Date Night At Home

It is always nice to get out of the house when you have small children and reconnect as a couple by having a meaningful conversation over dinner, or enjoying a movie, or going on a double date and again actually having a conversation that lasts more then 2 minutes with your friends, but as well all know we cannot do that every weekend. At least not us. It gets pretty expensive and to have to pay a sitter it makes it that much more expensive so I have come up with an at home date night that my husband and I enjoy a lot. We are movie people and at the end of the day we just like to sit and veg in front of the t.v. and watch a show that does not take too much thinking effort! We Netflix a lot of series that we watch during the week but on the weekend we usually will watch a movie. Usually Saturday nights we purposefully cook ourselves dinner after the kids go to bed. Our kids go to bed at 7 and 7:45 usually so we can have dinner about 8 or 8:15p.m. We will make one of our dinners in which we like to enjoy and not scarf down on a regular night while both our kids are talking loudly, screaming, or the like. We will then get ourselves a yummy cocktail to go with our meal and we will sit on the couch in our pajamas and start our movie. We often pause the movie to either A) get another drink and or B) chat about our day or something about the movie. I love this night because it is a time to relax after a long week and reconnect with my husband and I can do it in my pjs! Sure we are eating late but we usually have an "appetizer" with our kids when they are eating dinner. Most of the time eating with our kids is super rushed and never relaxing and I rarely get to enjoy my food. There are days during the week we will eat late because we got home late or whatever the case may be and I enjoy those nights too but there is something about the weekend that makes it more pleasant. Maybe because my husband doesn't have to work the next day or we stay up later, even though we shouldn't because our kids still get up early but we do anyhow. So if you want to have a little "get away" with your spouse, and you can or do put your kids to bed by 8p.m. then cook a yummy meal-do all the prep work ahead of time to save you time and pick a simple yet good dish to make. You don't need candles and all of that unless you really want to, but just a good old movie and your pajamas snuggled up on the couch with your spouse should do the trick.

Where to?

My husband tells me we should know more information as to whether or not we are moving next month. Of course we will not know where for a few more months after that-ugh. We used to be in the military so I understand the constant unknown and waiting until the last minute to tell you anything! It is very frustrating. We currently live in Indiana and were supposed to be here 3 years and then move to  a major city. Well come June our 3 years is up and while we love it here we are also curious to see what else is out there...as long as it is where I want to go! HA! Our choices to not really appeal to me. Think any major city in the U.S. such as, L.A., New York, DC, Chicago, San Fran, Boston, Detroit, etc...While I would love to get back to the West Coast where my family is at our choice is California basically and neither of us are super thrilled by that mostly because we can't afford to live there! I really really want to get away from the cold winters and the East Coast is not where I want to go at all-no offense to anyone I just hate the bitter cold and all the snow! So where can we live and afford a decent house with good schools? So far TX is our option and actually I am really wanting to go there. We have some friends scattered around and some have been or do live there. It is in the middle for both of our families and a easy flight for both which is huge when you are the one traveling with 2 kids! Although it is hot hot hot I still think it would be ideal for us. Who knows right? It is not like we have a choice anyhow-they will tell us and well that will pretty much be it. I guess we could decline and weigh our options then but in this economy at least we are guaranteed a paycheck. So where to? When? Who knows but keeping our fingers crossed for Texas-Dallas. We might have to all become cowboys and gals-Owen already said he wants a cowboy hat and boots!

Just a place to share

Okay so I started this blog as a place to share my thoughts and or tribulations. I think it is a fun way to write and share and see who else has the same problems or has some fun stories for me as well. I don't know where this blog will take me but hopefully somewhere fun and maybe I'll learn a few things along the way right? I'm not an English major so I am sure I will have a lot of grammatical errors but as long as you  can get over that and just find comfort knowing you are not alone or also want to vent the great lets be friends!

Kids are like Raccoons

Have you ever been in a hurry? Duh like every day right? I swear my children both know when I am in a hurry and they turn into raccoons. For example, its morning and we need to get out the door to get to preschool, which we all know mamma needs or she might just lose her damn mind! Anyhow, Owen lets get dressed, No. Well we need to get dressed to go to school. No. Okay well then I guess I'll just leave you home (so far this threat still works-I get scared every-time I say it though wondering when he'll say "okay!")  Meanwhile I am starting to lose my cool-finally after I begin to walk toward the door he yells "Wait Mom Wait" and begins to get upset-ah the joys. Now this is not everyday but I tell you what is everyday-okay lets get your shoes on, "okay" we wander over to our shoes and what do you know-Look there is something Shiny! I cannot help myself I must go look at it and pick it up and discover what great powers it has. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Just put your flippin shoes on! Okay I say yah that's great now get your shoes on. "Okay" we get one shoe on...Owen says look at this mom, look at this-as He balances on one foot. Yes that is wonderful can you put your other shoe on now? "Okay" Great finally now  your jacket and hat. "Okay""No No baby No No" or Screaming because she has also discovered the shiny great object now laying on the floor but big brother screams and yells because it is HIS great discovery and it shall be his all his and no one else shall ever get it! Just let her see it I say, NOOOOOOO-fine just go get in the car as I hand the "object" back to him and pick up my daughter who started crying because life is just not fair. Owen now opens the door and jumps out to the garage, does some twirls and yoga moves, I keep pushing us out the door to the car-lets go come on we are going to be late. Get screaming baby loaded and buckled up, get 3 year old buckled in-okay whew-deep breaths, okay okay 8:40 we will make it and I might have some peace and quiet for 20 minutes. Okay here we go....

While back home in the doorway to the garage lay the mysterious shiny object!

Stopping the Bottle

Okay with my son I was so clueless in the beginning. We weren't getting sleep we weren't on a feeding schedule we thought we had it down, you know like most new parents to be you think "I got this" and then the #@$# hits the fan! (Can I swear on this site?) Anyhow my good friend gave me a book that saved my life; "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. I highly recommend this book if you are new parent that needs help with schedules, sleep and feeding habits. He has a lot of factual evidence showing sleep habits, what is needed, how often, how much, when to feed, how to sleep train etc...Anyhow I read so many books I can't remember but this one was the one that made things click for me. I also went with the wake, eat, play, sleep schedule. It worked out good for him and myself and when I had to break the bottle it was no big deal, I gave him milk in a sippy at the same times. Although I must admit this schedule did cause some havoc. Owen was such a crank until he got that bottle or milk once he turned one and he had to have it warm! I was so paranoid he was not getting enough nutrition I caved and always warmed his milk for him which was a huge pain if we were out or somewhere else and I often got looks from other mom's like what are you doing? You are weak! Don't let your child rule you! Well I ignored them and did that for another year and finally said no more warm milk! We finally broke the last sippy before bed and started snack instead. Okay well enough of that, just a little background.

So with Avery things went a little differently. We started out with the same schedule, sleep-eat-play-sleep etc...but then she got sick, again and again and again. Don't you just hate that it screws everything up! Anyhow she wouldn't eat, and the only way I could get her to was to have a bottle right before sleep times, thus creating the habit of a bottle before naps and bedtime. Bedtime okay but before naps, I was told not to do that-but why? I'm not sure but it seems some mom's know it all? I decided, "whatever it works" and when she wakes up I can go-which is usually the case because I have to pick my son up from preschool. Okay so now she is 1 and we are supposed to kick the bottle habit according to her pediatrician-dentists etc...easier said then done. She won't drink milk and I refuse to heat it up for her this time around. For the last 2 days I've been giving her warm water in her bottle for her morning nap, then formula for her afternoon nap and night time. So she really is down to 3 bottles (actually 2 with formula) a day. That's not bad right? But what do I replace the nap routine with? I have friends who I consider nazi's at bedtime, they never did a routine or soothed their kids to sleep at naps and bedtime was always super short routines. Never rocked or sang songs or any of that-bath, book, bed! I envy them sometimes but I guess I don't opperate that way-I always enjoy a good snuggle so well I passed that onto my kids I guess. But I tell you what their kids go to sleep! Not that mine don't but it does take them a snuggle or rocking to soothe now. Again another thing. So what do we do about all of the "bad habits?" Are they really that bad? I say you have to go with what works for you but don't over do it you know? Your kids to need to learn to self southe but that is not to say you can't help. Or give them a flippin bottle before nap-who cares, according to Dr. Weissbluth there is no evidence showing this causes a need or habit and hinders sleep. Although I do think my daughter fully expects that bottle and screams her head off if I don't give it to her. So who knows. Just go with it. Kids are work, they are exhausting and the second well, do what works! I guess I'll continue the warm water and see how that goes and gradually do that with the second nap as well. Bedtime is another gradual process I think. Next how to stop rocking your baby to sleep...

What about Dinner?

Are you like me? Do you dread what to make for dinner? Is a stress you feel looming over you all day long? Yah I know the feeling. I used to stress about it all of the time and would often find that I forgot to take anything out to defrost or didn't have ingredients for this or that and I made the same old boring stuff over and over again. How do you fit it all into your day? I am a stay at home mom so I cannot speak for working parents but you have to feed your family right and well if you are like me your husband will likely come home and be hungry, not that he expects you to have dinner and a cocktail waiting for him while you have a cute little dress on, heels and fresh make up...although I am sure he would love to come home to that every so often (there is a thought), but onto what I was saying-Dinner! UGH! Well I have recently started trying new easy recipes, as in 20 minutes or less of prep-time or slow cookers. I have also been trying to plan a weeks worth of dinners. It really is not that hard to do-you get a sticky note and write the days of the week down-then go online to realsimple.com or similar site and look up 5 or so new recipes. Then on the other 2 days either do a pizza night or left-overs. Go to the grocery store on Saturday or Sunday or whatever works for you and have your list ready to go. Wow this has helped me tremendously as far as my stress level goes and when I do not plan ahead I feel the stress start all over again. So as annoying or time consuming as it sounds in the long run you will thank me. Try it for at least 2 weeks and see what happens. Plus you will save money on groceries when you plan ahead. It has helped me so maybe it will help you. 

Here is an example Week for me:

Monday: Chicken w/garlic orange slices and green beens

Tuesday: Slow cooker Chili

Wednesday: Steak w/chick peas & tomatoes

Thursday: Pasta with Shrimp

Friday: Pizza

Sat: Left Overs

Sunday: Pork Chops with peaches/onions 

Now I have recipes for all of these and I try to at least get two new recipes in a week to add flare and variety. My husband loves my new adventure in cooking and loves what I am making so again, that makes me feel pretty good. 

Anyhow just a thought-I am not perfect by any means and sometimes cannot stick to the plan for this reason or that, you know kids throw things off schedule a lot! But its worth a try. 

To Start

Hi there,

I am not sure if anyone will ever read my site or find it humorous or helpful or whatever the case may be. I've had friends tell me I should start a blog because I have a funny approach to the way I write, more like I am having a conversation with you so what  the heck I might as well-it will at least help me get some venting out right?

So I am 33 and have two young children. Owen is 3.5 years old and Avery just turned 1. I have a sweet husband who works a lot but is a great dad. We both used to party a lot and travel and our life was bliss-we often romanticize about our "old" life and how we wish we could get away. I think I do this daily. But we decided to leap into the world of parenting and it has been a crazy ride ever since!

My son is non stop. He has always been a stubborn one and loud one. He has always let you know how he feels mostly by yelling at you. But he is also the sweetest little boy ever, he gives hugs and kisses and tells me he loves me. He is insanely physical-he can pick up any sport just like that and he can run and run and he just never gets tired! He goes all day until his head hits the pillow and then he's out-although he has night terrors-that's another story.

My daughter is easy in comparison. She is the sweet little girl with big cheeks and curls that make you want to squeeze her! She does have an opinion though and is hard to convince her to nap or drink milk. She wants all the remotes, and phones and for whatever reason has an obsession with socks? When I put her down for her nap if she is not happy she will scream and yell and bang on the wall-it really does make me laugh sometimes-she's a smart little one.

My husband and I have been married 6 years together 8. I stay home with the kids and have a side photography business. I would like to go back to work someday but we will see. We are typical middle class America-not rich, not poor but it feels like it. We struggle to stretch our money to the next paycheck just like most people I know. We rarely go out because sitters are so expensive on top of a meal and cocktails! We don't have family close by so we can't take advantage of them that way. ... I wish! We enjoy our 2 hours of alone time each night and usually watch tv and have a drink. Come on people lets keep it real.

Anyhow thats me/us in a nutshell. I'll now start "blogging" this is so weird to me but could be fun. Write me a line or two if you want I would love to hear who else is out there and what we have in common!

Keri