Hurricane Max
I mean really - what can you say about this? I think it tells its own story.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
One is easy
Heck, even having 2 kids spaced quite a bit apart is easy. I should know - I've done that. But having 2 small children is hard, so much harder, than only having 1. That is not to say that having 1 isn't hard, but this is my blog and my truth and my truth is that 2 is considerably harder. I, actually, have 3 kids. But when one of the kids is 12 - he doesn't really count in the "little kids are hard" conversation. He never did.
Alec was 9 when Max was born. There was such a huge age difference that it wasn't like having "2 small children".
It was like having a newborn and then a really awesome helper around. He was old enough to be self sufficient. He was old enough to understand about "the baby". He was old enough to want time to himself to do his things without being overly jealous and angry about "the baby". It was also not that difficult to procure a babysitter for the 1 small child. All of this led me to believe that having another baby would be fine. Different but not too hard. After all - I already had 2 - how much harder could 3 be?
I'll pause and let you moms of several kids stop laughing.
Ya, exactly.
So we got pregnant and had our last baby, our little girl. And here's where it gets hard. Max was 2 1/2 by the time Piper got here. Books will tell you that the "perfect" spacing for siblings is 2 - 3 years. I believed that then. To that now I say ARE YOU INSANE? Two year olds are not known for their capacity to withstand change. In fact, I think most 2 yr olds CLING to what they know and what is familiar with a ferocity that resembles compulsion. My son was in the process of going through the Terrible Two's, learning how to potty train, getting weaned from his Binky, AND trying to learn to sleep in a toddler bed. And in comes a new baby.
OK, those are a lot of changes - a lot of FOUNDATION ROCKING changes to someone who's only been on this Earth a couple of years. And then toss a new baby into the mix. Not a good thing. It's no wonder he tried to punch her every time he was alone with her. She represented everything that upset his apple cart and turned his world upside down.
We muddled through. Somehow we managed to keep him from doing real bodily damage to her, got rid of the Binky permanently and got him to sleep in his big boy bed about half the time.
We are still working on the potty part. But oh, by all that is sacred and Holy, having 2 very small children at the same time is HARD work. Just the simple logistics of things like bath time require forethought and a plan of action - 2 naked, slippery children, 2 set of diapers, 2 sets of pajamas - all the while not letting either one out of your sight while getting the other dressed. And don't even get me started on what grocery shopping expeditions are like now. With all the planning and time management (in between 2 different nap schedules and eating routines) I really should be able to secure a Project Management job when I go back to work. Seriously.
Currently we have 2 small sick children. I think this may actually be one of Dante's circles of Hell. Last night I finally got the 3 yr old to go to bed around 10. At 10:30 the baby woke up because she can't breathe through her nose and that makes sleeping hard for her. We were up until right at midnight. She woke back up at 1:10 - again because she can't breathe. She was up again at 2:30 and this time she was really pissed. I had to walk the floor with her to get her to calm down. We were up until 3:40 when she finally passed out. At 4am the 3 yr old got up and came in and got in bed with us. He was running a fever and coughing. So I got back up with him and we went to the bathroom for some Tylenol. Back in bed around 4:10am. He was talking a bit and coughing and the baby woke back up at 4:20am. I put her in the bed with us. I woke up to her crying around 5:15am and my left shoulder and arm hanging off the side of the bed. The entire arm was asleep so I wasn't able to even use it. I looked down and on my pillow lay Piper and Max. Mark was on his pillow on his side of the bed - snoring. I kicked him. He woke up and said - what's wrong? I told him to look at my side of the bed and see if he could figure out what was wrong. He moved Max over to his pillow and I attempted to settle Pip. We were all back to sleep by 5:40am. Mark's alarm started going off at 6:30am. I got up at 7am to get Alec ready for school. Rough Night doesn't quite cover it.
See with 1, you CAN sleep when the child sleeps. With 2, one is going to sleep as the other one is getting up and vice-verse. Rinse and repeat.
But, it's also wonderful. Even in my sleep deprived haze I will still tell you it is wonderful.
There are twice as many kisses: twice as many smiles: twice as many hugs. And in my case, three times as many. It is the hardest job I've ever had. But, it's also the only job I've ever absolutely loved.
I'm really lucky that I get to do this everyday. Even the days that are hard. Even the days they are both sick. Even the days that I am Zombiefied. I am aware that I am blessed beyond all measure and I am grateful. So very grateful.
Now, back to the sick ward. Max has nasty stuff draining from his nose and Pip is just plain whimpering. Time to call the doc and try to get them BOTH in at the same time. I'm trying to believe here. Stop laughing. It could happen. Maybe.
Alec was 9 when Max was born. There was such a huge age difference that it wasn't like having "2 small children".
It was like having a newborn and then a really awesome helper around. He was old enough to be self sufficient. He was old enough to understand about "the baby". He was old enough to want time to himself to do his things without being overly jealous and angry about "the baby". It was also not that difficult to procure a babysitter for the 1 small child. All of this led me to believe that having another baby would be fine. Different but not too hard. After all - I already had 2 - how much harder could 3 be?I'll pause and let you moms of several kids stop laughing.
Ya, exactly.
So we got pregnant and had our last baby, our little girl. And here's where it gets hard. Max was 2 1/2 by the time Piper got here. Books will tell you that the "perfect" spacing for siblings is 2 - 3 years. I believed that then. To that now I say ARE YOU INSANE? Two year olds are not known for their capacity to withstand change. In fact, I think most 2 yr olds CLING to what they know and what is familiar with a ferocity that resembles compulsion. My son was in the process of going through the Terrible Two's, learning how to potty train, getting weaned from his Binky, AND trying to learn to sleep in a toddler bed. And in comes a new baby.
OK, those are a lot of changes - a lot of FOUNDATION ROCKING changes to someone who's only been on this Earth a couple of years. And then toss a new baby into the mix. Not a good thing. It's no wonder he tried to punch her every time he was alone with her. She represented everything that upset his apple cart and turned his world upside down.
We muddled through. Somehow we managed to keep him from doing real bodily damage to her, got rid of the Binky permanently and got him to sleep in his big boy bed about half the time.
We are still working on the potty part. But oh, by all that is sacred and Holy, having 2 very small children at the same time is HARD work. Just the simple logistics of things like bath time require forethought and a plan of action - 2 naked, slippery children, 2 set of diapers, 2 sets of pajamas - all the while not letting either one out of your sight while getting the other dressed. And don't even get me started on what grocery shopping expeditions are like now. With all the planning and time management (in between 2 different nap schedules and eating routines) I really should be able to secure a Project Management job when I go back to work. Seriously.Currently we have 2 small sick children. I think this may actually be one of Dante's circles of Hell. Last night I finally got the 3 yr old to go to bed around 10. At 10:30 the baby woke up because she can't breathe through her nose and that makes sleeping hard for her. We were up until right at midnight. She woke back up at 1:10 - again because she can't breathe. She was up again at 2:30 and this time she was really pissed. I had to walk the floor with her to get her to calm down. We were up until 3:40 when she finally passed out. At 4am the 3 yr old got up and came in and got in bed with us. He was running a fever and coughing. So I got back up with him and we went to the bathroom for some Tylenol. Back in bed around 4:10am. He was talking a bit and coughing and the baby woke back up at 4:20am. I put her in the bed with us. I woke up to her crying around 5:15am and my left shoulder and arm hanging off the side of the bed. The entire arm was asleep so I wasn't able to even use it. I looked down and on my pillow lay Piper and Max. Mark was on his pillow on his side of the bed - snoring. I kicked him. He woke up and said - what's wrong? I told him to look at my side of the bed and see if he could figure out what was wrong. He moved Max over to his pillow and I attempted to settle Pip. We were all back to sleep by 5:40am. Mark's alarm started going off at 6:30am. I got up at 7am to get Alec ready for school. Rough Night doesn't quite cover it.
See with 1, you CAN sleep when the child sleeps. With 2, one is going to sleep as the other one is getting up and vice-verse. Rinse and repeat.
But, it's also wonderful. Even in my sleep deprived haze I will still tell you it is wonderful.There are twice as many kisses: twice as many smiles: twice as many hugs. And in my case, three times as many. It is the hardest job I've ever had. But, it's also the only job I've ever absolutely loved.
I'm really lucky that I get to do this everyday. Even the days that are hard. Even the days they are both sick. Even the days that I am Zombiefied. I am aware that I am blessed beyond all measure and I am grateful. So very grateful.
Now, back to the sick ward. Max has nasty stuff draining from his nose and Pip is just plain whimpering. Time to call the doc and try to get them BOTH in at the same time. I'm trying to believe here. Stop laughing. It could happen. Maybe.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
a Night Mare on Willow Street
Night Terrors suck ass.
My 12 year old son suffered from them until he was around 7 and now it seems that my youngest son, Max - who is 3, is starting to have them as well. I noticed about 6 months ago that it seemed to be starting with him but I was still in denial about it. He only had a couple and they passed after 5-10 minutes of crying. As much as I hate them - I know how to deal with them.
But last night Max had a full on Nightmare and it stayed with him, even after he was awake, for 2 hours. He got up at 7:30 this morning and was still talking about it.
WebMD's website says this of Nightmares and children:
I remember when I was little I spent most of my time on my grandparent's farm. They had cow dogs, and cattle, and gardens, acres and acres of land and horses. I grew up loving horses in the way only a little girl can. But, at the same time, I remember being certain that "Night Mares" literally came from a white Mare. In my mind, she would come in the night and bring the bad dreams with her as she galloped by your house. I was terrified of white Mares until I was old enough to know that one did not necessarily have anything to do with the other.
Max's Nightmare last night involved a spider. A spider in the bed with us. And then from 1am - 3am, that same spider was at varying places in our bedroom. He was CONVINCED of it.
We even turned the lights on and showed him there was nothing there but it didn't matter. There he sat, scrunched up against the headboard of our bed, shaking with a terrified, wide-eyed horror. Max got up this morning and got his laser blaster gun immediately. He began blasting under tables and down the heater returns trying to "kill the spider". At least he was being pro-active about it - right?
This Nightmare reality went so far with him he told me it had "bit him on the shoulder." He insisted it had and insisted that we look in the mirror so he could show me where. He didn't believe me even when I showed him there was no mark on his neck - other than the red place he had made from poking at it himself. He's been up 2 hours and is still talking about it. I was hoping it would have faded more by now.
So this morning I'm making a bottle of SPIDER KILLER and we are battling spiders; making sure our home is safe from them.
My magic spider-killing spray is just a plain, plastic spray bottle filled with water but after I get done with it Max will believe it holds within its belly the most toxic Spider-Killing concoction ever invented. We will be checking under beds and in the corners of closets. Heaven help me if we actually do find a spider. I usually catch them and toss them outside but if we do manage to find one alive it may have to be crushed underfoot - sacrificed to the Gods of sound-sleeping children.
We shall see. You do what you have to do.
Now - off to rid our home of those nasty little beasts. Wish us well.
My 12 year old son suffered from them until he was around 7 and now it seems that my youngest son, Max - who is 3, is starting to have them as well. I noticed about 6 months ago that it seemed to be starting with him but I was still in denial about it. He only had a couple and they passed after 5-10 minutes of crying. As much as I hate them - I know how to deal with them.
But last night Max had a full on Nightmare and it stayed with him, even after he was awake, for 2 hours. He got up at 7:30 this morning and was still talking about it.
WebMD's website says this of Nightmares and children:
A nightmare is a bad dream that usually involves some imagined danger or threat to the child. The child may dream about danger or a scary situation. Nightmares may involve disturbing themes, images, or figures such as monsters, ghosts, animals, or bad people. Loss of control and fear of injury are common themes.
I remember when I was little I spent most of my time on my grandparent's farm. They had cow dogs, and cattle, and gardens, acres and acres of land and horses. I grew up loving horses in the way only a little girl can. But, at the same time, I remember being certain that "Night Mares" literally came from a white Mare. In my mind, she would come in the night and bring the bad dreams with her as she galloped by your house. I was terrified of white Mares until I was old enough to know that one did not necessarily have anything to do with the other.Max's Nightmare last night involved a spider. A spider in the bed with us. And then from 1am - 3am, that same spider was at varying places in our bedroom. He was CONVINCED of it.
We even turned the lights on and showed him there was nothing there but it didn't matter. There he sat, scrunched up against the headboard of our bed, shaking with a terrified, wide-eyed horror. Max got up this morning and got his laser blaster gun immediately. He began blasting under tables and down the heater returns trying to "kill the spider". At least he was being pro-active about it - right?This Nightmare reality went so far with him he told me it had "bit him on the shoulder." He insisted it had and insisted that we look in the mirror so he could show me where. He didn't believe me even when I showed him there was no mark on his neck - other than the red place he had made from poking at it himself. He's been up 2 hours and is still talking about it. I was hoping it would have faded more by now.
So this morning I'm making a bottle of SPIDER KILLER and we are battling spiders; making sure our home is safe from them.
My magic spider-killing spray is just a plain, plastic spray bottle filled with water but after I get done with it Max will believe it holds within its belly the most toxic Spider-Killing concoction ever invented. We will be checking under beds and in the corners of closets. Heaven help me if we actually do find a spider. I usually catch them and toss them outside but if we do manage to find one alive it may have to be crushed underfoot - sacrificed to the Gods of sound-sleeping children.We shall see. You do what you have to do.
Now - off to rid our home of those nasty little beasts. Wish us well.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
mommy blog
Here I am and THIS is my "mommy blog" posting!
This space is for me to rant and brag and wax all poetic about the 3 most important people in my life: Alec, Max, and Piper.
They are the LOVES of my life and every day I am grateful I get to be their mommy. Some days I'm only grateful after they have gone to sleep (moms out there you know what I mean) but I am grateful all the same.
Still working on the look of this space and I'm going to get my uber-talented friend Leigh to work her blog magic in here too.
If I can get my head off the floor today (woke up with a nasty cold) I'll try and get some pictures posted of the 3 short people (well, 2 short people - Alec looks me dead in the eyes now) and some pics of the playroom that I talked about over here.
Thanks for checking us out and I look forward to letting you guys into my crazy Mom world!
This space is for me to rant and brag and wax all poetic about the 3 most important people in my life: Alec, Max, and Piper.
They are the LOVES of my life and every day I am grateful I get to be their mommy. Some days I'm only grateful after they have gone to sleep (moms out there you know what I mean) but I am grateful all the same.
Still working on the look of this space and I'm going to get my uber-talented friend Leigh to work her blog magic in here too.
If I can get my head off the floor today (woke up with a nasty cold) I'll try and get some pictures posted of the 3 short people (well, 2 short people - Alec looks me dead in the eyes now) and some pics of the playroom that I talked about over here.
Thanks for checking us out and I look forward to letting you guys into my crazy Mom world!
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