Showing posts with label Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Me. Show all posts
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
30 Day Challenge-Day 3
Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
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.
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| Friends 1994-2004 |
Thursday, August 18, 2011
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
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:
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
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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.
Friday, August 12, 2011
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?
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
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?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
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 sobratty 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 abratty 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.
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
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.
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
I will remember that next time he is being a monster. I will. I promise.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
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
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
Saturday, July 23, 2011
To Bring or Not To Bring. . .
Ok.
So I have a toddler son, as I'm sure you know. I had to attend a bridal shower today and decided that I should leave my son at home for several reasons. One being that he is a boy, boys don't go to showers like that. Two being that I wanted a Mommy break (Daddy was happy to spend time with Danny alone). Three being that I thought it would be slightly inappropriate to bring a young child to an adult party.
Anyway, like I suspected would happened did, I got a load of crap for not bringing my son to the party. No one was mean about it, just kept pestering me about not bringing him. It would have been nice to go to a party and not be pestered about why I didn't bring him, where he is and what he is doing. I know that everyone LOVES my son, but way to make me feel like you only want me around if I bring my little ball of entertainment. . .sheesh!
So, my Mommy tip of the day: If a mom shows up somewhere without her child, just take a chill pill and leave her alone. Sometimes us Supermoms (ha) need a break, we want to go to a part without a diaper bag, we want to have a little fun without worrying about the baby catching on fire because of the 350 candles lit all over the place. Just ask how the child is doing and then leave her the hell alone.
Unless you suspect she might be pulling a Casey Anthony-then ask a lot of questions.
(Too soon)?
P.S I found my ipod in the couch cushion this morning.
So I have a toddler son, as I'm sure you know. I had to attend a bridal shower today and decided that I should leave my son at home for several reasons. One being that he is a boy, boys don't go to showers like that. Two being that I wanted a Mommy break (Daddy was happy to spend time with Danny alone). Three being that I thought it would be slightly inappropriate to bring a young child to an adult party.
Anyway, like I suspected would happened did, I got a load of crap for not bringing my son to the party. No one was mean about it, just kept pestering me about not bringing him. It would have been nice to go to a party and not be pestered about why I didn't bring him, where he is and what he is doing. I know that everyone LOVES my son, but way to make me feel like you only want me around if I bring my little ball of entertainment. . .sheesh!
So, my Mommy tip of the day: If a mom shows up somewhere without her child, just take a chill pill and leave her alone. Sometimes us Supermoms (ha) need a break, we want to go to a part without a diaper bag, we want to have a little fun without worrying about the baby catching on fire because of the 350 candles lit all over the place. Just ask how the child is doing and then leave her the hell alone.
Unless you suspect she might be pulling a Casey Anthony-then ask a lot of questions.
(Too soon)?
P.S I found my ipod in the couch cushion this morning.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
My Life
I'll start this blog off with a little background information on your humble blogger.
I am the fourth of five children. I have three brothers and one sister. We were raised in a very chaotic and unstable household, but no matter how crazy life was we always had the love and support of our dad. He is amazing. Whenever I sit around and try to think about my life and how to talk about it I always start with my siblings. We are all so different, but we have this common bond that can't be broken.
I have always wanted to get married and be a Mom. Sure, I had my rebellious stage when my parents were splitting up where I constantly told my dad that "I'll never get married" but I knew that wasn't true. I am not the most old fashioned woman out there, but for me I honestly think that I was put on this earth to be a wife and mother, and whatever else I do with my time is just a bonus.
I met my husband when were were both working at the local ice rink while in high school. We fell in love hard and fast but somehow managed to turn our innocent infatuation into a mature relationship and then marriage. Maybe I wont advocate marrying at the age of nineteen before a two year military deployment to my own children, but for Dear Husband and I it was the right thing. It worked. We are happy.
My sweet little boy Daniel (Danny Boy) made his beautiful debut on April 16th, 2010 after a two day induction that almost drove me insane. Anyone who says they don't believe in love at first sight has never been blessed with a child. He is the love of my life, the most amazing person in the world to me. I never thought I would know a mothers love but thanks to Danny Boy I now know.
Every day Danny teaches me something new. Every day Danny gives me unconditional love that only a child can give. Every day Danny nearly drives me insane! But isn't that what being a Mommy is all about? Learning to take the good with the bad. Taking life one day, and sometimes one minute at a time. Sometimes life is only about getting through the day. I hope that this blog will help me and other moms get through the day a bit easier.
I am the fourth of five children. I have three brothers and one sister. We were raised in a very chaotic and unstable household, but no matter how crazy life was we always had the love and support of our dad. He is amazing. Whenever I sit around and try to think about my life and how to talk about it I always start with my siblings. We are all so different, but we have this common bond that can't be broken.
I have always wanted to get married and be a Mom. Sure, I had my rebellious stage when my parents were splitting up where I constantly told my dad that "I'll never get married" but I knew that wasn't true. I am not the most old fashioned woman out there, but for me I honestly think that I was put on this earth to be a wife and mother, and whatever else I do with my time is just a bonus.
I met my husband when were were both working at the local ice rink while in high school. We fell in love hard and fast but somehow managed to turn our innocent infatuation into a mature relationship and then marriage. Maybe I wont advocate marrying at the age of nineteen before a two year military deployment to my own children, but for Dear Husband and I it was the right thing. It worked. We are happy.
My sweet little boy Daniel (Danny Boy) made his beautiful debut on April 16th, 2010 after a two day induction that almost drove me insane. Anyone who says they don't believe in love at first sight has never been blessed with a child. He is the love of my life, the most amazing person in the world to me. I never thought I would know a mothers love but thanks to Danny Boy I now know.
Every day Danny teaches me something new. Every day Danny gives me unconditional love that only a child can give. Every day Danny nearly drives me insane! But isn't that what being a Mommy is all about? Learning to take the good with the bad. Taking life one day, and sometimes one minute at a time. Sometimes life is only about getting through the day. I hope that this blog will help me and other moms get through the day a bit easier.
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