Cry it out

This blog entry contains information about the babies that grandparents, aunts and uncles may not be able to handle...read at your own risk...haha

I mentioned a while ago about the lack of sleep that I have been getting lately. Well unfortunately that is still the case and I have to admit that it has taken its toll. Besides the permanent bags under my eyes and the fact that I love sleep, it’s gotten even worse; I simply am no good in the morning and sometimes for the entire day! I am cranky, short and a bit lazy, closing my eyes every second I get and dragging myself out of the house only when absolutely necessary. So we decided something NEEDED to be done...

Ok.... so for about a month now I have undertaken different infant sleeping strategies and techniques trying to give her time to work it out on her own. They have included topping her off at mid-night and even asking my dear husband to sleep in the guest room because I was convinced his snoring was the problem!!

After none of these worked, I half-heartedly attempted letting her "cry it out." I even started sleeping in the living room with her so that while crying it out she would not wake up Alena. This was a complete mess and a failure...I could only stand about 3 min of an occasional yelp before I would decide it was easiest to just go on and pick her up. Not only was I tired and miserable, now I was sore...

Finally last night I decided to put on my head gear and boxing gloves. It was on! Kaitlyn and I would go at it all night if needed. This adorable tiny poopy butt baby was not going to control our nights anymore! Funny how she was not the only one who ended up in tears.

That’s right I let her CRY-IT-OUT and I joined her. We moved her to the living room at about eleven. I gave her a good feed, snuggled a bit, laid her down and went to bed (in the bedroom). As expected at about 3:30 she was up. I checked on her, patted her butt and left. She was MAD! Not even crying just shouting at me. I came back…stepped over Jonathan who had posted himself on the hallway floor as a form of support to help me stay strong…and patted her butt again. She was for lack of a better word, PISSED. I went back to bed. Well not quite. There is nothing like listening to your baby scream and not comforting them. So yes as she cried it out so did I.

After a little bit she was sound asleep and slept peacefully until we woke her at 9:30 this morning.

Often times in life we find ourselves in the middle of miserable, uncomfortable and upsetting situations that we feel we have no control over. The longer we put off addressing them the more miserable, uncomfortable and upset we become. We even let it filter into our mornings, days and before we know we are living a lifestyle which is controlled by our circumstances. We can half-heartedly address these situations but it only gets messier. It’s not until we get serious about a change that things will actually change. Some things require an all night fight and a little support to keep us strong. And no matter what, we need to be determined to “cry-it out!” I promise the tears won't last for long.

ummm now let’s see what happens tonight….

Dreams and Little Letters...

A friend of mine just asked me what my wildest dream was. After thinking long and hard I came up with.........

That's right, I came up with nothing. I have learned that whenever I get what I think I want, I realize that I already had what I wanted, haha....

After telling her what I came up with, she sent me parts of a commencement speech made by an all time favorite Ms. Oprah Winfrey. To sum up the speech Oprah was saying she did a show called "Wildest Dream Tour." You know how it goes, she asked people to submit their wildest dreams and she would fulfill them.

She goes on to say that they had a hard time finding enough dreams to fulfill and that women are so damaged that they lack vision. They did manage to pay some bills, send a few ladies on a trip and buy a couple of homes. They also had a few ladies whose wildest dream was to meet her. After seeing what she did for the other ladies, the ladies who simply wanted to meet her were upset. She summed up her point with, "They did not dream big enough."

I realize I may sound like I don't like Oprah, but I do. However I think I disagree with this concept. I think the women who whose dream was to meet her had the right idea. To me a wildest dream is something that would be nice to have happen but I have no control over it. Why would I dream that someone would pay my bills? Although that would be lovely, for it to be my wildest dream simply means I don't think its possible for me to accomplish this and to me that says a lack of vision....

OK topic change!!! What I really wanted to tell you tonight is that I am so proud of my little Alena..and myself! I, oops correction: WE have managed to teach her (keep in mind she just turned 3 in April) how to write the letters: "M", "P", "F", "E", "H", "A", "L", and "T." She can also run off a list of words that begin with "M," "P", and "F" and give you a bible story that matches!!!!! I am having such a proud mommy night and just wanted to share :-)

Old

So last night my neighbors had a party, more specifically it was a "fish fry."

I personally have never spoken to them. However my husband, being the socialite that he is, has held numerous conversations with them and has taken a liking to their 4 kids. They seem to be a nice family and they do speak to me, by default I suppose. But when my husband told me they stopped by a few days ago to 1. prepare us for the noise and 2. to invite us to the function, I knew I wouldn't be going. To be honest I was slightly annoyed that their noise would disturb my nightly routine of quiet time, even though they were polite about it.

So the party started and yes it was LOUD but it sounded kind of fun. So I decided to let their kids come over and sit with Alena and Kaitlyn (they were sleeping) while I joined Jonathan......boy was I in for a suprise...and not really ready for it!!!!

These people were serious! Let's just say they either don't get out much or they get out too much. THEY HAD COME TO PARTY!! It was about 15 40+ year olds, a cooler of assorted beers and a deep fryer. Oh let's not forget the boombox and the lapdance chair!!!

It was entertaining but a bit much for the hubs and I. So after a few good laughs, we took our oldhead selves back home where ironically the real fun began...

We finished the night, watching Anger Managment and playing Sorry, Uno, GoldFish, and I-DE-CLARE-WAR with the kids! It was great.

Just another one of those moments when I just have to laugh at where I am in life....the highlight of my weekend is entertaining the neighbor's kids. Now wouldn't you know they came back tonight.

Man, just like a kid :-)

So just like an adult, I kindly pulled the games down, gave them to them and sent them right back home to "practice." Then I returned to my nightly routine of quiet time.

Not sure which is worse...rather play with the kids or too tired to play with the kids...either way I guess I am just OLD!

Be Intentional

The more I talk to others the more I realize that not many things in life "just happen." From your career to your health, positive results demand intentional behavior.

Short and sweet but I think this concept is major and can be applied to any area of life. In general I think most people have wants and ideas as to the life they want, however, far fewer actually take steps to accomplish them.

For example: I have always wanted a six pack (talking stomach here!) and for those that know me I can hear the sighs.....yes I am "small" and have always been but I don't and have not ever had a six pack. Nor do I or have I ever actually done the work to achieve this, go figure.

A six pack is just something that I have always wanted....especially now, 2 babies later! But this desire for a six pack is just not enough. After 20+ years of wanting one it still has not happened.

This concept seems obvious, right?

Well I believe it’s the same concept for the broader picture of how we live our lives.

It’s easy and almost human to focus on and hide behind life's negatives and allow things to "just happen", but it takes an intentional effort to see the positives and make things happen.

It is far too easy to want a peaceful home. To want disciplined children with Godly values but it takes an intentional effort (and a lot of intentional praying!!!) to raise them to go in that direction.

If we don't intentionally seek out God's will and make decisions that lead to your vision it just won’t happen. Even with prayer and God's grace we will end up living a life that God never intended for us to have.

Just Wipes

Once again my lil Lena has called me to the plate and has challenged me to step up my game. Within the last few weeks she has developed a new awareness of her surroundings, daily activities and rules! Basically she has joyfully entered into the dreaded "WHY" phase.

Thought you might enjoy some of our most recent conversations...

Convo 1: Takes place at the kitchen table after watching what I thought was a safe movie, "Charlotte's Web"

Alena: I don't want to DIE. I don't WANT to DIE. I DON'T WAN--

Me: --Alena, what are you talking about? Why are you saying that?

Alena: Wilbur says that mommy..I don't want..

Me: Ohhhh ok, well don't say that anymore

Alena (very genuinely) Why mommy?

Me: um I don't know just don't

Alena: But why mom? Is it mean?

Me: No

Alena: Is it silly?

Me: um no

Alena: Is it bad?

Me: um no

Alena: well then why mommy? why?

Me: JUST DON'T!!!!! :-)

Convo 2: Alena is coloring on the floor. I look over and see a crayon in her mouth…not the first time..

Me: (in my very serious and stern voice, kneeling down so I can be eye level) Alena, do not put the crayons in YOUR mouth. If I see you put another crayon in your mouth, I am going to throw them in the trash. Do you understand?

Alena: yes ma'am

Within matter of seconds I look back over at her and what do I see? SHE IS COLORING ON MY FLOOR!!!!!

Me: (VERY SERIOUS) ALENA, DIDN'T I TELL YOU IF YOU DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH CRAYONS I WAS GOING TO THROW THEM IN THE TRASH????

Alena calmly looks up at me and says: No, you said if I put them in my mouth.

Me: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our most recent convo 3: I am sitting on the living floor and in walks Alena. She is wiping off the walls, the baseboards and is proceeding to wipe off Kaitlyn's play gym

Me: Alena what are you doing?

Alena: (never stopping what she is doing) Cleaning up

Me: (getting increasingly worked up because I notice that she is using her toddler wipes that we just bought today!) "Alena is that a wipe from your bathroom? What are you doing with those? Those are expensive! Mommy paid a lot of money for those!!! You are only supposed to use those in the bathroom!!!! DO NOT CLEAN THE HOUSE WITH THOSE!!!! If you play with them I AM NOT GOING TO BUY YOU ANYMORE....

Alena: after she saw that I was finished my tantrum, she very calm and "as a matter of fact" says: Mommy, they are just wipes.

Me: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL......

Folks I am doing the best I can but this little girl is TOO MUCH!!!!!