Mommas Are Never Alone, and That's the Truth!

It's safe for me to say that today has been a pretty ordinary day for a mother of two under/at two. If you're not a mom or caretaker of little ones, you may not be able to relate as much, but for those who are, I know you've been down this road before: using the bathroom --- with everyone crammed in with you.

I texted my husband after this morning's eventful bathroom experience and reminded him to enjoy every peaceful bathroom moment he had today, because mine are never peaceful. Or private. Unless I fasten my two-year-old into her booster seat, stick my nine-month-old into his exersaucer, turn Mickey on, and keep the door cracked from the side hallway, so I can make sure no one tries to jump/climb out. Although if they did, what would I do? Stop myself from going to the bathroom and run out to grab them? Probably not. I'd probably just let them continue, unless it got really dangerous (I think).  Anyway, even in this ideal situation, I'm still not having peaceful, private time, as the door is half open and both kids may or may not be yelling my name. On repeat. 

However, there are times in my life that using the bathroom was a me time and I know that one day it will be again. So I'm not at a loss. In fact, I'm sure that when the day comes when I do get to use the bathroom on my own, I will miss my littles and their constant intrusions. It'll be kinda lonely, I suppose.

Today's bathroom visit not only had my nine-month-old trying to crawl through the door that my two-year-old was trying to shut on him, but my three-year-old Lab insisted on joining in the mix. 

(Note: we were in our powder room downstairs, not the full master bath. Think tight, small spaces). 

I think my cat was the only one giving me some space. She's a cat, though: she understands the need for space. As I was feeling slightly overwhelmed at the whole scene, I realized how utterly hysterical it all was. Babies yelling at each other and at the dog, yelling at me for help, watching me as I finished up, and making honest toddler comments like, "Eww! Yucky!". So I just started to laugh. And, document with my camera phone. What else can we do but laugh and take pictures, right? 

** I apologize for the poor quality of photography; I was multitasking and couldn't focus on lighting and camera angles. 

Mommas, next time this happens to you, don't despair. Be grateful. How blessed are we that we have someone to share our bathroom time with? I can't imagine having it any other way. Except with more babies and dogs piling on in. 

Have a blessed day!

xoxo,

Back to School

Well friends, it has been a month and a half since my last post. And yes, we're still TTC. No luck yet but we're hanging in there. I'm not going to lie - we weren't as "on task" during the past month because as a teacher, the month of September is absolutely draining! We also had a hurricane at the end of August (yes - a hurricane in Richmond, Virginia!) which really upset the start of the school year. And on top of that, we got our puppy during this time, which made things even crazier! But as the fall is starting to settle in, I can see the calm in sight. 

Now as I wait to be a real mommy, let me tell you about being a doggy mommy. As you know from my my earlier posts, I had been greatly anticipating this role. I had no idea how much energy, patience, and time it would really take. When I was warned by my stepmother that having a dog is a little bit like having a child, I didn't realize how true that was! Dean, our pups, cannot be left alone for one second or we will be very sorry!    The pillows may be in shreds or we may be cleaning up his "accidents" on the carpet...and of course, this still happens even when we do have our eyes on him. Trey and I take turns on whose night it is to take care of Dean. Until he is about 16 weeks, he has to go to the bathroom twice during the night - but fortunately he quickly goes "potty" and then we can put him back in his crate and go back to sleep. But it is definitely a new responsibility that takes getting used to (and one that will break us in for when we have a crying baby during the night who needs to be fed and changed). 

Dean's favorite "snooze" spot - over the AC vent

Our sweet boy

Dean is the most beautiful puppy I have ever seen. He is a sweetheart too, as he loves to curl up on our laps and take his naps. We have much to teach him and already have him signed up for "Puppy Education" courses starting October 9th. It is cute to see how worried Trey gets over the little things with Dean, and confirms what an amazing and caring father he will be to his children. Trey took Dean to the vet today and we found out he now weighs 23 lbs (he was 9 lbs when we got him 4 weeks ago) and he is healthy. Parents always want to hear that. 

Our amazing family: Dean, Trey, Lizzie, Imogen

In addition to being Dean's mom, I have also taken on the responsibility of 20 other children during the last four weeks. My fifth grade class keeps me uber-busy as I spend every extra moment that I'm not teaching planning fun, engaging lessons, grading papers, calling parents with positive comments, attending meetings, and planning more lessons. I am so exhausted, but pleased as well. I have an amazing class this year with extremely polite, motivated, and responsible students. Last year was a tough year with my first class, but I have high hopes for this group of kids. For the first time since I finished my student teaching, I really love teaching again. 


Until next time, I'm still your madre in waiting. 


xo,

Doggy Momma

Three days ago on July 14, 2011, our puppy was born! Unfortunately, we were not there to see it, and we actually have to wait several more weeks until we are allowed to visit. Trey and I have been anticipating the arrival of this puppy since the middle of February, which I recently realized has been like waiting for the arrival of a human baby - without the whole pregnancy bit. 

So here's the story behind our puppy...

Trey has always been a lover of dogs.

Trey and his family's golden retriever, Cohen

I, as you may have noticed, am a cat person. Imogen is my sweet baby girl and the love of my life (besides Trey, of course). I got my first cat when I was in elementary school, as a reward for reaching my Accelerated Reader goal. My mom provided great motivation, right? Since then, I've had a couple cats (R.I.P. Morgan - my sweet baby boy, before Imogen). I have a true connection with them and love their presence. 



Fortunately, Trey has grown to love Imogen (and cats) as well, even though he grew up with only dogs. He has been such a wonderful cat daddy to her, so I knew when we got married that I would need to cater to his desire to have a pup. Don't get me wrong, I love all animals. I just don't like being slobbered on...or being knocked over when I walk in the door...or listening to really loud barking in my house. I guess I'm my own little princess (like Imogen) in that way. I know you're thinking, "This girl is crazy! She's getting a dog and she doesn't like all the things that dogs do!", but I know that once I have this dog of my own to take care of and protect, I will care for him no matter what. And hopefully he will be the most wonderful dog in the world, who with proper training, will not slobber excessively, knock me over when I walk in the door, or bark loudly every time a person walks by our house. (I have high expectations). 

Moving on with the story...we moved into our home this past January and about a month later, Trey began talking about getting a pup. Naturally, he had been talking about it since we got married, but we both agreed that having a dog in our small, two-bedroom apartment would have been miserable (plus we'd be breaking the rules). We decided on a male yellow lab (I've always thought they are beautiful and usually well-behaved: a must for me!) and Trey began his research of breeders. He found one that we both agreed on and who was expecting the lady pup to go into heat at any time (this was February). Every week after we made our decision, we would check in to see the progress. It wasn't until May that she finally went into heat (delaying our plan a bit) and got pregnant with her baby pups. So as you can see, we have been patiently awaiting the arrival of our puppy for quite awhile. 

The cutest lab puppies!

All we know as of now is that he was born three days ago - and we are hoping for pictures soon. We know he will be absolutely adorable (aren't all puppies?) and it kills us having to wait about eight weeks till we can take him home. However, we are busy getting ourselves ready for his arrival (just like with a baby), with the biggest project being the building of a fence in the backyard. So, yes, there is lots to do!


I am very much ready to be a doggy mom and know this will prepare me to be a real mom, as I continue to be a madre in waiting.

xo,