Hi, hello, how’s it going?
Last week, my parents came to visit for 4 days – it was great! It was dark the entire time they were here, which was a bit of a downer, but it was so nice to get to see them and, of course, have babysitters so we could go out alone! We went to the nearby hippie college town, checked out the natural history and art museums, and ate the world’s best burritos.
Theo has been super challenging lately. He won’t let me do anything without whining and wanting to be held. He was very much a barnacle baby and it seems it’s going to continue into toddlerhood. If I’m gone, he does fine – plays happily with Mike and Gabe – but if I’m there, no one else will do and he follows me around asks up for “up.” I love him dearly, but man, it’s getting tiring.
I haven’t really mentioned it at all, but we are sort of homeschooling Gabe for preschool this year and we are all loving it a lot. He’s learning how to write letters, read sight words, and do math. It’s so amazing to see him learn on a daily basis. Really gratifying and so much fun. This has helped me see myself as a teacher for him, and now I’m always looking for ways to teach him, which will be a great effect no matter where he goes to school.
The sun is setting around 4:20 pm now and it’s terrible. I’m trying to get the kids outside as much as we can since the weather has been so unseasonably warm. I view kids like dogs – they need a regular walk to be calmer. (And Theo brings us shoes when he wants to go for a walk…total puppy)
Mike and I have been great about going to bed around (or before!) 10, but one night this week we stayed up late having a really vulnerable conversation about being mediocre. I’m lucky to have my person who I can be 100% completely open with.
We decided to take the 12 days before Thanksgiving to abstain from desserts since I’ve been on a bit of a sugar bender and it’s going…okay. I was eating dessert like 2-3 times a day, so I couldn’t imagine just going one day without spoonfuls of peanut butter and chocolate chips or brownies or leftover Halloween candy or stovetop s’mores. But I’m doing it! And thanks to Better than Before (which I just finished), I’m hoping I’ll be able to transition to a normal person amount of dessert.
I joined a gym for the first time in 6 years last week! Mike’s school lets spouses join for $10 a year, which is fantastic. I’ve already gone a few times and really enjoy it. It’s nice to be able to run after dark or when it’s freezing cold out.
I am one million times more productive at Starbucks then in my home office.
I’m tracking my time for a week and it’s super tedious, but hopefully going to help me spend time more wisely.
Still trying to actively reach out to other people who need friends so we don’t get lonely. It’s sort of working. But I still crave a community of people who I can be honest and open and laugh with. In good time.
First off, I love the term “barnacle baby”. My daughter is still one at 6 yo. And just like yours – fine when I’m gone, but if I’m there, she is on me. Literally. :) Second of all, I am so with you on the hunt for others with whom you can be honest and open. I’ve found a few, but with my schedule it is hard to foster/maintain/build those relationships. Good luck with it!
6 years of barnacle baby! Bless you.
I agree – fostering deeper relationships requires time and presence and it’s not always easy to find those! :-/
It makes me feel sad (but also better about myself) that you feel mediocre. To me, you are a role model. I can barely manage my one kid and my job. I can’t imagine two kids, a move, my own business. You’re a superhero, girl.
I would love to hear more about how you’re doing homeschool preschool. Are you using a particular curriculum or following a specific approach?
Your description of Theo’s clinginess is EXACTLY what I am dealing with Des. All the whining if I am around and not holding him. And if I am holding him and god forbid I sit down. Basically he wants me to just stand around acting as his own personal throne. I can sneak by and watch him and he’s FINE with Josh and Cam in the room, doing their thing, but if he spots me it’s all over.
Yes!! Exactly. I have to hide. I had to ask Gabe to feed Theo yogurt because he wants to get out of his highchair and be on my lap if he sees me. (There were disastrous results.)
OK I love this post and had something to say about pretty much every item you mentioned but then I got stick on a gym membership for $10 a YEAR. What. That’s amazing. Jealous!
The barnacle baby thing would be hard for me. I need my space. You are doing a great job.
I kinda figured out you were “homeschooling” Gabe. If you need any recommendations, I may know something about teaching five year olds ;) Google HeidiSongs for some really fun sight word songs. I’m glad you guys are having fun!
I totally agree about kids needing to be outside. We still take walks after dinner every night- don’t care if it’s pitch black, we are playing at the park! I accidentally left Max at school today without his coat. The temperature was borderline and he had a sweatshirt so I wasn’t really worried about him being cold, my biggest fear was that they wouldn’t let him go out haha. (Didn’t come true fortunately!)
You can’t mention Better than Before & not hint which personality you are! I’m lucky to have parents of teens around, they get so jealous when I want to complain to about clinginess.
We are loving homeschooling.
Finding friends is hard enough as an adult, especially in new places. But building actual deep, meaningful friendships? It feels almost insurmountable without school facilitating it. I’ve lived here two years, and it’s only in the last two months that I feel as though I *might* have two people who are probably going to be those kind of friendships for me. It’s so, so difficult!
You are such a wonderful woman! I love hearing how things are going. Glad to hear so many positives. I think I need to give up desserts for a bit too…your stories always provide me with motivation to do better…and that’s certainly an area where I can do better. THANKS for providing some positive vibes! Also–love the family photo. I miss you guys a lot!!
I am such a dessert fiend. And chocolate chip fiend. And candy fiend. And baked good fiend. What I’m saying is that I FEEL YOU.
And huzzah for your family’s visit, it sounds lovely. And the homeschooling? You are a champ. Cannot wait to see how that goes and what adorable little things Gabe is going to say next.
Baked goods. BAKED GOODS. <33