Jackpot

Forget the lottery, I've won the Mama Jackpot!

Last night the boy actually ate all of his dinner (organic non-meat sloppy joe sandwich, carrots and applesauce). That was good all by itself.

Then the girl insisted on wearing underwear to bed (bearing in mind she's still working on completing her potty training) and woke up DRY, DRY, DRY this a.m.! Ahhhhh.

This morning, the kids played together NICELY with no fighting (they did it last night too). The prince and princess followed the cooperative playing by eating their organic breakfast cereal (and the boy reading aloud about the 1% of proceeds that go to save the Rwandan Gorillas). Then the boy asked that his lunch include (get this) carrots, grapes, apples and pears... "I only want to eat healthy stuff Mom, 'cause I want to be strong enough to kick a kickball really far!"

Works for me! Then the prince mentioned that he didn't want to watch TV! I must be dreaming -- and it is a GOOD one! Don't wake me 'cause even though I know it won't be like this forever, I've just got to wallow in my excitement a bit longer.

#4

Okay so I'm now on Ocular Migraine #4! This one was bad - like the first one. You realize you are old when... I've always wondered what might have been different about being a young mother. Hmmm. Anyway I sure wish these things came with a spurt of energy or creativity but instead the bad ones come with exhaustion and an inability to get off the couch. I was surprised I managed a tea party with the girl but had to quickly opt out of the cocoa since chocolate CAN cause these migraines, along with red wine (haven't had for weeks), dark cheeses, stress, dehydration, and a bunch of other odd thingies. Ugh. As if mamahood isn't hard enough without this added treat.

Wanted to play with the girl but just barely managed, wanted to clean house and organize (couldn't), wanted to do the recycling (maybe next week), wanted to finish my bookmarks (nope), did about 3 cards of my current order and managed a healthy dinner (just barely as it was an organic sloppy joe mix, cold mini carrots and applesauce)!

Interestingly, the kids seemed to rise to the occasion and other than a brief hissy-fit about wanting candy, we had a good evening. I even heard a honest and spontaneous "I love you" from the boy to the girl several times! God bless 'em every one. What are your current stresses that add to the mama (or papa) mix?

PS .. the girl's word of the day is "flabbergasted" -- not sure where she came up with that one but she says it well.

Big enough?

Ever feel like you can't find a hat big enough to hide under, a chair big enough to relax in, a calendar big enough to hold all the things you need to stay on top of or a shortcut that doesn't really require more work? It's Monday and today I can't.

What I can do is enjoy the guilty (or is that guilt-less) pleasure of watching a little Super Nanny (yes I admit to watching her once in a blue moon -- by the way I learned what that was recently along with my son by reading a "Magic Treehouse" chapter book)! Maybe there should be a new book written called "All I Ever Needed to Know, I learned in First Grade"?!

Back to Super Nanny. She by far puts on a more interesting show than that Nanny 911 crew and who doesn't love the English accent? I do, I do.... To be honest and truthful as well, I think, like many of us who struggle each day to try to get our parenting right, it is a relief to see that other parents out there don't always do such a good job either and that for them, as for us, there is always the chance for improvement. Another day, another carpool, another bedtime, another chance to do better. Here's to tomorrow. A brand new day.

Etsy Shop Update

Updated the Etsy Shop... if you are looking for cards, right now there's only 1 set of each.

In one ear

and out the other?

Probably every mama out there knows the sense of being ignored or just not heard by their little people on more than one occasion. My mother will be thrilled to know that I finally understand why she'd occasionally "talk to the wall" in frustration over our lack of engagement with her... My point here this morning is this:

When you realize by something your children say, that they do sometimes listen when you think they are not... well let's just say it's a good day.

In the other room just moments ago, I heard this from the boy (engaged in playing with his sister):

"We're playing free choice. That way we don't get into fights."

Then he proceeded to try to share with his sister even though she didn't take it well. Savor these moments Mamas -- I know I am mine.

Which reminds me of a wonderful woman who lived across the street when I was growing up in Missouri... She recently wrote to me with her theory of why Mamas love knitting and needlepoint and other such projects and I think her point is right on. Unlike most of mamahood (and dadahood too), most daily mainstays (getting the kids dressed and to school on time, dishes, laundry, homework help)... get done and even if they are done well, have to be done - again and again. She basically said that so much of parenting is intangible and it is nice to have a successful final product to show for a period of time spent (a knit sweater, a needlepoint picture). Of course our most important project is our children but if other hobbies along the way, help us feel good and parent better, more power to us. Knit on (but not at the expense of the children) and occasionally remind them as I do, that they are more important than the hobby!

Bookmarkin'

Thinking about gardening and solar conversions, making bookmarks.

It's time...

for the weekend (thank goodness) and

for buttons,

and more buttons,

but not for Bratz.

I know I'm not the only parent tired of having to look behind every nook and cranny to find the predators (otherwise known as commercial marketers trying to lure my children with things which are not good for them). If you agree that childhood should be a time of relative innocence and children should not be targets of commercialism at its very worst... join me and the Center for a Commercial Free Childhood in

Telling Scholastic: Stop Selling Bratz in Schools

The Bratz - a line of highly sexualized dolls for girls as young as four are - being marketed in schools by Scholastic, Inc. Scholastic promotes Bratz through its book fairs and book clubs, selling titles such as Lil' Bratz Dancin Divas; Lil' Bratz Catwalk Cuties; and Lil' Bratz Beauty Sleepover Bash to a captive audience of young students.

The Bratz - whose wardrobes include miniskirts, fishnet stockings, and bikinis - were recently singled out the by American Psychological Association for contributing to the sexualization of young girls. To tell Richard Robinson, President and CEO of Scholastic Inc., that commercially- driven, sexualized stereotypes have no place in schools, click here.

Favorite toys

I could drone on and on about the cough medicine that was supposed to help me sleep but kept me awake instead or the cat greeting me by vomiting on the couch I was attempting to rest on... but I'm trying to be perky and positive today (well... at least positive, perky will probably require more sleep).

So this morning I'm focussing on the fact that a 3:30 a.m. rising time allowed me to finally get a good long shower (and lose my rasta hair) as well as affording me some quality Lego building time with the boy. We worked together on building a dungeon and a tower. I've been thinking for awhile that my young prince needs and requires more of my undivided attention and voila... after our impromptu playdate this morgan (my Dad used to say that and I like carrying on the tradition), the boy had this to say at breakfast (besides how much he loves his sister! What?):

"Mama. My favorite toy is YOU!"

First flowers

Anyone else feeling rainy and drainy and ready for spring? These are the very first flowers in my garden this year (and something's already munched on them)!

I may be feeling droopy but always feel better after a computer love letter from my baby girl (who is getting over a nasty ear infection)! Aaaah love does conquer all (or at least some).

I Heart Knitting

O.K. I have to finally admit it... I apparently love knitting (no pun intended but, I'm hooked - oh wait that would actually be crochet). Either way... just days ago I was swearing I was gonna take a knitting break (my kids would be thrilled), but now I'm wandering around the house looking for a project, feeling odd without an excuse to sit down and knit and purl a few rows. I've also discovered that I don't hate the sewing seams part as I'd once believed. I actually enjoyed the process of sewing up the recent baby gifts and am making a resolution to sew up the multiple incomplete projects that litter the landscape of our home... a sweater for hubbie that is going to end up being mine (don't worry I'll eventually make him one that actually fits HIM), a purse, a vest. And trust me... it's about time. That sweater was my hubbie's Christmas gift the year before this one! Ee gad.

Sick as a dog

The baby shower is over, the mamas (and babies etc.) got lots of useful and fun goodies, a few more weeks before the babies arrive, I was feeling better but now I feel as sick as a dog (and what does that mean anyway?)... The twin hooded ponchos were complete and are pictured above. The "was in pieces" but still needs finishing touches kimono is below. I hope the mama and papa will love it when it is finished...

And now since I still don't feel better after a date with my hubbie (and some excellent spicey hot Thai soup and wine) and because my kids are still awake despite the best efforts of our wonderful babysitter, I'm gonna do my best to load up on Nyquil or some such thing and go to bed... wish me well. Good night and good luck.

Sleep is good

After about 18 hours of sleep, I'm feeling quite a bit better and just a little bit like Rumpelstiltskin. As you can imagine, I am now way behind on my knitting (still finishing a front panel and need to do 2 sleeves). I'm reminded of a handwritten sign I saw recently on the front door of a neighborhood cafe. It read "Sorry. Out with the Flu." I wish I had had my camera with me and could have gotten a picture of it. The next time I drove by, the place was open and the sign was gone (good for them)!

Anyway... That's how I have felt this week. "Sorry. Out for sickness." Got to go knit and get ready to get back to life (must pick up the prince from his after-school play date -- that's usually when the fun begins). More soon.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Blast off!

Yesterday as my children amused themselves (as children will) with dramatic play scenarios of knights and princesses, kitties and babies, kings and guards and rocketeers (see them ready to take off in their rockets above), I was knitting and knitting and knitting some more. I'm pretty much done with the twins gifts (just one small thing to sew up and yarn bits to knit in) but I've got a ways to go for Kayla's present. For those knitters out there, my goal for today is to complete the front (yesterday I managed the back piece). Tomorrow I hope to finish the sleeves and finalize the project (hubbie gets to do the wrapping and delivery if I'm still feeling sick).

Maybe it was the lift offs or the green yarn, but I also started to notice the tell tale signs that spring is coming, seeing the tiny green shoots starting to prepare for lift off in my garden. I must say that discovery helped to lift my spirits enough to get through the sick day (that and having Dad show up in the afternoon - always seems to work better when we are able to work as a team instead of on our own alone).

So today while I attempt to pretend to myself that I'm feeling just fine when well... let's face it I'm really not... I am looking forward to the days getting slightly warmer and the flowers blooming, and working in my garden (anyone know a good garden planning resource?). I'm also looking ahead to more hours of sunlight to lift my spirits and beginning to think about wanting to focus on fixing up my house on the inside before I get too focussed on the outside and the yard -- nothing too involved but definitely some painting that's just never happened and some refreshing of accessories, framing and hanging of photos and the like.

And speaking of blast offs, my son's reading has taken off like a rocket and as I proudly watched him reading yet another chapter book yesterday and looking for a bookmark when he had to put it down for some reason or another, I cut a postcard that was laying around, one with an ocean view on the front, in half and handed him one. He seemed pleased. His happy face made me want to make some fun bookmarks for him, creative for me and laminated for longevity. If any of my crafty friends want to teach me about these crafty challenge swap thingies, I'd like to put out a challenge to do some fun bookmarks. Any takers?

PS - Counting the other way, I'm now experiencing ocular migraine #2 (that's 2 in just 5 days for anyone who is counting besides me). I'm gonna call my chiropractor when its over but does anyone have a good vacation home in Maui I could use for a week or so :-) Ahhh wouldn't that be nice?).

Kick in the pants

So as I sit here making my calls to let folks know that both my kids will be staying home from school sick today with colds (yup - on Valentine's Day), I was reminded of a conversation from a girl's night out this weekend.

The topic of women being nurturing came up and why it is we often nurture others at the expense of our own needs and sometimes even health. There was no real resolution, I believe the conversation veered from there into some other direction, but it is still hovering around in my head. Oddly enough the next morning, the universe would bring it up again...

Give me a kick in the pants really... and it looked something like the picture above. I was graced with my first ever Ocular Migraine and boy was it interesting. For those who aren't familiar with these goodies, they are similar but different from their more famous cousins - the headache migraine. The ocular version has similar causes (such as red wine and chocolate, stress, contricted blood vessels), but differs in symptoms. Most folks experiencing the ocular version as I did, get a small fuzzy part of their vision which gets bigger and bigger (blocking out 1/2 of the vision in my case) for about 20 - 30 minutes and then goes away. Mine was followed by a low level headache and extreme fatigue which lasted about a day and a half!

Since the migraine, I finally succumbed to the cold my kids are dealing with, had a flareup of my shoulder/neck injury and got a nasty cold sore on my lip (always a sign of stress in my body). And so... maybe just maybe the universe is saying, in a not-so-subtle-anymore kind of a way: "Mama Zuzi... you need to be taking care of yourself. Time to get serious about all that exercising you aren't doing, that physical therapy your shoulder needs, actually taking care of your skin (instead of just looking at the skin care products on the shelf), eating better based on your own needs and not the kids and well... creating a family schedule that honors some regular time for mama to relax (and some of that time with papa). Hmmmm. Finally time to get serious about taking care of myself too. Cause of course if I'm not here for some reason, who'll take care of the kids :-)

PS... for those who still want to voice their opinion on photo card themes, I'm thinking of closing down the poll on Friday afternoon to order photos... so have at it until then!

Monday morning blahs

Starting off the week feeling a bit blah, kind of like this little pony looks. My friend Debbra referenced these pretty ponies (found around town in Portland) in her blog recently. This once pretty pink pony looks a bit worse for wear to me -- a bit like a mama after a particularly rough patch such as attempting to teach her princess how to be angry without destroying the first things she sees or finally succeeding in getting the young prince to make his 26 Valentines Cards on the very last day before they are due (since he wouldn't do any of it all week long).

Thanks to all of you who have voted in my photo card theme poll. Keep 'em coming... and yes you can vote as many times as you'd like - it's all about YOU! How many times can you say that? Vote away and happy Monday (2 days and counting before the big V-day)!

Addicted to polls

Photo themes galore!

O.K. O.K. some of you are probably thinking -- enough with the polls already. Just bear with me... it is a new toy and I'm enjoying it. I LOVE online polls. I greatly enjoy giving my opinion and seeing what others are thinking too. Please see my current poll (to your right) and please vote. It's quick, easy (no sign in required) and its completely anonymous. Great for those commitment-phobes among us and better yet for those parents who have little time but can manage a 1-2 second click of a button before rushing off to deal with the young ones. Well... speaking of kids, I've got to help mine motivate to get dressed and help the boy (at the very least) make 20-something valentine's day cards for his classmates. Ciao for now!

Babies, babies, babies

I once heard that each baby born is God's way (or whatever universal force I/you/we may believe in) of showing that he/she/it still has hope for the world. If that's the case, then things are bound to get better.

Right now even though I'm busy parenting a 4 and a 6 year old, all I can think about is babies.

I have three nieces coming in the next couple of months and apparently the twins are thinking they might like to show up sooner than expected. I feel for those poor women who end up on bed rest for weeks and months at a time, although at times during mamahood it seems like it could be like a mini vacation (time alone in bed, reading, resting, watching a little something). Don't get me wrong, I'm not making light of the situation.

So... three babies on the way and one baby shower for all of them in one week's time! Arrrgh. As with many things, I'm a little behind and scrambling to complete all three knit baby gifties between now and then. For those who want to see the current state of two of these projects, you can go here... (if this is the expectant Mama - do not click the link)!

On the flip side of all this baby delivering is quite a bit of sadness. I have friends who have been trying and trying to have a baby but not having success. I know several who've gotten pregnant but then not come to term. In each case their pain is palpable and I wish I could help but of course I cannot. I do know I'll happily knit them something when their big day arrives and I'll keep crossing my fingers (when I'm not knitting) and thinking good thoughts for them. Not sure why this process is so very hard for some who want little ones more than anything and so easy for others (many times those who don't want them at all). But then again, don't get me started on how I would run the universe if I was God (or some such force of nature)...

Gotta get back to knitting and hope to not force a repetitive stress issue between now and the shower.

Priori(tease)

prioritize verb
assign a priority to; "we have too many things to do and must prioritize"
WordNet® 2.1, © 2005 Princeton University
WordNet - Cite This Source

Ain't that the truth! I've been thinking a lot about priorities of late. And given that I have very little time to think (see above), here's what I've come up with thus far. As with all things motherhood, it is just well funny frankly if you look at it the right way.

Yesterday, like millions of mamas across mamaland, I looked at my day and had to prioritize. What would get done (or at least attempted) and what would no doubt wait for its place on yet another list, wait for yet another day?

I thought about parenting prioritization's spectrum. On one end, is a messy house, dirty clothes in piles, doggie poop piling up in the back yard (ours is getting together soon to conspire to kick the grass out altogether - beware the potential dog poop revolution)...

Sorry but this is taking me down a side path. I saw an ad for a company the other day that provides poop scooping services and just had to laugh. People showing up oh so officially to scoop up our beloved pets daily dumps and get paid to do so... Who wants to explain that that's their job? Do you think they tell prospective dates, "I'm a dog poop scooper" or go for something a bit more suave such as "I've an environmental engineer!" Hmmm. Regardless here are a few of the company names -- all quite clever -- I've seen for these services: poop butler, wholly crap, doody calls, we scoop it, and critter concierge (this last service will even brave your kitty's box)! Speaking from experience, that is BRAVE. And while I giggle, I kinda wish we had a line item for these folks in our family budget. Ahhhh... one less thing to prioritize.

Which brings me back to yesterday and prioritization. While some folks put their young ones on the top of the list, spending hour upon hour of quality time together while piling dishes up on the counters to an unsafe level and continuously having to kiss booboos that come from tripping over toys on the carpet (trust me we fall on this end of the spectrum), others go in the other direction.

I have a relative who is a Grandma (but functions as a mama to her grandson) and well illustrates the other side of this coin. Everything in that house is in place and pristine. She prioritizes order, cleaning over chaos and getting things that need to get done, well - done. I'm always a bit jealous to enter such homes, all the while wondering how they do it. These are the folks, who can set up the rules and consistently enforce them (at least in my vision of the world), who can set up a schedule and stick to it.

I, on the other hand, like most mamas... well... struggle. Mamahood lesson #1 should probably be (or maybe 3 or 4 after "forget about a good night's sleep" and "you'll never eat a meal without giving half away to your kids"): prioritize and then let it go. Go with the flow mamas or you'll have to wear a helmet to keep from bashing a hole (or several) in your walls with your head.

Yesterday I survived and that's saying something. Facing a long list of things I needed to do (and some I just really wanted to do), I chose to prioritize all-things kids (carpooling and playdates over bill paying and house decorating). Then the universe worked its magic...

I smiled through the carpool snafu, bounced back from the sibling tiff in the car on the way to school, moved past the play date that just didn't happen and well... shuffled those priorities. I engaged in playdough pie making and blueberry muffin baking, managed to sneak in 20 minutes of exercise while allowing the girl to watch Sesame Street, managed to pay bills while also playing shop owner and selling goodies to my princess-y customer before helping her build a house in which to keep said goodies.

I also just read an excellent post about the wonders of Erma Bombeck and the ability to laugh at mamahood. Erma did it so well. If you haven't read her, you should (sorry... shouldn't should so let's say could)! Either way, I've rambled on and now I've got to go... prioritizing helping the princess go potty, a few hours at the office and just getting through the day.

Too tired

This is an old photo but it expresses how I'm feeling tonight. Even though those darned "shoulds" are following me around and creeping up on me, I'm just too tired. Too tired to blog (much of anything anyway), too tired to pay bills, too tired to do any cleaning or work on photos or even fix the typo in my mini poll). So before the shoulds can find me, I'm going to hide under my comfy covers and go to sleep. Tomorrow is another day in mamaland -- carpooling to be done, potential play dates to be had, maybe some time with the hubbie and all those shoulds.

Which way?

Went for a walk with my boy the other afternoon (sort of a date) and we took pictures while walking around the block in our neighborhood. These are a couple of my favorites... I'll share a couple of shots he took when we manage to download them (from our old camera) and I get his permission as the artist (of course)! Noticed this fabulous weather vane just a couple of houses away from our own (never noticed it before) and it got me to thinking tonight. Which way to go?

Every time I think I'm getting my bearings as a parent, I feel I or we veer off course. Maybe that's normal, but I wouldn't know. I hear tales about "normal" fairly easy to manage children who don't throw tantrums or lose their temper over the tiniest of frustrations, but these children I do not know -- these children I do not parent.

In thinking about where things are going, tonight I must say: I'm worried about the world, my son, my daughter, my mother too... but I also have some hope. Gotta have hope. And I've got something else (which I have to remind myself when I'm not feeling as though I'm good enough ... just... gotta... keep ... trying to .. do.. my.. best... 'cause):

I LOVE MY KIDS and MY FAMILY and MY MAMA too. As John Lennon and the Beatles once said, "All you need is love." Spread the love and do what you do from love whenever you can and when you aren't feeling overwhelmed! Don't forget to love yourself.

And don't forget to check out my Etsy shop (DID finally get it set up although only limited inventory currently) if you are so inclined. Pssst... there is a link up in the upper right corner of this site! Have hope and have love.

With love,
Mama Zuzi

Mamahood versus?

It is Sunday morning and what's on my TO DO list?

• Teach Sunday School (Unitarian if you were wondering)
• Get the kids dressed
• Get myself dressed
• Breakfast for me (kids have eaten)
• Laminate signs for preschool
• Complete Letter to the Editor, Emails and Phone Calls for Stand for Children,
• Have a date with son (maybe another with daughter)
• Pick up library books
• Work out budget and pay bills
• Make menu for the week and get groceries
• Have family fun time
• Clean House
• Do Laundry
• Etc....

What am I doing? Playing with my photos and cards. Hmmm. Anyway, if I manage any of the above (or a sufficient enough amount to feel comfortable), I'll hopefully post 3 sets of Flower Photo Cards to what will soon be my Etsy shop... wish me luck and keep checking back. Hope you have a fabulous Sunday (and enjoy the Super Bowl if you are into that... notice it is not on my list)!

Peter Gabriel - When You're Falling

The most amazing musician of our time in my humble personal opinion. This song is amazing on the radio .. a slightly different mix.

Never mind

Gosh only knows why but I changed all my commenting settings and then changed them back and voila ... now you can comment. You can also email me. More coffee and more posts soon! Happy Groundhog's Day!

Comment chaos

Since comments seem to be disabled currently and mysteriously on my blog at this time, please feel free to email me (see my profile) if you have a comment or if you need Valentine's cards and/or details...

Thanks for your patience (can I borrow some)?

Keep smiling...

MamaZuzi

February means...

Valentine's Day

for a limited time