Life of the Party

      Once you become a parent your whole perspective of New Years Eve changes. Long gone are the parties and late night shenanigans. We will be in the bed and fast asleep by 9:00 at the latest. There will be no 12:00 toast going on in my life.         You are expected to change most things once you become a parent. I agree with this whole heartedly. My child is the most important person in my life. I think I can also safely say that she is more important that my relationships with other family members. Her well being and happiness comes first. I have anticipated her first words, steps, and expressions.         Consumed in parenthood is the only way I can describe my current situation. This might change once she gets a little older, but for now she has the spotlight on her.      Tonight while everyone is out celebrating I'll be here celebrating the small things. I still beyond thankful for my child, this exp...

    I'm not impressed on how they treat their older customers. If you pay in full they should deliver. Mom has a receipt in hand that was given to her. This is why I have stopped paying in cash. Local small town businesses take advantage of their older clients. Mom doesn't even write checks. They employee young clerks to work the front office. I bet she put the cash in her pocket and didn't even apply it to Mom's account. 

       No one really talks about the strange week that follows Christmas. We are currently off on Christmas break and I have just totally fell out of touch with what day it is. Patiently waiting for New Years Eve has been such a long wait. This week has passed by so slowly.          Everyone in the house is still sick with Covid. I'm literally a walking shell of who I was before the virus. My poor baby has had the worst of it all. She is still having complications from the original outbreak. Honestly, I thought I had cleared it and was moving on. I was WRONG. Every symptom has returned and all my energy has been drained. The worst part is not being able to communicate with my baby. I long for the day that she can talk to me.        Back to this ODD week.        I forgot about planning for the new semester. I forgot about emails and papers being due. I think a lot of this stress and agitation can be dire...

     As strange as it may sound I think every year is a new chance to make some changes. This year brought many highs and lows, so here's to hoping the new year will bring about some massive change and positive vibes.  Reflections       I count the birth of my children as a blessing. Although only one made it, it was still an experience that will forever humble me. Taylor is beyond any thing I could have imagined. The pregnancy itself was a tremendous accomplishment in itself. I was told for years not to have children, and making it out with one is a miracle all of its own.       2023 has taught me patience and pride. No one is above their own actions and every action has its own reaction. I believe everything comes at its own time. I want to get back to my previous pre-pregnancy weight. This is something I'll have to work on each day. Nothing comes quickly or easily.       Husbands deserve to be cherished t...

    She didn't get the fairy tail Christmas I was hoping for. She is still weak and running a slight fever. Taylor is beyond cranky and irritable. I think however, she did enjoy the Christmas tree. We finally felt well enough to put the old girl up. We've been using the same tree for years. We always make sure we get our money out of items like this. We added our newest ornaments to the tree. The tree wasn't surrounded with gifts. Money isn't everything and sometimes bills are more important than lavish gifts.  Our little family is all that was present.       I got her some basics like diapers and clothes. I didn't go overboard. I feel like this should have been a happier time with Taylor. No one feels well and she's been very clingy. I spend most of my wake hours calming her along with making sure she's getting some fluids in.        This Christmas I'm thankful for our small family of three. I do miss my step-son, but maybe he will...

       These past few months have been tiring to say the least.  Taylor doesn't sleep well and only sleeps in four hour cycles at the moment. I'm really looking forward to sleep six plus hours again.  A few days ago I felt like a truck had driven over me. I was sore for no reason at all. Testing for Covid has become part of our "norm." As soon as I got the results back I was deeply saddened.          I'm absolutely terrified that she will having last effects from this virus. My symptoms have started to clear up, but her symptoms have just started. Hearing her cough nonstop is heart wrenching. She doesn't feel well and will often scream. She doesn't understand and hasn't started talking yet. The pediatrician said to give her Motrin and Tylenol. I wish there was more I could do. My momma heart wish I could take it all away. We have been battling this virus for a few days with Taylor. She cannot sleep and getting her to eat has proved ...

    Where has the time gone? Everyday is passing by way too fast. I blinked back in August and now it's suddenly November. Taylor is a bundle of joy and each day she is gaining knowledge of how the world works. Today, she discovered that as the leaves fall she gets to enjoy them. We spent over 30 minutes outside enjoying this Fall weather. This time next year she will be up and running around. I know these days will not last, and she will grow up fast. Cherishing these moments is beyond incredible.       November was my grandfather's favorite month. He got to eat whatever he wanted for Thanksgiving and his birthday followed. Our table would be filled with food and laughter. I look back and remember all the family gatherings we used to have. Now who is around my table is completely different. It's nice to have my little family, but I miss the ones who have passed on. With a new child you get to create new traditions, so any suggestions would be greatly appre...

         When did things change? I was perplexed to hear that kids no longer go trick-or-treating. It is "a thing of the past," or at least that is how it was expressed to me. Childhood memories flood in about dressing up and driving around in the dark to collect candy while my parents chatting with the neighbors. I look forward to either making my costume or purchasing one. Maybe it is safer to having a gathering in a well lit area with set expectations of what is to go on. I will always be biased though.         My child is still too young to enjoy the delights of these festivities. It just doesn't seem as if the kids will have the same experience of knocking on the door. 

     The dreaded time of year as approached me. My birthday is today and I have almost hit my mid thirties. Year 33 has brought so many new things into my life that I cannot fathom what 34 has in store for me. My outlook on aging may seem strange to some. I'm thankful to have another chance to live. There are so many of my peers that would have loved to see year 34.       My husband has been a true gem. He as set up a very special day for me. I was to get up and be dressed in "a nice outfit." He arranged for a babysitter and prepared the baby bag. He surprised me with a day to ourselves. This is was the best birthday I have had in a while. Last year we didn't even celebrate it, so I feel blessed to say the least. 

      Oh how I miss the days of sleeping in, or at least getting seven straight hours of sleep. No one talks about the sleep regression cycles your young one goes through. She was sleeping almost eight hours straight, but now it's cut up into sections. She wakes up at different times, and getting her back to sleep is a total nightmare.       I have tried to keep the same routine and we are sticklers for a set bedtime. She absolutely refuses to take naps during the day. I don't know how she is functioning. With her weird schedule I have found that my performance at school has drastically declined. I walk into work as a sleepless zombie. Lesson planning and grading no longer occur at home. If I cannot get it done during my work hours, it just doesn't get completed. This has somewhat made me more present at home. I'm no longer worried about making time to sit to complete these tasks. Having children has also reset my opinion on homework. We just don't do ...