Lately

It's been all about change around here.

Just the other day this butterfly princess turned me into a frog, a lion, and a tiger.

I went back to work two weeks ago. I love it. I love working part time, the time alone, the time to do what I'm passionate about. Knowing that it is only two days per week and only until the end of the school year, makes the pumping and less sleep bearable. This is the idea job for me right now and I hope it works out in my favor for next year.

Jeff has been home with the kids one day while I work and my father in law babysits the other day. Too bad for them, they don't have the secret weapon that always works to make Carson happy. They are working it though! I know Leila loves hanging out with her Daddy and Poppy.   

I've been holding myself accountable for what I eat. I'm nursing Carson so I am not super strict with my calorie intake. I noticed a big dip in my supply after three days of too few calories. Slowly, slowly, slowly this baby weight will come off. 

I am trying to squeeze in exercise when I can. Some days I have to get real creative.(I am currently doing sumo squats while Carson is strapped in the Ergo carrier.) My sister, a few friends, and I will be running a 5K this summer. It's the same 5K I ran two years ago, after a way too long hiatus. I am in much better shape after this pregnancy, but my endurance is shot. The Couch to 5K program is awesome and is what got me back into running after having Leila. 

Leila  seems to be getting use to the fact that Carson is here to stay. She's been taking a bit more interest in him lately. She'll help out with bath time, reach out to touch him, and suggests we sing to him when he cries. Loudly. When she asks where he is in the morning, it's just the cutest!

Carson is spending more time awake and alert. He'll be two months old next week. I think he's pretty easy going right now.

Lately the sun has been shining and the weather has been great! Hope you all enjoy a lovely Mother's Day. I know I am looking forward to my gifts. I asked for time to run, alone. I plan on getting a pedicure and later walking to a local spot for a light dinner and drinks with the family. Happy Mother's Day!

Truth time {SAHM life}

Truth is, everyday is not easy.  It's not all glitter and rainbows being a stay-at-home mom.  Some days are more like needles and blizzards.  Others fall into the moldy bread and hail storm category.

The purpose of this blog is to document our days, good, bad and everything in between.  Naturally I leave out the bad because a.) I don't want to remember those days. b.) No one likes a "negative Nancy".

Today though, I need to document our tough, "I wish I could just go to work" kind of day.  I'll read this post again one day as a reminder that I made it out alive.  A reminder that bad days exist.  A reminder that it's okay to have these kind of days.

Today...

• Leila cried, whined, or fussed from the second she got up (early, nonetheless) to the second we managed to leave the house.
• I fed her goldfish crackers to keep her busy.
• The mirror in the bathroom sink has toothpaste splatters all over it...still.
• Is the fifth day in a row I have worn a pony-tail.
• Leila screamed in her crib at nap time when I closed the door.
• I don't plan on making dinner.
• Leila will watch more television than she should.

Today will end, eventually.

Tomorrow...I'll be back to glitter, rainbows, and toddler smiles.

Toddler activites {Microwave Playdough}

After reading about brave Mommas painting with their toddlers, I convinced myself play-dough was like painting for the Type A parent. She could get her hands in it, and if she threw it across the room I wouldn't be cleaning it up for days weeks.

I was also skeptical about making play-dough with Leila because I was worried, of course, that she would try to eat it. I mean, what child can resist the taste of play-dough on their lips?

When I saw the ingredients in this recipe posted by Annie at It's Just my Life... I figured if Leila tasted a little bit it wouldn't kill her. (It's pretty similar to my stove top recipe but without the chance of ruining my pots and pans.)

Here's what you need:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
food coloring

Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium sized microwave safe bowl.

Add water, oil, and food coloring to the dry ingredients.

Microwave on HIGH for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds.

Let it cool enough so you are able to knead the play-dough. Store in an airtight container after it is completely cooled.

Leila has been really into her toddler-sized kitchen utensils these days, so I knew she would love helping me mix up all the dry ingredients.

I should have known she would try to feed it to herself...


...and then get really mad when I wouldn't let her.

Live and learn!

The secret to making this microwave play-dough is to stop and stir it every 30 seconds! I found other microwave play-dough recipes online that did not instruct me to stir that often. Theirs turned out lumpy and gooey. Not mine! I stirred every 30 seconds while it cooked for three minutes.

See...not lumpy at all.




Leila, Jeff and I had a blast playing with the play-dough. I threw some wooden craft sticks and pipe cleaners on the table to play with since all of my play-dough tools are packed away in my former classroom. She mimicked what we did, ripped it apart, smashed it back together, and of course enjoyed the salty taste on her lips.

For teacher appreciation week this year, I made a triple batch and gave it to Teacher Lee! The kids love how easy it is to manipulate. I even got a little on my pants today and it came right out with just a little water. Hooray!

Like this recipe?  Share it!

Organize ME {Earrings}

This October I was inspired to organize our home thanks to Kelly at The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. I showed you how I used a diaper box to organize my gift wrapping supplies. I know, lame, but that was all I photographed.

In November I got creative with the help of my sister and Pinterest. Neither of us have a lot of dresser space to store our accessories (even though Val has more than double the amount I have). But we have wall space! So we set out to make an earring holder we could hang like this.

When we finished we each had one like this...

Isn't Jeff a beautiful hand model?

December brought adorable toddler art and beautiful packages under the tree.

Now, it is more than half way through January and I've yet to commit to a new project.

Ideas anyone?

Oh wait maybe I should tackle my utensil drawer in the kitchen. It just took me five minutes to find the tongs.

I don't make sense

Not even to myself.

Ever since I went three months without showering (maternity leave was rough!) I make it my priority to take a shower during Leila's morning nap.

I shave my legs, style my hair, and apply make-up. Then I put on pajamas. Technically they are yoga pants, but I have worn these to bed before. I pull out my most decent tank top from the dresser (the same ones I sleep and workout in) and throw it on. I add small stud earrings, but feel too under dressed for my diamond engagement ring. Flip flops are usually on my feet although barefoot would be best, even flip flops look silly with yoga pants. There I am, all dressed and ready to go looking like I should be on TLC's What Not to Wear from the neck down.

Why can't I put on regular clothes? I have plenty of casual tops and jeans (my entire wardrobe) but I am just going to the park or grocery store so I wear my pjs!?

This does not make sense, I know. I know I promised myself that I would work on ME this year. Why can't I get out of this clothing rut? Maybe I need to turn it into a challenge and trick myself into wearing my real clothes. Or maybe I will just buy some more yoga pants.

Change

I finally love staying at home. I've been quite a flip-flopper on this topic this past year. One day I feel the urge to teach, to have routine, to make a difference, and the next day I realize I AM doing that.

Three days later I am dying to get out of yoga pants and a ponytail.

I never expected to like staying home. And I didn't...at first. My maternity leave was hectic. No more than three hours of sleep in a row for four months makes a Momma crazy. When I went back to teaching in January it was wonderfully terrible. I couldn't help but wonder if getting my final pink slip in June was the universe trying to tell me something, again.

This second chance at staying at home with Leila has been not-even-close to perfect, but it has changed me. Changed how I picture myself, how I picture our future.

I like what I see.