I love being a mom, with all my heart. Nothing’s made me happier. But, once in a while, I find myself questioning my IQ.
Like when I bustled my 2 children into the men’s restroom at church yesterday. Not to worry, I quickly exited before the guy washing his hands glimpsed the red-faced female invading his domain.
Bustled, is that even a word?
You see what I mean.
Yes, I question my intelligence when, despite graduating with a 3.9 from college, the only things that seem to occupy my brain are thoughts such as...
Okay when is the last time I fed the baby.
What should I make for dinner.
What should I make for dinner that doesn’t require eggs, milk, cheese, bread or butter.
Did I remember to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer.
If Carter wastes another roll of toilet paper by stuffing it into the toilet one more time, so help me...
Why can’t they just get along?
Does yogurt count as a fruit and a dairy?
How do I fix the door that my 3-year-old ripped off its hinges.
How do I fix the computer that my 2-year-old was at for one second and somehow switched everything around.
If child #1 hits child #2, how long will it take for child #2 to scream? And will child #2 stop screaming on his own or do I really have to go break this thing apart?
I wonder if there's a way to get nail polish off the walls without taking off the paint.
“Do you need a time-out?” “Do you need a time-out?” “Do you need a time-out?”
“Do you need to go potty?” “Do you need to go potty?” “Do you need to go potty?”
If the time is 11:04 a.m. and Nate left for work at 8:30 a.m., how many hours will it take for him to GET HOME?
The inventor of PB&J deserves a reward because if it weren’t for him/her my Jenna just might starve.
Did I really just shout, "WE DO NOT PUT OUR FEET ON THE BABY'S FACE!"??
Patience, Erika, patience. You can handle it, don't lose it, DON'T LOSE- you lost it. Well if the kids would just LISTEN I wouldn't LOSE IT!
Now you are talking to yourself.
YAY I trimmed Logan’s fingernails in ONE SITTING!
How does THIS HAPPEN! (observing the house I cleaned just hours before.)
Seriously HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?!
Are the dishes in the dishwasher clean or dirty? Shouldn’t it be easier to tell?
Where is my purse/keys/other shoe/phone/child/mind?
If I need to get to Point B from Point A at Predetermined Hour, how early do I need to start loading kids in the car from Point A in order to make it to Point B on time?
I showered! Yippee!
So. Does motherhood make you dumber? Naaahhh. Okay maybe I’m more forgetful and not quite the critical thinker I once was. Maybe my mind is all soft and mushy, full of warm and fuzzy love for my babies, and humdrum household tasks. BUT... I am SURE all my smart thoughts are still in there SOMEWHERE, amid the “I sure do miss Logan’s pre-solid-food yellow poop days cause this is just NASTY” and the “Did I put deodorant on today” musings. I just wish they’d come out more often, say, like when I’m strolling into the men’s bathroom.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
6 years and alllll is weellllll!
Yesterday Nate and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary! Here are some pics from our humble beginnings... high school! Don't mind the extra chunk in my cheeks.
Ahhh good times.
Then yesterday we just played all day! I can honestly say I have never ever gotten bored with Nate. We still have just as much fun together.
Ever seen "The Ring"?
Mini-golfing!
Happy anniversary, baby!
Ahhh good times.
Then yesterday we just played all day! I can honestly say I have never ever gotten bored with Nate. We still have just as much fun together.
Ever seen "The Ring"?
Mini-golfing!
Happy anniversary, baby!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
HOW TO FINISH 26.2 MILES...
...with little training.
1. Go in with low expectations. Like, so low that all you want to do is cross the finish line while it is STILL THERE.
2. Run with your mom and dad with the understanding you're all sticking together till the end so you can give each other moral support. (My dad only ran up to 4 miles in training... You see, ANYONE can do a marathon.)
3. Walk when you need to so that instead of being near death at the end you actually feel PRETTY DARN GOOD!
4. Have a lot to talk about for 5 and a half hours. Bring all your breast pump jokes, they really take you far. Quantity, not quality, people. (sorry, dad.)
5. Sing. (I knew we couldn’t get through it without my mom bursting into song here and there.)
6. Try to talk your dad into collapsing just short of the finish line so that your mom and you can carry him in and make headlines. (Come on... wouldn’t that have been exciting?!)
7. People-watch. (Hmmm does that guy know he has something stuck to his bum?)
8. Gu at miles 7 and 16. Grab one at mile 20, and keep it in your fist until you finish. Why? I’m not sure, but that is what I did.
9. Drink Gatorade at all the water stops. Steer clear of the yellow kind.
10. When encouraging spectators tell you that you look great and you’re almost done, smile kindly and avoid any sarcastic remarks that may be on the tip of your tongue.
11. Make good use of the porta-potties at the beginning of the race so you don’t have to jump in the bushes later. I didn’t have to, but you’d be surprised at everyone, male and female, who does.
12. Have a good sense of humor. For example, laugh hysterically at comments such as, “Wow those bananas must be going right through them!” Runners are very open about their bowels.
13. Have a positive attitude. Just try it, say to yourself, “ONLY TWENTY MILES TO GO! YEEHAW!” Feels good don’t it.
14. Count all the squished mice, snakes, and grasshoppers you see on the road. Don’t re-squish them.
15. Don’t get too worried about the aches and pains you feel in your knees. They will soon move to your calves, feet, and hamstrings.
16. Say to yourself, “I had a baby 6 months ago. WHO CARES what my time is!”
17. Say to yourself, “Am I not the coolest for running a marathon with my mom AND dad?”
18. Say to yourself, “I get to see my hubby and kiddies at the finish line!!!!!!”
19. Say to yourself, “I get to sit down at the finish line!!!!”
20. Say to yourself, “I CAN DO IT!”
WE DID IT!
Our time was 5:33. I really felt good the whole time, I mean my body was sore and was like what the heck do you think you are doing to me, but considering I only trained to 13 miles I felt great! I think I could have done better too but it was worth it to me to stay all together. If this were my first marathon it would have been different but I’d done some before so my body already knew what to expect and knew that I could do it, and there was no pressure since we did it for fun. But I hadn’t done one since having kids, so this totally renewed my confidence in marathoning. I now want to train for another one, in the spring, when I am DONE nursing so in my race pictures I don't look like... well, you know. (Poor baby was starving!) The good news is, it shouldn’t be too hard to improve on this marathon's time...
My mom, dad and I actually ran this same marathon 5 years ago!!! My time was 43 minutes faster for that one! Here is us THEN...
And NOW!!
Thanks mom and dad, I had a good time!
1. Go in with low expectations. Like, so low that all you want to do is cross the finish line while it is STILL THERE.
2. Run with your mom and dad with the understanding you're all sticking together till the end so you can give each other moral support. (My dad only ran up to 4 miles in training... You see, ANYONE can do a marathon.)
3. Walk when you need to so that instead of being near death at the end you actually feel PRETTY DARN GOOD!
4. Have a lot to talk about for 5 and a half hours. Bring all your breast pump jokes, they really take you far. Quantity, not quality, people. (sorry, dad.)
5. Sing. (I knew we couldn’t get through it without my mom bursting into song here and there.)
6. Try to talk your dad into collapsing just short of the finish line so that your mom and you can carry him in and make headlines. (Come on... wouldn’t that have been exciting?!)
7. People-watch. (Hmmm does that guy know he has something stuck to his bum?)
8. Gu at miles 7 and 16. Grab one at mile 20, and keep it in your fist until you finish. Why? I’m not sure, but that is what I did.
9. Drink Gatorade at all the water stops. Steer clear of the yellow kind.
10. When encouraging spectators tell you that you look great and you’re almost done, smile kindly and avoid any sarcastic remarks that may be on the tip of your tongue.
11. Make good use of the porta-potties at the beginning of the race so you don’t have to jump in the bushes later. I didn’t have to, but you’d be surprised at everyone, male and female, who does.
12. Have a good sense of humor. For example, laugh hysterically at comments such as, “Wow those bananas must be going right through them!” Runners are very open about their bowels.
13. Have a positive attitude. Just try it, say to yourself, “ONLY TWENTY MILES TO GO! YEEHAW!” Feels good don’t it.
14. Count all the squished mice, snakes, and grasshoppers you see on the road. Don’t re-squish them.
15. Don’t get too worried about the aches and pains you feel in your knees. They will soon move to your calves, feet, and hamstrings.
16. Say to yourself, “I had a baby 6 months ago. WHO CARES what my time is!”
17. Say to yourself, “Am I not the coolest for running a marathon with my mom AND dad?”
18. Say to yourself, “I get to see my hubby and kiddies at the finish line!!!!!!”
19. Say to yourself, “I get to sit down at the finish line!!!!”
20. Say to yourself, “I CAN DO IT!”
WE DID IT!
Our time was 5:33. I really felt good the whole time, I mean my body was sore and was like what the heck do you think you are doing to me, but considering I only trained to 13 miles I felt great! I think I could have done better too but it was worth it to me to stay all together. If this were my first marathon it would have been different but I’d done some before so my body already knew what to expect and knew that I could do it, and there was no pressure since we did it for fun. But I hadn’t done one since having kids, so this totally renewed my confidence in marathoning. I now want to train for another one, in the spring, when I am DONE nursing so in my race pictures I don't look like... well, you know. (Poor baby was starving!) The good news is, it shouldn’t be too hard to improve on this marathon's time...
My mom, dad and I actually ran this same marathon 5 years ago!!! My time was 43 minutes faster for that one! Here is us THEN...
And NOW!!
Thanks mom and dad, I had a good time!
Friday, September 18, 2009
She's gone bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
What do THESE people...
...Have in common with me, my mom, and my dad?
We are all CRAZY.
After the half marathon my mom had mentioned we should do the full in a couple weeks. Then she writes on my facebook, "I truly think it would be fun to run that marathon." Did you catch that? She used the word "FUN."
Hmmm we just ran a half marathon... logically thinking that MUST mean we could TOTALLY do 13 more miles NO PROB!
Yes, mom it would be so much FUN to run a marathon we haven't trained for!
Then she called me up and said, "I'm signing us up! Is that okay?"
And thus began a couple weeks of nightmares. Okay I've only had 4 marathon nightmares. But I think tonight will make that 5. Cause tomorrow is the DAY. And that's why I am shoveling spaghetti into my mouth as I write this. Splattering the keyboard. I'm CARBO-LOADING.
I LOVE YOU MOMMY!!! BUT SOMETIMES YOU ARE A LIT-TLE CRAZY!!!
It's nice of her to include me in her overly ambitious plans. But we shall see who is truly having fun at mile 25.
Tell me. Does THIS LOOK FUN TO YOU.
I'm terrified.
Wish me luck.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
There are some things you just need to experience
It is finished. I accomplished the task I set out to accomplish. I have at last caught up to the rest of those in my generation who lived through what I have just witnessed.
Thank goodness for DVR.
Because now, my friends, I can officially declare I am a FAN.
A fan of Saved by the Bell.
Yes, I saw a few episodes here and there in my growing up years. But never did I ponder these soul-searching questions of the last month:
Are Zack and Kelly ever going to get together?
Is Screech ever going to get less annoying?
How does Mario Lopez look exactly the same?
Why am I not creeped out that Kelly is dating her much older, yet attractive, college professor?
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TAKE THE CLIPPERS TO ZACK’S HAIR? (that was for college years Zack.)
Good times.
Yeah it’s the ultimate Cheese Fest. And yet, the more I watched the more I was hooked. I wanted to go to Bayside! I wanted to be their friend! I wanted to hang out at The Max! I wanted Slater to call ME Mama! I wanted Zack to ask ME to the prom! I mean I am totally out of control! I am 26 years old with 3 kids and I want to be IN Saved by the Bell!!! It’s shameful.
It was an experience I shall never forget.
Some high-lights include:
Seeing Tori Spelling as Violet the nerd, and Leah Remini as Stacey. It was just like a younger version of Carrie Heffernan!
“Tell me how am I supposed to live without you!!” Heartbreaker. I almost cried.
“I’m so excited! I’m so- scared!!” Poor Jessie on caffeine pills. I did cry… with GRATITUDE that I was privileged enough to watch THIS GEM OF AN EPISODE!
The “Zack Attack”!! Friends forever!!
“Oh Artie Boy!!” Slater, you old SOFTIE!
I especially loved the anticipation that came in wondering what outfits they were all going to wear next.
And then…the big moment arrived… I so savored watching Zack and Kelly finally end up together! Even if the movie “Wedding in Las Vegas” was positively dreadful. Still, it made all those hours of my life I spent watching those reruns totally worth it. Zack and Kelly, sigh. I just KNEW they’d make it!
Thank you, Zack, Slater, Screech, Kelly, Jessie and Lisa. Thank you for becoming a part of me. We had laughter and we had tears. And volumes of poofy hair. And blindingly bright florescent pink. And super sexy off-the-shoulder sweatshirts.
I am a different person.
Mmmm... but not so different I'd tattoo a picture of Zack on my leg.
Spine-chilling, isn't it.
Thank goodness for DVR.
Because now, my friends, I can officially declare I am a FAN.
A fan of Saved by the Bell.
Yes, I saw a few episodes here and there in my growing up years. But never did I ponder these soul-searching questions of the last month:
Are Zack and Kelly ever going to get together?
Is Screech ever going to get less annoying?
How does Mario Lopez look exactly the same?
Why am I not creeped out that Kelly is dating her much older, yet attractive, college professor?
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TAKE THE CLIPPERS TO ZACK’S HAIR? (that was for college years Zack.)
Good times.
Yeah it’s the ultimate Cheese Fest. And yet, the more I watched the more I was hooked. I wanted to go to Bayside! I wanted to be their friend! I wanted to hang out at The Max! I wanted Slater to call ME Mama! I wanted Zack to ask ME to the prom! I mean I am totally out of control! I am 26 years old with 3 kids and I want to be IN Saved by the Bell!!! It’s shameful.
It was an experience I shall never forget.
Some high-lights include:
Seeing Tori Spelling as Violet the nerd, and Leah Remini as Stacey. It was just like a younger version of Carrie Heffernan!
“Tell me how am I supposed to live without you!!” Heartbreaker. I almost cried.
“I’m so excited! I’m so- scared!!” Poor Jessie on caffeine pills. I did cry… with GRATITUDE that I was privileged enough to watch THIS GEM OF AN EPISODE!
The “Zack Attack”!! Friends forever!!
“Oh Artie Boy!!” Slater, you old SOFTIE!
I especially loved the anticipation that came in wondering what outfits they were all going to wear next.
And then…the big moment arrived… I so savored watching Zack and Kelly finally end up together! Even if the movie “Wedding in Las Vegas” was positively dreadful. Still, it made all those hours of my life I spent watching those reruns totally worth it. Zack and Kelly, sigh. I just KNEW they’d make it!
Thank you, Zack, Slater, Screech, Kelly, Jessie and Lisa. Thank you for becoming a part of me. We had laughter and we had tears. And volumes of poofy hair. And blindingly bright florescent pink. And super sexy off-the-shoulder sweatshirts.
I am a different person.
Mmmm... but not so different I'd tattoo a picture of Zack on my leg.
Spine-chilling, isn't it.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Six months!
My baby is six months old today!!!! He's been such a sweetie pie. He is so easy-going which is what mommy needs with 3 kids.
He sits up pretty well! When he's not falling onto his face that is.
He's been up on all fours for the past couple weeks. I'm totally impressed cause Jenna did not get up on all fours until she was 10 or 11 months. Poor girl was a beached whale. I guess since Logan has older siblings he has more motivation. I don't know.
Now he just needs to figure out the crawling process. But rolling and scooting is getting him where he needs to go.
He loves to pose in this position.
He thinks baby food is the best thing that ever happened to him.
MMMMM delicious!!
He really hates his multi-vitamin though. I can't blame him the stuff smells awful. But I do enjoy watching him make faces.
I love this age it is so much fun!!! He says "ma-ma" and smiles all the time and is so snuggly to hold and thinks I am SO FUNNY! And he's not old enough to make messes like these out of my neatly organized children's clothes!
He sits up pretty well! When he's not falling onto his face that is.
He's been up on all fours for the past couple weeks. I'm totally impressed cause Jenna did not get up on all fours until she was 10 or 11 months. Poor girl was a beached whale. I guess since Logan has older siblings he has more motivation. I don't know.
Now he just needs to figure out the crawling process. But rolling and scooting is getting him where he needs to go.
He loves to pose in this position.
He thinks baby food is the best thing that ever happened to him.
MMMMM delicious!!
He really hates his multi-vitamin though. I can't blame him the stuff smells awful. But I do enjoy watching him make faces.
I love this age it is so much fun!!! He says "ma-ma" and smiles all the time and is so snuggly to hold and thinks I am SO FUNNY! And he's not old enough to make messes like these out of my neatly organized children's clothes!
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