They couldn’t even save themselves with their cuteness this time

Today, we became those parents. You know, the ones whose kids freak out and have a huge brat fest in the middle of the public place. Before today, we’d had one kid or the other act out for various reasons but today it was both.At the same time. In the aisle of the paint section. Today it was the child in the back of the cart who put the child in the front seat in a headlock because they were fighting over a paint brush. Seriously, let me get you another one. I know where I can find about 200 of them. RIGHT BEHIND YOU.  Both screamed and kicked, while all the customers looked on and probably judged us for having two brats and not even being able to control them, all while being knocked up, too! Lucky me!

This was probably the worst public tantrum they’ve ever had where we wouldn’t control them. GRRR. After a good verbal whoopin’ in the paint aisle of Lowes, I angrily sent off the girl for consolation from daddy (At this point, I was not speaking to her) while the boy decided to continue to rant and screamed until I yanked him out of the cart. I was tempted to leave the cart (um, with him in it) in the appliances section.

If you were at my local Lowe’s around 12:45 this afternoon, I apologize. I know they sell earplugs somewhere in that store, maybe aisle 20…?

Now that we’re home, they are both napping peacefully and they better be in a good mood when they wake up.

***

 

Babysitting

Here’s the scenario:

I am babysitting my friend’s daughter. She is about 9 months younger than my daughter, who will be four soon. I have some steadfast rules when it comes to eating and playing, namely that there will be no running around and playing while eating. Mealtimes are meant to be spent at the table, eating. Play time is when they can run around and be free. Also, I only offer one choice of food during mealtimes. I never cook different things for different children depending on their tastes. I just do not “do” picky eaters. If they don’t want it, they can eat later. Or never. It’s their choice, really. 

So, I prepare lunch and have them eat on their mini picnic table outside on the patio. Friend’s daughter is jumping up and down, ignoring her food which she states she does not like. Cheese quesadilla. What’s not to like, right? Anyways, I decide if she’s not going to sit down and eat, then I will take away her quesadilla and her milk. She has not eaten anything besides this and I’m sure she didn’t eat much this morning. Besides, I know a large pregnant woman who will GLADLY eat the leftover cheese quesadilla.

Question: Because it is not my child and I am being paid to watch her, do I cave and give her something else that she will eat, or do I stand by my rules and hope she will eat later when another snack is offered? At this rate, it looks like she will have not eaten one thing while at my house.

I try to treat my friend’s children the same as my children. We are a pretty close knit group and spend a lot of time together and the general consensus is that any of us is allowed to discipline one of the children if need be. However, is this situation different because I am being paid to watch this child?  I guess it just feels more complicated because I am being paid to watch her as opposed to just having her over for a playdate.

Anyways, I’m sure it’s not a big deal. I am just curious as to what others do/would do in this situation. I don’t consider myself a completely strict discplinarian but I do have certain rules and manners I try to instill in my children and naturally I apply these to the kids that are in my care as well. 

 

Passing on the neuroses

I have to make the beds everyday. I know that some people think “why bother, I’m just going to get in it again and mess it up”.  Here’s the weird thing about me - Even when I’m sleeping, I have to make sure the comforter and sheet are smooth. Basically, I like to sleep in a made bed. Sometimes I make the bed while my husband is still sleeping in it. That way, he can just wake up, flip the covers over and then flip them back in place. Voila, right? That’s not strange, is it? Am I alone on this? Hello? Anyone?

I hate the sight of a messy, unmade bed, although I did read an article about dust mites and how it is sometimes good to leave a bed unmade so that the sheets and mattress have room to breathe. Dust mites. BLEEH. When I pass a room and peek in, I don’t like to see anything out of place. The beds should be made, the blinds should be straight and the toys should be put away or lined up. Now, I am not white glove clean, but it drives me crazy if things are not at least somewhat tidy.

The other day, I went into my daughter’s room and noticed she had successfully attempted to make her own bed. I didn’t even have to ask her to do it.  I can’t tell you how proud that made me. Forget learning how to read, my kid can make her own bed!

 

 

Nothing to do, so I ramble

Both kids are down for their naps. I know I should nap but I don’t really feel like it. Actually, I don’t feel like doing anything. I don’t want to cook, I don’t want to clean, I don’t want to nap. I think I’ve entered that stage of pregnancy where I am just eager to get to the end. This pregnancy has been much more difficult than my previous two. I am already aching and tired. I have horrible acid indigestion. My pants are getting tighter by the day. The pants part disturbs me only because um, they are sweat pants.

I wonder about this baby. I wonder how he/she will be accepted by my two children. I already feel like I give more attention to my older girl than the boy. He’s had such the second child shaft. Luckily, he’s a relatively easy going and happy kid, so he probably doesn’t even notice. Also, I’m a middle child and I turned out fine. Heh. Sure…

We’ve been contemplating when to start preschool for E. She turns 4 this fall and I know she’s ready and could use some time outside the house with other children. I’m just not sure if I’m ready. I feel like I just got the opportunity to quit my job and spend these formative years with them. I know preschool is only 3 hours a day, twice a week but just the thought that she’d be away from me for that time makes me a little sad. Now, I’m sure I’ll feel differently when I have three kids to worry about day in and day out, but right now I like having her home with me. She’s like my little assistant - she gets the diapers when it’s time to change O, loves to help me in the kitchen and just keeps me company with her constant chatter and laughter. Also, the kids play really well together most of the time so it allows me to just sit back and relax once in a while.

However, on the flip side I do see the need to spend some quality alone time with O. Once in a while he’ll wake up from his nap earlier than his sister and so we get some quiet time to ourselves. I sit back and observe how much he enjoys just having my full atention on him rather than sharing the spotlight with his sister. I don’t think he really minds because he just adores his big sister, but it nice to have that bonding time without someone else jostling for my attention. He is definitely the less jealous of the two… so far.

 

 

Hello again

*Ahem*

Hello. It’s been so long I had to blow the dust off this blog, good lord!

For a while, I’ve been debating whether or not to continue this blog or just leave it be. I’m not sure what possessed me to log in (once I remembered my password - heh) but here I am. A lot has happened in my life since the last time I posted. Where to start, where to start. I suppose I shall write a list. Lists are my new favorite thing these days - grocery lists, cleaning lists, cooking lists. Wow, could I sound more like June Cleaver Kim or what.

Ok, here goes

* My MIL was with us again for five months but left in the beginning of April. I am almost rid of the pas/menthol and kimchi smell. Almost.

* When she left, I quit my job of 7 years to stay home with my kids. My husband and I were pretty much up sh*t creek with finding new childcare and we couldn’t afford a daycare center for two kids.  So here I am, at home with my children and enjoying every moment. Oh, and before this, he was a SAHD for about a year.

* My husband got a new job. It doesn’t pay as much as his previous job, so we’re a little tighter with finances esp since I stopped working. But we’re very happy. Funny how that happens.

* I’m pregnant with our third child. We’re going blind on this one and didn’t find out the gender at the ultrasound. How very patient of me. I forgot just how stressful it is to be pregnant. The tests, the aches, pains and the peeing. For the love, the PEEING. Seriously.

Anyways, I guess this is just a general update as to what’s been going on with me. I am so out of the loop with everything. I still read my favorites but not very regularly. A lot has changed in blog world it seems. I have been noticing the increasing attention being paid to blogs in the media, which is pretty cool.

Ok, I have no point and no way to cleanly end this post, so this is it for now.

Peace.