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Friday, April 22, 2011

Confessions

Sometimes I really wish my name wasn't "Ma-ma-ma".

There are mornings that I shut the bedroom door from the wailing because I'm just not ready to go there yet.

I look forward to naptime. And bedtime.

This year has given me a better understanding of why some animals eat their young.

On several occasions, I have encouraged sleep with a stiff dose of Tylenol.

I have even wondered why my child wasn't like normal children.

* * * * * * * * * *

Aaron had to remind me this morning that, let's be honest, not all days are bad. He pointed out that some days when he comes home, I'm very excited and happy and just glad to see him...and other days I can be mopey, tired, and apathetic. Back in the way-back recesses of my mind I'm sure I knew that when he comes home from work, my attitude matters.  That I have the opportunity to be an encouragement to him by how I greet him. I think that concept deserves a front-row seat.

He also mentioned that sometimes my mood can be something of a roller coaster...because I allow it to be dictated by Alex's mood. {UGH!}

Another gentle reminder from my leader-teacher that the Child is not my source of joy. "No", I say...he's the source of my frustration!

So today, {although I am currently ignoring the wake-up cries from a Ibuprofen-induced early morning nap} I will focus on the good. I will focus on my attitude. I will be thankful for this little whiner whom I dearly love. I will choose joy.

And I will most certainly look forward to bedtime. :)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;" ~ Galatians 5:22-23

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A Day with Alex

Yesterday, I had planned that I wanted to do some shopping, mostly for maternity clothes. A few weeks ago, I happened across this super-uber-{not-so}-secret kids consignment store that also carries a fantastic selection of consigned maternity clothes as well. I'm all about finding deals on clothes in general, but especially maternity clothes because I think they're such a rip-off! You have to wear maternity clothes, so I {personally} think maternity-wear is this big, over-priced market. But I digress. I wanted to go see if she had any new consignments in stock since the last time I was there, plus check out Old Navy & Target.

Even though I knew a basic shell of a plan I wanted to do yesterday, I woke up really just wanting to spend the day with Alex. I wanted a casual, no-rush, nothing important to really do kind of a day where we could just enjoy spending time together. Sometimes I feel that with all the daily tasks that need to be done, I don't slow down enough to just stop and enjoy him and to temporarily forget about everything else. He has turned into such a little boy lately and is {generally} just so much fun to be around. He's started jabbering quite a bit and has developed quite the personality...with just the right amount of crazy. Needless to say, we keep each other entertained.

Alex really likes Chick-fil-a, so I decided I wanted to take him there for lunch. Plus I was kind of hoping it would "bribe" him into being tolerable while I shopped. :) We started our day as normal, I did a few loads of laundry, he took his morning {9 am} nap while I got ready. Once he woke up, we left around 11 am and headed out to Old Navy & Target before heading to Chick-fil-a. I was pleasantly surprised at how well-behaved he was before lunch. Not that he's usually a bad kid, but he's a lot like his Daddy {in more than one respect}, but this case being that he is super busy and can only sit still for so long. Because of this, sitting in the stroller for any length of time can start to make him a little batty.

Anyway, Alex got his own 4 piece nugget meal with waffle fries for lunch...and a strawberry milkshake. The milkshake was a HUGE hit and thoroughly enjoyed {by both of us}.


He was hysterical. Every time he took a {loooooooong} sip, in a raspy little voice, with his mouth wide open, he would go "Baahahahahahaha". I couldn't help but laugh out loud at him and I think the more I laughed, the more he was encouraged to act like a goofball. Which, of course, is fine by me.

We got home around 4pm yesterday and I couldn't believe how quickly the day flew by. But we had a great time just hanging together. Oh, and between Old Navy {which I never shop at} and the consignment store, I made out like a bandit.

As far as Monday's go, it was a great day.