Today, when I came home from work, I received some very interesting questions from Thing 1.
"What is a doppleganger?"
"What is a hot mama?"
I'd ask where he comes up with these things but I know the doppleganger question came from a children's television show he was watching and he told me that a kid at school says hot mama.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Negotiation
Today we went to a restaurant for lunch where they give the children free balloons. After we had ordered our food, one of the men who works at the restaurant came to our table to welcome us and talk to the kids. He asked Thing 2 for his balloon. Thing 2, of course, said no. The man then said he would buy the balloon for $5. Thing 2, again, said no. The man then asked how much for the balloon. Thing 2 said, "100 dollars."
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Interesting Statements
This past week The Mr. has heard some interesting statements from Thing 2. Here are a few:
"Quiet down, Daddy. You're scaring MJ." (MJ is our dog and my husband was apparently snoring loudly while taking a nap.)
"Your hair is crazy. You need a haircut. Don't cry, Daddy." (Thing 2 tends to cry every time he gets a haircut.)
After bumping his head he said, "I need a new head, call Dr. Phillips."
"Quiet down, Daddy. You're scaring MJ." (MJ is our dog and my husband was apparently snoring loudly while taking a nap.)
"Your hair is crazy. You need a haircut. Don't cry, Daddy." (Thing 2 tends to cry every time he gets a haircut.)
After bumping his head he said, "I need a new head, call Dr. Phillips."
Friday, January 28, 2011
His First Joke
For some reason, we've been telling knock-knock jokes in our house recently. We've been trying to the boys to understand the concept. So, Thing 2 came up with his first joke today. It went like this:
Thing 2: Knock-knock
Me: Who's there?
Thing 2: Chicken
Me: Chicken who?
Thing 2: Chicken penis
Not sure how he came up with this but The Mr. thought it was funny.
Thing 2: Knock-knock
Me: Who's there?
Thing 2: Chicken
Me: Chicken who?
Thing 2: Chicken penis
Not sure how he came up with this but The Mr. thought it was funny.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Update
It's been almost 2 months since I have written anything on this blog. I've thought about it but have been so busy with work that by the time I get home and have any free time, instead of blogging I end up sitting on the couch watching television. Over the past 2 months, I have found a new hobby and actually got a camera. First things first, my new hobby: knitting. I started knitting the week of Christmas and have made 2 scarfs and am working on my third. I am really enjoying it. I have given away both of my scarfs to my mother-in-law and to my mom. The third scarf is for The Mr. and my father has already requested a scarf of navy and orange as those are the colors for the Chicago Bears and Illini. Here's a picture of the first scarf I knitted:
They are getting so big! Just a couple days ago we took them to the dentist. It was Thing 2's first time at the dentist but Thing 1 had been a few times. Thing 1 did an excellent job during the x-rays and cleaning. He did everything that was asked and didn't complain a bit. Thing 2, on the other hand, was very nervous about the whole situation. The dentist didn't try x-rays on him as she figured he wouldn't sit still. When it came time to clean his teeth, he cried! Luckily, he had his mouth open wide during his crying so it worked out in the dentist's favor. The dentist was very good with the kids and did the cleaning as quickly as possible. I was rather impressed with how she handled the kids. (I didn't go for the last appointments as The Mr. had taken Thing 1 so I wasn't sure what to expect.)
As for me, I've been spending the majority of my time working. If I'm not actually at work, I'm in contact with one of my staff about work or thinking about work. I did decide to take this week off to just have a staycation. I plan to use a gift certificate for a saloon that I received to get a new hairdo. Other than that, nothing has been decided. I hope to keep up with this blog better than I have recently. We shall see what happens!
Also during these past 2 months, Thing 1 has learned how to read 64 words and is doing really well sounding out words he hasn't seen before. Thing 2 is working really hard on potty training and has spent many days in underpants, even if only for a few hours. He tells us if he has to poop and often lets us know when he has to pee. He enjoys wearing underpants so wearing them as reward for going in the potty is perfect. Here are some updated pictures of the boys:
As for me, I've been spending the majority of my time working. If I'm not actually at work, I'm in contact with one of my staff about work or thinking about work. I did decide to take this week off to just have a staycation. I plan to use a gift certificate for a saloon that I received to get a new hairdo. Other than that, nothing has been decided. I hope to keep up with this blog better than I have recently. We shall see what happens!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Holiday Photos
Since my camera decided to break, or should I say, since the kids decided to play with my camera and cause it to become broken, I do not have any good pictures of the kids. I have to take pictures on my phone, which do not always turn out to be the best. So on my Christmas list this year is a new camera.
Anyway, to get back to why I am posting this. We had our family pictures taken about 2 weeks ago, which we do often around this time of year. I took pictures of the pictures on my phone so the ones you are getting are about as good as I can get without a new camera (hint, hint to anyone who wants to buy me something for Christmas).
I think my boys have gotten so big! I love them dearly and can't believe I was blessed with two such wonderful children! My husband is great, too, just in case anyone was wondering. :-)
Anyway, to get back to why I am posting this. We had our family pictures taken about 2 weeks ago, which we do often around this time of year. I took pictures of the pictures on my phone so the ones you are getting are about as good as I can get without a new camera (hint, hint to anyone who wants to buy me something for Christmas).
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
So Much Growth
I know it has been awhile since I have written anything. Frankly, I've been really busy with work and then homework in the evenings. I tend to spend my time with my husband and kids on the weekends, so blogging hasn't been high on the priority list.
However, after how much growth my kids have gone through recently, I thought it was time for a post. Thing 1 is doing very well in Kindergarten. He is beginning to read and knows 16 words by sight. He is really enjoying himself and has made a girlfriend (he always has a girlfriend!). About two weeks ago he also started Sunday School classes and has been a big helper to his teacher. When we picked him up from his class last week, the teacher had many positive things to say about him.
A couple weeks ago we decided to buy underpants for Thing 2 as we felt he may be getting close to potty training. He decided to pick out Mickey Mouse underpants. We kept them in the dresser in his room and would continue to prompt him to use the potty. Some days he was more receptive than others. Every once in awhile he would actually ask to go. Well, today, he asked to go and I took him, sat him down on the little potty, and read him some books. After the second book, I asked if he wanted another book or if he was ready to get up. He said he wanted to get up. When he got off of the toilet, we found that he had pooped and peed in the potty! Thing 1 and I praised him and gave him hugs. Thing 2 was excited and wanted his underpants. So Thing 1 got Thing 2 a pair of the Mickey Mouse underpants and he has been wearing them ever since. He did decide not to wear pants. I'm guessing it's because then he can't see the Mickey Mouse design on his underpants!
I am very happy with how much my two boys have grown the past few weeks. Not only are they getting taller, but they are learning so much. I so love my boys!
However, after how much growth my kids have gone through recently, I thought it was time for a post. Thing 1 is doing very well in Kindergarten. He is beginning to read and knows 16 words by sight. He is really enjoying himself and has made a girlfriend (he always has a girlfriend!). About two weeks ago he also started Sunday School classes and has been a big helper to his teacher. When we picked him up from his class last week, the teacher had many positive things to say about him.
A couple weeks ago we decided to buy underpants for Thing 2 as we felt he may be getting close to potty training. He decided to pick out Mickey Mouse underpants. We kept them in the dresser in his room and would continue to prompt him to use the potty. Some days he was more receptive than others. Every once in awhile he would actually ask to go. Well, today, he asked to go and I took him, sat him down on the little potty, and read him some books. After the second book, I asked if he wanted another book or if he was ready to get up. He said he wanted to get up. When he got off of the toilet, we found that he had pooped and peed in the potty! Thing 1 and I praised him and gave him hugs. Thing 2 was excited and wanted his underpants. So Thing 1 got Thing 2 a pair of the Mickey Mouse underpants and he has been wearing them ever since. He did decide not to wear pants. I'm guessing it's because then he can't see the Mickey Mouse design on his underpants!
I am very happy with how much my two boys have grown the past few weeks. Not only are they getting taller, but they are learning so much. I so love my boys!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Homework
Now that we are into the 4th week of school, Thing 1 is starting to come home with homework. Really, the homework started last week. He had homework in preschool so I was expecting this but I wasn't expecting quite this much. In preschool he would come home once a week with a paper where he had to write the upper and lowercase letter 10 times each. Toward the end of preschool, he would also be writing words 3 times each. He had 2 days to do this homework before it was due. I didn't feel much pressure as we would do it the first night that he brought it home unless there was some extenuating circumstance.
So last week on Monday, Thing 1 brought home his composition book and a poetry book. There were also multiple notes attached letting the parents know what the children had to do throughout the week. Let me start by saying part of the homework was exactly what he did in preschool - he would write each letter, upper and lowercase, 3 times (instead of 10). That part did not overwhelm me. What overwhelmed me is the fact that he not only wrote the letters but then drew a picture that started with the letter (he has 2-3 letters each week to write and 2-3 pictures to draw), has a short story where he has to highlight all of the letters in that story that he just wrote, has 2 poems to read throughout the week out of he poetry book, and has 8 sight words that he needs to know by the end of the week for his quiz. To me, this sounds like a lot of work for a 5 year old. Granted, he has all week to do all of this work but he has to practice his sight words and his poems every night in order to do well on his quiz on Fridays. I'm not sure how long each evening a 5 year old should be doing homework as he is in school for 6 1/2 hours during the day as it is. I'm thinking that he is still a kid and that he should have time to relax and do things he enjoys. I also don't like the idea that kindergarten is the new first grade!
I think my biggest problem with the whole thing is that I feel that this is really a reflection on my parenting. If my child does not get all of his sight words correct on Friday, I am afraid that may say that I am not working hard enough to help my child learn how to read. I don't really think I can handle going into a parent-teacher conference where I am told that I need to work harder to teach my child how to read. I think there is a lot of pressure on kids and this is the pressure I feel as a parent. I work over 40 hours per week to direct 2 programs and when I come home in the evening I would like to spend time with my kids relaxing and having fun, not doing homework. I didn't become a teacher for a reason - I'm no good at it and I get frustrated easily. I'm not sure what the kindergarten curriculum is, but I thought that teaching a child to read was something that would be done in school and not something where I would have to quiz my child for at least 30 minutes every night. Read a book with a my child, I will totally do. Quizzing my kid on sight words is frustrating for me, so I know he is not enjoying it. Am I the only one who feels this way about 5 year olds and homework?
So last week on Monday, Thing 1 brought home his composition book and a poetry book. There were also multiple notes attached letting the parents know what the children had to do throughout the week. Let me start by saying part of the homework was exactly what he did in preschool - he would write each letter, upper and lowercase, 3 times (instead of 10). That part did not overwhelm me. What overwhelmed me is the fact that he not only wrote the letters but then drew a picture that started with the letter (he has 2-3 letters each week to write and 2-3 pictures to draw), has a short story where he has to highlight all of the letters in that story that he just wrote, has 2 poems to read throughout the week out of he poetry book, and has 8 sight words that he needs to know by the end of the week for his quiz. To me, this sounds like a lot of work for a 5 year old. Granted, he has all week to do all of this work but he has to practice his sight words and his poems every night in order to do well on his quiz on Fridays. I'm not sure how long each evening a 5 year old should be doing homework as he is in school for 6 1/2 hours during the day as it is. I'm thinking that he is still a kid and that he should have time to relax and do things he enjoys. I also don't like the idea that kindergarten is the new first grade!
I think my biggest problem with the whole thing is that I feel that this is really a reflection on my parenting. If my child does not get all of his sight words correct on Friday, I am afraid that may say that I am not working hard enough to help my child learn how to read. I don't really think I can handle going into a parent-teacher conference where I am told that I need to work harder to teach my child how to read. I think there is a lot of pressure on kids and this is the pressure I feel as a parent. I work over 40 hours per week to direct 2 programs and when I come home in the evening I would like to spend time with my kids relaxing and having fun, not doing homework. I didn't become a teacher for a reason - I'm no good at it and I get frustrated easily. I'm not sure what the kindergarten curriculum is, but I thought that teaching a child to read was something that would be done in school and not something where I would have to quiz my child for at least 30 minutes every night. Read a book with a my child, I will totally do. Quizzing my kid on sight words is frustrating for me, so I know he is not enjoying it. Am I the only one who feels this way about 5 year olds and homework?
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Week One
The first week of Kindergarten is now over. Thing 1 did very well. He enjoyed spending time with other children his own age and was happy to go to school each day. The biggest problem I had is that at the end of the school day, around dinner time, he became very cranky! He would refuse to do things that were asked of him and was just being rude. I blame this on getting used to the routine and I am sure that within the next couple of weeks we won't have this issue so much anymore. I also found that today, he is perfectly content sitting around relaxing. I'm sure that is due to his exhaustion from his first week of school. At least he has a three day weekend to recuperate before going back to school! Although, based on our Labor Day plans, he may be tired! We have big plans to attend the Renaissance Faire on Monday. Pictures to come. Huzzah!
Monday, August 30, 2010
1st Day of Kindergarten
Thing 1 had a great first day and is excited to go back tomorrow.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Yet Another First
Tomorrow marks another first in the life of Thing 1. He will start his first day of Kindergarten. I have been stressed and worried about this day for weeks. However, after the parent-teacher conference on Tuesday this past week, I have calmed down a lot. Before my concerns were about my little 5 year old being in a school with big 5th graders, getting on a bus with a bunch of kids he doesn't know and a bus driver he doesn't know, and just all of the things I know can go on in a school. On Tuesday evening, we decided that Thing 1 would not ride the bus. We had multiple reasons for our decision but the biggest one for me was the time that the bus would drop him off in the afternoon. He would be the last child dropped off and based on our work schedules that time could be a problem. We drive by the school everyday to get pretty much anywhere we want to go so it is not an inconvenience to take him and pick him up. Plus, Thing 1 said that he wanted Daddy to drive him to and from school so that just sealed the decision for me.
Thing 1 is getting more and more excited about this new adventure in his life. He keeps saying that he wants to sit by other 5 year olds and not next to a 2 year old anymore (poor Thing 2!). He has been to his school twice in the past two weeks where he saw his classroom, met his teacher, turned in school supplies, and found his locker. (Yes, my kindergartner has a locker! Who knew?!) Friday, we took him to dinner as that was the last time The Mr. would be around for a meal with us due to his work schedule and we took him to the bookstore to buy a new book since that is what he wanted to do. Yesterday, I took him to buy a new outfit for his first day, take him for lunch and got him ice cream for dessert. Today, our plan is to play games, read books, and bake cookies before dinner. This evening we will start into our routine that we will have for the school year - bath, make lunch, and double check that all supplies are in his bookbag. I have become very calm about him starting school. He seems really happy and anxious to make friends and be around other kids his age.
Thing 2, on the other hand, is who I have become concerned about. He has been around his big brother since the day he was born. Thing 1 is the first one Thing 2 looks for in the morning when waking up and after taking a nap. He follows his big brother around and idolizes him so much. I'm just not sure what type of a day The Mr. will have tomorrow after taking Thing 1 to school. I'm sure Thing 2 will be looking for his big brother throughout the day and may even feel a little lost. I am just glad I will be at work and not have to see my baby sad while he is without his best friend for the day.
Thing 1 is getting more and more excited about this new adventure in his life. He keeps saying that he wants to sit by other 5 year olds and not next to a 2 year old anymore (poor Thing 2!). He has been to his school twice in the past two weeks where he saw his classroom, met his teacher, turned in school supplies, and found his locker. (Yes, my kindergartner has a locker! Who knew?!) Friday, we took him to dinner as that was the last time The Mr. would be around for a meal with us due to his work schedule and we took him to the bookstore to buy a new book since that is what he wanted to do. Yesterday, I took him to buy a new outfit for his first day, take him for lunch and got him ice cream for dessert. Today, our plan is to play games, read books, and bake cookies before dinner. This evening we will start into our routine that we will have for the school year - bath, make lunch, and double check that all supplies are in his bookbag. I have become very calm about him starting school. He seems really happy and anxious to make friends and be around other kids his age.
Thing 2, on the other hand, is who I have become concerned about. He has been around his big brother since the day he was born. Thing 1 is the first one Thing 2 looks for in the morning when waking up and after taking a nap. He follows his big brother around and idolizes him so much. I'm just not sure what type of a day The Mr. will have tomorrow after taking Thing 1 to school. I'm sure Thing 2 will be looking for his big brother throughout the day and may even feel a little lost. I am just glad I will be at work and not have to see my baby sad while he is without his best friend for the day.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Mini Golf
We took the boys miniature golfing yesterday as The Mr. had the day off and I am winding down on my vacation. Thing 1 was starting to get the concept down as we played mini golf while we were visiting my family last week. Thing 2, however, would hit the ball around for awhile and then just got bored with the whole thing! Anyway, here are some pictures from our outing.
Look at that technique!
It was quite bright and sunny and by this point we were about halfway through. They were getting tired!
Of course, we had to get a snowcone before we went home. Thing 1 was sharing with Thing 2. Such a great big brother!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Vacation
Last week the boys and I traveled to visit family for about 5 days. The Mr. had to work so I took the boys on an airplane by myself. When I booked the trip, I was trying to determine if I was brave or stupid for traveling by plane with a 2 year old and a 5 year old by myself! I decided to wait until I returned home to make that decision. Well, lucky for me the boys did very well on the plane rides both to their grandparents and back home. They even slept the entire plane ride home! Anyway, here are some pictures of our trip.
First stop - the zoo!
First stop - the zoo!
Next - the park.
Of course we had to ride the tractor with Grandpa!
I couldn't leave the post without adding a picture of my parents' papillion - Dew. Isn't he cute?
We really had a great time. I also took the boys to play miniature golf with friends and I had an afternoon child-free to spend with a great friend of mine just catching up. The vacation was relaxing and I don't have to go back to work until Monday! How wonderful! Once Monday comes, it will be back to directing two programs, starting back-to-school clothes shopping for my kindergartner, and the first day of school! I will enjoy these last few days of relaxation, that's for sure!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Little Manipulator
This evening I put my children to bed as I do every night. We did the typical bath, teeth brushing, book reading. There are also many nights that I spend getting up every couple minutes to tell the boys to stop playing, jumping, yelling, or whatever else they may be doing that is not sleeping. Today, I put the kids to bed and had to go back into their bedroom right after I had just sat down. (Which I hate, by the way. They can't have the decency to let me sit for like 10 minutes before starting mischief?) I had already told both boys what would happen if I had to go back into the room. So away I went to find Thing 2 in the top bunk with Thing 1. I then put Thing 2 back in his bed and took away his stuffed dog. He cried! He loves that stuffed dog. As I left the room I thought about how I was a horrible mother for taking away my youngest's most favorite toy in the world. I then sat down. Almost immediately the crying stopped and the ruckus started. It's like they can hear my butt hit the sofa! I got my butt off of the nice soft couch and walked back into the bedroom to find Thing 2 on the ladder attempting to get into Thing 1's bed. As soon as he saw me, he climbed down, ran over to me, hugged my legs, and said "I love you." Now, would someone tell me what am I supposed to do with that?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Benefits
I have determined that parenthood needs some more benefits. Sure there is the love and joy that having children brings but I am talking more about the benefits that a person would get from a paying job. You know, health insurance, vacation days, sick days...those types of things. I love my children dearly and enjoy the time that we get to spend together. I also like being the one they turn to when they need comforting, either because they got a boo boo or because they aren't feeling well. However, during this past week I have been fighting off something that has decided it would be a good idea to invade my body. I really just need some rest and quiet. But since I have two small children, I do not get rest or quiet. Sure, I took part of a day off work on Monday and The Mr. was home for part of that time so I got to take a nap. Once he left for work, it was all over for me. I was back to working, but this time it was around the house. Kids constantly need something: a drink, something to eat, a toy that is too high to reach...anything. Then if you do not give them enough attention, they start destroying things, or at least my children do. By the end of the day I end up more tired than I started out just because I was chasing children around the house. So if someone could work on getting benefits for parents as it is a very difficult job and there is no break, that would be fabulous and I would be forever in your debt.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Human Beans
The other day my kids were watching The Emperor's New Groove. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, at the beginning it shows the Emperor as a llama who is about to tell his story of how he became a llama. It then switches to the beginning of the story. It was at this point that Thing 1 said, "Now he's a human bean." I then responded, "A human bean?" Thing 1, "Yes. You know like us. A person. A human bean." I couldn't help laughing as I explained that it is a human being not a human bean.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Admitting Defeat
The past few nights have been difficult around this house. I work all day and then come home in the evening to The Mr. leaving for work, which is how it has been around here for the past 2 months. (Although, it seems like this has been going on longer than that!) Anyway, the boys have decided not to nap for The Mr. during the day so by the time I get home from work, they are exhausted. They are not the type of exhausted where they want to go to bed or lounge on the couch. They are more the running around like crazy and drive Mommy nuts in order to stay awake type of exhausted.
Well, Thursday night I attempted to get Thing 2 to bed at his usual 7pm bedtime. He was having none of that. He kept getting out of bed and coming into the living room. I kept putting him back in bed. If he did not come into the living room, he was trying to climb into the top bunk into his brother's bed. Of course, with him only being 2, I was not happy with that. Once 8 o'clock came and he still wasn't asleep, I put Thing 1 to bed and took Thing 2 out of the room. (The two of them in the room together awake ends up with much bigger problems.) By 8:30, neither of my children were sleeping and I had tried keeping Thing 2 in the living room on the couch with no TV and the lights off. Here I am, completely exhausted, sitting in the dark in the living room with my oldest in his room playing instead of sleeping and my youngest on the couch next to me talking. I wanted to go to sleep. By 9pm my oldest had finally fallen asleep and my youngest was still awake. I was about to wave a white flag and let him take over the house when he began rubbing his eyes and laying his head on my shoulder. I was able to put him to bed at 9:30 without hearing any complaints.
Friday night wasn't much better. I tried all of the above tactics. I even had Thing 1 in my room watching a movie for awhile to keep him from bothering Thing 2. Thing 2 fell asleep at 9 and Thing 1 fell asleep at 10pm.
Once Saturday came, I was a zombie from not getting enough sleep as the kids didn't sleep in any later after going to bed so late. Thing 2 was up by 6am and Thing 1 was up by 7am. I tried everything on Saturday. I ran them around. We played outside. I took them shopping and to lunch. Thing 2 fell asleep in the car on the way home after shopping but woke up once we got in the door. I tried to convince him that a nap was a good idea. However, once 4pm came, I gave up on the nap in the hopes that Thing 2 would go to bed at his usual bedtime. Seven o'clock came and I began the bedtime ritual of teeth brushing, diaper changing, and book reading. Again, he started with the getting out of bed and coming in to the living room or climbing into his brother's bed. I tried laying in his bed with him at 7:30 hoping that that would keep him in bed long enough to go to sleep. But instead he began beating me up (pulling on my classes, trying to bite me, etc.) so I left him in his room alone. Again, when 8pm came, I put Thing 1 in bed. I tried keeping the boys in the room together but after pulling Thing 2 out of the top bunk twice in less than 5 minutes, I brought him into the living room. Again, I sat in the dark with Thing 2 trying to get him to go to sleep. Again, Thing 1 sat playing in his room until falling asleep at 9pm. I called my mom and asked for advice. What do I do with a child who is refusing to sleep? He is exhausted. He had dark circles under his eyes. My mom suggested I put him in bed with me and see if he goes to sleep. I admit that I was skeptical as when I tried laying with him in his bed he tried to bite me. When Thing 2 saw that we were going in Mommy and Daddy's bed, he got all excited and asked to watch a movie. I told him "No, it's bedtime." He was not happy about that but did lay down with his stuffed dog. While laying in bed at 9pm, I sent my husband the following text:
"I have decided to let the children take over. Who knows what type of government is in store. All I know is I'm tired and they will allow me rest as long as I allow them full access to the fridge and cupboards and give them all the TV they want. Due to my exhaustion, it seems like a fair trade."
Thing 2 did finally fall asleep around 9:30, as did I. Today hasn't been too bad so far. I think they have worn themselves out from staying up so late the past few nights as Thing 2 hasn't been getting into too many things he shouldn't and Thing 1 has been pretty quiet (which is VERY unusual - he talks all the time and always wants something). We shall see if this means they will go to sleep at their bedtime tonight.
Well, Thursday night I attempted to get Thing 2 to bed at his usual 7pm bedtime. He was having none of that. He kept getting out of bed and coming into the living room. I kept putting him back in bed. If he did not come into the living room, he was trying to climb into the top bunk into his brother's bed. Of course, with him only being 2, I was not happy with that. Once 8 o'clock came and he still wasn't asleep, I put Thing 1 to bed and took Thing 2 out of the room. (The two of them in the room together awake ends up with much bigger problems.) By 8:30, neither of my children were sleeping and I had tried keeping Thing 2 in the living room on the couch with no TV and the lights off. Here I am, completely exhausted, sitting in the dark in the living room with my oldest in his room playing instead of sleeping and my youngest on the couch next to me talking. I wanted to go to sleep. By 9pm my oldest had finally fallen asleep and my youngest was still awake. I was about to wave a white flag and let him take over the house when he began rubbing his eyes and laying his head on my shoulder. I was able to put him to bed at 9:30 without hearing any complaints.
Friday night wasn't much better. I tried all of the above tactics. I even had Thing 1 in my room watching a movie for awhile to keep him from bothering Thing 2. Thing 2 fell asleep at 9 and Thing 1 fell asleep at 10pm.
Once Saturday came, I was a zombie from not getting enough sleep as the kids didn't sleep in any later after going to bed so late. Thing 2 was up by 6am and Thing 1 was up by 7am. I tried everything on Saturday. I ran them around. We played outside. I took them shopping and to lunch. Thing 2 fell asleep in the car on the way home after shopping but woke up once we got in the door. I tried to convince him that a nap was a good idea. However, once 4pm came, I gave up on the nap in the hopes that Thing 2 would go to bed at his usual bedtime. Seven o'clock came and I began the bedtime ritual of teeth brushing, diaper changing, and book reading. Again, he started with the getting out of bed and coming in to the living room or climbing into his brother's bed. I tried laying in his bed with him at 7:30 hoping that that would keep him in bed long enough to go to sleep. But instead he began beating me up (pulling on my classes, trying to bite me, etc.) so I left him in his room alone. Again, when 8pm came, I put Thing 1 in bed. I tried keeping the boys in the room together but after pulling Thing 2 out of the top bunk twice in less than 5 minutes, I brought him into the living room. Again, I sat in the dark with Thing 2 trying to get him to go to sleep. Again, Thing 1 sat playing in his room until falling asleep at 9pm. I called my mom and asked for advice. What do I do with a child who is refusing to sleep? He is exhausted. He had dark circles under his eyes. My mom suggested I put him in bed with me and see if he goes to sleep. I admit that I was skeptical as when I tried laying with him in his bed he tried to bite me. When Thing 2 saw that we were going in Mommy and Daddy's bed, he got all excited and asked to watch a movie. I told him "No, it's bedtime." He was not happy about that but did lay down with his stuffed dog. While laying in bed at 9pm, I sent my husband the following text:
"I have decided to let the children take over. Who knows what type of government is in store. All I know is I'm tired and they will allow me rest as long as I allow them full access to the fridge and cupboards and give them all the TV they want. Due to my exhaustion, it seems like a fair trade."
Thing 2 did finally fall asleep around 9:30, as did I. Today hasn't been too bad so far. I think they have worn themselves out from staying up so late the past few nights as Thing 2 hasn't been getting into too many things he shouldn't and Thing 1 has been pretty quiet (which is VERY unusual - he talks all the time and always wants something). We shall see if this means they will go to sleep at their bedtime tonight.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Addition of Duties
For the past several weeks I have known of some changes that would be happening at the agency I work for. For the most part it didn't affect that many people directly. However, it does affect me directly. People would think in these economic times, that would mean layoffs. In this case it does not. The agency I work for has actually been doing pretty well and has been paying close attention to the budget cuts that may happen in the mental health field and planning accordingly. I am lucky to work for such a company.
Anyway, the CEO has decided to do some restructuring which required a few people's jobs to change and some people's direct supervisors changed. But again, for the most part, most people are not directly affected by this change. The change that will be happening occurs on July 1 and has been causing me some stress and nervousness for some time. My job will be changing. I will be directing a department instead of managing a program. I did not apply for this position and neither did any of the other people whose jobs are changing. The position I currently have I started just over a year ago and I am not quite sure if I am ready for a promotion. I will be getting an assistant to help me manage the program I currently manage so I can focus on my new responsibilities. (I will totally need the assistant. I haven't officially started my new job yet but I am already starting to get overwhelmed with the extra duties!)
There are tons of pros when it comes to getting a promotion which are not at all what I have been focusing on. I am concerned about how others are going to view my promotion as from an outsider's perspective it looks as if I went after my current supervisor's job. (I will be supervising all but one of the programs she was supervising. She is not loosing her job. Instead, she will be spending a lot of time focusing on one of the responsibilities she already had.) I know I shouldn't worry about what other people think, but I'm going to do it anyway.
Next thing I'm worried about is the fact that now that The Mr. has a job that requires him to work evenings, I have to leave work by 3:45 so I can get home to watch the kids. I am not sure this will be possible with my new position. It's quite possible that I will have meetings that will last until 5pm. We can't live on my salary alone and we can't afford daycare on the salaries we both make at this time.
Concern #3 is the fact that I will be further removed from the clients that I serve. I really enjoy working directly with the clients and helping them meet their goals. As a manager, I have less direct contact with the clients and, instead, I teach and guide staff in the best way to help the clients meet their goals. As a director, I will be even further removed from the clients that we serve.
And the ultimate thing that I am worried about is failing. Yep, I am concerned that I will totally suck at this position and disappoint all the people who put me in this position as well as disappointing my family.
So, as the entire agency hears on Wednesday of the new structure of the company and how I will be placed in a position above those who have been with the agency for many years, please think of me and hope that I don't pass out. Wish me good luck in my new job as I hope I don't run away screaming from all the added stress and responsibilities.
Anyway, the CEO has decided to do some restructuring which required a few people's jobs to change and some people's direct supervisors changed. But again, for the most part, most people are not directly affected by this change. The change that will be happening occurs on July 1 and has been causing me some stress and nervousness for some time. My job will be changing. I will be directing a department instead of managing a program. I did not apply for this position and neither did any of the other people whose jobs are changing. The position I currently have I started just over a year ago and I am not quite sure if I am ready for a promotion. I will be getting an assistant to help me manage the program I currently manage so I can focus on my new responsibilities. (I will totally need the assistant. I haven't officially started my new job yet but I am already starting to get overwhelmed with the extra duties!)
There are tons of pros when it comes to getting a promotion which are not at all what I have been focusing on. I am concerned about how others are going to view my promotion as from an outsider's perspective it looks as if I went after my current supervisor's job. (I will be supervising all but one of the programs she was supervising. She is not loosing her job. Instead, she will be spending a lot of time focusing on one of the responsibilities she already had.) I know I shouldn't worry about what other people think, but I'm going to do it anyway.
Next thing I'm worried about is the fact that now that The Mr. has a job that requires him to work evenings, I have to leave work by 3:45 so I can get home to watch the kids. I am not sure this will be possible with my new position. It's quite possible that I will have meetings that will last until 5pm. We can't live on my salary alone and we can't afford daycare on the salaries we both make at this time.
Concern #3 is the fact that I will be further removed from the clients that I serve. I really enjoy working directly with the clients and helping them meet their goals. As a manager, I have less direct contact with the clients and, instead, I teach and guide staff in the best way to help the clients meet their goals. As a director, I will be even further removed from the clients that we serve.
And the ultimate thing that I am worried about is failing. Yep, I am concerned that I will totally suck at this position and disappoint all the people who put me in this position as well as disappointing my family.
So, as the entire agency hears on Wednesday of the new structure of the company and how I will be placed in a position above those who have been with the agency for many years, please think of me and hope that I don't pass out. Wish me good luck in my new job as I hope I don't run away screaming from all the added stress and responsibilities.
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