Frazzled mom with chubby-cheeked, curious infant and active, tail-wagging pooch.
Just desperate enough to endure over two hours of a vacuum presentation in order to get the carpets cleaned and shampooed for free as part of the demonstration.
I resisted the urge to be a smart ass when he asked inane questions like, "Would you like to get rid of the dirt in your carpet?" (Actually, no, then it would be harder for the daffodils I've planted there to grow.) I did have to laugh, though, when he asked if I vacuum the carpet once a week. Right, I also get an oil change every 3,000 miles and make dinner for the family on a regular basis. Who do I look like, Martha Stewart?
I will say two things about the presentation, though. First, that is one butt-kicking vacuum. If I ever win the lottery -- not enough to afford a maid, but enough to spend $1800 on a cleaning machine -- I will totally get one. Second, Oprah was right. The stuff hidden in your mattress is NASTY!
In other news, we hit two milestones recently. First, it's been just over a month since I quit my job. The bank hasn't foreclosed on our home yet, so I guess we're doing okay. And I still love it, love it, love it. Why on earth did I even spend a minute of my life questioning this? I don't have to go to work! Duh! I make sure I thank DH every night for agreeing to let me stay home. I'm really surprised at how natural of a transition it's been, considering how much I do enjoy my profession. I just absolutely adore spending time with my little Bean buddy. Each day when I hold him in my arms, it seems that I can't possibly love him any more than I do at that moment... but the next morning, sure enough, it happens. Cheesy but true.
Which brings me to milestone number two, Bean turned seven months old yesterday. SEVEN. Why does that sound so much older than six months? He's getting so big, it's hard to imagine that he'll soon be crawling and walking and talking. We have made HUGE strides in our naptime routine, he is now taking three 1-1.5 hour naps every day with hardly a fuss when I put him in his crib. Consistency was key, for sure. I also started playing Sade in his room, very soothing. (I can sing her entire collection now, as I listen to several hours of it through the baby monitor daily. I'm considering hiring myself out for weddings.) Another contributing factor may have been my mom's suggestion of explaining to him that it's time to take a nap, I won't be far away, and I will come get him right when he wakes up. She is a firm believer in the power of these explanations for both babies and dogs, which I discovered after Evey came back from a month-long stay at her house while we moved out here. The pooch now expects a full commentary (with exploratory sniff) every time I open a package of something or put on my shoes. Anyway, I know there is always another challenge around the corner when you are raising kids, but a well-rested mama with a well-rested baby makes the world of difference.
We also purchased a used treadmill off of craigslist last weekend. I finally reached the point where even I was tired of hearing myself complain about the lingering baby weight. It's been awesome, I wish we would have gotten it sooner! Now that Bean is taking predictable naps, I can hop on during his mid-morning snooze. However, the problem I'm running into (pun intended) is that he only sleeps for an hour, which doesn't give me time to also shower before he wakes up. And he does NOT like it when I shower. As someone who loves to be held close in a baby carrier all day, you'd think he would want me smelling as fresh as possible. Not so. And I just can't bring myself to get up at 5:30 am to workout before he wakes up, either. (If anyone sees a solution to this dilemma, I'm all ears.) The other person affected by my workouts is the dog. She is not quite sure about this treadmill contraption. Sometimes she whines a little bit when I get on it -- not very supportive, if you ask me -- and she spends the duration walking around the machine with an anxious and quizzical look. If only my mom were here to explain to her what I was doing.
Here's my big boy!
5 comments:
Dear Headless C.,
Congrats on getting some consistent nap time in. I totally agree with your mom that talking to them and telling them what you're going to do TOTALLY WORKS. I remember being at my wit's end with Levi when my sister gave me the same advice. I'd say stuff like, 'Now, you're going to cry. But Mommy's not going to come get you. But I'll be just in the other room and you're safe, but you need to go to sleep. But seriously. I'm not going to get you when you cry. Seriously.'
Naptime shower advice:
This is a battle for me too. Some days I do better than others. The key? Good planning. Which some days isn't always possible. I put my workout clothes on a few minutes BEFORE I lay Faith down (this was Pre-gym mind you. Now I don't have to worry about it. So... you could join a gym but that has different obstacles. As in, daycare...) and then as soon as she lays down, I'm on the elliptical like a madwoman sweatin' to tivo'd episodes of 'The View' Why do I watch such a liberal show, I'll never know. Go Elizabeth! Then, if Bean wakes up before you've had a chance to shower, here's what you do:
Ready?
Let him cry.
It sounds mean, but he'll be fine. Just talk to him again.
'Mommy's going to clean my greasy sweaty self. You're going to scream your head off, but you're going to be just fine and as soon as I'm done and have clothes on, I'll pick you up. Here's some toys!'
Seriously. It's 15 minutes and then boom. You're done and you're not a sweaty, slightly depressed, not-feeling-so-hot-can't-leave-the-house-because-you-haven't-showered-mess the rest of the day. It's worth it. You get your workout in and that's therapy in itself. I'm here to tell ya.
p.s. you're apparently my favorite person lately since I keep leaving you book comments. My apologies.
p.p.s.. As if two comments weren't enough, I forgot to tell you about this GREAT baby cd that Faith LOVES almost as much as me. Here's a link:
http://deseretbook.com/store/product/5005482
It's AMAZING!
It can't be 7 months already!!
Yipeee on the napping front, I'm so glad its all falling into place!! And now Danny is a better napper than the twinnies!!
And double yipee on loving being a SAHM, isn't it great when our decisions work out for the best.
I know, winter's coming and and I will be wishing for the elliptical I didn't get last winter! I need to go check out craig's list, for sure! So glad you are so happy with your decision to stay home with the little guy! Thanks for commenting on my blog, i think you may be the only one who still reads it!
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