Megret on Motherhood

update your links.... site moved http://www.avclub.us/megret/

I apologize for the shortage on posts lately. Really, our life has been pretty much normal, reflecting the description of my good friend, Sara's , life with her husband and baby, as well. Normal isn't a bad thing. It's comforting sometimes. Some big things have happened, such as my cousing marrying, and Gardner moving into his new room (see his blog for details). But all in all, it's been a steady slew of laundry, cooking, cleaning, and yard work. Still haven't gotten to use any of those crafty little projects I have sitting on the shelf, but I plan to get to them soon. I have some great toddler activity and craft books to recommend, if anyone's interested. Great stuff.

I experienced just this morning the scariest five minutes of my life (well, sort of)..... Somehow, I got locked outside. I was out in the garage trying to get paint supplies, Gardner ran out with just a diaper on, and the cat was under our Jeep (who knows how she got out). I grabbed the cat, then picked up Gardner, depositing him inside. The door shut, I said, "Oh, no," and felt the doorknob. Yep. Locked. I quickly reviewed in my mind as to whether there were any other unlocked doors, upstairs or off the patio. Nope. I began to feel the cat's claws digging into my sides, with her starting to panic, sensing my stress. I threw her into the storage room. As I neared the door again, I could hear Gardner figiting with the lock on the doorknob. "Gardner, sweetie....open the door for Mommy. Open the door. Turn the lock. See that little button on the door? Turn it. TURN it. Open the door for Mommy." More figiting. A giggle. I began to violently crank a...

Mom told me once about this shampoo back from the 70s that literally had this name. This isn't the name of Gardner's new shampoo, but it should be. I bought some of the toddler-inspired line of Huggies shampoos...and they smell amazing. Even better than the powdery baby scents that we left behind us. I can't help but to tell Gardner every time I wash and then later comb his blonde hair, or even the next day as I merely sniff his hair as I snuggle with him in our rocking chair...."Gee, your hair smells great." I couldn't put my finger on why I like that scent so much. It was more than likely because it reminded me of a scent from my past, something from my own childhood that gave it double significance. Tonight, during bathtime, it hit me. It smells like this little bottle of pink-colored Barbie cologne that I wore as a little girl. It came in the box with one of my Barbie dolls, and I dabbed on the light scent every time I left the house. Just enough fl...

Gardner's getting so much FUN. I know it seems like an obvious statement, but sometimes it hits us how incredibly fun it is becoming now that he's a little toddler boy, not just an infant. He's like a companion throughout the day, not just a little cherub that I take care of for 12 hours. It amazes me when I see this little complete person, stemming from something that once was not....he's now his own self, and yet we can see parts of each other in his attributes and mannerisms. One of the most awesome parts of parenthood, in my opinion. It's not just once a day that I find myself laughing (bent over) at something funny he does or says. His little fake "political laugh" just slays me. The fact that he desperately believes that when HIS eyes are closed, we can't see him anymore. How excited he gets over the mention of a fig newton cookie (you'd think we'd have just offered him part ownership to Chuck E. Cheese Pizza, not just "fruit...

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....

Gardner's cold is tapering off, thank goodness, but it's tapered into a nasty, dry, hacking cough. This wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that, 1) it keeps him from sleeping well, which makes him irritable when he's awake, and 2) Delsym, the strongest cough medicine over the counter, at the correct dosage for his age and weight, doesn't even touch it. There's nothing worse than to be almost in dreamland only to have that nagging tickle start at the back of your throat, sending you into a fit of coughs that wake you right back up again. I know. I've been there. I wish I could take it away from him, make this trial he's enduring end. There's nothing worse than wanting to sleep and not being able to. (I know he actually wants to nap because he's been in there for over an hour, coughing, but not crying to get out of his crib.) I have been praying over his little self today, and so have several of my dear friends. Due to only 6 hours of sle...

Gardner has been obsessed with plugging in and unplugging appliances lately. It's not a bad thing to learn how to do....but not at 19 months old. I fuss at him and pop his little hand whenever I walk in to see him unplugging his CD player in his room. (We spank only when there could be physical harm to him....time outs for all of the other misdemeanors.) Yet today, I turn around to see him trying to plug an audio-video cable into an outlet. Yikes! I snatched him up and explained that's a BIG no-no. Man. I've heard of bobby pins...even paper clips. I guess an AV cable would be the logical choice for experimentation by a toddler who lives in the 21st century (as well as lives with a Daddy who does video for a living).

Gardner's had an unexplained fever for 36 hours now....no other symptoms except for a runny nose and slight cough (which he's had for several days, which I figured was just the common cold). After a three-hour hiatus from children's Tylenol this afternoon, I put him to bed early, thinking we'd beat this fever thing. He awoke crying thirty minutes later, and he felt warm. Back up to 99. I grabbed him, gave him more medicine, and rocked him until he calmed back down. All day long has been a flood of tears. Gardner, yes, because he felt bad....and me, too, because I hate to see him feel bad (among other reasons; see baby blog for more info). My dad and Ken were both here, hoping to get a hug from Gardner during this clingy phase, but no such luck. Gardner would not let me leave his sight. When someone else held him, he reached back to me and said, "Mommy," in a pitiful, weak, yet desperate little voice. As tired as you are, how can you say no to that? I...

What is "nesting?" I like this descripton: "Around the fifth month of pregnancy, the "nesting" instinct can set in. This is an uncontrollable urge to clean one's house brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world. Females of the animal kingdom are all equipped with this same need. It is a primal instinct. Just as you see birds making their nests, mothers-to-be do exactly the same thing. The act of nesting puts you in control and gives a sense of accomplishment toward birth. You may become a homebody and want to retreat into the comfort of home and familiar company, like a brooding hen. The nesting urge can also be seen as a sign of the onset of labor when it occurs close to 40 weeks of pregnancy." (from pregnancyweekly.com) I have hit the nesting phase rather early this time around. Oh, boy, have I. I wonder if it's because I moved, because I'm having a girl this ti...