Girlymama

As of today, we have completed the potty training of Big Sister. 

I have put away the little potty and potty seats. She actually never liked those cushy potty seats that fit onto the big potty, but she was growing attached to the potty chair.  We put one away, so there was only one left in the house. She didn’t make an effort to go to that one, she’d just go in the nearest big potty. But if the little one was there, she would use it.  But last night after she fell asleep, I put the remaining one away. She’s been fine so far – hasn’t even asked for the chair.

She has also refused to wear pull-ups for about 2 or 3 weeks now, so we’re packing those away as well.  She hasn’t had an accident in forever. I think the last one was when we were visiting my mom in Ohio, so mid-June sometime?  She really is doing great.

So now we’ll have a ‘normal’ house for a month or so. Then we’ll start in on number two!

My name is Melissa. I am thirty-two, I have two daughters, ages 8 and 6, a two-year-old son, a husband of ten years, and a very busy calendar.  We live in a little house in a suburb outside Philadelphia.

I love fashion although I confess to owning a rather impressive collection of yoga pants. I love handbags, shoes, boots, a fabulous pair of jeans, funky jewelry, boots and anything with ruffles. Did I mention boots? I’m co-founder and editor of All Things Chic.

I’m a graphic designer and own my own blog design business, Eliza Grace Design.

I’m totally addicted to coffee, have a deep and abiding love for my coffeepot.  And I am not ashamed of that.

I love taking pictures, but I’m an total amateur. Most of the really amazing pictures you see here were probably taken by my husband. We have the Nikon D40 and more lenses than I know how to use.

We absolutely love to travel. With the kids, without the kids, near and far. We’re game for anything!

I love cooking and think there is not much better in life than sharing a good meal with family and friends.

And, most importantly, I’m a child of God, and I claim the grace of Jesus Christ alone for my salvation and sanctification.

This blog is a place for me to share what’s happening in my life, the good, the bad and the crazy. I love this blog and the amazing people it has brought into my life. You are all a blessing to me.

Here are my little darlings. Don’t they look so adorable and precious? And not at all threatening? Can you not even imagine that these beautiful creatures would ever make me want to tear my hair out, run away from home and/or drink tequila directly from the bottle?

 
Don’t be fooled. We took like 1,000 pictures to get that one.

contact me!!
girlymama.blog at gmail.com

follow me on twitter: I’m girlymamamel

Tonight, the girlies and I did our favorite “Daddy’s out of town” activity — we went to the mall for dinner. The girls love to get pizza, then run around looking at the fountains and stuff. Mama love it because I don’t have to cook and it really wears them out, so I can just come home and throw them in bed.

Anyway, we pulled up at the mall around 5-ish. We were parked next to a rather nice car that had a dog in it. The windows were cracked and there was a small, battery-powered fan clipped to the steering wheel. “Hum,” I’m thinking, “that’s a good idea for keeping your pet cool while you run a quick errand.” So, after the girls have waved and blown numerous kisses at the doggie, we head inside.

We came out of the mall around 7:30. I loaded the sticky, tired girlies into the van, throw the stroller in the back and head to my door to get in. And I notice something.

The dog. Is still. In the car.

Are you freaking kidding me??!?! When I turned my car on, the little thermostat said 95 degrees. I reported the cars information to mall security and I dearly pray that the dog will be okay and that the owner will be struck upside the head with a heavy, blunt object.

I mean, I’d love to be more eloquent here but, DUH!! What kind of person does that? Why on earth would you drag your dog to the mall and leave it in the car – during a freaking heat wave – while you leisurely shopped for several hours? I could understand if you just were running in to return something quick. But this?  What is wrong with that person? What about that entire situation makes it okay to treat an animal like that?

I’m so disgusted.  This just confirms my long running theory that the majority of the population is really quite stupid.

So I’m sitting there singing a little song in my head:

“It’s Friday! It’s Fri-day! Woo-hoo, it’s Friday!”

Then I realized….

Its Thursday! AAAAAAAARUGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today my in-laws return from a three-week road trip. They will then settle into their apartment (about 10 minutes from our house) for the next 6-12 months before returning to their work in India.

This will be the first time we have had family (well, parents) living nearby us. I love my in-laws dearly. And I would like to keep it that way. I am trying to avoid this:

 but, at the same time, they are only here for a little while and I want to spend time with them, let them see the grandkids, etc. Should we try to set up a ‘family day’ where we have dinner a set night every week or something? Do you still schedule activities together? And, most importantly, what do peoples’ policies on “the drop-in”?  Remember, we want to be really, really nice since this also means that for the first time we have……….. free babysitting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any suggestions?

I just realized that my kids have been vegetarians since Saturday. I haven’t (had an Italian Hoagies on Sunday afternoon. yummm….) but they have not had any meat in 5 days now. And I haven’t had any in 4.

This was not intentional. We’ve just had several meatless meals in a row. Like pizza (plain), quesadillas (plain) and Indian food (yum! not plain!). Then when Husband went away to Colorado on business, we switched to the “Dad’s Not Home” classics, like grilled cheese (last night) and frozen waffles with scrambled eggs (tonight). 

They haven’t asked for any meat or anything. They seem to be quite happy eating loads of cheese. And we haven’t even hit pasta and beans yet. Hum. I wonder how long I could keep this up. Husband is quite a “Where’s the beef?” kinda guy.  And I hate cheese. (I’ve been eating leftover veggie and bean burritos, so you know I’m not cheating on the no-meat.) I’m not any hungrier or craving meat at all. I bet we can make it all week. I’m going to try.

P.S.
Okay – I just realized that I will have to cheat. Husband is taking me out on a SURPRISE date on Friday night. I am going to fully enjoy this and for me, that means ordering the filet mignon if its offered on the menu!  Oh, I just love red meat. Who am I kidding with this vegetarian stuff??

Do you ever get that book out of the library? You know, the one that got great reviews, won all sorts of awards? And you think, “I’m going to be all intellectual and cultured and read that book! My kids didn’t kill off all my brain cells!” And don’t you feel all special when you check it out of the library? Like the librarian is thinking, “Thank heavens there are still intelligent people out there who read quality literature.” Oh yes. You are very proud of yourself. Such an intellectual, you are. You just can’t wait for someone to ask what you’re currently reading.

And what happens? That fantastic, award winning book just sits on your nightstand, while you renew it and renew it… only to return it to the library. Unread! Why? Because deep, deep, deep down, you have no interest in reading it! You’d rather read Harry Potter or murder mysteries. Admit it!!

Does anyone else do this? Or is it just me?  I really, really honestly love to read. But sometimes I just can’t bring myself to start a “great” book that I feel compelled to read. So I just won’t pick it up. Because I cannot stop reading a book. Even if I hate it/its dumb/its scaring the crap out of me – I just have to finish it. I guess I need closure in all areas of my life or something.  And I hate that I do this. I’m sure I’m missing out on some truly great books. But so many great, award-winning books are, well, boring.  I really need to be more adventurous. Maybe I’ll go to the library tonight….

Husband is on a business trip. Big Sister is sick. Little Sister is getting sick. It’s 100 degrees outside. The next-door neighbors started their addition this week, so today there is an unbelievably loud cement mixer parked 3 feet from my house.

I am running away to Bermuda. Who’s coming with me?

So lately, I’ve been feeling highly insecure about my parenting. I think its related to hearing comments like this:

“Now is the time for her to learn another language!”
“I would never send my child to that school!”
“Are they in ballet? Which studio are you bringing them to?”
“When are you starting piano?”
“They’ve never taken swim lessons!?!?”

We have never, not once, signed our kids up for anything. No lessons, no classes, no camps – nada.  Its not like I’m morally opposed to sending children to lessons and stuff. We just don’t have the cash.  I’m staying at home with the kiddies, and this is one of the sacrifices we have to make.  I don’t feel like she’s deprived or anything. She goes to a Bible class at church (free!) and socializes in the nursery on Sundays (also free!). We’re always at the library (free!) and go to the playgrounds and parks around here (also free!) and she has playdates at least once a week (again, free!!). The girls and Mommy have dances in the living room and Daddy is teaching them soccer.

I’m not even sure I would sign Big Sister up for lots of things anyway. I mean, she is three. THREE! She should be running around enjoying her freedom, playing like the child she is. But when I talk to other people, I feel like I am going to set her up for future failure. Will she be “behind” the other kids because she not in swim lessons yet? Will she be destined to be the biggest kid in her ballet class because everyone else started at 3 and she started at 4 or 5?

I never went to preschool or anything and I turned out just fine. But this is a different childrearing climate. The generation of flashcards and Baby Einstein. We are supposed to be constantly stimulating our children intellectually, emotionally and physically.  And I’m not at all convinced that this is good for them. I’m at home to spend time with her. Why would I constantly be sending her somewhere else? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose? Plus, by staying at home, she knows how to play with her baby sister and she knows how to play by herself – a skill sorely lacking in today’s children, in my opinion.  But, honestly, I’m afraid not to do it all! After all, who wants their child to come in last? And if I feel inadequate at teaching my own children, after working with preschool kids every day in my former life, how on earth are all those business major moms feeling? 

So – I caved a little. I signed her up for preschool. And she’s so so so excited. (Asks every day if its time to go yet.)  And now, I’m worried its not enough. After all, she is three. That’s when ballet classes start.  Maybe we should squeeze the already tight budget and try to start ballet too. But its so silly. We just can’t afford it. Not with Little Sister headed for preschool soon (double tuition. fun!).   And she’s only three!!!!! Why, WHY do I get so caught up in wanting her to have what her friends have? 

We’ve always thought we would send our kids to public school. Now I feel like we’ll be shunned if we dare send our kids there. We’ll be setting our kids up for failure. We don’t care about their education or their well-being. And our public schools are quite good. But almost all of our friends send their kids to the Christian school down the road or or homeschool or going to the many $20,000/year private schools around here.  Ugh. I’m just not going to think about that for 3 more years.

I really, really fear high school.

Me: (paying bills, talking to myself) “Sigh. We don’t have any money.”

Big Sister: Here, Mom! (hands me Daddy’s change jar) Here’s some moneys.