The Walmart Saga Continues

As expected, I bought our Christmas cards at Walmart. Cheap prices got me.

1 hour photo was my only option. Last time I had photos shipped to my home, Walmart required a signature (as if some stranger would want my oh so expensive personal photos). I work so I don't do signatures. This required a 45 minute drive one way to the FedEx pickup location. Not doing that again.  Ship to store wouldn't get done until 12/24 - also a pass. So 1 hour photo is was. Note that 1 hour photo had a guaranteed completion time of 28 hours after I ordered due to a large number of other orders. Fine 28 hour photo works too.

While out shopping I got an email and text message saying my photo order was done. It had only been 4 hours. Woohoo. I made it over to Walmart about 30 minutes later.

I walked in miday on a Saturday. Scary time to go. I felt so nervous. It has been 1 year since I stepped into my Walmart. Bad memories resurfaced. I dodged oblivious shoppers and made it back to photo.

My Walmart has this brilliant idea of combining the photo counter with layaway. They've done this a few years now. I was blessed with standing in a long line of layaway pick up shoppers.

While waiting another fellow shopper decided she was better then the rest of us and went straight up to the counter for her photo order. Did the Walmart staff tell her they will be with her after they served the customers already waiting? Of course not. They helped her right away.

I finally get to the front of the line and guess what? My order wasn't ready. Really? You sent me a text and an email at least 45 minutes ago. Ugh. I wait longer.

I will give credit that the photo worker was actually competent this year. I had a mixed order of cards and single prints of various sizes. I was sure this would be too complicated for Walmart but the worker handled it.

I wait some more. Photos done. Whew. I was outta there.

Your cheap prices aren't worth the hassle! I'm done with you!  (Now, I've said this before, will I actually do it?....At least I'll have to next Christmas to decide).


Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

Teagan and I made a jingle bell reindeer necklace (Thank you Target's $1 deal craft find!). She insisted on putting the nose between the eyeballs and and antlers  I thought she was just confused. I placed the nose correctly below the eyeballs.

Later on I overhear Teagan playing with her jingle bell necklace and the word mustache can be heard. When I came closer, I see that she moved the nose back between the eyes and the antlers and was calling the antlers a mustache. I laughed out loud.

The nose would normally go above the bell crack.

Mustache reindeer!

Teagan's Daddy grew a out his facial hair for No Shave November. Mustaches are more relevant to this little girl then antlers.

Happy Cuteday Tuesday!


Love,

Christmas Cheer

My posts have been a little bahumbug lately. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing it loud for all to hear.

Here is my Christmas Cheer:

Love,

I Don't Know How She Does It

Recollecting back on my childhood, I realized I don't remember Christmas shopping with my mom. How did she do it? Did one parent watch the kids while the other went out? I don't recall be dragged around to stores for Christmas. And even more odd is that I don't recall my mother being stressed out about Christmas. She was a working momma too.

She's either super mom (she already is the "mother I want to be" idol) or she is awesome at disregarding the stress of holidays when she is with her kids.

I do feel like a failure when it comes to being a mom and preparing for Christmas. Either the kiddo gets dragged around to stores, or I'm not home, or I'm stressed. I enjoy shopping with my husband. We shopped together this season with kid in tote.

I don't know how my mom did it. I envy her.

Love,

Scrooge Mom is Not Mom of the Year

Last Friday I had an attack plan for Christmas shopping. I had a detailed list of stores to go to and what to purchase at each store and I had Teagan.

Instead of a nice leisurely Friday morning, hanging out in our PJs, followed by Library class. Teagan was forced to shop bright and early. Sorry baby, no singing today.

First stop Target. As I parked the car, she starts screaming "I don't want to shop. I don't want to go shopping." Super. We're not even in the first store yet. Think quick Momma. I bribed her with Target popcorn. Thank you Target for having a food court and that is open at 8am. She requested a slushy instead. I obliged. We went into the store, and bought the slushy.

Teagan didn't want to sit in the cart. I start pondering if my plan was a good idea at all. I take away the slushy  She screams in the store lobby. I'm a mean momma but we need to set some ground rules child. There are many stores to go to and I need your cooperation. After a few minutes she stops crying and obliges. Whew. There were only a few stares. Slushy back in the toddler's hands and the shopping begins.

The rest of the day is filled with snacks and the tablet (Android's version of the iPad). I received many stares at the mall with Teagan in her stroller playing on the tablet. I don't care. It keeps her occupied while she's being dragged around to boring stores. Stare away! I need to get my Christmas shopping done.

Four hours later we made it home. Teagan's napping. I could use a nap, but this momma is off to wrap gifts.

In order for me to shop for many hours hours today, I had to butter my kid up with slushies and tablets. Yes. I judge myself a crummy Mommy but I'm sure Teagan loved that she got things she usually does not get. And while I wasn't the world's best mom today, I enjoyed the time we spent together... screams, demands, and all.

Love,

Walmart Wins

Walmart and Christmas season got the best of me last year (see post Done!). I vowed never to shop at Walmart again. For all of 2012, I only went to Walmart once! And that one time was to a different Walmart location and to pick up a particular item I couldn't find anywhere else. It was also a bad experience. They further proved to me I why I shouldn't shop there.

Walmart has the best prices on Christmas cards. Darn. Should I get my cards there? I'm a sucker for cheap deals. Do I want to spend another 45 minutes waiting to pick up my cards because the staff is incompetent? Hmm... I'm guessing I probably will use them and swallow my pride.

I have a little time to decide because I don't have the digital copy of Teagan's Santa picture yet. (We use her yearly Santa photo as our Christmas Greeting). Just my stressed out working mom luck, when I went to download it after purchasing the digital copy in store (Bass Pro Shop), it said I didn't pay for it. All I have is a website for customer service, no phone number. And it lies. I filled out my online complaint form and they didn't not respond in 24-48 hours. Still waiting after a week. Thanks. Bahumbug.

I digress, anyways. I didn't make a purchase off Walmart's website for Teagan's big Christmas gift this year. They had the best price by $50! with free shipping.

You win Walmart.

Technically, I didn't go into the store so do I have to count it?

Working Mom Scrooge

Well Hello Christmas Season,

You're here again. You snuck up on me, as if you didn't fall the same day every year. Maybe you followed my blog last year and know that it was VERY hard for me to get all my Christmas preparation done while being a working mom. Ugh. I've been stressing about you....in the shower, while trying to sleep, on my commute to work. All I can think about how am I going to get it all done.

I've become a scrooge.

I'm hoping that since I'm part time this year (Friday's off), I'll be able to conquer all the presents, candy canes, and tinsel while keeping my brain from becoming mush - well whats left of it after being pregnant.

Bahumbug,
Ebeneezer Kim


Do any other working mom's out there have tips on surviving the holidays?

That Awesome Working Mom

Teagan's daycare invited parents to bring a treat for Halloween. Check out this treat:

Yep. That is a Spider Tootsie Pop. Individually wrapped pair of legs.  Attached pom pom head...and yes googly eyes! Two tiny googly eyes perfectly glued on. Time consuming. This mommy must have made a lot of these. 

This is not from Teagan's mommy. 

My first thought is that this kid's mom probably doesn't work and has lots of free time. Then my brain kicks in and says a kid who goes to daycare must have working parents. Darn. 

Know how creative I am? I had my husband run to the store the night before Halloween to find something (he bought pre-made mini cupcakes with orange and black frosting). 

I failed.

Spider Tootsie Pops are very cool. 

Kudos to you Spider Tootsie Pop mom. Kudos to you. 

Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

Teagan's Aunt and Uncle were married a couple of weeks ago. Teagan was a miniature bride in their wedding.

So precious:

 

Remember the song Low by Flo Rida? "Shorty got low low low low low low"...

They played Low at the reception. Teagan thought they were saying "No no no no no no" and she would shake her pointer finger as if she was scolding someone no every time the chorus came one. I about died laughing. I wished I caught it on video.

Here's our sweetie dancing with her cousin:

Happy Cuteday Tuesday!

Love,

Why I do not work early

I have a wonderful employer that lets me choose my hours. Many of my coworkers are early people. They are in the office before 7. Believe it or not. I once had the schedule 6am- 2:30pm. I know, impossible. I can't believe I did it either. That was pre husband and baby. Now I'm happy if I can get in before 9am.

Why I do not work early:
1) I commute
2) I'm the mother of a 2 year old

For those that never had a 2 year old, I'll enlighten you.
(1) The 2 year old has an opinion about what to wear. It usually does not match and is not weather appropriate. The time it takes to dress the cover girl 2 year old depends on how much fighting you are in the mood for. Some days a black and neon green Halloween kitty shirt and gray pants with sparkly pink hearts wins.

(2) The 2 year old's morning routine depends on the 2 year old's sleepy state. Very sleepy 2 year olds do not like their teeth brush and sometimes requires 2 parents to brush their teeth. One holding the childs arms, while the other shoves the brush in the ever so dangerous 2 year olds mouth full of sharp teeth.

(3) Breakfast. Congratulations that you made it to the kitchen. That is an accomplishment. The 2 year old tells you what she wants for breakfast. You make it. You seat the 2 year old at the table and she decides she wants something else. You tell her no. She throws a fit. Breakfast is over.

(4) Shoes and jacket. Repetition is the key here. Repeat request to 2 year old to put on her shoes and coat over and over and over again. The 2 year old never hears the first request.

(5) Carseat. Almost there. The 2 year old is very independent. They like to climb in their own carseat. This sometimes takes a while since they get distracted easily by toys in the car or the overhead light switches. One in the carseat, the 2 year old must buckle herself in. She will shout at you if you try to help. The only way she will become good at buckling herself in is if you let her practice, which is very very slow.

Ahh..done. Now you can drop her off at daycare and begin your commute to work hoping the daily construction hasn't caused a traffic jam yet.

And no, I don't want to live closer to work. Thanks for suggesting. I've never heard that before.

Love,

Go Away Mom Guilt

I had a doctor appointment plus many errands to run today. I debated about dropping Teagan off at daycare. I knew I would feel guilty if I did. I take Fridays off from work for her. I feel like I'm doing something wrong by not hanging out with her. MOM GUILT at its best. Teagan is not a shopper. I debated about what to do till the last minute. I decided to drop her off about a half hour before I had to be out the door.

Teagan didn't mind. I asked her what she wanted to do today: play with Mommy or go to school. She said school. Hmm. I'll work on that.

Her daycare teacher consoled me by saying it would be better for Teagan for her to play with her friends then be dragged around to stores. So true. I think everyone, including my husband and I, have stories about long shopping trips with our mothers as kids.

Take that Mom Guilt. You will not win. Oh how quickly I got over you once I was out. It was a nice treat to shop by myself. Its been years since I had a day of alone time shopping. Getting my todo list done with lots savings due to sales and coupons has made my frown into a big smile.

Now I get to enjoy the rest of my weekend having quality time with Tea.


Love,

The Mom Stays in the Picture

A friend posted this article on Facebook today. It really touched me (yes, as in tears) and I wanted to share it. Its a must read for any Momma.

The Mom Stays in the Picture


I take a million photos of Teagan but there are only a handful of Teagan and I. I will ask others to take more of us. I will take the challenge to "get in the picture."


Love this girl:

Love,

Momisms

I'm a big fan of the channel "Kids Place Live" on Sirius XM Radio.  It is a children's radio station that is also entertaining to adults. One day they played this song. I shared it on Facebook before, but it defiantly needs to be on my Mom blog. Enjoy. 

Love,

Blog's 1st Anniversary

Happy first anniversary to workymommy.blogspot.com! Exactly one year ago today I started my blog.

I'm very humbled that anyone reads my little blog other then my mother (love you Mom!). Thank you to everyone who reads and comments on my blog. It means a lot to me that my rambles are enjoyable. I'm pleasantly surprised there were enough working mom topics to blog for a year. I have a feeling there will be many more. To my friends and family, let me know you read! I publish publicly on purpose and love talking about working mom topics.

Blog stats:

• 3036 page view to date
• 11 followers through Blogger
• 11 followers through Google Reader
• Audience from 10 countries (Lets pretend that the 9 countries other than USA actually are people and not spamming websites)
• 137 posts
• 44 comments

A BIG thank you for visiting my site. I hope my posts in the future keep you entertained. Visit often.

Love,

Mom Brain At Its Best

I deserve the Mom of the Year Award.

Know what I did today?

I dressed Teagan without a diaper and dropped her off at daycare. Yep. I did that.

Bret called me after he picked her up at daycare and informed me of her missing undergarments. Daycare found out the hard way that Teagan's mommy is forgetful.

What was I thinking? I probably wasn't thinking. I can't even remember dressing her. Oh wait, yes I do. I remember she didn't fight me to get dressed. That's an accomplishment now a days. You know, it takes two. Teagan could have informed me something was different. She probably loved not having a butt 5 times as big.

Forgetfulness gets associated with lack intelligence. This is not looking good. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever have my sharp brain back instead of when I will get it back. Oh boo.

Have a good night! Love,

Toddler Rambles

Conversion I had with Teagan while driving home from daycare:

Mommy: Teagan, I saw you had a new teacher. What is her name?
Teagan: [Proceeds to run through the names of all her friends at school. No teacher name given]

Mommy: Those are the names of your friends. Who was the new teacher reading a book to everyone?
Teagan: Miss Tammy. [Ah..the light bulb went off. I had ask her a couple of times so I could decipher her toddler speak]

Mommy: Is Miss Tammy nice or bad? [mommy trying to assess this new teacher]
Teagan: Bad

Mommy: Why is Miss Tammy bad?
Teagan: Put N in time out. [N is the initial of Teagan's bff at school].

Mommy: [chuckling] Why did she put N in timeout?
Teagan: N probably pinched Teagan.


I think this is the longest real conversation we've had to date. This conversation made me laugh. Teagan thinks her new teacher is bad because she disciplines. Such a typical little kid thought. And Teagan uses the world "probably" now but she doesn't quite understand when to use it. She's big on tattling on her friends too. Of course she never tells us when she does something wrong. I know she's an angel all the time ... ;)


Love,

Cuteday Friday

Since I missed a couple Cuteday Tuesdays, here is a catch up Cuteday Friday.


Why are the spices lined up on the counter you ask?

The answer: Miss Teagan decided the spice bins would be better utilized as kitty and dolly beds.

Happy Belated Cuteday!

Love,

Momma Caregiver

I'm still here! It has been quite a couple of weeks. First our little girl was sick and then my hunny was not so well. I barely worked. Both are doing much better and hopefully we'll get back into routine.

Whats worse - getting puked on or cleaning up puke? I was the winner of both.

While my husband was down, I was a single momma. Doing both daycare drop off and pickup, all the house chores, running Teagan to tumbling class, bath and bedtime, etc. How do single parents do it? I'm exhausted. It definitely takes a team to take care of a toddler.

One night last week, it was just me. No baby girl, no husband. Before I was married, I lived by myself. I had a little apartment that I adored. Sometimes I remissness about those years. I liked living on my own. What momma wouldn't want a night by herself? But now I realized, my house is too big for just one person. It makes different sounds and is spooky. I didn't sleep well. I love my family and like it when we're all home. I'm not that single independent girl anymore. I'm a family woman.

I have lots of blog post topics in my head. I'll try to knock them out soon.


Love,

Momma on the couch

I never followed up with my work's "On the Move" contest. I did it! I averaged 10,000 steps a day for 6 weeks. I pushed myself! I was on the tredmill pretty much every night. I even lost weight - a very nice bonus!

After the contest ended, I continued running. My husband and I had signed up for a 5K a couple of weeks after. I didn't run everyday like during the contest. Just enough to keep me in shape.

And now that the 5K is over. I've ran 0 times :) I am burnt out. I'm a momma on the couch and I don't feel guilty.

I do enjoy working out but its hard to find time. I felt like I was neglecting my family by working out everyday. And my todo list was never getting done.

I need to find a good balance.

My work gave out gift cards to those that averaged 10,000 steps a day....so hello pretty new running shoes. Its a cool feeling to earn them. I'm already motivated to start running again.

These are those new Nike Free Run +3 shoes. They are amaaazing. I've never had shoes feel like these. They're suppose to give you a barefoot like feel. I highly recommend them for any running momma.

Labor Day

To all the working moms out there: Happy Labor Day!

No one understand what the word "labor" really means like us mommas. ;)

But enjoy your day off with your family. You deserve it.


Love,

I should....

Here was my thought process on my off Friday today when Teagan started her nap:

I should pull in the trash cans into garage.
I should do the dishes.
I should clean the house.
I should work on Teagan's year 2 photo book.
I should take this alone time to play the piano.
I should take this alone time to work on my latest sewing project.
I should take this alone time to watch shows on my full DVR.

I should...... [and I was out].

A hour later I woke up to a little girl yelling my name from her room. I should say a little girl yelling "Momma, I pooped!"

I wouldn't trade motherhood for anything :)


Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

The other day we were reading a picture book with Teagan. There was a picture of a gas station and she told us it was a "slushy."

LOL. Oops....we LOVE slushies and usually pick one up when we go to the gas station.

So gas stations are slushies.

Happy Cuteday!

Love,

You Should....

You should go out with your friends.
You should have a date night.
You should take a break and treat yourself to some alone time.

Sound familiar?

Once you have kids everyone becomes experts on what you should do. These are almost default statements and no consideration is taken if you do go out or not. You're able to schedule your life when you're childless but once you have children, others tell you what you need to do.

While though I have a forgetful mommy brain and I do get stressed, I know what I need to do.

As a busy working parent, I spend a lot of time away from my child. Then I'm given a guilt trip for wanting to spend the time I do have with her. Kim has "attachment issues." Kim is on ''Team Teagan." Kim "needs to let go a little." Blah, blah, blah. I've heard it all.

I was thinking about why people care so much about what I do. The logical reasons I came up with are 1) people want to spend time with me, or 2) people want to spend time with Teagan.

So I propose instead of "you should" statements, try:

I want to hang out with you san kiddo.
I want to babysit your daughter.

There, no mom guilt attached.

Love,

The Mom Swimsuit

Its here....

My first mom swimsuit.

Mine's a pink orange color.

This summer I was uncomfortable in my old two piece suits. I found myself covering up every chance I could so I decided that I need a mom suit. Its not that the bikinis don't fit me any more. I'm actually in better shape then pre-pregnancy. I have two reasons why I need a mom suit:

1) I feel inappropriate being a mother and showing off my body.
2) I need a suit that can keep up with a toddler.

Besides...I'm turning 30 very soon and I'm trying dress more my age. I want to be classy.

So hello mom suit.

Cuteday Tuesday

Teagan went golfing.

Happy Cuteday!

Love,

OT Monies

What do you other working mommas do with your overtime pay?

My first thought is to spend it on Teagan. She misses out when I work overtime. Plus there's that major mom guilt. Shouldn't I spoil her back?

But then I think about myself. I worked hard. Sometimes I deserved to be spoiled.

But wait, I have a husband and a family. I should use the extra pay for something that everyone I love will enjoy.


Oh you are a complicated subject overtime pay. One would think it would be easy to spend extra money, but I have an over active conscience.


Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

I charge my cell phone on my nightstand. Teagan is a smart little observer and copycat. When I went to bed last night I saw this:

One play flip phone and one play smart phone, stacked neatly, ready to charge like Mommy's phone. Teagan makes me smile.

Happy Cuteday! Love,

Mommy Attachment

At our last session before summer, our PAT educator warned us that parent attachment peaks at age 2. She sure wasn't kidding.

Teagan always has been pretty social (another benefit to daycare), and never had a strong parent attachment. Bret and I wish for her to feel secure and confident. We encourage her to interact with others.

Lately though we are failing. She has a HUGE mommy attachment. Mommy has to do everything from reading books, to picking up Teagan, to pushing the shopping cart, to getting Teagan a drink. Daddy is not allowed. She says "No" to friends and family that Teagan used to hug and play with. We went on a vacation and Mommy had to do everything. There were 3 other adults and I couldn't catch a break. She only wanted Mommy.

Teagan LOVES her grandma. The three of us went to lunch yesterday and Teagan asked me to pick her up. That never happens when grandma is around.

While though I love the extra attention, its selfish of me to support it. And this attachment can be frustrating at times. I had the flu Thursday and couldn't get any rest. I try to comfort Teagan's needs while encouraging her to interact with others, esp her Daddy.

Anyone else have the extreme 2 year old parent attachment? Any hints to help your child?

Love,

Miss Bossy

Miss Teagan,

You woke up in a such a grumpy mood this morning. After 10 blissful minutes of inconsolable crying, you settle down. You proceeded to play with Mommy's shoes while I got dressed, but came out of my closet and told me to "Be Quiet!"

Who stole my sweet, polite little girl and switched her with this grouchy pants?

I'm not going to lie, the usual Mom Guilt was missing this morning when I dropped you off at daycare.

You're teachers said you were a saint. Thanks for showing Mommy and Daddy your true colors.


Love Mommy.

Cuteday Tuesday

Cell Phone Photo Dump

First time boating

Eating breakfast on her 2nd Birthday!

Teagan is all about presents this year

Playing dress up with kitty

First donut! She choose sprinkles and loved it

Picking up parade candy with daddy.
(BTW, diaper bags make great candy bags when're your not prepared)

Snuggle Snuggle

A little cat nap at a hotel on vacation. Butt in air pose.

Happy Cuteday!

Love,