Five on Friday

Thank goodness this week is over and I'll have my husband back tonight! Here are my five for the week:

One.
See above. Aaron comes back from Denver today. Hooray! Being a lawyer rarely takes him out of town on business, so I'm thankful I don't have to get used to trips like these. As most of you single mommas and mommas with husbands that go on out-of-town business trips know, taking care of a little one (not to mention multiple little ones) is NOT easy. Jack and I are both glad to have him back, although he'll be leaving again next week for an overnight trip to Pierre. I'm hoping that's the last trip he'll have to make for a while.

Two.
In the meantime, I have been keeping my eyes and ears open for things to do this weekend. There are a few things going on in the hills, including Spearfish's Festival in the Park. They'll have food and art vendors, children's activities, and live music. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend, although Sunday is supposed to be H-O-T and humid at 96 degrees (yes, it gets that warm here in South Dakota), so if we go I think Saturday would be our best bet. Aaron and I have also been itching to go to Custer and try the burgers at Black Hills Burger and Bun. TripAdvisor recently awarded them as having the best burger in America. That's right, little old Custer, South Dakota is home to the best burger in America! Apparently, their Hot Granny is to die for, with jalapenos, cream cheese, and a sweet and spicy jalapeno sauce atop a beefy burger patty on a homemade bun. (I am in no way affiliated with Black Hills Burger and Bun and have not been compensated for an endorsement.) I am drooling as I type this and I'm anxious to give it a whirl. This is one of the reasons I love the hills; there are so many cool places and things to do that not only South Dakotans can appreciate, but visitors, as well. Do I enjoy being what I call "landlocked" (as in, 5 1/2 to 6 hours away from a major city)? No, but there so many things to see and do in the small towns around us, as well as in Rapid City, that it ALMOST makes up for it. Almost.

Three.
Next weekend my dad will be here with his wife. They have never been to the Black Hills before and have yet to meet Jack, so I'm anxious to show them around and spend some time relaxing and visiting with them.

Four.
Last night Jack and I hit up Summer Nights. I love that each and every Thursday we have a music festival downtown. When the weather is nice, a couple thousand people show up to meander around Main Street while listening to music, watching their kids play in bouncy castles, eating food truck delicacies, and sipping on an adult beverage or two. It's a nice way to get out of the house, meet up with friends, and enjoy the summer weather. Last night we met up with Amanda and Karissa, listened to an incredibly strange band, and grabbed ice cream from the sweet little ice cream place that just opened up. I chose Pistachio and was not disappointed...it was wonderful! I even shared a few bites with Jack, who (surprise!) loved it. I was okay with giving him a little taste, that is until we got home and he was still awake at 8 o'clock. That little stinker!

Five.
I suppose it's time I slowly begin to ease myself back into the professional world. I've had a pile of math and writing materials to read through that have been sitting on my nightstand all summer. I think it's about time to crack those babies open and start reading through them. I'm starting a little earlier than usual, but because I'll be teaching second grade next year instead of first, I have brand new standards and curriculum to learn. I'm still not ready to jump back into it, so I'll ease my way in, one toe at a time.

And there you have it, my Five for the week. I've been taking pictures of me and my cutie patootie and what we've been doing all week, so I'll be back tomorrow to share our week in pictures.

It's Okay

It's okay to wear yoga pants and t-shirts every day this summer. Sometimes I change if I'm going somewhere, sometimes I don't. Today I did not. 

It's okay that I didn't vacuum yesterday. Or the day before. Or even the day before that.

It's okay that when I did vacuum today, Jack cried because he didn't want to be in his bouncer. I wish I could have finished faster and taken him out sooner.

It's okay that just before I did take him out of the bouncer, I stopped to take a picture because his sad face is too darn cute.

It's okay if most of my lunches are of the frozen or take-out variety.

It's okay to get a little irritated when Jack wakes up from his nap earlier than expected. As long as I go in to get him with a smile on my face (I mean, how could I not? Look at this guy) so he doesn't see that I'm upset.

It's okay to spend said naptime reading US Weekly while watching Lifetime and snacking on Veggie Straws. The dishes can wait until the next nap. If there is one.

It's okay not to take Jack to the park every day, or to go for a walk. It's chilly out (70 degrees, people!) and windy.

It's okay if our only outing for the day is to Target.

It's okay to sit on the floor and pretend to play while watching reruns of Friends. Stacking the same tower of blocks over and over is boring, but I always take a moment to watch the big smile on his face when he knocks it down.

It's okay that Jack fell down and smacked his head on the wood floor. Again. Even though you were right there watching him, but it happened too quickly to stop. He'll be fine after a few snuggles and kisses.

It's okay that it's only 12 o'clock but I'm already looking forward to 6:30...bedtime!

It's okay that I constantly look at the clock. Really? It's only 1? 

It's okay that I have never made my own baby food for Jack. Pinterest promises that it's easy and budget-friendly, but Jack really likes Plum and Ella baby food. I think he'd be mad if I switched right now. Really. 

It's okay if I turn on an episode of Family Guy and watch it with Jack in my lap, sucking his thumb with his blanket. For some reason he will sit and watch nearly an entire 30 minute episode without moving a muscle, which I'm okay with for now. In a few months, when his language really begins to develop and he just might begin to understand the Griffins, it won't be okay. But for now, I'll consider it extra snuggle time.

It's okay that I read to Jack almost every night even though he doesn't pay a bit of attention. He will one day.

It's okay that I bought a third set of the entire Harry Potter series with the new cover illustrations just for Jack. I can't wait to read them to him one day!

It's okay if I change Jack into his nighttime diaper but leave him in the clothes he wore all day. Why dirty his pajamas?

It's okay if as soon as his head hits the pillow, I go to the kitchen and pour myself a big ole glass of wine. (Well, not a literal pillow, because SIDS.)

It's okay if I skip dinner and eat ice cream instead. I'm an adult, after all.

It's okay that there are dishes in the sink. Really. It is. 

It's okay that I stop reading my book every few minutes to listen for a whimper or a cry come from Jack's room.

It's okay to go in and check on him before I go to bed, even though the floor by his door creaks and I risk waking him up.

It's okay that I hate sleeping alone and I miss my husband. He'll be back in three short days.

It's okay to go to bed with every intention of watching an episode of Orphan Black or reading another chapter or two of The Silkworm, but instead fall asleep and wake up with a book on my face and the Late Late Show on the television.

It's okay not to be perfect. With Pinterest telling me I should be crafting and baking, television families and reality TV stars modeling how mothers can "do it all," I often feel as though I'm not doing everything I should. Or could. My days aren't perfect, but I'm enjoying my summer with Jack (and my hubby when he's here). I think sometimes I judge myself, my feelings, and what I do or don't do during the day a little too harshly. I bet I'm not the only one who feels this way. It's easy to compare myself to what I envision as being the "perfect" mother or the "perfect" spouse, but I'm trying to realize that really, no one else is judging me and I truly am my own worst critic.

And if there IS anyone out there judging me, it's okay to tell them to keep their opinions to themselves. I know I'm being the best mom I can be and that's the only thing that matters.

Don't Get Used to It

Two blog posts in two days, that is. I'm amazed I've found the time to write again today (I write that as I silently pray for Jack to continue napping for just a few minutes longer). I was thinking of some other things that I've learned not to get used to during these last eight months, and thought I would write them down:

Don't get used to sleep. I thought for sure once Jack learned to sleep through the night, that would mean I would also get to go back to sleeping through the night. Nope. In my 33 years I have always been a sound sleeper. I've slept through many a storm and I've been known to block out the sound of television and the glare of lights if I'm tired enough. Put me in the passenger seat of a car and I'm out within the first thirty minutes of any long car ride. However, since Jack was born I have become the world's lightest sleeper, constantly listening for any sound or movement coming from my son's room. I am always on High Alert, ready to pop up and out of bed at a moment's notice in the event that Jack needs me. And need me he does, usually between the early morning hours of 5:30 and 7. I have forgotten what it is like to sleep in. Some of you may ask, "Why not nap while he is napping? Catch up on sleep that way" and in reply I laugh, uncontrollably (but quietly, because Jack is still sleeping). Nap while he is napping? How on earth do I do that? There are far too many things that need doing without an eight month old demanding my attention! So I have learned that as they say, there is no rest for the weary.

Don't get used to a clean house. There are toys scattered everywhere within five minutes of this kid waking. Seriously. And they stay there all day long. Until Aaron or I wearily put them away at 7 o'clock, after Jack has been tucked carefully into bed. After his toys are picked up, if you were to dare survey the rest of the house, you would probably spot my coffee mug from my morning Cup o' Joe, some laundry begging to be folded/put away/washed, a lone bib or burp cloth lying under a chair, remnants of whatever I managed to scarf down for lunch, and a thousand other clues as to what went on during our day. Every night we put these things away (except for the laundry...I swear I must do it at some time, but evidently not, because there is a never-ending pile of it in our laundry room) and the next day it happens all over again.

Don't get used to socializing. What's that? There are times when I go days without talking to a single soul other than Aaron and Jack. Most of the time, that's okay, but sometimes it drives me nuts. I find it beyond difficult to have a phone conversation and watch Jack at the same time. He is an attention hog, which I love, but I can't tell my sister about my day or text my friend a coherent sentence or two, sans spelling and grammatical errors, while Jack is trying to climb on me. I've found the best time to call people is while I'm in the car, although some may point out that it isn't fun to have a conversation with me while being intermittently interrupted by my road rage. (I need to work on that, I know.) When I do manage to talk or text, go out with friends, or go on a date night with the hubs, I do try to make the most out of it, because who knows when it will happen again!

Don't get used to the quiet. This house is rarely quiet anymore. Those peaceful mornings that I used to have, sipping a hot cup of coffee while curled up on the couch are gone. Poof! They've disappeared, along with quiet afternoons spent reading a good book. I love the sounds of my home, because they are usually filled with the babbles and giggles of an eight month old, but as the title of this blog implies, there are times when he is NOT giggling. In fact, there are many times throughout the day when Jack is crying his little heart out, while mine silently breaks as I try to console him with a bottle, a hug, a toy, or whatever his wants and needs of the moment are. We usually go from one extreme to the other, several times throughout the day.

That being said, the one thing I will never, ever get used to is the overwhelming sense of joy and the love I have for my son. My heart explodes every time I look at Jack, because he is absolutely perfect. I love the way he laughs; the way he smells (mostly); the way he babbles; the way he looks into my eyes and touches my face with his finger while I'm feeding him; the way he rests his head on my shoulder when he's tired; and how excited he gets every time he sees me or Aaron walk into the room. I never realized how much one tiny person could change our lives. These other things I write about are trivial, things that all changed the moment we brought Jack home. Yes, I miss sleeping in until eight on a Saturday morning, but I'm happy to give that and everything else up so I can be a momma to my sweet baby boy.

Five on Friday

Hello, blogging world...I'm back! It's been such a long time since I've blogged about anything. In fact, the last time I wrote a blog was two years ago and it was about my absolutely wonderful, top-five-best-experiences-of-my-life trip to England (still up there in the blogosphere, if you're interested). I have so many friends and acquaintances that blog to keep their friends and families updated, as well as document the lives of their sweet families, that I've been inspired to do the same. I've thought about it for quite a while in fact, but there have been a few things keeping me from beginning. Here's one:

Jack co-authored my first blog post

 

Anywho, welcome to my (new) humble little blog. As I get more time (maybe in 18 or so years), I'll fancy it up for you. For my first post, I give you, Five on Friday, a weekly post inspired by the lovely Doc Momma where I share five things that are happening in our lives at the moment.

 

One.

We had some major family time last week. My sister flew in from South Carolina with my 18 month old niece and my soon-to-be-a-4th-grader (WHAT?!) nephew. Needless to say, we had a blast! We hit the neighborhood pool, the park, and a local petting zoo; set up Jack's new inflatable pool (big enough for an adult or two, plus at least one kiddo); met and broke bread with our new neighbors at our 4th of July block party; and loaded up the kids to go downtown for some music and ice cream at Summer Nights.  My sister and I managed to squeeze in one scary movie during their visit and on their last night here, she and I snuck away for some sisterly bonding time at Canvas 2 Paint. Whoever came up with the idea of painting, jamming to music, and drinking wine at the SAME time is a genius! We had a great time and came out with some pretty snazzy artwork! I am so glad they got to come for a visit. The cousins got to meet and play together and my son met my sister for the first time. It was a great experience and I can't believe we have to wait another whole year to visit again.

 

Circle de Soleil  

Two.

On Sunday, Aaron and I left the little one at home so we could drive to Deadwood for the Avett Brothers concert. Oh, how I love me some Avett Brothers. After making plans for my family to visit (yay!), I learned they were playing at this year's Saturday in the Park (boo!)  and was beyond sad that we were going to miss out on seeing them. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I learned they would be making a stop in the Black Hills! After sweet-talking my hubby into it, I bought tickets and we made plans for a date night. We had a great time, thanks to some lovely friends of mine who agreed to babysit (love those girls!).

 

Dinner at Deadwood Mountain Grand before the show

 

Three.

Jack and I are prepping for Aaron to go out of town all next week. He has a CLE in Denver, which means he will be out of town Sunday through Saturday. We'll miss him while he's gone, but I also have to admit: I am nervous. Now that it's summer, I've had Jack all to myself each and every day (minus the one day he goes to daycare for a few hours), and I love it. Absolutely love it. But. Being with an eight month old all day, on your own, is kind of hard. I cherish this time that we have together, because I know that Jack will never ever be this little again. I play with him, hold him, snuggle him, kiss him, and just look at him because I know this is an opportunity I am blessed to have and I don't want to take it for granted. But seriously, when 6:30 starts to creep up on the clock and I know Aaron will walk in the door soon, I get a little bit of a spring in my step. "Yay, I get to see my husband!" (But also, I can give him the baby for a few seconds so I can go to the bathroom, since I've been holding it for two hours. And I can finally finish putting mascara on my left eye.) So, foreseeing it being a stressful week, I have planned for Jack to go to daycare on Monday and Wednesday, hoping this will give me just enough of a break so I do not go crazy. I've also scheduled my Mother's Day massage for Wednesday, so that should help out, too. Now to schedule some girl time with my favorite gals and a few lunch dates throughout the week, and that time should fly right by!

 

Four.

Speaking of my favorite little guy, I am amazed at what Jack has been doing. I mean, this kid. He started crawling about two months ago and from then on, he has been all over the place! Last week, with his cousins here, I really think he decided he wants to walk. He saw little Ryleigh walking running all over the place and I could see the envy in his eyes. At the time, he was already cruising along furniture, but now his new game is to see how long he can stand on his own before falling. Once he figures out how to stand, I think it'll be game over, folks!

 

Five.

I only have five and a half weeks of summer vacation left. Five. And a half. Weeks. That's only 40 days, you guys. Where has the time gone?! June felt like it lasted forever, and then came July and she has just been flying! We have more family and friends visiting at the end of the month and then it's August. (Insert one giant sob here.) Then it's back to teacher mode for this girl. I've already been in and out of my new classroom just about once a week all summer, but once August comes...well, that's when things start getting real. And I'm not ready for that quite yet.

 

Well, that's all for today. I hope you enjoyed my first post on my new blog. I'll be back when this guy permits me to keep you updated on all things Galloway!