Category Archives: parenting

Fridays come and go

Posted by adrian's mom in being a mom, Dream Project, parenting, toddler living and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Another friday, already.

I have been swamped with my pivitol tracker messages… so much work and so little time.  But this is great news, which means I am closer to launching, the soft launch.  Lets be honest, the test launch.

On another note, I have noticed that my son, has suddenly stepped into being TWO.  Now I have begun to understand why they shake their heads and say something like, “Oh yeah, the terrible twos”  Last night after I had just finished cutting all the broccoli and chard for my son we went BOOM.  He ran up behind me and bites my, bum… hand on pot stirring veggies, food went flying, we fell to the floor and suddenly I couldn’t figure out how we got there.   Scared that something had burned him, and shocked that I didn’t start screaming from the bite… we sat with pieces of broccoli and swiss chard scattered on our kitchen floor, gas flame still dancing. This became our first official TIME OUT, I sat him down quietly and said now you don’t bit mommy, you need to sit and be quiet by yourself!  Low and behold… he sat.  I think it helped that I had the music on, as he started to snap his fingers and pretend to play the drums, I reminded him to be quiet and still and he did…
WOW.

I guess there are first for everything.  We are at 2, what am I to do?  Teach, love and remember that he is only two, yes only 2…
Until next time.

Just a little rant about motherhood!

Posted by adrian's mom in being a mom, parenting and tagged with , ,

A job is what you call it, whatever that may be, it could be doing laundry for a large hotel chain, a street sweeper, a coffee jerk, aka coffee barista, someone who rolls dice on wall street, or what about singing, painting, bus driving, stock car racing, administrative assistant anyone?  Candy girl, chef de cuisine, student, caretaker, taco maker, pizza maker, CEO, grocery bag clerk, bank teller, garbage truck driver, and then there the dental hygentist, a teacher, number crunchers (accountant), a pediatric nurse.  I could go on and on with the creation of jobs and ideas and the needs we have to live in a civilized society, but I won’t, that is not what this post is about… It is about the most important job in the world… The job of being A MOTHER.  The job as a mother is, as I see it completely overlooked and  under compensated, almost like that of teacher.  Granted you are filled with love and emotions everyday, but that is not the cold green cash that pays the bills or the achievement award to hang on the wall, or a promotion.  You don’t get promoted, you do not get a raise, you start with diapers, and get more poop, and then tears and laughter and “NO mommy”…  There is no end to this job.  I have been thinking about how society is falling apart, and why… and I think of my contribution, my part, my job, and I am faced to ask myself if I am doing enough, am I doing it right?  It’s not like there are PhD programs or classes to get my masters in for rearing a child.  Will my son be a part of a solution, am I instilling morals and sincerity, kindness, and the perseverance that will be needed to survive the certain trials and lows spots that will inevitably show up in the years ahead?

The job of Motherhood, is not talked about enough, when I found out that I was pregnant no one warned me or sat down with me to talk to me about what was to come.  I don’t say this in a negative way or a woe is me way… I reference this only to say that its such a shame that we do not celebrate motherhood more!  This job is what creates our society.  We moms are the caretakers of the future, are we missing something here?

I can go on and on about this but for today it’s off my chest… and I will get back to work!  Keep Dreaming.

xo

 

 

 

A mental health day-off

Posted by adrian's mom in being a mom, being a wife, everyday family life, i forgot about me, parenting and tagged with , , , , , ,

Last Friday I took a personal day… a leave of absence so to speak, or you could call it a mental health day.  I was sick of it, all of it.  Fortunately for me I have a wonderful friend who came to my house and gathered me and my bag for an overnight respite.  She asked me on the way out of the city what I wanted to do, if there was somewhere I wanted to go, or if I’d like to just go rest.  Now, first I thought, oh this will be perfect I will get so much done, I can work, work, work… then what came out of my mouth was entirely different.  “I want to sit.”  She took me to her beautiful home, yeah.  I began to melt, I unpacked.  I sat.  And then the little screaming bug went off in my head, YOU have to get stuff done, there is so much to do… and up and out came my computer, my paperwork, pen, iPad… I began.  The results, nothing to my satisfaction, so I quit!  I retired at 4:00.

The rest of the day was pleasant I felt the blood coming back into my face, the corners of my mouth began to perk up and my shoulders began to fall, at least a half-inch.  I didn’t have much to say, which for  me is rare, but my tank as they say was empty.  I drank more water.  We got in her cute little green VW bug and went for a drive and watched the sun begin to settle down this side of the planet.  Beautiful.  Breathing.  I began breathing again, full breaths, down to the bottom of my lungs, and my shoulders had fallen another half-inch.  By nightfall, and after eating a perfectly cooked streak from the grill, I indulged in my favorite treat… peanut M&Ms!  Life at that moment, perfect.  I could barely carry a conversation, as my mind began shutting down on me, so I retired to the bed!  I don’t even remember putting my pajamas on or taking the pillows down, did I say I was tired?  I think I was more exhausted at that moment, then when I encountered sleep exhaustion from when my son was an infant.  I slept peacefully.

On awakening, I pulled my yoga mat and did my usual routine which brought me a full smile.  My shoulders at this point back to resting position.  My stomach was no longer tied in knots either.  YEAH!

Later that afternoon when my son, and husband came to get me, I ran to see them.  Let me say that again, I ran to see them!  I was excited.  Happy.  And I was suddenly reminded of what is important, and why I have a family, and why I do this life that I do.  I realize that at any point, we as moms can make decisions that will affect the rest of our lives, and when slammed against the wall, we, me, I can make decisions that don’t make sense to me or anyone else, but they can be made in an instant of insanity.  Those moments are real.  Those moments are the ones we, me, I have to beat…  I have to take these mental health days, I must have these days off… I love my husband, and my son… and I certainly don’t want to make a dreadful decision in the exhaustion.  Moms, I think we should have a once a month mandatory day off, what do you think?

Today is Monday, and I can successfully face the world, my shoulders are relaxed, I’m breathing, and my stomach is back to normal… oh what a wonderful adventure being a mom!

Five minutes to delicious!

Posted by adrian's mom in being a mom, parenting and tagged with , , , , ,

Creamed kale with a pinch of love!

I am not a fan of big prep or frozen. This recipe addresses the prep… I was with another super mama today at a playdate and she started telling me about all of these quick recipe she makes for her son. I have changed it a bit to get the most nutrients and to get as many veggies into my son, who has suddenly decided to not like anything! She uses spinach…

Here is what I did:
1/3 bag frozen kale-
1 cup of broccoli steamed
1 egg
1 cup of milk
Slightly thaw kale–Steam broccoli (you could use frozen) then place in blender with broccoli and 1/2 cup milk — blend/chop Place mixture in sauté pan
Add other 1/2 cup milk and egg– whisk in pan on low heat
Add 1-2 tbsp of flour- I used GF flour otherwise I may keel over… Add salt to your preference
Cook.. It will thicken–

Add the love. Fresh grated nutmeg!

Done!
Simply dream big and then do it.

 

Some days are easier.

Posted by adrian's mom in Dream Project, i forgot about me, parenting and tagged with , , , , , ,

Today was an easy day, I’m not sure why?  I started the same way I do everyday, I pray, do my yoga, eat… and then I went to the gym.  Maybe that is the solution to making an easier life.  My son went into the playroom for an hour and I worked out, to my headset playing the usual, beattles, David Bowie, U2, Morcheeba, and then there was Jarabe de Palo!  AAAAAMazing.  Is it music?  Is it the musical notes that inspire me to be more happy, to have a smile on my face, to remember moments that each song carries and blends into the next, Hmmm?  I spin the wheel on the spinning bike, and tighten its grip, forcing me to push, and pull, to stand and to breathe, deeply.   I can’t help but smile.  I forget time on the bike. I forget everything, it’s magical.

A new week of work, a new week of growth, a new week of challenges, and today I’m feeling like I can handle it.  Amen!

 

 

Im going to pull out my hair and then his…

Posted by adrian's mom in parenting and tagged with , , ,

JUST KIDDING!

I have to say that this parenting stuff is not easy!  We are now at the picky eater stage… thank goodness for all these tips from Dr. Sears!

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-infants-toddlers/feeding-picky-eater-17-tips

Check them out if you are in my shoes!  I'm really practicing number 13 and 17!  oh, yes thank you to those who walk before me!

High school friends?

Posted by adrian's mom in i forgot about me, parenting, Uncategorized and tagged with , ,

Lately I’ve been thinking about friends. I remember back in high school, near graduation time, a girl named Lisa Laloggia telling me that this would be the only time that I would have this amount of friends and to be grateful for them… What? Grateful? I had no idea what she was talking about, nor did I really care at the time. I was on my way to fame, fortune, getting the hell out of that town, and never to see those people, again….

Fast forward to a high school reunion that I attended ten years later, ahhhhh, misery surrounded me. Everyone had babies, or married their high school sweetheart, had not left the town, and was what I thought at the time merely living to exist in a family. My personal worst nightmare. Although there were a few that had managed to gain success, graduate college, and get the heck out of dodge…yeah for them, yeah for me.

Success! During this time, I built fast friends, stayed out late, traveled the globe, drank fancy drinks with tiny pink plastic monkeys hanging from them, and ate exotic fare. Constantly on the go, and the hustle, I never made time to really connect, or gain friendships that would surround my life. Looking back now, it was a wild run, and albeit one that I don’t regret, I often wonder about the lives of those from high school, did they have the opportunity to LIVE?

Fast forward to now… OMG. I have a baby, a husband, a family. What?  I am Confused on how to live and how to share my life.  I’ve only had practice as a jet setting individual, not as a mom, not as a community member, or a workout partner, or a member in the latest book club. No.  I never had time to be in a life that looked like that, and now… I am forced to see things differently, to be with others and to truly ask for help from MOMs who have walked before me.  Motherhood is quite possibly the single most challenging event to come into my life, and I am clueless.

I sit and think about the many lives that I have come across, touched, been a part of and have silently walked away from for better of for worse.  My definition of friendship evolves as I gain new perspective into parenthood.  I need friends, I need friends for sanity sake.  I began this blog, partly for a sense of understanding, to empty the cruel thoughts that may be hiding in the depths of my parenting mind… to shine light on my defeat, to ask for help when needed, and to accept my place in the world as a mom, wife and entrepreneur. Friends that I have now understand this, they understand me, they understand parenting.  This is all I ever needed: a true understanding.  Finally I’ve made it.

Enthusiam for books

Posted by adrian's mom in being a mom, everyday family life, parenting and tagged with , , , , , ,

the boy loves to read… and they say that 15 minutes a day of reading is not enough!  We attempt to go to the library at least 2 times a week.  I have to say that at first this little journey to the library was a big pain in the arse, I mean trying to get him to pay attention, or quiet long enough to pick out a handful of books was nerve wrecking.  BUT NOW… he loves it.  He wants to read, read, read.   I will support this habit for as long as it last!  We are off to the library.  Oh, and I may just pick something up for myself, too!

I slipped…

Posted by adrian's mom in being a mom, parenting and tagged with , , ,

i owe myself a bouquet

I wanted to stop, I decided to stop, I said I’m done… and told my son, we were done… NO More Milk.  The first day I woke and it was easy.  I escaped the house early not to disturb his sleep, and the ritual of the snuggle that we had indulged in for months.  I came home to a happy baby, who of course asked for milk, and I said, no milk baby.  He quickly went on his way playing with the Cookie Monster puppet.  I had eluded his first request, yeah!  The night came and my set of milk bottles began to ache… I didn’t think this was going to happen, I didn’t realize that I had enough milk to fill up… crap.  I know that if I pump they will keep producing, if there is no pumping then I’m in pain.  I stand at my bathroom sink and contemplate what other mommies have told me they have done… gently release.  AHHH  NO, just the thought of that is not right.  I wait a minute, the boobies are aching, I squeeze them a bit, ahhh relief.  I able to sleep!

The next morning he wakes early, teething.  OH NO!  Crying his big tears, with his little voice, milk mama, milk mama.  I have to leave, I run into the shower.  The day was long and challenging but we made it, by nightfall I’m plump like farm fresh watermelons!  Ouch.

Day three, I can do it, I can make this happen, but… my boobies are huge.  Pain.  My husband says, you can do it, he doesn’t need it, you are doing great.  He leaves for the gym.  I look at my son and ask him if he wants milk… the smile on his face tells more than words can express, and I hope that I never forget it!  We get ourselves situated up on the bed, I look at him and tell him that this is only a treat and that I need a little help, he smiles and lowers my shirt.  Quickly latches on, sip, sip, sip, releases, smiles, covers my breast, and says byeeee.  WHAT?  I think is that it?  I ask him if he wants any from the other side, he climbs up, lowers my shirt, latches, sip, sip, sip, covers and waves byeeee.  I smile.  Three sips, six total, that’s it?  I’m baffled but okay.   Now I know in my heart that he is indeed done, and I’m feeling good about our ending.  It’s a lot better than me saying this is it!  I’m sad, yes, but now feeling relief that he too seems to be done, and  is okay…

until next time.