My husband is a smart guy. He holds a Masters degree, he’s a CPA, and he’s currently a Senior Tax Manager for a large multi-national corporation. He knows a ton about accounting, international tax, and the Marvel Universe. He’s an amazing dad and an almost-perfect husband. Almost.
But there are a few things that he is just not good at. And for a smart guy like him, I wonder sometimes how he can’t figure these simple things out.
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It’s finally December! Time to start making our lists and checking them twice. Have you started your Christmas shopping? What’s on your list this year?
As for my Christmas wish list, sure, new clothes, makeup, jewelry, cooking tools, and home decor would be great. But you know what I really want? Here’s my real Christmas wish list.
I’m currently typing up this post at my kitchen table while Maddie colors beside me. There’s a half eaten banana, with peel sitting to my right. 5 dirty tissues to my left. A bunch of markers with the tops left off behind the laptop. And an empty juice box, 4 Cherrios, about 6 smushed Cherrios, and a piece of dried up mac and cheese on the floor. #gross #reallife It’ll all get cleaned up eventually, but it sure would be nice if someone else would do it…
You guys know I’m a huge Disney nerd. I love that magical place where all your dreams come true. I wish we could have season tickets and go a bunch all year long. Or own a Disney Vacation Club membership. That would be my dream gift!
This one might be the most realistic thing on my list. I’m still not completely happy with where my “mom bod” is right now. I have a million excuses, but the biggest one is that I hate taking time out of my kid-free mornings to work out. So a personal trainer would be great, but I only want one that will also have someone to babysit my kids.
I’ve been sick twice the last two weeks. My kids have also already been sick a couple of times this fall. I wish there was a magical pill we could all take that would prevent us all from getting sick. (Yes, we use oils, but someone always still seems to catch something!)
My kids used to sleep until at least 7am. But lately, my daughter has been thinking that 6am is a better wake up time. We’ve got the “ok to wake clock,” but, she’s a three-year-old, so you know how well that works for her. It does work for my 5-year-old, though. Unless his sister wakes up first. Just that one extra hour in the morning would be glorious.
Ok, Santa. My list is a tough one. Think you can make any of it happen?
What do you REALLY want for Christmas?
We all know toddlers are tough. The “terrible twos” and “threenagers” can have even the most patient and calm mama pulling out her hair. My son, especially, was a defiant, manipulative, and aggressive two-year-old. And those were his good traits! (I’m kidding. He was difficult, but he’s now the sweetest preschooler you’ll ever meet.)
My daughter was still sweet when she was two. The “terrible twos” didn’t apply to her. Yes, she had her fair share of tantrums. But all-in-all, she was still cute and cuddly.
But now that she’s three? Holy cow! Move over Regina George, my three-year-old is a mean girl! Don’t be fooled – she may seem like your typical, sassy three-year-old, but in reality, she’s so much more than that. She’s the queen bee – the star, and the rest of us are just her little workers.
Luckily, my daughter is still super cute. So I guess I’ll keep her around. But, of course, any time I tell her she’s cute or that she’s being a sweet girl, she looks at me, judging and thinking, “Why are you so obsessed with me?”
She recently gave up naps. I tried to push them for a while, because by bedtime, she was acting crazy tired. But after a few days of her looking at me with that sassy look that seemed to say, “Mama, quit trying to make naps happen. It’s not going to happen!” I gave up on the naps.
Luckily she doesn’t know how to read and write, because I would totally be in her burn book. My page would read, “My mama is a pusher. A sad old nap pusher!”
And every other day. And don’t forget her tiara. 
Just like Regina had the plastics. Maddie has the plushies.
Must be something to do with all those episodes of Dexter I binge-watched while I was pregnant with her.
No, I didn’t say you could have cookies and ice cream for lunch.
Literally. She thinks I’m a playground.
She teases me, calls me names, and threatens me. Good thing she’s only 3 feet tall or I might actually be a little scared of her.
So how many of you have felt personally victimized by your three-year-old? Well, just know you’re not alone. They can be mean.
At least they’re cute!
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Solo parenting isn’t for the weak. Single parents, military parents – they’re my heroes. I have no idea how they do it. They really are super moms and super dads!
When you’re solo parenting, everything falls on you. There’s no one there to help with the chores, help with the kids, or even keep you company at night. The days I’m solo parenting are long, stressful, exhausting, anxiety-filled, lonely days. And the nights? They’re pretty miserable. Luckily, my husband doesn’t travel too much. Usually just 2-3 days every other week. I can’t imagine what it would be like if he was gone months at a time.
Since he’s started traveling, I’ve figured out a few tricks and tips that have helped me while he’s gone. So if your husband or wife is about to head out on a business trip, check out these 10 simple tips to survive solo parenting when your spouse is traveling.
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There are so many cute Thanksgiving themed outfits for babies. Especially the “first Thanksgiving” outfits – adorable! (Take a look at this one and this one. So cute!) And I still have no problem finding cute little Thanksgiving dresses for Maddie to wear to celebrate the holiday.
But where are all the cute boy Thanksgiving clothes?! I have the hardest time finding any!
So a few years ago, I started a fun tradition of getting Graham a funny Thanksgiving t-shirt to wear for Turkey day. Here are a few from past Thanksgivings. (Excuse the terrible quality of these pictures. This was BTB – before the blog.)
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