The Boy Who Cried Wolf

We have entered the stage where Baby is testing boundaries with the truth.  Or more, how much she can get away with not telling it.  She isn't maliciously lying, and it is always about silly things (like her sister is the one who turned the music on) but even still, it is not a habit I am looking to support.  

Sisters, the perfect scapegoat.
About a week ago, I told her the story about the little boy who cried wolf.  She has asked me to retell the story at least once a day and after each retelling of the little boys demise we discuss the moral of the story.  Tonight, after I told the story she said to me, "So I was thinking about the little boy Momma..."   "Maybe he wasn't lying.  Maybe the wolf ran away when he knew the people were coming to help him out.  Or maybe the wolf was in a cave somewhere and the boy was saying he saw it there.  I just think the little boy saw a wolf and wasn't lying!" I can't decide which I should appreciate more-her ability to think about a story and take it to a deeper level or her innate desire to see the good in everyone.  Or then again, with this child, she could be pulling the ultimate con on me thinking that if she convinces me the little boy wasn't lying, then maybe she too, doesn't lie.

Monster Cookies and Other Surprises at the Perot Museum

This past week, Boyfriend and I took a hooky day (work approved so we aren't all that dangerous) and attended a blogger event at the Dallas Perot Museum, kids in tow.  It wasn't our first time there, in fact we were members in the past but this experience completely changed my viewpoint of the museum and gave me an entirely new level of appreciation. When we arrived, we were escorted to a learning lab room where we were provided a museum catered lunch while we had the opportunity to listen to guest speakers, including CEO Colleen Walker.  To be honest, I was almost tempted to totally ignore her speech so I could stuff my face with this monster sized cookie, it was that good.

Luckily though, I did pay attention and was totally inspired.  Colleen began to dive a little deeper into the Perot's stats-I knew it was a big deal for Dallas, but had no idea just how big of a deal it is.  She impressed upon us the extreme success the museum has enjoyed in just its minimal two years of service for our community, including the numerous awards and recognition.

What touched me though was when she mentioned the Perot will be a part of my children's nostalgia.   I've never thought of it that way, but I do have memories of going to the old science museum in Fair Park on field trips.  I remember first learning about bell curves, hearing the chorus of sounds as each ball fell into it's random slot creating the perfect bell curve.

I love watching my daughters learn.  You can see their eyes light up, the proverbial light bulb clicking, when they have discovered something new.  At the Perot with both the standard and traveling exhibits, there will always be those new opportunities to watch that switch flip for them.

After listening to our guest speakers we were turned loose to explore the museum, including the current special exhibit MathAlive!  While the exhibit was definitely geared towards older kids and up, my daughter still had a blast taking part in all of the interactive parts--from rock climbing, snow boarding and playing with shadows.  The entire family even took part of a "fashion shoot" where it enabled us to have a 360 degree view of our photo.

We had let our membership lapse because I was pregnant and we weren't sure how often we would be able to utilize it.  Now that the youngest is here we are going to renew at the start of the new year-that is if someone doesn't want to get us a member ship (wink, wink) for Christmas.  As a bonus for attending the event, my readers have the opportunity to receive a 15% discount if they call 214-756-5751 and mention "Teh Wifey" blog.

Candy Can Cause More Than a Bellyache

I'm a mean mom sometimes, which includes selfishly playing tricks on my kid to cause a strong reaction.  So of course I've looked forward to the years I could play the Jimmy Kimmel "I ate all your candy" joke on her the morning after Halloween.
First off, my apologies on the vertical video and I didn't even think about the fact that the sun was in her face.  Just too excited!  But as soon as I started and saw her reaction, well my excitement turned to guilt and I felt horrible.

My heart just broke watching her face go from amusement (she thought we were lying) to confusion and then the face of someone experiencing the ultimate betrayal.  Her sobs were of heartbreak for her lost candy and parents who were so mean.  I couldn't hold out for more than 10 seconds to tell her we were just playing.
Well then my little 'tude filled four year old decided to hold a grudge. 


As much as I wanted to be angry at her for throwing my phone to the ground, I only had half the heart to be upset with her.  I was the one who just hurt her feelings and she didn't have the ability to communicate that to me.   
Sadly, this experience was just one of those things that seem more fun than they really are.  Lesson learned.  I'm not against playing harmless jokes on your kids, but I should have known better to do so with my sensitive soul.  Now Pillow on the other hand-I can already tell she is going to be a hardy one, five years from now-game on!

Survival Mode

When I had Baby, someone gave me the sage advice that in the first six weeks of your new addition's life, you are in survival mode-do whatever it takes to survive.  Now having gone through two babies, I've realized this is profound guidance.  The first six weeks is such a blurry, sleepless, tumultuous experience of the highest highs and the lowest lows while getting to know your newest love.  

Once you get out of the first six weeks, you are starting to get a groove.  You hopefully have a smiling baby in your arms that makes life just that much sweeter.  You remember to eat about half the time, there are even some days you can take a shower two days in a row.  Life is good.
Moving past six weeks, your baby starts to sleep longer and longer stretches.  Three hours feels incredibly refreshing. Four hours is as relaxing as a week long vacation.  Five hours and you can take on the world.
It has been more than seven months since I have slept longer than a five hour stretch.  That is half a year people.  And in the last five months, I have only had two of those-the rest of the time it was three and a half.  Now I am back to being lucky if I get two hours at a time.
Back to survival mode.
I'm tired on a level I have never experienced. The idea of doing anything makes me want to cry.  I'm emotionally drained, I don't have the energy to engage with Boyfriend or with Baby more than on a superficial level.  I abuse the fact that they will love me no matter what and place all of my limited resources to "turning it on" at work since I haven't built that rapport with my new team yet.  When I can, I chose to be social instead of doing any chores or dreaded responsibilities because I'm definitely not going to waste what little I have on things that don't bring me happiness.
I don't know why my baby doesn't sleep.  And frankly, I don't care.  In my mommy gut, I know nothing is wrong-it is just her adaptation to the new world. I have gotten a ton of guidance or advice on how to get her to sleep longer, some I feel there is no harm in trying, others I vehemently disagree with.
I also am told, quite frequently, "Don't worry-she will sleep through the night soon enough!" as though it was something to look forward to, the ultimate end goal.  And yes, in one way I look forward to the day that I close my eyes at 10:04 p.m. and open them and see 4:47 a.m. flashing back at me.
The thing is, with this baby, my last baby, that is going to come with age.  I mourn the loss of my baby's babyhood more than I mourn the loss of my sleep.  I don't look forward to the nights where I have lost the opportunity to give her extra snuggles and kisses on her sweet, sweaty head as I nurse her, warming her belly providing her an extra couple hours of content sleep. 
So yes, I'm back to survival mode.  This age of survival in my life is proving to be much more trying than the first six weeks of either babies life.  But I wouldn't trade it for anything, I'm not going to force something that goes against my instincts, I'm not going to demand my baby meet a development before she is ready to.  So whatever it takes, we are going to get through it, my baby and me.

Happy Halloween: Blogtober14

When I asked Baby what she wanted to be for Halloween this year, she immediately said, "Elsa!"  Absolutely no issues with that, we already had the costume and I thought we could make Pillow Olaf or something else equally cute.
Then a couple of weeks ago, she changed her mind.  She said that she wanted to be Batgirl, which was confusing to me.  I asked her why and she said that L (friend (boy) at daycare) likes Batgirl.  She also has recently asked me if L would think a dress is pretty so I think it is safe to say she has her first crush.
Ignoring the fact that my four year old daughter is already trying to dress to please a boy, we went out and bought a Batgirl costume.  The cheap side of me was annoyed at spending $30 for a costume she will wear once until I saw her in it.

Originally Pillow was going to be Robin but after buying a "newborn" costume that wouldn't have fit an average size one year, let alone my 5th percentile 4 month old, we bought her a Batgirl onesie as well.  The cuteness is just overwhelming.

We took the girls to get their pictures made at one of the cheesy department store portrait studios.  We normally dislike these types of photo sessions, but wanted to get something better than my iPhone camera.  I am just totally in love with them, but I guess it really helps when the subjects are adorable.

I'm so excited to take Baby trick or treating.  Last year, she kinda got it but unfortunately our neighborhood, despite walking over two miles, only had FIVE houses with lights on.  This year we are moving one neighborhood over and hopefully will have better luck.

Also-keep an eye out for a post next week.  I am going to pull the Jimmy Kimmel joke and tell Baby I ate all her candy.

Happy Halloween!!!

30 Facts About Me: Blogtober14

 My favorite color growing up was always black, even when I was 3-4.  I've found myself in the last five years or so being more attracted to brown, but I still think of black as my favorite color.
 I have long, long hair and am obsessed with the idea of cutting it all off though I probably never will.  Mostly because it only looks this good when I get a professional blow out.

 I get horrible, debilitating caffeine headaches.  This would be a sign to most that it is time to completely quit but I just can't (or have the desire to-I love my once a day soda).  I've made it several weeks before without but continued to have headaches the entire time (though less severe as the first few days).  
 I work in Customer Service and absolutely love it.  I know it isn't for most people-but I feel most satisfied helping others.
In 8th grade, I developed a severe case of TMJ.  We didn't know it was TMJ though and I thought I had an ear infection.  I went to specialist after specialist trying to figure out why I was in so much pain (I couldn't sleep at night) until finally a dentist diagnosed me.  My treatment was to not chew for 30 days.  So I literally lived on Slim Fasts and Cheetos Puffs-I could suck on them until they were soft enough to swallow.  There has been quite the advancement in TMJ treatments in the last 15 years.
 When I was in high school I would wake up at five a.m. to volunteer on Saturday mornings.
 I wasn't the perfect kid though-when I was 14 years old I ran away from home to be with my boyfriend.  It only lasted a couple of days.
 In college I joined a sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi.

I'm cheap about almost everything except food and travel.  I will still try to find the best deals, but will not hesitate to spend money on either.  Working at an airline also helps travel be a lot less expensive.

My current work BFF and I sat next to each other on our first days and have been inseparable since. We crossed the line of work friends to in real life friends very early on.

I got shingles when I was 19. 
 Another malady you typically see in older people, the walls that hold up my bladder collapsed sometime around the age 13 so I pee my pants incredibly easy.  My friends are always there to help me out with a change of clothes if they make me laugh too hard :)
I cried when Boyfriend and I saw The Little Mermaid on Broadway in New York.
I also cry when I listen to cello music.
 You will also find me crying at random commercials, when I get frustrated and when I get angry.  It is such a joke in my family that my mom once held a spoon up to my face because I will cry over anything and I did (it really wasn't the spoon-it was her teasing me).
 I can't stand having notifications on my phone and have to look at them immediately to remove the little red pop up.
 My favorite number is 16.  In fact, my BFF and I were both born on the 16th in 1984, six months apart so we have BFF tattoos of "1684".
 Gavin Rossdale hugged me during a concert a couple of years ago.  It was my 13 year old self's dream come true.  In my mind (and all of my girlfriends who were there) this is what he looked like while running towards me.

I hated pineapple until I got pregnant with Baby.  Now I'm obsessed with it and could eat one a day.
 My cheapness does not translate over to diapers.  Pampers is the only brand I will buy.  I've tried so hard to like the off brand (especially Target) but they really just don't compare.
The towel rod in my bathroom broke several months ago.  It was stone and extremely heavy.  Instead of fixing it/throwing it away, I saved the rod to knock out any intruders that enter my home.
I suffer from intrusive/compulsive thoughts which causes extreme anxiety.  Which explains my need for number 20.
 I can't cook but I am obsessed with food related television shows.
 I am also obsessed with HGTV but haven't done anything to decorate my home in the 5 years I lived there.  Seriously-I don't have a single thing hanging on any wall.
I am proud to be a breastfeeding mother but I hate, hate, hate, HATE pumping.

 My food can't touch.
 Sunday naps on the couch is my absolute favorite extracurricular activity.

 I'm almost always cold unless it is 100 degrees outside and I'm in the direct sun.  Even when I was a lifeguard as a teen, I would need a towel to cover me as a blanket if I was in the shade.
 I've never been able to hold onto sunglasses for more than nine months.  The two longest pairs though have been my most expensive ones so that is how I justify spending money on them vs a $10 pair every month.
I have the cutest kids ever.  For real.

Whoops:Blogtober14

My most embarrassing moment...well let me just let my screen captured Snapchat (thanks Boyfriend) speak for itself.  

 

This was probably about three months after Pillow's arrival.  I still needed to wear breastpads 24/7 so I'm not sure why I forgot to wear them when I went to the gym that night.  I had just finished a yoga class and was on the elliptical and when I noticed a few funny glances my way.

Confused, I looked down and immediately saw the two tattletale signs of a breastfeeding mother.  I couldn't even pass it off as sweat-there was just no denying it.

Not really minding the excuse to end my workout early, I hoped off to take a shower but first I had to document my embarrassing moment. I've had a few more instances since under similar circumstances including at work.  

Oh the joys of being a breastfeeding mom.