 3 - Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

Feelings

Especially feelings that lead to crying. I never know what to say or do. Cue uncomfortable silence. 

Bugs

Mostly they make me  feel terrified and/or panicked. But if one is somewhere in the house because it narrowly escaped being killed, I just feel very uncomfortable until it's gone. 

Praise

People praising me for doing something trivial. Or even something big. Just awkward. 

Revealing Clothes

I'd rather wear my shirts as shirts, and bottoms to go with them. 

Sex Scenes in Movies

When I'm watching it with a parent/grandparent. It's not so bad now that I'm 25, but still awkward enough. 

What makes you uncomfortable?

How to not become a crazy stressed out Mom

May 2 - Educate

Today I am here to teach. The topic is supposed to be something I know a lot about or am good at. Hmm...

Rather than putting some real effort into teaching something I know a lot about (I can't think of anything!) I am going to teach you how to Not Become a Super Crazy Stressed Out Mom. 

I:

- Worry about budgeting
- Worry about grocery shopping
- Worry that I'm not eating healthy enough
- Worry that my kids aren't eating enough variety of foods
- Worry that we need tires, car repair, dental work done and can't afford it
- Worry that we'll never be caught up with our debt
- Worry that my car is going to break down
- Worry that I'm not doing enough activities with the kids
- Worry that the house isn't clean enough
- Worry that I'm not working hard enough at work
- Worry that I won't get enough sleep tonight
- Worry that I'll be late for work
- Worry that the kids won't nap
- Worry that I'll get a super headache if I don't have caffeine fast enough
- Worry that I'll get sick
- Worry...
- Worry...
- Worry...

So how to not become a super crazy stressed out Mom?

Stop giving a shit about most of that stuff.

You're welcome!

(If only it was that easy, right?)

My Life Story in Less Than 250 Words

So I'm taking part in a challenge. Blogging everyday in May. This might prove difficult, since I never blog from home (weekends), but I'm going to try anyway. It's hosted by Jenni at Story of my Life, who I've blogged about before. 

May 1 - My Life Story in 250 Words

I was born in a super small town in a super small area in Canada in October 1987. Four years later my Mom, a single mother, blessed me with twin siblings - girl and boy. We moved around a lot, never going too far, but far enough that I changed schools many times. We eventually settled not far from my hometown when I was 12, and stayed there until I went away to college. I wasted my time at college, and never ended up using my education, but eventually got a job that I was dreaming about anyway - working in a hotel. Four years later I still love this line of work and this company. In January 2011 I found out I was pregnant. I was still with my on and off again ex of two years at that time. When my daughter was two months old, I moved out of his place to live on my own with the baby, and met my current boyfriend not even 2 months later. Fast forward about a year later and we're living together with my daughter and his. Just proof that you'll never know where your life is going to take you next. (202 words!)

What is your life story in 250 words or less?