Looks like I am on borrowed time for this first official blog post. The kids are both starting to stir from a 2hr nap. My intent on starting this blog is for some type of legacy to my children. Hmmm...legacy sounds like I plan on doing something really "important" doesn't it? Maybe just a "day in the life" kind of journal would be a better way to word it. I am now just getting back to this post that I started yesterday. That is a pure example of how my days go and just how much free time I have. I do my best to take advantage of the kids napping at the same time-laundry, cleaning, cooking and a bit of ME time if I can squeeze it in.
About a month ago I was having a real struggle with balance in my life-again! It is the same old "Mom" story that everyone tells. Put your kids first, put your husband first, take care of the house-etc. Everyone and everything getting taken care of but yourself. Greg and I have had some nice talks about how to get some of "our" life back while still being great parents. We determined that we really just need a date night or a few hours away from the kids all to ourselves. I have been the type of parent who has hardly left their children's side since they were born. The only babysitter Ella and Evan had previously had was my Mom and SIL. So we hired a sitter and went to dinner, a wedding, and a few other outings here and there. It has been wonderful for us, and quite an adjustment for the kids. All the outings have typically been dinner or evening things, so the kids really only have a few hours with a sitter and then they are in bed. It has not gone without some tears from both kids though. I have to keep reminding myself that they will adjust and it is actually good for them to get to see their parents having a healthy marriage. The next thing I did in this quest to get a bit of "my life back", was to join a gym. One of those things I always talk about, complain about, and do nothing about. I have been holding onto about 10lbs of the 50lbs of baby weight I gained with Evan. He is 14 months old now and I can no longer use him as my excuse. I have been watching what I eat, but it just didn't seem to be enough. The gym has a great playroom and this too has become an adjustment for the kids. Ella had one little meltdown when we went and has been fine since and Evan always sheds tears when I walk out of the room. The daycare provider assures me he typically calms down after about 5 minutes. I usually work out for about a 1/2 hour so we are in and out. I like working out as much as I like a root canal or going to the gyno, but it really hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Mainly due to the flat screen T.V's on each machine :) and it is another slice of ME time that I have really needed!
About a month ago I was having a real struggle with balance in my life-again! It is the same old "Mom" story that everyone tells. Put your kids first, put your husband first, take care of the house-etc. Everyone and everything getting taken care of but yourself. Greg and I have had some nice talks about how to get some of "our" life back while still being great parents. We determined that we really just need a date night or a few hours away from the kids all to ourselves. I have been the type of parent who has hardly left their children's side since they were born. The only babysitter Ella and Evan had previously had was my Mom and SIL. So we hired a sitter and went to dinner, a wedding, and a few other outings here and there. It has been wonderful for us, and quite an adjustment for the kids. All the outings have typically been dinner or evening things, so the kids really only have a few hours with a sitter and then they are in bed. It has not gone without some tears from both kids though. I have to keep reminding myself that they will adjust and it is actually good for them to get to see their parents having a healthy marriage. The next thing I did in this quest to get a bit of "my life back", was to join a gym. One of those things I always talk about, complain about, and do nothing about. I have been holding onto about 10lbs of the 50lbs of baby weight I gained with Evan. He is 14 months old now and I can no longer use him as my excuse. I have been watching what I eat, but it just didn't seem to be enough. The gym has a great playroom and this too has become an adjustment for the kids. Ella had one little meltdown when we went and has been fine since and Evan always sheds tears when I walk out of the room. The daycare provider assures me he typically calms down after about 5 minutes. I usually work out for about a 1/2 hour so we are in and out. I like working out as much as I like a root canal or going to the gyno, but it really hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Mainly due to the flat screen T.V's on each machine :) and it is another slice of ME time that I have really needed!
The other BIG issue we have had has been how Ella has been acting lately or I should say acting up! She has been moody-lot's of crying, crabby, whinny, and not a very sweet big sister. Saying, "No" to her all day certainly doesn't and hasn't helped with all of the above. I have just felt like such a crappy Mother when it comes to her and totally spent by the time Greg walks in the door. I have had to constantly keep my eye on Ella or she is taking something from Evan, pushing him or just plain mean to him. He is all about throwing a tantrum at every little thing on top of Ella being a bit of a bully to him. So I have felt like a referee! After lot's of sole searching and just beating myself up over how unhappy my 3yr old Princess has been-I finally have figured some things out and have been working to fix the recent dynamic of our house-with regards to Ella. It has been working and we have had a very happy 4 days. More on that in my next post...Evan just woke up from his nap.
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