Teach Me How to Mommy

Ok, well that's an exaggeration.  No actually wait, I was pushed, just not with a lot of force. I was out getting a coffee, sans kids. It's been so long that I've been solo that I actually went inside.  What a luxury it was to look at the menu and take my time making my coffee just the way I wanted it.  Anyways, while I was waiting a little girl walked in front of me - on a wet floor - and slipped right on her behind.  She wasn't hurt, but she looked startled and literally couldn't get up.  My mom instincts kicked right in and went down asking her if she was ok.  I used my own arm to help her up.  This took maybe 20 seconds. I didn't notice her mom at first, I guess she was at my side.  In reaction to my assistance the other mother pushed my arm away and said "thank you" in a way that I understood meant "get your hands off my daughter."  It was all so quick I didn't have a reaction, but I left feeling really embarrassed.  I kno...

Yesterday, I fixed the garbage disposal (which I also broke, but that's not important), I also planted a tree (which Jerry says is bound to die) and then soothed a broken-hearted little boy.  So thankful for this day off. If this garbage disposal really broke then it would be the second I broke in four years - not a good record.  So even though Jerry was pretty much resigned to the fact that the thing was done, I took another look.  Yes, I fixed a garbage disposal while two toddlers ate breakfast (and yes my life and pride depended on it). After some research (one youtube video) and my husband telling me it would never work - I took my kids outside in the middle of January and planted a tree.  More specifically, I replanted our beautiful Christmas tree.   On the outside I am playing it cool - if it dies at least I tried.  Inside?  Inside I am begging mother nature to give me this one. Today I had some playdates set for my kids.  Both of t...

I know it's important to "make the time".  I've been working on it all summer.  But what if time is kind of running out (or at least running low). Recently anyone I come in contact with asks the big question "When is baby number three coming?" Wait, just joking (no one EVER asks that).  It's: "When do you go back?" It's soon ok.  It's Monday.  It hurts when I have to talk about it, but thanks for asking. Instead of wallowing, I've been squeezing every good minute out of this week.  We've done lots of fun stuff and then also some regular stuff, but we've done it all together.  I've noticed that Lucy has gotten just a bit more special attention this week because of the nature of some of my errands (haircuts, etc.).  So, on this night I told Jerry I was taking out our son and we would be back when we would be back.  I said bye to my favorite girl and headed out with no plan. We just ended up at the park, a perf...

Today at daycare drop-off my kids were dawdling, procrastinating and being silly.  Even though it takes 2 minutes to get from home to daycare, it often takes us 10 minutes to get from the parking lot to their rooms.  It's a silly little habit we all have.  We look at the baby chicks in the lobby (yes real chicks) we look at the "library" for the book we want to take home and we say hi to all the teachers in our path.  Yes, I often have two thousand steps before I even walk into my building (7:30 am). Well, this morning a mommy kind of blew passed us.  It wasn't in a rude way, but an urgent one.  I've been there, I know.  We quickly discovered that her daughter was sick and she was swooping in to save the day.  She did the typical Mom thing - picked her up high in her arms and brushed her hair with her fingers.  The girl was mumbling something, but I couldn't hear.  The mom had no time for more pleasantries, she rushed out to take her b...

You know when people ask you that question, "If you could be anyone else other than you who would you be?"  Well it never takes me even a second to reply. Beyonce . I'd be Beyonce.  She is a goddess.  She is beautiful and talented and a mom.  Add in the fact that she is rich and famous and you have basically detailed my wildest dreams. I may have been the only person who didn't know that Beyonce was going to be part of the half-time show last night.  But I was damn happy that the only real part of the game that I watched with any intent was the time she shared the stage with Cold Play (who I also love). I love her for all that she represents including a body that is real .  Really f*ing hot. I workout to "Who Run the World" (isn't the answer obvious?) "Boy you know you love it. How we smart enough to make these millions Strong enough to bear the children Then get back to business." Her grammar may not be in check, but ...

I am always amazed at moms who admit their flaws.  I do to a degree, but I know I hold back.  Then there are others...others who preach about  their issues so that everyone else can feel better about themselves.  What better gift can you give a new mom than the reassurance that other people have been there and have probably felt or done worse? I am truly in awe. I am big into podcasts.  I listen to them while I grade, while I plan, when I workout and when I am alone.  Yes, this equates to mere minutes a day, but it's something.  I listen to one called Death Sex and Money (it's not as scandalous as it sounds).  This week Brooke Sheilds was on talking about her new book and the issue of Post Partem Depression came up.  I didn't personally have PPD, but her description made me empathize and understand it better. How hard must it have been for her to be one of the first "famous" people to admit to feeling sad after giving birth? Just saw...

Shameless I know.  I can't turn anything away with the name Lucy in it.  Ever. I am reading Drew Barrymore's memoir right now (Wildflower).  She has lead a pretty amazing life (not all of which has been wonderful or easy).  Her conversational writing style is throwing me off a bit, but she says some really extraordinary things.  She is a mother of two girls - still babies really:  Frankie and Olive (no it doesn't get cuter than that..except maybe "Forgetful Lucy"). She intersperses tales of her past with that of her current life.  After giving birth to her second daughter she recounts:  "Was I going to cower in this room when this kid, this new beautiful baby, needs me?  Hell no.  I got up, so sore and groggy, and picked up my baby Taurus.  And I kissed her face over and over.  I vowed, just as I did with Olive, that I would always be her warrior.  I am their Pisces mother.  Mother of dragons! I am strong. ...

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...