girlymama

just when i think i'm not getting through at all...

"Mommy, I decided what to do with all the money in my piggy bank."
"Really? What?"
"I'm going to give it to people who don't have enough food or clothes because I have so much."

moms' night in - could this be a weekly event?

Last night I was invited to blogging get together.
I almost didn't go.
You see, yesterday was rough. The party began at 7:00. At 7:00, I was ready for bed. I was still in my sweats, which I had worn all day and I hadn't even washed my face yet.
But my Husband basically ordered me to go. I think he said something like, "If you don't go there, you need to go somewhere by yourself because you're getting that look..." (What can I say? He just gets me!)

BOY am I glad I went! It was a wonderful "Mom’s Night In," the idea of Beth Feldman of Role Mommy and BeyondPr; sponsored by Bio-Medical Research, Makers of Slendertone; and hosted by Colleen of Classy Mommy.

Talk about just what the doctor ordered!!  Manicures, makeovers, massages,  -- a whole night centered around encouraging busy moms to take the time to take care of themselves.

I arrived really late (about 45 minutes!) and had to park on another street, there were so many cars.  It was great chatting and catching up with other Philly mommy bloggers, who I've met a few times now, and getting to meet some new faces.

I arrived and went over to the makeover table where Sarah was getting her make-up done. Jo-Lynne had just finished getting hers and they both looked GORGEOUS! There was a line at that point, since word was out how amazing this guy was, so I decided to skip the makeup. (Seeing as not much was going to cover my under-eye circles this week!) But I am absolutely planning to visit his salon, Calista Grand Salon and Day Spa in West Chester, to get a full consultation. He was making everyone look amazing!

So Jo-Lynne and I decided to go for the massage. I believe she may have said something like "You look like you could use one" but I'm not sure.
This is the massage company that is set up in the King of Prussia mall with those massage chairs. I've never stopped there, seeing as I usually have two or more children with me. (Although, isn't that when you could most use some relaxing? Could they somehow combine the massage with babysitting? That would sell. But I digress.) I've never even had a chair massage, thinking they weren't worth it. Boy was I wrong - just 15 minutes did the trick! Even the stiff neck I had been enjoying all day was gone!

We heard a presentation by Bio-Medical Research about their Slendertone products.  I've been trying to get inspired to work out more and this was just the message I needed to hear: Make the time to exercise and take care of yourself! It will make you a better mom! I got to take home the Slendertone Revive which I am hoping to try out later today.  It is supposed to help sore muscles, of which I have many today, due to impulsively deciding to do some kickboxing yesterday. (I was trying to drown my frustration in something that did not contain chocolate!) I'll let you know how it works!!

After that I got my nails done by the delightful ladies of Calista, who did an amazing job. (In the swag bag from Calista was a gift certificate to get a free manicure with a paid pedicure. Like I'm going to let THAT go to waste!!) Then I had to run, seeing as I did have sick kids at home and all. I would have loved to stay and chatted a bit more, but duty called!

Thanks again to our hostess, Colleen, and of course Beth Feldman, for creating such a great evening "in!!"

i just feel like crying today

I am just so so tired. So tired of sickness - of being sick and taking care of other people who are sick. Tired of being woken up by whiny children during the night or by an overly energetic baby at 5am. Which in my book counts as "middle of the night." Tired of forcing exhausted children to bed as they cry "But we're not tired!" Tired of being completely out of energy by 4pm... which is a time of day when I need more patience, not less. 

Tired of spending 80% of my day following Colin around the house because he refuses to nap and spends most of his waking hours trying to kill himself. Whether he is attempting to crawl headfirst down the stairs or chewing on cords or climbing the bookcases or eating small objects or trying to get the plastic thingys out of the outlets or playing in the toilet. I can get approximately nothing done.

Tired of picking up toys. And books. And clothes. Tired of finding food ground into the carpet, courtesy of Colin who - no matter how well you clean him up after meals - always manages to sneak some food away from the table. (This morning he hadhalf a slice of banana bread stuck to the back of his onesie, which was later discovered in the play room.) Tired of him screaming at me because I'm not feeding him fast enough.

Tired of spending an entire day cleaning, only to have the evidence destroyed and a messy house again. Tired of dishes. Tired of laundry. So very tired of laundry.

Tired of having my schedule interrupted. Tired of canceling plans because of sick kids or car repairs or whatever. Tired of calling people and saying "Guess what? We're sick again!" Tired of missing my Bible Study. Tired of only having 20 minutes to run into the store and attempt to grab a week's worth of groceries without a list. Then hearing complaints about there not being any food to eat. (Except saltines and applesauce!)

Tired of forcing myself to eat even though I have zero appetite. Otherwise I get a very grumpy, starving baby who bites me because I don't have enough milk. Tired of showering with a child in the bathroom. Especially when Colin grows tired of playing peek-a-boo with the shower curtain and just sits there screaming. Tired of not having a break or a minute to myself because of sick children staying home from school. Tired of trying to sit at the computer with either a squirming, crying baby in my lap or a screaming baby pulling on my leg.

I know this will pass. I know. Its just getting to me today. And I need to cry.

eleven months already...

 

i give up.

Now Ellie's sick. And Colin.

The germs have officially won.

Forget about cleaning. We're just going to move. Preferably somewhere warm with palm trees.
That way when my sick kids are taking naps (snicker, like that ever happens) I can sit outside and pretend I'm on vacation.
That way I won't be tempted to run away to Aruba. BY MYSELF. (Well, maybe I'll let Husband come. This has been no picnic for him either!)

We're going to the pediatrician. I've had enough.

UPDATE: Ellie has some sort of virus that is going around the schools that results in a high fever that lasts for... wait for it... FIVE DAYS!!! (Which Colin probably has, in addition to a monster cold.) While I am crazy-thankful that they are not throwing up anymore, I am going to be in DIRE need of a girls' night out featuring GIANT margaritas when this is over.

wordless wednesday: celebrating six

        
  
 

me against the germs

I've had enough. We've had the stomach bug FOUR times this month. I have to do something.

So I've spent the day disinfecting our house.

Every doorknob, every lightswitch.
Every book,
every toy.
Every wall. Every.Single. Thing.

If this doesn't help, I'm stumped.

you are not going to believe this...

We have the stomach bug. AGAIN. Yes, that would be the fourth time this month.

This time its me, Husband and Colin. (And my brother. And sister. Who visited this weekend.)
Girls are okay so far.

I'm going back to bed.

to my baby girl

   
i don't know what happened. i blinked. now you're six.    
watching you grow up has been one of my greatest joys. 
i can only imagine the woman you will grow up to be.
i'm seeing more and more glimpses of her. 
 
and i love what i see.

inspiration - 2.22

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Matthew 7:9-11