Life Lately

 

Here's L, dodging his way through the play structure.  L has really been a joy to go places with, he is playing so nicely with there kids, I have almost healed from all the scars of the constant hitting and being "that kids mom".  It's as if he is finally cognitively able to understand the discipline, and he is starting to really like other kids- there was a time he really just liked adults.  He started soccer last week which was AWESOME!  He adored his coach.

Now you may be wondering why D and I look exhausted in the pic below- well keep scrolling and you will see a floor!  Over two late nights D and I (mostly D) tiled and grouted a new kitchen floor.  As with any DIY project, there were some hiccups (like some of the tiles purchased had been returned with dried thin set on them, aka ruining them).  But its done, now we move on to the stair nose and more finishing touches.  I do want a carpet in the kitchen, the tile while beautiful and nice solid, will mean that anything dropped will shatter.  I'm a bit anxious about that.  If money hadn't been any issue, we would have gone with wood.  Hardwood wins every time for me (except in bathrooms).

Dream House

L got a wonderful surprise today- D and my mom spotted a play house in front of a neighbors home.  They check it out, see the adorable note dictated by Gracie, typed by a parent with an original artist rendition by gracie of the play house (I really should post a picture of it- it's that adorable).  The note read: "You can have my house for free.  I (Gracie age 7) am too big for it now."

It was in excellent condition and not that annoying faded primary colored plastic you often find in used kids outdoor stuff.  So they walked it back to our house.  This is a playhouse that would have cost over $300 new (but this exact model doesn't seem to be available any more).  We would have never purchased it new or any where close to that price, but we are so happy to have gotten it....and for free.  L is pretty happy about it too.

Ouch!

Sinus pressure/allergies are getting to me today- oh and L decided to bite down super hard on my toe.  But in his defense it was my toe underneath a blanket- so maybe he just thought he was biting the blanket.  But wow- it freaken hurt (I restrained kicking him away with my foot because thats what the pain wanted me to do)!  He managed to bite right where the cuticle is- awesome aim this kid!

We went to a little gym today and L adored it.  We thought he would be shy but instead he was super outgoing and playful.  His favorite thing was hanging and swinging from the bars.  We signed him up for 3 months, 1 time a week.  We have actually done a lot of family/toddler things locally since D has had a few days off.  The break from getting settled into our house has been much needed.  We hit up the local discovery museum (I used to go when I was little) and L was drawn to the ambulance- which he calls "abby" and the water exhibit.

L was the ONLY kid completely drenched!  But he was so happy, and we were prepared with an extra set of clothes so we let him have his fun.  When had to break him away and that was traumatic- lots of tantrums.  Then we headed up to their under 4 play rooms.  L loved this too- so we got a membership (yes there is a theme- toddler related memberships).

Buying these memberships means much more- they represent that this is where we live- we have finally relocated to the area we plan on staying in.  Maybe the houses will change, and the neighborhood will be slightly different- but this is home.  I always struggled with that in our last home- I knew it wasn't a forever home and I resisted setting down roots (or buying memberships) in case we figured out a way to move here.  So maybe I'm going to go a little crazy planting seeds, creating roots- growing into this new/old area.

My practice is slowly becoming a reality- I think we decided that March 15th I will start subleasing the office. I printed up a few business cards (without an address in case this doesn't go through- I'm a realist) so I can network and market a bit.  Tomorrow I have a training on maternal mental health which I am so excited for.  After having L I felt so connected and interested in women/mother issues- more so then before- because it was always an interest.  I even fantasized about changing careers and being a midwife or lactation consultant- something more "maternal".  But I don't need to change careers- I'm in the perfect profession for supporting women.  I'm even brainstorming taking my practice to the homes of newly post-partum moms in need of psychotherapy.  Asking someone to come to my office while struggling with mental health or just adjustment to such an earth shattering change and so early after birth with a newborn seems like a huge barrier.  We will see- I have my wheels turning...

I think for a while my posts are going to me this weird mesh of things- L, family, decorating/renovating, starting my business, and just plain old happenings....but probably all jumbled into one post.  Maybe I need this blog to be like a journal- a place to gather my fragmented thoughts...

Here's a sweet sleeping pic of L that D took since L slept till 8am (so nice of him)...

Alone

Wow- this is one of the first mornings I have been awake without L.  D left for work a few hours ago and the dog started scratching in her crate to go out/have breakfast.  Usually if this occurred I would head back to sleep or at least try to.  But this morning I felt less exhausted, grabbed some coffee (already brewed thanks to our new automatic coffee machine), and decided to use this as some alone time.  Maybe it's the working out thats improving my energy- and L is sleeping in just a bit longer since we started putting him to bed later.  This kid would wake up at 5:00!  Not cool- something about not even having a few minutes to myself in the morning was wearing on me...especially since I am NOT a morning person.

I'm still alive...

This move has been CRAZY- hopefully things will settle down soon and I will do a proper post.

iphone randoms

So with all the craziness going on (showing our house for renters *think we found a cute family today*, packing up boxes, researching for my private practice, trying to rehome one of our dogs, and all the regular stuff that we do) I do not have a real post to put up- so instead some pictures from the last 2 weeks.

iphone randoms

 

 

 

I come on here often to whine about how hard L is- so I am making an effort to come on here and rave about how much better things have been. For the last several days he has had one 2 1/2 to 3 hr nap per day and gone down fairly easily for naps and bed time. He slept amazing last night and if I was feeling well I would say motherhood is easy! L has also been much happier- his cold and ear infection are getting better. I love that he is easy to redirect by enlisting him in a project or task. Obviously simple things like; "help mommy carry this", "go get your baby", "put that in the drawer". I really need to watch that Alfie Kohn DVD about parenting, children's natural altruism, and how not to mess with it.

I am still sick, and while L is getting better I have had a set back. This cold just wont quit- I am surviving on a diet of emergen-C, sudafed, tea, and food of course. I could barely sleep last night because of the sore throat and congestion. Today we have the humidifier going, as well as the kettle steaming up the kitchen- damn dry weather, and I'm on my 3rd cup of tea.

So Important

I can't watch it without tearing up- this is so important.

iphone randoms

I took these off of D's phone.

L and I getting ready to go met a friend in Oaktown, a sad sandwich pickle, earlier this summer L taking full advantage of our busted front sprinkler (now fixed), L hiding in the credenza, goat farming from a shoot D was on.

Today:

First thing in the morning poop blowout, spider in the bathtub, poop on my phone, then pee blowout at the playdate so we had to head home early since I didn't bring enough extras (L managed to need a clean diaper, shirt, pants, and I also needed a clean shirt- had everything but an extra shirt for myself)...

I really am avoiding studying for my exam...oh and I'm also avoiding exercise/running- injuring my shoulder has been a great excuse.

Balance

Why is it so hard....

(image via pinterest)

Instagram Randoms

Running Joke

D thinks it's hilarious that I commented on how these "little bears" are in group therapy....he can't read it to L without a chuckle.

Instagram Randoms

Instagram Randoms

Arrested Development

Saw these cute images on pinterest.  Arrested Development is probably my favorite show ever and I have re-watched it multiple times.  It was especially helpful to have on quietly in the background during the first few months of constant night nursing a newborn.  We are over the moon about this news.