What Happens When I Spend Two Days Away From My Child

I'm not sure if it was me going away this past weekend, or what, but I am clinging to my child like a magnet on a refrigerator.  Everyone said it would be him behaving like that after a weekend away, but it's not him, it's me!  I just want to hold him and smother him with hugs and kisses. I keep finding myself staring and smiling at my son.  My beautiful, kind, articulate, amazing little son. "Little" being the operative word.  I see him now in all of his 2-year-old three-foot glory, and know it will not last long. For some reason, now more than ever, I want to hold tight to each moment and memorize every little finger, toe and eyelash.

While going through some old photos the other day, I began to panic when I realized that I was already forgetting moments from Ollie's baby days. I couldn't remember when photos were taken, and sometimes even how old Ollie was in the photos. It scared me. I don't want to forget my baby. I don't want to forget his giggle, fat rolls or even those crazy sounds he made those first few months. I don't want to forget his first words, steps or even tears. I don't want to forget anything.

Some of the very best moments I will not have photos to help my memory. Like today, I was laying on the couch when Ollie came over and out of nowhere leaned in for a hug and kiss.  It was such a beautiful moment. And then as fast as he came, he ran away.  I watched his sweet little feet bounce away and his cute little butt follow. It's moments like that I want to cry I am so overwhelmed with emotion.  It's moments like that I am reminded of the true beauty of motherhood, and just how incredibly blessed I am to have a child.

If Ollie really is going to be my one and only child, I want to remember everything.  I want to slow down time and enjoy every moment of his life, even the ones that make me want to hide in the closet with wine and chocolate. Sometimes, I feel like I am in a race to raise him. I look forward to milestones and forget to fully appreciate the ones he has already met. I hate to admit it, but somedays I am so jealous of the moms who's kids are in school all day.  I have to stop.  I have to appreciate the blessing that is being able to be a work-from-home mother. 

Sorry for the incredibly sappy post, but I am so overwhelmed with love for my sweet little boy. The little boy who one day will grow up, fly out of the nest and leave me crying over a photo album full of memories. Memories of moments that I am living right now. Moments I am going to do my best to slowdown and take the time to fully absorb and remember.

This Is One Of The Worst Things About Being A Parent

Parenting is hard. Very Hard. And sometimes, it's the worst part about being a parent. It sucks constantly saying, NO! or Don't Touch that! or That's Not For You! or the thousands of other things I have to say and do that are not particularly fun. However, in order to raise a future upstanding member of society, sometimes, a million NOs! are necessary.

Sure, anyone can be a parent, but what sets you apart is how you parent ...

Parenting is a constant job you do for the rest of your life (hopefully). It takes a ridiculous amount of selflessness, patience and unconditional love. It also takes a great deal of forgiveness of both your child and yourself to even come close to surviving with your sanity.

Good parenting means making sacrifices and understanding that your child comes first more times than not. Good parenting is equal parts unconditional love, tough love, guidance, structure and understanding.  Sometimes, that balance is hard to achieve

While talking with a childless friend, she was telling me how much she loves being an Aunt. She gets to pick her niece and nephew up, spoil them rotten, shower them with love and affection, and then return them to her sister at the end of the day. Because of this, her idea of parenting is WAY off!

Fortunately for her, all she sees are these two happy, mostly well-behaved easy going children. She doesn't have to see the truly ugly side of having children. The crankiness. The illnesses that keep you up all night. The constant battle of good nutrition. The never-ending 'NOs!' and redirection. She doesn't have to be the meany.  That's what the parents are for.

Of course, I love being a mom.  I love the rewards that come along with it.  I love the kisses and smiles and sweet hugs. I love the good times and relish in them.  That being said,  I hate the bad times, when it's my job to be the mean one, or the days when it seams my son's naughty switch is stuck in the 'ON' position. I hate when I know if I do not lay down the rules and uphold them through consequences, then my son will grow up to be a shit.

I try my best to not get too caught up in the bad behavior and days I feel like I am saying NO! all day.  I try my best to remind myself that great parenting, no matter how hard it is at times, leads to great children.

Oh yes, parenting can certainly suck and seem like the hardest job in the world at times, but like with everything else, hard work eventually pays off. Which, will hopefully lead to a wonderful child that, thanks to my great parenting, is not a complete terror with zero boundaries. At least, that's the plan.

So for those of you out there that feel like some days you are constantly reprimanding and wanting to rip your hair out, remember, those days are the ones that will lead to proud moments later in life when your child is a well-mannered, articulate and a kind member of society.


At least, that's what I keep telling myself...

Are You A Potty-Training Patsy?

Potty training... ugh!  Ever since that first, "Mommy! Potty!" I have had my eye on the prize-- a diaper free existence. Too bad no matter how hard I keep my eye on the prize, it all hinges on the whim of a two-year-old.  A two-year-old with a raging case of the boy who cried, POO POOS, MOMMY! And yes, that means what you are thinking, just like the boy who cried WOLF! for all the wrong reasons, my toddler cries POO POOS! for all the wrong reasons...

                                                

I dream of the day I only use diapers as redneck coasters.

When my kid yells anything that has to do with going to the potty, I jump up, grab him and run to the nearest potty. Doesn't every parent desperate to get out of diapers?? Too bad, my son has figured out that he can control me, and his ability to choose whether or not he wants to do something simply by saying those three magic words, Poo poos, mommy...

Yes, he calls everything that comes out, poo poos. I learned this the hard way when he said the three magic words that got us up and running to the potty, because unfortunately once he was de-diapered and ready for the potty, he jumped in the bathtub and immediately peed, all while laughing and saying, Look! Poo poos, mommy!  Of course, I try to correct him, but in his stubborn toddler ways, he still calls it what he wants.

Sorry, I digress...

Back to the magic words.

It's now been two months since that first successful trip to the potty, and while I wish I could say there have been many more successful trips, there have not. What has been successful, is Ollie learning that if he says he needs to go potty, regardless of wether or not he really has too, we will let him stop doing what ever he doesn't want to do immediately.  What's worse, we have no choice in the matter.  If the kid says, potty, there is no room for discussion. There is no, "Are you sure you need to go potty?" I know, I have asked and got a, Yep. Potty!  And no big surprise, I get nothing but a happy boy streaking through the house.

I recently spoke with a few been-there-done-that parents about this, and all agreed, if I want to potty train the kid I need to make it my number one focus. As in, spend two weeks making it my job by constantly staying on top of it. Which includes, letting Ollie run around the house free balling and peeing everywhere until he understands the sensation, and then where to go once he feels it coming on.

You all, SUCK! SUCK! SUCK! SUCK!  (Please feel free to replace all preceding "Ss" with "Fs" to make it read truer.

I have no desire to let this kid poop and pee all over the house... any more than he already does!  I also have no desire to spend the next year or so jumping every time my kid yells, POO POOS, Mommy. Especially when it is just to get out of going to sleep or any other activity he has no desire doing. I spoke with his Parent's Day Out teacher and she said this crying potty-wolf was completly normal... All kids do it. Somehow, I do feel so much better knowing I'm not the only parent chasing a streaker.

So, clearly I am stuck between a free balling potty free for all, and a year of running to the potty for no reason. Not really sure what to do...  What are you doing?

4 Tips For ECO-Friendly Child's Room

Image via Flickr by jhiner

Children bring some of the greatest joys to our lives. Keeping them protected is a must — an urge hardwired into our biology. Their room is like a sacred place, their first sanctuary; it's important that it is utterly safe and free of hazards. With so many small and large threats seeming to hover in and around our modern lives, simple steps can seem overwhelming if you're just not sure what to do. The following four tips can give some solid guidance for creating a healthy space for your child. 

Design and Decorate with Non-toxic Materials

Research has suggested that children are more vulnerable to environmental and air pollutants than adults are. That makes sense. They're smaller than we are and their immune systems and bodies are still developing. This means that the chemical products we often use, like paint or wood varnish, are harmful to children because of their toxic content. Buy furniture made of solid, untreated, sustainable wood, and use natural fibre bedding when possible.

Choose materials that are free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), PVC (vinyl), SVOCs (semi-volatile organic compounds), flame retardants, BPA and phthalates, and all other substances that can leak dangerous contaminants into the air or on the skin.

Don’t Install Carpets

Carpets can make a room feel cozier and somehow softer. But they are a breeding ground for dust mites. Consider area rugs because you can wash them. If you need to have a carpet, vacuum it thoroughly and often, and choose carpets made without flame retardants, PVC, or chemical treatments.

Establish a Thorough Cleaning Routine

Get into a habit very early on of performing a cleaning ritual. Don’t allow clutter to gather in the room. Put toys and books neatly away. Keep all surfaces free of dust; if you have a pet allowed in the room, clean regularly to get rid of pet dander. Fold any bedding, blankets, and clothes that aren't being used. If there are concerns about dust mites, especially if you have carpets that are hard to clean, then wash laundry loads in hot water.

Establishing a safe cleaning routine will help keep potential allergens at bay, and help support air quality in the room. Use child-safe, natural cleaning solutions; mainstream household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that circulate in the air.

Ventilate Your Home

Ventilation is extremely important. Poor ventilation can trap air pollutants, restrict the flow of fresh air, and encourage moldy conditions. Establish a total home ventilation strategy using mechanical ventilation with your HVAC system, or by opening doors and windows regularly to encourage fresh air to flow through your child’s room and the rest of your home.

Practice these tips beyond your child's room, and they should help you keep pollutants out of your home space and out of the air passages of your little one. But also remember that exposure to some natural germs is actually part of a child’s normal growth and immune system development, so don’t go completely overboard. Your child will be OK. In all cases, use your intuition to help you make the best choices. 

This Is One Of The Worst Things You Can Do To A New Father

One of the hardest lessons for me to learn about parenting so far is the importance of standing back and letting FTD be a 'dad', even if I found his ways silly, unconventional, and down right obnoxious.

Starting the minute we brought our son home from the hospital, I stood over FTD's shoulder directing and correcting him whenever he tried to care for our son.  I couldn't help it!  I felt this overwhelming need to micromanage his every step.  I was positive my ways were the best, and I don't mean that in a malicious I am better than him way, I was just sure that the natural gift of the mother's instinct made it so I knew things that he didn't. Well, it turns out, he had a father's instinct...

Seasonal Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips #Infographic

Has your air conditioner been misbehaving? Maybe you’ve been tempted to ram the thermostat down to unreasonably cool temperatures more than once. Or you’ve wondered whether it’s just really that hot outside, and the heat is infiltrating your home. The baby is miserably hot and you don’t know what’s going on, but the house just isn’t staying cool. Maybe it's time to change your air conditioner.

There are a handful of reasons your air conditioner might be going all awry. Perhaps the refrigerant needs recharging; your home won't stay cool if your refrigerant level is too low. Or maybe there are major air leaks in your ducts, causing large flows of air to simply siphon out of the system, with only some of the air making it to your rooms. A bigger problem could be that your unit has simply run its course and is ready to retire. You will need to call a technician to see what is going on.

A repair might be too costly, especially if you have a system that is more than 10 years old. In that case, you should make a new Energy Star air conditioner your model of choice. Take a look at the infographic below, published by Aqua Plumbing & Air, to see how Energy Star systems save households billions of dollars in energy savings each year. The coveted rating helps consumers make smart energy-conserving choices on products that can save you money while still giving you the quality you expect and more.

One Day, You Will Laugh About This...

"I promise, one day you will laugh about this..." Those are the famous words every parent will hear at least once during their journey through parenting. And nine times out of ten, it's true. Even if at the time it seems impossible. Such is the case with one of my best friends, when yesterday while she and her husband were shopping for patio furniture, her two year old attempted to mount and ride a metal Flamingo landscape ornament in the middle of a major hardware store.  FULL of people.

Toddler to dad when being removed physically from the store: Why Leaving?
Dad to Toddler: Because son, the party ended when you tried to ride the Flamingo.
Mom and Dad: Not happy! 
Everyone else in the world: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

So. Funny! To me and you only of course. She doesn't see the humor... yet...

While my friend recounted the horrific day of shopping with her husband and two boys, I could not help but laugh hysterically. And truth be told, part of me was laughing because I was relieved it was her telling the story and not me. It easily could have been me telling this tale of out of control children. What with having Thing1 (FTD) and Thing2 (Ollie) to contend with on shopping trips. Some of you may remember the time FTD decided while in the bathroom fixture section of the hardware store, it was a perfect time to teach Ollie how to use the potty, and wash his hands...

Yeah, see how fast the tables turn?

Of course, in between fits of laughter, I was full of encouraging comments for my friend. You know things like, Oh it wasn't that bad... Who cares what those douche canoes giving you the stink eye think...  You know how toddlers are... This too shall pass... I was the mother's food bank serving up spoonfuls of of great mother advice. (Read: Spoonfuls of Hypocrite because it's advice I rarely follow.)

Every time my kid acts like that I am equally, if not more, annoyed, embarrassed and crazed. Do I follow my advice?  Hell, no.  But here is the thing, I really meant what I was saying, who cares about those people, toddlers are a special breed, this is just a phase it will pass. You don't see grown men climbing on things... (disregard above photo of FTD for sake of conversation.)

That's what got me thinking; The next time Ollie tries to climb on a yard ornament (because I have no doubt if presented with the opportunity he would try to pole vault onto it using a stick he found in aisle 5) or just business as usual, lose his toddler mind in the public, What if I stepped back and tried to look at the situation as an outsider? Ask myself, Is what's going on really as bad as I think? 

What if I stopped freaking out so much when Ollie refuses to listen or behaves like a child possessed by a-holes, and just kind of accepted it as part of parenting. I just deal with it and move on, without letting it ruin any more of my day than necessary. You know, take on the school of thought I try to push on my friends.  If I can say, This Too Shall Pass to every one, why can't I believe it applies to me too? Why can't I laugh at my own kid too?

Of course when my kid goes batass crazy I will reprimand him, and do all of the appropriate 'parenting' things. But if I could just find a way to relax and and not get so worked up when my toddler is exceptionally embarrassing or naughty, then maybe I will have tapped into the true secret behind good parenting. A.k.a. Surviving parenting a toddler with my sanity and smile.

I have to try something, because from what I hear four us much more interesting than just screaming and mounting metal flamingos in the hardware store.

This Was One Of My Toughest Parenting Lessons To Learn

Like any good first-time mom, when my child gets sick I press pause on the world and obsess over his symptoms. Then once I've completely over analyzed everything going on with him, I start badgering every person I know for advice, remedies and slaps across the face to calm me down.

Doesn't every first-timer?


I used to think the fastest way to fix those aches, pains and fevers was to give him Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Little did I know, that may be to worst thing to do, and could even prolong his recovery time! #Fail

A couple of months ago, in the throws of the worst winter I have ever been through, Ollie, FTD and I found ourselves sick.

All. At. Once.

SUPER Sucked!

We all were running low grade fevers (99-102f) and plagued by the tell tale flu aches and pains. Yes, even though we had our flu shots! Immediately, FTD and I both took mega flu and cold horse pill gel caps, and gave Ollie a dose of baby Tylenol.

When after 24 hours Ollie was still running a low-grade fever, I called his pediatrician to ask for next steps. I told the nurse his symptoms; fever, runny nose, red sad eyes, shits... then when asked what I had been doing to combat it, I said only Tylenol and extra fluids.  The nurse said that the same illness was going around, not to worry and to STOP giving him any fever reducers when his fever was under 102f degrees.

Most of you are probably shaking your heads and saying out loud, DUH, low-grade fevers are a good thing. Well. Fine. I suppose I have always heard that... But! I saw 101.4 and freaked out. Must I remind you that I am a first-timer?! I realize that sometimes fevers are actually a good thing, because it shows that the body is working hard to fix itself.

That all being said, it's still hard to sit back and let nature do it's thing!  I am the mother, I want to fix my baby RIGHT FREAKING NOW! You would think after two years I would be less neurotic, but I'm not. I still worry and obsess.  My heart breaks when I look in his sad sleepy eyes. Even if he business as usual--running, jumping and trying to get into as much trouble as possible.

As I sit here typing, resisting the urge to reduce the low-grade fever he is running right now, I am trying to remind myself that even though during this past winter I wanted Mother Nature committed for the weather's bipolar behavior, sometimes she is the best mother for the job...


NOTE:  I am not a professional anything. This post SHOULD NOT be considered medical advice in any way shape or form. 

P.S PLEASE click on that banner below to throw me a virtual high-five.  Just click it and your vote will be cast!

This Is How I Like My Man #DontLoseYourSmooth

**This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gillette at Sam’s Club for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I met my husband, in a hotel in Vienna Austria, he took my breath away.  So cute, so strong, smooth face... I was smitten to say the least.  

Looking back, I can't say for sure if I would have given him a second look if he was burly and beard-y, because I was so smitten, but as a rule, I like my man's face silky smooth. 

That being said, there are times when a bit of beard is OK. But that's pretty much only when no razor is in sight and I'm trying to find the bright side...

Smitten. I'm just smitten with him.

However, I still will always prefer a smooth silky face I can snuggle up to and smooch without being pricked by stubble. 

You can imagine how freaked out I was when the Hipster's ushered in the beard-trend.  I immediately threatened my husband that if he even thought about it, I would shave his face wheel he was sleeping. 

Then assured him, that would be the last thing he wants.

Being that I am so open with my opinions about my husband' face and how he should shave, I do feel it is my duty to provide him with a great razor.  I even went to far once, and got him a complete shaving kit, with the brush, soap and special razor. 

HE NEVER TOUCHED IT! 

My man insists that he loves his Gillette razors.  So, I buy those.  

That all being said, when I see a new 'latest and greatest razor com on the market, I buy it... Hoping, its the perfect razor for both of us! (Yes, I buy my own first,  No sharing allowed, per my husband's rules.)

Yea, I use a man's razor. It works SO MUCH BETTER than a 'woman's'. Plus, it's a lot cheaper for us to sync up on razors, so I can just buy the refills for us to share. 

When I was offered to the opportunity to let my husband test out the new Gillette Fusion ProShield, I jumped on it! I could tell my husband was bored with his old razor, plus, it was time to invest in new refills. I grabbed our pack of  Gillette Fusion ProSheild razor and cartridges at Sam's Club for under $50.  the pack included, one razor and nine cartridges!  That's going to last us MONTHS!

I have to admit, FTD was a bit skeptical at first of the claims for lubrication before and after the blades. But I told him that was his only option and to try it; 5 blades, pivoting head and top-to-bottom lubrication. 

Heck, I couldn't wait to try it! 

Sure enough, it was magic.  FTD said he got the smoothest shave, with no discomfort and "kind of easy and fast to use."  

I'm sure just by taking one look at the Gillette Fusion ProSheild, you can see how quickly I fell in love with it!

If you are looking for a razor that will keep your man's face silky smooth, with little to no discomfort and lots and lots of softness, I cannot recommend enough checking out the Gillette Fusion ProShield.  

While Gillette Fusion ProShield razor and blades is now available in stores everywhere, grab it at Sam's Club to save big bucks! 

Or better yet, leave a comment or share this post for a chance to win a Sam's Club Gift Card and grab it for free!

5 Ways To Give Your kitchen A Quick Facelift!

Image via Flickr by nolaclutterbusters

If your home has a heart, you just may find it in the kitchen. The heartbeat is in the care that goes into preparing a meal, the warmth of laughter over dinner, and the comfort of knowing that every plate, pot, and pan has its place. When it's time to give that centerpiece an upgrade, there are plenty of options to update space, efficiency, style, and decor. Best of all, ideas to make the changes happen don't have to overload your budget.

Here are some ideas that can take your kitchen from simple to sophisticated, and provide a modern touch.

It May Be Time for New Hardware

No matter how pretty your kitchen is, clunky, outdated appliances will take away from the appeal. If you have room in your budget, consider some new equipment. Newer appliances are more energy-efficient and can be customized to reflect the feel of your kitchen. Whether you're looking for sleekly modern stainless steel, chrome black finish, or spotless white perfection, the LG Studio Collection has options to get you started. Start with a plan of how you want your dishwasher, microwave, stove, or refrigerator to look and how the pieces will all fit together.

Update Your Cabinets

If your kitchen needs a refresh, a great place to start is the cabinets. The color and style of cabinets help give shape to your entire kitchen but you don't have to replace the entire unit. If entirely new cabinets aren't on your agenda right now, you have options. Just change out your knobs and pulls or add a little jazz to your doors with new hinges. You can also give the cabinets a bold new color with spray paint or reface them. 

Install New Shelves

Ready to display that pretty pottery? A burst of color can come from dishes that have been hiding in the cabinet but not have the opportunity to be front and center with open shelving units. It's a welcome twist on traditional storage space, and it can give your kitchen an entirely new feel without much effort. You don't have to get rid of all of your cabinets, and a mix and match option gives an exciting new look.

Don't Forget About the Countertops

Add a touch, or a few touches, of class with new countertops. Some cost-friendly ideas include repurposing an old piece of furniture for an island, or using old wood to make a beautiful new counter. You can also paint or resurface laminate countertops. Also consider the fun details: knickknacks or themed decorations that add a little more character.

Let a Little Light In

Finally, don't underestimate the power of good lighting. Whether you are installing your own energy-efficient lighting or cozying up the place with a window seat, always think about maximizing your lighting. A bright, open kitchen is a wonderfully refreshing addition. 

Sprucing up the kitchen is a fun way to take care of the space that holds so many of a family's memories.

My Mom Was Right. Karma Is A B*tch When It Comes To Your Kids

NOTE: This is a repost of one of my favorite posts. It's two-years old, but still SO TRUE!!

It's official, my toddler has reached, what I hope to be, the epicenter of the 'terrible twos.' From the constant screaming, to the tantrums, to the food thieving, to the boundary testing...All day. Everyday. Life around my house has become BEYOND challenging interesting for all involved.

The only bright side to it all is that I'm sure for every little bit of my mind I am losing over this madness, I am gaining a little bit more patience. Which really is a good thing, because as it turns out the only way to survive the terrible twos is to have an abundance of patience while riding out the storm.

My kid is a freaking hand full! No, make that TWO hand fulls. He is a full throttle wild-child that is clearly on a mission to test everything I say, and see exactly how far he can go before I will crack.

I guess it's possible that he has a hearing problem, because when...

I say, No! He hears, Good job, keep it up!
I say, STOP! He hears, HAUL ASS!!!!!!!
I say, no screaming! He hears, shatter eardrums.
I say, no more of something... He hears, freakout, flop around on the floor and fake cry..
I say, time for nap/nite-nite. He hears... nothing. 
I say, eat your dinner. He hears, eat everyone else's food first.

Amazingly, when I say, do you want some ice cream? He says, YES, peeease!

Looks like the hearing impaired angle is out. Terrible twos are back in.

My mom insists that he is completely normal, and that it's not really the terrible twos, it's the fact that toddlers live life constantly experimenting. They have to test things and try things for themselves. My mom also loves to remind me that I was a little toddler a-hole too. Thanks, mom.

I am trying to remind myself that his behavior is somehow normal. Including when he is acting bat shit crazy and not listening to me. I try to remind myself that every parent goes through this. I also remind myself that this is a big part of what parenting is all about; helping your child navigate the world, while teaching right from wrong. Even if it means spending the majority of toddlerhood saying, NO! This behavior is unacceptable because nobody likes a little a-hole...

I have been told that even if during the terrible twos... threes... fours... you do spend the majority of your time wanting to rip your hair out, this too shall pass, and by holding it together, you will raise a child that has their shit together too.  Ahhh parenting...

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