TROUBLE IN PARADISE

I always considered us to have a good relationship. We made a pretty good team, but we also remained individuals. She had her likes and dislikes and I had mine, but we respected them. She’d let me listen to the music I wanted to, and in return we’d watch the show she liked. We could spend time together or spend time apart and be content. Even if we were doing separate things in the same room, she’d go about her business and I’d go about mine. But we’d look up once in awhile and smile at each other, and maybe even blow a kiss. I was content and happy. Things were great. Were.

Over the past few months, things have become strained a bit. Our simple carefree relationship was being tested. Maybe it’s the stress of all the changes over the past few months, but someone has become an outright over-opinionated nag.

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AND SEW IT BEGINS…

I can swing a hammer pretty good and work a drill not too bad either. Enough to where I can manage doing most house and home improvement projects without hiring anyone. I know how to handle some basic car and lawnmower maintenance by myself, too. Oil changes, radiator flushes, changing breaks, etc. It was my goal to not have to call my dad every time the lawnmower wouldn’t start or I had a leak under the sink. And just as I don’t want to have my dad save me every time something broke, I don’t want to call my mom every time I need my pants hemmed or want something made for Ellie. So in an effort to expand my skill base, I decided to take a sewing class. Knowing that I would most likely be the odd man out, I asked my friend Kelly if she wanted to join in on the fun. Luckily she agreed. We sent in the registration forms and received the confirmation phone call. There was no turning back now.

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THE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD TWOS

Ellie turns two this weekend and as I’m excited to celebrate, I can’t help but feel the ominous cloud of warnings looming in the background. All the “just wait” phrases that have been prophesied to me, the warnings of tantrums and freak outs, and the most treacherous of all, beware of the “terrible twos.” (insert thunder clap and lightning bolt) I have to say, these foreboding dark predictions are casting a big shadow on the year to come. Every time I respond with, “almost two” after someone asks how old she is, they smile, but all I hear is, “Congrats, your life is gonna suck.”

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SLEEP TIME CHALLENGE: DAY FIVE, REVENGE

I was cranky and angry. This sleep time challenge was not going as smoothly as the one I did last year. And that was no cake walk either. I was not getting consistent progressive results. I know my methods are not scientific and may not be the best, but it’s what I decided and I was hopeful they would work. I knew my problems wouldn’t be completely fixed in just five days either. I just needed to feel we were moving in the right direction. After Ellie pulled a fast one on me the day before, I was determined to finish the five day challenge on a high note.

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SLEEP TIME CHALLENGE: DAY FOUR, THE COMEBACK

I awoke to happy giggles and a warm sounding “Dada!” through the baby monitor. It was 8:30am. I did a double take. 8:30am!? She slept through the whole night? There was no visit from the Midnight Monster!? Yes! I managed to do the impossible, and in only three days! I happily got out of bed and was ready to tackle the day. Day three ended up being a piece of cake, so all I had to do today was repeat it and seal the deal. I was back! Back in charge and back on top! Watch out Ellie, I’m feeling fierce today! Rawr!

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