Sunday, June 27, 2010

Blessed

So tonight as I was giving Julia her bottle before she went to bed I found myself thinking about sitting in her nursery a year ago. Then I was miserably pregnant and just anxious to meet the little one...all I wanted was to get her out. I folded clothes repeatidly and reorganized so it would be perfect. Now she has arrived and even at the end of a day filled with persistent whining (three teeth are breaking through at once) and nothing making her happy, I find myself so blessed to have such a beautiful girl that now plays and laughs in that nursery. She finds such comfort in her nursery. The nursery that I worked so hard on to make perfect by having everything perfectly placed and organized now looks perfect when she has toys strown from one end to the other or when tiny (but getting larger) baby clothes are stacked on the dresser and not in the closet. I mean for three days the baby monitor, still plugged in and working perfectly, was in her waste basket from her getting wild on the changing table. The blankets aren't stacked and folded neatly but instead wadded up in her crib for her to snuggle up to.

It's crazy to think how one year can change your perspective in so many ways. Not only do I look the whole clean/organize thing differently - sure I have my days where I need the house spotless but other days I'm fine that toys are everywhere and laundry needs to be done.Things important now are Julia and having things in my life that fulfill me and give me purpose. Life is so wonderful and tonight as I'm just feeling blessed.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Teething and Tired

Julia is teething! I know that half the time a baby is upset parents immediately say their baby is teething. I've been guilty of it and apparently my daughter has been teething for 6 months and still no tooth. Well the past two days have been it - REAL TEETHING! The kind that has your 10 month old normally happy and tear free baby balling and screaming! The kind where you look at your baby's pink gums and see two swollen white tinted spots bulging like zits gone wild. The kind where you want to sink away in a dark room with no sound b/c all you've heard all day is shrills, cries, screams and bababababa as she gnaws on her own hand. I feel so sorry for her. She never cries and she has cried non-stop. Let's go ahead and add that she has unfortunately taken on a case of stranger anxiety and seperation anxiety. Maybe the pain of the swollen gums has kicked it in but today I set her down to use the bathroom and you would have thought I sat her on pins and needles. All of this crazy behavior the past two days has just got me thinking again,wanting to vent and letting the exhausting drive me into rant mode.

I know we are all supposed to be supermoms and for us SAHM we're supposed to be able to handle it b/c it's our job right? People in jobs out of the home can't just say they need help or quit at 4:15? Or can they? Yes they can so why can't we? When I was teaching if I needed help I asked another teacher or went to my principal. When I needed to leave early I took personal or sick time. When I had a no-good-horrible day, I knew that it would end at 3pm and I didn't have to see the kids again that day....and if it was really a horrible day I could take a personal day the next day. I sometimes envy the women that leave their house to go to work. Even on Julia's good days, I would like a little break (and if you're reading this saying that is what naps are for then you are obviously not a SAHM b/c we know naps are for mopping, ironing, showering, maybe working out, breathing...those things). Maybe one of those hour long lunches where I shoot the shit and don't have to worry about little hands pulling at my microwaved lasgne....ahhhh the little things. I know it sounds like I'm complaining and maybe I am a little but it's my blog and I can but I just think people view SAHM differently than they should. Unless you've done it you just have no idea what goes into it and it takes out of you. I do get to see my daughter take her first steps (2 steps yesterday in the splash pad - she's def a waterbaby), I get to make my own schedule  - second to Julia's, I get to have sweet hugs and play with her when she wants, I get to teach her interesting stuff and see the amazement in her eyes....yes I get to do all of those wonderful things but I also get looked down on if I say it's overwhelming or hard at times or I need a break from parenting for a few hours or a day...so judge me go ahead. I'm admitting I am not supermom nor I ever will be. I'm tired, exhausted and busy trying to balance SAHM and WAHM with an uncooperative little girl and a husband.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Grandparents Come to Visit

So this weekend my parents came in for their 6 week visit. Julia is the light of their lives and they make sure that she knows them and I really appreciate that. Growing up I wasn't close to any of my grandparents and I want different for Julia. So thanks Mom and Dad for making sure she knows you and how special she is.

Oh and this was the highlight of the weekend - Julia just falling asleep on Dad. I mean really, I put her on my shoulder and she's a wild woman (unless it's 4 in the morning) but put her head on Grandpa and lights out....many times. I think for 90% of her naps the past four days she slept on his shoulder for up to an hour.

Taking her nap before going to LIlly's first birthday party!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Dining Room Makeover - on a budget!

Ever since the day we moved in our house two years ago I have hated the barnyard red painted on the dining room walls. I feel it dates the house and it's barnyard red with yellow - I always think of roosters when I see it. Well, I finally did it - I painted the dining room and gave it a face lift while on a budget!
Before

To give the dining room it's facelift,  I  painted, added different artwork, hung some guaze sheers and of course - candles.......and waa - la! A contemporary and relaxing space to enjoy meals with family and friends. Some things I purchased but I reused the rug, candle holder (a glass cake stand) and furniture of course. I also straightened up the built-in cabinet to contain neutral colors only. In order to make the red furniture fit in I used a table runner to break up the color and coordinate with the sheers which I love.
After
So if you do the math I spent a grand total of $188. I purchased some great prints from HomeGoods ( the flower print was a splurge but it had made exact color pallet)  as well as the more expensive sheers from Target - I feel they make the room have that airy feel and they are long enough to give that luxe look. I did save on paint by doing it myself and purchasing bulk white generic candles and a marked down table runner. I also purchased the Target brand hardware which saved me $20. I feel great about this face-life and I now love my dining room!