Monday Morning Marvels- Take 2

Happy Monday! It's back! 

Thankfully, next Monday Daddy will be home with us because it is his vacation week. I CANNOT wait. His last vacation was back in October and these last three months have been late work nights and crazy pregnancy hormones. It is going to be a very welcomed change of pace. 

This is going to be a quick post because we are going to a free-play at the local elementary school this morning. I don't know why, but I get a little nervous when introducing Dillan to new things like this. He is home with me all day, everyday and I worry that I am not giving him enough opportunity to hone his social skills. 

So, what are we marveling over here???

1. My marriage. We got out yet again this weekend all by our lonesome. I love when the Hubster is genuinely grateful to get some alone time. He doesn't get to see Dillan that often and the fact that he still enjoys and values the time he gets alone with me, not waiting to get back to our son, makes me happy for what we have. 

2. My son and his growing independence. I know that probably every waking moment I am marveling at my son, but sometimes he surprises me with his self-assurance. My mom took him Saturday night to see my brother and his girlfriend out in Boston. When we leave him, there is always a little bit of guilt that he will miss us or want for us, and we won't be there. But, sure enough, nothing of that sort ever happens. He says goodbye repeatedly and pushes us out the door so he can start his own night out. He is growing up too, too fast! 

3. My beautiful new niece, Lucy Lee. I am so in love with this little gal. She is so sweet. We spent yesterday visiting with my brother, sister-in-law and sister. Watching my nephew and niece so smitten with their new sister just warms my heart. Lucy slept so soundly through all the loudness of having all 5 of the older cousins together. It makes me so much more excited for Little Lady to get here and meet her family. 

The Big Change

I want to say that I try to accept change and adapt, but, in all honesty, that's just not who I am. Change doesn't sit well with me, not that its necessarily easy for anyone. The big change that is going to hit my family come May is completely screwing with my head.  On top of the normal pregnancy emotions and crazy pregnancy brain, I am driving myself crazy with the worry that maybe I made the wrong decision in having another. Not that I won't absolutely love her, but I just love the dynamic our family has right now. Before we got pregnant, I only had feelings of excitement and anxiousness. I don't know why, all of a sudden, I am feeling so uneasy. It doesn't help that Hubster is keeping his excitement to himself, if there's any in him at all. He only expresses his fears about sharing time and love with another child and how he just doesn't see how he can love someone else as much as Dillan. Maybe a little positively from him would brighten the horizon, but we all work these things out our own way and I can't force him to be happy go lucky. If I could, I would force myself to be that way first.  Obviously, there is no going back now and things will be work out, because what other choice do we have. 

It is affecting my everyday life and, some days, I feel like I am completely unraveling. I am usually an extremely organized person. Lately though, holy hell I can't keep track of a thing. I lose everything and it is making me even less comfortable. Within the next couple weeks, we are going to start doing over Dillan's room and making space for all things baby. Hopefully, making moves and getting ready will help settle some nerves. I am sure these are normal fears, at least that's what I am telling myself. 

Also, I feel selfish because my fears have very little to do with my son. Not that I am not thinking about him, I totally am, I just think he will adjust beautifully. He is so sweet with babies and he has all of his cousins get new babies in the past. A good friend just had a new baby and he is only intrigued more. I know there will be the normal issue of sharing his things and his space, but I grew up with 6 siblings we made it through just fine. Oh worries, why must you haunt me?? 

Toddlers and Technology

Watching my son and his cousins grow up with the technology filled world we live in is simply amazing. The debate over when and if kids should be using things like phones, computers, and tablets is all consuming for some parents. Personally, I think everything in moderation is the best route. 

I know a few parents who have actively make their home technology free. Well, as best they could. I don't agree with this. Kids are going to be growing up and living in a world that is fueled by technology. Allowing your young child access to the devices that are used daily is just not something I can frown upon. There are kindergarten classes throughout the country that are using Ipads as learning tools. Computers are used, and need to be used, throughout a child's schooling. And, as everyone knows, computers in the working world are essential. The idea of shielding your toddler from this part the world seems like postponing the inevitable. Let me also say, many of the women with whom I've debated this subject, I met through online communities for moms. The irony of arguing the technology debate over the internet makes me chuckle. 

So, do I think 8 year olds should be walking around with cell phones of their own? Absolutely not. Obviously, there are some people that allow kids to overdo anything. Phone and computer use just being added to the list. Before there were tablets to complain about, there were videos games. (Not that the argument against video games has gone away by any means.) After tablets, there will be a new technology that people will be up in arms over. Dillan uses the Ipad almost better than I do and he uses it on a very limited basis. Most of what he does on the device is educational. The apps include numbers, colors, matching, words, reading and problem solving. That still doesn't mean he plays with it 6 hours a day. He plays with his toys and uses his imagination more than anything else. I think adding the educational apps early on, especially in adding to physical learning and playing can only enhance a child's ability to learn in a variety of ways. 

Monday Morning Marvels- Take 1

Monday mornings are bittersweet. I love the time I get to spend with Dillan during the week because, more often lately, I realize how quickly everything is flying by. I love watching him take in the numbers, colors and other completely uninteresting stuff I am trying to teach him. It seems like he is NEVER actually listening to me as he doesn't stop moving or looking elsewhere for even one second. But, then out of nowhere, he is counting his cars and talking colors and it makes me feel like I am doing right by him. Mondays, however, also bring the long week of missing Daddy and parenting pretty much solo. I start my countdown to Friday and it seems like it is forever and a day away. 

Our trusty flashcards. 

Last night's bedtime was rough. He was very overtired, even though he was going to bed earlier than usual, and a meltdown ensued. I rocked him for a while ( which I reveled in because he is NOT a snuggler) and he settled down. He was almost asleep before his head hit the pillow. He is getting to the age where he wants to do everything himself and Momma is just cramping his style. His complete meltdown, as unnecessary as it was, reminds me that he is still so little and innocent. 

So, what am I marveling today??

1. My son. I know, its a given. He is just so cute this morning, its not fair. 

2. Pregnancy. I don't feel pregnant all that often. I have yet to gain a pound and have lost 16 lbs so far. But, just last night, Hubster was able to feel the Little Lady move around. I just love her so much already. 

3. Epsom salt baths. Ok, I realize the first two are a far cry from bathtime, but I have been loving these baths lately. My hip is in pain on a regular day, so during pregnancy it has really been the worst. I don't know if its really helping or if its all in my head, but I feel better afterward and that is all that matters to me. 

4. All the new family babies. My brother and sister-in-law had a beautiful little girl last Monday and my sister is due with a little man only 17 days before myself. I love that my babies will have cousins to grow up with. It is so amazing to see the kids interact and it makes me so thankful for family, however crazy as we are. 

Dillan and his cousins. 

Date Night

The Hubster and I started our relationship and life together pretty quickly. We had only been dating for 9 months when I found out I was pregnant with Dillan. We were married a few days before Dillan's second birthday. Seven months later, after trying, we were pregnant with the little lady. Our time before kids and solely to ourselves was limited to say the least. I feel, as a woman, I over-analyze absolutely everything and my relationship with Hubster is no different. I am glad that we didn't rush into the decision to get married and took the time we needed before we took that step. But, some days, I find myself questioning our motives for staying together. Was it for the sake of the pregnancy, and then our son? Or, did we actually have stuff that makes a lasting marriage? This is not me questioning my love for Hubster, or his love for me, just how and why we ended up here.

In a recent post, I talked about how Hubster and I haven't had a night out to ourselves in quite some time. I know, to some parents, a night out every month seems pretty often compared to what they are used to. However, with our limited time before jumping into family life, I think its an important part of keeping us connected. My parents are recently divorced after 27 years of marriage. It is my biggest fear that after the kids are gone we won't be "us" anymore. (Again, can you say over-analyze!) I never want to make my children experience what me, my siblings, and our spouses were forced to experience. It was, and sometimes still is, pure torture.

One of our last date nights, just before we found out about Little Lady. 

With that being said, last night we were able to get out for a quick dinner at a local sports pub. My mom had stopped up and Dillan was so excited to see her, that we able to sneak out for some Mommy/Daddy time. Just the hour away was enough to feel a bit more sane and a ton more content. It never fails, every time Hubster and I get out for a night by ourselves, all my silly worries are put to ease and I get almost giddy to be building our lives together. Cheers to a good night out (with sparkling juice, of course) !