12/13/12

So, here's a run down of the latest:
(we'll see how long it actually takes me to type this. One is sleeping, one is watching PBS. Hold your breath!!)

The holiday season is in FULL SWING at this house. 3 1/2 is completely magical when it comes to Christmas. I LOVE it!! She totally gets everything with Santa and the elves and all of the fun things that come along with it. We started the Elf on the Shelf and Kalaya loves to wake up in the morning and find where 'Sequoia' is hiding each day. We have a countdown to Christmas with a paper chain and it is very exciting to take of a link each day and count how many days are left until Christmas. She loved getting the tree, putting up decorations and seeing them every day. Jakiah is excited because big sister is excited and just along for the ride!!

Jakiah is so active at 10 1/2 (can you believe it??) months. He is into anything and everything! Especially things he's not supposed to have. But, I roll with it. It's so different this time around. I now know just how much I took Kalaya's cautious personality for granted. I cannot turn my back on this kid for a second, he is GONE. We have to do MAJOR baby proofing around this house, literally nothing is safe. He's not destructive (at this point....), he's just SO curious and excited and enthusiastic. This kid is a fantastic eater, but I cannot believe how MUCH he eats!! He is still a strong nurser, for which I'm grateful, but he seriously eats 3 good size meals every day and often a snack or 2 on TOP of nursing multiple times. It is so crazy! He crawls every where (though it's more like a crab than all fours) and pulls up on everything.

Kalaya is thriving in pre school, it really was a great decision to put her there! We are really happy with the school. She is learning a lot about herself and I love all of the songs and new ideas she's learning. She has some nice new friends and loves her teacher! Parent volunteering and being the 'class rep' is keeping me busy, as are field trips, play group at church, art projects, cooking together, and everything else she loves to do!

I'm actually fairly ready for Christmas this year, I don't know how that happened!! I know people think I'm crazy with Black Friday shopping, but it gets the kid shopping out of the way!! Those presents are wrapped, under the tree (with a giant baby gate around them....) and the rest are hidden away waiting to be delivered by Santa. We had pictures taken in November, made them into holiday cards and I sent them out this week. Plus, those pics double has family Christmas presents! I've started on the homemade holiday gift making, which is mainly edible gifts, and Kalaya loves helping me in the kitchen right now, so it's perfect!!

Of course, it's not all hearts and rainbows. Jakiah is up to 6 teeth now and it's been a rough time getting there. His sleep has gotten slightly better, but definitely no signs of sleeping through the night at this point. We have good nights and bad and I just....roll with it. Because, what else can I do honestly? And, there is a bit of sibling rivalry these days. Don't get me wrong, my kids do really get along fantastically and Kalaya is more patient with Jakiah than I am, frankly. But, now that he's mobile, he wants to do whatever she's doing and play with all of her toys and destroy take a turn with whatever she's holding, her patience sometimes wears thin. I try to be sympathetic, but at the same time, honestly, this is a reason why we had another child. She needs to learn that it's not all about her, that she needs to share, compromise, etc. But, she is blessed to have her own room and when she wants to play by herself, I try to respect that. And, really, she prefers to be with him, I think she just wishes he'd do exactly what she tells him. Because MAN, she loves to boss that kid around. And, he doesn't usually mind, but I try to remind her to be nice, to ask, to give him other toys, etc, etc, etc. I tell her she's the dog's boss, so that way she is allowed to tell SOMEONE what to do, which is pretty hilarious actually.

As for me, some big changes are about to happen, actually! I have had this planned for awhile, but some how haven't blogged about it; I am heading back to work! CRAZY, RIGHT??? I am still going to be a stay at home mom full time. But, I racked my brain on how I could contribute financially to the family, but not have to pay for childcare and this is what I came up with:

I am taking a life guarding class.

This is actually not that out there, if you know me from way back when. I basically lived at the pool between water polo and swim team in high school and early college, so I'm very comfortable there. I regularly attended pregnancy fitness classes at the pool last year and got to know several staff members. Also, the pool is 2 minutes from our house.

So, I'm getting certified while Nelson has his winter break and am hoping to start working shifts in late January or early February. I have to start off with basic guarding, but hope to get trained quickly to teach lessons and eventually teach adult fitness classes. I am excited about this because:

(1) This is for me, out of the house, no kids.
(2) Extra income, which we really, really need. (and decent money, actually, fitness instructors can make $25 an hour!)
(3) (in theory) Motivation to look good in a swimsuit.
(4) I can work evening shifts and weekends when I want. No paying for childcare.
(5) Free pool access!

So, I hope this goes as I'm hoping. And, that it will be a blessing, not a bigger stress in my life. I really am excited about it!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Mommy Guilt

Here's the thing. Clearly, this blog is not a priority for me any more. And, that makes me feel guilty on a regular basis. And like a failure. Because, honestly, it makes me feel like I'm failing as a mom. That sounds extreme, but I started this blog as a journal/baby book/record of Kalaya and now Jakiah's lives and I have missed so much of recording their lives lately that when I see this and think about how long it's been since I actually did update....mommy guilt.

Ug. Mommy guilt.

Every. Single. Day.

I need to clean the bathroom. I don't read to Jakiah enough. I need to spend more time just playing with Kalaya. Ug, I need to make some Christmas presents. Why haven't I planned out more meals ahead of time? I haven't touched my new sewing machine yet. UG, I haven't worked out in weeks. I need to take more pictures. I forgot to write down when tooth #2 came in! Ug, she's watched too much TV today. HOW DID THE BABY GET A PIECE OF CHOCOLATE?? This house is a mess. We need to get outside while the sun is shining. I need to just sit and color with her. Why doesn't he sleep longer, what am I doing wrong?? Crap, that wasn't organic. Which reminds me, it's 3pm and I haven't eaten all day. I need to schedule a dentist appointment. We're out of milk! What is that smell? I need to call her back. Did I pay that bill? Kalaya, stop playing in the toilet! How long has it been since I washed the sheets?? Savor every moment. SAVOR EVERY MOMENT!!! What is in the baby's mouth? The dog hasn't been walked in a year. Did I finish the Christmas shopping? I need to be thankful, think of those moms who don't have happy, healthy babies, I'm so lucky.... Why is he crying this time?? I need to mail my Christmas cards. Oops, gotta switch the laundry or it will start to smell. I just spent $100 at the grocery store, why isn't there anything to eat?? I need to order Jakiah's baptism gown. Savor the moment. I overreacted when she took his toy, I shouldn't have yelled like that. Jakiah's baby book only has 2 pages filled out! (that one resulted in Mommy melt down....) I should work out, but I'll blog instead....

....and this is all day, every day and within a span of about 2 minutes, no exaggeration. (and yes, all of those things have happened. In the last week.)

It's worth it though.

Right?

Of course. And, we need to give ourselves a break. But, we don't. And, we won't. And, some how, in the end it goes by so fast and the kids are awesome and we don't know how it all happens or gets done, but it does.

Did I mention savor every moment?

Screw that. Season 7 of How I Met Your Mother is on Netflix. Break into the Christmas goodies that were supposed to be presents for friends and family and savor THAT moment. ; )