Toddler Times
"I'll just have a bowl of plane soup, please."
Now that I’ve had two toddlers, I can firmly state that this eighteen-month to two-year phase is definitely the era of the random object found in the random place.
I’m not sure why toddlers like to stash things around, but it must have some evolutionary survival roots.
My older child used to take the letter magnets from the fridge and shove them between the mattress and the box spring in our bedroom.
The second child seems to have a wider spectrum of both objects and locations.
Look what I found around my house: Continue reading »
I have memories of my little brother falling asleep in random places when we were children. When he was a toddler, he would often fall asleep on our sofa, in a chair, or even smack dab in the middle of the floor.
In fact, I have seen plenty of little ones passed out in unusual places, but never my own.
I can actually count on one hand the times Evan has ever fallen asleep during the day on his own, without being put in his crib for a forced nap.
I'm getting my hair done & drinking a crisp glass of wine at 11am. Oh, wait. This is on a Saturday in my two hours of spare time per week. Man! ::snaps fingers::
Earlier this week, I wrote about having a live-in nanny. Because of her relationship with my son and my need to now work 40 hours per week again from home, it made the most sense for all of us if she moved into our guest room four days per week. 40 hours per week, just like a normal full-time job, she watches my son in our home while I work upstairs on spreadsheets and scripts and conference calls. At 6pm, my husband comes home and we make a family meal and yes, our nanny joins us for the meal. Then she usually goes out with friends while we put our son to bed and wind-down after a day of working. Our nanny does not cook or clean at all; she does not care for our child when I am not engaged with my employer. I’m still the gal behind dinner and sparkling toilets. So contrary to the popular belief of Babble’s Facebook page, she is not watching my child while I lounge at home eating bon-bons and watching my soaps.
Although that might be nice. WHERE IS THAT REALITY?! Oh, right. It’s in Hollywood and I’m in North Carolina.
But scrolling through the Facebook page, I noticed several people commenting that if I can’t take care of my child, why did I even have a child? My eyes grew wide and I got all Hulk-like and I must admit, THE RAGE WAS STRONG when I read that.
A text from last night...
Last night my text message alert on my cell phone went off and when I looked at the message I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically. Honestly it was one of those piss you pants kind of laughs — it could have been bad!
One of my good friends who has yet to have one of her own children texted me telling me that reading some of my Facebook statuses just happens to be an amazing form of birth control.
I would agree! Continue reading »
Jeans and a sweatshirt like a boss.
Last week, Curvy Girls Guide posted a guest piece on “Why I’m Not a ‘Dirty Mom’.” You know, the moms that roll up in sweatpants & three-day hair under a baseball cap on the regular because there’s nobody to impress in the carpool lane.
I think we’ve all been guilty of that at least once. I’ve been guilty of it way more than I’d like, although I wish I was one of those moms that enjoyed doing my nails and wearing heels on weekdays. So I wrote about it on my own blog:
I’m a total crap-shoot as a mom when it comes to fashion. I either look cute or I look like a dog & there’s really not too much in-between. I could blame my workload but I’m going to be honest – my physical appearance is usually a good indicator of my mental health. If I look pretty, it means it’s a good day & I’m feeling self-confident & in control. My to-do list is being checked off, dinner is planned, & the kid’s face is scrubbed. If I’m in yoga pants, it’s probably because they were the first thing on top of the laundry pile that I managed to recognize.
People were enraged at the article, claiming that there is more to beauty than looks (true) and more to motherhood than carpool fashion (also true). But the other side argued that a basic form of self-respect is putting the best face forward each day and that having even a small beauty routine instill confidence.
The newest thing in Brooklyn, I’m told, is coffee for the toddler set. They’re called Babyccinos and contain a shot of decaf espresso, a large dose of frothy milk and possibly some sprinkles on top. You can watch a video of Ruby (pictured left) drinking her Babyccino here.
Baristas at coffeehouses throughout Park Slope, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights say they are only whipping up the kid-friendly beverages to meet demand. Even if those baristas wouldn’t serve them to their own kids.
Parents of the coffee-drinking tots say the whole thing is all very harmless and adorable.
Yeah. I don’t know about that. Continue reading »
Once or twice per year, I pack a suitcase and fly to another state where I spend four days with friends and inspiration at a blogging conference. This week, I fly to Blissdom in Nashville, TN thanks to the good people of Oreck and I’ll be a Community Leader for the writing sessions. It’s my fourth blogging conference, so I’m less anxious and mostly just ready for a weekend away for inspiration and growth.
When I left for BlogHer 2010, my very first conference, I knew I would miss my baby but also knew he was in the very capable hands of his father. After battling severe postpartum depression for a year, I was ready for a weekend away without the stresses of motherhood and therapy.
Now that my baby is a toddler and I’m healed and whole and far less dark and twisty? I don’t know how to handle leaving.
Beth Anne Ballance 
Ilana Wiles 
Crissy Page 
Natalie Holbrook 
Monica Bielanko 
Emily McClements 
Danielle Elwood 
Naomi Odes Aytur 
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