Megret on Motherhood

A four-day trip away with your significant other: $600 (of which 75% was just the hotel fees for a non-ocean-front room at the beach on Memorial Day weekend...ugh.) Three meals at the Whole Foods Market deli: $45 One manicure at "Fantastic Fingers," complete with lowcountry gossip from a myriad of interesting female coworkers: $40 Coming home to the cutest 20-month old on the planet, who's equally as happy to have you back as you are to be back: Priceless.

I think one of the hardest parts of being a mom is figuring out the delicate balance between being there and getting away. As mothers, we have chosen to take on the incredible responsibility of being there for our children and our husbands, day or night, 24/7. We are the ones who rise at 3am for the feedings in most cases....we are the ones who get the call from a scared child who's just had a bad dream....and we're also likely the one who's called when the child becomes ill or injured at school and needs to be picked up and taken home. I love being needed. I'll just be completely honest about that....I love knowing that sometimes my touch is the only touch that will heal a little bruised heart. I love hearing the word, "Mommy." It never gets old to my ears. I love being the one who lovingly prepares and serves meals to my family....and who seeks with all her heart to provide a haven for a home for those who I love so much. I don't know if anyone else...

I keep revisiting the spots of refuge I found last week when I threw my hands in the air and "gave up." It's blog posts like this one that spoke to me then....and serve as reminders to me even today, a really good day, that I am nothing without His strength.

I have been teaching Gardner to say, "Thank you, Mommy" whenever I give him something, namely, food. He has been really good at repeating it when I prompt him to say it outloud. Today at lunch, Ken brought in some Chik-fil-A to supplement our lunch (all we had in the house was fish sticks, which Gardner adores, but I just wasn't into today). I tore off half of my chicken strip and reached over to Gardner in his booster chair. "Here's some chicken for you," I said, not really thinking of prompting him this time since Ken, I, and David (a friend) were in conversation at the time. He looked up at me and said, "Tay-too, Mama!" and stuck it into his smiling mouth. I stood there like a statue, amazed, all the while with Ken saying, "I heard it! He said it!" I know this may seem trivial to most, but I just had to share this "first" of his today. I didn't want to forget it.

Last night, we had the privilege of being able to attend the parent/child dedication at New Spring. This time Ken and I weren't just working behind the scenes....we, with Gardner, were included in the main event, and we took part wholeheartedly. How exciting it was to stand with nearly sixty other families, all of us 100% serious about pledging to raise our kids in a Godly home, inspiring them to seek Christ above all! I have to admit, it was surreal to be a part of such a great occasion. I never dreamed I'd be here, but I am. A little overwhelming, a little awe-inspiring, and a heap of responsibility....but I know that when we pray for God to help us in this endeavor of raising our children, He will hear us and answer. If we exclusively relied on our own efforts, the pressure would be unbearable. We cannot save ANYbody on our own. It is our job, as Gardner's parents, to pray for him daily, show him the right way to live in word and in deed, and point him first and fo...

So, last night, Ken and I were thumbing through our latest Parents magazine. Now, let me preface by saying that I get this magazine namely for the cute craft ideas and medical info, simply because I feel that most of their parenting advice is a bit liberal. This time, however, we were surprised. On the cover, an article caught our eye: "Stop your toddler's tantrums....overnight." Basically, it was an article on sleep. I have always been a big advocate of making sure Gardner got enough sleep (I lived off of the advice from this website in particular in his early months), but lately, especially since the time change, I have been a bit lax. By "lax," I mean letting it slide 45 minutes or so....no big deal, I thought. Evidently I was wrong. Last night, we put him to bed a full 40 minutes earlier than his normal 8:00 bedtime, and I fully expected him to wake up at dawn. Wrong again. The little guy slept until 8:40 am, and he has been an absolute PEACH all da...

I am a complainer. I hate to admit that dirty little fact, but it's true. I am better at not complaining than I used to be, simply because I have a wonderful husband who's been faithfully praying for God to change this part of my life (I asked him to do this). Yet I still tend to highlight all of the bad stuff at the end of each day, and it makes for one heavy evening sometimes. I really, really don't want to do that this evening. I am having a rough day, to say the least. My son woke up with yet another horrible head cold, the fourth or fifth since this year began. Since his colds last up to 2-1/2 weeks from runny nose to lingering cough, that means he has only had about a week of "well time" in between each one. Gardner has entered a whining stage, if you happened to see my earlier post. This is exaggerated when he isn't feeling well. He weaves in and out of my legs as I try to cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, crying to be picked up. When I do hold h...

Stole this off a Brian and Becky's blog . What's a mom worth? Moms, find out your probable earned salary here .

Gardner's new thing: Whining. And lots of it. He whines when he can't get a toy to do what he wants it to do. He whines when I don't hold him in my lap every second of the day (another separation anxiety phase, I am assuming). He whines when he's hungry. He whines when he's full and ready to get down. He whines before naps, and right afterwards. Pretty much, the only time he doesn't, is when he distracted in some way (reading a book, watching a DVD, or playing with his train set)....or when he's outside. (I literally believe that boy would be just fine pitching a tent and staying outdoors for two weeks at a time.) Is this something I pay attention to and correct/admonish? Does it merit a time out? (I did give him a "time out" today, putting him in the crib for five minutes, shutting his door...he cried for the whole five minutes or so I had him in there.) Will it go away easier if I just ignore it? Does that show him that it's not wr...

So, I walked into the study a couple of days ago to find a white envelope laying on the keyboard, with a red-stamped rose on the front. Ken went ahead and gave me a gift certificate for a complete food massage/pedicure session at our local salon. Oh, my. What a sweet, sweet husband I have. Too bad I just trimmed my toenails way back because they were getting on my nerves being so long! True....I love having enough to French manicure....but that's impractical if you want to wear anyting other than flops. Oh, well. They'll grow out again (thanks, prenatal vitamins....), and I can skip on over and cash in this baby.

Ken and I were somewhat reluctant, but we read "Babywise" before Gardner was born due to some advice from friends we deeply trusted. We, of course, were not Nazis about it....we did not follow it exactly, but we used it as a general guideline and advice resource. All in all, we were amazed at the results. We plan to read it again in the next month or three as we prepare for the new baby. We eagerly purchased and loved "Toddlerwise," too. I think I must've highlighted over half of the book. And I lucked out by finding a copy of "Childwise" at a yard sale on Saturday. Anybody else read these, go by these, love these, hate these? Can I ask why? Why not? Just curious as to what you all have to say about this series....