Before and After

Come this October I will have worked with kids for fifteen years! Yes, I have never had a job not working with kids..ever! With all that experience under my belt I can honestly say that I am still caught off guard many times now that I am a mom. Before I had Abby I worked at (and now still do) a preschool. Before that I was a nanny and before that I worked at a daycare center. I am so greatful that I had all these jobs because I really do feel like they gave me a small glimpse into the world of parenting, especially of things not to do! I will say though that I now find myself laughing at the things I said I would never do as a parent, and some of the things I have actually stuck to. Before Abby: - I will never let my kids sleep in bed with me After Abby: - I do try to limit this, but I actually like when she sleeps with me! She doesnt snore, and during these crazy Texas storms I really feel better with her right next to me. Before Abby: -I will never spank my kids After Abby: -Still a pretty firm believer in this one, however, I have had to spank her three times. Yes, I can count on one hand how many times, and I am ok with that. Every time I have had to has been because she did something that was very unsafe and I really wanted her to know I was serious ( like sneaking out the back door and trying to open the lid to the hot tub) Before Abby: -I will never give my kids fast food After Abby: - This could go either way. I dont think pizza is "fast food", but we could probably cut back on it a bit. I am happy to say that she has never had Mcdonalds, Wendys, or anything of that sort and I hope that she doesnt for a really long time! Before Abby: -I will never let me kids watch TV After Abby: - HA!!! Well, I will say we went almost the whole first year of her life with no TV to watch, so that was not an issue, and even after we got it, she was never really into it until she was almost two. There are days now that I know she watches it way to much, but its not hurting her and I am not using it as a babysitter because I am sitting on the couch right next to her. Before Abby: -I will never let my kids use a public bathroom After Abby: -Ok, if you have known me longer than thirty seconds, you are well aware of my feelings and phobias of public restrooms. I seriously plan my water intake by my outings for the day. So, the thought of having to take a child in there, a child who likes to touch and explore everything just sends chills down my spine. I am ready to whip out the lysol right now just thinking about it. Obviously I have to take her to the restroom when we are out, and obviously I cringe the whole time, but I do let her use public bathrooms and so far have lived through it. Before Abby: - I used to to say I will never(fill in the blank) and I used to judge parents for doing things I believed to be "bad" for children After Abby: -I now see that being a mom is a game of survival and you have to do whats best for you and your child. God gave us our children for a reason, because you are the best mommy for that child and no one else could love your child they way you do. Even on the days where we are sitting on the couch eating pizza and watching the umpteenth episode of george, I know that I am doing a pretty good job at this whole parenting thing.

I'll admit it

So summer is here, and I'll admit that it's probably the most dreaded time of year for all stay at home moms. Well, except for "those" moms and we wont go there. I will admit that I was really looking forward to school being out because Abby and I were working/going to school five days a week the last two weeks of school, and we were beat. But now, looking ahead and knowing that we dont go back to school until after labor day, well thats stressing me out. I'll admit that I am a home body and it wouldnt phase me if I stayed in my house for a week straight...if I had no kids. This little red head mini me however is not so content being at home, crazy I know! I'll also admit that I am not really handling the 530am wake ups very well either. In fact, I am pretty sure that if it werent for my crack phentremine and spark, I would not not make it through the day, or even noon. I will also let you know that I am judging you when you tell me that your kids are sleeping till 9 or later, because now you have become one of "those" moms. On top of it being hotter than the fifth ring of hell here, summer also stinks because thats Daves busy time, which means I have no me time, like ever. I will admit that I do, on occasion, bribe my daughter with a treat so that I can have a little alone time to do things like go to the bathroom...by myself, or shower alone, just little things like that can make my day brighter. I will admit, that on days when Dave is working really late and I am really lazy, we watch George more than we should. I have on occasion felt like I am having a love affair with the man in the yellow hat, but who hasnt? I will also admit that my alcohol intake has probably been increasing,slightly, but I have to stay hydrated when on the treadmill...its hot here, remember? And while living in Texas does have its perks,like riding around on our horses with our guns and cowboy hats, I will admit that I could think of a hundred other places I would like to be right now. O summer, how I wish you would quit comin around!

O The Things She Says...

...and she says them so well. I have always had people tell me what a wonderful vocabulary Abby has and I have been writting a lot of these things down in a journal for her too because some of this sstuff is too cute and I dont want to forget it. It really cracks me up when she gets going on something and I just look at her in amazement because I cant believe this is coming from my 2 year old. Abby and her thoughts on God: I played with God yesterday God was holding me and he was wearing a skirt I played with Jesus and he is my friend and he colored with me God and Jesus were in my room last night and they held me when I was sleeping God made me so cute Thoughts on her family- I only have one daddy like you, mommy you only have one daddy My brother and sister are at the store getting ice cream for me Do I have a brother and a sister My brother and sister are outside iknocking at the door My brother and sister are in the garage because they got in trouble Do you have one daddy too like me Mommy you are not listening, can you go to time out please I live on P***** Dr in ****, Texas Mommys phone number is 9**** *as a side note, no abby does not have any brothers or sisters and no we do not loc kids in the garage when they are bad* Abby on the phone- Hello? Yes, I am home, you want to play with me I am calling Ms (Pam,Amy,Tonya...)they are not home though I cant go to bed, I am making a call and checking my emails Randomness- First we are going to our big pool, then we will go to the little pool and then we will get a popsicle Mommy there is applesauce on the floor (in the grocery store)...daddy will clean it?Mommy you Lucky is our dog.Mommy, you dont like dogs? Mommy, you crack me up There are like two fans in my house I truly love this age and feel like I have my own personal comedian living with me on a daily basis ( with a side of drama). God has blessed us beyond what we desereve with Abby and I will forever be grateful