30 Day Challenge-Day 14

Back to School Blues

30 Day Challenge-Day 13

"It Wont Be Like This For Long"

The Hurricane/ Hurricane Party

30 Day Challenge-Day 12

I am back online and ready to blog!

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

(Not counting people)

A "White Christmas"

I've only experienced a few of these, but honestly, I live for them. I am like a kid when it snows, I also live for the Christmas season. A white Christmas is a dream for me.


I want to live in that house.

30 Day Challenge-Day 11

That isn't a Cheerio

The Puke Dilemma

30 Day Challenge-Day 10

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

There could be no other. . . 

My BFF Rachel and I, hiding in our friends truck.

I wish that picture did justice to the fun we had that night. Two of our guy friends were in a bar getting their drink on when Rachel and I decided it would be funny to break into the one guys truck and hide in the back seat, only to jump out and scare them when they came back to the car. Well, we didn't have to break in, the door was unlocked, but we did scare them to pieces. They were dying, I almost got punched in the face. It was a great time. Rachel truly is my partner in crime, even if I am retired!


P.S. Hurricane Irene hasn't shown up yet, we're still dry!

My son. . .

Really wants to injure himself!

*Aside* I might not be able to write again for a few days, apparently there is a hurricane on the loose and it is headed in my direction. Our electric company actually called us to tell us that our power is definitely going out and it will be out for several days.

Back to what I actually want to write about. Danny, my 16 month old tank is determined to hurt himself. Every day. After the earthquake the other day he climbed onto the couch at my Grandma's house and did a nose dive right off, right into a plant that was given as a gift when my aunt passed away. Crap. Aunt Brook probably would have thought it was funny, but I sort-of feel like I'm going to be struck by lightening at any moment. As I carried my crying child outside to brush the dirt out of my hair I had to laugh in-spite of myself. I was a very mellow child, very calm and quiet. I was a girly girl who didn't like dirt and would get stuck in trees after climbing them. I was always got picked on by my siblings (my sister and YOUNGER brother once tied me to a tree and left the leave blower turned on in front of me, it wasn't until our neighbor got home from school that I was rescued). Danny is the anti-me. I love it, I must say. I never knew what I would do with a little boy if I had one, but I think I am doing just fine. I now wrestle all day long, I get bit, I play with hot wheels and read stories about trucks and dirt instead of princesses and makeup. I love it. I do feel like I am raising my husband though, from what I am told he was just like this.

You can't pick your child's personality and if you could I don't know if I would have picked for my son to have the personality that he has, but I sure am having fun and I wouldn't trade him or his rambunctiousness for anything in the world!

30 Day Challenge-Day 9

East Coast Earthquake

30 Day Challenge-Day 8

30 Day Challenge-Day 7

Grandparents

30 Day Challenge- Day 6

Day 6 - A picture of something you'd like to do again

Sunset Beach, Okinawa, Japan.

 I visited Okinawa twice in 2007 when my husband was stationed there. I'd love to go again!

Mom Fears

Big gathering anxiety?

30 Day Challenge-Day 5

30 Day Challenge-Day 4

What to do

30 Day Challenge-Day 3

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Friends 1994-2004

 My favorite show of all time. A close second would be Sex and the City and The Waltons. Yes, I just said SATC and The Waltons in the same sentence.

30 Day Challenge-Day 2

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Summerlea, Cana, Me, Shannon, Nicole.

 Ok. I have been closest with my sister, Cana, the longest, but how could I leave these other girls out? Summerlea and Shannon are my cousins (also sisters) who have always been there. Always. We weren't super close when we were little kids because we didn't live too close to each other, but their mom passed away around the same time that my parents split up and the four of us grew very close because of that. Nicole, is my sister in law. She doesn't have any biological sisters (I'm sure the rest of the girls in the picture wished that was the case at some point growing up :)). Nicole is just like a sister to me, I am so lucky that my brother married her and made her my sister!

When not to listen to your instincts.

Question: When shouldn't you listen to your instincts?
Answer: When your child is choking.

Yesterday while visiting my Grandma I overlooked her giving Danny a small peanut butter pretzel sandwich (I should have listened to my instinct when I wanted to say "no!"). About two minutes later Danny tripped and fell, began to cry and as I picked him up to console him I realized he was choking. Really choking. His face was white and he couldn't breath, just a pathetic attempt to cough it out. My first instinct was to pry his mouth open and do a quick finger swipe-then my knowledge kicked in and I remembered what I learned in the CPR/First Aid class that my husband and I took when I was pregnant.

A little back story.

My husband was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (Yuma, Arizona) while I was pregnant with our son. One of the benefits of being a poor enlisted couple is the opportunity to take tons of pre-baby prep classes. When I was 36 1/2 weeks pregnant we took an Adult/Child CPR/First Aid class.

Just for fun imagine this with an additional four weeks attached giving CPR to dummies and pretend Heimliching my husband:

It wasn't pretty. Anyway, the class, taught by two wonderful firefighters/emts from the MCAS Yuma firehouse taught me the proper way to save a choking baby. Five pounds on the back, flip, five compressions on the check repeat as necessary. The class was about six hours long, but probably one of the best things I've ever done because I knew exactly what to do in a scary situation thanks to the awesome teachers (and thanks to LINKS for offering the class for free).

So, I Heimliched Danny. I was lucky enough to only have to do the five back pounds (probably not the proper term) before he started to breath again. He was hysterical (probably thinking why the !@#$ is Mommy hitting my back when I am choking), it took about five minutes to calm him down, but he is ok. Thank God.

There are so many classes, books and stories that claim to help prepare you for parenthood. None of them do, they might, if they're really good make you feel a little less scared, but you'll still be terrified when the hospital discharges you and you and your partner realize that "they're letting you take the baby home-by yourselves" like my husband and I thought. The CPR/First Aid classes can prepare you to handle a scary situation and save your child's life. If you do nothing else to prepare for parenthood, this is what you HAVE to do.

If you already have children and haven't taken the class, it isn't too late. It is never too late to learn how to save your child. Take the class with your baby sitter, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Make sure anyone who might be left alone with your child is prepared for a common, yet dangerous situation.

If nothing else, at least check out these links and share them with your friends.

Quick INFANT CPR instructions

An illustrated guide to infant CPR and Heimlich

Find out where you can take a from the American Red Cross

VACATION

I did promise a while ago that I would post pictures of my family reunion, didn't I?

The second week in July brought my whole extended family together-minus several people who couldn't make it because of work. We gather at the same place every year, Oak Island, North Carolina. My fondest childhood memories can be found there. For me, the term vacation was used very loosely because my husband had to stay home and work so it was toddler Danny and myself all on our own. We still had fun. We still made memories. WE definitely appreciated Daddy that week!

The whole gang, minus a few who couldn't make it. Notice that my grandparents have 27 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. For the first time in a very long time no one is pregnant. . . I think.

The Outlaws aka the ones who've married into the family.

Grandma and Grandpa with seven of their ten greats.

Danny, Me and Bob in Southport.

My son ate 6 pieces of watermelon in one sitting.

Very inventive-Ike attached an umbrella and four noodles to an old beach chair-i

Waiting for dinner. . . they don't make living rooms big enough for us.

Three lovely ladies heading out for an early evening stroll.

I hope that my family continues this 21 year long tradition for many years to come. It is wonderful to get one chance each year to gather and connect as a family. We are all so different, yet have so much in common because we come from the two best people I have ever met in my life-my Grandma and Grandpa. What a great idea they had many years ago to start this vacation as a way to keep their family in touch.

30 Day Challenge-Day 1

A picture of yourself with 15 facts.

1. My name is Ella.
2. I have a young son who is my sunshine.
3. I am a full-time student at the University of Maryland.
4. I have been to Okinawa, Japan-twice.
5. I love to read.
6. I typically read around 500 pages of text per week for school and then I read for fun before I go to bed.
7. I have lived in Mesa, Arizona and Yuma, Arizona.
8. I am terrified of spiders.
9. My favorite color is red.
10. It is August 17th and I'm already getting really excited for Christmas.
11. My husband is hilarious-he makes me laugh every single day.
12. I want a big family-at least five kids.
13. I will celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary before I turn 40.
14. I haven't taken down the decorations from my husband birthday which was over a week and a half ago.
15. I am really tan.

30 Day Challenge

I have. . .

A sick kid who has two bruises on his forehead, a scratch on his chest and a mouthful of dirt.

This is going to be a very long day. . .

Sick Baby

Read THIS!

Why I stay home.

Being a stay-at-home-mom is probably one of the most important things in the world to me, second only to being a good wife. Because it is so important to me I am very sensitive about the subject, I have gotten a lot of criticism from people who are supposed to be close to me and also rude comments about how boring it must be blah blah blah.

Well my only response to the boring comments is my personal opinion and that is "You can't possibly get bored unless you are sitting around ignoring your kids all day. There is always something to do." Sure you might get bored of the routine every once in a while, but all you have to do is switch it up. When you're a SAHM you are the boss, you make the schedule, choose the days events and are the only one who decides if it is boring or not.

Something I read in Dr. Laura's In Praise of Stay-At-Home-Moms made a lot of sense to me. Dr. Laura said "More often than not, these "grandmothers," are acting out their guilt for not raising you." The quote was in regard to SAHM's who are getting the guilt trip from their own mothers about staying home. That thought just might be true, in my case at least I hear a lot of the negative comments from older women who didn't stay home with their kids or women around my age who don't plan on staying home with their kids.

I'm not saying being a SAHM is the only way, or the only right way, or the best way for everyone, but it is for me and my family.

I used to want to have a career, have a few kids and put them in daycare, that was my dream as a teen. I did not want to stay home. Once I got married and started thinking about having my own family the idea of having babies to then leave them in the care of someone else all day was too much for me. I didn't want to do it. Luckily, I married a wonderful man who completely supports my decision to stay home and raise our children, even if that means he has to work harder and we will have fewer things. I am one of the lucky ones, I know that.

Even though I know I am one of the lucky ones who gets to stay home with my child it doesn't make it any easier to hear the bullshit negative comments. Just like I don't judge moms who love their careers and want to keep them after having children, I don't want to be judged for wanting to stay home with my kids over a career.

Another thing in Dr. Laura's book really hit me hard and it was "Being a SAHM was fabulous-even though it was very difficult. It was my second chance to have a mother-child relationship. The first one was a bust. But the second one? Well my son is in the military and says, "I love you, Mom," ever time we end a phone conversation."

Bingo. Right. There. That is is. That is what I want, it is why I am doing this. I want to give my child everything I never had. I want to be there for him no matter the day, whether he is happy or sad, sick or health, loving me or hating me. I want to be there. He will know that no matter what, mom is there and always will be.

So like I said, this is my dream come true. I might not seem like the most ambitious person in the world, but really I am. I am dedicating my life to my husband and my children and nothing else. Anything else will just be a very distant third. After all, what other job can you think of where you can sit at your computer (during nap time) and write about your life while you rock out to and Eric Clapton playlist?

There is a reason

. . . Why "I mommy by my own book."

Toddler Milestones

Check out that link and, if you have a child in that age bracket be prepared to have a complete meltdown because your child hasn't reached a certain milestone yet or feel like the best parent ever because your child is well ahead of the curve. Now, I get it. These "guidelines" are important to be somewhat aware of because they can alert you if your child is not developing on track but they should still be seen as very vague guidelines.

My son did everything early until he was about a year old. Every milestone was reached about a month early. So what? I must be supermom who has impeccable genetics making all other children inferior to mine. Right? Not at all. My son may climb, run, wave, kiss, play, dance, jump blah blah blah all day long but the kid doesn't say a single word (I don't count "dada" or "mumum" to be words). He does communicate all of his needs to his father and I just fine. He "just doesn't have anything to say" according to my lovely cousin/expert mother.

My scenario is this. At my sons 12 month check up his doctor put the fear of God in me. "If he isn't saying three words by the time he is 15 months old then we will have to send him to a specialist and consider it a real problem." Que mom's three month panic attack. So here I am, spending the next three months desperately wanting my son to say one word. Just. One. Word.

He didn't.

We go in for his 15 month check up, after a sleepless night for mom wondering what Dr. Must-Be-Right-On-Schedule will say to us. As soon as he enters the room I start explaining what Danny does babble, how he communicates and point out that he does not have any "real" words. Dr. MBROS says "oh he is communicating just fine, don't worry about it." Thanks, asshole. Thank you so much for letting me spend the last THREE MONTHS worried that my kid was behind. Now Dr. Asshole isn't really an asshole. He was actually my pediatrician growing up and took care of most of my cousins and friends. I do trust him for medical advice and care. But, just as my instincts have always said-mommy by your own book!!! Don't follow some chart and agonize over ensuring that your child meets every mark. If you're a responsible mom (or dad) and are paying attention to your child's development then you will know if there is something wrong or at least you'll see a red flag if you get a suspicion that something is off. Don't let the doctor freak you out, don't let other moms make you feel small because your kid isn't where theirs is, and don't let overbearing mothers/aunts/sisters try to tell you about your child. You are the mom and you know what it best, you know if your kid is doing ok better than anyone else.

By the way, Danny is totally dancing like an 18 month old. . . isn't he great!

I kid, I kid.

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband!

This may be a mommy blog but I can't let August 7th go by without writing a little something about my wonderful husband, after all he did make me a mother :).

My husband, Stephen, literally does it all. He is a kind, caring, considerate, loving and devoted man. He is super-dad.  He does EVERYTHING for our son. From the day Danny was born Stephen has been in incredible dad mode, I tell people this all the time (and it is true) that until Danny was about two weeks old I only changed two diapers. He cleans/diapers/plays/feeds/disciplines/loves our son. There is nothing that he wont do for him or me for that matter. He has picked up so much slack at home since I went back to college, doing dishes, laundry and cleaning after working ten hours so I can study or write. He works hard every day so that I can stay home with Danny because he knows that it important for moms to stay home with their kids. He supports me in every way shape and form.

He has been my best friend since I was 16 years old. We have grown up together. He amazed me when he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps even though he didn't have a lot of support from his family and friends. He is his own person, never allows anyone to influence his thoughts or actions. He worked hard while in the military every day until he was honorably discharged so he could pursue other dreams.

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life. We've been through so much together, I am so thankful to have him as the most important person in my life. He has gone from the guy who would drive around and "wreck stuff" to the guy who watched Elmo's World on a daily basis but still manages to be the same goofy kid I fell in love with eight years ago.

Happy Birthday, Stephen!!

I didn't suck today

Or yesterday.

After a hellish day like Wednesday my son and I both deserved to have a great day where neither of us broke down and cried. We both needed all the giggles and hugs that were had the last two days. Tickle fights, stroller rides and swims in my Grandma's pool.

I have to acknowledge a very sad (yet inevitable) thing that is happening to our family. Our beautiful, fun, mature, caring and kind little (but not so little anymore) sister is leaving for college next week. She (hubby's sister, my SIL) is going to play all kinds of NCAA sports, major in Psychology and pretty much be a rock star. I have known her since she was 9, loved her since the day I met her and I am so sad she'll be living so far away. But, I know she is going to do wonderful things in her life, and going to college in Vermont is just one of her stepping stones. So to that wonderful aunt/sister/friend, we love yo to pieces and we will miss you like crazy.

(Don't go)

Worst. Mom. Ever.

Yes. That was me yesterday. Worst mom on the planet.

Well. . .

The day started off as the day from hell (and I mean it, no amount of Hail Mary's would have saved this day). My sweet little angel woke up at 4:21am ready to party. Hubby and I took turns trying to get him to sleep, occupying him, playing with him and essentially giving up and letting him run around the house like a circus freak.

Our early morning led to a very crabby toddler who would not nap. Seriously. Would. Not. Nap. I have never seen a child act so bratty grumpy as my child did yesterday. He was literally walking around the house whining. Just walking around whining. Room to room. Usually when he is in a whiney mood we just leave, go for a drive, walk around the mall, find a park-anything to get him out of the house and happy again.

It didn't work this time. We literally went from 4:21 am to 8:00pm with a crabby kid who wanted nothing to do with anything but himself and his little grumpy pity party. Maybe he knew Elmo was on re-run or something.

I don't know.

By the time dinner was over and I was trying to get the little angel into the bathtub I had had it. I had nothing left to give. This of course is when he decides to go all rambo baby on me. Running around the house, trying to jump into the filling bath tub while still dressed, tearing his training potty apart, throwing things. This kid had to have been trying to get me going.

It worked.

I lost it. I mean lost it. I was acting like my own mother. I wont go that far because I wasn't under the influence of anything other than a very naughty little boy, but I was yelling. Not nice Mommy, not nice.

While I was in the poorly thought out idea to get the kid to sit down on the floor while I finished getting the bath ready, mid yell my hubby walks in the door.

Busted.

He graciously offered to take over. I turned him down, feeling guilty that I let a toddler get the best of me. So together we bathed, jammied, played and read to our little boy who suddenly became a little sweetheart. Maybe I just needed to wash the monster off of him.

Yesterday wasn't exactly one of those days that make you think of "the joys of motherhood." I never dreamed of days like that when I was pregnant and so excited about having a baby and taking care of that baby every day. No mother dreams of these days, but they do happen. Every mom breaks down, gets frustrated and lets the little "monsters" win. Days like yesterday just remind me how lucky I am when my little guy wants to cuddle with me on the couch and watch Mickey Mouse. The good definitely out weighs the bad in our family and I am so thankful for that. My son is healthy and happy (most of the time). So a bratty grumpy day here and there are nothing I can't handle.

I will remember that next time he is being a monster. I will. I promise.

A letter to a person in your life who should be "let go"

Just for fun =)

Dear person in my life who is no longer welcome,

This letter is to inform you that you are no longer welcome as an active member in my life. I would like to express my sincere regret that you and I are not able to continue our relationship at this time. The following reasons have contributed to this termination:

* You are rude. You say rude things to me, my husband or my child. You do not know when to use your mental filter that tells you what is appropriate to say out loud and what is not.
* I can never meet your demands. No matter how hard I try, I am never able to make you happy with my life, actions, ideas and choices.
* You have made me feel inadequate in this_________(family/friendship/situation etc) on numerous occasions.
* You have disrespected my values and my family on numerous occasions.

Again, I would like to express my deepest regret that this relationship must be terminated, however I don't have the time/energy/desire to continue working on a relationship that is both physically and mentally draining to me. The relationship is one way, there is no return for the work I put into it and for that it must end.

I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors and relationships. It is my hope that you will learn from this debacle of a relationship and improve your future relationships.

Sincerely,

Me