Teach Me How to Mommy

If you were to stop by my house (unexpectedly) anywhere between 7am-3pm you would think I have things mildly under control.  You may hear a crying baby, there may be a splatter of matchbox cars on the living room floor and you'll definitely hear Kidzbop playing throughout the house, but you won't see a (terribly) frazzled mom, sad children or filth. But if you were to stop by my house (unexpectedly) between 4-6pm you would likely see huge messes, dirty plates, a hungry, screaming baby and two toddlers who have forgotten their manners.  Many people have told me it's the witching hour.  Yes, yes, I see it now. It's the hour I suddenly have to prep a meal that represents all the food groups, while also simultaneously breastfeeding and dealing with toddlers who are beginning to unravel. So please, maybe don't come over - or, rather if you do, please come at 7 am.  I'm as fresh as a daisy then. So to the poor guy who mistakenly knocked on my door at 4:45 and wa...

And by that mom I mean me.  Want to know a quick way to tarnish a perfectly magical morning? It's a Monday in October and my school district called a snow day.  Well, it wasn't really a snow day but a loss of power day.  With the exception of freak ice storms, October days off are few and far between.  Even better?  My kids had a two hour delay.  So we got to enjoy a lazy morning off filled with a Halloween show, Halloween crafts and a few heated games of Hungry, Hungry Hippo.  Then, just when they needed something new to keep them occupied it was time to head off to school where they would learn, socialize, play and enjoy pre-k, while I shopped, cleaned and ate while listening to naughty podcasts - out loud! So see gifts like this come but once a year (twice maybe).  I was feeling high on life until I brought my son to his room and saw the other mothers coming in with huge bags of "stuff." Shit. What did I miss? Then I saw their kids all d...

Yes you read that title right..  I had to travel to Argentina to get some sleep.  Ok, the truth is, my husband had to go on a global business week for school and his course took place in Buenos Aires.  I have wanted to go to Argentina ever since I saw the movie Evita.  You know, the one with Madonna and awesome music.  Anyways, when I found out he was going I quickly said, "I'm coming with you!" And set off to secure the grandparents for babysitting duty.  I can't stress enough how vital this trip was to my sanity and survival.  I have been at a point recently where things have gotten really difficult.  I've been tired, cranky, totally touched out (I'm now the jungle gym to 2 very active little girls), stressed and overall just stretched far beyond my limit.  I haven't slept through the night in almost 4 years (because I did not sleep during either of my pregnancies, and have 2 kids who don't like to sleep either).  Needless ...

I took the kids to a different splash pad last week and within ten minutes of splashing I observed two moms completely losing their shit. Both kids seemed to have pushed their moms' last buttons.  One for failure to apologize, the other for constant near escapes.  Both valid concerns, I too have felt my blood boil for those very reasons. I couldn't help but wonder though, had it been June, if those same moms would have been screeching, "I am so done with this kid" or "I've told you a thousand times and you NEVER listen."  Even if I think those things, I never say them out loud - I'd be too nervous of the judgement that accompanied it.  But these moms - there were no inhibitions - they were at their breaking point. I think, more likely, it's Mid-August Syndrome .  Moms, Dads, caregivers and more have spent the summers entertaining and stimulating their kids.  We've packed and unpacked for the beach, traveled to museums, spent countless, ho...

I found out I was pregnant on a Sunday afternoon in May.  Instead of screaming from the rooftops that I was carrying my third child I kept it to myself.  It took two weeks to even tell my husband,  here's why: 1. Having your first is so exciting, having your second is expected - the third?  Who has three kids these days? 2.  Is it ever the right time?  I was nervous my husband wouldn't think so... 3.  I didn't want to overshadow other pregnancies (specifically my brother and sister in-law who will be having their FIRST baby two weeks before us - wooo-hooo)! 4.  I had a co-worker tell me (while I was pregnant, but he didn't know) that the world was not set up for families of five (cars, restaurants, vacations, college tuition).  He has a point, woops! 5.  By saying it out loud I often admit (through nervous laughter, strange sentences and awkward eye movement) that I am so, so nervous about this one. Yet, I know by putting it here...

Last week, an amazing photographer sent me the photos from the photo shoot Amy and I did a few days prior.  I teared up, then I showed my husband.  He said, "wow, these look professional."  That's because they are - sometimes I wonder what he's doing when I am talking... Rewind. Amy and I don't do professional photographs.  There are a lot of reasons why, (maybe none that are actually worthy).  We have Iphones and take pictures of our kids EVERY day.  Professional photos can be expensive.  Also (and sorry) but the ones we see streaming on Facebook often seem staged, weird, unrealistic (all while, yes, being beautiful).  But, once you start how do you stop?  Do you do them every year?  Wait, it's holiday we should get our pictures taken!  A new baby?  Better line up the photographer.  First tooth?  Call her up! Yet, when a childhood friend offered to update our Teachmehow website with some new pics, we conceded...

The first few days of summer are in the books.... The kids have been so happy with our summer adventures that they are currently on a 7 day no-nap streak.  So even though I've enjoyed it all along with them, there are some things I have learned by spending 7am-730pm with my beautiful, busy children: 1.  Fighting screen time is a worthwhile battle, but an uphill one. 2.  Speaking of rules, many have to be broken in the summer.  I know I'll pay later, but it feels good to just let go. 3.  Working full-time affords more breaks - I've been missing my 45 minute lunch (time to go to the bathroom, eat and chat, a luxury). 4.  Things go pretty smoothly until 4pm, at that point I better have a plan or be prepared to guard the kitchen cabinets for raiders.  It's nice to have tissues to catch the many, many fake tears that are headed my way. 5.  How can I be expected to watch  Orange is the New Black  if I can't start until 10pm?  ...

It's Good Friday and what a good Friday it has been.  In fact, it's been a really wonderful vacation, the only bad thing being that it's almost over.  Amy talked about the "last stretch" . Fourth quarter is here, summer is around the corner.  She's right, well kind of.  May hasn't begun, and even though it's nice out, I still worry the cold air will come back and the work days will still be long.  Anyways, let's just go with her mindset - summer mode . We did a lot of things this vacation, including hosting a birthday party, a night away at the beach, the Aquarium and more.  Although many people we know went on vacations to Florida, California or further the farthest we went was outside of Boston to the Great Wolf Lodge.  I have to say that it looked really cheesy from all the ads, but it came highly recommended by a few people we know.  We wanted to take the kids somewhere  - some place new, exciting before we tackle a longer, farther vac...

Seems like it's been a long January, no? It could be the cold (although it's hard to complain this year) or maybe it's just the political climate.  Either way getting through the winter can sometimes be a challenge.  Personally, I've had my fill and I've got my eyes on summer, but I'm also in touch with reality.  So instead of dwelling on things I cannot control, I'd rather talk about things that have made January wonderful. 1.  Strangers - It's not what it seems.  My favorite podcast, Strangers , has been killing it this month.  All the stories are true, but not all are happy.  Yet, somehow putting in my earbuds and listening to them makes grocery shopping at 9pm on Friday just that much less painful.  If you can, listen to "Wouldn't it be Nice" and "Two Men and a Baby".  They both filled me with positivity about the human race. 2. This is Us - Need I say more?  All my students know my favorite kind of movie is the kin...