It's finally here!

It's finally August!!!

All summer long I have been anxiously waiting for August to get here. August is when I get to take my week-long vacation. I know, a lot of people would say "What do you need to take a vacation from?!" I stay home all day and I only have 1 child. Some people would call that a vacation. But in all honesty, I love going on our family vacation. It is 2 things that I absolutely love put together. What could be better? The family consists of my husband Jeff, little ladybug Charley, my parents, and my brother Andy and his girlfriend Lauren. And the vacation.... Well, that is the best part. It is a week of being away from the house! I get a week of fishing, sleeping in, 1/2 mom duty (Grandma loves taking care of Charley), 1/4 chef duty (we each prepare 2 meals), and almost no cleaning (just dishes). I'm out of my house, where I'm not staring at piles of laundry to be done or dishes to wash or beds to make. I'm almost obligation-free for an entire week.

Oh wait, I haven't mentioned the stress of the week-before-vacation. As every mom probably knows, that week before taking vacation is the worst week of the year! Ok, it's not as bad as Christmas preparations and the week of no-school that comes at the same time, but it's a close second in my book. I get through that week by making lists. Yes, I'm a list person. It helps me feel organized and prevents forgotten items. My husband doesn't like to make lists of what he might need so he tells me, "Don't let me forget to pack my ...!" As if I'm not already trying not to forget everything else. I make lists of to-do and to-pack. I have to make sure that enough laundry is done to pack for a week,then pack for Charley and I, have to get the dishes are done so they don't mold in the sink, make sure the fishing equipment is packed, get the dog's bed and bowls and food ready-to-go, remember to take the garbage out so the house doesn't stink, and somewhere in the back of my mind is that little voice that's telling me "I'm supposed to remind Jeff to pack something..."

What it is, I can't seem to remember at this moment! I should have put it on the list!

Oh, then there is the preparation for a 4 hour drive with an almost-2 year old! She doesn't like to sit in the car seat for even an hour so how am I going to keep her entertained? I make a list of toys and games and activities to lessen the amount of whining.

Well, up until this point, everything usually goes ok and I can finally relax and enjoy my vacation. Wait, I totally forgot, as I do every year, that after about 3 days I will be pulling my hair out because I can't deal with my mom for long periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and am really grateful for the support system that I have in my family. But when it comes to letting her take care of Charley, she gets the "Grandma Syndrome". You know the symptoms, giving her candy when Mom says "No", letting her scream as she runs around the house, allowing naps to be wherever and whenever, sneaking her juice, and don't forget the late bedtimes. Basically, destroying all the hardwork that I've done for the last month trying to get her disiplined and on a schedule.

Vacation? What vacation? I'm usually ready to go home!

Painting Pride

I made a judgement call and decided not to leave the crayons out in the easel everyday. Charley was drawing on the walls. It was really cute because she would color and then go get the Magic Eraser to clean it up. But as cute as it was, I didn't want her coloring the entire playroom. So we took down the easel and put away the crayons for use only under supervision. But yesterday I decided to let her try a painting project. She doesn't like her fingers dirty so I didn't know how she would like it. She loved it. She used up all the paint I had given her and asked for more.

It held her attention for so long that I got the dishes done and still had time to teach her colors while she painted. Today, she saw her painting hanging up in the kitchen and I could tell...

she was proud of her artwork!

SummerTime Blues

Why is it that at the beginning of every summer I visualize spending everyday outside? I should know by now that I am not a fan of heat and humidity! I try to plan outdoor activities for Charley's sake. She could do something different and burn off energy if only I could get myself out the door. With my need for sunshine, I should enjoy heading outside for a few rays of golden sun. But, it never fails, as soon as I start to get sweaty and my hair starts to frizz, I run for the air conditioning. We live 2 blocks from the beach and we have a summer pass, but it feels like such a nuisance to pack up all the towels, sunscreen, and toys. Especially when we usually can only stay for 2 hours. I complain when it's cold and I complain when it's hot. Why can't it be spring and fall all the time? Then I would spend everyday outside! :)

Dr. Visits

Sickness has permeated our house!! About a month ago, my healthy baby girl got sick for the first time ever. She had croup and a high fever that lasted a week. I thought that with summer right around the corner, we would be in the clear for a while and not have to deal with disease. Not so lucky!! Last week, Charley started developing these red bumps that itched her like crazy. I thought they were just mosquito bites, but after a few days, they developed blisters on top. They weren't chicken pox and we still have no clue what they were. As for me, I am now the sick one. I think it's strep because it started with a sore throat. I had a slight fever for a few days and now it's just a lingering sore throat and swollen glands. Hopefully the weather will warm up just little so I can air out this germ-infested house.

Poor Babies!

This past weekend, my baby had croup. She was having major coughing fits that had a bark to it. And she was running a high fever all weekend. I kept giving her dose after dose of Tylenol to keep her cool, but as soon as it started to wear off, back up to 102. It even spiked to 104.3 on Saturday night. To top off this weekend of sickness, my furry baby threw up on my parents carpet. 2 sick babies!

If Jeff and I don't get sick from this croup, it'll be a miracle.

Special Days in the Eyes of a Woman

So, Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. This day is one of five days that mean anything to us as mothers and women. Listen up men out there! The 5 days that you need to mark on your calendar/blackberry/iPhone are (in chronological order):

• Valentine's Day (February 14th)
• Mother's Day (2nd Sunday in May)
• Sweetest Day (3rd Saturday in October)
• Christmas/ Kwanzaa/ Hanukkah
• your gal's birthday (whenever)

I know what most of you men are thinking right now. You're thinking, "But she told us not to celebrate/ buy gifts for that holiday." R..I..G..H..T! As women, we're supposed to be humble and modest and not beg for gifts. But, how do you think that those first 3 holidays got started? Women wanted days dedicated just to them. We wanted to be admired, appreciated, and doted on. And how do we make sure that happens? By creating a special day. I don't care how often or how seriously your lady friend has told you that she "doesn't want to celebrate" or "don't buy me anything". If you don't at least get her a card, you're going to be sleeping in the dog house licking your wounds.

As for my mother's day, I wasn't expecting much. My husband is not the type to go-all-out. He's the type that usually forgets or it just doesn't cross his mind, that I would like a little something that shows his love and admiration. I definitely did not marry him for his attention to details. However, I was surprised that he had helped my daughter make me a card. He also cooked a huge dinner for me and my parents. I did the dishes, but sometimes I can't give up enough control to let him take over everything. ;)

Busy, Busy...

I know that it's been awhile since I've posted last. It's been pretty hectic around here. My parents left on vacation last Friday and I had to work for my mom. So... Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday was spent working, house-sitting, and dog-sitting. I'm back home now, but still dog-sitting until they get home on Sunday. As if having an 18-month old and a dog of our own wasn't enough, now we have another dog to care for. It's definitely been crazy around here, but it has made me realize that our dog is very well behaved.

Even more important though, this past Tuesday marked a huge day in my sweet Charley's life. It was her first day at daycare. It was only for the one day, but I was definitely anxious about her reaction to being left all day with someone who wasn't me. She was with a babysitter on Monday and I think it helped with the separation on Tuesday. It was wonderful that she was able to be babysat by a friend of mine who Charley knows and who also works at the daycare. I think I was more tense about the situation than I needed to be, but I'm glad that it's over and she did fantastic!

I did realize though that I don't want to find a job. I like staying home with my princess and feel blessed to have that opportunity.