Weekends and To Do Lists....

Hello Friday! I have been missing you... since like... Monday, at 7am when my week began.

I drove like 400 miles yesterday for work. You know, my "real" job. Not that The Rogue Baby isn't real, but it's not quite my day job yet... But maybe, someday. For now, I can dream. And right now, I am exhausted. Waking up on Fridays isn't quite nearly as bad as waking up on a Tuesday. I woke up super happy that it's the nearly the weekend, but then I remembered....

The to do list...

* Invoice co-op items. What is a co-op you say? Well, I am host in an online co-op, where a group of us ladies place one large order together with a supplier to get better deals. Think magic eraser sponges for 10 cents each, etc. Co-Op host is my 3rd job. I know, I'm crazy. And with that job I don't even get paid... I actually make more money from blogging, so technically blogger is my 3rd job, and Co-Op host is my 4th.

* Work on opening some more "make up" buys in our Co-Op. Our co-op ladies love makeup. I am obviously pretty oblivious to make up and fashion, but they entrust me to find them good deals. Which I am good at.

* Go through all of the baby / kid clothes I've been meaning to sell and either list them on Ebay, take them to a consignment store, list them on local sites, etc. They need to be gone. I need to make room for more inventory for The Rogue Baby!!

* Summer headbands and hair clips. I have so many fun new designs to finish, take photos of, and get listed. If only I could just do the creative part and leave the rest up to someone else.

* Get to some of my sewing projects. Ok, it's not a must-do, but... I've spent the money on the fabric and supplies... why not?

* Oh yeah, there is that thing called laundry and "cleaning" my house --- During the week, I just think why bother with a three year old tornado running behind you?

* Family time! Can't forget about spending some quality time together... Maybe taking the little one to the park to play if weather permits... Maybe we'll do some craft projects.

* Finish up the proto-types and get them ready to ship to the photographers / models for The Rogue Baby's new summer items.

* Pull my dead ranunculus' from the flower pot and replace with something less pitiful. They were beautiful a month or so ago, but alas, they are done.

* Febreeze my car. It smells like a brewery. Literally! On my way home last night, I stopped off at a brewery / pub up North to pick up some beer. If you've read here long, you know my husband and I enjoy a good microbrew. So there is this one place up North, where you can only buy their beer there.. not in stores. Not near our home, so when given the opportunity to pick some up. I did. And it spilled while I was driving on the freeway....

* Speaking of my car, my first stop when my weekend officially begins is the gas station... my car is on empty.

* Buy the little one some new "running shoes." Here I thought coming into summer she'd be wearing her flip flops and sandals, but no, this morning, she wanted to wear running shoes, and I realized, she has no tennis shoes at all. Shoe shopping.... Not really a chore, shoe shopping is fun... but it's still a to-do.

* Put away the winter clothes, get the summer clothes out... maybe hang the clothes strewn about the floor of the master closet... if I'm ambitious.

* How can I forget... grocery shopping, dishes, and all things kitchen related. Yeah, all that too....

Maybe, I will enjoy my last few hours here at work... in my quiet office... like a relaxing Sunday afternoon... (what are those?)

What are you up to this weekend??

Dear Daughter,

Dear Daughter,

This past weekend, we sold your crib. And as the excited Mom-to-be drove away, I couldn't help but feel a little sad. Our baby days are over. No more for us. One and done.

You're growing up. Way too fast.

Please slow it down, a little bit. Just for me?

Two years ago this month, we had your 6 month photo shoot, and it feels like yesterday.

I decided to take some advice from Barney Stinson though.

"When I feel sad, I stop being sad, and start being awesome."

So here goes...

I love that you have your own little personality and we can now have real conversations with each other.

I love your imagination. Sure, that's a robot sleeping in a tree. I see it too.

I love that when asked what you want to do today, you will 99% of the time say "Go Shopping." Shopping buddies for life baby!

I love that you can make me laugh when I am most frustrated, sad, disappointed... You're so silly and sweet.

I love your popsicle dance.

I love that you say the color white as "wipe."

I love that you still need "Mama" when you wake up in the middle of the night.

I love that you are so cuddly. Please don't grow out of that any time soon.

Most of all, Ella Bella Boo Boo Bear, I hope you know how much Mama loves you. And how proud I am to be your Mama!

Things to Know About Being a Parent & Having a Baby...

My daughter is only 27 months old, but I have already learned so much from pregnancy and being a parent.

As an expectant parent you are overwhelmed by all the annoying helpful, well-meaning advice from family, friends, co-workers, and best of all random strangers on the street. Ya know, by the 3rd trimester, I was ready to just be a hermit. Don't you dare touch my belly. Seriously, stranger danger! Why would you think it is socially acceptable to touch a strangers stomach simply because they are pregnant. Really? Realllllyy!?!?

35 Weeks Pregnant with my daughter. Late March 2010.

I've came to the conclusion that the things I have learned have helped me as a parent, but they might be entirely useless to the next Mama. Every child is different. Every parent is different. Here is what I have learned:

1.) Whether or not I had an epidural is none of your business. Whether you did or didn't, doesn't make you any better or less of a mother than me. Whether or not you do or don't have your child at home, in a hospital, with a mid-wife or doula, none of my business. I won't judge.

2.) "The Happiest Baby on the Block" book was worthless to me. Might be a savior to you. Never know.

3.) You may break down and let your child eat gold fish crackers for breakfast to avoid a meltdown on a Monday morning where you are already running late for work. This does not make you a bad Mama. And anyone making you feel like it does needs to mind their biz-ness.

4.) So many of the items you are told you need to be "ready" for your baby, are frankly, not necessities. Seriously... our commercialized society has told us we "need" "need" "need" and baby items are no exception. Crib with sheet? Diapers? Clothing? All needed. Wipes warmer? Bottle Warmer? Yeah, never used them.

5.) Letting your child fall asleep in your arms each night may be your method of choice, while others might use the cry it out method. Neither is better than the other. Do what works for you. I choose to cuddle my daughter each and every night.. so sue me. I enjoy that time. So does she. Don't hate.

As a reader, if you are a parent already, you know too well what I am sayin'. But we all have one thing in common... Nothing can compare to the love you feel for your child. Your perfect child. Your child will be the cutest, smartest, and no other will compare.

My baby April 2010 - 3 days old.

The Week of No's!

I have a 2 year old. "No" is an all too familiar word in our home.

Here she is in all her cute glory, she looks like such a sweet heart right?

This morning, like many others was full of "no's." No, I do not want my shoes on. No, I do not want to help you pick up my breakfast that I just spilled all over the floor. No I will not sit in time out. You get the picture right? I love her dearly though, and 99% of the time, she's a pretty good kid. I might be a little biased, but I digress...

This week, I'm taking a positive twist on "no". Each day this week, I'm putting into place a new "no." And here is how it is all laid out...

Monday - No processed foods. This was the start of an attempt to completely eliminate processed foods from my diet, so far doing ok with it. Aside from energy drinks, do those count?

Tuesday - No internet (at home.) I have to be on it at work....

Wednesday - No TV. Ok, so I probably can't stop my hubby from playing video games. But Wednesday nights will be no tv shows or movies.

Thursday - No spending. Yup, that's right. I challenge myself to a day of no spending. No stopping for coffee, no going out for lunch or running to the grocery store after work for a few last minute things for dinner, etc.

Friday - No chores - no housework. Yup that's right. Friday nights after work will be my night of rest. I've got all weekend to get that stuff done.

Saturday - No watches, clocks, or checking the time. Saturday is family time! No set time for being here or there, or doing this or that. Let the day take us where it may.

Sunday - No beverages - except for water. Sounds harsh, right? But if you knew me, you'd know I drink about 4 ounces of water per week, on a good week.

So wish us luck as we proceed through our week of "No"!


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