In the 13 months since Dylan was born, I have spent one night away from him, and that was out of necessity. My dad had just had his surgery to remove his cancer in October and I didn't feel comfortable leaving him so soon after the surgery, so Scott and Dylan headed home without me. A couple months ago I told Scott I was ready for a vacation. But here's the thing, I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay home alone. I had one concession...I wanted him to take Jon with him and leave Tara with me so I could have a girls weekend and some much needed time alone. So they scheduled a trip to see their parents; which took place this past weekend.
I can only speak for myself but I had such a good time! We did everything...we ate at every opportunity, shopped, movies, reruns of Sex and the City. Seriously, I can't think of the last time I had so much fun.
So it got me thinking...I grew up in a great family. I have the best mom and dad in the world; both with huge hearts and a great capacity to love. I have a protective younger brother who would do anything for me. When I got married I didn't really think about anything beyond Scott, but I got lucky...I also have the best in laws in the world. Then we added to our family when Jon married Tara and then a couple years later when Seth married Paula. I got sisters!
Tara and I had a conversation this weekend about how well we get along considering how different we are. She would rather go see a Lady Gaga concert and I would pick a Broadway show as my musical entertainment any day. I like musical movies, old movies, romantic comedies. She likes more current stuff and especially reality TV. I read books and she reads magazines. She is a very decisive shopper; knowing exactly what she wants when she sees it, whereas I have to debate every single purchase. This is probably why I don't really enjoy shopping because it as an absolutely exhausting experience. But the greatest thing is we both find the humor in each of our differences. I marvel at how she has never seen Parent Trap (the Haley Mills version), Gone with the Wind (for which she is named), and Shag. She laughs her butt off at me that I can break out in to the Sound of Music (my favorite movie) or Mamma Mia at any given moment.
But we also have things in common which I think balances things out. We are married to brothers; that in itself always creates interesting conversation. We both have huge appetites and aren't afraid to show it. We both see our lives taking the same kind of paths. And deep down we have a lot of the same beliefs.
Somewhere in the last handful of years, Tara stopped being my sister in law and just became my sister. She is part of my family and when I think of her; I just think, sister.
Tara, I realize while staying home might have been my idea of a good time; that it probably wasn't yours. But thank you for making this a perfect weekend for me. I think it is the combination of our similarities and differences and the humor in both that make us click, and I can't imagine having more fun than we did.
I love you, girl; you are a GREAT sister! So thanks again for the fabulous weekend!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Bandit, the friendly ghost?
Something very strange is happening in the bathrooms of our house; something that in five years of living here we have never experienced. I came home one day to the rug bunched up in the corner of the bathroom with blood all over it. We checked the dogs for any injuries and found nothing. But almost every day for a month I have come home to the same situation in two of our bathrooms. Personally, I think it is Bandit. The dog is scared of everything and I don’t think he likes being home alone. But the blood is still a mystery. Everyday it is there, but there is nothing on Bandit. So other than washing the rugs constantly, I have pretty much shrugged the whole thing off. Scott; however, thinks we have a ghost.
The following is the exact conversation we had last weekend…
Scott: I watched Paranormal Activity 2 last night after you went to bed, and we have a ghost.
Me: I am sure everything is fine. We do not have a ghost.
Scott: That is exactly what they said in the movie right before the ghost showed up.
Me: I still think it is okay.
Scott: I am setting up a video camera to record while we are gone. What are we going to do if we have a ghost?
Me: Pack up and get out.
Before I disclose if we do or do not have a ghost; who has room to take in two adults, a toddler, and 2 large dogs? Just kidding (sort of)!
So as it turns out, we did not have to set up a video camera. We conducted an experiment by shutting the bathroom door to see if anything happened with the rug. Dim the lights…drum roll please…DO WE HAVE A GHOST?
No...as I expected, the rug was fine; so that leaves Bandit. But, does not explain the mysterious blood.
Anyone have any ideas?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Decisions
The hardest thing I have found about being a mother are the decisions you have to make, and the guilt that goes along with those decisions. Specifically, when your child is injured, are they really hurt? Or will a little TLC cure them?
Tonight, after Dylan and I got home he whacked his head pretty hard on the kitchen floor. The first rule is always, DON'T PANIC. Which I didn't. I picked him up and held him while he screamed his head off and then checked for any visible injuries. Ultimately he had a bump over his eyebrow and on his forehead, right at the crown. He screamed for 10 minutes and then through his bath, and after his bath. He calmed down as soon as I gave him dinner.
So the questions start running through my head...is some of this screaming because he is hungry? Tired? Because he is rubbing his eyes every 2 seconds. I am looking for any sign (besides the screaming) that he is off.
Luckily, one of my best friends is a pediatrician and she puts up with my phone calls when it is easier to call her than the after hours line at the pediatrician. (NOTE: check her out at Alden Family Adventures in my blog list).
He was pretty fussy right up to bedtime, but he went to sleep about 2 minutes after I put him down. And then I came downstairs and the guilt started. You see, I let Bandit in the house and he knocked Dylan over. I thought Dylan was settled far enough away from the back door. He was playing with his refrigerator magnets and Bandit normally runs right to his food bowl, but not tonight. He clipped Dylan on the side and over he went.
This was completely my fault. I could make excuses...Scott was out of town, and I was just trying to get the dogs taken care of at the same time as watching Dylan. But really, plain and simple, this shouldn't have happened on my watch. And I felt awful.
So while I am taking this to heart; I know accidents happen and all you can do is live and learn. Thank goodness for Meg, who is a great support system and gave me the assurances I needed right then.
So, yes, the hardest thing about being a mother, for me, are instances like this. How do you know you are doing the right thing? This is not the first time Dylan has banged his head, and it certainly won't be the last. While he is perfectly fine, I am pretty sure I will be up and down checking him periodically throughout the night.
That is also part of being a mom. :-)
Tonight, after Dylan and I got home he whacked his head pretty hard on the kitchen floor. The first rule is always, DON'T PANIC. Which I didn't. I picked him up and held him while he screamed his head off and then checked for any visible injuries. Ultimately he had a bump over his eyebrow and on his forehead, right at the crown. He screamed for 10 minutes and then through his bath, and after his bath. He calmed down as soon as I gave him dinner.
So the questions start running through my head...is some of this screaming because he is hungry? Tired? Because he is rubbing his eyes every 2 seconds. I am looking for any sign (besides the screaming) that he is off.
Luckily, one of my best friends is a pediatrician and she puts up with my phone calls when it is easier to call her than the after hours line at the pediatrician. (NOTE: check her out at Alden Family Adventures in my blog list).
He was pretty fussy right up to bedtime, but he went to sleep about 2 minutes after I put him down. And then I came downstairs and the guilt started. You see, I let Bandit in the house and he knocked Dylan over. I thought Dylan was settled far enough away from the back door. He was playing with his refrigerator magnets and Bandit normally runs right to his food bowl, but not tonight. He clipped Dylan on the side and over he went.
This was completely my fault. I could make excuses...Scott was out of town, and I was just trying to get the dogs taken care of at the same time as watching Dylan. But really, plain and simple, this shouldn't have happened on my watch. And I felt awful.
So while I am taking this to heart; I know accidents happen and all you can do is live and learn. Thank goodness for Meg, who is a great support system and gave me the assurances I needed right then.
So, yes, the hardest thing about being a mother, for me, are instances like this. How do you know you are doing the right thing? This is not the first time Dylan has banged his head, and it certainly won't be the last. While he is perfectly fine, I am pretty sure I will be up and down checking him periodically throughout the night.
That is also part of being a mom. :-)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Backyard Bistro Burger Challenge
Once again, my husband has given me material to blog about. Things have been blessedly quiet in our household the past couple weeks, but things are about to get really busy, so stay tuned for lots of stuff!
This past Saturday, we went to Backyard Bistro for Scott to participate in the Burger Challenge. What does this challenge involve, you ask?
Well...that would be a 2lb burger with 1lb of BBQ, 1lb of cole slaw, 1lb of french fries, and a gallon of sweet tea. And one hour to finish all of it.
Now I should mention, Scott hates sweet tea and cole slaw. And Paul, a friend of ours also participated. Paul was automatically out before he started because he subbed beer for the tea, but we made it a competition between him and Scott anyways.
So the best was when they carried the tray of food out. It was complete shock at how much food there is. Everyone at the restaurant has figured out what is going on at this point.
The waiter started the clock, and they were off! Paul pulled out of the gate really fast and had about half of his burger down in about 10 minutes. Scott, being Scott, had to take a picture of his food and then text the picture to people, and then prep his food, and you get the point. I would say he got started about the time Paul had half his burger down. The waiter came over and gave periodic time updates, but alas, neither could finish the burger, much less, the fries or BBQ. In fact, the winner of the challenge was...DYLAN, who started eating before the first appetizer and was still eating after everyone finished. :-)
But you know what, guys? You gave it shot and it was certainly entertainment for those of us that came out to support, so WAY TO GO!
On the way home, a challenge was issued for Scott, Paul, and Jon to see who can finish 100 piece Chicken McNugget from McDonald's. I will be sure to let you know how this goes.
Check out the pictures from the burger challenge!
This past Saturday, we went to Backyard Bistro for Scott to participate in the Burger Challenge. What does this challenge involve, you ask?
Well...that would be a 2lb burger with 1lb of BBQ, 1lb of cole slaw, 1lb of french fries, and a gallon of sweet tea. And one hour to finish all of it.
Now I should mention, Scott hates sweet tea and cole slaw. And Paul, a friend of ours also participated. Paul was automatically out before he started because he subbed beer for the tea, but we made it a competition between him and Scott anyways.
So the best was when they carried the tray of food out. It was complete shock at how much food there is. Everyone at the restaurant has figured out what is going on at this point.
The waiter started the clock, and they were off! Paul pulled out of the gate really fast and had about half of his burger down in about 10 minutes. Scott, being Scott, had to take a picture of his food and then text the picture to people, and then prep his food, and you get the point. I would say he got started about the time Paul had half his burger down. The waiter came over and gave periodic time updates, but alas, neither could finish the burger, much less, the fries or BBQ. In fact, the winner of the challenge was...DYLAN, who started eating before the first appetizer and was still eating after everyone finished. :-)
But you know what, guys? You gave it shot and it was certainly entertainment for those of us that came out to support, so WAY TO GO!
On the way home, a challenge was issued for Scott, Paul, and Jon to see who can finish 100 piece Chicken McNugget from McDonald's. I will be sure to let you know how this goes.
Check out the pictures from the burger challenge!
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