Joys of Motherhood #2

Boogers. Boogs.  Snot.  No matter how old you get, boogers are still gross.  And when you're a mom, and your child gets sick, you get the lovely job of wiping boogers.  All. Day. Long.  Sometimes for a few days, but sometimes if you're really lucky, you get to wipe them for a couple of weeks.  There is nothing glamorous about cleaning a snotty nose. Yet, this is our job.  And we do it without hesitation.  I'm writing about this because Brian has a cold right now.  And for the past couple of days, his nose has been a faucet.  Every few seconds, I am grabbing a boogie wipe, a kleenex, paper towel, my shirt... anything to clean the snot.  Matter of fact, I have snot on my shirt right now.  Am I going to change?  Nope, no I'm not. Because when Brian wakes up from his restless nap (due to coughing), he will inevitably get more boogers all over me.  

Another thing that comes along with wiping the boogers, is the use of the booger puller.  Let me be very clear... I really, really, really dislike using this thing.  I mean, how would I like it if someone was shoving a turkey baster up my nose?  Yet, again, this is our job.  I ask Vahe "why can't you do this once in a while?"  He says, "there are certain things that a mom is supposed to do... this is one of them."  Other things that are solely mom's job include: clipping nails (fingers AND toes) and taking a rectal temperature.  How'd I get so lucky to get these jobs? 

The best part about this?  Even through all of the boogers, coughing and restless sleep that we're enduring right now... there's something only a mother could love about getting a mouth-open, slobbery, boogery kiss...

Let's see if they work...

I've been wearing the same Nike Shox for, um, at least 4 years now.  They've been very good to me, but they have definitely seen better days.  I looked down at them yesterday as I was working out and just saw an old, sad pair of shoes.  Beaten, worn, and battered.  But, they served their purpose... they had a good life.  I decided that it was time to retire them, and buy new shoes.  I debated what type of shoes I should get, and have been intrigued by the Reebok EasyTones... so I bought a pair today.  They aren't the "prettiest" shoes, but they're very comfortable, and if they do what they say they'll do... then why not give them a shot, right? So, I'm hanging up the Nike and trying out the Reebok... let's see if they work!

Joys of Motherhood #1

Being a mom is the most rewarding job, but at times, can be extremely frustrating and hard.  There, I said it.  It's really, really hard sometimes.  Whoever coined the phrase "there's no use crying over spilled milk" clearly never had kids.  Because, there are times, when that milk cup gets slung clear across the kitchen, I find myself in tears.  What I'm about to write about inspired me to start writing my very own "Joys of Motherhood".  So.... #1 : Picky eaters and Food Throwers make for a perfect tension headache.

This is my life right now.  Every meal is a battlefield. I go into each meal with full-blown armor and a tiny bit of hope that maybe, just maybe, Brian will eat what I put in front of him.   Every parent wants the best for their children.  They want them to eat healthy so they can grow up big and strong.  That's a fantasy land people.  It doesn't quite work that way.  News flash: Toddlers don't want vegetables.  They want what they want.  And they want it now.  I've learned that if it's not chicken nuggets, cheese, yogurt, bananas (or "nanas" as Brian calls them), mac n cheese, raisins, or peanut butter & jelly, chances are good that it will end up on my kitchen floor.  At least now I know to step out of the way before it gets all over me.

Brian used to eat everything he could get his hands on. Even veggies.  I thought I was the luckiest mom to have such a good eater.  I was so proud of him. And proud of me for getting him to eat his fruits and veggies.  I would hear other moms talk about how their toddlers wouldn't eat anything.  But, not Brian - he was the perfect little eater.  For a few months, I got to live in that fantasy land I mentioned above.  Then it came to a crashing halt.  It's frustrating.  It makes you want to scream and cry.  You question everything you're doing, everything you've tried, and leaves you wondering what else you can do.  You wonder "am I failing?" You spend all that time and effort making "healthy" things for them, and trying to get them to eat something different. And it ends up everywhere but his mouth.  Kitchen floor, table, windows, cabinets, everywhere.  Truth be told, I haven't failed. Brian's just being, well, a toddler.  I've learned this is normal (as I breathe a sigh of relief).  So, I've decided  I am taking a break from "trying".  I will give Brian what I know he will eat, and pour myself a well-deserved glass of wine.  I will enjoy our dinners again in peace.  I will go to sleep knowing he has a full belly and is happy.  Maybe one day he'll get sick of chicken nuggets and politely ask for brussel sprouts.  He may even throw in a "please" and a "thank you".  Fantasy land?  A girl can dream, can't she?