The Boy from Down the Street

Sounds like the title of a trashy romance novel or something...

As some of you know, my great many followers of three people, I have been writing letters to Punky since before she was born.  Most are just to check in, let her know I love her. But every once in a while we have a good teaching moment to reflect upon...(nicknames are used to protect the innocent, though nobody's identity is really protected!)

July 23, 2013

My Dear Punky,

I think you are experiencing your first crush and heartbreak. Last evening after dinner, we were hanging out with Gramma and Granpop for a little bit longer before they had to go home. The doorbell rang. Daddy went to see who it was. You thought it was The Boy From Down The Street coming to see you, but it wasn't. You were SO upset! We actually called The Boy From Down The Street's parents to see if he could come over for a little bit (don't think that will work when you are older, young lady!). And then when it was time for The Boy From Down The Street to go home and for you to go to bed, you got upset all over again. You like The Boy From Down The Street a lot right now. I am happy that you have made friends with him and that he enjoys your company too, he's always excited to see you. Daddy tried to console you and put you to bed, but you needed your Mommy. A girl needs a girl when her heart is hurting. As much as I hope it never happens, I know someday you will experience heartbreak again. And I hope I recognize that even if you are "just a kid" that the pain and sorrow is real for you. I hope I am able to comfort you then just as I did last night. But know this, my sweet daughter, you will get through it and be stronger for it. Heartbreak is an unfortunate part of life. Things end. Friendships. Relationships. Lives. Your family will always be here to help you through the tough times. Always.

Love you!

Mommy

Monday Morning Blahs

Here I sit in the wee hours of the morning, wake but not quite ready to face the day. I showered and then climbed back into bed, something I almost never do. I won't sleep, I'm not really even under the covers. I'm just not ready to go downstairs and wake my parents (henceforth known as the Rents). See, our babysitter requested the day off and the Rents agreed to watch Punky for the day so they crashed on our couch last night (sorry, no guest room at this time). I tend to rise early to avoid the hot water for the shower conflict. I. Hate. Cold. Showers. I get up, get in, get ready. By the time the Huz straggles in, the hot water heater has done its job- at least I assume, he's never complained about me hogging the heat. Typically I then go about my day. There's a hungry cat to feed and lunches to make and then the Punk herself gets up. 

This morning, the cat is oddly quiet. Could it be the Rents' dog is keeping the insistent, persistent mewing to a minimum? So back in bed for a few minutes it is. I'll have to wait the Rents soon enough. And trust me soon enough is early enough on their day off. Not to mention, the Punkster will keep them running all day! 

While I would like to still be sleeping- oh to sleep in! I realize this is just not my lot in life right now. I must tear myself away from my nice warm, comfy bed and begin my day. Begin what it likely to be an impossibly long week. 

I already know some of the craziness ahead- when you have reviews for two kids scheduled at the same time, on the same day, at the same location that gives you a clue... 

Oh, there's the kitty. Well, I got an extra 10 minutes of chill time I don't normally enjoy.

 

See you Friday for some fun, if I make it through!

Friday F*yawn*un

So yesterday morning when the Punk woke up early and I was able to rock with her for a while and get her to sleep a few minutes longer; I spent that time catching up on my aunt's blog. I was at least a week behind. 

This morning the rocking trick failed. I blame the persistently, insistently mewing cat. 

But whatever the reason, Punky was awake. Early. Too early.

Perfect time to try to sneak in a blog post while she is destroying my kitchen.

And it is Friday Fun Fill-In day!

Each week www.feelingbeachie.com posts four statements with blanks to be completed on your own blog. This week, co-host Susi from Boca Frau supplies the last two statements.

This week's statements:

1. Lately I have been _____ and it's driving me crazy.

2. I sometimes have a _____.

3. My favorite type of music is ____ because _____.

4. I'm always amazed by how much ____ my ____ can make.

My answers:

1. Lately I have been exhausted (but sleeping restlessly) and it's driving me crazy.

2. I sometimes have a strange urge to yodel. No, not really. I sometimes have a strange urge to shop. And I do not like shopping!

3. My favorite type of music is just about anything but country or rap because it isn't country or rap.

4. I'm always amazed by how much attention my cupcakes can make. (Too bad it isn't money!!) 

Making memories

Today the Huz and I took Punky to one of our local metro parks. It was hot and sunny and she didn't really like walking on the grassy trail- so we carried all 25 pounds of her on a short trail. I think we confused her though, so I can't blame her for pooping out on us after walking for a few minutes. We told her we were going to the park- which was true- but she heard "playground." After we finished the short loop, we found a playground to appease the Punk. Of course the slides were unbearably hot, but the swings were in the shade.

While she is too young to remember this experience, we did take a few pictures. And I hope we are beginning to lay the foundation for a love of the great outdoors. Both the Huz and I have a fondness for outside time and activities (not that we don't also love TV night...).  And with biologists in the family, I feel it only right to explore with her to see if she will be the next one stepping into hip waders to survey fish. 

I'd still like to take her camping, but I don't think the Huz is ready for that adventure yet and I certainly have no intention of playing single parent on a camping trip with a toddler. Not. Going. To. Happen. We'll need all our eyes and hands to keep her occupied and safe. Perhaps next summer...

Friday Fill In

Every Friday at www.feelingbeachie.com you can find 4 statements with blanks to post on your own blog. Send her your own statements and be a cohost like Susi at www.bocafrau.com who provided  two statements this week.

This week's statements:

1. I don't like ______

2. I have a difficult time using _____

3. I love _____ movies because _____

4. I prefer to read ____ because _____

My answers:

1. I don't like meat.

2. I have a difficult time using my work cell phone.

3. I love action movies because there's always excitement.

4. I prefer to read mysteries because I like them!

The Harbinger

"It is beautiful... the most beautiful thing you could possibly find or ever know or ever have in your days on earth."

What is so beautiful? Well, you'll have to read "The Harbinger" to find out. 

An interesting read, hard to describe... A mystery of sorts. A foreshadowing of sorts.  Definitely thought provoking. 

My how things change

This week I will be preparing for another long weekend road trip with Punky. I think (THINK) the Huz will be coming too... Punky and I will most likely be leaving Thursday evening and the Huz will join us Friday evening. Regardless of the details, I will once again be traveling via car, just the Punkster and myself. At least the journey is half the distance of our previous solo road trips.

As I think about what I need to pack and when in the world I am going to have time to pack the things that need to go along, I also take a look around my surroundings. 

Ack!!!

I inherited the clean-before-you-leave-so-you-come-home-to-a-nice-space gene. And the above do not show a clean or clutter-free environment!

As the Huz, champ that he is, worked on the final phase of Project Deck (staining- which I fully intended to help with, but the Punk would not allow) the house became a state of disarray. Oh, who am I kidding. It happened long before the deck, the deck just amplified it when we moved the grill into the kitchen!

I have decided that having children is one big, ongoing lesson in letting go. In this case, I need to let go of the idea that my house will ever be clean again (ha ha) or at least won't be clean when I return from this weekend away. And the things I am doing instead of cleaning are much more important. Besides, I can always dream about house elves stopping by to work their magic...

Preview Day

I think the Huz and I got a small taste of what is in store of us. A glimpse of what is to come. A sneak preview of the terrible twos. 

Punky definitely has an independent streak. One in which SHE wants to choose which shoes she wears. And then take them off in the car. One in which she wants to take the pasta out of the lazy Susan even though she's been told three times to leave it alone. My little ODD (that's oppositional defiant disorder for you lay persons) wannabe looked me right in the eyes and said, "No!" when I told her to sit down in the couch. The same little girl who said yes she did need her diaper changed and the  proceeded to run away. 

Not to mention the "I'll do it myself" attitude when it comes to going up and down stairs, or putting on sunscreen.

And Miss I'm-getting-too-big-for-my-britches decided she's old enough to climb the ladder on the playset without a grown up standing by....

Miss I'll-talk-about-the-potty-all-day-but-I-won't-actually-GO-on-it. And I will ask for a "treat" after dinner, even if I didn't eat my dinner.

We just hit 19 months- and I hear sometimes three is worse than two. It's going to be a long couple years...

Looking all cute and innocent!

Working Mom

I'm having one of those days. Well, I guess since it isn't even 7:00 am, I should say one of those weeks. But it is only Tuesday, perhaps one of those months is more accurate. What do I mean, you ask. I will tell you.

I started a new job in February. And it is a good job. Provides a steady, predictable income for my family. And, when the Huz decided to change jobs himself last month, my job provided (for the first time in my career!) the health benefits for my family. The people I work with are nice and we get along. However, the job is stressful to me. Definitely a faster pace than I am used to, more procedures, protocols, paperwork, and deadlines. A social work job versus what I was used to in a counselor role.

And I find myself overwhelmed. I can't leave work at work as easily as I used to. My next deadline is never far from my thoughts. And then I feel what I guess is best described as a mix of guilt and envy. Guilt that I am working 40+ hours per week (usually the +). Guilt that when I get home there's typically only time for dinner, bath, bed. Guilty that I don't really have energy for more than that even if there was time. Guilt that my girl isn't feeling good and she has to not feel good for another couple of days until I can try to squeeze a doctor appointment into my schedule. And the  the envy. Envy of those mothers who do get to stay home more (I'm not even wanting to be a full-time stay at home mom, just a part time stay at home mom. Which I never thought I would want). Envy of the families who either make more or have somehow been smarter with their money than we have so they can stay home more. Or maybe I was just spoiled that first year, having a mid-week day off. Or maybe it was more okay because she was home with daddy a couple of days and now she spends 5 days a week with the sitter. 

I want to go to the zoo and the pool and story time without the weekend crowds. I want to curl up with my Punky on the couch and snuggle when she doesn't feel good. And get her into the doctor the first chance possible, not when more feasible with my schedule. I want to do all those crafts I pinned in Pinterest! And I know this is not in the cards right now.

The plight of the working mother.

Friday Fun on a Saturday?

I believe I missed last week, but I am on it this week! Hilary at Feeling Beachie list four statements each with that contain a blank for you to fill in on your own blog. Hilary LOVES to have people co-host the blog hop (just email her), and this week my Auntie at It's Just Life co-hosted by providing the last statement.

This week's statements:
1. Sometimes I wonder if I should ____ but I know I won't...
2. ____ is my favorite flavor of ____
3. The thing I remember most vividly about ____ is ____
4. When I am honest about it, I really _____

My answers:
1. Sometimes I wonder if I should get up earlier so I can exercise but I know I won't...

2. Bland is my favorite flavor of food.




3. The thing I remember most vividly about yesterday is the craziness.




4. When I am honest about it, I really do need to figure out what's going on with my body.