Lists

I seriously do not get all the hype over 100 rules for moms of boys or 101 things every dad should do for their girls. I mean don’t get me wrong I read them and for the most part I shake my head and agree with the ideas but I don’t understand why they have to be for moms & sons and daughters & dads. I find myself reading the lists and tilting my head to the side and wondering why is this list for just me and my son why wouldn’t I do these same things with my daughter? The lists are hypocritical to me. They are defining gender roles but at the same time saying we should combat them. A woman should teach her son to do laundry. Why can’t my husband teach my son to do laundry? Isn’t me being the one to teach him just cementing the fact that it is a woman’s job? Why is it a dad’s job to teach his daughter about money? Do only men know how to handle finances? Why can’t I teach her that? While reading the list I just feel like there are all fine and dandy lists but I think instead of separate lists why not just make one list. What parents should do for their children. So here is my list for our family. I am sure I will continue to modify it over the years.



1. Tell your kids you love them every day a million times. You can never be told you are loved too much.

2. Be affectionate.

3. Be an example.

4. Make them a priority.

5. Be positive and laugh often.

6. Let your kids see you as a human and a super hero.

7. Be the parent when you need to but don’t be afraid to let the kid inside come out to play once in a while.

8. Sometimes you need to let go but be on the sidelines ready to pick them up.

9. Cheer them on and let them know how proud you are of them on a regular basis.

10. Be present.

She is back

Eve has always been a fairly good kid.  She has had her moments but overall she has always been well behaved.  I never had to deal with tatrums or attitude.  Simply giving her an explanation was enough 99% of the time.  After the first 3 months of her life (where she never slept) she has been a cake walk to have as a daughter.  I have been soooooo lucky and blessed to have such a sweet little lady in my life. 

Then she turned 5 and I seriously thought we might have fast forwarded 10 year and we were at age 15 instead.  She got a huge attitude and knew to test my patience like no one else.  I seriously wasn't sure how we were going to make it through the next 15 years if this is how we were going to start. 

She was testing all of my limits and I there were times I felt like I was disciplining her more than talking and playing with her.  It really broke my heart.  We were having a major power struggle.  I had a huge conflict withine myself of how to set boundries with her yet give her the attention she needed.

I went away on a work trip and the whole week before she became super clingy.  She has never been clingy a day in her life. 

First she wanted to be completely independent and it drove me crazy.  Then she became completely clingy and it drove me crazy.  I just couldn't win.

Then I came back from my work trip to a totally different child.  She found balance while I was gone.  I don't know what happened but this new version of Eve is AMAZING. 

I am writing this so when we get back to the rough patch (because I am sure we will one day) I can remember although there might be some rough patches we will also have some amazing patches too. 

The dentist.

Eve went to the dentist for the first time.  I was totally nervous that we were going to get yelled at because we waited so long to take her because we never had dental insurance until now.  I also thought we would get yelled at because I thought she had a cavity in every tooth.  Her mouth looked like a mess even though we brush everyday and most days we brush at least twice.  Well she only has one real cavity and one that is really close to being a cavity because of some decay so they are going to scrap part of the tooth and fill it with a sealant.  I know that sounds horrible but in reality the dr. said that he was surprised there wasn't more damage.  Eve has a really tiny mouth and her teeth are really crammed in there and because of this she is going to be prone to tooth decay.  We have to brush and floss 3 times a day and they said we can expect to go see an orthodontist as soon as her permanent teeth come in.  Milo gets to go with her for her next appointment.  That should be interesting since he can't stand people like Dr. touching him.

Eve loved the dentist and is already looking forward to going back.  I am happy she enjoyed it.  I am nervous that when she goes back on Sept 10 for her filling though because she will need to be put under.  For some reason it freaks me out.

10 random facts.

1.  When I was little my mom thought I went missing in the middle of the night but really I was playing in the dark basement.

2.  I fell asleep in a hotel bathtub and flooded my room.

3.  My husband is my life. 

4.  I get touched out easily and need my space.  For some reason when I get like this my husband and kids can not keep their hands off of me.  I think they really just want to see me have a nervous breakdown one day.

5.  I tell my family I have a secret about every five minutes.  The secret is always that I love them. 

6.  I feel like there is often two sides of me and that I am constantly struggling to let both sides show.  I have a crazy fun side and a totally reserved side.  There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of middle ground.

7.  I finally got someone to cut my hair how I wanted it cut.  It is a really dramatic bob cut.  I refer to it as the woman's mullet.  Because if you see me from the front it looks normal and if you see me from the side it looks crazy.  So I am business in the front and party in the back.  It fits my personality.

8.  I feel like I talk about myself a lot when I am around others.  For me it is to let them know I relate to them but sometimes I feel like they think all I think about is me.  This is one of my biggest social fears because really I am much more concerned about others than myself.

9.  I love reggaeton music.

10.  I had a bunch of random jobs growing up.  I sold souvenirs for the Brewers, was a cab dispatcher, worked as a server at a 4 star restaurant, worked on a farm, was a summer camp counselor, and worked in a daycare.  I love the diverse experiences I got growing up and loved that my parents never forced me to get a job so that I could take whatever random job suited my interest at the time.

I was lost and now am found.

I was going to write this huge series of posts about how I was feeling really lost and just riding along in life and then finally I feel like in the last 3 months I have slowly been coming out of my haze and getting back into life but it was long and I am not sure it made any sense so here were some main ideas that tell you how I feel.

I went to an amazing work training.
I like my new school.
I love and adore my husband.
I love and appreciate my kids.
I am living in nirvana.
Life is grand.

A boy who needs some help.

My prayers are with this family as they are on a very difficult journey.

If you would like to help them out check out babyrabies website for a wonderful fundraiser.

Happy Easter