The sweet spot

I almost hate to post this, lest I jinx things, but I will anyway, maybe to give some “hope” to those with little bitties who are struggling a bit with parenthood. As stressed as I am with life in general lately, I seem to have hit a sort of “sweet spot” with my girlies, and I’m loving it. Ages 3 and 5 are rocking my world.

They are still little enough to be cute, yet big enough to be semi-independent. I can do things like shower, use the bathroom or clean (lol) without them needing constant supervision. I can send them to play in the basement and not have to crawl along behind them. And when I do play with them, its fun. They like to watch movies, read books, dress dolls and have dance parties. All pastimes that I can get behind.

I’ve stopped using a baby monitor and can count on them to sleep all the way through the night, save for occasional night-time cuddle sessions with Little A, which I admit I don’t mind too much. The best part is how much they love each other. When Big A went to a sleepover the other night, Little A was in tears. Big A drew her a picture and Little A slept clutching the paper all night. So sweet.

Going out in public isn’t so hard either. I have more threats to use, and don’t have to bring as much crap. Throw in a Pull-Up and a pack of wipes, and I’m good. Hoping to minimize that even further if Little A finally gives in to the potty “training” (aka, begging, cajoling, bribing, banging my head against the wall).

In a way, I feel like we’re having our own little love affair. My girls love me with a passion and tell me - multiple times a day. Its hard to be stressed for long when your 3 year old tells you that she “loves you to the moon and the sky and back” when you’re putting her to bed or when your 5 year old yells out that you’re the “best mommy in the world” as you walk away. Little A holds my face in her hands and demands me to let HER kiss me, then plants one on me. She takes my arm and wraps her arms around it as she sleeps next to me. Big A listens to my fashion advice and tells me she’ll wear “whatever I think.” She tells me she’ll always be my baby and never leave me.

Yes, I know this won’t last forever or very much longer. Which is why I’m savoring every second right now.

Hi, Betty!

This post goes out to Betty - my most loyal and devoted (and perhaps only?) blog follower. She always gives a helpful prod when its been too long. Of course this time she had the nerve to suggest that I might be too busy with my iphone...What does she think, I go to bed reading emails, wake up and type in my password before hitting snooze, and jump every time it pings that I have a new email, voicemail, text or Facebook message? Oh wait...

Beside all that stuff, its been kinda busy around here. I've thought of the blog quite a few times when Big and Little A have done funny or embarrassing things. Speaking of "Little" A, I may need to change her name, since her recent doctor visit puts her at 92% in height. That means in a line-up of 100 three year old girls (how cute would that be?), 91 of them are shorter than my girl. Look out Elena Delle Donne! At that doctor visit, she had to change into a tiny little gown with cartoon characters. She then proceeded to pull it down (yes, with the doctor in the room) and tell me she wanted to touch her "little boobies." I don't know what it is about the doctor's office, but my kids ALWAYS embarrass me there. It just never fails. I'm kind of surprised I haven't had CPS called on me yet, what with comments like that, and the last time when both girls threw their shoes at the doctor's back. Sigh.

Then there's Big A - or should I call her "BKOC" - Big Kindergartner on Campus. Yes, my girl is a real full-fledged school girl and she's been doing great. I never thought my kid bringing home a "green light" would make my day, but it pretty much does. Take that, I feel like shouting, my kid got a green light. BAM!

We were standing at the bus stop the other day with another mom and kindy kid, when I pointed out a slug to the kids. They screamed and then Big A proceeded to say loudly, "Mommy, remember when we found a slug at our house and Daddy threw it on the neighbor's lawn?" Cue the other mom laughing. I really need to talk to the kid about "family secrets."

In the last two weeks, my life has become a bit of a hamster wheel. Rise at 6, get myself ready, get both girls ready, pack three lunches, pack two backpacks and a work bag. Drive both girls to bus stop, get Big A on the bus, get back in the car and drop Little A off at preschool, get back in the car and drive myself to work. Work. Get back in car. Pick up Big A at bus stop, drive back to pick up Little A at preschool, drive home, hand out snacks, unpack book bags, make dinner, clean up dinner, play with kids, clean kids, put kids to bed, watch too much bad tv in an effort to decompress, fall asleep and wake up to do it all again. Throw in a PTA meeting, a back to school night, several playdates and weekend travel and this mom is wiped. And next week we start soccer and swimming. Hold me.

Its not all been bad though. I did win an office contest for a sweet blinged out ID lanyard. Yes, I said lanyard. We had to guess how much the bar bill was for one of my coworkers who went on a cruise for a week. Okay, I'll admit it, she totally gave me a big hint by pointing her thumb downward, but whatever - that lanyard is MINE. The rest of the office was very disappointed in the low total of her bar bill. During our staff meeting today, we made her promise to drink more next time.

And now for some photos. First day of school for Big A:

First day of school for Little A:

 210th day of work for me (what?):

Some pictures from this past weekend at the orchard. How cute is that baby goat??

And, as promised the big reveal of Little A's "big girl room" - gotta love this new 360 app on that handy iphone. I love how it turned out, but am a little sad I'm done with the girly room decorating. I guess this means I'll have to update my room next :-)

Till next time, Betty. Mwah.