I really am trying to post, but I feel like I've run out of things to post about, I guess. Maybe it's because I just feel so stuck recently. Ethan is 15 months old now, and is such a great little kid. But I really don't get any time at all for me. The last time I was by myself was a doctor appointment (read 30 minutes). I keep thinking longingly about when I was younger, and I could do what the heck I wanted, within constrictions of course.
When we are kids, we believe that things will be awesome when we're grown up. We will eat all the ice cream in the world, stay up until 6am, and play video games all the time. Then you grow up and it hits you, this crap has consequences! Growing up is really just the realization that your actions affect others and yourself (it seems). If I eat all the ice cream I want, I will be fat and unhealthy. Same goes for playing video games all day, who has the time for that anyways! Staying up until 6 is no longer a possibility because you're out by 9. 9PM.
That was a bit of a tangent but it's true. I hope Ethan enjoys his childhood and doesn't take it for granted like I did (who am I kidding, he will, like every child does). Right now, all I want is a great massage, a shopping day, a night on the town, heck a biology class would be welcome! I am starting to feel under stimulated and I need to find some solutions that are easy on the wallet, who has any ideas?! I'm going to do some major brainstorming about this blog. I want it to be my outlet, but everyone will probably agree that if nobody reads its it's nothing more than a horrible diary. I like feedback, and comments, and opinions. I don't want to be top mommy blogger of the year or anything like that. But I would like to stimulate the reader and me in the same throw. Any ideas on that either? Halp!
1.20.2012
1.11.2012
Books I really want to read Ethan
So, I grew up with books. I am the biggest book nerd on the planet (may be an hyperbole). My mom was an awesome mother who took us everywhere and read to us (my brother and I) every night. It really was something to look forward to. Ethan is such a hyper little guy, it is hard to get him to sit down and listen, but I try every night anyways- as part of our bedtime routine. He especially loves the books with animals, and loves it even more if you go through and make the noise each animal makes.
When he gets older, I have a whole list of big books I want to read him. Some were read to me as a child, some weren't but are my favorites.
When he gets older, I have a whole list of big books I want to read him. Some were read to me as a child, some weren't but are my favorites.
- The Hobbit (was read to me as a child)
- The Laura Ingalls Wilder series (read to me as a child)
- Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (a favorite)
- Harry Potter (a favorite)
- The Myst Series (was read to me as a child, we played the games as a family)
- The Chronicles of Narnia (a favorite)
- A Wrinkle in Time, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and A Wind in the Door
- Westerly by Susan Cooper
- The Boggart by Susan Cooper
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (vermicious knids!)
- The BFG
- Matilda (I read this book to DEATH as a kid)
- Lemony Snickets
Wow! and New Years Resolutions.
Ok, I suck. I admit it. I really haven't been writing at all, and I have been feeling tons of guilt about it. Not because I feel like I have a reader base I'm disappointing (obviously, look at my followers haha), but because I feel like I've been cheating myself. I like having my little blog that I can look back on and go, wow! it was really like that! So, since it's the beginning of the year I am reinstating my resolution to write at least once a week. I think I actually did a really good job last year, I definitely wrote more than I did the year before- so I consider it a success.
Looking back on that post, there were a few things I didn't do well with. Mostly weight, but I think everyone struggles with that! It is so easy to be motivated and really driven in the beginning, isn't it? Then it really just begins to be a bore. I'm lazy, I'll admit it. I would rather spend an hour on the couch than 15 minutes running. It needs to be done though, so I am constantly having an internal struggle with myself. I can do nothing but try again this year. I try not to put so much faith in myself when I manage to fail at this all the time! I do not want to be the "fat mom" at the playgroup, but it seems to be happening anyways. I will try, that is my new years resolution.
I wasn't exactly on track with prayers, or remembering to pray. That's another thing I KNOW I need to do, but it is really easy to get caught up in life and forget about it. I've downloaded a few things on the iPhone that have helped me remember at least, so I think I am actually seeing an improvement in that.
I have a few business goals too, since I've started my direct sale business with Scentsy. Mainly, I want to recruit three people this year! It is a small number compared to some of the other people who are big with Scentsy, but I am a small time gal. I have to really think about how Scentsy has blessed Austine and me; the extra money has really been a lifesaver and it is awesome to be able to stay home with Ethan. So, I have to keep thinking I am sharing a blessing with others, and not a burden.
That's it! I will be posting about this again in another year! I'm glad I've made some improvements, and it is nice to see that. It is nice to be in a state where you seek constant improvement...and I feel good that I have made some. Yay!
Looking back on that post, there were a few things I didn't do well with. Mostly weight, but I think everyone struggles with that! It is so easy to be motivated and really driven in the beginning, isn't it? Then it really just begins to be a bore. I'm lazy, I'll admit it. I would rather spend an hour on the couch than 15 minutes running. It needs to be done though, so I am constantly having an internal struggle with myself. I can do nothing but try again this year. I try not to put so much faith in myself when I manage to fail at this all the time! I do not want to be the "fat mom" at the playgroup, but it seems to be happening anyways. I will try, that is my new years resolution.
I wasn't exactly on track with prayers, or remembering to pray. That's another thing I KNOW I need to do, but it is really easy to get caught up in life and forget about it. I've downloaded a few things on the iPhone that have helped me remember at least, so I think I am actually seeing an improvement in that.
I have a few business goals too, since I've started my direct sale business with Scentsy. Mainly, I want to recruit three people this year! It is a small number compared to some of the other people who are big with Scentsy, but I am a small time gal. I have to really think about how Scentsy has blessed Austine and me; the extra money has really been a lifesaver and it is awesome to be able to stay home with Ethan. So, I have to keep thinking I am sharing a blessing with others, and not a burden.
That's it! I will be posting about this again in another year! I'm glad I've made some improvements, and it is nice to see that. It is nice to be in a state where you seek constant improvement...and I feel good that I have made some. Yay!
12.23.2011
What does a cute hat look like?
He wouldn't keep it on (hence the bad photo) but it is seriously the cutest hat I have ever put on his head. I got it from my friend Allie, who crochet'd it herself! We had a really fun time hanging out with her and her son will yesterday:
Yes that is Twilight on in the background, total baby material!
Ethan hasn't quite learned to share yet, he kept picking up this toy and walking away with it, so Will couldn't have it.
Allie has so many cute hats for sale on her Etsy shop, you should all check it out! I certainly have a soft spot for moms who have their own businesses, I like knowing that my money is going towards a family who needs it, and not a huge company.
12.22.2011
Life as a 1 year old
If you are one year old (and Ethan)-
All things with four legs and a tail is a "doggeee", you should follow it around and woof at it, even if it's a cat.
Music is for dancing- make sure to shake your butt and wave your hands around a lot.
Anything that is out of your reach must be amazing, and YOU NEED IT NOW.
Anything that is soft and on the floor is subject to a head dive.
Climbing on chairs is awesome, getting down? Not so much.
If it's a string, belt, earphones, wires, anything bendable and long- it goes around your neck.
Anything that is in the general shape of a rectangle is a phone.
Keyboards are for smashing.
Ash from the fireplace is delicious.
Rugs are for dragging around, and flipping over...right in front of a doorway.
Coffee mugs are fun to carry around- the fuller the better.
The word NO just means you should try again in a few minutes.
Eyes are there to be poked. The same goes for nose, mouth, ears, and belly button.
Naps are for babies.
If you shake the baby gate enough, it just *might* open.
Day old food found in the couch is fair game.
End of the world constitutes- having to wait for food, someone leaving the room, getting left behind the baby gate, falling off the couch....
Highchairs are meant for standing in, not eating.
If you cry long enough at naptime/bedtime- someone will come get you! This means you can play more- and by playing you really mean walking around in circles and whining.
That bark stuff at playgrounds? Delicious!
Dogs are awesome until they bark at you. Then they really suck.
All things with four legs and a tail is a "doggeee", you should follow it around and woof at it, even if it's a cat.
Music is for dancing- make sure to shake your butt and wave your hands around a lot.
Anything that is out of your reach must be amazing, and YOU NEED IT NOW.
Anything that is soft and on the floor is subject to a head dive.
Climbing on chairs is awesome, getting down? Not so much.
If it's a string, belt, earphones, wires, anything bendable and long- it goes around your neck.
Anything that is in the general shape of a rectangle is a phone.
Keyboards are for smashing.
Ash from the fireplace is delicious.
Rugs are for dragging around, and flipping over...right in front of a doorway.
Coffee mugs are fun to carry around- the fuller the better.
The word NO just means you should try again in a few minutes.
Eyes are there to be poked. The same goes for nose, mouth, ears, and belly button.
Naps are for babies.
If you shake the baby gate enough, it just *might* open.
Day old food found in the couch is fair game.
End of the world constitutes- having to wait for food, someone leaving the room, getting left behind the baby gate, falling off the couch....
Highchairs are meant for standing in, not eating.
If you cry long enough at naptime/bedtime- someone will come get you! This means you can play more- and by playing you really mean walking around in circles and whining.
That bark stuff at playgrounds? Delicious!
Dogs are awesome until they bark at you. Then they really suck.
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| Edible leaf?! |
12.20.2011
Why being a mom makes you a social pariah...
It's been a while, but it's time I get back on track! I've been wanting to write about this for a while, because it is definitely something I have been dealing with (and with no-one in particular, just in general). I've really noticed that while being a mom is the greatest gig in the world, it really does put a damper on your social life (who KNEW?!). There are several reasons why you may feel that your close friends are moving in the former friends category, and believe me, I totally relate.
Truth be told, when it comes to me- I am just in a different category than all my former friends. I am married, they are dating around. I have a kid, they have a dog? I can barely stay up until 12, they stay up till 3 or 4 every weekend! I hope that eventually they will catch up to me, get married and have children. But for now, I have to be patient and bear it. At least I have some wonderful mommy friends, even if the depth of the relationship isn't near what I would like it to be. I would love to meet some more friends who are my age and are at the same stage in life as me. Unfortunately it seems that 27 is too young to have a kid anymore! Who knew?! *sigh*
- They don't relate to you anymore- This is especially true for the party on the weekend types. I feel like a lot of friends just don't want to go out with me because they think I'm a wet blanket. Well, in the sense that I want to be home by 11, I worry about my kid constantly, and Ethan is the main subject of every conversation. While I know I should tone this down, it really is part of being a mom, which moms GET!
- They think you never have time- Ok people, lets get this straight. We have kids but that doesn't necessarily mean that 100% of our time is taken up by changing poopy diapers. This actually makes me really mad. Ask me if I want to go out, if I can plan it, I will! Don't just assume that I can't do it, so you don't invite. It really makes me feel like a piece of shiz.
- It takes too much effort to plan- A lot of friends are the "fly by the seat of your pants" friends, or so I've noticed. If they can't call you and make last minute plans, they aren't at all. I even have some friends who refuse to make plans ahead of time, forcing me to try and plan last minute- which is not easy with a kid.
Truth be told, when it comes to me- I am just in a different category than all my former friends. I am married, they are dating around. I have a kid, they have a dog? I can barely stay up until 12, they stay up till 3 or 4 every weekend! I hope that eventually they will catch up to me, get married and have children. But for now, I have to be patient and bear it. At least I have some wonderful mommy friends, even if the depth of the relationship isn't near what I would like it to be. I would love to meet some more friends who are my age and are at the same stage in life as me. Unfortunately it seems that 27 is too young to have a kid anymore! Who knew?! *sigh*
12.05.2011
Mommy App: Homeroutines
I haven't done an app review in a while, so I figured I'd let you all in on this secret. Homeroutines is a great app that uses the FlyLady model to keep your house organized and clean. The app allows you to plan your daily routine, in conjunction with a rotating schedule that will help keep your house immaculate! Here are a few screenshots:
I have really gotten a lot of use out of this app! I am not a naturally organized person, although with the many applications I have on hand I feel that I have become much more so. The worst part about cleaning a house is feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to do, and I feel Homeroutines really addressed this. Who doesn't have 15 minutes a day to spend cleaning?
In addition to organizing your chores and routines, Homeroutines also features a to-do list, and a website that you can update from your desktop (www.my.homeroutines.com). It costs 3.99 from the apple app store, which is on the high end of the amount I'm willing to spend on a program. However, this is one of the few times I will say it is worth the money. I really couldn't live without this app.
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| Create your own routines, you can set a reminder or just play it by ear! |
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| Using a system similar to FlyLady, you only spend 15 minutes a day deep cleaning your house, but manage to get a lot done! |
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| Each zone rotates each week, and repeats each month. |
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| Husband asking what you did today? Show him this list! |
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| You can set certain routines to show up a certain day of the week. In my case, Mondays are grocery shopping and dusting day! |
I have really gotten a lot of use out of this app! I am not a naturally organized person, although with the many applications I have on hand I feel that I have become much more so. The worst part about cleaning a house is feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to do, and I feel Homeroutines really addressed this. Who doesn't have 15 minutes a day to spend cleaning?
In addition to organizing your chores and routines, Homeroutines also features a to-do list, and a website that you can update from your desktop (www.my.homeroutines.com). It costs 3.99 from the apple app store, which is on the high end of the amount I'm willing to spend on a program. However, this is one of the few times I will say it is worth the money. I really couldn't live without this app.
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