One evening a few weeks ago our dear friends Mr.&Mrs. LAM invited us over for dinner. It was a fanatic time, full of hamburgers, hockey and laughs!
They (at the time) had two little boys (if you fast forward to now, they have three!) so of course it wasn't one of those situations where you feel uncomfortable bringing your baby over. The whole family welcomed Monster with open arms, of course that was because he wasn't crawling and getting into absolutely everything like he is now. Haha. ;)
Their boys are throughly obsessed with the Toy Story movies and toys. They had a Buzz Lightyear doll and right away Monster was drawn to it! He is a huge hard plastic doll, so he's not easy to break, plus he has cool buttons that make him talk when you press them. This year for Christmas we've already purchased Monster the Woody doll, and one of his grandma's are planning on getting him the Buzz doll he liked so much.
We've also purchased the toy chest set of 3 blu-ray versions of the movies. Of course, it's not really something Monster should be watching right now, but we have an extensive movie collection and had planned on adding them to our Classic Disney section anyways. I'm probably more excited about Monster unwrapping that gift Christmas morning then he will be, because I want to watch them noooowwww!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Mommy Guilt and Returning to Work
I've known for a long time that I didn't want to return to my Care Aid job after my maternity leave. I think I made that decision before I even took my maternity leave. That's a whole different blog.
I know just how crappy this economy is for finding work, so I knew that if I didn't want to go back to my old job I'd have to start looking well in advance. I've been applying at different places that sound good since August. Long story short, I just got hired on with an insurance company on Monday. The whole process was very short. I dropped my resume off Monday (the 8th), had two interviews by Tuesday and was hired the following Monday.
Ideally I'd never have to return to work, and could just sit at home with my baby all day. Unfortunately it's not financially possible for us, our lifestyle and this day in age. I've been trying to wrap my head around going back to work and what it will mean for my baby and I. I've cried every single day this week. Thankfully I've been far too busy at work to think about missing Monster, it's when I get home and see his adorable face that I just want to sit on the floor, holding him, crying. I don't. Ok, I did once. The other time I held it in until I was giving him his good night hugs before bed.
It's not like it's someone else, some stranger raising my baby. Hubbs works graveyard so that he can be home during the day with Monster, which is really the only way I could come to terms with returning to work anyways. What makes it worse though, is that this last week Monster has hit new infant milestones, and I haven't been the first one to see any of them first. It's an adjustment period for everyone involved, but so far Monster seems to be handling it the best out of us all.
I know just how crappy this economy is for finding work, so I knew that if I didn't want to go back to my old job I'd have to start looking well in advance. I've been applying at different places that sound good since August. Long story short, I just got hired on with an insurance company on Monday. The whole process was very short. I dropped my resume off Monday (the 8th), had two interviews by Tuesday and was hired the following Monday.
Ideally I'd never have to return to work, and could just sit at home with my baby all day. Unfortunately it's not financially possible for us, our lifestyle and this day in age. I've been trying to wrap my head around going back to work and what it will mean for my baby and I. I've cried every single day this week. Thankfully I've been far too busy at work to think about missing Monster, it's when I get home and see his adorable face that I just want to sit on the floor, holding him, crying. I don't. Ok, I did once. The other time I held it in until I was giving him his good night hugs before bed.
It's not like it's someone else, some stranger raising my baby. Hubbs works graveyard so that he can be home during the day with Monster, which is really the only way I could come to terms with returning to work anyways. What makes it worse though, is that this last week Monster has hit new infant milestones, and I haven't been the first one to see any of them first. It's an adjustment period for everyone involved, but so far Monster seems to be handling it the best out of us all.
Christmas Traditions
I have decided to start calling myself a 'Christmas Enthusiast'... I'm pretty enthusiastic about a lot of things, but this year I am over-the-moon for Christmas! How could I not be? I have a son to share it with!
I've been thinking about different Christmas traditions I had growing up, Hubbs had growing up and the ones we've made typical since becoming a couple. I'd like to have a few new develop this year in our little 3 person family because of our new addition. When I was little I remember always asking to open "..just ONE present?" on Christmas Eve, and always being denied. I get it. Christmas is on Christmas... But I'd like to start a tradition with my little family that we all get to open one gift on Christmas Eve. And it will always be Pajamas. I'm sure that a lot of families do this so it's not really a new idea, but it's new and exciting to me!
I was also reading a blog (I think?) recently that described the families stocking tradition. I've always had stockings, and they've always been filled with little treats and small things like lip gloss, or batteries (if I got a toy that year that required them) and that was great! I love when Santa brings me a stocking even now! This blogger's tradition however was slightly different. She filled her stockings with small treat-like things that the kids could eat for breakfast. In my mind I'm picturing individually wrapped muffins or cinnamon buns with fruit, nuts, a juice to drink and maybe a small chocolate treat.
I think that idea is just FANTASTIC! A breakfast stocking! It would be such a challenge to come up with new things every year... Obviously this year it would be the most realistic. Anything "treat" like, I wouldn't let Monster eat at this age, and any toys that are small enough to fit in the stocking probably aren't age appropriate.
Stay tuned for Christmas Traditions - Part Two
I've been thinking about different Christmas traditions I had growing up, Hubbs had growing up and the ones we've made typical since becoming a couple. I'd like to have a few new develop this year in our little 3 person family because of our new addition. When I was little I remember always asking to open "..just ONE present?" on Christmas Eve, and always being denied. I get it. Christmas is on Christmas... But I'd like to start a tradition with my little family that we all get to open one gift on Christmas Eve. And it will always be Pajamas. I'm sure that a lot of families do this so it's not really a new idea, but it's new and exciting to me!
I was also reading a blog (I think?) recently that described the families stocking tradition. I've always had stockings, and they've always been filled with little treats and small things like lip gloss, or batteries (if I got a toy that year that required them) and that was great! I love when Santa brings me a stocking even now! This blogger's tradition however was slightly different. She filled her stockings with small treat-like things that the kids could eat for breakfast. In my mind I'm picturing individually wrapped muffins or cinnamon buns with fruit, nuts, a juice to drink and maybe a small chocolate treat.
I think that idea is just FANTASTIC! A breakfast stocking! It would be such a challenge to come up with new things every year... Obviously this year it would be the most realistic. Anything "treat" like, I wouldn't let Monster eat at this age, and any toys that are small enough to fit in the stocking probably aren't age appropriate.
Stay tuned for Christmas Traditions - Part Two
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Welcome to the World Little Man!
Dear Uncle Matty and Auntie Manda,
Thank you for making me a best friend. A friend close enough in age that we can go to school together, and play hockey together. I've been waiting and waiting for a boy to come along, and you made it happen (although, I wouldn't have complained had you made me another girlfriend). It will be a little while before I can play with him, but I CAN'T WAIT!
Love,
Monster
------
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful little son!
Cooper Tremayne
November 17th
6lbs 12oz
Now comes time for me to brain storm a blog nickname for him, I'm open to suggestions! I can't wait to meet him, hug him, and love him like my own!
Thank you for making me a best friend. A friend close enough in age that we can go to school together, and play hockey together. I've been waiting and waiting for a boy to come along, and you made it happen (although, I wouldn't have complained had you made me another girlfriend). It will be a little while before I can play with him, but I CAN'T WAIT!
Love,
Monster
------
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful little son!
Cooper Tremayne
November 17th
6lbs 12oz
Now comes time for me to brain storm a blog nickname for him, I'm open to suggestions! I can't wait to meet him, hug him, and love him like my own!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Baby Talk! It's for real!
Ok, so maybe its not for real but it is exciting!
The eighth month so far has been the most exciting! It wasn't long after I posted Monster's What to Expect 8th month milestone list that he started crawling full force and getting into absolutely everything. Now he's practicing pulling himself up on furniture. He's able to get up on one knee and one foot. Basically, one step away from a full stand! I've never really been concerned about Monster's physical development. He's usually faster, or right on time with those milestones.
However when "Saying Mama or Dada indiscriminately" came up on the last two months milestone lists and Monster hadn't started yet, I will admit I did worry a tiny bit. He has been saying "Hi" and "Hey" for a long time, but never the typical first words.
Tonight he did it. He's been saying "Da Da" loud and proud! Crawling around, repeating it in high or low voices and practicing saying it as an explanation or a question form. Almost as if he was rubbing it in a little.
I'm just far too proud to be jealous.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The eighth month so far has been the most exciting! It wasn't long after I posted Monster's What to Expect 8th month milestone list that he started crawling full force and getting into absolutely everything. Now he's practicing pulling himself up on furniture. He's able to get up on one knee and one foot. Basically, one step away from a full stand! I've never really been concerned about Monster's physical development. He's usually faster, or right on time with those milestones.
However when "Saying Mama or Dada indiscriminately" came up on the last two months milestone lists and Monster hadn't started yet, I will admit I did worry a tiny bit. He has been saying "Hi" and "Hey" for a long time, but never the typical first words.
Tonight he did it. He's been saying "Da Da" loud and proud! Crawling around, repeating it in high or low voices and practicing saying it as an explanation or a question form. Almost as if he was rubbing it in a little.
I'm just far too proud to be jealous.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Utterly Disgusted.
Hubbs and I have a mutual agreement. Safety coming first when it comes to Monster.
It seems like common sense when you have a little life in your hands. That's why I am in utter shock when I see blatant irresponsibility on a parents part. A few days ago we were shopping at our local mall... of course right? Tis the season! As we were leaving the store and walking towards our truck Hubbs pointed out a van to my right. It was parking, and he said he'd just watched it pull in to the parking lot.
I looked over to see a baby no more then a month old sitting in the front seat. No infant carrier. No car seat. No seatbelt. Just a mother holding her infant in the front passenger seat of her van. I stared for a minute before I felt Hubbs pull me forward by the hand.
I instantly felt like I needed to vomit. Every single terrible worst case scenario entered my mind with vivid images. Once I climbed into our truck I wanted to scream! I wanted to go back and tell that mother she should be ashamed of herself, and ask her what she could possibly be thinking!?
Then we drove away. Tell me, why is there not an IQ test to bring a child into this world? How could a mother justify that action? I am disgusted.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It seems like common sense when you have a little life in your hands. That's why I am in utter shock when I see blatant irresponsibility on a parents part. A few days ago we were shopping at our local mall... of course right? Tis the season! As we were leaving the store and walking towards our truck Hubbs pointed out a van to my right. It was parking, and he said he'd just watched it pull in to the parking lot.
I looked over to see a baby no more then a month old sitting in the front seat. No infant carrier. No car seat. No seatbelt. Just a mother holding her infant in the front passenger seat of her van. I stared for a minute before I felt Hubbs pull me forward by the hand.
I instantly felt like I needed to vomit. Every single terrible worst case scenario entered my mind with vivid images. Once I climbed into our truck I wanted to scream! I wanted to go back and tell that mother she should be ashamed of herself, and ask her what she could possibly be thinking!?
Then we drove away. Tell me, why is there not an IQ test to bring a child into this world? How could a mother justify that action? I am disgusted.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Christmas Shopping - Part One: Scout!
It's absolutely no secret that I am ecstatic about Christmas. I am all but peeing my pants in anticipation for Monsters first Christmas!
We started our Christmas shopping about a month ago but yesterday and the day before we bought a few more gifts for Monster that I want to talk about.
One of my favorite March Moms is a fantastic mother and blogger (Click here for her facebook fanpage). She also knows what she is talking about when she speaks because she is well researched. For awhile now she's been talking about Scout (from Leap Frog) and how that was one of the first gift she bought her Norton.
I will admit, at first I had never seen one or even heard of it. Friday while shopping at our local big box store I found Scout and immediately fell in love him! Scout is a Leap Frog learning toy that can be programmed and updated with your home computer. Not only that but he can "learn" your childs name to make it a much more personal stuffed toy. Scout is plush and cuddly, perfect for infant hugs!
Now I just have to try and hold out until Christmas to give it to my Monster! More Christmas blogs to come folks!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We started our Christmas shopping about a month ago but yesterday and the day before we bought a few more gifts for Monster that I want to talk about.
One of my favorite March Moms is a fantastic mother and blogger (Click here for her facebook fanpage). She also knows what she is talking about when she speaks because she is well researched. For awhile now she's been talking about Scout (from Leap Frog) and how that was one of the first gift she bought her Norton.
I will admit, at first I had never seen one or even heard of it. Friday while shopping at our local big box store I found Scout and immediately fell in love him! Scout is a Leap Frog learning toy that can be programmed and updated with your home computer. Not only that but he can "learn" your childs name to make it a much more personal stuffed toy. Scout is plush and cuddly, perfect for infant hugs!
Now I just have to try and hold out until Christmas to give it to my Monster! More Christmas blogs to come folks!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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