After the baby is born you feel sleep deprived, scatter brained, and very forgetful.  I guess for some of us, this continues throughout their childhood.  The joke in my house, “Is it a cheese in the freezer kind of day?”.  I have been known to put food items in weird places.  An old friend used to say, “a few more brain cells are lost after each child so you can handle all the kids” (she had 5 by the age of 27).

Breastfeeding is one of those things that can feel like taking the SAT test all over again.  When was the last time the baby ate?  Is that why the baby is crying?  What side am I supposed to start on this time?  At 2am it’s even worse!  Imagine taking the SAT without any sleep the night before.  If you are pregnant with your first, please don’t be too scared.  Somehow you make it through.  Then, you think about having another one.

I found this product that is a DOH! moment.  It is so simple and yet so practical.  It is a nursing bracelet.  There is a detachable charm which you move to keep track of the time of feedings.  Also, if you are like me and can’t ever remember which side to start on, you can switch wrists to remind you.

Click on any picture.  It will take you to the different sites where you can purchase these smart beauties.

If you are anything like me, I wonder about the lives of other mothers. Do they also get grossed out when they are in public and hear the words “I need to go potty, mommy”?  If they wonder whether they are too clingy or not responsible enough? Recently, I came across Daphne, the creator of Cool Mom.  She is the average mom doing the best she can with a humoruos twist.  She maintains a blog as well as a vlog.  Go over to Cool Mom and meet her, then subscribe to her feed for some daily smiles and laughs.

I caught the first half of Oprah today.  I know, I know, sounds like the typical housewife huh?  Jenny McCarthy was on talking about her new book, Mother Warriors.  She introduced us to Monica.  After going through a painful divorce, she never thought she would find love again.  In walks Tony, they date and become engaged.  Monica gives birth to their daughter, Monica’s second baby.  She also had a then 9 year old.  After giving birth, she somehow obtained a flesh eating bacteria.  She lost some of her organs and eventually both legs and arms.  This is the most inspiring woman!  She never had a pity party, and never whined.  She began rehab and said she wanted to double whatever time they required.  Instead of 2 hours, she worked for 4 hours.  She just wanted to get back to her girls and fiancé.  While in the hospital going through her 37 surgeries and 4 months of rehab, she and Tony got married.  In a blue gown, in her hospital bed next to him, they said their vows.  She has learned to care for her girls, husband, and run the household with no arms and legs.  You really need to read the rest of the story!  She is certainly one of the most inspiring mothers I have ever come across!

We all dream of having extra time.  i have already started day dreaming just after writing that sentence.  My friend over at The Integrated Mother is having a magnificant giveaway.  To give us more time, we have to be organized.  Just think if you did have to hunt for your keys in the morning, or those shoes that always pick you up on a bad hair day.  Plus, we all know preggo brain and how our brain conviently forgets more than we can keep up with.  How would you spend your time if you had an extra hour a day?  Go over to The Integrated Mother and let her know for chances to win.

This has been one of those crazy weeks that leave you doubting your sanity and ability to juggle all the balls at the same time.  I had some extra kids, trying new parenting techniques from Love and Logic, and just the usual busy we have going on with 3 young ones (the oldest is getting ready for kindergarten!), a business, and a household (which reminds me, i really need to get my kitchen floor clean!  tomorrow??).  There have not been many moments to sit and breath.  Running with no headphones provides me those small moments of peace i am desperate for.  i went for my run yesterday morning as usual.  As i was chugging along (the joy of choosing a hilly route!)  All of a sudden i saw an older woman i would guess mid fifties running toward me.  She had short, just below the ears curly blond/gray hair.  She had on black spandex shorts with a turquoise tank and listening to some headphones (and in great shape i might add).  i can see her so clearly!  She looked at me with a big grin and enthusiastically said “You go girl!!”  This was no usual passing.  Usually i can see someone coming because i keep my eyes up looking at the landmarks.  i like to play mind games with myself so i don’t stop when it gets hard.  Usually i get a wave, a smile, or many times a quick hi.  After this woman passed my whole back began to tingle.  It started at the base of my spine and went all the way to the top of my head (all through my chakras if you believe in them).  In all of my experiences with the spiritual world, i have never before had this intense of a physical response.  i think i was just encouraged by an angel!

If you had a crying toddler for 3 days, would you go crazy? Ok, so maybe just raising a toddler can make you crazy. They are like mini teenagers with the “i do myself mommy!”, the screaming when they don’t get their way, and the forever struggle of picking up. On the upside, they still willingly give kisses and want to play with you. Sasha went crazy at the end of the 3 days.  The mommy said the baby was easy.  Easy??  The kid cried all the time ( or at least that’s how they portrayed him).  One night it took 3 hours of him crying before he passed out.  EKS!  i don’t blame her for breaking down (you know its a rough day when you have to lock yourself in the bathroom and there is no peeing). i am convinced all mommies have a great poop story or two, moments they lock themselves in a room, a little bit of guilt, and a heart bursting with love.

“It’s my party and I can cry if I want to, cry if I want to…” Didn’t you watch the birthday party and wish you were there too? Wasn’t it just sooo exciting you were jealous? My personal opinion, those two just need to head for the hills and not look back. Daton and Morgan should remain childless for a few more years. She didn’t even wipe the little one’s bottom after he had a dirty diaper. YIKES! i felt so bad for the little one!

Although Austin and Kelly got in some trouble by the nanny, i still think they would make a great couple and parents.

My favorite moment was when Isaiah was talking to Alicea about missing their mommies. i was incredibly touched! i wanted to crawl into the t.v and give him a big ol’ squeeze. He reminds me so much of my Chandlur, super sweet and sensitive, and very active. Toddlers can be so perceptive!

This is why we love our kids so much. Aside from the craziness of it all, they can be so amazing our hearts just melt.  What do your kids do that just make you mush?

Here’s the 2 minute recap……..

They sure are angels when they sleep!  As i type this my little man (aka Roo Roo or formally Vahn) is peacefully sleeping.  Who cares you say?  weeelll as any committed mommy knows the joy of caring for these little people can be rewarding and some days, not so much.  Today was a not so much day.  We had eaten lunch and went to the playground down the way.  Vahn was very clingy and wanted “nuggles mommy, nuggles”.  i was holding him for a few minutes and behold the love of only a mother!  i even had vomit down my bra!!  Now that’s a great picture i know!  i yelled at my other kids “We have to leave, we have to leave! Vahn just got sick!  Let’s go!!  We will get your scooters and bikes later! Let’s go!”  Thankfully we live right next door to the park.  We pretty much run home and i get the both of us cleaned up.  Now, how am i going to get the playground clean (it’s that black soft top stuff)??  Deep breath.  We are snuggling on the couch and i tell the other kids to go get the bikes and scooters.  Thankfully i have great children and they actually listen and do as asked.  All of a sudden……here comes round two!!  It was worse than round one.  i frantically call my hubby who works just down the street and tell him to come home early for lunch.  After round two i cleaned him, me, the blanket, the carpet, and the dining room floor.  While this is going on my wonderful hubby comes home, takes a watering can with cleaning solution in it, paper towels, and Clorox wipes and marches over to the playground.  Now he is peacefully sleeping on the couch for naptime in case i have to make a run for it.

I am convinced every mom has some great puke stories!  i know i sure have some good ones up my sleeve….