Southern Belle Mama

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Miss Manners says, "Dont' Brag!"

Well I guess I learned my manners lesson the hard way this time. If you're a mom then you have heard the following question approximately five hundred thousand six hundred and eighty-two times: "How's she (or he) sleeping?" You will also hear variations of the same question: "Is she sleeping through the night yet?" or "Does she nap well?" People are obsessed with how babies sleep and I'm sure I am asked this question at least twice a day.

My Monkey began sleeping through the night when he was 4 months old (which was just fine because he was two months premature so at 4 mo, he was really 2 months adjusted age). Well, with the Bug (she was only 1 month premature) I kind of expected her to begin sleeping through the night between 3 and 4 months, but I wasn't going to get my hopes up. So...about a week ago she started sleeping a solid 7 hours and I was happy to appease those so concerned with her sleep habits by saying, "Why yes, she is sleeping through the night. I know...she's such a good baby." I guess I was boasting a little too much because the Bug decided to teach me a manners lesson. DON'T BRAG!

The past two nights she has decided to resume her mid-night feeding at 2am (at least I have my chocolate milk to look forward to at this time!). Lesson in point, when your baby starts sleeping through the night just pray, keep your fingers crossed and say, "Yes she is sleeping through the night. We just hope she keeps it up." But never, and I mean never, brag!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Happy Thoughts

Some days you just need a happy thought (or ten) to keep you going, to give you something to look forward to. Here's my happy thought list today.

1. The fun size butterfingers that I have hidden in my top drawer (these are not for sharing!)
2. A backrub from my hubby (the Red Head)
3. A hot bath and a good book.
4. A top-shelf margarita on the rocks. Make that a Jumbo please!
5. The Bug's smile!
6. Naptime.
7. A glass of chocolate milk.
8. My Monkey's hilarious comments. **Not 20 minutes after I typed this, My Monkey called me into the bathroom and said, "You want to see how much poopy I did? Are you proud of this poopy Mommy?" Such a cutie!
9. Cupcakes.
10. A trip to the mountains in 2 days!!!

These things keep a smile on my face.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Use No. 127

Babies have many uses...they can help you end a phone call with a telemarketer as they exercise their piercing cry, they can help you out of most any type of situation that you'd like to escape because they either need to be fed, diapered, or put down for their nap. But this morning I discovered use No. 127 (for this use, baby must be in her carrier). They can help you exit a restaurant after you've spilled an entire cup of coffee in your lap. That is how the Bug helped me this morning.

Everything was going just great; my Monkey started back to his swimming lessons and made it through with minimal whining so we decided to celebrate with his favorite breakfast, "drits." We ate our food and then out of nowhere I just dropped the freshly refilled coffee cup in my lap. Luckily we were the only table in the back section of the diner so I mopped up what I could, but panic set in as I tried to figure out a way to exit without everyone seeing me (it totally looked like I wet my pants). That's where the Bug and her monstrous carrier came to the rescue. I just lugged that thing in front of me and it hid my "accident"! Thank you Bug, thank you Graco for making an enormous carrier that, when strategically placed, can hide anything!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Proper Introduction

Every Southern Belle deserves a proper introduction, and although mine doesn't include a list of brags I thought it necessary to share a bit about myself. I am a mother of two who is now a stay-at-home mom (on leave from my job as a teacher). I have a 3 1/2 year old son, my Monkey, and a 3 month old daughter, the Bug. I have an obsession for all things southern...sweet tea, southern hospitality, good manners (which I admit to forgetting frequently), and good food! I have been reading others blogs for quite some time now, but never had the urge to write for myself. Until now. What I experience everyday as a woman, wife, and mother has prompted me to start writing.

After the birth of my first child (my Monkey) I stayed at home 5 months before going back to work. It was then that I realized that 5 months wasn't long enough. Not having the luxury to quit my job at that time, I went on working but we promised each other that when we had our next child I would stay home for at least a year. This past April the Bug was born, so our plan is for me to stay at home through the next school year and then return to work....we'll see.

I see this year at home as a gift; a chance for me to grow my children and reconnect with myself. After teaching (-code for being mommy to 20 six year olds) for five years I feel that I've lost some of myself. I want to focus on returning to the things that make me happy, return to myself.