Friday we successfully made it to the beach and now that I. is a big girl who can help carry things, our trip to the beach went pretty smoothly. We enjoyed the cold water and once D. got over his initial unease, he was happy to hold my hand and play in the waves while I. was running and jumping like a little nut. Our time went too quickly (always a good sign) and no one threw a fit when it was time to leave, which was a fantastic surprise.
Maybe our better than expected beach trip made me cocky, because I had high hopes for how much fun Caroline's birthday party was going to be on Saturday afternoon. It was a great party, with creative pretty decorations, wonderful ideas, and good food. The part that wasn't so great was that D. was whiny, conflicted, and shrieking at the top of his lungs for a least half of the time we were there. If I had known that I was going to have to be picking him up every 5 seconds literally, I would have worn a damn turtleneck so I wouldn't have to worry about flashing my bra (or more) to all the partygoers every time I had to pick him up or put him down. Finally, he settled down and played outside in the water (it was over 100 degrees) but by then, I was a sweaty, aggravated hot mess and just felt like going into the bathroom and crying. I guess I thought he'd be so happy to see Caroline's dog and play with her toys that it would be a cake walk. Well, it was far from a cake walk and it's never fun being the mom of "that kid". I can look back now and find the humor in it but at the time, I just wanted it all to end sooner rather than later.
Today V. had to get a couple of errands done that he's been procrastinating for months about and I. decided she would like to go with him. So after the gym and lunch, she went off with him, I got D. down for a rest and I'm posting this before I go rest for a little bit. I'm glad she went with him and that V. didn't make a big deal about it and try to talk her out of it. I remember doing things and going places with my dad and it was special. Especially so for I. since V. is gone all the time. V. didn't experience this time with the girls, I mean not really, so he doesn't understand that it can be the simplest times doing the most ordinary things that will stick in I.'s mind as a memory. I'll try to remember tonight to tell him that after the kiddos go to bed. Sometimes you have to point out the most mundane things to V. for him to realize something and even then, I know he'll poo-poo the idea that she'll remember these errand times in the future with fondness.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Days 8-10 & 11
So much for posting every day. It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be Friday. The week passed by so quickly. I. was at summer camp at her school Monday - Wednesday and the flooring installers were here off and on throughout that time. Both things made the week go quickly. I was really conflicted about I. being at summer camp. With her being at my parents' last week, I just was really missing her and feeling like I wasn't getting to spend time with her during the summer so far.
Today she and I got some things done around the house while D. took his morning nap, played a little and did some math for fun. Once he got up it was off to the Fair to meet my parents. What a madhouse. The traffic, rude people, mishandled orders, and just the crowds chipped away at my patience. There were intermittent moments when I truly enjoyed myself and lost myself in the moment like when D. and I were on a ride together or when D. and I. enjoyed their first ride together EVER. We ran into my friend Melissa and some of her family (we knew each other was there but it was pretty wild that we ran literally right into each other) and that was nice for my parents to finally meet her. But then....her mom asked my mom if they lived near us or if they were visiting and when my mom said they lived in Carlsbad, Melissa's mom replied that that was pretty close by. That when my mom just couldn't help interjecting, "Well we wished she lived closer."
My teeth went on edge and I looked at Melissa whose eyes darted over to me and we both bugged them out at each other because we had already talked about this topic and it was like, "Oh here she goes!" So she jumped in with how her mom and her do lots of things together and my mom said, "Oh well you must live really close to each other." to which Melissa responded, "No not really, about 30 minutes away. She lives in Tierrasanta and I live in Escondido. And I used to live in Scripps Ranch until I moved to Escondido." That kind of took the wind out of my mom's sails and she dropped it but I was aggravated. Now the time I spend with them, I'm on guard waiting for the unavoidable poke to come. I have to talk to them before 4th of July because honestly, I can't go through another family gathering on guard. It's making me irritable and stressed on top of just the stress of moving etc. There just wasn't an opportunity this week to address it but I'll have to make sure there is one next week.
Tomorrow I'm planning on hitting the beach with the kiddos for a couple of hours to enjoy the cooler coastal temps and warm ocean. I do want to make sure that D. gets down for an afternoon rest because he didn't get one today and won't get one on Saturday due to Caroline's birthday party.
V. was able to get a decent flight home tomorrow, should be home around 5. He's been gone all week so I'm happy about that.
Today she and I got some things done around the house while D. took his morning nap, played a little and did some math for fun. Once he got up it was off to the Fair to meet my parents. What a madhouse. The traffic, rude people, mishandled orders, and just the crowds chipped away at my patience. There were intermittent moments when I truly enjoyed myself and lost myself in the moment like when D. and I were on a ride together or when D. and I. enjoyed their first ride together EVER. We ran into my friend Melissa and some of her family (we knew each other was there but it was pretty wild that we ran literally right into each other) and that was nice for my parents to finally meet her. But then....her mom asked my mom if they lived near us or if they were visiting and when my mom said they lived in Carlsbad, Melissa's mom replied that that was pretty close by. That when my mom just couldn't help interjecting, "Well we wished she lived closer."
My teeth went on edge and I looked at Melissa whose eyes darted over to me and we both bugged them out at each other because we had already talked about this topic and it was like, "Oh here she goes!" So she jumped in with how her mom and her do lots of things together and my mom said, "Oh well you must live really close to each other." to which Melissa responded, "No not really, about 30 minutes away. She lives in Tierrasanta and I live in Escondido. And I used to live in Scripps Ranch until I moved to Escondido." That kind of took the wind out of my mom's sails and she dropped it but I was aggravated. Now the time I spend with them, I'm on guard waiting for the unavoidable poke to come. I have to talk to them before 4th of July because honestly, I can't go through another family gathering on guard. It's making me irritable and stressed on top of just the stress of moving etc. There just wasn't an opportunity this week to address it but I'll have to make sure there is one next week.
Tomorrow I'm planning on hitting the beach with the kiddos for a couple of hours to enjoy the cooler coastal temps and warm ocean. I do want to make sure that D. gets down for an afternoon rest because he didn't get one today and won't get one on Saturday due to Caroline's birthday party.
V. was able to get a decent flight home tomorrow, should be home around 5. He's been gone all week so I'm happy about that.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Day 6 & 7
First weekend of summer, good fun linner yesterday with the family. Today I. had a party this afternoon for a classmate and when she came home there was time for her to go over her school stuff with V. and play with D. I know that sounds pretty peaceful but there was plenty of shrieking, yelling and crying. Tomorrow night will be my first night in 7 nights where I'll be on my own at bedtime wrangling and juggling both kids. Oh boy.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Day 5
Sleep, aggravation, and productivity. These are the words to describe today.
Got 9 hours of sleep though I woke up many, many times with aches and pains. Still it was great to wake up without an alarm and without the feeling that I should be up and doing something for my family members. Being completely alone provides a freedom like nothing else can provide.
Aggravation came in the form of the flooring being uncompleted today and that it will continue on into next week. However the real aggravation arose from a baseboard issue where the installers were under the impression that it was completely fine for the left half of a room to have 4" baseboards and the other half of the room to have standard 1" baseboards. Why they ever thought that would be okay is beyond me. But it's turning into a disagreement of sorts. On top of that, I noticed that you can see the nail holes on the baseboards. I'm not normally a difficult person but if I'm paying $3500+ for a professional job, I'll be damned if I'm going to be on my hands and knees patching a million nail holes and painting them. I've got enough damn things on my own list - AND I DON'T GET PAID FOR DOING THEM. So bite me, that's all I've got to say.
Productivity - I got many small errands done that take about 10 minutes of time to handle but by the time I've gotten the stroller out, D. strapped in, and then try to simultaneously entertain him and give sufficient attention to getting the errand done, it not only takes longer than 10 minutes, it takes a lot of my physical and mental energy. It's a grand balancing act.
Picked up the kiddos this afternoon and while it was a bedtime filled with some crying and tantrums due to one overly tired kid and one kid on an alternative sleep schedule thanks to grandparents, when I went in to their room after they fell asleep it was heartwarming to see them sleeping. I miss being able to see them sleep - the sight hits my reset button, tugs on my heart strings, and makes me feel as though all is good and well and as it should be.
Got 9 hours of sleep though I woke up many, many times with aches and pains. Still it was great to wake up without an alarm and without the feeling that I should be up and doing something for my family members. Being completely alone provides a freedom like nothing else can provide.
Aggravation came in the form of the flooring being uncompleted today and that it will continue on into next week. However the real aggravation arose from a baseboard issue where the installers were under the impression that it was completely fine for the left half of a room to have 4" baseboards and the other half of the room to have standard 1" baseboards. Why they ever thought that would be okay is beyond me. But it's turning into a disagreement of sorts. On top of that, I noticed that you can see the nail holes on the baseboards. I'm not normally a difficult person but if I'm paying $3500+ for a professional job, I'll be damned if I'm going to be on my hands and knees patching a million nail holes and painting them. I've got enough damn things on my own list - AND I DON'T GET PAID FOR DOING THEM. So bite me, that's all I've got to say.
Productivity - I got many small errands done that take about 10 minutes of time to handle but by the time I've gotten the stroller out, D. strapped in, and then try to simultaneously entertain him and give sufficient attention to getting the errand done, it not only takes longer than 10 minutes, it takes a lot of my physical and mental energy. It's a grand balancing act.
Picked up the kiddos this afternoon and while it was a bedtime filled with some crying and tantrums due to one overly tired kid and one kid on an alternative sleep schedule thanks to grandparents, when I went in to their room after they fell asleep it was heartwarming to see them sleeping. I miss being able to see them sleep - the sight hits my reset button, tugs on my heart strings, and makes me feel as though all is good and well and as it should be.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Day 3 & 4
Got the garbage disposal fixed in the morning and then ran around getting items off the carpet in preparation for the carpet cleaning. It's amazing how many things I had to pick up. As a result my upper back went out which was a bummer. Got the tile and carpet cleaned, he left at 12:20 and the realtor picked me up at 12:30 for 3 hours of looking at housing possibilities. Sadly, the only one that met inside and outside desires had a cracked slab. Still it was good to get out and see what is out there. We got back at 3:30 and called the chiropractor quickly and made an appointment for 5:!5 after my 4:00 massage. I had to fit in a couple of fun things for myself while the kiddos were gone!
Massage was wonderful, chiropractor helped with the back pain and then I was onto Islands to meet Melissa for dinner at 5:30. We had a good time laughing. As usual it went too fast and before I knew it, it was time to head home to take all the items off the beds and counters since the carpet was dry. As soon as V. got home, it was time to move all the heavy furniture out of the living area. We got all done at 9pm and then camped out on the floor talking and watching tv for an hour.
Today was laminate install day and get the upstairs completely cleaned, touch up painting and decluttered. I worked from 10-2:30 before I took my first break and now I've gotten another few things done but I've lost momentum and am pooped out. V. is on his way home from LA so hopefully we can move the couch back and then head out to grab some dinner and relax while watching game 7 of the NBA Finals. The installers will have to come back tomorrow morning for a quick finish of something that had to be ordered today but it should be quick. Kiddos are to be picked up early afternoon tomorrow. It's amazing how quickly this week has gone.
Massage was wonderful, chiropractor helped with the back pain and then I was onto Islands to meet Melissa for dinner at 5:30. We had a good time laughing. As usual it went too fast and before I knew it, it was time to head home to take all the items off the beds and counters since the carpet was dry. As soon as V. got home, it was time to move all the heavy furniture out of the living area. We got all done at 9pm and then camped out on the floor talking and watching tv for an hour.
Today was laminate install day and get the upstairs completely cleaned, touch up painting and decluttered. I worked from 10-2:30 before I took my first break and now I've gotten another few things done but I've lost momentum and am pooped out. V. is on his way home from LA so hopefully we can move the couch back and then head out to grab some dinner and relax while watching game 7 of the NBA Finals. The installers will have to come back tomorrow morning for a quick finish of something that had to be ordered today but it should be quick. Kiddos are to be picked up early afternoon tomorrow. It's amazing how quickly this week has gone.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Day 1 & 2
This is a combo post since I wasn't able to post last night via my Kindle. Don't ask me why.
Day 1:
Rolled into summer vacay with a trip to the pool with the kiddos. Had lunch down there and pretty much enjoyed ourselves. Spent some together time with I. and got all of us signed up for summer swimming lessons.
Day 2:
Challenging times with D. Don't know if he's still not feeling well or still tired from Sunday but tantrums in the morning and then at lunch time. I know it'll get easier once he can speak but for now his frustration is off the chart as is his expectation of me to be able to read his mind 100% of the time within 3 seconds preferably. If he gets mad, he finds some way to bash his head into something - a wall, the ground, a seat back. I get that he's overwhelmed but it's still hard to deal with especially if he's heading for tile or trying to head butt me in the face. Dentist appointment was exhausting with him - I needed a Valium afterwards. Now they are at my parents' house for the next 2.5 days so that I can get the carpet cleaned and laminate floors installed. There is a lot on my plate to get done in the next 2 days and I'll be working like a dog during the day though I have a massage scheduled late tomorrow afternoon and then my friend Melissa and I are going to grab some dinner before it's back to the house to move furniture in preparation to the flooring install. I hope my effort to have some balance will help reduce the rest of the stress. Oh and the garbage disposal broke yesterday and was smoking so someone will be repairing that tomorrow morning. What's one more person in the house?
Day 1:
Rolled into summer vacay with a trip to the pool with the kiddos. Had lunch down there and pretty much enjoyed ourselves. Spent some together time with I. and got all of us signed up for summer swimming lessons.
Day 2:
Challenging times with D. Don't know if he's still not feeling well or still tired from Sunday but tantrums in the morning and then at lunch time. I know it'll get easier once he can speak but for now his frustration is off the chart as is his expectation of me to be able to read his mind 100% of the time within 3 seconds preferably. If he gets mad, he finds some way to bash his head into something - a wall, the ground, a seat back. I get that he's overwhelmed but it's still hard to deal with especially if he's heading for tile or trying to head butt me in the face. Dentist appointment was exhausting with him - I needed a Valium afterwards. Now they are at my parents' house for the next 2.5 days so that I can get the carpet cleaned and laminate floors installed. There is a lot on my plate to get done in the next 2 days and I'll be working like a dog during the day though I have a massage scheduled late tomorrow afternoon and then my friend Melissa and I are going to grab some dinner before it's back to the house to move furniture in preparation to the flooring install. I hope my effort to have some balance will help reduce the rest of the stress. Oh and the garbage disposal broke yesterday and was smoking so someone will be repairing that tomorrow morning. What's one more person in the house?
Summer Challenge
I'd like to challenge myself this summer and post something every day this summer. What normally trips me up is that I wait for when I have some thoughts about some topic or am struggling with something or realize how good something is and then I want to post about it so I remember it. Problem being, when things are busy or I'm tired, I don't post about it and then go weeks without capturing anything.
I'd really like to have this summer on record, to capture an overall picture of what we did, how we felt, etc. Be forewarned though, I have given myself the license to post in short snapshot phrases, a quick picture of the day, the day in a nutshell. By allowing this, I stand a good chance of getting a glimpse into each day of this summer which is my ultimate goal.
I'd really like to have this summer on record, to capture an overall picture of what we did, how we felt, etc. Be forewarned though, I have given myself the license to post in short snapshot phrases, a quick picture of the day, the day in a nutshell. By allowing this, I stand a good chance of getting a glimpse into each day of this summer which is my ultimate goal.
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