Letters For Lucas

Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son

Project Smile – May

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Another month has come and gone and while I found many reasons to grumble, it was also a very smile-worthy month!

This month, instead of listing something for each day, I’m going to share just the highlights and lots of photos.

May 1 – A beautiful day for baseball, Dodger dogs, cold beer and catching up with old friends.May 4 – A delightful afternoon with the Dalai Lama.

May 6 – Beach day!May 8 – Mother’s Day. How did I get so lucky to be this boy’s mommy? May 13 – Spending a perfect day with Lucas.May 14 – Birthday celebrations, margaritas and good friends.May 15 – Lucas meets Mickey Mouse for the first time!May 17 – Date night = a movie in the theater. Thanks, Leah!

May 18 – Pancake day.May 20 – A trip to see grandma and grandpa.May 22 – Cousin love.May 24 – Eight years ago today, Todd and I went on our first date.

May 26 – A mommies only dinner.

May 29 – It’s Memorial Day weekend and we’re happy Daddy’s got the day off.May 30 – I found a bathing suit.

May 31 – Signed Lucas up for more swim lessons, enrolled him in a summer school program, scanned photos, made calls, ran errands, lunched with a friend, sent three overdue e-mails, wrote three blog posts and played a lot of cars and choo choos. It was a very productive day!

What made you happy this month?

To see what had me smiling in April, click here and to link up and share your own month of joy, please visit Kristi of Live and Love out Loud.

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I’ve Earned This Pouch

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Memorial Day weekend is the official/non-official kick off to summer.

Summer means lots of time spent outdoors, which translates to shorts, tank tops, flip flops and [insert shutter here] bathing suits.

Like most women, I hate shopping for a new bathing suit, but with an ever changing body, Lucas’ swimming lessons and an upcoming trip to Hawaii (!), it was time to bite the bullet…

It was also time to face the fact that I can no longer pull off a string bikini. Not that I ever could very well, but thanks to my post pregnancy body, (now almost two years old) it’ll never happen.

Sigh.

Two hours and 19 suits in a variety of colors and styles later, (I am NOT exaggerating, I actually counted!) I came home with not one, but two suits.

Go me!

I went with a demure one piece tank with perfectly positioned ruching and a practical tankini halter, just like my mother used to wear.

Oh well. I’ve earned this pouch, I made a baby for God’s sake!

A big special thank you to Maggie at Everything But Water. Her patience and honesty were very much appreciated.

And before anyone asks, there will be no photos.

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Memorial Day!

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My Three Favorite Magazines

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This post is for Jessica (My Time As Mom), Kate (Mommy Monologues) and Elena’s (Mommy is in a Timeout) meme, Vlog Talk. The prompt I chose was #1: Show us your 3 favorite magazines and tell us what you like about them.

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There’s A Time & Place

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In Target the other day I overheard an interesting (for lack of a better word) side of a conversation.

A woman on her phone was saying very loudly from the next aisle, to presumably her mother or best friend the following:

“…we don’t even sleep in the same bedroom anymore.”

“…we don’t talk, we don’t touch, we don’t do anything.”

Then she laughed hysterically. Presumably to keep from crying?

“…I just hope to walk away as friends, if that’s even possible at this point.”

Depressing, right?

That’s not even the worst part.

When she turned the corner to come down the aisle I was on, I discovered she was pushing not one, but two children in her cart.

Both looked to be a lot older than Lucas.

Children are so impressionable. I wonder what their home life is like?

How could she be to cavalier about her relationship with presumably her husband? How could she subject these children, whether her own or not, to such intimate details of her relationship?

It made me sad.

I have been through a divorce and it’s no fun. I thank my lucky stars every day that my ex and I did not have children together. I can’t even imagine putting them through something like that. I know couples break up every day and make it work for the best of all involved, but children often don’t really have a say, do they?

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Top 10 Reasons I’d Rather Work Out At Home

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10. Even though by virtue of the name alone, my gym is suppose to be open 24 hours a day, it turns out, it actually isn’t. Who knew?

9. The clocks on the walls are usually wrong, which just pisses me off.

8. There is no soap in the soap dispensers in the women’s locker room or at least never at the sink or shower I choose.

7. There is often a wait to use a machine and then once I get on one…

6. There is a 20 minute limit (when staff is trolling the floors).

5. The competition factor. The person on the machine next to me always seems to want to turn our workout into a race. I see you looking over at my incline level and raise yours.

4. Flying sweat. Bring a towel, people!

3. It’s hot, sticky and stinky. Especially on a Tuesday at 1:05 PM.

2. Loud talkers. I’ve had to practically blow out my eardrums by turning my iPod up so loud just to drown out the conversations going on around me. It’s not homecoming, it’s a gym! Exchange numbers and call each other later.

And the #1 reason I’d rather work out at home than go to the gym…

It is swarming with too many beautifully toned, physically fit bodies. I mean, really? Why are you here?

Meet my home gym…

…I promise not to stray again anytime soon.

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What Does It Mean To Be A Mother?

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What does being a mother mean?

Sometimes it’s…

…going weeks without shaving your legs.

…staying up half the night to nurse a little one’s fever.

…exercising at 10 o’clock at night.

…showering at 11 o’clock at night.

…worrying about absolutely everything, yet somehow knowing that you’re doing okay.

…making a batch of mac ‘n’ cheese because you know that’s what your tot will eat.

…sitting through another episode of Yo Gabba Gabba, The Backyardigans, Thomas & Friends and/or Cars.

…fighting off the guilt of wanting to spend a few moments alone.

…realizing that you’re responsible for this keeping this little boy happy, healthy, safe and entertained.

…cleaning up mess after mess after mess all. day. long.

…tender kisses, hugs, cuddles and story time!

…getting hit in the face with a toy because your toddler is still learning to control his anger.

…listening to incessant whining, crying and carrying on because that same toddler isn’t getting what they want.

…trying to stay present for every single moment you have with this incredible little person because you know in the blink of an eye he won’t need you like he does today.

…looking through photos of your son, long after he’s gone to bed and kind of wishing he’d wake up.

…teaching right from wrong, manners, morals and how to be a good person.

…spending a lot of time cross-legged on the floor playing with cars, puzzles, blocks and stuffed animals.

…giggling at the funny words and phrases that come out of not only your son’s mouth (“mommy poos too?”) but also your own (“please don’t lick the floor”).

…sacrificing who you once were and allowing yourself to become someone you were always meant to be.

…loving someone like you’ve never loved anyone.

What does being a mother mean?

I never thought motherhood was so many little things rolled into one big enormous wonderful role.

It’s everything.

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Pinterest

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First it was MySpace, then Facebook, followed by Twitter and now, my new latest obsession is ~ drum roll, please…. Pinterest.

What is Pinterest you ask?

Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and “follow” collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things — wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world.

Over the last week I have spent HOURS on this site pinning favorites faces, places, products, pretty things, quotes, gift ideas, and items on my lust after list.


Things like:

Anything goes and the best part is that every image links back to original source/site for more information.

What an awesome idea and a HUGE wonderful waste of time. If you pin, come find me!

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Self Help You’ll Never Find In A Book

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Two heads are better than one. – John Heywood

Every two weeks for several months now, I have been meeting with a small group of women that I have grown to respect, admire, come to rely on and find incredibly helpful in achieving my personal goals.

Ironically, we all have marketing backgrounds, but not one of us work a 40+ hour week desk job anymore. We are in various stages of career transition, trying to get our own businesses off the ground or are stay-at-home-moms (yours truly) with a hobby that has become a passion.

Our group is small and we may not have a catchy name, mascot or matching T-shirts…yet, but what we do have is invaluable.

We all possess obtainable entrepreneurial goals for ourselves and support one another by holding each other accountable for various action items that will help us reach these goals.

We encourage one another to keep our vision(s) in mind as we brainstorm, collaborate, share past experiences and current contacts.

It was through this group that I finally accepted that I am a writer and not just a “mommy blogger” and that I would like to find a freelance writing position.

Just three weeks ago, I started working with the owners of a local hair salon to help build their brand, Website and blog. This is the first of many clients, I hope!

Women rule and I am very thankful to be a part of this group.

Do you belong to a similar group or organization? If so, how has it helped you?

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Just Perfect

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Between the flowers (sunflowers are my favorite),
the waffle breakfast (complete with crispy bacon),
a visit to the spa
and some quality time with family and friends (especially this little guy),my mother’s day was just perfect.

I hope yours was too!

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Project Smile – April

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Don’t count the days, make the days count. ~ Muhammad Ali

It was another month full of many many reasons to smile:

1st – A friend that goes (comes) the distance… literally. Thanks for a lovely play date, Sally.
2nd – Lucas slept in his big boy bed for the first time!
3rd – Family visitors. No, really!
4th – Disneyland fun and a toddler that was on his most excellent behavior.
5th – A relaxing visit to the nail salon with my sister-in-law and nieces.
6th – Lucas turns 22 months… where’s the pause button?
7th – A visit with my dear friend, Suzy who I wish I saw more often.
8th – The sun was out just long enough for some outdoor play.
9th – Pizza. Funny how this favorite ends up on every one of my Project Smile lists!
10th – A nice long walk to clear my head and just breathe.
11th – Legoland – just the two of us.
12th – A couple of hours at the hair salon and a new opportunity!
13th- A sick baby means a day spent in pjs in front of the TV.
14th – Helping out a friend with her children while her husband is away on business.
15th – Mother/son lunch dates, a visit with the Easter Bunny #1 and a slew of new Spring clothes from Gymboree (for once I remembered to use my coupons!!).
16th – A long car ride with a quiet tot. Bliss!
17th – Meeting and riding Thomas the Train followed by an adults only lunch at The Ivy. Thanks, aunt Leah!
18th – Meeting Easter Bunny #2, decorating cookies, an egg hunt and a train ride.
19th – A super productive day that had nothing to do with laundry.
20th – A night out on the town.
21th – I got myself a job (of sorts)! More on this later…
22nd – Bounce house play date in our backyard, 90 minutes on the treadmill, girl’s night out and trying out a new restaurant.
23rd – A toddler-free weekend… lunch with good friends and their babies, a movie in the theater and having the house to myself.
24th – Easter blessings and chocolate yumminess.
25th – Staying in touch with friends from high school and seeing our children play together.
26th – A guest post on Four Plus an Angel that I am very proud of. Thanks, again for having me, Jessica.
27th – Catching up with my husband over margaritas on a date night.
28th – Spending some time alone with my sister.
29th – Housekeepers. Love me the smell of Pine-sol and Windex.
30th – A good old fashioned PB&J with a glass of milk. And no, this wasn’t Lucas’ lunch, it was mine!

What made you happy this month?

To see why I was smiling in March, click here and to link up and share your own month of simple pleasures, please visit Kristi of Live and Love out Loud.

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