The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[Strawberry Lemonade]

We are all exhausted from this picnic. My friend and her DH and DS (who is 6 months older than Lucas) came also and the 2 boys ran around non stop for hours. You'd think Lucas would have crashed early but he just fell asleep at about 9:30. I guess he was overstimulated.

val - It stopped raining here about noon. I hope you got your laundry done.

glt - Birthday parties in my family are just backyard picnic type things. Once Lucas starts going to his classmates' parties, I know I'm not going to be able to compete with those Party Moms.

bnb - Welcome back! Glad we don't have to bail you out! Bummer about your MIL's attitude but at least you had a good time. I had no idea you could parasail at the Contemporary. Sounds like fun, but I'm sure I'd chicken out.

joats - Sorry about your wallet. As far as books go, I haven't read a whole book (without pictures) in so long. DH bought me a book on Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald that I was saving for jury duty, but I didn't have to go so it's still sitting in my bookcase unread.

Alice28 - I'm glad your headache is better. I hope you're able to get some rest.

floridafam - That onsie is too cute!

fabumouse - Do you have a recliner? I've had to sleep upright on a few occasions for issues not related to the baby, and found a recliner surprisingly easy to sleep in. I hope you can get some sleep tonight!

DisKim - Aidan turning to jello boy had me cracking up. Glad you had fun at SF!

hillbeans - Sounds like you're having a great weekend!

jill - Glad you had a good time seeing Beauty and the Beast.

Tomorrow we're heading to the outlets, but probably not until after lunch. DH has to mow the lawn and it would be easier on all of us if Lucas napped at home before we left. I need to find Lucas some new pants and maybe another pair of sneakers in a more neutral color. The ones he has now are olive green and orange and being the fashionista I am ( ) I don't like dressing him in clothes that don't match his shoes.

Speaking of clothes, I was perusing target.com and noticed this dress. What do you all think about it for a wedding?

The best part is it's only $20. I have the perfect shoes to go with a solid brown dress and I think brown would be nice for a fall wedding.

 

[Alice28]

SL- I really like that dress- you will look very pretty in it! I agree that brown is a great fall color for a wedding. I laughed about your fashionista comment- I like the shoes to match too, but I try to only get the kids 2-3 pairs per season. They usually have white tennies, brown shoes of some sort and then an impulse pair.

Jill- I'm not even going back to school and I consider the ladies here my lifeline too. I'm glad Beauty and the Beast was fun and that the weather cooperated. I'm sure John will love Buzz at some point. He's been the end all to be all twice in this household anyway.

Hillbeans- sounds like you had a nice, outdoorsy type of day! The Crayola factory sounds like fun!

I was thinking about Zalansky today too- can you imagine what her view is? all those twinkly lights...sigh....I hope she is having the time of her life!

Kim- LOL about Jello boy. That is weird that they wanted to see him walk and not just measure him. I'm glad you had a good day.

Fab- that is so weird that your inlaws made ADHD comments about DD when she was only 3! All kids seems a bit off the wall at that age! Mine were anyway. And thank goodness the physical therapist was able to diagnose your DD when she did. And I was also in trouble for talking to much as a young lady....can you tell by my post count (which is mostly here and before here the OMTB thread) that I like to chit chat!?!?! One time a teacher put it kindly calling my 'too much of a social butterfly.'

The neighborhood gossip says nosy neighbor, who never shows her face anymore, is talking about moving at the beginning of the year. Yeah, right. I will believe it when I see it. First of all, she is crazy- our street is NOT a good street to try and sell a house at that time of year. The hill at the end of our street blocks the sun and makes it just look extra dreary. She just likes to talk. It makes me snicker. I'm evil.

I spent all afternoon just kind of resting. Migraines suck. I don't have one anymore, but not getting a good night's sleep, and the Imitrex shot just made me drowsy. I did get the backyard cleaned up though.

 

[DisKim]

Ok, get ready for me whining. I came here to vent a little since I can't sleep. I've been crying for about an hour now. I get like this every school year. I am just not made to be a working mom. Ironically, I've been doing it for 9 years and it has killed me from the beginning. My friends who teach with me and are also moms just don't seem to be programmed like me. I guess it's hard because I know Aidan has to be my last one and I think about all that I will miss every day. He is also very attached to me and I'm sure he doesn't remember me working. He is going to FREAK when I leave him on Tuesday. How am I supposed to function and pretend like everything is ok when he is going to have to be ripped away from me while he shrieks. What kind of mother does that to a kid? I know the normal response from people is to say it is harder for me than it is for him and he will be fine after I leave. I know all that is true but it doesn't make it feel any better. I'm sorry, but he is better off with his mom. Then next thing people usually say is that I can try and make it work on DH's income. No, I can't. I tried when Emmy was a baby and I had to charge food to a credit card. He makes a good income but it is just not enough where we live. I feel like I can't do it. I can't imagine sitting in meetings on Tuesday looking at all the faces of teachers and administrators that I can't stand when I could be with my children. I can't help but get angry at DH when I feel like this. I remember sitting in our child psych class together in college and telling him that I wanted to stay home when we had kids. Then, he up and changes his major from pharmacy to freaking education. I told him when he did that that we would never be able to live on his income. Did he listen to me? No! So now I have to suffer like this because he cannot take care of this family. You have to understand, the man is a freaking genius and could have been anything. His answer was to go for his master's at 35 years old and tell me he's not qualified for anything that actually pays until he has that degree. I really don't believe the degree will pay off anyway. Anyway, I'm sorry to ramble but I had to get this stuff off my chest so maybe I will be able to sleep again some day. I can't discuss this with my family because they give me answers I don't want to hear. I can't discuss this with my friends because they are all in the same boat as me or worse and I certainly don't want to bring them down. So, I turn to my cyber friends. Thanks for "listening".

 

[Alice28]

((((Kim)))))

I am so sorry you are not able to stay home with the kids. I know it's hard. I know there were times even when I was working where we had to charge food, so I hear you there- that is a very yucky feeling.

I don't know what to say about your DH. I get really frustrated with mine too, for other reasons. It is hard when they don't see what you see about them. Dh also majored in a real winner major- history. And he's a genius too. Mind you, he went into criminal justice/security, but still.

I am grateful I can stay home with the kids, but honestly I wouldn't be able to if it weren't for the money my parents gave me as an inheritance from my grandparents 3 years ago. It's really hard these days for American families to make it on one income. We only do because we decided to stay in our shoebox house.

I wish there was something more I could do or say. It is hard being away from your kids, when your heart just isn't into your job. But you are doing what you have to do for your family, and I applaud you for that. You are a very, very, VERY good Mom- don't ever forget that.

I hope you can have another heart to heart with your DH about jobs in NC. Can you kind of look on the sly? And maybe have your dad do some casual househunting? It sounds like maybe you have to do the grunt work when it comes to this kind of thing and that your Dh needs some convincing, but after you already have some hard facts?

Take care of yourself Kim. We are all here for you!

 

[Ginamarie]

SL- Homemade cookies sound so good right about now.

Val- Glad to hear that work is going well these days!

BuzznBelle- Glad you had a good time at WDW- sorry about all the heat and the MIL issues.

Fabumouse- DH has been putting pillows around Olivia while she’s in the bed since the day she was born. I used to think it was ridiculous because hey, she couldn’t roll yet.. but now I guess he was right. She only just started trying to roll like a day earlier.

Jill- Glad you enjoyed Beauty and the Beast!

DisKim- Sorry you’re having such a tough night. I think a lot of us have that same battle wanting to be able to stay home with our kids and getting stuck working in order to pay the bills. I feel like you do.. though I know a lot of moms that actually would rather be working than home with their kids (go figure). For me, I’m trying to find a happy medium, doing work from home where I can keep Olivia with me and doing jobs where I only have to be away for a couple of hours at a time, but I’ll make a bunch of money. This is why I’m trying to get into the real estate market a little more as a title closer or a broker. Maybe there’s something like that for you? I know my SIL makes a bunch of money because she does tutoring for special ed students. My DH also decided to forego lucrative career routes in order to get the job he wound up in. I was going to law school and urged him to join me in studying law or to try going into physical therapy or chiropractic school, but he wanted to work in TV! I know that he’s smarter than I am, and he can usually do whatever he puts his mind to, but yeah, I know what you’re going through there! Just remember you’re a great mom. The whole reason it’s hard to leave Aiden is because you love him so much and he loves you so much(and he knows it), and that’s a great thing!


OK, I’m beyond exhausted. My kitchen has more nooks and crannies than an English muffin factory, which make it very difficult to paint. However, the dark reddish-brown kitchen is a thing of the past and we’re one coat of paint away from having it a perfect peach. The bedroom is another story. It’s almost primed. It’s a work in progress. My “stuff we need” list is getting longer rather than shorter. Luckily my mom was off from work and able to help ALL day. She’s such a handywoman. If I can learn to do half of the things she can do in my life, I’ll be pleased. We’ve decided to get a ceiling fan for the master bedroom. Home Depot has them for 20% off this weekend so CHA-CHING, guess where I’ll be tomorrow morning. DH worked all day and is back for another 12 hour shift tomorrow. Olivia fought like the plague against having a nap, but when she finally fell asleep (outside in her stroller) she napped for almost 4 hours.

All of the visitors we’ve had seem to like the house but are less than enthused with our neighborhood. OK, I live around the corner from a Mexican deli/restaurant where people hang out at all hours. Yes, there are apparently some day laborers that have to walk past the side of my house to get to their pick-up location. It could be worse. There’s a gigantic fence on my property, so there’s no way the pedestrians are going to bother me (not that they would even without the fence). Quite frankly, if a day laborer DID hop the fence looking for some quick cash, I'd let him mow the lawn and be glad he stopped over. I don't see that happening though. On the plus side, the least expensive gas station of all time is about 20 seconds from the house (one block away). I literally pulled out of the parking lot from the station and DSis counted to 20 until we were parked in my driveway. I also love my house more every day.

Note to all ladies: If you plan on going to Home Depot after 7 pm, you may be hit on by much older employees who are bored and willing to lend a hand to a pretty lady. Mom and I have been in there the last couple of nights sans wedding rings (because you can’t paint with them on) and we’ve been getting sooo much help (and compliments)! We’re in old ratty clothes all covered in paint and the Home Depot guys are like “wow, what great gals!” Too funny.

 

[nucpharm29]

Gina--LOL about getting hit on at Home Depot--the next time I'm feeling sorry for myself, maybe I'll hit the home depot in the evening! Glad you're able to get some painting done

Kim--Hugs to you! I understand how you feel. I am lucky to be able to stay home with my kids b/c DH does work for a great company who compensates him well for what he does. Just understand, that even though you are not home with Aidan during the day, that you are a wonderful mom and your kids are lucky to have you!

Alice--well, I didn't end up getting any of the Cherry pie stuff at Gymbo--I really wanted the skort that's navy with cherries all over it, and they didn't have one in Emma's size--so I ended up bidding on one on Ebay--so we'll see. I did end up getting some undies and socks though--can't pass up 79 cents for a pair of socks! I did score a great deal on a bathing suit though--got a $116 suit for $30--I'm ready for WDW in April--now to lose some baby fat!

GLT--pics of Leif are adorable!!!

BNB--Welcome back! Glad to here that you didn't have to kill MIL! sorry to here that the Poly service was poor--you'd think that those sorts of things wouldn't happen at a deluxe resort! I have to tell you that when I read your post about parasailing from the Contemp. for some reason I misread it to be hand-gliding OFF the contemp. Can you just imagine people jumping off the roof of the hotel and floating down to the beach?

Well, I better go--Matthew is getting into trouble already--and we have to get ready to take IL"s back to the airport. I'll check in later today!

 

[lissawynn]

Hey everyone. DH got called into work for a few hours today and I'm trying to get some stuff done before we head to the bday party. My little sister is home from NC and she was here for about 3 hours last night catching up with Jimmy. He was having a good time and I didn't have to watch him like a hawk for that time. The little guy is enjoying his bfast of milk and Apple Jacks while watching Elmo. Thank goodness it's Monday and Nick Jr. can provide some distraction while I try to get some things done around the house.

DisKim - I know that Jimmy would be better off if I were home full-time, but I guess my solace is that he goes to my dad's everyday while I'm at work. I'm sure I would feel different if I had to drop him off at a day care or sitter's all day. Also, DH and I could "get by" with his salary, but things would be really tight and I'm just not comfortable living like that. I know there are tons of people who might knock me for saying this, but I'm just not SAHM material. I love my job and need to work. Not just for the money, but because I busted my a$$ for a long time at school and spent a fortune doing it. I just feel like I have to teach.
I hope you can find a way to make things work for you.

SL - I really like the dress and think brown is a great color for the fall.

Alice - I hope your head feels better today.

Jill - Sounds like B&B was great. Good luck getting all of your schoool stuff done before you head back to class.

Ginamarie - Lol about the men at the HD. It sounds as if you're getting tons of stuff done in your house.

BnB - I could never "vacation" with my MIL. It would be more of a prison sentence than a vacation. Also, I would never spend that kind of money to be insulted for a week. It's just never gonna happen. As I told DH the last time he brought up vacationing with his parents, "Honey, either your mom or I would not be coming back from the trip."

Hillbeans - It's nice that you got some quality time outside. I've never been to the Crayola Factory, but my sis has taken my nephew and he really liked it. I have to call the Clam Bar and make sure they're open next weekend. I'm pretty sure they're open the weekend after Labor Day. If not I'll just have to make due with a M&M pizza and funnel cake.

fabumouse - I meant to tell you that my Dell Laptop wasn't affected by the recall, but it does get hot sometimes and the fan runs for a while. I hope you've solved your diaper dilema.

floridafam - How do you manage to find such cute baby stuff? I love the onesie.

joats - Sorry about the garbage and forgetting your wallet. I'm glad critters don't come around to the front of our place or I'd be picking up stuff Monday mornings. I hope your DH is feeling better.

I've gotta get back to work or I'll be sitting here all morning. Have a great day all!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Kim - I wish I could say something that would make you feel better. I'm sorry you're having a tough time with going back to work. You can vent to us anytime.

editing to add: I just read Lissawynn's post about not being SAHM material and it's the same for me. I don't love my job, though - I tolerate it. DH pretty much told me I have to work at least part time. My one or two days home a week is enough for me.

ginamarie - Who knew Home Depot was such a meet market? Glad you got the painting almost done.

Alice28 - Oh, I hope gossipy neighbor moves!

 

[floridafam]

DisKim,

I'm sorry. You can vent to us anytime. I don't really know what to say but I'm thinking about you.

I know someone mentioned doing some private tutoring or something like that. Is that doable? Have you still talked about moving?

I have to remind my DH sometimes about what we agreed on before we had kids. He still has his moments where I think he's a little upset that I don't work.

I hope you can get something worked out.

 

[joats]

I just saw my parents on the webcam in London. Too funny! You can barely make them out, but they called me and I figured out where they were. It's a neat site, I saved a bunch of shots of them (basically headless stick figures) standing in the middle of the scenic view. It was great to see them and hear that they are having such a wonderful time.

The stinking varmit was at it again...there is garbage in my yard and driveway. I need to go clean it up before Jace wakes up. Aside from garbage duty, I only have to go to the grocery store today and return some movies at Blockbuster.

DisKim: I don't know what to say. I've had the same struggles as you. It must be so hard to have such a long break and then have to go back again. It must be so difficult to work full time and have 3 kids. I only have Jace and it's hard. My DH changed careers and it's the same thing - he doesn't make enough for me to stay home. Right now, I make more than him and I get frustrated at times. I feel so bad for you - I can't imagine what today must be like for you (and the coming week). Please feel free to vent anytime. I think your kids certainly know that they are loved and yes, it might be a difficult transition for Aidan especially, but once you get home he'll be thrilled to see you and probably cling to you.

SL: Love the dress and you gotta love Target for that price What a great find! Have fun at the outlets today. Hope you get some good deals. I love going there. Sounds like Lucas had a ball at the party.

Lissawyn: Nice that your sister was here and got to spend some time with Jimmy. Hope you get done what you need to today.

Nucpharm: Hope you had a nice visit and that your IL's have a safe flight home.

GM: So glad you are loving your house. You must be exhausted from all the hard work. Home Depot guys.

Robin: Glad your migrane is gone - they suck! about your calling yourself evil. I have neighbors I'd like to get rid of too. We have one DH and I call "Crazy Mary" who has no boundaries and is literally a nutso.

Jill: Glad you enjoyed the show. I'd love to see it. Keep up the good work with your studying and come see us when you take a break.

Hillbeans: You won't have a free weekend until Thanksgiving? Wow, I thought my weekends were hectic. Hope you had a wondeful family weekend.

Fabumouse: Hope DD gave you a better night's sleep. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who forgot their wallet - Sorry you had to explain that to the officer.

Floridafam: You find the best links!

GLT: Dh and I have a star wars photo too. I think it was a great idea and that you should buy whatever you want. Your MIL =

Tasha: I know you are busy with school, etc, but when you get a chance can you repost the birthday listing? I can't remember who is up next.

I'd better go take care of that trash. Jace is going on 2hours...won't be long know till he's up and wanting a snack. I'll try to check back later.

 

[gottalovethem]

DD's friends party was fun but way busy. The poor b'day girl was opening her presents without anyone watching when I went to pick up DD (and I was late) because she had so many to open and the kids lost patience. But I think they all had fun. All the parents told me that DD was tired during the walk around the neighborhood scavenger hunt, no surprise there, she is not a walker or long-distance runner. She likes the short spurts of energy.

It was nice to hang outside yesterday with a couple friends for a little bit. They had a giant inflatable bouncer so the kids were able to bounce around, and Leif was pretty good.

Then, Leify was up for over two hours last night from midnight until after 2. I was exhausted. And now he is too, as he is napping. I am thinking he has an ear infection. We go in for the 1-year appt. tomorrow so we'll find out then for sure. Until them I'm giving him motrin cold medicine (he's had a runny nose for weeks).


SL - Love the dress. It's perfect for a fall wedding and you will look smashing! funny about Leif's and Luke's hair, we do have our challenges Funny about the matching shoes, I actually just bought Leif his first real pair of shoes, they are white and match everything They are the traditional white learning to walk shoes, not DH's style at all. He made quite the face when I put them on leif, who, BTW is walking everywhere now

Robin - I'm sorry you have been having such a hard time with the migranes. I can't imagine having to get shots all the time for them, the pain must be incredible. Sending positive vibes/prayers your way that they improve. Good luck to Josh tomorrow! I have Lindsey's school bag all packed and ready to go. I'm trying to figure out if I should make lunch tonight or in the a.m. I'm thinking I'll have more time tonight but want it to taste "fresh" -- I know when I was a kid all my lunches were made the night before.

Robin, I also had a question about your bed. How does that memory foam work? Do you have to sleep in the same spot all of the time? Does it go back to shape if you change positions? It just looks uncomfortable to me, so I was wondering how it worked. I must have the wrong idea in my head.

FF - the ipood shirt is funny!

Fabumouse - how fun that you have a 5 year old too. Has she started K already? Sorry to hear about IL's. What a PITA. Some poeple we just can't select to be part of our family. I had to bite my tongue with my mom this past week, and she even noticed it and asked if my tongue was bleeding LOL BTW, I think my DD has cried at just about every one of her b'days!! When she was 2 she even was put down for a nap before her friends left!

Diskim - sounds like a fun outing. Collapsing on the ground when the staff asked Aidan to walk sounds like something my kids would do! I am sure that all your parties are just fab and that the kids all have a blast. It's so hard though, not to compare. As DD has been to some awesome parties lately and I of course, always wish the best for her too!! Maybe I have MSC (Martha Stewart Complex) too Hope you got some rest!

Diskim, so sorry about the stress of going back to work. I wish I had words of wisdom, but I don't. In the long run, you have to do what's best for your family, and at this stage, putting food on the table is what's important. We all do what we have to do as Mom's, whether or not we want to. Love and hugs to you. I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time.

ginamarie - yeah for your mom for helping. I hope you are getting all done that you need to! Funny about Home Depot.


Hillbeans, how fun to visit the Crayola factory. I've been promising my kids a factory tour for a year now, but the closest ones are beer LOL. Actually, Natural Ovens also has one that I think we will check out in October during Fall recess.

Jill - how old is Katie going to be? What are you thinking of doing for her b'day? I know I was stressing about DD's party too! As long as the kids get food and goodies, I'm sure they will have a blast. Holy cow that your eldest is in the last year of elementary school, that has to be emotional for you (it even brings tears to my eyes as time goes so fast).

Tasha - congrats to you on losing 15 pounds! I REALLY need to get back on the weightloss bandwagon. I just found out that my mom suddenly has diabetes, I never even knew it ran in the family. So I need to get my weight down to reduce problems. Good luck with school this week.

Val - I hope you got everything folded. I have two large baskets to fold sometime soon. I have no motivation to do it. Wow, only 18 days until your WDW trip? how exciting

BNB - Love hearing about your trip. Sounds like you accomplished a lot while you were there. Sorry to hear MIL was a PITA. Some people are enough to drive you to drink, or eat chocolate.

joats - glad your friend could cover you for lunch. Sometimes those things happen. I'm constantly searching for my cell and wallet. It's hard switching bags all the time! Glad you had fun. Sorry the IL's are all such pains. It gets so frustrating when family doesn't step up when you want/need them too. How is dh doing?

Hi Lissawynn, Nucpharm, bellacam, gems and all the other moms, gotta run, Leif woke from his nap.

 

[Alice28]

Joats- that is so cool you saw your parents! I wish my parents knew about that when they were there a few weeks ago. That would have been fun!

LOL about crazy Mary neighbor. This neighbor just has a real LOW social IQ. So nosy and just doesn't know how to be polite. I think she honestly means well some of the time, but it comes off all wrong. It's interesting how the entire neighborhood is exasperated with her...and she's not one of these old cranky people...I don't even think she's 30 yet. She told me about her childhood a few times, and I can understand some of her problems, but still. I hope someday she learns it 'isn't everyone else' but it's her...that's what I tried telling her that day.

GLT- memory foam does go back to it's shape when you move around. You have to get a good brand though, or it won't. It's nice cause after a few minutes it kind of conforms to your body and you feel kind of cradled. Unlike a spring mattress where sometimes my shoulders would hurt so bad cause the mattress wasn't giving enough. (I tend to sleep on my side).

Joshua doesn't eat lunch at school- I'll feed him before he goes. He goes from 11:30-2:05 and I think the bus comes at 11. I have to drive him tomorrow for the first day, but the bus schedule starts up next Monday when he starts going 'for real.' Sam likes to eat hot lunch every day so I don't have to pack him a lunch. I love that!

lissa- glad you had a good visit with your little sister. I too need to get off the computer and get stuff done, but I'm having a hard time this AM.

Gina- that's a funny story about you and your mom at Home Depot! And that your kitchen has more nooks and crannies than an English Muffin- LOL! My kitchen is just huge. God help me for when I need to paint it again. It just about killed me last time.

Well, I woke up with a rebound migraine. That often happens to me (and lots of migraine sufferers). My last freaking shot I had. I'm a little Pi$$ed because I called for an appt with my nurse prac. last Weds to renew my migraine prescription and the scheduler asked me if a phone appt would work for me. Heck ya! Not to have to get a sitter- I was quite pleased with that. But then she never called me at the set time on Thursday morning! Not cool. So I fired off an email to her this morning and may make a formal complaint. I mean, if I don't show up for my appt., I am dinged my copay amount, but it's ok for her to not call me? And not even have a receptionist call me and say, "She got hung up...she called in sick...etc?" This medicine is something I really need on hand....it's expensive stuff, but it's such a miracle, even though I have to endure that darn shot.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Sigh...my sister is so dumb. She's the one who invited us to the outlets today. Turns out she decided to go without bothering to figure out a time to meet up and calls me from the outlet center asking where WE are. We still have to wait for Lucas to wake up and have lunch, then drive the 45 plus minutes there. If I didn't actually want to go shopping, I'd just forget the whole thing.

joats - That's so cool that you got to see your parents in London! Sorry those critters keep going through your garbage.

glt - Glad your DD had fun at the party. Leif must have had a great time on the bouncer! Congrats to him walking everywhere!

Alice29 - Sorry your have another headache and you're out of shots. I hope you feel better.

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Everyone,

Joats and Jill - I should probably clarify my post about having busy weekends by saying that my son is going to be playing soccer on Saturday's for 10 weeks starting on 9/9, and we're also going to be sneaking in swimming lessons on Saturday mornings. Kevin doesn't get a lot of pool time since we don't have one and I really think it's so important that he know how to swim on his own. As far as soccer goes, it'll be an hour and a half every week. I'm also a football widow (Steelers) and Liam's birthday party will be on 9/23. I'm also in a wedding the weekend after Thanksgiving, so we've got a shower coming up in Mid October and a lot of family birthdays.

Kim - Hugs to you. . I know it must be rough for you to be working when you'd rather stay home with the kids. Even though your DH could have gone into Pharmacy, maybe that career path would have made him work lots of extra nights and weekends. Living in the Tri-State area is so expensive. I've not ever known what it's like being a SAHM, so it's hard for me to understand that lifestyle. Like Lissawynn and SL, i'm kind of programmed to work and it's part of who I am. I do not like my job every day, and I miss seeing my kids the days they are at the sitter/school, but it works for our family. I hope you come up with a solution that will make you and your family happy also.

Gotta run - Liam just woke from his nap. I'll finish up later......

 

[Tasha+Scott]

joats~ I had sort of stopped posting the b-day list because I received a couple of PMs from some of the other mommies saying they are no longer comfortable having their child's name on the list.

I will post it again but if anyone sees their child's name on the list and doesn't want it there, please PM me and let me know and I will remove them from the list promptly! I know I had originally asked everyone last year when I first started it if it was okay and noone seemed to mind so I apologize if it has caused any of you any problems. I have no problem taking anyone's child(ren) off the list and if the majority wants me to I will stop posting it all together. Just let me know! Anyway, here is the list for any of you who may want to see it. PM me if it is a problem and I will take care of it ASAP.

OR if your child's name is NOT on the list and you would like them added, please PM me. I know there are new mommies on this thread but I am so far behind these days that I probably missed some.



Cameryn (dd to zalansky)~ September 10, 2005
Liam (ds to Hillbeans)~ September 23, 2005





Shelby (dd to T16GEM)~ October 21, 2005
John Paul (ds to llij)~ October 27, 2005
Matthew (ds to nucpharm29)~ November 7, 2005
Lucy (dd to ryleesmom)~ December 5, 2005





Michael (ds to ahutton)~ January 1, 2005
Jimmy (ds to lissawynn)~ January 24, 2005
Jenna (dd to J&D)~ January 27, 2005
Jackson (ds to ryan840)~ February 23, 2006
Madison (dd to justhat)~ February 26, 2004
Luke (ds to BuzznBelle'smom)~ February 26, 2006
Molly (dd to Alice28)~ March 8, 2005
Matthew (ds to iluvmickeytown)~ March 8, 2006
Caylen (dd to cindrelly31)~ March 24, 2006
Anna (dd to DisneyPhD)~ March 29, 2001
Olivia (dd to Ginamarie)~ April 6, 2006
Aidan (ds to DisKim)~ April 18, 2005
Tyler (ds to tkyes)~ April 26, 2005
Kylie (dd to Tasha+Scott)~ May 5, 2005
Jace (ds to joats)~ June 17, 2005
Lucas (ds to Strawberry Lemonade)~ June 20, 2005
Lily (dd to gwcollins71)~ June 29, 2005
Brenna (dd to MistyD)~ June 29, 2006
Katrina (dd to vald1977)~ July 12, 2005
Aidan (ds to bellacam)~ August 1, 2005
Lily (dd to DisneyPhD)~ August 3, 2004
Madeleine (dd to fabumouse)~ August 3, 2006
Henry (ds to justhat)~ August 4, 2006
Leif (ds to gottalovethem)~ September 1, 2005

DisKim~ I am so sorry you are going through this! Feel free to vent any time. I wish I had some advice but I don't. I have been a SAHM full-time up until last month and I am glad I had the opportunity while Kylie was so young but, honestly, I am much happier going to school now and having some extra adult interaction and being able to concentrate on more adult topics. My mom is one of the old-fashioned types that tried making me feel awful when I first told her I was going to send Kylie to daycare but truthfully Kylie has been doing so well since she started going there. She loves it! It is small so it isn't overrun with kids and she gets plenty of one-on-one attention when she needs it. She has learned a lot just in the past month from going there. I honestly got pretty bored staying home full-time and it is REALLY hard trying to make it on just dh's income. We will be doing so much better once I start working too (especially since I will be making more than dh once I get this degree). I felt guilty for a long time about actually wanting to go back to work (mainly because my mom always made me feel it was an awful decision...thankfully she has seemed to come around) but I now realize this is what is best for our family. The hardest part is knowing that I will be working when our next child is born someday and they will not have that first year at home with me like Kylie did but we will cross that bridge when we get there I guess.

GLT~ Lol, I have been a bad girl and I ate cookies while working on an assignment last night. I have realized I seem to like to snack more when working on school assignments or studying. It's a bad habit that I really need to break! My grandmother has diabetes as well. I was borderline for GD and just passed the glucose test when I was preg. with Kylie so I really do need to watch my sugar intake to be on the safe side!

Well, I managed to get all of my assignments that are due tomorrow done and I am ready for my medical abbreviations quiz. I still have 2 more quizzes to study for though and I really should be doing that while Kylie is napping so I'd better go! Have a great day everyone!

 

[vald1977]

Hillbeans,
My ds just started soccer this week too. That will be our Saturdays and of course football will take precedence on Sundays .

Tasha,
Good luck with all those quizzes this week . Thanks for posting the birthday list .

SL,
I would be annoyed with your sis too. I am very much a planner and hate fly by the seat of pants type plans. Hope you score some good deals shopping .

Robin,
Your nosy neighbor and my PITA neighbor should move next to each other. They would get along great . I get terrible migraines too although not nearly as bad as they used to be. What is the shot that you take? I'd gladly take a shot if it helped get rid of that horrible pain.

GLT,
I'm sending good vibes that Lindsey will have a great day tomorrow . I usually make the lunches in the morning so they will be more fresh like you said. I am considering setting out breakfast stuff the night before though. I need to find a way to speed up our morning routine.

Joats,
Neat about seeing your parents! I'm glad they are having such a good time. Sorry your in laws are driving you nuts. How is your dh feeling?

Lissawynn,
I'm glad you had a nice visit with you sis.

Nucpharm,
Great score on the swimsuit .

GM,
So funny about home depot ! I'm glad you love the new house .

Diskim,
I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time going back to work . Please know that we are all here to talk anytime you want .

BnB,
I love those Star Wars pics too! I think I will have ds do one when we are there.

Hi to FF, Tamie, Fabumouse, and everyone .

I found the bottoms of the laundry baskets but I still need to clean the bathroom and wash the kitchen floor. I'm so not in the mood to clean . Tomorrow Katrina has her appt. for her 1 year shots and ds has soccer practice. It will be a long day.

I'm getting so excited for Disney ! I kind of want to start packing but I feel like it may be too early for that.

 

[Alice28]

Val- you are so close to your trip! What are you looking forward to the most?

The shot I take is Imitrex. It comes in pill form too, but the shot works super fast and I like that. It hurts though- it's in one of those self-administrating plunger things so it hurts like a you know what going in cause it goes in hard. (like those plunger things people allergic to bees need to have with them...with a spring- not as gentle as if it's just a syringe a nurse is administrating).

Well, I need to get back to cleaning and try and exercise too. I'm still feeling drowsy, but I need to get it together. I haven't done my DVD since Friday. I also need to make my bed and clean Molly's room, but oh darn, she's napping. So I can't.

Tasha- congrats on getting all your school work done- sounds like you are really motivated and staying on top of things! Good job!

P.S. what does everyone think Z is doing right now---I think she is.....swimming in the pool with her kids.

It seems like one of us has been in Disney every week for the last few months, doesn't it? We're a lucky group.

 

[fabumouse]

DisKim - It was nice that you had a good day yesterday, but I am so very sorry about your distress with working while you have young children. I worked when DD5 was little and I became a nervous wreck. I never thought I would be and really think that my own career is important, but DH travels and I was dropping her off in the morning and picking her up at 6pm and it was just killing me. DH and I had the same discussion - he could either do business consulting or teach, and we negotiated until we agreed that if we were going to have children, teaching was going to have to wait. When I first became a SAHM, I also used my credit cards all over the place - the only difference being that DH's salary went up each year enough that we were able to pay them off and not live that way anymore. But life in the NE is expensive.

So, I'm so sorry. My IL's don't understand why DH travels so much and have made some snarky comments about choices and financial decisions - but if he didn't have this job, then I'd have to go back to work and the girls would be trading a few hours of their father's time for full time with me, which seems like a poor trade. But everyone always has an opinion, don't they?

Baby is awake, I'll be back!

 

[DisKim]

Thanks for all the responses to my whining. I really felt better after posting all of that and I was able to go to sleep. Of course, I felt stupid and whiny after posting that. People have terrible problems in this world and I am a very lucky person. I feel very unappreciative when I get upset like that. I had a great day today. I decided not to stay home and work on the house as I had planned. We packed up the kids and went to pick apples and peaches. Then we went to a "sprayground" which was really cool. It was a little water park and it was free. Aidan had a blast but it ended with him having a blowout in his swim diaper. It was terrible. My aunt and uncle both had to help me since DH had just taken Alex to the bathroom.

I was so upset to hear about Steve Irwin's (Croc hunter) death this morning. That man is the reason my daughter wants to be a vet and watches Animal Planet 24/7. She is watching a retrospective on his life right now. I'm just thankful she's not crying...yet. I can't believe that of all things he got killed by a stingray.

lissawynn - When Alex was little, my MIL used to come to the house and watch him and it wasn't bad. I love this babysitter and trust her completely. My concern has nothing to do with the care he gets. It has everything to do with the fact that he doesn't know her and he is going to feel upset. In some ways, I think I'm programmed to work too, but I think my particular school has beaten me down. I can't stand the adults in the place. The kids are fine but the administrators are a joke and many of the other teachers are there because of nepotism and they show movies every day. It's sickening and I don't want any part of it anymore.

Tasha - I think I would be happy if I was in school too. I think it is a combination of wanting to be there for the kids and not liking what I do anymore. It is just hard to think of doing something else when I have the same schedule as the kids right now.

Robin - I hope your migraine gets better.

Well, I have to go clean up and get things ready for tomorrow.

 

[joats]

Tasha, thanks for posting the bday list. I didn't know you were getting PM'd about it. I appreciate you sending it on. Looks like Cameryn and Liam are next to turn 1!

Well my long weekend is over. I must say I've enjoyed being to catch up with you all on a daily (2x/day basis). Back to reality and my crazy schedule.
I have a lot to do to prepare for tomorrow and make dinner, etc.
Hope to post again soon this week. If not, I'll be back on the weekend to check in.

Glad it's a short week ahead!