Forgetful Mom Brain

As I was folding Teagan's laundry, I noticed some "wet" looking stains on her clothes. They felt a little gritty too.

Know what I did?

I put her clothes in the washer, poured in the detergent, and never started the cycle. The best part is that I switched the load to the dryer and dried the unwashed clothes.

Yeah. I did that.

Will I ever have my sharp, alert brain back?


Love,

Relax Time!

I singled parented it last weekend. While I was giving my daughter a bath one night, I felt the warm water over my hands and thought a bath does sounds nice. I've been working a lot, and running more due to my work's walking contest. I could benefit from a relaxing bath.

After I put Teagan to bed, I started the laundry, worked out, washed dishes, fed the cats, clean the litter boxes, watered the landscaping, took out the trash, chatted with the neighbor who caught me taking out the trash, called my brother, and lastly picked up the family room from toddler-zilla's daily destruction. It was now 9:30pm. I finally got to relax. After a few minutes of my bath I decided it was too hot and I was too tired. I crawled into bed.

So much for that.

Thank goodness my hubby is back home!

Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

A month or so ago, I put Teagan in her swim suit cover up before leaving the pool. She had just her diaper on and I caught her skin in the zipper. :( It pinched her little chest and she cried. I felt awful! She talked about it the whole car ride home.

Now every time we zip her in something, whether its her cover up, PJs, or a jacket, she tells us "don't zip the baby." She makes us laugh.

Yesterday I was unpacking a suitcase while Teagan was busy playing her bedroom. After I pulled the zipper close, I heard "Don't zip the baby" come out of her room. Hahaha. She can zone out my orders while I'm looking at her but responds to a zipper sound anywhere. She's such a little cutie.



We went to the beach with her cousins last weekend. Here are some pics. In true toddler form, she wouldn't look at the camera.

Happy Cuteday!

Good for You!

I joined a golf league this year. We rotate who plays, so I don't play every week. I told our PAT educator (a mother of 3) that I joined a league and she replied "Good for you!" At first I thought that was an unusual reply. The more I think about it, the more I agree with her. She gets it. Good for me!

On golf days, I have to wake up early so I can put in a full day's work before league. That means I leave the house before my daughter wakes up. I work all day and then play golf. I'm not a good golfer, but I enjoy playing. People on my league are 1) very cool and relaxed about my skill level, 2) feel they have to give me hints for every move (so frustrating), or 3) are just plain angry they are playing with me (also frustrating). Depending on who I play with, after the 9 long holes are over I'm mentally beat. Then I drive home hoping I can make it before Teagan's bedtime.

In short, on golf days I'm up early, gone all day, deal with crabby golfers, and barely see my kid (if at all). So yes. Good for me. Its not a leisure activity for this momma.


(And another shout out to my hubby because he's a single parent on golf days!)

Supportive Family of the Working Mom

I've been working a lot of overtime lately. I've definitely have not been part time. Its just temporary so I don't mind. I love what I do (though there have been a few moments this week I have to remind myself that).

I must brag about my family.

My husband has basically been a single parent this week, even on the weekend. But you wouldn't know it if you talked to him. He doesn't complain. Besides taking care of our little girl, he has also been taking care of me. He leaves me voice mails at work of Teagan singing - which bring a huge smile to my stressed, droopy face. He cleans and has dinner ready when I come home. We had pool party plans last Saturday (which I worked during the day). When I got home he had everything packed for the pool and even cooked an appetizer! Today was a very long day. Bret had takeout waiting from my favorite restaurant. That totally hit the spot. He has done all this and more without being asked or even asking for a thank you in return. I am so blessed. Now you know why I can't help myself but brag!

My daughter is so sweet! She hasn't been sleeping well the past couple of nights - poor dear has molars popping up. This morning, she came into our room a little before my alarm went off. I pulled her in my bed. I was too tired to put her back into her room. She snuggled up to me and kissed my face. Awh! My heart dropped. I've been missing her. Moments like that kiss will not be forgotten. It was so soothing to this working momma's soul. I snuggled with her a bit longer. I could forgo blow drying my hair to get a few more precious minutes with her.

I am lucky! My family is supportive. I plan on spoiling them back. They're the best!


Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

This photo makes me smile every time I look at it. My husband is such a great dad. Here's the daddy and his daughter on Father's day.

Happy Cuteday! Love,

Momma on the Move

My company is having a Walking Health Contest starting today (counts steps). You can convert other forms of exercise into steps. The best part is if I average so many steps a day I get a gift card to an athletic store. I'm signed up! I'm very motivated to do this goal. I need new running shoes. I'm looking forward to earning this shoes through exercise, rather then just buying them myself.

My personal goal to make up any steps I'm short for the day by running each night. Six weeks to go. I can do it!

My life is very busy. Can I add throw another thing for me to do each day.... sure ;)

This momma is on the move.

Cuteday Tuesday

When's the last time you went "WEE!!!" ?

Happy Cuteday Tuesday!

Daycare Hodgepodge

A few this and that thoughts that have been rolling around in my head regarding daycare.

1) One day last week I picked up Teagan. While though I got to her daycare 10 minutes before they close, Teagan was the last kid there. I feel bad when she is the last kid. Mom Guilt! Sorry Sweet Tea! I love you so much!!!

2) Everyday, I ask Teagan how school was. Lately she has the same 2 replies.

- "N", where N is the name of her bff at school (a boy...oooh). The conversation is as follows:
Momma: "Teagan what did you do today?"
Teagan: "N"
I'm thankful she's innocent and doesn't realize the other meaning of her reply. Her daddy and I look at each other and laugh.

-"Colored purple." Its always purple, no red, or blues. Just purple, everyday.


3) The daycare Teagan attends is wonderful! They do so much with her, from teaching to activities to crafts. She comes home loaded with worksheets (colors, numbers, letters, opposites, shapes, etc.) and all different kinds of artwork. I am constantly changing out what I post on our pantry doors.

I often wonder, would Teagan get the same experience if I was a stay at home mom. I'm not so crafty and wouldn't have even thought to do school work with her yet. My mom has reassured me that if I was a fulltime stay at home mom I would research age appropriate activities and learning exercises. I would make it my job. Who knows. I'm very thankful we found the daycare we have now.


Love,

Periodic Review

I once read, don't make rash decisions. Set a date. Try whatever you're doing until that date then review your situation. This works me.

I didn't realize how much being a working mom would affect me pre kids. I had planned on being a fulltime working mom. I like working and being challenged.

Phase 1: Around the time Teagan was 8 months old, my work/life balance was off. I was overwhelmed, tired, and sad. I tried the 5 days a week thing...not for me. I set a date, tried it out, and made a decision to change.

Phase 2: I started a compressed work schedule with every other Friday off (still fulltime). I set another date (6 months), tried it out, and made a decision to change. Compressed schedules are crazier then M-F weeks.

Phase 3: I went part time (32 hour weeks, every Friday off). I set a date (June 2012), and tried it out. Here's my review:

I finally feel balanced. 4 day work weeks are really working out. I get to do the job I love, but I still feel like a mom.

Teagan and I do so many things on our Fridays from mommy and me classes, to "field trips", to special girl only lunches, to singing and learning, and on and on.

I have time to clean and get my todo list done (its amazing how productive I am in the 2 hours Teagan naps on Fridays). This allows me to have more quality time with my whole family (husband included) on the weekends.

Work - well I'm busy! I feel like I have the same work load but just less time to do it. I tell my boss that the company is getting more per dollar out of me.

This periodic review has no change. I found a schedule that fits me.

Love,

They Grow Up Just Right

Often I hear "she's growing up so fast," (referring to my daughter). Sometimes I just agree the person, but honestly I don't. Maybe when she's 18 and moving out of my house I will wonder where the time went, but not today.

I remember thinking when Teagan was a newborn and we were up all hours of the night that 1 year was soooooo far away. When Teagan was finally 6 month's old I said "I can't believe we made it to 6 months" to her daycare owner. She looked in shocked and laughed. The first six months went by sloooooowly and I'm not complaining.

We really try to take in each age. Each stage is my favorite. We love to watch Teagan learn and grow and  we love to see her bubbly personality blossom. Bret and I talk about all the things she can do as she gets older and the things we can share with her.

I try to make the most of every minute I have with Teagan. Our Fridays off are packed with fun things to do.  I don't want to look back and think the time has gone. I want to look back and think of all the memories we made. And to imagine all possibilities the future holds.

Teagan is my daughter, a piece of my heart, and her own person. She's growing up just right.

Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

Teagan has started tattling. So far its only been about her Daddy.

The other day, her dad put something up that she wasn't suppose to play with. She came to me and repeatedly said "Dad put up" in a whinny voice. It was so hard not to laugh....okay, I did laugh. The way she pouted "Daaaaad' was too cute. This went on till she went to bed. The next morning she told me the same thing "Dad put up." She was still holding a grudge against him.

A few days later, her daddy turned off the TV. Teagan did not like this. Micky Mouse House was on.  Teagan cried to me "Dad TV off."

I like that she tattles on Dad and not me...yet. Of course I support her daddy in his parenting decisions. I bet Teagan will quickly learn tattling on Dad to me won't get her anywhere. Well, except for a few smiles and hugs.

Happy Cuteday.

A Cuteday wouldn't be complete without a photo:

Touchdown!