Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Sass Mouth

I always knew the time would come. I had been fairly warned but like many unknown things, I did not know what to expect. It has reared its feisty and sometimes amusing head.the sass mouth.

When I found out that we were having a girl, I knew that I had a lot of sassiness coming my way. Being a seventh grade teacher, I was afraid.

Just shy of Stella's second birthday, a guest has arrived in our house and has fully unpacked her bags; the sass mouth. I don't know where she came from or what powers the phrases she spurts but it is shocking.and sometimes just down right funny.

I should have known it was coming one day, not too long ago, when I was reading a text on my phone. Stella put her hand in my way and said, "No phone, mommy." The rest soon followed.

I am very proud of my daughter. One of the things that most amazes me is the extension of her quick growing vocabulary. I am aware that she is in a mimicking phase (and for this I have to be most cautious) which I know is a contributing factor.

On her current list of sassy things to say we have "Please stop" as well as "Move please" and my personal favorite "Stop talking please." At least she is polite. This is often accompanied with a hand in the face, a judging look down her nose or a furrowed brow.

I have been putting some heavy thought into what exactly my reaction is supposed to be. Is this time to discipline or talk about "nice" and "not nice" things to say? Is there anything wrong with her being able to express herself, especially is she is saying it in a polite way? I know at day care, they are learning to stand up for themselves. Is this a part of her being able to stand up and speak for herself?

The other night, she hit her head because she was crawling under the table. I had told her not to, of course but she didn't listen (she is almost two, why would she?) When she cried because she had hit her head, I told her that it was her own fault and that was why it is important to listen to mommy. Stella simply looked at me and replied, "It's mommy's fault." Sometimes I just have to laugh out loud.

I have a feeling it is going to be a long next ten years. Ok, maybe fifteen.

How can someone so cute be so sassy?


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!

This week we have Jessica from Mishaps & Milestones in Mommyhood as our guest hostess. Be sure to pay her a visit and leave her a comment letting her know that you stopped by!



Haute Mom

 

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.


There are a few rules though:


1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.

2. Follow one other blog.

3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.

4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Time With Your Children: Priceless

Working for a school district has some benefits. Last week I was off for a much needed Spring Break. Although I did enjoy a couple of days to myself, the time that was really priceless was the few days that I spent with Stella. I often feel guilty that she goes to day care five days a week. I know many children go to day care every day of the week but that doesn't make it any easier. Although I have been feeling financially restricted with trying to save up for my time off when the new baby arrives, the hubby and I decided that a trip out to Palm Desert was something that we should do.

On a side note, Palm Desert is one of our favorite getaways. Back in the day, we would head out with a cooler of adult beverages and plenty of water, heading to the hotel with the best pool scene. Things, of course, have changed but as I looked around at what used to be, I was more than happy to head to the quiet pool with my water, Stella's milk cup and some Goldfish snacks.

We have Stella in swim lessons but to see her enjoy the pool just for fun was a treat. In an attempt to spare other guests the view of me, six months pregnant in a bathing suit, I handed over the pool duty to hubby. I could not have been happier sitting in the sun, watching the hubby and Stella splash around in the pool. One day it rained so we stayed in our hotel room a good part of the day and played matching games, put puzzles together, and napped (my favorite.)

As we prepare for the second baby to arrive, I am realizing how important my time is with Stella. Weeks shy of her second birthday, she has grown so much and each day I see her accomplishing some new task or speaking some new word. Many of these things come as a surprise (yesterday when I sneezed she told me "God Bless You Mommy") and are things I did not teach her. While this shows me how much I miss out on, it also reminds me how precious my time is with her.

As always, there is never a perfect balance in life. In my eyes, being a career mom that can stay home with her children would be a dream but is not quite realistic. I figure that I am lucky to be able to spend days off with her when I can and even luckier to have realized that my time that I do have with her is priceless. So many people have told me to enjoy this time with her and it couldn't be more true. I know while there are things that I won't remember one day, these are the days that I will never forget.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!





Haute Mom












Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.



There are a few rules though:



1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.



2. Follow one other blog.



3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.



4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.



So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

No Time Like The Present




There was a good amount of time where I think I kind of fought being a parent. I was super excited when Stella was born but I can now admit that there was a part of me that didn't want to let go of my old life. Maybe I just didn't know how.

I am one of those people that always seems to want more. My hubby says I will never be satisfied. I don't think this is a bad thing. I love my jobs, being with friends, and staying busy. I can never sit still. When Stella was born, I was still determined to maintain my "old" lifestyle by keeping both of my jobs and a social life. I could juggle it all. I was the queen of multi-tasking.

Let's fast forward to the present; almost two years later. Things have changed. I am now five months pregnant with my second child and do NOTHING while I am at home except clean and give Stella my full and undivided attention. Work at home? No way. I do not watch TV when she is awake, I do not get on the computer, and I truly try to limit my cell phone game (darn you Words With Friends and Draw Something.) I have come to learn that the most important thing is to spend time with Stella. What little free time I do have should be fully devoted to my child (sorry hubby.) Some my disagree with me and maybe not all children need this. Stella's mood and behavior shows me that my undivided attention when I am with her is exactly what she needs and enjoys. The story times, the songs we sing, and the endless games of "matching" that we play is when we find her the most happy.

I know that this isn't possible all of the time. Sure, there are dishes to be done, food to be cooked and so forth but when I do have down time, it does not need to be spent watching TV or reading or texting on the phone when I can spend quality time with Stella. Is it difficult to do? Of course it is. There are many things that go on in my mind including the endless lists of things to do. But, I have learned to tune them out. Because in the end, I am happiest knowing that although there may be dirty dishes in the sink, I spent an hour of my free time with my child. I won't remember doing the dishes but I will remember that time. And so will Stella.
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! Spring is here! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends and a little inspiration so I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!





Haute Mom










Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.



There are a few rules though:



1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.



2. Follow one other blog (at least.)



3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.



4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.



So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4