Why Do You Leave Me?

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Who's Car Is It?

One of the cool features of my Mustang is that I can change my dashboard color.  If I remember correctly, I think there is 125 colors combinations.  For a long time, I have had it blue.  Only time the dashboard lights up is when my headlights are on.

When Caleb was younger, he used to fuss at me to turn on the blue lights.  The other day, I decided I wanted a break from the blue and made them purple.  This morning, we are getting ready to leave the house and Caleb noticed it.

Caleb: Mom, why are the lights purple?
Me:  Because I wanted them purple.
Caleb:  But I don't want them purple.  I like the blue.
Me:  I like the purple.  I wanted them different.
Caleb:  Mom, change it back to blue.  Please.
Me:  Caleb, I don't want too.
Caleb:  Please, Please, Please, Please.  I want blue.  Please, Please, Please, Pleeeaassseee.

Guess who won?  Yep.  My dashboard is blue again.  *sigh*  Here I thought it was my car.

Suck It Up Mom Moment:  My car is not my car after all.  I will get it back one day though.

I'm Lost

The worse thing that could have ever happened to me happened tonight. I lost Caleb in the grocery store. I swore that I would never be that parent that would lose their child. It started as me on one end of the aisle and him on the other end with Jonathan and we were playing hide-n-seek. Jonathan moved so Caleb came down the aisle to get me. Meanwhile I had already gone down the other aisle to meet up with them. I heard Jonathan yell for Caleb to come back and I thought he was coming. So I went to hide so I could jump out at him. (Yes, I was going to scare my child. LOL).  Well he wasn't coming. When I came out of hiding, Jonathan states he thought Caleb was with me and didn't know I was standing behind him.

Immediately, I went to go get him.  As I got to the end of the aisle, my heart dropped into my stomach. He was no where to be seen. I kept telling myself not to panic.  It is a small store and he couldn't have gone far.  Luckily, we were not in WalMart.  Then, I started thinking about the other stuff that could happen.  As my mind was racing, I noticed a lady staring one way and then I noticed another lady doing the same.  When I got closer, I heard this little voice yell Mommy at the top of their lungs and there he was walking across the store yelling for me. I yelled back to him.  As I reached him, he said, "Why did you leave me? You weren't suppose to go away."  I told him he was right and praised him for yelling for me like he did and not crying.

We met up with Daddy who had no clue what had happen. Poor Dad.  Anyway, everything ended well and he was fine.  I thank God that my little boy had the smarts to start yelling and to remain calm.  And thankful to God for watching out for him.

Suck It Up Mom moment: I am not perfect so move on.

The Throwing Game

Caleb has a bad habit of throwing stuff when he is mad.  I have to admit Jonathan and I are just as guilty for doing it.  But we do not throw as bad as Caleb and we really have to get mad to throw something.  And usually it is 1 thing and not 10 things.

Any way, when Caleb gets upset/mad about something he throws whatever is around him and in his path.  As I said another post, No Mom is Perfect, we had to start cracking down on this bad habit of his because one of these days he can end up hurting someone with the throwing.

Last night, Caleb wanted something and we told him no.  So the throwing starts.  Basically, he cries (sometimes for a little bit sometimes longer), sticks out his lower lip, makes "hmph" sounds, and throws things here and there.  It isn't a constant throw.  He throws one thing for attention, stops for awhile, throws something else, stops, etc.  Jonathan immediately grabbed one thing and said, "Well that is gone.  You are not getting that back."  By the way, it is usually toys he throws.  When Jonathan did that, I got an idea from articles I had read.  I got up asked Jonathan for the toy and grabbed two more items Caleb threw and put them out of site and out of reach.  Then, I grabbed a storage container we had sitting out and told Caleb, "Next item you throw will end up in here and you will not get it back tonight."  He tested me of course.  So I picked up those items and put them in the container.  He realized I meant business and stopped.  I went to sit down and he knocked over his Mickey Mouse chair because he was still mad.  My lovely husband (that is true endearment...not being sarcastic) grabbed the chair and put it in the red container too (yes that container was  big enough for that chair...LOL).  He said, "Your chair is gone too."  That hit home with Caleb.  He started crying, stopped throwing, and realized we were not giving in.

Now that is what you call team parenting.  LOL. Poor kid didn't know what to do but cry after all that.  Later that night, he kicked a bag of grapes because I told him to stop doing something.  He was testing me on that one.  So I smacked his butt.  Yes, we believe in smacking.  Sometimes, you have to when all else fails.  Lets put it this way, that smack didn't make him cry but he stopped and behaved instantly.  Again, he knew I meant what I said.

Some may think we are being tough on Caleb.  We really aren't because a lot of times he is very well behaved.  Because Caleb is not the kid in the middle of the store screaming their head off.  He is not the kid using swear words and talking back to everyone especially their parents.  He is not the kid that always runs around in public and not listen to their parents.  He is not the child who hits or bites the other kids.  There are just a couple of habits we need to start breaking now before he gets older and they get worse like throwing things when he is upset.

In the end, being a good parent means having to discipline your child.

Suck It Up Mom moment:  When you realize you are starting to use phrases that your mom used on you when you were little.  LOL.  Love you Mom.

No Mom Is Perfect

One of the downfalls of being a parent is having to discipline your child.  You hate having to tell them no 10 million times and correcting them when they do wrong.  It is not a point of trying to be a cool parent or a laid back parent but you discipline to help mold and guide your child to be the best they can be regardless if they grow up to work at McDonald's or be a millionaire.  You want them to be respectful, loving, strong willed, independent, and most of all happy.

As a parent, you are also growing with the child and learning.  This morning, as I was in the shower and Caleb walks in crying like he does every morning because I am not in bed with him, I started thinking about where I have gone wrong with Caleb.  I admit I have done wrong.  I should have been more stern with him about sleeping in his own bed.  I should have been more stern with him on potty training.  I should have been more stern about him picking up his toys.  Now, I realize I have to start making some adjustments to get these things corrected.  Because I wasn't stricter and more firm with him doing the above earlier, I now have to crack down even harder.

I admit I am not a perfect mom.  I try to do what is best for my family.  I thought letting Caleb sleep in our bed would mean more sleep for all of us.  It does to some point but I have also created a child who will not sleep by himself at all now.  I thought letting him potty train when he was ready would be easier for all of us and he wouldn't fight it as much.  Not true, now I have a child who won't go because..his words...."I don't want to."  I thought letting him play with toys and having them all over the place was no big deal.  It wasn't hurting anything.  Now, I have a child who doesn't want to pick up his toys because he doesn't care if they are all over the place but I do because the toys are getting bigger and more pieces to them and I keep finding them everywhere.

Now, I have to do my Suck It Up Mom and realize I need to start enforcing the rules on Caleb to help him grow up well (and be potty trained before he is 4 years old...Ugh).  And realize being a disciplining parent, still makes you the cool parent.

While You Were Sleeping

Caleb has taken so many nasty antibiotics for sinus infections that it is crazy.  Due to those being bad, he protest any type of medicine now because he thinks they are all nasty tasting.

The other day, his allergist put him on a rescue inhaler for his asthma.  Well of course, Caleb doesn't want to take it because he said it is nasty which it isn't. I think the force of it scared him and that is why he doesn't want to do it again.

So I called the allergist and told him it wasn't working.  They called in a facial mask (spacer and mask) for his inhaler. (BTW, that is the coolest contraption/invention ever.) I tried to get him to take it that way and it still didn't work.  After fighting with him over it, I finally said fine don't do it and for him not to worry about it.

Being a parent, you sometimes have to come up with creative ideas on how to make things work.  Basically, you have to out think your child.  When Caleb first falls asleep, he goes into a pretty deep sleep.  Funny thing is I have to wait for his body to tremble/shake and I know then he is completely out.  He is weird I know.  Anyway, once he gets into that state, I can move him or do anything to him.  With this awesome mask, all he has to do is breathe normal and the powder will go in his system.  So the night that I got the mask, I waited till he hit that sleep phase, placed the mask on his face and gave him the inhaler.  LOL.  He never flinched.  He has to take two puffs so I waited a minute and did the second one.  It worked like a charm.  He has to take it 2x a day at least.  Therefore in the morning, I do it again before he wakes up.  LOL.  I felt like a rock star coming up with this method and making it happen.

I can't wait till the day Caleb is older and I can tell him what I did to him while he was sleeping. He probably won't be happy about it but I think it is hilarious.

Suck It Up Mom Moment:  Your child will always try to out smart you so suck it up and move on and try to out smart them.

I Am Not An Octopus

Talk about a title to grab attention.  LOL.

One of the downfalls for me is I am a working Mom.  I hate the fact that I am not with my son 24/7.  Although, I know the best thing for him and I both is that I work.  If I didn't work, I think we would drive each other crazy.  Actually, I know for a fact we would.

This is going to be a truthful blog.  There are times I feel like I am over my head between trying to remember things for work, home, and for Caleb.  I am thankful that I have only one child because I couldn't keep up with more.

At work, I work for 3 companies.  I have to balance my work between those three.  Currently as I am writing this, I am working on two companies.  One company, I am paying bills and waiting for two emails to be able to finish that.  The other company, I am doing invoices and trying to get those emailed to customers who wants them.  Meanwhile, I remember I told the President that I would have the salary chart sent off to Hong Kong by the end of the day.  Now, I have to be sure to finish that.

While, all that is going on, I am remembering I need to stop at the pharmacy on the way home to pick up a spacer for Caleb's inhaler and Benadryl because he is all out.  Then I realized, I was suppose to pick up something else and can't remember.  Because while I was remembering this morning what I needed, I was fighting with Caleb on taking his inhaler (hence the spacer) and couldn't make notes of what all I needed.  So now I am trying to remember that because I will be leaving in 1.5 hours to go home.  Plus, telling myself I need to write a check to his daycare.  Luckily, I remembered to call his doctor this morning about the spacer.

As for home, I have to get some laundry done.  Yesterday, I had to put comfy pants on Caleb because he was all out of jeans.  I could have sworn I washed his jeans and there were no clean ones.  My hubby jumped in last night and threw a load of Caleb's clothes into the washer for me while I was trying to give Caleb his bath.

Anyway, (I am forgetting some things on my list), I wish I was an octopus.  That way I would have 8 arms and I could work on 3 companies, make phone calls, and right my to do list so I would stop forgetting things.

Suck It Up Mom Moment:  I am not an octopus.  I need to just do what I can and things will get done when they get done.

Lesson on Digestion

We had the most lovely conversation last night while eating dinner.  As we were eating, Caleb decided to tell me where our food will end up.  It started out as a demonstration.  Not a bad one.  He said, "Food goes in our mouth (points to his mouth), down here (sliding his finger down his throat and chest), and end up right here (pointing to his stomach)."  I asked him where does it go once it's in our stomach.  He happily replied that it goes down to our feet.

Well me being me, I have to edge this on.
Me:  No, it doesn't silly.
Caleb:  Where does it go?
Me:  Out your butt.
Caleb:  *giggling*  No it doesn't.
Me:  Yes it does.  That is what our poop is.
Caleb:  *laughing* Ewwwww.  My poop is my food???
Me:  Well sort of.  Where do you think poop comes from?
Caleb:  *giggling*  My butt.  Your silly Mom.

So there it is.  That is your lesson in digestion today. LOL.  Hope you aren't eating while reading this.

My suck it up moment: discussing poop while eating dinner.

Mom's Do Know Everything

For the past couple of months, there has been a commercial on TV, can't remember what they are advertising, but it has everyone going to Mom to find their stuff.  I started thinking that isn't true.

The other day, Caleb was on a search for his TMNT figurine.  He comes to me, "Hey Mom, where is my Leo turtle?"  His new thing is calling me Mom.  I asked him where was he last playing with it and he replied by saying he doesn't know.  I thought for a minute and knew instantly where the turtle was.  I told him and off he goes and it was there.

After that situation, I started thinking about the commercial again and realized how true that is.  

Husband:

Have you seen my iTouch?

Have you seen my phone?

Do you remember how much wood was outside in the wagon?

Where's Caleb's shoes?

Caleb:

Where's my turtles?

Where's my shoes?

Where's my coat?

Where's my sword?

Where's my hat?

Where's my juice?

Where's the computer (iPad)?

Where's my phone?

As these questions are asked, I know exactly where all the items are at.  How is it that 1 Mom can remember where everyone else's things are at but yet loses her own car keys? (Yes, I am speaking of myself in this matter.)

I reflect back on that commercial and realize it is my every day life.  I suck it up and know I am the smart one in the bunch.  LOL.

No Shoes

Since Caleb was a baby, I put shoes on him.  I mean baby as in 4 weeks old.  I mostly did that during the winter because I didn't want his feet getting cold because like I said he was only 4 weeks old.  During the summer, I didn't put shoes on him.  He wasn't walking or crawling at the time (he was only 6 months old).

To this day, Caleb has a thing about shoes.  It is pretty funny at times.  When Caleb goes to some one's house, he always keeps his shoes on.  If he starts feeling comfortable being in that house, he will kick off his shoes and sometimes the socks.

Every day when we get home, Caleb immediately takes his socks and shoes off.  At Grandparent's house, he will take them off as soon as we go inside even if we plan to be there just for a few minutes.  June of last year, we visited my sister in New York.  First day, Caleb kept his shoes on all day.  Second day, half way through the day, he was barefooted.  The 3rd day, as soon as we get in the door, he plops down on the floor and takes off his socks and shoes.  LOL.  We knew he was finally comfortable at my sister's house. Of course when we went back to the hotel, he kicked them off as soon as we walked in the door.

Reason for all this rambling, Caleb will take his shoes off now and at the most unusual times.  This morning was one of them.  He got in the car and I walked around the car to get in.  When I got in, I looked back and he took his shoes off.  So when we arrived at his school, I had to put them back on him again.  Crazy kid.  Before, he would never be in the car without his shoes.  Now it isn't anything for him to kick them off.  Meanwhile, I suck it up and pray he isn't going to be one of those kids always running around barefooted.

She Doesn't Shop At Lowe's

This is a funny incident that I thought I would share with you.  Hubby reminded me of this last night and we both started laughing over it again.

One day, I went to Lowe's to buy a flower pot.  I didn't want to go to WalMart because I didn't feel like dealing with the people but also Lowe's is closer to work.  So I went to Lowe's, bought my flower pot, and paid for it with my debit card.

Later that day, hubby called me to tell me my bank had called.  They were concerned because there was unusual activity on my account.  They advised there was a $5 purchase from Lowe's on there and asked if that was an authorized purchase.  Jonathan said no it isn't because my wife doesn't shop at Lowe's.  I bust out laughing and said yes that is authorized.  He responded, "Since when did you start shopping at Lowe's?" By this time, we are both laughing and I reminded him that I wanted to buy a flower pot so I got it at Lowe's.

In the end, I had to call the bank and tell them it was fine.  That was my purchase on there.  It is nice to know my bank watches my account that closely.  The suck it up this time is on Jonathan.  Suck it up honey and realize I can shop at Lowe's too you know.  The store is not just for men.  LOL.

The Unguarded Birthday Cake

Caleb used to not like cake.  On his 1st birthday, he was mad about the cake and did not like the icing being on his fingers and wouldn't eat it.  His 2nd birthday comes and he reacts the same way.

Past August on my Mom's birthday, Caleb was all about the cake.  He even played in it.  At first he was impatient because he wanted cake and we didn't have a knife to cut it with (we were at a restaurant).  So Caleb leaned in and took a bite out of the cake.

Now to present.  Yesterday was my husband's birthday.  As normal, I bought him a birthday cake. When we get home, we put the cake on the counter in the kitchen.  Jonathan unwrapped his presents  first in the living room.  After that was done, I said lets eat some cake.  Caleb is all "Yay!!!  Cake!!!"  I told him let me go to the bathroom first then I will get the cake.  While I was in the bathroom, apparently Caleb got a little impatient.

Jonathan said that Caleb told him he was going to get the party started.  Which we find totally funny to begin with that he said that.  Jonathan told him ok and had no idea what he was going to do as Caleb left the room.  Next, we hear a thud and a plastic container hitting something.  As I came out of the bathroom, Jonathan was running to the kitchen.  I asked him what is going on and he responded that Caleb dropped the cake.  We go into the kitchen as Caleb is backing away from the cake.  The cake is on the floor still in the plastic container and upright.  Caleb, being his little impatient self, went out to the kitchen to get the cake himself.  He tried taking it off the counter to carry it to the living room but instead dropped it trying to get it off of the counter.  LOL.

I have to admit the cake didn't receive a lot of damage.  The top was a little flattened.  I guess it had flipped while falling to the floor.  (NOTE:  If you want a cake that can take a fall, buy one from Publix's.)  This is one of those moments you suck it up, laugh at the situation, and be thankful that the cake is still edible because it stayed in the container in one piece.  LOL.

The Gagging Effect

Unfortunately, Caleb has had to take a lot of antibiotics since he was born.  Last year was the first year that he only had to take it 2 times in 1 year.  This year, yes I know we just started the year, he has already been on it twice.

One of the down falls to medicine is they can have a nasty taste.  Sometimes if you add flavoring to them it can make the taste worse.  Or even with flavoring in them, it won't stop the bitter after taste.  I am one of those parents that taste my kids medicine every time.  Before you suck in air and think "you are not suppose to be taking other people's medicines", I said I taste it not take it.  I put a drop on my finger and taste it to see how it is going to taste to him.  The recent one he is on is a sulfa kind of thing.  The first reaction to taste is not bad.  It is the after taste that gets you.  It is horrible.

This morning was our first bad episode with the medicine.  Usually, he will take the medicine and then chase it down with water or a cracker to try to fight that after taste.  First he didn't want to take it (which is usually his saying every time).  Then, he started crying because he didn't want it and that lead him into coughing from crying.  I start giving him the medicine because I couldn't get him to stop crying so then he starts gagging on it.  Next, I am trying to get him to calm down so he doesn't throw it up.  Meanwhile, I kept a calm and soft voice but a little stern so he knows he has to do what I am saying.  With me being calm, he will calm down too.  People often forget that if you are upset a child will get upset.  So try to stay calm.

I am the kind of parent that will not fuss at him for crying over medicine.  He is too young to grasp that medicine is horrible and he needs to just suck it up.  I have heard parents yell at their kids because they don't want to take their medicine.  Yelling is not going to get you anywhere.  At the same time, you would be fighting too to take some medicines if they had a nasty taste to them.  I know there are certain medicines I won't take till I really have to just to avoid the taste.  Prednisone....I hate the after taste.  It makes me gag.  So I usually try to drink something flavored, rinse my mouth out with Listerine, or something to just get rid of that taste.  With me tasting his medicines, I know how to deal with Caleb better to help him get the medicine down.

Some taste can be stopped with milk but if a child is congested or has an upset stomach, milk is the last thing you want to give them.  Saltine crackers are usually a sure thing but not everyone keeps saltine crackers in their house.  Apple juice makes the taste worse.  Water just dilutes it but doesn't stop the after taste.

As a parent, there are many obstacles you have to cross.  One of those is a child gagging over medicine.  The best thing to do is suck it up and remain calm.  They are just a child and they don't understand how important that medicine is.  So getting mad and yelling at them won't solve anything.  Remember there are worse things in this world besides a child gagging over medicine.

M.O.T.Y. Award Goes To....

...to me.  Thank you. Thank you.  I would like to accept this award on behalf of all the other Mom's out there that are not perfect at being a Mom and make mistakes just like I do.

This week has been a very emotional and trying week for me.  My week started off by finding out Caleb had a Staph Infection again.  He apparently got it from the daycare again.  My boss has been up my butt about the auditors.  Auditor up my butt wanting all the paperwork so we can finish with the audit.  Then this morning I topped my week off just perfectly.  I shut the house door going into the garage on Caleb's fingers. See I do deserve the M.O.T.Y (Mother of the Year) Award after all....not.

We were having a fine morning.  No issues no problems.  We are leaving the house and Caleb told me he would turn the light on in the garage.  The switch he can reach just fine.  So I said ok and started closing the door.  At the same time I close the door, Caleb pushes the garage door button.  For him to reach that, he has to hold onto the door frame to stable himself while he stands on his tiptoes to reach the button.  Then, wham.  I caught his fingers.  Needless to say, I feel like sh*t. I am thankful that my company is understanding because I ended up late for work.

The other day I was just going through the emotion of feeling like I failed as a Mom.  If I didn't work, Caleb wouldn't have a Staph Infection again or he wouldn't get hurt like he has twice now in the past month.  Then, this morning happened.

I know realistically I don't fail as a Mom.  Caleb is happy and healthy.  I take immediate action when he gets hurt or doesn't feel good.  I keep him well dressed and he is growing just fine.  But there are times, I can't help but feel like I am a horrible Mom.

One day, I will be able to look back and laugh at all that I have been through.  And realized it just made me a stronger and better Mom because I learn from my mistakes.  In the meanwhile, I just have to suck it up, take one day at a time and realize sh*t happens.