Housecleaners: Enter at Your Own Risk

So a friend of mine had her housecleaners come by as a baby gift for me. Awesome gift, but the reason I've never done this for myself is that I'm too embarrassed to have someone come over and find all those nasty nooks and crannies that I can't ever seem to find the time to clean (crap, I can barely keep up with the basics). That and I really have no idea what it costs. But she wanted to do this for me, so who was I to say no? Well they called and we scheduled for them to come today. They were coming for 1-1.5 hours and doing what they could in the kitchen and bathrooms. I wanted to make sure they did the deep cleaning, so I wanted to do a good basic clean this weekend. Apparently Loren was even more concerned with strangers seeing our mess because he cleaned like crazy. I felt like I should hire cleaners just to get Loren to clean. :) I was happy with his progress before the cleaners even got here today. But I guess we needed them even more than I thought because even with that good base clean they weren't able to get to everything in their timeframe. But I was thrilled with what they did accomplish (except that they didn't make it to the toilets - I hate cleaning toilets!). I'm investigating what it would cost to have them come back to finish (if they will - maybe we scared them off!). Part of me is embarrassed that my house is indeed that dirty, but another part is reinforced - if it took them (2 people) that long to do a deep clean and still not get done with 3 rooms, now I know why I can't ever get to it after doing basic cleaning and keeping up with work, school, and 2 kids (and 2 dogs!). But a house is a house, whether sparkling clean or a little (or a lot) dirty -- what's important is my family and our happiness (and yes, I'm one that can be obliviously happy in spite of our mess). When my kids are grown and want nothing to do with me, maybe then I can find the hours in the day to deep clean.




Because I know how difficult it is to clean with a toddler "helping", we went out of the house while they were here today. Since we finally have cooler weather I decided to put Hayden it one of his mama-made sweaters -- only to find that it barely fit. Darn -- guess it will either be a gift or I might try to sell it.


We had lunch with Loren in the park and then did one of our frequent visits to the zoo. I finally remembered my camera for once, and actually managed to get pics while pushing the giant double-stroller and tending to the wandering toddler.

Can she be any more stinkin' cute?

The little guy (or big guy) chillin' in the stroller.

She loves feeding the goats.

Bubby finally fell asleep.

Great day for the zoo. Nice weather and most animals were out. Except the carousel wasn't running, which Addie was quite disappointed about. On our way home I stopped by West Side, thinking I'd get a shake. I decided to try a float instead, a coffee cooler -- okay, but I think a shake would have been better. The cleaners were just leaving when we got home.

While I was working on this blog Addie decided to play nurse/doctor with Hayden.

It's Fair Time!

Oh it's so much more fun with kids! :) I took Addie with my dad last weekend, but of course forgot the camera. We saw the animals, dinosaurs, juggler (hilarious), and Aussie exhibit, but missed the carnival. So yesterday it was time for round 2. This time it was the whole family plus my mom and stepdad. And I remembered the camera. :)

Addie of course had to ride the carousel. It is so hard to get a decent pic on these rides!

Bubba just hung out.

This was the caterpillar ride that scared Addie.

She was very insistent that Grandma take her on every ride. Lucky Grandma! :)

On the train.

And finally Dumbo. Those 5 rides took our entire 30-ticket book. Yay fair! :)

After the rides we went through the animal barns and watched the naval seals skydive in. Addie had, of course, been carried the entire way (again, lucky Grandma!), so when we stopped to change and feed the little guy, she finally got down to run around. You can't tell she was having a good time, can you?

This is apparently her bear phone. ??

Grandma and Grandpa took her through the dinosaur exhibit again and then Grandpa got her a smoothie. :)

Finally made it around to the petting zoo.

Yes, I think the pigs are her favorite.

Loves riding on daddy's shoulders.

The sweet cowboy hat that Grandpa got her. Now that looks like a Fair girl!

I decided to model it today.

And back on the cowgirl. What's on her face you wonder? Who knows. Cheetos, make-up (she was playing in it while I was cleaning the bathroom) . . .

Admission: $37.50
Carnival: $25
Food/Drinks: $24
The enjoyment on a toddler's face: Priceless ;)

While I was loading these pics, I also found these. I had left Addie with Hayden in the living room for a minute while I went to get a glass of water. This is what I came back to (notice the forehead).

At least she was fair and did it to herself too. :) Hey, it's washable!

Check out my mama-made overalls. I meant for him to wear them this winter, but he's too darn big! I'll get a better pic one of these days. Hopefully before he outgrows them!

It's Milkin' Time!

I thought about doing this with Addie, but was either too lazy, or never found the motivation or guts to do it. But Hayden is a chunky monkey and needs lots o' milk, so I have to pump more often for me. Addie = 2 pumps, 5 mins each. Hayden = 3 pumps, 5-10 mins each. Such is the life of a working mother devoted to exclusively breastfeeding her babes (note: I know I am incredibly lucky to be able to pump in such a short time, so even though it's more frequent with Hayden, I still have it pretty easy). To ward off intruders, notify the curious, maybe entertain coworkers, and hopefully encourage others, I created this for my office door:

Enjoy your boob milk baby boy. :)

Why

I know, I tend to use my blog to vent (or bitch and moan, however you'd phrase it). :) You may wonder why I bother with everything. I'm actually totally loving life, I just try to be funny. Here is what I get to wake up to every morning:

Love when he sleeps like this.

Crazy kids.

I'm trying to be better about taking pics. And sharing them. I always upload everything to Facebook, but believe it or not, not everyone is on there. So I think I'm going to focus on my blog instead. Get ready for pic overload.

Addie with her new dollhouse she got from Becky. Yes, she's standing on it. First thing she tried to do was climb it.

Me and my cheesy monkey.

Well now isn't that a handsome boy!

This was just today, chillin' outside. You can see a bit of my new (this summer) patio cover. Thank you Ryan and Loren.

This cracks me up. Looks like some poor homeless children trying to get someone to take them home.

Oh yea, there's the cheeseballs.

My handsome guy in his scrappy pants.

He looks so scared here.

It just hit me on Saturday that I really do have to go back to work this week. I've worked a little all summer, but completely on my schedule. Now I HAVE to be there. I had a bit of a breakdown. :(

Can you see why I've enjoyed my summer home?

Doesn't he look so sad and deep in thought?

Addie was playing peek-a-boo behind her kitchen.

Ah, I love my babies. Just had to share their cuteness. They crack me up and melt my heart constantly. love

Life of a Working (&Nursing) Mother

(in contrast to Working Dad)

Working Dad: Alarm goes off at 7am. Slowly get up and wander to the closet. Pick out whatever is clean. Start coffee. Check email. Get coffee and find keys. Kiss mom and sleeping babies. Go.

Working Mom: Alarm goes off at 6am (not that it's even needed because already up feeding baby at 5:30am). Contemplate if there is any possible way to delay getting up. Realize there's not. Head for the bathroom and clean up the zillion toys in the tub, trying to be as quiet as possible. Shower. Contemplate if there is enough time to shave today (often decide there isn't). Dry off and apply lotion. Head to the dreaded closet. Stare at everything and realize you're sick of it all and half of it doesn't fit. Run through day in head to decide best attire (how much walking, who is being seen, kids or not, etc.). Decide on something, but throw on your crusty pj's for now, in hopes of avoiding getting it dirty before leaving the house. Remember to choose clothing with easy boob access (yes, boobs become a deciding factor after baby). Feel stomach growling (nursing babies take a lot of nourishment). Decide to pump first. Hook up to the milk machine and pass time checking email and Facebook (morning pumping is only on one side, so there is a free hand for browsing). Try to relax and think about baby (if the milk lets down, pumping goes much faster). Finish pumping, place milk in storage bag, check bags in fridge to see if any need to go in the freezer, clean pump, and clean pump parts for work (hand pump at home, heavy duty electric at work). Check laundry status and either start dryer, transfer clothes to dryer, and/or add clothes/diapers to washer. Toddler wanders in. What is she doing awake? Contemplate breakfast. Look at the clock and choose fastest option (usually cereal). Tend to toddler while getting bowl, cereal, and milk. Make her a bowl too. Sit with toddler while eating, sharing bites (because mom's is always better). Rinse dishes to avoid dreaded crusty cereal bowl later. Check time. Try to tell toddler that mommy is busy. Succumb to demands and sit with toddler for a few minutes (to read a book or play with a toy) to avoid tantrum. Check time. Convince toddler to help with make-up (to continue original task of getting presentable for the day). Attempt to apply decent make-up while working around toddler and trying to keep her from leaving the bathroom with a black face. Do something with hair in less than 5 minutes. Check clock. See the pathetic faces on the dogs. Grab tennis shoes and attempt to find matching socks. Just grab 2 socks available. Hear baby stirring. Decide dad can manage him. Put on shoes and grab toddler. Find poo bag, place toddler in stroller, and put leash on dogs. Toddler demands something from kitchen. Take her out of the stroller, to kitchen, and try to find what she wants. Settle on chocolate milk. Place toddler back in stroller. Toddler wants a blanket. Walk back to her room to find a blanket, then back to the front door and tuck her in. Check time. Untangle leash and struggle out the door with 2 dogs and the stroller. Walk, controlling dogs, toddler, and stroller, watching for cars, unattended dogs or other animals and children (to anticipate any control problems), and picking up poop. Make it back to the house, throw poop away, and herd toddler, stroller, and dogs inside. Unhook dogs, grab toddler, and head towards closet. Check time. Need to leave in 5 minutes. Realize chosen outfit doesn't work with weather while listening to toddler cry. Also realize baby is awake. Grab baby (gently) to feed him before leaving. Encourage baby to eat fast. :) Try to make room for toddler snuggles while nursing baby. Hand baby off to dad. Frantically choose new outfit (don't forget boob access or boob pads!). Give kisses and close bedroom door (to contain wailing toddler). Grab snacks, lunch (don't forget that nourishment for nursing baby), water bottle, purse, keys and anything else designated for the office. Rush out door, lock, close. Realize phone is inside. Unlock, find phone, rush out again. Speed to work as fast as possible without getting caught. :)

While at work be available by phone to answer any questions from dad, remember to eat and pump regularly, cross arms tightly when you forget to pump (it helps stop the letdown), feel like a milkcow every time you hook up to that machine (realize appreciation for the milk from breakfast), bag and store milk and clean pump supplies, find something on your clothes (milk, food, unidentifiable substance), and tend to any household activity that needs to be done in a 9am-5pm timeframe (such as calling the doctor's office). Attempt to get everything done that needs to be done at work and still leave at a reasonable time. Always leave a few minutes late. Remember stored milk halfway out of the building and return to retrieve it. Speed home (again, without getting caught).

Enter home, exhausted, to be mom again.

Addie Dictionary

K, I'm going to at least start the dictionary. We'll see how far I get . . .

Signs:
*Hungry: smacking her lips together like she's eating
*Thirsty: gulping
*Candy: biting (not sure why)
*Soda: showing her teeth (?)
*Binky: pointing at her mouth
*Bee: buzzing and flying her finger (this can also mean any bug)
*Butterfly: open hand flapping and flying
*Spider: fingers open and closing
*Blanket: closing her eyes and pretending to sleep
*Stink: she has a stinky face where she scrunches up her nose -- she likes to do this and point at the dogs, or her or Hayden's diaper
*Throw me: she throws her arm with fist at the bed -- means she wants me to throw her on the bed
*Egg: hitting fist -- like hitting a hard-boiled egg
*Chocolate milk: shaking fist -- like shaking a cup

Sounds:
*Cow: moo
*Horse: blowing through her lips
*Pig: sniffing with stinky face
*Sheep: baa
*Duck/Frog: quackquack (not sure about the frog)
*Bear/Tiger/Lion/Dinosaur: grrr
*Dog: woofwoof
*Owl: hoohoo
*Rooster: wholooloo
*Monkey/Zoo: oo-oo-aa-aa

Words:
Mama
Dada (she also likes to label everything as a "mama" or "dada")
Hayden: hay
Luke: ooo
Bailey: dodo (I think this is because I call her Bailey Jojo)
Grandma: ba (this is very close to "bath" and "van" too)
Grandpa/Pappy: pa
Ryan: ra
Book/Bolt(movie)/Blue: boo
Cheese/Camera/Keys: dee
Baby: it's pretty darn close to "bebe", but she also has to say it in a high-pitched voice and points her fingers together (very close to "more" in ASL)
Phone/Hello: lolo
Hurt/Cold: Ow
Go: do
Um, ya (a fave phrase of mine)
No (she got this one down early on) or nononono!

Hmm, that's all I can think of right now. :)

Oh Blog

Why is it so hard to find time for you? I write to you everyday . . . in my head. :)

Baby Hayden is getting bigger and bigger. Monday he had his 2-month check-up and was 13 lb 5 oz and 24.5 inches long. He's basically the size of a 4-month old. Not like his big sis. :) He's actually fitting 6-9 month clothes now. And almost outgrowing half of the cute things I knit for him already (it would help if I hadn't left half of them unfinished)! He's a smiley little guy, especially in the morning, and loves to chat. I don't remember Addie talking that much, but in reading a few older posts, it seems I don't remember a lot of what she did . . .

Here's my little man.

Showin' some school spirit.

Hanging' with daddy.

Addie is sassy as ever. She's really picking up her vocabulary, although I'm about the only one the understands her language. It's a combination of sounds, sign language, and some actual words. I've been meaning to write an Addie "dictionary", but just haven't gotten to it. She's become a bit of a mama's girl this summer with me home so much. I think Daddy is a little sad about that. :) I'm sure it'll change back once school starts. Although, Loren will be putting in some extra hours as a lab assistant, so she won't see him much more than me. My mom will actually be taking the kids one day a week, as long as she's available. If anyone has any ideas for a back-up plan, let me know.

This is the outfit she chose to play outside in July.

Goofin' around.

That's ice cream on her nose.

I let her have the bottom part of my ice cream. Not sure any made it in her mouth.

Got her purse, ready to go.

The summer has been full of daily outings. I try to get out of the house, mostly for Addie to have a chance to play. I've been working on Mondays, and then the rest of the week often consists of a combination of the park, the zoo, a friend's or relative's house and/or lunch with dad (along with basic daily chores). Today was just cleaning (I didn't get nearly enough done) and grocery shopping. Oh, and we stopped by Amy's. Yesterday we ventured to Emmett to hang out with Becky, a friend from high school, and her kids Cameron and Tucker. We hadn't been out in a while and Addie always takes a while to warm up, but I think she had a good time. I have to brag about Becky a bit since I know she won't do it herself (and I know she reads my blogs). :) She is an awesome mom who always has an unrealistically clean house (remember, she has a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old, and is pregnant, and has a husband who often works out of town) and does amazing scrapbooking and other crafty stuff and throws awesome bday parties for her kids. Becky, stop making the rest of us look bad! ;)

Tomorrow is a toddler-free lunch with friends (Addie is going to Grandma's). Oh and swim lessons. We started those yesterday and Addie loved it. We have them for a few more weeks. Friday I'm actually working (orientation) and then I think Hayden and I will hit up good ol' Chuck-o-Rama for Mom's Night Out (for those of you who don't know, I used to work there). This weekend is Beerfest, although we haven't decided when we're going and if we're taking the kids or not.

Hmm, where can I fit in the time to get this house clean?? I am so ready to do a major declutter, but I just can't seem to find time to do it. I refuse to just throw things away, so it always turns into a major feat. I am a pile person. I have a pile of things to throw away, those to keep, those for the thrift store, and often a few for different people I think may use it. FYI, piles don't work with toddlers. Especially not one that loves to destroy anything that is in a reasonably orderly fashion. So it really only works when I'm toddler free, which is for a short time in the afternoon (usually 30-45 min) when I'm often pinned under the toddler and/or tending to the baby or after she goes to bed (when I'm exhausted and often fall asleep right next to her). My indecisiveness also doesn't help, because it makes me take forever to do such things. :) My goal is to just start with one room and go from there. Wish me luck. :)

Watching Teen Mom - one of my addictions. Not sure why, but I love reality shows with babies. Does it bother anyone else that Sophia is never buckled into her carseat correctly? Am I the only person above the age of 16 that watches MTV anymore? :)

Sorry, pretty boring blog. Maybe it's good that I don't get to do this more, or everyone would stop reading out of boredom. :) Maybe I'll have something exciting to report after Beerfest this weekend. Doubt it -- those drama-filled intoxicated weekends seem far behind me . . . ;) (thankfully)

Our first family photo.