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!

Mommy Rules...First Installment

As a new mom, I think I've experienced the ups and downs with a touch of humour, the realization that I can't so it all, and the happiness that comes when you figure that one little thing out each and every day.
Like, how can I possibly shower when I'm running around like a crazy person after a nine month old?  How do I feed myself when all I do is feed the baby?  And how the heck can I keep up with this whole bloggarooni thing when I can't eat or shower?!?!?!
Then I found the answer...nap time. 
And the blog?  I plan on sharing my new little discoveries that make my life easier...my hope?  Not that I'm re-inventing the wheel, but that I can shed a little light on the craziness that any new mom faces.  If one person finds one thing (even if it's me!!) that helps make life more about the giggles, then so be it.  Mission accomplished!

Rediscovery...Tickle Time!

I hate being tickled.  Serious face.  It really pisses me off.  This all comes from all the time I was tortured as a child (and beyond!) by my mom.  She relished tickling me, and I never really understood why.  Did she like turning me into an evil snarling (yet giggling) demon child?  Was it torture?  Or was she just sadistic and wanted me to feel the pain of all the dishes and clean up she had done after me for my whole life?
Nope.
Turns out if it's anything like how I feel as a mom that she just loved to see me smile and giggle.  Uncontrollably. 
I now know this because there is nothing I love more, or that will make my heart swell and produce a big ol goofy grin on my face than tickle time with my little man.  From the moment I got that first giggle (which may or may not been from gas!!) to the uncontrollable adorable giggle fits, I was hooked.  My day, no matter how annoying (laundry, dishes, business, or economic freak outs!), suddenly changes into blissful happiness.
Not only can I not resist his beautiful laughter, it makes me love my mom even more....

Rediscovering

When I first found out I was expecting, we kept it to ourselves.  We waited until that end of the first trimester to spread the word about out upcoming life changing event.
My favorite person to tell, though (other than daddy, of course!) was my Uncle...who lives overseas.  We communicate by email and had reconnected just a few years ago.  The best thing he told me, as he had his first child only a few years ago, is that having his son helped him rediscover the joy and love of his own mother (my Nana!) and appreciate things differently about her.
So, that will now be one of the features you can check out...rediscovery.  The joy and love that we sometimes forget when the arguments and sad memories overwhelm us and cloud all the good.  Especially when that person is no longer here to help us remember...

Smile! Or, Not?

So much to do, so little time.  Which is why I take so many pictures of baby boy.  Everyone will tell you they grow so fast, and they are right!!!
The big question then, invest in a new fancy digital SLR (which I selfishly want to maybe replace my Nikon SLR that I still adore - real film will always have my heart), or suck it and get a new cell phone.  Because, let's face it, two years is forever in technology years.
And, it's here. (With a bigger memory than the old one, that has almost two hundred pictures and twenty videos capturing my cutie pie's growth from a little peanut to my lil dude who waddles with that adorable baby walk!!)
The issue?  I have digital camera.  It's the boy, you see.  Suddenly he has adopted this cheesy I have three bottom teeth huge grin and squinty eye picture face, obviously from the flash.
My problem?  I'm still slow getting used to the features on my new phone so every picture is, well, interesting but not adorable.
Sigh...
Practice is perfect, I suppose.  And there's always that camera on my wish list.

Getting Steamed

When I made the decision to become a part time, one day a week, employee at my 12+ year job, I became worried over the whole money issue.
Not only did I not want to let it come between my husband and I (who rarely, if ever have a major disagreement other than I believe in actually changing light bulbs once they burn out), but I was concerned how our lives would change.
So, being the money saver that I already was (I love my Coach bags, all on sale), but not a crazy couponer-I still can't figure out how they do it!!!!- i investigated.  Knowledge is power.
Baby food and formula is insanely expensive!  Holy moly, not only would I have a new mouth to cloth and diaper (not to mention the toys, lotions, and baby wipes!)...his carbon foot print would start early with all those jars and containers.
So, along with breastfeeding (if I hear breast is best one more time, I may just scream.  Or cry.) I decided to make my own baby food.
Happily, I have to say not only is it kind of empowering (I love to cook, and steaming his food makes me feel very good and so mommy!!!) to know what exactly he's eating, but it's so incredibly, dare i say, cheap!
And easy.
I didn't waste any money (duh!) on a book, but started with an article in a baby magazine that I receive as a free subscription.
Simple....apples, cut into chunks, steam until soft, puree (my processor now has other things to do other than pesto!), place into ice cube trays, freeze. 
This recipe works for just about anything...and of course I logged onto other websites just to make sure.
And now, my freezer has a full top drawer for only $15 for almost a month of baby food.
Not sure if he likes the green beans, though.  Peas and apples?  Oh yeah! 
The rule?  Don't be afraid to try new things.  Sweet potato fries, fresh out of the oven?  Pureed for baby boy, yummy for mommy and daddy!
Now, if only he would stop eyeing my ice cream...

Whatever Happened to Saturday Night?

We all have those friends.  You know the ones.  They told you while you were expecting that they would never see you again, like they were some psychic predicting the end of the world.
My husband and I have a small group of friends that started with a married couple with two boys, two single "boys" and us.  Saturday poker nights...every Saturday.  At the married with children home (no babysitter needed!).  This evolved into a high school friend and his wife (with son) moving back into town, which in turn revolved into the two married (other than my husband) forming a band to live out their high school fantasies.
Enter the girlfriends (now one wife and one fiance) for the "boys".
At this point, the Saturday game would still happen, but with less and less frequency.
Side note of importance...of this group, only myself and my other handsome half, as well as one "boy" (now husband) and wife were the non-smokers.
Back to the remark that started it all.  When we found out we were expecting, we were very conscious of what our shoulds and should nots were, and still are.
This included the smoking.
To say I get it would be a lie.  We know this effects your health in so many scary ways, not to mention the simple economic cost, I don't get why people smoke anymore.  Not to mention it's stinky, you don't look sexy, and you have to do laundry all the time.  And then add in that you have children?  If only for their health or the fear of not being there for them someday would scare me into at least trying my booty off to quit, let alone that it does effect their health if you smoke around them or in the same house, even if they are in a different room.
This, my friends, is why we don't get to see one another that much, if ever, and the band...and the new girlfriends, wives, etc.
My lil dude is the most important things to enter my life, and I just don't want him around it.
But how do you tell that to someone?
I don't.  More because I don't want to offend them or tell them what to do.
So, instead I've spurred the husband into finishing up the projects around the house so we can have them over...and ban the smokers to in front of the garage and away from everything that matters.
Maybe I should pick up so Nicorette?