My New Life

Many of you know and follow NieNie aka Stephanie Nielson. If not, check her out here. She was a survivor of a near-fatal plane crash, and shares her story of a beautiful life centered on faith in Jesus Christ and love of family. Truly touching and inspirational. After watching it I am ore grateful for all that I have and have been given.

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The Price of Getting Ready

I have been trying to limit the amount of television Carson gets to watch because I have noticed his behavior is a little off when he starts the day off in front of the boob-tube. The television for me and probably so many out there is a nice babysitter that I would use in the morning so that I could shower and get dressed-alone.

So in an attempt to be a better mom "June Cleaver style" and in order to get myself ready and on top of things for the day, I generally rise before Carson to ensure a little uninterrupted productive alone time where I will eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, check my e-mail, and possibly start a load of laundry, make breakfast or whatever. Well, the other morning I thought I deserved to sleep in once that week so Carson was my alarm clock promptly at 7:00 am...it's always within 10-15 minutes before or after that. After getting breakfast taken care of and playing I needed to get ready and asked him to play.

Now playing by himself is not something that Carson does well, he likes company. So while I showered, got dressed, blow dryed my hair and applied my face-about a 30-45 minute process-he took the liberty of emptying out an entire change jar all over our bathroom, spilling a cup of water all over the carpet from my night stand, and destroying a recently organized sock drawer...now I was right there when all of this was happening (except the water, to which he didn't say a word just sat on the ground with his hands covering his eyes-something he does when he has does something he knows was a "no-no").

As I was saying, I was present when this chaos was unfolding but at that moment I didn't care because he was preoccupied and not hanging on my leg saying my name over and over. So in this instance I decided that the mess was well worth the opportunity to get ready for the day.

The scoop

I realize that I have been incognito for all of my blogger buddies, so let me explain.

In order to keep Carson from doing this

and this.

I have been trying to keep him entertained.

We are park regulars,

we have gone to a few birthday parties,

Ring leader

helped cousins move,

watched the Rocklin Jubilee Fireworks show,

have started music appreciation,

and made the best of a two hour oil change at Wally world
(there wasn't even a wait when I got there, go figure.)

He is a maniac that already wants to be behind the wheel...watch out!

But the main reason for me having no life is school. (I am venting so if you don't want to hear about my pity party, stop reading-now.)

Where do I even begin? Most of you know that I am starting Nursing school in the Fall ans since I was in school they added Pathophysiology, a new pre-requisite. Being as it is a summer class, it is super accelerated meaning I have 3- test a week and in 3 weeks I have read over 1000 pages. Now, normally I wouldn't mind having my nose stuck in a book, but this is not pleasure reading. So I officially have no "free" time.

I also had orientation for nursing a couple weeks ago and I have been having a hard time dealing with my upcoming schedule, I am not a huge crier but I cried in the middle of orientation, most of the way home and for awhile after I got home. My reason for being so sad is partly the fact that I am overwhelmed and the other reason is that I will be away from Carson 5 days out of the week. This time away is only the times that I am required to actually be somewhere and doesn't account for commuting, let alone studying, eating and sleeping which will soon be a thing of the past. Let me tell you I will have no life come August 18th. I also had a drug test...that I hope that I passed...and I have a never ending school to-buy list.

I realize that Nursing is something that I have wanted to do, but I feel like I am choosing between two good things, obtaining an education and being a good mother. I know that there will be no perfect time and that when I am done it will have been worth it but I feel like it is going to be a struggle, not only for me but for Andrew, Carson, as well as family around us. Needless to say I hope that this isn't the worst two years of my life.

Feeding Fiasco

Our little angel has turned monster whenever we try to feed him these last couple of days. Making my worst nightmare a reality with food being flung everywhere. It's in his hair, up his arms, it's also covering me, sticking to every visible spot on his high chair, splattered on the floor, oh and I can't forget it has also made it's way to the wall-aargh! We are having a major power struggle. Is it it asking too much to want him to eat a balanced diet? I know that he is wanting his independence but the only foods besides table scrapes that he can feed himself are crackers, toast, cheerios.
What healthy finger foods do your little ones eat?On the bright side, his little messes make for some bubbly fun later...maybe there is reason behind his madness.

From Frumpy to Foxy

Carson has been sick all week-that might explain part of why he was a pistol on Sunday. Anyways, today is the first day that I have actually gotten dressed. Foxy isn't quite appropriate, but I must say that I feel a million times better now that I don't have bed head and I'm out of my three day old pj's into clothes with powder on my nose. I know that beauty is within but I always feel better about my self after I have gotten ready and I am amazed that such a little thing makes such a difference.

A Day of Rest

Our little brain-iac

Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation-yeah right. Carson is generally a good kid but for some reason (ever since he was born even) he has a REALLY hard time at church. For the first time in my life I dread going to church because I spend most of the three hour block in the hall doing one of two things

1) entertaining him because he was squealing super loud in Sunday school or Relief Society or
2) I am trying to get him to fall asleep...key word there is TRY.

Beginning the New Year I was optimistic that it would bring change. So, initially I was excited that our church time was changing from 8:30 am to 10:30 am because I felt like we were rushing and frantic to get out the door and I was hoping that Carson would appreciate and adhere to this schedule a little better. However, our new time is right when he normally naps. One would think that if he was tired enough, like he was today, he would pass out. Unfortunately, instead he fights it. At church all of the other kids his age seem to either quietly play on the floor or sit calmly in their mothers laps. For one child, he takes up so much energy and I am starting to think that he is a high maintenance child.

Can anyone else relate, or am I just sensitive?
Any suggestions?