*Cue award acceptance music and applause*
Oh my goodness! There are so many people to thank (caressing my Golden Pillow Award)! First of all I want to thank God (because doesn’t everyone thank God first)? I’d like to thank Madam Curie for creating penicillin along with the makers of Children’s Motrin and Benadryl. If it wasn’t for all of you talented and intelligent doctors and drug companies, my three year old daughter would still be crying in her bed and then tossing and turning all night in mine. And just in case you though I was cheating by giving her Benadryl to make her sleepy, unfortunately it doesn’t have that effect on her.
Thank you, Dr. Weissbluth, for writing Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child. The information in that book was incredibly helpful as well as insightful. Although our success didn’t happen overnight, he’s finally sleeping more consistently. So thank you, Mom and Dad, for instilling a strong sense of perseverance to do what I think is the right thing, even though it may not be easy. Thank you, Thomas for you months of practice. I always knew you could sleep through the night! Your hard work is finally paying off!
*Cueing the wrap it up music*
(Holding the Golden Pillow Award above my head in triumph)
Thank you again, modern medicine! Wait, wait, wait! I completely forgot to thank the buyer from Costco who made the decision to carry Dunkin’ Donut coffee! Thank you for helping me power through those mornings when I wasn’t getting enough sleep, and thank you for giving me that cheerful boost when I’ve had enough sleep! Thank you, Thomas! Mommy now has had enough sleep which has given her energy to do her job in a genuinely good mood. Here’s to many more restful nights!
*And the crowd goes wild!*
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Eve of My 32nd Year
Tonight is the eve of my 32nd birthday. I love birthdays, even mine! I like the idea of aging and gaining wisdom. I also enjoy looking how far I’ve come and where I am heading. This particular year, I’ve been doing some thinking about relationships. I have come to the conclusion that because a relationship typically involves another party, it is a ludicrous expectation for me to do all the work in order for the relationship to exist.
So this birthday, I am giving myself permission to live this year with a new set of rules. I will only care my share’s worth in a relationship* and not care the other person’s amount. I will not compromise myself or my kids or what I deem as healthy boundaries so the other person is not inconvenienced. I am not going to take on all the responsibility so there is a relationship because then it really isn’t one, just the illusion of one. It was a sad day when I realized that some people just aren’t that into me and my kids, or just more into themselves, but either way . . . I can leave the door open, the windows propped up, and give you the code to my garage door, but I can’t make you walk in and want to be a part of my life.
So here’s to my 32nd birthday! Cheers!
*I understand relationships are not always 50/50, sometimes they are 80/20. 60/40, but they should never always be 90/10, 100/0.
So this birthday, I am giving myself permission to live this year with a new set of rules. I will only care my share’s worth in a relationship* and not care the other person’s amount. I will not compromise myself or my kids or what I deem as healthy boundaries so the other person is not inconvenienced. I am not going to take on all the responsibility so there is a relationship because then it really isn’t one, just the illusion of one. It was a sad day when I realized that some people just aren’t that into me and my kids, or just more into themselves, but either way . . . I can leave the door open, the windows propped up, and give you the code to my garage door, but I can’t make you walk in and want to be a part of my life.
So here’s to my 32nd birthday! Cheers!
*I understand relationships are not always 50/50, sometimes they are 80/20. 60/40, but they should never always be 90/10, 100/0.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
I Thought You Might Want to Know
I am on a scrapbooking league (I’m sorry if you thought I was cooler than I really am, but please do not stop reading here) with Ann, a friend I’ve had for twenty years and Joy, a friend I met in my daughter’s playgroup that I have known for 3 ½ years. As we were looking at some old pictures, we started talking about our lives before kids. Now, Ann pretty much knows everything there is to know about me. So it was kind of weird to have someone who I feel I know, but really knows nothing about me and my pre-mommy days. Ann was shocked that some of this stuff never has come up in the 3 ½ years that we have been getting together for play dates. What can I say? Mommies really like to talk about their kids. It’s safe, it’s relevant. I feel like we kind of jumped in to our friendship while we were redefining ourselves as mommies. And don’t get me wrong, being a stay-at-home-mom is pretty defining. However, I do feel there are things that I did before kids that are pretty interesting. So here are some of them. Maybe the next time we get together, let’s use this as a spring board to get to know each other a little more.
1. I went to U of M my freshman year of college and HATED it! I was wait-listed for a year and set up everything at a smaller state college. Then I received a letter asking if I wanted to remain waiting listed. I said no. My Mom sent in the letter (unbeknownst to me), and I was accepted. So I went because I was afraid to be so far from home and my high school boyfriend (even though we broke up during my first semester). I cried almost every day during second semester. I wanted to come home, and my parents said no. I thought everyone was too competitive, and after being defined by being a high school honor student I wanted a break and have some fun. After that year, I transferred to my original school and had a much better experience.
2. I worked a lot in the food service industry, but I was never a waitress because I can’t do math in my head.
3. I also worked as a secretary at a pet crematorium. That was interesting.
4. After living with an assortment of wierdos during my first two years at college, I lived alone pretty much until I got married.
5. I LOVE the Beastie Boys (I think Paul’s Boutique is genius), Weezer (Pinkerton is the best), Jay-Z, Kid Rock (I’ve seen him live 4 times), and No Doubt (I’ve seen them live 2 times).
6. I can speak Spanish OK, but get a few drinks in my, and I become magically more fluent. I also taught myself enough French and Italian to get by.
7. I once had dyed pink streaks in my hair.
8. I took a train from Michigan to California with my family and grandfather when I was 12 years old.
9. I used to love Tequila. I also used to drink Stoli and tonics with lime (soda if I was watching my weight).
10. I had a pimp and hoes party for my 27th birthday complete with costumes and Mickey’s Iced 40s in paper bags (a nod to my malt liquor drinking days).
11. I went to the bar in the New York Meatpacking District that Coyote Ugly was based on (but I didn’t take my top off).
12. I went to Europe three times by the time I was 27. My first time was a class trip to Spain. My second time was with my boyfriend after I graduated from high school to visit his dad that lived in Germany. My third time was when I went with my husband and, and we went to France and Italy.
13. I can’t tell you how many times I saw Pulp Fiction. It is one of my favorite movies of all time!
So there you go. There are some things about me that have NOTHING to do with having kids. (Ann, am I missing anything? Remember my Mom reads this)!
Now you spill it! Tell me something about you that is common knowledge, but maybe your mommy friends (or work friends) don’t know about you.
1. I went to U of M my freshman year of college and HATED it! I was wait-listed for a year and set up everything at a smaller state college. Then I received a letter asking if I wanted to remain waiting listed. I said no. My Mom sent in the letter (unbeknownst to me), and I was accepted. So I went because I was afraid to be so far from home and my high school boyfriend (even though we broke up during my first semester). I cried almost every day during second semester. I wanted to come home, and my parents said no. I thought everyone was too competitive, and after being defined by being a high school honor student I wanted a break and have some fun. After that year, I transferred to my original school and had a much better experience.
2. I worked a lot in the food service industry, but I was never a waitress because I can’t do math in my head.
3. I also worked as a secretary at a pet crematorium. That was interesting.
4. After living with an assortment of wierdos during my first two years at college, I lived alone pretty much until I got married.
5. I LOVE the Beastie Boys (I think Paul’s Boutique is genius), Weezer (Pinkerton is the best), Jay-Z, Kid Rock (I’ve seen him live 4 times), and No Doubt (I’ve seen them live 2 times).
6. I can speak Spanish OK, but get a few drinks in my, and I become magically more fluent. I also taught myself enough French and Italian to get by.
7. I once had dyed pink streaks in my hair.
8. I took a train from Michigan to California with my family and grandfather when I was 12 years old.
9. I used to love Tequila. I also used to drink Stoli and tonics with lime (soda if I was watching my weight).
10. I had a pimp and hoes party for my 27th birthday complete with costumes and Mickey’s Iced 40s in paper bags (a nod to my malt liquor drinking days).
11. I went to the bar in the New York Meatpacking District that Coyote Ugly was based on (but I didn’t take my top off).
12. I went to Europe three times by the time I was 27. My first time was a class trip to Spain. My second time was with my boyfriend after I graduated from high school to visit his dad that lived in Germany. My third time was when I went with my husband and, and we went to France and Italy.
13. I can’t tell you how many times I saw Pulp Fiction. It is one of my favorite movies of all time!
So there you go. There are some things about me that have NOTHING to do with having kids. (Ann, am I missing anything? Remember my Mom reads this)!
Now you spill it! Tell me something about you that is common knowledge, but maybe your mommy friends (or work friends) don’t know about you.
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