There had better be a reason for this

My child is usually revoltingly angelic.  He is just a good baby. He has me spoiled to the point that when he does have a bad day, I don't know how to deal with it.  I get frazzled because I am not exposed to that side of him very often.

Today was a bad day. 

We went to a birthday party during which my son proceeded to throw a hissy fit.  I tried everything: rocking, walking, nursing, singing, bouncing, toys...everything I could think of.  No luck.  We finally left the party.  I know that babies will be babies but it is always a source of embarrassment when you can't console your crying child.  It has something to do with a hidden fear of parental inadequacies. 

I then tried driving around in hopes that he would calm down.  Once again, no luck.  At this point I am ready to pull my hair out.  We finally made it home where he proceeded to take a 30 minute nap, wake up and be a sweet giggly baby as his daddy got ready for work, and then become demon-child again the moment we dropped his father off.

And here we are now, my dear child is sitting on the floor alternating between dragging every toy out of the toy box and screaming bloody murder.  As this post topic says, there had better be a reason for this. I hate not knowing what is wrong with him.  I'm wondering if he is finally teething...

All I know is that I am in for a long night.

for better or for worse

They say you know you have your dream job when even on your worst day you wouldn't want to do anything else.  That's how I feel about my family.  I am majorly irritated with my husband tonight, and my son threw a hissy fit all afternoon.  But I have never been more happy with my life.  I am so excited to have reached this place.  Things were really rocky with my husband and I a few months ago, and it feels so good to have banded together as a family and have gotten past all that.  It is such a relief.  I feel like at this point, my marriage is stronger than ever.

Even on our worst day, this is the only place I want to be.

I know this is a cheesey post, and I apologise.  Well, not really, I'm happy as hell.

N is for Naps

Today I want to talk about naps.

I remember in the not so distant past when if I wanted to have an afternoon snooze it was as simple as that.  Remove clothing, climb under covers, zzzzzzz.  Removing clothing was even optional. 

Now napping is a challenge.  Get the kiddo to sleep, pick up the mess, go pee (because I have been holding it while getting him to sleep!), let the dog go pee (because she has also been holding it!), undress (because there is poop on my clothes) and finally crawl into bed.  Wahhhhhh.  Oops, start over.

I miss simple naps, when I could sink into oblivion without a care and sleep as long as I wanted and then take forever to wake up.  Now I am jolted awake by every little sigh or eye twitch of my six month old.

I wanted a nap today.  Did I get one?  No.  did I beg my son for one?  Yes.  I am not too proud to beg, although it rarely works.

Just another thing to add to my list of things mommy did because she loves you.

That list will never stop growing.

...I'll just pack this anyway...

People think I am prepared.  When I go places with my son, I have not one, but two spare outfits.  I have enough diapers for triplets and even extra wipes.  I have toys.  I have lotion, baby wash, and baby powder.  I have socks, and bibs, and spit rags.  I have baby food in various flavors and two different spoons.  But I am not prepared.

I am the Queen of just-in-case.  I am terrified of getting somewhere and needing something I don't have.  I am overloaded with things.  My car is a mess.  But I need these things. Just in case.

I annoy myself with this obsession.  I want to be free.  But if I try to go without something, there is that nagging little voice in the back of my mind.  Just in case.  Just in case.  Just in case.

My husband thinks I'm crazy.  I probably am.  But if you are out with me and your child just happens to need lotion (scented or unscented), or an extra long-sleeved onesie, or will only stop crying for a green stuffed elephant, then you will be thankful for my obbsession with just in case.

Stalwart Naked: the Origins

Stalwart Naked is an anagram of my first and last names.
Stalwart means marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit.
Naked means....naked.  This is fitting as I intend to bare all, figuratively of course.

I am an optimist slash realist.  I like lists.  I am a planner, although my plans are rarely carried out exactly.  I like organization but am terrible at it.  I am a wife and mother.  I talk about my family way too much (get out while you still can!)  I am opinionated.  I am defensive.  I read cheesey romances.  I, according to many, don't have a real job.  I am a stay at home mom.  I like to cook.  I like to sing badly.  I love to laugh.  I love to make others laugh.  Hopefully this blog will accomplish that sometimes.

That's me in a nutshell, or a blogshell, whatever.