Meet Your Future Boss

I think my daughter might have a future in management.  She has her delegation skills down pat.  True story:

Yesterday while she was napping I picked up all her toys except in the bedroom.  When she got up she was hungry and asked for a snack.  I told her that she could have a snack, but that Mommy had just picked up her toys, and that first she could help by picking up the Elmo toy on the floor of the bedroom.  After that, the chore would be all done, and she could have her snack. 

"No, Mommy do it." she said while pointing at the toy, basically meaning "do it yourself woman."  I explained that she needed to help pick up her toys as I was her mommy and not her slave.  I left the room and told her that when it was picked up she could have her snack.  A few minutes later she found me in the kitchen and again asked for the snack.  "Did you pick up your toy?" I asked.  "Yeah, Daddy." she giggled and ran off to show me that the toy was indeed picked up.  I asked CJ if he had picked up her Elmo toy.  "Yeah, she asked me to" he said.  Wow.  She got Daddy to do it for her.  Way to delegate an unpleasant task. 

I was actually kind of proud of her so I told CJ he had been used and gave her the snack.

The Dangers of Parenthood

Last night we had the family over for dinner. My mother had made rice krispy treats and brought them over for dessert. After dinner, the kids were off playing, the men were in front of the TV and I cleaned the kitchen while talking to mom, sis and her friend. As I was cleaning off the table I saw that E hadn't finished her rice krispy treat. I actually said out loud "A little more rice krispy treat won't hurt me" as I popped a bite size piece into my mouth. It was at that moment my sis informed me that she has just finished prying that particular piece off the seat of my daughter's pants. Nice.

In addition to accidentally eating questionable things here is a list of other dangers that come along with parenthood:

Gross Stuff - Never, I repeat never, sniff the inside of the sippy cup that mysteriously turns up in the sink. It will be the one your husband found in his car. One that was probably in there for a few weeks. Ew. A strong gag reflex is a helpful tool in the parenting field. 

Embarrassment - E has taken to calling strange men "daddy" in public. She sees a guy with a ball cap, points at him and screams "DADDY" at the top of her lungs. Most men don't notice, or laugh it off, but one poor guy in the grocery store was visibly horrified. Then on our way out of the parking lot I found myself following him out in my car. He looked so freaked out as he sped away. Actually, it was pretty funny. Embarrassing, but funny.

Pain - Ever had your kid head butt you in the nose? Pray you don't.  Then there is the accidental scratching with those razor sharp baby nails.  The enviable toy dropped on your foot.  Just the other day E ran up to me while I was on the phone and bit me on the leg.  Left a mark.  Thankfully, she hasn't done it since.  I must admit my reaction was not the most mature and it resulted in time outs for both of us. 

These are just a few of the dangers of parenthood.  I sure given some time I could think of many more.  However I will instead start thinking of ways to embarrass E when she is a teenager.  Payback!  I  bet it comes easy to me.  If not, I can always get tips from my mother. 

E Meets the Tiger

I just wanted to share these pictures from a recent trip to the zoo.  E wasn't too sure about the tiger.

Potty Training - Let The Fun Begin

E has started telling us when she is going potty. All excited I brought out the potty seat with steps that she got for Christmas (Hey - will I ever get away with a more practical gift again? At least it wasn't from Santa). She was so excited to try it, but her short little legs couldn't quite reach the top step and she felt insecure. All further requests from me to sit on the potty seat were met with screeching. I was really hoping to avoid a potty chair. The cleaning it out part. Ew.  All of you mothers who have potty trained feel free to laugh at me now.

Anyway, she was still showing interest in the potty, just not the BIG one, so I figured we had better get a potty before we missed the window. The other night I made a big production of taking her to the store to pick out her very own potty. She picked a cute foggie potty that actually matches the theme of her bathroom!  She has sat on it a few times sans diaper but still no piddle in the potty. She is actually more interested in washing her hands.

So here is the plan based on my sister-in-law's advice (she has managed to potty train 3 kids so in my option, she is an expert): Since the weather has finally decided to be nice I am going to pick a warm afternoon, load E up on Sprite (she will think she won the lottery), and let her play out back naked. This way she can learn the sensation of pottying and how to control it. Fingers crossed.

Anyone else have any tips? Feel free to leave them in the comments.

Recipe: Koren Ribs (made in the crockpot) EASY and YUMMY!

I just wanted to share this recipe that I made for dinner last night.  It comes from Stephanie O'Dea's cookbook, Make It Fast, Cook It Slow (I checked it out from the library).  The recipe is SUPER easy and YUMMY.  I hope you enjoy:

Koren Ribs:

Package of beef or pork short ribs (I have used both)
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1 cup brown sugar
5 whole jalapeno peppers

This time I defrosted the ribs in the refrigerator overnight (but I don't always - sometimes I just throw them in the crock pot frozen).  Top with all ingredients.  Turn crock pot on low and cook all day.  Could it be easier?? 

I think that CJ probably turned them a few times because he finds it physically impossible not to mess with the food that I am cooking.  It is probably best that he turned them, as I would be been too lazy. 

Also, the first time 5 jalapenos made the ribs just the right amount of spicy, but last night they weren't quite spicy enough.  I might add a few more when I make these again.  It is so hard to tell how hot the peppers are going to be.

Mommy Confessions: Say What?

You know how most of the time "outsiders" cannot understand toddlers? The parents usually understand and they have to translate. Well here is my confession: A good deal of the time I have no idea what my 2-year old daughter "E" is saying.


Examples: The other day while taking a walk through the neighborhood we were strolling ppast a house under construction. There was a Hispanic construction worker standing by the curb and as we walked past E pointed and yelled "dark! dark!" I was MORTIFIED. I thought she was calling the man "dark." It finally dawned on me; she was saying "truck." Thank god, but I was still walking very fast at this point (and saying “Yes! That is a truck.” really load).

Here is another one (fortunately less embarrassing, however very maddening): For a long time I thought she was saying "doggie" when she was really asking for a cookie. Needless to say this causes endless frustration on BOTH our parts. She would get so mad at me and I thought the whining would be endless. Since this request was repeating about 47 times per day I finally figured it out. Unfortunately for E, my understanding of the question has not changed the answer and her request if most frequently denied. At least by me, I have a feeling that CJ often hands over the cookies.

A lot of the time I can piece it together by the context of the situation, but when she gets to babbling and talking fast CJ and I just look at each other and shrug. We have no clue. Several words all sound the same, like dark and truck for example.

I guess it is a learning process for all of us. Sometimes I feel guilty like I am doing something wrong. What parent doesn't know what her kid is saying? I'm not going to worry too much though...I just keep telling myself that this too shall pass. Like most things, it is a phase and eventually we'll be able to communicate better. When she is a teenager I will probably think of these days nostalgically.

Time (Mis)management

I enjoy time management.  I like lists.  I think of myself as a very efficient person.  However, it seems that lately I need more hours in the day.  Or a pill that lets me function on 4 hours of sleep (and burns calories).  Now I would pay big bucks for that.  I could easily make up the expense in billable hours. 

I talked  my broker into letting me doing some marketing for our subdivisions.  I asked to do it full time, but no dice.  He agreed to pay me hourly up to 20 hours per week.  OK....better than nothing.  It will be extra money I can have fun earning!  20 hours a week will be a piece of cake, right? 

Um, no.  Between that, dealing with my real estate clients, dealing with other work drama, parenting, homework, working out, sleeping, keeping the house somewhat presentable, cooking, eating, laundry, blogging, and all the other million things I do I am finding I don't have any time for anything else.  I don't have ANY time to relax.  The magazines I get are stacked a foot high on the table.  It has taken me a month to get through 1/2 of a book.  My DVR is filling up with unwatched TV.  It is erases an episode of House bad things are going to happen.  

I know SuperMom is a myth.  I have always prided myself in taking time FOR myself.  Now that is falling by the wayside.  I feel like I don't have any answers right now.  I guess this post is just to vent.  I probably should get back to work. 

QUESTION:  What time management tips do you have?  How do you get it all done?

UPDATE:  I finally set down at 9:30 tonight to read the paper and I found this article that sheds some light on my predicament.  Turns out, multitasking is rotting my  brain. 

Lists - Money Saving Ideas

In the interest of my new goals (pay off debt, travel) I have complied a list of money saving items. If I publish them here then I have to stick to them right? In order to remain accountable I will give updates.

1. Get rid of home phone line
2. No more grocery shopping at Target
3. Cut up Gap credit card (this will be hard)
4. Start shopping at Aldi more
5. Try to going participate in 1 social outing every other week (or once a week at max)

Things I have already done:

1. Bought reusable microfiber towels to replace paper towels in kitchen
2. Bought reusable water bottles
3. Started utilizing the library
4. Take my lunch to work

 QUESTION: Ideas anyone? What has helped you save money?

 

Realizations

UPDATE:  I originally wrote this post Sunday night. I have waited to post it because I wondered if I actually meant it or if it was the wine talking.  After thinking about it for a few days I am fairly certain I am on to something.  If I post this it maybe I will be more apt to follow through.  I still need to come up with my "how I am going to save money" list.  Maybe I just need to make more of it. 

It might be the wine I had with dinner, but I think I just had a life changing realization. I have a nice family, great friends, and a somewhat decent job, OK I usually hate it, but it does have its perks. So why do I always feel unfulfilled? I started thinking about how horrible it would be to wake up one day, at the end of my life, and still feel this way. I was watching some shows on the travel channel and nearly had a panic attack thinking that if I keep sitting here on my ass I might never get to visit some of the places I have always dreamed of seeing. I wondered what on earth I could do to change the course of my life. Or what I could do to be happy with the life I have. That might be a more obtainable goal. I wondered to myself...what makes me happy?

The first thing (the only thing besides my friend and family) I thought of was travel. New experiences. The journey. The sights. One can wistfully think of a lot of pretty scenery when Wichita is what they look at everyday. Can travel really be the answer? We'll see tomorrow when the wine wears off, but for tonight, I think I might have found it. It is something I love and something I can share with my family. CJ and I have always been at our best when we travel together, and I think that sharing new experiences with E tops my list of things that make me happy.

So I have a goal. What now? I am going to need funds.  I need to start by paying off debt. I should set up regular contributions to the retirement and college funds so I can travel without guilt.  I am going to make a list of ways I can save money. In the morning. In the meantime I am going to recount some of the places on my bucket list as inspiration for myself:


Australia
Thailand
The rainforest
Ireland
Sweden

Hopefully I have sweet dreams.

Why Mommy Need A Night Out

Post by Guest Poster "E" (Aren't I cute?  This picture shows my "I just stole Mommy's Strawberry Frappuccino" face)

Mommy is cranky. She says she is "getting back-doored" by another real estate agent. She says it is costing her a lot of money. Even though Mommy is pretty sure she would win, she says she doesn't want to deal with the headache of arbitration, and the whole situation is making Mommy really irritable.

Well, I know just what mommy needs. Mommy needs a night out. Luckily, I overheard her talking to her friend H about trying the new sushi and sake place around the corner.

Mommy tells me I am a smart girl. She is right. So smart in fact, I was able to find this research on Google. It turns out, having some time to herself, such as a night out with friends, makes Mommy a better mom. Read this article or this article.

Mommy's night out is fun for me too. I get to have some quality time with Daddy. This means I get to do things like jump on the furniture, eat whatever I want (cookies for dinner please), and I get to stay up late.

Mommy gets to relax over sushi (and sake) and vent to her friend about work. Afterward, she feels much better, and the next day she is ready to spend some time quality with me. After a short break, my 99th request for a cookie seems a little more tolerable, and my whining might not be quite as shrill. (I keep trying for new octaves though).

PS. I also have a little secret. I know how much Mommy misses me when she goes out with friends. Especially if she stays up late. So, I make sure to get up EXTRA early the next morning so she can spend more time with me. It is the least I could do.

Yoga for Dummies

We finally joined the YMCA. I absolutely hate working out, but the thighs, they are a growin' and I hear working out is good stress relief. God knows, I could use some of that.

So tell me this: How long do I have to go to cardio/strength classes before I quit feeling like the biggest klutz/faker/moron in the room? It isn't pretty. And it hurts. So today I decided to try something new: Yoga. I realize I won't be burning off lots of fat doing yoga, but my other goal was stress relief so I will give it a try.

I show up for the "Beginners Yoga" class and the nice instructor lady tells me that in yoga, if it hurts, we don't do it. SOLD! I think I might like this.

We sit crossed legged (I sure that pose has a name, but I just started, so don't expect me to master the terminology just yet) and practice our breathing. The instructor tell us to think about why we are in class today. I am thinking about relaxing and stress relief. All of a sudden I realize that I didn't put my cell phone on silent. I just know it is going to ring and ruin all the positive, relaxing energy in the room. In my cardio classes the music is so load it doesn't matter, but this new age-y music won't drown the sound out. I am envisioning all the dirty looks I will get. Stress relief fail. I try to put the phone out of my mind and pay attention. OK...now my foot is asleep. Crap.

Today we are working on our feet. Cool. My feet hurt a lot. They could use some attention. I tell myself to forget about the phone and focus on my feet. Imagine this. We are sitting with our legs stretched out in front of us. She tells us to touch our toes to the floor and bring them back up. OK, got it. Now, just touch the big toe to the floor. OK, fine. Now just touch your pinkie toe to the floor. What now? Then she says to just touch the big toe AND the pinkie toe to the floor. At the same time. Seriously? Who can do that? Supposedly this is a mind controlling the body issue. Apparently my mind has very little control over my body. Of course, anyone watching me in the cardio class could have told you that.

As we stretch I look over my shoulder and out the window. I see a toned woman working on the elliptical machine. I start feeling guilty. This isn't real exercise. I am so lame. Wait...we get to give ourselves foot massages? Screw cardio.

Class is almost over. We are on our backs supposedly thinking about relaxing and releasing tension. All of a sudden the cycle class next door starts and I hear a song blaring through the walls "POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME." Oh yeah, that is relaxing. Still, I think I might have liked it. We balanced, we stretched, some people might have even relaxed. Like anything else I sure it only gets better with practice. I think I will go back next week.

Sometimes Being A Grownup Sucks (until cocktail hour)

Has anyone else noticed that my 2-year old is insane? Her mood swings are wicked, and she completely defines the notion of "wearing your heart on your sleeve." I know, I know, this is totally typical behavior. In all honestly, I am kind of jealous.

When someone is mean to me, or I don't get what I want (when I want it), I don't get to scream, cry and throw a plastic cup at someones head. Instead, I must remain calm and act like the grown up I supposedly am. I have to keep my feelings bottled up inside for the sake of office politics, or keep my mouth shut to avoid an awkward moment, or not say exactly how I feel so I don't make someone uncomfortable.

E on the other hand, can scream "NO!" when someone tells her something she doesn't like. She can chuck her sippy cup at my head if I tell her it is nap time. She can throw herself on the floor and cry. She can cry until she gets it all out. How sweet that must be.

Oh well...upon further reflection I think I might have her beat. I may not be able to scream in someones face, but at least I can drink wine.

So, I guess I will just have to hold on to the fantasy of whacking "she who shall remain nameless" upside the head with my drink. That might make me feel better, but then again, I wouldn't want to waste my wine.

We Have A Winner!

Woo-Hoo! My first blog follower! She wanted to know if she won a prize. Nope, as my sister, she is obligated to read this crap. Sorry sis.

Pauline’s Mac & Cheese

I love cheese. All kinds. Even cheese that isn’t cheese. Like Velveeta. I might have named my daughter Velveeta if it wouldn’t have so horribly wrong. Here is the best mac & cheese recipe. Ever. I am on a constant lookout for one that tops it. I probably try at least 1 new mac & cheese recipe a month. My friend J is a real trooper in trying them with me. I have tried all sorts of fancy recipes but nothing tops Pauline’s. Here it is (as she wrote it):

1-cup elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 T margarine
½ cup milk (more or less)
¼ lb Velveeta cubed (the cheesier the better)
Melt the Velveeta , margarine, and milk over medium heat. Add macaroni. Put in corningware dish and let set a few minutes.

Mommy of the Year

My first blog! My new blog baby! It took me awhile to pick a name, but it was easier than giving birth.

Speaking of giving birth and children. I realized today that my child is so not scared of me. I have this really scary look. It makes coworkers run way...friends tremble...animals cower, but my 2-year old...well she thinks it is funny.

I am afraid I am not very good at disciplining E. One of my biggest discipline failures came the other night at Sesame Street Live. E swatted at the little boy in front of us because she didn't like him looking at her (good girl!). My response? I swatted (very lightly) her leg and said, "don't hit." Nice. Mommy is a hypocrite. Just when I was in the running for Mommy of the Year.

It would help if she was scared the look.