Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I've been furiously cleaning and getting ready. You've been doing a lot of playing on your new track. I've been washing dishes, doing laundry, scrubbing toilets, making sure everything is ready for a houseful of people. There are days you practically beg me to come upstairs and race you or watch. You love it when I bring your brother up there and we watch you go around the track, he loves it too. But, I have things that HAVE to get done. I hate seeing your face when I tell you I can't come upstairs right this second. I know it will pass after tomorrow, but the guilt is still there. Which brings me to lesson 36...
Mommy guilt sucks. I know that I'm staying home and
seeing you and your brother way more than if I were working. I know
that get to play with you and hold you all day. Even though I have
cleaning and laundry to do around the house, I know that the vast
majority of the time is filled playing with you both. I still feel bad
when I have to do something else instead of giving you my undivided
attention, or when I have to spend more time with your brother for some
reason, which means you get less. That's just part of having kids. One
day, you might have kids of your own, and you need to remember you can't
be everything all the time. You can't be everywhere all the time. There
are things you're going to miss, like seeing you do something fun when
you're visiting at Nana's house when Dad and I go to the movies. It's
good for you to do things without us, it will help you learn to be
independent, and more outgoing. I know these are all good things, but
the "mommy guilt" is still there. There's not much you can do about it,
other than make sure you spend time with your kids while you can.
Remember that when you have kids.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Lesson 35
Everyone has been sick. You got something last week, got over it. Then, I got something this week and gave it to everyone in the house. We've been a pleasant coughing and snorting bunch. We had one of you friends over this weekend, before we all got sick, and you watched his sister play our DS. So now, naturally, you think you should get to play it. You're actually getting the hang of it, it only took you 2 days to be able to place 3rd in MarioKart. It's been great, I've been barely able to function because of my cold (apparently, it took great joy in infecting me.) So you playing a game has been a great way to keep you entertained. You're still passing out at bedtime though, you're not 100% over the cough. If I don't drug you before bed, the congestion starts choking you as soon as you lie down. Which brings me to lesson 35...
In another lesson that will mirror your brother's, it is important to learn how to drug kids when they're sick. I know, you'd think it would be common sense, but not only did I take a couple rounds of sick kids before I figured this out, but a lot of parents I've talked to had never thought about it. Typically, cold/allergy medicine makes you tired. Not so tired that you'll sleep, but tired enough to be a pretty big pain until the meds either wear off or you go to bed for the night. I didn't think there was much I could do about it, but eventually I called the doctor and they recommended giving you a 24 hour medicine instead. Well, that took you down to one dose a day, but you were still hell on wheels after the morning dose. So, I started giving you meds 30 minutes before bedtime. It works perfect, by the time you're ready for bed, the meds have kicked in, and you're tired already so sometimes you'll fall asleep on the couch. Since they're 24 hour, you sleep all night and you're not cranky the next morning. For meds like Tylenol, make sure you tell someone else when you're giving them, or write it down. There have been a lot of times that I was "sure I'll remember" when I gave you meds, only to forget. One last thing, NEVER call medicine candy or juice. Your dad made that mistake with you, when you were about 2. You still beg for Tylenol sometimes because you want it.
In another lesson that will mirror your brother's, it is important to learn how to drug kids when they're sick. I know, you'd think it would be common sense, but not only did I take a couple rounds of sick kids before I figured this out, but a lot of parents I've talked to had never thought about it. Typically, cold/allergy medicine makes you tired. Not so tired that you'll sleep, but tired enough to be a pretty big pain until the meds either wear off or you go to bed for the night. I didn't think there was much I could do about it, but eventually I called the doctor and they recommended giving you a 24 hour medicine instead. Well, that took you down to one dose a day, but you were still hell on wheels after the morning dose. So, I started giving you meds 30 minutes before bedtime. It works perfect, by the time you're ready for bed, the meds have kicked in, and you're tired already so sometimes you'll fall asleep on the couch. Since they're 24 hour, you sleep all night and you're not cranky the next morning. For meds like Tylenol, make sure you tell someone else when you're giving them, or write it down. There have been a lot of times that I was "sure I'll remember" when I gave you meds, only to forget. One last thing, NEVER call medicine candy or juice. Your dad made that mistake with you, when you were about 2. You still beg for Tylenol sometimes because you want it.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Lesson 34
This is going to be one of the rare (so far) lessons that you and your brother will share.
Well, we're coming up on the holidays again, I'm excited. I'm just dying to have everyone here and decorate our new house. I've been talking about Santa a lot to get you excited. I have a nice sized "ho ho ho stash" in the bedroom of toys for you and your brother for Christmas. I know, I'm weird. It's not even September quite yet. Dad put your new swing set together, and you LOVE it. So much in fact, I feel horrible that I can't let you play on it. It's a heat index of 105 this week. Instead, we went to Science City, Fritz's, and the planetarium this week. All air conditioned, all fun. Now that school is back in, there aren't as many kids running around. I called about you going to school, I still have 2 more years before you start. I'm glad, because I get to hold onto you for just a bit longer before you're having a life that I'm not in 24/7. There aren't many things that I think "Man, I can't WAIT until the kids are older." In fact, I can only think of one. Laundry. I hate doing laundry, I would rather clean an entire house than fold laundry. I don't mind washing and drying it, but folding it is torture to me. So, as soon as you're old enough, I'm going to teach you to do your own laundry. Which brings me to lesson 34.
Laundry. Here's how you do it. First sort it. Whites, towels/bedding, blue jeans, clothes you don't want to dry (usually nice work clothes or new clothes you don't want to shrink,) and colors. Wash anything you don't want to shrink in cold water. It will also help keep colors from running. If you are washing a new shirt or something that is a bright color, like red, for the first time wash it by itself. Fill the washer with your clothes, you don't want it to be so full it can't spin. Add soap, use the cup and line to measure. Add fabric softner (in our machine now, it goes in the center.) If you have clothes you don't want to shrink, when they are finished washing, hang them up on hangers to dry. Otherwise, put them in the dryer. The longer they sit in the dryer after it's finished, the more wrinkled they will get. Whites are washed in hot water, add a little (1/4 cup) of bleach IF they need it. I find it helpful to alternate loads by how much folding, that way it doesn't seem like I'm folding laundry all day. I'll wash whites, which is typically a LOT of folding, then follow up with towels or jeans since they don't have a lot of folding. After laundry is folded, PUT IT AWAY. In your closet or dresser. Not the floor. After you have washed, dried, folded, and put all your laundry away, run the washer empty on hot. This will help wash out any gunk from dirt or soap. We'll work on ironing another day.
Well, we're coming up on the holidays again, I'm excited. I'm just dying to have everyone here and decorate our new house. I've been talking about Santa a lot to get you excited. I have a nice sized "ho ho ho stash" in the bedroom of toys for you and your brother for Christmas. I know, I'm weird. It's not even September quite yet. Dad put your new swing set together, and you LOVE it. So much in fact, I feel horrible that I can't let you play on it. It's a heat index of 105 this week. Instead, we went to Science City, Fritz's, and the planetarium this week. All air conditioned, all fun. Now that school is back in, there aren't as many kids running around. I called about you going to school, I still have 2 more years before you start. I'm glad, because I get to hold onto you for just a bit longer before you're having a life that I'm not in 24/7. There aren't many things that I think "Man, I can't WAIT until the kids are older." In fact, I can only think of one. Laundry. I hate doing laundry, I would rather clean an entire house than fold laundry. I don't mind washing and drying it, but folding it is torture to me. So, as soon as you're old enough, I'm going to teach you to do your own laundry. Which brings me to lesson 34.
Laundry. Here's how you do it. First sort it. Whites, towels/bedding, blue jeans, clothes you don't want to dry (usually nice work clothes or new clothes you don't want to shrink,) and colors. Wash anything you don't want to shrink in cold water. It will also help keep colors from running. If you are washing a new shirt or something that is a bright color, like red, for the first time wash it by itself. Fill the washer with your clothes, you don't want it to be so full it can't spin. Add soap, use the cup and line to measure. Add fabric softner (in our machine now, it goes in the center.) If you have clothes you don't want to shrink, when they are finished washing, hang them up on hangers to dry. Otherwise, put them in the dryer. The longer they sit in the dryer after it's finished, the more wrinkled they will get. Whites are washed in hot water, add a little (1/4 cup) of bleach IF they need it. I find it helpful to alternate loads by how much folding, that way it doesn't seem like I'm folding laundry all day. I'll wash whites, which is typically a LOT of folding, then follow up with towels or jeans since they don't have a lot of folding. After laundry is folded, PUT IT AWAY. In your closet or dresser. Not the floor. After you have washed, dried, folded, and put all your laundry away, run the washer empty on hot. This will help wash out any gunk from dirt or soap. We'll work on ironing another day.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Lesson 33
You're getting so big, and smart! Too smart. You've started thinking about how to get what you want. The other night, you wanted a cookie before bed. You knew I'd probably say no, so you started with, "Mom, have I been good today?" "Good boys sure love cookies." "Cookies help make me a good boy." So of course, I caved and let you have one. I remember when I was younger, I'd try to think 2 steps ahead to plan for what I could come back with. I think you've inherited that trait. There are other nights when you're not so cute. The other night, I had gotten your brother down for a nap before dinner. I planned to let him nap for 30 minutes or so, then let him stay up til 8 or 9. We're working on getting him to sleep a little later than 5am. He'd been out maybe 10 minutes, and you slammed a cup down by his head, waking him up, then you laughed about it. I was livid. I then spent the next 2 hours with a screaming baby while you'd say, "I woke up Mathew!" then laugh. I was so mad I couldn't see straight. It was only worse when I tried to put him to bed and you came to his room and woke him up 3 more times thinking it was funny. I had to take a time out for 5 minutes before dinner. Which brings me to lesson 33...
I love you. Even when you have me so made I could spit nails. You could kill 100 people tomorrow, and I'd still love you. I would make you take responsibility for your actions, but I'd love you. One day, you're going to have kids, and they're going to piss you off something horrible. There's going to be times where you really would like to just smack them. Now, I know we spank you. I would hope as you get older, you'll understand the difference between discipline and abuse, but the big point to remember, is NEVER spank a child when you're mad. You've only had me that mad 1 other time. When I was about 3 months pregnant, you RAN off in Walmart. Just, took off running, no warning. It took me forever to catch you, and more than once, if another person hadn't seen you, I would have had to get security to help me find you. You got a spanking for that, but I waited until we got home and I wasn't mad anymore. It's ok to walk away from a child as long as you know they're safe. Cool off, come back and talk about what happened, and if you decide a spanking is needed, talk about it then. Just wait until you know you're in 100% control of yourself.
I love you. Even when you have me so made I could spit nails. You could kill 100 people tomorrow, and I'd still love you. I would make you take responsibility for your actions, but I'd love you. One day, you're going to have kids, and they're going to piss you off something horrible. There's going to be times where you really would like to just smack them. Now, I know we spank you. I would hope as you get older, you'll understand the difference between discipline and abuse, but the big point to remember, is NEVER spank a child when you're mad. You've only had me that mad 1 other time. When I was about 3 months pregnant, you RAN off in Walmart. Just, took off running, no warning. It took me forever to catch you, and more than once, if another person hadn't seen you, I would have had to get security to help me find you. You got a spanking for that, but I waited until we got home and I wasn't mad anymore. It's ok to walk away from a child as long as you know they're safe. Cool off, come back and talk about what happened, and if you decide a spanking is needed, talk about it then. Just wait until you know you're in 100% control of yourself.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Lesson 32
I remember my first dog. He was black, and big... or at least in my 2 year old mind he was big. His name was Bear, and I remember him mostly playing in the snow. I'm not sure why I don't remember a whole lot else about him, maybe just the black dog on the white snow stands out. I also remember when our next door neighbor ran over him with their car. I remember Nana telling me that he died and went to dog heaven. I remember being really pissed, so pissed I wanted Nana to call the police to "tell them not to runned Bear over anymore." Nana and Bub had to put down one of their dogs last week. Duke was old, riddled with cancer, and was starting to have more bad days than good. You loved Duke. Every time you'd visit, he'd be at your heels waiting for dog biscuits. Every time I took you to Sam's you'd ask to buy 2 boxes of dog biscuits. One for Ozzie, and one for Duke. When Nana told me they were putting Duke down, and that I'd have to tell you, I cried. Not because of the dog, but because I didn't want to have to try and have that conversation. I knew a 3 year old has no concept of "dead" and I knew I couldn't tell you that they had him put down. How do you tell a 3 year old that Nana "killed" her dog because he was sick. However, in typical William fashion, as soon as I choked out that Duke had been sick, the doctor couldn't make him better, and he died, you looked at me and asked to watch Cars. You didn't ask many questions, though the last few nights at bedtime you've been a bit talkative about dying and people dying. I still got to dodge the bullet on Duke being put down. Which brings me to lesson 32.
It's going to happen. One day, you're going to have to make the call about a life. With an animal, it's easy. You can see they're in pain, you want it to stop, and while you love them, you know it's best to have them put down because it's inhuman to keep an animal alive if you can end its suffering. For humans, it's tricky There is a difference between living and being alive. You have to think about what is best for the person (or animal) that is ill. Are they going to get better? Are they in pain? Are they able to do anything but lie in a bed? You're forced to decide what that person would want, and you have to fight your own thoughts and emotions to make a decision. Let me tell you now, your Dad and I both wouldn't want to be kept alive by machines if there was no hope for us to recover. If we're ever in a coma that we can't come out of, just let us go. I saw my grandmother die. She went into a hospital on a Monday and died the next Sunday. While I miss her, even more when I take you and your brother to the park, it does make me feel better knowing that even though she died, she died without pain. She wasn't a vegetable for years, wasting away. At the time, it seemed like she was just giving up and we were letting her. Now that I'm older, I understand. I can't promise it will be easy, because it won't. I can promise that if you ever have to decide something like this, that with time, it won't hurt as bad, and it will give you some comfort knowing that they didn't suffer or hang on with machines after the person was "gone."
It's going to happen. One day, you're going to have to make the call about a life. With an animal, it's easy. You can see they're in pain, you want it to stop, and while you love them, you know it's best to have them put down because it's inhuman to keep an animal alive if you can end its suffering. For humans, it's tricky There is a difference between living and being alive. You have to think about what is best for the person (or animal) that is ill. Are they going to get better? Are they in pain? Are they able to do anything but lie in a bed? You're forced to decide what that person would want, and you have to fight your own thoughts and emotions to make a decision. Let me tell you now, your Dad and I both wouldn't want to be kept alive by machines if there was no hope for us to recover. If we're ever in a coma that we can't come out of, just let us go. I saw my grandmother die. She went into a hospital on a Monday and died the next Sunday. While I miss her, even more when I take you and your brother to the park, it does make me feel better knowing that even though she died, she died without pain. She wasn't a vegetable for years, wasting away. At the time, it seemed like she was just giving up and we were letting her. Now that I'm older, I understand. I can't promise it will be easy, because it won't. I can promise that if you ever have to decide something like this, that with time, it won't hurt as bad, and it will give you some comfort knowing that they didn't suffer or hang on with machines after the person was "gone."
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Lesson 31
Before Nana married Bub, before she married Eric, she was married to my father. You probably won't hear about him much, if at all, but during the move, some pictures of me when I was about your age were found. He was in them and you asked who he was. This isn't the first time you've asked about my "Dad." Without getting too detailed, the truth is, my father is/was an abusive asshole. He liked to hit your Nana in front of us or not, he didn't care. When Nana divorced him, he threatened her and left her with 2 kids, a ton of bills, and scared. After the court awarded child support to Nana, he took off. Once in awhile, after child support enforcement would find him, he'd pop up. Only to take off again to avoid paying child support. After you were born, he tried to contact me. I didn't and don't want anything to do with him, I don't think he deserves to know you or your brother. Not to mention, I don't want you to be exposed to him at all. My aunts say it's out of bitterness (he of course has told them a very different story about what happened, but I was 13 and certainly old enough to remember things for myself.) I say that he had plenty of chances and for the good of myself and my family, I want nothing more to do with him. This brings me to lesson 31.
Sometimes, you have to cut people out of your life. Not out of revenge, or anger, but because you just can't take anymore of their shit. I might still be in contact with Danny Sr. if he hadn't fit the bill of an abuser so well. He saw us as a way to get back at your Nana and anytime he could string us along he would. Your uncle was too young to remember much about what happened during their marriage, but still, when he was around 25 he ended up cutting Sr. out too after Sr. had called him a year or so before. Only you can decide who you want or don't want in your life. If someone makes you unhappy more than happy, there is nothing wrong with not having anything to do with them. I'm not talking about that annoying family member who talks to loud at a party and likes to stay long past their welcome. I'm talking about toxic people who do more to hurt you than help. Never be afraid or feel obligated to just cut them loose. It will make your life better, you'll learn to get along without them, and one day you'll realize you're happier without them.
Sometimes, you have to cut people out of your life. Not out of revenge, or anger, but because you just can't take anymore of their shit. I might still be in contact with Danny Sr. if he hadn't fit the bill of an abuser so well. He saw us as a way to get back at your Nana and anytime he could string us along he would. Your uncle was too young to remember much about what happened during their marriage, but still, when he was around 25 he ended up cutting Sr. out too after Sr. had called him a year or so before. Only you can decide who you want or don't want in your life. If someone makes you unhappy more than happy, there is nothing wrong with not having anything to do with them. I'm not talking about that annoying family member who talks to loud at a party and likes to stay long past their welcome. I'm talking about toxic people who do more to hurt you than help. Never be afraid or feel obligated to just cut them loose. It will make your life better, you'll learn to get along without them, and one day you'll realize you're happier without them.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Lesson 30
Oh man, I don't know if you're just stretching your wings or what, but you've been making us nuts the last couple of days. You have learned to sneak. Right now, your favorite thing to do is to pick things up that you know you're not supposed to have, even though you've never been interested in them before, and sneak off with them. Combine that with you bouncing off the walls when you miss naps (and you've missed them the last few days) and you're a bundle of mischief. There's a new push about teaching your children the same lessons you would if they were of the opposite sex. I think I've done a pretty good job of that, but I thought for a long time about what I would say differently to you if you were a woman. Some of those things really are specific to sex, like how to dry your hair the fastest or how awesome it is to shave your legs and sleep in a freshly made bed. However, I did come up with a couple that I might have seen more as "girl" lessons. Which brings me to lesson 30...
As you get older, you're going to be doing things and going places on your own. Always be mindful of your surroundings. I hope that I get you enrolled into a karate class, I think it would be an excellent way for you to learn how to defend yourself. Your dad thinks I'm paranoid, but there are bad people in the world, and you need to avoid them. Whenever you can, park in a well lit area, always carry your keys with them sticking out between your knuckles. That way, you can have some extra damage if you have to hit an attacker. Always lock your doors and watch around you when you are in a parking lot. Make sure your home is secured, especially at night. Always let someone know when/where you're going on trips. I know I sound like a worrier in this lesson, and as I've said, I am. However, I don't think you can ever go wrong making sure you're able to avoid or protect yourself in dangerous situations.
As you get older, you're going to be doing things and going places on your own. Always be mindful of your surroundings. I hope that I get you enrolled into a karate class, I think it would be an excellent way for you to learn how to defend yourself. Your dad thinks I'm paranoid, but there are bad people in the world, and you need to avoid them. Whenever you can, park in a well lit area, always carry your keys with them sticking out between your knuckles. That way, you can have some extra damage if you have to hit an attacker. Always lock your doors and watch around you when you are in a parking lot. Make sure your home is secured, especially at night. Always let someone know when/where you're going on trips. I know I sound like a worrier in this lesson, and as I've said, I am. However, I don't think you can ever go wrong making sure you're able to avoid or protect yourself in dangerous situations.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Lesson 29
We're all moved in. You love your new room. Didn't even have trouble sleeping in it your first night. You even have the biggest bedroom in the whole house. I've been getting used to the idea of you on the top floor while we're on the bottom. You have a bathroom to share with your brother, but for all intensive purposes, for now you have your own bathroom. I decorated it in Cars today, and you were so excited when you woke up from your nap and saw it for the first time. You've been asking if we're going back to the "old house" and when we tell you know, you grin and say, "Thanks Mom and Dad!" So, I guess that means you want to stay. You've been doing so great sharing too, Nikki and Nana bought you a light that shines stars on your ceiling, every night, you bring it to Mathew's room and leave it on until he goes to sleep, it's too cute. Which brings me to lesson 29...
I'm glad you're sharing with your brother, I'm glad that you like it. However, I hope you understand that you don't have to share everything all the time. I used to hate that I never seemed to have anything that was only mine when I was younger. Your uncle would play with my toys, decapitate Barbies, use my nail polishes to paint action figures... basically anything he thought he could use or wanted to play with became community property. I hope by the time you're reading this, we've instilled the idea of person property and respect for it to both you and your brother. It's good to be able to have your own space and stuff that you don't share, not everything has to be community property.
I'm glad you're sharing with your brother, I'm glad that you like it. However, I hope you understand that you don't have to share everything all the time. I used to hate that I never seemed to have anything that was only mine when I was younger. Your uncle would play with my toys, decapitate Barbies, use my nail polishes to paint action figures... basically anything he thought he could use or wanted to play with became community property. I hope by the time you're reading this, we've instilled the idea of person property and respect for it to both you and your brother. It's good to be able to have your own space and stuff that you don't share, not everything has to be community property.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Lesson 28
Somehow, you went from my little baby to a boy. Nana and Bub bought you a 4-wheeler. You've become quite the daredevil. You go down the steepest part of the hill, as fast as you can, and you even lean forward to gain more speed. You actually drive really well, especially for a 3 year old. You will ride it so long that it has to be charged, and then you'll ride it till the battery dies again. I know it sounds strange, but the 4-wheeler has helped with some of my worrying. Oh, I still worry that you make sure to wear your helmet, or that you'll flip it (though, it's just a battery operated child's toy.) However, seeing how quickly you took to driving it and how well, makes me think that when you're a teen and it's time to teach you how to drive you'll be a safe driver. Which brings me to lesson 28...
Accidents happen. I had a car accident at 16, and another at 18. The first one was my fault, but I still swear the 2nd one wasn't, but the other driver was an older man and I think they took his word for what happened. Anyway, it's not important. What is important is insurance, maintenance, and being a safe driver. Never drive a car without insurance. Not just because it's illegal, but because you never know if there might be an accident, especially one that is your fault. You don't want to be in the position that you'll be paying for an accident for potentially the rest of your life. For the same reason, always wear your seat belt. I knew a girl once who was in an accident, it was actually pretty minor, but without a seat belt, she flew forward and hit her head hard enough the impact killed her. Maintenance is just as important, not only will it keep your car in safe working order, but it will keep you from being stranded at the side of road. There have been many times I've been stuck at the side of the road waiting for a ride or help. If I had known how to do things like check my own oil, I wouldn't have had a problem. Of course, you probably can skip reading this lesson, I'm sure Dad has nailed most of these into your head by now.
Accidents happen. I had a car accident at 16, and another at 18. The first one was my fault, but I still swear the 2nd one wasn't, but the other driver was an older man and I think they took his word for what happened. Anyway, it's not important. What is important is insurance, maintenance, and being a safe driver. Never drive a car without insurance. Not just because it's illegal, but because you never know if there might be an accident, especially one that is your fault. You don't want to be in the position that you'll be paying for an accident for potentially the rest of your life. For the same reason, always wear your seat belt. I knew a girl once who was in an accident, it was actually pretty minor, but without a seat belt, she flew forward and hit her head hard enough the impact killed her. Maintenance is just as important, not only will it keep your car in safe working order, but it will keep you from being stranded at the side of road. There have been many times I've been stuck at the side of the road waiting for a ride or help. If I had known how to do things like check my own oil, I wouldn't have had a problem. Of course, you probably can skip reading this lesson, I'm sure Dad has nailed most of these into your head by now.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Lesson 27
5 days after my last post, your baby brother decided he was ready to come into the world. Mathew was born via C-section at 1:47pm. Most of the lead up is a blur to me. I was horribly ill and we had been into the hospital not 10 hours before for more pain and nausea. They sent me home, but as the day went on, I got sicker and sicker. When I finally couldn't hold water down, I went back to the hospital. I had pre-eclampsia and Mathew was stuck. He was perfectly healthy, but because of my complications we spent 4 days in the hospital. You stayed with Nana, and did so well. You were so excited to see Mathew, and I know you missed me but you did your very best not to jump on me as soon as you came back to the room. I'm almost back to 100%, I still can't lift heavy things yet, but we were able to go to Paradise Park and see the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs. We even made it out to Nana's. Your dad has been so good about taking care of all of us. I didn't even have to change a diaper for 4 days after Mathew was born. He's been on top of feeding you (and not just Mickey D's either!) He's made sure you've had baths and that you even wore matching clothes. I haven't had to cook or clean anymore than I wanted and I even got to sleep in a few days. Which brings me to lesson 27...
One day, you're probably going to become a father. That's probably a topic best left to your dad, but I can offer some advice. When you become a dad, you're not just bringing home a newborn. You're bringing home a hormonal, tired, and recovering mother. She's going to be stressed. She's going to worry. She's going to be so tired she won't be able to see straight. She's going to cry for no reason. She's going to yell at you for no reason. There may be nothing you can do to make it all better for her. All you can do is hold her hand, tell her she's not crazy. When you want to yell, you can always come or call home and yell. I promise, after a few weeks she'll become sane again. I can't promise you guys will get more sleep, but after awhile, a new normal takes over and she'll heal. Besides, grandmas are always available for naptimes. :)
One day, you're probably going to become a father. That's probably a topic best left to your dad, but I can offer some advice. When you become a dad, you're not just bringing home a newborn. You're bringing home a hormonal, tired, and recovering mother. She's going to be stressed. She's going to worry. She's going to be so tired she won't be able to see straight. She's going to cry for no reason. She's going to yell at you for no reason. There may be nothing you can do to make it all better for her. All you can do is hold her hand, tell her she's not crazy. When you want to yell, you can always come or call home and yell. I promise, after a few weeks she'll become sane again. I can't promise you guys will get more sleep, but after awhile, a new normal takes over and she'll heal. Besides, grandmas are always available for naptimes. :)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Lesson 26
One day, you're going to start dating. (God help me.) I can tell you, being able to cook (even a simple or small meal) will go a long way with the ladies. I'm not trying to teach you how to pick up women, but I can tell you when you find someone you'd like to keep around for awhile, having a clean living space and the ability to make a meal will impress women like crazy. A few women I've gone to college with have paired with men who can cook because they can't. You shouldn't rely on a woman being able to cook for you. Not only will it give you points in the dating game, but it will save you money if you can cook for yourself, bonus if you figure out how to make a few things ahead and freeze them to heat later. I hope that by the time you read this, I've taught you quite a few things to make in the kitchen. Maybe you've even taken home-ec (to meet girls of course ;) ) and learned some other things to make. Even if you don't do it for the dating advice, it's still a good life skill to know.
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