Unwanted Advice

I am very careful when giving other Moms or pregnant Moms to be advice. At least I try to be and hope that I don't offend or annoy anyone. Why is that? Because I had my fill and still do at times getting advice that I didn't ask for or want. I found it annoying and almost rude because the advice seemed at times very insistent.

I obviously got advice from my Mom and my Mother in law. Some of it was good and some of it was way wrong or did not fit in with my family choices. On the other hand some advice that I did receive from family or friends was great and more or less it was great because of how the individual would give me the advice. It was given in the sense "not sure if this fits for you, but I tried this" sort of way. It wasn't intrusive or overbearing to my already over sensitive personality.

I did on the other hand, get a lot of negative comments or crappy advice that I still resent to this day. I remember a supposed friend telling me all sorts of crazy things like "I just don't get why Moms would not at least try to breast feed." She didn't know my choices or thoughts on that when I was pregnant, but why be so negative? Turns out I tried to breastfeed, but it didn't work. I have what you would say inverted nipples? I remember the lactation consultant and a nurse pulling and pinching my breasts in the hospital while my crying newborn was asking for milk and my breast nor my son did not want anything to do with breast feeding. It became stressful and way too much for me, so I stopped and decided that formula feeding would be my choice. I didn't think too much about it either. After all, there was more to worry about then my failed attempts at breastfeeding, I was learning how to be a Mom.

Fast forward a bit, that same friend learned that I was not breastfeeding nor pumping. You would of thought I was the most horrible Mom in the world with the looks of displeasure on her face. Then the bashing started. I like 90% of Moms that just had a baby, had trouble losing the weight. Hell, I still have trouble losing the baby weight. I am not like those very fortunate few that lose the baby weight with no problem at all. I am so jealous of those Moms. In any case, I did have a few extra pounds on me. I remember this same person telling me that if I breastfeed that I would have easily lost the weight. At that time I was still quite sensitive on the not breastfeeding issue. I did move pass it because there were just more pressing things in my life, but being reminded how I failed was not pleasant. I was honestly stunned. I am a passive type and not argumentative, so I probably let it go too long and too far, but that line was repeated at least once a week for a year until I basically cut off all ties from this person. It ended up that she was talking trash about all of her friends, just not me. I was thankful for that in a ways. Not because I want my own friends to be talked badly about, but because at least I wasn't singled out.

To be honest, I am not sure how you go about responding to unwanted advice or being overly pressured by people in your lives. I guess the best thing is try to ignore it as much as possible or say something clever to get these annoying people off your back. So ladies (and gentleman if you read this blog), be kind to your fellow Mommies or Daddies. You can give advice, but do so carefully and gently so you aren't one of "those Moms". Be supportive of other Moms, because at the end of the day we all want to do what we think is best for our own children.

Great Finds

Rated: A-

I have another great find for parents that use formula! This was a must have when my baby was still drinking formula from the bottle and it allowed me to easily go out and about without carting any extras. It is dishwasher safe and has three divided sections that can hold enough formula for an 8 oz. bottle. You can also take out the divided section when your child is older and use it for a snack container or keep the three sections in to divide smaller snacks. Its was probably my most useful and most used buy. I give it an A- only because although it is really durable, I broke at least two. I broke one when it fell off the kitchen counter to the tile floor and the other when I threw it down from the upstairs to the downstairs and my husband missed it. I really don't fault the product for the second time it broke though.

For a little back story on this item and why I am telling you all about it:

My sister and I had our children close in age and I remember on our first outings with our newborns. I remember seeing her wide eyed as I popped out the formula dispenser (shown above) with a pre-filled bottle of water. She never saw it and thought it was great. Beforehand, she would cart an extra bag that was basically a cooler with pre-made formula that she would have to warm up with warm water. It was problematic for her to go out (thus she really didn't want to go anywhere) AND it was a pain warming it up under hot water while your baby is hungry. So when she did see this formula dispenser and how easy it was, we went out the same day and purchased one for her. Because of this story, this is why I tell all Moms about this contraption.

PBS Sprout

While I don't let my toddler watch a lot of television, we will turn on the TV each morning (when I am not busy trying to get out the door for work), so he can have his time to hear the television in the morning and watch his favorite shows. When I first started looking for something for my son to watch in earlier months, I honestly skipped through a lot of programming on the Guide menu because I wanted my son to watch things that are age appropriate. I finally decided that whatever channel Sesame Street comes on, will be the one he watches. I admit I am a little biased because I watched Sesame Street as a little one and it was my favorite show.

I have come to find a new love for PBS Sprout. I love everything about that channel because it is age appropriate, has my favorite show that is now also my son's favorite show and I love the contents of the shows. On another channel they had some show called Grossology. Now I will admittingly say and immaturely say that farting and burping is funny to me as long as it isn't during church or another very inappropriate time. I just didn't think (for now) that I wanted my son exposed to that world of boogers, gas, and whatever else appears on that television show. While it may be fine for some, I think we'll stick to Sesame Street and my beloved PBS Sprout for a while.

What shows do you enjoy watching with your kids?

The Simple Things

When I had my son, I knew that I would love him, love being a parent and relish in the moments of seeing him grow. What I never expected was to be so humbled by his existence, become more spiritual because of the miracle that he is (all children are miracles), become closer to family and appreciate the more simple things in life.

My son is "all boy". He has an unprecedented amount of energy, tumbles and wrestles laughing hysterically and loves getting into things. I don't nor will I ever consider him to be a handful. Sure there are days when I wish he would just sit and just be, but he is a kid and he is a boy. It just surprises me what he does some days that are completely out of the blue.

Yesterday was an ice/snow day, so the family stayed in to keep themselves safe. As I do every day, I play with my son and took an opportunity to talk to him about the snow outside. He has no memory of seeing snow before so he was obviously curious about all that white stuff outside. While talking to him, I couldn't resist kissing him on his little rosy cheek as he looked innocently outside in curiosity. He in turn let out a little giggle, smiled and then kissed me on my cheek with the sound effects of a big smooch and then looked at me with another smile. It filled my heart with joy and it took me by surprise. My son has never kissed anyone without someone asking him to kiss them before. He did it because he wanted to.

That my friend is the simple things I am talking about. The things that you appreciate that are so little but so huge to a parent. Getting a simple kiss without asking just because. It just goes to show (for me) that its another indication that I am doing the right things. My son knows that kisses from Mommy are out of love and affection and he wanted to return the same to his Mom. God bless that little guy.

History of Sleds

I was an inquisitive child in my younger years and always asked why this or why that. I am sure I educated my parents plenty when they had to look some of my questions up. However, if you kid asks you why were sleds created. You will know!

Toboggans were the first form of sleds (according to my research) and were first used by the indigenous tribes Cree, Innu and Anishinabe of North America. Sleds were not used as recreation, but more for survival in making heavy loads easy transportable. The term toboggan stems from the Anishinabe word nobugidaban.

Sleds were later introduced around the 1800's and would transport people. The difference of the sled vs. the toboggans were by sleds having longer and more narrow runners. Over the years sleds have evolved to be more of a recreational item for children and adults around the world during winter season snowfalls.

Early Toboggans


Horse Drawn Sled in Early 1800s

1900 Sled During Victorian Era
1930 Sled
1960 Saucer Sled
Sleds of Today

Snow Flakes!

In lieu of today's weather in the DC Metro area, and if you are at home with your kiddos here is an easy craft idea to do with them. Its so fun making snow flakes on your own, but if you want a pattern to follow just click on the link!

http://www.yarnowl.com/Crafts/Snowflakes/Snowflakes.html

Let It....uh...Snow?

Today the DC Metro area meteorologist were right when they said we would have the first real snow fall of the 08-09 winter season. Its actually sticking so I have to agree. I also had my husband drive me into work because I will admitting say, I am a wuss when it comes to driving in the snow. Everyone has their quirks about what they are afraid of like heights, bugs, etc., My quirk is driving in snow. So instead of having a panic attack on the Dulles Toll Road and causing a traffic jam, I did everyone a favor today and batted my eyes at my husband so he would drive me in. You are very welcome. I used to love snow. Love everything about it. When did I get so old that I don't really care for snow anymore? When did it stop becoming more fun and more of a hassle? Sure there are some of you that love it, but do you have to commute in to work or not worry about loved ones on the road?

If it was twenty years ago (man that is a lot of years), I would be sitting at home in front of the television watching cartoons, wearing my snow pants and boots waiting for my Mom to let me outside so I could sled. I remember one "snow day" when I lived in North Carolina when schools were canceled on the possibility we would have snow that never came, and I sat for hours with snow pants on while the weather warmed up to a modest 50 degrees. I was bummed. I loved snow. My parents were great about their kids love of snow. I remember them trying to pile on snow to their very hilly sidewalk that lead from the front door to the drive way so my sister and I could sled on it. I remember from time to time they would get their fun in too and confiscate our sleds for a couple of turns as well. Snow when I was a child meant that there were no school days, more fun outside and hot coco stuffed with marshmallows.

Now as I look outside, biting my nails (I need to stop that bad habit), I hope like heck that my husband and I will return home in tack so that my child isn't an orphan. I worry about things like that you know. I look at snow in a different perspective. Perhaps its the very close encounters I had when I first started to drive in it in my early days of college after getting into five accidents (I was a rider not a driver) my senior year that sent me to the hospital on one occasion. I am afraid to get into accidents. On a normal day I drive just fine. I can merge onto the highway without going 20mph and and I let people in because I still got those southern roots and not 100% a typical Northern Virginia driver. Its just when that "S" word comes around, I don't have as much control and therefore I throw the towel in on driving. However, if I don't have to go any where or my family does not have to go out, then I am a perfectly sane individual. I love staying warm and cozy inside the house watching the snow fall. Its quite pretty when I take a moment to appreciate the beauty of it.

In all snow just means different things to me now. I am not an old sour puss and will enjoy it with my kiddo if he is up to it. We shall see. I will say, if you live in the Metro area or are affected by the snow, I hope each of you and your families have a safe journey home today and make sure you take some time to go outside and play with those kiddos. They'll remember it.

Great Finds

Rated: A+

Here is to the first NOVA Parenting consumer review!

The book Alpha Bugs: A Pop Up Alphabet Book by David A. Carter, is my new favorite find. I adored Spot book series by Eric Hill when I was little and thought my son would love it as well. However, this book wins by far on top of any Spot books that I read (not that they aren't good or anything). It is not only educational, but has pop ups, pull tabs and touch/feel. This is one of my son's favorites. I am looking forward to purchasing new books in the same series by this author.

Do any of you have good or bad reviews on things you have purchased for your children?

A Sick Parent

This isn't a topic to talk about us as parents when we are sick, so don't think I am repeating a topic that was posted on here a few days ago. I am talking about when our parents are sick. When we as adults have to support, help and guide our parents when they are sick and perhaps even have to face the fact that they are getting older and face the fact that we just aren't kids anymore.

In 2006, a week after my wedding and I got back from my Disney World honeymoon, my Mom fell ill. I could tell she was trying to do the "Mom thing" with looking strong and being present for me while I opened all my wedding gifts in front of my family. She was pale, weak and could barely lift her head from the couch. A few days later, she was in the ICU getting her chest electrically shocked to put her heart back in rhythm. Two weeks before that my Mom was busily and happily getting me prepared on my wedding day. She and I did that marathon run of getting everything set and prepared for my big walk down the aisle, she had to let me go to start a new life. She did it with grace, elegance and love. Looking back in the ICU she was so sick, so helpless, and needed her family more so then ever but in a way she has never needed us before. I was in that cross roads of wanting to be that child that is just terrified and that adult that still is terrified but hiding it and keeping a brave face.

After countless tests including CAT scans, MRI, spinal taps, etc., it was found that she had Lyme's Disease. She never had that trademark bulls eye on her skin and they never found it through a blood test. It was only discovered after she had a spinal tap. After recovering for another week in the hospital, she was then released with a pic line of 30 day antibiotics attached to her. At least she was out, but she wasn't the same.

Lyme's Disease can do a number of things to a persons body. It has so many symptoms that vary from person to person from, it is a hard thing to diagnose. For my Mom, it attacked her joints and heart. She was so weak and tired all the time. She barely could stay awake most of the time during family visits where beforehand she would want to hear every word, every story and give her two cents. Her cardiologists decided that a good course of treatment would get an oblation surgery on her heart. Perhaps that would correct the arrhythmia that she was suffering from and that in turn could not make her as tired or weak. She went into the hospital with high hopes that the surgery would be a fix all. The oblation procedure was successful in that everything was by the book. However, when going up through the vein in her leg, it caused that area to need a surgery to correct that. My Mom was not happy. At this time she was starting to fear hospitals.

Happily within a few months of my Mom's sickness, she was graced with wonderful news by my sister first and then by me. We were both pregnant. Her girls were going to have babies of their own. For my Mom this was the best news yet as she has wanted to be a Grandmother for years. My Mom loves babies and children. Although both pregnancies were planned, it was even more of blessing in aways since it gave my Mom something to look forward to since more surgeries were scheduled in the near future. She wanted to be healthy for those babies.

My Mom underwent another oblation surgery due to the first one not correcting the arrhythmia problem and the second oblation surgery failed as well to correct the problem. After many more tests and doctors putting their heads together, she was going to get an open heart procedure called the maize procedure. By this time my sister and I were both very pregnant. My Mom did not want any more procedures and seemingly was giving up. Through family persistence and telling her that these unborn babies need their Grandmother, she decided that she would have the surgery AFTER the babies were born. The surgery was set for early September.

Things really changed two days before my induction date on July 5th and while I was on bed rest. I got a call from my Mom in the early hours of the morning. She was crying uncontrollably and told me to come to her house. Thankfully I lived only a mile away and was in the car in minutes. I had no idea what was going on. She just wanted me there and frankly I was freaked out. As I drove up onto the drive way, she was outside waiting for me. I get out of the car and she wraps her arms around me and thanks me for coming. I inquire into why I got the call and what is going on. I was wondering is my Dad okay? Is my sister okay? What the heck is going on?!? She just explained to me she can't stop. After calming her down a bit, it was clear that she was having a panic attack set off by absolutely nothing. There was no big event happening in days or anything that changed in her life other then this sickness that she's had for over a year. My Dad was at work, my sister had a newborn by then and I honestly did not know what to do. I under went seven more "episodes" with her, which started off by her rocking like a crazy person and then breaking into tears when I finally got the chance to call my Dad. I reach my Dad at work and tell him, "You need to make a doctors appointment today. She has a problem." I honestly thought my Mom was going to the nut house, but she needed something more then just consoling. I would do that for her until the end of time, but it was only a temporary fix until the next episode and a person can't go on like that. My Dad insisted that she was fine until I described exactly what was going on for hours and what I was going through. He then made a prompt call to the doctors office. Later that day, she was given meds for panic attacks. I call them her "chill pills". It was just bizarre that my mother that I knew who was strong, didn't cry in front her kids unless there was a death, and would never try to "bother" her kids with anything. Instead, she was this helpless, inconsolable person that I could hardly recognize.

Two months later my Mom underwent open heart surgery that landed her in the hospital for weeks to recover. Thankfully the hospital she went to had a specialized heart wing/building so that it was separate from the rest of the hospital that had people with other illnesses. This meant that I could bring my newborn to visit her every day. The first time I arrived I met the heart doctor outside of her room. I was a little unsure if he would be okay with me bringing a baby in the room with her. Perhaps he would think that would be a strain to have a baby in the room, but instead told me having my son in there was the best possible thing as my Mom was suffering with depression. It gave her something to smile at and look forward to each day. He was right. She looked forward to seeing my sweet little boy every day and therefore I would be in that room from 9:00 to 3:30 during the work week until my Dad got there and then a few hours each day during the weekend.

After she was released from the hospital, she was not strong enough to be by herself all day while my Dad was at work. Because of the numerous operations and sick issues my Mom went through during that year my Dad had virtually no leave to take to be with her. I was still on maternity leave and without hesitation volunteered to be with her. It made sense and I was close by. Each morning I would wake up with my husband around 7:30 and go to my Mom's house for the day with my son. My Dad was no cook (he once thought he could cook chicken that from the freezer and put it directly to a frying pan without defrosting it first), so I often would make dinner each night for my parents and my husband who met me at the house. It was a difficult thing to juggle. I was a new Mom with hardly any baby experience, but some how took care of my son, myself and my Mom during that month I had left of maternity leave. Thankfully she was strong enough by the time I had to return to work.

My Mom is still recovering. Its been almost three years since her diagnosis. She is much stronger and a lot better, but there has been a clear and present shift in our relationship. I now mother her. I make sure she is going to the doctors when she is not feeling well or nag my Dad to nag her. I check in on her like a Mom would do to her kids as if she was some kid in college. I honestly ask if she is eating right, is she getting enough exercise, and if she is feeling (emotionally) okay. Its tough when a parent gets sick. I honestly wished I could be the child for a bit longer and she could be the Mom. Don't get me wrong, she will always be my Mom. I just miss her mothering me the way she used to. I just miss being the kid.


For more information on Lyme's Disease:

http://www.natcaplyme.org/index.php

Gratitude

I have to ask any readers out there, when the last time you showed your gratitude towards someone or anyone? Was it today, yesterday, last week or can you remember? Did you think about how appreciative you were to someones action or deed without taking the time to show it towards them? Did you yourself do something kind or do a favor for someone without getting any gratitude back?

Gratitude by definition is "The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness." No I am not trying to give a vocabulary lesson. At least I hope that most adults reading this would know the definition of the word gratitude. I just wanted to throw that out there as a reminder.

For me, I try and show my gratitude each time someone does something kind and thoughtful to me. I am human and do sometimes forget in my busy world of a full time working Mom to take that time, especially to those that are close to me. My husband for example, has done wonders lately for me without complaint or even without me asking to do some extras around the house while I recuperate. I have said thank you or told him from time to time that what he does means a lot, but in the inside I am honestly bursting with gratitude. Does he realize that? I am not sure. Then it got me thinking (I contemplate a lot) on how do you teach a child gratitude?

As a Mom there are many things you struggle with during each stage of your child's life. Every Mom wants their child to be a well rounded, polite individual that will work hard, love his fellow person and be happy with life. There are just life lessons such as gratitude that I don't believe can be taught. I think its experienced and then realized. Sure you can tell your child to say "please" and "thank you" or when someone does something nice to your child you can tell that little person "how nice of so and so to do that for you." So as any Mom does in this day in age to find and answer to a question, I googled it. I was surprised (because Google does not work for me all the time) about the information I should of thought about on my own and some information that was a good idea.

One site suggested visiting a homeless shelter or something similar because children learn from pity. To me, that was not what I had in mind. Sure being homeless or having another problem in life is sad, but pity? You should be humbled by the fact that you are lucky to have a roof over your head, food in your belly and have a family to go home to. However, homeless people shouldn't looked as being pitied. I wouldn't want to be pitied if I was homeless. I would want a person to stretch out their hand and help pick me up because that little voice in them called them to do so. I don't think volunteers or workers at organizations to help people do things out of pity. I think its something inside them that says "go help these people".

So I continued my search and found some other great ideas to help teach a child what gratitude is in a more positive light. Here is a few key things that I found:

• Ask your child what he/she is grateful for each day. What blessings they received and perhaps what good deeds they did for someone else. Perhaps as a family share each of your thanks around the family dinner table each night.
  
• Find a good thing to say about a bad situation. If your child accidentally spills milk on the floor usually they are quite embarrassed and sorry for it. At least I always was. You can take that time and say, "Its okay, accidents happen. It gives us an excuse to help clean the floor together."
  
• When a child receives a special gift from someone, have them send a thank you card. If they are too young perhaps they can color a picture or sign their name on a parent written card.

There are several other different websites that talk about crafts, etc., but basically talking about the same three things. I will also recommend, what you teach your child, you should also model in your own life. What are you grateful or thankful for today? Was this action done by a certain individual? Did you show your gratitude?

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled
by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep
gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
~Albert Schweitzer

New Life Lessons

Last week a friend of mine gave birth to another beautiful, healthy girl. This is number two for her. Her oldest child and my child are but a month apart in age. My friend (lets call her Marie) and I met each other during a girl outing right before we both became pregnant and had a wonderful bond ever since. I am blessed and feel lucky to have her and her wonderful family in my life. I just can't get over the fact that my friend has another child. It isn't that I am not happy for her. Actually I am ecstatic beyond words for her. I just am surprised with my surge of emotions about Marie's new baby.

I drove to the Birthing Inn just a day after the birth of Marie's baby to congratulate the family and see Marie's new miracle. During the twenty minute commute to The Inn, I had flashbacks of the countless drives I made to the same hospital for testing or visiting my friends newborn babies while I was still pregnant. It was so weird going there not pregnant as I remember hobbling (I was big in the third trimester) to the front door and now I could actually walk normal without fearing I would fall over or trip. As I made my way into the locked doors of the post partum wing, I had yet another flashback. I passed my old post partum room, which was empty and took a moment to remember the early days of when I first became a Mom. I remember how exciting it was, how nervous I was, and how wonderfully my husband took care of both our baby and I the first week with basically no help.

Then, after entering room #182, I met the new bundle of joy, and I did everything I could to not cry. It wasn't that I was sad because in my heart I too would like to have another baby soon and probably can not with finances (some who know me may think thats why but it isn't), but the joy in my heart was just overwhelming. Most people (I don't say all because there is ignorance in the world) before they even have children they know how precious babies/children are, but when you become a parent your view on life just changes. I saw this little girl, this beautiful sweet miracle God bestowed on my beautiful friend and just saw the beauty of life. Life really is a miracle. I could hardly remember my son being that small. Now is he this firey little toddler that talks, walks and play independently. Its just amazing how in a short span of time a baby can grow in a Mom's belly, be born and then in another short span of time grow up so fast. After a bit, it was my time to hold her. I sniffed as I tried to hold back more tears. She was so tiny, so light and so comfortable all swaddled up in her hospital blanket. Even though I held my own son 98% of the time when he was a newborn, I wish I had more time with him to just be. Now there is no way on Earth, unless I am taking him to point A to point B, that he will let me hold him for very long. It is just part of having a toddler that loves to walk. Soon enough, it was time for me to leave to be with my own family and as I headed home from the hospital I decided one thing I would do more of; I needed to "stop and smell the flowers" more often.

I entered my home with an improved thought process. I know that every age has their pros and cons. I miss holding my son when he was a newborn, but I don't miss the late night feedings and all the bottles. As my son and husband both greeted me with kisses and hugs, I took a moment to take it all in and to "stop and smell those flowers". It was wonderful. I lived in the moment as my son asked with loving eyes to be picked up and requested to sit on the couch to read a book. As I read his favorite bug book for the tenth million time, I read it as if we never read it before with more energy and excitement. There will be a day when I probably look back and wish that he would ask to sit on my lap and let me read to him. Now is the time to start living in the moment because all these beautiful daily things that happen in my life will be fleeting. I find it even more amazing that a two day old baby taught me a valuable lesson and opened up my eyes just a little bit more. It is amazing what new life can teach you. God bless you little one.

I Don't Have Time To Be Sick!

As parents, I am sure at one time or another when we were down with some type of sickness, we all uttered the words of, "I don't have time for this." I am uttering those words as I am typing this, because honestly I don't have the time to be sick. Being sick means that I lose that delicate juggle of balancing being a energetic Mom, loving wife, dedicated employee and a decent house cleaner to my beautiful three bedroom, always messy town home. When I am sick, the juggling act ends in a disappointing folly of miscalculating the numerous things that I as a Mom have to do on a daily basis and it takes forever to "catch up" when I start feeling better.

I have learned early in life that family is number one. I don't put anyone or anything before that. Therefore most of my attention and energy is always focused on my son and then my husband. I say my son first because my husband can feed himself, is toilet trained and communicates rational thought. My son needs me more then ever and is quite demanding on those needs. I call him "the little emperor" because even if the house was on fire, if he wanted his apple jacks or a toy on a shelf, he would think Mommy has to tend to his wants first. At least I can say that he knows I'll do anything for him. I just wish I could reason with him that when Mommy is sick she would like to throw up by herself without hearing crying outside her door and feeling guilty for it.

My husband is one of the most thoughtful men I know. I don't say "people" because he does not have that obvious womanly instinct on knowing when something is not right that women can easily pick up on. He's a man, but a good man. My husband does pick up the slack when Mommy isn't feeling well with doing extras on taking care of our son, preparing meals and cleaning up here and there. He is a fantastic surface cleaner, which means that he will see dirty laundry that needs to be picked up, but probably would not clean a crusty bathroom (I know gross). I am appreciative that he sees what he does see and recognizes when I am sick, but my sickness takes away husband/wife time. He usually is busy taking care of something around the house, be it our son or otherwise, so this leaves little time for one on one time. He also works full time, so when he is done picking up my slack, he is tired. This leaves little time/energy for either of us in the bedroom. He commented on the day I got sick about how he would of made love to me, but he understood I was sick. It was a nice thought, but when my libido is ten times the amount of any normal man, I was frankly disappointed that I wasn't well enough. I missed my opportunity! Damn sickness.

As for my work life. I really wonder why my company hasn't fired me. In this economy I am sure glad they haven't. I feel fortunate to have a wonderful, understanding boss, but I am sure my calls of "I can't come into day" are becoming tiresome. In one month I had to call in for my son, who was sick for two days and I had to call in a few days because I wasn't having the case of the "cha chas" at work. Now again I am sick with yet another virus of some sort that I caught from either the plague gorillas at work or the plague monkeys at my son's day care. Can I call in yet again to take some time to get better? Nope, I don't think my boss would believe I am sick AGAIN. I am sure she probably thinks I am a hypochondriac, but I honestly am not.

Then there is the house. I have to laugh to myself a little bit because it resembles more like a war zone and not a house. There is three loads of cleaned laundry dumped on my bedroom floor asking to be folded and put away, toys cluttering all parts of the house, dishes left in the sink, bathrooms needing to cleaned so badly that perhaps a pressure washer of bleach and a face mask just might do the job, and a yard that needs to be cleared away of dog doo. Basically in my Mom's own words when she used to look at my room when I was a teenager "it looks like a war zone in here." I honestly am a clean person. I was a person that before I had children would clean her bathrooms thoroughly from top to bottom every Friday and a person that was so on top of her laundry that there were always clean socks folded and put away and pants were never worn twice in the week without being washed/dried first. I hate a dirty home and I am embarrassed of it. No matter how horrible I feel about the current condition of my home, its last on my list of things to do because I have to take care of my son the best I can AND work so I can bring in an income.

I know I will feel better soon, but I just don't have time in the present to be sick. I have so much to do and so little time as it is to finish everything that I want to finish in one day. I do set the bar high for myself (I think most Moms do) so I feel like a little bit of a failure when things don't get done the way I wanted or when I just don't have the energy for them. I am making strides on feeling better. I am desperate to feel better actually. As a Mom that would never take medicine for anything (perhaps its due to my pregnancy days when I couldn't take a damn thing), I now will take anything (within reason) to make me feel better. I will even down the insanely disgusting cough syrup that I previously refused during all of my childhood/adulthood. I decided (for now) to finish off the prenatal vitamins that I had left over when I was pregnant to boost the vitamins in my body and then get a multi-vitamin from the store to help once I am done with those. I also made a little bit of a late New Years resolution to stop biting my nails. Its a horrible habit I know. Despite the health factor, it is quite embarrassing at the age of 26 to still be biting my nails like a little girl lost in a grocery store. If was to attend a Nail Biters Anonymous meeting, I would say that I am three days clean of biting my nails. Whoo hoo! I am just a Mom on a mission to feel better. If anyone else has some great suggestions then throw them my way. I'll take what you have to say in consideration, but practicing voodoo, working out at the gym and eating organic just isn't going to happen. Remember, I am a Mom pressed for time.