Being a full time working (out of the home) mom, you have many guilt's. You wish you could be a stay at home mom and be with your child 24/7. Especially with them being a newborn/baby, you want to be the one that sees all their first. Jonathan and I were very lucky that we were the ones that saw his first not the daycare. We saw Caleb take his first steps. Daycare didn't see him walk at all till a month later. I saw Caleb sit up unassisted for the first time. Daycare didn't see it for a few months...they actually thought he couldn't sit up by himself. We heard his first words. Again, daycare didn't even know he could talk. He wouldn't talk for them. So we were very blessed to be able to experience those things with him. A lot of parents don't. They miss those first.
Anyway, sometimes your other guilt is leaving them with a daycare, preschool, or babysitter. It is hard knowing you have to drop them off and go to work. The idea that work sees you more than your own child is very bothersome at times especially when your child brings something up along that line.
On the way to preschool this morning, Caleb decided to ask me a question. He asked me why do I leave him alone at school. I tried to avoid it a little by telling him he isn't alone because the teachers and his friends are there. He said that wasn't what he was talking about. He proceeded to ask why do I leave him. It hurts knowing he is thinking of it as I am leaving him.
I tried explaining to him that I am not leaving him. I went on to say that Mommy and Daddy have to work and kids are not allowed at work. He decided to remind me of the times I have had him at work with me for a little while. I had to explain the difference. Also, I explained that we have to work so we can be able to buy him toys, be able to stay at hotels and take trips, buy him clothes, buy food and snacks. I told him if we didn't work we couldn't do all that. Then the words that I dreaded to hear, "But I don't want you to leave me. I want you to stay with me." I told him I am not leaving him because I always come back. After that he didn't want to hear anymore.
It hangs over me everyday that I have to leave him. I wish I could stay home with him all the time but I can't. I am not a stay at home mom type. I would go literally crazy. But also, I like having the ability to do things for him and not worry about money.
At the end of the day though, I love picking him up and having this little boy come running for me and yelling Mommy at the top of his lungs. I have to admit I don't see other kids doing that at his school when they get picked up so it makes me feel pretty good. I know he loves me and he knows I love him and that is the main point of everything.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Knowing your kid is getting older and wiser. They understand more and there are times you have to suck it up and answer their questions straight on.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
Right Hand Hook
It could have been his left hand not sure. He is more lefty than righty. Yesterday Caleb got in trouble at school for hitting a kid. Thankfully, that is his first offense. He usually doesn't hit other kids. Anyway, in the process of hitting the other kid, Caleb cut the boy's forehead.
On the way home, I brought it up. His response to it all was he said he told the boy he was sorry and the boy hit him first and he didn't say he was sorry. I told him I didn't care what the other boy did (sounding like my Mom and Grandmother...LOL) that I am to take care of him not the other boy. I proceeded telling him he does not hit anyone no matter what. If someone hits him again, he is to yell at the kid to stop and go to a teacher. After all that discussion, he ask if he can get a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Motorcycle for Ralphael. We immediately told him no because he hit someone. So he cried all the way home.
Today, I picked him up. As soon as we get in the car:
Caleb: Hey Mom!
Me: Yeah babe.
Caleb: Can I get the TMNT motorcycle at the store tonight? I didn't hit anybody today.
It took all I got from laughing at him. He was being so serious and kind. What am I suppose to do? More likely, he will end up with the motorcycle. Why me.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Knowing your kid is going to make you broke. LOL.
On the way home, I brought it up. His response to it all was he said he told the boy he was sorry and the boy hit him first and he didn't say he was sorry. I told him I didn't care what the other boy did (sounding like my Mom and Grandmother...LOL) that I am to take care of him not the other boy. I proceeded telling him he does not hit anyone no matter what. If someone hits him again, he is to yell at the kid to stop and go to a teacher. After all that discussion, he ask if he can get a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Motorcycle for Ralphael. We immediately told him no because he hit someone. So he cried all the way home.
Today, I picked him up. As soon as we get in the car:
Caleb: Hey Mom!
Me: Yeah babe.
Caleb: Can I get the TMNT motorcycle at the store tonight? I didn't hit anybody today.
It took all I got from laughing at him. He was being so serious and kind. What am I suppose to do? More likely, he will end up with the motorcycle. Why me.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Knowing your kid is going to make you broke. LOL.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Smarty Pants
I like to take a moment and start this blog with a prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, please help us because we are doomed with this child. Amen.
When I look at Jonathan and I, I see a lot of sarcasm, humor, intelligent (him not me), and happiness. Caleb, we have learned, gained all that. That is why I prayed.
1.) Caleb gets mad and throws things. So I take the things that were thrown and throw them outside or put in a storage bin and they are taken away. Caleb's reaction...ok. He continues to throw stuff as he gets mad. Only 2 things out of all the stuff he has thrown has he cried about. So result of that, the stuff he doesn't care about, he will throw. The 2 things he really likes has not been thrown since.
2.) The other day, I started cleaning the living room. I started the process of getting all the toys out of the living room and move them to his room. Caleb asked me why I was doing that. I replied so I can get them out of the living room. He responds: "I don't play with those toys anymore. You can throw them away."
3.) Caleb asked if Jonathan can pick him up from preschool today. I told him I don't know. Caleb responds, "You call Dad today and talk to him on the phone. Ask him if he can pick me up. If Dad says no, Mom you can pick me up. Mom can you pick me up if Dad says no? If Dad picks me up, I will remind him to pick up donuts for tomorrow." **Yes. This is a real conversation out of his mouth.**
4.) Caleb's words...."If you want to make me happy, you will get me that." This was referring to a Caillou episode on iTunes.
5.) Caleb's question one day. "Are we going to a hotel soon?" Me: No. Caleb: "Why? I like going to hotels. It's been a long long time since I've been to a hotel."
6.) One night, we were sitting on the couch. Caleb tells me a boy at school called him a baby. He looks at me all seriously, "Mom, can you call his mom and tell her what he did? That way he won't do it again."
7.) Caleb asked how many cheese rollups we bought from Taco Bell. I told him 4. He said, "We bought 4. I ate 1. So I have 3 left?"
8.) I called him a booger one time. Caleb responded, "Don't call me a booger. Do you want me to call you a booger?" Me: No. Caleb: "Then don't call me a booger. It isn't very nice to say."
It is so amazing to watch him, even if he is being a smartbutt, and see what traits he gained from each of us. Overall, he is a very entertaining child. You never know what is going to come out of his mouth at times.
But Lord help us. If he keeps up some of this crap, we are sooo doomed. LOL. Please pray for us.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Some battles I am going to lose because my own child can outsmart me.
When I look at Jonathan and I, I see a lot of sarcasm, humor, intelligent (him not me), and happiness. Caleb, we have learned, gained all that. That is why I prayed.
1.) Caleb gets mad and throws things. So I take the things that were thrown and throw them outside or put in a storage bin and they are taken away. Caleb's reaction...ok. He continues to throw stuff as he gets mad. Only 2 things out of all the stuff he has thrown has he cried about. So result of that, the stuff he doesn't care about, he will throw. The 2 things he really likes has not been thrown since.
2.) The other day, I started cleaning the living room. I started the process of getting all the toys out of the living room and move them to his room. Caleb asked me why I was doing that. I replied so I can get them out of the living room. He responds: "I don't play with those toys anymore. You can throw them away."
3.) Caleb asked if Jonathan can pick him up from preschool today. I told him I don't know. Caleb responds, "You call Dad today and talk to him on the phone. Ask him if he can pick me up. If Dad says no, Mom you can pick me up. Mom can you pick me up if Dad says no? If Dad picks me up, I will remind him to pick up donuts for tomorrow." **Yes. This is a real conversation out of his mouth.**
4.) Caleb's words...."If you want to make me happy, you will get me that." This was referring to a Caillou episode on iTunes.
5.) Caleb's question one day. "Are we going to a hotel soon?" Me: No. Caleb: "Why? I like going to hotels. It's been a long long time since I've been to a hotel."
6.) One night, we were sitting on the couch. Caleb tells me a boy at school called him a baby. He looks at me all seriously, "Mom, can you call his mom and tell her what he did? That way he won't do it again."
7.) Caleb asked how many cheese rollups we bought from Taco Bell. I told him 4. He said, "We bought 4. I ate 1. So I have 3 left?"
8.) I called him a booger one time. Caleb responded, "Don't call me a booger. Do you want me to call you a booger?" Me: No. Caleb: "Then don't call me a booger. It isn't very nice to say."
It is so amazing to watch him, even if he is being a smartbutt, and see what traits he gained from each of us. Overall, he is a very entertaining child. You never know what is going to come out of his mouth at times.
But Lord help us. If he keeps up some of this crap, we are sooo doomed. LOL. Please pray for us.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Some battles I am going to lose because my own child can outsmart me.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Mommies Don't Cry
The title makes me think of the song Big Girls Don't Cry. LOL.
The other day, I had received a wonderful and very meaningful gift in the mail. As I held the gift in my hand, I started crying. Not like a boo hoo cry but tears were going down my face. Caleb saw the tears going down my face.
Caleb: You're crying. Why are you crying?
Me: It is ok babe. People cry when they are really happy and I am really happy right now.
Caleb: But you are crying. You ok?
Me: I am fine. I am very very happy.
Caleb: But Mommies don't cry.
At that point, I realized I never really cried in front of Caleb. He has such a sensitive heart, as you can tell by the conversation, that it bothers him to see someone cry. Also, I realized that I really don't cry a lot. When my little sister died, I cried. I cried hard and often. I usually did it when Caleb wasn't around or I would hide from him. I didn't want him to get upset with me crying. The question that ponders me now is should I cry more often in front of Caleb or keep doing what I am doing? I want Caleb to be happy and they have proven studies that show happy parents, happy kids and that I try to stick with. To cry or not to cry? That is the question.
But all honesty, I can say Jonathan is a lucky man to have a wife who doesn't cry all the time. LOL. God blessed him very well with me. He should be thanking God for a wonderful wife like me that is strong and don't cry a lot. LMBO. I crack myself up.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Big girls do indeed cry. LOL.
The other day, I had received a wonderful and very meaningful gift in the mail. As I held the gift in my hand, I started crying. Not like a boo hoo cry but tears were going down my face. Caleb saw the tears going down my face.
Caleb: You're crying. Why are you crying?
Me: It is ok babe. People cry when they are really happy and I am really happy right now.
Caleb: But you are crying. You ok?
Me: I am fine. I am very very happy.
Caleb: But Mommies don't cry.
At that point, I realized I never really cried in front of Caleb. He has such a sensitive heart, as you can tell by the conversation, that it bothers him to see someone cry. Also, I realized that I really don't cry a lot. When my little sister died, I cried. I cried hard and often. I usually did it when Caleb wasn't around or I would hide from him. I didn't want him to get upset with me crying. The question that ponders me now is should I cry more often in front of Caleb or keep doing what I am doing? I want Caleb to be happy and they have proven studies that show happy parents, happy kids and that I try to stick with. To cry or not to cry? That is the question.
But all honesty, I can say Jonathan is a lucky man to have a wife who doesn't cry all the time. LOL. God blessed him very well with me. He should be thanking God for a wonderful wife like me that is strong and don't cry a lot. LMBO. I crack myself up.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: Big girls do indeed cry. LOL.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The Bi-Racial Child
Many times I don't think about me being in a interracial relationship. I don't see my husband as a different race from me. When I look at Caleb, I don't see him really being a bi-racial child. Until one day, Caleb brings it up. Remember he is only 3 so he doesn't realize or understand much about it.
Caleb: Mommy, you are white.
Me: Yes babe. I am white.
Caleb: I am brown.
Me: Yes you are.
Caleb: Daddy is brown too but you're not brown. You white.
Me: Yes babe. You are brown because you are part Mexican.
Caleb: I am not Mexican!!! I am brown.
LOL. What do you say? I just agree and let it go. My husband is half Mexican therefore Caleb is part Mexican too. Me, I am just a white girl from a little town in West Virginia. LOL. No excitement there.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: I am white. The end.
Caleb: Mommy, you are white.
Me: Yes babe. I am white.
Caleb: I am brown.
Me: Yes you are.
Caleb: Daddy is brown too but you're not brown. You white.
Me: Yes babe. You are brown because you are part Mexican.
Caleb: I am not Mexican!!! I am brown.
LOL. What do you say? I just agree and let it go. My husband is half Mexican therefore Caleb is part Mexican too. Me, I am just a white girl from a little town in West Virginia. LOL. No excitement there.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: I am white. The end.
Friday, April 26, 2013
The Coin Purse
This past Christmas, Caleb picked out this little coin purse for me. It is blue and sparkly. He knows me very well. This coin purse reminds me of the one that my Grandmother used to have. I didn't think about it till over the weekend. While Jonathan and I were in Gatlinburg, we were at the Titanic museum. In their shop, they had replica vintage coin purses. Jonathan asked me if one of them was like my Grandma's. Unfortunately, they were not. I had forgotten all about my Grandma's coin purse till then. He said that mom had told him about the coin purse and he was thinking I might be able to find a replica there in the shop.
I wish I could find that coin purse. When she passed away, a lot of her stuff was thrown out or given away. No one asked if anyone wanted any of that stuff. I always wanted her coin purse (along with the jar of buttons). I remember playing with her coin purse. Not because it may contained money but because of the feel of it. I would play with the beading on it. I loved the feel of the beading and would mess with it all the time. When I was younger, I thought it was a fancy coin purse. But honestly, it was just a coin purse. LOL. Grandma would be laughing at me because as soon as she pulled her coin purse out to get money of it, for whatever reason, I would reach over and start playing with the beads. (I miss her laughter.)
Grandma was the grandma that had candy, mints, and gum in her purse. I remember the times that Dad would run Grandma, my sister, and I to the store. I would be in the backseat with Grandma and she would open her purse and get out a piece of candy, mint or gum for all of us. I would reach in just to touch the coin purse.
There were 3 things of hers that I wanted when she died...her coin purse (missing), jar of buttons (missing), and the rocking chair (which I did get). I am sure people don't understand why I want those 3 things. All I can say is I have some very wonderful memories of me and my Grandma with all 3 items. They brought smiles to mine and her face. I do hope that one day I can find a coin purse just like it the one she had.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: People suck when people die. They get mean and greedy. Unfortunately, funerals do bring the worse out in people and you can't do a darn thing about it.
I wish I could find that coin purse. When she passed away, a lot of her stuff was thrown out or given away. No one asked if anyone wanted any of that stuff. I always wanted her coin purse (along with the jar of buttons). I remember playing with her coin purse. Not because it may contained money but because of the feel of it. I would play with the beading on it. I loved the feel of the beading and would mess with it all the time. When I was younger, I thought it was a fancy coin purse. But honestly, it was just a coin purse. LOL. Grandma would be laughing at me because as soon as she pulled her coin purse out to get money of it, for whatever reason, I would reach over and start playing with the beads. (I miss her laughter.)
Grandma was the grandma that had candy, mints, and gum in her purse. I remember the times that Dad would run Grandma, my sister, and I to the store. I would be in the backseat with Grandma and she would open her purse and get out a piece of candy, mint or gum for all of us. I would reach in just to touch the coin purse.
There were 3 things of hers that I wanted when she died...her coin purse (missing), jar of buttons (missing), and the rocking chair (which I did get). I am sure people don't understand why I want those 3 things. All I can say is I have some very wonderful memories of me and my Grandma with all 3 items. They brought smiles to mine and her face. I do hope that one day I can find a coin purse just like it the one she had.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: People suck when people die. They get mean and greedy. Unfortunately, funerals do bring the worse out in people and you can't do a darn thing about it.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Potty Training 101
All honesty, I am the last person to give potty training advice. Caleb is 3.5 years old and just now got the whole potty thing down pat. He has gone 5 days accident free. When he hits 7 days, I am going to stop the pull ups at night unless he tells me he wants his underwear sooner. We were talking about it earlier this evening.
Me: Hey Caleb. Maybe in a few days, you can start wearing your underwear to bed. What do you think?
Caleb: Yeah. I'll wear my underwear to bed.
Me: Meanwhile, you need to keep going potty like you have. No accidents
Caleb: I haven't had any accidents.
Me: I know and that is great. But if you keep it up, in 4 days, I will let you have your big surprise. *holding up 4 fingers*
Caleb: No. *pushes one of my fingers down* In 3 days, I get my surprise.
Me: Ok. In 3 days *holding 3 fingers up* you can get your surprise. I will agree with that.
Caleb: No. *pushes another finger down* In 2 days, I get my surprise.
Me: Caleb!! I went from 4 to 3 days. That is good enough.
Caleb: No, I like 2 days.
So how did I finally get Caleb potty trained? Toys. Expensive toys. LOL. Not a $10 toy. More like $13, then $17, and the big surprise toy is $50. And it wasn't just 3 toys. I think from last Wednesday to Friday he received 4 toys. Prior to then, he received 2 DVD's and 1 other toy. And now, he has 1 more toy left. I had tried all other measures to get him to go. From bribing with money, putting him on the potty every hour, stickers, reward chart, and all that did not work. Once we started the toy thing and sent him to school in underwear, he finally understood. I would understand too if it meant I would receive presents. LOL.
Anyway, he is finally doing it. Today I picked him up from preschool and he immediately told me he pooped on the potty. Which is great considering a week ago, he wouldn't even pee on the potty at preschool.
Now, I can finally breathe and know the hardest part is over with. He has now hit his biggest and final milestone from being a baby to a big boy. It is sad yet joyful. No more diapers but again no more diapers. Most parents will understand that statement.
More than anything, I am so proud of him. Because in all honesty, he really did this on his own. All I could do is let him know how proud I was with every little step he took to this milestone.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: My baby boy is now an official big boy. And that he is too smart for his own good.
Me: Hey Caleb. Maybe in a few days, you can start wearing your underwear to bed. What do you think?
Caleb: Yeah. I'll wear my underwear to bed.
Me: Meanwhile, you need to keep going potty like you have. No accidents
Caleb: I haven't had any accidents.
Me: I know and that is great. But if you keep it up, in 4 days, I will let you have your big surprise. *holding up 4 fingers*
Caleb: No. *pushes one of my fingers down* In 3 days, I get my surprise.
Me: Ok. In 3 days *holding 3 fingers up* you can get your surprise. I will agree with that.
Caleb: No. *pushes another finger down* In 2 days, I get my surprise.
Me: Caleb!! I went from 4 to 3 days. That is good enough.
Caleb: No, I like 2 days.
So how did I finally get Caleb potty trained? Toys. Expensive toys. LOL. Not a $10 toy. More like $13, then $17, and the big surprise toy is $50. And it wasn't just 3 toys. I think from last Wednesday to Friday he received 4 toys. Prior to then, he received 2 DVD's and 1 other toy. And now, he has 1 more toy left. I had tried all other measures to get him to go. From bribing with money, putting him on the potty every hour, stickers, reward chart, and all that did not work. Once we started the toy thing and sent him to school in underwear, he finally understood. I would understand too if it meant I would receive presents. LOL.
Anyway, he is finally doing it. Today I picked him up from preschool and he immediately told me he pooped on the potty. Which is great considering a week ago, he wouldn't even pee on the potty at preschool.
Now, I can finally breathe and know the hardest part is over with. He has now hit his biggest and final milestone from being a baby to a big boy. It is sad yet joyful. No more diapers but again no more diapers. Most parents will understand that statement.
More than anything, I am so proud of him. Because in all honesty, he really did this on his own. All I could do is let him know how proud I was with every little step he took to this milestone.
Suck It Up Mom Moment: My baby boy is now an official big boy. And that he is too smart for his own good.
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