Sleeping is for Losers: November 2011

My Truths

My friend Sarah writes one of my favourite blogs, Sarahcasm, in which she often writes letters to her kids, imparting nuggets of wisdom upon them. Today, I'm taking a page out of her book.

Dear Z & W,

I've been on the planet for way longer than you have. Along the way, I've had my fair share of lessons, some of them stuck and some of them fell by the wayside. But some of them became my 'truths'- things that I hold near and dear to me and believe to almost always be absolute. They are fluid, often changing or shifting as life hands me new lessons along the way. Nonetheless, here is what I know to be true:

Loyalty means more than you know. Be loyal to those who bring you up, give you a job when no one else wants you, take the time to teach you things. Keep their secrets. Don't sell out to the highest bidder or get poached by a competitor. They'll often use you for what you know and discard you.
People can be idiots. Common sense isn't common.
When your life is right with God, your life is right.
Don't be afraid to speak up- it's the only way you'll get what you desire in life. Put yourself out there, no matter how uncomfortable.
There will always be someone who doesn't wish you well. Don't dwell. You can't force people to like you.
Gossip is toxic.
It's OK to want to look attractive, it's not OK to make that the focus of your life.
Work ethic is everything. Be willing to get dirty, make mistakes, be told you're wrong, do whatever it takes. Work hard. You will be rewarded.
Make mistakes. Often.
It's OK to have regrets. People who tell you that they regret nothing are lying.
Life doesn't always go your way. Get used to it. Don't blame your past or other people. Face those issues head on and find a way to move past them.
Most friendships have a season. Some will last for a lifetime but most will not. Nonetheless, make the most of the time you have with your friends- they are often your greatest teachers
When in doubt- LOVE.

Life will teach you your own truths and your own lessons. They're not always easy to learn. You won't always adhere to that which you know to be true. You'll stumble. But don't be afraid of that- falling often teaches you the best lessons of all.

Homemade Granola

OK, Suzy Homemaker I am not, but I do like making things with Zach. Especially things that he enjoys eating (see Green Smoothies). Granola is one of his favourite snacks- he likes it with milk, without milk, with fruit, without fruit, with yogurt, without yogurt...get the point. Granola is super easy to make, especially with a 2.5 year old who likes to stick his fingers in everything. This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe that I've adapted to our tastes:)

Ingredients

4 cups organic rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped or slivered almonds (I stick whole, unsalted almonds in my Magic Bullet and pulse it a few times)
1 cup shredded coconut
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup veggie or olive oil (or 1/3 cup applesauce)- I almost always use the applesauce
1/3 cup good honey
1/3 cup apple juice

Method

Heat oven to 350º. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, nuts, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Whisk the oil (apple sauce), honey, and apple juice in measuring cup.

Pour the liquid mixture over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Spread onto a large sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even golden brown, around 30-40 minutes, depending on oven. (OK, my oven usually takes about 20 mins, so check it!!)

Remove granola from the oven and allow to cool completely, stirring occasionally. Store cooled granola in an airtight container.

source

That's it!! Tasty and delicious- very toddler friendly and not too awful for the waistline (note: I said not TOO awful)

Oh, and if you have some dried fruit lying around, toss it in after the granola is cool. Adding flax seeds to the mix wouldn't be a bad idea either.

ENJOY:)

Edited to add: It makes A LOT of granola- at least 7 cups. You've been warned;)

Welcoming a little bit of pink (eye) to the family

Pink eye has landed. Pink eye has landed.

On Friday, Zach felt awful. Really really awful. I know my kid really well and I can immediately tell when he's "faking" sick so he can watch more tv (he's SO my kid!) and when he's actually sick. And on Friday he was sick.

Slight fever, lethargic, not wanting to eat a bite of food, sitting pathetically on the couch starting at the electronic babysitter. I wanted to cheer him up, so I declared Friday "PJ and MOVIE" day! He was so excited- but when we made doughnuts as our "snack" while we prepared to watch "Winnie the Pooh" (sooooo cute! You must watch!!!!), and he didn't even take a bite of the delicious, warm, cinnamon sugar covered creations we had made- well, I knew he was really really really sick.

Hubs came home early. I took Z to the walk-in clinic. "It may be strep," they said, "but it's too early to tell". And back home we tread.

Friday night was bad for Z. He asked to go to bed at 6:30pm. He woke up about every 45 minutes, crying. He was yelling in his sleep for "MELLLLLLLLLLLLK, peeeeessseeeeee." I pretty much camped outside his room until 3am, when he seemed to fall into a good, deep sleep.

Then Saturday came and he awoke with eyes that were red and puffy and oozy and gross. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, yellowish gunk gathered at the corners and he was compelled to constantly touch his eyes, no matter how much we begged him not to. By noon, we were convinced he had pink eye in at least one, if not both, eye. Hubs headed out on a hunt for some pink-eye drops (3 pharmacies later, he found them). Z sobbed as we held him down trying to get some of it in his eyes. It seemed, if nothing else, to soothe him and reduce the eye touching. I bleached his toys (diluted, don't worry) and washed his sheets and stuffed animals in hot water. Literally, my house has never been more disinfected or more clean than on Saturday.

But then I started to worry (surprise). What if he had full-blown strep and needed meds? What if he had an allergic reaction to the drops? What if... So I packed him up and carted him off to the walk-in clinic. Again. And this time they confirmed- no to strep but yes to pink eye. In both eyes.

And that's where we've been standing since Saturday. I will say that the antibiotic drops seemed to clear up the worst symptoms almost immediately. Today (Monday) his eyes don't appear red at all and they have no oozy gunk to speak of. I think we may have caught it right before the pink eye got really really bad. The side-effects of him feeling so rotten, though, have been worse than the sickness itself. He is clingy and whiney and is watching entirely too much tv but doesn't have the energy or desire to do anything else. He's barely sleeping at night and yelling things like "DADDDDY THE BESTTTTTTTTTTT" in his sleep (no really. thanks kid.). He's still not really eating much except for toast with honey and cereal. But I do think he's on the mend.

For my part, I've lived in sweats and unwashed hair for about 3 days. I haven't worn a stitch of makeup and I'm pretty sure that I'm destined to get whatever it is he has because I have been coughed on more than I'd like to share. But we're hanging in there...

So, yes, pink eye has joined our family. It's made me clean my house from top to bottom, look like crap, cancel plans for dinner with a fantastic friend (who was super understanding, phew!), watch more cartoons than I ever want to, live on 2-3 hours of sleep a night... so it's pretty much the worst house guest ever. Hopefully we'll be rid of it soon and my little boy will be back to his bright, happy self. And I can start bathing again.

Shots...delayed

Today I'm taking W for his 4 month shots. Except that he's 5 months old. I kept meaning to make an appointment for him but I just never really got around to it.

Kinda the story of my life right now. I adore these kids- I love being home with them- but I never have a spare second. A second to make a phone call or send an email or read my mail. Barely a moment to pee (hence leaving Z alone with W... with some interesting results). I don't' even know if I breathe some days. So W's appointment was delayed. And Z didn't get a haircut for well over two months (but he still looked cute, so that's ok). And my floors are kinda sticky and I'm not sure from what. And I'm not working out or eating well. But my kids are happy and well-fed and healthy and I guess that's what important.

I actually don't think that being a mom of two is as big of a change as when I became a mom for the first time. Maybe it's because W is a bit easier to deal with. Maybe it's because I have a bit of experience and don't freak over every.little.detail. With Z, I felt anxious 24/7. Anxious that any small move I made might be the undoing of him and ruin him for life. I wasn't used to the tiredness, the constant neediness, the "fish out of water" feeling that comes with being a new mom. This time around, I'm already tired, used to being on-call 24/7, and already know that I know nothing (really), so adding W to the mix hasn't been as big of a shock to my system.

I feel a bit of guilt, however, over not giving W the same amount of attention that Z enjoyed for 2 years. I mean, Z was king of our world and his every need, whim and fancy were taken care of immediately and without question. He was it. Now, although we love W and Z equally and want them to enjoy the same quality of life, W's needs are not as readily met. W has to wait, be carted around with his brother when he should be napping, delay naps and miss doctor visits.

So today, although W is 5 months old, we'll be heading off for his 4 months shots (which I'm not 100% will happen, truth be told, because he's had some yucky chest congestion...but I digress). And while I don't think I'm a bad mom for being late on the shots, I do wish I had just a few seconds in the day to take that breath, make that phone call, and shower W with as much attention as my little guy deserves.

(somebody grab me a cloth so I can wipe that drool?)

Why the Mom of the Year award is never going to me...

Ah. Mom of the Year I am not.

You know, I think some moms out there really have it together. They really do look good and feel good and make the right decisions all the time (with the help of a chef and personal trainer and team of nannies, I would guess).

I think *most* moms are totally faking it and hoping no one notices their blunders and missteps.

There are many parenting moments that I am less than proud of. Moments that would ensure that I would never be considered mom of the year. Moments that, while real, make me cringe a little when I go to sleep at night.

Case in point?

* Z calls me 'Sarah'. I laugh. So he keeps calling me Sarah, mostly when he's annoyed or wants my attention (imagine a 3 foot tall red head with his hand on his hip yelling SARRRRRAHHHHH with more attitude than I can even muster...).

I continue to laugh although I know I should correct him. It's just.so.cute. (and rude...but cutely rude).

*I sometimes leave W alone in the same room with Z. Usually just for a minute so I can pee. And Z often doesn't touch him...except for that one time where I found him reefing on Z's arm to help him roll. Oops.

*I threaten emptily all the time. And Z calls me on it.

Me: "If you don't get ready your uncle can't come over."

Z: "Fine- let's call him or text him. Where your phone?"

Yup, he's got my number. Except for that one time I actually threw his toy in the garbage like I had threatened. THAT got his attention my friends (but the toy was already broken and the batteries had just died...not that he knew that).

*I call W "Willy". I HAVE TO STOP. I do not want my kid to be saddled with that as a nickname for the rest of his life. Sometimes I call him "Big Willy". EVEN WORSE. Someone stop me.

*I taught Z a poop dance. What was I thinking?? He does it everywhere- especially inappropriate places. It's not cute, like that 'Potty Dance' that used to be on tv. It's ridiculous.

*Z and I speak Spanish to each other. Not bad at all. Except that I don't know Spanish so I make up words by using an accent and adding "eh" to the end of the words so they sound Spanish-ish. Now he's copying me and thinking he's actually speaking another language. Hm.

* I laugh during time-out. He's such a drama king. Z wails and freaks and watches himself doing this in the mirror. The minute the timer goes off, he skips happily toward me, says sorry and continues on his way. It's hilarious to watch.

* I bribe. ALL.THE.TIME. I bribe with TV and cookies and juice boxes and anything else I can think of. I hate bribers. Until I became one.

*Veggies. I don't enforce them every day. Mostly because I don't really enjoy eating them and sometimes I just can't gag them down. Setting them up for future picky eating??

Any of you out there care to share your proudest...ahem...parent moments?

2011 Canadian WEBLOG Award Nominee

Wow!!

I just got the greatest email! And I must share it with you!

Sleeping Is For Losers has been nominated for the Ninjamatics 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards in the Family & Parenting category.

The 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards are a juried competition with nominations open in 37 categories between January 1st and October 31st, 2011. The nominees shortlist will be announced on December 1st, 2011, and the winners will be announced on January 1, 2012.

Now, after having been voted in as one of the Top 25 Canadian Mom Blogs last week, this is just some serious icing on the cake. I can tell you that the Canadian Weblog Awards are no joke and this is one of those instances that being nominated really is the honour. REALLY.

What I really want to say is THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading Sleeping Is For Losers and supporting my blogging over the years. Who woulda thought that my writing about sleepless nights, spit-up, miscarriages and poop would result in this awesome attention:)

We're in the Top 25!

Thank you so much for your support everyone!!!

Thanks to you, Sleeping is for Losers was voted as one of the top 25 Canadian Mom Blogs on Circle of Moms.

Such an honour- thank you so much:)

xoxo

Could my family BE more beautiful?

How stunning is my family?

A few weeks ago, my three boys and I took advantage of the beautiful, almost balmy weather we are having in Ontario and had an outdoor family photoshoot with the incomparable Jazi Photography. I could not be happier with the results. I mean, look at this boy:

Zach is 2.5 years old, gorgeous, full of life, loves to have fun, and totally did not want to stay still for the photos. Good times for the photographer:)

And our stunning 4 month old William. Oh man, he was such a trooper. One day, he'll look back and wonder why there are so many pics of Zach- I promise we'll do a photoshoot just for you when you're two. I promise.

And this is my beautiful family. Honestly, I don't know what I did to deserve such amazing boys in my life. Really.

Finally, the originators. I told C that we should put this pic beside our wedding pic from 8 years ago. We've changed. I'll leave it at that.

And one more for good measure. I mean, really, this kid. This KID. He's the greatest.

Make sure you check out Jazi Photography on Facebook- I just can't say enough good things about them.

I really feel emotional looking at these pictures. To be blessed with two healthy, intelligent, beautiful children is really more than I deserve. I don't remember always wanting to be a mom. I don't remember people telling me I'd be a good mom one day (actually, I remember someone telling me that I'd "probably get the hang of it".) But, now, I just can not imagine life without my kids and husband. I cannot imagine not having these little faces to wake me up countless times in the middle of the night.

I'm so proud of what these little guys already are and I can't wait to see what they are going to become.

Sometimes we really need this reminder

I like to complain. And whine. I'm tired. I work too much and do too much and just wish I could escape.

All valid complaints...however:

Hmmmmm. We all need this from time to time, don't we?

(oh, but please, don't stop complaining, because we all need that outlet from time to time as well).

Sunday Sanity Saving Tip

Moms (new or seasoned)-

Make sure you shave your legs once a month.

Because after 30 days, it's dang hard to get that razor through the growth. Thus forcing you to use your husband's electric razor and super sharp Mach 5 razor without his knowledge and potentially ruining both but not telling him and just putting them back in the cupboard in hopes that he'll decided to join Movember a bit late and not shave for the month.

Don't ask me how I know. Just heed the warning.

PS- don't worry about shaving for "fun" times either...I've asked around and apparently, after seeing you birth one (or two, or more) baby, the whole "grooming" thing becomes a non-issue.

PPS- vote??? This has brought out some serious competitor instincts in me.

Life With A Boy

Z is 2.5 years old. It's interesting raising (two) boys when you're a girly girl. The conversations, the things that are funny, the way they play...all different from anything I'm familiar with.

For example- a normal, everyday conversation with Z:

Me: (holding a crayon) Let's colour...what colour is this?

Z: Poopy. (giggle, giggle, giggle)

Me: Z, what's the name of ______

Z: POOOPPPPPYYYYYYYY (giggle, giggle, giggle)

Getting the point? Everything is that comes out of this boy's mouth relates to something disgusting and gross or body related. Need more examples? I thought so!

Me: Time to get ready for your bath

Z: GOOD, my winky-dinky needs air. (huh???)

Z: Mommy, does your poo stink? Mine does. Real bad. Wanna smell? (ewwwwww)

Z: (running around the house singing...) Bums are stinky and pooooopy. Bums are stinky and pooooopy.

Z: I is sad Mommy.

Me: Why, hunny?

Z: Daddy said you don't have a winky-dinky. That is sad for you. (for the record, I don't know why he started calling it his winky-dinky).

Z: (running into my room with an armful of tampons) MOMMMY!!!! These are tails! Why you have tails? Is you a dog? (thanks, kid)

Me: Z what was the best part of your day?

Z: Pooping. Pooping is always the best. I just love to poop.

Z: I the best farter ever. They smell the grossest.

I could go on and on with examples of what I hear all day. The thing is, the kids spends about 90% of his day with me and I'm not teaching him this stuff. I can only deduce that it's innate. That kids just KNOW this stuff is kinda gross and are totally drawn to it. That they...gulp...like grossing out their mother.

Guess it goes along with the territory??

PS- Voted today?? only 8 days left!!!

On Being a Perfectionist.

I've already told you about my insecurity and how I hope my boys will never allow someone's opinion to make them feel less than.

More so, though, I hope they don't pick up my perfectionism. My need to do everything perfectly, the best, without error or fault. But I fear that Z already has it. I fear he was born with it. And I feel sad that he'll have to bear this cross.

I can remember beating myself up for not being the best as early as 6 years old. I didn't win some contest (can't remember what) and I was gutted. HOW could I not win? I clearly remember the negative self-talk that went on- why even bother trying again? if you're not going to be number one it's not worth it. perfect or nothing.

Fast forward to the present day and my perfectionism is worse than ever. I just expect myself to be the best, immediately, at everything that crosses my path. I feel so frustrated that I haven't lost my baby weight yet, that my hair still sits in a ponytail more often than not, that I don't keep my house clean enough that I'd feel comfortable having a stranger stop by. I know, most people do feel frustrated by these things. But the difference is that I obsess. I can not stand the thought of not being perfect. I am more frustrated and angry than most by the silliest thing- including my eyebrows not being perfectly waxed or forgetting to use a comma. Silly.

I started a new job recently. It's an industry I had no knowledge of before I began. Yet I expect myself to be perfect. PERFECT. To the point where I obsess about the simplest mistake (and, yes, we're all allowed to make mistakes and SHOULD make mistakes). I genuinely believe that I should be the best at my job, only 2 months after starting to learn how to do it.

I can only hope that I am able to teach my boys that making mistakes and not being the best is OK. (now I have something new to obsess over). Actually, it's great. It's freeing to not feel the need to be perfect and obsess over every error you make in your life. It's amazing to try your best and work the hardest you can...and then be satisfied with that. To be happy and content with what you have. To live life without the shackles of needing to be better than the rest. I don't know if it's in the cards for me. I've lived a life trying to be more perfect than any human being should. But my kids, now they have the chance to just be them...and be totally ok with that.

Daylight Savings Time.

NOT a saving for any parent with kids under 13 years old.

(says the mom with bags under her eyes from the 5am wake up call from the toddler...after the hourly wake up call from the baby...ya...daylight savings time sucks.)

PS- have you voted for me yet?? ;)

An Interview with a 2 1/2 year old...

This has been floating around for a while.
Zach is exactly 2.5 years old. Wow. I remember reading something like this when he was Will's age and thinking, "I can't wait to see what he says"...

Well, here it is! Zach's answers to the questions you've always wanted to ask (my comments in brackets where applicable!):

1. What is something mommy always says to you? STOP! Be patient! (whoa. so true.)
2. What makes you happy? Listening. (I wonder when he does this??)
3. What makes you sad? When I hit mom. (hmmm)
4. What makes you laugh? You (Mommy!! yeah!!)
5. How old are you? 2 months a week
6. How old is Mommy? 2 months a week
7. How old is Daddy? 2 months a week (ok, so we need to work on counting a bit)
8. What is your favorite thing to do? climb on dad's head
9. Who is your best friend? Mom (AWWWWW- I'm so showing him this when he's a teenager)
10. What do you want to be when you grow up? builder
11. What are you really good at? the machines
12. What are you not very good at? mud
14. What is your favorite food? chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries and broccoli (that was our dinner tonight)
15. What is your favorite song? Old McDonald
16. What do you want for (holiday or birthday) this year? trucks
17. What is your favorite animal? cat
18. What is love? I don't know. I'm little. (loved this answer)
19. What does mommy/daddy do for work? Mommy= house, Daddy=go to the train station (well, he's kinda right- I do work at home and his dad does go to the train station to get to work)
20. Where do you live? at my house (duh)
21. Where is your favorite place to go? anywhere with my friend Ryan or Cole. (cute)

Twick or Tweeety

Happy Halloween!

Things this Halloween taught me:

1) Don't allow your mother to be alone at your house. She'll run to the dollar store and decorate your house up like no other (even though she NEVER did stuff like that when you were growing up!)

2) If you live on the side of the street with no sidewalk, don't buy $50 worth of candy. Even though your street is crawling with kids. They won't make the trek across the street and you'll be stuck eating all that candy.

3) Early November is not made for dieting.

4) My kids are the freaking CUTEST!