March 25, 2010

Reflections On Motherhood

The thing about second-time motherhood that most amazes me is how much calmer I seem to be when it comes to performing my motherly duties. When Dawson was born I felt as though I were in a constant state of panic.

Is he eating enough? Should I let him cry for more than a minute? Is his umbilical cord stump healing okay? Why is breastfeeding so damn difficult?

With Owen I feel more like an expert, save for those first eight weeks of breastfeeding when nothing seemed to be going right, but I stuck with it (and prayed and cursed and cried a lot) and now I feel like a pro at nursing my sweet baby.  In fact, I look forward to nursing Owen because he is so cuddly and he loves to grab my nose or my cheek while he eats, and he smiles with his eyes when I gaze at him.  It’s these special quiet moments that I want to burn into my mind so that I can remember them for the rest of my life.

Owen is five months old now and he has suddenly become very attached to me.  He used to have no trouble being held by others but suddenly he began crying when I left the room and has learned to reach for me if I’m standing next to him while Doug or Grandma is holding him.  It’s sweet yet annoying because I have no time to get things done around here.  On occasion I employ Dawson to play with Owen and the “baby toys” for five minutes so I can fold laundry or vacuum the floors.

Speaking of vacuums, Owen loves it.  He is fascinated by the noise and he follows me with his eyes as I move about the room.  The minute I turn off the machine he fusses.  Just like his big brother.  Dawson loved the vacuum when he was an infant, too.  Now he just likes to do the actual vacuuming.  I let him help a few days ago and he accidently (or so he says) sucked up a Lego or two.  Thanfully we have a bagless vac which makes it easy to retrieve the tiny toys.

I’m really enjoying my boys.  They are learning and growing and becoming wonderful little people.  Owen’s personality is showing.  Dawson is evolving from preschooler to kindergärtner.  Each day is a new adventure.  I’m a very lucky woman.

March 24, 2010

Sunshine Days

I spent three days cleaning my house. It’s so great to have things in order. It only took five months. I’ve been attached to Owen (or he’s been attached to me) since he was born and some of my other responsibilities have been ignored. I think Spring fever has hit us hard. Even Dawson cleaned his room without being asked. That just made my day.

Speaking of Spring, temperatures a slowly creeping into the 60s and by next Wednesday we should have a beautiful 65 degree day. The best part is that Spring break starts Monday and I’m eager to get the kids outside to enjoy some sunshine.

While the weather was somewhat warm these last few days, I took the kids and Murphy on some walks to the park. Murphy was so happy to be on his leash and investigating the smells along the bike path behind our house. He must have peed on every tree from our back yard to the playground at Little Plover River Park.

While I was getting over a cold, Doug took Owen outside and they sat on the deck and watched Murphy chase squirrels and birds. Owen loves the sun. I noticed he was less fussy and went to bed half and hour earlier than usual. More sleep for Owen means more sleep for me. It’s a win-win.

I’ve also made an effort to spend more time with Dawson. Since Owen depends on me for everything, I’ve had to sacrifice my time with D. He’s been acting up to get my attention by running around the house and teasing the dog. I try to read more books to him at bedtime and to take him on “special errands” (to the post office or grocery store) with me. He likes the time, too, because he can talk to me about school and other things and I have a better time paying attention when Owen isn’t fussing or demanding my time.

We are so ready for school to be over so that we can spend our mornings at the park and hae picnics in the back yard. And of course, I’m looking forward to grilling season. I’m eager to have a grilled steak. It’s been a long winter.

What are you looking forward to these days?

March 15, 2010

They Say It’s Spring

It was a beautiful day in Wisconsin.  The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the temperatures were in the high 50s.  As my father-in-law would say, “It’s a bluebird day.”

It didn’t exactly start out on the right foot, however.  We forgot about daylight savings time and woke up at 9:00 a.m. thinking we had over an hour to make it to church on time.  It wasn’t until I checked e-mails and noticed my laptop clock had the new time adjusted.  I ran to the shower and started hollering at Doug to get his butt up and ready.  I knew I’d need helping getting Owen and Dawson ready, too.

We made it to Mass at 10:30 on the dot and resigned to sitting at the very back.  Not a single pew was available so we sat in the gathering space (a fancy term for foyer, I imagine) and could barely hear Father speaking.  All the more reason to be quiet and listen intently.  I managed to catch most of the homily.

Post worship we took both cars to the gas station for refueling because we had a grocery store perk card that would give us 80 cents off per gallon.  I love saving money!  Two vehicles full of gas for under $40 is amazing.

Back home I fed Owen and then Dawson found a Star Wars marathon on Spike TV.  He was dead to the world, glued to the TV.  I had to drag him outside to ride his bike while I pushed Owen in the jogging stroller.  We walked to the park and took the hiking path down to the Little Plover River.  Owen loved being outside and fell asleep half way to the playground.

Once we returned home I played soccer in the backyard with Dawson.  He loves to dribble the ball and shoot it into the net I got him for his birthday last September.  He’s getting really good with his soccer skills.  He starts spring soccer at the YMCA next month.  I’m so glad it will be warmer this time around.  Fall soccer was so cold last season.

Here are some fave photos from today:

It was a beautiful Sunday!  I love Spring!

March 2, 2010

Tuesday Without Mommy

I have so much to do.  I’ve been accepted into the Health Unit Coordinator program at our local technical college and now I must complete some informational sessions and online webinars before registration day in April.  I’m going to attend classes in the evenings and some online, so I imagine they are using a combination of in-person meetings and online media to get these pre-admission things out of the way.

Once I complete this year long program (beginning this fall) I will then be working towards an Associates Degree/Bachelors Degree combo.  I’ll be in school for at least 3-4 years depending on how heavy my work load is.  This depends on what I can handle while still working part-time and being a mom of two.  I’m starting to wonder what I’m getting myself into, but I am super excited to finish my degree.

I took a lot of detours throughout my life.  I wouldn’t change a thing because this path has led me to being married to a wonderful guy and having two adorable sons, but I sometimes kick myself for not completing my education a decade ago. I’m only slightly worried about juggling it all.  I’m definitely not Super Woman.

This morning my husband is off work and he has generously offered to hang out with the children while I get things done.  I’m finally using a gift certificate for a massage that I’ve had for a few months, and then I’m going to spend some quiet time at the library, reading and completing some online things I’ve had on the back burner for over a week.

I think Doug feels guilty for leaving me last weekend.  I’m milking it for all it’s worth.

I’m going to have some free time today!  I can hardly contain my excitement!  I hope the boys can survive a Tuesday without Mommy!