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!

February 26, 2010

He’s a Rebel

I think that Dawson is testing me.  He wants to exert control over his life, at the ripe age of 5, and perhaps he’s just dipping his toes into the waters of rebelliousness, to see what he can get away with.

Every day is difficult.  He does not want to listen to anything I have to say.  Asking him to pick up his toys when he’s finished playing with them causes him to emit a scream that sounds like someone is dying.  I’m certain the whole block can hear this wrenching noise.  One day, very soon, cops will be called to the scene of whatever murder the neighborhood thinks is taking place.

This morning he refused to put on his shoes.  I told him repeatedly that time’s a waistin’ and that the bus would be pulling into the driveway at any moment.  My son told me, “THE BUS IS NOT HERE YET! I DON’T NEED TO PUT MY SHOES ON!”

When I saw the bus coming down the street and no shoes on the boy’s feet I yelled, “THE BUS IS HERE! WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES?”

And my child started to freak out, running around, looking for his shoes.  I had to help him put them on because at that moment he was so frantic he didn’t know where his feet were.

I told him to run quickly to the bus and when I saw him walking solemnly, slowly, I felt a pang of frustration in my chest.  The child will give me a heart attack one day.  I just know it.

Things have been less than great here for a few months.  Right after Owen was born, Dawson seemed to adjust well to having a baby brother.  He loves Owen so much and he can’t stop hugging and kissing him.  But I notice that when I’m nursing the baby or changing his diaper, Dawson begins to act up.  I’m well aware this is a play for my attention and I try to respond lovingly, but I can only handle so much insanity before I crack.

I want to give my boys equal attention, but I have an infant who depends solely on me, and a 5-year-old who just wants me to acknowledge what he’s saying and doing, and I don’t know how to balance it all.

It doesn’t help matters that Doug is working many hours to keep our financial boat afloat.  With me not working money has become very tight.  We are now uber frugal and I carry most of the stress of balancing the budget and making sure our needs our met.  It’s difficult to be alone with two cranky kids for many long hours with no break.

(On the job front:  I’ve sent a few resumes out and made several follow-up calls only to find out these companies are still involved in the hiring process.  I’m praying for an interview.  I’m lucky to have had this time home with Owen, but I don’t believe I was meant to be a SAHM forever.  It’s time to go back to work, not only for financial sake but for my sanity’s sake as well. I love my children so much and I’m happy to be with them for now.  And perhaps winter is making us all crazy.)

I think Dawson needs more time to play with friends, too.  He’s cooped up with me and Owen and has so much energy (he’s resorted to burning it by chasing the dog, which drives me nuts).  Thankfully, soccer clinic starts tomorrow.  He’ll see his old pals and have some fun.  Let’s just hope I don’t have to beg him to put on his shoes!

February 22, 2010

Laughter and Tears

Saturday, Owen’s cold was so awful that he had a fever of 103.1 degrees.  I panicked, of course, and called my mother for advice.

Since my younger sister and brother still live at home with my parents, they often answer the telephone.  One of them looked at the Caller ID, saw my phone number and gave the phone to Dawson who was staying with my parents for the weekend.

The phone rang once and I heard my sister say, “Dawson, it’s for you.”  She passed the cordless to him.

“Hello?”  Dawson said.

“Hi Dawson, it’s Mom.  Can I talk to Grandma, please?” I asked.

My little boy, funny child that he is, yelled at his aunt, “It’s not for me! It’s for Grandma, you twit!”

I laughed and laughed until my mother got on the phone, and she was laughing, too.  The two of us were in tears over the situation.

“Where did he learn the word ‘twit’?” I asked.

“Probably from Auntie Rachel!” Mom howled.

My mother then told me that she was talking to my brother earlier in the day, and Frankie was giving her a hard time about his curfew.  She told him if he didn’t like the rules he was more than welcome to move out and pay rent.

“I told Frankie he had no room to talk when he’s living here rent-free, and Dawson said, ‘Grandma, he has a room!’” she said, laughing.

After the laughter subsided, I asked my mom what to do about the fever and she suggested infant Tylenol and a cold washcloth on his forehead to keep him from overheating.  I had already given him a dose of the infant medicine but had not considered the washcloth.  She told me to try that and to call the weekend care phone number at the clinic.

The nurse suggested the same things my mother had, and it’s nice to know that I can still rely on my mom, even when I’m in panic mode.  It’s been a long time since Dawson has had a fever, so I’m not surprised I had forgotten all the remedies.

Thankfully, Owen’s fever dropped down to 100.5 two hours later and he was feeling much better.  Good thing Dawson had his comedy down, I needed the laughter through the tears!