Twenty Twelve Resolutions

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that a new year is upon us.  I absolutely have no clue where 2011 went.  That may have something to do with my life being swallowed whole consumed by a new baby, a new job and a new way of life.  Staying busy certainly doesn't make time stand still.

Feeling like I finally have everything under control, or maybe that I'm able to deal with my load with some sanity in tact, I am feeling refreshed welcoming 2012.  I'm coming into this year with a clear head, but with some definite changes in mind.  Behold, my twenty twelve resolutions:

1. Register for a 5K
I began training for a 5K (my marathoner mom is laughing at this right now, I'm sure) at the beginning of this year and did something to my ankle.  Taking time off to let my ankle heal turned into giving up on the race all together.  I was really disappointed in myself for not sticking with it...so I joined the gym.  Two weeks later, I accepted a new job and all of my free time went right out the window, as well as my motivation to work out.  Not one year (since high school) have I not been dedicated to some form of exercise, except for 2011.  I will change that.  Time to get my fitness back.

2. Prepare more natural meals
Constantly feeling like I have no time and running on empty, I have resulted to those evil frozen meals, or worse, take-out.  I would say we currently take-out or dine out at least three to four times a week and the remaining days meals are literally just thrown together - usually in a microwave.  This year I want to plan my meals more effectively.  Buy fresh produce, buy foods with less preservatives, make meals from scratch.  I generally eat healthy, even given the habits listed above, but I want to learn to enjoy cooking as well.

3.  Have date night once a month
Robert and I actually started this trend a few months ago and, with the help of my mom, have been able to stick to it.  I want this to continue into 2012 so that I always have that special weekend to look forward to.  I love my children to pieces, but there's nothing better than a night alone with my husband doing things we used to do pre-kiddos.

4.  Start reading again 
Due to lack of time (are you beginning to see the theme here), I haven't read a book in its entirety in at least a year.  I hope to pick up a book and begin reading again - even it takes me a month to read it.  There was a time when I would read 1-2 books a week.  I miss that.

5.  Finish projects left undone 
Hello dining room chairs, memory boxes, photo books...

6.  Watch my tone
I am notorious for being really snappy when I'm tired, in a bad mood or what have you - and unfortunately I'm one of those who takes it out on the ones I love most, i.e. Robert.  This year I want to make a genuine effort to take a deep breath, think about how I'm coming off to others and keep my attitude in check.

7.  Pay off student loans
I'm almost there, but if I choose to take some money each week out of our normal weekly budget, I can get those bad boys paid off a lot quicker.

8.  Live a more balanced life
Be successful at work, as well as at home. My kids deserve me just as much as my students/readers - actually, a lot more.  Be a fantastic teacher/writer, but be an even more fantastic mother.


There's my list in all its glory.  Once it's published I become 100% accountable.  Here it goes...

Unpleasantries

I wish I could say MJ was sporting this SpongeBob accessory because she has the same infatuation with band-aids as her brother - but sadly, I can not.  Instead, I have to take responsibility for this one.

Clipping infant fingernails is not at all like clipping fingernails of an adult, a child, or even a toddler.  The nails are literally paper thin and are so flimsy they can be bent in half.   These qualities make it very difficult to get a sense of how much nail you are actually clipping.  I always manage to carefully clip the first nine fingernails with no problem - but then comes the last one.  The dreaded thumb nail.  This is the trickiest one out of the bunch because it's typically the longest (meaning the quick is longer) and it seems thicker - even knowing all of this I still go in overly confident and "it" always seems to happen.  Yup.  I clip the nail and then some.

And we all know what happens next.

Lots of blood.  Screaming baby.  Horrified mother.

This is one of a few chores that make me extremely uncomfortable.  The possibility of causing my child pain, discomfort, or even worse, injury is about all it takes for me to shy away from a specific task - but unfortunately, they have to get done.  And for some reason I always have to do the dirty work. 

Other items topping my list of Extremely Nauseating Send Shivers Down My Spine Chores include:

• Taking a rectal temperature
• Using a bulb syringe
• Administering Vitamin D drops
• Dealing with bad diaper rash

Cleaning up poop?  No problem.  Vomit?  Piece of cake.  Busted Lip?  I manage.  But the ones I mentioned above literally make my stomach turn.          

Favorite Reads

Reading time is a critical part of Evan's bedtime routine - and by critical I mean he won't go to bed without a story.  On vacation this summer I think we read a brochure from a hotel we were so desperate for reading material.

His love for books has grown as he as grown older and he becomes more immersed in the story each time its read - which brings me to the reason for writing this post.  Evan easily has over a hundred different books in his room to choose from that vary greatly in subject matter - but for some reason, without fail, there are roughly five books that he demands to be read every night.  And many times one of the five will be demanded for several consecutive nights.  I am currently on the 10th consecutive night with Corduroy - and that's not even including nap time.  I wish I could tell Corduroy to get a new pair of overalls already.  Geez.

Evan's Current Top 5 Reading List

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

How Dinosaurs Say I Love You by Jane Yolen

Me Too by Mercer Mayer

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

As interests change I'm sure his demand in bedtime stories will too.  In the meantime, if anyone needs me to recite by memory the stories listed above you have my number.

A Registry of Sorts

With MJ's due date quickly approaching we have had several friends and family members ask about our needs as far as baby gear goes.  Because I saved almost everything for Evan we have most of what we need with a few exceptions.  I don't believe in registries after the first baby, so I thought I would list our few needs here to make it a little easier on those who are interested.

#1 Stroller

#2 Infant Car Seat

#3 Diaper Bag

(Thanks, Jess for the heads up on this bag-very functional.)

#4 Baby Wrap

#5 Swing

I realize these are larger items, but due to the demise of our other stroller and car seat, the fact that we borrowed a swing and had to give it back and my stupidity for never getting a real diaper bag in the first place - well, this is where we're left.  The baby wrap is more of a want because I witnessed how easy my sister-in-law carried around my niece and I told myself that I would have one of those for the next baby.

Wish List

I have a closet full of baby gear that I've been storing for the arrival of baby number two.  It can get very expensive purchasing all the things "they" say you need so I made sure to hang on to everything to prevent any outrageous purchases.  I did find however that the few items we frequently used are either extremely worn or damaged.  Because we used them so much with Evan I know we will again use them for the next baby.  Which brings me to my very short wish list:

When Evan was an infant I kept my sanity by going on daily walks with him in his stroller.  His infant carrier snapped right into the stroller and away we went - sometimes twice a day.  This hasn't changed now that he's a big boy.  We still stroll around the neighborhood quite frequently.  Basically, my stroller has been through the ringer.  The wheels aren't very stable anymore and its maneuvering is much more difficult now.  That is why I am now looking at a double stroller.  This particular one is a sit and stand.  There are several different positions for the seats, which I like a lot.  Evan can ride in the front and I can have an infant carrier in the back.  When the baby is old enough to ride in a regular seat, they can both ride one behind the other or the baby can ride up front and Evan can stand on the back platform.  It's very versatile.

Baby Trend Double Sit N Stand - Green Tea

Our infant carrier also took quite a beating.  Between frequent attempts to soothe crying by driving Evan around and many long trips in the stroller the carrier now appears to have seen better days.  I also attempted to wash and dry the covering and it seems drying was not such a smart choice.  In its now shrunken state, the cover can not fit over the frame.  A new infant seat is a must have.

Baby Trend Columbia Infant Car Seat - Green/ Gray

Please note:  If you're noticing a pattern with the Baby Trend brand it's because I need to be sure the new infant carrier will fit into the bases we already have (our last carrier was Baby Trend) and the Baby Trend carrier will, without question, fit into the Baby Trend stroller - so there ya go.

We also used our pack n play like it was going out of style.  Evan slept in it as an infant the first four months.  We also took it with us everywhere we went just in case he needed a nap.  All the traveling and use really took a toll and one of the support legs finally broke and we aren't able to use it anymore.  One thing we learned too is that we have no need for the fancy schmancy ones.  All those extras ended up in a random closet.  We definitley plan to use a more simplistic version for the second baby.  

Safety 1st Travel Ease Deluxe Play Yard - Alphabet Soup

I'm sure if we find out we're having a girl I'll have other pretty little things dancing around in my head that I'll want to purchase, but at this point I'm trying to be realistic in what we know we'll need.  I also now know that the more expensive brands don't always have the best products - which is why I live at Target. :)

Introducing My First Guest Blogger

After reading my post, 40 Things I Learned From My Husband, Robert's mom thought it would be fun to reminisce a bit and come up with 40 of her own things she learned from Robert growing up. A mother's perspective is one we can all relate to and one we can certainly all respect. Pay extra attention to #40...this woman knows what she's talking about!

40 Things I Learned from Robert (as he was growing up) by Dixie Bopp

1. “If I had wanted to be upside down in Mom’s tummy, I would have turned that way myself.”
2. You have to be still in order to go to sleep. (Robert was never still)
3. Walking is a waste of time – go straight to running.
4. Getting stitches is a lot of fun.
5. I was a bad Mother for not taking him to get stitches when he cut his head.
6. Fishing is wonderful therapy for an ADHD kid.
7. There is a décor called “early jungle”.
8. Spaghetti and pizza are real American foods.
9. Don’t try to put the gas nozzle back in the car’s gas tank if it falls out.
10. Robert can sleep through anything – even the 24-hour bug (both ends).
11. A smile can steal my heart – even when he has pushed all my buttons.
12. Optimism is a great trait.
13. Getting your finger stuck for a blood test is a lot of fun.
14. Smoking is forbidden, even in summer school.
15. A pierced ear is not worth having if it is going to upset your Mother.
16. The only way to find out if you like to play a sport is to play the sport.
17. Never say, “I can’t do that”. You don’t know until you try.
18. Being engaged at the age of 4 doesn’t work out the way you hoped.
19. You don’t need a bed to sleep in – an inflatable boat works just as well.
20. When you get taller, you can jump high enough to leave fingerprints on the ceiling.
21. God takes care of little children and fools.
22. One-fourth of a bottle of Triaminic will make a kid sleep a long time.
23. Silence is golden. Unfortunately, we never got to find out for ourselves.
24. Mailboxes and Toyotas don’t mix. Especially when you are 15.
25. Never be anywhere on time. It will drive everyone crazy!!
26. You can drive your teachers crazy by scoring high on your ACT test when they thought you were never listening.
27. Just when you think you have experienced everything as a mother, Robert will come up with something new.
28. A metal vacuum cleaner hose makes a great pretend shotgun.
29. BB guns should not be used to threaten sisters.
30. Don’t tease the little short kid. He is going to grow taller than all the rest of the family.
31. You can ride a bike from Powell to Oak Ridge without getting run over.
32. Root canals aren’t so bad. Just take a nap while the dentist works.
33. Some people don’t physically feel pain.
34. The Energizer Bunny can’t hold a candle to Robert’s energy.
35. When you are really down, a big smile and hug will make everything better.
36. Don’t ever underestimate someone’s ability to succeed.
37. Hard work is the key to success.
38. ]It is okay to change your mind, change your mind, change your mind, change your mind. Eventually you will make a decision.
39. Winning the big prize at an Easter Egg Hunt can be very stressful (for Mom).
40. And, finally, the most important.Waiting until you are 37 to get married assures you of getting the perfect wife.

40 Things I Have Learned From My Husband

My good friend Kylie posted a tribute on her blog to her husband, Mark, highlighting 39 things she has learned from him over the years. I found the list absolutely hilarious, but also realized that each item listed was something that only they share as a couple. I was so intrigued by this tribute that I decided to do one of my own for Robert. In celebration of his upcoming 40th birthday I will list 40 things I have learned from my husband. (drum roll please...)

1. A few squares of toilet paper will do the trick...you don't have to use the whole roll.
2. You do not have to give up honey buns, Little Debbie cakes or Lucky Charms just because you're no longer a child.
3. Texting and driving is unacceptable, unless you know how to do it well.
4. Everything will work itself out as long as you stay positive.
5. What it means to be from East Tennessee
6. Coors light is actually pronounced Cooze Light.
7. You must always walk with a purpose.
8. If you know how to watch TV correctly then you should never have to sit through a commercial.
9. Dale's seasoning is good on everything.
10. Going on a diet can always wait one more day, just eat what's in front of you.
11. You are a ping pong champion...but I just took over the throne! ha!
12. Sports Center trumps anything else on TV.
13. Lionel Richie is the MAN! That's why I'm stuck on you...
14. Punctuality is overrated
15. KISS really was the best rock band of all time.
16. You can do just about everything in bed.
17. If you're late for a flight just park in short-term parking then dispute it when you get back.
18. As long as you're able to check email from your phone then you're not technically working.
19. Jagermeister is no longer mother's milk.
20. If you feel young, you are young therefore you'll always be IDed.
    
21. If we lost everything, at least we'd have each other.
22. There's nothing better than clean sheets on a bed.
    
23. There's nothing wrong with excessive talking as long as you have something to say.
    
24. Fantasy Football is addictive.
25. Peyton Manning will be the best quarterback of all time.
26. The word "discharge" is absolutely repulsive.
27. To show your Tennessee pride you must use the word "ain't" and sentences such as "I think my leg is broke."
28. Dusting is key to a clean house.
29. Why bother with the fat, always order the filet.
30. True relaxation is a good head massage and hair pull...it even opens up your sinuses.
31. Slam on brakes to grab the attention of a tailgater.
32. No matter where you are "passing gas" is always hilarious.
33. ADD follows you from childhood to adulthood.
34. Totino's pizzas are deliciously cheap.
35. Saying "my wife" is so much more satisfying than using her name.
36. Taking a cab will cost way less than the alternative.
37. You can always make a decision using the rock, paper, scissors method.
    
38. A kiss before bed and a kiss goodbye are absolutely necessary.
39. Having no more than two kids prevents being outnumbered and taken over.
40. Marriages don't work unless you're good friends.

I thought it would be tough to list 40 items, but really, I could've continued on for several more. I laughed through this entire process and I reconfirmed for myself just how great of a husband I have. I love you, babe.