Those of you who have ever been a senior in or at something (high school, college, girl scouts, etc) most likely know about a certain mindset coined "senioritis." It's that mindset that says, "I'm outta here in xx days, so I'm not going to do x-y-z." or, "So and so is taking this project over once I'm gone, so I'm not going to spend as much time on it."
I have senioritis.
In 2 days, I will be unemployed. By choice. Strange to WANT to be unemployed in this economy. BUT, I will be taking on the most rewarding and challenging job of my life, not receiving a dime to do it, and couldn't be more thrilled. Being a stay at home mommy (or SAHM as you will see me abbreviate it from here on out) will definitely NOT be easy. As my auntie has instructed me, I must have my home clean and a hot meal on the table for my fabulous (though lovably frustrating) husband every night. I must learn how to create and realistic budget and then STICK to it. I must create routine for my kiddos, a preschool curriculum for my 4 year old (Kindergarten next year!!!), and find a perfect balance between baby time and big kid time.
I'm very excited but I'm also nervous to say the least. What happens if someone gets sick and we need medicine we can't afford? These are things I haven't had to worry about since I was broke college student, and even then it was only ME I had to worry about. What if the washer breaks and we need to buy a new one?
See, we've sat down with the budget and things for us will be super tight until June or so, when some things begin to get paid off. So, if anything disastrous happens between now and then, we could be screwed.
Even though these things float through my mind more often than I care to admit, I still couldn't be more ecstatic about being able to stay home and see all of Abbie's firsts, take Bryce to Kindergarten on his first day of school, and be home when he gets here so he can tell me ALL about it.
I would live in a cardboard box and eat top ramen daily in order to witness these moments first hand.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Major Developments
Alas, it has been quite awhile since I've posted on here. So much going on, yet very little time to update my legions of fans....hehehe...legions...right...
Anyway, here are the big developments:
* After being in my position at work for 2+ years, I was brought into my manager's office and told that I would be moving back to my old position...which I couldn't stand...and was then told it wasn't a demotion...which is crap. It was at that point that, though I had been struggling to find ways since having Abbie, I was now more determined than ever to find a way to...
*...stay home with my babies. Which, I'm proud to say, Brett and I worked out some kinks, and as of February 1, I will be entering my toughest job yet: Stay at home mommy. Or Home Executive...however you want to "french it up," I've got regular cleaning, cooking, and child-rearing activities on my plate from here until Abbie is at least in Kindergarten. I am SO excited to be able to do this. I've wanted to do this since I was a little girl!!!
And that's pretty much the biggest developments to date. All is well with the kids...Abbie is now 5 months old, rolling from back to front/front to back, and trying very hard to sit up on her own. She is a very content and happy baby, though if she wants something, she wants it now, and she'll tell you so!
Bryce is still a fantastic helper and now makes Abbie laugh all the time. He can count to 100 all by himself and is learning (on his own) basic addition. He can't wait to go to Kindergarten and ride the school bus. He LOVES playing the Wii and can kick his dad's rear end in numerous games, most recently Mario-Kart. It's very funny to watch Brett actually TRY and lose to his 4 year old. Talk about swallowing your pride! LOL
So, now on to our next chapter...
Anyway, here are the big developments:
* After being in my position at work for 2+ years, I was brought into my manager's office and told that I would be moving back to my old position...which I couldn't stand...and was then told it wasn't a demotion...which is crap. It was at that point that, though I had been struggling to find ways since having Abbie, I was now more determined than ever to find a way to...
*...stay home with my babies. Which, I'm proud to say, Brett and I worked out some kinks, and as of February 1, I will be entering my toughest job yet: Stay at home mommy. Or Home Executive...however you want to "french it up," I've got regular cleaning, cooking, and child-rearing activities on my plate from here until Abbie is at least in Kindergarten. I am SO excited to be able to do this. I've wanted to do this since I was a little girl!!!
And that's pretty much the biggest developments to date. All is well with the kids...Abbie is now 5 months old, rolling from back to front/front to back, and trying very hard to sit up on her own. She is a very content and happy baby, though if she wants something, she wants it now, and she'll tell you so!
Bryce is still a fantastic helper and now makes Abbie laugh all the time. He can count to 100 all by himself and is learning (on his own) basic addition. He can't wait to go to Kindergarten and ride the school bus. He LOVES playing the Wii and can kick his dad's rear end in numerous games, most recently Mario-Kart. It's very funny to watch Brett actually TRY and lose to his 4 year old. Talk about swallowing your pride! LOL
So, now on to our next chapter...
Friday, November 20, 2009
TGIF
I'm sure in the coming weeks I won't have much time to blog while I'm at work, so I'm taking advantage of the light workload now...
It's FRIDAY of my first work week back from leave! Overall it was a good week...my body is very SLOWLY adjusting to this new wake up/sleep schedule...though last night I got stuck watching the Green Mile on TV and I didn't end up closing my eyes until almost midnight. Still, I feel more rested today than I have all week, which indicates to me that my body clock is beginning to reset.
My brother got a job! He is logging out in the woods with an old friend from high school. So needless to say, he has been spending much more time away from our house. I think once he got a taste of babysitting both of the kiddos at once, he was quick to find ANYTHING to get out of here. Too funny! :)
The kids adjusted well to our babysitter. She is a wonderful stay at home mom who takes fantastic care of them. Bryce usually talks all the way home about everything he did at Summer's house. Abbie is all smiles or sound asleep when we get there. We've definitely found a keeper!!!
My housework seems to be falling apart, though...I expected it to happen. I just keep reminding myself that once my body clock resets and I'm more rested, I'll have more energy in the evenings to keep on top of everything.
At least my sink is shiny and my toilets are clean! Thanks to the FlyLady!!! (http://www.flylady.com)
It's FRIDAY of my first work week back from leave! Overall it was a good week...my body is very SLOWLY adjusting to this new wake up/sleep schedule...though last night I got stuck watching the Green Mile on TV and I didn't end up closing my eyes until almost midnight. Still, I feel more rested today than I have all week, which indicates to me that my body clock is beginning to reset.
My brother got a job! He is logging out in the woods with an old friend from high school. So needless to say, he has been spending much more time away from our house. I think once he got a taste of babysitting both of the kiddos at once, he was quick to find ANYTHING to get out of here. Too funny! :)
The kids adjusted well to our babysitter. She is a wonderful stay at home mom who takes fantastic care of them. Bryce usually talks all the way home about everything he did at Summer's house. Abbie is all smiles or sound asleep when we get there. We've definitely found a keeper!!!
My housework seems to be falling apart, though...I expected it to happen. I just keep reminding myself that once my body clock resets and I'm more rested, I'll have more energy in the evenings to keep on top of everything.
At least my sink is shiny and my toilets are clean! Thanks to the FlyLady!!! (http://www.flylady.com)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Back to the Old Grind
Well kids, I'm back at work. My maternity leave is up, we ran out of money, so it was time to start collecting a paycheck again. I fought long and hard, but alas, being a stay at home mom at this juncture is just not in the proverbial cards. Boo.
It took 2 days to regain full functionality of my work laptop. It was a rather boring 2 days. Today I was able to get my work done, but since I'm not up to a full inventory yet (which I am NOT complaining about, mind you) I've been done since about 10:30AM. My hours are until 4:30PM. Needless to say, I am aware of every news story going on in the WORLD. Nicole Richie is hospitalized for pneumonia, Michael Jackson's sisters believe he was in denial about his addiction even though they all tried to intervene, and Barack Obama is apparently the worst president ever for bowing to a Japanese leader. Shame shame Mr. President.
Getting my body used to this new schedule is an entirely different beast. My kids generally didn't wake up before 8 AM, so I could go to bed at midnight and, besides the possibility of a brief interruption in sleep to tend to Abbie, I could get close to 8 hours of sleep. I am a night owl by nature, not a morning person at all...so making myself go to sleep by 10PM and get up at 6:30AM has been killing me. Mostly because I can lay down at 10, but it'll still be midnight before I finally pass out. 6:30 comes around much too quickly when 12:00 is the last thing you see on your alarm clock.
Here's to many more sleepless nights!
It took 2 days to regain full functionality of my work laptop. It was a rather boring 2 days. Today I was able to get my work done, but since I'm not up to a full inventory yet (which I am NOT complaining about, mind you) I've been done since about 10:30AM. My hours are until 4:30PM. Needless to say, I am aware of every news story going on in the WORLD. Nicole Richie is hospitalized for pneumonia, Michael Jackson's sisters believe he was in denial about his addiction even though they all tried to intervene, and Barack Obama is apparently the worst president ever for bowing to a Japanese leader. Shame shame Mr. President.
Getting my body used to this new schedule is an entirely different beast. My kids generally didn't wake up before 8 AM, so I could go to bed at midnight and, besides the possibility of a brief interruption in sleep to tend to Abbie, I could get close to 8 hours of sleep. I am a night owl by nature, not a morning person at all...so making myself go to sleep by 10PM and get up at 6:30AM has been killing me. Mostly because I can lay down at 10, but it'll still be midnight before I finally pass out. 6:30 comes around much too quickly when 12:00 is the last thing you see on your alarm clock.
Here's to many more sleepless nights!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
When It Rains in Washington...
...it pours at my house.
My brother is filing for divorce from his wife. Because I am a good and loving sister, he has moved in with us. Temporarily. But, in the meantime, we have a new roommate...which has caused Bryce to become almost unbearable the last few days. He is SO excited that Uncle Frog is here that he is constantly chattering, constantly asking him to play, to watch him, to do something with him, not listening, and just generally driving me slowly to insanity.
Abbie also senses something's different, so she's gone back to fussiness in the evenings...though I must say, for the most part, she is giving me more rest at night...she's dropped 1-2 feedings most nights, so that lends me at least one 5-6 hour stretch of sleep each night. Hallelujah!
Brett's late nights are creeping up on us again...which means we'll have to have another chat soon....before I get too hostile and go on strike for the umteenth time. :)
I almost can't wait to go back to work. Huh. Never thought I'd say that.
My brother is filing for divorce from his wife. Because I am a good and loving sister, he has moved in with us. Temporarily. But, in the meantime, we have a new roommate...which has caused Bryce to become almost unbearable the last few days. He is SO excited that Uncle Frog is here that he is constantly chattering, constantly asking him to play, to watch him, to do something with him, not listening, and just generally driving me slowly to insanity.
Abbie also senses something's different, so she's gone back to fussiness in the evenings...though I must say, for the most part, she is giving me more rest at night...she's dropped 1-2 feedings most nights, so that lends me at least one 5-6 hour stretch of sleep each night. Hallelujah!
Brett's late nights are creeping up on us again...which means we'll have to have another chat soon....before I get too hostile and go on strike for the umteenth time. :)
I almost can't wait to go back to work. Huh. Never thought I'd say that.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Te Amo
Bryce has been asking me how to say words in Spanish and sign language. So far, the words he's curious about are words I know. I love you, yes and no, mommy/daddy, baby, etc. When I ask him a question, he usually signs yes or no now. So cute! He has also started making up his own signs as he sees fit. He's actually not very far off the mark most of the time. Last night before I left for praise band practice he ran to the door and signed "I love you" and said "te amo". He's so darned smart, sometimes it's scary! :)
Abbie is now 2 months old. She just started powering down 5-6 oz bottles and is going longer stretches at night...I sense a full night's sleep may be on the horizon for both of us. Woohoo!
Abbie is now 2 months old. She just started powering down 5-6 oz bottles and is going longer stretches at night...I sense a full night's sleep may be on the horizon for both of us. Woohoo!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Nice Weekend
I'm slowly but surely getting the hang of this "two kids" thing. Abbie is beginning to settle into a routine (she eats at about the same time every day give or take 1/2 hour, which makes it easier for my schedule), and Bryce as usual is uber patient with me. He has begun voicing his needs very strongly (and sometimes rudely) though, so that's my cue that I need to pay more attention to him. There were a few times this weekend that I told Abbie she needed to "wait" because I was spending time with her brother...I made a point to make a big deal about it, so Bryce knew that Abbie was taking a back seat to him for a change. It was cute to watch his chest puff out. :) But, he's a great big brother, and is always wanting to hold her or help me when I'm doing something with her.
I found a great preschool activity book in my travels this weekend, so I bought Bryce a pencil box, new crayons and extra large pencils (the ones I remember using in first grade) and told him today that we're going to start "home preschool" tomorrow. He is TOTALLY excited and wanted to start today. But, I really want him to treat it like a mini-school session, so I'm making him wait until tomorrow and we'll do a little bit every day through the week. There are neat "field trip" activity ideas and a good book list too, so we'll probably hit up the library at some point this week too to pick up some of the books on the list. I'm secretly hoping that this will be a way for Bryce and I to spend some good quality time with each other every day, doing something that is both fun and will help him be ready for Kindergarten next year. I just need to remember not to force the issue when he's not into it and get creative on those days. Also, since he and Abbie will be going to a lady's home who does not have a preschool curriculum (she's a very sweet stay at home mama who is not breaking our bank by caring for our kids!), I'm hoping to take the remainder of the workbook to her house for Bryce to finish up with her during the day when I have to go back to work.
Bryce started his swimming lessons last week too. He really enjoys it, though he has a hard time with putting his face in the water. It will all come in time!
I found a great preschool activity book in my travels this weekend, so I bought Bryce a pencil box, new crayons and extra large pencils (the ones I remember using in first grade) and told him today that we're going to start "home preschool" tomorrow. He is TOTALLY excited and wanted to start today. But, I really want him to treat it like a mini-school session, so I'm making him wait until tomorrow and we'll do a little bit every day through the week. There are neat "field trip" activity ideas and a good book list too, so we'll probably hit up the library at some point this week too to pick up some of the books on the list. I'm secretly hoping that this will be a way for Bryce and I to spend some good quality time with each other every day, doing something that is both fun and will help him be ready for Kindergarten next year. I just need to remember not to force the issue when he's not into it and get creative on those days. Also, since he and Abbie will be going to a lady's home who does not have a preschool curriculum (she's a very sweet stay at home mama who is not breaking our bank by caring for our kids!), I'm hoping to take the remainder of the workbook to her house for Bryce to finish up with her during the day when I have to go back to work.
Bryce started his swimming lessons last week too. He really enjoys it, though he has a hard time with putting his face in the water. It will all come in time!
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