Things I Love...Mommy Time!

My moments, the ones that are mine and mine alone, have become an even more precious commodity.

Sometimes, they drift in and out of my day. Between the being dragged around to check put light switches, playing with the dog's water bowl (and subsequently cleaning up the water from said activity), diapers, cruising in Lightning McQueen, and endless snacktimes, I need a little reminder of me time.

The thing I love for this? My three votive holder from Yankee Candle.





I love that I can make my own scents that fill the air as I buzz by, either with one single scent or three to make a custom fragrance.

This time? S'mores...makes me long for a summer night, sitting outside watching fireflies light up the night while enjoying yummy gooey chocolate-ness.

Sigh...



It's a good thing I just stocked up...time to take Lightning around the block...

Things I Love!!

Early morning...you get up, pull out the bowls and place them on the counter. Mind you, you haven't had your coffee as of yet.

You pour the lil one's cereal into one of the bowls, then scowl grumpily as you note the excess feral now dusting your counter. Because someone (ahem, daddy!) can't seem to neatly open the box so that the cereal doesn't have a party on your black granite countertops.

Well,



The new Gerber baby cereal packaging has a freshness seal, and you can scoop or pour with minimal mess!

Sigh...if only I can get daddy to rinse the bowls after.

Suggestions, anyone?

And, Who Has The Time?

I actually just sat here and stared at the blank page.  Because, it has been eighteen months since I had my little man.  A year and a half.  I was so filled with ideas, bursting at the seams, ready to tackle the world and prove that I could make my own rules.

Well, I have.  But not in the way I thought.

I envisioned taking little man out, taking over the world.  Still being able to focus on myself and be the best mom in the world.

Little did I know, he would teach me the new rules.

The dishes...will pile up.  But, he helps unload the dishwasher. Which terrifies and tickles me simultaneously!

The dog's water bowl will double as a scoopable water filled mess.  So, now I know what kind of water toys to get for Summer!

Showers are still special, but no longer the fifteen minute hot sanctuary they once were.  Fast, efficient.  And sometimes, especially in the winter, you skip shaving your legs.

No longer a night person.  Unless you sleep on the floor next to the crib instead of taking the baby to bed with you.  And the morning really is the best time to have a cup of coffee, do some yoga, dance.  If he doesn't wake up early.

Money matters.  Because I can't get enough of plaid shorts and hats.  Which don't always stay on his head.

And, time is precious.  Play is better than anything else you could be doing.  Who has the time to worry, be angry, or take things for granted when you see that smiling face or hold him when he has a fever?

My favorite thing he has taught me?

You can be happy.  Giggle. Live your dreams.

All while being a mom.

Who Wants To Be PerFecT?

Desperately trying not to growl.  And not succeeding all that well.  Good thing that the only person that could hear me is napping right now. 
Trying to cross the T's and dot the i's is making me crazy.  Thought I finally began to get it together.  Pulled out the old planner, filled it with shiny new fill in your calendar days yourself planning pages.  Filled in all the to do's on the days they needed to be done.
Only to miss mark the date.
Sigh.
Good thing I used a pencil.  And the portrait studio had an open appointment. (I wondered why she said she thought I was in tomorrow...)

The To Do List

I love to do lists.  There are days when my to do list has a to do list.  But, as a mom, I find my to do lists have become more of a wish lists or what I wish I could to do list.
So, I've resorted to adding silly things on  my to do list just to make myself feel like I've accomplished something.
Like, eat breakfast.  But, days, even this seems a monumental task to accomplish. 
Or brush my teeth.  Feed the dog.  Change the baby's diaper.
Once a check of these obvious and easily done tasks, the other items seem less daunting.  I mean, half my list is checked off, so the rest should be easy, right?
Pencils have also become important.  They allow me to be flexible.  But sometimes, I purposefully use a permanent marker so that I can see myself revising my lists.  To remind myself to be flexible, and it is okay if things have to get moved around.
Most importantly, the to do list is living list.  By this, I mean that it can go on to the following day...and the next.
Because my favorite to do item?
Enjoy my little boy every single moment.  And tickle time. 
Definitely.

This Busy Mommy's Favorites

Motherhood has taught me a few things.

My kitchen seems to amplify every noise, no matter how significant.  Especially during the nap time.  Also, I'd like to somehow turn the dingy bell thing on my microwave off.  It is way too loud, even if it tells me when the popcorn is ready.

Time may not be money, but it is precious.  Prioritizing is as important as multi-tasking.  And showering is sometimes an option, but it allows you to take a jammies day once in a while.

And when I find something I love, as a mommy, I find that I get that much more excited about it.

And so, here is my first of many...

Soda in a can and a box of cake mix is so moist and yummy and EASY!  Plus, Dr. Pepper makes a kick booty cupcake.  (Just mix and bake as directed.  Awesome. For reals.)

Mommy and Daddy Time

Before we had our little bundle of joy, my husband and I had what I considered to be a marriage to be envied.  I listened to my girlfriends and co-workers complain how their other halves never lifted a finger except to mow the lawn (if they were lucky!). 
Mine?  Dishes, changed the cat litter, took out the garbage, swiftered the golden retriever's never ending shedding hair, brushed the never ending shedding golden retriever, and even cooked dinner.  Mind you, we both worked full time (sometimes up to 50 to 65 hours each a week) and all of this still happened.
Then, the baby came.  Being a mommy means that you can't do it all, no matter how hard you try.  And it also means your partner is even a bigger part of the everyday journey that takes so many turns you may not know which way is up.
So, how did we do?  Check back to find out!