Monday, October 28, 2013

Monday...

"When the witches go riding, and the black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, tis near Halloween."

~Author unknown

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Work Life Balance

I came across the link to this article through another blog (although I don't remember which one) a few weeks back and it really stayed with me.  It's definitely something I have struggled with over the last few years.  I was a really ambitious student and young professional.  A real "change the world" kind of young woman.  All that changed when we decided to start a family.  I actually left a really successful well paying job mainly because of my issues with infertility. 

Since then work has never been a top notch, high stress priority for me.  It was hard for me in the beginning not to be an equal contributor to our household income.  It was also hard for me to see my job as a mother and in the home as important rather than necessary.  But I think over time I am coming to realize that I really am Ok with it.  I am really happy to still be active in my profession and love that I have the opportunity to help people achieve a happy and healthier life.  I am also really happy that this occurs on a part time basis, that I can bring Riesling to work with me, and I have control over my schedule and how much my professional life carries over into my family and home life.

I am not at all saying I am necessarily against anyone who choosing otherwise.  I just know that this is what works for me and my family right now.  I know that my professional life and career aspirations will always be there and precious moments of my little babies will not.  I also know that I don't need fancy cars, luxury vacations, or expensive clothes.  "I'm not ambitious, and that's Ok."


 Riesling working with Mommy, May 2013

Letter from Riesling

Hello Friends & Family,

I have really been into music lately.  Some of my favorite songs right now are 'The Wheels on the Bus', 'How much is that doggie in the window', and 'Baa Baa Black Sheep'.  My daddy recently got a new piano and even learned to play some of them for me. He really is the best daddy.  I also received a new CD, Elizabeth Mitchell, Little Seed.  It came in the mail from one of Mommy's friends and has some really great songs that I like to dance along with.  I think my all time favorite album is still Aretha Franklin, Live at the Fillmore West.  Man can that lady sing!

Love always, 
Riesling

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Meatballs

Saturday night we had plans to take dinner over to a friend's to celebrate their new home.  She has a four kids ranging from 16-25, all with significant others that are known to be present at even given time.  I wanted to make sure there was enough food to feed a crowd in case there was one in fact present.  I spent Saturday morning prepping as Riesling would allow and all of nap time making a huge crockpot of turkey meatballs and a pan of roasted vegetable pasta. 

The crockpot was on 'low' for about 3 hours and I had recently switched the setting to 'warm'.  Jim had just gotten home from work and we were getting cleaned up and organized to head out.  Out of nowhere the glass lid of the crockpot shattered!  Into my meatballs!  I was honestly dumbfounded for about 5 minutes, just starring at the disaster trying to decide a) what the hell happen and b) what do I do about dinner.  After the shock wore after it was decided that no one wants glass shards in their dinner and the entire batch was contaminated.  Luckily, I had set aside a much smaller batch to freeze and only one of her kids were home for dinner so I still managed to feed everyone with 2 meatballs to spare.  But, seriously Crock Pot how did this happen?!


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Baby Butterflies

I wouldn't really consider myself an anxious person.  Not that I never have a case of the jitters over an interview or some kind of big event, but nothing long lasting.  I tend to take the attitude that worrying obsessively over a particularly situation or scenario doesn't do you much good. You are better off trying to actually do something positive with your energy, hopefully helping the situation, instead.  That being said, I think I am suffering from some moderate anxiety related to the arrival of Baby #2 that I just can't seem to shake. 

One would think that I would have less anxiety seeing that I already have a kid and have done all this before.  I don't even really don't recall feeling this way when I was pregnant before.  Maybe because, even though it was all unknown territory, back then I felt like I could handle one little baby.  Now it's no longer one-on-on.  These little munkins are ganging up on me!  I find myself thinking at varies points throughout the day, "what would I do if the baby was here right now?"  Worst of all, I don't feel like there's much I go actually "do" to be productive in preparing for this change.  I am cleaning out, finishing up weird projects, working on some potty time with Riesling, and stock piling crockpot recipes.  I really know deep down that everything will be fine.  It might be hectic for awhile but we will adjust and settle into a new routine, just like we did after Riesling arrived.  I just hate harboring this feeling.  I have some other current stressors,  like a major babysitting crisis, that I'm hoping get resolved soon, lightening my mental load and my cortisol levels.  In the mean time I guess I just have to hit the yoga mat a little more often.

I wonder if it's a common thing among other mothers to be more anxious for a second or third child? 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Letters from Riesling

Hello Friends & Family,

As you all know, I am going to be a big sister pretty darn soon.  I thought I should start getting some things ready.  First things first.  I really wanted out of that baby crib so I decided showed Mommy & Daddy that I didn't need it anymore by getting out all by myself.  I have to admit that getting over the top bar was easier that getting down the side to the floor.  I did have to call for help, but my plan worked.  Now I have a big girl bed on the floor and the crib is free for the new baby. 

I have also been practicing my buckling skills, sometimes like 100 times a day.  I put Puppy into the baby swing, the high chair, or stroller and practicing strapping him in correctly and buckling him up.  I am pretty good at it and think I new baby will like it when I strapped him or her in all day long.  Puppy, Monkey, & Minnie also let me practice dressing them, putting on socks & shoes, and wrapping them in blankets.  I also wipe their noses when I have a cold and share my dinner with them. Mommy says sharing and helping out are part of becoming a big sister.  Doesn't that sound fun!?

Love always, 
Riesling