Tonight my son would not fall asleep. He was tired but he just wouldn't settle. He screamed like a banshee. After a couple visits to his room I determined I had three choices:
1. Leave him there and let him scream until either he got exhausted and passed out or the police showed up at our door in response to our neighbors calling to report child abuse (yes, it was that kind of screaming).
2. Let him get out of his crib and drunk-toddle around his room in exhaustion until he collapsed.
3. Give him the milk that he hadn't drunk earlier because he was too wound up, let him have it in his crib even though I know it's a no-no, and hope it will mellow him out and just brush his teeth in the morning.
I went for number 3 and it worked. Was it the best decision? I have no idea. Will it ruin my son's life? Probably not. I'm guessing he will still be able to go on to be a successful member of society. Should I have done something else? Maybe. Not sure what, but there might be something better. I went with my gut, I did what worked in that moment, and will hope I won't have to resort to milk in bed again.
I write this because I think moms are too hard on themselves, especially now with social media making us believe that everyone else is perfect and we are the only ones who just gave into their toddler's demands for a moment of peace. We all do it. We all make mistakes or do things that might not be the *best* but are probably still okay. Give yourself a break. K? K. Good. XO.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Oh Captain, Their Captain?
Guess what y'all? I'm teaching at UWRF in the fall too! Yep. I unexpectedly got offered 3 classes last week and I've decided to take them. Two sections of remedial writing and one section of a more advanced composition class. I'm scared but I'm excited. Back in the days of yore, when I got my master's degree, I had the idea that maybe someday I would like to try adjuncting. But, as you all know, it doesn't pay super awesome (though it's decent here) and so I didn't pursue it very much while we were in Syracuse. But now, it's really kind of perfect. My classes will be MWF so Z can continue going to daycare part time and being home with me part time. I feel really lucky that this has turned up. Once I get my syllabus under control I will be ready to rock (I think). I hope they like me. I'm no John Keating, but I think I could be fun.
Monday, August 4, 2014
July Recap
The Adventures!
- Our great 4th of July trip to see the Lewises, the Lindstroms, and Grandma Sally. It was great to see family and friends after our hectic June and exhausting trip out to WI. It was good to know there are people a skip, hop and jump away that love us.
- We experienced our first River Falls Days (annual town festival that lasts 3 days and literally includes the WHOLE town) which was fun, but I think will be more fun next year when Z is a little older and we know the area better. This year it was just fascinating to observe and dabble a little here and there. We were really exhausted by that point from all our travels, visits, and visitors so we wanted to lay low a bit.
- State Parks! They are glorious up here. We live in easy driving distance of three or four beautiful ones.
-Family Fun Nights at the local pool. Only $1.50/adult and Z loves the pool.
-The Como Zoo. It was hot but the whole Como Park which includes a zoo, conservatory, and small amusement park are completely free to the public so we had to check it out. It was a nice little zoo and I am looking forward to going back and exploring the conservatory. I'm avoiding the amusement park part like a plague until Z is old enough to ask to go there. It looked scary.
The day to day!
-Z and I have been going to story time at a local bookstore every Wednesday morning. It's a lot of fun and Z likes seeing the other kids and exploring the store.
-Z has been going to daycare three days a week and is doing great. He has some rough drop offs sometimes but is always cheerful and excited when I pick him up. The center is really great and I haven't had a single moment of anxiety about the care he is receiving there. We're so thankful that finding care was easy for us (for once!!). I was so anxious about leaving Kristina and ever finding someone I felt good about again that this has been a huge blessing.
The Adults:
Joe is settling in at work and is all fancy with an office and his name on the door and all kinds of meetings and coworkers and gets to hire people. I might not be cool enough for him anymore. He also just finished a three week improv class in Minneapolis and is training for a half marathon in the fall. He keeps us busy with weekend adventures.
I had a complicated month when one of the jobs I thought I had fell through at the last minute. This was very frustrating since we had already signed Z up for daycare and didn't want to back out and burn bridges with a place we really liked. I am doing a little contracting for the time being, which covers Z's daycare costs and makes some extra, but am in the process of looking for something more stable. However, I am loving being home part time and am very hopeful/determined to make that work long term. I'm also training for a 5K in September. Wish me luck!
The Child
Z started walking and feels pretty impressed with himself. We're excited because now our backs aren't being broken by hunching over to lend him our fingers. He's still a little nervous but he gains confidence every day as he trundles around like a drunken sailor.
The day we have long dreaded arrived in the worst way possible- all four of Z's canines decided to come in at the same time. And learned to walk and clap at this time. And is also attempting to use cutlery and a glass. And started daycare. Oh, and we just moved. With all of these changes he's been super cranky and emotional this month ranging from scolding us loudly to full on all-my-bones-just-disappeared-so-I-must-fall-to-the-floor tantrums. It's been challenging for us, especially since he started waking at night again. Most of the time he's easy to settle but there have been a few nights when he's been up for hours with absolute refusal to go back to sleep. It's been tiring but we just keep telling ourselves this is a phase and he will get through it. We, however, might not. Time will tell.
When he's not being a complete mess, Z is hilarious and delightful. He's a little ham and loves to entertain and be the center of our attention. In groups he is a little more reserved. He babbles constantly. I can only imagine what it will be like when he actually starts using words. As it is he already sounds like he's giving rousing orations throughout the day.
So, we're good. What's up with y'all?
- Our great 4th of July trip to see the Lewises, the Lindstroms, and Grandma Sally. It was great to see family and friends after our hectic June and exhausting trip out to WI. It was good to know there are people a skip, hop and jump away that love us.
- We experienced our first River Falls Days (annual town festival that lasts 3 days and literally includes the WHOLE town) which was fun, but I think will be more fun next year when Z is a little older and we know the area better. This year it was just fascinating to observe and dabble a little here and there. We were really exhausted by that point from all our travels, visits, and visitors so we wanted to lay low a bit.
- State Parks! They are glorious up here. We live in easy driving distance of three or four beautiful ones.
-Family Fun Nights at the local pool. Only $1.50/adult and Z loves the pool.
-The Como Zoo. It was hot but the whole Como Park which includes a zoo, conservatory, and small amusement park are completely free to the public so we had to check it out. It was a nice little zoo and I am looking forward to going back and exploring the conservatory. I'm avoiding the amusement park part like a plague until Z is old enough to ask to go there. It looked scary.
The day to day!
-Z and I have been going to story time at a local bookstore every Wednesday morning. It's a lot of fun and Z likes seeing the other kids and exploring the store.
-Z has been going to daycare three days a week and is doing great. He has some rough drop offs sometimes but is always cheerful and excited when I pick him up. The center is really great and I haven't had a single moment of anxiety about the care he is receiving there. We're so thankful that finding care was easy for us (for once!!). I was so anxious about leaving Kristina and ever finding someone I felt good about again that this has been a huge blessing.
The Adults:
Joe is settling in at work and is all fancy with an office and his name on the door and all kinds of meetings and coworkers and gets to hire people. I might not be cool enough for him anymore. He also just finished a three week improv class in Minneapolis and is training for a half marathon in the fall. He keeps us busy with weekend adventures.
I had a complicated month when one of the jobs I thought I had fell through at the last minute. This was very frustrating since we had already signed Z up for daycare and didn't want to back out and burn bridges with a place we really liked. I am doing a little contracting for the time being, which covers Z's daycare costs and makes some extra, but am in the process of looking for something more stable. However, I am loving being home part time and am very hopeful/determined to make that work long term. I'm also training for a 5K in September. Wish me luck!
The Child
Z started walking and feels pretty impressed with himself. We're excited because now our backs aren't being broken by hunching over to lend him our fingers. He's still a little nervous but he gains confidence every day as he trundles around like a drunken sailor.
The day we have long dreaded arrived in the worst way possible- all four of Z's canines decided to come in at the same time. And learned to walk and clap at this time. And is also attempting to use cutlery and a glass. And started daycare. Oh, and we just moved. With all of these changes he's been super cranky and emotional this month ranging from scolding us loudly to full on all-my-bones-just-disappeared-so-I-must-fall-to-the-floor tantrums. It's been challenging for us, especially since he started waking at night again. Most of the time he's easy to settle but there have been a few nights when he's been up for hours with absolute refusal to go back to sleep. It's been tiring but we just keep telling ourselves this is a phase and he will get through it. We, however, might not. Time will tell.
When he's not being a complete mess, Z is hilarious and delightful. He's a little ham and loves to entertain and be the center of our attention. In groups he is a little more reserved. He babbles constantly. I can only imagine what it will be like when he actually starts using words. As it is he already sounds like he's giving rousing orations throughout the day.
So, we're good. What's up with y'all?
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