Mommy Brain

Yes, you have heard of it - Mommy Brain.  It's a lot like Pregnancy Brain, which I never had, by the way.

Can you hear that noise?  That's my friends and family saying yelling, "Liar, liar, pants on fire!"

Ok, ok, I will finally admit that I do have Mommy Brain.  This is a struggle for me...a real battle.  I am the type of gal that remembers everything, EVERY detail.  I can used to be able to recall the craziest random details, events and numbers from several years back.  That was just me...another nutty way my brain worked.

As mothers, we have to remember 2,345,572 different things a day.  As wives, that number probably doubles.  Then I add on all the things I have to remember and recall for my detail laden job...the number just continues to multiply.  I have to face it - my hard drive is full.

To prevent a crash, I have just given up on remembering every single detail.  Every little piece of information just isn't as important as it used to be.  I have discovered that I can let some things slip out of my memory, and it's really OK.  The world didn't stop moving if I forget something every now and then.

For all the stuff that falls into important categories, I have strategies to back up my database.  I have resorted to extensive note taking, lists, and reminder sticky notes.  For example, I try to bring Cracker Jack a snack and drink when I pick him up in the afternoon.  It has been a challenge to remember his goodie as I am running out of the office to pick him up on time.  So, here is my strategy...

Notes on my phone...

Reminders on my computer...

"Last ditch attempt to make me remember" notes on my keys...

I finally remember to grab Jack's snack the day I started this intervention.  There is one detail I forgot...Jer was picking the boys up that day...sigh...maybe it's time to reformat. Hehe.

$ Dollar Store Decorating for Fall $

WARNING:  PICTURE HEAVY!

In years past, I have always been geared up to decorate for seasons and holidays.  Even in my singleton years decorating was always a fun past time for me.  From September through January my homes were always pretty festive.

Unfortunately the last two years I have been very preggers...sick preggers...green preggers...icky preggers.  You get the picture.  Pregnancy is a wonderfully beautiful thing, but we don't mix very well...at all!  I was so sick and icky that Delaney Bug was lucky to get a decent Halloween costume, much less Fall and Halloween decorations in the house.

This year, when I started thinking about decorating for Fall that tired, icky feeling crept up on me.  Almost like my body has seasonally acquired nausea and a pale green color from September to January each year.  Then the realization washed over me...I AM NOT PREGGERS this YEAR!  YIPPEE!  Now, it's the decorating bug that has bit.

Most of my decorations have been purged over the last couple of years while making room for two more humans in the house.  So, I had very little to begin with, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money.  My prediction is that Cracker Jack will want to hold, play and disintegrate each and every piece of decoration; therefore, I wanted to spend as little cash as possible.

When my goal is to spend next to nothing I head to the local dollar store.  The following pictures are all examples of how I took very inexpensive items to make our home festive for the kids.  Especially Delaney Bug since she has endured the last two bland holiday seasons.

I decorated our breakfast room table with glass candle holders filled with candy corn around the candles.  I had the candle holders and candles, and bought the candy corn on sale.  The tinsel spider came from the dollar store, as well as the pumpkin felt cut outs.  I bunched it all together and it looks pretty cute.  

I told Bug that the candy has glue on it.  If I wouldn't have told that small little fib, those lovely pieces of candy would all go missing one early Saturday morning while I was still asleep.

This is our dining room table. The large pumpkin survived the great purge, but the rest of this is part of my dollar store shopping spree.  The leaves, felt cuts outs and gourds are all part of that purchase.  The leaves are hung with brown ribbon from my stash.

Here are a couple of more views...

More of the same on top of the china cabinet...

This wreath is made of foam core board and dollar store leaves.  I got the idea from a wonderful blog: Thrifty Decor Chick.  I {heart} her!  Check it out how to make this wreath - here.

I was thrilled to come upon this when planning my dollar store decorating...it fit right into the budget...YAY!

Here are a few more places that I dropped the tinsel spiders.  The kids LOVE them, and play with them all the time.  Ha!  I don't care...cause they were CHEAP!  My heart will not break if they do.

Finally...I found these fun lanterns on my little shopping trip.  I really couldn't think of a place to use them, but I purchased them anyway...in fear that they might be gone when a creative vision came to mind.  I ended up using some black tulle and made them into garland for the staircase.  This is my favorite....L.O.V.E. it!

Oh...and in efforts to kept Cracker Jack from holding tearing up everything.  I made him his own little Pumpkin Patch.  He is now obsessed with "punkins"...there are currently three of these sleeping with him. Sweet boy!  The idea is actually working - for now that is.

This was really easy, fun and inexpensive to put together.  Seasonal decorating really doesn't have to break the bank...especially when you have six little hands out and about!  Check out what you already have and see how you can add to it with some dollar store finds.

Check out these other wonderful ideas for fall decorating...there are hundreds!

Fall Decor at Hooked on Houses and mantel ideas at Nesting Place...such great ideas!

Sweet Ending

It is not often that we get to go out...minus children...these days. We were in shock when we had plans for both Friday and Saturday night. Surprisingly we found a babysitter for both nights. Normally I would feel very guilty about this, but since it is a rare occurrence I was thrilled to have some Tracey/Jer time.

It was a fun and busy weekend, but the today was my favorite.

My Prince Jer wanted to clean the house...you see why I call him Prince Jer. Since I was overjoyed that we would have a clean house, I helped out the situation by keeping Delaney Bug and Cracker Jack busy...outside.

We water colored...

We drew with sidewalk chalk...

We went to the playground...

A very sweet ending to a fabulous weekend.

Highchair Peace

Poor Cracker Jack never really got to be the baby for long.  Bless his heart, he was only four and half months old when I was completely shocked and awed that I was pregnant with Sweet Baby Jude.  We made sure that we gave Jack all the attention we could in his short time as the only.  We have tried to make the transition into older brotherhood easy for him.  But, hey, he isn't even two...it's been hard!  Ha! For him and us!

So it really wasn't surprising when he became possessive of all his barely used baby equipment.  He hadn't sat in his bouncy seat in over a year, but it has quickly become his lounge chair since the day Jude came home.  I can forget bathing them together right now because Jack throws a fit to sit in Jude's bath chair.  Of course when Jack is in the bath alone, he could careless about sitting in it...figures.  The other day, we found him sitting in the exer-saucer, looking like he had fallen into a paint bucket, just having a blast playing with all the gadgets.

I don't know what I was thinking when I first put Jude into Jack's highchair...seriously Mommy...are you clueless?  It was N.U.T.S!

"Mommy! shriek! Mine! Mine! shriek! Up! Up!"

He was hanging on the tray practically pulling the thing over.  Jack really doesn't even need his highchair anymore, but let him see Jude sneaking in on his territory...and it's O.V.E.R.

I finally just gave up and started feeding Jude in the bouncy.  I guess highchair trumps bouncy in Jack's world.  Anyway, have you ever tried to feed a wiggly 5 month old in a BOUNCY?  Again, Mommy what were you thinking?  Jude bounced so much that I rarely could hit is mouth with the spoon. When I thought I had a good aim, his bouncy limbs would send the strained squash flying. Sigh.

I never in a million years thought I would have two boys in two years, and I never really thought there would be a day that I needed TWO highchairs.  Believe me I have fought it.  Yes, I thought about other options like a booster, but no, Jack wanted HIS highchair.  So I finally broke down and bought another one for Jude.

And this is what having two highchairs got me...

Peace.

Best money ever spent.  Look at that brotherly love!  Yep, Jude looks hungry...

Aren't they sweet?!?!

Of course Jack could now careless about HIS old highchair.  The new one is now HIS...more than likely cause it sports a monkey motif.  Hey, I pick my battles!  Jude is now more than welcome to sit in his chair now.

Oh, and the peace lasted for about 2 minutes and 37 seconds, then the strained squash and hot dog nuggets went flying!

Mission De-clutter...Entryway Reorganization

I admit that I am a little "over the top" when it comes to organization..well not that bad...oh, who am i kidding?  I am a nut when is comes to keeping things neat and put away.

But this is me, it is how I work, it is how I clear my head and have peace.  If the house, car or office are cluttered then my mind is cluttered.  Cluttered with all kinds of junk that keeps me spinning, feeling like I am just a hamster running in a wheel.  The clutter keeps me so distracted that I can't be as productive has I would like. In my world clutter breeds chaos, and chaos and I aren't very good friends.  Everything doesn't have to sparkle, my junk just has to have its place and stay there when not in use.  Not crazy, right?

Since I have been pregnant and nurturing baby boys the past two years, chaos has tried to become a permanent resident in my home. I have dealt with it, and let him visit for a bit, but now it is time for him to go.  This mommy is no longer pregnant, losing the two years of baby weight and getting my my energy back.  Aaahhh!  Just writing makes me feel so much better.  

The de-clutter bug has bitten me hard; so you will probably see many posts of me reorganizing and getting my home back in order after the two years that we now refer to as my hard time served in the "Pregnancy Prison".

I started with the kid's bathroom a couple of weeks ago.  This week I moved onto the entryway.  This picture doesn't do the chaos it once was justice.

This is after the massive mountain of toys was banished upstairs.  There once was a nice shelf that when organized kept the toys nice and neat.  The problem was that we are still trying teach Cracker Jack how to put away toys.  He is getting better at it, but most of the time toys carpeted our entryway.

Once the toys were organized upstairs, this is all that was left...our shoe basket, and a small row of hooks that barely hold ball caps.  I knew this wasn't going to keep everyone's stuff crap things organized.

I had visions of something very Pottery Barnish...like this...

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Or this...

Or, ooohhh, this!

But the budget was just not going to stretch that far, heck or stretch at all for a project like this.


I had to make do with what I had and make a couple of minor purchases.  My goal was to have small hooks for keys.  Baskets for mail and wallets. Large hooks for adult coats, and a row of hooks low to the floor for the kids to hang their coats, sweaters and school bags.  I also wanted some sort of bench, and the shoe basket to stay.

This is what I came up with...

I kept the small hooks we already had and used those for keys.  I had some baskets and just nailed those straight to the wall for the odds and ends I mentioned.  

I purchased two sets of large hooks one long, and one short.  The short one was hung high for adult coats, and the long one was hung lower for the kids things.  Hey, if they can hang up their stuff at school, they can do it at home!

The bench is an ottoman from our family room.  It was completely in the way there, but makes a great bench for this area.  Lastly, the shoe basket stayed.  Basically, when everyone comes home shoes get thrown in there vs. getting thrown all over the house for me to trip over.

I love it!  For very little cash...I have a new entryway with a touch of the Pottery Barnish vision I was looking for.  Here is one more view...

                                     


Aaahhhh...my head is becoming less cluttered everyday!


Do you have trouble with a cluttered mind when your world is full of clutter?  Or is that just me?

And Other Adventures...

When I titled my blog, The Teleporting Toddler and other adventures of a working mom, I never thought that “other adventures” would mean anything more than manic mornings, crazy weekend outings, and the occasional stressful doctor’s appointment.  I never thought that my adventures would include this…

Yep, that is me carrying holding aiming a shotgun!  You know, just your typical Friday morning for a working mom of three.

The plan was that I was going to volunteer at the 11th Annual Sporting Clays Tournament selling raffle tickets, and Jer was going to shoot on one of the teams.  It is an annual event benefiting the Children's Education Fund, that we have participated in the past couple of years.  It’s a great way to help raise money to benefit children’s education.

So we were at the range bright and early.  Jer did his networking, male bonding thing, and I got busy helping out and selling raffle tickets.  Last year, I was big and preggo with Sweet Baby Jude so it was way too easy to sell tickets.  I would smile…the participants would look at me, all swollen, standing on my feet, green in the gills and start throwing their money at me…I didn’t even have to ask!  I think they were scared I would throw up on them if they didn’t get their tickets and get moving.  Hehe!  This year was a little different.  I had to smile and pull out my secret weapon…deep southern accent…

“Would yew liiike to buyyy some raaafle tickeeets?”  With a little eye bat, it works every time!  I better be careful, Jer is going to read this and figure me out...oops!

About the time everyone was leaving to go to the range to shoot, I suddenly found myself on my boss’ team.  They were short a member, and there were plenty of people to help out with my attempt a talking people out of their money.  Next thing I know I am in the middle of a field with earplugs and eye protection listening to someone talk about gauges, scoring and trees shooting back!  Seriously?

Now, I know in the picture above that I look like I know what I am doing.  Ha!  The last time I picked up a gun I was about 10.  Stop with the gasps...I was under the supervision of my Daddy.  For some reason, I was jealous that I didn’t get to go hunting with him while my brother did.  Daddy knew it was something I didn’t want to do, but I was stubborn.  He was right.  One morning in the cold, and one good kick from the shotgun was all it took for me to be happy to stay at home with my mom and sister.

Anyway, you get that I had no idea what I was doing!  Not to mention what I was wearing for footwear…

Yes, those are zebra stripes with sparkles.  Not the best decision when skeet shooting, but I didn't know I was shooting!

With a little instruction, I actually did pretty well.  I shot 23 out of 100, and got 3 doubles!  If you know anything about shooting skeet (you know I am an expert now) that is darn good for someone who hadn't held a gun in about 30 years.

It was an unusual day, but fun in the adventures of a working mom, and all for a good cause.  Now I want my own shotgun.  Do you think Jer will get me one for Christmas?

Mel and I taking a breather...firing a shotgun wears you out.  

A Loving School

Tuesday night was “Back To School Night” at my boys’ school.  We use the word “school” in our house, when many people consider it a day care center, but to us it is our boys’ school.  It is the place where they go to have their health and safety needs met while Jer and I are at work, but it is also where they go to play, make friends, be silly, and grow and learn about their world.  Their “school”, our school, is much more than a day care center for my boys.

As I left the event to go home and squeeze my two pairs of chubby cheeks, I couldn’t help but feeling overwhelmingly blessed to have such an amazing place, overflowing with incredible people, available to me and my family.

Many people ask me...

”How can you stand to be away from your boys for so long everyday?”

“How can you stomach the tuition each and every week?”

“Why don’t you just stay home?”

“How can you leave your boys to be cared for by strangers?”

My answers are always the same...

Being away from my boys is terribly hard.  I miss them each and every day, and yes some days it kills me.  This is what our family needs in this season of our lives.  This is our reality.  Plus, I simply enjoy my job.  I love what I do!

Yes, it is emotionally and financially hard to write that check each week, but it is all about how you look at it.  I am happy to pay for a quality education and top notch care for my boys.  Yes, I said education.  We call it “school” for a reason.  The boys are constantly participating in valuable learning activities...even Sweet Baby Jude!

Stay home?  It is not financially possible for me at this time in my life...period.  Because of that I am very thankful and happy to work at a wonderful company that supports my role as a full time employee and full time Mommy. I work because that is what my family needs.  Will it change?  Maybe, maybe not.  But right now, this is how our life works.  Daddy goes to work, Mommy goes to work, the boys go to school, and everyone manages while being happy, healthy and well adjusted.

The “cared for by strangers” question always cracks me up!  Strangers!?!  Are you kidding me?  The administration, teachers and staff who manage and work (tirelessly, I might add) at our school are part of our family, and we are a part of theirs. They have made a point to get to know us and we in return have grown to know them.  Because of this you can tell their “heart” is in what they do everyday...it shows. 

Jack’s teachers know his likes, dislikes and how to make him laugh.  They know that currently a whimper is usually followed by a full blown tantrum, but they also know just how to soothe him.  They know that he is having trouble giving up the paci at home because for some reason Baby Jude gets to have one and he doesn’t.  They know he is obsessed with bockets, bobots and some strange reason, apples at the moment.

The wonderful women who care for Baby Jude everyday know the meaning of all his coos, quirks and funny faces.  They get just as excited about his milestones as we do, and if he hits one while we are away...they pretend it never happened and let us discover it ourselves. They are in love with his infectious giggle the same as we are.

I never worry about the boys’ care because this group of people are truly concerned about the welfare and happiness of the children in their charge.

Yes, some mornings when Cracker Jack is eager to go into the arms of his teachers, I do get a little sad...wishing I was the one who got to spend the day with him...secretly wanting him to cling to me instead.  Then I remember how fortunate and blessed I am that Jack admires, enjoys and trusts his teachers...completely.

That thought alone changes the outlook of my day, and makes it so much easier to walk way.  With a smile on my face, I leave knowing that my children will not only be watched over throughout the day, but TRULY loved.