Teach Me How to Mommy

Mother Nature has been so, so kind this Halloween.  Enjoy this beautiful day! Lucy has been practicing "trick or treating" for weeks now.  Now is your time to shine girl. Let's go get some candy so that Mom and Dad can check it, organize it and give you 10% of it.  Happy Halloween all.

While doing Halloween crafts and simultaneously taking every imaginable art object out of the baby's mouth, I called the pediatrician three times (in one hour) to make an appointment change.  (They promised me that they "still liked me".  I'm skeptical).  It was not until an hour later that I realized that I didn't need to change the appointment at all.  In fact, my numerous calls made my schedule much, much worse. I feel like my head isn't quite connected to my body recently - which I suppose works best for Halloween week. I think I am over multi-tasking:  I am doing it too much, but also literally I am OVER it.  I am going to start single-tasking.   You know, I'll never sleep...but I'll remember EVERYTHING!

My Two New Best Friends!  Well is certainly has been a whirlwind of a week of the Hayes household. I came down with some sort of deadly disease (or what most people call "kidney stones") and a nasty virus to boot. I have basically been bed ridden since Wednesday (a week now!).  As with most moms I've talked to, our health seems to come second.  The flu?? Won't stop me from getting lunch made... 101 fever.... No worries, dinner will just be a few minutes late.  But kidney stones!!!! Whooooooooooo invented these beasts? I finally got to the point where I had to take myself to the walk-in. They diagnosed me with -- I have no idea what's wrong with you -- and that annoyed me. So they took lots of samples from me, sent me to get a CAT scan and here I am with two new bff's, kidney stone uno & kidney stone dos. Funny thing is, these little buggers are on my left side and my  pain just so happens to be destroying my right side. (Long story short, as of today th...

#MomCrushMondays It's Monday again - already.  Good thing we have so many women that we admire. This week I am going to be talking a little bit about trying to stay fit when you work full time and have two toddlers (key word, trying), so I thought maybe I would talk about a badass mom of three. Kerri Walsh is a three time gold medalist in beach volleyball.  She's also hot.  Her body is amazing and so must be her work ethic.  I am pretty sure she was pregnant in the picture above.  She won a gold medal while carrying a baby in her womb.  Do I really need to go on? Here's to women who break the "norm."  She is a pro-athlete who makes her living off her physical and mental strength, yet she balances these insane accomplishments while being a mom.   She makes me think a 30 minute workout a day is probably possible.   Meet you on the beach someday Kerri? 

For the record:  I actually don't like Halloween any of the activities normally associated with it. This has been a long week.  I don't mean to complain (really) - it's just a fact.  Everyone in my family (with the exception of John, who is a machine) is showing some signs of exhaustion.  We have had doctors appointments, work obligations and illness.  Lucy has been under the weather and therefore not sleeping well.  Jerry and I took turns off an on comforting her and (at times) sleeping with her, so of course the toll of that is showing now too (mostly in the wrinkles that forming around my eyes). On the weekends we go, go, go .    I find that sugar helps any situation. There are so many fun things to do right now in CT that it is possible to do something amazing in the morning then nap and do another, different amazing thing in the afternoon.  We had plans like that for this weekend, but instead we decided to just bunker do...

Dinner time is the most challenging time of my day - every day.  Yes, this even beats my rowdy 8th period sophomores.  My husband doesn't get home until after dinner gets cooked (isn't that convenient).  Even when I plan well it can sometimes be a struggle...and I rarely plan well. Lucy and John are ready to eat at 5.  Not 5:01 and definitely not 5:15, so I need the meal ready and cooled before their internal dinner bell goes off.  Whenever I try to stretch it because they seem like they are in "good moods"...it always backfires. I am not posting today because I found a miracle cure and all of a sudden everything is working out.  On the contrary, today was like any other normal day (except I made only one meal for all four of us and everyone loved it...chicken fajitas..who knew?). However, today while cooking I was holding the baby on and off and making a jack-o-lantern.  I made the saddest, tiniest little jack-o-lantern, but the kids LOVED it. ...

#MCM Mom Crush Monday Instagram Edition +Jessie James Decker    It's #MomCrushMonday and this week we're crushing hardcore on all the c-section mommies out there. C-Sections are no joke, literally.... I actually busted a stitch trying not to laugh when Colleen, Megan and Alissa came to visit me in the hospital two days after my own c-section.  There is a stigma associated with C-Sections... and unless you've had one it's really hard to explain...  Which is why we are SO in love with Jessie James Decker.  She threw down this week, and we LOVE her so much for it! Jessie is a real life singing superstar, an Instagram QUEEEEN and rocks it on E! with her Husband in their reality show.  She is also a c-section mommy.  Jessie documents her life on Instagram in the most real way!  She shows her home life, her mommy life, her working life, her go out and have fun life!  We love that about her and she makes us want to crack open a bottl...

Was inspired today to start a new category for the blog:   Step Off . Stew Leonard's is awesome - until someone comments on how many free smoothies you are drinking Ever since I was pregnant I realized that people (to be honest it's mostly women) feel quite compelled to say things that are not warranted, justified or even remotely solicited.  When I was first pregnant I got a lot of "silly" comments from the kids I teach.  These things never really hurt my feelings or anything, but they are the type of things you know (as an adult) not to ask.  "How much weight have you gained?"  "Are you sure you're not having twins?" "Your feet look weird."  I teach teens, and I know it's a learning curve so it never was a big thing for me.  I really embraced pregnancy (weight gain and all), so I tried to make it a learning opportunity for them and not a reason to put myself down.   After having kids, these unsolicited comments or wo...

When your mom tries too hard to make fall, fun memories.  Maybe next year Lou. #momfail

Logged on to my computer to type a quick email for work and schedule a quick post, and this is how it all happened.    Multi-tasking at its finest.  This is real life!  Make sure you check out Facebook, because he typed a whole post before I even realized (I was trying to simultaneously read to him and eat my dinner so I could get my two to-do list items done!).... I'm going to post it because I think it's adorable!  Love him!  Also -- GUESS WHAT!?  we made it to Friday!  I'm teaching Saturday Academy this weekend, excited to check-in with them all, see how their week was and connect.... annnnnnd I'm so excited because when I get home Brian and I are heading to Mount Southington for their Beerfest.   We're seriously only going because our favorite food truck will be there.... grilllllleeddd cheeessssee!!!  Well that and we love Beer!  See you there Mary, my "Beerit Sister" (that was my lame attempt to combine Spirit and ...

Free Books!  and Hair!??  One of the coolest things I found this summer was right in my own 'hood! I've heard of these little free library set ups, but I have never seen one before!  I love it!  I walked by (ran by, carried Colin by, stared longingly from my car) a few times over the summer before I had the chance to actually take my first peek. There were way more books in there than it looks like! It was two rows deep, and I spent about 10 minutes just looking through what was there. More than a few were beautiful board books for young children, and there were some great titles from some of my favorite writers!   As the sign says, everything is free, but they hope that if you take a book that you will also leave a book.  I 100% knew this, but was still unprepared!  I didn't have any books, but I found one book that I just had to grab!  It was called, "Sleeping Freshman Never Lie".  I know, I told you.. I HAD to grab it! ...

Is there anything better than a long weekend?  Nope... didn't think so, and even though summer reigns king in terms of seasons... anyone from New England knows that Fall is where it's at!  I barf at the thought of pumpkin spice... but I am a sucker for a good pair of sweatpants, Uggs, and a big ole blanket wrapped around me. What a view for our last weekend in RI. Fall also means it's time to say goodbye to long and lazy weekends in Rhode Island.  And just as we did last year, the Hayes three along with my parents hit the Cottage one last time.  The weather was gorgeous, minus the drive down.  I don't either my mom or myself ever want to relive that... purple thunder and a very unhappy baby made for a very long two hours and we have never been so happy to pull down Elm Road!  BUT..... that put NO damper on a weekend full of fun festivities!  We essentially spent the weekend keeping Colin happy, going to all of our favorite places, and eating....

We bow to you. A little girl's dream come to fruition.  She is amazing in every way.  She's really similar to Amy and me in almost every way:  She's a mother, wife, sister, daughter, college graduate, fashion icon and royalty*. We love you for your effortless beauty and your ability to snag the man that we literally dreamt of as insanely awkward tweens (well, let's get real..the dreams lasted into early adulthood...well if we're going to be honest, we may have switched our goals to Harry). If it can't be us, we are glad it's you.  We can't wait to curtsy for you one day - or what is more likely - we can't wait to celebrate the wedding of your son and my daughter and your daughter and Amy's son. #mcm *Right, it gets a little foggy after being educated, but you get the idea.

After a few very valiant attempts to take the kids out to restaurants recently, Jerry and I have both decided to go on a brief hiatus.  This is actually really hard for both of us.  We are proud of our kids, but also we are - just in general - proud people.  But we have reached a point.  Holy shit we have gone passed the point... When there was just Lucy (B.J. before John...wait that's not a good acronym), we went everywhere at any time we wanted.  She was a very adaptable baby and toddler.  She's easily distracted and loves food.  Restaurants were NEVER a problem.  Even when the baby was a baby, we used to go out often.  We would time it appropriately (early before places got crowded and during a feeding so that he would always be happy).   In the not too far past we would get compliments all the time on how well behaved our kids were (pats on the back all around).  I think there was a point when we felt like it was "easy". Wel...

Came across this blog on Saturday morning. The kids were still sleeping at 7:30, but I wasn't. So of course, I am a modern mommy and headed to the computer. To be fair I did enjoy a cup of coffee (slowly and sweetly). To be honest, even if I did something like "pleasure read" I'd be doing it on my kindle anyways. I think she is right on about these major rites as modern moms. I have gone through all of these (except maybe the public shaming...although I don't think I am immune) and actually probably experienced most of them multiple times. The internet can be a very, very scary place when your kid isn't acting "normal." When they are newborns it is especially frightening. What could be just a normal case of the sniffles could literally become pneumonia (in your head after you've read a few internet posts). Just recently Lucy had a rash. The doctor confirmed it was normal and harmless, but that didn't stop me from scouring the ...

Thursday Thoughts on a Friday.... I'm failing at this blog thing already, but this week has been INTENSE. Colleen mentioned on our Facebook page that I had good news and I really, really, really do! As of this past Tuesday the Board of Ed has officially approved an insane and adventurous proposal that I have been working on for what feels like forever (though in reality it has been about 7 months). I will be taking a group of 16 students to Europe in April.  I had a crazy idea... and last year when I asked if I could start planning, someone finally said YES! We will be heading to London, Paris, & Rome for 9 days in April.  Just a mere 189 days we will embark on a journey that is sure to change their lives, and mine as well!    I have been extremely overwhelmed with planning, preparing, working with my students, meeting with teachers, administrators and eventually getting in front of the Board of Ed.    Now, I am completely overwhelmed with th...

When you ask your husband to stop and get 5 things from the store (when he is going to pass by it anyways and I am currently making three different meals while two toddlers are banging on pots and pans and asking for "snackies") Seemed quite poignant on our 6 year anniversary. 

Do we really need to explain this one?  She's got it all, beauty, brains, talent and spirit.  We always just thought she was beautiful (is there anyone on the planet who wouldn't CHOOSE to look like her).  But, then she went and started the Honest Company.  Seems to be a 1 billion dollar business. She is the real deal .  She beat Beyonce (who we will obviously honor at a future date). We'd hate her, but we can't.  She's self-made and even likable. We love you lady.  Keep it up (and take us along for the ride...seriously we can't really afford your diapers, but we wish we could..keep us in mind if you need "testers"). #momcrushmonday

Say cheese. Huh? Budding love. Moms met up with moms today at the good old fair.  The pics are the "best" of the day, which isn't saying much.  So nice to get out in the sun after days of rain.  The winter is going to be so long, so we are soaking up what we can. Sitting on hay and watching cows gnaw, pee and moo. Sunday life of two best friend moms. *Where's Slamber?

Teaching and being a mom requires a large amount of sacrifices.  Well actually doing anything and being a mom requires sacrifices, I can only speak to my experience. I had a lot of guilt after Colin was born.  It wasn't the guilt I thought I would feel though.  I felt guilty because I didn't feel guilty about going back to work (does that make sense?  It makes sense in my head...).  I was surrounded by friends and family who constantly asked me "how I was feeling about going back to work" and "how I was doing" with that sad look on their faces.... like I was expected to become a whole new being all of a sudden.  It felt like everything I had worked 30 years for didn't matter anymore.  I was being reduced to a delicate woman who couldn't possibly want anything other than staying home with my baby. Now, if you knew me during the time right after Colin's birth (which is a whole other post and topic that Colleen will be brave enough to post for m...

One part of our lives we haven't dedicated much of this blog to (yet) is the very part that takes up so much of our time, energy and our hearts.  Being teachers and moms is equal parts fulfilling and heart- wrenching.  When people ask me how my kids are, I often ask them which ones - my school kids or the ones I birthed?  It's a legitimate question as I often feel I have 150 kids on any given day.  This means that when my school kids do well on an assignment or give me that warm, satisfying feeling after a good teaching day I feel like a million bucks.  Lucy and John benefit because I am energized.  I feel like a good teacher - a good school mom, certainly then I can be a good home mom.  Yet, when my school kids aren't doing well - the smart girl in the back got in a fight and is suspended, the kid that was doing so well stopped showing up, or as often is the case period 7 WOULD NOT STOP TALKING I feel a little deflated.  Often, I am just disapp...

Took Colin to the Platt vs Newington Freshman Football game today. He was in his GLORY! Clapping, laughing, waving, & spiking his mini football! The boys even turned around a snuck a few waves back at him! Platt won and it was so great to see them play!! 💙💛💙💛💙#teachmehowtomommy #football #futureNFLstar A photo posted by Amy & Colleen (@teachmehowtomommy) on Oct 1, 2015 at 4:49pm PDT

Type. Erase. Type. Erase. Type. Erase.   Story of my life today.  I have too much floating around in my head to think straight.  I also haven't have more than a few minutes to talk to another adult all week, so anything that I have been wanting to talk about has been pent up!!!  So instead of trying to format a bunch of witty thoughts and organize it into a singular topic, I will create for you a list of the many, many, MANY things that I am currently thinking about.  I mean this is called "Thursday Thoughts" right???   (click "read more" for the rest of "Thursday Thoughts)