Operation Shut Eye

Tonight, we will begin operation shut eye.

After nye 15 months of restless nights, crying spurts, and refilling milk—we are ending all insanity!

You see, when you are expecting a lil one they tell you about the loss of sleep. They tell you about the waking every four hours, the zombie-like tomb of endless nights you will enter. But they never tell you it will last over a year!

Last night was the last straw. Instead of the usual 4 hour span of whining from the crib, I found myself up every TWO hours.

“Wah. Wah. Mamamamamammma!”

I peek open one eye.

I stumble to the crib.

I grab the toddler cup.

I pour the milk, slopping it over the edge onto the table.

I grab the toddy from the crib, and place him in bed– because that’s the only place he’ll fall asleep after dark.

I lay there. I lay there. I sleep.

“Wah. Wah. Mamamamamammma!”

ENOUGH!

I can’t take it any more.

Lord, I love him. You know I do…. but after enduring 15, fifteen, fifteen, months of INSANITY!??! Seriously?

…..

Tonight I am no longer MAmamamama. I am Colonel SleepAllNight. Let me tell you, baby boot camp hasn’t seen anything yet.

On the Run

Don’t you ever just have one of those days?? The kind where you spit your gum on the sidewalk, and the gorgeous woman behind you in Prada steps in it? That’s how yesterday went. Unfortunately, today I was the one wearing Prada. (Don’t be decieved, it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.)

You see, I had strangely ran several errands yesterday: three mall store stops, Baskins, Hobby Lobby. All went very swell. The bug was pleasant and had not one outbreak, whimper, or hurling cry. In fact, several clerks and mother shoppers commented on the delightful behavior my son was (ever so oddly) keeping.

To ask for two days in a row of good behavior was rather selfish and somewhat tempting, after recieving a taste of what the joys of mother-son outings good bring. Instead of counting my blessings for the day before, I decided to take another swing. Daring you say? Let me correct you; I believe the word you are looking for is ignorant. How foolish could I be to believe God would grace me with a two for two no hitter?

First, it was off to the good ol’ USPS to mail a flat rate (which I must say is the greatest thing since fried bread–any weight, 50 states, one flat rate). I should  have known what the inside of the building had in store after I dropped the package and reluctantly did not break anything inside after playing musical chairs with the locked doors all while holding bug and my spankin’ new purse I purchased on my outing the day before. I should have known I was a gonner right then and there, but a package must be mailed so I carried on.

There I was inside the post office, behind seven people in line for one open attendant, with my box on one hip baby on the other and my purse slung around my shoulder…. Now that’s what you call a woman! At the moment I didn’t realize the dignity of my stature, but now looking back I understand why folks in front of me let me cut ahead three places. ”Thank you.” Only four places to go! Three. Two. One…. and the show started.

I heaved my package onto the USPS desk. My son, who was already fussy from waiting on my hip, decided he wasn’t waiting any longer. He wiggled himself loose from my grasp, off my hip, down my leg, and off he went ran. As soon as it happened, I saw my pride from yesterday whisk into the memory of history. As he tore through the post office like a two foot tall tornado, I tried to remain calm. I stood at the counter (as if the crowd of anxious customers wouldn’t notice he was my son) and awaited for my bill. I thought “surely he can’t really hurt or be hurt by anything in the Post Office?!”…. “That’ll be $15.20 ma’am, and I think your son is climbing in the display.” 

Complete humiliation…. I handed the man my money, walked back around the counter, ducked under the line rope, dodged glares from the onlookers, and headed toward the “Eee Wee Bah Blah Bee BAHA” that was coming from the empty cubby slot in the Flat Rate display. I carefully jerked him out by his tiny shoes, and wrangled the screaming 13 month-old out the door and into the car.

I then decided to make the USPS my first and only stop of the day.
As I drove the road back home, looking at him sleeping in his carseat through my rearview mirror the only thought that crossed my mind was: “Man $15.20 was so worth it.”

Just another day of motherhood.

My bug turned one

And the year that I never thought would come has indeed came and went. 2009 saw many changes.

My bug turned 1. 

How very fortunate I am to have been blessed with motherhood. I never would have dreamed I’d like being a mother. Lo and behold, I can’t imagine my life any other way.

And then, there were presents. But before we could dismiss the week of celebration, we had to have another party for another birthday. Lil B-lyn turned 2.

Don’t Play with Scissors

In case you haven’t seen Lil Toad’s hairdo, it has been growing particularly unruly lately. I knew it was time to get a trim when I was at the nutritionist office for a renewal of health foods and the receptionist asked if my baby was a girl or a boy. It wouldn’t have made me think twice if it hadn’t been for the fact that I dressed him in head-to-toe blue that day (which I almost never do because I despise the color)! Needless to say, after talking it over with Mr. Toad we decided that despite Granny Wheezer’s objection, Lil Toad was bound for the scissors.

Not to anyone’s suprise, I secretly quivered when I imagined taking my screaming child who is terrified of the vacuum cleaner to a place full of noisy blow dryers and electric shears. I did call two places relatively close to home, and neither of them sounded confident in their staff’s abilities to perform a cut on a nearly 12 month-old.

Being the spiteful person I am, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I figured a secret at-home trim would determine whether or not he was ‘ready’ for the big chair.

…. Before you get too critical on me, I did promise myself if it looked too terribly bad I would take him somewhere before the Mister gets home.

You can be the judge:

Before.

After.

After: Better shot of the hair.

Who says lil men can’t have attitudes??

Can I just say that I have been on a long, long, very long search to find Lil Toad clothes that match his personality. I’m not talking about the teddy bear onesies or the total blue outfits. I want something that screams BOY. No, that screams lil MAN! Everytime I have to put the same sweat number on him is utterly excruciating. I am a simple woman: But I love style. Frankly, there is absolutely nothing nearby that has any decent infant/toddler boy clothes at a reasonable price. For this reason, I have been trying to overcome the obvious and shop elsewhere.

Here are some awesome finds:

Lynyrd Skynyrd Toddler Shirt

Availiable in 2T and 6T.

Only $30.

From Kitsel.

Def Leppard Onsie

Lil Union Jack.

6, 12, 18, 36 months.

18.99

I Crawl the Line Johnny Cash Tribute

Lap Shoulder Tee for Infants.

3-6 months in black

12-18 months in graphite

22.99

Outlaw Onsie

Babies Rawk

18.99

S, M, L

Ghouls and Ghords

Okay, so Mr. Toad and I searched everywhere for Lil Toad’s outfit for All Hallows Eve. We really wanted a peanut costume, but couldn’t have any special ordered in time for the big night. Who knew infant costumes were so scarce? Next year I’ll remember to look earlier!

We didn’t come up short, luckily. Once we saw it, we knew that he’d be completely satisfied as a Babysaurus. It was a huge hit, and I must say that Mr. Toad and I spent quite a while devouring the goodies!!

Growing Growing

He’s growing so fast! It wasn’t that long ago when he was cradle-bound, and unable to do much except eat, cry, blink, and squirm. Now he waves bye-bye, sticks his tongue out, throws his diapers away, and tries to feed himself. It was as if I woke up today and realized how precious time is. I don’t want to waste a minute of it, and I’ll be so ready when I’m finished with school (hopefull in May!!) and can spend more time with him!

Today I took some pictures on the front porch with my phone. The quality isn’t as good as I’d hope, but I can’t be too picky using a mobile and all.

Cheesing

Exploring

Such a change from 1 month.