Day 7 – Skip
Day 8 – If you had to teach something, what would you teach? I’ve often thought of how sweet it would be to be a school teacher and have the summer off but I’ve never once imagined myself teaching children. I couldn’t handle more than 10-12 kids. I probably wouldn’t want to teach adults either. I have a very low tolerance of stupid people. I can’t stand going into a training session and needing to deal with that person who tries to enter URL’s into google.
Day 9 – What is the most important lesson you learned from your own Mother? Honesty, I suppose. My mother is a very honest person (to a fault) and always put a great emphasis on being honest. I may be a rule bender now but I can’t lie without feeling extremely guilty.
Day 10 – Skip
Day 11 – In what ways does being a 2-mom family impact your experience of parenting? So far I don’t think it’s impacted our parenting at all. I feel like we’re exactly the same as a heterosexual family. I don’t think we’re going to feel the impact until Sadie is old enough to understand that her family is different.
Day 12 – Tell us about the first time you got drunk. On my 19th birthday (legal drinking age in Ontario, Canada) I went out with friends to a restaurant that was known for extremely large cocktails. The one I ordered came in a fish bowl and my friend’s came in a flower vase. I was so scared I was going to be sick after finishing the drink that I made myself throw it up. Smart, right? I can be tempted by fancy cocktails occasionally but I’m usually too cheap to pay for them. I’ve never had a glass of wine or even a taste of beer. I don’t feel I’m missing out on anything.
Day 13 – Best Job/Worst Job – My Best job was working as a camp counsellor. I absolutely loved camp and looked forward to it all year long. I spent 11 years at the same camp between working, volunteering and being a camper myself. My “worst job” was at a fast food mc “burger joint”. I started out as a part time employee while still in school and after 6 months was offered an Assistant Manager position (Corporate, not Franchise). I loved the job literally as much as I hated it. I say that because the people I worked with, the kids I managed, were great. The company treated its employees well (overnight retreats, big parties, good compensation and vacation) but it was the customers that SUCKED. We were treated horribly, constantly and there was always the big "threat" of complaints to head office (I'd gladly give out my business card so they could reference my name). I don’t know why but people felt so entitled when they came into our restaurant, but they did.
Anyway, I quit after a little over 1 year in the position. I’d had my limit of calling police over fighting, homeless sex in the wheelchair washroom (referred to as bum sex but that confuses people haha), scam artists lying about food they never purchased and demanding refunds and the cleaning up of vomit. On my very last shift my first phone call of the morning was the Police Department calling about “the robbery at our restaurant” the night before. I was sooooo happy to get out of there. Sooooo happy.
JDZ: Two Moms, One Toddler
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Chaos
Last night Sadie and I went to a potluck dinner with my “Mommy Group”. It was chaos enough to make me laugh about what I had written about being one and done. There were four sets of sibs (4 & 2, 4 & 20 Months, 5 & 3 and 3 & 5 months) and one other only child who was the same age as Sadie. The theme of the night was hitting, fighting, tattling, screaming and crying. The other moms were all losing their cool on the kids and I was sitting back thinking “OMG...this really sucks, get me out of here”. Sadie was far from innocent in the toddler melee. She was at the centre of it and most often the cause as the other 17 month old (2 days older) was quiet and cautious.
Sadie is “active". Actually, she is very active and is way more active than any other toddler in her Little Gym class. She was even outshining some of the older kids with her gross motor skills last night (showing off by climbing on things and standing up). It’s exhausting and I don’t want to end up one of those moms who has the kid that everyone knows is a troublemaker. In her defence, her behaviour is that way because she gets really excited around other kids, I think.
I don't know, should we start to worry that she is overactive? Or is this just toddler hood? Should I mention it to her doctor? I mean, I do have a history of ADHD. I was a wild child.
Don’t get me wrong, Sadie is PERFECT and I see nothing wrong with her personally. I’d rather her be this way than a kid that cries all the time and has no confidence. The thing is that I do see how other people react to her and I hear their comments, “is she always like this?”, “is she like this at home?”… lovely. They’re laughing and think she’s adorable but I don’t want her to be known as Sadie “the hyper kid”. KWIM? I know they're secretly happy their toddler isn't as craazy.
Am I overreacting? Is this totally normal?
Sadie is “active". Actually, she is very active and is way more active than any other toddler in her Little Gym class. She was even outshining some of the older kids with her gross motor skills last night (showing off by climbing on things and standing up). It’s exhausting and I don’t want to end up one of those moms who has the kid that everyone knows is a troublemaker. In her defence, her behaviour is that way because she gets really excited around other kids, I think.
I don't know, should we start to worry that she is overactive? Or is this just toddler hood? Should I mention it to her doctor? I mean, I do have a history of ADHD. I was a wild child.
Don’t get me wrong, Sadie is PERFECT and I see nothing wrong with her personally. I’d rather her be this way than a kid that cries all the time and has no confidence. The thing is that I do see how other people react to her and I hear their comments, “is she always like this?”, “is she like this at home?”… lovely. They’re laughing and think she’s adorable but I don’t want her to be known as Sadie “the hyper kid”. KWIM? I know they're secretly happy their toddler isn't as craazy.
Am I overreacting? Is this totally normal?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Taking a break....
I’m going to take a break from the “non-challenge” to write about something else that has been on our minds lately. Basically we’ve been talking a lot about being “one and done”, Sadie as an only child. Crazy, right? I’d come to the TTC table saying 3 but no less than 2 and now we’re seriously thinking that we’re happy just the way we are.
I don’t know what to do. I’m feeling a lot of pressure to perform this time. I feel pressure that we need to “get this done” by a certain time so that our kids are X number of years apart or before I’m 35 (because I did a shit poor job of getting pregnant before 30). I worry about going through another high risk pregnancy or not being able to get pregnant. I feel like we’re just getting our lives back and I’m not only talking about being over the pregnancy and newborn stages. I’m also talking about the void of September 2007-April 2009 when we existed only to TTC. Right now I don’t feel at a loss not having a second but I know that when we start trying again it will be all consuming just like the first…. and if it doesn’t work… will I be broken forever? Will it ruin the good that we already have? Can’t I just enjoy Sadie and do this again in 10 years?
We’ve agreed not to talk about it again until October but it will be on my mind constantly, I know it will be.
I don’t know what to do. I’m feeling a lot of pressure to perform this time. I feel pressure that we need to “get this done” by a certain time so that our kids are X number of years apart or before I’m 35 (because I did a shit poor job of getting pregnant before 30). I worry about going through another high risk pregnancy or not being able to get pregnant. I feel like we’re just getting our lives back and I’m not only talking about being over the pregnancy and newborn stages. I’m also talking about the void of September 2007-April 2009 when we existed only to TTC. Right now I don’t feel at a loss not having a second but I know that when we start trying again it will be all consuming just like the first…. and if it doesn’t work… will I be broken forever? Will it ruin the good that we already have? Can’t I just enjoy Sadie and do this again in 10 years?
We’ve agreed not to talk about it again until October but it will be on my mind constantly, I know it will be.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Day 6: Something New
My something new is actually a something old that will be new again in 96 days – FLYING.
It’s been approximately 9409 days since my last flight and during that time I have endured endless criticism from people who (mostly) have no idea what it’s like to have a fear that is so strong that it prevents them from experiencing life. We’re not flying because someone has “finally” convinced me. We’re not flying because “driving with a baby would be crazy”. We’re flying because I feel like I’m ready. It’s like the time we took the BUS to Florida. After 36 hours there and 36 hours back I finally felt ready to get my drivers license. Now, after 16,840 km (10,464 Miles) of driving to Florida, I feel like flying.
We’ve had non-refundable tickets purchased for a while now and for the most part I’ve been OK. There was one small issue involving switching our seats closer to the emergency exit (for my peace of mind) but other than that I’m feeling pretty good about our decision (not that I have a choice now).
Choices I did have:
1) I only wanted to fly out of a Canadian Airport. It seriously would have been hundreds cheaper to fly out of New York State but for my “first” flight I wanted to be at home.
2) Sadie has her own seat and we’re using her Car Seat on the plane (this was important for my feeling of Safety for her).
3) We had to rearrange our dates a bit to avoid September 11th, our original arrival date.
This is going to be HUGE for me so I’m sure you’re going to hear about it on the blog as September gets closer and any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
It’s been approximately 9409 days since my last flight and during that time I have endured endless criticism from people who (mostly) have no idea what it’s like to have a fear that is so strong that it prevents them from experiencing life. We’re not flying because someone has “finally” convinced me. We’re not flying because “driving with a baby would be crazy”. We’re flying because I feel like I’m ready. It’s like the time we took the BUS to Florida. After 36 hours there and 36 hours back I finally felt ready to get my drivers license. Now, after 16,840 km (10,464 Miles) of driving to Florida, I feel like flying. We’ve had non-refundable tickets purchased for a while now and for the most part I’ve been OK. There was one small issue involving switching our seats closer to the emergency exit (for my peace of mind) but other than that I’m feeling pretty good about our decision (not that I have a choice now).
Choices I did have:
1) I only wanted to fly out of a Canadian Airport. It seriously would have been hundreds cheaper to fly out of New York State but for my “first” flight I wanted to be at home.
2) Sadie has her own seat and we’re using her Car Seat on the plane (this was important for my feeling of Safety for her).
3) We had to rearrange our dates a bit to avoid September 11th, our original arrival date.
This is going to be HUGE for me so I’m sure you’re going to hear about it on the blog as September gets closer and any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Day 5: Birthdays
What do I like to do on my birthday?
Tough question. I am sooooo in the doghouse for D's birthday this year and I'm going to get in trouble for this.
I'm not a fan of Birthday celebrations and D loves them. Her Birthday is in the dead of winter and mine is in the middle of spring. This has resulted in several great birthdays for me (Walt Disney World, NYC, Disney Cruise, Miami, Montreal) because my Birthday is during a great week to travel (IMO). D is generally furious that I won't fly so we can go away for hers and I've done a great job of screwing it up year after year.
The reason I'm in trouble this year:
5 years ago when I didn't take D to Las Vegas for her 30th Birthday (we went to NYC) I promised her we'd go for her 35th.
We didn't...
.....and I went to bed before we had cake so she ate it alone.
Yes, I'm a terrible wife. Terrible.
Next year we're thinking about going to Puerto Rico so hopefully she can get an awesome birthday away. Your 36th Birthday is exciting too, right?
For Sadie, I'm looking forward to when she has her own little friends and then we'll do big friend parties where we'll present her with Pink Hummer Power Wheels. It's going to be awesome! I'm already planning her Bat Mitzvah, Quinceañera and SUPER Sweet Sixteen parties. (;
On the topic of celebrations, remember my "friends" baby shower where my "friends" all gave lame ass excuses to not attend and shipped gifts instead?
If you watch Modern Family:
"Cam: There’s nothing gays hate more than when people
Both: treat us like women.
Cam: We’re not. We don’t wanna go to your baby shower; We don’t have a time of the month; We don’t love pink."
Oops. Maybe that's why they didn't come?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tough question. I am sooooo in the doghouse for D's birthday this year and I'm going to get in trouble for this.
I'm not a fan of Birthday celebrations and D loves them. Her Birthday is in the dead of winter and mine is in the middle of spring. This has resulted in several great birthdays for me (Walt Disney World, NYC, Disney Cruise, Miami, Montreal) because my Birthday is during a great week to travel (IMO). D is generally furious that I won't fly so we can go away for hers and I've done a great job of screwing it up year after year.
The reason I'm in trouble this year:
5 years ago when I didn't take D to Las Vegas for her 30th Birthday (we went to NYC) I promised her we'd go for her 35th.
We didn't...
.....and I went to bed before we had cake so she ate it alone.
Yes, I'm a terrible wife. Terrible.
Next year we're thinking about going to Puerto Rico so hopefully she can get an awesome birthday away. Your 36th Birthday is exciting too, right?
For Sadie, I'm looking forward to when she has her own little friends and then we'll do big friend parties where we'll present her with Pink Hummer Power Wheels. It's going to be awesome! I'm already planning her Bat Mitzvah, Quinceañera and SUPER Sweet Sixteen parties. (;
On the topic of celebrations, remember my "friends" baby shower where my "friends" all gave lame ass excuses to not attend and shipped gifts instead?
If you watch Modern Family:
"Cam: There’s nothing gays hate more than when people
Both: treat us like women.
Cam: We’re not. We don’t wanna go to your baby shower; We don’t have a time of the month; We don’t love pink."
Oops. Maybe that's why they didn't come?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Day 4: Most Surprising Thing about Parenthood
ETA: I wrote this yesterday before others started to post theirs and, well, don't hate me.
Most Surprising thing about Parenthood:
1) How well I can function in the middle of the night. Seriously.
There have only been a handful of times when I've thought "I can't do this". I've generally found that I can get up, function as if it were daylight, and then fall back to sleep immediately. Sadie is still waking up in the middle of the night so I'm glad I can cope so well.
ETA: I think the reason why sleep hasn't been as difficult is because Sadie was formula fed. I'm hoping that someone else who FF can jump in and agree? I remember people saying they were BF every 1.5 hours when Sadie was FF every 3 hours (8 bottles/day).
2) I'm surprised that I am not a complete helecopter parent. I'm pretty relaxed. I can handle germs much better than I could before having her and I generally do not freak out that often. My mom is really bad with dramatic gasping!! It drives me nuts! She says my lack of a reaction (to falls/bumps) is just as annoying. The thing is, I don't want a whining kid so I try to keep a level head about it all. (:
3) I thought that there would be more equality in parenting. I think the split for us is more like 80/20 or 70/30 depending.
4) Everyone always said/says they can't believe how much they love their child(ren) and that's so true! I am amazed by my love for her. It's so strong.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Most Surprising thing about Parenthood:
1) How well I can function in the middle of the night. Seriously.
There have only been a handful of times when I've thought "I can't do this". I've generally found that I can get up, function as if it were daylight, and then fall back to sleep immediately. Sadie is still waking up in the middle of the night so I'm glad I can cope so well.
ETA: I think the reason why sleep hasn't been as difficult is because Sadie was formula fed. I'm hoping that someone else who FF can jump in and agree? I remember people saying they were BF every 1.5 hours when Sadie was FF every 3 hours (8 bottles/day).
2) I'm surprised that I am not a complete helecopter parent. I'm pretty relaxed. I can handle germs much better than I could before having her and I generally do not freak out that often. My mom is really bad with dramatic gasping!! It drives me nuts! She says my lack of a reaction (to falls/bumps) is just as annoying. The thing is, I don't want a whining kid so I try to keep a level head about it all. (:
3) I thought that there would be more equality in parenting. I think the split for us is more like 80/20 or 70/30 depending.
4) Everyone always said/says they can't believe how much they love their child(ren) and that's so true! I am amazed by my love for her. It's so strong.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, June 3, 2011
Day 3 What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?
90210 –I’m not talking about the original show; I’m talking about the re-make. It’s one of two shows on my weekly “must see list” (the other is Glee). I wish I had a good excuse for watching it but I don’t. I wasn’t even a fan of the original!! Back when it was popular I was in middle school and it was on past my bedtime.
My Birth Club – As much as I have complained about the crazies over at Baby Center I still love reading my “December ’09 Birth Club” message board. I also read “Debate Team” and a few other boards occasionally. Baby Center
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – Original Glazed – 190 Calories (100 Calories from FAT). Mmm Doughnuts…num num.
Kanye West – Yeah, I know he’s an ASS but I don’t care, he’s my favourite Gay Fish. “I’mma disrobe you, than I’mma probe you, See I abducted you, so I tell ya what to do, I tell ya what to do, what to do, what to do…!!”
Jodi Picoult Books – I seriously love these books but I know they are all drama and no depth. Right now I’m reading “Sing You Home” which I’m going to warn you is NOT a book anyone reading this blog should probably ever read. SPOILER!!! It’s about a woman TTC who leaves her heterosexual marriage after a late term loss and ends up falling in love with a woman. They get married and they want to do a FET using embryos from her former relationship. Lawsuit ensues in typical Picoult fashion but this book has EVERY SINGLE TRIGGER a person TTC, PREGNANT and to a lesser extent PARENTING should probably avoid. Jodi Picoult books are like watching a train wreck… just can’t stop looking.
Edited to correct the wrong title of the book! I wrote "Sing Me Home" but it's actually "Sing You Home". What can I say? I'm reading it on Kindle so I've never even seen the cover. (;
Edited to correct the wrong title of the book! I wrote "Sing Me Home" but it's actually "Sing You Home". What can I say? I'm reading it on Kindle so I've never even seen the cover. (;
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