Getting a toddler and infant out the door A.S.A.P.

Disclaimer:  The below story is based on actual events.  Anything the reader may find offensive did not happen, it was just thrown in for comedic effect.

  

Since I have a lot of experience in getting the kids ready and out the door in record time (I did it for the first time today) I felt that it was necessary to share what I have learned with other moms.  I had to do some running around today and had to be out the door by 10 so I figured 3 hours would be plenty of time, and planned on waking up at 7.  Here is what I learned.

7:00-alarm goes off, promptly tell Ryann to turn it off. (She sleeps with me, of course, no chance of her sleeping in her toddler bed when brother gets to sleep in the co-sleeper)[1] I start to nurse Matthew.  Fall back asleep.

9:00-Ryann asks if she can go downstairs and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Apparently we both fell back asleep after she stole her brother's pacifier.  Matthew still sleeping. I curse at myself for not getting up with alarm.  Carry Ryann downstairs. Put her in front of an educational book [2] with a cup of juice and an apple[3].  

9:10-Run upstairs, get her clothes, come back down, change her diaper and clothes.  Douse her hair in spray conditioner so I can get a comb through it and then tie half back in a bow.

9:20-Brush my teeth, comb my hair, get as dressed as I can minus "nice"[4] shirt.  

9:30-Call Ryann upstairs.  Let her run around upstairs while I dress, change, and nurse brother.  Forbid her from pooping until we return home because I don't have time to pack a diaper bag for her.

9:55-out the door!  

Of course, I know this was perfect circumstances-and I didn't have an unexpected poop, vomit, or meltdown to deal with (neither from the kids nor myself) so I made it out in time.  I have learned my lesson though since I got so lucky this time, and next time I have somewhere I HAVE to be I will have them sleep in their clothes.

---

[1] next to me in bed, but the co-sleeper is on the other side of him!

[2]  television

[3] Apple-cinnamon Nutrigrain bar

[4] maternity shirt worn over nursing tank

Tons to do today Downriver!

10a Toddler Story Time-Riverview

12p McLunch at Mills-Southgate

5p Funtastic Night Special

6p Family Story Time-Melvindale

7:15p Open Swim $2-Flat Rock

9p Movie in the Park-Shrek

To all you single mamas...

GOD. BLESS. YOU.

This weekend, Matt had to work so I decided to take the kids to Rondeau Park, Canada, where my parents have a cottage.  This was the only weekend of summer that my mom expected all seven of us kids to be able to come up so we pretty much HAD to be there!  I was able to get siblings to accompany me on the 2 hour car ride both ways, so it was nice to have another person in the car to occupy the children if necessary.

I am the only one who can feed Matthew right now because I am nursing and haven't started getting him on a bottle yet, and seemingly also the only person that Ryann wants to be with when the mood strikes (and it strikes often).  So while I had TONS of help from my family as far as feeding Ryann, changing diapers, rocking babies, etc. I still felt torn when Ryann wanted my attention and Matthew needed me too.  It was bittersweet to have her go down to the beach and play with her aunts and uncles while I stayed at the cottage and fed baby brother (not a fan of public feeding-regardless of whether the public is family).  It was especially hard knowing that while I was up at the cottage, her uncles were down at the beach doing this:

Regardless of the fact that they were endangering her life, Ryann loved going to the cottage and we even did have a chance to steal away to get an ice cream together-without baby brother.  Overall we had a great time and I am very thankful for my helpful family and even more thankful for my helpful husband who we missed this weekend.  This week the kids and I are going for 4 days.  I might need a vacation from this vacation when we get back!  I don't know how all the single moms do it, but you have my utmost respect. I might even start being nicer to my hubby so that he is inclined to stick around...

Downriver Today...

A lot of fun stuff going on again today Downriver. Lemonade in the Shade should be a fun time if the weather cooperates!

11:15a Rockin' Rosie Music Hour-Riverview

12p Farmer's Market-Wyandotte

1p Drop-in Crafts-Flat Rock

3:30p Hannah Montana Tribute-Trenton

And then there were 4...

We welcomed Matthew Michael into the world at 8:38 p.m. on July 10.  He was 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 in. long.  The labor and delivery went perfectly and I am glad to say that the worst pain that I have is in my neck from sleeping in a hospital bed!  It was the perfect ending (beginning) and everything has been going well so far!  He is nursing like a champ, sleeping well, and hardly makes a peep.  Ryann was excited to become a big sister.

Once we got him home on Monday, Ryann started displaying some of the aggression that we knew may be coming.  She has started to throw things, act out*, and has had multiple time outs for not listening.  This is not typical behavior for her, and we realize that she is acting out because of the attention loss but it is FRUSTRATING nonetheless.  I am getting nervous for Matt to go back to work and to be alone with the two of them while Ryann is still acting like this.  I need some advice as to how to deal with it.  I know every child is different, but we'll try anything!

*Yesterday she climbed up on the couch behind me while I was nursing Matthew and almost fell off the back of the couch. I had to reach up with my free hand behind my head and grab her thigh to stop her from falling.  (Bear in mind I still have a really sore neck) I believe my exact words were "Matt (husband)-could you please come in here and KICK HER ASS?!" Of course, he did not come kick her ass, but he did save her life.  Again.

I am not in labor...

Every phone call I have made to my parents, in-laws, or husband the past week have all started with "I'm not in labor..." because for the past 2 weeks my doctor has been telling me that it could be any day (duh) and that it will be quick.  Last Wednesday I went in and was dialated to 4 centimeters.  He said he was surprised to see me in the office and not at the hospital and that he thought for sure I would deliver 4th of July weekend.  So guess what? I didn't.

So now my pregnancy that was seemingly flying by has come to a halt because every twinge I feel makes me think that labor is starting.  I was induced due to high blood pressure and swelling with Ryann, so while I did experience going into labor, I knew when it was coming and what was happening because I had a team of nurses filling me in the entire time.

I am convinced that doctors just tell their patients toward the end that it could be "any day" so that the moms can talk themselves down off a ledge when they can barely walk, sweat when they talk, and are basically confined to the couch, kitchen, or bathroom.  We have been trying to stay busy with going around and visiting with friends and enjoying the holiday weekend-but this baby is in the back of our heads the entire time.  I am beginning to wonder if he will ever be here...and know that in a few weeks my blog title will be "I wish I would have stayed pregnant a little longer..."

When my kid is "that kid"...

One thing I love about other moms is their ability to turn off attention to any kid but their own.  Case in point, today, I went to Flat Rock Library to take part in their toddler story time which is on Wednesdays at 10:15.

Ryann was excited, though she didn't know what to expect. She just knew that there would be other kids there.

Of course, the other kids had all been there before. Ryann had never been to anything like it.  As the other kids sat on the floor patiently waiting as the leader transitioned from one activity to another (singing, dancing, reading, etc.) Ryann stood in front of me going crazy with anticipation waiting to see what they would do next.  Ryann was not the youngest kid there either by any means. The age range is from 1-2, and I would guess the majority of the kids were closer to 12-18 months.

While the leader read a pop-up book on farm animals, Ryann yelled out every name of every animal along with their accompanying sound.  Which she got correct, except for the horse that she called a cow (we'll be practicing that over and over tonight).

When they got out the parachute for the kids to sit underneath while the parents waved it, Ryann insisted on standing.

When the kids sat on top of the parachute so the parents could pull them around, Ryann refused to get on.  Until she saw what we were doing.  Then she insisted everyone stop to let her on the parachute.

Regardless, not a single parent/grandparent/caretaker ever batted an eye at her or gave me an evil glare.  The nice part about being around other parents is that they understand that your little angel is not always going to act appropriately and that you have limited control over their actions at any given time.  While Ryann was a little distracting, she wasn't being mean to any kids or ruining their time.  She was just excited and couldn't sit still.  I appreciate all the adults (and kids) in the group today that didn't hold that against her.  Now if only the general public would follow suit.  A little understanding goes a long way.  I'll try to remember that when somebody else has their turn to have "that kid."

 

Ryann at Flat Rock Community Park before Toddler Time.  Can you tell she's excited?

To Do Downriver- Wed 30 June 2010

Here is a glimpse of things going on Downriver today-Wednesdays are always the busiest!  More things in the upcoming weeks can be found on the Yahoo! calendar (see links to your left under "Things to Do").  You can also send me an e-mail to downrivermom1@yahoo.com and be added to an e-mail list that will e-mail reminders about fun things going on.  Ryann and I are hoping to make it to a few more of these activities before baby brother comes!

10a Toddler Story Time-Riverview

10:15a Toddler Story Time-Flat Rock

11:30a Ages 3-7 Story Time-Flat Rock

12p McLunch at Mills-Southgate

5p Funtastic Night Special

6p Family Story Time-Melvindale

7:15p Open Swim $2-Flat Rock

9p Movie in the Park-Trenton

Ready or not, here he comes...

As of today I am 37 weeks pregnant-full term-so the baby could come any day now and there is nothing anyone would do to try to stop it.  I am torn between being ready for this baby to come out and join the family and postponing his birth so that I can spend more time with Ryann during her last few days of being an only child.


I know its hormones. I think its hormones.  Its gotta be hormones.


I lie awake at night wondering how Ryann is going to take being knocked off her pedestal and replaced with a smaller, probably stinkier, definitely needier baby.  Chances are she is going to adjust just fine. Hormones tell me that she will never forgive me.  I have to fight the urge to not wake her up in the middle of the night so that I can hold her on my lap without being interrupted by a crying baby.  I imagine my heart breaking if she comes to the hospital and asks me to leave with her like she has before when leaving her with sitters-"C'mon mama!"


But ready or not, the baby is coming when he is ready-whether Ryann, Matt, and I are or not.  It's a bittersweet excitement as our family gets ready to change forever-

Thank Heaven...

Just a quick picture of Ryann and my best friend's daughter Miley.  While Ryann has a little boy friend that she sees much more than Miley, there is something so sweet about two little girls playing together.

"Nesting"

I think that nesting is the term for Moms who want things to be clean and also, in turn, enjoy cleaning.  I have a strong desire to have my house clean.  I do not, however, have the motivation to get it there.

For the past few days (okay, month) I have been working on getting all of Ryann's stuff out of the "nursery" and into her "big girl room."  I never realized what an efficient pack rat I am.  Her small little closet is seriously filled to the BRIM with a bunch of random baby items, clothes, etc. that I have been going through and donating, storing, or tossing.  This is taking forever.  Also, as I go through the room, instead of just walking things and putting them where they belong, I have been making piles for things that need to go downstairs, in the attic, in my bedroom, in her bedroom, etc. so now along with the nursery being a mess, there are piles of stuff in all of the other rooms that need to be gone through as well.

I am vowing to be more organized with Matthew.  Clothes that don't fit will be dealt with immediately, either stored for the next boy or donated to charity.  Then maybe I won't have 2 large rubbermaid tubs (thats just the stuff I am keeping) to try to wrangle into the smallest attic in history.

My neighbor, who probably has feels like wearing a HAZMAT suit when she comes to our house (she is really clean) told me that she puts her son's outgrown clothes in the corresponding diaper boxes that she keeps-so if he is wearing size 2 diapers from 6-9 months, those clothes will be in that box.  I think that is a pretty cool idea.  Anyone else have any good ideas for keeping the baby clothes under control?

Make it a half a movie day...

We took Ryann to the movies for the first time today to go see Shrek 3.  My dad invited us to accompany him and my brother Rob so we figured we would give it a try.  The first half of the movie, she was an angel.  Then, she began to lose her patience.  I could feel her squirming in the seat next to me. I remembered that she has been being a total CREATURE for the past few days around nap time-we think she is getting one of her 2 year molars (since her gums are swollen and she has been chewing on her entire HAND whenever she gets a chance). I started to panic. How could I forget the Motrin?  Is she going to flip out?  Can they turn the volume up in here so no one hears me threatening her?

Luckily, she got antsy but Matt took her out of the movie with about 1/2 hour left and I enjoyed the rest of the movie with Robbie and my Dad.  I am wondering, when do you know if your kid is ready to act more human than ogre in a movie theater for an entire movie?

Calling all Downriver moms...

So I got a lot done yesterday in terms of setting up a calendar on-line that includes things to do with toddlers. I am hoping that having this available to moms (both those I know, and those I don't know) will be helpful and maybe even introduce me to some new people along the way.  Lord knows Ryann and I will be sick of looking at each other by summer's end, especially once her brother gets here.

I have also set up a Facebook group, which will have some discussion boards on which moms (or dads, I guess) can talk about the things that they like to do or places that they have tried that really sucks.  I am all for patronizing local businesses and trying to help the community-but the fact of the matter is that MOMS are what make a business successful, and businesses need to cater to that.  Think about it.  Who is the one in the household that makes decisions about where to shop, eat, vacation, get medical treatment, etc.? I know who it is in my house.  By getting together and writing reviews-we have the power to make our communities better by supporting local businesses and changing those that don't want to accommodate us.  I encourage you to join the Facebook group or at least send me an e-mail if you have a place that you think is GREAT to take kids-I will take care of contacting the business and posting its events on the yahoo calendar.  I appreciate the help!

Engaging Panic Sequence

So, I still have 5 weeks until my due date.  However, as I was telling Matt, I am pretty sure that after this week if baby wants to come, baby is coming, and we better be ready.  There are a few things that I need to accomplish before then.

MUST DO
1.  Pack for hospital
2.  Pack bag for Ryann (she's already lined up to be dropped off at my parents' house when it is go time)
3.  Finish getting nursery ready (out with the pink, in with the blue)
4.  Buy some diapers for new baby
5.  Assemble Ryann's new bedroom furniture

WOULD LOVE TO
1.  Reorganize and deep clean entire house
2.  Potty train 2 year old
3.  Make 2 months worth of healthy meals that I can stick in the freezer and cook as necessary

Looking at the list, I think I will for SURE accomplish #1 on the must do.  I can already see myself talked out of everything else.  I think a good thing to do when you have a "to-do" list, is to put a bunch of "fluff" things on it so that at the end of the day it looks like you got more accomplished.  For example-here is today's "before" list:

1.  Assemble Ryann's new dresser
2.  Continue working on laundry pile
3.  Stamp and send thank you cards for Ryann's birthday

Knowing that I will most likely not complete THIS list, I add a few fillers and cross them out as they are accomplished:

1.  Assemble Ryann's new dresser

2.  Take a shower

3.  Continue working on laundry pile

4.  Finish off pasta salad before it goes bad

5.  Send birthday wishes to Facebook friends celebrating a birthday today 

6.  Stamp and send thank you cards for Ryann's birthday

7.  Make sure that I am still high scorer on BEJEWELED BLITZ

8.  Post on Cold Coffee Blog

See how the second list makes it look like I got way more accomplished?  Its all about perception.  Now if you will excuse me, I have some pasta salad to attend to.

Insomnia and Humor

I don't remember having trouble sleeping while pregnant with Ryann.  Of course, I also don't ever remember complaining very much while pregnant with her either-and if Matt remembers anything about it, he is keeping quiet.  Lately I wake up in the middle of the night (usually to use the restroom) and then I can't fall asleep for 1-2 hours afterwards. It is the pits!  Luckily, Ryann still takes a mid-afternoon nap so I will catch a snooze with her to make up for the sleep I lost.

One thing that they don't tell you about in the baby books, which may only be considered a developmental milestone in our house, is that around 2 years old your kid starts to develop a sense of humor.  Matt and I have been talking about it this week-Ryann is really starting to get funny.  I don't mean that she didn't always do funny and cute things, I mean, now she is using her words to say things that will make us laugh-for instance, calling her dad "pumpkin."

Matt had a friend over the other night and I took her in the living room to get her changed for bed.  After I had her completely naked she ran into the kitchen and goes "Damp! (what she calls Matt's friend Grant)- NAKEY NAKEY!" and shakes her little booty before running back to me.  We aren't even sure where she came up with the word nakey.  However, her use of humor and the situations in which she uses them have me wondering-future improv actress or stripper?

Are you there God? Its me, Meghan.

WARNING!  THIS IS A BITTER POST!

So along with myself being laid off last June and my hubby experiencing long bouts of unemployment, we had a very negative renting experience with a house that we still own in Flat Rock.  (We got a great deal on our Trenton house while we were both gainfully employed and able to make both house payments if necessary) Our renters turned out to be complete losers-not sure why I was surprised since the only time we got rent on time was when they signed the lease.

So, after throwing $5000+ down the drain making the house payment on the house that THEY lived in (and, of course, paying the water bill since it was still in our name even though they were supposed to pay it) we finally got them evicted.  February 1st.  A month before their lease was up anyways.  The problem with not having any money is that it took us a while to get the house back to "livable" conditions (which included removing a no longer living Christmas tree and a Corona case full of dog feces).  Every door had been slammed nearly off the hinges and apparently they had locked one of the dogs in a bedroom closet, as the inside of the brand new closet door was scratched up like crazy and the molding was all chewed up.

So, it took us until about May but we bought new carpet and had the entire house painted on the inside.  We contacted a property management company so that we wouldn't have to deal with the hassle of finding tenants or basically doing anything with this property.  The day after we put the property management sign in the front yard we received a $200 ticket from the city of Flat Rock for not renewing a business license on a rental home.  Since we never HAD a business license and since no one had been living in there for months (and no one had been paying rent there for even longer) we weren't aware that we had to have a permit.  My husband went to city hall and explained.  The guy at city hall told us to just not pay the ticket and explain our situation to the judge when it went to court.  In the mean time we had some renters interested in moving in June 1.  So my husband paid the ticket so we wouldn't hold up the renters moving in.  Then we applied for the business license.  Which requires a $200 home safety inspection.  (Bill so far to get the house rentable?  $100 in cleaning, $800 for paint, $500 for carpet, $200 ticket, $200 inspection charge, $600 to replace ruined doors-so far $2400 that we don't have just lying around)  Once the inspection is complete, we have 30 days to complete everything on the list to make our house safe for the renters.  (side note-this inspection is not required if we were to sell the house-does that make any sense?)

We received our list of things that needed to be fixed a few days later.  Did I say list?  I meant PACKET.  I understand most of the issues-for example, making sure all outlets are grounded makes a house more safe.  But when it lists fixing a small dent in drywall as a SAFETY hazard that would prevent us from allowing someone to live there?  I think its a little ridiculous.  Hang a poster over it and be done with it.

So we have to hire a licensed electrician to fix all the outlets and put in light switches, etc. where code deems appropriate.  Plus a handyman to finish the rest of the laundry list.  We are looking at around $600 just to start the work.  We've been hustling try to figure out how to come up with the money so that we could get the work done within the 30 days and get our potential renters in the house and not have to choose a house payment over food.  We think Ryann could fetch a hefty sum on the black market but we have grown quite attached to her in the 2 years she's been around.

I have been praying and doing any other sort of ritual that might bring us some luck.  I guess God must have wanted to help but maybe misunderstood why I was so stressed out-because our June renters backed out on the day they were supposed to sign the lease.  Apparently they qualified for a mortgage and didn't feel like telling us for the past THREE WEEKS that we have not been advertising.  

I need a sign quick that doing the right thing is still the right thing to do.

Rain, Rain, you ruined my day.

Today, the city of Trenton and Wayne County Parks were supposed to be hosting the annual Nursery School Olympics, which, according to Trenton Parks and Recreation's website would have such fun things as a Marshmallow Shot Put, Miniature Miniature Golf, Mom’s Guessing Game, Diaper Derby, Paper Plate Discus Throw, Checkerboard Penny Toss, Big Wheel Grand Prix, Toddler Trot, Low Low Hurdles, an Obstacle Course, and a Red White and Blue Parade.  Do I have any idea what the majority of these things are?  No.  Did it sound like an activity filled morning that would guarantee me a lot of afternoon nap time?  Definitely.  So we wanted to go.

Unfortunately, there were "severe" thunderstorms all morning so when we got to Elizabeth Park there was no sign of any olympics going on (yes, we still drove there in the rain in the off chance that it would be 70 degrees and sunny 3.1 miles from our house).  I was excited because Matt said he wanted to go too and it would probably be our only chance to EVER go as a family. (My fingers are still crossed that we will both go back to work-of course, him sooner than me!)

As the rain poured I saw my quiet afternoon washed away as well.  What was I going to do now?  For all the time I spend on the internet, you would think that I would have a huge list of clean, age-appropriate, indoor activities that I could do with Ryann on the cheap.  However, not the case.

One thing I did know is where to get a good breakfast-and since I am 33 weeks pregnant, eating is one of my favorite things to do (ironically, a favorite hobby when I am not pregnant is ALSO eating).  So we headed to Kate's Kitchen in Flat Rock for a delicious breakfast.  It didn't tire Ryann out like the olympics would have, but still an enjoyable morning.  Next time, I will be prepared with a back up plan of things to do with her.  Any suggestions?

My Little Shadow

...and that is an understatement.  Ryann has been attached at my hip for weeks now and it is getting progressively worse.  Here is a sampling of our daily conversations.

Ryann-"What you doing mama?"
Me-"Getting some coffee."
Ryann-"Coffee too?"

R-"What you doing mama?"
M-"Just gonna go potty."
R-"Potty too?"

R-"What you doing mama?"

M-"Just putting on my shoes."

R-"Shoes too?"

R-"What you doing mama?"

M-"Just gonna take a quick shower."

R-"Shower too?"

So you get the point. She wants to do EVERYTHING I am doing.  While I always enjoy a little attention, I can't help but feel a LITTLE frustrated as I usher my daughter into the bathroom with me for the tenth time and beg her to keep the door closed while I am in there, lest my neighbors get a free show.  

Short of hiring a slightly more mature 2 year old to keep her occupied, I don't know how to cut the cord-which is becoming more important as my due date draws nearer-I can't be bringing two kids in the shower/bathroom/bedroom with me every time I go!  What to do?

Come ON, Trenton Business Owners!

As a Trenton resident, I really do love my city.  I was, however, a little disappointed today at the Memorial Day Parade.  The parade itself was AWESOME, and Ryann really enjoyed it.  We were set up at a great spot by Keck Hardware-in perfect view of the Trenton Ice Cream Shoppe.  So of course, once the kids got a look at that they were promised ice cream after the parade.

The parade ended at 10:45, so we walked across the street to get the kids the ice cream as promised.  However, the ice cream shop WASN'T OPEN.  As a matter of fact, it didn't look like many stores were open.  One would think that in this economy, having a ton of people hanging out outside of your store on a Saturday morning would be all the more reason to be open, having a sale, handing out coupons.  I think we would have loved to hang out on West Rd. for a bit, had there been anything to do.  Matt and I were BOTH disappointed.  I hope that they can do better next year...

My little brother

I have an 11 year old brother who has Down's Syndrome.  He has had pretty rough luck in the health department, and this last week has been especially tough.  Today he is having spinal surgery to hopefully fix a problem that should have been diagnosed last August.  Thoughts and prayers are appreciated.  Here is a little something written by another one of my five brothers, entitled "Superman."