Light Sleeper

The fat cat just knocked the t.v. remote out of the entertainment center onto the floor and woke up my light sleeper. Aarrgghh!

Same said fat cat almost knocked down the brand new high definition t.v. with her fat a$$ too! Hubby, you may want to secure that thing as this is not the first time she's done that this week.

Isn't your second child supposed to sleep heavier than the first? Not Miss Sophia! If Annabelle wakes up crying, I expect to hear Sophia crying within minutes.

And guess who is the heavy sleeper in the family? Clue: It is NOT me!


"_ _ _ _, you just don't understand. I've never been this tired in my entire life." Hubby's famous quote that I hope to never forget stated after our first night home with Annabelle. He was responsible for washing the breast pump supplies. I was responsible for nursing and/or pumping every 2.5 to 3 hours for 45-60 minute feedings. Thank goodness my second child is a fast eater! It is no wonder I was much more exhausted when Annabelle was a baby (versus Sophia).

He is going to kill me for sharing that with everyone. But, hey, it is my blog, and I don't ever want to forget that comment! It is just too funny! I did finally learn that hubby is much more helpful when he gets a good night's sleep though. This is why I handle all of the nighttime wakings (unless, of course, Annabelle has wet the bed). That and because he has to go to work everyday (for pay).


Aarrgghhh again! The darn mantel clock that has been haunting us since we got married just woke up Sophia again with its midnight dinging. Hubby, please discontinue battery replacement in that thing!

Oddly enough, I think I may cry when it gets tossed. It just brings back too many fond memories. Like our first night home from our honeymoon in our new apartment. We couldn't sleep through it either! Okay, I couldn't sleep through it! And then when people spend the night on a rare occasion, they cannot sleep through it either. We are so used to hearing it now that we don't even notice it any more. Memories!

Sophia was back to sleep within seconds, fortunately! She just wanted to let me know that it had woken her up.

Multi-tasking

I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking skills. I now consider them my biggest enemy. Oddly I just mentioned to hubby last week that I think our house falls apart quickly when I multi-task because I never completely finish what I originally started.

As a result, it seems that dirty clothes find their way into every single room of our house, stained clothes don't get treated until I finally decide to wash that particular color, toys and books are scattered everywhere, the dishes never seem to be completely put away, and the list goes on and on.

Then I was reading up on flylady.net this evening and realized that I just may be onto something. This is what she had to say in her Holiday Control Journal:

"The secret to helping this work for you is to quit trying to multi-task. We pride ourselves on being able to do two things at once, but the truth of the matter is that something always gets left undone. So you have all of these unfinished projects all around your home piling guilt on your head."

It always seems that Sophia manages to have an explosive poopy diaper just as we are about to walk out the door or just as I have sat down to read to the girls or play a board game with Annabelle. As a result, the outfit gets tossed aside in hopes of being treated later. But then it is often too late as set stains are harder to remove.

That is just one example of not completing a task because I'm trying to do too many things at once. If I would just complete the task that took priority initially, my life could eventually start running a little smoother.

Tonight I'm praying that God will give me the wisdom to better prioritize and complete tasks immediately to restore a little peace in this place we call home.

Patience

This is NOT my strongest virtue. In all honesty, I am very much lacking in this department. I'm not quite sure when it happened. Well, I have somewhat of an idea. I started losing my patience with Annabelle around her 2nd birthday. Up until then, I was actually quite calm and very laid back with her. I honestly think it had something to do with hubby traveling every week back then in the fall of 2008 and Annabelle's clinginess to me and the fact that she turned 2 amidst all of his traveling. She wanted me to do everything, and I had a harder time telling her no since hubby was only around on the weekends with him typically leaving again on Sundays before dinner.

And then I got pregnant. And I was feeling horrible. And yet again, hubby had to travel during the peak of my morning sickness. Yet again, my patience was very much lacking with this high energy, non-stop talking drama queen of mine.

And then came Sophia. I've tried so hard to be patient. And, fortunately, besides the first few weeks after Sophia's birth, hubby has not been traveling as much. (Hubby, with the birth of the next child, I strongly encourage you to wait at least 6weeks before traveling, if possible. Remember, the hormones are still raging dramatically up until then). Yes, I know, I just totally jinxed myself! But, my patience is still severely lacking. She just takes way too long to do anything!!! And she finds every possible way to annoy her Mommy because, well, that is what girls do to their mamas.

I just realized lately how often Annabelle says "I'm sorry Mommy" when she spills her drink or drops something on the floor or gets paint on her pretty dress. Perhaps I've been a little overbearing lately because I'm a bit overwhelmed myself and cannot find time for everything I feel I need or want to do. I'd like to think I'm just raising her up right. But, I can tell by the look in her eyes that she is just waiting for my response hopeful I want get upset or angry.

So last night I prayed. I prayed that God would remind me that most everything I fret over on a daily basis will not matter in 5, 10, 20 or even 50 years. What does matter? The respect I show my children. I impact their lives dramatically by my reactions because they are constantly watching me.

And, today, today was a great day! Despite our setbacks, the following was accomplished:

1. Grocery shopped (spent $17.59, but saved $31.80 (65%)!) Pigs, you've created a monster! But, you are still my cheapness idol. I still need to pick your brain for more grocery saving tips. Your $40/week grocery budget still intrigues me. How do you do it?
2. I made crock pot mac & cheese for a dinner party this evening.
3. Annabelle and I baked a homemade pound cake while Sophia napped.
4. I laughed with Annabelle when I normally would have found her behavior that much more annoying and she giggled even more.
5. Annabelle and I watched and cheered Sophia on while she progressed in her steps to crawling. She is now starting to push herself forward occasionally! She's been pushing herself backwards for awhile, but she is quickly learning how to move herself forward. Of course, she pushes herself forward with her knees, but then her arms fall underneath her and she plummets chin first to the ground.
6. Annabelle dressed Sophia up as a pumpkin, and I took their pictures.
7. We made it to the dinner party by 5:15 p.m., only 15 minutes late! Yes, I hate being late, but it seems inevitable for me, especially considering hubby was out of town this weekend and the pound cake had just finished baking at 4:35 p.m., it needed to cool for 10 minutes before I could dump it from the pan and then cut it into pretty slices, and at 4:45 p.m., I had to nurse Sophia again. Excuses, excuses, I know!
8. After the dinner party, we stopped by Kroger for me to grab their list of participating items for their Mega Event Sale because I received a rain check on a few items, and I needed the list to show to the cashier in the next 30 days to claim my 50 cents off each item if I purchase 10 participating items. Blah, blah, blah, you'll understand if you start couponing by the book!
9. Trip to Target after Kroger to get another rain check on my favorite Sterilite 70 quart clear boxes. It wasn't the best price I've seen, but I need to pack away some summer clothes for two cute kiddos I know.
10. Both girls in bed by 10:00 p.m. (old time). Okay, well, I don't think Annabelle actually got in bed until 10:30 p.m. (old time), but that is Annabelle for you!

In this next picture, Sophia tried to take Annabelle's lollipop from her. I captured the picture at the tail end of the action, but it was still pretty funny. Annabelle was laying on the floor originally, but then turned upright when Sophia grabbed her lollipop. "No! No! Sophia!," she exclaimed!

So this weekend I have learned that a little prayer goes a long way! Well, I guess I knew that, but it always seems so enlightening.

And I learned yet again not to judge others as you really have no clue what they may be experiencing behind closed doors. Instead, put your faith in the Lord. Wow! Maybe things are starting to click with me. A little Bible reading goes a long way!